[Thailand-Russia relations remain strong, but at what cost?]

6 hours ago, bob smith said:

disgusting.

 

spineless Thailand never ceases to amaze me.

Not spineless - just a very canny minnow which has successfully survived in an ocean of sharks.

[Orthopedics services, respiratory problems, prices. at CM at Bangkok Hospital, Chiang Mai Ram, McCormick ?]

I'm sorry the OP had a bad experience at Rajavej. I had a major orthopedic problem (badly broken shoulder, broken hip) and was admitted as an emergency. From the moment I was admitted, the treatment I received was top class; this included a team of specialists - orthopedic surgeon, hematologist and one other I forget, Surgery took seven hours and the post surgery follow-up followed the most modern techniques available in Europe and included two months of physiotherapy sessions from a newly qualified Chiang Mai University physiotherapist . Over the next year I had regular consultations with the surgeon.

My room, while plain, was large and had a comfortable bed for my wife. 

In short I'm happy to sing the praises of Rajevej to anyone who cares to listen and my wife and I use its services, including the annual health checkup and vaccinations,  pretty regularly.

[What's so good about Thailand?]

3 minutes ago, bob smith said:

Have they? 

 

When was the last time either one of them had no functioning government or a military coup??

 

facts only please, not speculation.

Belgium breaks own record for longest period without government

Monday, 3 August 2020 © Belga Belgium on Sunday broke its own standing record for the longest political crisis and longest period without an elected government. It has been 592 days since the previous government, led by former Prime Minister Charles Michel, collapsed over inter-party tensions on migration in December 2018. - Not the first time either.

Germany took 86 days in 2013 to reach the current coalition agreement, and in the same year Italy took 62 days to form a government.

[What's so good about Thailand?]

5 hours ago, bob smith said:

are they though?

 

Thailand doent even have a functional government lol.

Well, both Italy and Belgium have managed pretty well without governments on occasion.

[What's so good about Thailand?]

5 hours ago, bob smith said:

in your opinion, whats so good about living in Thailand?

 

for me i struggle to find the positives. lets take a deep dive into the facts for a minute, shall we?

 

Thailand doesnt have democracy.

This means there is no right to freedom of expression and human rights are not important.

bureaucracy reigns supreme. it affects almost every aspect of daily life here.

90 day reporting. treated like a common criminal the minute we get off the plane.

healthcare only good if you have money. if you are poor forget it.

its either hot or wet most of the year. 

pollution is a serious issue and will kill you eventually. 

alcohol prices rising fast. soon it will be comparable to the UK/US.

institutional racism.

cant own land. etc etc etc

 

off the top of my head i can only think of two things that are good about Thailand, they are;

 

The food.

The women.

 

if Thailand didnt have those above it would be hell on earth.

 

how about you lot? what do you find so good about living in Thailand?

A heck of a lot:

Good cheap food

Friendly, polite population

Stunning seasides and countrysides

Superb roads

Cheap accommodation 

Cheap hotels with far, far higher standards for the price than in Europe

Decent, effective and reasonably priced healthcare

Outstanding service in shops, offices and service outlets

'Can do' attitudes - always finding some way to solve a problem

Very hardworking

And as for bureaucracy yes - but it's a real doddle compared to what immigrants have to go through in Britain.

Ok, not perfect - what country is; but coming here for the first time in 1974 and living here since 2015 I'm not tempted to try anywhere else.

 

 

[US ‘concerned’ about developments in legal system after Thailand’s election]

25 minutes ago, sandyf said:

Historically the US has interfered in the affairs of other countries off it's own back, generally without success, That must come to an end.

If there is to be any comment of intervention in the affairs of other countries it should come from a global entity and not a vigilante.

Irresponsible statements could damage the Thai economy more than the pandemic.

And that coming from the lilywhite defender of electoral rights. The mainly coloured people of several of the US's Southern States might have a slightly caustic word to say about how their government has been protecting their rights.

[Two young girls rescued from an illegal karaoke bar in Bangkok]

1 hour ago, jak2002003 said:

Seems it's the 'culture' of these kind of places in Thailand. 

 

There is as yet still no evidence that they were victims of human trafficing either. 

 

While I personally don't agree or like that they were working there, I doubt they are innocent little girls being abused.

 

They are, after all, over the age of concent for a start so not children. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 27 states in the USA the age of sexual consent is 16 and in six US states there is no minimum age at all

[Tourist Police launch campaign to enforce Alcohol Ban during elections, targeting entrepreneurs and tourists]

5 hours ago, roo860 said:

That covers alot of countries.

Perhaps but the two that come immediately to mind are the USA - Trump, and the UK - Johnson.

[Thailand's aging population]

On 4/29/2023 at 7:24 PM, BangkokReady said:

Probably nothing.

Not so - At least here in Chiang Mai a new, well equipped geriatric hospital has been built.

[Free circumcision program for young Muslim in Pattaya a cut above the rest]

2 minutes ago, bignok said:

More like fortunate based on the facts. You missed out.

Alas I didn't.

[Free circumcision program for young Muslim in Pattaya a cut above the rest]

Wow - free genital mutilation for these unfortunate young men.

[Thailand is the biggest exporter of condoms in the world]

7 hours ago, redwood1 said:

This proves there is a whole lot of barebacking going on in Thailand.....No use for condoms in Thailand....

Not if you are following the statistics on Thailand's falling birthrate.

[Thousands flee into Thailand amid renewed Myanmar fighting]

1 hour ago, Burma Bill said:

With respect, not strictly true. Before the latest coup with its trade sanctions, oil, gas, gemstones and wood (teak in particular) were exported to the West. Norway's Telenor company played a major role in telecommunicatios but pulled out in 2018 when the latest junta made unacceptable demands. Telenor owned DTAC in Thailand and is now involved with TRUE in the recent merger.

And Thailand (along with China) remains the major client for Burmese gas.

[Swedish Man Arrested on Samui Island for 75 Days of Overstaying]

20 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

Oh please, get real. Those on an overstay know that they are breaking the law but it's not going to change their mind.

The crime doesn't fit the punishment. Just put him on a plane discreetly and ban him.

 

 

Do that in Britain and the Immigration enforcement police would put you on the first plane for Rwanda. Or Catterick which is probably even worse.

[I pay for something and the cashier hands the change back to my wife?]

What is really bad is when the wife pays and the change is handed back to the husband.

[Russia could run out of money next year, says oligarch Oleg Deripaska]

Hopefully - but this may just be Mr Deripaska's wishful thinking.

[Thai economic woes grow with a 10-year high trade deficit as January exports slumped by 4.5%]

Maybe not the most appropriate time to introduce the new tourist tax  . . . . .

[ganga plants in chiang mai]

4 hours ago, NedR69 said:

I think it's seeds, not plants.  You can plant what you want and only grow your allowance......I think I read this last year.  Try a Google search where to get "cannabis or ganja seeds in Thailand". Multiples places that will send you an order of seeds.   Leafly.com is good source of information before you buy seeds and then work weeks or months to grow and cultivate and the result is less than expected.  Make sure that when you buy a packet of seeds that it or the breeder who produced them can list where the seeds came from and how they were crossed and/or backcrossed to get the seed that you hold in your hand. If you can’t get a seed’s history, it could be anything and the result of poor breeding practices.  Good luck to your wife.  Post some pics, let others know your experience.  Thanks

We noticed young plants for sale in Chiang Mai's Kampthieng market as well in a branch of Big C (next to the rosemary).

[I thought healthcare in Thailand was supposed to be cheap?]

18 hours ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

I think dentist here are crooks. 

Some of them perhaps but most of them set out their prices very clearly. A few years back while on holiday my wife lost her front tooth and went to Chiang Mai's reputedly most expensive dental clinic. They (the dental surgeon and the dental technician) spent one and a half hours trying to resolve the problem and explaining to her exactly what was wrong - then said no charge - we haven't been able to help.

[Transgender Person in Patong Arrested after Snatching Gold from British Tourist]

The tourist is clearly a prime candidate for this week's Darwin Award.

[I pay for something and the cashier hands the change back to my wife?]

5 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Thinking too mut, IMO.

I'm pretty sure that paying for things is normally a Thai wives department - cultural perhaps.

 

Cashier knows who is the boss?

[British Police say domestic abuser may be in Thailand]

1 hour ago, The Fugitive said:

If they consider there is a risk of the suspect fleeing the Country they (CPS) can ask the Magistrates' Court to make an order. 

And the British Immigration Services do not keep records of who comes in/leaves the UK. This lack of any accurate statistics has always hamstrung British immigration policies.

[Thaksin, Minister Join Social Media Push To Legalise E-Cigarettes]

If Thaksin wants it, that'll certainly put the kybosh on the proposal.

[Assistant bank manager arrested after bank themselves caught him stealing 2MB from 80 year old gran]

5 hours ago, worgeordie said:

Thailand ......were the bank robbers actually work in the bank.

 

regards Worgeordie

Actually this type of theft is not unknown even in Europe. When I was living in Brussels 40 years ago one of the city's upmarket shopping galleries on the Avenue Louise was seen to be blocked to customers at both ends by the police. Later it was discovered that the reason for the blockage was to allow the police thieves inside the gallery to go about their thieving without being disturbed.

[Transparent checkpoints ordered nationwide - uniforms/bodycams/ must be set up "for people's good"]

As this is all about money financial inducements to whistleblowers might help as well.