2long

The only worrying thing for me is how much the OP goes on and on about the reputation of Thailand/Phuket etc. Ok, say it once, but it fills quite a chunk of the report. Anyone who visits Patong or Pattaya either know what to expect or is a fool to be shocked. Brawls like this happen all the time, all over the world. the only reason that this is 'news' is because it was caught on camera, and partly because it's transvestites.

Considering that he has no royal blood, and chose to move away, means that he has no claim to anything. Actually, how about back-paying all the costs he has incurred since he was born!

Surely if they reduced the length of visa exempt entries to 5-7days (instead of the silly 30 or 60 days) then the chances of tourists getting hurt would be reduced, because statistically they're in the country for less time. Also, tourists tend to get fleeced more in the first week, before getting wise to correct prices. Therefore, revenue will not be affected. You're welcome. 😉🫣🙄🤫🤣🥱

All of a sudden we should be wearing masks again.

Considering that if a DNA test was done neither of them would show to have a drop of Windsor blood, they shouldn't be getting a penny or any titles.

Well, I'm sorry but it has EVERYTHING to do with science and medicine!

Maybe some cash payments are 'mislaid' 😉 I know that at The Similans a passport number is required for a ticket, but that some dive centres 'navigate the system' with fake details in order to buy tickets in advance of having customers, especially at peak times before the quota is reached.

Was that available in the OP? Sorry if I missed it. Or did you have to Google it?

I am NOT FOR ONE MINUTE ON THE TAXI DRIVER'S SIDE or defending him, but... playing Devil's Advocate - did his actions actually cause the death of the poor deceased man? Nobody will know? - is it possible that the story is somewhat exaggerated? We have a photo, but no video? - is it possible that SOMETIMES some OTHER ambulance drivers get a hard on for their lights and sirens when it's not absolutely necessary? I'm a British driver and we all know how to behave when any emergency vehicle comes along with all the noise and lights. But I've also been here long enough to know stuff. I know I'll get shot down in flames here, but please read my post carefully before doing so.

If 2008 plus two decades (in the title) = 2025, then we all need help!

Had to wait until paragraph 2 to get the 'this must be the visa free system' nonsense. If anyone thinks that this behaviour is connected to the length of stay allowed, then let's only let people enter the country for 3 hours in the afternoon or from midnight until 11am.

a lot of these are a la carte buffets, not what you're referring to. You get two hours to order food that they make for you and then serve. Some chains in malls have buffets where food is made prior and left out, and I agree that this isn't worth it. I love (and regularly visit) Japanese a la carte buffets for lunch.

No mouthpiece for 30 seconds? Tangling a leg on a wreck? OWC divers getting separated and surfacing alone? Then having to navigate back to the boat without the instructor. Pull the other one!

If you're saying this is for your OPEN WATER course, then I have to call bullsh*t on all of this.

Well, the only solution is to blame it on 60-day visa exempt stamps and everyone should be limited to 10 days, max.

While people like to jump on the bandwagon and say how stupid this is, actually it makes sense. If I read it correctly, the rule is preventing those taking part in or teaching scuba courses from taking pics and clips. This make absolute sense. The instructor should be teaching the course and the student is learning the course. These courses are typically OWC or AOWC, or even DSD/Intro dives. Everyone involved needs to be paying attention to the trainees' buoyancy and behaviour, and it's not the time to take pics or clips. Many a time I have seen divers who aren't the best regarding buoyancy or air consumption racing around or overt the reef with a camera or GoPro in their hands. It takes a long time and many dives to become an accomplished diver who can control oneself.

Is this not cause for celebration?

You really are scraping the barrel for quoting and questioning others on this thread, aren't you? Did I mention a curfew? In which other society is one so young young driving such a car considered normal? I'm guessing some Middle East countries.... but this is Thailand.

A TWENTY TWO YEAR OLD driving a Ferrari in Thailand, at 2.20am?! Uh oh!

Self-righteous before a noun needs a hyphen. Muppets needs a capital letter, as far as I know. Thanks for your input. As for your points on proper instruction and testing, I couldn't agree more. Aint gonna happen though, is it?

The most-pertinent reply to this thread yet!

But what about that video we have to watch, to remind us not to go around killing people with poor driving habits! Surely if these Muppets aren't reminded about the dangers, the roads will not be safe! Yes, the one where those who are supposed to watch it sleep or play on their phones throughout its entirety!

Still so many locals wear masks. My wife does when she's on the motorbike, and she claims it's to protect her skin from the sun. Recently in Vietnam and Taiwan i saw the same.

From my experience of Thais' reaction to blood, violence, death etc, it would have zero effect on their behaviour. In fact, I feel many might even enjoy the experience.

I once sent my wife out on the game, as family finances were at an all time low. She came back in the morning looking a bit worse for wear, but with a bag of cash. In total she had 5,050B! I asked her which tight bugger gave her the 50B! She said 'They all did' 🙄🫣😏🥱