billsmart

An ambulance with emergency light and siren on can go through a red light.

Spidermike007 I don't know how you can say "culling can be a beautiful thing." When you talk about the nation being "cleaner, ...safer, and better of all ... of us," you're only referring to humans. I can only think of one species that culling would result in a cleaner, safer, and better world of all.

Proton, l'll answer your question and then ask you a question I'd like to ask ALL those who are in favor of killing all the "soi dogs." Hopefully, you can answer for everyone... My answer to your questions is killing anything just for your own convenience is wrong, at least in my book. Killing for food is not the same thing. My question to you is a simple one. What makes you think a human's life is more important than a dog's life? And, if you answer that one you could try, What makes you think human comfort is more important than a dog's life?

That, or it suggests their training in how to drive wasn't sufficient enough to issue them a driver's license.

There are too many posts that suggest killing all the "soi dogs." I can't respond to all of them. We didn't do that when COVID-19 showed up and threatened us. We shouldn't do that now. Anyone who suggests that is an <deleted>!

I agree wholeheartedly with the process of vaccinations that this plan has. ????

This, of course, is inexcusable, but IMO of living in Thailand for over 20 years, I've seen almost NO ONE give right-a-way to vehicles with their emergency lights on and sirens blaring. I, as I was taught, immediately turn on my emergency blinkers and pull over the side, either side, to let the emergency vehicle pass. When I do that, I am usually honked at by the other Thai drivers and they immediately take advantage of the situation to pass me on the road! ???? What are your experiences in situations like this on the highways?

At one point in my life, many, many years ago, I used to work for a large, US airlines on one of their ticket counters. We used to have a routine when someone got rowdy, usually because he was denied something, and started with the "Don't you know who I am? Don't you know who I am?" We'd just step back, turn to the side and yell, "Hey, I need a supervisor! There's a guy out here who doesn't know who he is!" ????

Yes, if they are monks, their sangha should attempt to help them, not just "cast them out." What is your opinion on this? How do you think society should deal with people who commit acts like this? ????

Personally, I think all monks who were defrocked because of drug use should not have been defrocked, but offerred help to kick their drug habit by their sangha.

I'll respond to your comment above line by line... Yes, that makes it okay to treat Farangs pretty much however they like. I know of nowhere that the "all born equal" phrase applies. Every country I know treats non-citizens differently than citizens, and even treats most of their citizens differently depending on their social or economic status. You can't live here if Thai Immigrations tell you that you can't. How your country (US? England? Australia?) treats non-citizens has no bearing on how Thai's treat non-citizens. Like I said earlier, it's their country. You have to comply with their rules or face the consequences, which could be deportation.

And I say that those who don't respect the requests of Thai Immigrations or any of the other Thai authorities should not be in Thailand. It's their country, after all -- not ours. ????

Dr. Jack54, Yes! Extending your stay based on retirement is MUCH EASIER than based on marriage. Not only do they want photos, but also I'd say the paperwork is at least twice and maybe three times the amount needed for an extension based on retirement. But, the "Are you kidding" remark above, I'd say that you'd better do whatever Immigrations asks for or suffer the consequences, which can't be good. It's like getting your dentist mad at you while he's working on your teeth! ????

I switched from marriage to retirement requirements for my long-stay extension, but when I did do the one based on marriage, I was required to give the following photos with my wife and me: Standing in front of our house Sitting in our kitchen Sitting in our living room Sitting on our bed Once, for #4, I had a photo taken of us sitting on our bed, back-to-back, with arms crossed, and a scowl on our faces. They rejected that one. ????

Catcalling hasn't been banned in any country I've heard of. ???? The article says the guy was drunk. Alcohol has been banned in some countries. ????

Buddhism has the same loving and caring devotion as Christianity... ????

Go home or remain there, if that's where you are. I'm sure this kind of thing doesn't happen in your country, right? ????

build766, I agree with everything you wrote above, for the most part. However, as you stated in your first line, there seems to be "no solution." But, we are talking about a problem here in Thailand, so any solution would have to be one tailored for Thailand. That could include educating people as to the responsibility they take on when getting a dog or any other animal as a pet. IMO, however, the most pressing part of the problem is addressing the two types of complaints associated with "soi dog." They are that some (a few) are dangerous, and some (most) are just considered to be nuisances. In the first case, I would accept the solution of capturing and euthanizing them. In the second case, I think capturing and relocation would be best. But I completely reject the idea that some have of killing all of them. That is not a solution that should be considered in a Buddhist society or any society that claims to be humane.

I do not remember hearing about the young girl who was mauled, however I don't doubt that it happened. There should have been a "remedy" to that if the dogs involved could be identified. And by this, I mean, the dogs involved should have been captured and euthanized, but I don't think this incident should justify an "open season" on all "soi dogs." I disagree with your criticism of my approach to this problem. 1. As I said, it is not up to any ONE to do it. It should be up to the government, either the provincial or local government, but some governmental service to address this problem. I cautioned about leaving it up to individuals. That, I agree, will never work, and not addressing the problem will not work either. 2a. There are places that will take in stray dogs, if they are not vicious and are just considered a nuisance. Individuals (like me) will take them in, and there may be organizations that will provide homes for them. Also, as I said above, if there are not enough places that will take them in, the government responsible for addressing this problem will have to create and manage one. 2b. People who consider "soi dogs" nuisances or a danger, can move to places where they are not a problem. An example in an urban area would be a high-rise building with walled, private parking. In a rural area, stray dogs, IMO and my experience, are not seen as much of a problem.

billd76, First of all, thanks for your detailed and respectful response. I will respond below in the same order as your comment above... I mainly see on AseanNow complaints about "soi dogs" in Bangkok and the surrounding suburbs. There are also a few now and then from other large cities. I don't see any from smaller towns, although I'm sure there are stray dogs all over Thailand. The issue here, IMO, is "soi dogs," or stray dogs who are considered, primarily, a danger, and secondarily, a nuisance. As I stated many times before, the only solution I know of that is acceptable to me is to relocate them to areas in which they will not be considered either. The best solution is to find them homes with owners who will care for them. Another solution is to send them to facilities that will care for them. The last solution would be to relocate them to areas that do not consider them a nuisance. Culling them is not a solution I would accept. I would expect a government agency to decide on what to do and then do it. I am 76, so I guess I have two more years in which I will have sympathy for these dogs. After that, I guess that sympathy just disappears. i would also "put down" any of my dogs who constantly fought with other dogs or killed livestock. When I discover a dog like this, I first try to discpline them to rid them of these tendencies. So far, over about 20 years, that has worked. I've not had to "put down" any dogs because of issues like this. Over the years, a few of my dogs have been killed by cars, or so badly injured that I did have to put them down. I have seen many instances of drivers actually running over dogs on purpose. ???? My dogs have no collars or tags (although they all have been vaccinated for rabies) and wander anywhere they want. Although my property is large (24 rai) and is surrounded by jungle. I do have few neighbors, and they all have dogs that also are free to wander where they will. That's not a problem for me or them. I expect the government to have an agency to deal with "soi dogs" in any areas that consider them a problem. What I don't accept is that it is the right of individual local property owners to kill any dogs they consider a nuisance. So, my ultimate solution is relocation. Either relocation of the "soi dogs" or those that consider them a nuisance.

First of all, I'm sure there are not "millions" of "soi dogs" in Bangkok, and, the only ones who would have to be relocated would be those that are considered to be a nuisance. I live on a mountain in Phetchabun Province and take in dogs that are abandoned on the mountain road which runs past my property. I live on about 24 rai surrounded by jungle. Right now, I have 12 dogs IMBY. How many "soi" dogs do you have IYBY?

I agree with this. Dog owners should be held responsible for any damage their dogs do. And, I think if "soi dogs" (dogs without owners) do damage, they should be either captured and relocated, or, if the damage is severe, like injuring other humans (or other dogs, etc.) they could be "put down." I don't buy-in to the popular notion that any particular breed of dog is prone to violence. Obviously, a pit bull or German shepherd is more dangerous than a chihuahua, but that's because of their physical build, not their mentality. Thinking that different breeds of dogs have more of a disposition for violence is like having racist views about humans. And what I don't agree with is many people's suggestion that all "soi dogs" be "put down." If they are not causing severe damage, like injuring humans or other animals, and are just considered a "nuisance," they should be captured and relocated.

This happened to me, also, but only once before. I went to the bank immediately and reported it. They said they couldn't give me my card back because they, the bank, did not service their ATMs themselves. They hire some other company to do that. That company just destroys all the cards that are found in the machine. The whole situation sucks, I know, but you should immediately cancel your card and then apply for a new one. ☹️

Sounds like Pattaya is returning to pre-COVID "normal" now... ????

I can't answer your question about Pattaya, but I got my 4th COVID-19 vaccine shot in Phetchabun for free at a Lotus's (was Tesco) shopping center in April for free. But now, they aren't giving them out anymore. I think you'll probably have to go to a hospital to get one now.