spidermike007

8 hours ago, dick dasterdly said:

Hang on a minute -  why are Thai girls/women exempted from your list of things in which Thai men are underachievers?

Because they are so much more. They try harder, they achieve more, they work harder, they study harder, they take themselves far, far more seriously, they push, cajole, and outsmart their male counterparts many times a day, all in the pursuit of survival, and just getting by. They are underestimated by the entire male half of this society. And yet, they hold this country together. Without Thai women, this country would decline rapidly. They deserve so much more credit than they get. And the boys deserve so much less.

There was a national test done here a few years back, at the high school level. They tested math teachers, giving them the same test they give to their students. There was a failure rate of 86% nationwide. On the part of the teachers! My guess is that the same thing would happen in english, science, history most definitely, and many other subjects. The educational system here is broken, and there seems to be little interest on the part of the powers that be, to fix it. Deliberate? Probably.

4 hours ago, billythehat said:

Good reply and the unfortunate rub is the potential to tap into the available talent is sadly wasted. It doesn’t stop in Lalaland either as I’ve noticed similar traits when Thais move to the west to live; the mothers still treat the boys as princes and this myth is undone when they start school and, after some ‘behavioral readjustment’ by the other boys, the lesson is learnt or it isn’t. I work for one the largest engineering consultants in the world but have never worked with any Thai chartered engineers (not saying there are none) here in Europe, the middle east or South Africa; there has to be good reason for this vacuum of expertise from a comparatively large developing nation. India and China produce them by the truckload.

Very good points. I would say, generally speaking, that Thai men are underachievers. How many oscars, peabodys, pulitzers, noble peace prizes, NY Drama Critics, Clios, ESPYs, Grandmasters, Olympic gold medals, Tennis grand slams,  international football championships, International peace prizes, Kennedy Center honors, Carnegie prizes, International design excellence, Darwin medals, and other internationally recognized awards in the arts, humanities, math, politics, and leadership, do you see Thai men winning? How many scientific awards? How many are leaders in medicine, technology, or creators of inventions that have changed the world? For a country of 68 million people, it is quite surprising how little impact Thailand is having on the world. There is a good reason for this. Thai society. Plus deficient education, and little emphasis placed on educational achievement, especially amongst the coddled gender. And it's warped views of how important little boys are, relative to the grand scheme of things.

Let's face it. Little boys don't mean a helluva lot. Not until they prove themselves. Until then, they are just little twerps, who eat, crap, and make alot of noise. This country would be nowhere without it's women, and it's girls. 

There is so much jingoistic nationalism here, it would be so easy to create a national campaign, about keeping your country beautiful. If you really respect your land, your country, and your nation, do your part to keep the country up. And if not, you are not a patriot! Some kind of nonsense like that. People would buy into it. 

If you are serious about creating public awareness about the environment, show us some creative juice. The kind of juice we all know the leaders here do not have. Create some real policy. In the 1950's, and early 1960's littering was a real problem in the US. Then along came the litterbug campaign, and large fines. Now, it is a $1,000 fine to litter on the highways. I think Thais would respond very quickly to a 35,000 baht fine!

As far as plastic bags go, everyone is a culprit. Unless you get the 20 liter bottles at your home, and refill bottles each and every time you go to a restaurant, or drive around in your car, you have no right to complain about the environment. Same goes for plastic bags. Unless you bring your own bags every time you walk into a 7/11, or a grocery store, you are responsible for the devastation of the planet. We absolutely need to get involved.

Every time I go to a restaurant, I bring a bottle of water, that I have used hundreds of times. It saves perhaps 500 bottles per year, or more. Same with plastic bags. I always bring my own bags to the supermarket. People think it is weird. Ask me if I care?

Modi has created an unmitigated financial disaster in his country. As Manmohan Singh, the very competent former finance minister and PM said, his ideas are terrible, completely off base, and without merit. To do that here would absolutely cripple the Thai economy, which unlike the Indian economy, is already teetering on the brink. 

All they have to do to prove to us that they are serious, competent, and not corrupt, is to start arresting people in a position of influence and power, for slave trading, and human trafficking. 

8 hours ago, Wilsonandson said:

No, the rich, famous, well connected, and influential do seem to get entirely different treatment by the legal system, and the police, as the rest of the population is a global trend not just a Thai trait.

One law for them and another for us. For example the first O.J Simpson trail.

There is no conspiracy it's plain and simple. If you are wealthy in this world you can pay your way out of trouble.

Not completely true. OJ bought his way out of his troubles. In the US, if you have two million dollars to spend on a legal defense you can buy your way out of most criminal prosecutions. A good defense can usually create enough doubt. That is all it takes. It is not about influence. It is not about being famous. It is about being rich enough to afford a serious defense team. As fas as the police go, I am not sure they get different treatment than others, in the US. They have real law enforcement there. Here, certainly they get better treatment.  

4 hours ago, stevenl said:

Telling young kids they are just punks, nothing and worth less than zero is a bad idea imo.
Kids need confidence, this really doesn't help.

Sent from my ROBBY using Thaivisa Connect mobile app
 

Wow. Are you missing the point, on this one. Most Thai boys have an overinflated sense of self. Is it because they are extraordinary human beings? Future nobel peace prize winners? Future oscar caliber directors or performers? Potentially scientists who are going to really change the world? NO. It is because they are boys. Period. Nothing more. They are being sold a completely false bill of goods by Thai society, and are growing up with a ridiculously inflated sense of entitlement, based on nothing but gender and chauvinism. It is causing laziness, and a profound lack of achievement. So, they need to be brought down a few pegs. Nothing would be more beneficial to many Thai boys, than to hear that most girls are better than you, unless you really do something to prove yourself in this world. 

23 hours ago, Grubster said:

Thai parents are very strict with the girls, making them work at an early age. Boys can lay around the house or do anything they want with zero ramifications. Thats what I see anyway.

Maybe so. The way I see it, the women of Thailand pretty much run the nation. Without them, the country would come apart at the seams, overnight. They are the backbone of the nation. They work hard, don't complain, have more common sense, and are raised better. 

If Thailand really wanted to improve, they could start by telling the young boys, at a very early age, "You are nothing. You are not special. You are just a human being like your sisters. They are better than you. They are smarter, they work harder, and they contribute to society in ways you could only dream about. Being a boy means nothing. You are less than zero, until you prove your worth to your family, your nation, and the world. Until then, you are just a lazy punk, who sucks up alot of oxygen, eats alot of food, and gives little back. Prove yourself. Show us if you have the kind of stuff that makes a man. Until then, you mean little to us, and to the world.

13 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

 

Responding to your own posts explains how you have acquired more 'likes' than posts.

Thank you so much for that incredibly useful bit of trivia. I wanted to add something to my post, but it was too late to edit it.

Just now, spidermike007 said:

Well, there does seem to be alot of coddling going on here. The rich, famous, well connected, and influential do seem to get entirely different treatment by the legal system, and the police, as the rest of the population. And is it just my perception, or do the rich and famous here, seem to behave far less responsibly, and respectfully, than in the rest of the world? 

I cannot take a leak while the general public is occupying the same bathroom. Give me a break. What kind of a self righteous, arrogant, ivory tower, demigod self image are we talking about, anyway?

Well, there does seem to be alot of coddling going on here. The rich, famous, well connected, and influential do seem to get entirely different treatment by the legal system, and the police, as the rest of the population. And is it just my perception, or do the rich and famous here, seem to behave far less responsibly, and respectfully, than in the rest of the world? 

What can one even say about this? Too bad Roper is already gone. And Eddie Heath. And Jimmy Savile. All swine. All responsible for destroying many, many lives of young boys. Hope they are able to find and prosecute some of the responsible parties, who are still alive. It appears to be alot bigger than any of us could have ever imagined. Thankfully, some very courageous victims are speaking out, finally. And I hope some of the clubs who have paid hush money face massive penalties, and that some of the officials who were complicit spend many, many years in prison, where they will be treated very well by their fellow inmates, and really made to feel at home. 

I will bet I am not the only one who is worried about today's youth. They seem to be growing up without much guidance, discipline, or parental participation. Many seem like wild animals. Little focus, and little sense of direction. It does make one give pause, about the future of the planet, under their guidance. Kind of makes me glad I am a bit older, and will not have to see much of it. Sounds like a dark, dystopian vision of the future, but when one really takes a good look at alot of today's youth, it is hard to avoid coming to a similar conclusion.

Thailand has always been a relatively safe place. When I talk to my wife, she grew up with two very good, solid parents, who were not afraid to impose discipline, set limits, and show her when she was out of line. It created a very focused woman, who has alot of kindness and respect for others. How many of the kids today receive that kind of upbringing? Will Thailand be as safe a place ten, or twenty years from now, as it is today?

Bury the cockroach as soon as possible. Put that vermin into the ground already. The oppression he caused, the pain, the suffering of his people, the unbearable poverty, the mass stripping of the land and forests, the restrictions on movement and travel, the lack of a living wage, all the while this insect was living in a gilded mansion, feasting on (illegal) lobster tail, and amassing billions of dollars. 

Be done with him. Good ridding. Thrilled he is gone. 

On 12/2/2016 at 7:30 PM, ilostmypassword said:

Onewest when it was owned by Steve Mnuchin got caught doing one of the lowest things imaginable for a bank to do.

 It backdated documents and invented documents so it could go ahead with foreclosures on people's homes. And this continued for a year after it promised the government that it would stop.

"Some of the largest mortgage servicers are still fabricating documents that should have been signed years ago and submitting them as evidence to foreclose on homeowners.

The practice continues nearly a year after the companies were caught cutting corners in the robo-signing scandal and about six months after the industry began negotiating a settlement with state attorneys general investigating loan-servicing abuses.

Several dozen documents reviewed by American Banker show that as recently as August some of the largest U.S. banks, including Bank of America Corp., Wells Fargo & Co., Ally Financial Inc., and OneWest Financial Inc., were essentially backdating paperwork necessary to support their right to foreclose."

http://www.americanbanker.com/issues/176_170/robo-signing-foreclosure-mortgage-assignments-1041741-1.html?zkPrintable=1&nopagination=1

And Steve Mnuchin is a guy who's going to help drain the swamp?  Steve Mnuchin is a bottom feeder in that swamp.

An alligator is appointing reptiles for cabinet positions. When the majority of Trump supporters finally figure out who this guy is, how phony he is, and how disingenuous he has been this entire time, there is going to be alot of anger, frustration, resentment and disillusionment out there. So far, he is picking candidates that are primarily within the beltway. Insiders. Seasoned political types. Some would argue the experience is a good thing. But, it is not what he campaigned on. It is not what he promised. Already the promise of draining the Washington swamp seems to have been abandoned. How many more promises will be forgotten? My guess is the vast majority. This is a Barnum and Bailey huckster, who has spent his entire career saying, or doing anything to get the deal done. He has now sold the American people on his snake oil treatment, and when they wake up and see that it is not working, and that the wise man is not operating as he said he would, there will be alot of dissatisfied devotees out there. 

18 hours ago, kokopelli said:

Just a hunch, but as the one driver saw the red light coming he sped up and the other driver possibly jumped the light.  I often see this, at intersections, no one looks or waits a bit when the light turns green, just go forward.

Even more astonishing than that, is the guy who cuts in front of you, while entering the highway. Often I am cruising along at 100-120kph, and a guy cuts in front of me at a very unsafe distance. I look behind me, and there is nobody for quite some distance. Which means, that if he had waited 3 seconds, he would have been able to safely enter the highway, without putting the lives and safety of him, his entire family, and all of the people driving on the highway in his vicinity at risk. Surely, he could have seen that there was nobody behind me. 

Is that due to a complete lack of consciousness, a total lack of patience, a desire to deliberately entertain risk, a real lack of driving skills, a complete lack of courtesy, or just a lack of common sense? Or all of the above? 

How long did you know her before getting married? So many of these issues I hear from guys seems to stem from not taking the time to get to know both her, and her family. 

I would definitely walk away. She does not sound like she has enough in the way of redeeming qualities. And next time really take you time. Always remember. Time is always your ally. It is never her ally. So, take your time. Do not allow the woman to step up the timeline. Most want to do so. Always engage in pushback. That is what real men do.

Never, ever, ever marry the same woman twice. It is one of the biggest mistakes a person can make. Walk away. Don't look back. You got divorced for a reason. Maybe she is showing a better face now, that she realizes all that is lost to her. But, has anything really changed? We all know how much real effort is required to really change one's self. Most are not capable of it. But, many are capable of putting on a show for a brief period. Do yourself a favor. Get your life back. Be a man. Stand up. Do credit to men all over the world and just walk away. Forever.

1 hour ago, DrDweeb said:

Back in Bangkok ... defiance and abuse from her and no admission or acceptance whatsoever. She is playing the victim card, as if her actions are my fault - delusional. She avoids confronting the truth (her despicable behaviour) and avoids the elephant in the room (unequivocal evidence of her deeds - now presented).

 

If she did not understand before, she knows now. She has had a month to find a room but hasn't even looked. She has until Monday night to get out, the boy can stay until she has a place for him and her stuff can stay as well until she has a place.

I expect her to be sleeping in the street unless the Italian sends her money - which he won't. I have surprisingly little pity for her, someone who I loved very deeply and whom I have invested almost a decade in.

 

It's strange how people can self destruct and blame others. Back to the village with both of them ... people with potential, re-consigned to the land. What a f*ing waste

Sorry to hear. Sounds like an exceptional lack of emotional development, combined with a complete lack of perspective on her life, or her actions. Just stick to your guns. You know what is right. Do not be swayed by any of the nonsense, and know that is all it is. Blame is very common here, when at fault. Always remember, the act of face, is the polar opposite of introspection, taking responsibility for one's actions, and owning a situation. The practice of face is the greatest act of cowardice a person can engage in. It is the very opposite of knowing ones self. It is a complete lack of humility, sorrow, or respect for others. So, it is to be expected. 

On 11/21/2016 at 11:03 AM, samsensam said:

 

the most important thing is to stay calm, stay strong and logical.

 

before any show down i would ensure valuable documents and cash, credit cards etc and any other things you dont want damaged/stolen are removed from the apartment to a safe place

 

let her know that you know what she has been up to, show her the evidence

 

tell her the relationship is over

 

tell her that the financial support has finished. immediately.

 

dont get into discussions or arguments or any drama, keep reiterating; the relationship is over due to her actions, financial support has finished due to her actions and she has to leave due to her actions

 

if she needs money she knows where she can go

 

if she needs somewhere to live she knows where to go

 

have a fall back position; as there is a child involved offer to pay for a room for a week to enable her to contact family, friends, her lover who will take over responsibility for her and the child

 

again; stay calm, strong and logical.

 

good luck.

 

 

Extraordinarily level headed words of wisdom. All men in a similar position would be well advised to follow this sage advice. Be like Bond. What would James Bond do in this situation? I believe he would handle it exactly like Samsensam advised. These are the words of a real man, acting like a real man, when the situation calls for it. 

2 hours ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

Never have taken a motorcycle taxi in Hua Hin  or BKK  and am not

going to start now. RIP to this old tourist.

Geezer

I use them alot in both HH and BKK. When the choice is between waiting an hour to get to a location that is not served by the BTS, or the MRT, or taking a 6 minute ride from hell, usually I choose the latter. Of course I realize there is a risk. There have been some close calls. But, most of these guys are relatively skillful, having been doing it for many years. Recently, someone cut right in front of us, and the driver skidded to a stop within just a meter of the car in front of us. I was impressed! We take our chances sometimes. I myself, utterly despise being caught in massive traffic jams, and will do nearly anything to get out of them, including taking this risk to life and limb.

30 minutes ago, Sarathi said:

The issue is that monks can be disrobed to face charges, without ever being convicted. 

 

The attack on him is political, rather than criminal (other recipients of the same embezzled money have not been pursued)

 

The temple unfortunately became associated with Red Shirts after the then PM Thaksin went there to join ceremonies. The temple in fact have always remained staunchly non-partisan regarding politics, for the simple reason that taking any side would lost them 40-60% of their devotees. 

 

It's fine not to like the place (I don't), but take a balanced view.

This is the first time I have heard an objective analysis of why he has been charged. If true, it is quite an indictment of the powers that be.