spidermike007

If I am eating in a simple place, and the bill is around 100-300 baht, I will typically leave 20 baht or so. I get more gratitude from the staff here, for a 20 baht tip, than I do for a $20 tip back in the US! And yes, I hand it to them directly.

As far as the service charge goes, I will usually ask the staff is they receive all of the 10%. Often they will say no. I will then give them the 20 baht, or so. They are grateful, as they are working for callous, greedy, ungrateful, boorish owners, who are completely lacking in perspective, and are leading lives of desolation, worshiping at the alter of the cash God, and taking advantage of everyone that comes in their path. Much like corn hair donald. LOL.

Most of the wait staff in Thai restaurants do not make much money. And they are quite grateful for the tips we give them. Most Thai people will not tip. A lot of Europeans will not tip. So, some of us have to make up for them. Anyway, the 20 baht does not mean much to us, and if I have received good service, why not?

I think most of us who have been here for some time, know this is a charade meant for gullible public consumption. Nearly the entire administration to date, has been about a series of charades. What has been done, that is of a meaningful nature? What has been done to "move Thailand forward? What has been done to improve Thailand within it's standing in ASEAN? What has been done to improve the economy? Tourism? Public safety? Traffic safety? The fight against corruption? The eradication of human trafficking and slave labor on the fishing fleets? Improvements in the educational system? Better health care for the Thai people?

How many big fish have been taken down? How many corrupt ministers have been imprisoned? How many super corrupt ruling families, who have loved ones that have committed horrendous crimes, have seen them go to jail?

The only positive sign I have seen lately is work on the national highways. And that was long overdue. It has been put off for years, during the Noluck administration, so she could pay for her hair brained rice pledging scheme.

Oh come on grow up man. There are much worse discrimination in European countries and even USA than Thailand. In Venice tourist have to pay 16 Euro for a bus ride while residence pay 1 Euro. In every restaurant they have two types of menu one is Menu De Touristo which is menu for the tourist and one for local. What you pay is almost double or 3 times more than the local people. And on top of that people behave like a shit with the tourists.

I don't know when farang are going to stop crying for paying few dollar more than the Thai people. You don't understand you living in a such cheap country, enjoying all the infrastructure that Thai government have made by taking tax from their people etc. Now you cry for living there so well and enjoying you life with lots of wonderful people around you and still cry why I pay 3 dollar more.

Right on. True words indeed. It is so easy to cry, complain, and moan about the low status we are reduced to here. But, the reality is that most of us live quite well here. Those of us with some cash live an enviable lifestyle. And at least for me, most of the Thai people I encounter are kind and helpful. Unlike many places, I encounter very few people who are uncooperative or hostile to foreigners. Of course, I live in a smaller town, one may not be able to say this about Pattaya, for instance.

Just man up. Deal with what you have. Move on. It is not a big deal at all. Water off a duck's back.

And why do you suppose that is? Why such a pathological fear of homosexual acts? My guess is that it is very prevalent, and that it is simply a mask, for the relative lack of heterosexuality within their societies. An extreme reaction is typically caused by something inherent within society. Granted, there is the Muslim element. But, I doubt that is what this is all about.

When you repress a people to the extent these Middle Eastern societies have been repressed, some strange stuff is going to happen! Perhaps, when it is so difficult to have something, you are going to look for something else.

I have wondered for some time how this squares with the pevelance of homosexuality in Afganistan where young boys even put on makeup for the occasion and everyone knows what's up.

My guess would be that it is prevalent throughout the Middle East. That pathological fear and repression comes from somewhere! Mankind needs sex. It is that simple. Take away women, and what does that leave?

The arabs/muslims don't appear to be repressing any sexual desires in Soi Nana, pissed with lady boys and/or hookers on their arms heading to their hotels, boners showing through their robes.

Well of course. If you lived in a society as repressive as the ones they live in, you would "live it up" when you had the chance too. It is only natural. We are talking about one of mankind's most basis instincts and desires. Sex is something most people enjoy, crave, and desire. It is only when a purile, infantile, immature, prudish, falsely religious society makes sex outrageously forbidden, and impossible to find, that men resort to more extreme acts of satisfaction. I am sure most of these men do not agree with the repressive ideas and acts of their societies, and religion. They simply go along with it.

Your ability to interpret spanish correctly, is about on par with Jimmy Grahams ability to interpret the bible. The race does not denote superiority, like the "Chosen people" does in Judaism. It denotes a race of hispanic people attempting to claim some of their rights and honors, that they deserve, as law abiding, hard working, tax paying workers in the US. They are bringing alot to the table, despite what "corn hair don" claims.

Yes of course people coming here illegally, committing identity fraud, working for cash tax-free, exporting tens of billions of dollars- these are wonderful things and brings much to the table.

I am fine with immigration. What is so evil about asking that people comply with the law, wait in line like everyone else, come here legally in numbers WE decide as a matter of good policy based on our labor and skills needs?

Pretty racist stuff, yes?

Your arguments would hold water, if our immigration system was not completely broken. There is a complete absence of "good policy" within our current immigration system. Nuclear physicists from India cannot get visas to come here and work. The best and the brightest from all over the world are being turned away, daily. They are going elsewhere, and who's loss is that? Prior to our system becoming completely broken, we used to attract the best from all over the world. Now, due to terrible policy, we are fast becoming a nation with the highest concentration of landscapers, dishwashers, and relatively unskilled minimum wage workers in the world.

The aspect of this that Corn hair does not want to address, and neither do his devotees, is that people come to the US illegally, because they cannot come legally. It is very difficult for anyone from the third world without alot of cash to enter the US these days, legally. So, where does that leave the massive work force that is required to drive the American economy?

No matter how you look at it, without the Hispanic work force, all US wineries would close, nearly all agricultural production would grind to a halt, very little landscaping or dishwashing would take place in the nations restaurants or homes, and every fast food outlet in the country would have to close tomorrow. Is that what you want?

A small percentage of illegal workers commit identity fraud. And most pay taxes, and never collect. Many think tanks and economic studies have concluded that this work force is a net benefit to the US economy. That they actually pay more than they take in benefits. Can you possibly wrap your mind around that possibility?

That is just another aspect of this immigration debate, that corn hair will not discuss.

I used to have quite an "exotic" gun collection when I lived in the states. And I'm a vegetarian aspiring Buddhist. Got in regular range time and also did some competitive events. I retired a couple of years ago in Thailand. Now I don't own a gun.

Friends and acquaintances in Issan and many in Bangkok do own guns. All unregistered as far as I know.

Did you know Thailand has twice the gun violence as the United States.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877806-thailand-gun-death-rate-twice-as-high-as-us/

It's confusing to me that in 11 Middle Eastern countries if a guy gets caught taking it up the <deleted> or blowing some other guy they will get executed. Gee talk about "risky sex."

May the souls of those slaughtered RIP...

B

And why do you suppose that is? Why such a pathological fear of homosexual acts? My guess is that it is very prevalent, and that it is simply a mask, for the relative lack of heterosexuality within their societies. An extreme reaction is typically caused by something inherent within society. Granted, there is the Muslim element. But, I doubt that is what this is all about.

When you repress a people to the extent these Middle Eastern societies have been repressed, some strange stuff is going to happen! Perhaps, when it is so difficult to have something, you are going to look for something else.

I have wondered for some time how this squares with the pevelance of homosexuality in Afganistan where young boys even put on makeup for the occasion and everyone knows what's up.

My guess would be that it is prevalent throughout the Middle East. That pathological fear and repression comes from somewhere! Mankind needs sex. It is that simple. Take away women, and what does that leave?

This economy is being very poorly run. That much is obvious to us all. There is little to no progressive thought, coming from this dullard administration. The lack of talent and creative juice is astonishing. All this while Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and even the Philippines are making great strides, welcoming foreign companies and investors with open arms, and many incentives, and growing their economies, improving their infrastructure, and becoming more inviting places to live and invest.

Thailand is going to have to figure a way out of it's DEEP slumber. It is being left behind.

Here is my prediction for the near future:

1. Thailand will fall from it's current position as #2 within ASEAN, to #6, behind Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Burma. Yes Burma!

2. Thailand's GDP figures will start contracting within the next year or so, and will continue contracting and falling over the next few decades.

3. The days of the tiger of SE Asia will begin to feel like a very distant memory.

4. Heads will roll, and changes will happen, but as usual, it will be too little, too late.

5. Property prices will begin to decline over the next few years, as will the currency.

6. Other than the buildup of Chinese tourists, the tourism numbers will continue to fall.

7. The stock market will contract also, as many major Japanese manufacturers will begin their exodus away from a country that offers little in the way of incentives, protection, property rights, and many of the advantages the above listed countries offer, or will begin to offer.

I won. I really won. And besides, I come from a powerful and crazy rich family. How could I lose? People like me do not lose. And people like me, when they do lose, are not gracious about it!

I used to have quite an "exotic" gun collection when I lived in the states. And I'm a vegetarian aspiring Buddhist. Got in regular range time and also did some competitive events. I retired a couple of years ago in Thailand. Now I don't own a gun.

Friends and acquaintances in Issan and many in Bangkok do own guns. All unregistered as far as I know.

Did you know Thailand has twice the gun violence as the United States.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877806-thailand-gun-death-rate-twice-as-high-as-us/

It's confusing to me that in 11 Middle Eastern countries if a guy gets caught taking it up the <deleted> or blowing some other guy they will get executed. Gee talk about "risky sex."

May the souls of those slaughtered RIP...

And why do you suppose that is? Why such a pathological fear of homosexual acts? My guess is that it is very prevalent, and that it is simply a mask, for the relative lack of heterosexuality within their societies. An extreme reaction is typically caused by something inherent within society. Granted, there is the Muslim element. But, I doubt that is what this is all about.

When you repress a people to the extent these Middle Eastern societies have been repressed, some strange stuff is going to happen! Perhaps, when it is so difficult to have something, you are going to look for something else.

I wonder if this is ever going to happen... but it would mean that the muslims need to go against quran and I do not see that happening anytime soon.

Jasser: Muslims Must Declare War on Radical Islam

http://insider.foxnews.com/2016/06/12/dr-zuhdi-jasser-orlando-nightclub-shooting-muslims-political-islam

I have been arguing that they need to do exactly this for some time now. Take to the streets, denounce them at every turn, provide no support or safe harbor, make them feel like absolute pariahs, in their own lands.

And if this does not happen, I am afraid moderate minded people around the world are going to interpret this as complicity, and support. And at a given point in time, there is a strong possibility that the entire Western world will rise up against the entire Muslim world. It would be the 4th crusade. A friend of mine argues that it already started with aftermath of 9/11. The slaughter of hundreds of thousands of women and children in Iraq, during our campaign there, for example.

It is absolutely incumbent upon every Muslim man, woman, and child to speak out against these murderous, gang raping fools. In a very loud, and a very unified manner. Same applies to the leaders in the Middle East. And the clerics. I realize some are already speaking out. And the Western media shows very little of that, as it does not fit the stereotype that is being promoted. But, if the outcry is loud enough, it is going to get attention.

Not to sound offensive, or to make light of this situation, but I always thought the legal age of consent in Thailand, where it concerns Thai on Thai was 15 years old? I realize

it is 18, when it comes to selling one's body, but an argument could be made that this was about the same as taking a woman out to dinner in the US.

Sorry to be insensitive, but most girls of the age of 17 are very active sexually. So, if she wants to trade her body for a good grade, what is the harm here?

I realize the PC crew will jump all over me for even suggesting this. But, to me it appears to be some sort of witch hunt.

Selling your body for grades?

You don't see why that is wrong?

Wow.

Not really. No. What is the difference between selling your body for grades, and selling your body for cash? What is the difference between selling your body for grades, and having casual sex with your classmates?

Granted, many have called me morally bankrupt in the past, when it comes to sex, so this could be a good example of that!

I realize how offensive it might be, if this was your daughter, or cousin. But, she is of legal age of consent in Thailand. And it is her body. And the whole age thing is not a really big deal here. So, please explain the fine nuances of this situation to me, and why it is "wrong".

Who cares? It is such a small thing. Just suck it up, and move on. That is what real men do. Repeat to yourself one hundred times: Water off a duck's back. Water off a duck's back.

More than likely, they were embarrassed for you to see an older boat, that is a generation away from being state of the art.

Not to sound offensive, or to make light of this situation, but I always thought the legal age of consent in Thailand, where it concerns Thai on Thai was 15 years old? I realize

it is 18, when it comes to selling one's body, but an argument could be made that this was about the same as taking a woman out to dinner in the US.

Sorry to be insensitive, but most girls of the age of 17 are very active sexually. So, if she wants to trade her body for a good grade, what is the harm here?

I realize the PC crew will jump all over me for even suggesting this. But, to me it appears to be some sort of witch hunt.

The cultural concept of face, and the fear of losing face, effectively disables a person for life.

I agree wholeheartedly. It diminishes a man or woman to miniature status. It is evidence of thin skin, and self doubt.

It is single handedly the greatest form of cowardice a person can engage in. It is the polar opposite of everything Buddhism is about. It is the refusal to look within for the source of the problem, or to introspect on any level, which is the bedrock of any spiritual practice, and also the only way a man or woman can truly get to know thyself. How are you going to change, develop, mature, and improve as an individual, if you refuse to look within, and are more scared than a little kitten, to look bad to others? Pathetic, weak, anemic, churlish, and childish.

Who cares what others think? If one has a good sense of self, and feels good about who they are, it matters little what others think. One day, it is my guess that the people of Asia will figure this out. But, it could take awhile. In the meantime, they remain stuck in the mud of self doubt, and remain obsessed with "appearances".

"To forgive and forget" is a mad response. Hunt down and exterminate is a far better solution. These Sunni Muslim hate groups hate the entire world, it happens in China, Russia, Europe, SE Asia and across the whole Muslim world. It is not just a western nation problem and no reason to be scared, appeasement is weakness and the bad guys will take full advantage of it.

"Hunt down and exterminate" is what the USA has been doing since 9/11. Have a look around you and see where that has brought the world.

Blowback is an awful thing to contend with. Would we be facing the situation we are in, right now, if Tiny George II had not invaded Iraq? Had we stayed away from Afghanistan, would ISIL be in existence? Would the Taliban and Al Queda be more, or less powerful than it is now? Certainly, the recruitment process would be more difficult. The Saudis make is easier, with the billions they use to fund the Madrasas. They are the number one enemy of the US, and the free world. Along with the Pakistanis. #1 and #2.

I thought the Saudis and the US were in bed with each other?

They are. Absolutely. But, that does not make them our friends. Quite the contrary. The US puts up with them, out of strategy, the need to maintain some control in the region, their oil, their massive investments in the US economy, and their seeming control over another Muslim population that would quickly spiral out of control, as it did in Iraq, Libya, Egypt, and to some extent Algeria.

Regardless, of the "close" relationship the US enjoys with the Saudis, there is no doubt that their leadership has bad intentions. Really bad. About as bad as the Chicoms, the N. Koreans, and the Pakistanis.

They are undoubtedly the world's number one sponsor of terror, and that has been the case for the past 30 years of so. It is estimated they have spent well over $100 billion, in the financing of extremism, regardless of their claims to the contrary. They want to remain a member of the world community, after all, so they have to maintain a false front, while their leaders support a completely different brand of disharmony behind closed doors.

Cambodia is worse than Thailand, on nearly every level. Though the UN, and many other gullible organizations consider it a democracy, it is an absolute autocracy. Hun Sen holds all the power, along with his mighty generals. They steal land by the billions, they pillage as they please, and they lock up, and assassinate their opponents at will. Fortunately, Thailand is nowhere near as bad as Cambodia. As much as some of us are displeased with Little P., at least he has not stooped as low as Sen, who is a despotic, power hungry, money grubbing madman.

Trump might attempt to create unity, if he even knew the definition of the word. His entire DNA makeup is about division, and discord. That is who he is. You cannot change a cat's stripes. He could not change if he wanted to, as he has very little self control, nor consciousness. He is the center of the universe. How do you change the center of the universe? How do you bring humility to a man who is convinced he is the most important person in the world?

Historically, people with that point of view have been considered very, very dangerous. He is somehow convincing his devotees that he is not a dangerous man.

ISIS will claim responsibility for any attack to western countries and people, just because they want a violent response back. Violence creates more violence, and more ISIS violent followers.

To forgive and forget is the only response to stop with this madness. Leave the Islamic people and its countries alone!

"To forgive and forget" is a mad response. Hunt down and exterminate is a far better solution. These Sunni Muslim hate groups hate the entire world, it happens in China, Russia, Europe, SE Asia and across the whole Muslim world. It is not just a western nation problem and no reason to be scared, appeasement is weakness and the bad guys will take full advantage of it.

"Hunt down and exterminate" is what the USA has been doing since 9/11. Have a look around you and see where that has brought the world.

Blowback is an awful thing to contend with. Would we be facing the situation we are in, right now, if Tiny George II had not invaded Iraq? Had we stayed away from Afghanistan, would ISIL be in existence? Would the Taliban and Al Queda be more, or less powerful than it is now? Certainly, the recruitment process would be more difficult. The Saudis make is easier, with the billions they use to fund the Madrasas. They are the number one enemy of the US, and the free world. Along with the Pakistanis. #1 and #2.

One incredibly ignorant post after another as the wingnuts pat themselves on the back and wallow in the weird justification for their Muslim xenophobia. This guarantees a Trump election? Buddha give me strength.

This was another mass shooting, this week on the LGBT community by someone who should never have had a gun. ISIS didn't do this, another mental patient with a gun did this.

Violence against the LGBT community, the lack of ANY effective gun laws (Florida?) are what should be addressed, yet the low-infos take a victory lap over having pointed out the danger of ISIS in America.

Somehow, it's Obama's fault?

We are standing for this violence time and time again. This isn't about Muslims. This incident is about guns. There will be another mass shooting next week and it won't be about Muslims. It will be about what it's always about...GUNS and at a minimum better regulatory system for guns — just like there is for anything else related to our safety.

The NRA runs the Republican party and is the reason for our regularly scheduled mass shootings. Enough is enough kowtowing to the Americans who cling to their weapons for dear life allowing a continuous loop of mass killing after mass killing.

We don't need guns. We need sanity, something in short supply on this thread.

Enough is enough.

Cannot argue with anything you said. And I truly hope it is proven that ISIL had nothing to do with this. Of course those desert rats are going to take responsibility for this. It is akin to Trump taking responsibility for the laws of physics.

The real responsibility rests with both the NRA, and the federal governments inability to reign them in. My guess is that it was a religious nutter, who had nothing to do with ISIL.

Mundane? That's a good word.

When asked on Morning Joe who are you consulting with so you are ready on day one?

Trump replied (get this), "I'm speaking with myself, number one, because I've got a very good brain and I've said a lot of things."

Mundane indeed.

And that is the truly scary part. The degree to which he is megolamaniacal is the really scary part. He really believes his own rhetoric. And he has spent his entire adult life deceiving and swindling people. That is how he has made his fortune. Deceit. Dishonesty. It is his M.O. And he is doing it again. This time with flying colors, and the help of the best PR people in the land. The kind of power grab this creep will attempt, once in office, will make the likes of Mussolini look feeble. For those who say the power of the president is limited, they are not taking into account martial law. This would be imposed asap, once he assumed power. Govern without regard for the will of the people, would be his motto. The will of the people is something that has never gotten in his way before.

Don't get me wrong. I am no Hillary fan. The degree to which she is compromised is beyond the pale. I do not really want her to be our leader either. We have two truly horrific candidates to choose from.

The American people deserve this. They have worked very hard for this. The continued dumbing down of popular American culture has brought this on.

Granted, he will be ripped to shreds in the debates, as his knowledge is so incredibly limited, and his lack of experience will really show. His intelligence is so much less than he thinks it is. His brain is so much smaller than he thinks it is. So are other parts of his body, no doubt!

Very, very insecure men, who have absolutely no belief in anything. They have no inner practice, they have no faith, they have only blindness and their entire body of knowledge and wisdom is that of a parrot. So, hence they are scared of their own shadows. You cannot do this, you cannot do that. This is forbidden. That is forbidden. If you disobey us, you will be killed or punished.

Real men do not behave like that. Real men respect the right of others to behave and to believe as they like. Small men, and infantile men, of little or no character run around threatening people for enjoying their lives, and leading a fulfilling existence.

As if there are not enough local scammers here. Now, we have to add to that foreign scammers too?

I am suspicious. My guess is that any major act of terror that happens in the US, is something ISIL (interdependent sacrilegious idiot lemmings) would take credit for. Also, Obama and Homeland Security would prefer that this be an act of terror, instead of the work of a madman, or a religious (non-Muslim) zealot, trying to express his intolerance of the gay lifestyle, and the open manner in which it is conducted in the US.

I am not saying it was not the super freak, gang rapist terror group ISIL. But, anytime they take credit, I am suspicious.

Let us hope it was not their act. If so, life in America is going to change overnight. Being the first major terror act since 9/11, to have been conducted by outsiders, and Muslims, it is going to awaken the giant security apparatus, already in place. Things are going to get ugly in the US.

If the FBI, and other law enforcement had not been spending all of their time, and squandering so much of their resources pursuing men having sex with women, and drug possession cases, it is possible these clowns would have been on their radar.

Being the first major terror act since 9/11........Remember the Boston Bombings........The giant security apparatus are awake.Been thru airport security lately

in the US.....But this hardly going stop people of this sort!......The NRA have been seeing to this for decades....The bottom $$$

Things are going to get ugly in the US. ........i'm with you on this one

I do agree about the giant security apparatus being awake. That is for sure. But, my point was a terror attack that could be attributed to GRTC (the gang rapist, thug charlatans) that call themselves ISIL. There was never that connection made with the Boston bombings, as hard as they tried.

And yes, I have been through American airports lately. The TSA is NOT up to the task. And the airlines and airports do not want to pay for enough staff, to keep things moving smoothly. It is not a pleasant experience, compared to most countries in the world.

And I also agree, the NRA need to be stopped in their tracks. Immediately. The entire organization should be dismantled, and made into a terror threat. They allow the average person to acquired anything, and everything in the way of weapons and explosives. They are a boil on the face of the US. Unless and until a strong leader comes along, who is willing to say no to the pig lobbyists, nothing will change.

You have not seen huge increase in traffic over the last few years? We must have been living on different islands.

There was a temporary increase.

But then people went back to driving motorbikes instead because it goes faster.

Yes, we live here, you moved, so how come you seen the huge increase in traffic over the last few years?

I moved less than a year ago. Between 2012 and the time I moved, the traffic had increased dramatically. Granted, this is an exception, but a friend of mine visited Samui over the holidays, last year. It took him 2 hours to get from Nathon to Chaweng.

My general point, is that there is so much that could be done in the way of traffic mitigation, to counter the massive development going on, on Samui. Monorails, natural gas buses of all sizes, that ply the island and charge little money for their services. This would eliminate hundreds of empty taxis on the roads. I realize it would take some authority, and courage, as nobody wants to confront the all powerful taxi mafias. But, at a given point in time a man has to behave like a man. That kind of behavior is long overdue from the mayor and other local officials.

In order for any of those 172 laws to mean anything to anybody, the entire police force, and judicial system would have to be completely dismantled, and rebuilt from the ground up. And it would have to be done without any influence from the vermin families who seem to run nearly everything here, and appear to have very little regard for the common man, woman, and child. In other words, without influence from the elite, the government, or the army. Fat chance of that happening within our lifetime.

Instead, Thailand will continue to be held back, by it's stubborn refusal to join the rest of the world, in it's march toward progress, and a meritocracy, and it's fight against corruption and cronyism. My guess, is that within 10-15 years, Thailand will drop from #2 in ASEAN, to #6. And with that drop, a shrinking of the economy, a drop in real estate prices, and the currency, and a general shift away from the country, on the part of major manufacturers, who cannot count on the continued succession of blatantly incompetent governments, to protect their interests.