smileydude

A series of fortunate events for the 12 kids, coach and families that Vern was there at the right time, knew who to contact and was highly knowledgeable about this cave. 

Seems like a no-nonsense straight-forward chap (considering his comments about Musk).

My hats off to you Mr. Unsworth and all of Thailand thanks you for your assistance.

To my understanding Dr. Harris's father death was not sudden and he was already near the end of his life?

If so then it reflects a thousand times more how selfless Dr. Harris was to choose to help others even though he could have chosen not to and stayed by his father's side.

He chose to volunteer because he knew he could save lives.

I hope he finds solace in the fact that he helped save 13 lives and that his father is now in a better place looking down at him even prouder of him then he was before.

This is a prevalent attitude among small fry reporters and media in Thailand who often feel powerful and entitled because they think they can give bad press to anyone who crosses them as a threat/retaliation.

Me thinks someone needs to be thrown deep in the cave.

On 7/6/2018 at 4:01 PM, gregk0543 said:

Thats a big boat. It must have been big waves to sink it. Something I dont think anyone had seen there before. With several boats swamped and in trouble it is more an untimely event than any negligence. They can only go on what they have experienced in the past.

I agree.  You can forecast weather conditions to a certain degree but sudden winds are always a risk when at sea.

Passenger limits are never followed here whether it is vans, buses or boats so its always tread at your own risk which is why I avoid large group tours like the plague and prefer smaller groups.  If in boats I always have a habit of staying outdoors as you never know.  It’s tragic but unfortunately you read about ferries and boats sinking all around the world (like in South Korea) because you are at mother nature’s will and peril.

8 hours ago, lensta said:

Terminate his employment immediately. POS

Couldn't agree with you more.  Small wee wee  syndrome I'm afraid.

When traveling in foreign lands on vacation we often are distracted by the GPS and switching from right to left side driving can be quite disorientating in itself.

I have always considered driving in a foreign country to be a high risk activity due to my unfamiliarity with the roads, the driving behavior of the locals and being heavily reliant on GPS so much as to follow its instructions unerringly only for it to direct me into a one way street or turn into a road that does not exist.  The best I can do is be super alert and hope my vacation ends without incident.

Its very tragic and sad as they were all just starting a family with a young child only for their lives to be cut short when they were supposed to be happily enjoying a vacation together.

RIP

4 hours ago, keith101 said:

If there was a flash flood the chances of survival are usually pretty slim on the other hand there is a chance they exited from somewhere else and are ok .

Unfortunately cave experts have confirmed there is only one entrance and exit for this particular cave.

The addition of an ROV and thermal imaging equipment offers better chances but it all depends on the conditions with the additional rainstorms only making it more difficult but at least if they have air with water plentiful inside, they might have a chance of surviving until rescuers can reach them.

Capital punishment can be useful as a deterrent ONLY if the perpetrators believe that there is a high probability they will be pursued, caught and the due process of law and punishment handed down accordingly.

 

If the police still insist on lax enforcement, cherry picking high profile cases with media coverage,  judicial sentences handed down based on socio-economics and life sentences given pardons etc,  focusing only on the punishment without overhauling the process will only be in vain.

A reflection that time and print space on the internet are not very valuable.

Moving on.

Capital punishment can be useful as a deterrent ONLY if the perpetrators believe that there is a high probability they will be pursued, caught and the due process of law and punishment handed down accordingly.

 

If the police still insist on lax enforcement, cherry picking high profile cases with media coverage,  judicial sentences handed down based on socio-economics and life sentences given pardons etc,  focusing only on the punishment without overhauling the process will only be in vain.

Capital punishment can be useful as a deterrent ONLY if the perpetrators believe that there is a high probability they will be pursued, caught and the due process of law and punishment handed down accordingly.

If the police still insist on lax enforcement, cherry picking high profile cases with media coverage,  judicial sentences handed down based on socio-economics and life sentences given pardons etc,  focusing only on the punishment without overhauling the process will only be in vain.

In Thailand there are concealed carry weapon licenses (CCW) for both military and civilians which are often issued to:

-government officials who request them on the basis of security risk duties such as mayors, tambon officials etc.

-security personnel of banks (not common as they prefer you hire off duty police personnel)

-anyone who can prove their jobs require self protection at all times.

They are rarely issued to the last group mentioned and if issued will be for one specific firearm piece valid for 1 year to be extended on a case by case basis which pretty much means you will have to pay an undisclosed sum(bribe) to have it extended unless you know someone who knows someone.

Cunning or foolish depending on how you look at if he purposely targeted a senior military man's/politician's home since it is well known they tend to keep undocumented earnings in the form of stashed cash but also have the power to hunt you down.

Must not have kept abreast of the news that those earnings have been laundered to Richard Mille's, and Audemar Piguet's.

28 minutes ago, stevenl said:

"Funny thing is the cops love to pull this  "he is poor let the insurance pay for it" routine and it gets the haves frustrated and end up calling their insurance companies anyways plus the cops get away with less paperwork and becomes protector/hero of the grassroots man."

Insurance company will still go after the money from the poor guy.

 

"Btw, all farangs are seen as rich so expect the same treatment except payouts/bribes are usually higher."

Usual nonsense again.

I disagree.  The cost of legal fees and time it takes to take the poor guy to court is usually not worth it for the insurance companies to pursue the case.

It's called the thai privileged attitude and it works both ways.  

If you are rich and wrong you pay/bribe your way out.  

If you are poor (truck driver) and wrong and versus the rich(BMW sedan) you use the privileged "poor-get-out-of-being-responsible card." 

Funny thing is the cops love to pull this  "he is poor let the insurance pay for it" routine and it gets the haves frustrated and end up calling their insurance companies anyways plus the cops get away with less paperwork and becomes protector/hero of the grassroots man.

Btw, all farangs are seen as rich so expect the same treatment except payouts/bribes are usually higher.

Driving motorcycles in Thailand is a death wish in itself considering the stats of people killed on the roads here.

I would urge all tourists to avoid it like the plague.

RIP to the young couple.  Sad indeed.

It's all smiles to hide the sadness and humiliation of not being able to come back home.

Anyone with a big fat bank account can get a passport and visa to visit the world.