jonclark

where did he think he was america, not too hard to notice a farang running away in rangsit.

but what do expect from an american, there brought up to just take things that are not theres.

Tell us about any politician, in any country in the world that does not "take things that are not theres"? So the guy was an American? With more than 300 million people living in the U.S., if all of them were thieves like Europeans seem to think, could there really be a country left? Do all African Americans steal? Do all Mexicans steal? Do all Chinese steal? Do all Europeans living in the U.S. steal? Or are you referring that White Americans steal - thing they have a right to take things that are not theirs? This guy looked White/Caucasian to me in the photo. Perhaps that is what you meant because it would be quite racist to say that African Americans or Latinos "were brought up to just take things that are not theres." Talk about painting an entire nation with the same wide brush! Don't confuse ALL Americans with their Government? Really, no really, how much control do you have over the politics, the way things are done, in the country of your birth, much less Thailand? Last week it was "hate the British" week, but this week is a 6 year continuous "hate Americans week" which has been going on ever since I joined Thai Visa. And how many Americans do the American haters in Thai Visa REALLY know? Met a few rude, loud Americans from New York, N.J., Michigan, Massachusetts or Calif.? Not much of a true representation of what Americans really are.

Have to say i agree with you. I'm British and the Americans i've met both here in Thailand and back home have been spot on, friendly and good to talk to. Feel so sad that so many people have such bigotted attitudes towards their fellow man. It seems the more westerners stay in Thailand the more racist they become. Is it a defense mechanism to protect themselves from the percieved xenophic attitude they think Thais carry? - who knows.

But which ever way you paint it racism has no place in any country developed or not

It's strange the other day, there was a topic on here comparing Brits abroad in various countrys, the number of yanks that jumped on the band wagon taking the opportunity to give us a Brit bashing, "all the brits are scum", "all the brits are trouble-makers", "why don't the brits stay in their own country". (ha! - I haven't heard of any of them robbing banks, I remember a German guy doing it in Chonburi 6yrs back, and I remember a Norwegian holding up a gold store in Pattaya)

The number of people who come to this country and live on the bread-line is unbelievable, and in my line of business I see them all, so I can safely say there is definately a majority of one nation that pass through my doors who live in this situation (let's just say they didn't live the AMERICAN DREAM). My question is why do they do it to themselves, if you call living in Paradise - living out your life in a little box, not even a motorbike for transport, and penny pintching at every eatery (down the road its only 25bt, so why are you charging me 30bt), you really should be thinking of heading home, you are embarrasing yourself and your home-nation. All these people that I have come across, seem to be within 'the working age' have 2 legs & arms, and seem perfectly able. So go home, get a job, and come back when your life's in order, and stop inflicting your miserable way of life on the rest of us.

Way to many sad individuals in this country, spoiling it for the rest of us.

And to pre-empt anybody sticking up for these saddos and saying "look, some people just get dealt a bad hand", success is a journey not a destination. The problem with most of these low-lifes they haven't learnt to accept responsibility for their actions and love to blame others for their pit-falls, until they accept responsibility for their actions, their lives will never improve.

This is a good post with which I agree.

I live in Pattaya and it is scary to see the large number of low life, desperate, penniless farangs around.

Could not the Thai authorities do something to rid us of all this scum?

What exactly would you like the Thai authorities to do, drown them in the sea, shoot them through the head, deport anyone who does not adhere to a certain criteria, Tattoo a number and star onto their forehead mein furher !

The kid should go - Just imagine the shame and embarrasment if the wee fella won and Thailand wouldn't let him back into the country. I can see the headline now Thai World Champion refused entry to Thailand

It really would drag the whole issue out into the open. Lots of 'umms', 'arrhs' and claims of 'not our responsiblity' would issue forth from the various ministries.

Unfortunatly, there are so many talented and skilled people, old and young that miss out on opportunities in this country because of their financial or ethnic status. A genuine shame as thai people have a rich artist and creative history, but most only get the opportunity to experience the mundane.

I think we should just remember the old adage -when in Rome do as the Romans do. And it seems the Brits are doing a pretty good impersonation of the Thais during Songkran, although minus the water. Although they beat us hands down with drinking and drinking related fatalities.

On holiday, the weather's hot, the booze is cheap, the girls want to play - what's the problem? To some people drink is the trigger to getting out of control but there's normally something else too. Buy a girl a few drinks then another customer comes in and knows her and she's all over him. In the west that may be one thing but here it's time to move on to the next girl or bar. Maybe they should publish a set of bat etiquette and hand it out on all incoming flights. Fighting over a bar girl is like fighting over the last peanut in the bowl.

Couldn't agree more - people are people and as you said the weather's hot and the beer is cheap and the girls wanna play.

If it was cold, expensive and full or Russian 'shot putters' It would all be so different

Amazing how much anger there is out there towards brits. I guess it must make weak minded people feel more secure and confident (maybe they've got small willies or something) bashing people of another nationality in a vain attempt to prop up their flagging ego and libido. Ah well us Brits are very self deprecating anyway so we don't take it to heart - just have another beer and SMILE

I am British and will condemn foul mouthed , dangerous , yobbish Brits in Thailand , So should you

Why should I?? Must I share your opinion and perspective?? I am no saint and at times i've had a few too many and let it all hang out. Am i foul mouthed, dangerous and yobbish - no.

And the truth be told where in the OP does it say that the poor sods that died here on motorbikes are foul-mouthed and dangerous. Obviously people some people have a set stereotype fixed in there head for the word 'Brit' and cannot deviate from that fixed idea and are taking this opportunity to vent their views on the unsuspecting world - Just chill.

I haven't read all eleven pages of posts but the ones I have read not one person has mentioned that fact that this is a tragic loss of life, that effects far more people than those unfortunate enough to lose their lives. May all of those that died RIP.

Anyway i'm off for another f*****g beer, then i'm gonna smash the missus in the mouth

Amazing how much anger there is out there towards brits. I guess it must make weak minded people feel more secure and confident (maybe they've got small willies or something) bashing people of another nationality in a vain attempt to prop up their flagging ego and libido. Ah well us Brits are very self deprecating anyway so we don't take it to heart - just have another beer and SMILE

Stop whining or stay in your Falang country!

I log in to read the news, and maybe some more info about this, but all i see is whining...go home then if everything is that bad....or if you can't stick to topic, go post in SA instead.

Like most of you guys i choose to come here, why try to change this place then? Remember, you are all guests...

OK then apologists, why not take your "be happy to bend over and take it" approach through to its logical conclusion. Next time you get seriously ill, do nothing. People get sick and die all the time, it's the natural order of things. Why try to change it? Don't you dare whine about the need for more medical research or better hospitals ... and don't take your medicine. If you can't accept that then, well, you're not ready to be a human ... get outa here

The luggage theft issue in isolation is hardly life or death, but it is one visible facet of the obvious breakdown in law and order at Suv. airport, and clearly an element of the overall security issue. In this day and age who would amongst you would be so foolish as to suggest that airport security - which can affect ALL of us deeply - should be put to one side for some imagined fear of bruising Thai sensibilities. So save your "quite whining" signs for threads about how hot the food is here.

Well said - You are GUESTS - No i'm not; this is the home of me and my skinny white English arse. And being English I love to complain.

Another point to be made - if they're readily taking things out of bags - and presumably through a security checkpoint (no sniggering at the back) how easy would it be to put something IN your bags and then line the unsuspecting tourist up for a scam when they collect the bags from the carousel. Hmmm the mind boggles.

The KP scam been flagged up so no doubt they're looking for another scam to pull to make up for the money lost at KP.

I think this is a pi** take aimed at public ally shaming the inadequacies of the Thai police force and the country.

Think about it, what in western countries would have been a simple crime to solve, the crime supposedly is caught on video, but the Thai police don't know what to do with the tape !! as a result no one is caught / the crime is not resolved.

So, all the Spaniard can do is walk out of the police station stunned that the police don't give a s**t - but later comes up with a plan to shame them.

Wonder what the embassy said when he handed over the cent??

Sorry don't see what the actions of Triumph a private company, have got to do with the Swiss embassy??? The government and / or embassy has no influence over internal business decisions.

Imagine protesting outside the Thai embassy in London at the actions of a Thai company. They'd simply shut the doors and look the other way.

Blame the farang. Nothing changes.

My family's happiness rating has gone through the roof. Now they eat properly, the kids won't be snatched out of school so as to earn a crust, they are adequately clothed, they live in comfortable accomodation, etc etc. This is because of my farang influence - and at times, compulsion. Some have even begun to think for themselves. Yeah. The Western influence has ruined Thailand.

Sure their situation has improved......but what is the true definition of happiness in this situation.....many people grow to quickly accept their improved situation......didn't have transport for 20 years....buy a motorsi...great improvement.....buy a car....great improvement.....now cannot do without a car.....more expense.......worry about paying the repair bills/petrol etc......

Happiness for improved situations is transient.....educational benefits will only be appreciated later in life....

Do you enjoy your life?....diffferent matter.....and it appears the 'westernised' people in BKK are the ones who are not so happy...according to the report......

What utter s**t. People in Thailand are unhappy because their country is in a complete mess. It has nothing to do with the west. How can it? The westerners have no political influence in Thailand. All the decisions made here are by THAIS for the benefit of THAIS. And lets be brutally honest what is your working definition for 'westernized people in bangkok?' How does this western influence work??

People are unhappy cause of a myriad of negative factors - Swine flu, falling incomes, political problems and social division throughout society.

Bugger all to do with the western influence.

Happiness is usually judged by people meeting their 'expectations'.......western influence can knowingly or unknowingly raise that level of expectation.......as stated above by influence through media or TV or other factors........the fact that Thai politics does not perhaps assist in meeting this level of expectation does not mean westernised ideals do not affect it.....

And the media you are talking about would be, TV radio magazines.... which are all THAI controlled media outlets. Thai media copied western media and copied it without knowing the consequences. They control what goes into their media they deal with the ramifications of this. Their choice entirely. No western influence there other than being copied and how can you be blamed when your model is copied. If Thais are so fiercely independent they should have though of inventive and creative Thai media models that best reflected the values and culture of their people. People have a choice to say yes or no, to buy or not buy. You take responsibility for your own life and if it goes tits up. It's your fault and no one else s.

You don't sit their saying "We're unhappy because we copied the west and western expectations and now it's all gone pear shaped."

Blame the farang. Nothing changes.

My family's happiness rating has gone through the roof. Now they eat properly, the kids won't be snatched out of school so as to earn a crust, they are adequately clothed, they live in comfortable accomodation, etc etc. This is because of my farang influence - and at times, compulsion. Some have even begun to think for themselves. Yeah. The Western influence has ruined Thailand.

Sure their situation has improved......but what is the true definition of happiness in this situation.....many people grow to quickly accept their improved situation......didn't have transport for 20 years....buy a motorsi...great improvement.....buy a car....great improvement.....now cannot do without a car.....more expense.......worry about paying the repair bills/petrol etc......

Happiness for improved situations is transient.....educational benefits will only be appreciated later in life....

Do you enjoy your life?....diffferent matter.....and it appears the 'westernised' people in BKK are the ones who are not so happy...according to the report......

What utter s**t. People in Thailand are unhappy because their country is in a complete mess. It has nothing to do with the west. How can it? The westerners have no political influence in Thailand. All the decisions made here are by THAIS for the benefit of THAIS. And lets be brutally honest what is your working definition for 'westernized people in bangkok?' How does this western influence work??

People are unhappy cause of a myriad of negative factors - Swine flu, falling incomes, political problems and social division throughout society.

Bugger all to do with the western influence.

Ah well another reason NOT to watch TV. A group of politicians who like the sound of their own voice.

Blah, Blah Blah...............

Let's put this in perspective -

WE'RE ALL GONE DIE

nuff said - can we move on please

3 kg of Heroin, not cheap - Wonder where and from who he bought that little packet from in Thailand. I'm sure he's singing like a bird in prison. Do you think the BiB will be acting on any information?? He obviously isn't a one man cartel, you don't go from 'store man to international trafficker with 12 million baht of heroin unless someone is pay rolling you

Be nice to see this drugs ring smashed with the aussie buyer and probable Thai supplier caught, which would have more effect in the overall supply of drugs than catching the courier.

The People's Alliance for Democracy on Monday filed a lawsuit with the Criminal Court against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and Police Chief Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan for abuse of authority.

The lawsuit was filed by lawyer Nathaporn Toprayoon, who was appointed by Chaiwat Sinsuwong of the People's Alliance for Democracy, to represent the 36 PAD leaders who have been summoned to hear criminal charges, including act of terrorism, in connection with the PAD's seizures of Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports late last year.

Mr Abhisit, Mr Suthep and Pol Gen Patcharawat, who were responsible for overseeing police, failed to properly perform their duties allowing police investigators to have made too severe charges against the PAD leaders since the protests at the two airports were only political gatherings.

The court set Aug 24 for examination of the lawsuit.

-- Bangkok Post 13/07/09http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/148819/pm-sued-by-pad

Is this real? So sorry to say it is.LOL Thailand.

Since when was it the job of a prime minister (any prime minister) to oversee police investigations?If the PAD win then I'm suing the PM too. The fine of 500 baht i received last week for speeding was much too severe. The PM failed in his duties by allowing investigators to make too severe a charge. Anyone know a good lawyer?

55555555555555 +++++

If Thai Airways was smart they'd reconfigure these things for high volume seating and try to entice tons of budget travellers to come to Thailand. Forget about the Thaksin-era dreams of planeloads of wealthy tourists and get back to what works. Another alternative is to sell or lease the A380s to another airline.

855 unwashed backpackers each with 200GBP to spend. How do they pay for the airline ticket?

With money....

Why does the word backpackers always have the word unwashed before it in Thailand??? When I went backpacking around the world many moons ago I had a shower every morning and night, as did pretty much everyone else I met.

The only time I didn't wash was when the places I was staying were so dirty that washing would have made me dirtier, so maybe that's the answer - washing in Thailand makes you dirtier. - Sorry a bit off topic

Antiviral for all with chronic disease

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Published on July 10, 2009

Level 2: Fatality rate at 0.10.5 per cent of all confirmed cases; Thailand's rate is now at 0.4 per cent

Ya what ???? Looks like it's back to the cram school for you for some basic maths training - DOH !!

BTW if 2.4 million people are to be given access to the drugs without testing. That must mean Thailand has a potentially whopping stockpile of ARVs stashed away somewhere, and those ARVs are going to be sold to the hospital by whom and at what price........... I bet someone's gonna make a pretty packet out of this one. Now the muddy waters clear and we see why the media cirus has built this up - Money.

Remember the Longon fruit debacle - where did that money go after all the spin. I don't mean to be cynical but TiT.

Prediction for a possible story in one of the papers next week

Thermal Scanners to be installed at Kao San Road to stop the great unwashed, youth of the west spreading the disease.

Now that's gotta be a vote winner. Young, Foreign and Dirty.

Absolutely no evidence to support this and it's a flimsy as this story.......... so it should work!

Can't see the point of tutorial schools being asked to shut. Surely if you wanted to close places where students or young people gather then, schools, universities, shopping malls, pubs (i know, i know) and clubs would be better starting points.

Oh yes I forgot - This whole story is just a charade so that the government appears to be doing something to prevent the PANDEMIC.

On second thoughts, you know what it wouldn't surprise me if in the next month pubs and clubs are ordered shut.

Lunatics in charge of the asylum me thinks.

GENEVA, Switzerland, June 23 (UPI) -- The World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, says there have been 231 confirmed deaths worldwide attributed to the H1N1 virus.

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/06/23/...25401245813265/

Compare to 36,000 deaths yearly from the standard seasonal flu in the US alone.... the figure above of 231 is worldwide.

Someone is trying hard to cause an unnecessary panic over a comparatively weak flu strain.

P.s. by the way, my son - 11 y/o - got the swine flu 2 weeks ago (found out in the hospital), we took care as according to the doctors, as a common flu. He recovered in 5 days. School informed by hospital according the regulations but did not close .

Like I said on the previous page. This flu is nothing to panic about, but the WHO is causing a stir for some reason... gee, what reason could they have? They need money? They want more power? The selling of toxic flu shots?

Please, be careful of the WHO panic-stirring and the media's reckless fear mongering (it sure sells newspapers, though).

I certainly don't buy any of it... and guaranteed, I'll never accept any mercury-laden flu shot.

Please watch the video - a physician's take on the matter.

A good video response from a US perspective. And the doctor / congressman seems pretty straight.

Personally I think this whole border closure thing is political maneuvering designed to show the democrats as being pro active and decisive and to deflect attention away from the defeats of Bumjaithai in Issan. Will they ever close the borders - No!

But if they did - how would that effect trade, rice exports etc. My guess is it would trash the Thai brand abroad as closing the border maybe interpreted and 'spun' by the foreign media as a quarantined country due to swine flu. Would you want to buy anything from a country under quarantine. Even if it's self imposed.

"....Details of those talks remained under wraps as Commodore Bainimarama left for neighboring Vanuatu after his meeting with Sinawatra for this week’s one day retreat of leaders of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) whether the Thai leader offered an investment package to Fiji in return for being accorded a safe haven, it could not be established...."

investment package - now there's diplomatic speak for ..... if I give you lots of money can I stay here. Lets just hope the Fijians don't do a Thailand.

Set the Rules

Take the money

Change the rules

Tell the investor to leave

These farang have some nerve to slander the King's good name. I hope all of these farang receive the full 15 year prison sentence for their actions here.

Please explain yourself further -

• which farang - Jakarop?? / The people on Thaivisa?
  
• Slander - where / when/ what was said that was slanderous?
  

Please backup your rhetoric laden statements with some fact.

.

With a gaggle of Asian actors, singers etc will follow a gaggle of asian photographers and video crews etc. The photos and video clips will likely then find there way into hundreds of popular asian magazines and onto popular asian tv slots etc= essentially FREE targeted mass advertising (less the comparatively small cost of bringing them here).

Don't know many people who base their holiday plans around a shopping game show staring what may well turn out to be plastic pop stars. Maybe I'm wrong , but seeing Madonna running around the streets of Paris YSL and Armani shopping bags in hand wouldn't persuade me to go to France for my next holiday irrespective of what magazine I saw it in. Good food, wine, service, accommodation, beaches would persuade me. Boy bands shopping for jeans wouldn't.

As you said though may turn out to be a free targeted mass advertising coup, I just think they are advertising the wrong stuff. But, i'm British and maybe the asians have a different set of ideas when booking a holiday.

Chok Dee to you too.

Cheers JC - actually, Asians seem to go gagga over fluffy actors and actresses and the market is usually affluent. Therefore I see the silly aspect but also the savvy aspect. Add in the other subtle aspects of the seemingly silly campaign of showing off a modern Bkk (shopping malls, elevated skytrain with connecting walks etc) all portrayed in a 'seemingly' safe environment, plus having them shop for Thai brands on top and all in all, damned clever really.

As one not taken by all the 'star' glitz etc, I get your Madonna point. Mel Gibson was was filming back in my home town and a traffic cop stuck his head in my window and apologised for what would be a lengthy delay. I stuck my head out and shouted 'Hey Mel, act like a cop and get this traffic moving' (big grin from Mr Gibson;)

However, if you've seen the clever 'I feel like a star' advert on CNN with Costner, bet many remember the airline... (good advert that, altho, bet Costner wouldn't want it seen in the west;)

Yeah, must be an Asian thing cause I don't get it, so I guess all we can do is wish the project 'chok dee' and hope it puts some baht back in the pockets of the hoteliers and businesses that depend on all tourist to earn a daily wage, and that TAT hasn't wasted x millions of Thai tax payers money again.

As they say; different strokes for different folks.

.

With a gaggle of Asian actors, singers etc will follow a gaggle of asian photographers and video crews etc. The photos and video clips will likely then find there way into hundreds of popular asian magazines and onto popular asian tv slots etc= essentially FREE targeted mass advertising (less the comparatively small cost of bringing them here).

Don't know many people who base their holiday plans around a shopping game show staring what may well turn out to be plastic pop stars. Maybe I'm wrong , but seeing Madonna running around the streets of Paris YSL and Armani shopping bags in hand wouldn't persuade me to go to France for my next holiday irrespective of what magazine I saw it in. Good food, wine, service, accommodation, beaches would persuade me. Boy bands shopping for jeans wouldn't.

As you said though may turn out to be a free targeted mass advertising coup, I just think they are advertising the wrong stuff. But, i'm British and maybe the asians have a different set of ideas when booking a holiday.

Chok Dee to you too.