On 9/21/2025 at 5:52 AM, edwinchester said:

There are laws in Thailand against such antisocial behaviour as burning but the problem is the laws are so rarely enforced that people carry on archaic practices with no regard for the impact on others. Authorities must decide whether they are going to follow the law or give up and allow people to carry on ruining the environment for others.

 

I think you're highlighting a fundamental problem that also applies to dealings with the police and all authorities in the country: how do you enforce the law in a culture that eschews confrontation and loss of face? 

 

It would explain most of what we farangs find baffling or even criminal about Thai legal machinations, contortions, delays and bizarre outcomes.

Kind of like buying land by a Wat and complaining about the noise...

20 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

Maybe he took it too far but I have nothing by sympathy for the people that don't know anything before making the move and investing in to property only to have their dreams shattered.

 

Don't think it's just foreigners. Most Thai people would simply know better than to move there but they would hate it all the same. 

 

When I was with my first wife in Pattaya, we bought a nice townhouse on the outskirts and on the end of a 3-unit row and a retired Norwegian guy bought the one in the other end. The woman that bought the middle one, rented it out and the first tenants opened a 24-hour scooter repair shop. That was bloody noisy at all hours but luckily, the business folded and they left. The next tenant used the place for dance rehearsals for one of the main lady boy shows. They started out polite enough and their rehearsals were in the daytime while I was on the beach or elsewhere so no worries. But over time, their after-show parties got louder and rowdier and ran later. Then the all night card games and just being arses started. Eventually the ex- managed to synchronise a 3 am police visit with a raucous card game and after several got busted for drugs, they all left. Fearing another bad neighbour experience, the ex- spoke to the owner, made an offer and bought the place. Knocked through walls and made it deceptively palatial...abd quiet at last.

 

Then the city decided to install a new drainage system (between what's now Buakhao and Third Road), raising the street level by well over a meter, making my car port unusable and my ground floor like a basement. Sold the lot to the retired Norwegian.

6 hours ago, grain said:

That's what everyone believes at first, but live here long enough and you'll get to see beyond that. A Thai confronting another Thai with a complaint rarely gets a "Oh I'm so sorry, I had no idea I was annoying you, I'll cease immediately" type of response. Instead they'll have a major issue that could easily turn nasty. Thais go to great lengths to avoid confontation for fear of the situation escalating out of hand.

 

Yeah. I've only lived here for about thirty years so I probably need to get out more.

22 hours ago, Packer said:

Take that poor Thai farmer for everything he's worth! 

 

That's the spirit. 

Sarky.

On 9/21/2025 at 5:27 AM, Gottfrid said:

Can´t afford?! Don´t do stupid things, then. Pay up and shut up

Oh so harsh.
He did not know it was stupid until the farang told him

On 9/21/2025 at 7:48 AM, nahkit said:

Yes, the article doesn't make it clear but this part makes it sound like the farmer was there first :-

 

"Initially, the couple engaged with Samoe during construction" 

What? How did they engage with him if he was there first? They were passing by? Are you high?

He lives in a country where the burning season exist and a farming area.My friend lives in udon and she has a wood burning cooker or fire plus inside cooker as well.But as a farang living there you accept a thai life with a thai partner.Sueing them for100k is over the top for a start and  upsetting locals is not a good idea.

    In the big cities if the farang upsets the thai person you are asking for trouble anyway in a bar or city area for night life.Better to say nothing walk away  and not upset thais,You will lose  the agruement everytime you are the farang

 

21 hours ago, Trippy said:

Anyways, it's not up to any foreigner to try to change Thailand. 

Yet often crime fighting here only swings into action after criticism in the media.  If the sentiment is vocal enough, (remember farangs also have Thai partners/families) then change can be achieved.

4 hours ago, bristolgeoff said:

He lives in a country where the burning season exist and a farming area.My friend lives in udon and she has a wood burning cooker or fire plus inside cooker as well.But as a farang living there you accept a thai life with a thai partner.Sueing them for100k is over the top for a start and  upsetting locals is not a good idea.

    In the big cities if the farang upsets the thai person you are asking for trouble anyway in a bar or city area for night life.Better to say nothing walk away  and not upset thais,You will lose  the agruement everytime you are the farang

 

Typical spinless speech we hear every time. Don't upset dee locals, berry beery dangerous...

9 hours ago, captnhoy said:

What? How did they engage with him if he was there first? They were passing by? Are you high?

Think you're the one on drugs.

 

Do you understand the meaning of "engage"? 

 

 

On 9/21/2025 at 1:42 PM, KhunBENQ said:

What can you expect?

Whenever I get excited (after 5 min or so) that someone in front or on our plot lets his stinky health hazard Diesel truck running for no purpose, I get an evil eye.

If it's on the road in front I get a "he can do, not your road".

Daily life in Thailand.

Neighbors still starting the charcoal fire with some tire rubber.

I have to bite my tongue!

Right next door burning pallet boards full of toxic oil. YUMMY ! Toxic moo ping.