Iron Tongue

This thread is titled "...self defense weapons." Having a knife, pepperspray, or a taser for self defense means that they'd normally be in your pocket or waistband. That Swedish Turk thug made a surprise attack. -I doubt that anyone here, including myself, would be able to draw their weapon as they're falling onto the street. That victim may have already been unconscious before he hit his head, as the strike looked like one to the vagus nerve (instant KO). The best "defense" in these situations is to maintain distance and never let an aggressive beast get close-enough to launch a strike. For cases like this, a cane would have been very useful, even a lit cigar would help you keep others at a distance.

I wouldn't kick that guy in the head once he's down, but I think he deserved what he got. These guys would never have behaved this way in their own countries, but allow themselves to get to this level of drunken behavior when a tourist in a foreign land. Now he knows what happens. I'll wager he'll never get this out-of-control again.

Yes. Get rid of that second toe to save your big toe and move on with life. You don't really need that second one but loss of the big toe will affect how you walk, run, balance, even your ability to turn right & left. You need that biggie to maintain cosmetic appeal as well. But rather than an axe, I'd suggest chisel. .

I doubt that limiting alcohol hours will kill tourism all by itself, but it is "one more nail" hammered into the coffin of Thailand's decreasing appeal to tourists worldwide. Plenty of families come to the LoS, rent a villa or luxury suite and go trekking and elephant rides as a family, etc. And some Asian tourists, like from China, who have a different understanding of "party" than Americans, Brits, Russians, and so on. I'm sure price gouging does more to discourage tourists. And for Chinese, the kidnapping and enslavement by telephone scammers is a real downer

To offset the alcohol bans, I'm sure someone will pass laws to only allow the smoking of weed between the hours of 2-5 and after 12.

Nonsense. Big Joke didn't need to say anything more. The implication is that if the other policeman tried to take that 100 billion bribe which Big Joke refused, he would have been liable for 100% of the repercussions when these zero dollar schemes were shut down.

Yeah, but they'll tuck nicely into the g-string of your local bargirl without chafing, and won't pick-up nasty smells at that!

Billy Idol's crazy Thai exploits were paid for with money that he earned. Billy did not enjoy having a Foreign Service flunky pay for prostitutes with money taxed from the people of the UK.

Someone else controlling ATM card? Get a replacement issued without the controller's knowledge.

Did anyone ask the Chinese if they're coming? I mean, it is October already and there needs to be plane flights booked and hotels arranged, especially with the 33rd SEA Games coming. And did this sports and tourism minister bother to check to see if the last 3 months of the year coincide with any major Chinese holidays? (The only one left is their Mid Autumn Day, which spans Oct. 1-8). But the big Chinese New Year doesn't begin until February, 2026.

Just perfect for alleviating Chinese fears of being kidnapped and forced to work in jungle call centers far from any tourist areas. Good thing the Thais have identified and issued national arrest warrants every Chinese gangster in Thailand so that AI will be able to find them as they hang out in crowded tourist areas.

This! Find the nearest Wat/temple where the monks give hot stone massages and have an angry old man beat those stiff muscles into submission using hot stones and steamed herbs. Those guys are stronger than most women and have no issues with manhandling you as needed.

Cracks and other fatigue symptoms happen in ALL aircraft. That's why they need to undergo regular maintenance and inspections, as well as follow set lifetime service schedules. When a crack is found, the part gets replaced. Same for engines, even wings get regular replacement based on hours of use. This is particularly true for military planes which undergo a lot more stressful flying than commercial planes. One does not junk a plane just because a crack is found. I suspect this story is making the news because the RTAF wants to justify its Grippen procurement.

Kinda a good idea, but too socialist, and we know the funds set to help lagging restaurants will just disappear.

I'm not a UK citizen, but I am a very frequent flyer with my US passport. I don't recall ever needing to go through Immigration checks when departing from a US airport, as the inspections are done at my destinations or when I return back to the US. Is this the same with how UK passport holders go through in their home airports?

Waaagh! I come from a troubled family background! That's the reason why I shouldn't be jailed for voluntary involvement in smuggling drugs across international borders! Waaagh!

The damage one does to their body is cumulative. Doesn't need any study to know that. Just quitting smoking does not mean that you won't get lung cancer or emphysema years later, nor does quitting drink keep you from already having cirrhosis or other health problems. Moderation over time does help of course. So does genetics. So does a bit of luck.

2500 dead. I think this Thai General is interviewing for a job at the Tourism Board when he retires.

Still a high Dollar to Baht exchange rate, and only 6-days into a truce in their war with Cambodia. That's really inviting for most vacationers.

I think air pollution may be a contributing factor. Have you moved recently? Or, are you mostly static? Either one may keep you exposed to who-knows-what is in the air. Are you running multiple air purifiers in your home? Also, have you gotten a full check-up including chest X-rays? It could be signs of something worse. My father hadn't smoked in 40-50 years and lived in California, yet developed lung cancer at a late age (78).

Hey, the Russians might still come! They still go to the Crimea and sun on the beaches as drone delivered explosives blow up Russian warships in the naval base nearby. I think it's actually safer for them in Thailand.

100 Cambodian soldiers killed? FAKE news. Just nonsense meant to feed Thai nationalism. Why are some of you immediately accepting as truth? Do you believe everything else you've ever heard from the Thai Govt & news? 100 dead Cambodian troops? And how do the Thais know this? They're just shelling villages and jungle. In modern combat the accepted % of casualties that die is ~15% - so for Thailand to cause 100 deaths means that they've actually caused ~700 casualties. For Cambodia to have 700 wounded soldiers means that they would have needed to march entire Brigades, possibly divisions of troops directly at the Thais. IF this many troops are actually involved, it would be a full scale war. Quit believing this silliness.

Yes. From reading this thread, most posters don't understand that the Thai and Cambodians have been traditional enemies for 700 years. Just because it's 2025 does not mean that one wrong move won't spark a full blown war at a scale not seen since 1979. China can end a war, but they'd gain more "prestige" if they let the killing get really bloody before stepping-in so they'd look even better in the eyes of the world.

Why do they keep visiting? Thailand is the only country that allows Russians 90 (60+30) days visa-free entry. While there are other countries do allow Russians to enter visa-free, no other country allows for so long, except for hellhole countries worse than Russia.

Why do they keep visiting? Thailand is the only country that allows Russians 90 (60+30) days visa-free entry. While there are other countries do allow Russians to enter visa-free, no other country allows for so long, except for hellhole countries worse than Russia.