How Typically Thai Is This?

[soundman]

Those that live or travel to Thailand see things on a daily basis which makes you just scratch your head wondering. Here is a situation I came accross that is just so Thai!

On the main road from where I live going towards Bkk, there are major roadworks. The construction company is building new dual lane carriageways in both directions. They have left a thin, bi-directional carriageway between the un-completed new sections to cater for everyday traffic. This particular road is fairly busy at most times during the day.

Yesterday, one section of the existing carriageway had one lane closed for about 500m. At each end of the 500m section was a man with red and green signal flags, plan being to obviously alternate the direction of traffic flow on the single lane. One would think.....

So approaching the "work zone", the flag in front of me was green. Having slowed to a moderate 50km's per hour, I just kept on driving. As I am driving, a pickup & a few cars are coming head on towards me. <deleted>! Slowing down to a complete stop I look ahead to the other signal man. Green Flag & watching something in the air, probably counting birds or something. Look in the rear-vission mirror. Green flag and talking to somebody close by, probably about what they were going to have for lunch.

Sometimes one can only shake one's head and wonder.

If you have any of those experiences to share -jot em down here.

Cheers,

Soundman.

[spasticated]

<br />Those that live or travel to Thailand see things on a daily basis which makes you just scratch your head wondering. Here is a situation I came accross that is just so Thai!<br /><br />On the main road from where I live going towards Bkk, there are major roadworks. The construction company is building new dual lane carriageways in both directions. They have left a thin, bi-directional carriageway between the un-completed new sections to cater for everyday traffic. This particular road is fairly busy at most times during the day.<br /><br />Yesterday, one section of the existing carriageway had one lane closed for about 500m. At each end of the 500m section was a man with red and green signal flags, plan being to obviously alternate the direction of traffic flow on the single lane. One would think.....<br /><br />So approaching the "work zone", the flag in front of me was green. Having slowed to a moderate 50km's per hour, I just kept on driving. As I am driving, a pickup & a few cars are coming head on towards me. &lt;deleted&gt;! Slowing down to a complete stop I look ahead to the other signal man. Green Flag & watching something in the air, probably counting birds or something. Look in the rear-vission mirror. Green flag and talking to somebody close by, probably about what they were going to have for lunch.<br /><br />Sometimes one can only shake one's head and wonder. <img src="style_emoticons/default/blink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="blink.gif" /> <br /><br />If you have any of those experiences to share -jot em down here. <img src="style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> <br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br /><br />Soundman.<br /><br /><br />

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Cant think of any off the top of my head but many have occurred what I hate is the way they close a lane on the motorways/toll roads ie arrow at the last second no warning nothing or 6 foot deep hole with a stick in or part of a tree as a warning!!!!

[CymruAmByth]

One can only hope and cross ones fingers that the air traffic control system is a more 'hi-tech' version of what you have described.

I suspect there are times when it is similar (minus the flags...obviously!).

[Maigo6]

One can only hope and cross ones fingers that the air traffic control system is a more 'hi-tech' version of what you have described.

I suspect there are times when it is similar (minus the flags...obviously!).

You suspect that Air Traffic controllers in Thailand are somehow inferior because they're Thai people ?

You're kidding right?

[spasticated]

<br />

One can only hope and cross ones fingers that the air traffic control system is a more 'hi-tech' version of what you have described.<br /><br />I suspect there are times when it is similar (minus the flags...obviously!).

<br /> <br />You suspect that Air Traffic controllers in Thailand are somehow inferior because they're Thai people ?<br /><br />You're kidding right? <img src="style_emoticons/default/huh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="huh.gif" /><br />

<br /><br /><br />

Hmmm well who built the runway?

[CymruAmByth]

One can only hope and cross ones fingers that the air traffic control system is a more 'hi-tech' version of what you have described.

I suspect there are times when it is similar (minus the flags...obviously!).

You suspect that Air Traffic controllers in Thailand are somehow inferior because they're Thai people ?

You're kidding right?

Who else works in the Thai Air Traffic Control Centre.

But touchy today aren't we?

[bsided69]

A friend of mine walked into Homepro holding a rusty wire covered shower pipe. A very helpful employee approached him. My friend pointed towards the pipe and the very helpful man took the rusty shower pipe from him. He walked away and came back with a large plastic token with a number on it. My friend being a bit confused walked to the counter where the man had taken the rusty pipe. He handed the lady behind the counter the token. She gave him back the rusty pipe. Yes you guessed it, it was the bag storage department.

Please let me inside that guys head for 1 minute please. I really do think that sometimes people like that know what they are doing ,but are playing a game. The Thais probably have a TV programme where they show us bemused Farangs scratching our heads at such obvious acts of stupidity. "Youve been Faranged" Ha, made myself laugh there

Edited March 22, 2008 by bsided69

[Maigo6]

I really do think that sometimes people like that know what they are doing ,but are playing a game. The Thais probably have a TV programme where they show us bemused Farangs scratching out heads at such obvious acts of stupidity. "Youve been Faranged" Ha, made myself laugh there

Good one, that's funny.

The Thai's probably had a good laugh about it.

[Dakhar]

"Youve been Faranged"

That was a good one.

Credit where credit is due. I took my son to his doctor today. He spent a good 10 minutes making sure that the antibiotic he wanted my boy to take was correct for him, dossage, coverage etc. He went as far as checking PDRs, mediaction inserts & made some phone calls.

Most doctors I know would not spend more that 2 seconds worrying over medications... they just jot something down & hope for the best. "Next"

The guy can't figure out what a tooth brush is for.... but I think he is a good doctor.

I think there is stupid and bright every where.... although I would say stupid is more prevalent.

[wanderer9020]

so whats the point that ur trying to prove in this thread? To generate humor? or to ridicule the Thais?

[soundman]

A friend of mine walked into Homepro holding a rusty wire covered shower pipe. A very helpful employee approached him. My friend pointed towards the pipe and the very helpful man took the rusty shower pipe from him. He walked away and came back with a large plastic token with a number on it. My friend being a bit confused walked to the counter where the man had taken the rusty pipe. He handed the lady behind the counter the token. She gave him back the rusty pipe. Yes you guessed it, it was the bag storage department.

Now that would certainly leave you either scratching your head or, if your mates seen it, rolling on the floor.

[Cuban]

At an upcountry gas station a few years ago I pulled on to the forecourt that was empty, no other cars.

I realised that one of the two men standing by the pumps was a customer as the other had the diesel pump in his hand.

As I stopped my truck and got out the customer handed over 40 baht for his two litres (or so) of fuel and walked off with the fuel clearly visible through the two transparent plastic bags that just been filled.

Just to be 100% clear the fuel was carried in plastic bags just like buying a soda from a road side vendor.

[CymruAmByth]

so whats the point that ur trying to prove in this thread? To generate humor? or to ridicule the Thais?

Humour!

Lighten up for goodness sake

[kankaroo]

so whats the point that ur trying to prove in this thread? To generate humor? or to ridicule the Thais?

You clearly haven't spent a lot of time in Thailand..........

[Maejo Man]

so whats the point that ur trying to prove in this thread? To generate humor? or to ridicule the Thais?

Yes Try spending some time looking around you...It can be beneficial to your mirth glands

Edited March 23, 2008 by Maejo Man

[Gimbo]

Those that live or travel to Thailand see things on a daily basis which makes you just scratch your head wondering. Here is a situation I came accross that is just so Thai!

On the main road from where I live going towards Bkk, there are major roadworks. The construction company is building new dual lane carriageways in both directions. They have left a thin, bi-directional carriageway between the un-completed new sections to cater for everyday traffic. This particular road is fairly busy at most times during the day.

Yesterday, one section of the existing carriageway had one lane closed for about 500m. At each end of the 500m section was a man with red and green signal flags, plan being to obviously alternate the direction of traffic flow on the single lane. One would think.....

So approaching the "work zone", the flag in front of me was green. Having slowed to a moderate 50km's per hour, I just kept on driving. As I am driving, a pickup & a few cars are coming head on towards me. &lt;deleted&gt;! Slowing down to a complete stop I look ahead to the other signal man. Green Flag & watching something in the air, probably counting birds or something. Look in the rear-vission mirror. Green flag and talking to somebody close by, probably about what they were going to have for lunch.

Sometimes one can only shake one's head and wonder.

If you have any of those experiences to share -jot em down here.

Cheers,

Soundman.

I would not say this is typicly Thai. Having traveled and worked extensivley in many countries and cultures over the last ten years. I'd say this is typical for every place south of the Brenner Pass.

For those geographically challenged, the Brenner Pass is a pass between the Alps on the border between Austria and Italy. It's my firm oppinion that when you cross the line, and ventures south of this point...you leave the world of reason, logic and common sense behind... :D

[chevykanteve]

Those that live or travel to Thailand see things on a daily basis which makes you just scratch your head wondering. Here is a situation I came accross that is just so Thai!

On the main road from where I live going towards Bkk, there are major roadworks. The construction company is building new dual lane carriageways in both directions. They have left a thin, bi-directional carriageway between the un-completed new sections to cater for everyday traffic. This particular road is fairly busy at most times during the day.

Yesterday, one section of the existing carriageway had one lane closed for about 500m. At each end of the 500m section was a man with red and green signal flags, plan being to obviously alternate the direction of traffic flow on the single lane. One would think.....

So approaching the "work zone", the flag in front of me was green. Having slowed to a moderate 50km's per hour, I just kept on driving. As I am driving, a pickup & a few cars are coming head on towards me. &lt;deleted&gt;! Slowing down to a complete stop I look ahead to the other signal man. Green Flag & watching something in the air, probably counting birds or something. Look in the rear-vission mirror. Green flag and talking to somebody close by, probably about what they were going to have for lunch.

Sometimes one can only shake one's head and wonder.

If you have any of those experiences to share -jot em down here.

Cheers,

Soundman.

At least the road-construction workers in your area HAVE flags and actually ATTEMPT to use them! Believe me when I say that's not the case everywhere and certainly not in parts of tbe Northeast.

[Scott]

I can't even begin....there are so many.... 2, 3, 4 a day. Even UBC can't figure out what's it showing somedays.

On good days, it's humorous. On bad days, it's absolutely frustrating.