JonnyF

It's not logically sound to assume EVERY Thai eats dogs. But it's not racist. I've had plenty of Thai colleagues say to me "Oh you're English, you must like to drink beer huh". That's a stereotype and in this case (like many stereotypes) there is a lot of truth in it. But even if there wasn't, it's not a racist comment. It's a stereotype based on my nationality. A bit like Scots being tight with money, Americans being loud and opinionated, Italians being hot headed, Germans being sticklers for timekeeping. Stereotypes, not racism.

Big difference between 5,000 Baht++ (you don't state what 'much higher is') and 300,000 Baht for the girl with food poisoning. I spent a whole day at Bumrungrad (possibly the most expensive hospital in Thailand) getting blood tests for about 40 conditions, ECG, stool and urine tests, ultra sound liver check, 30 minutes with a doctor and it was 14,000 Baht. As I said before I did 3 days 2 nights at Camillian hospital following the bike crash, multiple Xray/MRI and meds - 55,000 Baht. Maybe Samui is just ripping tourists off.

Well, a stroke is quite different to food poisoning, but either way, I agree with Lacessit's take on the situation that (assuming the story is true) he's been massively ripped off. I could pay a million Baht for a Durian, but that doesn't mean Durian's cost a million Baht in Thailand.

So why not explain why it's racist to call someone a beer drinker? I'm genuinely interested how people see racism in everything, even drinking beer. Enlighten me.

What if you say the French eat snails in California? Is that racist?

My comprehension is fine thanks. Allow me to demonstrate my superb interpretation skills as well. What your post above REALLY means is "Ummmm, of course it's not racist to call someone a beer drinker, what a stupid thing to say. I can't possibly back that statement up so I better try to deflect and make a feeble attempt to appear intellectually superior with meaningless, flippant answers". ????

So pray tell, oh one of breathtaking literacy and spectacularly witty comebacks, why would it be racist to call someone a "****ing beer drinker"? ????.

Really? I did 3 days at a good private Bangkok hospital following a motorcycle crash in 2020 right before Covid hit. I had 6 broken bones, required MRI scans, xrays, loads of pain meds, slings, dressings etc. and the total was 55,000 Baht or 1300 quid. The bike repair cost double that. 7k for 3 days basic care? Either she got ripped off or she was exaggerating for 'likes' IMO.

I'm a dog lover (I have 7) but I totally agree with you. It's no different. I wouldn't eat my own and would personally rather eat other meats but if I was starving on a desert island full of dogs you better believe they'd be sleeping with one eye open. Saying that Thais eat dogs is "racist and ignorant" is simply a stupid comment. Because the fact is, some of them do. Such a comment only shows that the individual has contempt for the practice and are denying that some Thais partake in such practice. Which ironically, is pretty ignorant.

How about addressing the point instead of trotting out some tired old phrase to deflect? Oh that's right, you can't ????. I guess it's racist to say the French eat snails as well. Racism! Racism EVERYWHERE!!!!! The horror!!!

Beer Drinkers are a race? Wow, who knew?

Maybe. Drinking beer is much more part of the culture in Germany and Austria than in Thailand. That doesn't make it racist to say Thais drink beer. You're trying too hard.

Ignorant you say? https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-39577557 Saying Thais eat dogs is no more racist than saying they eat snakes. Some of them do. Some of them don't. That race card must be getting a bit worn out by now.

Don't worry about the UK. Project Fear is being exposed for exactly what it was. Nonsense. https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1773415/imf-uk-economy-report-germany

They never let reality get in the way of a good opportunity to play the race card.

Just as many of us predicted. I still believe the real benefits of Brexit will take between 5-10 years to truly materialize (30 years in the tentacles of the EU takes a while to unwrap), but it's good to see the UK economy predicted to grow as soon as 3 years on from leaving, especially when we consider the underlying, depressing global economic outlook following Covid and the War in Ukraine. Well done to those brave enough to Vote to leave the failing, corrupt, federalist project that is the EU.

It's still less obnoxious than say Cowboy, or Bangla, or Walking Street. You know what Thais are like, they want people to think of Thailand and think of temples, beautiful beaches, stunning Thai women wai-ing wealthy tourists as they exit first class. Not dreadlocked backpackers posting hand horn pics on FaceBook from outside a massively gawdy weed shop on Sukhumvit. If it was discreet, 90% of the opposition would go quiet IMO.

Your honour, I present exhibit number 2.

I'll give this one a miss. I managed a couple of hours at the Mardi Gras in Sydney in 1998. Biggest collection of attention seekers I have ever witnessed at a single gathering. Look at meeeeeeeee. It was all a bit cringe really .

Simple. Enforce the age limits for purchase. Remove overt/flashy signage if necessary. That will be much more effective than making the kids ride their Scoopy's and Fino's a kilometre down the road (3 up, underage, no helmet etc.) to buy it from a shop that isn't near a school. Personally I think a lot of the issues with Cannabis would disappear if the flashy signage outside the shops was disallowed. Like the Thai sex trade, nobody is too worried if it's somewhat discreet and behind closed doors, but I think some of the shopfronts in the tourist areas are really rubbing the sanctimonious types up the wrong way. Image is everything in Thailand and I really don't think this is the image the "good people" are looking for their country.

I'm not here to be goaded into taking one side or another. I refuse to a) waste my day arguing on the internet and b) become part of the problem. I'm simply highlighting the way the country is ripping itself apart from within. It would appear you are too engrossed in the battle to see the bigger picture.

Thankyou for proving my point. You are an excellent example of 50% of the problem. Your hatred of Trump (while some 'dislike' of Trump can IMO be justified) blinds you to the massive failings and hypocrisy of the Democrats. A fully paid up member of the 2 party system. So distracted by bickering with the "enemy" while the country falls off the edge of a cliff. Sad to see.

It's already a complete mess. China and Russia are laughing their butts off while western nations argue about whether women can have a penis. Both sides are equally fanatical. Whilst the Dems are the dominant source of vitriol on this forum (for reasons I cannot mention) the Republicans can be just as vitriolic elsewhere. As a neutral, it's sad to see what has become of a once great country. The political and racial divides are absolutely ripping it apart. As for Biden's comment, sure it showed his arrogance and disdain for the average man but what do you expect from these pampered liberal elites? Trump has been rude in the past as well. For me, the difference is that Trump's brashness is part of his political persona, whereas Biden has the 'nice guy' image and you only see the hubris when the mask slips. Classic lefist hypocrisy.

500,000 Baht? More like 10,000 each. I feel sorry for the dogs but at least they are still together. Hopefully the loan shark gives them to a dog lover.

They weren’t. There’s a video showing them in traffic with police cars behind them with sirens on. When the traffic moves they go straight on at the junction and the police turn right. The police were stuck in traffic behind them, attending to another issue. Nobody was troubling them in the video. It’s more fabricated drama.