Why we will never bridge the gap.

[IsaanAussie]

On Thursday night we got awoken to find a local drunk ratting around the boxes and pinching a large bottle of whiskey from the shop. Neighbour and family member so the dogs didnt stir, but the wife sure did, up and into him. The bottle is left behind and he takes to his heels. I stayed in bed watching. At 2am I wasn't going chasing him around the village, not anymore. So I told the wife to go see the PooYai in the morning.

A meeting is called where both sides and their "supporters" square up with the PooYai in charge and a settlement was reached. It appears that he has been knocking off whiskey from the new shop but because he is family they said nothing. Had we actually grabbed him at the time it would have been a matter for the police. But since we didn’t, the purpose of the meeting was to ask him if he was guilty. If he said no, that’s it. Yes, and then you are asked how much you want to square things off and a settlement agreed. Strange, that people who put not a thought into stealing from family and friends, would even blink in telling a lie. But they do. Even harder to understand is that in general conversation most of what they say is rubbish anyway!

Anyway, so it was up to the wife to announce the figure. I expected the usual 1,000 baht but oh no, 5,000! She was angry! No one moved…. Then backwards and forwards until Moon asked me if 500 baht was enough because he couldn’t get any more. Where’s he going to get that I thought? Another trip to the other shop? Our shop? Let it ride, so I said nothing. Then it occurred to me, give it to the PooYai to hold on to. When this guy needs to get rushed to hospital in another stupor next time the PY can pay someone to take him. Seemed like a good idea to me, no way his wife is going to lift a finger.

Then the wife drops the surprise, Not enough money! What? Well 500 baht will cover the car, but 20% has to go to the PooYai and 20% to the second in charge. Really? Stuff him he can walk…. Me and my good ideas, humbug!

[David48]

Great story IA ...

I've never had to deal with something like that.

.

[ttwitt]

there is a wat somewhere that deals specifically with drug addiction. saraburi i think.

[Naam]

Great story IA ...

I've never had to deal with something like that.

.

i take your word that it's a great story. but i wish i'd understand what the story is about

[shaggy1969]

Great story IA ...

I've never had to deal with something like that.

.

i take your word that it's a great story. but i wish i'd understand what the story is about

My interpretation is, a thoughtful gesture being over ridden by greed.

IA I think it is time for you to give Wombat (IA's dog) a few lessons in home defense.

[krisb]

Wait Im confused. Whos wife, his or yours getting settlement? Whos Moon? The thief? Why would he get the money from the other shop? Then why would some of it have to cover the car? What car and cover what?Whos car? Why would you have to pay Pu yai baan and pu yai song? Perhaps that bit in your village you do?

Sorry but I find some of this hard to understand.

[Naam]

Great story IA ...

I've never had to deal with something like that.

.

i take your word that it's a great story. but i wish i'd understand what the story is about

My interpretation is, a thoughtful gesture being over ridden by greed.

IA I think it is time for you to give Wombat (IA's dog) a few lessons in home defense.

i'd rather sit with IA, share with him whatever he drinks, and hope that this will enable me to tell interesting stories too.

[Naam]

Wait Im confused. Whos wife, his or yours getting settlement? Whos Moon? The thief? Why would he get the money from the other shop? Then why would some of it have to cover the car? What car and cover what?Whos car? Why would you have to pay Pu yai baan and pu yai song? Perhaps that bit in your village you do?

Sorry but I find some of this hard to understand.

you are demanding too many details!

[aussieruss]

hi all Moon is IA wife .first clue

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[aussieruss]

2nd clue thief has no baht so 500 will do ?

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[aussieruss]

3rd clue 20%for PY 20% his helper tip in LOS for there time

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[David48]

.

aussieruss ... I don't think krisb was serious with his question ...

.

[aussieruss]

4th clue thiefs wife wont lift a finger

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[aussieruss]

a bit of fun on a cold rainy sat here near sydney sampaling a bottle of port:blink:

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[krisb]

.

aussieruss ... I don't think krisb was serious with his question ...

.

Im sorry.

You know what they always say in the village, lock up the booze, cause him sneak sneak lak gai.

Ok, just the car bit, whats going on with that?

[belg]

this seems to be an excellent example , online than, of a customer in a pub, telling half a story, half drunk

don't even see the point why to post this one

[shaggy1969]

this seems to be an excellent example , online than, of a customer in a pub, telling half a story, half drunk

don't even see the point why to post this one

Funnily enough, I can't understand why people write pointless posts either

[mixedbreed]

This is disturbing,

The theft,

The discussion with the Pooyai (Kaman)

The monetary payment negotiations

The attempt at the sliding out of any future hospital / clinic obligations

The 20% skim off's for the Pooyai (Kaman) and his second in command.

It all makes perfect sense.. just a very small part of daily living here in Isaan.

Does this mean I have been here "To long"??

[David48]

this seems to be an excellent example , online than, of a customer in a pub, telling half a story, half drunk

don't even see the point why to post this one

Funnily enough, I can't understand why people write pointless posts either

I hope belg is not a Yank ...

If he is ... then ... WOOSH !

.

[gosompoi]

Sorry but I am a farang AND I will never understand Thai-ness.

[IsaanAussie]

WOW,that stirred up a lot of responses. To those who found my style difficult to understand, my apologies. To those who offered explanations, my thanks. Only two lose ends left. The car was obviously to take the guy to hospital. And as Aussieruss says the "clue" to the point of the story, lies in the topic name, but let me offer a bit more information.

As mentioned above, stealing is definitely on my sh1t list as well, but from family is almost unforgivable. But it isn't the crime itself, it is the way Thais people deal with this type of issue. Or perhaps the appearance that they just except the failings of those close to them. Who knows? It is just part of rural life and we have to accept it.

For those who still find these comments pointless, these are my electrons, go get excited in someone else's field! Oh, and try to get out and about a bit more often.

[NeverSure]

WOW,that stirred up a lot of responses. To those who found my style difficult to understand, my apologies. To those who offered explanations, my thanks. Only two lose ends left. The car was obviously to take the guy to hospital. And as Aussieruss says the "clue" to the point of the story, lies in the topic name, but let me offer a bit more information.

As mentioned above, stealing is definitely on my sh1t list as well, but from family is almost unforgivable. But it isn't the crime itself, it is the way Thais people deal with this type of issue. Or perhaps the appearance that they just except the failings of those close to them. Who knows? It is just part of rural life and we have to accept it.

For those who still find these comments pointless, these are my electrons, go get excited in someone else's field! Oh, and try to get out and about a bit more often.

Hey friend, as an American who doesn't speak "real" English myself, I had no problem understanding you. The only thing I'm still confused about is did you then drink that whole bottle of whiskey yourself before you posted?

No offense please. Just having a little fun wid ya.

[IsaanAussie]

A yank with a sense of humour, great! A Dean Martin fan asking me about whiskey drinking? What can I say? HICK? No mate the bottle is back in the box.

The thief has paid his fine and apologised to my wife and I in front of a mass village audience. But man, was he put through hoops by his family! They all told him they would not help him as they were sick of him a few even threathening violence if he didn't leave them alone. As much as Thai people internalise things, often it is only skin deep just waiting to get scratched. Then look out.

[RedBullHorn]

I understooded your writing style..... and I'm not even a farang ~

[IsaanAussie]

RBH, Of course, I knew that. Why didn't I join the dots? That just has to be a key ingredient in your success. Well I bet it doesnt hurt your cause here. Anyway you are an honorary farang to me!

[ttwitt]

IA i think you have been here long enough to know that the story is not over and that you can now relax because all is solved. its going to bite you and you know it. its not a matter of if, only when. how to evade that when? i dont know, i havent been here long enough to know. ask the monks they might know. after all it is their culture not mine.

[IsaanAussie]

Fair comment for a newer arrival and easily true. But you underestimate me, just roll over, me? NEVER. All this is about is a cash position, a need for a new strategic plan. My choice of life and style has everything to do with my motivation,my reason for continuing to keep trying, my wife. I have given up a passion, the pigs. What else will I adapt to? Whatever it takes!

[ttwitt]

Fair comment for a newer arrival and easily true. But you underestimate me, just roll over, me? NEVER. All this is about is a cash position, a need for a new strategic plan. My choice of life and style has everything to do with my motivation,my reason for continuing to keep trying, my wife. I have given up a passion, the pigs. What else will I adapt to? Whatever it takes!

granted. you have something i dont posses or understand and can never see myself as possessing. you have achieved far more in this country that i will ever hope to achieve. for me the cultural barriers are insurmountable or irreconcilable so i dont even try. but i still prefer to be here than anywhere by choice.

[bergen]

Good to hear that life goes on as "usual" IA.

Keep the whisky in the box and we'll empty the beer bottles when we meet!

Cheers!

[ttwitt]

i still want to know the final outcome of Khonwans traffic incident. i know if it was me facing that situation i would have cut my loses and skipped. (if it is good enough for all those news worthy Thais to do, it's good enough for me, i've caught the culture that far at least) i figured those offering to buy his farm were doing it out of respect.

was planning on getting a driving license and vehicle myself until that reminder. now i am more content to stick to padding the pavement and catching the train.

edit: just checked his profile:"Resigned. Moved next door."