Thread: What I Dislike About Thailand

Originally Posted by brian

Originally Posted by RickThai

Although, I really like Thailand, there are a few things that I dislike and would like to see change. They are:

1) Government corruption (tea money). At almost every level Thais and falongs have to pay off someone in authority to speed up paperwork, land jobs, or avoid traffic fines.

2) Double Pricing. For falongs you wind up paying two, three, or even more multiples of the basic Thai price for things. If you read Thai and speak a little, you can generally (but not always) get vendors to come down to the Thai price. Still it is irritating.

3) Extreme Poverty. In spite of hard work, many Thais do live right at the edge of survival. The gap between rich and poor is much greater than it should be.

4) Substance abuse. Alcohol abuse and yaa baa are destroying the lives of way too many Thais. In some areas, stores no longer sell alcohol before 5 pm. This is a good start IMO.

5) Prostitution. Thailand is world famous as a "sex tour" destination. I would really love to see a strong local and national government effort to halt this epidemic.

6) Caste System. Thailand has a very real caste system. This is slowly being eroded by younger Thais and I hope this trend continues.

7) Westernization. The growing middle-class has enthusiastically embraced consumerism. Although many labor-saving devices have made life easier, many Thais are becoming deeply in debt, trying to buy the latest and greatest gadgets. This puts increased pressure on bringing in more money, and is eroding many of the traditional Thai values, as they compete for jobs and baht.

8) Political instability. Thailand needs to become less violent in their approach to partisan politics. Let the Thai people decide who will be the prime minister and let it go at that. Using the military and violence to overthrow elected officials raises a red flag to any country wanting to invest in the Thai economy.

That's my list of things I dislike about Thailand.

Santi,

RickThai

my main dislike is older men..mainly pommes..who whinge about beer prices, music, food, etc then when they get crook they want the thai govt to pay for their medical.

You make a valid point.

Santi,

RickThai

Originally Posted by kmart

Originally Posted by ENT

Yup, that's a fact, different strokes for different folks and one size don't fit all.

I saw some IQ tests designed for street kids and their results a while back,
Street kids scored higher than straights.

Same with tests designed for bush folk, bush folk out-scored ol' whitey.

Probably questions about cheapest lager / highest alcohol content, benefits claims, easiest door locks to jemmy, or the best stereos to chisel out of car dashboards?

Might be because on really bad streets, only the smart ones manage to survive. The dumber ones either get killed or are in prison.

RickThai

Originally Posted by ENT

Yup, that's a fact, different strokes for different folks and one size don't fit all.

I saw some IQ tests designed for street kids and their results a while back,
Street kids scored higher than straights.

Same with tests designed for bush folk, bush folk out-scored ol' whitey.

If IQ tests are culturally loaded towards say, a certain national or a cultural background, those not of that background inevitably scored lower.

Tests I've seen these days are not of the "one size fits all" type, but are fitted to ethnic and cultural backgrounds that are vectored in to the test, so that an individual's results more accurately displays his/her ability to cope with information input and use it realistically.

A far cry from the old standard un-modified Weschler, where Eurocentric standards of knowledge and sources of information were expected to be easily assimilated by non-Euros, or even Marians for that matter.

I've heard that premise before, but what is interesting is that Chinese and other Asians generally score better or as well as Caucasians. I would think the difference between their cultures and European cultures would be greater than the difference between US-born Negros and US-born Caucasians.

How would you explain that anomaly?

RickThai

Originally Posted by Gravesend Dave

Originally Posted by RickThai

Originally Posted by Gravesend Dave

Originally Posted by RickThai

Originally Posted by Gravesend Dave

Just a couple from me!

The smell of the drains can be a bit overpowering at times!!!

Actually that is one I forgot to include. The sois (and markets) can be unbelievably filthy! That's one thing I always liked about Germany and Switzerland. The streets and sidewalks were spotless!

Most Thais (that I know) keep really clean homes, it's just the public areas that are so dirty.

RickThai

You got nippers Rick?
Them hawkers or even shop staff need a lesson on the art of sales!
It should be skillfully directed at adults only!!!

All Falang are not easily lead people who will buy everything their child takes an interest in!
In my case I would need an Island so far for cheap imported Chinese toot!!

My son is now 33 years old, and has never lived in Thailand, so that was never a problem for me. My Thai BIL has an 8-year old and a 12 year old. They are spoiled rotten (this is his 3rd set of children with 3 different wives), so I can see your point.

RickThai

Living in Thailand with small children would change a lot of the opinions of members who are not in this situation I am sure.
Glad you seem to know where I'm coming from with this.

As for your bil Rick he sounds like he following a Thai tradition many have laid out before him.
Put a bird in the club and move on!
Not having a pop but I wonder if he supports the kids let alone sees them.
Third time lucky!!

I have to admit he does like his women. He is now 58 and is married to a woman who is in her late 30s (a school teacher).

He is, however, a really good father to all his children. His two sons from his first wife are doing pretty good. One of them has graduated from college and has a decent job. The other son works off and on, and sometimes comes back to live with my BIL for a bit. My BIL helps him out with money when needed (this son is in his late 20s). The daughter from the second marriage has done very well for herself. She attended college, got her decree, and wound up marrying into HISO (a Dentist). She now plays golf in Hua Hin and regularly flys to Japan for shopping trips.

RickThai

An individual's IQ varies somewhat over time, but is generally statistically viable and consistent throughout their lifetime (barring dementia and/or other mental issues).

There is an interesting book "The Bell Curve" that was written a few years old. It shows distinct correlations between crime and low IQ, among other things.

What you're missing is the simple fact the IQ industry supports the IQ industry just as The NRA supports arms manufacturers. It's a club. No doubt the scores are accurate just as Tide is the best laundry detergent.

Sure, you can get a general idea of whatever it is the industry assigns as low, normal or high IQs but the bottom line is it means nothing. Your personal survival is all that counts.

The largest portion of the test relies on your language ability, math skills, spacial awareness. Many many folks have led happy normal productive lives failing in one of two of those areas. The sad part is: What you do with the results? Do you accept a low score and let it do the self fulfilling prophesy, or do you accept the fact you are more fortunate than other folks and go out practicing how to walk on water?

Pre university I once scored 115. Half way through uni I scored 125. Ten years ago I scored 132. I doubt I'm more intelligent, I'm just a better reader.

And then there's social IQ. That's where I kick ass. And for me social skills are the hardest to realize in life and the most valuable.

The body of employees or grant recipients who write tests have an agenda, that agenda might be their need to express their will and the satisfaction of knowing their entries cleared the editors, certified by those who employ them.

How could all this mess be applied to another culture? How could it even apply to anyone but the very folks who thought up all those questions?

So you spend you're time reading aimless posts that you obviously feel a common bond with the writer. I get that. As I said, no time for that, move on. KISS works well I hear?

Originally Posted by RickThai

Even the most devout Buddhists discuss social problems and try to effect change (Ever hear of the Dalai Lama?)

But the Dalai Lama is a proper Buddhist, not one of these pretend Thai ones. I've still yet to meet a Thai who has even heard of his Lamaness.

^^ No. I spend my time researching and writing notes or designing and drawing etc.
The computer's on most of the day and I'll log onto TD and don't log off until I shut the computer down later. TD gives me something to escape to instantly when I want to take my mind away from my work.
Otherwise I'll go out and work or visit someone.
TD's only one of the several pages I might have open simultaneously. It's the way I like to work.

Originally Posted by ENT

If Thai students had 1Qs of 119 as declared by mt,iq-test.eu.stats, above, Thais would all be rocket scientists,

do you know what an IQ is, and how the number is arrived at?

obviously not

Taking you as an example, since you behave and show the intelligence of an immature fool struggling with mid-life crisis compared to your real age, the formula is apparent age (that of an immature fool) divided by your real age multiplied by 100, which gives you an IQ of around 40 / 55 x 100 = 72.7, borderline deficient.

Originally Posted by Camel Toe

An individual's IQ varies somewhat over time, but is generally statistically viable and consistent throughout their lifetime (barring dementia and/or other mental issues).

There is an interesting book "The Bell Curve" that was written a few years old. It shows distinct correlations between crime and low IQ, among other things.

And then there's social IQ. That's where I kick ass. And for me social skills are the hardest to realize in life and the most valuable.

From the content of your posts, you could have fooled me!

Santi,

RickThai

The most unimaginative, monotonous, prosaic, uninspiring yet most judgmental, condescending, in-your-face religious, and delusional poster on this board has just called you out, Camel Toe





...and failed again, as usual.

Originally Posted by ENT

Taking you as an example, since you behave and show the intelligence of an immature fool struggling with mid-life crisis compared to your real age, the formula is apparent age (that of an immature fool) divided by your real age multiplied by 100, which gives you an IQ of around 40 / 55 x 100 = 72.7, borderline deficient.

Judging by the childish (not to mention looney) content of your posts, this appears to be you, ENT....projecting again.

Originally Posted by ENT

It takes a psychologist to administer an IQ test, anything self-administered on line and so on is necessarily biased. No way can an individual avoid qualifying their test with anything from extra time to re-answering questions.

Most folk of average intelligence I've talked to who've taken on-line IQ tests seem to score around the 130 ( + / - ) mark and described as being of superior intelligence or some such.

Using a Weschler IQ test, the average IQ is 100, with only 2% of the population scoring an IQ level of intelligence of 130 < 135 to be classified as having superior to very superior (IQ of 135 < 140 )intelligence.

There are several sub-tests in the Weschler, and timing each test is essential for a proper appraisal, something almost impossible in self-administered or on-line tests.

There's also a mean variable of ( + or -) 10 to 15 points on the test, and only a psychologist trained to administer the test can determine if the score is to be graded down or up from the initial test result.

IQ results vary over time, and mental stimulation potentially increases anybody's IQ level.

This is very good. So when there's a margin of error of 15 points it could well be, in my case, I scored 130 pre uni and 117 ten years ago. Or maybe my not getting a good nights sleep the day before threw me off by 20 points plus the 15 points as a margin of error. Shit, it took me all these years to discover how stupid I am, how stupid I was, how intelligent I am, or how lucky or unlucky I was the days I sat those three IQ tests. Anyway, I feel a lot better now.

Originally Posted by RickThai

And then there's social IQ. That's where I kick ass. And for me social skills are the hardest to realize in life and the most valuable.



From the content of your posts, you could have fooled me!
Santi,

RickThai

I hate to be the person to break the news to you but forums are not real life. There's nobody nowhere on this forum or any forum that will ever be entertained, dined, talked to, will receive Christmas fruit cakes or birthday cards from me. If you don't need me and I don't need you that kinda makes it a non-tangible, non-existing relationship, nipped way before the bud. So fuck off.

Originally Posted by Latindancer

Originally Posted by ENT

Taking you as an example, since you behave and show the intelligence of an immature fool struggling with mid-life crisis compared to your real age, the formula is apparent age (that of an immature fool) divided by your real age multiplied by 100, which gives you an IQ of around 40 / 55 x 100 = 72.7, borderline deficient.

Judging by the childish (not to mention looney) content of your posts, this appears to be you, ENT....projecting again.

The childishness is all yours, dip-shit, as you're still hooked on adolescent buzz words and values, cowboy comics and popular mechanics, let alone self-preening narcissism.

At a rough guess, you have a developmental age of about 40, a chronological age of 57 so your IQ level is likely (40 /57 x 100) = 70.175 but to be generous add 15 and you're IQ level is around 85.175, compared to Handshandy's at 72.7 + 15 = 87.5, marginally ahead of yours but equalling the lower end of Oz IQ levels and mid range values of the general Thai populace.

You can always get yourself IQ evaluated at a clinical psychology department of an Oz hospital after being referred there by your doctor and likely a psychiatrist as well.

No big deal, unless you're scared of shrinks.
Go for the full menu, a whole personality assessment by MMPI just for starters.

You can always get yourself IQ evaluated at a clinical psychology department. Go for the full menu, a whole personality assessment by MMPI just for starters.

Who'd have the balls to face off with all that reality?

Those interested in a real look at themselves.

It's worth it.

Originally Posted by gaysexbyproxy

The most unimaginative, monotonous, prosaic, uninspiring yet most judgmental, condescending, in-your-face religious, and delusional poster on this board has just called you out, Camel Toe

I think I just messed myself. That's all you can do when your IQ is obviously inferior.

You don't have an Anth degree if you have a low IQ.

In Thailand I hardly met an academic Thai who even knew what anthropology is.

Nah, my buddy studied robotics. That takes brains.

So did my ex father in law, who employed me to do the drawings, Sweden 1989.

Never was a math guy. But respect!