What's so good about Thailand?

[Ralf001]

10 minutes ago, Lancelot said:

I think Bob is pulling our collective chains, but he has brought out the quality expats here ????

 

I hear many Western guys remark how "free" they are in Thailand and the Philippines. Is it freedom or an opportunity to be selfish and no consideration for others? They often rail about life in their home country, but I suspect many guys would be quite content there if they could break the law with impunity and enjoy a relatively high economic position back home, like they have in SE Asia. In reality some are just envious of the Western super wealthy and powerful that seem to be above the law, so they come to SE Asia, to engage in the same selfish behavior. 

 

On another forum I once remarked how polite Australian drivers were, stopping at cross walks and yielding to pedestrians. (Really enjoyed visiting OZ) One guy trolled me that, like @Ralf001, he loved driving in The Philippines, where he didn't have to stop for pedestrians and resented USA law enforcement for enforcing cross walk rules. His post got 50 likes and he was elevated to Hero of The Board, 555. (Remember the Thai cop that killed a Thai lady doctor in a Bangkok cross walk?)

 

Yes there are expats here that respect others, but Thailand is a magnet for guys that want to live a "It's all about me!" life. 

 

No wonder the locals look down on us... 

 

 

I could live in my home country quiet content...

BUT.... the place is over priced, over taxed, run by morons, and many of the populace have turned into new age woke F-wits.

Yeah, not for me.

I 100% respect Thai people and their country.. but if the police want to be lax with enforcement I will take advantage of it !!

 

[Tippaporn]

3 hours ago, Lancelot said:

I think Bob is pulling our collective chains, but he has brought out the quality expats here ????

 

I hear many Western guys remark how "free" they are in Thailand and the Philippines. Is it freedom or an opportunity to be selfish and no consideration for others? They often rail about life in their home country, but I suspect many guys would be quite content there if they could break the law with impunity and enjoy a relatively high economic position back home, like they have in SE Asia. In reality some are just envious of the Western super wealthy and powerful that seem to be above the law, so they come to SE Asia, to engage in the same selfish behavior. 

 

On another forum I once remarked how polite Australian drivers were, stopping at cross walks and yielding to pedestrians. (Really enjoyed visiting OZ) One guy trolled me that, like @Ralf001, he loved driving in The Philippines, where he didn't have to stop for pedestrians and resented USA law enforcement for enforcing cross walk rules. His post got 50 likes and he was elevated to Hero of The Board, 555. (Remember the Thai cop that killed a Thai lady doctor in a Bangkok cross walk?)

 

Yes there are expats here that respect others, but Thailand is a magnet for guys that want to live a "It's all about me!" life. 

 

No wonder the locals look down on us...

That's quite a unique perspective, definitely slanted, but one that I hadn't heard before.  Slanted in the sense that you question whether those who remark about relishing the freedom in Thailand are here because of true freedom or inconsiderate selfishness.  The body of your post most definitely exposes your sentiment, and that is that, nah, these freedom loving posters aren't here because of true freedom.  They're definitely here because they enjoy breaking laws.

I find it fascinating how people's beliefs colour and form their perceptions of reality and they are usually completely unaware of the process of how their perceptions are shaped.

For myself there is little I value more than freedom.  I should add that there is much I value which rates as high.  Ironically Asia was one of the last destinations I would have ever chosen if the trip was on my dime.  I was sent here on a temporary job for 2-1/2 weeks.  Now I've traveled to enough wonderful countries and wherever I've gone I've often fancied myself living there.  But the attraction was never enough for me to actually make a move.  Thailand, though, convinced me in a heartbeat that this was where I wanted to be.  The number one attraction was the Thai people.  The number two attraction was the freedom available here which in large measure had vanished over the previous 4 decades in the U.S.  Largely due to the ever increasing number of laws prohibiting actions which one was earlier free to take.

 

As a for instance, I was pleasantly surprised the very first time I was entertained by an extended Thai family and their friends with food and drink.  As the alcohol ran down a young boy was collared by a family member, given some money and told to run down to the local store and buy some more beer.  He might have been about 10 years old.  Now I understood well that there was no harm in this and that no one was concerned that the boy would cop a bottle for himself.  It simply wasn't part of the Thai culture.

Now in any western country this would be highly illegal.  But apparently not in Thailand.  Which makes one question the absoluteness of laws.  Or the justness of laws.  Or the appropriateness of laws.  I think most would agree that there are a great deal of unjust laws in the west.  My sentiment has always been that if personal action intends and involves no harm to others then there should be no law prohibiting that action.  Unfortunately, a good percentage of laws restricting freedoms that are passed in the west are always trumpeted and sold as being for "your safety."  I suffer no guilty conscience breaking any of those laws.

So, yes, it is all about me and my freedom.  But that doesn't at all mean that the pursuit of my freedom must come at the expense of someone else.  Am I selfish when it comes to my freedom.  Absolutely.  Selfishness is not inherently a bad thing, as you portray it, Lancelot.  To tie it inextricably with inconsiderateness is faulty logic.  As long as you do tie the two together in inseparable marriage you skew your perception.

 

 

[save the frogs]

27 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

Unfortunately, a good percentage of laws restricting freedoms that are passed in the west are always trumpeted and sold as being for "your safety."

your argument seems to be a logical fallacy.

 

you're complaining that laws in the west are not for your safety, but then thailand is renowned for having dangerous roads. 

 

cops stopping people from acting crazy on the roads IS for safety. they don't just do it because they're on a power trip. 

 

I get that driving fast is fun. I even almost paid the 400$ to go see a Formula 1 race once. But I think we need to have dedicated race tracks for people who like to drive fast. Not use the streets as a personal race track.

 

Even if you are a Formuala 1 driver, there's way too many bad drivers on the roads. And the roads are way too busy with pedestrians/cyclists/tuk tuks/scooters for anyone to make a compelling argument that it's ok to drive fast. 

 

Bring back SLOW DRIVING. 

 

Edited August 20, 2023 by save the frogs

[Tippaporn]

11 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

your argument seems to be a logical fallacy.

 

you're complaining that laws in the west are not for your safety, but then thailand is renowned for having dangerous roads. 

 

cops stopping people from acting crazy on the roads IS for safety. they don't just do it because they're on a power trip. 

 

I get that driving fast is fun. I even almost paid the 400$ to go see a Formula 1 race once. But I think we need to have dedicated race tracks for people who like to drive fast. Not use the streets as a personal race track.

 

Even if you are a Formuala 1 driver, there's way too many bad drivers on the roads. And the roads are way too busy with pedestrians/cyclists/tuk tuks/scooters for anyone to make a compelling argument that it's ok to drive fast. 

 

Bring back SLOW DRIVING. 

 

"your argument seems to be a logical fallacy."

Good that you qualified your statement with "seems."

"you're complaining that laws in the west are not for your safety . . . "

Did you misquote me here?

 

39 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

Unfortunately, a good percentage of laws restricting freedoms that are passed in the west are always trumpeted and sold as being for "your safety." 

". . . but then thailand is renowned for having dangerous roads."

I'm sure you will vociferously disagree but dangerous is a relative term.  Speed, for instance, is not inherently dangerous.

 

“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?”

― George Carlin

Carlin understood the relativity of it.

 

From one of my earlier posts, as I assume you hadn't read them.

  

On 8/18/2023 at 7:22 PM, Tippaporn said:

An action can be highly dangerous under one scenario but perfectly safe under a different scenario.  Common sense works wonderfully in guiding your actions.

"Even if you are a Formuala 1 driver, there's way too many bad drivers on the roads."

 

Do you trust yourself enough to keep you safe from bad drivers?  Okay, that's a question for advanced souls.  You can skip answering that one. 

 

Try this one.  Does driving fast when conditions warrant it make one a bad driver?  If I drive faster than you does that automatically define me as a maniac?  A bad driver if I drive slower and am in front of you?

 

"And the roads are way too busy with pedestrians/cyclists/tuk tuks/scooters for anyone to make a compelling argument that it's ok to drive fast."

Have I made any such argument that it's okay to drive fast under any and all circumstances?

Do you possess the common sense necessary to determine when it's okay to drive fast and when it's not?  Would you claim that I don't use common sense when I drive?  Or that I don't possess the common sense necessary to determine when it's okay to drive fast and when it's not?

[save the frogs]

1 minute ago, Tippaporn said:

Have I made any such argument that it's okay to drive fast under any and all circumstances?

so you wake up at 5 AM on sunday mornings to drive fast? 

 

what's the psychology behind the guy who always needs to drive fast and rev the engine? to me, it's like the guy who needs to have a pitbull as a pet. 

 

 

[transam]

2 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

so you wake up at 5 AM on sunday mornings to drive fast? 

 

what's the psychology behind the guy who always needs to drive fast and rev the engine? to me, it's like the guy who needs to have a pitbull as a pet. 

 

 

Not really, we all probably have different hobby's, what is yours......?...????

[save the frogs]

11 minutes ago, transam said:

Not really, we all probably have different hobby's, what is yours......?...????

you were poster of the year on here? seriously? i find it hard to believe. 

[Tippaporn]

19 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

so you wake up at 5 AM on sunday mornings to drive fast? 

 

what's the psychology behind the guy who always needs to drive fast and rev the engine? to me, it's like the guy who needs to have a pitbull as a pet.

Are you averse to having an intelligent discussion?  A fine, rational post by me asking multiple questions of you to which you answer none, comment on nothing written, and reply with utter nonsense.  Sometimes I truly wonder why I spend time here.

 

Edited August 20, 2023 by Tippaporn

[save the frogs]

Just now, Tippaporn said:

Are you averse to having a discussion?  A fine, rational post by me asking multiple questions of you to which you answer none, comment on nothing written, and reply with utter nonsense.  Sometimes I truly wonder why I spend time here.

You never know when a cat will cross the road. 

Adrenaline is over-rated and symptomatic of unresolved issues. 

That's my argument for slowing down.

What was your question? 

[transam]

Just now, save the frogs said:

you were poster of the year on here? seriously? i find it hard to believe. 

Well, it seems hard to believe you can't accept folk have hobby's...

 

As for poster of the year, nice to see someone remembers....???? 

[transam]

6 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

You never know when a cat will cross the road. 

Adrenaline is over-rated and symptomatic of unresolved issues. 

That's my argument for slowing down.

What was your question? 

Are you smoking dope ..........?   

[save the frogs]

4 minutes ago, transam said:

Well, it seems hard to believe you can't accept folk have hobby's...

 

As for poster of the year, nice to see someone remembers....???? 

I don't consider driving a revved up car on the roads a hobby.

Fast cars should have dedicated race tracks. Like go-karting. 

Seriously, can you not satisfy your urge for speed with go-karting? Or do you enjoy the inherent risk of the road? 

And that's enough for me on this topic.

 

 

[save the frogs]

Just now, transam said:

Are you smoking dope ..........?   

No,

I was being sort of flippant.

But the argument stands. Animals can cross the roads abrubtly. Stupid people can cross roads abruptly. The need to drive your car like a Formula 1 driver is an over-rated form of enjoyment. Go get laid. 

I'm outta here. 

[Tippaporn]

2 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

You never know when a cat will cross the road. 

Adrenaline is over-rated and symptomatic of unresolved issues. 

That's my argument for slowing down.

What was your question? 

Clownish response tailored for the clownish world that's overtaking us.  If you're going to make a joke it's a chicken that crosses the road, not a cat. 

[Tippaporn]

3 minutes ago, transam said:

Are you smoking dope ..........?   

Wasn't hard to guess, was it? 

[Tippaporn]

2 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

No,

I was being sort of flippant.

But the argument stands. Animals can cross the roads abrubtly. Stupid people can cross roads abruptly. The need to drive your car like a Formula 1 driver is an over-rated form of enjoyment. Go get laid. 

I'm outta here. 

Is this exit another "the boy who cried wolf" exit again?

[transam]

4 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

I don't consider driving a revved up car on the roads a hobby.

Fast cars should have dedicated race tracks. Like go-karting. 

Seriously, can you not satisfy your urge for speed with go-karting? Or do you enjoy the inherent risk of the road? 

And that's enough for me on this topic.

 

 

So folk don't buy Ferrari, Bugatti, Corvettes, etc for road use...?  ????

[save the frogs]

1 minute ago, Tippaporn said:

Clownish response tailored for the clownish world that's overtaking us.  If you're going to make a joke it's a chicken that crosses the road, not a cat. 

It's not a joke.

I've nearly been hit by cars many times as a pedestrian. 

A couple of times, people driving out of their driveways like maniacs. 

I don't agree with what you're saying.

But I ain't gonna argue forever. 

 

[Tippaporn]

1 minute ago, save the frogs said:

It's not a joke.

I've nearly been hit by cars many times as a pedestrian. 

A couple of times, people driving out of their driveways like maniacs. 

I don't agree with what you're saying.

But I ain't gonna argue forever. 

 

You forgot the "Humph!!" 

[save the frogs]

6 minutes ago, transam said:

So folk don't buy Ferrari, Bugatti, Corvettes, etc for road use...?  ????

Yeah, that's a sad reality of the world we live in.

That streets are not designed to safely handle the horsepower of those cars. 

 

The Ferrari was modeled on Formula 1 racing cars, wasn't it?

Formula 1 drivers have dedicated tracks. 

 

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I rest my case. 

 

 

Edited August 20, 2023 by save the frogs

[transam]

1 minute ago, save the frogs said:

It's not a joke.

I've nearly been hit by cars many times as a pedestrian. 

A couple of times, people driving out of their driveways like maniacs. 

I don't agree with what you're saying.

But I ain't gonna argue forever. 

 

Sounds like you don't drive or not very observant to what's going on around you.....????

[transam]

Just now, save the frogs said:

Yeah, that's a sad reality of the world we live in.

That streets are not designed to safely handle the horsepower of those cars. 

 

The Ferrari was modeled on Formula 1 racing cars, wasn't it?

Formula 1 drivers have dedicated tracks. 

 

 

You seem to have a problem, chap...... 

[SAFETY FIRST]

32 minutes ago, transam said:

As for poster of the year, nice to see someone remembers....???? 

It's hard to forget. 

 

I reckon you're poster of the decade ????

[scottiejohn]

5 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

It's hard to forget. 

 

I reckon you're poster of the decade ????

I reckon you're possibly the decaded poster of the decade!

 

OOPS;  I meant to reference @transam not you!

Edited August 20, 2023 by scottiejohn

[transam]

4 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

It's hard to forget. 

 

I reckon you're poster of the decade ????

I am blushing now..................................????

[transam]

1 minute ago, scottiejohn said:

I reckon you're possibly the decaded poster of the decade!

 

OOPS;  I meant to reference @Transam not you!

????........SNP, fails again.............????

[scottiejohn]

6 minutes ago, transam said:

????........SNP, fails again.............????

Thank goodness!

Who wants that SNP bunch of left wing wokies running anything!

Edited August 20, 2023 by scottiejohn

[transam]

1 minute ago, scottiejohn said:

Thank goodness!

Who wants that SNP bunch of left wing wokies running anything!

Oh, sorry, I thought you were a left wing wokey............????

[Fat is a type of crazy]

I am in the ‘the young over exuberant drivers, and the older drivers hoping to relive their youth and dreaming their reflexes are what they once were, are best keeping to common sense speed limits for the safety of all’ camp. 

[K2938]

On 8/18/2023 at 9:38 AM, fredwiggy said:

Shootings happen here daily, as much per capita as the US. Just not as many mass shooting, yet. You don't hear about all of them because the media focuses on gold thefts, snakes in Bangkok houses and kids attacking others 5 against 1 with sticks.

Gun deaths per 100k population:
US:  15.6

Thailand: 3.1

https://wisevoter.com/country-rankings/gun-deaths-by-country/