Chads

There are so many stories on TV and in the movies about "ghosts" in Thailand, but has anyone here actually seen one? Not that I believe in them, but I think these "ghost" stories seem to be even more popular in Thailand as compared to other countries.

I think because considering the distance the price would be much higher than the Ranong trip. So pay more for a longer trip? Does not sound very attractive to me.

The vans to Ranong are cheaper than the vans to Penang. And the trip is much shorter. So I always just go with Ranong.

What I was thinking was an actual service that would run to the Malaysian border and back directly from phuket (not necessarily go all the way to penang). It would be maybe 12-15 hours or so and not as mad dash. The cost should be cheaper without the visa fee. And you wouldn't waste as much time at immigration with one line processing everyone.

I've seen the ranong run take 14 hours, with all the mad-dashing. 11-12 hours is on a good day, where everything goes right and all of the pickups are in the same area.

Hmm I haven't heard of such a method. Or maybe I just never found it.

I'm surprised there isn't a direct visa run service to Malaysian border from phuket as an alternative to Ranong. Isn't a direct one way from Phuket to Penang Malaysia 700-800 baht?

I think because considering the distance the price would be much higher than the Ranong trip. So pay more for a longer trip? Does not sound very attractive to me.

The vans to Ranong are cheaper than the vans to Penang. And the trip is much shorter. So I always just go with Ranong.

No comment.

No comment? Come on, I'm sure we can work something out

Is it really corruption if it is accepted and common? Corruption is like rules and laws in that the majority only have problems with either if they hurt or hinder them but tend to enjoy them when they benefit them.

Most of the Thais get a few crumbs from the cake at voting time..The red shirts gave all my wifes family 1000 bahts eachto vote for them. Being good Thais they accepted the 1000 bahts and then voted for the yellow shirts.

Its seems that the election time bribery was so rife in the past that it all cancelled itself out anyway. My girlfriend said that everybody she knew in Udon Thani just accepted the bribes offered by all the parties, and then voted for whoever they wanted to vote for anyway.

That's great! Beat them at their own game.

As much as I've experienced and unhappy with the corruption problem in Thailand, it becomes a normal way of life when more than 2/3 of people don't take it as a problem. Pathetic, though.

And the scary part, is that on so many levels, it feels as if Thailand is going backwards. I wish I could say the future looked bright for this lovely country, but I simply cannot see it. Here are just a few of the reasons I feel this way:

1. Declining educational standards, especially when compared to other countries in the region, who take education seriously.

2. Lack of a fight against corruption. Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, and even to a smaller extent India, and the Philippines are at least waging a battle. Here, the anti corruption chief was just relieved of his job, as he was too effective, and was getting to close to the centers of power!

3. The competence of the government. Since the system here is entirely based on cronyism, and not meritocracy, there is little chance of getting people to do jobs they are good at. It is that simple. Incompetence is the order of the day. Always has been. Always will be, if the system does not change.

4. Flooding issues. They are only going to get worse with global warming, and the rising of the sea, and is Thailand prepared for it? They have refused help from the Dutch govt. (very talented and skilled engineers, with decades of experience), the US Corp. of Engineers, and others. Is the govt. really serious about tackling this issue? Do they have what it takes? Are they willing to reach out, or will they use only homegrown talent, which is substandard?

5. Shrinking economy. Thailand was #21 in the world just 5 years ago. They are now #25. This trend will continue. There is little being done to reverse it.

6. Traffic issues. Thailand has some of the most lax driving laws in the world. No helmets required in Samui, and 10 year old kids are permitted to drive motorbikes. Speed limits are rarely enforced, and anyone with some cash can buy their way out of any traffic related problem or accident, even if it caused death. Samui averages 60 traffic related deaths per month! Highest in the world, per capita. Not something you see in the media much. Nobody wants to discuss it.

7. That brings us to issue #7. Law enforcement. The police in Thailand are basically a revenue collection agency. Very, very little law enforcement. The quality of the detective work, and the forensic work is on par with Sub Saharan Africa, from what I have been told by well informed sources in law enforcement, outside of Thailand. For the #25 economy in the world, this is shameful, and the result of tremendous sloth, indifference, corruption, and ineptitude. Regardless, it remains one of the truly great blights, in this otherwise delightful country.

8. Local mores, ethics, and attitudes. Though the Thai people have many wonderful qualities, that many of us appreciate, their attitudes toward business, and tourism are hard to fathom. They nearly always, will choose to do the wrong thing, when it comes to customer service, or maintaining a relationship, if it means a few extra baht today. No ability to see the forest beyond the trees. Very, very little of the vision thing. It is a tremendous detriment to doing business here, and in the long run damages the tourism industry to a fabulous extent.

9. Tourism. For the above stated reasons, there is a real PR problem, when it comes to Thai tourism. The governments, both central, and local seem to be either unwilling, or unable to tackle the issues with taxis, tuk-tuks, jet skis, and other scams here, and it is resulting in huge damage to the industry. They are making up for it to some extent by attracting the Russian, Chinese, and Korean markets, but these are not the high rollers that Thailand need to thrive in the long run.

10. Saving face. Perhaps Thailand's single most destructive quality. It forces people to bury problems under the carpet. How can you resolve an issue, if it causes you embarrassment? Who cares. Suck it up, man up, and deal with it. Not here. Not now. Rarely ever. Avoid the issue, whatever you do, do not discuss it, and pretend it will go away. It is a society of 13 year old boys, in men's bodies, who behave like 13 year old boys, and have the emotional development of 13 year old boys. I am sure there are some exceptions. Maybe 11% of the society? LOL.

And yet... Bangkok receives World's Best City Award 2012

Well, Bangkok is a great city despite all the nonsense, is it not?

Yes, and it can get even better if it sorts those things out, as you have rightly noted.

We were told that our visa run was all-inclusive, including boat ride, 1,500 baht. But most people who traveled with me ended up paying 100-200 baht more in "extra charges". They were paid not to the company who brought us, but starting from the time we hit the immigration, the people who "helped" bring our passports around, and other things we could have easily done ourselves.

When we related this back to the company driver, he told us we usually shouldn't have paid those extra amounts. But well, how were we to know?

I don't have any problems paying the extras, but the other Asians with me felt a little pinch I think.

there are many 5 dollar / hours jobs that I would not want to do, but overhere people earn max 300 baht now ?

sometimes i am surprised when i see desk jockeys bragging about their 80.000 $ / year job... my god... 2.4 million baht to do a "simple" or a bit more complex office job

no wonder that big companies like to move to china or even just over the border to mehico...

80.000$/year to pay for their 80.000$ SUV's

Well the cost of living is higher isn't it?

"All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players" - William Shakespeare

As much as I've experienced and unhappy with the corruption problem in Thailand, it becomes a normal way of life when more than 2/3 of people don't take it as a problem. Pathetic, though.

And the scary part, is that on so many levels, it feels as if Thailand is going backwards. I wish I could say the future looked bright for this lovely country, but I simply cannot see it. Here are just a few of the reasons I feel this way:

1. Declining educational standards, especially when compared to other countries in the region, who take education seriously.

2. Lack of a fight against corruption. Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, and even to a smaller extent India, and the Philippines are at least waging a battle. Here, the anti corruption chief was just relieved of his job, as he was too effective, and was getting to close to the centers of power!

3. The competence of the government. Since the system here is entirely based on cronyism, and not meritocracy, there is little chance of getting people to do jobs they are good at. It is that simple. Incompetence is the order of the day. Always has been. Always will be, if the system does not change.

4. Flooding issues. They are only going to get worse with global warming, and the rising of the sea, and is Thailand prepared for it? They have refused help from the Dutch govt. (very talented and skilled engineers, with decades of experience), the US Corp. of Engineers, and others. Is the govt. really serious about tackling this issue? Do they have what it takes? Are they willing to reach out, or will they use only homegrown talent, which is substandard?

5. Shrinking economy. Thailand was #21 in the world just 5 years ago. They are now #25. This trend will continue. There is little being done to reverse it.

6. Traffic issues. Thailand has some of the most lax driving laws in the world. No helmets required in Samui, and 10 year old kids are permitted to drive motorbikes. Speed limits are rarely enforced, and anyone with some cash can buy their way out of any traffic related problem or accident, even if it caused death. Samui averages 60 traffic related deaths per month! Highest in the world, per capita. Not something you see in the media much. Nobody wants to discuss it.

7. That brings us to issue #7. Law enforcement. The police in Thailand are basically a revenue collection agency. Very, very little law enforcement. The quality of the detective work, and the forensic work is on par with Sub Saharan Africa, from what I have been told by well informed sources in law enforcement, outside of Thailand. For the #25 economy in the world, this is shameful, and the result of tremendous sloth, indifference, corruption, and ineptitude. Regardless, it remains one of the truly great blights, in this otherwise delightful country.

8. Local mores, ethics, and attitudes. Though the Thai people have many wonderful qualities, that many of us appreciate, their attitudes toward business, and tourism are hard to fathom. They nearly always, will choose to do the wrong thing, when it comes to customer service, or maintaining a relationship, if it means a few extra baht today. No ability to see the forest beyond the trees. Very, very little of the vision thing. It is a tremendous detriment to doing business here, and in the long run damages the tourism industry to a fabulous extent.

9. Tourism. For the above stated reasons, there is a real PR problem, when it comes to Thai tourism. The governments, both central, and local seem to be either unwilling, or unable to tackle the issues with taxis, tuk-tuks, jet skis, and other scams here, and it is resulting in huge damage to the industry. They are making up for it to some extent by attracting the Russian, Chinese, and Korean markets, but these are not the high rollers that Thailand need to thrive in the long run.

10. Saving face. Perhaps Thailand's single most destructive quality. It forces people to bury problems under the carpet. How can you resolve an issue, if it causes you embarrassment? Who cares. Suck it up, man up, and deal with it. Not here. Not now. Rarely ever. Avoid the issue, whatever you do, do not discuss it, and pretend it will go away. It is a society of 13 year old boys, in men's bodies, who behave like 13 year old boys, and have the emotional development of 13 year old boys. I am sure there are some exceptions. Maybe 11% of the society? LOL.

And yet... Bangkok receives World's Best City Award 2012

Hey, if you can bring a uzi to the dinner table, why not a pistol to a car dealer?

This is really hilarious news!

Hey everyone thanks for your input. I was traveling so I couldn't reply earlier. Well I've been fine from the time I drank half a glass, but I won't do it again though!

I noticed Thais only drink from bottled water so I've been doing the same. Today I accidentally drank half a glass of water straight from the tap, is that alright?

Excuse my ignorance/naivete, because I know in Indonesia people told me not to take in any amount of water straight from the taps.

imo most cannot afford the iPad/iPhone plus the amout of skin bleeching required to be white enough to be in the 'cool group'. since 90% of people on TV have these things and are 'white' while most of the population can only dream, their selfworth will continue to fall.

only dark skinned people on tv are commedians.

O K I was with you up until

only dark skinned people on tv are commedians.

What are you talking about.

You don't think so? Who was the last lead/semi-lead actor or popstar you've seen on Thai tv that was a darker shade of Thai?

imo most cannot afford the iPad/iPhone plus the amout of skin bleeching required to be white enough to be in the 'cool group'. since 90% of people on TV have these things and are 'white' while most of the population can only dream, their selfworth will continue to fall.

only dark skinned people on tv are commedians.

Err.. what?

He is being sarcastic. And the stereotypes he's used have some truth in them.

2011 suicide rate is 6.03 per 100,000 persons Thailand

2009 suicide rate is 6.9 per 100,000 persons United Kingdom

2008 suicide rate is 11.8 per 100,000 persons United States

2011 suicide rate is 21.4 per 100,000 persons Russia

Looks likes Thailand is not the only country in need of more Apple products and skin cream

I don't think that those are the reasons for suicide, but I do think they are things that most Thai youths go dwell on a lot. But good job on the stats.

imo most cannot afford the iPad/iPhone plus the amout of skin bleeching required to be white enough to be in the 'cool group'. since 90% of people on TV have these things and are 'white' while most of the population can only dream, their selfworth will continue to fall.

only dark skinned people on tv are commedians.

Err.. what?

He is being sarcastic. And the stereotypes he's used have some truth in them.

"Samak said Worrayuth did not try to flee the scene but went home to consult his father"

Got to love the way this has been spun....

More than 1,000 rai of paddy field was flooded Wednesday as the water level rose one metre higher than the Chao Phraya river

The abrupt flooding was apparently a result of the government’s three-day drainage tests

oopsies

Dont worry each family affected will get a shiny new tablet to eat and 500 baht for damages.

So why don't you start a baht bus service if it's such a good idea?

It would be a great commercial success, trouble is that the local tuktuk mafia would beat the drivers to a pulp. The beating of the first and only bus service between Patong and Karon a few years back is well documented in the Phuket Gazette.

Hi could you please share the link to this article? I couldn't find the exact piece.

Read ...

http://www.thaivisa....uket-bus-plans/

http://www.phuketgaz...ails.asp?id=944

That's appalling.

So why don't you start a baht bus service if it's such a good idea?

It would be a great commercial success, trouble is that the local tuktuk mafia would beat the drivers to a pulp. The beating of the first and only bus service between Patong and Karon a few years back is well documented in the Phuket Gazette.

Hi could you please share the link to this article? I couldn't find the exact piece.

I'm in agreement with all the negative points raised here. Despite all the criticisms we have of Thailand, it's still way better than the Philippines.

Okay, thank you for clearing that up everyone!

Probably encountered more often in written form than spoken. You see it very frequently in signs in shops and similar places.

As in signs like "Please don't smoke here" / "Karuna mai thi sub buri thi ni"?

Foolish to drive on a motorbike without a helmet, at 3.40 am, drunk, in Thailand and on the mountain. They forgot their brain in France. I'm also french and i can tell you nobody drives arround without a helmet in France, even the brainless badass teenagers wear helmets all the time.

When in Rome...