12 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

georgieboi the floor mopper aint in Thailand.

I wonder when if it last visited and at what age!

2 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

I wonder when if it last visited and at what age!

Likely never been.

Just parroting stories he overhears from bed ridden patients in the hospital he mops floors in.

21 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Likely never been.

Just parroting stories he overhears from bed ridden patients in the hospital he mops floors in.

Unless of course it is one of the bed ridden patients retelling tales from the other inhabitants and staff!

22 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Best just stay indoors - then you can worry about the microwave exploding instead.

On this specific topic: the inanity of the post, the idiocy of an 'older guy' thinking about carrying a weapon is ridiculous and delusional.

That said: In the car, I carry a one of those extendable batons - but that also has a seatbelt cutter on it and a sharp point to break the glass of the car if stuck inside - Its not there as a weapon, but as a tool in an emergency to get out the car, or to get access to another car if someone else is stuck.

As far as wrong place wrong time - one would have to be extremely unlucky to be in a situation that can not be avoided or de-escalated. There are far greater risks around than the risk of a physical confrontation with another person - The risk of accidents is higher than anything else - crossing roads, uneven pavements, electrical flaws etc...

I don't know about your 'attitude' Georgia - but I've never been in any situation that cannot be avoided or de-escalated.

Last year I was out with a couple of lads after playing football - very late at night, sat outside a bar.

Aussie bogan types on another table, smoking dope, they started commenting loud enough for us to overhear - clearly trying to 'create a situation' - we simply ignored them and carried on our conversations, the idiots got bored and that was that - the situation 'could' have been escalated further by them, but whats the point in getting involved, I (we) would have just walked away - there's no need to be getting involved with anything like that - there's too much to lose, either if the police are involved after we hurt someone, or we get hurt ourselves - or god forbid, we end up on the pages of this forum "Brit involved in....."

True, I take the same attitude, I equate it to, if I come across a dog turd on the pavement I go around it, I do not try and find the dog or the dog owner who caused it to happen, just go around such things, that is my attitude to a certain type of person/situation too.

We can not take that attitude towards certain things like a threat to our livelihood or the property we live at/own etc but for the type of event you mentioned it is the best policy.

23 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Younger guy such as the Phuket thug will have an advantage over you with speed and power , you need weapons at our age

Not only that but now at 70 any sudden twists and turns as I try to dodge are liable to put my back out and leave me paralyzed and defenseless. My reactions are slightly slower now as well. A well landed blow'll leave me like that poor character in Phuket.

I slipped up on ice in Germany recently and it took two able bodied people to pick me back up. That feels bloody humiliating and depressing all at once 555. Same recently when I tripped over an uneven paving stone and was initially unable to move. Absolutely helpless if were to be knocked over or slip in a fight.

My mind tells me I am still somewhere between 20 and 55. My body is 70 and I constantly have to be aware of that.

I'm still quite fit and very healthy though and my legs can still move fast thank god.

Pepper spray can be very effective but people can often fight through it depending on the person and their training. There are also a very small amount of people who are immune to the effects. while a stun gun should stop someone dead in their tracks for a limited amount of time depending on where contact is made and how complete the contact is toy would need to be very close given whats able to be carried for self defense most likely. Both can be effective. The pepper spray may be the better option to utilize while creating distance from the threat.

Just remember, everything you see is a weapon. Everything

No knife, gun or pepper spray, thats ok, those chopsticks will enter the cranial cavity fairly easy trough the eye socket, nose or ear.

To be honest, if you're that close (you shouldn't be) then just use your thumbs

When I'm in the UK I always carry a folded walking stick with me all the time without fail, all it would take is someone to even threaten me with violence and that walking stick goes in to action.

Pepper spray is illegal in Thailand.

Legal Status: Under the Hazardous Substance Act B.E. 2535 (1992), possession of pepper spray is restricted, and violations can carry penalties.

Extract as follows:

The law stipulates that capsaicin, an active ingredient in pepper spray, is classified as a type 4 hazardous substance which is a controlled substance listed in the list of controlled substances attached to the notification of the Ministry of Industry. Manufacturing, importing, exporting or having in possession is considered an offense under the Hazardous Substance Act B.E. 2535 (1992), despite the fact that pepper spray is the best self-defense device. Due to such provisions of the law, people cannot legally exercise their rights or have freedoms to protect their lives or property using pepper spray;

(2) problems on the use of pepper spray for self-defense. The fact that the law does not allow anyone to possess pepper spray means that a person is also not entitled to use pepper spray even for self-defense.

https://dspace.spu.ac.th/server/api/core/bitstreams/0244c639-1b65-40c7-a867-94d4ae706b22/content

On 2/27/2026 at 4:48 PM, SAFETY FIRST said:

Whenever I'm out, I always carry my ATTITUDE.

Mind my own business, stay under the radar, respect others.

I find my safety is never at risk here living in beautiful Thailand

Just avoid the foreigners here, you'll be fine.

I agree about minding your own business and keeping under the radar. But beautiful Thailand. Did you see the the beating the Thai's gave that idiot in Pattaya ? You may be in the wrong place at the wrong time one day. They accept us they don't like us.

On 2/27/2026 at 7:57 PM, georgegeorgia said:

Mmmmm...I beg to differ

Sometimes wrong place wrong time you bump into someone who wants to look for a fight

Especially a monkey or a frightened ladyboy.

On 2/27/2026 at 4:52 PM, SAFETY FIRST said:

Why would I even be in conflict with a thug if I'm carrying my attitude.

There's always a reason, sadly it's people having the wrong attitude, looking for conflict.

When phrased this way "I'm carrying my attitude", It carries a negative undertone for a lot of people conjuring up a mean, disagreeable disposition. It's The Land of Smiles. Not the place for giving people the evil eye.

On 2/28/2026 at 4:43 PM, Slowhand225 said:

Just remember, everything you see is a weapon. Everything

No knife, gun or pepper spray, thats ok, those chopsticks will enter the cranial cavity fairly easy trough the eye socket, nose or ear.

To be honest, if you're that close (you shouldn't be) then just use your thumbs

and if they grab you, use your teeth……….a strong bite on the Nose will stop a 300lb man……….nuff said. Peace

On 2/27/2026 at 4:57 PM, georgegeorgia said:

Mmmmm...I beg to differ

Sometimes wrong place wrong time you bump into someone who wants to look for a fight

Reading some of your stories, you are the one looking for a fight.

On 2/27/2026 at 6:37 PM, georgegeorgia said:

Stab in the stomach

Pepper spray may not be effective

Nice, we can hear some jail stories from you soon.

11 hours ago, Explorator en Action said:

and if they grab you, use your teeth……….a strong bite on the Nose will stop a 300lb man……….nuff said. Peace

Use of teeth is quite a wild assumption given the age demographic of posters on this forum.

I guess they could take them out and try a crab like snapping attack.

On 2/28/2026 at 1:46 PM, scottiejohn said:

Not any more;

Suspension of public carry permits (Por.12): The Interior Ministry will continue its temporary suspension of permits allowing individuals to carry firearms in public, in effect since 20 December 2023. Officials are strictly prohibited from issuing carry permits to members of the public, in a bid to reduce the risk of crime and public violence.. https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2026/02/20/thailand-tightens-gun-licences-public-carry-ban/

How is it different from what I wrote?

48 minutes ago, LukKrueng said:

How is it different from what I wrote?

You stated that Thais with a permit can carry guns and I have stated that they no longer can since the latest temporary suspension!

16 hours ago, scottiejohn said:

You stated that Thais with a permit can carry guns and I have stated that they no longer can since the latest temporary suspension!

Here's my original reply. Try to read it all.

However, it is not legal even for Thais to carry a gun unless they have a permit. Most Thai people with gun permits have a permit to own and keep a gun at a registered address which is usually either at home or the workplace. Permits to actually carry a gun are very rare, come with so many restriction that makes it just about worthless to legally carry a gun. Moreover, the government recently announced that no new such permits will be issued for the time being and many of the existing permits are being withdrawn.

On 2/27/2026 at 5:03 PM, SAFETY FIRST said:

You could be right.

I'm 6 foot 2, good looking, well groomed, extremely fit, outstanding genes. Not the type of guy a psycho would mess with.

FIGJAM much?