iSabai

Cool. I have no sympathy for the visa scofflaws that bring undue scrutiny on those that do it the right way. Send 'em packing...

Maybe a phone call might stop this - Major General Praveen Pongsirin 081 8936083

Good grief!

You think he might have more important things to do?

Responding to complaints just from Thaivisa posters would be a full time job for two people.

Why not try contacting some one in immigration first, if you're that worried about it?

Personally, I would pay that 100 Bt if it gets me through quicker.

Only two people? I think you severely underestimate the complaining prowess of Thai Visa posters!

Some people look at the world as it is and constantly ask the question:

"WHY?"

Other people dream of the things that never were and say:

"WHY NOT!"

The problem with Idealism is that it's just not realistic. The problem with reality is that it is rarely ideal. The cold hard facts are that between the two of them, reality is always the truth. Ideality is a pipe dream.

I am suprised the Tuk Tuks have lasted as long as they have.  The strong work ethic and ambition so prevelant amongst Thai men saw many of the drivers frustrated with sitting around all day waiting for that one big skim.

 

Thus, I am confident that these go getters will now embrace this opportunity to move into more gainful employment where their skills, motivation, and hard work will be properly utilised.

 

Why would anyone want to hang around all day, smoking, drinking, taking drugs and sleeping when you could be out in the 38 degree heat planting rice.

Why do you restrict your comment to Thai men only? Is it fair to judge the entire male population on these few tuk tuk guys? Would you judge the entire female population based on the bar girls that essentially do the same thing; lay around and sleep all day, sitting around at the bars all night "waiting for that one big skim"?

Bit unfair and judgmental I'd say.

Can somebody please shut up the governor? He used to say ok things but never do anything, now he can actually do and achieve something but is only talking nonsense.

IF the junta is serious about cleaning up the taxi mafia a good start would be to prosecute the men who enable the taxi mafia. They know who they are and they know they have made massive amounts of money for their pockets while damaging the tourist numbers to Phuket...not to mention terrorizing both locals and tourists who dare to question them.

Throw the bunch of them in jail. Allow a songtaew system in place at fares comparable to other Thai cities.

Have a/c point to point taxi service available at the same METER rates as Bangkok. Have the military PROTECT the baht buses and the metered taxis from any remaining mafia types.

Turn Phuket into a PLEASANT place where one doesn't have to fear for his safety to get from point a to point b or be charged an exhoribitant fee most of which goes to some Mr. Big who sits in his house and counts the money.

It's really not rocket science...and perhaps the junta who certainly likes to claim the prior govts were corrupt

and did nothing have an excellent chance to show with actions that they are different.

Pomchop, I have to ask.

I have never been to Phuket, but have read many posts on TV about what is bad about living there.

So why then do people, especially farangs, want to live there? What are the attractions of Phuket?

Why do farangs want to live there? Well I'm just guessing of course…

But probably because there are thousands of farangs there that are blissfully unaware of the existence of TV forums. And they are perfectly happy living their own lives there, and form their own opinions based on their own personal experiences, likes, and dislikes, without the stereotyped biases and melodramatic rantings of the disgruntled know-it-all masses with nothing better to do but gripe about everything on an internet forum.

But then, I'm just guessing of course…

Sounds like a "gripe" about others "griping" on TV.

You know, you don't have to visit the Forum, "I'm just guessing of course," that the "griping" entertains you somehow.

"Sounds like a "gripe" about others "griping" on TV." Yes, to gripers it would. But it was meant to suggest to the poster I replied to (who has never been to Phuket) that judging Phuket based on what he reads here isn't the best idea.

"…the "griping" entertains you somehow." Yes. In a morbid curiosity kind of way.

IF the junta is serious about cleaning up the taxi mafia a good start would be to prosecute the men who enable the taxi mafia. They know who they are and they know they have made massive amounts of money for their pockets while damaging the tourist numbers to Phuket...not to mention terrorizing both locals and tourists who dare to question them.

Throw the bunch of them in jail. Allow a songtaew system in place at fares comparable to other Thai cities.

Have a/c point to point taxi service available at the same METER rates as Bangkok. Have the military PROTECT the baht buses and the metered taxis from any remaining mafia types.

Turn Phuket into a PLEASANT place where one doesn't have to fear for his safety to get from point a to point b or be charged an exhoribitant fee most of which goes to some Mr. Big who sits in his house and counts the money.

It's really not rocket science...and perhaps the junta who certainly likes to claim the prior govts were corrupt

and did nothing have an excellent chance to show with actions that they are different.

Pomchop, I have to ask.

I have never been to Phuket, but have read many posts on TV about what is bad about living there.

So why then do people, especially farangs, want to live there? What are the attractions of Phuket?

But probably because there are thousands of farangs there that are blissfully unaware of the existence of TV forums. And they are perfectly happy living their own lives there, and form their own opinions based on their own personal experiences, likes, and dislikes, without the stereotyped biases and melodramatic rantings of the disgruntled know-it-all masses with nothing better to do but gripe about everything on an internet forum.

But then, I'm just guessing of course…

Most people know that Patong is noted for lower front massages not lower back massages.

I agree with OC.

Bit of a stretch to compare bogus copy purses, sunglasses, watches, and CD's/DVD's with drugs ain't it? Lots of people like to come here and buy that crap, so what?

So what? It is illegal, stealing royalty payments from legitimate companies who have invested heavily in designing and manufacturing their genuine goods.

Would you be happy if you invested your money to produce a nice design of watch and then some schmucks go and copy it and sell a crappy version that will break within days?

At Phuket Airport, there are signs warning passengers that they may be arrested in Italy and Germany if they are found to be carrying counterfeit goods.

I get that Simon, and understand it's illegal. But it's not like they're pawning off Gucci bags and Rolex watches as the real thing. People get a kick out of having a knock-off Gucci and I don't see a huge problem with it. Outside of these companies' bottom lines which is what it's really all about.

If Germany and Italy arrest these folks, it's not for the good of anybody other than protecting these companies' profits, and I'm sure they're the ones pressuring them to do so. PC is all about the wussification and homogenization of the world. Making everything and everywhere the same is for the sake of profits and nothing else. Just another form of control, and it rubs me the wrong way.

BTW, just read about your rescue op with the French dude, nice job.

Stumbled upon this thread recently and have been slowly catching up from the beginning when I find the time. Great stuff - and pics - and very interesting.

Thanks for that, and keep up the good work guys! I've finally found something other than the usual boring whinge-fest threads worth reading on TV now!

Even more crass posts removed. Can we have some respect for this poor soul who found the need to commit suicide, thank you.

What is going on lately?

Never have i seen so many posts on so many threads posted by disrespectful posters using all manner of crass, often vulgar, comments on race, looks, body sizes, and all manner of other subjects.

Is this a snapshot of the types of people now living in LOS?

Seriously..any ideas about this?

RIP to the deceased..depression is a bastard affliction....

+1, thank you.

TV posters are nothing more than a sad bunch of sorryass 'ambulance chasers' these days. Sad representation of the type of people (using that term loosely) that live on or come to Phuket these days. One of the main reasons I've left the island. Loved the place, hated the people now coming there and ruining the place.

More Illogical and emotional raving by uneducated "conservationists" all these fools carrying on wanting to ban spearfishing because 1 spearfisherman speared a shark which was legal to take in an are that it was legal to do so.

Many,many more sharks are killed daily by other methods and don't get this publicity.

I saw a link to Greenfins Thailand they want to stop all spearfishing claiming it kills the larger and slower fish- what a load of tripe.

Spearfishing is The Most Selective and environmentally friendly way to harvest fish. End of story.

If certain species are vulnerable to spearfishing -which is true then put bag and size limits or total bans on the taking of these species and Fine or otherwise punish those who break these rules, but not ban spearfishing.

Anyone serious about conservation of fish would ban Netting, Dynamite fishing, set line fishing, fish traps, fish pens which are not isolated from the environment and can spread desease throughout wild poplations and any other types of fishing before thinking of banning spearfishing.

I don't know where these people get their hair brained ideas from.

We get our hair-brained ideas from tireless research and a bit of common sense. I am glad you agree with the conservationists on wanting to ban those other things too.

I would like to know how any rational person can not be a conservationist. Why would you be for extinguishing species, polluting the environment etc. (I know why..money, and at times an irrational, arrogant sense of entitlement.)

This guy is catching game fish, including locally rare sharks, which only lack protection due to political apathy, and selling them for couple thousand baht. If there is a more selfish act, I am unaware of it.

BTW,dynamite fishing is banned, as is setting nets on reefs, fish traps on reefs, and commercial fishing of any kind in many parts of Thai waters. There are laws, but we need more and the ones that exist need to be better enforced.

Good lord, what next? A restaurant mafia? Bar mafia? Massage mafia? 7-Eleven mafia?

Where does the madness that is Phuket end?