sandhurstmolonski

I've Spent a lot of Tme in Phuket over the Years , I'm not sure that its that much more Unsafe than anywhere else .

Patong certainly has that Smell to it that Something just aint Right , The Island is far more than Patong Of course , and I wouldn't like to be trying to run one of the beachside Business's mentioned .

If you dont Catch a Taxi , Tuk Tuk , and Dont Hire a Jet - Ski , Dont go to FULL moon Parties , Stear Clear of Dodgy Bars ..

Look out at Banglar Road , Patong Foreshore ..Hmmm , Now that Leaves ??

Everyone Says Pattaya is So much Cheaper , In the Main Strip I dont find that to be True , depends which parts of the Island you are Comparing , dont know about Bar Girls . Do love Kata Beach I must say , just dont catch a Taxi .

I did have One small Run In , Caught a Tuk - Tuk Patong to Kata 200 Barht ( In the Day ) , coming back from the Surf at Sunset Trying to Cut the Same Deal everyone wanted 300 Barht ( Taxi and Tuk Tuk ) , Mai Palai ..I walk . Till eventually a Rather agressive female , driving one of those ' Sterio Music " Tuk Tuks , maybe around the 8 th to approach me came up with " Money Money Money " Song Blarring from her Machine ( A certain set - up ) ..I had not even spoken to Her , She says " Ok " ... " Sarwadeee Krub ..Ok what ? " .." Get in " .." Kop khun Krub I walk " .." get in ..200 ..200 " " Mai Palai ..kop khun krub " " 200 ..200 " , I went and Caught the Bus .

Then of course there were the 2 well known Gatoy , working the Bangla Strip , too Ugly to Snag even the Drunkest Farang Tourist ,

they were running a Complete Pick - pocket and Theft Campaign , basically its Snatch a Grab stuff , But the team would just hang around the Bangla road area .

When you walk Down that Strip , you can just " Feel " the Danger , Its everywhere . But , if you lie low , keep your Wits about you ..

It still can be a Fun place ..Careful who you Mix with ! 5 5 5 5

Amazing that these illegal drivers or van drivers in general cause so many deaths in Thailand but they are granted amnesty and allowed

to continue to work. But when someone is actually doing something safe and has value like teaching the next generation "illegally"

they get the book thrown at them.

How difficult would it be for a company to find legal drivers?

What the government is saying there are no repercussions for committing a crime such as hiring illegal workers

or workers that are not either qualified nor have the proper documentation.

The corruption goes on and the loss of life closely follows. Pathetic Thailand, I would say you can do better but

I really don't think that's the case.

Does Anyone have Some Actual Statistics on how many Deaths are Caused by " Illegal " drivers are Compared to Legal ones ?

Would be impossible to collect. When I am transporting somebody illegally I am transporting a friend. So it would never be in any legal or illegal statistic.

That Answers the Question Really , no one knows if " illegal " drivers cause more Deaths than " Legal " ones ...

Therefore it makes sense to get em all Legal .

Amazing that these illegal drivers or van drivers in general cause so many deaths in Thailand but they are granted amnesty and allowed

to continue to work. But when someone is actually doing something safe and has value like teaching the next generation "illegally"

they get the book thrown at them.

How difficult would it be for a company to find legal drivers?

What the government is saying there are no repercussions for committing a crime such as hiring illegal workers

or workers that are not either qualified nor have the proper documentation.

The corruption goes on and the loss of life closely follows. Pathetic Thailand, I would say you can do better but

I really don't think that's the case.

Does Anyone have Some Actual Statistics on how many Deaths are Caused by " Illegal " drivers are Compared to Legal ones ?

One of the reasons I brought this topic up AGAIN......is when I left the states .....(and I owned a home) my expenses were as follows.

Property tax...........................................................................450/month

Electric...................................................................................200/month

water......................................................................................100/month

garbage......................................................................................75/month

gardener.....................................................................................85/month

medical ins,.................................................................................750/month

cable tv........................................................................................100/month

telephone......................................................................................75/month

Food.........................................................................................500/month

Transportation (gasoline, car insurance, and car payment)......800/month

miscelaneous............................................................................300/month

Federal Income Tax................................................................1500/month

So an average life in America ....I believe I was middle class.....cost $4935/month.....

Sorry , Im a Little Off Topic ..But can someone from the Wonderful US of A , explain to me

Property Tax ? Garbage ? Gardener ? Medical ins ? ..Cable TV ? and Telephone ?

Because these seem incredibly high to me , But Im a Thai / Aussie so please forgive .

I get the thai xxxes , and the ones I didn't mention .

The Property Tax is Like what an Aussie may call Council Rates ? remembering Australia has some of the most expensive property in the World .

In California....the county assessor collects 1.1% of the value of the property. Usually it starts out when you buy the property say for $500,000 your tax would be $5,500 that you have to pay each year you own that property ....And every year it gets raised by a cost of living index percentage AND sometimes additional fees are voted on by the public...(sewer tax, school fee, etc) which adds even more that you have to pay to the government just for owning your home ....

The other expenses I hope are self explainatory (Garbage....for the garbage collector, Sewer fee ....for your waste disposal, etc.

Hope that explains

Just to explain the Question ..In Aus , garbage ( Trash ) is included in that 2k , local Government Charge .

One of the reasons I brought this topic up AGAIN......is when I left the states .....(and I owned a home) my expenses were as follows.

Property tax...........................................................................450/month

Electric...................................................................................200/month

water......................................................................................100/month

garbage......................................................................................75/month

gardener.....................................................................................85/month

medical ins,.................................................................................750/month

cable tv........................................................................................100/month

telephone......................................................................................75/month

Food.........................................................................................500/month

Transportation (gasoline, car insurance, and car payment)......800/month

miscelaneous............................................................................300/month

Federal Income Tax................................................................1500/month

So an average life in America ....I believe I was middle class.....cost $4935/month.....

Sorry , Im a Little Off Topic ..But can someone from the Wonderful US of A , explain to me

Property Tax ? Garbage ? Gardener ? Medical ins ? ..Cable TV ? and Telephone ?

Because these seem incredibly high to me , But Im a Thai / Aussie so please forgive .

I get the thai xxxes , and the ones I didn't mention .

The Property Tax is Like what an Aussie may call Council Rates ? remembering Australia has some of the most expensive property in the World .

Some of those, like water and cable tv, actually seem cheap to me. But the rest, yes. Property taxes usually are assessed at a percentage per each $100 dollar value of your home (where I came from). The local county assessor decides how much your house is worth. What's missing from the above is another burgeoning category in the US: the necessity to buy a toll road pass to get anywhere.

Ok ..Sounds like what Aussies would Call " Rates " ..But Correct , its a 3 rd tier Tax .

My House in Australia $550,000 - $600,000 AUD value , would be around $2,000 Aud P/a .

Cable seems XXXie , In Thai I dont use ..But Same in Aussie . Just interested in the Comparison , But our property does not allow the Same Options as in the US . I was shocked , when just out of Boston for example how cheap the property was .

But I truly dont understand your Market . ( Im a Real estate agent , for what its Worth )

One of the reasons I brought this topic up AGAIN......is when I left the states .....(and I owned a home) my expenses were as follows.

Property tax...........................................................................450/month

Electric...................................................................................200/month

water......................................................................................100/month

garbage......................................................................................75/month

gardener.....................................................................................85/month

medical ins,.................................................................................750/month

cable tv........................................................................................100/month

telephone......................................................................................75/month

Food.........................................................................................500/month

Transportation (gasoline, car insurance, and car payment)......800/month

miscelaneous............................................................................300/month

Federal Income Tax................................................................1500/month

So an average life in America ....I believe I was middle class.....cost $4935/month.....

Sorry , Im a Little Off Topic ..But can someone from the Wonderful US of A , explain to me

Property Tax ? Garbage ? Gardener ? Medical ins ? ..Cable TV ? and Telephone ?

Because these seem incredibly high to me , But Im a Thai / Aussie so please forgive .

I get the thai xxxes , and the ones I didn't mention .

The Property Tax is Like what an Aussie may call Council Rates ? remembering Australia has some of the most expensive property in the World .

I think there are far More Concerning Issues than this , you will get Used to It .

Personally I love the Loud Noise it makes , and when Im away from it ( Like Now ) ..

I have withdrawal symptoms from the delightful Sound .

If there is more than one person traveling, it makes a lot more sense to take a private taxi. At least that way you can tell them to slow down. No more mini-van experience for me! I'm still shook up from six months ago when a driver was passing on blind corners, going way too fast, only to stop for a half hour rest stop. Several of us took video and sent complaints to TAT. Got some emails back but I am sure nothing happened to the driver or company.

5 5 5 5 5 ...You Want to Try Those " Visa Run " Guys , these are the Worst I've Ever Seen , But I bet they are Legal ! Big Deal , get these guys though Quick because

they simply cant be any Worse .

Thats really living life on the Edge , Much safer taking the Bungee Jump with a Dogjie Rope !

“This is a problem for us. We need to work to earn money. If we cannot use our vans, how can we pay our bills? And the application process takes quite some time, not just a couple of days,”

So why on earth did you buy a van before you were legal? Idiot...

They should be fined/charged and have their vehicles cofiscated though not have the correct, required insurance...

Who complains when they can't find a job and to feed their families they have to turn to crime... who's houses will they rob ?

This amnesty is a soft solution than we would see in the West, nevertheless it prevents a potential greater issue down the line.

Laws have been flouted because for too long everyone has been getting away with it - this amnesty gives all a chance to get legal. I read that only those who have applied for a licence get the amnesty which is fair enough. I hope this frees up the police to come down harder on those without the appropriate licence - though on Phuket I doubt it... Its almost a country and a law unto itself.

While legalising these van drivers would it be too much to ask to educate them? i.e. driving tests, driver education etc?

At least this is a step up on the Tuk Tuks which are well and truly out of control.

Agree , Its certainly Logical . Anything that keeps them away from the Tuk Tuk Brigade .

Forget about this charge.

Its about Thailand as a whole.

i dont know why people keep comparing it with US and Uk, it is niether of these countries, its Thailand end of !!

When I came to live here 9 years ago, it was cheap, and I used to compare it with the UK, but I stopped doing that a while ago.

I live in Thailand, so I do everything by the Baht, not the pound or dollar.

And Thailand has become a rather expensive place to live now,.

It is a great place to live, and if I were asked would I consider living elswhere, the answer would definately be YES,

In fact I am on the look out now. Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar. All so much cheaper than here.

Do not say that these countries can not compare to Thailand especialy the infrestrure, because I first holidayed in Thailand 25 years ago, and it was the same then, when I go to these other countries, I notice that I am spending about a third less, and getting all I want.

A bit like Thailand was all those years ago.

So in a nutshell it has become a rather expensive place, compared to its neighbours.

This is my point ..THINK in the Currency of which you Reside , Dont constantly Convert to Pounds / AUD / US $$ ,

Expats need to understand the value of the Barht , and understand what 100 Barht atually purchases .

Nothing annoys me more than hearing Some Aussie ..say , Its just $6 ..Its Not ! the 6$ is irrelevant , thats an exchange Rate .

Its 200 Barht , thats what it is , and that is What is Important .

Common sense , understand true value , not some Farang Tourist Tax .

Thailand just becomes a bigger and bigger ripoff of everyone who comes here. The greed that governs this country is gone wild.

Yeah its gone up a whole 100 Baht where will it end

The two week millionaires love to brag "100 baht means nothing to me"

As another poster pointed out the 100 baht increase along with the proposed 500 baht "Medical Fee (whatever) is about an 86% increase in fees.

Amazing Thailand, the more expensive the place becomes, the more people gush about how cheap it is.

And the more visitors eager to visit.

Ah heck, why not: raise prices, beat them up and they will come

Beam me up Scotty...

I agree with the Sentiment here , Its not just a Bottomless Hit , and One should never look at as " Its Just 100 Barht " ..That Simplistic .

Like The Stupid Farang Aussie , I saw in Phuket " Tipping " a Gattoy $50 Aud ...$50 ?? , This is exactly why the Authorities Tend to Believe its a Bottomless pit . Think in the Currency is which you Reside , Dont always Convert ..You are then simply looking at an Exchange rate , Not the Local Currency .

The Last thing that is needed here is Western Paranioa , Came to get away from All that ..

The Kids are Fine , they were not abducted ..They talked the woman on the Boat ( Nothing Wrong with That ) ..

She happened to Be a Nut Job ..All Over , Back to your Seats , Nothing Happened , Nothing to See Here .

Just Live and Learn , and Move on , All is Okey . Plenty of Worse things happened in the World Today . Lets the Kids , Be Kids .

Thats why Western Kids Now are SO FAT ! , they are overparented , and Stuff gets reported , Like this !

A Little Scarey for Sure ..

But Nothing Happened , and Really Nothing may have ever Happened . Yes the Woman Aint Playing with a Full Deck , But if the Kids were Even Half Smart , and They have just come though Cambodia ..Really , just a Storm in a TeaCup .

There are Nut Cases Everywhere ..Even with Blonde Hair Going to Ko Chang .

Ignoring the morals ,politics te practicalities will be interesting.

I am here long enough to recal distress at Don Muang when 500 Thai baht cash only was the exit tax.

Folks all checkin with $$s etc had to go back and change 500bahts to exit ,this has been added into to tickets at 700 per exit and is itemised on some airlines.Why not make ita grand 1000baht and pass on to MOH

Now the fee is small potatoes if you can afford to fly.

However can you imagine the queues explaining to all ages and language groups the fee.

What if you do not have any baht cash ,ATMs in arrivals ?

Will credit/visa debit cards or $ be acceptable,will receipts be issued

If they wish to do it and who can blame them add it onto the exit tax,

This has the added benefit of those of us already in wont pay and nor anyone one else having the cheek to die before leaving.

Seriously this needs thinking through.

A corollary may be for low budget Asians and backpackers to fail to purchase adequate cover believing LOS will pay for them

Remember the Dam exit fee well , It was an absolute diaster , as you have said . This is shaping up exactly the Same .

I heard about an english guy who was middle-class in UK. he realized ha would never be high class in UK and live the life he wanted so he sold everything and move to thailand bought everything in his thai gf name. House, Land, Car and the rest. he was in his 40s

Anyway his girlfriend or wife trowed him out. now he has nothing 0, not even a place to sleep. I asked a thai lady what she thought about it. her view was: Maybe he came home drunk all night and argued. why is he so stupid to give and put everything in her name only?I answered: because of love, he loved her. she replied: Love oh my God, Love, why doesn't he love him self! strange answer but I guess she had a lot of points. everything doesn't have to be in a thais name

Its a Reasonable Summary of a General Thai Attitude ...But lets be Honest She has a Decent Point !

I'm one of those homeless foreigners. Stayed in

Thailand till my money ran out and slept on benches.

Really seen the generosity of the Thai people helping

me thru that difficult time. Back home working and

will return to Thailand again.

Yes . well lets hear how you came to be in this Situation , and then it can be avaluated .

How was it that you absolutely could not get Back ? ..And when / if you do return , How will you make absolutely sure that it doesn't happen again ?

Surely you Jest !

They want to lock up some Foolish Drug Mule for Life ..and this Guy Walks Free ! ..Just cant believe it .

I reckon you'd get 5 Years in Aussie ( Assuming good behavior ) for a Serious offence like This , He's drug induced and appears

to be using this as some form of defence . Words cannot describe this Outcome , That poor Young Chinese Girl , She will certainly

never what to come back .

What an absolute Disgrace .

How would you possibly know that they are " Drunk " , hardly likely . It would be far easier selling the Scam to a Sober Female ( Generally )

Or a Sober Wild Life Fanatic .

Im guessing the Assumption is because If the Animal is brought in at 3am ..There simply are no Sober Tourists .

BUT ..if I'd had a nice night in the Bars , and was Walking home ..There is NO WAY you'd get me for 10,000 to Save the Possum ! lol

However , I wish the animals well .

More likely you will spend the same kind of money on drinks and 2 legged companionship without a thought.

Hardly .....10,000 in a night ? ( Me ) ..You gotta be kidding .

And have never ever , and never would , take a Bar Girl ..Have never needed to ..So many other options .

10k for Either the Possum Or a Night on the Slops ..No Way ! I know what 10,000 B can actually buy .

I do not understand why people keep hiring these jet skis ....

TAT...Tourist.Authority.of.Thailand...needs.to.make.a.little.(or.not.so.little!).booklet.for.tourists:"Be.Careful.in.Thailand!"

Of.course,it.would.scare.people.off...There.are.getting.to.be.just.too.many.things.to.be.on.guard.for.here.

AND,of.course,TAT.could.and.would.never.do.such.a.thing.....

Thus,no.warning.for.tourists.about.jet-ski.rentals....Who.is.going.to.warn.them?

(please.excuse.my.keyboard,which.is.lacking.a.space.key.thus.the.excessive.use.of.periods.(period))

A great Idea .. Start with 3 Quick " DONTS "

1. Dont Hire a Jet Ski

2. Dont attend full moon Parties

3. Avoid Taxis ..But Never do Tuk Tuk's

The above will solve 70% of the problems .

That's 2 "Don'ts" and 1 "Avoid." Am assuming you did mean "Don't" NOT "Dont" or "DONTS."

Grammar , Slang and process of Communication Change over time ..The Only thing that matters is that the Communication is Understood .

Same in any Language , writing is a way of communicating a View .

Therefore , I meant DONT .

I take point 4 however mentioned about Scooters , Plus if you are going to Ride ( anyway ) , Maybe a little research and a Helment may help .

I do not understand why people keep hiring these jet skis ....

TAT...Tourist.Authority.of.Thailand...needs.to.make.a.little.(or.not.so.little!).booklet.for.tourists:"Be.Careful.in.Thailand!"

Of.course,it.would.scare.people.off...There.are.getting.to.be.just.too.many.things.to.be.on.guard.for.here.

AND,of.course,TAT.could.and.would.never.do.such.a.thing.....

Thus,no.warning.for.tourists.about.jet-ski.rentals....Who.is.going.to.warn.them?

(please.excuse.my.keyboard,which.is.lacking.a.space.key.thus.the.excessive.use.of.periods.(period))

A great Idea .. Start with 3 Quick " DONTS "

1. Dont Hire a Jet Ski

2. Dont attend full moon Parties

3. Avoid Taxis ..But Never do Tuk Tuk's

The above will solve 70% of the problems .

These Horrendous Thugs , and on Peaceful Kata Beach !

I love Kata Beach . Its stating the Obvious but this should be a far more Serious Charge .

Please , To ALL tourists , no matter how much you pay Love Jet Ski's , Just NEVER EVER hire one . The sooner we can get rid of this Trade the More peaceful ever Beach Resort will be . ( Well Nid Noy ..anyhow ) .

This jet ski operator , has no respect for his Clients ..and probably No idea as to the State of His depreciating ski's .

I can only congratulate these people, an say THANK YOU VERY MUCH !!!

I only wonder why they have to be called " DRUNK " ????

There is no time - no place - no condition - etc -

For having a good hart !!!

Thanks again !!

Denis

Because this ridicules high price would only a drunk person pay.

You need to think a bit further (I know it's hard for some people)... If selling loris makes that much money even more will be hunted!

Don't buy any and don't pay for taking pictures! Call the tourist police if you want save them.

True , Plus these people have no idea of the Value of the currency . I've noticed this with tourists , they only think in their own Currency ..Completely irrelevant of Course . This then makes the Animal worth More , and so the problem expands .

Like the F/ wit ..I saw ( Australian ) giving a Lady Boy $50 AUd for prancing on the Stage in Banglar road ...Thinking to myself , Dont you understand what you are doing you Idiot ! ..Same with the Lizards , Monkeys ..and everything else .." Release the Bird " ..etc etc ..

If you are doing a " Take 10 in Patong " ..Thats great , but have a little understanding with regard to What goes on . And for F s Sake , dont Give a Gattoy $50 ..ever ever . ( Unless you wish to Bang Him ..of course ) ..lol lol

It May just take a little longer than a Weekend ..

And the Prior Warning ..Lot to cover in a weekend .