I Heart Bangkok...... But.....

[Ngairo]

I would ban low life bigots.

That's a huge job....might have to get George W in on the job...

[Lillydilly]

stop throwing rubbish in anywhere and anytime please ...even just one peice of tissue paper!

if there is no garbage bin , stick it in your bag ...if only wish I could have amoung Thai people & tourists .

It just sad to see those plastic bags & bottles in every national parks...not to mentioned every where in BKK and entire country.

[Stramash]

stop throwing rubbish in anywhere and anytime please ...even just one peice of tissue paper!

if there is no garbage bin , stick it in your bag ...if only wish I could have amoung Thai people & tourists .

It just sad to see those plastic bags & bottles in every national parks...not to mentioned every where in BKK and entire country.

Agree so much and this is one of the reasons I generally dislike Israelis.

When I was on Samui, I used to be over playing on Koh Pha Ngan 2 or 3 times a month. Now black and half moon parties weren't so bad - they were away from Haad Riin, smaller crowds and for some reason a far tidier crowd, but at full moons, it was a freaking disgrace how some of the tourists treated the beach and surrounding areas.

At some point before heading up to Backyard, I would always get some refuse sacks and colect bottles, rubbish etc. I would always have spare bags on me and would try and cajole tourists to even fill half a bag - generally most people would do something - even if it was only 5 minutes it was better than nothing - but over a period of 19 months, the ONLY nationality that always always refused (and usually made disparaging or arrogant comments) were the Israeli kids (and if anyone can give a GOOD reason for this would love to hear it)

[Stramash]

Israelis get confused between places to play and and trash dumps...seriously.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/11/israel-turns-2000-acre-trash-dump-worlds-largest-parks-ayalon.php

at least they doing it right way round there!!

so in Thailand they turn place to play into dump but in Tel Aviv vice versa??

Basta**s

[Loburt]

Your experience is your experience.

But in my experience, I've seen groups from just about every foreign nationality behaving badly in Thailand.

While I may mutter some things sometimes, I try not to judge an entire nation or its people by it. Especially by those who attend full moon parties.

As a prime example, I've on several occasions seen absolutely despicable behavior here by some groups of Japanese. On the other hand, my brother lived in Japan, I have Japanese friends both here and in NY, and so have also seen a very positive side of Japanese people.

[Stramash]

Your experience is your experience.

But in my experience, I've seen groups from just about every foreign nationality behaving badly in Thailand.

While I may mutter some things sometimes, I try not to judge an entire nation or its people by it. Especially by those who attend full moon parties.

As a prime example, I've on several occasions seen absolutely despicable behavior here by some groups of Japanese. On the other hand, my brother lived in Japan, I have Japanese friends both here and in NY, and so have also seen a very positive side of Japanese people.

why I said 'generally' and also 'israeli kids'. Don't judge the country just on the exploits of these kids - their country does enough other despicable things to give me other reasons.

Am sure if there was a group of 50 somethings from Israel they would not all be throwing litter about! And equally yes, I saw every nationality behave badly at Haad Riin (pis*ing in sea, dropping condoms, fighting etc etc)

But Israeli kids (18-22) were consistently bad and very arrogant (did not meet one nice one the whole time)

Someone suggested to me that it may be to do with compulsory national service and the fact that they face very real dangers when doing so - perhaps gives them a 'couldn't give a sh*t attitude - and would be really interested to actually hear these kids' own opinions on this.

And of course you are right Lo, doubt if there is a well behaved nation anywhere!! The English have an awful reputation round Europe, especially the Med and am sure each holiday destination worldwide has its own 'least favoured visitors'

[English_Bob]

I hate the reputation 'my people' have while abroad and try my best to distance myself from them when on holiday.

There were a couple of signs in Khao Sarn Road guesthouses refusing Israelis accommodation. I asked the owners about the signs and they said whenever there's trouble and damage it's usually Israelis.

I was surprised to hear that as I've only ever met nice Israelis.

The nicest nationality I've ever met are Canadians... I've only ever met ONE Canadian a**hole... unfortunately he was the biggest a**hole I've ever met in my life, but the majority seem like a good bunch.

Oh and Bangkok? Errmm I'd make it compulsory for taxi drivers to accept every fare within the city limits.

[Stramash]

I hate the reputation 'my people' have while abroad and try my best to distance myself from them when on holiday.

There were a couple of signs in Khao Sarn Road guesthouses refusing Israelis accommodation. I asked the owners about the signs and they said whenever there's trouble and damage it's usually Israelis.

I was surprised to hear that as I've only ever met nice Israelis.

The nicest nationality I've ever met are Canadians... I've only ever met ONE Canadian a**hole... unfortunately he was the biggest a**hole I've ever met in my life, but the majority seem like a good bunch.

Oh and Bangkok? Errmm I'd make it compulsory for taxi drivers to accept every fare within the city limits.

Now that's just downright strange; I have always got on really well with Canadians apart from one guy I met on Samui who had enough AQ (a**hole quotient) to make up for all his countrymen.

Dave, his name wasn't Bill by any chance (too weird if it was)

[English_Bob]

Now that's just downright strange; I have always got on really well with Canadians apart from one guy I met on Samui who had enough AQ (a**hole quotient) to make up for all his countrymen.

Dave, his name wasn't Bill by any chance (too weird if it was)

Nope... not Bill - another B___ name but not Bill.

He was such an a**hole I lost my usual calm, friendly nature and gave the guy a spanking in front of his friends... no-one stepped in to help him.

[Loburt]

Kinda sad how one initial bigoted comment has transformed this into an "I hate this or that group" thread.

[Stramash]

anyway, back on topic (before my supposed bigotry gets the blame for breakdown for western civilisation)

Is there any such thing as a perfect city or country? Some of what each individual perceives as faults can be perceived by another as charms...

there are hundreds of things I love about Scotland and the UK

equally there are hundreds of things I would change (like towing the whole country to the carribean for some better weather)

Though a couple of the points on Bkk made are very well founded (footpaths and need for good mass transit system)

You look at Singapore, almost perfect, yet somehow there is something strangely sterile about the place...

would you trade character for perfection?

[CiaranM]

Now that's just downright strange; I have always got on really well with Canadians apart from one guy I met on Samui who had enough AQ (a**hole quotient) to make up for all his countrymen.

Dave, his name wasn't Bill by any chance (too weird if it was)

Nope... not Bill - another B___ name but not Bill.

He was such an a**hole I lost my usual calm, friendly nature and gave the guy a spanking in front of his friends... no-one stepped in to help him.

u kinky ***** u !!!

[TLOS4me]

There is the age old saying that a fish rots from the head down. And now, BKK has a chance to elect a new head fish since the last one stepped down. Yee haw! More damn election signs and loudspeaker trucks coming soon!

Anyways, I saw this the other day and it seems to address many of the complaints about sidewalks etc. It's a great idea I think, get the f-ing fatcats out of their limos and let them see what things are *really* like for a change.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/201108_News/20Nov2008_news14.php

One of my personel pet peeves is the little green busses at the south west quadrent of the Victory Monument. They cut the bus queue going right to the front, and then don't move until they are full of people. In doing so they prevent any of the busses queued up behind them from going anywhere.

[dannyboy]

Going back to the condition of pavements in Bangkok/Thailand, I know the local governments have very limited budgets towards the maintenance of such like but when I see actual paths being laid or even repaired I am amazed at the standard of construction.

TO start with, the base of which you are building your pavement on, (which you are laying your paving slabs/bricks/tarmacadam) needs to be on good, well compacted, dry ground. Then a minimum of 200 millimetres of, I would say again, a good, strong well-compacted stone . Then depending on the floor finish, again , a well- compacted bed of sand screed to put your slabs/ brickwork on!

I have never seen the likes of such, and to me there is no wonder the pavements just "disappear"

When you look into some of the holes, and see what they have been laid on , I'm not surprised really. Soft, wet, sand that has been laid on pure sub-standard building materials.

I hate to think how the roads are built, where the foundations for the bridges etc will be metres in depth. Just a normal load-bearing road should have at least 500 millimetres of compacted stone, never mind 300-400 millimetres of a tarmacadam finish, all this sat on, again, good solid earth.

No wonder Swampypoom airport's runways cracked. To land an aeroplane, the stresses involved on the runway would be immense, and would need some serious construction. Not some chancers who have been on the lao khao all night!

I honestly believe, the maintenance contracts must be all cash envelopes .

This is just one outcome of a corrupt society!

[PeeMarc]

Going back to the condition of pavements in Bangkok/Thailand, I know the local governments have very limited budgets towards the maintenance of such like but when I see actual paths being laid or even repaired I am amazed at the standard of construction.

TO start with, the base of which you are building your pavement on, (which you are laying your paving slabs/bricks/tarmacadam) needs to be on good, well compacted, dry ground. Then a minimum of 200 millimetres of, I would say again, a good, strong well-compacted stone . Then depending on the floor finish, again , a well- compacted bed of sand screed to put your slabs/ brickwork on!

I have never seen the likes of such, and to me there is no wonder the pavements just "disappear"

When you look into some of the holes, and see what they have been laid on , I'm not surprised really. Soft, wet, sand that has been laid on pure sub-standard building materials.

I hate to think how the roads are built, where the foundations for the bridges etc will be metres in depth. Just a normal load-bearing road should have at least 500 millimetres of compacted stone, never mind 300-400 millimetres of a tarmacadam finish, all this sat on, again, good solid earth.

No wonder Swampypoom airport's runways cracked. To land an aeroplane, the stresses involved on the runway would be immense, and would need some serious construction. Not some chancers who have been on the lao khao all night!

I honestly believe, the maintenance contracts must be all cash envelopes .

This is just one outcome of a corrupt society!

in the 27 years i have known thailand, and in all the times living here, i have never once witnessed ANYTHING built well.

[grezzzy_greer]

Yes I agree that Singapore is one of the most perfect Asian cities I have ever lived in...perfectly absolutely totally boring..after the first few months I used to leave every weekend and go to Malaysia or Indonesia for the weekend because it was so boring to be home in Singapore. I like the place very much, but it has become insipid. The place has no character at all any more.

I would hate to see that happen to Bangkok, and to be honest I can't imagine it ever happening because the Thai's are generally very different from the Chinese and Malaise - oops...Malays... :roll:

Agree re the footpaths and the electrical power distribution system. It's relatively easy to sort those things out - it just takes time and money of course - but they can start (and this applies all over the country) by making it a requirement for all new housing and development projects that they must put in underground power. Yes it is perhaps more expensive, but it really must be done.

I disagree that Bangkok is filthy - of course everything is relative, but go to India and then come home - you will never complan again about filth in Thailand. I know we have a few members from India, and Grezzzy and I have some friends there too, but seriously, Bangkok is SPOTLESS in comparison to Delhi and Mumbai - I have never in my life been anywhere as filthy as Delhi - Mumbai was marginally better in places, but 6 months in India had me climbing the walls to get out. The people were nice and were generally very friendly, but why-oh-why can't they do even the most basic cleaning properly?

PeeMarc was right when talking about the street vendors in Thailand; the place would not be the same without them - we need to have that sort of colour and that "flavour" as it is part of our culture, but maybe we need to find a way to have the vendors without the smoky pollution and we need to address the space problem - but don't sanitize Bangkok as they did in Singapore - they totally destroyed the atmosphere of the country - we dont want that in Thailand.

[English_Bob]

Of course I have to take the mai pben rai attitude, smile and shut the balcony door...but this is something I would have never put up with back in the west. I guess I'm adapting...

I think most farangs in Thailand get taken advantage of because we're seen as 'soft touches'.

We are all taught to respect the locals and to adopt a 'mai pben rai' attitude. But I think we take it so far, we allow ourselves to be trampled on.

Don't put up with lousy service, rude taxi drivers, stupid driving and dangerous pavements.

***** about it. Tell people when their service sucks. Make a nuisance of yourself. It's the only way to get things fixed.

[LakeGeneve]

One of my personel pet peeves is the little green busses at the south west quadrent of the Victory Monument. They cut the bus queue going right to the front, and then don't move until they are full of people. In doing so they prevent any of the busses queued up behind them from going anywhere.

Your talking about those no. 14 buggers that got to Si Yarn from Vistory. But those pesky and mad green buses are stalking bus stops in more places than just Vistory. Driven by seemingly death wish drivers on ya ba who stop 15 times at one stop and loiter with intent thus blocking other buses while spewing out noixous exhaust fumes. From Sukhumvit to Wong Wian Yai to Dusit these buses should be banned and their drivers sent off to get a licence and learn some public service.

BTW, here is the mass transit map I meant to post earlier. It contains all the current lines planned save for the infamous Samak Gold Line (which one assumes has now been shelved ). A proper metro system would make the city more liveable and breathable, economically efficient and you might be able to bloody get someone on time!

Larger version available at; http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/MassTransit/map/System%20Map%206.11.pdf

Give it 30 yrs and half of it may get built. (Note it doesn't include the 1st BRT line along Rama 3.)

[Stramash]

Of course I have to take the mai pben rai attitude, smile and shut the balcony door...but this is something I would have never put up with back in the west. I guess I'm adapting...

I think most farangs in Thailand get taken advantage of because we're seen as 'soft touches'.

We are all taught to respect the locals and to adopt a 'mai pben rai' attitude. But I think we take it so far, we allow ourselves to be trampled on.

Don't put up with lousy service, rude taxi drivers, stupid driving and dangerous pavements.

b*tch about it. Tell people when their service sucks. Make a nuisance of yourself. It's the only way to get things fixed.

Then there are the farangs who are the opposite...the ones you don't want to be seen around that complain about everything whilst YELLING REALLY LOUD. Can't we get it right?

Def!!! Was staying in Amari Atrium and there was a British couple in next room; all I heard for 3 days was high volume complaints even when there was nothing to complain about...

eg; this bacon (!!) is nothing like the bacon we have back home (at volume whole dining room could hear)

Yes? Well? You aren't at freaking home you muppet!!

[English_Bob]

Then there are the farangs who are the opposite...the ones you don't want to be seen around that complain about everything whilst YELLING REALLY LOUD. Can't we get it right?

I have a friend of mine who rented a Mbike on Phan Ngan last week. When he returned it there were some scratches on the plastic.

The shop charged him 7000 baht.

7000 baht for scratches???

He told them he could probably take it to get fixed himself for less than that and they said - OK... but we still charge 7000 baht. - Robbing bastards.

Poor guy ended up shelling out $200 for repairs that wouldn't get done and had probably been paid for by the three PREVIOUS customers!

Make a FUSS people...

You don't have to shout and scream... stand and talk. Tell them you're not leaving until you get your way. And if they don't back down - stand outside their shop telling people about their lousy service!!!

Time for the meek to inherit the earth from the thieving, bone-idle, lethargic assholes who've held it for too long.

[PeeMarc]

at the end of the day, i like Bangkok. Sure, there are things that piss me off greatly in every city and country ive lived in (8 to date). But in Bkk things just balance out more for me. More and better joys than troubles.

[SweetieBabie]

Too bad, Chuwit is not in for BKK mayor run this time. I'm still 50/50 uncertain if i will go vote this second time, election seems like a joke.

[CherieAtwood]

In this country, an election doesnt seem to be a joke. In fact, it really IS a joke!!

[luckyphil247]

The 2 things that I think are difficult to find in BKK are

1) public toilets

2) rubbish bins that aren't already full

[CherieAtwood]

The 2 things that I think are difficult to find in BKK are

1) public toilets

2) rubbish bins that aren't already full

hahahaha agree!!