smotherb

6 hours ago, jeab1980 said:

Can i ask please what is meant by "lowlife  farangs" how are these defined? People who frequent bars in difined area's. People who purchase night delights?. People working without a WP? The list is endless. So a derinative definition would help people here understand exactly were they fit in to the TV farang community.

Yes, the list is endless and the options which signify low-life vary greatly dependent upon who would be making the decision.  But, no worries, everyone gets to determine their own definition. Consequently, the extent to which you're welcome here depends upon the discretion of the local tuk-tuk drivers.  

5 hours ago, bazza73 said:

Look up nihilism in the dictionary. By definition, collections are not possible.

I do try as a non-American to think of Americans as rational and sensible people. I'm assuming not all Americans support US gun laws, or the dangerous child who has been elected President. Unfortunately, every so often I get another example which undermines that thought.

So, you think I exhibit no religious or moral values; my my; how judgemental you've become.  

5 minutes ago, jeab1980 said:

Yes i know so does that include you.

If you asking if I am included in the low-life farangs--I would argue no. If you are asking if I am included in those who would not pay the B$2k/mo to stay here; I might, would have to see it first.

Anything else?

1 hour ago, bazza73 said:

So almost no falangs  in Thailand, except diplomatic staff. I think the word I'm looking for is nihilism.Well, there's so many creeds in America I suppose another one won't hurt.

Not sure any diplomatic post should be exempt from farang entrance requirements; we certainly would not want to be discriminatory now would we?

Don't see the relationship between my suggestion and the creeds in America--unless you are suggesting I have created another religious doctrine in America. Damn, better get together a collection apparatus.

1 hour ago, jeab1980 said:

Im guessing that includes you then?

I tried to answer that when I said, "I would not want to pay it to live here, but if all low-life farangs would be gone . . . " 

I meant to convey that it might be worth the $2k/mo if all the low-life farangs were gone.

r

1 hour ago, bazza73 said:

I don't disagree with the proposition that places like Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket have too many low-life falangs. I don't live there, and there's a lot of law-abiding falangs who don't either.

 

What I can't get my head around is your impost of USD 2000 a month on top of normal living expenses. Would you accept that yourself? How many expats do you think would accept that, and continue living here?

 

It seems the low-life farangs are everywhere; and that is not limited to Thailand.

However, I have not said there are no decent farangs, just too many that aren't.

The $2k/mo was meant to tickle those who could not or would not pay it. 

I would not want to pay it to live here, but if all low-life farangs would be gone . . .

I think almost all would refuse.  

27 minutes ago, LannaGuy said:

Actually I do agree that the bar should be set at a place where some of the freeloaders would not be here. The tourist long-termers etc.  but I also think there are too many thais  lol

Yeah, perfectly sensible. I like beer, except for all the beer.

1 hour ago, phantomfiddler said:

It would appear that a very large percentage of Americans are really messed up and acting in a completely juvenile manner. The man won the election, why not just let him get on with doing the things he said he intended to do ? Where has democracy gone ? Grow up !

You seem to have missed the obvious; part of this investigation surrounds whether or not the election was adversely influenced and whether Trump's actions are counter to his constitutional obligations.

Just now, LannaGuy said:

off you go then... or are you 'different'? 

I try to be, don't you?  Or did you think I was talking about you?

3 hours ago, wump said:

I don't know how the American system works but in Europe you get your pension payments monthly and not as a lump sum when you retire. Would be silly not to spend it all if you got health insurance. In the end, you can't take anything with you and leaving a condo/house/car/other material stuff for the kids/partner would be enough IMO. But this is just my opinion. If I was old and had spare money, I'd give it to the kids/partner right away. There's no interest anymore, so saving up will only give you an extra risk.

While some retirement plans allow you to take lump sum payments, I think you may have  misinterpreted what was said. Retirees are simply spending less than their retirement funds allow; whether by monthly checks or periodic withdrawals--even when they have to take money out of some retirement plans as they age--they are not spending it. Some of that, I am sure, has to deal with being older and not being as active or being in ill-health and having sufficient insurance to pay the costs; so there is no extra cost.

2 hours ago, bazza73 said:

I can only conclude your original post is a brain fart, since you are normally a sensible person.

No, I am being pragmatic. Much of the complaints I have about Thailand stem from some of the farangs here. Look at all the immigration hassles;  I think much of the impetus behind the hassles I perceive are the numbers of farangs who have tried to circumvent Thai intent. Look at much of the cost increases; why are areas with fewer farangs cheaper and in my opinion better, than areas with many farangs. Look at the numbers of farang criminals and ne’re-do-wells who have taken to Thailand to exist and even prey on other farangs.  No, I believe Thailand would be a far better place without so many farangs. 

6 hours ago, phantomfiddler said:

Have you ever heard the phrase "If you are going to drink spirits, drink high quality" ! Believe it or not it is true. I have had a bar in Pattaya for over 34 years and have seen the effects first hand. One guy used to arrive on holiday and go out and buy A CASE of your cheap thai whisky, take it up to his room, and within a week this was not a sane normal human being. Be warned. There are lots of inexpensive scotches out there without risking the damage done by cheap plonk !

Anyone who buys a case of booze to take up to his room and guzzle has a problem right then and there; no matter the booze.

If you really want take the short-cut, there is a corn whiskey in the US called Everclear; sold in 151 and 190 proof--that is 75% and 95% alcohol. You need something thick to mix with it. In college, we would mix it with Welch's Grape juice and called it Purple Passion--you got purple alright, but the passion was a little fuzzy.

1 hour ago, elgordo38 said:

Loved it your the gift that just keeps on giving. 

Some may say I keep on taking

5 hours ago, bazza73 said:

As John McEnroe would say, you cannot be serious. Unless you're suggesting that should be the minimum monthly SPEND for falangs

That USD 2000 is on top of the 75000 baht a month I shell out already, the 800,000 baht I leave frozen in a 1.5% interest account so the banks can charge Thais 6% interest on it, and the 500,000 baht I park in an account for medical emergencies? Don't think you would have more than 100 or 200 falangs left.

Unless that's the way you would like it?

 

 

Now you talkin

6 hours ago, dick dasterdly said:

You hadn't bothered reading either thread at all before commenting??

 

Bit suprised that you have suddenly changed your attitude, even though the same 'arguments' have been posted time and time again...

Well, slick, did you miss the point? I have not changed my attitude. If someone falls off a bike which does not go down, it is their responsibility. However, the fact that the bike went down changes the circumstances. The TV intro article did not say the bike went down, the Phuket news article did not say the bike went down; you had to click and read the (See story here.) before it said the bike went down.  

1 hour ago, marko kok prong said:

Catapult effect,forward motion stops abruptly,maybe she is not holding on,she is propelled by ms vs gravity gravity taking her from rear of bike across road into path of oncoming vehicle,,we do not know the speed involved but of course the greater the speed the more the catapult effect,if he had not braked he would of rear ended the car,the catapult effect would maybe have been less,but she could of been propelled into the back window,a bike generally dips slightly when brakes are applied in earnest,adding to the catapult effect,never under estimate the catapult effect.

Yeah, that was my impression, but the bike went down.

1 hour ago, happyas said:

I never said that you were stupid..i said that your comment was.

 

I'll try make it easier for you to grasp the facts of the story  so you stop embarrassing yourself.

 

The boyfriend/rider through either inattention or ineptness or both hit the brakes  when the car in front of him did likewise, lost control and the bike went down, resulting in her being thrown off the pillion seat and into the edge of  far right lane ,where a large truck and trailer were unfortunately passing by, the trailer wheels running over her head resulting in her death. The rider went left when he hit the road..he survived, she died sadly.

She did not fall off the bike as you keep saying, she was thrown from it!

 

Now ,you tell me how you really believe that she had any input/responsibility at at all resulting in her death.

Well, happyas, it looks like I do owe you an apology. I did not see that the bike went down. I mistakenly thought the bike stayed upright and he passenger fell off.

In that case, it is not the passengers' fault. 

4 hours ago, darksidedog said:

It sure raised my eyebrows. Donald could use a knight in shining armour to come to his aid, but Putin is hardly the person he needs being seen to help him.

Unless of course, Putin is deliberately coming forward, to stir the American pot up some more.

Don't you think Putin is enjoying this?

57 minutes ago, pmarlin said:

Again the news has it wrong, It's about Russian influence of the last presidential election. Not a Trump Russian investigation.  Including the leaking of the Clinton emails and that might lead to something that will make the democrats very unhappy. If I was Hillary I would worry.  The investigation will clear Trump's name and the Democrats will have to find another nothing to complain about.  The only thing Trump is guilty of is winning the election.

Another mindless blind soul. There has yet to be any determination in this investigation accept that it ought to me made--something Trump seemed to want to avoid. The investigation does, or should, involve any collusion with Russia with regard to the election or leakage of classified material; including the recent closed meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister and Ambassador to the US.

5 hours ago, Crowes said:

 

Fantastic news, until the Democrats don't get the outcome they expected. Let the witch hunt continue.

Or what will happen with the Republicans if collusion is found--more complaints of fake news and partisan politics?  Let's find out what happened before we start another campaign of we're right you're wrong.

9 hours ago, 11223344 said:

SiamBeast: you think too much

No, I'd say too little thinking just another authoritarian conservative. One of the best things that could happen is to rid Thailand of all the foreign deadbeats and cheapskates--charge all foreigners USD2000 each month to live here.

2 hours ago, ThaiWai said:

Beers on the beach come in three's when you rent.

Massage specials come in threes--hours, girls, options.

The fourth cold beer is always necessary, wouldn't want to stay with  just three.

I guess the fact I am with my third wife must be problematic, but I think I'll keep her--she learned well and I don't want to take the time to train a fourth.

The low season means fewer tourists to mar the situation. Unless your business depends upon tourists, you are probably better off--you can negotiate better deals on everything and there are not so many numb-nuts to foul-up the works. The rain is refreshing in the heat and should not bother anyone who prefers Phuket's wide-range of activities. Of course, the infrastructure sucks, but if you consider that part of Phuket's charm, you will do well.

Just now, happyas said:

Agreed , but she did not "fall off the bike".

Yeah, she lost control of staying on the bike.

Just now, happyas said:

"The fact she fell off is her fault is it not?"

In a thread full of bizarre comments, this one is on the very top of the list.

Fair go, how on earth can you make such a bizarre deduction?

A rider of a bike is responsible for staying on the bike. An adult may be blamed for a child falling off, but an adult has to accept some responsibility--it is not a car in which the rider is contained.

14 hours ago, LivinginKata said:

Well ... so much for all the TV detectives declaring the truck driver was at fault.

 

To me it was an unfortunate road accident caused by the bike driver.

 

 

The story says she fell off after an abrupt braking--abrupt braking of a bike in Thailand is commonplace; it would be the rider's fault if he didn't brake. The fact she fell off is her fault is it not?