THE WEEK THAT WAS Hypocrisy everywhere as Thailand - and her detractors - stumble into 2022!

[ASEAN NOW]

 

Hypocrisy everywhere as Thailand - and her detractors - stumble into 2022!

 

Thailand stumbled into the New Year with the authorities annoying just about everyone both within her borders and further afield.

 

Those waiting in the wings with a Thailand Pass or a loved one hoping they’d arrive after being parted for so long, started 2022 as frustrated as they left the last. Not knowing whether they were coming or going.

 

Many residents in the country shook their heads at the latest round of the new national sport of flip flopping. Locals, desperate to see the economy move on and get back to a semblance of normal were thwarted at every turn.

 

Tourists are being put off and Thais are being cajoled into buying into the Omicron rhetoric despite overwhelming evidence that we should just learn to live with the virus after so many people have been vaccinated. 

 

Wasn’t getting vaxxed the original deal way back, when we made jokes about coronavirus and a Mexican beer and beating the curve was something you did at baseball?

 

It’s an almighty bloomin’ mess.

 

High up on the list is the debacle in Phuket where hotels are letting tourists out of quarantine early then fearing being shut down when they test positive.  Where insurance companies - facing billion baht losses because their rubbish actuaries backed the wrong pony - are reneging on deals meaning asymptomatic tourists are refusing to go to overcharging hospitals with nary a cold. 

 

Of course the devilish insurance giants are hiding behind their microscopic small print which they claim says “no symptoms no pay hospital”. 

 

If you had accident insurance and broke your left leg they’d tell you the premium only applied to the right one. 

 

Yes, Rooster has always loathed insurance companies almost as much as I loathe insurance (though I make a hypocritical exception for Spurs shirts with AIA emblazoned on them).

 

Being a betting man since being knee high to a thoroughbred I realized as a child that insurance odds were stacked against you.

 

At least when betting you had a chance - if you worked hard and studied the form - of beating the odds. Insurance is a gamble that can only pay off if the worst happens. Who wants that?! In the long run you’re nearly always a loser.

 

Win short term and you can bet your life that the companies will try and wriggle out of it to protect their profits.

 

I only get insurance when I legally have to - third party for cars, condos against fire, that sort of thing.

 

The rest I avoid like the plague - and it’s saved me countless millions over the years that is all nestling in my bank should things ever go more pear shaped than the missus.

 

 

 

If I get a dent reversing into a parking space in my car - a frequent occurrence - I leave it. Dents are good to remind you to park safely next time, right?. Cars don’t go into me because I look out for them, ditto potholes. Capiche? 

 

If I get sick I go to Google, the Pharmacy, the Doctor and the ATM in that order. 

 

This week also saw, Anutin and his mob delay Test and Go indefinitely. While the predicted wave of sneezes began. Whatever happened to Tiffy or Night Nurse!

 

Anutin’s son Pek stirred the pot - rather appropriate for the Health Minister with his ganja promotions - by sharing Instagram pictures of maskless family gatherings. 

 

Posters on ASEAN NOW went ballistic calling it hypocrisy. If anything they are the hypocrites, however. On this occasion Thai public enemy numero uno was at home - what’s wrong with that. Who wears a mask at home?

 

Choose your battles carefully or you’ll end up looking as stupid as cupid with your constant moaning. 

 

The government told people not to panic, then panicked as the numbers started to follow predictions. 

 

Of course the opening of the favorite whipping boys - pubs, bars and nightclubs - had to bear the brunt. Now even restaurants behaving like bars are being reined in.

 

It’s all designed to make our lives as miserable as possible. 

 

My kids’ school sent out a questionnaire asking if we’d like them to go back to what is now called “on-site” (that used to be just ‘school’ back in the day). 

 

I replied “natch” but it’s like urinating into the “lom”; most of the parents will say ‘nada’ wanting to avoid the drive into school with their little horrors preferring to have the maid pretend to teach them in bedrooms. So it's a moot point - the schools won’t open till May at the earliest.

 

Whatever; we get 25,000 baht off a term and at least the kids aren’t assaulted with rulers and belittled anymore unless it’s the wrong time of teacher Mrs R’s month.

 

Prayut continued his “Let’s Dance Like Boris” routine. The UK PM, despite 200K cases daily, has finally got lucky thanks to the vaccine. 

 

But with only 9 million boosted in Thailand, if the science proves to be true about jabs saving the pandemic day, Prayut could still be backing the tail ender in the 3.50 at Uttoxeter. 

 

Anyway, as most of my readers are as fed up with lurgy news as me, it's time to wish the Fifth Wave all the best, accept danger Level 4 of 5 (whatever that means) and move on….

 

Former PM Thaksin watching from afar gave his New Year message to his erstwhile ‘phee nong’.

With all his billions it’s a wonder why he should want to darken Thailand’s doors again - he should take a leaf out of Boss’s book and sit out the statute of limitations sipping a Red Bull in a F1 pitstop.  

 

Whenever I hear “Tony Woodsome”, as he calls himself now, I remember my top Shinawatra anecdotes. 

 

One of my favorite pictures is a selfie with Yingluck, positioned in a frame by a downstairs toilet. I taught her son and remember how we chuckled about the Secret Service following him around on school trips pretending to be tramps - tramps with earpieces that is.  

 

Thaksin himself once met one of our teachers in Harrods and took him for afternoon tea! But one of my prized possessions is a brown envelope (actually it’s white) from his sister who gave me 2,000 baht for a Scrabble tournament I held at Harrow. 

 

Beat that for a signed heirloom!

 

I think I’ll dig out the envelope hidden among the 1970 World Cup Soccer Stars album and frame it for the UPSTAIRS toilet. 

 

Some items must be given pride of place in one’s humble abode.

 

The seven deadly days came to an end with the RTP popping the champagne corks because there were 20% less fatalities on the roads. 

 

Quite a result with about 50% less people travelling but hey, who’s counting. Face is all that matters and saving it is a top priority especially with all those pointless tents having to be taken down nationwide.

 

Thousands more celebrated New Year by drinking and driving and murdering and maiming. DUI was up with the corrections department being unable to deny the damning figures.

 

Instead their chief saved the required “naa” (face) by saying that they found more drunks this year because they actually looked for them. Clever!

 

The RTP could make it a New Year resolution to follow suit and actually enforce the law - then Rooster awoke and shot down a passing porker and ordered Mrs R to simmer the Apple Sauce.

 

Plod hardly covered themselves in regimental glory this week. Somehow a foreigner jumped from their Pattaya roof and killed himself. Then a nasty Lance Corporal - jilted by Ploy - proved himself less of a gem by posting a sex video on Twitter and threatening her. 

 

Don’t just discipline these rogues; toss ‘em out and suggest a career in Thai politics. It’s the only place that’s good enuf for them.

 

Elsewhere at a Pattaya condo, print media reported a US man shot himself after some shenanigans at what Bernard Trink used to call “the resort”. Lung Sam stole a Glock from a firing range, annoyed all and sundry before deciding to meet his maker.

 

Unfortunately he’ll be disappointed. Worms await us if we don’t opt for the chimney. (I’ve been enjoying the week reading The God Delusion for the umpteenth time - I need sanity and surety in an uncertain world).

 

If one thing is as certain as there being no God, it has to be that Thai hotels take umbrage when criticized.

 

All a Thai woman did was give a Khao Yai place 6/10. Her post was not unreasonable, and more than 50% approval is quite good really.

 

Oh no! Lawyers were lined up as the hotel wanted 3 million baht and demanded that the customer should be put in the Pak Chong stocks for a spot of tomato throwing (if the damned things weren’t 100 baht a feckin’ kilo, that is).

 

Fortunately in this day and age hounding a customer for making a bad review will always end badly for the hotel even if they get it removed and lap up a contrite “wai”. Word gets out and so does the name and ruin awaits these nasty, grubby hotels.

 

The same could be said of a “Pet Paloo” restaurant that flogged a diner a duck dinner with maggots in it then had the temerity to say they’d already given her a discount!

 

For crying out loud! Give a free dinner, apologize and remember the customer is always right and you’re providing a service. 

 

Wow! Those pigs are landing on the balcony again as I type!

 

One part of the Khao Yai review did make me wistful, however, when the lady complained about the room not having a decent view. 

 

It reminded me of that other arch-curmudgeon Basil Fawlty who once told a hard of hearing Mrs Richards what was it she expected to see out of a Torquay hotel window?

 

“Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically” perhaps...

 

Now there was a hotelier with an attitude who assaulted his diners and served a rat to the health inspector!  If you’d given Basil a bad review he’d have called you riff-raff and gone back to his Brahms on the radio for a few more bars.

 

A tourist screaming Blue Murder was a Russian lady on Samui. She claimed assault at the hands of a manager at a scenic spot near Lamai 

but the smile on her face at the Bo Phut nick, plus a video, showed the feisty female had given as good as she got.

 

I particularly liked the story for the obvious mischief of the manager apparently going behind the landowner’s back in constructing a bridge then putting up a flimsy cardboard sign to charge 50 baht to take selfies at a couple of rocks at sunset.

 

Sounds like an entrepreneur, another who should be in government. 

 

His boss, the land owner,avoided a social media mauling by planning to scrap the bridge on his private land.

 

My bet is everyone knew perfectly well what was going on. Samui has some of the biggest scoundrels in Buddhadom. What is it about islands that seem to attract such mafia wrong ‘uns?

 

Also showing entrepreneurial spirit was a Sanook story about a Singha  beer PR woman, pictured with “loadsa money” (a reference to Harry Enfield’s classic character for the uninitiated).

 

She’d managed to put herself through college without relying on a single baht from mum and dad. All the while ignoring those who “doo thuuk-ed” (looked down on her) for her choice of job.

 

Fair play to her, but this was not good enough for many hypocritical posters on ASEAN NOW who spouted the usual sexist drivel about this respectable young woman putting herself through college on her back. 

 

Give it a rest - it’s only like a woman waitressing in the US, albeit weighing 30 kilos less. 

 

Cue Rooster being accused of “fattism” (is there such a word?) as well as being a devout atheist, insurance denier and realist. I’m really quite proud of myself this week.

 

The Navy spokesman helpfully told his compatriots that Thailand still needed submarines. But the budget was a bit tight due to the pox and the fact that Sailor Somchai didn’t have money for his bloater because of the bloated top brass. He said they’d buy the submersibles when the economy stops tanking. 

 

So what exactly is this threat to national security that only subs can thwart? Cambodians in snorkels collecting coral off Koh Chang?

 

Or maybe Rohingya in Ranong rowing rowboats to buy rice meals at 7-Eleven perhaps?

 

Putting the RTP aside, the nastiest criminal of the week had to be Montree, head of security at a Thonburi condominium.

 

He knocked on a female resident’s door with handcuffs in hand and proceeded to rape her then flee to Wang Nam Yen. Plod utilizing paramotors and sniffer dogs soon had the miscreant in custody.

 

Now he can talk cars with Ferrari Joe for a couple of decades or even find out how to bag a panther with Premchai. All mates together.

 

Finally, international news was dominated by Novax Djokovic, as he is now known. 

 

The Serbs called foul while the Australians - not content with thrashing England at cricket - made whinging Poms look like people who had never complained in their lives. 

 

It looked like prize prune Scott Morrison was playing politics with his “rules are rules” rhetoric after there was obviously an almighty visa cock-up.

 

Personally I don’t see why the rules for top sportsmen like Mr Djokovic shouldn’t be different to normal souls. 

 

They may be filthy rich but they generate huge income and bring pleasure to millions. 

 

In some cases there should be one rule for them and one rule for us. 

 

Australia could take a hypocritical leaf out of Thailand’s rule book for that!

 

Rooster

 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-01-09

 

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[Marpa47]

A regular tour de force today.  Capping off another week in paradise.  Thank you so much for all points of the emotional compass between laughter and sighs.  Have to say, what with accumulated ruckus at home (USA), there is no comparison.  Cannot outdo stupidity of the “Christian” right.  Although staunchly hoping to be, (or end up), in God’s corner, you make a fair point, (just cannot agree on blaming all of creature’s — us — foibles on the Creator, who a) gives us ‘free choice’ in leu of our being automata, then b) is saddled with constantly coming back to remind us not to maim, kill and otherwise ‘reeducate’ each other when things get too out of hand… after which c) said reminder gets once again, (almost immediately), turned inside out and upside down, (turned into a religion), which repeats the process…).  Well, is that the drone of another armada of pigs I hear?

Edited January 9, 2022 by Marpa47
Afterthought

[Enzian]

[Stevemercer]

'If I get sick I go to Google, the Pharmacy, the Doctor and the ATM in that order. '

 

I'm surprised you don't seek advice on the ASEAN NOW forums, like many posters!

[GreasyFingers]

I do enjoy your hatred of insurance and the companies that flog it. Good to know I am not alone.

[roquefort]

2 hours ago, ASEAN NOW said:

Cue Rooster being accused of “fattism” (is there such a word?) as well as being a devout atheist, insurance denier and realist. I’m really quite proud of myself this week.

The correct woke term is "fat shaming". Careful you're not banned from all social media for such a heinous crime.

 

I for one can forgive you since you've "come out" as Tottenham supporter. We're a long-suffering bunch and need all the emotional help we can get. Come to think of it, we should probably start a support group ,,,,,, call it Spurs Anonymous for want of something more original!

[wombat]

3 hours ago, ASEAN NOW said:

Locals, desperate to see the economy move on and get back to a semblance of normal were thwarted at every turn.

 

sums it up very neatly.

[spidermike007]

Is it hypocrisy? Or an endemic double standard built into a society that seems to value money and net worth over nearly everything else. At least amongst the super creeps. 

 

Anutin’s son Pek stirred the pot - rather appropriate for the Health Minister with his ganja promotions - by sharing Instagram pictures of maskless family gatherings.

 

As I posted elsewhere, We are your rulers and your overlords. You will do as we say, not as we do. The laws do not apply to us, and we are above any and all laws. It is about time you people understood that. I am getting tired of explaining how things work here, so stop telling me what to do. Only we are entitled to tell you how to live, how to behave, what you can do and what you cannot do. Start obeying us. We know what is best. Can't you see how benevolent and effective we have been? 

 

[jimn]

Some good stuff, great humour but way too long. I got bored halfway through and stopped reading.

[kidneyw]

I never comment, but this was up there.

 

[Mark mark]

Har Har "Novax Djokovic" ... Good one Roostef !!! ... Yes say what you like about him but our Ex-usedcar sailsman, ... Who has found a better Scam, Prime Ministeran, can quite well predict, the effect of what ever comes out of his moth's ..  Direct effect on "His" ... VOTERS !!! . ... Like that is why he is Prime Minister ! ... Right !

 

...   And  poor old ? ??  .. "Novax" just unwittongly came along nicely ! (And Tennis Australia decided to bend the rules, as they thought that they were above every one else ? (Or could buy them ?) ...  !!! Like "Money Talks" !!  Right !!!  ... ... When "Our Boy Scott" REALLY needed a BLOODY Good Scape goat ! ... To take every one's mind off of the just Totally <Deleted> disaster of Ovicron ...

 

... So now it can be kick "Novax" and forget about the empty supetmarket shelves, as all of the Delivery drivers and other staff are off sick or Quatintining !!!

 

... It is Like when John Howard won an Election (???) After the "Babies Over board" lies ? Were spreas around after a regugee boat sank off our North west Coast ! ... ( and your Maggie won one also by Invading the Falklands, instead of talking with the Argentinians !!!) ? ... ?? ???

 

But well Novax is a pretty good Scape goat I think !!! As well he might be able to play tenis !!! ..  ... But he is an Anti Vackser also !!  !!  (And I need every one TO get Vacsinated !!! ..  ... So that one day !!!I might rven be able to get home again some time ... And we ALL might be able to live ???? Normally again ???) ...

 

And well it looks like lies are coming out in Novax's story also ! ...Like, did he have it ? Or didn't he ? ... it actuary looks like he Actualy !!  Didn't. ...  (So he lied also ??? Or was just totally irespondible while infectious !!! Still he is Novak Jokervic isn't he ?) ..   So he WAS also just breaking the rules ? Also ...

 

... Tenis Australia gave all of the Anti or just, not vaccinated ? Players ? Incorect Information ... as they thought it was all about money ? ... so they woukd get away with it ? ... and The Players who were not Vacdinated ?? ? ... Well As Raffa said !! About Jokervich,   Well he knows the rurks ! ... and he could have been vaccinated ... and then played any where in the wourld !  any time ?

 

But they were not. ... Yes "Novax" is a good show !!  ...But well ? I can do with out it. ! ? ..  and well bad luck they all tried to bend the ruels ! ... And the Ex- Used Car sailsman saw an opportunity, to grab a just grest Scape goat !!! ... To help him will the upcoming Election ???  ...

 

Babies Over board ? ... or rotten South Americans ? ..  No that was actually not true !!! ..  It as an Un vaccinated Rich ? and Successfull Serb ! .. who tried to break the rules ! .??? .. because he did not like them ??? ... So yes a very good target ! ... and Scomo might be the worlds best <Deleted> scammer !!! ... But well you can not underestimate him ... Unfortunately !!! ... I think !!! 

[Thunglom]

4 hours ago, Enzian said:

seems to be a Thai thing....

[SiSePuede419]

6 hours ago, ASEAN NOW said:

At least when betting you had a chance - if you worked hard and studied the form - of beating the odds. Insurance is a gamble that can only pay off if the worst happens.

Yeah, fire insurance only pays out if your house burns down.  Who wants that? 

 

The point is that it will replace something that would be difficult for you to cough up the money to do so.

 

Every Farang can afford hospitalization costs for COVID at government hospitals and many can afford private hospitals.

 

So the insurance was unnecessary.

 

I'd advise you to maintain fire insurance.  Everything in Thailand is cheap including the insulation on the wiring in your attic.

[mikosan]

Nice one Rooster.  A good read, as always.

 

[Stargeezr]

Rooster, thanks for providing us with more chuckles.  I agree that no matter how rich or famous you are,

get vaccinated.  As many doctors have said, there are few reasons that a person cannot get the vaccine,

and an in shape person, basically only has excuses. Good Luck in the next few weeks with the increasing COVID numbers

due to the omicron variant.  

[jerrymahoney]

I'll just note that health insurance is always a bad deal -- you likely will pay in more than you will ever get out -- except for those for whom it isn't.

[kwaussie]

Great read as always, keep up the great work.

[jcmj]

Wow! Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed with his britches in his ass. To each their own. Some points were spot on, others just showed a negative Nancy looking to complain. At least you’ll get support here with all the other moaners. 

[BritManToo]

15 hours ago, Enzian said:

 

[mrbojangles]

14 hours ago, roquefort said:

I for one can forgive you since you've "come out" as Tottenham supporter. We're a long-suffering bunch and need all the emotional help we can get. Come to think of it, we should probably start a support group ,,,,,, call it Spurs Anonymous for want of something more original!

They need you help in here ????

 

[Bendi]

One of your best Rooster. A nice read and a great run. The best to you and family in this exiting new year.

[HappyinNE]

Give it a rest - it’s only like a woman waitressing in the US, albeit weighing 30 kilos less.   Great line.  30 kg is about correct unfortunately.  

[BostonRob2]

20 hours ago, jimn said:

Some good stuff, great humour but way too long. I got bored halfway through and stopped reading.

Try Twitter, or if that is too challenging, postage stamps.

[BostonRob2]

4 hours ago, Bendi said:

One of your best Rooster. A nice read and a great run. The best to you and family in this exiting new year.

Thank you very much. BTW did you mean exciting - as I'm not planning on going anywhere.

[BostonRob2]

7 hours ago, mrbojangles said:

They need you help in here ????

 

Harry and the lads are my insurance against boredom.

[BostonRob2]

8 hours ago, BritManToo said:

 

Goodness gracious great balls of fear.

[BostonRob2]

23 hours ago, Stevemercer said:

'If I get sick I go to Google, the Pharmacy, the Doctor and the ATM in that order. '

 

I'm surprised you don't seek advice on the ASEAN NOW forums, like many posters!

I do actually and have found people to be very helpful once you sift the wheat from the chaff. In my early days on the forum before I worked for the site one post saved me 100,000 baht. Another later pointed me in the direction of a brilliant eye doctor who saved me money and improved my health. There are many excellent aspects to ASEAN NOW. 

 

Not least of all my column of course ????

 

Thx for reading.

[BostonRob2]

8 hours ago, jcmj said:

Wow! Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed with his britches in his ass. To each their own. Some points were spot on, others just showed a negative Nancy looking to complain. At least you’ll get support here with all the other moaners. 

Thanks for the general theory of negativity. Have you thought of applying for a Noble prize.

[BostonRob2]

9 hours ago, kwaussie said:

Great read as always, keep up the great work.

Cheers and thanks.

 

So what do you think of the Aussie court's Novax decision today. Overturned with costs....titter!

[jacko45k]

5 minutes ago, BostonRob2 said:

Thanks for the general theory of negativity. Have you thought of applying for a Noble prize.

What, like a Nighthood? (sic)

Edited January 10, 2022 by jacko45k