IanForbes

Quote by aneliane... Hello all,

I live a quite fugal life here.

I am a frugal person in general and don't like luxury items, I try to respect the environment as much I possible, buy my veggies from organic markets, choose not to have a car and I rescued 5 dogs from the streets. Last month alone I spent 20 000 bath in vet fees, so this is with the house with garden I rent for them my two biggest expenses.

I take buses most of the times, go to public hospitals for healthcare, and patron cheap vegetarians restaurants.

Because of my lifestyle I get confronted mostly to what we could say are "poor" Thai people, who I found have an increasingly negative attitude towards me:

-Shop assistants refusing to serve me,

-nurses at ER pretending not to see me and doing paperwork to avoid attending my urgent medical care,

- doctors refusing me medical care and telling me to go to a private clinic or making me pay expensive and painful treatments that I don't actually need,

- bus assistant telling me to "take a taxi", etc...

It would be very easy for me to drop the soi dogs and spend my money to live comfortably in a condo, travel exclusively by taxi, or get a car, and only go to farangs restaurants. This is not why I came here for: I chose to help.

Living cheaply in Thailand is also a way not to participate in the increasing cost of living which make Thai poor people's life harder everyday.

Living as much as possible in respect of Thai beautiful natural environment, is a way to show that I care.

Taking the bus instead of taxi is doing my bit for the environment.

Going to cheap organic restaurants is encouraging these businesses to resist against poor value american fast food chains.

Spending a good chuck of my earning to help street dogs which have a very hard life here is also a way of giving back.

Most foreigners I talk to don't have the same experience, because everywhere they go they pay double price as I do, and the legendary Thai smile is included.

I totally get Thai peolpe's frustration: the price of flour, eggs, meat, veggies has doubled.

But why do they take their anger on me? Don't they realize, It's the people who pay double price for everything, that makes the costs of living so high?

Making farangs pay more is not helping them, it's only making the few greedy Thais who work with farangs richer, the vast majority of the population will suffer the soaring cost of living.

Farangs bringing their western lifestyle here ( ie double or triple environmental footprint) are the ones destroying their beautiful country, not me!

Or do they resent me for something else ? As in just being here in their country where I apparently should be ? You tell me ...

Anyway it feels better now I said it

Thanks for reading, and if somewhat you feel the same please share.

Thank you

First of all you are doing Thailand a disfavour of helping the soi dogs. Most are a menace and a disgrace to Thailand. They pose traffic hazards and spread disease. They breed in great numbers and bark and howl all night. Most should be rounded up and exterminated, but that is not the Thai way. At least Thailand's neighbouring countries have a more practical solution to excess dogs.

Nobody loves nature more than me, but domestic dogs gone wild is NOT a good thing. I would prefer to have more venomous serpents native to the area than wild soi dogs.

The average person working at a menial job in Thailand seldom makes more than 6000 baht a month. That is not much to afford a bare apartment and have three nourishing meals a day. It's certainly not enough to also buy a motorbike on "time". That is why the local bike shops make a small fortune on repossessing motorbikes for lack of payment. The bikes have already been paid for by the excessive interest rates. These average working class Thais have to watch every baht spent and there are low end cafes offering meals from 20 to 40 baht.

A smart farang who probably has 10 times the available funds of an average Thai can almost act like a king if he or she is willing to live like a Thai, but with a few added extras. I see nothing wrong with being generous to the average Thai. I can easily afford to pay an extra 5 baht for a tip. It won't change the price that Thais will pay. The cafe owner knows what his Thai customers will pay. If he charges too much then the Thai customers will go elsewhere. Because I always eat at the same Thai cafe and I always tip I am given preferential treatment with larger portions and a few other "extras", and, I get treated like family. The Thai cafe owner gave me a big hug the other day when I told him I was leaving for 7 months. That tells me he appreciated my patronage. You are WRONG in thinking the price of things will increase if farangs are willing to pay more. The local wealthy Thais do not tip like foreigners from North America. No matter how wealthy the local Thais might be they ALWAYS pay the lowest price possible. Australians don't tip because they've been raised in a society that nobody tips.

Your tiny effort at saving the environment is wasted in Thailand. It only makes you come across as a begger or a "cheap charlie". Thais don't appreciate cheap charlies and they will show it. I am VERY aware of enerything around me. I've had to be because I live with nature all the time and often deal with dangerous creatures: venomous snakes, spiders and crocodiles in Thailand and Australia, and large bears and wild beasts in Canada. I'm quite adapt at handling nasty dogs as well.

It's obvious. Men jump to conclusions that life in Thailand with a beautiful young woman would be paradise. Then, without researching the country and not spending any length of time in Thailand they sell everything they own and burn all their bridges behind them before moving to Thailand. What they expected and what actually happens is so dramatically different that they can't handle their big mistake. They are actually "momma's boys" and can't handle real life.

Ian, my apologies in advance, but one of the best, unwitting opening statements ...

It's obvious. Men jump to conclusions ...

Brilliant observation, considering that so many of these so called "suicides" happen with farangs "jumping" out of high buildings.

Why don't Poles commit suicide more often? Answer... because it's hard to commit suicide jumping out of a basement suite.

Did they do anything?

@Ian - where was this restaurant? lol

Down the road from the Great Residence hotel near Suvarnabuhmcrash. I've had great fun there in the past, but this year it was a bit dead.

It's obvious. Men jump to conclusions that life in Thailand with a beautiful young woman would be paradise. Then, without researching the country and not spending any length of time in Thailand they sell everything they own and burn all their bridges behind them before moving to Thailand. What they expected and what actually happens is so dramatically different that they can't handle their big mistake. They are actually "momma's boys" and can't handle real life.

You would have to pay ME to see that woman. I see nothing about her that would entertain me... even if it were a private appearance.

I've got a couple of great shots of sun flowers taken near Mae Hong Son last November. Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to post them because there are 3 pretty little girls admiring the flowers in the photos.

^or you could just dry the toilet seat before you sit down to have a dump?

Hey, I could also hang my dick or butt over the balcony railing and fire on down below... with all the plastic bags and other garbage everyone throws on the ground instead of putting it in the trash can standing 20 feet away.

Me getting my morning coffee: Heyyyy. Hot water is on!!! <Phssssssst Phssssssst> Ohhhh goodie! Boiled ants -- extra protein with my coffee this morning!

Got the visual picture and had to laugh.

That's okay, the other day in a Bangkok restaurant I wanted some water with ice to go with my Padt Thai gai. I asked for "Nam Keng" The korean waitress took a little longer than expected and came back with a bowl of consome soup. I didn't question her interpretation for my request, but wondered how Thais would ask the same thing. Every time I've asked for Nam Keng in Chiang Mai the've brought me water and ice.

All you can do is smile... lost in translation.

Your own portrayal of the lifestyle you lead makes me doubt that you could view this subject with any objectivity.

That just shows how little you know about me, and you are acting on your assumptions.

I am a very observant person. I have to be as a writer. I am actually a very old fashioned kind of man, but I DO know what goes on in Thailand. Some I agree with and much I don't. The parts that bother me the most is the lack of a worldly education in Thailand. Thais are taught from an early age to be robots. It starts right at the family values issue and extends upwards to the highest levels of Thai society. I also understand humanity. Humans are sexual animals. Deny a person of a sexual outlet and you will have problems... That has been proven in the Catholic church where priests were supposed to refrain from having sex. The most obvious result was they preyed on little boys and girls. Religion in all its many forms have high ideals, but they just don't work because humans are not perfect. Humans will always try to rationalize their own actions. Religions try to turn people into robots and it only works partially... and therein lies the problem.

Many of the so called high moral values I had in my thirties where what I've come to later realize were false and hypocritical. As I said, humans are sexual animals, but ones with a brain and a somewhat sense of the future. Most animals cannot conceive of the future, but humans can. It's how they act after they've learned how to adjust to nature that makes a difference. We have some very basic laws/rules that apply to just about every religion. Thou shall not steal or harm thy neighbour. What goes on between two consenting adults should be of no concern to anyone else but themselves. However, if what they do harms someone else then there needs to be an adjustment. Such a thing would be two people committed together in marriage and one of the partners strays to someone else. And, in so doing emotionally harms the partner. Humans are naturally polygamous and staying true to one's partner can be almost impossible for some people. That is especially true if one of the partners has a much higher sex drive than the other, That is one major reason why I would never get married again. I don't want to be tempted to break my vows to a woman. And I wouldn't want to live in a sexless marriage.

The low land areas all NEED water to farm properly. The landscape also needs to be burnt periodically to cut back on tinder dry duff that could cause catastrophic fires if not controled periodically. If they actually wanted to do something constructive the government could kill two birds with the same stone. Every year there are floods somewhere in Thailand. In 2005 and 2011 there was catastrophic flooding in Chiang Mai and all points south. The only way to control flooding is to have large, mature forests that will protect the environment. As that is not an option there could be high dikes built around all northern Thailand farm lands. Let the fields lay fallow and fill with water behind low dam/dikes. Once the rainy season was over the water could be released slowly. If the government paid the farmers NOT to grow rice and corn during the flood causing months of August and September then it would prevent the possibility of floods during the bad years. The wet, soggy vegetation would actually rot under water and provide humous to the soil.

Of course, that would take long range planning that Thailand as a whole is not very good at. They can't see beyond a meter in front of their body.

Good luck. All I can say is don't get a relative to teach you. I do suggest using a big parking lot to learn on during the period that the mall is closed. It's kind of the same as learning to ride a bicycle... pick a place that is relatively harmless when you make the obvious mistakes. With driving or riding a bicycle or motorbike everything has to be instinctual and natural BEFORE you venture out into traffic.

In the UK, when I was baby I had a baby seat - I've no idea how it was fixed in as cars then did not have rear seat-belts.

Once I was too old for the baby seat I sat in the rear seat unrestrained until which time cars started to be built with rear seatbelts which my parents made us use. Some years later a rear seatbelt law came in.

As a society our parents were unaware of many the dangers, their attention had simply not been drawn to such.

Through a series of Television campaigns which we still see today, the general public have been and are educated on the merits of belting up.

Thailand is a little different when compared to the West, climatic, economic and social differences mean the main source of transport for many is the scooter or pickup - both of which have little option for a safety harness. It's difficult to avoid the need for a family to travel around. To ban these forms of transport would be to impose 'nanny state regulations' (which many of us hate) onto the majority of the population.

IMO: The flaw in the system is that no one is really aware of the risks and safety issues. It would be extremely easy for the government to place greater emphasis on road safety and safe driving with advertisements at key times (i.e between the soaps).

Educate people and let them make their own choice. Wearing seat belts in the front and in the rear should be enforced. I'm not sure of the need for whole families to be on motorcycles, especially with babies, the bus here could be a better option, perhaps limit the roads they can travel on with more than 2 people etc...

I believe that blanket bans will not work, but at least by educating the people they will be permitted the option of making their own informed choice.

I agree with Richard. I am in awe of what Thais consider acceptible. I love children, but what I see going on, on a daily basis just bothers me. But, I can't get too concerned because there is absolutely nothing I can do about it. After a while you kind of get used to bodies being splattered on a regular basis. About 4 years ago I witnessed a terrible event at the underpass near the Chiang Mai Airport plaza. I won't call it an accident because the idiotic father caused the death of himself, his wife and their 3 children. None were wearing helmets. The guy passed me at speed while talking on a cel-phone and he didn't even slow down for the red light that Should have been easy to slow down for. The light had already turned red for at least 5 seconds and at least one vehicle had already gone through from the other direction when the bike rider blew the light. They were hit by a big truck who had no chance to stop. I stopped traffic with my big bike and ran to each victim. They were all either dead or unconcious, and blood was spattered everywhere. When there was nothing more I could do but phone the hospital for an abulance I left.

And, just forget the accidents for a moment. How about the idiotic hill tribe parents who use their young children as pawns in a begging game. The kids are so tired after begging all night they can't go to school the next day. I shake my head when I see all the scooter riders with masks over their face, but no helmet on their head.

Go to Nan. I was there in March and the city seemed totally dead. Hotels that could hold 500 guests had no more than a dozen. There are some fabulous rides or drives in the mountains to the north east. Nan is in the north east not far from Laos. Check on the bikers forum if you want to know what the countryside is like.

If you want to see the beaches in the south then I would stay away from the popular beach scene areas. There are great beaches about 30 kim south of Pattaya, or north of the Patong beach scene in Phuket. Just stay away from the popular areas and you should be okay.

I totally agree with VF. But, as a visitor to Thailand there is nothing we can do about it. In Canada we have our problems with the indigenous people who use modern equipment to plunger the wilderness of fish and game, but then blame the government when the obvious happens.

That is PRECISELY why I don't call them apartments. What they are is a room for rent that may or may not have a balcony. If you want to eat you are expected to have a meal served at one of the Thai street cafes. If you want to cook something you need to have a balcony and your own little table top stove. Of course, because the apartment also doesn't have any closets you have to store your excess stuff on the balcony. And, in most of these hotel rooms the toilet and shower are in the same small room, meaning that if you want to use the toilet in the evening your feet and butt get wet, so you almost have to strip naked before using what can very loosely be called a "bathroom".

Down Under Bar near the end of Loi Khroh before the iron bridge. Stewart has just had the table recovered, leveled and has new cues.

I agree with sticklee. The table is quite good and you can actually finesse a ball instead of just blasting it. The music isn't too loud and there are a variety of televisions for sports enthusiasts. It's located at the foot of Loi Kroh road near the bridge over the river, and it's out of the main traffic area. It's open in the afternoon for various sporting matches.

Also mentioned being the Number 1 bar that has reasonable tables and the Blue Sky bar that often has pool tournements.

Well that's the answer then, thanks

I'll get my name changed to Ian

Where is the laughter button when I need it.

You get hardened to it after a while, but it's never a pleasant experience. In India they just stack the dead people at the side of the road and think nothing of it.

In Thailand you won't find condoms big enough to fit over a cell phone. Even the largest size Thai ones barely fit me. I have a waterproof camera so the water doesn't affect it. But, I would be more worried about infection from polluted water. I would leave your camera phone back in your place of residence. I leave Thailand intentionally BEFORE Songkran. It it only lasted 2 days it would be fun... like Loi Krathong, but it often goes on for 10 days or more and that is lunacy.

Thanks for the long, but interesting read on the history of helmets, Kwasaki.

u can crack wep under linux with vmware,very easy if u smart ...

Your last 3 words explains it all to us old farts.

its a Javan mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) also known as Small Asian mongoose. Found throughout the Kingdom, i've encountered them many times.

Thanks for that, Goshawk and Chrisinth. I was wondering about that myself. I only caught a quick glimpse of one. I also saw what appeared to be a squirrel... but without the bushy tail. It was running around in the trees and along a power line in a wooded area. It looked somewhat like a rat but with slightly thicker fur and tail.

The term "brothel" refers to places where women are forced to work in the sex industry against their will. .....,,,, The bars you see with all the available women in various locations in Thailand are NOT brothels.

Wrong on both counts.

But please free to invent definitions for longstanding words in the English language which already have very precise definitions.... If it helps you in some way.

Well, in that case the original topic entry was correct... The whole of Thailand is just one big brothel.

Choose Bangkok at your own peril. You will pay double anywhere else for the hotel, drinks, massage and women. Same goes for Phuket. It's little wonder that the regulars that USED to frequent Patpong, Soi Cowboy and Sukhumvit changed locations to Pattaya.