frond

(ah, never mind).

Hate to be contrary but I was very bored by it. He didn't actually become BATMAN for more than an hour, which is fine if the 'how he became Batman' part was better than it was.

I think Christian Bale makes a terrible BATMAN (he's great in 'The Machinist'--a good film save for the ending-- 'American Psycho' and 'Empire of the Sun').

Gee, and I thought the OP was talking about Assumption.

...

maybe it says most of you are cowards and wont stand up for your rights!

What 'rights,' Uncle Paul? Do you have 'rights' in Thailand? Not even Thai people have rights so what are you talking about?

...

foreigners can NOT own land in Thailand. Condo yes.

That's correct. Thai people do not want foreigners having any stakes in their holy dirt. If the place is high up in a building, away from the blessed Thai earth, then it's even better.

What would happen if a foreigner owned land here? Well, I doubt if they'd build a bunch of slummy tin shacks or make it into a garbage heap! Might be good if foreigners owned land here; it'd be alot cleaner.

He was at the Sawadee hotel in Banglamphu

There's been other things written about this place on the Bangkok thread (some backpackers getting the sh*t kicked out of them for contesting a bill).

What's up with the Sawadee?

The signs are still up at my local mom and pop shop, as well as at TOPS Supermarket.

At Tops Chidlom there's actually an addendum to the notice I've never seen before:

You can buy liquor during off-hours ONLY if the liquor is 10 liters and over!

It should come as no surprise that as immigrants to Thailand, our behavior mirrors that of immigrants to other countries, in particular our response to the dominant culture. First generation immigrants to Europe and the US display the exact same passive acceptance of the culture as is so often seen on this message board, with significant numbers of immigrants going a step further to not so much passively accept the culture, but actively promote its values, even when they run contrary to the immigrant’s best interests.

I'm not an immigrant...I doubt if many posters on this site are immigrants. Most people are on NON-immigrant visas. Thailand isn't exactly open to immigrants, are they?

As for passively accepting Thai culture what else should one do? Tell them to change everything here to better suit us 'immigrants'? It's pretty obvious 'we' do not have any rights here (except through paying someone off to give them to 'us')--nor are 'we' going to change anything. This is very much UNlike the US/Canada/UK/Australia that do give rights to immigrants and to people just visiting.

The worst thing about living in Thailand are the things that do not directly effect my life, but I still am bothered by them on principle: poverty, nationalism, corruption...geez man, I'm sure you've heard this all before.

We live in Plaistow. It's full of Asians and Chavs... and Poles. and Ruskies. and Nigerians. and Flips. and Somalis....

You poor fellow.

My first concert was Michael Learns to Rock with my girlfriend in Bangkok a couple of years ago. I'm 58 years old and feel like I really missed out on seeing concerts over the years. Most of the musicians everyone mentions here I've never heard of before.

Hmmmm...how about a department store? Or order online?

Whew, that took alot out of me!

After having worked here for a few years I was quite dismayed that once a work permit is cancelled you only get 7 days to either find a new job or get out of the country. I went back today and paid 1900 baht for another 21 days (7 days a;ready expired). Looks like I'll have to do a visa run to Poipet in 3 weeks.

My school contract had finished on the 31st March. With w.p. receipt in hand I went to Thai Immigration in hopes of extending the visa for at least a month in order to look for work. Most schools do not even begin to think about the coming school year (in re. to Western instructors) until after Songkran. I heard rumors that Immigration will, with a letter from one's embassy, extend the visa for 30 days--perhaps even 60 days! Those rumors were wrong!!

After working here legally for years all I got was a 7 day stamp. I know it's the "law" and I shouldn't expect any special treatment or applause, but after 4 years at the same job I did expect something better, or at least some understanding...

Thanks Thai Immigration!

Makes the 30 day visa run seem somewhat attractive!

Thought I'd just pop my head back into the thread I started to read any pertinent comments to it. There aren't any.

Seems all of you are obsessed with Nigel the pornstar. I only used him as an example. Whether he deserved getting sliced up or not isn't the question. I was trying to get a discussion going on the growing violence against foreigners in Thailand.

I would like to see this man die

makes me feel like I want to kill this guy.

Jakesideas--you are disturbed.

I had a disturbing talk with my gf last night in regards to the recent violence against foreigners. She told me that there was an article published in a Thai magazine (she couldn’t recall the name) in April or May that was about Thai women preferring foreign men and no longer wanting to be with Thai men. The lyrics to a few look thung songs have also illustrated the sad plight of the Thai man whose wife leaves him for a foreigner (the lyricists excuse was that it was “for money”). A recent TV talk show featured a Thai woman who left her abusive husband for an Englishman and had to endure being stalked and threatened by the ex-husband until the police intervened (with the payoff to do so apparently).

As far as I know the policeman implicated in the murder of the British tourists in Kanchanaburi is still “at large” (i.e. in police protection). The killer of the people found in Khao Yai has not yet been caught.

I was told last night that “Naughty Nigel,” infamous local porn star featured on various Asian sex websites, was knifed on Tuesday night—sliced upwards from his groin to his chest—in Klong Toei. Who knows what the motive for that was, eh?

When will this violence stop against foreigners? Is it “us” or are we just scapegoats and easy targets for drunk, frustrated Thai men who have no other outlet for their anger? Is killing a farang, according to the law and the people who live under its “rule,” like killing an animal; no one will be punished for murdering a lower, expendable life, right? The lack of personal responsibility and self-awareness is grossly lacking. It’s like some amoral free-for-all fueled by poverty, ignorance, nationalism, and bigotry--but then blamed on "Western Culture." The appearance of a tolerant, happy-go-lucky Thai society is fading to show the seething cauldron beneath it. How do these people who beat or kill foreigners feel when their deed is done? Kill a farang and you’ll be the local hero??

My gf’s mother is frightened for us whenever we go upcountry (which is rarely). She thinks that I’ll be murdered and my gf raped and murdered! Why? Because I’m a foreigner with a Thai woman!

Ok, much like anywhere else, granted, but most of “us” would’ve thought otherwise considering the image Thailand has always projected and the feeling I get from Thai people I’m close to.

I’m certain that expats who have been here for 10-20 years would say that this anti-foreigner violence goes in waves, but is it worse now than ever before?

Looking back at this thread I wonder if I should even post it…I hope it doesn’t make me appear to be an “ungrateful, disrespectful farang who doesn’t understand Thai culture and should leave if he doesn’t like what he experiences.” It’s just that this violence reminds me of the mindlessness of violence in the West (but there at least if you're caught you'll be severly punished). I was hoping this place wouldn’t be heading in that same direction. In four years living here this is the first time I’ve been afraid for my (and my gf”s) life.

My gf got her US tourist visa the day after her interview. If your friend's gf's application is accepted she'll also get the visa the next day. For a Fiancee Visa I have no idea what the wait is.

My gf just got her US tourist visa last month. She stated on the application that I would be going with her as her bf and that we'd both pay for the trip. She has a good job here and money saved (which I helped contribute to).

The fact that your gf doesn't have a job might pose a problem. Not to be nosey, but are you supporting her and her two children? If so, can you supply any papers showing this? Might help. Photos of you, her, and the kids will be a good addition to the application.

If you have legal status in Thailand and can show your return and a close relationship with her that is likely to be a very positive factor. I would play that card.

Defintely. You will be the guarantee that she'll return. Go to the interview, bring your passport and relevant documentation. When my gf and I had the interview the officer seemed more interested in me and my passport stamps than her!!

If you wanna go for Xmas then apply by mid-Oct at the latest.

Good luck.

A teacher at my school has admitted that she "hates farangs." Her bf happens to be American and just secured a visa for her to visit next month. She doesn't want to go--why?--she "hates Americans." F*cking strange. My gf is baffled by her attitude.

I live in BKK and keep to myself generally so I've had no serious threats to my life or well-being (knock on wood) though occasionally I've thought that getting jumped on the street may be an inevitable occurence. No different from San Francisco or LA or when I lived in Brooklyn and saw a guy get stomped by a group of men in front of my house.

SICK PEOPLE motivated by envy, greed, frustration (and booze) are everywhere.

I'm learning karate.

Have you ever been to Kenny Bar/Guesthouse on Soi Sri Bumphen. That's where they go....or went anyway; they've cleaned the place up.

I consider arson to be a good pasttime.

That's not an original idea for a bar. I've seen many places just like what you describe, and so have my friends. Yours won't be any different so go back to whatever it is that you were doing before you got all "creative" and shit...

What about walking the Silom gauntlet of 5 Thai guys all pulling at you?!? An older friend (in his late 60s) actually got both of his arms dislocated by these bastards as they tried pulling him in two different directions. It was awful. After getting out of hospital we went to Panthip, little did we know what to expect. This time he lost use of both of his arms from the nerve damage inflicted on him by these parasites. It's the price you pay for wanting a little inspiration for a jack-off session.

Ba/Larnce

doesn't sound sultry at all!