chang1

14 minutes ago, JamJar said:

 

Rubbish. 

You have no idea why she threatened to jump off the balcony. 

 

The rest of your ramble has nothing to do with anything here.

 

If he was convicted of any form of violence whatsoever, you might have a point. But you have no evidence that anything she now claims, is true. None whatsoever.

So don't try to smear someone's character because of some crusade you have going on in your head. Pathetic.

When you produce some evidence against him, we will all take you seriously.

Same as you have no idea she did threaten to jump. If they had such a wonderful relationship why is he now in France? Defend him all you want but until we hear his side we can only go by what has been reported so far.

24 minutes ago, Benmart said:

Agreed. The reader most likely wasn't there, didn't know any of the parties involved, wasn't privy to the police investigation; perhaps having zero investigative experience, other than watching television, police fantasy shows.

Correct, but the family, most likely, did know about the relationship and it was reported that they said it was abusive. If you read my post you will see I did not speculate on how she ended up falling but assuming it was not an accident, I was concentrating on the probable reason for it happening and what should have been done to prevent it.

13 minutes ago, JamJar said:

 

 

Another one believing everything they read.....

Far from it but that line is the most believable and possibly reveals most about the circumstances leading to her fall.

6 minutes ago, from the home of CC said:

unfortunately many of these women are fearful to leave, it's the old 'if I can't have you nobody will'. People on this site commonly refer to the weak Thai male ego,  lol that condition is world wide. Why do think the Saudis have their women wrapped up like mummies.

For sure that happens and can be very hard to get out from but I have known women (in the UK) who actually choose to stay even when friends and family have offered support. The husband/boyfriends usually are drunk when being abusive and once sobered up promise never to do it again but always do. 

Even with those kinds of threats women should still leave as it is the only way to improve their lives. Some will suffer from having the threats carried out but probably fewer than suffer by staying.

It is easy for us to condemn these men but how many are willing to do something to stop them? Exposing them for what they are is the best deterrent. If I knew one of my work mates was an abuser of women or children, they would be hounded daily.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Sunisa was a "PR" woman working at a Walking Street club and had been living with her husband for about a year. The family said they frequently had jealous arguments and he often beat her up. 

Only together a year and already being regularly beaten up. She should have dumped him at the first sign of violence but instead has not just ruined her life but is also affecting her family as well, who quite possibly have experience of abuse already. I believe that, subconsciously, men look for a wife like their mother and women look for someone like their father - what most people refer to as "chemistry". She is also expecting the police, courts and lawyers to track him down and bring him to justice with almost no evidence. What did she do to try to prevent this outcome?

I will never understand why women choose to stay in this kind of abusive relationship when it can only ever end bad like this or in a life of pain. And any woman, in that kind of situation, that says they want children, in the hope that they will improve their relationship, should take full responsibility for inflicting their partner on defenceless children (who often end up in similar abusive relationships themselves due to "chemistry"). Get a good happy relationship before even thinking about bringing children into that environment. "But I love him" is the standard reply, when asked, why are they still together. I then ask, what is it you love? the beatings? the controlling behaviour? the constant put downs? the arguments? the shouting? calling the police? the jealousy? "I just love him" - at this point I lose all sympathy - Som nom na. Thais seem blind to the damage they are causing with endless soaps showing abusive and cheating relationships. My brain feels abused just having to listen when my wife watches them. Where are the strong role models for these women to look up to and learn from?

Personally I think men like him should be put on a detailed publicly accessible register so anyone can see what kind of a person they are dealing with, either personally or for business, before they get too involved. It should include any dealings with police and courts, as a perpetrator, warnings and cautions. These records should be read in a police station by both parties before they can get married or enter into joint financial contracts, such as a mortgage or joint bank account. Too many scumbags hide behind their right to privacy which they do not deserve. Anything that stops them from breeding has to be good for the rest of us and our children.

If it was 2 or 3 rings I can believe this story but 20 no way. The bar deserved to lose money for letting it get so far out of hand. After researching many bars I have never heard bells ring more than a few times a night so to get 20 in one bar is plain absurd. Any time I get a free drink from someone ringing the bell I always thank them, as do many people. For him and his companion to not know what was happening is unbelievable.

I suspect it is much more a case of padding the bill than ignorance.

20 hours ago, happy chappie said:

The real currency of religion is fear and the next life of burning in hell for eternity.this is shown in the alms they are given with the promise of living in paradise on a fluffy cloud by some ex convict or junkie.

to practice religion is to be a fool to believe in anything that is just superstition and mumbo jumbo.

without religion the world would be without most wars and death but that's going to take the human race a few 1,000 years to develope and actually say to themselves that it is all a load of <deleted> and what a waste of time,money and life that game was.

makes me laugh how all these religions clap on about peace and they are the ones who are the real problem.

i now await my fate of being abused from the religious members on the forum.maybe I need a nice peaceful stoning to death and sent to hell wherever that is.

You are truly the enlightened one. I feel the need to send you a gift to help spread the word. Maybe if I dress up in some noticeable way, other like minded people will donate gifts, which we can share or sell back to others who, will just donate them back again. A win win for both of us. 

1 hour ago, Ctkong said:

He may be on a business trip which meant that he got to wear some expensive accessories to impress his business associates. Moreover given Thailand hotels’ reputation, it is also not a good idea to place the watch in the hotel safe. 

"it is also not a good idea to place the watch in the hotel safe."

But probably safer than on a drunk man.

If you need bling just to impress, why not use fakes? 

Interesting to know if insurance would pay out as he was so negligent.

6 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

He overpaid for the watch, you can get them on Soi Arab for $15

Maybe that's where he bought it and the real one is at home. Did he declare it on arrival at Swampy?

I don't understand the desire to flaunt wealth. In a country that people will kill for a fraction of what he lost, it is plain stupidity. Years ago I was talking to a wealthy couple who, on returning to their London home one night, were mugged. The first move was to slash her arm. They were then stripped of their Rolex and jewellery. At first I thought how awful but then that changed to why make yourself a target? 

If they are only used for speeding and red lights then I don't have a problem. If they are used for yellow/orange/amber then that is wrong.

53 minutes ago, BestB said:

Yes using common sense is not a given for some people, so i let you float in your own knowledge and enjoy it

 

No need to create fiction stories to prove  a point, i am sure yours, whatever or whoever that is and no he will not leave his wife or daughter penniless because state pays for it.

 

But as i said, carry on and do not let facts or truth get in a way of a good fiction story

Thanks, just as a last reply -

Common sense in this case needs backing up with facts such as -

If it is a conspiracy - how do smoking diseases excuse poor healthcare when the reasons given make more sense?

Total costs involved including things like fires started (accidentally or negligently) by smokers.

Total net revenue from smokers.

Costs incurred by others from passive smoking.

If it is a conspiracy, why are the tobacco companies not calling it out instead of just winging about falling profits?

Without any facts or figures to prove it, how do you know it is a conspiracy?

I will let you float in your lack of knowledge.

You created a fictional story to prove your point. My story is just as plausible as yours and as you said "no he will not leave his wife or daughter penniless because state pays for it." - not the smoker.

"carry on and do not let facts or truth get in a way of a good fiction story" - you gave neither so they didn't.

Thanks for the exchange, it's been interesting.

2 minutes ago, BestB said:

Again, nothing but government BS to justify slow and bad public healthcare, AGAIN take a calculator and do the maths of how much tax smoker pays in his life, or let me rephrase that, how much tax government collects from 1 smoker throughout his/her life

I see it's all fake news - Trump would be proud of you. Smokers are all different.

Your smoker lasted 40 years and was never ill and payed for top fags.

Mine is 20 been smoking cheap fags for 4 Years and now is dying from lung cancer that will last for 4 years at great expense when he will leave his wife and child distraught and penniless. His son will suffer asthma for the rest of his short life. One of his Co-workers is developing breathing problems from passively smoking the lads smoke and will die early from emphysema. Total bill - high, human cost - immeasurably high.

29 minutes ago, mok199 said:

While in related news, packaging for cannabis oil is a 3D phsycadelic rendition of the Beatles Sgt peppers..

Should fly off the shelves.

3 minutes ago, BestB said:

Put Thailand aside, In Cambodia pack of cigs is $1, this is retail price. Same cigs in Australia $29

 

Actual cost is the same, comes from the same factory. So how much tax does an average smoker pays in Australia?

A lot, so even though costs are higher they should be paying their way there. But maybe not here is the conclusion from this link - https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/28/3/297&ved=2ahUKEwicz5Hf7arkAhUzRxUIHT_RAyIQFjANegQIBRAK&usg=AOvVaw30B99vVcyjP2rKsVccXNsn&cshid=1567177255387

"Smoking imposes a very significant burden on the larger economy of Australia, despite that it is a country with a relatively low prevalence of smoking. Potential productivity gains for Australia with expansion of tobacco control measures are compelling. The likely economic benefits arising from productivity gains mean that greater investment in reducing the uptake of smoking is warranted"

Now look at Cambodia - do you think smokers pay their way there?

1 hour ago, BestB said:

So where are you pulling your figures from?

The internet - so I am open to being corrected.

50 minutes ago, BestB said:

Can you not use your own brain and a calculator to do simple maths?

Looks like you shot yourself in the foot. The first was just about the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly being upset by raising taxes but the second included this

"The Royal Thai government sets the excise tax on ex-factory price, not on sale price, therefore importers tend to report lower ex-factory price or CIF price than the real price."

This means even less tax is collected on Marlboro fags. Are you sure they get taxed 100 Baht a pack? I doubt the claimed CIF price is anywhere near 60 Baht a pack but I can't find any figures.

Neither link gave any totals for tax revenue and costs associated with the ill effects of smoking.

1 hour ago, BestB said:

You actually think  someone would be stupid enough to brake the myth that smokers pay for their own treatment ? and publish how much money government makes from taxes?

The good doctor did and she is certainly not stupid.

31 minutes ago, Inn Between said:

Not only did it not work, the status quo got worse, “For the first time in more than two decades,” reports the National Drug Strategy Household Survey “the daily smoking rate did not significantly decline over the most recent 3-year period.” Taking into account the rise in the population of Australia “in actual fact there are more people smoking in Australia today than five years ago when the policy was introduced” according to Professor Sinclair Davidson of RMIT University.

In the UK students in universities that drunk the most wine obtained the best pass rates. This doesn't mean drinking wine helps your education.

To call the packaging a disaster seems to be ignoring other potentially more influential factors.

The majority of people that would be influenced are the young who may be put off starting smoking. The overall rate is still declining just not as rapidly. Possibly earlier incentives were more effective. Also immigrants may have a higher smoking rate than the general population. Unless you only let in non smokers (should add points for that) the total number is likely to increase if the smoking rate can't be lowered to compensate.

1 hour ago, Chazar said:

Really "bland  packaging"  does NOTHING to stop anyone smoking less or  starting smoking.

When I was at school in the 70s, smoking was cool. Anything that changes that perception and shows it for what it is, is all good. If it makes no difference, why do the brands bother with fancy logos? Much harder to promote your brand if it is identical to all the others. Those hooked already will not care but a teenager will and be less likely to want to buy a dull looking pack. Colour them pink will also dissuade boys (maybe not so much in Thailand).

3 hours ago, 55Jay said:

What are the metrics to assess whether the photos on cigarette packs have had the intended effect? 

Ask a teenager to choose which packs they dislike the most would be a good one.

2 hours ago, Fred white said:

Gas tax is supposed to be spent on the roads of course where I'm living and the condition of the roads I think it's going somewhere else

Some will go to treat people suffering from pollution related problems and some will be used for treating smokers problems. The rest is swallowed up by welfare payments etc.

3 hours ago, BestB said:

Wow, very impressive,safe to assume you could not understand it, but  hopefully she knows the difference between antibiotics and anti-inflammatory.

 

You want evidence, sure, tax on a pack of cigs in Thailand is at least 100 baht(Marlboro), 2 packs per day, makes 200 baht , 6000 per month, 72 000 per year, generally 30-40 years of smoking , 2.5-3 million baht in tax just by 1 smoker, does not include tax paid by shop that sells, it, wholesalers , distributors and manufacturer.

Correct assumption, I can't read Thai. She is obviously well educated and not likely to pull figures out of thin air to prove a point.

Sure if a smoker lasts until retirement after smoking 40 Marlboro a day and dies quickly then there would be no problem. Unfortunately, on average it is not like that. Not only do people not normally smoke that much top branded fags but are unlikely to last that long trouble free. Also many people are affected by passive smoking that also has costs. Add in other costs like sick pay, employers costs and costs collecting the duty and it doesn't look so rosey.

"Officials from the Tobacco Authority of Thailand said the current tax on cigarettes was 1.20 baht per cigarette and 20% of the price of cigarettes not over 60 baht. Cigarettes selling for more than 60 baht a pack are taxed 40% of their price"

Marlboro must be expensive if 100 Baht is the tax on 20.

Can you provide figures that disprove those I quoted from the good doctor, yet alone get anywhere near your figures?

1 hour ago, youngster30uk said:

<deleted> morons are out today. Why not charge the people full in cash if they have a car accident. Cars pollute a lot more than cigarettes and plenty of people of all ages have died from it.  Why not make fatties pay also, its their own fault. Hell, lets also make people with liver problems pay. Why not make people with sports injuries pay? Make <deleted> pregnant women pay, it's their own fault (mostly) after all. Charge old people, <deleted> em, they shouldn't get so old. 

 

Sounds good to me (apart from the last one) but when setting the taxes (like the UK's sugar tax) bear this fact in mind - 

"Smoking kills more people than alcohol, AIDS, car accidents, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined"

from https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/problem/toll-us

Probably not the same in Thailand due to the lethal roads.

Petrol/diesel and alcohol are also heavily taxed in most countries already. Sports injuries will be partly offset by the victim being generally more healthy so not needing as much unrelated treatments. 

Sounds good but we all take some risks with our health. So costs should even out, except smoking is way out ahead of most other risks and as it's unpleasant for others to be near, deserves special measures.

Apart from a few, we all want transport, children and to grow old, the rest is usually a choice which for some people needs restricting.

1 hour ago, Booboo101 said:

So are they saying that people only smoke because they like the pretty colours and logos on the pack ?

No. Do people only smoke because they are affordable (tax) or can smoke where they want (banned in certain places) or they like the adverts (advertising ban) etc.?

Young people are impressed by fancy packets and are more likely to want them. Which would you go for if the contents and price were the same? Fancy pack with no warnings or the the new style. Then think how would a teenager answer the same question.

No caring parent would want anything that encouraged their child to smoke.

So it is not "only" but it is a small part of why people smoke and is easy to remove.

57 minutes ago, BestB said:

Really ? Cost society billions of dollars. Are these not the same smokers who pay crazy 300-900% tax on each cig they smoke?

 

if anything smokers pay for their treatment 3 times over . It’s the “healthy” ones who are the real burden. Do not smoke , do not drink, do not pay silly taxes, get sick and expect free treatment ????

Rubbish - check your facts first.

Dr RoengrudeePatanavanich, from Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, said. 

"The estimated cost of treatments, she pointed out, was about Bt77.62 billion a year. 

The cost of lost income opportunities as a result of illnesses was Bt11.76 billion a year. 

The financial cost of untimely deaths was estimated at Bt131 billion a year. 

“In total, smoking has caused financial losses of about Bt220 billion a year,” Roengrudee said, emphasising the loss was much higher than the cigarette taxes that the government could collect. 

She said cigarette tax revenue for the state was just about Bt68.6 billion"