Keith Summers - contender for this year’s “Maddest Person in Thailand” award
This man is Keith Summers. If you’ve been keeping up to date with the Bangkok blogging/online community, then you may have come across the name ‘John Galt’, an alias used by Summers in his online mission to bring down the infamous Stickman.For several years now, Stickman Bangkok has played host to Stickman’s own weekly column, a multitude of readers’ submissions, and various articles written about teaching, visas, and other such subjects. The site has also made regular reference to the seedier side of life in the City of Angels, but my opinions on that are immaterial.
Keith Summers set up his own website, imaginatively named Not Stickman Bangkok. Summers modestly refers to himself as “The Great Galt”. The purpose of his website is to expose Stickman as some sort of evil person. I personally do not care for anything Stick has, or has not, done. None of us are perfect, and as far as I can see Stickman’s life is all swings and roundabouts as it is. Summers’s only motives appear to be to avenge a bad review his friend’s bar received from Stickman, and Stickman’s refusal to publish any of The Great Galt’s submissions.
Summers is hell-bent on ruining Stickman’s life. You can read some detailed insight into the whole charade at Mango Sauce.
The main problem I have with Summers is his ego. He clearly thinks he is the center of the universe. He has an exaggerated sense of self-importance, and comes across as maniacal at times. He is also a terrible writer and largely undermines any valid points he has because he is, more often than not, incomprehensible with his ranting.
His infinite wisdom comes forth in an extract from this week’s column:
“I relate this to the Thais in a number of ways. Certainly, Thai are not aliens. And most certainly they do act with independence, but if you watch them work and visit together, you begin to sense their movements and actions have a lot of unity. You’ll notice that in many ways this group of people will act with one mind. In reality, this kind of an illusion. Their unity is a visual side effect of their customs. I’m not saying they don’t think alike because when it comes to their King they think exactly alike. They all love and revere their King.”
His remarks have often left me dumbfounded. In one of his earlier columns, he shared this with his readers:
“When I was a younger man, I had the good fortune of 2 virgins back in the US. Both were very exciting moments and if I had to do it all over again I would not have changed a thing about it (except for perhaps getting some pictures of the girls). Five years ago, before discovering Thailand, if you would had met me in California and asked me if had any expectations of ever having another virgin I would have probably told you sadly that my expectations for that opportunity again were virtually nil. Little did I know at that time that a little raunchy office banter would lead me to investigate Thailand. That 10 day vacation turned into a complete relocation for me, and unbeknownst to me at the time, some fresh opportunity to yet again, experience a virgin.”
This is a man who criticizes Stickman for his immorality. I have nothing more to say about this, because I don’t believe it’s really worth covering in any great depth. It’s been discussed on enough other blogs if you really want to see the nitty gritty of the affair. I refrained from blogging it until it died down because I didn’t want to further feed Summers’s own ego when he was at his most read.
Stickman’s website is still online, but it has been trimmed, and the owner of the domain has taken a step back from the limelight for the time being.
Techno’ tags: Asia, Bangkok Blog, Thailand, John Galt, Stickman Bangkok, Not Stickman Bangkok
November 25th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
been hearing about all this but too lazy to actually look into it.. too much drama
November 25th, 2006 at 7:57 pm
Having met Stickman around a dozen times and having corresponded with him over the years, it is surprising to read Summer’s assessment of him - it gives an impression of a person which completely differs from my own.
Now, Sticks website is just one of many places with information on living in Thailand, but in 1999 when I was looking for information on visas and living costs in Bangkok, his website was the only one with any decent information.
You’ve said all that needs to be said about Galt.
November 27th, 2006 at 10:45 pm
Summers sounds like a stalker that was slighted and is bitter.
December 20th, 2006 at 9:19 am
I have never said anything about Paul Owen’s morality. I have questioned his integrity and I think those two concepts are quite different. I think you have taken my quotes a little out of context for the purpose of putting your own spin on them. It’s all too easy to give someone else a “Thumbs Down”. The hard part is telling everyone where you stand. Up until Stickman was revealed, it was ok for him to take a stand….sadly that had changed with the spotlight placed upon him. (what does that tell you?)
I see you have taken some information from MangoSquash(sauce).com. That explains some of the errors in your commentary. There is no insight there - only lies, hate, and scandal.
In this column you have said that you were “dumbfounded” by my remarks
I read your profile. You have only been here since July of 2005. In that same article I quote you as saying “I have gain a lot of experience in Bangkok”. At age 23, a year may seem like a lot of experience. I remember myself well at that age. I suggest you take a break from the hotter topics until you have a more solid understanding of the issues. At 23, you barely have a handle on life. It’s nice that you’ve told us your name. That is respectable. If we all followed suit, there would be a lot more quality on the web – and must less misbehaving.
December 20th, 2006 at 11:32 am
Hi Keith, Thanks for replying, and thanks for being civil,
I didn’t take your quotes out of context. They highlighted my point. I read Mango Suace with a pinch of salt. My main angle is that I don’t think this sort of thing should clog up the internet. It’s a personal issue, surely.
My reference to experience was with regards (primarily) to work. And this is hardly a “hot topic” anymore Keith. It was sensationalism at best. Amongst a few people it may still be the talk of town, but a lot people are just wondering what the point of it is. If you plaster something all over the internet then people (like me) will pick up on it. It’s the nature of blogging. I personally don’t care much for bar-girl commentaries. That’s just my preference. I felt you largely undermined your points with the other stuff you were writing about.
Incidentally, a large number of people who come to my blog do so after searching for your name.
Anyway, enjoy your day. It’s bloody freezing.
Matt
December 26th, 2006 at 11:55 am
I think a fair number of people, and perhaps yourself included, have missed my point. My effort was not to ruin anyone’s life per se. My point has been to do what was required to put a damper on taking advantage of people who were unwary of the facts here in Thailand.
My point is also to encourage others to come investigate the true elements of the culture here.
And the last focus was to get some exposure for my self and my company.
If we consider that Stickman was in fact in a “lime light” on the Internet before, and his efforts were to fleece foreigners of money for private investigation of bar girls and the like (largely due to fears generated from Stickmen himself), then I’m glad that I’ve had an opportunity to turn the gas down on that light a little bit.
And if this dictates that I should be considered “Mad” — then I gladly accept any nomination for the award.
December 26th, 2006 at 2:52 pm
OK Keith thanks for that. BTW, when I said “a large person who come to my blog” I meant a large number of people, not a big, fat guy coming here looking for you. I’ll edit that now.
Anyway, at least I’ve heard a little more of your side to it now.
January 18th, 2007 at 4:26 am
Well, after his latest column, I think he really deserves the accolade of being the maddest person in Thailand. I’m not even going to put the link up it’s so ridiculous.
Matt
January 21st, 2007 at 8:42 am
Blokes a nutter and thats all there is to it. A sad lost soul who needs to see someone….get a life Keith Summers…you are a sicko
January 21st, 2007 at 8:44 am
I know there are a lot of sad people in Thailand who can’t hack the real world back home, but this guy is the real thing. Wow ! What a sad load of pathetic men you all are. Do you have nothing better to do with your lost lives.
March 12th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Yes I agree Mad as a hatter. Someone with a computer degree from Florida should not consider themselves a writer. The guy is a fool and is silly enough to show the entire world how mad he is.
March 24th, 2007 at 8:33 am
Summers can’t spell, his grammar is atrocious, his ideas ludicrous, and his understanding of anything he reads is appallingly stunted.
In short, Summers, you are a buffoon. Keep writing, Keith. We are all waiting with bated breath to see when you will implode.
I vote for Keith as Madman of the Year!
March 27th, 2007 at 7:55 am
Twerp.
That’s a perfect name for Keith.
Calls Stickmans boss?
Lame.
July 6th, 2007 at 7:41 am
An arrogant asswipe.
Keith Summers, go home.
July 7th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Kevin Summers sounds like another typical American white male with only one thing on his mind and the depth of a parking lot puddle.
July 8th, 2007 at 3:46 am
Summers,
Thanks so much for your blog. You make guys like Matt and me look like Shakespeare.
October 26th, 2007 at 7:30 am
Keith tells it the way it is. He’s upfront on issues, including his business, and doesn’t try to suck you in to all the rhetoric that is out there.