Expat Tom

I am a retired ship captain and also taught other mariners in two different maritime academic institutions in the USA. You might find it interesting that vessels operating within the territorial waters of a country and not engaging in an international voyage are not required to comply with most rules and regulations of the IMO (International Maritime Organization). It is up to the country where the vessel is operating to enforce safety and maritime regulations on its vessels no matter the size. I am NOT saying that Thailand does or does not have maritime rules. I AM saying that they DO NOT HAVE TO COMPLY with international norms within their own waters. When you see ferry fires, boats sinking, speed boats running into reefs , Thai war ships sinking and accidently firing on other war ships it should give you pause before boarding a vessel in Thailand. As for me. I know where my life jacket is and avoid going into the interior of a vessel here. I want to be able to grab mt life jacket and be able to get off the vessel as soon as possible if needed. By the same token, if I go to a bar or restaurant, I want to be close to the exit. You can call me paranoid if you want but, after being in combat, traveling to over 75 countries and reaching the 7th decade of my life you can also call me ALIVE! No matter where you might find yourself in the world, maintain Situational Awareness.

Woops! I forgot one more reason om my list to leave....Khun Anutin! Mental Giant!

I have lived here for 15 years. The Russian invasion is just one more reason that I am working on my exit plan. Regarding taxing expats, it is far from a settled issue but the brain trust in BKK ( I am joking about brain trust...should be brainless trust) has not thought this through. I am not wealthy but I bring in around 100,000 baht to the country monthly. I spent it all, every baht going into the Thai economy. I am not the only farang who will likely spend 179 days a year here to avoid tax- residency. That means that 6 months X 100,000 baht will not be spent in Thailand. I am sure the Vietnam, Malaysia, Colombia, Mexico, the PI and many other countries are rooting for Thailand to tax foreigners. Let's see? Russians and Tax....the RFL ( Reasons for Leaving) is increasing.

One of the safest most orderly countries in Asia is Singapore. They would have caught the guy, caned him (whipped his lard ass with a cane),put him in jail and thrown him out of the country with a lifetime ban. PLEASE PLEASE Thailand.....you must deal harshly with each of these disgusting offenses in the strictest way possible. If not, every NORMAL, law bidding farang here will suffer. If you are not doing anything wrong then you have nothing to worry about. If you are one of these idiots then you should bear the consequences of your actions.

50 lashes with a wet noodle and expel him from the country.....another ilbred farang.

Interesting but misleading. First, there are many many crime index reports. https://www.numbeo.com/crime/rankings_by_country.jsp Numbeo is considered to have the most extensive data basis. They rank Thailand as 100th and ahead of the USA, the UK, Italy, Belgium and France. Thailand is ranked safer and with less crime than most European countries. So, choose your own index to follow. I have visited more the 75 countries and lived for longer than one year in Asia, North America, Europe, South America and Micronesia and no place is perfect. I am an American expat and have lived in Thailand for well over 10 years. To each his own but, as for me, I am quite happy to be here.

The police in Thailand need to be a bit more confrontational. Threat with knives and she is not behind bars? Everytime I see one of these farang reports I say a silent prayer...."please don't let it be an American". We have enough problems as it is.

It is not a fire control problem. It is a people control problem. In some ways, Thailand is a exceptonaly modern country. In other ways it is as it was 1000 years ago.

And the numerous bars advertising Russian ladies are still open on Walking Street in Pattaya....no zooming required. The obvious in plain sight ignored while people upgrade their zoom lenses? Personally, I could care less what consenting adults do at sea and I don't visit Russian bars on Walking street.

Actually I don't drink anymore....I don't drink any less either....

Almost all bars, not that I go to bars, put your active bar tab in the little cup (check bin) right in front of you when you drink. On the "few Occasions" that I do go the a bar, I check my tab as each drink is served. It is a simple thing to do and there will be no surprises when it is time to pay. I only drink on two occasions....either when I am with somebody or when I am alone

The Russian presence can be directly linked to some of the greedy people running this country. Just for fun, visit "Transparency.org" and pursue the "The World Corruption Index". You might find it interesting to see where Russia, Thailand and your home country ranks. Draw your own conclusions.

Would a Brit actually drink too much and ride a motorbike? I could see that kind of behavior from a Aussie but a "Brit". Are you sure it was a Brit?

Hey, here's an idea! Instead of announcing a crackdown on "FARANG", which will not play well in the international press nor will it encourage tourism, why not announce a crackdown on ALL people who are misbehaving .... farang and Thai. Why does the good minister always feel compelled to single out farang for his harangs? Thailand is a contradiction at times. It is known as the land of smiles and they want tourism yet the country is xenophobic and insular and they seem to not want foreigners here but they DO want the money. Am I the only one who feels like Farang ATM at times?

There are rude, insonsideate, dishonest, cheating people from all countries. When I see an American misbehaving I want to PERSONALLY have a conversation with the miscreant. I am used that other expats feel the same. Even thought there a scumbags from every country, Russia seem to have far more than their share. Unfortunately, some highly placed groups in Thailand see only money,money,money. Well, you wanted the Russian....you got the Russians. Sadly, for me it is just one more item to consider when making my potential exit plan from Thailand.

Kindly show me the peer reviewed major medical studies from world famous medical institutions that show that paper or cloth masks filer anything other than dust......I won't hold my breath.

My old grandmother always told me to be careful what you wish for. Thailand wanted the Russian so badly....how's that working out? Thailand wants to buy ship from China.....I wonder how that will work out too.? "The bitter taste of poor quality lingers long after the sweet bouquet of low price has faded". That might apply to tourists and military hardware....

I am American, sorry to say. This little jerk is part of what is wrong with a once great nation today. I only wish that I had been there to "take care" of this national disgrace and teach him some manners. PLEASE throw him in jail for a while and then expel him from Thailand barring him from returning. I moved here to get away from him and his ilk. Hey! I've got an idea! Regardless of what country you are from, Switzerland, USA, UK, Germany....when you see one of your countrymen making a fool out of his or herself step in. Little jerks like this punk obviously did not benefit from any parenting. It might be too little too late but perhaps a proper ass whipping might do them good. Sometimes the Thai police are too accommodating.

500 BATH! That is not only a joke but an insult to the victim. The fine should have been 5000 at a minimum followed up by the rude Russian being hung at sunset..... : ) ! .....just a joke about the hanging. In Singapore the offending party might have been publicly whipped before being escorted to her departing flight. My point is that, in this case, the authorities might have been a little soft on crime.

Hangem' high. They are only Kiwis and that is not HUGE source of tourism income...

Please give the Kiwis some meaningful time in the Bangkok Hilton ....barbwire hotel... before throwing their sorry asses out of Thailand. Should the lads try such a stunt in the USA they would most likely be shot dead on the spot by another cop or by a concerned citizen LEGALLY carrying a firearm who came the officer's aid. How do I know this? That is information you don't really need to know. Just take my word for it. In general, the police in Thailand are much more temperate in dealing with many situations than their counterparts in the USA would be. A few months back, the Chinese guy swinging his skateboard at officers in the airport would have been hit with a tazzer in the first 5 minutes if not sooner.

There am MANY MANY other desirable countries in the world for expats to live where it is completely legal for them (us) to own residences other than condos in building with 51% Thai ownership. Many of these other countries actively look for expat retirees rather than hinder them. There are many other countries in the world where expats on retirement visas get DISCOUNTS rather then charged more than citizens. I have been here for over 15 years. I have loved my time in Thailand but am working on my exit strategy. Maybe it is just me but I seem to be less welcome here than in years past.

Well, what can I add? The story and the comments say it all......OMG!

No brainer. Find them, fine them and throw them out of the country. I have lived here for many many years as a farang expat. Living in any country that is not your own is challenging enough without jerks doing stupid stuff....no matter what their country

I unwisely asked an open question on this forum on this subject. I have lived , happily, in Thailand for many years with either a work visa or retirement visa. I always followed the rules of my host country ever mindful that I am NOT Thai but a guest living in this country. in my open question I ask how certain ladies from a certain Western country obtained visas to work in GoGo bars in a certain city on a certain well known street. I wondered what their visa requirement were. With in minutes or making my posting I received a reply that any person capable of critical thinking would immediately recognize as a veiled threat. "You had better mind your own business etc etc". The whole episode gave me pause and I recalled the advice that I have given others who contemplate becoming expats and living abroad yet failed to follow myself; Thailand is a sovereign nation and as such, mades and enforce their own laws as they see fit. They don't need or want others telling them how they do things in their respective countries. If you intent to live here, or any country not your own you need for follow a few general rules. 1) Don't criticize your new country of residence to include the police, immigrations, government, or the Royal Family. 2) Never Criticize a Thai business in writing online, especially hotels, restaurants or airlines no matter what the forum including Trip Advisor. 3) You must learn about the culture and customs in your new country of residence and respect the same. You do not have to ADOPT the culture but you MUST ADAPT to the culture. 4) Unless it is serious and affects you directly, keep your head down and you mouth shut. 5) Try to learn the language and fit in as best you can and not be an ass#ole. 6) STAY OUT OF POLITICS IN YOU HOST COUNTRY. A line from the old movie, "Wizard Of Oz" comes to mind, "You aren't in Kansas anymore Dorothy". There are often big money and powerful business interest behind some of these more egregious offenders of immigrations "oddities" if not political connections and maybe foreign organized crime interest. "If it doesn't affect you then it isn't your business. " I am thankful for the anonymity of afforded by the internet and Asean Now. I will try to follow my own advice so I won't receive any more veiled or unveiled threats for asking questions. I am a happy Expat and love living here.