pogal

It's illegal without the consent of the mother (if she makes a complaint).

We have noticed many cases of dengue in the last month, from young to old, farang and Thai.

I am surprised by the prevalence of it in central Bangkok, and also surprised to hear little about it. It may just be coincidence that we have had many cases in my area (Tong-Lor) but I doubt it.

As you can see by the contributions to this forum the symptoms are varied. Some people hardly notice it while others get hit hard and of course the occasional death.

I always use lots of cream when I'm out working in the streets, and feel lucky I've never contracted it but for the most part if you get it, it will just put you out for a week or two if you are under a doctors care. It's very important to seek early treatment for the symptoms.

http://www.cdc.gov/dengue/faqFacts/fact.html

2013

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/apr/19/texas-fertilizer-plant-explosion-government-watchdog

Until Thailand has clearly defined laws, and a force that can competently and fairly enforce those laws, things will always be like this.

Officially you need to get a note in your work permit booklet(if already working) but Im not sure how it works for a edu visa since you do not have a Work Permit booklet.

On the other hand as others have mentioned I have never heard of anyone being arrested for volunteering as officials see it as innocent BUT you must be on an official visa of some sort to be in the country.

it's less than 400 bucks in my country's currency.

You still trade in your country?

This is a tragically sad story. But at least the alleged killer has been caught. According to the thai news he had abducted girls before - although not murdered them as suggested.

As for that skull - That is not her skull. It would take at least 8 months to have all the flesh removed and be in that condition. Google Forensic Entomology to give yourself an overview of the decomposition process and time spans involved for an exposed body to fully degrade.

I've seen bodies decomposed to the skull within 10 days but this skull does seem even older than that. Hard to conceive there may have been more victims :/

Strangely enough he said this on their front page:

"Welcome to Maejo University, the Home of Cowboys!"

Chamnian Yosraj

He also left his email and phone number, you could ask him yourself

http://www.mju.ac.th/tri_versions/eng_index.php

Most universities are preparing for the entrance into the ASEAN community and the International language is........

I wonder what this lady is doing about it and what her Principal would say?

I feel she has experienced just the tip of the (future) iceberg.

Happy Sailing!

They don't need to do it, America does it for them (and the rest of the world) anyway

I always buy form the street, to be sure what you get! Pure honey, I have never smelt the fuel said to be used to pacify the bees, Honey is a natural antibiotic, has antioxidants, antibacterial, anti fungal, etc. I wouldn't worry about buying it from the street but I WOULD worry about the processes involved in packaged honey, it can lose it's effectiveness during the heating processes, as well as have things added that you don;t want and really DON'T need!

I always wait for the old man to pass buy with that VERY rare forest honey comb! You're lucky you have the CHANCE to buy it!

Im renting 5000p/m and get my air cleaned twice a year for free, I even offered to pay and they said "no problem".

They fix anything immediately, or same day.

Reading all the comments above I realize how lucky I must be.

I once tried to help a British man who was homeless and in a bad way, mentally and physically. I called the British embassy and they said they could not do anything unless he was incarcerated in prison or a mental institute.

They never offered any other assistance and said there was nothing else they could do. I saw the man again a week later still on the street and took matters int my own hands to help him get home.

Anyone else have experiences or information to share relating to farang street people? Any embassy comments on what to do if we find these people?

If they just did their job they wouldn't need to boost tourist confidence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A truly sad day indeed and a great loss to all Aussie expats. The next person has got hell of a pair of shoes to fill and it is going to take a big man/woman to come near Larry. The guy not only worked tirelessly for Australians but for all people, Thais and Farangs on the island trying to expose the scams along with lifting the image of Phuket and making it a safer place.

I truly hope the Governor and TAT realise what he actually did for the place and thank him with a farewell dinner. I would guess tho he will only get an escort to the airport to make sure he gets on a plane so that the Governor, TAT, J.J and the other jet ski operators can throw a party to celebrate.

I wish you all the best mate, you gave it your all but the corruption is cemented into Thai society and only a nuclear bomb will budge it a cm or two.

It is not just Aussie expats who will miss Him!

True, he has fought for everyone's rights in Phuket (including Thai's!) but I do agree getting out now is better. With the amount of extra-judicial killings that go on in Thailand (examples are numerous in google: https://www.google.com/#q=thailand+murders+of+politicians ), sometimes seemingly for minor reasons, I think it is very wise for Mr. Cunningham to move on (whether or not it has anything to do with this latest incident or not). Good luck to you sir.

Im surprised they got fired for this when there are police who have committed much worse crimes and are either suspended or moved to another province or position.

1669 outside of Bangkok is Narenthorn the government medical service who will dispatch the appropriate level of vehicle for your situation, of which heart problems would be a serious case and so an "advanced ambulance" would be sent from a government hospital.(or participating private hospital, which means they are registered with the government to provide a free service that the government will pay for).

Inside Bangkok the number is 1646 which is Erawan, and the same situation applies although they are nto as experienced as Narenthorn and occasionally mess up calls.

In theory all these services have English speaking staff on standby too. If you have called this number and not had English help, I would make a complaint directed to: 02-5901669 http://ems.narenthorn.or.th (But their website is all in Thai LOL)

Unfortunately Erawan and Narenthorn and not really working together well and it is obvious that Erawan should be dissolved and Narenthorn brought back in control but no one wants to give up their power so things will continue to be inconsistent until the problems are resolved but its been 3-4 years now and little improvement. The government medical institute recommended that Thailand use only one number 1669 to be implemented this year but it seems Erawan is fighting that.

Never mind the ladyboy bit, 7 guys on three bikes ride past a random farang and set up a road block to steal his bike.

Sounds like a bs story to me.

Unless it was a Harley or something.....even then you'd think one would follow him home and they'd blag it later.

Nope.....bs.

This crime is very comon in and around Pattaya its not bs at all, it happened to my son with a brand new Mio, we got the bike back damaged as they had sold it for 2,000 baht to another teenager and he went racing around (not run in motor)!!!

The cops are just not tough enough on these slime balls of shit.

Also in Bangkok. Weekly along Sukumvhit there are 2 guys on a motorcycle robbing females of their bags. Thai or foreign, they don't care. I assume lots of other places too, I have never seen it reported in any news but hear it on the police radios. I would believe this guy since it's really not that uncommon.

You don't see many Sikh Australians these days

Actually you do but they're all in Papua New Guinea now!

This type of ridiculously insane situation seems to happen with more and more frequency. And are we just hearing about a fraction of the violent crime committed here?

Yes, you are hearing a small part of what happens around Thailand. I deal with foreigners daily who have problems, from theft to assault and occasionally death. I can only talk about the Sukumvit/Param 4 area I work, but I would easily say you hear less than 1% about farang problems there.

As for the Thai news system, concerning Thai's it's even less.

It's probably the same in many large communities around the world, that most assaults are not reported, since murders and other events take up the headlines. I'm not saying it's different here in Thailand with a population of 60M. I'm just saying, I deal with farang problems almost daily and am surprised sometimes it's not in the local farang news.

Even in Myanmar they prepare each year for the rainy season with spraying/fogging and public education about breeding cycles, symptoms, etc.

A large presence of Police blocking roads and checking cars around the Ram area since the explosion.

My friend told me I should reply to this even though Im bored of reading the same old ignorant comments, so here goes. (I'll copy and save this so I can paste it in next time this same old story flares up)... but ... I will say I am surprised that there are a lot of positive educated comments this time, good on you guys for realizing what a real volunteer is and how good most of these guys really are

Firstly, thanks to "Pessimistic Optimist" for your kindness in donating to these groups but I would say that if you want an alternative to donating to the organisation's administration, that you buy petrol vouchers, medical equipment, such as surgical gloves, collars, bandages, or even introduce yourself to your local volunteers and see what they need to help them do a better job.

Secondly, To everyone else who has told negative stories of "people they know" I would say to you that you should listen to both sides of the story or at least try to validate it!

The so called "body snatchers" are actually not allowed to transport or even touch a dead body without the police or registered (and paid) body collector being there. Only in the Tsunami were volunteers allowed to transport bodies. The police registered body collectors called "Nor-Kade" are responsible for the photographing, fingerprinting and transportation of bodies in Thailand (until they are handed over to the families).

So anyone with a story about volunteers moving bodies, not offering medical treatment until they die etc are completely ... misguided!. It illegal for them to do so, and so your story is immediately null and void!

Pessimistic optimistic, you asked to know more about these volunteers. I have worked with them every single day for 12 years and so want to tell you about them. In every organisation and community there are the good and the bad, even our own farang community here in Thailand, there are thieves, murders, pedophiles, rapists, etc. but I would guess that the people commenting here would be deeply offended if they were classified in this group merely for being part of the farang community here in Thailand!??? So that brings me to the point that not all of the 50,000+ registered volunteers in Thailand are good guys! Amazing but true. But I would say they are a lot better than the police or government! or even the farang community for that matter! Some of these volunteers spend up to 50% of their own salaries running rescue vehicles! Would YOU do that!? They receive NOTHING in return! Most do not even do it for Karma reasons! SO not even spiritual return! Most of them are true ALTRUISTS! I think there is no other society in the world that has that many true altruists! They pay for their vehicles, equipment, petrol, uniform, etc, they only thing the foundation gives them is the ID card (which they have to laminate themselves!!!), these guys bring a different meaning to the word "volunteers"~! In western countries, "volunteers" are given vehicles, uniforms, etc., and sometimes even a stipend! In Thailand, they are not considered "volunteers"! They are considered "low-wage earners"!!!!

Someone made a comment about getting money. It is illegal to accept money from anyone as a volunteer. I will admit that some private hospitals do pay between 200-500 baht illegally to volunteers. Some accept, some do not. In these cases though 200 baht for all your time, equipment and petrol is still below cost! Think about it! But most of our work is for the government hospitals anyway and no payment is ever received from them. At first I was against this idea but when I got to realize what these guys do and pay for, I think its not enough! My volunteer friends receive salaries of between 10,000 and 30,000 baht. They spend over 40 hours a week helping others, spend up to half of their salaries, they don't drink or do drugs, they have families, they are friendly and courteous, and often risk their own lives to help others. I trust them with my life (Honestly I wouldn't do that with 99% of other Thai's I know). "Generally" I find the average Thai untrustworthy, selfish, and uncaring, only these volunteer friends have managed to keep my faith in Thai people. I have also have had volunteer friends die helping others, one of them just 3 nights ago in Bang Plee. For all these reasons mentioned (and more) I take great offense at people who don't really know anything, criticizing them.

Moving on... There are 2 major rescue groups in Thailand, one is Poh Teck Tung and the other is Ruamkatanyu (who I volunteer for). These 2 groups do not fight, as some people think. On the contrary, they often assist each other in major accidents and most have friends that belong to both groups. These 2 groups are the only one's registered with the police to do .... the police's job!, ...that is photograph, fingerprint, etc. There are other smaller rescue groups that operate and often make problems for the 2 big groups. There is no reason for them to exist, except, corruption. The police and government allow them to operate because they get kickbacks, not from the rescue work but from donations from the public to their charity. Unfortunately most Thai's do not even know what I am telling you here. Don't feel bad you don't know all this because actually most Thai's also don't know, they think all we do is pick up dead bodies when in fact we are not even allowed to do that! Bizzare!

Training: I can only speak for the 2 major groups when I say all volunteers MUST undergo government first aid courses operated by Narenthorn or Erawan or the Emergency Medical Council of Thailand. So once again those who say volunteers are not trained are wrong.

About theft, well I guess it happens in every community but I do want to relate a "FIRST HAND" experience I had when I turned up to an accident that was already being taken care of, I saw with my own eyes, a member of the public hand over a wallet they found meters away from the victim the rescue worker then gave it to the victim who opened it and said the money was gone and started to blame the rescue workers who obviously hadn't removed the money. I stepped in an explained what I had seen and that seemed to appease the victim but perhaps if I hadn't of been there, a new story would have started.

I have also personally been involved in a case were the victim lied about having 30,000 baht in his wallet. He was later convicted for the offense.

Yes I agree that first aid is not enough for rescue workers but then it is the government that needs to address this problem, why do people blame these poor volunteers for doing something that 99.9% of people in the world would not do! These are the only people I want to be friends with and spend my life with in Thailand. Not Thai bar girls, arrogant upper class Thai's who look down on others, not the police, army, or government, not a bunch of drunken farang friends, I want to be with a bunch of true altruists who think the same way I do about life.

Pessimistic Optimist, I can only really speak for myself and my close friends when I say the reason we do it is because "its the right thing to do". Im not religious in any way, and my friends are Buddhists and Muslim but they have always told me the same thing, "its the right thing to do". Doing something with your life to make a small difference in the world is just right!

Now I've spent my only afternoon off writing this I will not be back to answer any comments sorry but I think I've covered most of what was asked about?

BTW, I DO and CAN accept money since I am a registered charity in New Zealand so feel free to donate (we need a new ambulance for the Sukumvhit area!) and thanks again to those of you who are eduated and aware of the situation and have written in support of these hero's.

www.bkkfreeambulance.com

Its nice to see that Thailand has recognized the problems and is trying to deal with it (albeit in their own way).

There are shootings everyday in Bangkok, some fatal, some not. The amount of guns is incredible! I would estimate 1/4 of cars have a gun, (possibly less than half legal) and 3/4 of all cars, a weapon of some sort. 3,000 baht can buy you a .38 semi (I know because I was offered it yesterday). Its so easy to buy a gun here!

I have had guns pointed at me a few times now, twice by drunken police! Shot at several times (but that was in the Red Shirt protests) and picked up untold dead bodies from shootings. Guns are displayed very often all over Bangkok, and luckily used more rarely but listening to the police radios I can easily say - daily, sometimes many times in one day, we just don't hear about it unless someone high profile is killed or reporters got a good photo, otherwise it's just part of daily life here.

As for the gun-user profiles, I would definitely say the majority that use it are actually hot headed teenagers (who possibly loose face), more rarely the rich and powerful, they normally pay someone else to do it! The only difference is the rich and powerful will probably not go to jail, while the average teenager will.

Once again I would highly recommend to everyone to avoid altercations with Thai's, this is one place where you really want to turn the other cheek but saying that, if you have to, hit and run like hell, you will never win, even if you do win.