Hi Guys!
Many thanks to MM for inviting me to this board. I received the email and replied thus:
Hi,
Thanks for your email and I'm really flattered about your interest in koratfarang.com. As Oscar Wilde said, the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about! I'm just amazed that KF has spawned other forums in the way it has.
My wife (who unusually for a Thai does not get involved in gossip) says that gossiping is the sign of empty lives and a lack of imagination about how to fill them. I'm sure that's not the situation in your case and you really do have genuine interest in the well-being of the KF forum. So again I thank you.
About the figures, there have been no recent bans. But please do keep me in the loop on that gala dinner - I'm expecting an invitation!
Cheers and all the best,
Sportrider
Running a board is pretty difficult and time-consuming, and it's literally impossible to keep everyone happy. When I do ban, it's usually in desperation rather than anything else. I try my best and realise that my actions may upset some people sometimes, but I genuinely have no hard feelings to anyone - as you know anyone is always welcome to join (or re-join) the board. Even after banning. Banning is really a way to say 'enough now' rather than telling someone to 'go away'.
Guidelines are there to help because, yes, there is a certain kind of atmosphere, or spirit, I would like to maintain on the board. And it's no joke, my Mother really does read the board. Sometimes my final decision-boundary is 'do I feel embarrassed to have this kind of content on a board I am responsible for?'
On the subject of mentioning other boards, I really don't have a problem. KF is a service and useful links are part of that. There is a way to go about it though - a quick PM just to check it's ok would have been courteous - especially when at first glance it seemed that the purpose of referenced forum was not exactly to support Koratfarang.com. However, now I have had a chance to read some of the posts here I see that there are some people who are genuinely interested in what goes on 'behind the scenes' as it were. I respect that, which is why I am making this post.
I bear no grudges and feel no ill-will to anyone. I'll always help, if I can, when someone is in need. I'm just a hard-working guy, mid-40's with a large family to support, and a love of Thailand and Korat. Maybe I'm a bit like you?
Please accept this message in the friendly spirit in which it is offered.
Very best and warmest regards,
Sportrider