vandeventer, I support my wife up country and I think things will get worse for thai people if jobs start to wobble as they tighten their belts. Most thais in the villages are on a slim budget buying their small requirements each day.
Its quite clear that this man resorts to violence as retribution and not getting what he wants and we know what he wanted that night. Throw away the key. RIP that poor lady.
Just got back to my home in UK after seven months in Thailand with my wife.
Flat Battery, flat tyre and rear wheels siezed. ( chock the wheels) Handbrake off.
Thats how important it is to keep your options open.
Up here in NE of Isaan the kids all go to school on motorbikes and never wear a helmet. Too young to get a licence. My partners two daughters among them. Of course the Police just let it go.
Some years ago I was sitting opposite Soi 8/9 near Police St'n.
When a bouncer walked over to the beach and proceeded to give a sleeping farang a kicking. It was totally unprovoked.
As the sun goes down in the village the dogs gather in packs running through the village here in Isaan. They fight and chase motorbikes etc. I have never seen someone walking a dog on a leash.
I've walked through to Bali hi a couple of time recently. As you say its a mess. Areas of the paved rd just patched with concrete. If they actually repaved the whole street it would only be dug up the week after.