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Thailand: You Could Do A Year In Jail For Smoking On The Beach


Have you ever settled down at the seashore, picnic in the park or outdoor restaurant, enjoying the fresh air? Then some inconsiderate future lung cancer patient came by puffing on a stinky cigarette or stinkier cigar. Fortunately, there’s hope for non-smokers, because more and more areas of the world are beginning to ban smoking.

The government Thailand just imposed a non-smoking ban on its 20 beautiful beaches. Other countries around the world are doing the same. It isn’t just the bothersome smell causing the bans. Discarded butts cause environmental damage, pollution and drainage problems. Of course, when a smoker falls asleep with a lighted cigarette in hotel rooms, forests and other vulnerable locations, the disaster is much worse than unpleasant smell.
Q: What Do I Do When A Passenger Grabs My Assigned Seat? PDF Print E-mail


On a recent flight, after boarding, I saw an elderly woman in my seat. I checked my boarding pass, and said she was in error. She refused to move.

When I told the flight attendant, he said the woman, who waved her cane at me, was handicapped and could not be moved. Angry as hell, I was sent to a seat in the rear. During the flight I saw the “handicapped” woman easily strolling the aisle several times. What should I have done? Jack R., Lafayette IN

A: Not much. You can later file a complaint with the airline, and maybe get a free future flight. Fake handicap pre-boarding, seat grabs and phony companion dog scams are all too frequent. The best way to react is not to lose your temper and just firmly state the facts to the airline. In flight, always cooperate with flight attendants, who must deal with these offenders daily.
 
 
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