Barnet1900

11 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

What are you talking about? They don't charge you extra for doing the written exam when you want to obtain a full Thai driver's license. So how can this possibly be "all about the money"??? Care to explain?

So much nonsense posted in this thread by people who just want to bash and are too stupid to actually read the OP. 

So there will be no cost or charge at all to this whole new process then?

Yours sincerely Thai basher...

2 hours ago, Davedub said:

In other news; Thailand is concerned about reduced tourist arrivals with so many visitors now chosing Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and the Phillipines over Thailand.

 

So making Thailand even less accessible by further increasing the bureacratic burden on visitors doesn't sound like a very good idea at all to me.

 

There's also an underlying arrogance to this move; they're essentially saying they don't trust the standard of driving tests from other countries. Having completed both UK and Thai driving tests for both cars and motorcycles, I am of the opinion that UK driver skill level requirements are far higher.

 

I wonder how long it will take for enterprising Thais to start offering an express 'license service' whereby the necessary paperwork can be obtained with a phone call and 2000 Bhat?

 

Hopefully the authorities will realise the daftness of this move before they 'put yet another nail in the coffin' of their golden goose (20% of GDP). But Thailand is as Thailand does; logic doesn't always seem to be the primary motivator.

Quote of the day 

I must admit, my first reaction to this news was once again.....it's all about the money rather than the safety and wellbeing of drivers.

On 6/17/2025 at 3:10 PM, Geir Rasch said:

Well, behavior of this foreigner contributes to the xenophobic. 
This is the kind of people I wish I would never be compared with. I wish them all out of Thailand!

It certainly does but my reference regards the way the report homes in on nationality rather than stick to the story (excuse the pun.)

I'll just harass someone between 12 and 1pm. The Thais will all go to lunch then.

25 minutes ago, riclag said:

You get excessive  noise renting too!

 

True, but I think the point being that you can cut your losses and move on.

Wouldn't fancy trying to sell my house if there's a hole like that living next door.

I saw a woman driving an electric bike today, with her 2 year old daughter sitting, NOT on the seat at the rear, but in the footwell at her mum's feet. Her feet were dangling just above the road surface and it was at 18.40 in a busy area.

Some people don't deserve to have children. 

12 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

Fitting nickname.

Absolutely. Pathetic.

Thais put hazard lights on because they think it means GO STRAIGHT.

At a roundabout the car coming onto the circle will assume priority, so everyone copies.

Drive on pavements, up hard shoulders, the list goes on and on.

Could it be that they don't use their horns because they don't know how to?

Noise reduction here is non existent. Neighbours, dogs, music, talking in public....can't see why they'd take offence in a car, especially when they usually know what they're up to.

Possibly the fight/flight reaction from the shock.

They can't prevent a bunch of taxi drivers holding the airport hostage (if the choose to) so good luck fighting an army. 

Never ceases to amaze me how they can't navigate a safe space to move away. I hated mini roundabouts when they were introduced at home but people soon learnt and fell into line. No chance here after all these years still. Shut your eyes and hope comes to mind.

Yep, drove home today, past 3 chaps fixing cables on ladders in the dark. Easily run into those ladders and down falls the unfortunate chap.

5 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

You can't cure stupid.

That you can't. 

1 hour ago, rumak said:

 

behind my present house :

Stunning buddy. You're a lucky chap 

17 minutes ago, Hummin said:

It is all about the small blink of an eye that can brighten up your day a little bit.

 

To much negativity in this world, sharing food and view is just delightful contributions, and hopefully sharing views from different perspectives can take you places. Either mentally or physically.

 

Lightening up 

 

 

I love this thread. Fantastic idea whoever thought it up 

Personally, my favourites are rice fields or the BKK cityscape at sunset.

11 minutes ago, dutch boy said:

Trying to build an outdoor kitchen on one of my decks:

That looks like Wonglamat. I love those big balconies. 

1 hour ago, KannikaP said:

Is it not just as easy to lose you phone?

Probably. Personal thing with me. Sunglasses, wallet, keys...always manage to leave them and walk off.

Phone, for some reason it is like another limb. I'm constantly aware of where it is. If it's not on me somewhere something kicks in.

It's often the customers using the points cards rather than paying by phone that take longer. Apart from the odd shop whose QR code takes forever to scan, paying by QR is very simple.

I never carry cash anymore but that's because I'm always losing my wallet so I don't carry one. It doesn't suit everyone but it works for me. Cardless withdrawals also appeal. The only place where I need cash to pay is 7-11 and passing them by because of this actually saves me a bit of cash each day.

On 5/31/2025 at 12:17 PM, KhunLA said:

Yep, and so easy behind a keyboard ... 

King of kings on this forum.

On 5/31/2025 at 12:53 PM, grain said:

Agree entirely, and it's the thing I don't like about this forum, and it stops me from posting, as many times I make a post or type out a reply, then just delete it because I think...why bother, someone is just going to come right back at me, twist my words to use against me, and I can do without the agro.

Getting that way too. I enjoy a debate or bit of banter but there are the sad, little losers with nothing better to do than become human click bait. 

Saying that, still a great place to get information and advice about living here. Just have to try and get in and out before the minority wake up or come in from their morning stroll.

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

No... Your response wasn't that...   Your response was this: 

 

 

I call BS on that statement...   The richest, most affluent schools in the country...   and then you exclude 'actual rich and affluent schools' (Int'l schools) and restrict to Thai Government schools...  OK, we'll go with that.

 

But, the Affluent, Wealthy and Powerful Thai's 'generally' do not send their Kids to Thai schools - they send them overseas or to International Schools, perhaps very small minority may send their kids to a Thai Government School...   but even the best Schools in Thailand such as Triam Udom Suksa no longer have the the 'draw' they once had, far from it... 

 

 

...Think of any well known, local and major business, famous family names in thailand, CP Group etc, Central Group, Mall Group etc.. Politicians and the Prime-minister's daughter - their kids are at International Schools or Boarding overseas....   (*these are the families who would previously send their kids to Triam Udom Suksa or Mahidol Wittayanusorn... but times have very much changed).

 

I'm not denying physical punishment occurs in 'Thai Government Schools throughout thailand - I am calling BS on your statement that it occurs in the most affluent schools as a policy accepted by Wealthy, Affluent and Powerful families, 

 

... Wealthy, Powerful, Affluent families will not tolerate their children 'having buckets kicked out of them' by any teacher....  in any school...   particularly as a matter of policy... (which is also against the law).

 

 

No, you haven't stated it... you are refusing to state it...    PM me the school - we may find that its not quite as 'affluent' as you are making out and the students who 'have buckets kicked out of them' by teachers are not from Wealthy, powerful or affluent families...  The teachers wouldn't dare.

 

 

 

 

 

BS..another carefully chosen insult. Nice one. You really do have an overinflated ego Richard. If someone dares to disagree with you the insults and patronising taunts appear.

Why do you need me to PM you the name? Go back to this story and you'll see which one I'm talking about. There's always the possibility that you don't know every school in Thailand isn't there? In this case you clearly don't.

I call BS on that statement...   The richest, most affluent schools in the country...   and then you exclude 'actual rich and affluent schools' (Int'l schools) and restrict to Thai Government schools...  OK, we'll go with that.

International schools were not excluded, you added them to the mix which never had those as the focal point. The debate was rich v poor THAI schools, therefore international schools are irrelevant. That's my point.

Quote me where I said THAI GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS. As a rule, rich Thais don't go to government schools and the ones I have referred to are the high-end Thai schools NOT government. I am not referring to government schools.

Are you saying that it only occurs in Thai government schools? That's the crux here. ONLY GOVERNMENT schools?

Wealthy, Powerful, Affluent families will not tolerate their children 'having buckets kicked out of them' by any teacher....  in any school...   particularly as a matter of policy... (which is also against the law).

All? Is that not yet another huge generalisation? The school I'm referring to is full of the like, corporal punishment happens on a daily basis and it's not a government school. It's a very expensive, highly regarded institute that has a massive reputation here. 

No, you haven't stated it... you are refusing to state it...    PM me the school - we may find that its not quite as 'affluent' as you are making out and the students who 'have buckets kicked out of them' by teachers are not from Wealthy, powerful or affluent families...  The teachers wouldn't dare

I am not refusing, I'm simply not publicly naming a Thai institute that could easily take offense at being named in a public forum. That'd be stupid but then again, ridiculous, naive, bs...so I may as well... right Richard?

How would you know the wealth and status of nearly 5000 kids? Who are you to act as judge and jury just because you have a different opinion? 

The teachers don't dare? I've stated that I witnessed this behaviour on a daily basis for nearly a decade. As you've now said I'm a BS'er I'm interested to hear you say I'm lying therefore.

My view is based on the experience I had from being around a high-end, private, Thai school where hitting kids and humiliation was a frequent occurrence. It wasn't a government school. It was very expensive and full of wealthy Thai children from affluent families. There would be no way in the world that the families had no knowledge of this. It happened. 

If you have the gravitas to proceed with respect, rather than continue to hurl abuse, maybe agree to disagree. 

I stand by my argument that it's not only Thai government schools that hit kids. It happens in those with rich families also. If you disagree, fair enough. Leave it at that.

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Fair enough - however, your quote: [Some of the richest, most affluent schools in the country kick buckets out of kids and with the parent's blessing in advance.]

 

Now you want to ignore certain types of schools...  

 

So... which "richest, most affluent schools" Thai state schools (not International, not military, not private) beat the school children as a matter of policy ?

 

My argument remains: That the type of school which beats children is most certainly not a 'well regarded school' rather it is one where poor children attend. 

 

I know a lot of wealthy Thai parents from affluent backgrounds who send their children to top-tier schools - they are most certainly not the types to sit back and tolerate their child getting hit at school, not at all.

 

 

Thus: I'm still wondering where this sweeping generalisation comes from that "Some of the richest, most affluent schools in the country kick buckets out of kids and with the parent's blessing in advance"... 

 

 

 

Which school - I've not seen you name the school - feel free to PM me. 

 

& Rich families do not send their kids to Thai schools...  'as generalisations stand' they send them to the top tier international schools...    

 

 

 

Please read the entirety of my post. I have stated that I shall not be mentioning the name. I have given a few clues as to which one it is. Think outside Bkk, not too far mind. It is a Thai school or name that any Thai worldwide will recognise. Very good at football, many of the school's alumni are from exceptionally affluent backgrounds. This school, as does it's partners in other provinces, all have corporal punishment as part of it's policy. 10 years of experience makes it a fact not opinion. Google top 20 non-international schools in Thailand and it comes up around 3 or 4. Not that it's relevant.

I said "some" not all. That is not a sweeping generalisation. Please read more carefully. 

I am not ignoring anything, you have included parameters outside of the original argument to suit your side. Military schools and internationals were nowhere near this thread. You added them. The debate is about Thai schools and those between rich and poor. Not international because everyone knows it does not happen there. Nobody said military because...well.. I've no idea why you brought that up.

You know some parents...not all...so there's a generalisation on your behalf.

This quote.

& Rich families do not send their kids to Thai schools...  'as generalisations stand' they send them to the top tier international schools.

No they certainly do not. Where are the statistics to back this up?

Some do but many still see the top Thai names as a means of securing a path towards Jula, Mahidol, and other leading Thai universities. Alternatively they see the networking route the schools offer as a means of securing the child's future. Some Thai families take their children out of international schools around year 5 or 6 and educate them in a Thai school in order to improve their Thai language and ensure they are prepared for universities here. 

I'll make it simple, so you comprehend my side clearly.

Original debate.

Only poor Thai schools or areas of social degradation hit kids. Notice the lack of international in there.

No, all over Thailand, school staff hit kids. "Some" not "all" affluent Thai schools with strong reputations and those regarded highly amongst the elite do hit kids and have disciplinary procedures in place that involve hitting kids. Again...notice the word Thai schools not international. 

My only point is this (below). If you wish to debate it go for it, but stop adding things I have not said nor brought up.

Hitting kids in Thai schools is not restricted to poor ones or those for poor families. It's not restricted to Isan as previously mentioned or people who come from the North East to work in other provinces. It happens all over Thailand including some of the high-end rollers too.

13 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

...   the wealthiest schools in Thailand, those that the Wealthiest of Thai's send their Children to are certainly not schools where the teachers would beat a child... 

 

I know this for a fact because I have first hand knowledge.

So do I and you, not I can say this for all of these schools. Likewise, I have first-hand experience that proves this theory completely wrong. It does happen. It's always happened. It continues to happen.

12 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Agreed, when it comes to Thai state schools, physical punishment remains far more prevalent than it should be. It's a recurring theme in local news, sadly. That said, these reports typically involve rural or neighbourhood schools, where families tend to be less affluent and hold little social influence.

 

However, I still challenge Barnet1900’s claim that such practices are prevalent in the country’s elite institutions. In the most prestigious, affluent schools, any teacher caught resorting to physical discipline would likely be dismissed immediately. His assertion seems rather naïve — unless, of course, he's referring to military academies, which are a different matter altogether.

 

 

Why do you revert to personal insults? Naive because I don't agree with you. Ridiculous because I don't agree with you. 

I am not referring to military academies as well you know. I have stated the school I am referring to. It is prestigious by Thai standards, full of rich Thai kids, and it had a disciplinary policy that involves teachers hitting kids. According to the rules, the disciplinarian should be the allocated staff member to hit the kids but other Thai teachers also did it which I witnessed on a frequent basis. The disciplinarian would hit kids everyday and throughout the day.

The parents know exactly what happens and do not contend it.

Have you considered why the headlines are restricted to poorer schools? Perhaps because the richer ones cannot be challenged or criticised.

Just to make myself clear so you understand my point.

My original reply was in argument against: a. Hitting kids in schools is restricted to Isan or poorer schools.

My response was that:

This happens all over Thailand and does happen in the better, affluent  schools also.

Move on