The week that was in Thailand news: Suspicion vs Superstition - Wish you were here?

Post - Songkran Thailand lurched from the sublime to the ridiculous as the suspicious vied with the superstitious on a roller-coaster of news.

First up was the rather surprising admission from the transport chief that the ravages of the roads were indeed worse than last year. More than four hundred and fifty will never see another New Year unless reports of the after life are forthcoming. Though the spirits, supernatural rather than liquid, that made up many other stories this week may well baulk at coming back for more Songkran in the next life.

Fortunately, however, this had been a very cultural Songkran. The country's esteemed leader General Prayut, in his returning happiness to the people report on Friday, remarked that he was delighted with the amount of joyous Thai culture on show, much more than in recent years, though it was not very clearly explained how this was in fact quantified.

Having hidden from the fun all week I was certainly in no position to comment on the truth of the matter either way, though I felt a certain joy, perhaps cultural, at being still alive. However, I was in no mood to be complacent as "Wan Lai" celebrations kicked off in Pattaya and Bang Saen spilling up to the outskirts of Bangkok as gangs of souped up pick-up racers clashed.

The sickening stoning murder of an asthmatic young man on Sunday by what the Thai press said was a gang of 100 vs 1 certainly suggested that it might be better to stay in for the next 350 odd days as well, just in case.

Head of the suspicious charts this week was a skeptical foreign community now seemingly faced with a three page deposition about their private life when applying for a new visa. Though it appears things can be left blank many were freaked by questions asking for bank details and where they go out at night.

Thankfully there were no questions about how many chillies you like in your Som Tam or how high you turn up the air-con otherwise we could have all been in trouble.

Other suspicions centred on the finding of rings of tyres used in impromptu cremations in an area of Udon. Police said that of the fifteen piles of bones almost half were expected to be human though they need DNA to be sure. One wonders if they would have had any doubts about that if the remains were found down south with Koh Tao again in the news following the airing of a British TV documentary.

Supposed to be a no holds barred exposé, the Channel 4 programme seemed to leave the most important questions still unanswered in several suspicious deaths.

The fact that the show was really little more than a rehash of a Channel News Asia documentary was in even less doubt as Thaivisa sleuths hungry for revelations were left disappointed.

Suspicion also fell on the motives of tough guy Steven Seagal who Thai authorities seemed to suggest might be hired to promote the image of the Kingdom.

What exactly Mr Seagal can bring to the table in this regard remains to be seen though further evidence of the prevalence of guns this week would give him plenty of scope amid the cultural niceties.

A disgruntled man blew away three members of the same family in a municipal authority carpark over a land dispute before holding his hands out for cops to arrest him in Sukhothai, while teenage gangs in Bangkok executed people they didn't like in the proverbial hail of bullets.

So prevalent are guns, especially in the hands of teenagers, it seems that the next big news story might be "Six dead as car backfires in Bangkok street."

It all made the assault of a foreign man by two locals in Pattaya dressed like Muay Thai fighters in red and blue shorts pale by comparison. Though the CCTV clearly didn't show some off screen action it all seemed rather unnecessary to kick his defenceless head to a pulp for just petting a cute dog outside the 7-11.

In their defence maybe the Thai guys were concerned animal rights activists fed up with on the run Westerners interfering with the canine community, though I doubt it.

And so from suspicious to the superstitious; there really was ample to get ones skeptical teeth into this week. How about the residents upping sticks and leaving a perhaps haunted Bangkok apartment building after two "unexplained" deaths.

Though falling over and banging your head on a slippery bathroom floor may leave some room for question, finding a serious male diabetic stiff next to an empty bottle of 'lao khao' seems to be a fairly open and shut case of malevolent man made spirits rather than the ethereal variety.

A 'medium' in the building will not be very popular with the owners of the block after she told freaked police the woman in the bathroom told her she was dead before they found her and that the man's spirit was sitting next to his own corpse in the meat wagon.

She asked the medics to shift the body so he could ride to the morgue too.....hardly surprisingly, in a damage limitation exercise, the block was not named and the reporter in question resisted the temptation to name it "Amityville Apartments."

Far more light hearted for the foreign community, though probably just as deadly serious for the Thais was this week's LSD - Lottery Superstition Developments.

A woman thanked the chickens in a temple after becoming the inaugural winner of the first prize in Hat Yai scooping six million baht and though her relatives will probably help her spend most of it, it was touching to see that at least she intended the lion's share for her mentally handicapped daughter.

And happiness returned to one family at least and many others had a great laugh when they saw people praying for lottery numbers to a kilometer marker in Loei. Pooh-pooh it if you will but celebrated mathematicians could not deny it probably is as good as system as any in coming up with random numbers.

Drugs gangs - otherwise known as the country's meth-amaticians - were counting the cost this week. Beaming cops announced the arrest of three in Wang Noi north of Bangkok, while kind of not really stressing the fact that the ringleader managed to escape from custody in handcuffs.

Maybe he'll use his good fortune in escaping to get his million baht back, money he lost in an attempt to bribe honest cops on the case, by playing the serial number on the cuffs in the lottery. It wouldn't be surprised.

Other hapless thieves and drug users were apprehended by smart cops who used GPS coordinates on a stolen iPad Mini to get to a gang in Nonthaburi. If only the story had mentioned the exact coordinates maybe those would have won me the lottery. Damn!

Finally two stories had seemingly nothing to do with either suspicion or superstition but reminded us of the 'wacky weird world' that is living in www.thailand.com.

Firstly the plight of glamour cop Eve who complained to watchdogs about her image being sullied. Not a laughing matter to the young and beautiful policewoman based at the airport of course, but Eve had been 'shared' all over social media being compared to naked and bare chested lookalike photos.

"They are definitely not me," said the comely lass who has been a suitably clothed pin-up in no less than "Cops Magazine."

Finally a tragedy to end the week. Someone's post card was photographed in a post box some two months after being 'mailed.' It had gone nowhere and there it was amid other letters, bottle tops and old Mama noodle wrappers decidedly unsent.

It was face up but surely the writing on the other side must have said:

"Wish you were here."

-- 2016-04-24

Seems like a normal week in Thailand to me. Always exciting and full of controversy. We should have one of these reviews every week and people would see that its mostly the same.

yes everything as normal Thai style usual shootings stabbings and rapes no news here

yes everything as normal Thai style usual shootings stabbings and rapes no news here

And also trying to flog a dead horse..

Excellently and courageously written and also a good read, thanks so much, nice change to look at something just about on the borderline.

Edited April 24, 201610 yr by n210mp

A good read. I could see the person writing this with a "sigh" and a slow shake of the head! While nothing ever really changes here it's the little things, you know, the things that make you shake your head and wonder, that make living in the LoS the wonderful experience that it is!!

yes everything as normal Thai style usual shootings stabbings and rapes no news here

And also trying to flog a dead horse..

But that damn horse just wouldn't do as he was told.

Excellently and courageously written and also a good read, thanks so much, nice change to look at something just about on the borderline.

Makes me wonder why I spend 5 months here every year.

Oh yes, to please my wife 555

But then, she works so hard at taking care of me and making sure I have a nice time,

it's only fair that she is able to do that in in familiar surroundings and most importantly

near her large family and with the ability to understand the language.

We live not too far from Bangkok but really quite off grid.

No tourists of any kind or other farang nearby.

No bars locally so I suppose that's what keeps me out of trouble?

Excellently and courageously written and also a good read, thanks so much, nice change to look at something just about on the borderline.

Makes me wonder why I spend 5 months here every year.

Oh yes, to please my wife 555

But then, she works so hard at taking care of me and making sure I have a nice time,

it's only fair that she is able to do that in in familiar surroundings and most importantly

near her large family and with the ability to understand the language.

We live not too far from Bangkok but really quite off grid.

No tourists of any kind or other farang nearby.

No bars locally so I suppose that's what keeps me out of trouble?

Same , same . I find that being here all the time is beginning to be just a tad too much.

The lack of any basic common sense, the lack of any basic understanding that on the highway its really better to let someone go before you then block all the exits in your determinedly single minded selfish approach to the non rules of the Thai roads.

The culture is beginning to wear me down and if it wasn't for a fantastic wife and her equally fantastic family I simply wouldn't be here and this isn't me either Thai bashing or knocking a culture, its just my experiences and I'm expressing my opinion.

Maybe I came into this culture a bit late in life to be able to "adapt" , I dont know but I feel that life on the outskirts of Pattaya is beginning to become unbearable with the traffic now so terrible in getting onto the west side of Sukhumvit for shopping etc

I have found most Thai people to be generously hearted, pleasant and so much fun so why am I beginning to get brassed off living with with them in their own culture.

I dont really, in all honesty know the answer.

Maybe its a little longing for that feeling of "order" that you have in the UK that doest really show itself here too much.

before this missive becomes anything other than a rant, maybe its time to go back to the UK for a holiday (reality check) and maybe then the reality will hit me over the head with the feeling that maybe Thailand is a lot better than I thought !

It reminds ,me of my brother coming back to the UK after emigrating to Australia after 20 years for a holiday, up to that time he hadn't dreamt about taking Ozzie nationality, after his visit to the UK and that was 25 years ago he promptly took Australian citizenship with a few derisory words about where the UK was heading inn the future

Excellently and courageously written and also a good read, thanks so much, nice change to look at something just about on the borderline.

Makes me wonder why I spend 5 months here every year.

Oh yes, to please my wife 555

But then, she works so hard at taking care of me and making sure I have a nice time,

it's only fair that she is able to do that in in familiar surroundings and most importantly

near her large family and with the ability to understand the language.

We live not too far from Bangkok but really quite off grid.

No tourists of any kind or other farang nearby.

No bars locally so I suppose that's what keeps me out of trouble?

Same , same . I find that being here all the time is beginning to be just a tad too much.

The lack of any basic common sense, the lack of any basic understanding that on the highway its really better to let someone go before you then block all the exits in your determinedly single minded selfish approach to the non rules of the Thai roads.

The culture is beginning to wear me down and if it wasn't for a fantastic wife and her equally fantastic family I simply wouldn't be here and this isn't me either Thai bashing or knocking a culture, its just my experiences and I'm expressing my opinion.

Maybe I came into this culture a bit late in life to be able to "adapt" , I dont know but I feel that life on the outskirts of Pattaya is beginning to become unbearable with the traffic now so terrible in getting onto the west side of Sukhumvit for shopping etc

I have found most Thai people to be generously hearted, pleasant and so much fun so why am I beginning to get brassed off living with with them in their own culture.

I dont really, in all honesty know the answer.

Maybe its a little longing for that feeling of "order" that you have in the UK that doest really show itself here too much.

before this missive becomes anything other than a rant, maybe its time to go back to the UK for a holiday (reality check) and maybe then the reality will hit me over the head with the feeling that maybe Thailand is a lot better than I thought !

It reminds ,me of my brother coming back to the UK after emigrating to Australia after 20 years for a holiday, up to that time he hadn't dreamt about taking Ozzie nationality, after his visit to the UK and that was 25 years ago he promptly took Australian citizenship with a few derisory words about where the UK was heading inn the future

Whatever you do go directly to the UK.

Do Not, go via the south of Spain - you might never leave 555

We "do" 6 months or more in Spain to retain my wife's Spanish "Foreigners" ID.

This allows her to come and go as she wishes, without further payments, visas, re-entry permits etc.

Cost of living similar to Thailand. Rent more but wine so cheap, it's almost free!

She has full NHS cover, only needed a translated to English marriage cert to be sent to the UK international pensions office.

My state pension is not frozen either.

The weather is wonderful and if you choose a spot without the kiss me quick tourist brigade life is very Spanish.

(Unless you like that kinda thing).

Easy language to learn too.

Depends where you are but there are quite a few Thai's in Spain.

We have a number of really nice Thai folk within 50 miles of where we live.

We organise nice little get together s and outings.

We sometimes go mob handed to a Chinese Wok.....

There are some cheap flights to the UK to be had if you want to make a visit.

Driving standards are great, so you could even make a trip through France.

I sometimes feel that Thailand doesn't deserve us......

Not all farang, just us committed to wives and families here and have invested heavily in the country.

You can be here for decades and still only have the same rights as a tourist on a 30 day visa waiver

and all of these investments are at risk!

What would you do if Thailand suddenly decided not to extend your visa?

Where would you go?

If the UK your wife has to learn to read/write/speak/know UK history etc.

You have to have sufficient financial resources, much more than means tested levels. etc. etc. etc.

There, I finished the rant for you 555

Excellently and courageously written and also a good read, thanks so much, nice change to look at something just about on the borderline.

Makes me wonder why I spend 5 months here every year.

Oh yes, to please my wife 555

But then, she works so hard at taking care of me and making sure I have a nice time,

it's only fair that she is able to do that in in familiar surroundings and most importantly

near her large family and with the ability to understand the language.

We live not too far from Bangkok but really quite off grid.

No tourists of any kind or other farang nearby.

No bars locally so I suppose that's what keeps me out of trouble?

Same , same . I find that being here all the time is beginning to be just a tad too much.

The lack of any basic common sense, the lack of any basic understanding that on the highway its really better to let someone go before you then block all the exits in your determinedly single minded selfish approach to the non rules of the Thai roads.

The culture is beginning to wear me down and if it wasn't for a fantastic wife and her equally fantastic family I simply wouldn't be here and this isn't me either Thai bashing or knocking a culture, its just my experiences and I'm expressing my opinion.

Maybe I came into this culture a bit late in life to be able to "adapt" , I dont know but I feel that life on the outskirts of Pattaya is beginning to become unbearable with the traffic now so terrible in getting onto the west side of Sukhumvit for shopping etc

I have found most Thai people to be generously hearted, pleasant and so much fun so why am I beginning to get brassed off living with with them in their own culture.

I dont really, in all honesty know the answer.

Maybe its a little longing for that feeling of "order" that you have in the UK that doest really show itself here too much.

before this missive becomes anything other than a rant, maybe its time to go back to the UK for a holiday (reality check) and maybe then the reality will hit me over the head with the feeling that maybe Thailand is a lot better than I thought !

It reminds ,me of my brother coming back to the UK after emigrating to Australia after 20 years for a holiday, up to that time he hadn't dreamt about taking Ozzie nationality, after his visit to the UK and that was 25 years ago he promptly took Australian citizenship with a few derisory words about where the UK was heading inn the future

Whatever you do go directly to the UK.

Do Not, go via the south of Spain - you might never leave 555

We "do" 6 months or more in Spain to retain my wife's Spanish "Foreigners" ID.

This allows her to come and go as she wishes, without further payments, visas, re-entry permits etc.

Cost of living similar to Thailand. Rent more but wine so cheap, it's almost free!

She has full NHS cover, only needed a translated to English marriage cert to be sent to the UK international pensions office.

My state pension is not frozen either.

The weather is wonderful and if you choose a spot without the kiss me quick tourist brigade life is very Spanish.

(Unless you like that kinda thing).

Easy language to learn too.

Depends where you are but there are quite a few Thai's in Spain.

We have a number of really nice Thai folk within 50 miles of where we live.

We organise nice little get together s and outings.

We sometimes go mob handed to a Chinese Wok.....

There are some cheap flights to the UK to be had if you want to make a visit.

Driving standards are great, so you could even make a trip through France.

I sometimes feel that Thailand doesn't deserve us......

Not all farang, just us committed to wives and families here and have invested heavily in the country.

You can be here for decades and still only have the same rights as a tourist on a 30 day visa waiver

and all of these investments are at risk!

What would you do if Thailand suddenly decided not to extend your visa?

Where would you go?

If the UK your wife has to learn to read/write/speak/know UK history etc.

You have to have sufficient financial resources, much more than means tested levels. etc. etc. etc.

There, I finished the rant for you 555

and because my Mrs has British Citizenship there wouldn't be any problems in going to Spain.

The only problem leaving her aged Mama and papa which she nor I couldn't do, in the great scheme of things when they arnt here any more it will be a different story though

Edited April 25, 201610 yr by n210mp