spidermike007

A lot of negative comments, and rightly so, it would require an ethics-bypass not to be sickened with the Thai version of justice sometimes.

But guys, what did we expect really? Thailand is a 3rd-world nation, acknowldged by its own foreign diplomats (or at least, the UN representative) to be heading towards failed state status.

The military are out of control and are not accountable to anyone. The police don't even bother to pretend not to be corrupt any more and are not accountable to anyone. Ditto the justice system. The entire administrative system from the Pooyay Baan upwards is corrupt to the core etc etc ad nauseam.

Personally, even though I took the decision to live in Thailand, I detest their culture, I detest their incompetence and I detest their national superiority complex, its just narcissism. And yes, before the sheeple come out and protest that not all Thais are worthless, I agree, I know many Thais who are very good people, probably better than I found where I came from. But they are a small minority in my experience.

So I keep my head down, have my (Thai) wife conduct most of our business with Thais and try not to be enraged by the 3rd-world behaviour we all encounter almost daily. It is after all, the 3rd-world and its a problem for the Thais to resolve, not me. Of course we all know they've been propagandised for decades and that the country has been run by a feudal elite entirely for it's own benefit. But, I get my pension, I live a quiet life and the major consequences that Thais have to suffer for embracing their imposed lifestyle pass me by. USA and England have their merchant bankers, Thailand has its banking and retail conglomerates and its civil service and its law enforcement, etc etc. SSDD.

Eventually, Thailand will grow up, eventually they will realise that the rest of the world has passed them by and that they really have to get out of their self-imposed nightmare. Eventually, they will realise that it is the dismal state of their education system that causes most of the problems, and they will fix it.

Eventually.

In the meantime, I try to remember why I came here - it's relatively cheap (unless you buy something from the mafia franchises such as cars and pickups), the weather's good and by and large, the trouble that Thais cause themselves pretty much bypass us. I figure that fixing Thailand (or even giving sensible advice to Thais for them to ignore) just isn't my job, it's someone else's and I don't really care very much if it never gets done.

Winnie

A lot of wisdom in this post. The whole failed state status is something few seem to be prepared to discuss. It is something i have pondered. It does appear, by almost any standard one applies, that the country is going backwards. The economy appears to be contracting, and I believe within a decade or two, the whole "Lion of the region" thing will be a distant memory. This country had a moment in the sun, and they have not done a good job of building on that. Indonesia is blowing away Thailand economically, Malaysia is catching up, Vietnam is growing, and the Thais seem to be doing very, very little when it comes to encouraging more foreign investment, building a sustainable economy, or encouraging Western tourism.

Like you say, eventually Thailand will have a major day of reckoning. The region will pass it by, and tourism will drop to the point where it is no longer the dynamic industry it once was. The seafood will most likely be gone, so the country will be dependent on toxic fish farms, and many of the Japanese companies will have long ago left for greener pastures, and places that provide them more benefits, a more progressive and sustainable environment, and more protection and assurances. What will happen at that point? The leaders will have to do what they have always avoided. Look within for the source of the problem, and take responsibility. That will be quite a thing to witness. My heart goes out to the average Thai, who is going to take the brunt of all of this.

They are right when they say production should be lowered. And as many of the rice farmers as possible, should switch crops. Rice is the singular commodity that insures that one stays in poverty, forever. It is the crop the elite want the masses to grow, so they can ensure their long term domination of the country. Get into something creative. Hydroponic herbs, exotic fruit, unusual melons, vegetables, other grains, anything but rice. Anything.

I agree 100% with this, but the elite have this covered by keeping the vast majority of the "rice farmers" uneducated and unable to think for themselves! being kept on the edge of poverty helps also!

I think there is some or even much truth here. One of the problems is the average farmer has a primary school education and is in his or her late 50s to mid 60s. They don't want to be told they have been doing it all wrong for thousands of years. They just want the government to subsidise them using taxes raised from the cities. So it's quite easy for those in power to just leave them like that and achieve their objectives by default. In hard core areas of Isaan where they are not open to growing other crops, govt should start by helping improve yields with better seeds and more efficient organic methods, although even that is hard. When this generation has moved on things are likely to change whether the 'elite' on both sides of the divide want it or not. So it will be better for them to get with the program.

If the government and the ruling elite had any interest in "lifting" up the masses, they would encourage alternative crops, and offer training, financial assistance, and similar programs, such as those that are being offered in Colombia, and Costa Rica, to the local farmers. As a result, they are creating a sustainable agricultural system, and the farmers are being lifted out of poverty. But, this is a progressive system, and NOBODY has every described ANY administration that Thailand has had in the recent past, as progressive, visionary, or forward thinking. Nor noble. There is so much that could be done to encourage farmers to move on, from the dreaded rice crop.

The sad truth, is the the elite are as locked into their old ways, as the farmers are. Everybody benefits from a growing and thriving economy, and the elite benefit when the masses are better educated, and more productive. The old mind set of keeping the masses dumb in order to rule effectively, is outdated, and colonial minded. Those days are long gone. So, get with the program, embrace the modern age, lift up your people, and hold your heads high. Just do the right thing, because it is the right thing to do, and because you are in a position to do it.

This little creep was a serial robber. The impotent justice system could not, and as usual, would not deal with him. Not sure if the problem is the petty thiefs, or the petty judges, who lack backbone, conviction, spine, courage, moral fiber, and the willingness to do what is right by society. Maybe he will serve time this time around. Just maybe. Is there an effective judge to be found, anywhere in the LOS?

They are right when they say production should be lowered. And as many of the rice farmers as possible, should switch crops. Rice is the singular commodity that insures that one stays in poverty, forever. It is the crop the elite want the masses to grow, so they can ensure their long term domination of the country. Get into something creative. Hydroponic herbs, exotic fruit, unusual melons, vegetables, other grains, anything but rice. Anything.

If it is only two guys on a street then I think I would fight and go after each as if my life depended on it, and would win ! If 3 or more perhaps it is a swing like crazy and run like hell into a shop someplace near by and call police. This is a no win situation but I won't just sit and let cun/-s kick the shit out of me. They will also pay a price.

You want to see a Thai run a 100 yard dash? Get in a fight.

A mob of random, bitter guys will instantly arrive to kick your head in.

You try it?

Thai not really fighting nationality.. if few guy get seriously injured they see the blood and scatter like cockroaches when you turn on the light. Even if its crime community.. Its not as in London "firm" or in Russian "bratva" .. or even chines gang... Not have any brutal..Its not Brazil or Colombia...

I would have to agree with that. The exception may be with some gangs, or some tech school turf battles, and the like. But, most Thais are not going to go for the kill. In the Philippines or Brazil, many guys are very skilled, when it comes to a variety of fighting techniques. You get attacked by one of those guys, and you may end up with permanent reminders of the altercation, for the rest of your life. Same goes with many other countries. Not like the average lightweight Thai altercation.

you are joking right

Absolutely not. The average Thai guy has very, very little in the way of boxing, wrestling, or martial arts skills. If fighting without their pack, or their gang, they will usually not inflict much damage, assuming there are no weapons involved.

Post #11 said:

Rather than focus on developing or sustaining higher quality western tourism, these TAT people just trod on, seemingly oblivious, or unconcerned about the decline in the quality of tourists here.

Quite apart from finding this post a bit snobbish (high-quality v low-quality tourists), one has to wonder who, precisely, are these high-quality western tourists who have gone missing? Or, more to the point, what is it the missing tourists are missing? When you've seen one wat , you've seen them all. Beaches? Mostly now filthy? But, to be brief, what is there in LoS that a "high-quality" western tourist would want to come to Thailand for?

Would a hi-so Westerner come here for the excellent beer or wine, in all their great global variety, freely available at low cost? For the opera? the symphony (which, btw, are top-notch in other Asian cities, like Tokyo, KL and most Chinese cities)?

Is the hi-so visitor coming for the kick-boxing? for jet-skiing? etc etc etc.

Warm weather (guaranteed) will attract most people, hi and lo so, from all over the world. That's about it.

So, it is indeed reasonable to assume that tourism will not be affected very much by smoke in CM. The hi-so Westerner is already absent....

I was definitely not referring to high society Europeans. I was referring to the average Western tourist, who spends money. Not a fortune, mind you. But someone who frequents the restaurants, bars, massage shops, gift shops, and is not afraid to drop a few bucks. Totally unlike the average Chinese tourist here, who comes as part of a tour package, and is shepherded into the places the tour operators have deals with. All the rest of the establishments are left behind. Most of the Chinese package tourists simply do not spend much cash while here, and that makes them a low quality tourist, by any business standard, related to tourism.

I am not making this stuff up. I have heard it from dozens of people who are involved in the industry. And there is no doubt the number of the higher quality (I stick with that term, even if it offends) tourists is declining. Regardless of what they came here for, they came in the millions, every year, and supported this economy in a big way. That is on the decline for a dozen different reasons, but chief amongst them is the current regime, and the inability of the leader to keep his mouth shut, and if speaking, to avoid saying things that are ignorant, beyond imagination.

5555 Understood! I do HATE the Xmas holidays in the US. Just too much. I'm not religious and don't have kids. So, Xmas is not a big deal to me. It's nice here as it's not so much in your face.

It is nice here not to have to worry about tips. Though we do tip here, small amounts unless we're having a luxury dinner somewhere. And at times, it's automatically included! But at smaller restaurants in the US, I tip very little. That's just me. And never really had a problem. I don't give it a second thought. Though the plight of the servers is an issue....for some. Many make very good money as servers. Very good.

A lot of waiters and waitresses in fine restaurants make $10,000 a month in tips, or more. We have the right to tip as we see fit. I have been chased out the door before, by an irate waiter, who I deliberately left a paltry tip for, after receiving terrible service. I just got in his face and told him if he had been performing his job better, and was able to at least fake a good attitude, he would have gotten a good tip.

Now, alot of restaurants are imposing mandatory 20% tips, for parties of 6 or more. So, at a good restaurants, where you spend $600 for 6 people, they are "imposing" a tip of $120, or over 4,000 baht! It is nuts. And that is in addition to sales tax. So, when eating out at a restaurant in the US, you have to add 20-29% to the bill, to cover tax and tip. It is nuts!

Here, I often get a real nod of appreciation for a 20 or 40 baht tip. So, usually I end up getting far more in the way of thanks for a $1 tip here, than for a $20 tip back in the States, which typically garners barely a glance. There are exceptions. I do encounter alot of very skillful, and highly trained service people in LA and elsewhere, when back in the states.

Christmas in the US long ago became a real circus. When they starting playing christmas tunes in the malls around Halloween, it became pretty ugly. Much better here, with only the occasional christmas carol.

At least one eatery in Bangkok has cashed in on the trend. Neta Grill said earlier this week it is offering meals for "luk theps" at child rates, adding that the restaurant is "open to all worshippers".

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35416537

“How have we arrived at this point?” one local police chief asked to the Straits Times.

He’s not the only one confused by the trend. In the Post editorial, author Veera Prateepchaikul declared that the Luk Thep doll “makes Thai people appear like they have only half their brain functioning.” The trend was started last year by celebrities who, as Veera put it, “may be rich and look great physically but, mentally, they are more often like infants themselves.” Those posted pictures of themselves with their special companions, and the rest is history.

http://www.inquisitr.com/2740987/dolls-possessed-by-dead-children-called-luk-thep-are-good-luck-angels-in-thailand/

When my friends who have not been to Thailand ask me what they should know about the place, I tell them always remember Thailand is NOT a foreign country. It is a distant planet. If you think there is any chance of developing a true understanding of their culture, you are wrong! In my humble opinion, the Luk Thep phenomenon, is just another example of how a percentage of the population is unable or unwilling to think for themselves. A celebrity has one, so I should have one too. The celebrity is rich, has great fortune and is handsome or beautiful. If I get one of these dolls, maybe I can become just like them.

If he were truly remorseful, rather than shed crocodile tears, he would hold a press conference, and announce that a travesty of justice had occurred. He would say if the police were doing their jobs, they would have arrested him for manslaughter, and sentence him to at least 10 years in prison. That is the nature of remorse. A two week vacation in the monastery, where we will no doubt enjoy catered meals of lobster, tiger prawn, and steak on a daily basis, is not penance. Fortunately, the entire nation sees it as a charade, and just one more example of the ruling elite being above the law. This charade does not fool a soul. He was guilty of taking lives. He deserves punishment.

Another day in Thailand. As usual Minister of Tourism and Sports Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul is just making things up as he goes along. We are bulletproof. Nothing affects us. No adversity would drive tourists away. No amount of police corruption, violence against Westerners, or scandals will keep you away. We know that. We offer some of the finest food, some of the nicest people, some of the most gorgeous tourist attractions, and everything is really, really cheap. Plus we really take care of our country, and are very concerned about the environment, the forests, the beaches, and keep the water in both in the Gulf and the Andaman in crystal clear condition, due to all of our progressive programs to save the environment. Plus, we are taking really good care of our migrants, and have ended slavery in all forms. Come and see. We are waiting for you, and will greet you with big smiles. We know you will come, as you really do not have many alternatives to our great and gorgeous nation. Don't even consider any other countries within SE Asia. None of them are as good as our country. We are the best!

As many of us know, western tourism is way, way down. Nearly everyone I talk to, whether it be a restaurant, bar, massage shop, gift store, travel agent, tour operator, or hotel owner, say the same thing. Tourism is way down. The TAT would claim the numbers are up. Of course they are counting the Chinese tourists, all business visas, and all border runs in those (not so accurate) numbers! The Chinese have contributed to the arrival numbers. But, they are mostly low quality tourists, who contribute little to the Thai economy, as most of the profits from their tours are repatriated to China, and elsewhere. And the Chinese do not spend much money in the shops, restaurants, bars, or elsewhere. And the room rates they are paying are highly discounted.

So, again this numskull is missing the mark, as usual. Rather than focus on developing or sustaining higher quality western tourism, these TAT people just trod on, seemingly oblivious, or unconcerned about the decline in the quality of tourists here. Plus, the PM is not the greatest ally of tourism, as he is continually being allowed to mouth off, and sabotage Western tourism, on a daily basis, with his fabulously ignorant statements about Westerners, and his continued demonstration of nationalism, at every opportunity.

If it is only two guys on a street then I think I would fight and go after each as if my life depended on it, and would win ! If 3 or more perhaps it is a swing like crazy and run like hell into a shop someplace near by and call police. This is a no win situation but I won't just sit and let cun/-s kick the shit out of me. They will also pay a price.

You want to see a Thai run a 100 yard dash? Get in a fight.

A mob of random, bitter guys will instantly arrive to kick your head in.

You try it?

Thai not really fighting nationality.. if few guy get seriously injured they see the blood and scatter like cockroaches when you turn on the light. Even if its crime community.. Its not as in London "firm" or in Russian "bratva" .. or even chines gang... Not have any brutal..Its not Brazil or Colombia...

I would have to agree with that. The exception may be with some gangs, or some tech school turf battles, and the like. But, most Thais are not going to go for the kill. In the Philippines or Brazil, many guys are very skilled, when it comes to a variety of fighting techniques. You get attacked by one of those guys, and you may end up with permanent reminders of the altercation, for the rest of your life. Same goes with many other countries. Not like the average lightweight Thai altercation.

Never, ever get the police involved. It will never end well for a foreigner. Never. Always remember, the police here do not practice law enforcement. It is all about revenue collection. They are the RCD (revenue collection department).

nonsense

Can you please inform us why you think this is nonsense? Could you cite some examples?

I could cite one story after another, of either direct involvement, or incidents friends were involved in. Rarely, were the police ever an ally, to either the Thai friends of mine, nor the foreigners. Virtually everyone I know, does everything in their power to NOT involve the police.

Samples coming up

I have after some 400,000 km over the last 24 years in this country never been unfairly treated by the traffic police. I have had a few small accidents during that time, all of them have been the other parties fault. I have occasionally chosen to involve the police, good way to cut the bs out. I have been incorrectly accused of doing a red light once but I know that I was very close to making one too so it was a genuine mistake by the police (= not unfairly treated) and I didn't pay anything, some waste of time only

I sometimes thought that I had been unfairly treated by the traffic police in the beginning of my stay in Thailand but I spent an hour with a lawyer going through the traffic laws and I have not complained since. I have still been penalized many times... but it has always been when I know I did wrong. Fly-overs and 2nd lane on 2 lane roads on motorcycle in Bangkok quite often, occasionally for turning from the wrong lane and driving too fast

The police has sometimes been unwilling to impose penalties but that has nothing to do with me being a farang = "roi wen" (2nd level policeman) will normally negotiate a mutual agreement rather than punish, that is the culture in Thailand and we have no right to criticize that

"Virtually everyone I know, does everything in their power to NOT involve the police" as you write above goes totally against my experience - I'd be happy to involve them if necessary

Frankly, I am thrilled to hear some positive stories about the police work done here. It does give one hope. I will keep an open mind. Thanks for that.

With a few exceptions here and there, the entire planet seems to be really dry this year. Just look at Alberta. Fires are going to rage all over the SW US this summer, more than likely, as it has continued to be bone dry. LA got 6 inches of rain all season, this year. My guess is that we will not see really heavy rains this year here either.

But, I sure hope I am wrong. We sure need it. The entire country needs it. Notice how little fruit there is this year? A lot of farmers and orchard owners are hurting right about now.

Maybe Al Gore was right after all?

Personally, I am convinced that global warming is a reality, and that it is caused by primarily by the actions of man, industry, waste, lack of respect for the seas, etc. Regardless of what the naysayers proclaim, I see it all around me. The heat, the lack of rainfall, the frequency of bizarre extreme storms, etc. Just using the power of my rational mind, it is hard to conceive of the possibility that our atmosphere and environment would be completely resistant to all of the junk we are throwing at it.

Gore, like Michael Moore, is probably guilty of exaggerating the facts. Moore rarely is bothered by the facts. But, Gore probably did a valuable service by bringing attention to the problem.

It continues to astonish me, that most Thais cannot see the beauty in dark skin. They are so hypnotized by TV, film, and the media, that they cannot see their own beauty, nor the beauty of such a high percentage of their people. Too bad. One assumes some things will never change, or will take a very long time to change.

This milky white skin obsession is bizarre. Some of these women look like Caspar the friendly ghost. What is appealing about skin that white? I just don't see it.

You might need to sit down for this: different cultures place different emphasis on what is considered 'beautiful'. Shocking ain't it!

Look at all those pics of lantern-jawed Raphaelite fatties or Victorians squidged into their corsets.

The more interesting question is if private businesses are prohibited from conducting business on Phuket's beaches then how can the Miss World franchise be allowed to use such a scenic backdrop to promote Thailand as a country by baiting rapists with the young girls as rape-victims-in-waiting, which is all they are according to certain interpretations of their dress-code?

Are you by any chance a Muslim, who practices the Wahhabi faith? How can a woman in a bikini be considered a rape victim in waiting? Where on earth does that interpretation come from? That is a bizarre thought, by any stretch of the imagination. Are you saying the use of a bikini is somehow immoral?

Wow! You are obviously unaware of the PM's comments some months ago. And he is NOT a Muslim.

I would say he does not count in this discussion, unless you were simply being sarcastic? There was no sign of that, in your post. What he says with regard to morality, has little meaning to the world at large, much less this country.

PRIZE OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE OF RUSSIA

I think that he will soon be living in "self imposed exile to avoid a prison sentence".

I think the correct phrase is "living in self-imposed exile to avoid politically-based persecution"

One could interpret this to mean you do not approve of a man being charged for murder, for killing a cop out of recklessness? Is that the case? I am not sure why one would consider the pursuit of a murderer to be politically motivated. And even if it is, who cares, as long as he faces trial? Justice is justice. If there are politics involved, and the end result is that the son of a billionaire has to face the music, due to the crimes he committed, than the end justifies the means.

Of course, the chances of him ever facing trial are very low. Very few billionaires are held responsible for their actions here. Essentially, if you are worth over 250 million baht, you are above the law here.

It continues to astonish me, that most Thais cannot see the beauty in dark skin. They are so hypnotized by TV, film, and the media, that they cannot see their own beauty, nor the beauty of such a high percentage of their people. Too bad. One assumes some things will never change, or will take a very long time to change.

This milky white skin obsession is bizarre. Some of these women look like Caspar the friendly ghost. What is appealing about skin that white? I just don't see it.

You might need to sit down for this: different cultures place different emphasis on what is considered 'beautiful'. Shocking ain't it!

Look at all those pics of lantern-jawed Raphaelite fatties or Victorians squidged into their corsets.

The more interesting question is if private businesses are prohibited from conducting business on Phuket's beaches then how can the Miss World franchise be allowed to use such a scenic backdrop to promote Thailand as a country by baiting rapists with the young girls as rape-victims-in-waiting, which is all they are according to certain interpretations of their dress-code?

Are you by any chance a Muslim, who practices the Wahhabi faith? How can a woman in a bikini be considered a rape victim in waiting? Where on earth does that interpretation come from? That is a bizarre thought, by any stretch of the imagination. Are you saying the use of a bikini is somehow immoral?

For as long as I've known Thailand, there have always been problems of one kind or another. Most of them had no real effects on me.

Even when the reds were burning Bangkok, in nonthaburi you wouldn't have known.

The floods were a pain but not the end of the world.

The tsunami was a disaster of epic proportions. Lucky to survive that one.

Is Thailand in meltdown? Maybe or maybe not. Only time will tell.

I left Thailand for years ago for saudi Arabia for purely financial reasons. Live on an army base here. Me, wife, and kids like it here. Very relaxed. No plans to return till retirement.

Saudi Arabia eh? Don't take this the wrong way, but I don't think you're going to attract any new neighbors from here. I think I speak for the rest of the TV community when I say, we'd rather stay in Thailand.

There is no amount of money that I could be paid, to live in Saudi Arabia, one of the most horrific places on earth, with one of the most extreme governments, and the heinous Wahhabi faith. Nothing in my mind could possibly be a worse fate, than living there. Nothing, expect perhaps North Korea or Yemen. Thailand is a joy filled walk in the park, in comparison to that desolate and forsaken nation.

With a few exceptions here and there, the entire planet seems to be really dry this year. Just look at Alberta. Fires are going to rage all over the SW US this summer, more than likely, as it has continued to be bone dry. LA got 6 inches of rain all season, this year. My guess is that we will not see really heavy rains this year here either.

But, I sure hope I am wrong. We sure need it. The entire country needs it. Notice how little fruit there is this year? A lot of farmers and orchard owners are hurting right about now.

How the police involved in this sorry episode can hold their heads up with any sense of dignity is beyond me. Integrity and honour seems to be absolutely missing from their priorities.

It was never a part of their priority, nor their nature, nor their profession. Not that law enforcement is not a noble profession. But, the way it is practiced here, leaves as much room for nobility as does working in the US Senate or Congress.

Very funny how this keeps popping up, due to indignation and anger from the public, in regard to a billionaire murderer walking free. So, the police are forced to apply a bit of window dressing from time to time, to make it look like they did NOT receive an enormous bribe, to make this go away. We all know that is what happened. Yet, they continue to play this little charade.

The public has not seen him since he was apprehended at the family home and released on bail shortly after the fatal accident. He reportedly left the country but it is not known where he is now.

My guess is that he was instructed to hang out at one of the families Swiss Chateaus for a few years, and play around while this cools down, so he can then come back and run the family empire. The hope is that all will soon be forgotten, and then he can continue his murderous lifestyle. Remind you of anyone else? Perhaps, the Dark Tao serial killing son of another super rich jackass?

A farang in a fight is seen as entertainment and a money making opportunity for a Thai Policeman.

Here is an example how things can quickly go "belly up' in Thailand.

Some time ago, I was in McDonadls and there were 2 German boys claiming the cashier 'shorted' them the correct change on a 1,000Bt note.

They were being very polite about it all, but persistent, and requested to see the CCTV video to verify their claim.

The cashier of course was not going to show them the evidence...

so the German guys persisted, they wanted the correct change & asked the Tourist Police be called to settle the dispute. They were being very polite and expected it to be sorted by the police.

Coincidentally, there was a police box across the street, so the cashier sent staff and asked the police to come resolve the issue.

Did the police go and help the tourist? No. They sent over 7 motorcycle taxi drivers to escalate the situation and they watched from across the road.

I waved over the German boys and explained the Police were not coming...They are not exactly like the German Police back home...Really? .. and those 7 taxi drivers lurking around were sent by the Police to escalate the situation. Probably get a good kicking, then be spending a day at the Police station costing 20,000 Bt each.

The took my advice and gave up their quest for the correct change.

The 7 motorbike taxi drivers all got a free ice cream.

Never, ever get the police involved. It will never end well for a foreigner. Never. Always remember, the police here do not practice law enforcement. It is all about revenue collection. They are the RCD (revenue collection department).

nonsense

Can you please inform us why you think this is nonsense? Could you cite some examples?

I could cite one story after another, of either direct involvement, or incidents friends were involved in. Rarely, were the police ever an ally, to either the Thai friends of mine, nor the foreigners. Virtually everyone I know, does everything in their power to NOT involve the police.

We are all very thankful for the presence of #29. She represents an entire nation, with her darker skin. And though she is a bit lighter in skin tone, #28 is amazing. Gorgeous. Wow. What can one say, with a face and body like that?

Need to cool it with the Karma BS. Karma is bullshit and a LAME copout superstition. Think about it...how is Karma used to explain children born with hideous birth defects...or childhood cancer...or child abuse and suffering...or thousands of children starving to death daily??? W-T-F could any child do to be dealt such a shitty life, yet the BS karma crap copout wrongly infers that those who do bad things will magically get bad things in return and visa-versa. Doesn't happen! Baddies get away with bad things all the time and bad things happen to good people, including children and infants, all the time. Exactly why we have human laws, enforced by human beings and just don't sit around on our asses and rely on karma or some non existent BS divine justice to handle things. They DO NOT exist.

PLEASE put the miserable karma copout out of its misery.

Many people have a very hard time with concepts they cannot see, touch, smell, hear, or feel. If it is beyond the senses, it does not exist!

You are most certainly entitled to your opinion. But, express it as such. It is just your opinion, as as such, does not mean much to the world. In my opinion, karma is a concept that is based on ancient scripture, that was written by fully realized saints, who had considerably more understanding of universal principals than you do. But, that is just my opinion. Believe what you want. When the people around Newton proclaimed that gravity did not exist, and he was completely crazy, that did not prevent an apple falling from a tree, from hitting them on the head. Universal principals are a fact, and a science. The lack of understanding of those principals does not make them any less real or factual, and your lack of belief, in the things you cannot see, does not change the way the universe operates by one iota.

The fact that you cannot see the results of the actions that bad people commit does not mean there is not a result. How great is your understanding of the big picture? How deep is your understanding of the physics and science, and principals of the workings of the universe?

Newton worked it out using science/ reason , feel free to offer your evidence and pls dont drag up "ancient scripts and saints" meaningless babble

You sort of missed the point of my post, entirely. There is no evidence. Those that seek the absolute need for empirical evidence, are left to grapple with only that which they can perceive through the senses, and will forever have to abandon their feeling and intuition. It is a personal decision. Neither of us is right or wrong. We believe what we believe. I am not disparaging you for your beliefs. Just pointing something out. The people around Newton were not believers in gravity either.

Crossing a set of train tracks effectively, and safely, requires one to slow down, look both ways, then proceed. I am constantly astonished at the number of car, truck, and motorbike drivers, who do not even give it so much as a glance, when they are pulling out into fast moving traffic, or turning, and don't so much as glance at oncoming traffic. What is up with that? Why out you and you families lives at risk for nothing?

One can rest assured here, this was NOT the fault of the train conductor, but rather the driver of the truck, who has to take post mortem responsibility for wiping his family off the face of the earth.