พลังแห่งการตีพ่อตีแม่ ช่วยโลกใบนี้ไว้

a lot of international coverage still leans on familiar images of thailand: temples, traditional festivals, street food and nightlife.

but younger generations have their own online communities, music scenes, fashion trends, slang, hobbies and ideas about what a good life should look like

which parts of modern youth culture in thailand are most different from the image outsiders tend to have? i'm especially interested in things that are popular locally but barely discussed in english-language travel content

On October 13, Immigration Bureau Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Noppasilp Poolsawat, Deputy Commissioner Pol Maj Gen Thanit Thaiwatcharamat, Immigration Division 6 Commander Pol Maj Gen Chutharet Yingyongdamrongsakul, and Investigation Subdivision 6 Superintendent Pol Col Wutthiphat Napachot jointly ordered officers to investigate the case.

Officers from Immigration Division 6’s investigation unit inspected a well-known restaurant in Ko Kaeo Subdistrict, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket, after an investigation revealed that a foreign woman had been living in Thailand illegally since 2021 without her original passport. She had only a photo of it stored on her mobile phone.

A biometric check identified her as a Portuguese national who had entered Thailand through Suvarnabhumi Airport on March 20, 2020, on a 30-day visa-exemption entry. She had subsequently been granted an extension of stay by Phuket Immigration, which expired on January 11, 2021. She had not applied for any further extension since then.

Her total overstay amounted to 1,807 days, or nearly five years.

A Thai-language Facebook ad is offering Thai men security jobs at refineries and warehouses in Russia: $2,500–5,000 a month, a $60,000 signing bonus, free flights, and life insurance.

Red flags:

- No guard job pays a $60k bonus. That's roughly what the Russian army pays to sign up.

- The "Chat on WhatsApp" button goes to a Russian number (+7 964 677-16-45) whose profile picture is the Russian Ministry of Defence emblem.

- The page ("Managers HR") was created a month ago, and the ads started 8 October.

- Russia has used fake "security guard" jobs to lure Indians, Sri Lankans and Filipinos into its army. Separate ads openly recruiting Thais into the Russian army were reported last month.

I can't prove where respondents end up, but don't send documents and don't get on a plane. Report the ad, and warn any Thai guys you know who are looking for work abroad. Fake overseas recruiters can be reported to the 1694 hotline.

TL;DR: WARN any Thai men you know to avoid recruiters from Russia for any form of employment. If they go to Russia, they will likely be forced to sign a Russian military service contract and ultimately sent to die in the Donbas as cannon fodder. As the saying goes: "If it sounds too good to be true it probably is."

Ad: https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?id=1640229087548265

From the Manushya Foundation:

In 1973, Thanom Kittikachorn's military government was facing several scandals, including corruption, and was heavily criticised for their lack of transparency. The criticisms resulted in a growing pro-democracy and anti-government sentiment, which transformed into a movement led by university students, organised under the National Student Center of Thailand (NSCT).

The government's final provocation to the protestors occurred on April 1973 with the Thung Yai hunting scandal, which highlighted the corruption among high-ranking government officers and enraged the nation.

Mass protest begun and the crowd reached its peak on 13 October at over 400,000 people. On 14 October 1973, while being ordered to disperse, violence broke out. The government brought in tanks, helicopters, and other military-grade weapons to support the police, resulting in 77 deaths and 857 injuries.

The next day, on 15 October 1973, the situation began to quiet down when it was announced that Prime Minister Thanom had resigned and fled the country along with Praphas Charusathien, Minister of Interior, and his son, Colonel Narong Kittikachorn.

Timeline of events on 6–15 October 1973 from Wikipedia:

On 6 October, Thirayuth Boonmee and ten other political activists were arrested for distributing leaflets in crowded places in Bangkok such as Bang Lamphu, Siam Square, and Pratunam, urging support for an early drafting of the constitution.  The ruling government used a decree banning gatherings of more than five people to arrest them. The other arrestees were Thirayuth, Prapansak Kamolpetch, Boonsong Chalethorn, Bandhit Hengnilrat, Visa Kanthap, Thanya Chunkathatharn, Thawee Muenthikorn, Montri Juengsirinarak, Nopporn Suwanpanich, Preedi Boonsue, and Chaiwat Suravichai. They were taken to police headquarters and their homes were searched.

On 7 October, Kongkiat Kongka, accused of being a member of a group advocating early promulgation of the permanent constitution, was also arrested.

On 8 October, the twelve arrestees were denied bail and were also accused by Deputy Prime Minister Praphas Charusathien of being linked to a plot to overthrow the government.

On 9 October, more than 2,000 students from Thammasat University demonstrated at an anti-government rally. After the rally, the students held an all-night vigil, at which they were joined by students from Chulalongkorn University and several teacher training colleges. Khaisaeng Suksai, a former member of parliament, was also arrested, bringing the total number of those in custody to thirteen.

On 10 October, rallies in Bangkok swelled as more students from other student organizations joined the protests. The government prepared to react by quietly setting up a crisis control center with Praphas Charusathien as its director.

On 11 October, Praphas agreed to meet with the students, who demanded the release of the 13 prisoners. He refused to meet their demands. By this time, the rally had moved to the grounds of Thammasat University to accommodate its growing size, with the number of protesters now reaching 50,000.

On 12 October, the government announced that it would release the thirteen prisoners on bail, but the students rejected the offer, stating that they would only accept the unconditional release of the prisoners. Money was contributed by members of the public to support the protest.

On 13 October, the crowd, which had swelled to more than 400,000 (including many members of the public), marched to Democracy Monument to demand the release of the prisoners. The government quickly agreed to the demands and promised that the permanent constitution would be in place by October 1974. With their demands met, the students agreed to go back to their universities. About 200,000 students refused to disband, however, and their leader, Seksan Prasertkul, decided to lead them to the palace to seek advice from King Bhumibol (Rama IX).

On 14 October, the students reached the palace and were met by the king's representative, who said that King Bhumibol (Rama IX) requested that the students disband. The students agreed to do so, and the assistant director of the police ordered barricades placed to disperse the students in an orderly, single direction. The large size of the crowd meant that many were not able to leave, but the police refused their request for another exit, which resulted in resentment among the students. It is not clear how it happened, but reports soon were heard about violence against the students as the crowd became restive. Early in the morning, bombs exploded near the royal palace and the police began attacking the students.

By late morning, there were acts of vandalism and violence by both sides as the situation spun out of control. The government brought in tanks, helicopters, and infantrymen to support the police. Seventy-seven deaths and 857 injuries resulted and many buildings near Ratchadamnoen Avenue were set on fire. The number of demonstrators quickly grew to more than 500,000, as other students and their sympathizers rallied to their defense. The soldiers finally withdrew in the evening, and about 19:15 the king announced on television and radio that Thanom's military government had resigned.

Violence continued on 15 October around the police headquarters, with students demanding that Thanom be removed as head of the armed forces. Only when it was announced that Thanom, Praphas, and Thanom's son, Colonel Narong Kittikachorn, who was married to Praphas' daughter, had fled the country did calm return to Bangkok. The end had come as quickly and unexpectedly as the violence had begun.

The 14 October 1973 Memorial was erected at Ratchadamnoen Avenue where the protest took place and unveiled on 14 October 1998, which is regarded as the first memorial in Thailand to commemorate those who fought for democracy.

The plaque in the last picture at the Memorial reads as follows:

ขอร้องเถิดเพื่อนรัก ถ้าแหลมหลักจงเล็งแล
อย่าเห็นแค่ร่างแห แห่งถ้อยคำแล้วจำยอม
เป็นคนต้องค้นคิด เมื่อเป็นมิตรอย่าเมามอม
ไม้ดอกที่เด็ดดอม ใช่ดมได้ทุกดอกดวง
ซึ่งคนเต็มคุณค่า เพราะหาญกล้าเข้าฝ่าปวง
ความเลวทะลวงล่วง มิอาลัยสิ่งใดเลย

I beg you, dear friend, if there is a core principle, fix your sights upon it.
Do not see merely a web of hollow words and blindly submit.
To be human is to think and question; as true friends, let us not intoxicate one another with illusions.
Not every plucked flower that offers fragrance is meant to be inhaled.
For a person gains their full human worth by courageously breaking through all hardship,
Piercing right through evil and darkness, holding nothing back, without regret.

By 1781, King Taksin had ruled Siam for nearly fifteen years. His best general, Chao Phraya Chakri (by then titled Maha Kasat Suek), was away at war in Cambodia.

Back in Thonburi, the King was changing. He sat for long hours in meditation and demanded that monks bow down to him. He encouraged false accusers and believed every word they said. The accused were beaten until they confessed, then forced to pay huge fines.

"Faces were darkened with tears. The only bright and cheerful faces were those of the wicked men who were the accusers."

In March 1782, a revolt broke out. Phraya San, sent by the King to crush it, joined the rebels instead, and they surrounded the palace before dawn. Taksin admitted his faults and asked to become a monk, and he was ordained at Wat Chaeng, today's Wat Arun.

In April, Chakri returned from Cambodia and met with the ministers and elders. They called the old king "a great thorn and stump in the land that could not be left in place," and he was put to death. Monks, officials and people then begged Chakri to take the throne.

He became the first king of the Chakri dynasty, known today as Rama I. That same year, he moved the capital across the river and founded Bangkok.

Side note: the "Rama" numbering only appeared in the 1910s. King Vajiravudh, who had studied in England, wanted a simple system for foreigners, like European kings. Since "Rama" was already a traditional part of Thai royal names, he styled himself Rama VI and numbered the dynasty from the start.

After relocating to Pittsburgh, PA, I think it should be cool to share my experience in this sub. To be less redundant, I'm gonna skip popular topics that other posts have already mentioned, such as healthcare costs and cold weather.

1. Wild animals are more common to see than I thought! Having travelled to many small towns and rural villages across Thailand, I can't remember seeing any wild animals in Loei, Satun, or even Mae Hong Son. Here in Pittsburgh, I see them almost every day: rabbits, groundhogs, deer, and raccoons. When I sent their photos to my friends in Thailand, especially those who live in rural villages, they thought I was in an extremely remote location where no humans could be found. It’s hard for Thais to believe that these folks are in the residential area of a city with some skyscrapers.
2. Thai restaurants are very popular here, and they make Thailand look good. It seems like everyone I have talked to knows a thing or two about Thailand because the food is so popular. 
3. Everyone and their mother knows someone who has been stationed somewhere abroad. When I tell people that I’m from Thailand, some react by saying that they have brothers, uncles, or friends who were/are stationed in Okinawa, Guam, or Afghanistan. Guam isn’t close to Thailand, and it’s not even “abroad”. I think they wanted to highlight travel experience, but it was so funny to hear them say that.
4. Buffalos. Having read a lot of forum posts in English for years, I have seen some buffalo jokes about Thailand, both the good and the bad ones, so I didn’t expect that local Americans who aren’t that familiar with Thailand would know anything about buffalo. Then there was a time when I shared a table at a downtown cafe with an old man in his 70s. I showed him photos I took in Thailand, including the photo of a buffalo in a rice field. He asked why there was just one buffalo and told me about a rural place outside Pittsburgh where I could take photos of as many buffalo as I want!
5. Unexpectedly, I got to experience a vibe similar to what I got at religious Thai festivals (Ngan Bun งานบุญ). A few days ago, I visited a food festival at a church in a small town near where I live. This town has no more than 10,000 residents, yet it has so many old-style churches. Looking at Google Maps now, I can count 12 churches on its main streets, and they reminded me of Northern Thai provinces with many temples, such as Mae Hong Son, Nan, and Lampang. Entering the church, I saw people enjoying Ukrainian food and music. Some even wore traditional Ukrainian costumes. Old people were smiling, just like their Thai counterparts in Lampang. The main difference, though, was that the food wasn’t free.

I heard many bad things about the U.S. before coming here, and while I know that not all states are the same, my experience in Pennsylvania is much more positive than I expected. I find it very easy to join events and learn about the city’s history and culture from the locals. 

Let me know if you have anything to add or discuss.

1. The (daily) lowest temperature is under the "cold weather" criterion of below 23℃
2. Northeasterly or easterly winds have covered Thailand
3. The distribution of rain in Upper Thailand decreases continuously

Note: Normally winter in Thailand lasts from mid-October to mid-February

Hope someone in a similar boat could help.

Currently hold both UK and Thai passports, based in London. In case if I have to stay above the visa-free period on my UK passport, should I fly out with the UK one and enter with my Thai one? And exit vice versa?

I have concern since airline would require you to submit only one document. By mismatching the entry passports, would that mark me as a red flag? An acquaintance of mine got detained for questioning for hours by doing that in South Africa.

Question: is it normal for Thai-based companies to not adhere to the standards of an offer letter?

Context: A Vietnamese friend being offered a job from a Thai-based company. The owner is North American, I believe. My friend asked for an official offer letter, which should include salary, schedule, responsibilities, amongst other things.

However, their offer letter didn't include compensation and a few other things. They seemed like they were in a hurry to hire and wants him to start soon. My friend has done his due diligence and feels like it's a decent company, but the CEO responded with a email, making it look like my friend was being weird for asking for the basics of an offer letter. Not sure if he's being paranoid and it's just a one-off or if this a legit red flag.

Question: What are standard employment/hiring practices in these situations?

Result: https://sbe2result.sso.go.th/

I'm looking for advice regarding an ongoing issue with a townhouse my family is renting in Bangkok.

We've been experiencing repeated water intrusion throughout the house when it rains.

Water has been leaking through the ceilings and walls, pooling in certain areas, and even running down the stairs.

We've also noticed what appears to be mold spreading across several walls, including in the bedrooms and living room.

The landlord has attempted repairs on multiple occasions, but the underlying issues haven't been resolved. In some areas, the water intrusion has continued or worsened despite these repairs.

The affected areas aren't places we can simply avoid, as they include our main living and sleeping spaces.

Given the ongoing issues and unsuccessful repair attempts, could persistent water intrusion and suspected mold be grounds for terminating a lease early without forfeiting the security deposit?

Has anyone experienced a similar situation with a rental property in Thailand?

Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

I'm looking for recommendations for a great dentist who specializes in composite bonding to close a tooth gap. (Diastema)

I want to go the direct bonding route rather than crowns or veneers, but I have one major requirement: it needs to look 100% natural.

I absolutely hate that blindingly white, "piano keys" look where teeth look super fake and unnatural.

I want it to blend in seamlessly with my real teeth so nobody can ever tell anything was done.
If you've had a great experience getting subtle, hyper-natural composite bonding done in Bangkok, which clinic or dentist did you go to?

Any recommendations (or places to avoid) would be hugely appreciated!

So I’m weighing the long-term stay options in Thailand, and I keep hitting a psychological wall with the Elite Visa. The idea of dropping 600k to 900k+ THB (or more for the higher tiers) on something that is essentially a non-refundable entry ticket just rubs me the wrong way.

That naturally makes the 3 Million Baht Property Investor Pathway look tempting on paper. At least with a condo, your core capital is locked into an asset. Sure, it might depreciate, you'll pay transfer fees, and you might take a loss when you sell, but mathematically you're usually getting a massive chunk of your principal back compared to an Elite membership fee.

Is anyone here actually doing the 3 Million condo route mostly as a visa vehicle while quietly dreading the actual realities of property ownership? Did you regret trying to outsmart the Elite Visa fee, or do you find the ownership headache worth knowing you didn't just hand the government a pile of non-refundable cash?