hawthorne

To stereotype, the lad looks like the typical farrang who has stayed in Thailand for many years trying to become Thai. Every time I visit I run across so many of these poor folks that stick out like sore thumbs. They seem to want to do anything to never leave. They seem to barely get by and obviously living day to day. I don't see a good ending for these folks. I see one old farrang selling women's clothes at the entrance to a subway on my usual visits in BKK. He must be in his late 60's or early 70's. Hope the best for them and not end up like this guy doing some illegal out of desperation.

Simple solution either ban the jet ski operations. OR erect massive signs saying no damage caused by the user will be charged regardless of the claim. Have police stationed on the beach with this proclamation. The risk should be solely born by the jet ski owner as a risk of doing business. If the courts and police abided by this then the owners will get pay back.

He was under cover for the drug cartel. They probably saw enough military personnel over time to get just enough information to put a uniform together. I am surprised that none of the police had any prior military experience. Maybe that does not happen in Thailand? Glad the scum is off the street.

Overall just a tragic accident which could happen to anyone with sleep deprivation. The country needs to make a concerted effort to educate principles of safe driving. A British husband should have evaluated his wife's driving abilities. He should have known better to haul people in the back of a pick up farther than to the corner store which is still not advised but very common in most countries in the rural areas. For anyone that thinks driving on Thai roads are safer at night, I have to differ with you.

RIP

Toyota Vios. Why, it is safer than a motorbike and it keeps you dry while affordable to buy and maintain. Ours cost 550k 10 years ago and have not had any issues with it what so ever. It does not have much power and is not fancy. A friend of ours bought one about three years ago fully loaded for about 750k. A lot of improvements were made but a little pricey to me would rather go without all the thrills. For that price I think a low end quad cab pick up is a better deal and it sits a little higher. Toyota has a great supply chain and service compared to most manufactures. Gets better mileage than the Hondas. Not a big fan of Mazda although I loved my Mazda 6 a few years ago but it seemed last better than others who also owned the same model. Mitsubishi ? Do not like the looks or ride, but the pick ups are ok if you want a stiffer ride than other pick ups, I had a diesel about 7 yrs ago so maybe better now. Had a 4.0 liter Fortuner 2009 vx2 which we loved. Great power and get up and go, hard to get stuck, lots of room, the rear view mirrors made a howling notice above 140km/hr. The worst thing was it rode rough on the road. A long drive would make me worn out. Gave it to a friend who still has it( company car not literally gave away) and still drives great. I think the price is too high in Thailand to buy one though, my opinion. When we move back to LOS we will go back to the Vios I am pretty sure unless I can afford an SUV without straining my finances as I feel it is much safer.

RIP, hope you are resting in a better place tonight.

Umm I was scheduled to go Emirates and my wife changed to KLM for me yesterday. Was this after the news or just coincidence?

Well we never have a problem and we are as poor as we look so no issue.

He is a two time convicted felon. Yeah he is so sorry he got caught. How many other crimes did he commit in which he was not caught? Good for Britain.

No sympathy here. Just wish my country would do the same and a San Fran girl would still be alive today after being killed by the same sort of criminal in the U.S. Last week.

Not that I am any expert in water sports but I did live within a mile of the ocean while my neighborhood backed up to a river, the Wando River. In South Carolina we did not use the Red Flag danger symbol. We did however have large signs that warned of dangerous currents and do not swim areas especially at the mouth of the river meeting the ocean.

I have been to several beaches in Thailand and never seen the red flags. Therefore I am not sure I would have known the Universal Danger Sign therefore maybe an explanation for such should be posted in several languages. I have been caught in many rip tides while living at the beach and they are very manageable but dangerous to an unsuspecting beach goer that rarely swims in the ocean. The Persian Gulf is void of rip currents in most of my experiences living in KSA, Iraq and UAE.

RIP.

As most cases show 8 years in a Thai prison is usually the time actually spent regardless of the sentence for drug dealing. 8-12 years spent will certainly damage this individual mentally and change him forever. Prison stories in Thailand are not much of a deterrence for foreigners it seems. Anyone that chooses to deal knows the risks so how can you have sympathy on such an individual? Makes me wonder how anyone sees this opportunity and says yes it is worth the risks.

The Baht has had very good strength against most currencies. A good NO deal from Greece and a big pull back from the interior China stock markets just might put us in a domino affect which no one will be able to predict the outcome. Watch billionaires become millionaires over night. So much wealth could be wiped out over night due to covering falling positions. If this spills into Japan where so many people are stretched as well on margin SE Asian goes with them.

The world can not allow Greece to fail. They will do something.

I carry a serrated blade every where I go. Even when in Thailand I carry it and it can be seen as it is the type with a clip for the pocket. As a kid growing up on a farm it was natural to have a knife on you. Being in the military it was useful. Being in the construction industry it was useful. In Thailand or any country with bad drivers it is useful if you have ever seen a driver die in a burning vehicle that could not escape. The seatbelt tends to get locked in a violent crash and the only way to free yourself is to cut the seatbelt. Buy a piece of fruit off the street it is useful. Opening a knife in a fight is the last resort as with any weapon you risk it being taken and used against you. So , I support anyone carrying a knife. If you have any military training you are given basic hand to hand combat so it does give you some confidence incase you are ever accosted or in fear of your life. But as a last resort. Glad to hear justice might prevail.

So sad. Hard for others to understand what was going through this individuals head to come to this as a decision.

he must have been angry and lost in life to resort to such irrational thought.

A thief is a thief and remains the lowest form of life just barely above child molestors, murderers and rapists.

Never forget the Farang surcharge. Great to hear surgery and price went well. Now you will have a fat happy dog.

These articles are becoming way to common in Thailand. Need a true beware of Thailand website capturing the dangers that lie waiting to take you down.

Most tourist have absolutely no clue about the dangers in Thailand. Living in Thailand is like owning a motorcycle, while riding it you feel exhilarated, free and in control of your own destiny but when the ride is over and you admire the bike. You start to remember the close calls of cars pulling out in front of you, trucks trying to side swipe you, the dog or other animal running in your way. You say damn want I am thinking about riding that dangerous machine I am bound to get killed I need to sell it if I plan to grow old. I guess I need to sell our house and move back to...

Give them bacon, ham and baby backs.

What about a campaign to our Embassies to forwarn of the serious dangers on the roads. Maybe our governments involvement in the travel warnings will have an affect on the traveling to Thailand in a way to have the Thai government do SOMETHING. I know this is a far fetched idea to think our governments will put its citizens first over diplomatic relations or trade agreements.

The charge would probably have gotten her 5 years served in the U.S. Now another story if found guilty. Criminals hiding about is a scary thought but giving up freedoms to keep a tighter track on everyone doesn't sound so inviting either. Pretty soon we will have cameras in our house.

Tourism is relevant and the strength of the baht plus the devaluation of currencies of some large vacation groups such as Russia and Eurpoeans are having an impact on the economy. Look at the number of condos which are either abandoned or up for sale at much reduced prices. This is also hurting the new construction sales which are fed by huge sums of narrowed money. Once construction slows the unemployed grows, defaulted commercial and consumer loans follow and possible bank defaults. Gloomy outlook but certainly a possible scenario if other trading partners of goods or services such as tourism continue to withdraw. Asia is still a better performing region than others at the moment and possibly helped by lower oil prices. Let's see economics is not really a science as some wish to believe but a study of human behavior, if you choose to classify psychology a science.

RIP

Condolences to friends and family

Someone mentioned it was a case 3 inch pocket knife. Is this fact? This is typically a knife carried for peeling fruit, opening a box or times you just need a cutting tool other than inflicting wounds. Most people collect them and not for self defense. Not taking anyone's side just mentioning the weapon used is usually not going to result in death if pulled out so it is hard to say this man carried a knife for ill reasons. RIP

It appears that a lot of expats in Thailand are very knowledgable about construction. Most probably retired or older people enjoying the life. It seems appropriate to form a type of self help group for other expats building homes around Thailand. I certainly would enjoy helping others build their homes once I retire at no charge just to help others and meet people. Got off topic but it seems the question was fully covered.