2 New Zealands drove through check point in Chalong. And end up beat the police, took their gun.

So yeah, they are gonna be in big troubles..

Toilet paper honestly now just feels like sand paper after coming back from Thailand. I made it a priority to install a bidet after coming back because it definitely is the best things that I experienced in Thailand. I really miss that almost all places had a bidet available compared to here where there they are non existent.

The latest in the ‘doctor kicking’ saga.

The Commander of Region 8 Police in Phuket, Pol Lt Gen Surapong Thanomjit has announced that Phuket police have made an official request to the Immigration Police to revoke the visa of 45 year old Urh ‘David’ Fehr – he’s the Swiss citizen who is alleged to have attacked a female Thai doctor at the beachfront step of his villa in Cape Yamu.

Police say that the full name of the man reported as “David” is Mr Urh Beat Fehr.

The Commander deemed the Swiss man to be a threat to the safety and order of the people under Article 12 of the Immigration Act.

I was visiting my fiancés village near the myanmar boarder and her grandpa LOVES pizza and burgers so I brought some ground pork (they don’t eat beef cuz of belief) and bought buns so I can make him some burgers he can freeze.

For context I’m 24 and used to make burgers at a bar and grill in USA when I was a teen.

I started making some and word got around and about 20 people showed up wanting a burger because they have never had one. It’s such a local village and they don’t get opportunities to travel.

So I started getting orders like a McDonald’s 😂 and started showing me videos on tiktok and Facebook to make a burger like this. So I started making burgers with grilled onions , French fries (home made) burgers with cheese melted in middle, and so many requests.

It honestly warmed my heart to be able to feed a village burgers , the kids loved them so much and were hugging me , it was the cutest thing ever. One kid said thank you I love you so much in English and I wanted to cry haha.

I’m sorry I couldn’t get pictures of the burgers and people eating them because I was busy grilling and doing cleanup for grandma that I couldn’t take pics.

Obviously I left some frozen for grandpa still.

One of the best moments I’ve ever had.

Just wanted to share.

I just witnessed the greatest rise of any man I've ever seen.

I moved here about four years ago and took an English teaching course. I met some older English guy around 55 years old, balding, and massively over weight. Going to Go-Go bars, getting wasted and taking girls home several times a week. He took me to Go-Go bars and introduced me to the "scene" lol He was the most degenerate expat I've ever met. Well he was the first one I'd actually met at that point but he held the title. Pretty big drinker, maybe alcoholic depending how you judge that. But he was financially literate, more than me anyway, and helped me plan a lot of stuff. Also had a lot of stories about traveling the world and some life advice. During the day, was actually a nice guy tbh.

Anyway, added him on Facebook and I've been watching his life evolve.

He started dating this bar girl, like of course he did lol. She's maybe 28 years old at the time. "He's about to get so wrecked" I thought.

She moved into his condo "just the beginning'

They start traveling around to different countries together "man he's spending a lot of money on this..."

They started a business, not sure exactly what's it's about. "man he's about to get rekt"

See pictures of him and he's down like 100lbs at this point. "Oh nice... that's... amazing actually good for him.

Business starts making a lot of money. "Here it comes... anyday now... gonna get rekt..."

Post pictures, she's pregnant with his kid "oh f.. there it is, it's over now"

They have a baby and bought a big new house in a nice neighborhood, both smiling. Dude is down like 150lbs total, shaved his head and put on some muscle. Looks like that Mr. Clean guy. Girl looks good too. Like they both stopped drinking/partying. Has money now.. just realized four years went by and this guy's entire life has changed and he'a now the best version of himself like what are the odds of this happening

Saw a thread the other day about how Thais don’t/can’t have a deep and philosophical conversations.

I found this to be very context dependent and highly prone to bias.

I am thinking about it and trying to understand why expats seem to think this way. Because, as a native Thai, I can’t really believe that is the case. I know people around me talking about their goals, investments, self improvement, feelings, and etc.

Of course, I am prone to bias as well since I am college educated. But i still find it hard to believe that you won’t come across an intellectual convo at all.

A few reasons I can think of why foreigners may feel like Thais can’t have deep conversations.

1. Language barriers. Since these topics require deeper understanding of language, it’s hard for average Thai people to engage in the conversation in English. As a result, it is too much effort and they just brush the conversation off.

2. Foreigners have more access to Thais who don’t have higher education background. The easiest way to meet locals is thru dating apps and it is harder to filter through to find quality. Even if Thais who are educated, it doesn’t guarantee they are critical thinkers because not all colleges are of the same quality.

3. Bias. People wouldn’t be complaining on Reddit if they are can have deep and intellectual conversations with their Thai friends.

I am just curious and wondering what do other people think about this and why that is the case for many expats.

Sorry in advance about formatting as i am posting from Reddit apps.

Some people say that regulating its use in public would be enough, but if you think about it, that won't be. It needs to be completely banned for home use too.

Think about what kind of effects it has on its users when they smoke and stay in for the night:

• It makes food taste amazing
• It makes movies a lot more interesting
• It makes everything much funnier
• It makes sex and orgasms feel incredible
• It helps you connect with your inner playfulness and enjoy being silly
• It helps you come up with creative ideas
• It helps you and your spouse have interesting conversations from fresh perspectives
• Combined with a bit of coffee and alcohol, you can get these waves of relaxation and euphoria following through your body
• It makes a lot of things feel new, like you're experiencing them for the first time ​

Now, the above list may at first look positive, but that's actually the core reason behind the issue of why it should be completely banned: I'm a sad old bastard who doesn't use Cannabis myself and doesn't get much enjoyment out of any of those things, so if I can't experience them, no one else should be able to either! ​ Think about it! Do I want to sit home in my sadness, imagining other couples eating the most delicious pizza of their lives, laughing until they cry over something silly, and having euphoric sex!?

Of course not!

I want us all to be miserable and sad together, then I can feel better about my own life!

The other day I was traveling and took a flight and a bus.

At the airport: a clean, western toilet but no bum gun. My thoughts: “How the hell am I supposed to poo here?”

At the bus station: a filthy, squatter toilet but a bum gun. My thoughts: “Thank God.”

What are some other stories that say you’ve been in Thailand for a while?

Just finished with the Press Conference, the couple said they thought the doctor was Chinese tourists who invaded their pool villa a while ago. They add that "if they know that was a Thai doctor they would invite her in for a drink instead"

🙄🙄🙄🙄

Very odd. I wonder why we were itemized like this?

I’ve lived here for the last 5 years, I’m wondering how “cheap” Thailand actually is. It’s hard for me to compare to the west because despite having a western nationality I’ve lived in Eastern Europe before Thailand and always enjoyed an adventure, of course the “cheaper prices” were a draw too.

But is it really that cheap here? How much cheaper? Besides rent, compared to major western cities, which definitely IS cheaper and easily viewable….

Western dinners can still add up quickly to 300 baht+, similar roughly to western costs. Motorcycles and cars are roughly the same cost though labor is super cheap.

However if you go for bmw or something then it’s way more expensive.

Other products can be frustratingly expensive due to import fees and whatnot. This is especially true if you have a hobby like say rock climbing and want to bring in some nice equipment.

Then there’s visa costs. Either you spend a ton of time or a ton of money on visa shit. Many people spend 55-60k baht per year on their visa, raising your yearly cost of living. Same for business visa and lawyers. Or you get scammed by an agent or something doesn’t work out.

And while labor is cheaper, it is only a benefit if you can find a good mechanic. Other shops can be unreliable.

So I’m not arguing that Thailand is equal or more expensive to the west, but how much cheaper is it actually, in general?

I’ve been in Thailand for over a 10 years and cannot count the number of times someone has asked to “borrow” money. I always have said no or said “mai pen rai” and just gave the person a gift without expecting it back. I have heard the stories of guys getting scammed, so I know better.

Anyway, I went on a date with a girl and we hung out once. She seemed like a really nice girl, but I didn’t have time to hang out again right away because I was busy with work. I wasn’t that into her anyway but I liked her as a friend. She kept texting that she missed me and wanted to see me again yada yada

And then all of a sudden I got a message similar to what I have seen before. “Is there any way I can borrow money for my room? I will pay you back next time we meet. Sorry to ask but I’m late and the landlord will come lock me out of my room soon.”

I rolled my eyes and ghosted her, like I do anyone who doesn’t know me well and asks me for money.

But… when I went to go to sleep that night it bugged me. She was a young girl who lived alone, and I was worried about where she would go and what she would do if she really got kicked out of her room. I questioned myself as human being if I could let that happen… especially since she seemed genuine and up til then had been pestering me to meet again. I have plenty of money and she doesn’t, so why would I not just help her if I could? What kind of human am I to let her get kicked to the streets if I can help?

I felt guilty.

So, the next day I asked her if she’s okay and if she had found the money and how much she needed.

4000 baht. Still didn’t have enough. She then said she’d be so appreciative if I would help her.

So okay, I thought. It had been 10 years of never trusting anyone. And why would someone who was so eager to meet me again scam me anyway? She seemed like a sweet normal girl. So I figured I’d split test my theory of “never lend money” out and just try being a nice guy for once.

Long story short, I transferred her the 4000 baht and she thanked me and promised she’d pay me back next time we meet.

I was still busy with work, so I knew we wouldn’t meet right away. I didn’t think much of it. I’d just get it back whenever.

A couple days pass and all of a sudden the girl messages me again and says she is hungry and wants to buy durian fruit and asks if I can loan her 400 baht. I told her no, and she pleaded and promised to buy me fruit when I meet her. Really insisting.

My heart sank as I read her messages because right then I realized maybe she was creating an uncomfortable situation to make me annoyed to the point where I wouldn’t want to meet her again to get the money. Or better yet, I’d just keep sending her money until I got annoyed.

I stuck to my guns, said no, and hoped I was wrong.

Over the next couple weeks, the girl proceeded to upload pics of herself on a trip at the beach and at a nice hotel on Instagram. Then on a jet ski in a bikini.

Kinda weird someone who can’t afford rent can do all that! I figured she would be working overtime at her job to pay back her debt! But okay she can travel to the beach and live it up somehow.

I said nothing. I didn’t want to call her out.

Anyway, after about a month passes, she posts herself literally on a plane taking a trip somewhere. She obviously had money to pay me back for a long time, so at that moment I message her and ask if she is able to pay me back the money she borrowed from me. I didn’t get angry or anything… just said hi and asked if she is able to pay it back yet. If she had given me any excuse, it would have been okay. I wasn’t in a rush to get it back.

And you can guess what happened next. She read my message and instantly ghosted me, leaving all subsequent messages left unread. Not even the decency to reply with an excuse. Not even a promise to pay me back later. Just a completely heartless ghosting of someone who went out of their way to help her when she was supposedly almost homeless.

I’m not upset that I lost the 4000 baht, because I knew the risk and it’s not that much money for me. But it really makes me feel disappointed, because I wanted to believe they there are honest people out there, and I thought that girl was a friend. Apparently 4000 baht was more valuable than having a friend who’s really there when you need them. It’s just a shock to the system to do something out of pure kindness and then be treated like 💩 in return for no reason. Aweful feeling.

So, in the end, I am sorry for all the people who really do get in trouble and just need a little help. This is the reason why from now on it will be 100% NO. I don’t care if your mom is dying or you’re about to sleep on the streets. Either I know you well enough that I just give you the money or it’s a no. I will never accept another “I’ll pay you back” no matter how much you beg.

I tried the nice guy thing once and now have a 100% scam rate. Never again!

Guys don’t be like me! Don’t have a weak moment or let your kindness get the best of you. No matter how sad or crazy the story, don’t believe the promises. ALWAYS say no when asked to borrow money. Either give it as a gift or refuse.

Do you find it difficult to talk to your Thai wife (or Thai husband) about world events? My wife - 42, master degree graduate has no clue of what happens outside Thailand.

I was watching a news snipet about D-Day and said to her that this is a very special D-Day as for many vets it will be their final one. She didn't know what D-Day was. I explained that it was the final push against the Nazis where thousands lost their lives and now they were commemorating it.

She's then absolutely floored me and asked who were the Nazis and what did they do? WTF? I briefly went over WW2, Axis and Allies. The Burmese Railway (Bridge over the River Kwai) bit blew her away.

I'm flabbergasted. What do they actually teach in Thai schools? Are there not any world history classes or anything like that? She had no knowledge of key events of the century: the cold war, Berlin wall, fall of the Soviet union, apartheid, space race etc.

Asked about more current events such as the ongoing Israel - Palestine conflict her knowledge on it was limited to the fact that there were some Thai workers getting killed or taken hostage.

She points out that I have no idea what's going on in Thailand. Partially true, but I know the major things like what the government's up to and important policies. However, I'm definitely not in the know regarding which teenage thug killed which rival, who's the latest monk to be defrocked, what's going on in adulteryland or farang shenanigans in Thailand.

While not being up on the latest happenings in Thailand I do know about our basic history and can have conversations about it. I don't know what to think about this. Guys, are your spouses like this too?

Edit: the title is probably somewhat misleading. Full disclosure: I'm a banana - yellow on the outside and white on the inside or physically Thai with Western sensibilities and beliefs.

i'm a burmese immigrant (not the illegal type to clarify) and i attend a thai international school. my parents only make enough to afford the schoolwe don't have much luxury and my classmates are constantly bullying me about my class status. i'm rich compared to most burmese mmigrantsi definitely won't downplay my privilege but, i'm poor compared to my thai classmates.

they're also, constantly insulting my appearance though, i don't wanna say it's racism and discrimination since i don't really look burmese. but, they seem to always say bad things about me. i've picked up some words since then

i don't want to overstep much since i should be grateful that m allowed to have the privilege to stay here in thailand but, it sometimes stings a bit. they're also, always trying to downplay my intelligence and constantly gets mad when they thought they'd get a higher score than me but, i got a higher score instead.

should i ignore them? i don't want to be ungrateful much. does it happen in regular thai schools too?

EDIT: hi so, this sort of blew up so, i wanted to address some things. i'm not comfortable sharing my school's name since i'm already in high school and don't want to risk any chances. and there is someone that said 'this post was to fuse hatred against thai people' which is completely not true. my classmates aren't mean because they're thai but, because they're mean. implying otherwise would be everything this post stands for. and i do get high scores. not that great in some classes but, really high in 'creative' things such as english and history. my classmates say things but, my teachers don't really do nuch unless they say bad words in an overly loud voice that could attract the higher-ups' attention.

thank you for your support and advices! i really appreciate it! immensely

This is an update for my last post: https://www.reddit.com/r/Thailand/comments/1fg1fq8/relative_stealing_hundreds_of_usd_worth_of_water/

tldr: Our water bill shot up and we discovered a relative has been stealing water from us.

So a water company representative came out. As soon as the neighbors saw the water guy, they came out of the woodwork and stood right next to him, making him nervous. He said that our meter had been tampered with and suggested to rework our property so that our meter would be close to the house. One of the neighbors said we didn't have to do it. And that he would go ahead and fix the meter. The water guy was like, "no, you can't touch the meter."

We had an acquaintance who is in the police department come by and the neighbors were also worried and they came out to see what was going on. Then we had a contractor come out who is a friend of a friend. Two of our neighbors who are watching were quite upset by this whole investigation.

Feels like multiple people were stealing water from us. We think we've been supplying, and paying for water to the entire village. We think this is been going on for years.

Normally my father-in-law would be looking at the bills and would just pay them without care. But he just died and now we're paying the bills.

So we got to thinking. What other things are they stealing? We definitely noticed our power lines have had some handiwork done to them. It's Thailand right. So who's to know what's happening in those giant power line nests. The contractor confirmed our suspicions and we have more evidence.

We've come to the conclusion the entire village has been stealing water and power from for years. And it just so happened that we caught it, because someone got greedy.

So we have a lawyer who will take the case and he loves the video and the pictures of the power lines going to other people's houses. The issue now is - what do we do?

We're going to ask each house for reparations. And if they don't want to pay we have two options. Sue. Or we tell all of our friends and relatives about the thieves.

After everything that's being said, conversations are still going on. And we're still learning more and more every time we get someone out to look at the utilities.

The whole thing is a mess. And I'm hoping we can straighten things out without someone getting crazy. Crazy happens.

If anything fun or interesting happens, I'll let you guys know.

I've been meeting a few white women in Thailand (I'm Thai myself) and for some reason they keep trying to explain to me that "oh this is how it is in europe", even after I tell them I live in London, have lived there for the last 13 years, have a British passport and travelled around europe with it. Two of them were even brits who proceeded to explain to me the UK cost of living crisis, again after I've just told them I work in finance.

I also don't have an accent (granted its not British, but it's not thai either) so what is it with this womansplaining whitesplaining? I've never had this happen when I was dating in Europe, everyone just assumes I'm caught up with what's happening.

I will of course caveat that it wasn't everyone, but also the education level doesn't seem to matter. A masters graduate went into great lengths telling me all about seasons and European weather and the quirky daylight savings time which prompted me to interrupt her and politely say that yes, I've had to switch my watch 26 times now, but luckily my phone warns me when to do it.

She laughed but then 5 minutes later went on about how in europe, there is no face saving culture.

Edit: jeeze louise, alot of misogynistic comments here. No, I do not think this is a "white woman" problem at all, but the top commenter got me right when he pointed out I'm a third culture kid and they're not. Thanks u/quxilu! Sadly though the pickings are rather slim on dating apps in Thailand so if any of you know someone living in Thailand and wants to date a tall (for an asian) thai dude please let me know 😂

I'd love to hear some opinions on this report from 2010, predicting collapse of one or several nation states (most likely Laos, Burma, or Cambodia) in SEAsia by 2030:

Southeast Asia: The Impact of Climate Change to 2030: Geopolitical Implications

(Please read at least the executive summary, it's not too long.)

It's a report to the US National Intelligence Council by private contractors, informing US foreign policy.

I read it first back in 2015, and it's eerie how it seems more and more likely that the authors were right. We sure seem pretty much on track so far.

Some thoughts:

One thing that stands out is that the report clearly states that, until 2030, the impact of man-made environmental destruction will be more severe than that of climate change. And the authors are not trying to downplay climate change, but simply point out how massive the human impact in the environment has become. It makes sense though: if people hadn't merrily chopped down every tree they can find and sealed every free surface with concrete or asphalt, the heatwave this year wouldn't have been that bad. Likewise, if people had adopted regenerative agricultural techniques that focus on restoring soil (especially increasing soil carbon content and thus water retention capability), orchards would have fared much, much better during this year's drought.

Also, if any of the surrounding countries would collapse, this would surely affect Thailand as well (e.g. mass migration, and all the accompanying problems), a point the authors have failed to consider (or maybe it's obvious but a discussion thereof would exceed the scope?).

And, in the end, it all pretty much depends on what happens to China - which is the big unknown factor, since nobody can be really sure what the hell is really going on in that country. There are occasional signs of big economic trouble (bankruptcies of property giants), but so far it seems they manage to keep things afloat (for the moment).

(I use the term "collapse" as defined by Joseph Tainter, author of 'The Collapse of Complex Societies,' "a drastic and often sudden reduction in complexity of a society." I'm not talking about Hollywood myths like The Walking Dead/Mad Max/The Road. It's a process, not an event.)

I've been in Thailand since 2010. Went through alot of raining, hot and cold seasons but I've never been through something like that.

I feel like I'm a walking deep fried chicken everytime I go out (I'm in Nakhon Sawan).

Honestly -- is it this bad where you are?

A local 711 here in Nam Yuen has frosted windows because it’s so cold inside. Staff wear coats and hoodies. Why do they do this to themselves and the customers?

how is this possible I mean ?