Nonetheless, I reckon quoting me for only the dentist's fee and then whacking all the other stuff on is a scam, I wonder if they do that with everybody or if it's just a farang special. I've never come across that one before.

Yes Bob I def agree with you. If that happened to me here in Australia, I would be taking the company to consumer affairs or small claims tribunal or something like that.

Maybe I'll live long enough to see the day when here in Thailand the foreigner can take legal action against these rip-offs. Likewise their racist behaviour, like having higher fees for caucasians, even the word "farang" is offensive. To my ears it's equal to "wog" "dago" "coon" all words that would get us into hot water back home.

Im curious Bob, as to why you live in Thailand, when you seem to have so many negative emotions towards the country as it is today
... you feel its unsafe and there is little (if no) protection for us tourists (or 'farang' as you call us) and that the government is not doing enough to protect tourists and put an end to the thai mafia that commit all these crimes, and as you say, seem to get away with it. Im still of the view that it all comes down to common sense and avoiding trouble spots. But ... I guess for those tourists that go to Thailand for the 'night life' then they do really have to watch out all the time - which is sad I think.

So ... Bob, why do you stay and live in Thailand??

Kitty

All long-term expats develop a love-hate relationship with the country. By living here continuously I have an insight to many matters that the short-time tourist (no pun intended) doesn’t. All in all life is pretty good here for us but there are many things that stink and I have taken it upon myself to make readers of this forum aware of these matters. Hopefully you can do something about it. If enough people tell their local Thai consulate or travel agent – “Hey what are these stories I hear about…?” Then perhaps some good will come from it.

I guess a love-hate relationship is a good one! As you said, theres a lot to love and there is also a lot to sit back and make judgement on and hope for change. Yes ... its true that us "short term tourists" do only see the good in a country, and we also try not to even think about the bad things, like muggings, rape and murder. I do thank you for posting about all these things, cos it gives us something to always keep in the back of our mind, about travelling safely and cautiously, whilst having fun at the same time ... so thankyou for that Bob!

Kitty

Thank you for your kind words Kitty.