Comments on: Technology to the Rescue: Working With Thai Police to Save a Stranded Friend https://www.gregtodiffer.com/technology-to-the-rescue-working-with-thai-police-to-save-a-stranded-friend/ Stories, rants & observations about expat life in Asia's craziest city Wed, 15 Feb 2017 14:29:13 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.5 By: Greg https://www.gregtodiffer.com/technology-to-the-rescue-working-with-thai-police-to-save-a-stranded-friend/#comment-1207 Wed, 15 Feb 2017 14:29:13 +0000 https://www.gregtodiffer.com/?p=5710#comment-1207 In reply to Alex.

You never know where you’ll end up making friends!

]]> By: Alex https://www.gregtodiffer.com/technology-to-the-rescue-working-with-thai-police-to-save-a-stranded-friend/#comment-1206 Sun, 12 Feb 2017 19:50:14 +0000 https://www.gregtodiffer.com/?p=5710#comment-1206 Friendly northerners, thanks for the good read..

]]> By: Greg https://www.gregtodiffer.com/technology-to-the-rescue-working-with-thai-police-to-save-a-stranded-friend/#comment-1199 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 06:43:55 +0000 https://www.gregtodiffer.com/?p=5710#comment-1199 In reply to Riast.

Thanks Riast! For all the crap the RTPF gets, there sure are some good and helpful people among them.

]]> By: Riast https://www.gregtodiffer.com/technology-to-the-rescue-working-with-thai-police-to-save-a-stranded-friend/#comment-1196 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 06:45:46 +0000 https://www.gregtodiffer.com/?p=5710#comment-1196 Really enjoyed reading it. I have been living here almost 2 years and still amazed by their politeness and helpfulness all the time. 🙂

]]> By: Greg https://www.gregtodiffer.com/technology-to-the-rescue-working-with-thai-police-to-save-a-stranded-friend/#comment-1194 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 10:26:45 +0000 https://www.gregtodiffer.com/?p=5710#comment-1194 In reply to Thomas Klintgaard.

Hey, yeah, that’s a good question! As westerners we typically value our time more than Asians, I think. And time=money. Maybe money isn’t the end-all, be-all after all. 🙂

Thanks for listening to the podcast!

]]> By: Greg https://www.gregtodiffer.com/technology-to-the-rescue-working-with-thai-police-to-save-a-stranded-friend/#comment-1193 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 10:25:41 +0000 https://www.gregtodiffer.com/?p=5710#comment-1193 In reply to Farang Ouan.

Hey Farang Ouan, thanks for commenting.

]]> By: Thomas Klintgaard https://www.gregtodiffer.com/technology-to-the-rescue-working-with-thai-police-to-save-a-stranded-friend/#comment-1192 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 09:10:39 +0000 https://www.gregtodiffer.com/?p=5710#comment-1192 In reply to Greg.

Hey Greg, thanks a lot. You are most probably right – that a well-formed wai is the best way to go about it. A good friend of mine looked me in the eye when I raised the question the other day and told me something that left a strong impression: maybe the good question isn´t all about why Thai people reject your money, maybe the good question is why you find it appropriate to “answer” their gift with money? Something to think about! Thanks for sharing good thoughts here and on the podcast, I am following and enjoying both!

]]> By: Farang Ouan https://www.gregtodiffer.com/technology-to-the-rescue-working-with-thai-police-to-save-a-stranded-friend/#comment-1191 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 07:39:55 +0000 https://www.gregtodiffer.com/?p=5710#comment-1191 A really positive and enjoyable story, Greg. Thanks for sharing 🙂

]]> By: Greg https://www.gregtodiffer.com/technology-to-the-rescue-working-with-thai-police-to-save-a-stranded-friend/#comment-1188 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 13:16:09 +0000 https://www.gregtodiffer.com/?p=5710#comment-1188 In reply to Thomas.

Hey Thomas, good question. I think part of it lies in being ‘greng jai’ which is a Thai term that basically means ‘I’m too shy/nice/embarrassed to ask for something, so I just won’t ask for it.’ But could be…maybe he just figured he was going that way anyway, why charge? I’d probably do the same thing. Part of it could also be that now he has a funny story about letting two farang ride in the back of a truck – not something everyone does everyday!

Good question about giving alternate gifts. I think a deep and well-formed wai is probably reward enough – I can’t really think of any other way to show appreciation.

]]> By: Thomas https://www.gregtodiffer.com/technology-to-the-rescue-working-with-thai-police-to-save-a-stranded-friend/#comment-1186 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 06:39:07 +0000 https://www.gregtodiffer.com/?p=5710#comment-1186 Thanks for sharing the story. I just
came back to Copenhagen (my home base) after spending new year’s in beautiful Sanghkla Buri which is close to the Burmese border too. My travel buddy
and I managed to get
from Sanghkla Buri to Hua Hin one stop (apart from a couple of pee stops) at the back of a truck owned by a very friendly Thai who was going that direction anyway. 400 kilometers – pretty good hitchhiking distance. When we got off in Hua Hin we thanked the guy and offered him to pay gas. He rejected that completely, in a manner that made us feel he would never take
the money no matter what. So,
this is actually why I leave this
comment: I have experienced this kind of reaction from Thais numerous times and it makes me wonder 1) why is it that Thais don’t want to take Farang money, even though they know that the Farangs can afford to pay a bit
of “thank you” money? 2) Is there any other (and better) way to offer Thais something of material value –
in addition to showing basic
gratitude? I would love to get
some advice since I am planning to come to Thailand again as soon as possible. I love the country and the beautiful, spiritually gifted people there.

]]>