Duangta

This years slogan for the tourism high season opening fair in Khao Lak will be "Cuddly Phangnga". During the opening festival the people attending are hereby asked to participate in a supporting "cuddly" flashmob for 2 minutes at exactly 21.00 hours. Here is how it works: Wherever you are on the 09/12/2011 in Khao Lak (La On center), stand still for 2 minutes at exactly 9pm, do not move and cuddly hug anybody next to you for exactly 2 minutes. Individual planking is allowed but will not be endorsed. Non participants are asked to videotape the event. -Happy cuddling-

A related question / comment:

Why do even the young people from Russia not speak any English? How about the school system nowadays, English is mandatory I guess?

Got a group in our Restaurant: Not a single word of English (all in their 20's). How do you enjoy your holiday then when NO communication with anybody is possible?

Update:

Now Khao Lak, Phangnga is without Internet service from BBB. The announced disruption of service for the 21st of January came 3 days earlier, since yesterday midday no internet via BBB anymore. Frustrated business owners, depending on fast internet lines are lining up at the local TOT office to get new lines in. Hurry up, the waiting period is now longer and longer. For most people it came as a surprise; not the BBB headquarter in Bangkok, nor the office in Phangnga town could give out information ("Oh, you don't have internet? - We send technician next week to check for you"). We were the only ones who received a phone call, maybe only because we had a professional package for longer time (and very expensive too), for our media business. To all the other BBB users the disruption yesterday came as a big surprise. Back to the stone-age of dial up modems and internet via mobile phones. (Of course NO 3G). The Thai telephone/media/internet services are an absolute laughing stock. All only because some people on the top can't scam enough money off. Every country in SEA is progressing, only Thailand takes one step back after the other. How far back do you want to go, Thailand?

Update: It concerns only parts of Phuket and Phangnga, not the whole provinces. Only Internet services are being cancelled, Telephone and Telefax is still available. Call to TOT: "No you can not transfer your number from TT&T (BBB) to us. You need a new number and internet from TOT with Fax service, yes we will charge installation fee and modem."

Hi there,

we just got a phone call from our Intenet Provider BBB in Phangnga. They told us that from 21.01.2011 Internet Services in parts of Phangnga and Phuket will be canceled. No real reasons are cited, we are on the telephone with BBB in Bkk right now ad try to find out more, but apparently the contract for the rented hardware (ADSL-Telephone lines) from CAT/TOT is running out.

Do you know more?

Any info for best alternative provider (speed and availability) in Phangnga at the moment?

Thanks

Duangta

Probably answered already a hundred times, but can't find it, so if you have any further experience with this, let me know.:

Non Imm B Multiple re-entry visa holder. Do they have to do the reporting or not? As far as I understand the law:

Immigration act of 1979

Section 37 : An alien having received a temporary entry permit into the Kingdom must comply with the following.

...

5. If the alien stays in the Kingdom longer than ninety days, such alien must notify the competent official at the Immigration Division , in writing ,concerning his place of stay , as soon aspossible upon expiration of ninety days.

THAT MEANS:

As A Non Imm B Multilple re-entry holder has to leave the country anyway after max. 90 days, he or she doe not have to report. Correct?

The topic came up because imm.officials in Phangnga INSIST that every foreigner needs it, even when you do a visa run every 90 days.

Thanks

The Bangkok Post has illegally used content from the Factthai website. This website is blocked by ICT and it's content is considered a threat to national security. As of now the BKK Post is under investigation by the DSI.

http://facthai.wordpress.com/

http://thaicrisis.wordpress.com/

http://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/

This website has been blocked by ICT

Jakrapob Penkair

Giles Ji Ungpakorn

Last night raids in Phangnga, Khao Lak and Takuapa:

Sunbird (Khao Lak) was raided though they had the official license (5000 Baht) from RS Media and did not show English language commentary (normal True Vision package). But the raid was about Beer advertisement from Chang (one of the official sponsors -Thai Beverage-). Chang gave out advertisement banners to attract customers to the different venues. Apparently it was not OK to do so. The same happened to one Restaurant/Bar in Takuapa.

What a scene: A place with 20 tables was raided by 15 police men in uniform and some non disclosed officials with video cameras and spotlights. Scared Tourists and Thai locals away and had the owner sign some documents. Thanks for a nice world cup experience to (boost)bust tourism economy. TIT

Just know: The owner had to pay a fine of 50.000 Thai Baht; Chang-Thai Beverage- is taking the case to court.

Lightning struck our neighbours house the other day and a fire started spreading from the electric cables.

1) A call to the police station: "You have to call the firefighters" and hung up.

2) A call to the firefighting office: You have to call the local majors office (oboto) and hung up.

3) A call to the oboto went unanswered as it was after working hours.

What would you do, whom would you call in an emergency???

By the way: The fire was put out after an hour by the residents themselves with the help of the local volunteer medical rescue org.

No Police nor fire fighters ever showed up.

As we can see in world politics all around the globe: The call of the decade is "terrorism" to justify governmental sanctions/arrests/interventions/witch hunts/eradication of opposition/etc.

Chula academics call for “return of justice and academic freedom”

A group of achans from the Faculties of Arts, Political Science and Economics, Chulalongkorn University, held a press conference at 1 pm this afternoon, Tuesday, May 25, 2010, at Faculty of Political Science. This press conference was in relation to the case of Achan Suthachai Yimprasert of Chula’s History Department who was arrested under the ‘State Emergency Decree of 2005’ on the previous day and is being detained at an army camp in Saraburi, about 100 kilometers north of Bangkok.

A public statement was issued to all media present (press, TV and radio) calling for the return of justice and academic freedom and the release of Achan Suthachai and those who are arrested and charged without any clear evidence.

See more regarding this topic here:

Thailand’s terrorists

My point:

Restoration is taking place right now, as we have seen in Thai politics again and again. A major political reform towards participation, equality and "democracy" was and never will be in the interest of the Thai political-money-power elite. To the contrary, as you can see by the thoughts of Sonthi.

Here is what Sondhi Limthongkul thinks of a major political reform in Thailand:

We cannot fix our country with the parliamentary system. The parliament cannot fix the problem of the country. If I was prime minister I would arrange for the Speaker of the Senate, the Chairman of the Constitutional Court, the Chairman of the Supreme Court, the Chairman of the (Supreme) Administrative Court to go report to the King about the situation and ask for his permission to resign and give (their) powers back to the King, dissolve the parliament and then resign (myself?). That would create a vacuum and there wouldn’t be a parliament or members of parliament. Power would be returned to the King so he could decide who should be called upon to manage these issues. For a period of three years this would free the country to reform the political system, reform the police, bring everything to good order. Yes, that’s what should be done.

Source: Manager Online, Translated by New Mandala

There you go, an even more straight forward approach than his previous thoughts/demands to change from the system of publicly electing MP's to appointing MP's and the Senate (behold the Senate is appointed already).

I can't access PPT (Political Prisoners in Thailand), FACT (Freedom against Censorship Thailand) and Prachatai as many other websites anymore:

This website has been blocked by ICT

On these and other websites are a couple of interesting discussions/thoughts about the political future of Thailand. If you are living outside Thailand.... then repost please. (can't even get to them via proxy servers anymore)

Also have a look at Asiasentinels last articles about Thailand.

One more article here:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinio...article1583443/

There is no problem with Insects, Droughts or otherwise. Whoever proclaims such a nonsense should be locked up in jail!

The royal oxen predicted a completely different outcome of this seasons crop yield. So, you could be up for LM to suggest otherwise.

Abundant water resources, foods predicted in Royal Ploughing Ceremony

The royal oxen used in the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony ate grasses and the royal Brahmins predicted there will be abundant water resources and foods this year.

The ceremony was held at Sanam Luang Thursday morning to give an auspicious beginning to the new planting season.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn represented His Majesty the King to preside over the ceremony.

-- The Nation 2010-05-13

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailand-s-R...ny-t364584.html

Uniform problem

Why are the army and police appearing to be part of the problem rather than a solution to the challenge of the Red movement and the troubles facing the government?

The government wants to disperse Red protests yet the army and police have, with the exception of the failed operation of 10 April, proved reluctant and less willing to work together than usual.

Some theories and rumours boil down to rivalries and interests of different cliques within the army. Police are upset over the handling of senior police promotions and reshuffles by a government that came to power by way of a fix engineered by the army. In turn the army got back into politics by way of a coup in 2006 which deposed Thaksin Shinawatra, the elected prime minister and former police colonel.

Others point to the fallout should operations to disperse Red protests prove more deadly than that of 10 April which left 20 protestors dead, many shot by troops, and also killed four soldiers. Soldiers or police implicated in a bloody crackdown on Red protests could face difficulties should the Red movement prevail, voting in a government, one that might conceivably be headed by Thaksin. Instigators of the coup might then also be looking at trouble, perhaps at best exile.

Promotions and concerns about consequences appear then to be at least some of the causes that have the army and police marching time, preferring the sidelines to the frontlines. However they are also symptoms of structural troubles which shape the army and police as sources of insecurity and instability rather than security and stability.

While politics has evolved in Thailand since 1973 and shifted perhaps most significantly after the 1997 constitution that appears to have been a consequence of the uprising against army dictators in 1992, there has been little reform of the military and police.

Neither are particularly effective at what modern militaries and police are supposed to do. Their actual effect seems rather closer to an occupation force, there to put down threats that may emerge to the existing structure of power and prizes.

Both are quite effective however at providing comfortable, even highly lucrative, livelihoods for their members and the well-being of their families but not without pain. Promise of riches and more makes both institutions rather attractive, despite the generally low regard in which they are held by society. Great rewards attracts some people, perhaps many, who would otherwise go elsewhere for their livelihoods. It just so happens that being an armed uniform offers the best deal compared to other opportunities.

This might seem strange at first. Official salaries, as they are for most public servants in Thailand, are low and unlikely to buy the good life. A barista in Starbucks in Bangkok earns as much, if not more, than a police officer fresh out of the academy. That might reflect the values of a society which places a premium on people able to make drinks in an airconditioned environment over someone who is supposed to maintain order and security out on the sweltering smoggy streets. Anecdotal experience suggests that actually citizens and business want professional, effective, honest security forces more than baristas.

To compensate for low official salaries the military and police seek out alternative sources of income from petty corruption all the way up to grand corruption on procurement and trafficking in unregulated commodities such as military weapons and narcotics.

The army seems to have more official businesses, which may draw comparison with the militaries of Pakistan or Turkey, than the police. Like the police many soldiers also engage in unofficial business. To take a simple example at most discos and nightclubs in Thailand, including those open after the legal closing time of 2am, security is provided, efficiently, by smartly dressed and usually polite off-duty soldiers, and sometimes police, who may be in uniform. Historically a precedent might be the tax farming which was common before the advent of modern Thailand in the first half of the 20th century.

Rewards from these alternative sources of income generally increase as a soldier or police officer attains higher rank. Promotions then are sensitive in the army and police because of the power and opportunity they bring for accessing unofficial income, arising from legal and illegal business.

While the scope of unofficial income is almost unlimited it is accompanied by uncertainty over prospects, rewards and benefits. A soldier or police officer has to milk every opportunity while they can because it be may be lost in a new posting or even a promotion to a less lucrative unit. They may also face competition from other soldiers and police, especially those in different factions or patron-client networks. There are also pressures to generate revenues, either to send up to patrons or to send down to clients.

Within these organizations interests are further warped by the market for positions and promotions. Factors that may influence a career are merit, money and mediation. Merit being how well someone performs. Money being how much they can spend to pay for a position or promotion. Mediation being the scope, strength and influence of their connections whether through classmates, family, friends or patronage. Consequently professionalism and expertise may not be the best investment of time and effort to build a career and improve livelihood and well-being.

The nature of a livelihood in uniform is a reflection of the essentially unregulated structure of income, advancement and power in these organizations. In turn this attracts some, perhaps, many members who think more like opportunitists or entrepreneurs rather than public servants.

People in these organizations have to balance the demands of their official duties with the demands of maintaining or improving their livelihoods in an unregulated market. Uncertainty demands more time and effort to manage, it is in effect more inefficient than certainty.

They are however not entirely a law unto themselves. They have to balance the demands of competing factions and the give-and-take that goes with allying with power networks outside the uniform, especially politicians. They have a vested interest in cooperating to protect the existing power structure and the government in order to protect the structure of the unregulated markets within their own organizations from which they derive their rather lucrative livelihoods.

Why then are coups not more common when they would offer the uniforms a chance for even greater income? One explanation may be that in controlling the government they effectively become regulators, while also remaining actors. That brings costs and probably risks that may not always be worth the rewards. It is for many simpler and easier to focus on making headway in the markets of their own organizations while protecting the existance of those markets through cooperation with other power networks.

However there are times when they may have to take action outside their organizations up to and including shaping governments through back-room fixes or coups.

Structural instability of these security organizations augurs against their agents beingefficient executors of their official duties and responsibilities. Consequently public and national security and stability are going to be less than desired. This generates costs for citizens and business because insecurity and instability requires mitigation and adaptation. The most efficient and cost-effective solution is paying taxes to fund well paid, well equipped and regulated security forces.

Until the structural problems of Thailand's security forces are fixed they will always remain a potential source of instability and insecurity for politics and government. Political reform may face limits if it is not accompanied by reform of security. Reform of the army and police will not be easy and may face great resistance. Nevertheless until it is achieved politics and society in Thailand will be dogged by instability and insecurity. A starting point might be a decent, respectable salary.

http://thailandtrouble.blogspot.com/

4 out of 20 = 25 % - "mai bhen rai" science! & they want to have nuclear reactors!!!

And that by far is the most scariest thing in the whole statement from Abhisit! Yes, I had the same idea with the nuclear power plants and these guys want to be responsible for the lives of Millions of Thais, what a joke!

Hi Folks,

found this book on absolutelybkk, good read.

First part about political history, present politics, then thai-style democracy, -culture, etc.

An overall well written look from the outside by an insider: KhiKwai.

Give it a go:

Thailand Unhinged

For the people of Thailand, who deserve better

than to be governed by the worst among them.

TH_UNHINGED.pdf

I can't guess, . . . ! Can you drop a hint without naming names, Duangta ? Local Or Bangkokian ?

Mike

Local P&P and BKK!

Quote : Let's hope that on 31.12.2009 there will be no indoor fireworks

Wel I should say let's hope that on that day nobody visit particular disco out of respect for the victims and disgust for the owners of the bar,but I know I'm dreaming loud now.

Oh well, at least the foreigners are staying a bit further away now, tourists reported shouting with handguns in front of the pub last night. It really is like the wild wild west. Where else in the (civilized?) world can you go out, get drunk, shoot some bullets (in the air presumably) and the coppers even back you up? Can't say out loud names who owns the place, but I reckon you can all guess....

Happy New Year

Since the 19th of December a newly build Discotheque has opened in Bang Niang (Khao Lak/ Phangnga), the name is Zantika and the reminder of the burned down Bar/Pub/Disco in Bangkok is by any means not an accidental choice. Questioning the local Thais about the name, they all agreed that this is normal in the Land of Smiles, "because it was in the press already, so everybody knows the name". The resident band is called "Burn" (same like in BKK before). Let's hope that on 31.12.2009 there will be no indoor fireworks.

My condolences to the victims and their families, if you ask me, this name should never have been used again for a Discotheque.

http://www.khaolakbusinessindex.com/zantikapub.html

So absurd, the whole Taxi/TukTuk/public transport system on Phuket is a joke. These Mafia TukTuk Taxi guys are the worst (all over Thailand for that matter). Never ever use a tuk tuk when you are on Phuket, avoid them at all cost. Do not go to the police when you are having trouble with them. Nobody will help. Hardly ever seen a stronger relationship with two criminal groups like them.

From my own experience: They beat up my girlfriend about a year ago, because she criticized the way they treated their passengers / tourists. She is Thai and was ashamed of them, reflecting on the Thai society/culture as a whole. Two men just f***** beat the shit of a 25 year old small girl, in the middle of the day, on a market place! These guys are the lowest scum of Thailand.

Notice to all foreigners planning a Thailand Holiday.

Why take chances. Protect yourself...

come to Chiang Mai...... not a jet ski in sight...

Come to Phangnga, Khao Lak, Jet Skis are banned here for good reason....

From the Phuket newspaper we are not allowed to quote comes a fresh follow up:

Jet-Ski Scams: Fresh Round of Talks on Friday

One thing struck me as od, as the president of the Bang Tao Jet-Ski Association, Anusorn Sale was quoted with saying that: "Insurance is not possible because under Thai law, the jet-skis are for sport only and cannot be rented to others."

So how come you can rent them then??

British Royal Marines ready to go to ‘war’ over Thai gun confrontation

Published

by

Andrew Drummond

on September 12, 2009

in General News

. Tags: Andrew Drummond, Big Trouble in Thailand, Bravo, Gavin Hill, Jack Tebbott, jet ski scam, JJ, JJ Naiman, Phuket, Rory Bremner, Royal Marine Police Sergeant, Tim Wright, Vera.

(More rushes from ‘Big Trouble in Thailand)

“Thailand is awesome. The people are good and sound. Today was a bit different” - Marine Jack Tebbott

Link: JJ: My uncle is big Captain in police station

From Andrew Drummond, Bangkok, September 13

Royal Marines who claim they were swindled and held at gunpoint while on R&R in Thailand said tonight that they were ‘ready to go to war’ over an alleged cover-up of the incident.

Royal Marine Face-offThe Marines of Delta Company, 40 Commando, based in Taunton, who were held at gunpoint by a Jet Ski operator on the Thai holiday island of Phuket, said they would take the matter to government to government level, if Thai authorities tried to shift the blame.

And they added that they would stick by a British producer/cameraman, who filmed the whole incident, and who now faces arrest accused by the Thai authorities of ‘setting up’ the scene for filming.

“The Thai authorities should choose to hold an adult approach to this incident. If not, we are willing to raise the level of this dispute to that of a diplomatic incident, though of course we will have to go through legal channels,“ said Marine Police Sergeant and Detachment Commander Tim Wright.

The row follows an incident which happened when Delta Company were on ‘R &R’ on the Thai holiday island of Phuket earlier this year.

Royal Marine Police Sergeant Wright (right) confronts JJ

Royal Marine Police Sergeant Wright (right) confronts JJ

The marines were held at gun-point and surrounded by Thai thugs after one of their number, 21-yr-old Marine Jack Tebbott, from Leicester, was accused of damaging a jet-ski and faced demands of over £1,200 in compensation.

Violence was only avoided when Royal Marine Police Sergeant Tim stepped and agreed to authorise a payment.

Marine Sergeant Tim Wright

Marine Sergeant Tim Wright

The whole scene was captured on film by British cameraman producer Gavin Hill. The Jet Ski thug, known as JJ, has since been arrested on charges of extortion. But he has given a statement saying that the film was set up.

Yesterday Thai authorities began steps to try and block a series currently running on a minor British television channel and they said they wanted to question the producer over the ‘set up’.

They have also countermanded all ‘film release’ forms which were required for the filming and transmssion. Last night Royal Marine Police Sergeant Tim Wright from London said: “From what I gather people in Thailand are trying to impugn the reputation of the Royal Marines and of the producer cameraman involved.

“I have told the producer cameraman Gavin Hill that I and the lads will stand by him. What he recorded on film was the absolute truth. I do not like my integrity or that of the Marines being questioned. I live by my integrity.

“I especially do not like my integrity being questioned by a two bit swindler. If need be we will escalate this to a diplomatic incident. We also would like to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to put out an official warning on their Travel Advisory to Thailand.

“It is quite alarming to see how the film maker s are being treated. The Thais should be dealing with the problem not trying to blame someone else.”

The row over the ‘jet ski mafia’ began after the first of an eight part series called ‘Big Trouble in Thailand’ went to air last Monday on the Bravo Channel. The film shows the Commandos, who had arrived in Thailand on HMS Bulwark after a tour in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province, restraining themselves as the armed foul mouthed gang leader made his threats and demands for money.

Marine Jack Tebbott

Marine Jack Tebbott

Although the channel has only a small audience in the UK, copies have been circulating heavily in Thailand.

In the programme Marine Tebbott is accused of causing over £1000 worth of damage to a jet ski and eventually pays out the equivalent of £627. But Sergeant Wright, who examined the boat, insisted that the damage was old, very old, by examining the stained fibre glass”

He had already had to deal with other cases: “‘You are a crook. You are corrupt,” he tells JJ who replies: “I’m a f….g normal person. I am a businessman”. In rushes released yesterday JJ also claims: “I’m not worried. My uncle is big police here!”

A Royal Marine said later: “We could all have got out of their but there would have been claret spilt.”

The ‘damaged jet ski’ con is widespread in Thailand and complaints have already been made by several Embassies, including the British, Australian and Chinese, to the Thai authorities.

Prior to the film’s transmission the Provincial Governor had been ordered by Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister to act to end the rip-offs to preserve the country’s image for tourism.

Reliable reports say that corrupt police take a 20 per cent cut from all payments.

Gavin Hill - hung out to dry?

Gavin Hill - hung out to dry?

Meanwhile producer Gavin Hill, who was working for comedian Rory Bremner’s Vera Productions, said: “At the moment our relationship has come to an end. They have not given any support. They are also not honouring some promises I made to the Thai authorities or corrections I am making to the scripts.

“They appear to have left me out to dry. The Thai authorities are trying to get the series stopped. But actually if they look at it closely they come off quite well. We were primarily looking at British tourists on holiday.

“I actually love Thailand and would not wish to harm the country at all. The authorities cannot see who is doing the harm.”

The series which was shot with the co-operation of the Thai Tourist Police was originally called ‘Thai Cops’. The title was then changed to ‘Big Trouble in Tourist Thailand’ and the Thai Film Board protested.

“I told the production company that title was offensive to Thailand, but my views were apparently not ‘taken on board’ as they claimed they would be. It’s a mess.

““The situation with the Marines and JJ was real and menacing. It was not set up or scripted. I just recorded what happened”.

I can't wait to watch this series, Im downloading it right now!

It's all on You Tube.

Just had a friend from Patong on the phone. Yup, JJ is really arrested (for now). Have a look at Phuketwan and search for stories about the Jet Ski Scam the last couple of weeks. It is a big topic for the Governor... he receives calls daily from Consuls, Ambassadors, the foreign ministry of Thailand...

Free interpretation of Macbeth Act 1 Scene 1

Sondhi

When shall we three meet again?

In thunder, lightning, or in rain?

Newin

When the hurlyburly's done,

When the battle's lost and won.

Prem

That will be ere the set of sun.

Sondhi

Where the place?

Newin

Upon the heath.

Prem

There to meet with Abhisit.

Sondhi

I come, Graymalkin!

Newin

Paddock calls.

Prem

Anon.

ALL

Fair is foul, and foul is fair:

Hover through the fog and filthy air.

09/09/09 17.00 hours

What kind of inappropriate content was shown here, that the RTP banned the sponsor due to national security matters???