Sometimes, Farang Need To Have Fun, Too. But........

[CzarThustraThusSpake]

Let's Be Safe:

It might, at first glance, seem like a lot of fun, or be funny, to take a midnight nap in a vacant lot next to a Seven, among the weeds, pebbles and stones, but it just can't be I think.

This evening, while taking a 12am stroll, which is my wont, I espied a 40ish Farang stretched out on the turf, limbs randomly moving, and his balance mechanisms severely impaired by drink. Whiskey had been what he intended to buy before his detour next-door into this unoccupied address.

As I say, we might be tempted to make jokes, but there he was exposed and defenseless, and for sure anyone could have walked up and provided him with a bit of unwanted stimulation with their feet, or taken his money if he had much. It is lucky that Thailand does not have severe winters, for men like this.

Another thing which is very fortunate in this case is that in Thailand, it seems, the Kon Thai are far more tolerant than Hong Kongers would be, or New Yorkers would be after Kotch.

Basically, this is a safety issue, as well as a pollution problem.

a. This man was completely defenseless and even after 20 minutes could only just stand and ask for more Whiskey from a street seller who sold dumplings.

b. This Seven happened to be located in a nicer area, not the "tourist" areas, and I just wonder what in the hell kind of example is he setting for the young kids that go there to buy things even late at night?

c. I also wonder how good this is for the other 97 or 98% of us Farang who absolutely would never be caught dead rolling around outside in the dirt like a Kafka Bug! Sometimes we complain because some say the Kon Thai do not see the "real" us, and I think that, to some extent, this complaint is justified. If this is right, though, then we have Farang like this to thank for any prejudging we might suffer.

I would have tried to help the guy, but I have seen him around at 6am-ish, and he is never too stable. Maybe he has his problems, and drinking how much he drinks is not my business, but I think that we should think about the best places to get drunk on our ass before we do harm like this.

Any thoughts?

(And, the only reason I mention above that this man is Farang is because so far I have not seen anyone drunk in Thailand, Farang or not. Maybe I just don't go to the better places. Or maybe I go, but at the wrong time of day. This is NOT a Farang-Non-Farang issue, of course.)

[ultimate weapon]

What do you mean by your title sometimes farang need to have fun too? Farang go to thailand solely for fun.

That guy is an adult and if he puts himself in such a situation then he has what's coming to him.

[CzarThustraThusSpake]

What do you mean by your title sometimes farang need to have fun too? Farang go to thailand solely for fun.

That guy is an adult and if he puts himself in such a situation then he has what's coming to him.

Thailand is fun, but if not a tourist, then probably most Farang are here to work or study, or to live a balanced life.

If fun is the sole purpose of life, then it is no longer fun to have fun.

The title was meant to imply that most Farang live in Thailand, which is a foreign land to them, and work very hard putting in long hours.

So, sometimes they might feel inclined to imbibe the spirits, and this can relieve the steam, but should be done in places where the least harm is done to themselves or anyone else.

The first directive in imbibing should be: Do No Harm. But, Have Fun, Too.

[10Yen]

Czar, I don't know how long you will last on this forum, but...

I like your work.

[ultimate weapon]

What do you mean by your title sometimes farang need to have fun too? Farang go to thailand solely for fun.

That guy is an adult and if he puts himself in such a situation then he has what's coming to him.

Thailand is fun, but if not a tourist, then probably most Farang are here to work or study, or to live a balanced life.

If fun is the sole purpose of life, then it is no longer fun to have fun.

The title was meant to imply that most Farang live in Thailand, which is a foreign land to them, and work very hard putting in long hours.

So, sometimes they might feel inclined to imbibe the spirits, and this can relieve the steam, but should be done in places where the least harm is done to themselves or anyone else.

The first directive in imbibing should be: Do No Harm. But, Have Fun, Too.

Well do you have the stats to prove that the majority of farang are here to make a living? I doubt it. The majority are here as tourists, sex or otherwise.

[canman]

What do you mean by your title sometimes farang need to have fun too? Farang go to thailand solely for fun.

That guy is an adult and if he puts himself in such a situation then he has what's coming to him.

Thailand is fun, but if not a tourist, then probably most Farang are here to work or study, or to live a balanced life.

If fun is the sole purpose of life, then it is no longer fun to have fun.

The title was meant to imply that most Farang live in Thailand, which is a foreign land to them, and work very hard putting in long hours.

So, sometimes they might feel inclined to imbibe the spirits, and this can relieve the steam, but should be done in places where the least harm is done to themselves or anyone else.

The first directive in imbibing should be: Do No Harm. But, Have Fun, Too.

Well do you have the stats to prove that the majority of farang are here to make a living? I doubt it. The majority are here as tourists, sex or otherwise.

Discounting transient expat populations such as tourists I would say the majority of western people staying in Thailand are either retired or working. Within that group only a small percentage would be considered sexpats.

[wym]

What bullocks.

The vast majority of resident foreigners is in Pattaya, and there are thousands of long-term mongers in Phuket and CM.

Since when does being retired stop you from being a sexpat? Living (apparently) monogamous and living in the bush doesn't count you out either. How many farang retired COUPLES do you see, really what percentage?

And the vast majority of foreigners working here are English teachers working for peanuts - I'd say nearly all of those that stay over a year - a substantial portion, if not the majority.

And even among the "true" expats not teaching but with decent jobs, I know LOTS that finagled their position specifically for the sake of the girls.

Don't have to be a butterfly nor a monger to be a sexpat.

[wym]

Re the OP, no idea what the point may be, seen all sorts incapacitated rolling in the gutter after hours, probably hundreds by now.

Far less than I used to see in Tokyo just after the last train out of town though.

[Cosmo88]

Nicely written, but unfortunately it's hard to agree that the percentage of farang "who absolutely would never be caught dead rolling around outside in the dirt like a Kafka Bug" is as high 97 or 98%. Some might even argue that the percentage of farang who don't know what you mean by "a Kafka bug" is as high as 97 or 98%.

[lostmebike]

'I espied a 40ish Farang stretched out on the turf'

Was he 'farang tum', 'farang khoaw' or 'farang jing jing'. Maybe he was 'kech khao'

Even Asians and Africans get pissed sometimes and make complete dicks of themselves. Alcohol does this to all races, not just white skinned, blue eyed members of the master race you know?

[MrBanks]

Anywhere you go in the world you will see drunks. It is a shame but it is a reality, some people just cannot say no. The alcohol weakness is not limited to just one race, you will find people of all races that suffer from it.

Alcohol addiction is something that can be beaten, however, it is like stopping smoking or anything else that is hard to do. In order to stop you have to want to, simple as that.

[techboy]

Anywhere you go in the world you will see drunks. It is a shame but it is a reality, some people just cannot say no. The alcohol weakness is not limited to just one race, you will find people of all races that suffer from it.

Alcohol addiction is something that can be beaten, however, it is like stopping smoking or anything else that is hard to do. In order to stop you have to want to, simple as that.

I disagree. Many people like their vices. They do not want to stop. They need to stop.

[sam sen]

does that really sound like fun?

when i was younger, learning about life and didnt know better the same could have happened to me. but i grew up a long time ago.

[seajae]

been there and done that after my daughters death, took me several years to realize that trying to drink my pain away didnt work, just made a fool of myself. When I was younger it was just "cool" to get wasted and wake up in a puddle of spew, as you get older a lot realize this and give it away or slow down but then when something untoward/tragedy hits we turn back to the bottle. With a bit of help and use of our brain we then realize it is all wasted and that we dont need to do this sh*t to sustain ourselves. As we age we are supposed to gain a bit more wisdom and stop trying to emulate our youth, unfortunately some simply cannot/dont want to do this. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a drink in moderation or to be sociable but having to continue to drink when totally p*ssed leeds to nothing but trouble. We dont know this mans story but hopefully he will wake up to himself before it is too late, it is only fun when you are still capable of being rational, once past that point it is self abuse.

[dotpoom]

This man sounds like he has a drink problem, I would not wish the disease of Alcoholism on any human being. It can inflict itself upon any person irrespective of color, creed, culture or background. If one does not have it I wouldn't go clapping myself on the back or looking down on people who behave as he is doing.......same as saying ...."am I not a great fellow for not having cancer"...... his behavior is simply a symptom of the illness. One is just d- - - blessed if one has neither of these diseases (or others). If he could control his behavior then he would probably not be alcoholic. If you really want to help....try finding out where there might be a local AA meeting and a contact phone No., ...write it on a piece of paper and slip it into one of his pockets before he kills himself, or others. Maybe, just maybe he will find it when he wakes up in the horrors the next morning, decides he's had enough and try phoning the No. Not a lot more you can do after that but at least it's an attempt to help another human being. You'll find that action will bring it's rewards to you.....if not to the sufferer.

[Greg Nixon]

Some alcoholics have to hit bottom before reforming. Obviously the fellow is close. Death or reform. his choice . You cannot really help him. He must help himself. You can help him string out and help him believe he is better off but really unless he dries out permanently he is a menace to himself and others. My best advice to you, if you do not know the fellow, stay away. Even his "friends" obviously have not been able to help him.

[HooHaa]

my thoughts are that in your uniquely verbose way you are telling us that you saw a drunk, white, chronic alcoholic paralytic in a field.

you either assist him or you don't, but be assured, whatever action you take he will be there again and again in the same situation until, for better or worse, he isn't - which will mean he is either dead, out of the country or has sought and found help.

[CzarThustraThusSpake]

'I espied a 40ish Farang stretched out on the turf'

Was he 'farang tum', 'farang khoaw' or 'farang jing jing'. Maybe he was 'kech khao'

Even Asians and Africans get pissed sometimes and make complete dicks of themselves. Alcohol does this to all races, not just white skinned, blue eyed members of the master race you know?

(And, the only reason I mention above that this man is Farang is because so far I have not seen anyone drunk in Thailand, Farang or not. Maybe I just don't go to the better places. Or maybe I go, but at the wrong time of day. This is NOT a Farang-Non-Farang issue, of course.)

[CzarThustraThusSpake]

been there and done that after my daughters death, took me several years to realize that trying to drink my pain away didnt work, just made a fool of myself. When I was younger it was just "cool" to get wasted and wake up in a puddle of spew, as you get older a lot realize this and give it away or slow down but then when something untoward/tragedy hits we turn back to the bottle. With a bit of help and use of our brain we then realize it is all wasted and that we dont need to do this sh*t to sustain ourselves. As we age we are supposed to gain a bit more wisdom and stop trying to emulate our youth, unfortunately some simply cannot/dont want to do this. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a drink in moderation or to be sociable but having to continue to drink when totally p*ssed leeds to nothing but trouble. We dont know this mans story but hopefully he will wake up to himself before it is too late, it is only fun when you are still capable of being rational, once past that point it is self abuse.

He may wake up, or not.

However, this definitely is a true story, of 12:00am this morning, and I would think that continuing this behavior for long will lead to trouble of some sort.

[Malthus101]

Yes I have thoughts - what's it got to do with you? If you didn't approve of his behaviour, it should have been YOU giving him a kicking. Maybe that would sober him up. Or make him change his ways. Hopefully a gang of Thai youth WILL steal all his possessions - it is 100% this idiot farangs responsibility to take care of himself. If he dies or gets killed, mai pen rai.

It's natures of way of weeding out the weak - too many people on this planet now anyway, the more that die off through stupidity, the better....

[lostmebike]

'I espied a 40ish Farang stretched out on the turf'

Was he 'farang tum', 'farang khoaw' or 'farang jing jing'. Maybe he was 'kech khao'

Even Asians and Africans get pissed sometimes and make complete dicks of themselves. Alcohol does this to all races, not just white skinned, blue eyed members of the master race you know?

(And, the only reason I mention above that this man is Farang is because so far I have not seen anyone drunk in Thailand, Farang or not. Maybe I just don't go to the better places. Or maybe I go, but at the wrong time of day. This is NOT a Farang-Non-Farang issue, of course.)

You've only seen 1 drunk in Thailand? Wow, can I ask how long you've been here? I see drunk Thai's and foreigners all the time, mainly Thais actually but this is probably cos I'm out of the 'touristy' areas. The more I think about it, I must see drunks every week, somewhere falling about the place and that's the truth.

But again, regardless of race, unfortunately there are drunks and alcoholics everywhere.

Should you help him? Like others have said, if he really does have problems and is a constant drinker, he would just continue to drink anyway. He needs to want help first.

[Bangel72]

For a long time I've considered that there is probably some merit in 'almost an alcoholic' support groups and encourage people to consider reasonably sensible drinking habits and move away from the rock-bottom and then some mentality before support groups are considered an option.

This guy is probably not rock bottom yet and may even be nowhere near their own personal rock bottom but I suspect they are aware they are drinking too much and could benefit from a little support.

I've helped quite a few random strangers passed out in various public places into taxi's and steered them on their way to their hotel over the years, it comes as part of the package of having 24 hour party cities and i have better things to do than judge too harshly on this front, just as long as it's not on my front doorstep of course.

People getting this drunk happens every day in every city in the world, most people don't notice because they are drinking in groups and a friend has put them in a taxi. In Bangkok though with temporary friends in every bar some people can get lulled into a false sense of security that their temporary friend will send them on their merry way before they reach the parking lot pass-out stage, this is often not the case, yet they remain optimistic that their next temporary group of friends will be better.

[crazydrummerpauly]

"...so far I have not seen anyone drunk in Thailand" ... ho ho, this is a good day for hilarity ! I suggest the only possible reason you don't see all the drunk people in Thailand every day is because they are behind the wheels of their tinted-windows cars !

[DLP]

'I espied a 40ish Farang stretched out on the turf'

Was he 'farang tum', 'farang khoaw' or 'farang jing jing'. Maybe he was 'kech khao'

Even Asians and Africans get pissed sometimes and make complete dicks of themselves. Alcohol does this to all races, not just white skinned, blue eyed members of the master race you know?

(And, the only reason I mention above that this man is Farang is because so far I have not seen anyone drunk in Thailand, Farang or not. Maybe I just don't go to the better places. Or maybe I go, but at the wrong time of day. This is NOT a Farang-Non-Farang issue, of course.)

I HAVE NOT SEEN ANYONE DRUNK IN THAILAND. Obviously you have never been to Pattaya.

[Display]

Been an Alcoholic in Thailand is too easy for Thais and Farang, Going by what I seen were I used to live on the suburbs of Bangkok. I used to speak to one of the Thai whisky Bar owners that

used to work in the hotels in Bangkok and could speak good English.

Everyday the same Thais guys drank there as it was only 50 baht for 250ml bottle of whiskey, Even the worker in the market with stalls would go there every hour for a shot or two. One Thai Guy was known for getting drunk and sleeping outside other people house door, this was just a joke to them no problem drink up lol

The motorcycle Taxi drivers also stopped there every so often for a shot or 2, couldn't believe it. lol

Anyway its the same in every country but a bit easier in Thailand with easy access and cheep prices of Beer and easygoing lifestyle IMO

I have one funny experience with an Alcoholic in Australia,

My neighbor in the house I was staying in Australia, was a serious Alco drinking 3 liters boxes of port. But was a good character, many stories.

But I was waiting on a taxi to go in to town one Friday night, he was out of box of port, he asked me would I mine bringing him to the bottle shop in the taxi, I agreed as it was only a couple of minute there and back and then I would take the Taxi back in to town.

I could tell he needed a drink by his shaking.

Anyway into the taxi we went, Arrive at the bottle shop and parked outside the glass door of Bottle mart. The driver ask me what is up with that guy I said he alright just an Alcoholic.

As soon as I said that I watch him hurry into the bottle shop, grab a box of port and run out of the shop the best he could, jump into my Taxi and shout

"Go, Go I am after robbing the place"

LMAO in the back of the taxi as driver spun off back to the house, he just ran into the house to start drinking not a bother to him, Thanks' mate an off about his business all we could do was laugh.

[CzarThustraThusSpake]

'I espied a 40ish Farang stretched out on the turf'

Was he 'farang tum', 'farang khoaw' or 'farang jing jing'. Maybe he was 'kech khao'

Even Asians and Africans get pissed sometimes and make complete dicks of themselves. Alcohol does this to all races, not just white skinned, blue eyed members of the master race you know?

(And, the only reason I mention above that this man is Farang is because so far I have not seen anyone drunk in Thailand, Farang or not. Maybe I just don't go to the better places. Or maybe I go, but at the wrong time of day. This is NOT a Farang-Non-Farang issue, of course.)

I HAVE NOT SEEN ANYONE DRUNK IN THAILAND. Obviously you have never been to Pattaya.

Correct.

I mentioned above in the Topic, I may not have been to the nicer places.

[CzarThustraThusSpake]

This man sounds like he has a drink problem, I would not wish the disease of Alcoholism on any human being. It can inflict itself upon any person irrespective of color, creed, culture or background. If one does not have it I wouldn't go clapping myself on the back or looking down on people who behave as he is doing.......same as saying ...."am I not a great fellow for not having cancer"...... his behavior is simply a symptom of the illness. One is just d- - - blessed if one has neither of these diseases (or others). If he could control his behavior then he would probably not be alcoholic. If you really want to help....try finding out where there might be a local AA meeting and a contact phone No., ...write it on a piece of paper and slip it into one of his pockets before he kills himself, or others. Maybe, just maybe he will find it when he wakes up in the horrors the next morning, decides he's had enough and try phoning the No. Not a lot more you can do after that but at least it's an attempt to help another human being. You'll find that action will bring it's rewards to you.....if not to the sufferer.

I think this is good advice with two reservations:

1. This man was not completely unconscious but just very unaware of his surroundings, and not able to sit up from a lying position.

2. If anyone saw me putting something in his pocket, this could be easily misinterpreted as taking something out of his pocket.

But, as you also say, there but for the grace of the gods go we, I guess.

[mick220675]

If you ever make it to a Thai village you will find many alcoholics. People sleeping in the mud at 10 o'clock in the morning. People attacking kids, husband and wife trying to stab the other. Drink is not a friend of village life.

[CzarThustraThusSpake]

'I espied a 40ish Farang stretched out on the turf'

Was he 'farang tum', 'farang khoaw' or 'farang jing jing'. Maybe he was 'kech khao'

Even Asians and Africans get pissed sometimes and make complete dicks of themselves. Alcohol does this to all races, not just white skinned, blue eyed members of the master race you know?

(And, the only reason I mention above that this man is Farang is because so far I have not seen anyone drunk in Thailand, Farang or not. Maybe I just don't go to the better places. Or maybe I go, but at the wrong time of day. This is NOT a Farang-Non-Farang issue, of course.)

You've only seen 1 drunk in Thailand? Wow, can I ask how long you've been here? I see drunk Thai's and foreigners all the time, mainly Thais actually but this is probably cos I'm out of the 'touristy' areas. The more I think about it, I must see drunks every week, somewhere falling about the place and that's the truth.

But again, regardless of race, unfortunately there are drunks and alcoholics everywhere.

Should you help him? Like others have said, if he really does have problems and is a constant drinker, he would just continue to drink anyway. He needs to want help first.

This is honestly the first falling-down-unable-to get-up drunk I have seen in many years, since the last time at the Big Apple in Hong Kong, when the drinkers there would sleep on the sidewalk in the early morning as the sun was coming up, and you had to step over them on the way out the door.

This seems to be extremely dangerous behavior, and it is lucky that they appear not to have access to automobiles.

I have been in Thailand a number of months, and I enjoy going out walking at all hours, but I have not seen anyone like this, and usually it is just people drinking to the point of weaving a little, but not much.

This guy was probably at the point where he was at a 50% Lethal Dose of alcohol, which must take a lot of booze with this tolerance.

[CzarThustraThusSpake]

For a long time I've considered that there is probably some merit in 'almost an alcoholic' support groups and encourage people to consider reasonably sensible drinking habits and move away from the rock-bottom and then some mentality before support groups are considered an option.

This guy is probably not rock bottom yet and may even be nowhere near their own personal rock bottom but I suspect they are aware they are drinking too much and could benefit from a little support.

I've helped quite a few random strangers passed out in various public places into taxi's and steered them on their way to their hotel over the years, it comes as part of the package of having 24 hour party cities and i have better things to do than judge too harshly on this front, just as long as it's not on my front doorstep of course.

People getting this drunk happens every day in every city in the world, most people don't notice because they are drinking in groups and a friend has put them in a taxi. In Bangkok though with temporary friends in every bar some people can get lulled into a false sense of security that their temporary friend will send them on their merry way before they reach the parking lot pass-out stage, this is often not the case, yet they remain optimistic that their next temporary group of friends will be better.

This is, of course, one of the best comments here. I like the idea that you are able to help people, and see beyond the alcohol that is changing every aspect of their normal behavior, because everyone does need each other's help, and often.

I have had random strangers help me, out of the blue, and I have been grateful, not helping me during a drinking bout like this fellow, but sometimes travelers do need help when they are most vulnerable, and when something occurs that is unforeseen. Just as we would not take other drugs when outside our own country, then we should be especially careful about the drug alcohol that is one of the most dangerous drugs around.

A lack of caution can lead one so easily to being locked up for a long time in a foreign jail, just for fighting, or who knows what.

AND WHAT does this have to do with me?

Well, sometimes it is good to discuss things like this from time to time, just so that any reader might think twice before engaging in behavior that can have unwanted consequences. Maybe frequent discussions can lead us not to drink, but to think. (sorry, could not resist this, 555)