friendphil

When I first came to Thailand seven years ago, I had read that it was 'safe'-- probably in The Lonely Planet guide book to Thailand, perhaps also on the internet. After keeping somewhat abreast of the news here on this website, that would now seem to have been misinformation, or things seem to have changed.

I would hope that such guide books and other travel information sources include some warnings to tourists about some of the perils that exist here, so that when people land, they have their feet on the ground and have some idea that some cautions are indeed advisable. Of course that is true visiting anywhere, but people are not generally that experienced and knowledgeable about what to look out for when they are young and inexperienced, traveling for perhaps the first time.

I wonder how following up a non-immigrant O visa with a request for a tourist visa would fly--- Does anyone have experience with this?

Tnanks-- I'll take any replies with a cup of Java.

What is the "English Speaking Year policy"? Or should that be-- what is the "English Speaking Year" policy? The article doesn't go into depth on this point. Maybe because there IS no depth to it?

I am amused by the issuance of proclamations in this country. Don't get me wrong. I think any Thai would be amused by many things about my country as well, and many probably already are. But, the Thai proclamation seems to be based on the idea that "say it, and it will be so."

Any thoughts on this?

Those are actually limes, not lemons. They've been unusually expensive lately. Perhaps a bag of 600 limes 800 is over 1,000 baht. Lower quality, perhaps bottom line 500 baht now.

A year ago, more or less, one could buy a large bag of limes for less than 100 baht. Of course it all depends on quality, and the bigger and the more juice, the more expensive. The prices on many produce items go up and down quite dramatically here. It's amazing we don't see vendors raising and lowering their prices more in response to that.

I bought a chaa-manaoo yesterday, and the vendor mentioned the expense of limes. He also used just one lime in my drink, and it was weak tasting. I'd rather pay a little more and get a good drink. So, be glad you vendor is passing on the price increase and not just giving you a watery drink for the old price!

What about China is it possible to catch a bus to China and get a Visa on entry?

what makes you so special?

Don't you know? Everyone is special.

Actually, seriously, I don't see your point.

If the government has some thought of improving the safety standards for public transportation, it's more than a good idea. Especially if they want to increase their tourism and decrease their traffic accidents and fatalities. Seems like a "no-brainer" to me. Like requiring all tourist buses to have periodic safety checks, and tour drivers to have a special license. That, just for starters.

Sorry, I didn't know I had a limit, or "quota", on how many "likes" I could have in one day on Thaivisa forum. But so many of these posts are on the same wavelength, and it's so obviously idiotic that I gotta agree with so many posts.

"Violators will be subject to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to Bt100,000."

Gee, I think if I were in charge of a government pharmacy, I'd opt to return the stuff to the manufacturer rather tnan risk five years in the can. Unless I had a hand-chosen staff of trusted people working with me.

poor guy ... sad to die like this ....RIP

Die like how? The story doesn't really say "how" . It says how he was found.

I recall a similar "find" not long ago reported on this site: a westerner found hanged, sitting down. I think it was in Phuket. The man was found hanging from a tree branch and he was sitting, or partially sitting, on the ground. weird. The ownership of the building is not especially interesting, but other missing details would be.

Considering all the unsolved crimes that we read about here (aka "suicides" and other mysteries) it is amazing that they nab somebody like this. Amazing Miracle Mystery Thailand, huh?

Quick, no-brain solution. This is like killing the messenger bringing bad news. And there are plenty of desperate people willing to replace those that get caught. I imagine, however, the big boys stay a safe distance from getting apprehended.

But were they actually non-compliant with the safety codes...?

i.e. It's obvious (in hindsight) that the place was apparently a death-trap in the event of a fire, but as it was built before 1992, it wouldn't have had to meet current fire safety codes. The question is really if it met the fire safety codes in place prior to 1992.

Maybe Agoda, etc. could flag when the hotel was built (not renovated), so that pre-1992 hotels could be excluded from your search if you wanted...

Good point Mike, but even if it was built before the 1992 act, it surely wouldn't be "grandfathered" and should have been upgraded to comply with current regulations.

In my view, both hotel and inspecting body are equally at fault for not ensuring compliance to current regulations.

That said, I have no idea of what the regulations are or who is responsible for enforcing them.

Does anyone have any idea, including the Thai authorities?

AFTER reading another health statistic on Thaivisa, regarding the mortality rate of babies born in Thailand, any statistics I read here are rather suspect regarding their accuracy. A million is a nice round number--- probably a rough guess, at best.

I too would like to see a breakdown into some different demographic variables: age, sex, occupation, etc. as much as possible. Then the numbers start to get more meaningful. As it is, to me, "one million" is simply equal to "a lot".

In any case, it IS a lot of people, and it's unfortunate.

Seems someone is posting about it on such websites

Here from tripadvisor

It looks as if the link that was provided was edited out of this post. I'd have liked to follow it. What's with the editing, guys?

We'll see if this one flies.

AND, I certainly hope Thai authorities learn to conduct inspections, safety checks, etc., in advance of such disasters. This would be way cool.

Vocabulary check suggested, regarding the following words: ensure, assure, insure. Perhaps more appropriate than any of these: NOT SURE.

Anybody have a link to the video?

Yes, why don't they post the link so we can judge for ourselves rather than take their prissy word for it?

What I would like to know is how many people actually die from taking illicit drugs as oppose to those who die from taking prescription drugs?

As the medical establishment is the 3rd biggest killer in the US and the 9th biggest by accidental death it must take some beating!

According to the following site: http://www.naturalnews.com/009278.html 783,936 people per year in USA, from what the report terms 'Conventional Medical Mistakes' 106, 000 of these are due to Prescription drugs. See the Death by Medicine Report, some experts estimate that it may be as high as 200,000 as some adverse effects of medication are not taken into account.

By the way Guatamala has said that it is considering legalising illicit drugs, see today's Bangkok Post. The truth rarely comes out, just an opinionated position continually propagated in the Media for whatever reason. Hence the continuing US led campaign on drugs.

Here is a link to a New Yorker magazine article about Portugal's decriminalization of drugs.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/10/17/111017fa_fact_specter?fb_ref=social_fblike&fb_source=profile_oneline

and this came from Thaksin i take it !

you cant convict a man/women of a crime with a half hearted investigation and then kill them within 60 days, how many innocent people set up will lose thier lives?

If a person is found with vast amounts of Yabba/Ice in their possession then why not a speedy execution ?

The people getting caught, nine times out of ten (my gross estimate, only) are the poor peons who are desperate to get out of their poor lives and will do anything, stupid as it is, to have a chance to get out. Executing them will do little to stem the problem, as the suppliers are still able to supply, the buyers are still wanting to buy, and there will always be plenty more poor saps willing to do any stupid thing to get out of their desperate situations.

Quick executions would merely look like the problem is being addressed, and is about as much of a solution as blowing up the vehicles that carry it, and expecting to eradicate it.

The one year plan, using speedy executions as a major means of accomplishing it, is simply short-sighted, uncreative, in violation of core Buddhist principals (non-killing), and I doubt will put even a slight dent in the problem.

What will what's his name want to say now, re asking the American Embassy to remove the terrorist warning from its website? What was his/ her name? Guess they'd rather we forget who it was, I'd imagine.

I hate to see this happen, and maybe heeding the warnings with more serious consideration would have been wise.

Freedom of speech is perhaps our most cherished right in the U.S.

Perhaps that's why we don't have a monarchy.

Freedom of speech is perhaps our most cherished right in the U.S.

It sounds, from the commentary, that she got a lot of attention, but didn't really get her message across. I'll leave that up to her, or whoever else has an understanding of the economics that are at issue. I've read about Yingluck's wanting to assure rice farmers a certain amount too, and the negative affects that may ensue. It's an important issue for both many farmers and the economy of Thailand overall.

Bali got hit a few years ago. Why Bali? I don't know. Why not Thailand? I don't know either.

Maybe Yingluck should call off the terrorists too, not just the countries raising a warning. The tourists then might feel better about coming.

Where's my Dilbert comic?

What a crap way to start a new year. Phuket's reputation is growing and it's not looking like somewhere I'd especially want to visit. Getting to sound like the wild old west.

Whoops! Sorry.... It was New Year's eve. I guess it was ending the old year with a bang. Dismal way to live and die, either end or beginning of the year.