Falang Teacher Beaten Up by BTS Guard Over Balloons

Post by **harmonyudon** » March 23, 2012, 8:32 am

coxo wrote:What gives me the right to comment Thrilled is I pay my TAX here and have done since 1996, I directly employ 95 Thai staff, I have a Thai wife and we have a son who attends school here, that gives me the right to comment about injustice in Thailand as it effects me directly, while the government here takes my money I will comment!

Coxo,..can you vote here?

Perhaps you can join the Yellow or Redshirt and express your strong opinion.... But read this 1st:

Foreigners are welcome in Thailand. Foreign products, especially luxury goods, are especially welcome, even sought after. Our expertise and knowledge in certain areas we're known to excel at is desired. Of course our money is more welcome than anything. But there's one thing about outsiders that is not welcome in Thailand. Our opinions. Especially our opinions when it comes to Thai affairs. As an outsider, voicing your opinion in Thailand publicly can get you in hot water. This week a couple of Westerners found that out first hand.

http://www.stickmanweekly.com/StickmanB ... Farang.htm

Post by **Prenders88** » March 23, 2012, 9:19 am

How can Coxo be an outsider when he employs 95 people, has a Thai wife, son, lives here, and pays taxes?

Back on topic "Officer Nightstick" has been sacked.

Post by **harmonyudon** » March 23, 2012, 9:31 am

Prenders88 wrote:How can Coxo be an outsider when he employs 95 people, has a Thai wife, son, lives here, and pays taxes?

Sounds hard but simple: all farangs,employer or not, are for many Thais outsiders.

Post by **Asiaphile** » March 23, 2012, 9:46 am

Prenders88 wrote:How can Coxo be an outsider when he employs 95 people, has a Thai wife, son, lives here, and pays taxes?

All the more reasons not to make these overgeneralizations on a public forum.
I'm sure Mr Coxo would be (justifiably!) outraged if he returned home and his son would be called an unbalanced, cowardly bully by some intolerant redneck for the simple fact that he had Thai blood.

Post by **jackspratt** » March 23, 2012, 9:50 am

Prenders88 wrote:
Back on topic "Officer Nightstick" has been sacked.

Link?

Post by **Prenders88** » March 23, 2012, 10:22 am

No link Jack, it was mentioned on the Channel 3 Breakfast Show this morning.

Post by **rct** » March 23, 2012, 10:39 am

Seems to be more clarity in the below update, not sure if it is latest news however.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 78547.html

Post by **jackspratt** » March 23, 2012, 10:41 am

OK - thanks prenders

In the Nation it just says the guard, and a few others, have been "removed" from the BTS system.

Hopefully the CCTV video will be released soon, and we can get a better idea of what happened to cause all this brouhaha.

Post by **bumper** » March 23, 2012, 12:06 pm

Consequently, I believe that you have confused the issue yourself which is not surprising since the issue is so blurred and contentious, hopefully any ensuing court will provide the answer or not as the case maybe.

This is where the real answer is.

Coxo, you have been here all that time and something like this can upset yuo so much?

As far as how you speak of Thai cops, been here nine years never saw it. But, I don't hang out in bars, so maybe that is the difference. My thoughts overall about Thai Cops they are heck of a lot more patient then I could be. I remember at least two instances now where a group of cops disarmed a guy with a knife. Try that on in the states and you going to get shot. So I'm going to believe what you said is true. But, to throw a blanket over all Thai Cops, I don't believe would hold water.

If that guard was wrong about those ballon's he is in trouble.

Post by **fatbob** » March 23, 2012, 1:01 pm

I guess Bum-er I feel for the child who had to be subjected to such voilence towards her father, that is what upsets me greatly especially as I have a young son, I know how passionatly I would protect him from a total fool or foolish act. Should I have been in the situation of that teacher and an idiot caused my son grief I say again I would have flattened him or at least tried, just as the teacher did no problem.

So you infer I spend my time hanging in bars and that is where my lifes experience come from living in Thailand, how little you know.

Post by **harmonyudon** » March 23, 2012, 1:39 pm

coxo wrote:So you infer I spend my time hanging in bars and that is where my lifes experience come from living in Thailand, how little you know.

So you did spend your time in the real world

Post by **parrot** » March 23, 2012, 2:06 pm

Me personally, I don't see what the daughter-in-tow has to do with the whole thing. A TSA agent back in the US isn't going to treat you with kid gloves because you're hauling a diaper-clad kid. Matter of fact, he may insist on checking what's under the diaper. And if you challenge him/her, you'll probably find yourself booking for a later flight.
To me, with only half the story, it seems premature to cast judgment in either direction. If the falang raised a hand or tried to force his way through, then I'd have to say the security guard was justified......kid-in-tow or not.
Let's, for argument sake, say that the guard politely told the foreigner that balloons weren't allowed (whether they are or not, or whether the falang took another trip with balloons isn't material). If the guard spoke his mind and the falang became belligerent, then a swing of the baton may have been called for.
But in the end, to judge one way or another - because it's only 'balloons' or because he had his daughter with him - and with only half of the story? Try telling the TSA agent that the freshly bought/unopened bottle of water cost you $2.50 and he'll tell you to piss up a rope. If you insist on walking through security with it, then may God help you.

Post by **Astana** » March 23, 2012, 2:49 pm

Irish Teacher Breaks Silence regarding Skytrain incident.

http://www.andrew-drummond.com/view-sto ... hp?sid=529

Post by **rct** » March 23, 2012, 2:52 pm

TSA at LAX really gave me a once over after a tetra pack of kid's milk had a swab that came up suspicious, never mind that it was in MY WIFE"S bag, they took me aside leaving my 2 and 4 year olds behind with my wife.

Rather than let me loosen my belt and pants to facilitate his procedure, he left everthing in position (my pot belly and love handles hanging out all around the top of my pants) and he proceeded to shove his glove laden hands down every inch around the inside of my pants. Once he was done and satisfied, of course I had to undo and redo the pants, shirt and belt anyway. But they have their methods and I did not argue, as silly and uncomfortable as it all seemed.

Wish it had been the Hispanic lady rather than the big burly white dude checking me!

Post by **trubrit** » March 23, 2012, 3:09 pm

Just been watching the midday news so sorry no link but a summary of the incident after investigation by BTS . A spokesman said they have a blanket ban on all balloons being carried on the trains because of the safety hazard presented by some being filled with helium gas . There are signs to this effect at all stations, but he omitted to say whether they were in English.Now to the actual incident from BTS viewpoint .The passenger tried to go through with the balloons and the security stopped him. He then tried to use the disabled entrance and the guard blocked his way. The passenger pushed him away and then tried to kick him, at that the guard used his radio and hit him . BTS apologise and admit this was OTT and have sacked the guard. It is apparent there was a communication problem involved as the woman was trying to say they have just changed trains and there was no problem getting on the first one .Funny really as he is an Irishman working as an English language teacher .Wonder how he gets on in class? It is apparent from the clips they showed the Farang started the physicals and it escalated from there .Shame the guy had to lose his job over it. OTT maybe but anyone who has been in the country more than a day must realise that if you kick a Thai he will come back at you .
Regarding the video on You Tube. Anyone who can read Thai should read the anti farang comments posted to it , despite the BTS apology and the Drummond article .

Post by **jackspratt** » March 23, 2012, 3:16 pm

I do not think now I even need to see the original CCTV videos.

Interesting

comment from Drummond - seems he has already made up his mind.

I would have thought the CCTV video (if it exists) is central to determining what actually happened.

Post by **bumper** » March 23, 2012, 3:45 pm

That does make it interesting, so the other guards didn't do their jobs and the guy who did gets fired.

Oh that's right have make a good image for the tourist.

You know protecting your kids from physical harm, right with you. But, in all honety I don't see that here.

My oldest daughter recently. read some of the Thai laws thought they were really strange. My answer that is what it is and if yuo want to be here you adhere to their laws, simple as that.

As far as I know any country you go to, life is different. Is it Singapore that you can't chew gum?

Post by **fatbob** » March 23, 2012, 5:19 pm

bumper wrote:My oldest daughter recently. read some of the Thai laws thought they were really strange. My answer that is what it is and if yuo want to be here you adhere to their laws, simple as that.

Improvements are changes, is that not a good thing, laws and regulations change and are improved constantly, thats the job of Governments to improve the system, or do you just lie down and cop it up the ar-e. I dont.

Post by **bumper** » March 23, 2012, 6:20 pm

Frankly I seldom have any exposure to any problems. When I do deal with them, in a business like manner.

Me I follow the law, be it here or anywhere else.

Changes are not our business here. This is Thailand and that's Thai business. We are not in our home countries, there you have a say of sorts in legislation, here we don't. If I were as bothered as you seem to be. I would leave. You acccepted the Thai laws when you decided to live here. If you consider that taken up the Arse, then I guess you can count me in that camp. But, that will never happen to me. This entire thing is simply bull ----, no reason for this to ever happen in the first place. If you can't carry ballons then you can't carry them.

With all the time you said had here, doesn't really sound like you have adapted yet.

Good luck on getting the Thai laws the way you believe them to be.

You make a living in your host country, count your blessing's.

Post by **JimboPSM** » March 23, 2012, 7:10 pm

bumper wrote:... Is it Singapore that you can't chew gum?

An extract from Wikipedia on the chewing gum ban in Singapore:

The chewing gum ban in Singapore was enacted in 1992 and revised in 2004 and 2010. It bans the import and sale of chewing gum in Singapore. Since 2004, only chewing gum of therapeutic value is allowed into Singapore following the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (USS-FTA).

This law was created because people disposed of gum incorrectly by sticking it under places like chairs or tables. Chewing gum is banned in Singapore under the "Regulation of Imports and Exports (Chewing Gum) Regulations." Except for chewing gum of therapeutic value, the "importing" of chewing gum into Singapore is banned.

.... according to the set of Regulations, "importing" means to "bring or cause to be brought into Singapore by land, water or air from any place which is outside Singapore ..." any goods, even if they are not for purposes of trade. The set of Regulations also does not make any provisions for personal use of quantities to be brought into Singapore. Therefore, bringing chewing gum into Singapore, even small quantities for whatever purpose, is prohibited.....

Full article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chewing_gu ... _Singapore

While there are some Thai authorities that may sometimes be a little OTT when it comes to breaches of laws, rules and regulations they would appear to be mere amateurs when compared to the draconian enforcement of laws, rules and regulations that can be experienced in Singapore

I do not know of any country where being a foreigner or being ignorant of the laws of the country constitutes any kind of legal defence - at best it is only useful as part of a plea of mitigation (after you have been found guilty!).