waders123

Rules, laws, and codes are usually never the same as you are used to in the country you came from.  Thailand is a country that is evolving and modernizing.  At 55 years old you should have enough common sense to be cautious in what you do and where you go.  He needs to take accountability for his actions to some degree. TIT

Sex Workers in Thailand!?!!??  Fake News....

Thailand wants to promote a vibrant and positive Thai Tourism approach to the world, however junior officials keep stepping up and changes laws,  rules, and making outlandish comments to the public.  This is not the way to promote tourism; constantly changing rules through media is confusing at best for Travelers new and old to Thailand.   

The top officials that DO make the laws/rules need to rein-in and put a gag order on those "junior officials and stop them from making any decisions or comments to the public.  Though, this may be a good idea, it needs to be kept internal and presented through the chain-of-command for consideration of creating the rule or law.

Until the lawmakers do this, some tourists, especially first-time tourists, will look at this calamity and just go elsewhere because they don't want any problems on their vacations.   

TIT   Brown bags are king!  I want some too!  555

2 hours ago, NativeBob said:

"headbutted" <- love it!

btw, what does it mean? stuck sm. head into butt? or something more kinky )

How did they identify his nationality? He had hammer and sickle in his hands while wearing fur hat, T-shirt with bare-chested leader and balalaika over his shoulder? He tried to pay in rubles and got upset they didn't accept it?

Possibly sporting a "Z" tattoo?  

How to increase and improve tourist numbers:

1. Immigration police crackdown on tourist overstay by stopping and checking tourists constantly. 
2. More random police road stops.
3. More random police raids and <deleted> testing for drugs.
4. More misinformation and unnecessary complications regarding tourist visas
5. Implementing more new rules and regulations just as the restrictions have eased and tourists are wanting to travel.
6. More misinformation about bar closing in resort areas

I'm no economist, but it might be wise to wait another year or two before implementing new rules, laws, or radical changes to allow for the economy to bounce back.        

Let the golden goose lay a few golden eggs before choking her to death.

This is only meant as a tongue-in-cheek post.  Don't take this seriously, ok?  

This is a blatant act to keep the wealthy in control of the beer market.  The government needs to allow for free enterprise in the beer and wine industry and take away that stupid afternoon mandate of no alcohol sold.   

Snitches get stitches.....

Sad to dangle money in front of people to rat on their fellow man during a catastrophic economy event.

Force the man to pay a few million baht to compensate the motorcyclist for his pain and suffering and put the shooter in jail for about 20 years.  That will send a clear message to the jerks that think because of their status or money they can get away with it.   

Isn't hanging wires, broken/uneven sidewalks, and possible electrocution every time it rains, what you pay for in the "Adventures to Thailand" package you purchase from your travel agent or airlines?   Come on, (for those that are perpetual complainers), if it were perfect and uneventful you would probably go elsewhere to find something to complain about.  Lighten up!  Yes, the wires are a danger but this gentleman has been living here, it would appear, for a while now and we all learn immediately when first coming to Thailand to watch out for where we place our feet on the sidewalk, motorcycles on the sidewalk, and hanging wires and other obstacles.  It is what it is.  You learn to navigate as everyone else does and go on with your life. 

For the record, I am thankful he is alive, and wish Khun Mark a speedy recovery.  I hope he wears his helmet and watches more carefully where he is going.  This can happen to anyone regardless of age.

My question is this:

Where in the world is the school for government officials that teach the art of dancing to the left and then dancing to the right?  Is it a prerequisite to becoming a successful government official?  This is, of course, discussing all government officials around the world.  No country in particular.  Inquiring minds would like to know.....

Yep...A lot of tea for a few sticky fingers.  "The majority of tourism businesses hit by the pandemic" will never see a baht.

I am always up for a good laugh!  ????????  LMAO

19 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

Waders123:

 

I never said that:" you are NOT entitled to Catastrophic assistance from the US government?  "

 

So Thailand is currently in a Catastrophic State???

Your words; not mine.  Please go back and read carefully what was written.   Stop twisting what is stated into a drama statement for entertainment.

17 minutes ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

I am wondering what the term expat  means?  Is a US expat more special than the other expats?

   As it was pointed out, many expats likely do have the means to fly back to their home countries

and get their COVID shots. Or fly back part way to some country that has Pfizer or Moderna shots,

take a 2 month vacay there, pay for the shots,  and come back to Jolly old Thailand all protected. Problem solved.  But  No. lets

just go on Thai visa and complain and plead.  Just think of the poor Thais who do not have this option.

   Something to ponder indeed.

Geezer

Expat means many things; depends on the person you talk to.  Why should an "expat" have to leave their family or their job just to get vaccinated?!?  He pays his tax dollars to their government just like all citizens are obligated to do. Why can't they ask for and receive their immunization shots against covid in the country they are presently in?   

24 minutes ago, bkkcanuck8 said:

Assist is mainly for government assistance.  If you are arrested overseas, they will give you a list of local lawyers that can provide services needed (they do not vet them or rate them in any way).   They will not provide you with legal services, or pay for them.    If you need medical services, they will provide you a list of hospitals and doctors (similarly).  If you require your passport replaced, they will accept your application (for a fee) -- this is truly a government service, so they provide it.   If the situation in a country deteriorates rapidly, the US government may organize and provide evacuation for government employees and citizens.  Citizens however will not get a 'free ride', you will have to sign a promissory note to reimburse the government.   [I believe if you don't repay promptly you will be charged fees and interest - and when you go to get your passport next time.... you will find you have to pay them back first].   etc.  I could go on, but there is a pattern developing here... the government is not a provider of anything other medical, legal or other services normally provided by the private sector. 

You are taking what I said and turning it into a different issue.  In my response that you are quoting, I said that US citizens abroad should be entitled to the same treatment as US citizens on US soil.  The "spirit" of the statement content of my response was toward the covid pandemic and the catastrophic situation that is happening now.   I am not indicating that US citizens should be "spoon fed" while they travel by the US government.  I'm certainly not advocating a "free ride" for anyone.  I am simply stating that the US government has an obligation to assist their citizens, regardless of where they are at in the world, in gaining immediate access to an American approved covid vaccine in this catastrophic situation where their life is in danger.  

On 5/12/2021 at 6:47 AM, VocalNeal said:

Why do Americans think their Embassy is a hospital. 

I don't think any American sees the Embassy as a hospital.  "The primary purpose of an embassy is to assist American citizens who travel to or live in the host country." , this statement was taken from https://diplomacy.state.gov/diplomacy/what-is-a-u-s-embassy/ website.  US citizens in a "host" country should be offered vaccinations for covid-19 in that country to assist them in staying alive.   After all, the US government doesn't stop asking for taxes from citizens while they are traveling or residing in another country so they deserve the same respect, benefits, and vaccines as afforded to citizens living at home.    

RIP  So sad; my condolences to all the family and friends.  

Governments tend to bandaid the situation to quickly show the public they are doing their jobs.  One that is popular, for obvious reasons, is roadblock stops.   This type of enforcement is shown to be less effective than using a quality educational campaign to sway the public that the behavior of drinking and driving drunk is not an acceptable behavior.  Educational programs are not an overnight fix.  It takes years to correct/change bad behaviors that are ingrained in a culture.  You start with educating the young; they will help bring their older family members toward a no drive and drinking solution.  Don't reinvent the wheel; look to other countries at how they succeed, (or not), in their drunk driving campaigns.  Take the best part of their experience and modify it to work for Thailand.  I wish them all the best as it isn't easy no matter which way you go.  

Just what a victim needs while recovering from a brutal assault; a fruit basket.  The victim needs to be compensated for his medical expenses and money for his pain and suffering, not to mention the vacation "downtime" because he is laid up recovering and can't get on with his vacation.  Mandatory Jail time for this taxi bike driver and anger management if he is allowed to stay as a taxi bike driver. 

Probably the Wai, verbal apology, and fruit basket is likely all the victim will receive, and the bike taxi driver will continue to do business as usual as though nothing happened.  This just reinforces that it is ok to attack anyone that angers him and not have serious consequences with the law.   If Thailand want to improve their image, (they keep saying they do), then this would be a good time to start.  I hope I am proved wrong and the laws of Thailand prevails in favor of the victim.