WaiWai

Winnie, yes.

We read and we appreciate.

That story ...

Has already been told.

Where?

I logged in to ask .

I have not been to this place - http://nest.chiangdao.com/ - , but it's often recommended.

think it is changing, in Bangkok I always see the young girls, (the ones who love Korean boy bands, and spend all their time ab baeuw-ing into their camera-phones), being overly dramatic with their goodbyes to their friends. It almost seems like parody...

Yes.

Saying something in a language that is not your first language can be liberating. It allows expressions and displays that your own culture may not find acceptable.

And of course, at least in Bangkok, globalization is an ever more pressing reality.

The explanations from a Buddhist point of view make a lot of sense.

However, I have seen very similar behaviour amongst Chinese with respect to both "thank you"s and farewells. So far as I understand, you don't thank or farewell those close to you because it is normal and expected for them to share what they have with you, and you will of course see them again soon. Thanking or saying goodbye is overly formal and would create an uneasy sense of distance with a close friend or family member. The Chinese do also avoid becoming indebted to anyone; any favour given carries an expectation of repayment in the future.

So -- is this a case of Buddhism lurking behind Chinese thinking and behaviour or something else?

What is the literal meaning of "lagorn". This word has puzzled me quite a bit as I think it sounds somewhat like the (northern) words for "please wait" (?).

QUOTE (geriatrickid @ 2010-01-07 10:05:44)

As the gap between rich and poor widens, the social tensions will increase. The battleground in the coming decades will be water resources. It will cause angry friction between China and its neighbors as China seeks to divert water. As water is diverted away from Thailand, it will impact the Salawin and Mekong water systems. With limited energy resources, Thailand will be dependent upon world energy suppliers and pay the price. I anticipate the 4 horseman of the apocalypse will vacation in Thailand every so often as they take time away from their residence in Africa.

Now that is a good analysis of a real risk. Add to that we've had some pretty unrainy rainy seasons of late. Rubber trees up here in Issan are showing at least 50% die off. Could be a bug. More likely water.

Agree. A good topic. Please develop these interesting scenarios.

This is a good reminder to change your air con filters regularly, too. (Before I came to Asia, I had never lived in a home with air con, despite living in places with temperatures comparable to those of Chang Mai, so did not know much about air con use and maintenance). If you are not using air con now, you may be in a month or two. What you will find there may worry you, too.

And, yes, I know that many people will say that their home cities are as bad or worse, but for Aussies, amongst others, that's quite often not the case at all. Australia is a large, isolated country, with a low population, though sadly that is changing. Whatever happened to ZPG (Zero Population Growth)?

the central assertion I made was that because humans live much longer as time progresses

Undeniable, I think.

To introduce a third strand to the thread, if humans were to revert to a simpler, nomadic lifestyle, following -- or avoiding -- the seasons as best they can, as did the Australian Aboriginal people, would they perhaps live shorter but more individually fulfilling, environmentally friendly lives? Without the fear of long years of dementia or other severely debilitating illnesses? (Of course, some, who have the means, already do so, jetting in chase of the weather around the globe.) That's an entirely theoretical question, of course, and the Australian Aborigines practised "slash and burn" agriculture, which is said to be "relatively sustainable" if kept to a small scale.(http://rainforests.mongabay.com/0804.htm).

And I want "Thailand's" pool. We're a contradictory species, in so many ways. Natural selection could be our downfall.

Go blow your minds:

Are we discussing (or "discussing" ) "society" or "culture"?

Sure, the two are related but are by no means the same.

I am one of what must be a minority who read the book (it came first) but did not see the movie.

A rather depressing variation on the Lord of the Flies theme.

I saw the film of "The Beach" in a hotel in BKK. Watched with horrified fascination. This film has surely not attracted people to Thailand? How was the book ??

I'm not sure you and I are discussing the same thing - when I say 'you know the kind of stuff expats complain of, and almost any Thai you speak to will agree with' I'm referring to my experience of speaking to Thais in their own language about things that they don't like about Thailand - and I observe a close correlation between these things and many of the things expats complain about - I've give examples...... Corruption, Nepotism, Rip-Offs, <deleted> Service, Abuse of Power, Thai Police Antics, Thai Politician Antics....

Quite. And so much more we may not discuss openly, but aspects of society which so many (Thai or foreign) laud as it serves their own interests.

Fair enough, thaimaite, but I think the general point about rethinking our ways holds true.

Regardless of your views, I think you'll applaud the following story:

Schoolboy's idea considered at climate talks

Posted Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:12pm AEDT

Officials at the United Nations climate change conference taking place in Copenhagen are to discuss an energy-saving device designed by a 15-year-old British schoolboy.

Robert Appleton won a competition with his system which powers street lights using energy generated when cars drive over speed bumps.

"Our system works as the car comes over, it'll push down the bump, which will push down hydraulic pistons, which will turn a generator," he said.

"And then with this energy stored it can be fed back into the grid to power streetlights and other amenities."

He believes that one car could produce enough energy to power a light for around nine hours.

The Danish Prime Minister will examine the design later today.

I have to say thank youse/you'all for your warming posts, organ37... oops! ... but you might enjoy that slip, so I'll let it slide.

kamp, it can feel a little chilly but many of us who've observed ourselves adapting find the change invigorating. As is often the case, it rather depends on the place from which you are coming ...

Thanks, h90 ... should prove to be interesting times ...

Interested, too, in recommendations for places to stay for visitors. Mid to upper range, centrally located/on the fringes for access to transport and restaurants (shopping not so important), as quiet as possible in that vicinity; pleasant gardens/views, good service.

Thanks, Tywais.

Never mind, Khun orang.

All the best to you and your friend.

Khun orang37,

I'd be interested in knowing the contact information for the "very competent local farang".

Thanks,

WW

Someone asked on this thread, "how can society compel a deadbeat dad to pay to support his offspring?"

Most girls who get pregnant, know who inseminated them. Or, if it was a group sex or a gang rape, they probably have a good idea of the culprits. Along with that, there's DNA testing for accuracy.

Unfortunately, most single moms, would err on the side of 'forgiving' and thereby enabling the deadbeat dad to avoid responsibility.

If a deadbeat dad can't pay at least Bt.100/day to his ex-, then he gets sent to a "Responsibility Center". He makes at least minimum wage: Bt.170/day, half of that sent by hiring administration directly to the single mom for partial support of the child or children. What types of work? laundry services, tanning leather, making pallets/crates, recycling, digging ditches, picking up litter after outdoor concerts, making sidewalks/fixing roads/railroads and infrastructure. Steam cleaning the black mildew that grows on the sides of every building in Thailand, cleaning streets and sidewalks. Dealing with the tangles of black wires that line every road in Thailand, .......and such.

There are ways to get out of the camp, all of which require a firm commitment to paying child support until the child turns 18. No exceptions if the mother re-marries of has a decent job.

If the deadbeat dad still runs off, send him to a higher security place.

All the while, educate, educate, educate the younger crowd, including showing videos of the deadbeat dads working their tails off at the Responsibility Centers.

brahmburgers! For a while I thought you were saying there was really such a system in place !

This one: http://www.totalfitnesslangley.com/healinghands.htm ?

This place seems to be in Canada

not too helpful! Sorry! As you'd have seen, she studied in Chiang Mai. The "Total Fitness" name seemed familiar to this city so did not look further.

Stumbo seeemed to know the right place, though.

Hope Doppa is doing well and perhaps he'll report back (no pun intended).

today people were just walking around, and talking although no one seemed terribly upset. when i questioned hubby, he said: what do u want them to do? walk around and cry?

Thai's do seem a bit shut off in that sense unless something happened that will directly affect them. While there may be logic of not making a fuss, the cynic in me sees a general lack of emotion/affection or just not really caring. Perhaps it's that we are overly so...

I find this very interesting, too. It certainly demonstrates the power of inculturation, if reactions to death can be so very different.

Is there a grief suppressed, or processed differently, or minimized, or is it non existent?

Are there cultures which deal with death in a similar way?

Forgot to say: sorry, bina, as this has presumably affected you.

"Some Thais stand on the toilet seat in order to avoid disease they perceive exists from many that have used the seat before them........"

Most Thais, who squat on the toilet seat feel more comfortable by doing that. They are used to squat. Moreover the defecation is more thorough and therefore healthier. I have done that for many years. But now I gained weight and that makes me worry about the toilet pan.

BTW, many old people in rural areas are uncomfortable by sitting "normally" like Westerners do on a chair. So they sit cross-legged on a chair simultaneous avoiding the insects below.

Shouldn't that guy take his pants off first?

Looks contented, though. Perhaps he just enjoys sitting there.

Yes; a great stall and lovely people.

At my wife's bakery, Butter is Better at Rim Ping Mi Chok, there is for sale 100% whole wheat bread. No white flour is used at all. In fact, for some reason, she makes 2 kinds. One is made with stone ground whole wheat flour, the other is made with a very high gluten whole wheat flour. Occasionally she also makes a genuine german sourdough rye which is 2/3 dark rye flour and 1/3 whole wheat flour.

Sounds good .

Will have to research the advantages (I assume) of high gluten. Have only much heard of gluten as something to which some people are allergic.

Oh, and don't forget all the offerings from Meals on Wheels -- http://www.mealsonwheels4u.com/index.php. A forum sponsor (and a great service).

This one: http://www.totalfitnesslangley.com/healinghands.htm ?