Happy Sunday, Bangkok!
Another busy week in old Thailand, what with the news that the government has started to offer ‘marriage training’ courses to Thai women marrying foreigners, the story of the man walking 1500 km across the country to spread his dead wife’s ashes, and this mother of all leaks on the BTS:
Let’s see what else has been entertaining and enraging Bangkok this week…
Post Contents
News
Drunk American arrested after stabbing wife in front of child
Unsettling news this week from Pattaya when 49-year old Nicholas Dana Hillman was arrested after allegedly stabbing his Thai wife in front of her 7-year old son.
His wife managed to escape the attack with her son, running downstairs to alert the security guard of the apartment complex where they were staying, despite bleeding from the head and chest.
Alcohol, knives and crystal meth were found at the scene.
Motorcy drivers demand Grab start playing by the rules
In the latest episode of Grabtaxi vs everyone in Bangkok, hundreds of motorcycle taxi drivers descended on the company’s Thailand headquarters in order to demand it start operating in accordance with the law.
The issue appears to be that the motorcy drivers have been forced to follow the strict regulations handed down by the government, but that Grab drivers continually ignore them. They apparently lack the appropriate licences and vehicle registrations to operate within the law.
This march on Grab is simply the latest hoo-hah in the last couple of years that have seen street brawls between the company’s drivers and regular motorbike taxis, and other large scale demonstrations against the ride-sharer.
Student charged after uploading video of ‘sexy’ Pattaya pool party
More news from Pattaya this week after a 23-year old Thai student was charged by police for uploading a video to social media of a British man and Thai woman engaging in what looked like sexual activity at a pool party.
The student, Tatchakrit Wonglaemthong, has apologised for uploading the video and for tarnishing the image of Pattaya. Ahem. He could face a maximum jail term of 5 years and/or a fie of 100,000 baht if he is convicted.
Police are also on the lookout for the stars of the video — a 33 year old British man and a Thai woman, who will be charged with obscene behaviour in a public place if found.
Blogs
Searching for simplicity in Isaan
A truly fascinating interview here with Martin Wheeler, the Brit turned Isaan farmer on the choices he’s made in his life that took him to where he is now, how it feels to be the ‘farang who lives like a rural Thai’ wheeled out for public speaking events, and why he’s abandoned organic rice farming for pesticide-heavy sugarcane.
Wheeler comes across as a man who’s had one goal: to live a simple life. Something he couldn’t find in the UK or even in Bangkok. Everything that’s happened to him along the way — the media coverage, his farming practices, even his family — seems to have happened just by way of him searching for that simple life.
Despite accidentally making a name for himself as an organic, sustainable rice farmer, he’s now growing sugarcane — yes, it uses more pesticides but, in keeping with that simple life he’s after, requires less time and energy to harvest. And, as he says, “I don’t think it’s the job of Isaan farmers to help the world by not using fucking chemicals.”
Fascinating interview, even more interesting man.
Things I admire about the Thai education system
We usually hear expat teachers moaning about the various failures of the Thai education system, so this blog post on what it gets right is really refreshing. Included are features like plenty of activities, the level of patriotism and the sense of community — features that are often missing or at least dwindling in the ‘progress at any cost’ educational institutions in the West.
Bangkok’s best bars for drinking alone
There are few pleasures in this life quite like taking an hour for yourself and enjoying a solitary tipple.
Go forth, and drink alone.
Forum Threads
Buying a house with your Thai girlfriend…
A long and comprehensive Reddit thread here on the opportunities and pitfalls that may come when you buy a house with your Thai partner in Thailand.
There’s plenty of advice here on house buying in Thailand in general — namely regarding financing, the fact that you will never own more than 49% and that you’ll probably lose everything if the relationship heads south — but also on relationships more generally, and the things to look out for when you start buying assets together.
YouTube
School recess 1972 #Bangkok #Thailand #RetroSiam pic.twitter.com/YI2i44U3nE
— Retro Siam (@RetroSiam) August 23, 2018
Once #Bangkok #Thailand gets a hold of you it doesn’t let go… pic.twitter.com/CAnjHQ6KOq
— 🇻🇳JT 🇺🇸 (@JTBKK) August 22, 2018
To my surprise, websites in #Korea are generally even worse than those in #Thailand when it comes to being up-to-date tech, and also worse with English consistency. #wow
— Signore Sammy (@signoresammybkk) August 22, 2018
I always say “I’m not taking another bleedin’ sunset photo” and the sky gets all awesome and I have to #OCD pic.twitter.com/6bpPs6Gp4m
— 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘮𝘢𝘯 (@NeilShelley) August 22, 2018
Show me the money honey pic.twitter.com/8AOiudkx0i
— Stickboy Bangkok (@StickboyBangkok) August 23, 2018
ABC (America) crew are at Wat Phra That Doi Wao, in Mae Sai. Their exclusive, secret interview w Wild Boars is happening soon. Police & soldiers guarding. Still no word from Thai Govt how this came about. ABC (America) strongly denies money changed hands. #Thailand
— Liam Cochrane (@Liam_Cochrane) August 22, 2018
Bangkok Fried Squid pic.twitter.com/a4CukQEy7U
— Savory #FoodPorn (@SavoryFoodDish) August 22, 2018
This warms my cold cold heart #bangkok pic.twitter.com/QKXVTaMLeK
— Chris Schalkx (@CHRSSCHLKX) August 22, 2018
You can’t miss the great atmosphere at Klong Toey Market in #Bangkok, #Thailand Almost no tourists and their locals are extremely friendly. A photographer’s dream location. Not for the squeamish, though! Plenty of livestock such as ducks, frogs, chickens and insects #travel #food pic.twitter.com/dM0R5YwH88
— Dave in Osaka (@DaveInOsaka) August 22, 2018
Aug 2018 ✿ Bangkok, Thailand https://t.co/0RIRJk3DvP pic.twitter.com/341YSsHMPu
— Noriko Saensuk Photography (@strays_streets) August 20, 2018
The great big jug of iced water at Au Bon Pain must be a digital nomad’s lifesaver once the last remaining coffee dregs have been supped.
— Phil / Ajarn.com (@Ajarncom) August 23, 2018
Someone had a hyperactive night last night pic.twitter.com/sA5O2reY1O
— sweet3mango (@sweet3mango) August 22, 2018
Another day another BKK BELLEND! pic.twitter.com/zLVo9ntZro
— Chrome Crumpet (@ChromeCrumpet) August 23, 2018
Stop signs handed out at crossings in Bangkok pic.twitter.com/8syKbWxJng
— Jacob Harbord (@JacobHarbord) August 22, 2018
LEGO STYLE THAI MOTORBIKE TAXI! pic.twitter.com/PHClE2DoN1
— Somchai the Dog (@bkksomchai) August 22, 2018
Earlier this morning near Phuket Town … it’s a wet day. pic.twitter.com/pCoNNEa84S
— Jamie in Phuket 🌴 (@jamiemonk) August 23, 2018
And that’s been The Week On Sukhumvit — see you next time!