ChiangraiTony

Honestly I'm totally amazed. I never knew or even imagined that Thailand monitors and gets statistics on when Thai girls lose their virginity.

That means lots more flights coming to CM as well. The sky use to be quiet after 9PM but the air traffic has increased to where I hear planes overhead during all hours of the late night.

Very good news for a change. Thank you for taking the time and for being considerate to write back. It's a good thing that you acted quickly. Time was of the utmost importance. We are happy for you that your daughter is safely back home where she can be cared for. Best wishes to your daughter and family.

Thailand will be changing quickly with ASEAN and now partnering more with China. The issue will soon become, are these changes best for Thailand and its people. China is relentless always trying to get their foot in the door. Now, they will soon have both feet in the door and eventually they will have a strong footing. Once that happens Thailand will become more funerable to the smart Chinese who know how to introduce inferior products. This will continue and create many more problems for Thailand. Let's just hope that Thailand doesn't get cornered to the point where China becomes the controlling power. China has much to gain and would be delighted to move forward where the U.S. left off.

Everyone that has commented on the knife. Firstly, the knife that was retrieved by the police is Not a Swiss Army knife. Secondly, it is not a switchblade knife either.

It is clear after viewing the video that this knife is a multi purpose knife. The knife on one end is designed to be used in the event of an emergency and one has to cut through a seat belt or simular type material. The other part of the folding knife has at least one blade.

I would still like to know the law in Thailand for having this size knife in a vehicle.

The laws can be confusing. No joke, several years ago my friend purchased an Italian looking switchblade knife from Central department store in BKK. Was it legal??? Not sure but he did buy it. That's what I mean when I say the laws are confusing.

So what exactly is the law in Thailand? Pocket knives generally are used as a tool. If anyone knows the law please share the information.

A long time Bangkokian!

Walking down a dark area with your gold necklace. Obviously they saw it so it must have been somewhat visible.

Hopefully you have learned something from this experience. Two people touching you. This is a diversionary tactic to keep your mind occupied on one thing while their doing something else. Sounds like because you were in a hurry you were not thinking or being as aware as you could have.

It's easy enough to set them up. If you went back and they are still there. Bring a friend and your camera. You can have your friend act like he's had to much to drink. Have him wear a fake gold necklace. Or you could just forget about the camera and fake gold and just bring your friend to kick their you know what.

By making such a statement I would have expected to see the data to substanate the claim otherwise it's just words. Show the data.

"The Thai drivers license doesn't provide for proof of address. It's not reflected on the license."

Address on the back ever since they switched to plastic about 7 years ago.

I just checked and I absolutely stand corrected. You are right! Thanks for pointing that out.

The Yellow book saves you 500 baht when you get a Thai drivers license, purchase a motorbike or a vehicle. If not then you must go to immigration to get a form document which cost 500. So it saves time and money. Additionally, it shows proof of your address in Thailand. The Thai drivers license doesn't provide for proof of address. It's not reflected on the license.

I thought it was illegal to dance naked in Thailand. Does anyone know what the law is regarding top less and naked dancing?

And... What about the bar fine paid to the Mamasan. I can't ever remember them handing out receipts to a paying customer.

If there is truth to this, and to the many that hear this and believe that it will happen, they will be shocked and upset.

Actually, they are going to be down-right pissed-off.

But IMO what we are about to see will change things in Thailand from the way it is today. Things will never be the same again.

This can only mean one thing, a big increase in prices and a shift in the way business is run.

We shall see.

Funny, but some of the posters who are all over this story like a cheap suit are well known for being Thai bashers and usually disregard anything a Thai comes out with, unless it suits their agenda.

This guy, Thitinan Pongsudhirak said: "This interim period could be longer - longer than most of us might think."................and you have picked it up and run with it, like a dog with a lamb chop.

The article went on to say: "The Army is not set up to rule in the globalised 21st century. I'm afraid that the interim [period of military governance] could be indefinite."

Hope that the young lady gets the medical help she needs and gets her family and friends support.

I didn't bother to read all the comments.

When you married your wife the family was included. You are in Thailand, and her family is Thai and they are the parents of your wife. Of course they think they can do what they want in her house. You try and be nice but they take advantage right?

I drew the line in the sand long ago with my wife. Now, and very lucky for me, my wife supports me. If your wife supports you and your ideas then greater than >50% of the battle is in your favor.

It's not an easy road to go down and it requires continual emphasis on what your expectations are. You will have to be strong but even with that, expect to get many headaches.

My wife and I moved from BKK to get away from all the crap that her family constantly puts on her and ultimately me.

If you are nice and soft and want this to continue then do nothing. If you want a change then you must put your foot down and take the leader role and start making rules for your wife to follow. If your wife loves you and supports you then she will be the buffer.

I wish you good luck.

once you are legally married in a country you are married everywhere.

Really! Is same sex marriage legally recognized everywhere? I think not but I could be mistaken.

Does anyone know how this sting operation came about? Maybe it was a tip-off or maybe it was the Thai authorities snooping and monitoring IP addresses. This may be the beginning of something big and maybe more will follow.

You will only get more frustrated to try and sort things out the way you are requesting. How much money are we talking about?

It is possible that the new meter may take time to replace and in the mean-time they will continue to do more of the same and charge you about what you would normally pay. Since your electric usage is no longer on your own meter there is no way they or you can determine the exact usage.

I say, either you go to their office and discuss with the supervisor what the issues are or just pay it. But if you pay it make sure you get them to commit to a date that the new meter will be installed otherwise they may continue charging you the same every month and just take their time getting around to doing the work.

If all else fails, don't hold back... Turn-on and use all appliances, air-con units etc... And you might feel better knowing that no matter how much you use, you'll pay the same each month. Eventually it will get fixed and sorted out. In the mean-time you may have to pay a little extra. Live and learn. Remember, Thailand does things a bit different here. Good luck!

In some instances foreigners create their own problem. Complain about the fares! Some say they always leave a big tip. This is the start of the problem. If you're Thai, have a Thai girlfriend or wife, you will then see what tip ( if any) is given. This applies across all lines such as restaurants, hair-cuts, checking-into a hotel where they take your bags to your room.

Many times Foreigners don't follow what Thai's do when it comes to tipping. Once Thai's start to get decent tips from foreigners they expect more and more and believe that the foreigner needs to give money because they have more money then Thai.

I'll never forget when I came to BKK many years ago and went to Soi Cowboy. During low season there were guys taking girls out and only paying them very small money compared to what was the expected amounts.

Some foreigners would take a girl that hadn't had a date in awhile and was willing to take any reasonable amount. I've seen guys pay them 100 baht.

Anyhow, I remember walking past a place with one Middle Eastern man surrounded by about 20 bar girls. He was giving them all money and everyone was all smiles. I commented to my friend saying look at that. This guy has all those girls. My friend said to me, 'this guy is ruining it for all foreigners' he's throwing money at them and that's not good because in the future the girls will start to expect more.

Looking back now, he was correct. Prices increased and then they (the girls) started introducing the 'short time'. Years ago the bar girl wouldn't ask for money. They would always say 'up to you'.

They would stay with you until you told them to go. When it was time to help them with money, the proper thing to do was to place your Thai baht on the hotel dresser where the girl would pick it up and then be so appreciative. If you handed them the money they felt uncomfortable.

Moving the clock to the present, you can see how much things have changed. The girls now are more demanding expecting a lot of money. Usually they want short time with foreigner and that's after you pay a bar fine, then the girls wants to hang- out at the bar expecting you to buy her and her bar girls friends drinks for the rest of the night. If you choose not to do that, then you'd better expect to go to a restaurant to eat some seafood or something good with her and possibly a girlfriend or two.

Then finally you make it back to your hotel for a short-time.

In many ways it's the same with the taxi drivers. Some always expect a tip. Some will always expect to take your fare and not ever expect to provide you with your change.

My Thai family is the same. They think that because I'm a foreigner that I should automatically give them money. It has nothing to do with respect for me. I'm the old one. My age is older than my Thai mother, father, etc... It has nothing to do with the fact that they are healthy, have two hands, a mind, and the ability to work. No! They expect money and not once but again and again and again. It does not stop!

Same same with many in Thai. Taxi drivers, bar girls, many Thai families, etc... They believe all foreigners are rich. One thing that I always reflect on is that Thailand is NOT a poor country anymore. Those days are gone. Thai people do not get embarrassed to ask for money.

If you are a foreigner and choose to give your money then good for you and be happy that you have the money to give away and maybe even you have a big heart. But some foreigner have worked hard all their life, come to Thailand and many Thai's want to take that money from you. Like many a bar girl here in Thailand, they do believe that the ATM and the foreigner are one in the same.

Charge me 30 baht extra if you want, I will simply deduct it off of whatever tip I would normally give the other end. WIN WIN

Remember... You will absolutely need the exact change otherwise they will keep that extra money hence they will automatically extract that tip right in front of your eyes, just like magic.

As many have observed, many Thai's just don't like following rules. Whenever a rule comes out, they just want to say something else and cause confusion with the main rule. It never ends! They say that if you want to use the 'meter' then we want to change the rule to now charging for your bags over 15 kg. And then they say because the increase in fuel charges. Like I said, it's always smoke and mirrors.

The older woman looked good and they all appeared to do a good job handling her with care, until they placed her in the back of a pick-up truck. Bumpy ride to say the least. Hope she recovers quickly.

First the 'fake snow' and now the tea bottle balloons. It appears that some are out to get this guy which is the owner of the Thai tea company where the products are sold everywhere around Thailand. He must have made some enemies otherwise if it was anyone else with his money would normally get away with his advertising efforts.