connda

I believe the Red Bull kid's estate paid the dead cop's family 100,000 THB which at today's exchange rate is about $2600 USD. (correct me if I'm wrong on that amount). Every supportive politician (of Red Bull kid) said that was fair compensation. Now granted, Red Bull kid was a Thai citizen. But if these guys are rich enough, five times or ten times that amount (farang tax) should do it. Call it a cool 300,000 THB to make the problem go away. Maybe 500,000 THB to make it disappear from the media too. Perhaps a 1M to keep from being deported and losing the car. TIT. Sound about right?

...and the fact that they are not Thai, otherwise they'd be out on bail.

The Russia government isn't 'Putin' any more then the France is Macron, the UK is Truss (or soon to be Sunak), Germany is Scholz, the democratic (unelected) European Union is Von der Lyden, the US is Biden, or the Ukraine is Zelensky. Any functional, modern government in totality is not its figurehead leader. The West has openly stated its goal of regime change, government overthrow, and partitioning of Russia. How does Russia perceive that? As it should - an existential threat. I can't blame them. It's standard-operating-procedure in the West. Look at Saudi Arabia. A few weeks ago the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was the USA's best friend. But because Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud failed to obey Joe Biden's instructions to convince OPEC not cut oil production before the US mid-term elections? Now the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is no longer a 'friend' and more than likely will be sanctioned - right along with all of the USA's other OPEC friends..... who are no longer friends. From "friends" to "enemies" in two weeks. That's how the US and the West works. "Give us your resources when we want them and at the price we dictate - or else!" What would you think if Russia's precondition for negotiations was the removal of Zelensky? Biden? Macron? Scholz? Truss? Ursula Von der Lyden? What if Russia openly called for 'regime change and partitioning' of France, or Germany, or the UK, or the European Union, or the US? Reality. Negotiations will happen when one side or the other is beaten or are close to surrendering. My guess is one side will capitulate by early next year. Time will tell. Like Thailand - I see all sides and chose to remain neutral. I've got no dog in this fight, but I'm glad I'm living in 'neutral' Thailand right now. And I'm glad Thailand chose neutrality. I spent my 8 full years in the US military when I actually felt that the old Soviet Union posed an real threat to the entire world. Under those circumstances, I'd do it again. Now I just follow the Geo-politics and comment on the never-ending insanity of war, which in my humble opinion is the bane of mankind. Man has been killing each other since they could pick up a rock or stick, and bash another man's head it - and then take the dead man's possessions. And yet counter to that psychopathic, genocide impulse of many (most?) of mankind, there are those who embody the epitome of compassion, kindness, and selflessness. This reality in which we live is quite The Crucible. But I wax philosophical. Negotiations will happen when that which is within the crucible melts and can be reforged into a new paradigm. Until then? Pump the bellows.

In the meanwhile Thailand has the right idea - Stay Neutral.

There are wars all over the globe, many fully backed by the US, where people are "paying with their blood." It doesn't stop the weapon makers of the world from supplying both sides with the armament to kill each other - for profit. By the way - if China created a military alliance with South and Central American countries, and Mexico was all that stood between that alliance and the United States - I'd return to the US to support military efforts to stop the aggressive offensive, in Mexico, before it reached the US borders. "But that's different!" No it's not. War is just politics by other means. But when it crashes against your country's own borders (in this case a NATO-back proxy creating an existential threat to the Russian homeland while Western leaders openly advocating for the overthrow of the Russian government)? Well, Russia is now responding... And Russian soldiers, and civilians, are "paying with their blood" too. Ukraine refuses negotiations. Russia doesn't particular care anymore either. So? We'll all see how it shakes out by April of 2023.

That's a fairly common occurrence on Highway 11 between Lamphun and Chiang Mai. Why report it. What will the cops do. Small fine and a hand-slap. The guy is probably out doing it again today.

The "We hate Russia and Russians" crowd is now becoming the "We hate Thailand and Thais" crowd. If you don't like Thailand's Geo-political neutrality - pack up and leave. Go back to your Western utopias which now have massive energy, food, and inflation problems directly related to attempting to 'punish Russia' with sanctions. Personally I commend Thailand for their neutral stance. Stay neutral and maintain trade alliances. Win-Win. Thomas Jefferson sums it up, "Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations – entangling alliances with none." Amen.

Kier Starma. He just hasn't been sworn in yet but give it a week or two or three. ????

Kier Starma will put everything right. ????

Perhaps she smoked way too much of the lettuce back in the day. ????

Wise decision. Stay neutral and trade.

Ukrainian

Look at Saudi Arabia. MBS didn't bend a knee to Biden and agree to forestall oil production cuts until after the mid-term elections. So now that Saudi Arabia failed to bow to the political whims of a US president? They are going to sanction Saudi Arabia. It's not difficult to see why non-aligned countries world-wide are willing to band together in economic and security alliances to keep from become a target of the collective West. Thailand included.

When Thais benefit from trade agreements including uninterrupted, market-valued energy while Europeans freeze, the UK government pukes, and the US deals with "the Evil Putin induced runaway inflation" ????, and as moderate (rational) democrats 'WalkAway' on Nov 8th - Thailand as a whole will be in good shape and the average Thai citizen will not suffer austerity and massive price increases in order to prop up Western Geo-political goals of creating regime change in Russia (and China). When my 'leaders' tell my I must suffer and enjoy extreme austerity and highly inflated prices as the mega-wealthy seek to control all resources planet-wide - even if they need to invade countries (a euphemism for bringing so-called 'democracy' to the unwashed people of color in the ME/NA/Global South as these philanthropists shoulder the "White Man's Burden"), bomb them into the stone-age and steal their resources for the benefit of the West. Those who 'abstained' understand they they too are under a constant threat of US sanctions and Western NGO sponsored democracy regime change. Study history since WWII and find that destabilizing sovereign nations is the US's SOP. As Henry Kissinger so aptly stated, "The US has neither friends or enemies, just interests." And they are willing to destroy weaker countries to further their goals. And Thailand fits the bill of a "weaker country." Those countries who abstained (or voted "no"), including India and China, make up about 1/2 of the worlds global population. That's one heck of a trading block. As Western standards of living implode, Asian and the those of the Global South are on the rise - slowly but surely. So I commend Thailand for their choice. It's the choice to stay neutral, to stay out of the fray, and to build their economic alliances with other developing countries on the rise as opposed to the dying colonial empires, i.e., the UK, US, and EU. Those of us who remain in Thailand benefit from that neutrality.

It's not like I've never come across that way even though it wasn't my intention. Not a problem. Again...thanks for the help!

Thanks for the help RS237. It's appreciated! That answers all my questions.

I've just downloaded Bolt. They are in Chiang Mai and accept cash. If I can pay a Grab Car driver cash too, that gives me additional options.

Really - like pay the driver when he shows up?

Does Bolt operate in Chiang Mai. Personally I prefer "cash only" services. If they are in Chiang Mai that solves me issues.

Legitimate question: Can you add a card without creating a wallet, i.e., are they going to want to verify my identity with a Thai ID?

Well I've found an answer to one question. If I can create a wallet, you can top up using a bank account. However, my guess is it isn't that easy. But seeing I can't create a wallet, there is no way to get to the screens where I could see how to "top-up" using a bank account. See - So simple!

1. WIll I run into the same problems attempting to fund a Bolt account; 2. Are there Bolt drivers in Chiang Mai.

However, I don't believe Grab Car drivers accept cash. Correct me if I'm wrong on that folks.

I agree 100%. I detest these digital solutions. Cash works great when the electricity goes out.

Ok Tech Saavy Grab-Car users. Get me over this hump. I've downloaded the app. Easy. Now, from what I can tell you need to put money into a Grab Wallet in order to pay your driver. In order to activate a Grab Wallet - You Need To Be A Thai Citizen. That's Problem 1. I'm Khun Farang...US Citizen. Next is funding. It seems the only method of funding is via Credit or Debit Card. I have no desire to link my US credit and debit cards to a Thai application. I prefer to transfer funds directly from my Thai bank account to a wallet, or........ use cash. But? Problem 2: I can't create a wallet. See Problem 1. Suggestions from those who have found a way to successfully use Grab?