Very cold night time temps here now on the central plains. The local Tessabaan (council HQ) were dishing out free blankets. So I went along with TW and the Thai Army were running the show. When I got to the desk, some Army conscript told me "cannot have, you farang, have money"

Well I told him "don't give me that poverty crap, half the people here turned up in Fortuners"

So a young Thai Army Officer looking all of twelve years old came over and he wanted to practice his English on me. After a long chat discussing the merits of a military coup and who needs democratically elected governments anyway, plus my own country could learn a thing or two from you guys. Pushing out to sea refugees in leaky boats being one of them.

So after signing a piece of paper promising not to open a blanket factory in town employing locals on crap pay I was given my nice green blanket.

why would you take a free blanket?

it's the thai way and he wants to respect their culture?

Can you not afford to buy a blanket of your own? If so why do you think it's OK to deprive someone who can't afford a blanket of the one you took? Are you so lacking in compassion that you'd steal blankets from those who really need them?

I want a new blankee too !

Well I told him "don't give me that poverty crap, half the people here turned up in Fortuners"

Those people should not have been given free blankets either, they should be ashamed of themselves for taking advantage of a program to help the poor. That doesn't mean you should try for a free blanket too, you should have more sense then they do.

Fortuners are driven by the poor.

I feel it is sad to go all that way to get a free blanket that would be better given to the needy.

Buy yourself a quilt. Go on, be a devil and splash out some of that cash.

Vote David48 for president.

Yes you need your free blanket must get down to a bone chilling 18 degrees Celsius.

I have heard a rumor that fire has been discovered.

Must be very poor to be unable to take a donated blanket.

First, I have to say that this sounds like a joke or only part of a story (where the other part mentions how you gave the blanket to someone who really needed it and can't afford it).

BUT if this is in fact the whole true story, all I can say is that it seems you have really adapted well to "Thainess" as you seem to be as selfish and greedy as they are. To a degree I can understand how that can happen but then to have the sheer stupidity to brag about it on this forum shows that you have taken the worst of your culture and theirs and elevated it to a new level. Congratulations. You must be very proud of yourself.

Echoes of a Balloon Chaser?

Echoes of a Balloon Chaser?

Seriously ashamed of guys like this, totally against the junta (shown that on many a occasion but the first in line driving poor Thais away) to get his blanket. Such high morals.

As for the Thais in fortuners doing the same thing, they are almost as bad at least they are Thai.

my wife always steal them off planes, she says it's not stealing but taking!

Regarding the Fortuners, perhaps they were there to pickup and deliver to those who can't even afford a car to drive there. As for the OP, if he went there to get a 'free' blanket for his own use simply because it was free, something is not right about that.

Well done to the OP.

It gets cold: they hand out blankets.

It gets hot: they hand out umbrellas.

It floods: they hand out sand bags.

Meanwhile, those that make the blankets, umbrellas and sandbags write off the manufacturing expense as charitable donation and pocket the check they get from the big house. The poor folks eventualy sell the blankets, umbrellas and sandbags so that they have some cash for food and lao kao.

Nice to see a savvy, long-time, rural-dwelling farang getting something for nothing and embracing his essential Thainess to its fullest. All you holier than thou, Fortuner-driving farangs, languishing in your Bangkok condos and townhouses who never, ever qualify for a handout eat your hearts out.

my wife always steal them off planes, she says it's not stealing but taking!

I wouldn't be boasting about a thieving wife who talks nonsense.

If things are that desperate you have to rely on hand-outs then you shouldnt be here at all.

If you are not desperate, then one can only assume you want to be accepted by those around you by doing the same as them and wanting to be treated the same as them, which is a sign of your insecurity.

If you took it just because you felt entitled, and it was free, then shame on you !

Maybe the OP has no money.

The poor Thais that live around me have plenty of wood to make fires. Me, in the big farang house, am skint, and I mean that. I have 1000 baht to last me until the end of the month and 2 kids to feed.

Kudos to your wife, most Thai women would be mortified accompanying a Western husband for charitable hand outs.

I got my free blanket, but no free digital Tv voucher.

Where's my voucher?

Dont forget to wash it before you use it.

"don't give me that poverty crap?"

Reminds me of the two Irish females on a flight from Abu Dhabi to Bangkok earlier this year who, on arrival, stuffed four airline blankets into their hand luggage and glared at me when I shook my head.

During last years flooding (yes, the village flooded in 2013) whilst we didn't flood we had the correct postcode for a freebie.

Wifey collected food, candles, a torch and various other stuff as well as 100 sandbags and a truckload of sand.

We distributed the food etc. to those who were flooded, kept the sand and sandbags for next time (OK the sand is on the garden).

Reminds me of the two Irish females on a flight from Abu Dhabi to Bangkok earlier this year who, on arrival, stuffed four airline blankets into their hand luggage and glared at me when I shook my head.

I know a guy who always steels the fork, spoon and knife from the airplane, his reason is, he is not wealthy enough to buy these himself (but he can buy the airplane ticket).

Maybe the OP has no money.

The poor Thais that live around me have plenty of wood to make fires. Me, in the big farang house, am skint, and I mean that. I have 1000 baht to last me until the end of the month and 2 kids to feed.

why are you having kids if u cant afford them?

Reminds me of the two Irish females on a flight from Abu Dhabi to Bangkok earlier this year who, on arrival, stuffed four airline blankets into their hand luggage and glared at me when I shook my head.

I know a guy who always steels the fork, spoon and knife from the airplane, his reason is, he is not wealthy enough to buy these himself (but he can buy the airplane ticket).

Ha Ha I know his brother! same same

OP here, the Tessabaan were indeed handing out free blankets, it was announced over the towns speaker system.

The remainder of the post is complete fiction, anyway thanks for the replies. Once again confirmed what type of ex pats who live here.

c'est la vie.

OP here, the Tessabaan were indeed handing out free blankets, it was announced over the towns speaker system.

The remainder of the post is complete fiction, anyway thanks for the replies. Once again confirmed what type of ex pats who live here.

c'est la vie.

bullsh*tters?