NomadJoe

"charged with insulting officials."

Why not. Works for North Korea.

looking pretty accurate to me

They even got a lot worse for the next days.

Sometimes they get lucky. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

Windguru is still the best of a bad lot.

Has improved again BTW, I have stopped offering trips for 3 days now, and am thinking of starting again this Thursday.

Still some idiots went out yesterday. I really don't like anybody to determine if boats should be kept onshore, but with idiots going out yesterday they're asking for it.

Yes. Our boat has not gone out for 2 days. I had an open water course the last two days that were supposed to do the dives tomorrow and Wednesday. Instead I am doing something I don't often do in the tropics, issue them referral paperwork in order for them to do the dives elsewhere later. Usually we are on the receiving end of referrals.

When law enforcement is not paid a decent living wage, they will be open to bribes and corruption.

Train them and pay them well if you want any improvement.

You get what you pay for.

Until them, bribes, beating those who refuse to give false testimony and other shenanigans will continue.

The recent investigation of the murder of the tourists is not the way to gain the faith of anyone who has their eyes open.

So you think that it is because they have too low salary they steel,extort and so on!? From what I heard,the higher up they are,with higher salary,the more corrupt they are! The illgotten money is transfered upwards,meaning what I just said. It is very naiv to think,that better salary would stop them from their illigal activities,"much wants more".

It's not a question of taking a little or a big bribe.

Either they are corrupt or they're not but there is no such thing like less or more corrupt.

Of course there is. The guy that accepts a free drink offered him every now and then can not be considered the same as the cop who runs the jet ski mafia scams on Patong Beach. One is clearly "more corrupt" than the other.

Phuket Police defend snaring foreign tourists in illegal taxi raids

David and Cheryl Bowyer on holiday in Phuket.

PHUKET: Police have defended their actions in a raid that saw officers and military personal, clad in flak jackets and carrying assault rifles, besiege an illegal Phuket taxi carrying a family of foreign tourists.

“We flagged down a taxi with the assistance of the security guard in front of our hotel at Karon Beach. The driver agreed to take us [to Patong] for 300 baht,” David Bowyer said, with his wife, Cheryl, sitting next to him. “When we arrived at Hooters, we were suddenly surrounded by 10 scary-looking police in flak jackets shouting in Thai. We thought we had been arrested.

Complete story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Phuket-Police-defend-snaring-foreign-tourists-illegal/36086

Meanwhile robberies, beatings, shootings, rape and murder continue unabated.

Priorities twisted yet again...

Since much of that is committed by Phuket's taxi mafia, the priorities are right on.

I always find it funny how people will use the "there's worse things going on" arguement when the police want to tackle an issue. "Unabated"? Lol. That is just pure fiction.

The poor transport on this island is it's number one problem. Rapes, murders, robberies, beatings and shootings are not, however you will be pleased to know that the police will still be working on those crimes too.

"Thailand has recently became unpopular among Chinese tourists,"

Arai wa?

"Between October 6 20, drivers will be unable to make a left turn from Vichitsongkarm Rd on to Chalermprakiat Ror IX (bypass) Rd,...All vehicles turning from Vichitsongkarm Rd on to Chalermprakiat Ror IX Rd will be diverted onto Bangyai Rd (behind Big C)."

How is how it has been for several weeks.

Looks like we're in for a big blow the next 4 days.

Yes and the weather looks bad too.

WG in this region is rarely accurate for than 2 days out. Don't expect those numbers to stay the coming days.

looking pretty accurate to me

They even got a lot worse for the next days.

Sometimes they get lucky. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

Yes I know people who have lived here for 25 years plus and when asked for ID they show their driving licence.

You asked why people carry their passport and I answered it. I am not suggesting people do. When I lost mine I was on the way back from the bank after needing to use it there.

By drivers license I assume you are talking about a Thai drivers license as a foreign license is not a legal form of ID in Thailand. Tourists and many expats do not have this.

When you go to the station to report the loss of your passport, would you expect a 20,000 baht fine for not having it on you ?

What a silly and ignorant comment. No, of course not. Just as I wouldn't expect to be arrested if I brought found drugs to the police station. These kinds of things are not only common sense, but actually written into the laws.

http://www.sym-thailand.co.th/dealers/central/

Why do people carry their passports with them when they go out ?

Is it really worth the risk and hassle of losing it.

It is the most important document you own.

Keep it locked up where it should be. Carry a copy simple.

Well I learned something new today while applying for a replacement for a lost or stolen US passport which will have huge implications for me. I had totally forgotten that about 10 years ago I had also lost my passport while in the states. I was able to replace it there. Today I was told my the US Embassy that the replacement passport will be valid for only 1 year (which actually means only 6 months since you need 6 months validity to do anything) since it is the second time I have had it stolen or lost it in a 10 year span, after which I need to apply again. This is due to "everything going on in the world today" according to the embassy officer. Iguess this is quite a problem for the state department. This is going t be a major pain in the ass for me. It changes my plans big time. Now I can't get another 1 year non-immigrant B visa as I do each year. I will have to get single entries for almost the next year, then pay for another replacement passport at 4500B. I think it's time to re-think my "(nearly) always have my passport with me" policy.

NJ

WG in this region is rarely accurate for than 2 days out. Don't expect those numbers to stay the coming days.

Of course they did. No surprise there.

The Quoting on this forum is messed up. If I take a long time writing stuff up it doesn't want to post it properly....Figure it out I guess. I quoted 6 different people...

If you aren't going to use the quote feature, at least change your font to red or something so we can differentiate it from the quoted post. I am not going to try to read that thing either.

EDIT: I just looked at the link you gave which you say refutes the claim that no mass shootings have been stopped by private persons carrying concealed weapons. 5 out of 6 examples were off duty police, not private citizens. One was a person who had knives, not guns. So if the rest of your argument is as week as that, I'de say it's probably not even worth reading.

I did, however, like the comment at the bottom of that link you provided:

"Lol cool a 6 year old study. How about stop re-hashing the same one study and go do some actual research? More to-date studies here and they are pretty resounding...the gun culture kills people:

election.princeton.edu/2012/12/22/scientific-americans-gun-error/

boston.cbslocal.com/2013/09/17/bu-study-connects-gun-ownership-with-gun-related-deaths/

○ Harvard - http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/newsplus/report-finds-states-with-highest-gun-violence-have-weakest-gun-laws/

www.dukemagazine.duke.edu/article/straight-shooting

○ University of Wisconsin - http://libguides.uwgb.edu/guns

○ University of Minnesota - http://sph.umn.edu/a-public-health-response-to-gun-violence/

gunviolence.emerson.edu/

○ University of Washington - http://sph.washington.edu/news/closeup/profile.asp?content_ID=2031

○ Penn State -http://sites.psu.edu/michellebingertrclblog/2013/03/14/psychology-and-gun-control/

Thanks for that, really useful!

You're welcome.

I ran out of time earlier, but have now also found the Ministerial Regulation referenced by section 5 of the motoring act.

For information, "motor vehicle" is defined in the act as any motorized vehicle with 2 or more wheels.

By virtue of Section 5 (2) of the Motor Vehicle Act of 2522, as amended by car (No. 7) 2530.

Minister of Transport hereby issues the following:

Article 1 The Ministerial Regulation No. 10 (BE 2525) issued under the Motor Vehicle Act of 2522

Motor vehicles must have the following apparatus:

...

(4) A rearview mirror in which the driver can see traffic on the sides and the back at any moment clearly.

...

(c ) Turn lamps type flashing yellow light mounted on the front (2).

And yellow or red light mounted at the rear to the left and right sides. Each side attached to the same level above the ground at least

35 cm but not more than 1.20 meters. All the turn lights on the same side are to blink simultaneously while the car's turn signals are activated.

Source: http://law.longdo.com/law/465/sub32548

<Snip> ......it may not have involved alcohol.......<Snip>

The article starts with: PHUKET: An Australian tourist was stabbed with a broken bottle yesterday afternoon (September 26) during a drunken argument with three Thai teenagers in Patong.

So why do you write that it may not have involved alcohol?? Read, understand, then reply

Yes. It's a shame TV has dropped the Phuket Gazette from the Phuket news section. This kind of reporting is the result. This happened at 2am, not 2 pm, and a Thai was also stabbed.

Do they have Tourist Police in Phuket ? I didn't see any last time I was there.

yes

There are pertinent sections in both the Motor Vehicle Act and the Land Traffic Act. But the Motor Vehicle Act leaves it up to the Minister of Transport and Communications to define the standards. I spent some time looking for this but searching in Thai using translators is very laborious. I haven't found it yet.

Motor Vehicle Act
B.E. 2522 (1979)

Section 5

The Minister of Transport and Communications shall be in charge and control of the execution of this Act and shall have the power to prescribe such Ministerial Regulations as requirements of motor vehicles and their engines, standards for mirrors and horns, specifications for license plates, maximum loads and capacities for motor vehicles, etc. of motor vehicles and their engines, standards for mirrors and horns, specifications for license plates, maximum loads and capacities for motor vehicles, etc.

Land Traffic Act

BE 2522

Section 36 (500B)
When a driver is to turn the vehicle, let another vehicle to overtake, change traffic lane, reduce speed or stop the vehicle, he shall display hand signal or light signal. When the condition doesn't permit the visibility of hand signals (like at night), he must use the light signal.

The driver must display the hand signal or light signal not less distance than 60m before turning the vehicle, changing traffic lane, or stopping the vehicle.

The hand signal or light signal must be visible to other drivers at not less distance than 60m.

Section 38 (500B)

The driver of an automobile or motorcycle shall display light signals as follows:
a. to stop the vehicle, ...
b. to turn the vehicle or change traffic lane, ...
c. to let another vehicle to overtake, the driver shall display amber light signal for turning or blinking red or amber light signal at the back and to the left of the vehicle.

www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/showthread.php/36634-Traffic-Laws-in-Thailand-A-translation-(from-www-bkkriders-com)

http://thailaws.com/law/t_laws/tlaw0140_5.pdf

http://www.motorcycle.in.th/wiki/doku.php/thai_motorcycle_law

This is a great example of the lies, damn lies, and statistics put forth by the gun nuts. Point by point your post is a steaming pile of propaganda.

-snip-

Violent crime dropped drastically in NY and LA since the 90's as more gun legislation was introduced. I will not claim that is solely the result of the tougher gun laws. It would certainly contribute. Most criminologists agree that Clinton is to be credited for the drop in crime by putting thousands more police on the streets.

Damn lies, huh?

The overall violent crime rate in the US has dropped by about 50% since 1990 but you'll never get the lamestream media to report it on a regular basis. They'd rather point to that fact only in reference to places which have restricted gun control.

---------------

The last time the crime rate for serious crime – murder, rape, robbery, assault – fell to these levels, gasoline cost 29 cents a gallon and the average income for a working American was $5,807.

That was 1963.

In the past 20 years, for instance, the murder rate in the United States has dropped by almost half, from 9.8 per 100,000 people in 1991 to 5.0 in 2009. Meanwhile, robberies were down 10 percent in 2010 from the year before and 8 percent in 2009.

LINK

------------------

USA JUSTICE

Progress Watch

FBI reports a drop in crime in 2013: why the rate continues to fall

New FBI data confirm a sustained drop in the US crime rate, despite a broader definition of what constitutes rape. Creative policing, better use of data, and community involvement play a role.

LINK

LINK

None of your stats or links make a connection to the effect of gun laws.

National Research Council 2004

The committee found that answers to some of the most pressing questions cannot be addressed with existing data and research methods, however well designed. For example, despite a large body of research, the committee found no credible evidence that the passage of right-to-carry laws decreases or increases violent crime, and there is almost no empirical evidence that the more than 80 prevention programs focused on gun-related violence have had any effect on children's behavior, knowledge, attitudes, or beliefs about firearms. The committee found that the data available on these questions are too weak to support unambiguous conclusions or strong policy statements.

2010 National Research Council again as well as six years of additional data, found that:

We buttress the NRC's cautious conclusion by showing how sensitive the estimated impact of RTC laws is to different data periods, the use of state versus county data, particular specifications, and the decision to control for state trends. Overall, the most consistent, albeit not uniform, finding to emerge from the array of models is that aggravated assault rises when right to carry laws are adopted. For every other crime category, there is little or no indication of any consistent RTC impact on crime.

http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1632599

Why do you need a gun? What? You're really going to shoot someone?

They're toys. Shiny things to buy, look at, polish . . .

Emotions. No research, apparently not reading my links above, just drivel that doesn't match the facts.

And remember, the real reason the Constitution allows us to have guns is to protect us from our own government which might someday run amok.

If you read my posts and links above you'll see that places where citizens have guns have the lowest crime rates.

Now please do some research and post some links and stop shooting from the lip with no facts behind it. I worked hard on my posts and your posts are unhelpful and lacking in truth.

What do you need a gun for?

Have you ever used your gun?

You haven't earned the right to ask me those questions. I just told you the real reason that our Constitution guarantees us the right to keep and bear arms.

But it doesn't. Why aren't pro-gun people able to understand basic English?

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

A well regulated Militia for the security of a free state. That is crystal clear to anyone of even average intelligence. They were talking about the military. This is clear especially when you look at the context of the time.

"For more than 200 years, the federal courts have unanimously determined that the Second Amendment concerns only the arming of the people in service to an organized state Militia: it does not guarantee immediate access to guns for private purposes. The nation can no longer afford to let the gun lobbies' distortion of the constitution cripple every reasonable attempt to implement an effective national policy towards guns and crime."

- Joint statement from former U.S. Attourney's General Nicholas Katzenbach, Ramsey Clark, Elliot L. Richardson, Edward Levi, Griffin B. Bell and Benjamin R. Civiletti.[/size]

The NRA Second Amendment myth is "one of the greatest pieces of fraud, I repeat the word fraud, on the American people by any special interest group that I have ever seen in my lifetime. The real purpose of the Second Amendment was to ensure that state armies--the militias-- would be maintained for the defense of the state. The very language of the Second Amendment refutes any argument that it was intended to guarantee every citizen an unfettered right to any kind of weapon he or she desires."

-[/size]former Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren [/size]

The NRA's Fraud: Fabrication of Second Amendment Rights

"The widely held notion that such a right existed was a myth fabricated by the NRA for its own self interest and for the corporate profits of gun manufacturers. "[/size]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/burton-newman/the-nras-fraud-fabricatio_b_3103358.html

The Founders never intended to create an unregulated individual right to a gun. Today, millions believe they did. Here’s how it happened.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/05/nra-guns-second-amendment-106856.html#ixzz3EdfzIV6C

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/05/nra-guns-second-amendment-106856.html#.VChVA_mSzqU

When the second amendment was written, muskets shot perhaps 4 rounds a minute, travelling at ~200m/s and could probably hit the side of a barn from 100m. A modern weapon can fire 700-950 rounds a minute at 1200m/s and, in the case of standard rifles like the popular M-16 or AR-15, are point of aim point of impact at 500+m.