Chiang Mai: 100 armed police arrest foreigners for not carrying passports

[chiang mai]

I also strongly urge those that are highly offended by the recent crackdown of 200 people out of 30million to go to Phnom Penh if only to experience what a real third world shit hole slum it is. Your going to think Bangkok is New York after spending the longest 2 weeks of your life there. [emoji1]

If being around hotties in the best go go bars on the planet is your thing then get ready to be....

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Actually it's great city populated by people who seem genuinely pleased that tourists want to visit, plenty of history, golf courses, decent hotels, a variety of cuisine, ample bars with women if that's your thing, and more importantly you aren't likely to get corralled by a bunch of jackbooted, armed chimps telling you that you're under arrest for not taking your passport out with you on the piss.

Plus casinos. No childish "you can't gamble you're not grown up enough" crap.

I daresay you could even get a game of bridge without being locked up for the night and having your ATM card emptied.

*Phtoeey*

While all this is true in a way it just aint fun for any length of time. Not sanuk.

And neither will Chiang Mai be the way it is going.

Miserable nightlife.

Overwhelmed by traffic.

Swamped by Chinese tourists.

Infested with tourist-scamming Thais.

Polluted with clouds of lung burning smoke.

And if you do venture out, you could get locked up for nothing.

Where's the Sanuk in that?

As someone who's been visiting Chiang Mai 2-3 times a year since the 90's, I have to say it is a city in decline under the current administration, and other tourists spots are similarly tired and overexploited.

Plenty of other places to visit until (and if) it gets its house in order.

Poor poor baby, you shouldn't come to CM again I'm certain.

Meanwhile, back in the real world life of Chiang Mai Province most everything else continued as per normal these past few days, people went out and followed their normal routines, enjoyed life, ate at good restaurants, celebrated with friends, enjoyed the scenery, spent time with friends and loved ones. All of this done without too much sympathy for those visitors looking for sordid night life, a city in Thailand that doesn't have Chinese visitors, and/or a city here that doesn't have traffic problems or pollution problems.

[LivinLOS]

Thailand seems to be wanting to attract family holiday makers, rather than the single guys who want to spend all night drinking , The two week holiday makers who stay in expensive hotels, rather than the six monthers who spend all their money in sleazy bars until sunrise and embarrassing all the respectable holidays makers when walking around with their girlfriend who they met in the bar last night

"Thailand" wants this does it ??

And this has been measured as the choice of the majority exactly how ?? The people of the country were given an option were they ??

That is the essential difference between a government that has a mandate from the people, and has to please them to retain a majority, or those that take power by force. One side is doing what the public gave them a mandate for, however poorly they may achieve it, the other has no moral rights and bears the fault of every choice it makes, as it alone decided that choice.

Edited February 23, 2016 by LivinLOS

[mcfish]

I also strongly urge those that are highly offended by the recent crackdown of 200 people out of 30million to go to Phnom Penh if only to experience what a real third world shit hole slum it is. Your going to think Bangkok is New York after spending the longest 2 weeks of your life there. [emoji1]If being around hotties in the best go go bars on the planet is your thing then get ready to be....

Sent from my SC-01D using Tapatalk

Actually it's great city populated by people who seem genuinely pleased that tourists want to visit, plenty of history, golf courses, decent hotels, a variety of cuisine, ample bars with women if that's your thing, and more importantly you aren't likely to get corralled by a bunch of jackbooted, armed chimps telling you that you're under arrest for not taking your passport out with you on the piss.

Plus casinos. No childish "you can't gamble you're not grown up enough" crap.

I daresay you could even get a game of bridge without being locked up for the night and having your ATM card emptied.

*Phtoeey*

While all this is true in a way it just aint fun for any length of time. Not sanuk.

And neither will Chiang Mai be the way it is going.

Miserable nightlife.

Overwhelmed by traffic.

Swamped by Chinese tourists.

Infested with tourist-scamming Thais.

Polluted with clouds of lung burning smoke.

And if you do venture out, you could get locked up for nothing.

Where's the Sanuk in that?

As someone who's been visiting Chiang Mai 2-3 times a year since the 90's, I have to say it is a city in decline under the current administration, and other tourists spots are similarly tired and overexploited.

Plenty of other places to visit until (and if) it gets its house in order.

Don't worry about Chang Mai, I would worry about Cambodia that you love, the land of farang heroine junkie and middle aged farang pedophiles. I hope for your sake as the golf tour leader you have screened your clients well

Enjoy [emoji1]

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[Chicog]

Don't worry about Chang Mai, I would worry about Cambodia that you love, the land of farang heroine junkie and middle aged farang pedophiles. I hope for your sake as the golf tour leader you have screened your clients well

Enjoy [emoji1]

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Yeah no paedos and junkies in Chiang Mai eh?

[Loaded]

would anybody like a nice cup of tea?

[mcfish]

Don't worry about Chang Mai, I would worry about Cambodia that you love, the land of farang heroine junkie and middle aged farang pedophiles. I hope for your sake as the golf tour leader you have screened your clients well

Enjoy [emoji1]

Sent from my SC-01D using Tapatalk

Yeah no paedos and junkies in Chiang Mai eh?

Compared to Phnom Penh? The pedo capital of the world.. Really?

As long as your happy to live there is all that matters. Don't they have an expat forum? why on earth are you posting on TV Any way

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[LivinLOS]

Have to say, the hate for Phnom Penh has me baffled.. I really rate it as a city and spent 2 years commuting back and forth from CNX to there.

Great (cheap) restaurants. Best steak I have eaten in asia..

Enough girly bars.. And loads of 'regular' bars and hangouts, much more of a crossover than the division between P4P and non P4P here. Cool rooftop joints and cocktail places.

Great night clubs.. Red, Nova, even Pontoon when a good DJ is in town.. And they work to get real top DJ talent, real names all make PP a topover on asian tours.

Old colonial buildings.. Sitting having a gin and tonic in the FCC with the fans whirling overhead.. River below and breeze breaking the heat of the day.. Very 'our man in asia' old school.

Friendly genuine locals.

On the negative infrastructure is a mess, corruption is rampant, hospitals poor, petty theft common too.

[FolkGuitar]

And neither will Chiang Mai be the way it is going.

Miserable nightlife.

Overwhelmed by traffic.

Swamped by Chinese tourists.

Infested with tourist-scamming Thais.

Polluted with clouds of lung burning smoke.

And if you do venture out, you could get locked up for nothing.

Where's the Sanuk in that?

As someone who's been visiting Chiang Mai 2-3 times a year since the 90's, I have to say it is a city in decline under the current administration, and other tourists spots are similarly tired and overexploited.

And yet it must offer you something... You spend so much of your time posting about it. Day after day.

Can you see the disconnect?

[Chicog]

Don't worry about Chang Mai, I would worry about Cambodia that you love, the land of farang heroine junkie and middle aged farang pedophiles. I hope for your sake as the golf tour leader you have screened your clients well

Enjoy [emoji1]

Sent from my SC-01D using Tapatalk

Yeah no paedos and junkies in Chiang Mai eh?

Compared to Phnom Penh? The pedo capital of the world.. Really?

As long as your happy to live there is all that matters. Don't they have an expat forum? why on earth are you posting on TV Any way

Sent from my SC-01D using Tapatalk

I think you have reading comprehension problems.

Where have I said I live there?

I said it's a more tourist friendly destination at the moment, so I'm moving a golf tour there instead of putting up with the current rubbish in Thailand.

It doesn't really matter to me whether you like it or not.

[Chicog]

And neither will Chiang Mai be the way it is going.

Miserable nightlife.

Overwhelmed by traffic.

Swamped by Chinese tourists.

Infested with tourist-scamming Thais.

Polluted with clouds of lung burning smoke.

And if you do venture out, you could get locked up for nothing.

Where's the Sanuk in that?

As someone who's been visiting Chiang Mai 2-3 times a year since the 90's, I have to say it is a city in decline under the current administration, and other tourists spots are similarly tired and overexploited.

And yet it must offer you something... You spend so much of your time posting about it. Day after day.

Can you see the disconnect?

I like Chiang Mai. I've been visiting for years. I'd rather it wasn't going the way it is.

Can you see the connect?

[Chicog]

Have to say, the hate for Phnom Penh has me baffled.. I really rate it as a city and spent 2 years commuting back and forth from CNX to there.

Great (cheap) restaurants. Best steak I have eaten in asia..

Enough girly bars.. And loads of 'regular' bars and hangouts, much more of a crossover than the division between P4P and non P4P here. Cool rooftop joints and cocktail places.

Great night clubs.. Red, Nova, even Pontoon when a good DJ is in town.. And they work to get real top DJ talent, real names all make PP a topover on asian tours.

Old colonial buildings.. Sitting having a gin and tonic in the FCC with the fans whirling overhead.. River below and breeze breaking the heat of the day.. Very 'our man in asia' old school.

Friendly genuine locals.

On the negative infrastructure is a mess, corruption is rampant, hospitals poor, petty theft common too.

A few power cuts in the hotel, but I never experienced any long ones.

The admittedly cringeworthy habit of piling rubbish in the street is behavioural, it gets cleaned up every night.

In Siem Reap the authorities used stick and carrot and people don't do it, but in PP they just seem to lob their daily trash out on the street for hours until the garbage trucks come along.

I don't think the corruption is much different to Thailand.

I saw several hospitals that are fairly recent additions by all accounts. The Japanese, Koreans, Chinese and Singapore are queuing up to build there, and the economy is the 2nd fastest growing in Asia.

They recently opened a GBP135 Million shopping mall there, so there is obviously money.

There was a sign in my hotel talking about not having your phone in your hand or bag on your shoulder on the street side, because of bikers doing drive-bys, but I didn't see any evidence of it and I didn't feel unsafe, even walking around late at night (then again I am not small!). And on that note, it happens in Thailand too, but doesn't get reported as much.

I don't recall someone stabbing a tourist to death while nicking her bang to pay his dinner bill, which happened in Phuket a couple of years ago.

On the whole I found it safe, the hotels clean and cheaper than Thailand (I checked a few out, rooms included), food and drink cheaper and a plentiful choice, the tuk tuks are everywhere and are good value (you don't have to haggle long, and there are none of the glowering gangs of thugs you get in Thailand), and it's a spacious and very green city too.

I can't speak for Sihanoukville which apparently is a bit of a lawless craphole, but every country has places like that.

Edited February 24, 2016 by Chicog

[FolkGuitar]

And neither will Chiang Mai be the way it is going.

Miserable nightlife.

Overwhelmed by traffic.

Swamped by Chinese tourists.

Infested with tourist-scamming Thais.

Polluted with clouds of lung burning smoke.

And if you do venture out, you could get locked up for nothing.

Where's the Sanuk in that?

As someone who's been visiting Chiang Mai 2-3 times a year since the 90's, I have to say it is a city in decline under the current administration, and other tourists spots are similarly tired and overexploited.

And yet it must offer you something... You spend so much of your time posting about it. Day after day.

Can you see the disconnect?

I like Chiang Mai. I've been visiting for years. I'd rather it wasn't going the way it is.

Can you see the connect?

No. Actually I can't.

I see your posts several times every day, and almost all of them are about things you dislike about Chiang Mai.

Where does the 'I like Chiang Mai' part come in? I don't see it. (Could well be my problem...)

Would you enumerate the things you like about it?

[Chicog]

And neither will Chiang Mai be the way it is going.

Miserable nightlife.

Overwhelmed by traffic.

Swamped by Chinese tourists.

Infested with tourist-scamming Thais.

Polluted with clouds of lung burning smoke.

And if you do venture out, you could get locked up for nothing.

Where's the Sanuk in that?

As someone who's been visiting Chiang Mai 2-3 times a year since the 90's, I have to say it is a city in decline under the current administration, and other tourists spots are similarly tired and overexploited.

And yet it must offer you something... You spend so much of your time posting about it. Day after day.

Can you see the disconnect?

I like Chiang Mai. I've been visiting for years. I'd rather it wasn't going the way it is.

Can you see the connect?

No. Actually I can't.

I see your posts several times every day, and almost all of them are about things you dislike about Chiang Mai.

Where does the 'I like Chiang Mai' part come in? I don't see it. (Could well be my problem...)

Would you enumerate the things you like about it?

Well you said "*almost* all of them", which pretty well answers your own question i would have thought.

I.e. most of the things I dislike are a result of recent administrations, both local and national.

Edited February 24, 2016 by Chicog

[CMBob]

I like Chiang Mai. I've been visiting for years. I'd rather it wasn't going the way it is.

Can you see the connect?

The disconnect is that you're only an occasional tourist here and yet you proclaim to know all about Chiangmai. Based on my observations (I live here and am out and about daily), your various and repetitious claims are silly exaggerations.

[shirtless]

If this happened to me as a tourist it would be my last visit

Rubbish, you're just saying that,,you're never leaving.

Sorry mate already in Cambodia and enjoying it , visa extension pay 285 for 12 months no immigration , certainly none of this BS

[Chicog]

I like Chiang Mai. I've been visiting for years. I'd rather it wasn't going the way it is.

Can you see the connect?

The disconnect is that you're only an occasional tourist here and yet you proclaim to know all about Chiangmai. Based on my observations (I live here and am out and about daily), your various and repetitious claims are silly exaggerations.

I think spending an average of two months a year for almost 20 years qualifies me to speak about Chiang Mai.

But not as much as you, of course, oh no, all hail.

[FolkGuitar]

I like Chiang Mai. I've been visiting for years. I'd rather it wasn't going the way it is.

Can you see the connect?

No. Actually I can't.

I see your posts several times every day, and almost all of them are about things you dislike about Chiang Mai.

Where does the 'I like Chiang Mai' part come in? I don't see it. (Could well be my problem...)

Would you enumerate the things you like about it?

Well you said "*almost* all of them", which pretty well answers your own question i would have thought.

I.e. most of the things I dislike are a result of recent administrations, both local and national.

Not really. Your other posts generally have nothing to do with Chiang Mai at all.

I do understand the things you dislike. You've been quite vocal about them. Often.

What I'm curious about are the things you like about Chiang Mai.

[Chicog]

Well the friends I've made over the years obviously.

Still like the choice of food (and the fact that's it's ever changing) - which isn't good for my waistline admittedly.

I used to like the nightlife. Now it seems that's being phased out. That's a big thing for me, because when I'm on holiday there's nothing I enjoy more than nights out on the town.

The (formerly) generally relaxed feel of the place, but that is deteriorating.

And of course the golf courses

[FolkGuitar]

Well the friends I've made over the years obviously.

Still like the choice of food (and the fact that's it's ever changing) - which isn't good for my waistline admittedly.

I used to like the nightlife. Now it seems that's being phased out. That's a big thing for me, because when I'm on holiday there's nothing I enjoy more than nights out on the town.

The (formerly) generally relaxed feel of the place, but that is deteriorating.

And of course the golf courses

Thanks for your response.

[idiot farang]

I hope this makes the international press, as it will be another nail in Thailand's tourist coffin. Assault rifles to check for passports? W.T.F.?

I agree except for the much worn 'nail in the coffin' of tourism nonsense. One would *THINK* all these events would harm tourism. But from my observations, there are more tourists than ever, and high and low seasons are starting to blur. The average tourist doesn't do much research. The Teflon Thailand moniker holds true. Unfortunately, this just validates to the powers that be that they can do whatever they want.

Unfortunately (for change), Thailand is an inexpensive and fun destination for most. These incidents impact few. If all the political upheaval, 'suicides', traffic deaths and unsolved/framed murders don't scare people away, this won't either.

I am rather disillusioned about Thailand at the point. Nonetheless, I spend 2-3 months/year in country. Why? What are the alternatives when it's winter in the Northern Hemisphere? Philippines? ah, no. Cambodia? fine for a week or so. Malaysia? ok, but more of a challenge and, even with the currency getting crushed, still more expensive that Thailand. Vietnam? I will spend @ least a month in Vietnam this year to give it a fair try. Other alternatives are either too underdeveloped or too expensive. the BTS and MRT in BKK alone make BKK a clear choice over the traffic CF's that are SGN & MNL- even if all else was equal (and it's not).

What I don't understand is you expats! Given the way 'farang' are treated and looked at, i cannot imagine actually moving here full time. the thought of buying property, even a condo, is something i would never entertain. you're not even 5th class citizens, because you can never even be a 'citizen'. Your status in the country is at the whim of the powers that be; and it's abundantly clear that they don't like you- you're (barely) tolerated for your money. Nothing more.

[eaglesflight]

The fact they don't like us (expats) is largely irrelevant to most of us, I think. They don't like you (a regular visitor) any more than they like us, and you're only tolerated for your money too, but that isn't stopping you from returning, so for similar reasons, I don't understand you either.

Speaking for myself, if I'd bothered to consider my move more deeply before I came, and if I had been aware of the prevailing attitude toward foreigners, I probably wouldn't have come at all. However, 12 years later, with a young child to look after and no fixed abode in my home country to return to, the reasons I remain are practical ones. We have a house here, we don't have one there, and it would be a big upheaval to move at this moment in time. Maybe in 3-5 years I can see it happening but I'm not really sure. I don't mind being a 3rd, 4th or 5th class citizen or whatever you want to call me. Whether I am paying the mortgage on my home or my partner is makes no difference to me and I never bothered voting when I lived in the UK so the fact I will never be able to do so here doesn't bother me either. I like the fact that I'm outside society here, I prefer to live that way. I might have been under the illusion that I had more of a say in how the country was run when I lived in London but that's all it was, an illusion. At least here, I am under no such illusions.

Edited February 25, 2016 by eaglesflight

[idiot farang]

The fact they don't like us (expats) is largely irrelevant to most of us, I think. They don't like you (a regular visitor) any more than they like us, and you're only tolerated for your money too, but that isn't stopping you from returning, so for similar reasons, I don't understand you either.

Speaking for myself, if I'd bothered to consider my move more deeply before I came, and if I had been aware of the prevailing attitude toward foreigners, I probably wouldn't have come at all. However, 12 years later, with a young child to look after and no fixed abode in my home country to return to, the reasons I remain are practical ones. We have a house here, we don't have one there, and it would be a big upheaval to move at this moment in time. Maybe in 3-5 years I can see it happening but I'm not really sure. I don't mind being a 3rd, 4th or 5th class citizen or whatever you want to call me. Whether I am paying the mortgage on my home or my partner is makes no difference to me and I never bothered voting when I lived in the UK so the fact I will never be able to do so here doesn't bother me either. I like the fact that I'm outside society here, I prefer to live that way. I might have been under the illusion that I had more of a say in how the country was run when I lived in London but that's all it was, an illusion. At least here, I am under no such illusions.

Thanks for the frank, thoughtful answer. Our reasons are not as dissimilar as one might think- the difference is mobility due to job and family. I When I first came to Thailand 12 years ago also, had I met a girl I married and had children, I may be in a similar situation. As it is, I don't like the cold and, for what I can afford, Thailand is difficult to beat- warts and all. That said, I am experimenting with Vietnam and even contemplating a couple months in Central/South America next winter- though I doubt I'll make it that long- SE Asia is just easier for me/a better fit. My original plan, however, was living 1/2 of each year in Thailand- that being cut down to 2-3 months is due to my experiences, the way things are and my analysis that the event horizon doesn't bode well for a smooth ride.

Cheers.

[LivinLOS]

Speaking for myself, if I'd bothered to consider my move more deeply before I came, and if I had been aware of the prevailing attitude toward foreigners, I probably wouldn't have come at all. However, 12 years later, with a young child to look after and no fixed abode in my home country to return to, the reasons I remain are practical ones. We have a house here, we don't have one there, and it would be a big upheaval to move at this moment in time. Maybe in 3-5 years I can see it happening but I'm not really sure..

Thats exactly the boiling frog in the pot which I am seeking to avoid..

I still like it here, a little less than at some other periods, but overall its not that bad if I work to minimize the annoyances and not wallow in them.. Hop down to Samui if the smog is bad, avoid the city traffic in the truck, get out into the hills often and enjoy whats here.

But I am seeing too many negative trends to not be concerned, sure it may be petty but the recent change of tolerating expat farangs with Thai ID cards in national parks to going to the effort to emphasize 'not thai' and printing signs.. I know many simply refuse to believe it, but its not the 200 or 300b, its the fact they went to all that effort, to make and clarify a law, to push for its rigid enforcement, which shows the xenophobia become stronger and more institutionalized. I dont like the very idea that I am supposed to report my location within 24h on penalty of fines.. I feel like these are warning signs to be aware of.

So yes I dont have an abode outside of Thailand, I dont keep a full time vehicle in europe any more.. I let all those things go.. But maybe its time to add a few of them again.. Just low key, and just as part of my lifestyle of living here, but as an insurance against that water temperature rising. Feeling boxed in or trapped is something I wont let happen, I seems to me is often the cause of such bitterness among some older expats, who become trapped economically here which must feel awful.

[The manic]

Never burn your bridges with the Mother ship. I kept my house in the UK and rent it out. I return to UK every year for 3 months. It's s**t. Just dreadful, boring. Politically Correct and so Islamic it's depressing.Can't wait to leave so I go to Europe but that's <deleted> now. The Balkans make a change. But in the end I come back here for plentiful pooying, cheap food and the good life in general .Especially I like the absence of pontificating, PC vegetarian, bike rider types in Thailand.

[eaglesflight]

Speaking for myself, if I'd bothered to consider my move more deeply before I came, and if I had been aware of the prevailing attitude toward foreigners, I probably wouldn't have come at all. However, 12 years later, with a young child to look after and no fixed abode in my home country to return to, the reasons I remain are practical ones. We have a house here, we don't have one there, and it would be a big upheaval to move at this moment in time. Maybe in 3-5 years I can see it happening but I'm not really sure..

Thats exactly the boiling frog in the pot which I am seeking to avoid..

I still like it here, a little less than at some other periods, but overall its not that bad if I work to minimize the annoyances and not wallow in them.. Hop down to Samui if the smog is bad, avoid the city traffic in the truck, get out into the hills often and enjoy whats here.

But I am seeing too many negative trends to not be concerned, sure it may be petty but the recent change of tolerating expat farangs with Thai ID cards in national parks to going to the effort to emphasize 'not thai' and printing signs.. I know many simply refuse to believe it, but its not the 200 or 300b, its the fact they went to all that effort, to make and clarify a law, to push for its rigid enforcement, which shows the xenophobia become stronger and more institutionalized. I dont like the very idea that I am supposed to report my location within 24h on penalty of fines.. I feel like these are warning signs to be aware of.

So yes I dont have an abode outside of Thailand, I dont keep a full time vehicle in europe any more.. I let all those things go.. But maybe its time to add a few of them again.. Just low key, and just as part of my lifestyle of living here, but as an insurance against that water temperature rising. Feeling boxed in or trapped is something I wont let happen, I seems to me is often the cause of such bitterness among some older expats, who become trapped economically here which must feel awful.

It definitely takes the shine off the experience of living here if you're not really doing it out of choice. The thing is, I'm not really sure that moving back to the UK would make my life substantially better at this stage. I'm sure that at least half the reason it's a tempting proposition right now is because it's not really doable. The main reason I'm considering it seriously for the future is because there are a lot of things about the local culture that I really don't want my daughter to absorb. As I said, nothing I dislike about Thailand really affects me on a daily basis, but it does make the place feel oppressive.

Regarding the original topic of this thread, I have to admit that I do love the fact I can walk around the UK with absolutely no form of identification on me, and not have to worry about it at all. I'm under no obligation to carry any form of ID when at home and I hope that remains the case in the future. Armed police demanding I identify myself on pain of arrest...I don't want that in my life thank you.

[eaglesflight]

The fact they don't like us (expats) is largely irrelevant to most of us, I think. They don't like you (a regular visitor) any more than they like us, and you're only tolerated for your money too, but that isn't stopping you from returning, so for similar reasons, I don't understand you either.

Speaking for myself, if I'd bothered to consider my move more deeply before I came, and if I had been aware of the prevailing attitude toward foreigners, I probably wouldn't have come at all. However, 12 years later, with a young child to look after and no fixed abode in my home country to return to, the reasons I remain are practical ones. We have a house here, we don't have one there, and it would be a big upheaval to move at this moment in time. Maybe in 3-5 years I can see it happening but I'm not really sure. I don't mind being a 3rd, 4th or 5th class citizen or whatever you want to call me. Whether I am paying the mortgage on my home or my partner is makes no difference to me and I never bothered voting when I lived in the UK so the fact I will never be able to do so here doesn't bother me either. I like the fact that I'm outside society here, I prefer to live that way. I might have been under the illusion that I had more of a say in how the country was run when I lived in London but that's all it was, an illusion. At least here, I am under no such illusions.

Thanks for the frank, thoughtful answer. Our reasons are not as dissimilar as one might think- the difference is mobility due to job and family. I When I first came to Thailand 12 years ago also, had I met a girl I married and had children, I may be in a similar situation. As it is, I don't like the cold and, for what I can afford, Thailand is difficult to beat- warts and all. That said, I am experimenting with Vietnam and even contemplating a couple months in Central/South America next winter- though I doubt I'll make it that long- SE Asia is just easier for me/a better fit. My original plan, however, was living 1/2 of each year in Thailand- that being cut down to 2-3 months is due to my experiences, the way things are and my analysis that the event horizon doesn't bode well for a smooth ride.

Cheers.

My income is location independent so I think that I would 100% have explored other places by now, if I were still single. I hope so anyway; I'd have been mad not to.

[eaglesflight]

Never burn your bridges with the Mother ship. I kept my house in the UK and rent it out. I return to UK every year for 3 months. It's s**t. Just dreadful, boring. Politically Correct and so Islamic it's depressing.Can't wait to leave so I go to Europe but that's f****ed now. The Balkans make a change. But in the end I come back here for plentiful pooying, cheap food and the good life in general .Especially I like the absence of pontificating, PC vegetarian, bike rider types in Thailand.

The PC thing gets to me. I didn't realise how much I swore in general conversation until I found myself doing it in a London pub and being looked at askance (although maybe many people here don't appreciate that either!). Everybody calls their gf their partner now too, which as somebody on here once said, sounds rather gay.

[mcfish]

Speaking for myself, if I'd bothered to consider my move more deeply before I came, and if I had been aware of the prevailing attitude toward foreigners, I probably wouldn't have come at all. However, 12 years later, with a young child to look after and no fixed abode in my home country to return to, the reasons I remain are practical ones. We have a house here, we don't have one there, and it would be a big upheaval to move at this moment in time. Maybe in 3-5 years I can see it happening but I'm not really sure..

Thats exactly the boiling frog in the pot which I am seeking to avoid..

I still like it here, a little less than at some other periods, but overall its not that bad if I work to minimize the annoyances and not wallow in them.. Hop down to Samui if the smog is bad, avoid the city traffic in the truck, get out into the hills often and enjoy whats here.

But I am seeing too many negative trends to not be concerned, sure it may be petty but the recent change of tolerating expat farangs with Thai ID cards in national parks to going to the effort to emphasize 'not thai' and printing signs.. I know many simply refuse to believe it, but its not the 200 or 300b, its the fact they went to all that effort, to make and clarify a law, to push for its rigid enforcement, which shows the xenophobia become stronger and more institutionalized. I dont like the very idea that I am supposed to report my location within 24h on penalty of fines.. I feel like these are warning signs to be aware of.

So yes I dont have an abode outside of Thailand, I dont keep a full time vehicle in europe any more.. I let all those things go.. But maybe its time to add a few of them again.. Just low key, and just as part of my lifestyle of living here, but as an insurance against that water temperature rising. Feeling boxed in or trapped is something I wont let happen, I seems to me is often the cause of such bitterness among some older expats, who become trapped economically here which must feel awful.

Regarding the original topic of this thread, I have to admit that I do love the fact I can walk around the UK with absolutely no form of identification on me, and not have to worry about it at all. I'm under no obligation to carry any form of ID when at home and I hope that remains the case in the future. Armed police demanding I identify myself on pain of arrest...I don't want that in my life thank you.

Let's just stick with the truth, it's just easier that way.

No one's getting arrested. You get detained and then allowed 24 hours to produce the document.

If we actually start getting arrested I would be out the door along with everyone else

Sent from my SC-01D using Tapatalk

[eaglesflight]

Speaking for myself, if I'd bothered to consider my move more deeply before I came, and if I had been aware of the prevailing attitude toward foreigners, I probably wouldn't have come at all. However, 12 years later, with a young child to look after and no fixed abode in my home country to return to, the reasons I remain are practical ones. We have a house here, we don't have one there, and it would be a big upheaval to move at this moment in time. Maybe in 3-5 years I can see it happening but I'm not really sure..

Thats exactly the boiling frog in the pot which I am seeking to avoid..

I still like it here, a little less than at some other periods, but overall its not that bad if I work to minimize the annoyances and not wallow in them.. Hop down to Samui if the smog is bad, avoid the city traffic in the truck, get out into the hills often and enjoy whats here.

But I am seeing too many negative trends to not be concerned, sure it may be petty but the recent change of tolerating expat farangs with Thai ID cards in national parks to going to the effort to emphasize 'not thai' and printing signs.. I know many simply refuse to believe it, but its not the 200 or 300b, its the fact they went to all that effort, to make and clarify a law, to push for its rigid enforcement, which shows the xenophobia become stronger and more institutionalized. I dont like the very idea that I am supposed to report my location within 24h on penalty of fines.. I feel like these are warning signs to be aware of.

So yes I dont have an abode outside of Thailand, I dont keep a full time vehicle in europe any more.. I let all those things go.. But maybe its time to add a few of them again.. Just low key, and just as part of my lifestyle of living here, but as an insurance against that water temperature rising. Feeling boxed in or trapped is something I wont let happen, I seems to me is often the cause of such bitterness among some older expats, who become trapped economically here which must feel awful.

Regarding the original topic of this thread, I have to admit that I do love the fact I can walk around the UK with absolutely no form of identification on me, and not have to worry about it at all. I'm under no obligation to carry any form of ID when at home and I hope that remains the case in the future. Armed police demanding I identify myself on pain of arrest...I don't want that in my life thank you.

Let's just stick with the truth, it's just easier that way.

No one's getting arrested. You get detained and then allowed 24 hours to produce the document.

If we actually start getting arrested I would be out the door along with everyone else

Sent from my SC-01D using Tapatalk

OK, my apologies. I love the fact that I can go anywhere in the UK with absolutely no fear of being detained simply because I'm not carrying any form of identification (unless of course the anti-terrorist laws are abused by the police). And I still don't like the idea of large numbers of police officers, some of who are armed, being used in this manner. If it became a regular occurrence, I think that would be enough to make me want to leave. In fact, it's the clumsy execution more than the laws involved that bother me, and many others I suppose.

Edited February 25, 2016 by eaglesflight

[DerekMarshall]

I do wonder if the RTA or RTP can legally ask to see your passport. I know some countries only immigration or border police can do that.

I would question the legality of a RTP or RTA speaking in English, no matter how good, barking orders or issuing commands without a translator present. Given that "Farangs" speak a variety of different native languages.

I also wonder if they were given a lawyer once detained, and of course, the obliged paid for by the state an independent translator, which can be refused if the third party translator is non-native speaker or the detained's language.

Were their respective consulates or embassy's contacted informing them a subject of theirs had been detained?

No idea, I would have thought the above would be normal procedure.

I would have thought, if it was an apparent or possible IS threat, the idea would have to evacuate the area in a controlled fashion, and potentially saving lives.