richard_smith237

Here is an example of an eloquent wise individual. Our youngsters here on this platform have been dumbdown by their copy paste routine. So obvious and yet they think the no one notices that they are wearing their underwear outside their pants. Both of these posts seem driven by a deep-seated dislike for younger generations, with the authors gaslighting themselves through invented falsehoods to prop up their own confirmation bias. In truth, they simply reveal who the miserable old farts are. Regardless of age; be it young, middle-aged, or olde, decent people tend to get along and approach life with a balanced outlook. As for the idea that there's somehow ten times the number of socially inept youngsters here compared to the West, where they’ve supposedly ascended to godlike status in their own minds - that’s utterly preposterous. Thailand is an ego boost for any man, young or old, who gets called “handsome man” as he walks past a massage parlour, but let's not kid ourselves - the boomers lap it up just as much as the younger lads do. The difference? The younger ones often aren’t paying for the hottie they’re dating. Thailand’s middle class has grown, social norms have shifted, and there’s far more openness now than in years past - it seems some forum members are becoming bitter about this, but they're not seeing more competition, they're just seeing their own decline. I’ve seen it firsthand - been here since my twenties. Now, nearly three decades on, I don’t attract the same kind of attention from the women I’d actually be interested in. These days, it’s more of a passing glance from a working girl hanging off the arm of an ageing expat, seeming to wonder if she could’ve done better. That subtle sideways look from the hi-so stunner in Emporium? That’s a decade long gone gone... Some older folks grow bitter with age, while others learn to embrace it - it all comes down to outlook. But let’s not point fingers at the younger guys. They’re just doing exactly what you (both above) would have done if you’d been here in your twenties and thirties. And don’t kid yourselves - they’ve got game. It’s just that the game has changed, and they’ve adapted with it.

Thats good to know... For flights over Christmas - BKK-MAN-BKK: $741 (£545 / B 24200) - Eco - from BKK-MAN-BKK over Christmas (18th Dec - 7th Jan) - No luggage / no meals $885 (£651 / B 28900) - Eco - fro3 BKK-MAN-BKK over Christmas (18th Dec - 7th Jan) - 23kg luggage / 1 meal $1582 (£1164 / B 51650) - Premium Eco - from BKK-MAN-BKK over Christmas (18th Dec - 7th Jan) - 23kg luggage / 1 meal Only 2 seats left on the outbound flight - seems busy

Ultimate backup plan (IF you are worried) and want to use your UK license. Renew your UK driving licence (claiming loss) - have it delivered to your / a UK address where its registered. Post Passport photos (of you) to the Same address. Have someone (friend / family) take that Driving license and PP photos to obtain an IDP on your behalf. Post both DL and IDP out to you. IDP's in the UK can be obtained on your behalf, but need to be done so in person (at participating PayPoint Store)

At DLT Area 3 (Bangchak) there were 3 Queues 1) Those with Bookings. 2) Foreigners 3) Everyone else. I could not make a booking for an appointment, as you have experienced. So I went to the foreigners queue... no issues, they checked my documents, gave me a ticket and directed me to the right area (along with Wife who'd gone through the booking queue)... All worked out - quickly. Both Wife and I drove in Japan (being doing so for a few years on the trot) - using the same process... Note: 1949 convention IPD is only valid for one year (whereas 1968 is for 3 years).

Direct answer: 1st Hand Experience: - Foreigner (Brit) with Full Thai License (5 yrs) - Obtained a Thai IDP - 1949 version. No issues driving in Japan (two separate car hire companies used). In Japan the car hire company expects to see both the Thai license and the IPD. ----------------- Note: you need a 5 year Thai License to obtain an IDP in Thailand. IF someone just has the temp 2 year Thai Driving License, they cannot get the IDP There are two main versions 1949 and 1968 (japan is only a signatory of the 1949 convention) ---------- DLT Queue - there is no option for a foreigner in the Online IDP Queue Booking. First hand experience again. Wife had an IDP Booking... I couldn't get one. The Non-online queue was huge, hours long. I went to join the back, then noticed there was a 'foreigners queue' (DLT Area 3 Bangchak). We were in and out in about 30mins (both with 1949 IDP's for driving in Japan).

Even after the flaw in your earlier comment has been clearly explained, you persist in drawing fundamentally flawed comparisons. Surely, you can see the glaring disconnect in trying to conflate two entirely separate aspects of risk. The gap between them isn't subtle and the presence of one risk does not negate the other. i.e. Put simply: the fact that more people die on the roads doesn't mean a death from rabies isn't a legitimate concern. The existence of a greater risk elsewhere doesn't invalidate the seriousness of a separate one - such and idea would be stupid, and you're not stupid, are you BritManToo ?....

I think thats the whole point of being balanced and normal... the essence of reasonable. It's about having the ability to observe and discuss the negative, the positive, the extremes, and everything in between - without resorting to sweeping generalisations. In short: voice your concerns when something isn’t right, give credit where it’s due, and approach every topic with a willingness to explore all facets openly and without bias. Nothing is perfect - nor should we expect it to be. But the sort of fool who trots out "go home if you don’t like it" comment just because someone complains about, say, a motorcyclist cutting them off - well, that’s simply idiotic. They fundamentally misunderstand the concept of judging things on a case-by-case basis. That said, let’s also acknowledge that some people leap at any opportunity to post something negative about foreigners in general, or to target specific nationalities. And yes, as the original post points out, there are those who criticise Thais with no sense of balance or nuance. We see the full spectrum of commentators: from the unhinged and delusional, peddling their biases without the slightest self-awareness, to those capable of thoughtful, informed discussion rooted in personal experience - some of it positive, some negative, as one would expect - thats most people on here I think - but we only hear the loudest voices, on the fringes of extreme opinion... thats why I end up arguing with a lot of them... to try and balance out their extreme bias.

With the exception of most of the locals, all of the above are valid complaints, or at least valid subjects of a discussion which many will find negative - that does not mean the Thai experience on the whole is a net-negative because people also have some observations that are not solely positive... ... A realistic outlook often involves looking at both positive and negative aspects of anything, any place, anyone. Some... but those same characters you describe are the very vocal tip of the iceberg - they'd be the same anywhere, no matter where it is. Sometimes having a whinge about something and finding out that others have made similar observations is enough to realise, its just the way it is and not a big deal... Many different reasons - I think the greats is the point that 'familiarity breeds contempt' and they may just need a reset, whereas others are just in a crappy area, and others are just miserable where-ever they are.

Another reason to avoid the regular taxi's and go with BOLT / GRAB / InDrive wherever possible... But, it also seems this was a 'private' hire rather than flag-fall. So many of the regular taxis are just animals - its completely hit and miss with them... I've been in so many taxi's whereby the drivers are watching a movie while driving. I ask them to turn off their phone, its dangerous and I dont want an accident... some understand and comply... But...there have also been a number of taxi's who've refused to stop watching something while driving, so I get them to pull over and get out....

https://aseannow.com/topic/663667-farang-v-farang-why-are-we-ignoring-each-other https://aseannow.com/topic/1030598-whats-wrong-with-you-foreigners https://aseannow.com/topic/1360507-when-was-the-last-time-that-you-spoke-with-a-foreigner/ https://aseannow.com/topic/1233668-being-scared-to-talk-to-other-farang The general consensus... Too many loons, too many grumpy old boomers... Most people of a balanced mind will engage in interaction with anyone else, foreign or otherwise when the situation is organic and natural, not when its forced.

Questions 1) Did you buy the Bike AFTER it was registered and taxed (i.e. did it already have white plates on the back ?) 2) Did you buy the Bike new or second hand ? Other points: - Tax is for 1 year year, from Registration. - Don't bother trying to reach any official system via e-mail here, its a no goer.

Not sure why you're getting so many laughing emojis for this post. You're spot on. Turkey is the place. Maybe the empty heads that make decisions aren't aware of this fact. Fly there with different 'Hair-Lines'....

Indeed... After dark, without lights... Also likely at a guess... the bicyclist heading in the wrong direction on the shoulder... ... The motorcyclist riding down the shoulder (which some think is a motorcycle lane) and not on the road itself.

I wish they'd make it mandatory for collars to clearly state who is legally responsible for the dog. If a dog is allowed to roam freely and ends up attacking or mauling a child, there should be no ambiguity about who is accountable. Owners need to be held responsible - full stop. As for dogs without collars or identifiable owners, they should be removed. If no one is willing to claim responsibility for feeding, housing, training, and socialising them, then society shouldn't be expected to carry the burden either. Stray dogs aren’t just a nuisance - they’re a symptom of neglect and a potential danger. A major part of the stray dog problem is their territorial nature, often fighting over scraps, feeding on rotten waste, and spreading diseases like mange roundworm, hookworm, tapeworms and rabies. It's a miserable existence for a lot of the animals themselves - and it only gets worse as they breed uncontrollably, creating future generations doomed to the same suffering. This isn’t just about public safety, it’s about compassion. Turning a blind eye while packs of strays suffer in the streets isn’t humane - it’s cruelty disguised as kindness. The solution might be tough, but it’s not heartless. Proper action now can end an ongoing cycle of neglect and pain.... Catch and spay if there are funds... Or, take harsher measures if we have to... not a popular opinion, but truthfully, a necessary one.

This has been discussed on this forum so many times... ICE: 1,500 fires per 100,000 vehicles Hybrids: 3,475 per 100,000 vehicles EVs: 25 fires per 100,000 vehicles https://www.blazestack.com/blog/how-many-ev-fires-in-2023-2024 https://www.pinfa.eu/news/fire-risks-of-hybrid-ev-and-ice-cars https://www.reddit.com/r/OptimistsUnite/comments/1if2buj/evs_are_safer_than_ices_of_all_car_fires_in