You Stupid Backpackers

[natee1]

Fantastic.

you are so right!! but how dose one tell them? they obviously didn't read that part in their lonely planet.

Sextourist tend not to read Lonely Planet, they spend more money on more up to their interests literature. It is not so difficult to spot them, they hang around certain areas known in the West as red-light districts.

More damaging however are the long-term sextourists, also more difficult to spot, other than by their postings on this forum, because they give themselves the appearance of having a family life in Thailand.

[sbk]

Isn´t this thread kind of pointless? Could we all just agree that prikks are prikks, no matter if they have beer bellies, uniform, dreadlocks or too much time posting on this forum?

As I said before, except for criminals, we all have our place in the eco system, and no immigration official will equate me with the 300 pound bloke with a sleeveless slobby shirt and an little Isarn lady on his arm, or the young Birmingham lad with a bird's nest, a UBC satellite dish plus a stash of Thai stick in his dreadlocks. As for females who don't shave their armpits - their choice. If you no like, you no look, you no sniff.

Why do I even read this thread when I have better things to do? Ah well.

morbid curiousity? kind of like watching a train wreck?

[mouse]

Moral of the story? We don't need farang like these in Thailand. If you can't figure out that shoes and clean clothes may be beneficial to you at an international border and you have the audacity to tell an immigration officer that you are late because HIS buses didn't get you to the border on time, leave now and don't ever come back!

[mouse]

Moral of the story? We don't need farang like these in Thailand. If you can't figure out that shoes and clean clothes may be beneficial to you at an international border and you have the audacity to tell an immigration officer that you are late because HIS buses didn't get you to the border on time, leave now and don't ever come back!

Sorry hit the wrong key. Anyway remember in grade school and Johnny flunked out of class? What happened? The next one became the whipping boy.

We need these fools around to make the rest of us look good.

[samran]

Some of the smelliest people I have ever met have been the heavy beer drinking fatties in a bar. Too busy lifting a beer to their lips to take a shower, I guess.

It's very easy to pick on 'backpackers' but guys, you really are showing your age. Very few of the backpackers today are dreaded and smelly. I would say 90% of the ones I run into have either been working for several years in order to take a year off to travel, or are on their way to or from Australia to work, or are on a gap year, travelling and interested in Asia. Their idea of 'budget' travel has changed. Most of them are in Asia out of a genuine desire to see the area, learn about the culture and the people. Can the same be said for maerim's example?

The ones that get on my threepennies are the middle aged men propping up the bars all over this country on 30 day visas.

Nothing wrong with that except when these captains of industry start telling me how well off they are in their home country.

They have more money there than you can shake a stick at as well as property, cars and of course a business generating enormous amounts of money that they don't have to supervise

I am being told this by someone who lives in a 2,500 baht a month apartment whilst wearing the best flipflops you can buy for 25 baht, no wristwatch and clutching a bottle of beer chiang (only had ten today).

It would seem to me that many of these people come here and create a new identity for themselves

If this is their new identity I shudder to think what their old one was like

Here Here SBK,

Just one other little point, the Australian Tourism commission has done some research which shows that the average backpacker spends more money than the average tourist, stays a touch longer and the money actually spent reaches local communities and business, unlike say the package tourist.

While there admittedly are some truely feral members of the commuinity, they are a minority. The rest of them are sons and daughters of the middle class, prepared to skimp on things like accomadation, so they can spend money on activities.

These people then grow up, become your above average while collar earner, and if treated well by the country the backpacked in, are more likely to be return tourists, and spends some more money the second time around.

So while some of us here tut tut the humble backpacker, a clever country approach might be to welcome these people with open arms.

So there you go.

[davethailand]

that does'nt apply to the average backpacker in thailand who won't go somewhere where a drink costs more than 40bht.

just to add,

backpackers that actually travel around from country to country obviously have to becareful how they spend,

the backpackers mentioned here are the kind that squat on an island, get high and whinge when they have to pay overstay because they're too lazy to get to the border on time.

[Boon Mee]

I think it was Singapore that had a rule,

If your hair is too long your do not get in the country.

Sounds like a good rule to me!!

Yes it certainly was Astral, and a ###### good rule it was. You got the option to get it cut at the airport, and get stamped in, or not, and leave on the next plane.

Unfortunately the Thais will never bring in such a rule, as they would loose too much face trying to enforce it.

Disneyland in Anaheim, CA used to have this same rule too. Long hair ain't "in" like it used to be in the states anymore.

[natee1]

Just one other little point, the Australian Tourism commission has done some research which shows that the average backpacker spends more money than the average tourist, stays a touch longer and the money actually spent reaches local communities and business, unlike say the package tourist.

Spend money on what?

[maerim]

I forgot to add in my last post about middle aged drunks.

The ones that drink beer are not too bad it's the ones who drink spirits, these people are the inconsiderate ones.

Because when they die of liver problems and are cremated it takes two days to put the fire out

[somtaamgaiyang]

The amazing thing about this story is that anyone, anywhere in the world would have the cheek to argue with an immigration official in Thailand or anywhere else.

These people hold the next few weeks of your life in their hands, and have an enormous amount of discretion particularly when issuing tourist visas.

Clothing and cleanliness aside, this bloke sounds like a prize idiot.

[ChiangMaiThai]

The amazing thing about this story is that anyone, anywhere in the world would have the cheek to argue with an immigration official in Thailand or anywhere else.

These people hold the next few weeks of your life in their hands, and have an enormous amount of discretion particularly when issuing tourist visas.

Clothing and cleanliness aside, this bloke sounds like a prize idiot.

Some people are so delusional as to assume that they have a 'right' to be here and they have the visa right there to prove it. They give no consideration to the fact that one immigration officer could arrange for deportation if he was so inclined. As I said, I wish these kinds of people all the luck in the world, because they are going to run into tough times.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Fair enough CMT, I live in a place frequented mostly by backpackers. I see plenty of the dirty, unwashed, partially dressed kii-nio slobs. Frankly, they make me embarassed to be a farang. However, I have to say, that after 15 years of watching backpackers come and go, these types are becoming a minority. Most of them are young, clean, just out of school and genuinely interested in travelling Thailand and learning about her culture and people.

If we are going to point fingers at unwanted tourists, lets also point our fingers at the loud, obnoxious and arrogant sex-tourists who think that their money can buy anything and don't care one jot about Thailand's culture and whose only interest in her people is how much they cost.

Also, equally unappealing guests, don't you think?

I think it all comes down to a little respect for the country and people and a little common sense. Anyone lacking these traits is simply an embarrassment to farangs everywhere.

They are all walkers CMT. BTW almost always a one day overstay doesn't attract the 200 baht fine. If it is 2 days the fine applies to both days. The nature of the individual probably accounts for the fine by the officer.

CMT is taking his calming medication and ignoring me

[chokrai]

My wife is a teacher and has had a few farang girls who came to teach at her school stay in her house. She told me that they would only shower every 3 days. I told her that they would shower everyday in farang land but when they come to thailand they think for some reason that they dont have too. Why ,i dont know.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

My wife is a teacher and has had a few farang girls who came to teach at her school stay in her house. She told me that they would only shower every 3 days. I told her that they would shower everyday in farang land but when they come to thailand they think for some reason that they dont have too. Why ,i dont know.

I really find that hard to believe Chokrai. What nationality were the female teachers ?

[maerim]

I told her that they would shower everyday in farang land

If you have ever been on a bus or train in the rush hour in the U.K. you might just reconsider that statement.

Most of them once a week need it or not.

[mbkudu]

I think it was Singapore that had a rule,

If your hair is too long your do not get in the country.

Sounds like a good rule to me!!

Aren't hippies banned from entering Thailand? I recall a notice to that effect at Soi Suan Phlu, along with a long list of traits that served to identify hippies.

This same list is posted at the railway crossing at Padang Basar at the Thai/Malaysia border.

[maerim]

If your hair is too long your do not get in the country.

Does this rule apply to women as well?

[taxexile]

Does this rule apply to women as well?

yes, but only armpits and legs.

[maerim]

yes, but only armpits and legs.

You are doing wonders for my waistline as I was just about to eat.

Almost forgot about the hirsute fairer sex in the U.K. I wasn't really hungry anyway.

[samran]

Just one other little point, the Australian Tourism commission has done some research  which shows that the average backpacker spends more money than the average tourist, stays a touch longer and the money actually spent reaches local communities and business, unlike say the package tourist.

Spend money on what?

pornography, fireworks and hot air if you were visiting canberra

Otherwise, they tend to spend money on.... well, whatever products and services were provided business owned and operate by locals.

In Thailand this would probably mean the noodle vendor, guesthouse operator, the 2 baht songtaew guy....etc.etc.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Just one other little point, the Australian Tourism commission has done some research  which shows that the average backpacker spends more money than the average tourist, stays a touch longer and the money actually spent reaches local communities and business, unlike say the package tourist.

Spend money on what?

pornography, fireworks and hot air if you were visiting canberra

Otherwise, they tend to spend money on.... well, whatever products and services were provided business owned and operate by locals.

In Thailand this would probably mean the noodle vendor, guesthouse operator, the 2 baht songtaew guy....etc.etc.

The ACT holds the prize for the largest mail order porno' pic rentals in the land ( as you'd well know Chris )

[ChiangMaiThai]

Fair enough CMT, I live in a place frequented mostly by backpackers. I see plenty of the dirty, unwashed, partially dressed kii-nio slobs. Frankly, they make me embarassed to be a farang. However, I have to say, that after 15 years of watching backpackers come and go, these types are becoming a minority. Most of them are young, clean, just out of school and genuinely interested in travelling Thailand and learning about her culture and people.

If we are going to point fingers at unwanted tourists, lets also point our fingers at the loud, obnoxious and arrogant sex-tourists who think that their money can buy anything and don't care one jot about Thailand's culture and whose only interest in her people is how much they cost.

Also, equally unappealing guests, don't you think?

I think it all comes down to a little respect for the country and people and a little common sense. Anyone lacking these traits is simply an embarrassment to farangs everywhere.

They are all walkers CMT. BTW almost always a one day overstay doesn't attract the 200 baht fine. If it is 2 days the fine applies to both days. The nature of the individual probably accounts for the fine by the officer.

Yes, I conceed they are walkers. My opinion as to their legality hasn't changed, but I am less impressed with these types everyday. Perhaps I am slowly coming to the dark side Doctor.

[natee1]

Just one other little point, the Australian Tourism commission has done some research  which shows that the average backpacker spends more money than the average tourist, stays a touch longer and the money actually spent reaches local communities and business, unlike say the package tourist.

Spend money on what?

pornography, fireworks and hot air if you were visiting canberra

Otherwise, they tend to spend money on.... well, whatever products and services were provided business owned and operate by locals.

In Thailand this would probably mean the noodle vendor, guesthouse operator, the 2 baht songtaew guy....etc.etc.

The ACT holds the prize for the largest mail order porno' pic rentals in the land ( as you'd well know Chris )

What is ATC, who is Chris? -there is so much I don't know.

Re: spending money, I thought your ordinary, straight tourist spend something like $100 and more per day? Maybe the 4star hotel will get most of it.

But backpackers can't be spending this amount on fried noodles... However, I agree, they are supporting small local businesses, great.

[kurgen]

Why not put a total ban on stinky Aussie backpackers entering Thailand ,there's plenty of drop out stinky English flakeys to keep the noodle stalls going for years

[natee1]

The English don't eat rice-noodles, they eat Marmite sanies.

[davethailand]

whats a sanie?

[meadish_sweetball]

sanie = sarnie = slang for "sandwich".

[natee1]

short for sandwich in the North, maybe I spelled it wrong.

[meadish_sweetball]

ACT = Australian Capital Territory, the "state" where Canberra is located. Without getting technical, my understanding is that it corresponds to Washington D.C. in the US.

Canberra is possibly the most boring city I've ever visited, apart from my hometown and Nakon Sawan.

[davethailand]

sorry i was being sarcastic, as an englishman i've had a sarnie before, but never a sanie.