connda

Just something to think about. How often do we hear about foreigners getting violently assaulted for disputing a taxi or tuk tuk fare? Too often!

Maybe Piklington paid the cabby something before getting out of the cab? We don't know. Maybe he paid nothing? We don't know. Maybe he threw coffee on the cabby? We don't know. Maybe he didn't throw coffee on the cabby? We don't really know.

What do we know? Only what the cabby has disclosed to the BIB, and what the BIB has disclosed to the press. And we know what we see on the video, although it has been interpreted in more than one way by various posters on TV. I've looked at the slow motion video a bunch of times. The video clearly starts showing the cabby, armed with a long machete (way longer then 12 inches) taking a swing at Piklington who is standing, unarmed, in a sideways position. Was he getting ready to try to run or was he preparing to attempt to defend himself? No one will ever know.

He may be fabricating the story or he may be telling the truth. We don't know. Either way though, the video shows the cabby attacking an unarmed man with a deadly weapon that led to that man's death. The reason for the attack will probably only come into play during the cabby's trial -- was the act a murder or manslaughter? From my perspective, I look at the video and I see a murder. But that's up to the Thai judicial system to figure out based on the results of a BIB investigation. Most of us probably won't like the outcome, but it's not our say.

Let me give you another scenario that should have happened. If Pilkington bilked the cabby for his fare, and/or threw coffee on him, the cabby could have called the BIB. He could have taken a picture of Pilkington with his cell phone. He could have yelled "Thief, thief, thief" and enlist others to apprehend and detain Pilkington until the BIB showed up and then press charges. Or he could just accept that he got screwed over. Like, that's what is expected of us foreigners. We're pretty much expected to just roll over and accept rip-offs, and most of us do just that. What's the alternative? Getting into an unwinnable confrontation with a Thai National?

Personally I hope the SOB taxi driver gets throw in jail until he rots. And I wish the Thai government would take steps to stop the criminal assaults on foreigners by taxi drivers, tuk tuk drivers, jet ski operators, and other rip-off artists who use physical violence to intimidate foreigners who use their services or visit their establishments.

But, This is Thailand. I'm not going to hold my breath.

You don't get out of a secure/safe car armed with a samurai sword to defend yourself ;-)

Not to say that the US is the epitome of "blind justice" and judicial fairness, but in Thailand, what is the chance of Mr. Pilkington's family receiving justice in this case? I think Bah Bah Bo Bo pretty much wraps up the nationalistic group-think that Thais have about foreigners: All Farangs are rich and arrogant, and treat Thai people badly. Mr. Pilkington already has his skin color and nationality going against him. It will be interesting to see how the judge rules in this case when it comes to trial. What evidence is admissible? How much of the admissible testimony is fabricated (we'll never really know)? How much of a nationalistic bias will the court have in this case (this is my primary worry)? Personally, I don't think justice will prevail imho. Time will tell.

Not laughing at you but it takes me back to when I was still living in Canada fresh out of a relationship and retired.

That was part of my once a week to do things. Take all the ads and go through them and make a list of who had what at the best prices.

I am not single now but if I could read Thai and had them dropped off at the front door regularly like back in Canada that is what I would do.

I actually enjoyed it.

I couldn't "quote" your post (software error of some sort) so I'll do so here instead

Yeah, I enjoyed that too. Get the Wednesday paper and go to the back for the shopping adverts. See who has the better deals Safeway, Albertsons, Piggley-Wiggley, or the local stores. Cut out the coupon and head out Thursday evening after work for serious weekly grocery shopping. Interesting, but in American I was always the cook in all of my relationships. I enjoyed it and I enjoyed the weekly shopping. Here in Thailand, it's cheaper to eat out. I occasionally cook at home but not often. Generally when I'm in the mood for something farang, or my wife is eating something Lanna that I don't care for. Here in Thailand I do like going to the open markets.

I had heard that the non stick ones if they even got a scratch on them they would not work.

I have never heard any thing bad about the cast iron ones. Not being that big in to cooking there is a lot I don't know about the care of the pot's and pans.

I had heard that a cast iron pan you should keep a little bit of oil on it when not in use.

The big cast iron pans should be "seasoned" by putting oil in he pan, coating the surface, and bringing the pan up to a high enough temperature to cause it to smoke (keep the exhaust fans on). This fills the micro-pours in the pan and creates an relatively non-stick surface it done right. And yep, you want to keep them oiled a bit. They will rust if not taken care of. But they are nice to cook with if you take care of them properly.

No need to have a bike, they have there, for a small fee of 50 Baht I think.

I had mine anyway, but i remember they asking me if i wanted to rent the bike there. They have helmets too.

The hardest part: the exam, because it's so tricky and not too easy. It's not hard either, but you need to get 23/30 to pass.

and it's all about car, they teach nothing about bike rules.

My advice: on the lunch break, practice the exam on the simulation machines one floor up or down I cant remember... some red machines.

No need to have a bike, they have there, for a small fee of 50 Baht I think.

Honestly, who's bike would you rather drive. Your own which you are use to driving, or a day-of-the-test rental that you've never ridden. I'd take my own bike every time. If you don't own one, rent one and get used to it and then use it the day of the test. You should just be comfortable with the machine your gonna ride and the test will be a piece of cake! Relax and enjoy.

I get lightly bitten by cats pretty often when playing with them - enough to draw blood - and have never gotten an infection or anything else. However, I know that they have had their shots. It is better to be safe than sorry when you are not sure.

Yeah, there's a big difference between being "lightly bitten" by a cat and having a deep puncture wound. Having a history of the former, the first time I had a serious puncture wound I was surprised at how nasty the healing process was. I guess the cat saliva really doesn't cause problems when the wound is only skin deep -- once it gets into muscle then the germs in the saliva must kick in.

Like you, Ulysses, Hubby and our cat like to do something Hubby calls "sumo kitty wrestling" and he's been lightly bitten many times to no ill effect, except for getting blood stains on the bedcover. (I really should do a You Tube video of a grown man wrestling a housecat, with the housecat usually winning.)

Yeah, I got bit by a cat at an animal shelter. The poor thing was just frightened out of it's mind. Unfortunately for him, that bite cost him is head which was sent to a lab to check for rabies. And the bite was painful and slow healing. Puncture bites are not cool. And headless kitty didn't have rabies so no shots for me. I still feel bad for him. Frightened, schizoid kitties really couldn't be played with. Feed them, talk to them, but best not to touch. But there are lots of other friendly cats on our local sois that I stop and pet often. They're the ones that will come and "head-butt" you in the leg. "Ok Human, I now officially own you, now start petting. Yeah, yeah, right there under the chin...and don't forget the ears." Just look out for the ears to go back and the "tail snap" to start, which generally means that, "I'm going to bite you Human just because I like you so much."

Thanks for the replies. If I track down my old fashion skillet I'll report back. I'll also keep an eye out for the square one as well.

Cheers!

Actually, I'd like to find a cast iron stew pot. They're the best for cooking beef, especially what is considered "beef" here. Slow cook in a cast iron pot all day and even the toughest piece of buffalo comes out tender enough to cut with a fork. They just have a great distribution of heat. I have a cast wok that I love for stir fries, but that heavy cast flat bottom pans are just great for other things. And the cast stew pot can't be beat for stews.

I’d heard a few people disparagingly say this ‘Grocery’ offshoot of Rimping Supermarket was “just another 7-11’

I have never heard this from anyone.

This is not the cheapest place to shop

Rimping has always had a huge selection, and the price of thai stuff is the same as Tesco and Big C in my experience, the only difference is that they stock a ton of quality imports also at reasonable prices (for imported food). It's an awesome supermarket.

the price of thai stuff is the same as Tesco and Big C

I've found in cases that Rimping is less expensive than Big C for some products, like my favorite brand of Pomegranate juice (which is 51 baht a carton at RP, and 68 baht at Big C. If you browse their specials and comparison shop, Rimping is competitively priced and has one heck of a wider selection. I shop at all these places, but Rimping make me feel at home.

What if you're in hospital "just hanging on" and they need something you've got that might be of use to someone else who may be in a position to PAY? Do you reckon you've got a good chance of recovering???

That's a good question. Check out this recent article:

http://www.naturalnews.com/041152_transplant_patients_organ_harvesting_presumed_consent.html

I'm personally going for the Thai-style 3 day funeral and cremation. I don't want anybody pulling spare parts out of this slowly rusting body until I'm sure the engine has quit for good, if you get my drift.

Does anyone here in Chiang Mai have any Kefir grains they could share?

I've tried to join the CM Probiotics group on Facebook about a week ago, but no one has processed my request, so I'm back to posting here on the Chiang Mai forum. If anyone knows the owner of the Facebook page, could you give them a ring and ask that the process any current requests to join the group.

Any help (or even better, shared Kefir grains) would be greatly appreciated. I live in downtown CM but can drive out of town to pick the grains up if needed. That would give me an excuse to go motorcycle riding (bpai tiaow)

Thanks!

I would like to get some Kefir grains. I live in Chiang Mai. I tried to join the CM Probotics Group on Facebook, but nobody has responded to my "join" request. I know people have them here, I just have to find someone with some extra who's willing to share with a newbie kefir drinker. I'm just now coming off 7 days of antibiotics, and I would like to reestablish the flora in my digestive tract. I'm currently buying kefir at Adans, but at 55 baht per bottle, it's going to become a 1650 baht/month habit. Having grains would be much more cost effective.

Any help would be appreciated.

join this facebook group. Chiang Mai probiotics

https://www.facebook.com/groups/362045903876086/

I've tried to join, but it doesn't look like anyone is "manning the fort". I sent a request to join about a week ago but no response from the group. Like others, I'm trying to find Kefir grains. I'm just coming off a round of antibiotics and want to get the good flora back in my digestive tract. I've been buying Kefir at Adans, but would like to start my own batch.

Thanks for the post. The Bavarian side of me can wait to give this a try!

A magnum 45cal would have done the job.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, .357, .41,..44.

50 cal sniper round and the Bullet-Resistant glass is a moot point.

Sound like you have all your ducks in a row unless you get delayed, but I don't think you're cutting it too close. I think you'll be fine. Best of luck!

The miracle is that the shooter didn't hit himself with ricochets. And I bet ten bucks that the car door wasn't even locked, should have thought to open the door once he realised the window wasn't shattering.

Between the Keystone Cops and now The Beagle Boys, it's a riot a minute in the Thai criminal scene.

Bullet-proof glass absorbs the energy of the bullet. They probably just fell to the ground. Makes the forensic team's work a lot easier.

Just saw the video. The assassin was a professional. Gun with a silencer...takes a shot and understands he's shooting at bullet-proof glass, fires a cluster of shots at the inside door lock trying to punch threw to open the door, doesn't work and beats a hasty retreat. I bet they didn't find this guy on Facebook

I guess a good old-fashioned Mafia hit is a lot cleaner than an angry taxi driver with a machete

A mafia hit does not shock me;

Hacking up a foreigner on Sukhumvit Ave does!

Assassin hired via Facebook? Wow! That's pretty stupid.

I wonder what Wat they will drop all those cats off at now that they are not on the menu!

The hideous event occured just a short distance from where I live and as someone who has had his share of taxi disputes this news hit me and my Thai girlfriend very hard.

Troy was picked up from Central Bagna about 8km away from Soi 68 and so the fare of 51 baht sounds about right.

One news story cites 'the passengers claims that the meter was rigged' but that probably came from the taxi murderer. Another talks about 'coffee being flung' in the murderer's face and another about water. The meter may indeed have been rigged but was re-adjusted to show 51 baht after the event?

It is all academic really as regardless of the details a grevious wrong was done by the taxi driver.

Someone in my office said today, 'I have lived here for 20 years and never had a problem with a taxi driver', while behind him everyone elase in the office made a grimace of incredulity!

Lots of Thai people distrust taxi drivers including my girlfriend who will not get in a cab alone. It's one reason Thais love their cars so much!

It is difficult at times NOT to have a dispute with some taxi drivers when they actually refuse to take you to your destination by the route you stipulate instead insisting on going (for example) to Ekkamai from Bagna via Rama 1V road to 'avoid traffic' and of course add baht to the fare.

The customer is always right and in the west if we tell a driver to take a specific route he will do so.

Thai acculturisation does throw up some strange personalities though. On one hand they are taught to be obedient and respectful while on the other, thai children are exposed to ceremonial flag raising and a form of indoctrination every morning of their lives, 'Thailand, never invaded, never lost a war, everything about Thailand is good and if he wears a uniform he is RIGHT' kinda deal. Sometimes I feel that the Thai personality is a mixture of subservience masking rage coupled with arrogance.

Don't get me wrong, most Thais are able to see throught the propoganda and they can be lovely people but some low-lives use Thai culture and Buddhist tenets as a mask to hide their bad behaviour.

The difference between taxi drivers and moto guys who work on Lower Suk and those at Bagna (for example) is marked. At Bagna they are actually friendly and respectful and happy for the extra 5 baht you may give them as a small tip every day.

The people here who told those who complained about Thai taxi drivers to 'go home if you don't like it', should accept that NOT everything about Thailand is wonderful and it is a pretty healthy thing to criticise rather than be afraid to speak out (like the Thai people often are)

In my opinion Thai people who generally apply Sam Ruam ( control one's emotions) swallow their anger too much and rather than get angry and shout or remonstrate as westerners do bottle up their emotions until they explode often with tragic results.

Thais who work with ex-pats or tourists should be taught anger management and some cultural pointers as well as some basic, job related English so they can cope better and keep us travelers safer too. Foreigners who work in education here have to adjust to Thai cultural norms and have to take a mandatory course in Thai culture.

Think not only about wilful attacks on foreigners and thai people alike but also the negligence shown by coach and bus drivers and boat pilots all over Thailand who put lives at risk daily and sadly have been responsible for many deaths on the roads.

The Thai government should be pressured into revising some of it's attitudes towards foreign visitors and ex-pat residents.

We are both deeply shocked about what happened to Troy and the only grain of comfort is that he seemed to go down fighting. Good on him.

However I will think twice before taking taxis in the future.

Well said!

"Clinicians in Thailand have vast experience of diagnosing and treating Dengue and if I were to be infected I would be very happy to be treated in Thailand.

Laboratory investigation (blood tests) are of a routine nature and would available in all but the smallest of clinics." - I find this statement terrifying. that someone could have such blind faith in the Thai medical industry is truly worrying.

Clinics and hospitals are full of under-trained (arrogant ?) doctors who having read or heard about Dengue are prepared to misdiagnose almost any fever as that disease - the result inaccurate statistics and poor or inappropriate treatment

PS - To those who have had "Dengue" - how do you know 100%? Was a blood/antibody test carried out? did you see this or were you just told "You have Dengue"?

it is a huge leap of faith to assume that you are going to end up in the one hospital with a particular doctor who is up to speed on this

PS - To those who have had "Dengue" - how do you know 100%? Was a blood/antibody test carried out? did you see this or were you just told "You have Dengue"?

The doctor did a lab tests and told me, "You have Dengue." What tests? I have no idea and at the time I didn't care considering how I felt. But I think the real give-away for me was the 102+ fever and the blood leaking out the the pours of my legs. I was pretty sure the doc was spot on.

I'm willing to give the medical community here the benefit of the doubt. They have significantly more experience with Dengue than, let's say, the US or the EU. I had no problem with the diagnosis or the care (with the exception that I really wanted codeine for the pain which was refused -- tramadol sufficed).

"In one sense it does matter as it may be misdiagnosed as Dengue and added to the stats. I am still of the opinion that diagnosis in Thailand is very unreliable."

Clinicians in Thailand have vast experience of diagnosing and treating Dengue and if I were to be infected I would be very happy to be treated in Thailand.

Laboratory investigation (blood tests) are of a routine nature and would available in all but the smallest of clinics.

Whilst for many treatment is simple and based on paracetamol and the maintenance of hydration there is a small percentage of Dengue sufferers who will require more aggressive treatment.

Thai Dengue treatment protocols follow the W.H.O. GUIDELINES FOR DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, PREVENTION AND CONTROL of Dengue fever.

These guidelines can be seen/read here

http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2009/9789241547871_eng.pdf

Wow, now that is comprehensive! Thanks for the link.

Another thing. It's a good idea to at least carry third party voluntary insurance that includes medical and property damage. Then, if someone hits your vehicle, call the insurance company and have them sort it out. I'm surprised the Lady Next Door hasn't asked you to pay for the scratches to her fender your bike caused when she hit it.