[logpogingg]

It's an unfortunate fact that there is always someone out there who is ready to interfere with the way you live your life.

From the time primitive man started to congregate, rules were agreed upon in order that we didn't kill each other. The original intent of government was defence and foreign relations but these days they rule everything we do.

As to the above discussion, where do you draw the line? In advanced societies it is now against the law to discipline a child. It's not uncommon to hear a child has been taken from a family because he/she was smacked on the bum because of some anti-social behaviour. On the other hand there have been one or two hi-profile cases here where a child has died because the authorities failed in their responsibilities towards monitoring a family situation.

Let's face it, if the local community won't do anything about an abused child then we are all in trouble because big government won't. Just remember the millions of children dying of starvation on the African continent while governments talk of turning corn into fuel!

[12Cickprior]

What are some good phrases for politely but firmly telling beggars they won't be getting any money from you? Here in Oz the stock phrase is "sorry mate haven't got any change on me" but that might not translate to Thai.

I often say "Mai Mee Ree-an" which translates as "I haven't got any coins" (ie..i haven't any spare change)

[usaneisfiecup]

I try to take each situation as it happens. I've not been in that particular situation, so I'm not sure what I would do.

I was up in Chiang Rai once at one of the tea plantations on Doi Tung. A mother and her children? came up to me to try and sell me some jewelry. I bought a bracelet because I liked it and had enough money to be generous. I then tried to get in our mini van (me and my thai family -- 8 people). Once I bought the one bracelet they were swarming me and making it nearly impossible for me to get to the van. My Thai father came over and shoooed them away. Once in the van they pounded the windows and tried very sad face to get me to buy more bracelets. I just smiled at them and waved. I bought one, and that's all I was prepared to do.