Strange and annoying things here in land of smiles

[GammaGlobulin]

12 minutes ago, marcusb said:

I bought a brand new iPhone SE at  a nationwide electronics shop in Loei. She unpacked it and started setting it up. I told I will do that at home, no worries.  I go home spend an hour setting it up and the thing is hot to the touch.  I let it rest and play some more and still gets really hot.  Next day take it back to the shop to exchange- no way, can not must send to Udon to authorized repair!   3 or 4 weeks was estimated repair time.  

 I will test everything now before paying and going home. 

 

 

Also, impossible to return a phone, even if only an hour old.

It disgusting.

I insisted upon returning a phone when the dumb clerk opened it and began setting it up without my permission.

I had no way of knowing if the phone was new or not...he had broken the Samsung seal away from my presence.

What a wingnut.

But, the store refused to give me replacement in an unopened box.

 

NEVER BUY in Thailand.

This is the only solution.

Buy Amazon, etc.

At least you get decent after sales service.

 

Staff are always poorly trained, except for one I like at JIB, who is intelligent.

 

[NanLaew]

On 1/8/2025 at 5:03 PM, proton said:

Looking at something in the shop for ages, fridges, tiles, tv's etc with the assistant hovering. Finally Mrs decides which one she wants only to be instantly informed- NO HAVE. Ok we will have the second choice- NO HAVE, you know there is no point asking why they did not tell you before. Looking at a fridge once on special offer today and tomorrow, bloke measured it up for us, decide we will have it- NO HAVE mrs asked, oh sold them all already- er no not get in shop yet. 

 

How on earth do you, the OP and people like you manage to get through each day here?

 

I know one chap up where I live who carps on about similar annoyances, but he's skint and trapped here.

 

So what's your excuse?

[it is what it is]

 

there’s like 20 staffs standing there looking at you

 

i've told you a million times not to exaggerate.

 

though in truth, sounds like thailand may not be the place for you.

[BarBoy]

40 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

How on earth do you, the OP and people like you manage to get through each day here?

 

I know one chap up where I live who carps on about similar annoyances, but he's skint and trapped here.

 

So what's your excuse?

Some of us are just masochistic by nature..

[dingdongrb]

Oh, the other thing that annoys me is when I go to a petrol station such as PTT and the first thing they do is put that magnetic placard on my hood.

[BarBoy]

35 minutes ago, it is what it is said:

though in truth, sounds like thailand may not be the place for you

Thailand should change it's ways and become more logical. 

[BarBoy]

Just now, dingdongrb said:

Oh, the other thing that annoys me is when I go to a petrol station such as PTT and the first thing they do is put that magnetic placard on my hood.

Well said. So bloody infuriating.

 

And how about the free cat piss water they give out?

 

The amount of plastic wasted here is atrocious.

[SiSePuede419]

I recommend you stay away from mushrooms. 🍄‍🟫

[FritsSikkink]

On 1/8/2025 at 3:15 PM, villageidiotY2K said:

Hi folks, as the subject i have been thinking for a while and want to let it go about these bizzare and mostly annoying behavior of our citizens of los 

 

1. when you buy electronics such as 50k baht iphone or a flat screen tv 

thai staff open up the brand new phone fiddling with their possibly dirty hands 

Shows you that the phone actually starts 

then stuffing everything back inside the box like being scratch ain’t their problem 

2. When you buy a new car thai staff rides your car without much care then proceeds to put a dirty dealer logo and a big silly ribbon on the bonnet possibly scratching a few  and demands to take a picture as if  they added any value to the sale without making customers annoyed or worried 

not to mention the horror stories of their so called after service 

like ur taking it to them to get more damages , depreciates and what not 

 

3. When you go to a Home Depot like places , there’s like 20 staffs standing there looking at you , following you, begging to ask them for something  I feel like being hunted and if I reply maipenrai they start coughing or clicking pens like it’s not my fault u gotta do this 

 

I just strongly feel it’s so bizzare and upsets me when I encounter these moments with the citizens of los and can ruin my mood and day 

 

On the contradictory it’s alright to have some booze with the citizens of los 

what ever class they are from 

 

Amy one feel me?

 

 

No, see a doctor.

[Rampant Rabbit]

On 1/8/2025 at 7:56 PM, riclag said:

I  went car shopping

Im doing that now but its  like dealing with retards, told the wife  tell em exactly what you want 

Toyota  Corolla  Premium Luxury NEW ONLY/colour etc and  that we are cash buyers dont want any stupid tinted windows or window deflectors , mats, vouchers or any other worthless  crap  and the maximum budget of 1050000 baht  ( thatll make em wince) list 1.2million

Most offfer the wrong  model the wrong colour, some secondhand...................duh its "cant you read time" with them.

Anyway you c an cleave at least 100k off a  current corolla premium luxury but Im after another 50k, will see what transpires

Toyota sells  a lot more Yaris Cross than Corolla  Cross although both are crap IMO but its fer the wife and its her money, no she doesnt want electric, buyers market dont know how many of these sellers stay in business

[alien365]

For me, what's strange is when I order food and they bring my warm rice, then it sits going cold for 15 minutes before they bring the rest of the food I ordered. 

[Sifi]

I bought a Balmuda Oven from Central to bring back to Australia. When the salesman looked like he was about to open the box to show me it works I stopped him. He didn't mind. 

[black tabby12345]

Fortunately, no  people-related troubles  around me.

But I have met countless attempted dog attacks since my settlement here in late 2005.

I first carried around firecrackers and lighter to scare them away.

Then I switched to homemade high-capacity tear gas spray(with the range of 7 yards).

When they show clear sign of aggression(deep wrinkles on their nose and bare teeth), I shoot them with that.

 

 

And they dash away instantly; it works 100% all the time.

They cannot stand for the cocktail of vinegar, chili, and pepper: Dogs' 3 worst hates.

 

Eventually, such dogs started to avoid me; I haven't used it since 2023.

Even though I still carry it around with me when I go outside.

It is also useful to help someone else out under dog attacks.

 

[StayinThailand2much]

On 1/8/2025 at 2:45 PM, villageidiotY2K said:

3. When you go to a Home Depot like places , there’s like 20 staffs standing there looking at you , following you,

 

Not sure about Home Depot, but strange having staff in malls following you, who then suddenly talk to you from behind or the side in Thai, expecting you to understand their sales pitch, and if you ask them a simple question in English they won't understand a word... 😆 

[Bluetongue]

There seems to be a lot of people living here with low tolerance. I’ve experienced all that stuff and I couldn’t gaf

[richard_smith237]

41 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Not sure about Home Depot, but strange having staff in malls following you, who then suddenly talk to you from behind or the side in Thai, expecting you to understand their sales pitch, and if you ask them a simple question in English they won't understand a word... 😆 

 

I find it quite amusing they way they follow you around...  

... I'll be looking at TV's... 2 or 3 will be following you, ready to help if you need it...

The one of them will build up the courage and state "TV !!!"....  

 

Of course, they are just trying their hardest.... and sometimes they can be quite helpful if we give them a chance. 

 

In places like HomePro instead of walking around from isle to isle looking for what I want, I just ask someone and save time getting taken straight to the right area.... 

 

 

And... regarding language barrier... I often won't know the Thai word for something I looking for...  such as tile grouting or silicon sealant etc...   But the staff aren't stupid - show them a photo of what we want !!... Help them help us, thats all they are trying to do.

 

 

 

 

[Burma Bill]

On 1/8/2025 at 3:15 PM, villageidiotY2K said:

Hi folks, as the subject i have been thinking for a while and want to let it go about these bizzare and mostly annoying behavior of our citizens of los 

 

1. when you buy electronics such as 50k baht iphone or a flat screen tv 

thai staff open up the brand new phone fiddling with their possibly dirty hands 

Shows you that the phone actually starts 

then stuffing everything back inside the box like being scratch ain’t their problem 

2. When you buy a new car thai staff rides your car without much care then proceeds to put a dirty dealer logo and a big silly ribbon on the bonnet possibly scratching a few  and demands to take a picture as if  they added any value to the sale without making customers annoyed or worried 

not to mention the horror stories of their so called after service 

like ur taking it to them to get more damages , depreciates and what not 

 

3. When you go to a Home Depot like places , there’s like 20 staffs standing there looking at you , following you, begging to ask them for something  I feel like being hunted and if I reply maipenrai they start coughing or clicking pens like it’s not my fault u gotta do this 

 

I just strongly feel it’s so bizzare and upsets me when I encounter these moments with the citizens of los and can ruin my mood and day 

 

On the contradictory it’s alright to have some booze with the citizens of los 

what ever class they are from 

 

Amy one feel me?

 

 

 

For reference:

 

Here in Siem Reap, Cambodia, most boxed electrical goods are opened by the staff so that the goods can be seen working (or not) when plugged into an electricity supply. The purchaser can then buy and the box repacked. MAKRO in Siem Reap is a good example, where I recently purchased an LED desk light after testing. IMO this behaviour is not bizarre or annoying, it is "peace of mind" knowing what I bought works properly. 

[snowgard]

On 1/8/2025 at 3:15 PM, villageidiotY2K said:

Hi folks, as the subject i have been thinking for a while and want to let it go about these bizzare and mostly annoying behavior of our citizens of los 

 

1. when you buy electronics such as 50k baht iphone or a flat screen tv 

thai staff open up the brand new phone fiddling with their possibly dirty hands 

Shows you that the phone actually starts 

then stuffing everything back inside the box like being scratch ain’t their problem 

2. When you buy a new car thai staff rides your car without much care then proceeds to put a dirty dealer logo and a big silly ribbon on the bonnet possibly scratching a few  and demands to take a picture as if  they added any value to the sale without making customers annoyed or worried 

not to mention the horror stories of their so called after service 

like ur taking it to them to get more damages , depreciates and what not 

 

3. When you go to a Home Depot like places , there’s like 20 staffs standing there looking at you , following you, begging to ask them for something  I feel like being hunted and if I reply maipenrai they start coughing or clicking pens like it’s not my fault u gotta do this 

 

I just strongly feel it’s so bizzare and upsets me when I encounter these moments with the citizens of los and can ruin my mood and day 

 

On the contradictory it’s alright to have some booze with the citizens of los 

what ever class they are from 

 

Amy one feel me?

 

 

 

Better go HOME man!!! Thailand is not the right place for you!

[Kinnock]

Us foreigners make up a tiny % of their customers, so all the complaints in the whining OP are customer service requirements for the majority of their customers.

 

With the limited product warranties here, Thai customers will expect the staff to set up and test electronic items so they can see them working.  This even applies to smaller items like light bulbs - and in a Homepro they have a lighting board ro test the bulbs.

 

If you don't want your new mobile or TV deboxing and setting up, just tell them.  I just say "mai Tong krap' when the reach for the Stanley knife to open a box.

 

The high staff numbers in Homepro is no problem to me, and there's usually a department specialist amongst all the general 'light bulb testing' sales staff who can offer real advice .... but you'd need to be able to speak Thai.

 

The magnetic sign in the gas stations serves a safety purpose .... unlike in most of the West they are not self service stations, so the sign is to stop you driving off with the pump nozzle still in your tank.  And I've just sold my 6 year old high km car - and the paintwork still look new with no scratches on the hood .... so that's not even a real issue.

 

I also picked up our new car recently, and the Missus had a lucky day and time to collect the car .... and she expected a bit of ceremony for the big day.

 

So no, Thailand is not like the grey, miserable West .... and it's all the better for it's unique customs. 

 

[Kinok Farang]

On 1/8/2025 at 3:15 PM, villageidiotY2K said:

Hi folks, as the subject i have been thinking for a while and want to let it go about these bizzare and mostly annoying behavior of our citizens of los 

 

1. when you buy electronics such as 50k baht iphone or a flat screen tv 

thai staff open up the brand new phone fiddling with their possibly dirty hands 

Shows you that the phone actually starts 

then stuffing everything back inside the box like being scratch ain’t their problem 

2. When you buy a new car thai staff rides your car without much care then proceeds to put a dirty dealer logo and a big silly ribbon on the bonnet possibly scratching a few  and demands to take a picture as if  they added any value to the sale without making customers annoyed or worried 

not to mention the horror stories of their so called after service 

like ur taking it to them to get more damages , depreciates and what not 

 

3. When you go to a Home Depot like places , there’s like 20 staffs standing there looking at you , following you, begging to ask them for something  I feel like being hunted and if I reply maipenrai they start coughing or clicking pens like it’s not my fault u gotta do this 

 

I just strongly feel it’s so bizzare and upsets me when I encounter these moments with the citizens of los and can ruin my mood and day 

 

On the contradictory it’s alright to have some booze with the citizens of los 

what ever class they are from 

 

Amy one feel me?

 

 

I go to Home Depot 2 or 3 times a week.

Never buy anything but am guaranteed someone to talk to because i don't have any friends.

[kingstonkid]

On 1/8/2025 at 3:15 PM, villageidiotY2K said:

Hi folks, as the subject i have been thinking for a while and want to let it go about these bizzare and mostly annoying behavior of our citizens of los 

 

1. when you buy electronics such as 50k baht iphone or a flat screen tv 

thai staff open up the brand new phone fiddling with their possibly dirty hands 

Shows you that the phone actually starts 

then stuffing everything back inside the box like being scratch ain’t their problem 

2. When you buy a new car thai staff rides your car without much care then proceeds to put a dirty dealer logo and a big silly ribbon on the bonnet possibly scratching a few  and demands to take a picture as if  they added any value to the sale without making customers annoyed or worried 

not to mention the horror stories of their so called after service 

like ur taking it to them to get more damages , depreciates and what not 

 

3. When you go to a Home Depot like places , there’s like 20 staffs standing there looking at you , following you, begging to ask them for something  I feel like being hunted and if I reply maipenrai they start coughing or clicking pens like it’s not my fault u gotta do this 

 

I just strongly feel it’s so bizzare and upsets me when I encounter these moments with the citizens of los and can ruin my mood and day 

 

On the contradictory it’s alright to have some booze with the citizens of los 

what ever class they are from 

 

Amy one feel me?

 

 

 

I have the opposite. It is when they don't check to make sure it works

 

They don't ask if I need help because they fear they must speak English.

 

As far as the bow on the bonnet,  all the bonnets I have ever seen have a bow wither on top or where they are tied under the chin.

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

On 1/8/2025 at 9:15 PM, villageidiotY2K said:

Hi folks, as the subject i have been thinking for a while and want to let it go about these bizzare and mostly annoying behavior of our citizens of los 

 

1. when you buy electronics such as 50k baht iphone or a flat screen tv 

thai staff open up the brand new phone fiddling with their possibly dirty hands 

Shows you that the phone actually starts 

then stuffing everything back inside the box like being scratch ain’t their problem 

2. When you buy a new car thai staff rides your car without much care then proceeds to put a dirty dealer logo and a big silly ribbon on the bonnet possibly scratching a few  and demands to take a picture as if  they added any value to the sale without making customers annoyed or worried 

not to mention the horror stories of their so called after service 

like ur taking it to them to get more damages , depreciates and what not 

 

3. When you go to a Home Depot like places , there’s like 20 staffs standing there looking at you , following you, begging to ask them for something  I feel like being hunted and if I reply maipenrai they start coughing or clicking pens like it’s not my fault u gotta do this 

 

I just strongly feel it’s so bizzare and upsets me when I encounter these moments with the citizens of los and can ruin my mood and day 

 

On the contradictory it’s alright to have some booze with the citizens of los 

what ever class they are from 

 

Amy one feel me?

 

 

Sounds like you would be happier back in home country, if little things like that upset you.

 

50,000 baht for a phone

[Delta Shift]

The only thing that bothers me with Thais is their fickle personality.

One day they're smiling, the next they are pissed for no reason.

Zero consistency, no self-control. Annoying.

[thaibeachlovers]

On 1/11/2025 at 7:33 AM, Kinnock said:

So no, Thailand is not like the grey, miserable West .... and it's all the better for it's unique customs. 

Absolutely. The West sucks. Almost impossible to find someone to help when one has a problem- too greedy to hire enough staff. I sometimes use one of those huge Home Depot type places and only 2 checkout staff. Have to q for ages.

[marin]

2 minutes ago, Delta Shift said:

The only thing that bothers me with Thais is their fickle personality.

One day they're smiling, the next they are pissed for no reason.

Zero consistency, no self-control. Annoying.

Pretty broad paintbrush you are using. "All Thai's", no a few moody ones who you have happened upon.  

[thaibeachlovers]

On 1/10/2025 at 3:08 AM, GammaGlobulin said:

I insisted upon returning a phone when the dumb clerk opened it and began setting it up without my permission.

When they refused you should have walked away. Up to you if you stayed.

 

I never had any problems like that. Seems some are trouble magnets.

[Delta Shift]

1 minute ago, marin said:

Pretty broad paintbrush you are using. "All Thai's", no a few moody ones who you have happened upon.  

 

Not all Thais but a substantial part of the population imo.

Just my personal experience.

[cjinchiangrai]

On 1/8/2025 at 5:03 PM, proton said:

Looking at something in the shop for ages, fridges, tiles, tv's etc with the assistant hovering. Finally Mrs decides which one she wants only to be instantly informed- NO HAVE. Ok we will have the second choice- NO HAVE, you know there is no point asking why they did not tell you before. Looking at a fridge once on special offer today and tomorrow, bloke measured it up for us, decide we will have it- NO HAVE mrs asked, oh sold them all already- er no not get in shop yet. 

And they won't sell you the one on display. Home Depot would sell in a heartbeat. No need for a display without inventory.

[marin]

6 minutes ago, Delta Shift said:

Not all Thais but a substantial part of the population imo.

Just my personal experience.

Get out of the tourist areas. I have no idea where you are hanging but I feel sorry for you. 

[thaibeachlovers]

2 minutes ago, Delta Shift said:

 

Not all Thais but a substantial part of the population imo.

Just my personal experience.

Completely different experience to mine.

 

BTW, I don't believe you have personal experience with a "substantial part of the population", given how many million of them there are.

 

I get the feeling that those that complain live in touristed places. Away from such and horrid cities like Bkk the people are usually lovely to deal with. Wonderful shop keepers in the village- so helpful.