dumball

Until early '90, Italy used to have one of the highest level of corruption in the world, especially within the Government sector.
It took almost a decade and plenty of high profile court cases, incarcerations of "untouchable", confiscation of family assets, banning of political parties and executives, reshuffling within army and police....the fall of the gods, in a word.
The whole process went under the name "Tangentopoli" (The City of Bribes) and saw Italy moving to a better and modern form of society.
It was painful but absolutely necessary.
The Italians were fed up with the system and it took a group of energetic and committed lawyers and judges to bring it down [unfortunately, these very same people established a new form of power controlling the State].
Such revolution was supported in Italy by the education of people in politics and civil rights, values that Thai people are lacking greatly!
I see Thais complaining about corruption and at the same time, they embrace it as part of their normal life....

Suggesting that something be done in an easier, more efficient way, then being looked at as if I'm totally retarded

hayden5650, on 2010-10-03 19:05:07, said:

Even if you accept that in Thailand and some other parts of Asia, blatant racism is a way of life, what about the fact that this hotel also refused to refund the money which was paid up front? I suppose that is just fine too?

Some of the expats on this site are as deluded as their "hosts".

If some older guys out there want to spend their time with younger girls, go for it, enjoy and be happy! For the guys who dont like seeing it, take satisfaction when it all crumbles down around the disillusioned older man, if your that way inclined. For the people who have successful and most importantly happy relationships together where the age difference may be in question, congratulations theres a good chance you'll never become a bitter thaivisa poster. Let people live their own lives, make their own mistakes and find their own happiness.

Wallaby, on 2010-10-02 18:55:06, said:

forgetting and hard of hearing can be a real art when it comes with us old geezers dealing with the younger folk. And for that matter with each other. It is kind of like those secret handshakes/clubs, we are just not going to tell just anyone how it works.

theres really no need to quote the quotes and double and triple repeated quotes

cheers

Chunky1, on 2010-10-01 23:02:25, said:

I couldn't follow it either, but I first thought that he and his step-sister had the same father (farang?) who was on his second marriage (to her mother). Then I realised that that didn't make sense as it would have meant that they would have known each other since his step-sister was born, 16 years ago, which didn't make sense.

Second thought was that his father had married her mother far more recently, and that the step-sister was from a previous marriage (different father) and that LT3's "pregnant Thai wife" was unrelated to any of them (otherwise his step-sister would actually be his sister-in-law in Chunky's scenario).

If that's the case, and its the only one which fits, then the problem isn't one LT3 or his father can sort out between them as its down to the mother/step-mother. She probably wants her daughter to have equal responsibilty, etc, to her step-son, regardless of her age,and that's where the problem lies.  

Who actually owned/set up the factory - her mum or your dad? If her mum did, then you're the one interfering in her business and her birthright. If your dad did, but he's away most of the time, then who was running it before and who is now in overall charge? Or do they own it jointly (or your dad has given it to his new wife) and she has made her daughter manager to protect her share from you and your Thai wife?

Either way, if you give a 16 year old Thai girl a teddy bear and some chocolates and you've got a pregnant Thai wfe you're asking for trouble. This isn't something you are in a postion to sort out for yourself, or with your step-sister - its something your dad and her mum have to sort out.

We seem to have these Young Men ranting about Old men with Young Women,on TV quite regularly,so it's good to see a thread devoted to the subject.

When are they going to get it? its the couples personal choice to be together,the reasons for their relationship,is theirs and theirs alone.Do they think the couple concerned give a toss about their narrow minded opinions?

It wasn't too many years ago that most Asian Marriages were arranged by the Parents,and that was a deal about Finances,and sustainable long term support for the Young Bride,and also about being a good Father to the children.
Love never entered the equation,which is only a notional feeling anyway,which after the initial adrenaline rush,of a new relatioonship,soon changes, into long term Affection,Respect,Stability,Security and Caring.If one is Lucky.

The message is very clear when you have been in Asia long enough to learn something.

Love and Contentment doesn't just happen because you are young and handsome,its about can you support them,and give them a good lifestyle? and not about your Adonis features,size of your Biceps,and your trendy clothes and hairstyles,which is superficial nonsense,but fits in nicely with the Romantic dreams and ideals of Youth,the Hearts and Roses stuff of the inexperienced dreamers!

My wife and I tolerate the odd leer and guarded comment,from those who do not approve of our obvious age difference ,whilst others more open minded and worldly,dont give it a second thought.
Get over your self rightious moralising fella's,it not going away anytime soon,we can make our own mistakes,without your dubious wisdom!

rubl, on 2010-09-19 12:28:06, said:

So where is so-called "SoE rule not to allow crowds 5+ pax"????????
Anyone in this f#$%#$%#$@ govt able to enforce even ONE thing in their own country?? Where is the police? Where are SWATs? Noone to disperce the 2nd season of this red-soap drama?
I should re-think my decision to pay my taxes to THIS.

State of emergency ?

Wouldn't you expect a fairly well trained armed response unit to be on hand close to all international airports?

The mind boggles - if they can take a car park, they could certainly take a few planes full of people.

TheWalkingMan, on 2010-10-01 12:20:22, said:

Pfff... if the whole friggin' airport can be taken over by an "unarmed" mob for a week, 40 openly armed thugs shouldn't have a problem with a paltry parking lot.

whybother, on 2010-09-30 07:26:27, said:

I agree. The temple was built by the Cambodians before the Thai empire was even formed, it sits on Cambodian soil. So, it's Cambodia's. It just takes a little bit of common sense to figure this one out. Now if only the Thai's can find this little common sense.

Funnily enough I had cause to complain to the people who run the Airport-Pattaya bus service only yesterday. I found an email contact form on their website. This is what I wrote:-


I have travelled on your excellent service many times and have usually been pleased. However, yesterday, Saturday 25th. September, I caught the 11:00 bus from Suvarnabhumi. We were 10 minutes late leaving the airport as the driver picked somebody up from outside the transportation centre. On the way back to Pattaya we were subjected to a high speed white knuckle ride presumably because the driver had to make up time. I felt really uncomfortable and at times scared as the driver gunned the bus down the highway. It became apparent later as to why we were going so fast....we did a detour to Laem Chabang where the bus stopped to let off a passenger. Presumably this was the same passenger who had got on at the transportation centre. (An employee of yours?). Although we arrived safely at Jomtien this excessive speed is downright dangerous. If the roads had been wet I would have been terrified.  >   This is unacceptable. You have a duty to transport passengers safely. The speed was not safe. Will you please assure me that this will not happen in future.  >   I am a board member of several Pattaya forums and my first thoughts were to post a report of this irresponsible behaviour thus warning other passengers, but I saw that your website provided this contact page(excellent)so I will give you a chance to have a word with the drivers/managers to desist from such dangerous practices. Regards.

And, amazingly, I got this reply within three hours, and on a Sunday!


Re: Contact Form.
From: <snip> [Add]To:> [Add]Date:Sun, 26 Sep 2010 12:44 PM (1 day 3 hours ago)Show originalShow full header    I'm really sorry about thing that happened to you. I will investigate about this situation.   I really apologize for that. It will not happen again.   Regards,  Pratchayarn   Sent from my iPhone


I don't expect much, but at least someone was listening to me. One can only hope.

There's been a lot of these "I'm out of here posts", but I thought yours was quite good. You said what gave you the shits, where you were going to and how and when you were going.
Well done, it's not a crime to say I've had enough and I'm going home.
For some on this forum such honesty means a chance to show their mental acumen with phrases like"don't let the door hit you in the bum",etc, etc.

I agree and empathise with your descriptions of the traffic and the rubbish situation in this country. As a newcomer here I am still getting used to it myself with mixed results.
Good luck back home, Paris is my favorite city, but I can't afford to live there.

Berkshire, on 2010-09-27 11:03:00, said:

Or maybe they just realised that they would like to live somewhere that is a little more respected internationally.