phuketandsee

Just watch the video and deleted my post that was based on sloppy reporting by the DM (how could that be?)

As a former mod here, I'd also remove a generic post saying all of Koh Tao was dangerous. I've been many times and never had a problem. I also don't frequent bars late at night.

I didn't say "all" of it was dangerous. But how is this any different to saying "go to Koh Tao, it's beautiful"? It's just a matter of opinion in either case.

I just posted a comment on TA advising someone who was planning a trip to Koh Tao to steer clear as it was a dangerous place. My comment was removed.

Here's my negative review of Khao Sok NP:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297917-d455332-r207249263-Khao_Sok_National_Park-Surat_Thani_Surat_Thani_Province.html#REVIEWS

I think what he is trying to say is: a review like this would not be published if it were not a general Khao Sok review, but a review of one of the Khao Sok trips offered via Viator.

That will be the true test!

I perhaps could see that. You could make the same comment about all of Thailand. Probably all of Asia. And parts of the US and Europe. Maybe because it was a blanket statement they just hid it?

My comment was in response to someone who recommended going there. I forgot to recommend a blanket though

That will be a very long wait.

If the issue is to live cheaply, settle in a provincial town. If it is to live on a boat for its own sake, look elsewhere.

Aren't they building one near Kampot?

I just posted a comment on TA advising someone who was planning a trip to Koh Tao to steer clear as it was a dangerous place. My comment was removed.

FYI. I just did a review on a hotel where I was seriously attacked by bed bugs. They sent me another email asking to verify if the info was correct. Seems it's been posted now. Good job!!

Was it a hotel sold by Viator?

Best time to invest is when blood is flowing on the streets.

Stick around, not long to wait.

Just had a look. This is their justification:

"After a two-year absence, Thailand returns to the Index this year in 21st position. Although the military government that took power in a coup in May 2014 created some uncertainty for the future of Thai politics and policies, the government has kept the Thai economy open to foreign investment. In addition, the economy is on a stable trajectory thanks to its strong tourism sector, which has withstood a spate of bombings in 2015. FDI inflows to Thailand have declined, falling an estimated 78 percent in 2015 from a year earlier. Notably, investments from EU-based firms fell 42 percent while those from Japan historically Thailand's biggest source of FDI plummeted 81 percent. The countrys reappearance on the FDI Confidence Index, however, suggests that investors may be taking a fresh look at Thailand. Thailand is giving preferential treatment to foreign projects in the technology sector. One example of such a project is China-based photovoltaic cell manufacturer Zhongli Talesun Solars construction of a new manufacturing factory in Thailand, which started in February 2015. Thailands Board of Investment (BOI) also introduced a new investment incentive policy in January 2015 to attract IT companies, including an eight-year exemption from corporate income taxes. The BOI approved further plans in March 2016 to expedite investment projects in other targeted sectors, including food innovation, aviation, and automation and robotics."

https://www.atkearney.com/gbpc/foreign-direct-investment-confidence-index/publication/-/asset_publisher/lsBVD71WgZDd/content/2016-a-t-kearney-foreign-direct-investment-confidence-index/10192

Like all analyses of this country they ignore a significant issue.

Strong surf? Couldn't possibly be inadequate design and/or construction now could it?

Check out Xana Beach Club's FB page for loads of pics of them.

"What can one say, with a face and body like that?"

Yes please

I want No. 17!!!

Me too. But is she wearing black panties under her swimsuit?

What do they mean "will unveil"? It has been unveiled for a while. They must mean there will be some form of ceremony. Poor reporting again.

How long before it's closed off like Heroine's because they can't use it properly?

I don't see how it is a conflict of interest. It seems to me that if TA is selling hotel bookings it is their best interest to make sure the hotels have good reviews.

Why people get all caught up in this nonsense is beyond me. It's a business.

You don't see how it is a conflict of interest? How can TA maintain it is offering unbiased reviews of hotels etc. when they are profiting from the success of those hotels? You don't think one way of making sure those hotels have good reviews is to limit the bad ones?

As you say, "it's a business." They were originally involved in one business, offering "unbiased" reviews of hotels etc. They are now involved in another which has opposing objectives. Hence the conflict.

It's not a conflict of their interest. Their interest is maximizing revenue, and providing positive reviews of the hotels they sell bookings for is a means to that end.

They apparently don't see it as a conflict but I suspect many TA users would feel differently if they were aware of the situation.

I don't see how it is a conflict of interest. It seems to me that if TA is selling hotel bookings it is their best interest to make sure the hotels have good reviews.

Why people get all caught up in this nonsense is beyond me. It's a business.

You don't see how it is a conflict of interest? How can TA maintain it is offering unbiased reviews of hotels etc. when they are profiting from the success of those hotels? You don't think one way of making sure those hotels have good reviews is to limit the bad ones?

As you say, "it's a business." They were originally involved in one business, offering "unbiased" reviews of hotels etc. They are now involved in another which has opposing objectives. Hence the conflict.

I also find TripAdvisor is a bit sensitive when you submit a negative report. I have just learned to select my words carefully and you can still hit a bad place with a 1-star rating.

Yes, but what happens if it's one of they places they are selling tours to?

I have no idea, you tell me? The world implode and turn into a black hole or nothing happen?

Think about it when you are back on your rig

Why did he hit the woman? Because he's a thug.

no bcos 51 sec in the video she slapped a Thai man, she not exempt form a slap after she and her husband were the first to throw the first punches. som nam na

But the Thai man who hit her wasn't the Thai man she slapped. So what you're saying is if any woman slaps a man then any other man is then entitled to hit the woman? Seems pretty strange to me.

I believe the guy in the black shirt who decked all three of them was hit in the face by the father although this is open to dispute since the video is not clear.

I have to say after studying the video the tourist asked for it and they got it. 18sec in son pushes Thai man,21 sec Thai man pushes son back 51 sec mom slaps Thai man in face,1.14 sec dad sucker punches Thai man 1.29 all hell break loose and apart from the kick to moms face they got what they deserved. I would of done the same had they done that to me. on this occasion I think the Thais deserve a break.

The first 2 Thai men deserve a break. The other 4 who appear out of nowhere kicking people in the head whilst they lay on the ground moaning and semi conscious need to be skewered (you can take that literally or figuratively..whatever way you choose) Scumbags like that have no place in any society and should be removed.

you need to read my post then look at the video again one of the first Thai men was the man that hit all 3 of the foreigners

Initially yes, but they were provoked which is why I think tonray says they deserve a break. The serious damage was done by the the wild pack that came in while they were down.

This is what happens when you have a very poorly educated and poor populace, with little or no future. Throw in economic hardship, draconian suppression, and media constantly pushing 'things' and the 'good life' and you get a populace that is unhappy and discontent. They resort to booze and drugs, which only makes their life worse, so the depression deepens and eventually boils over. Throw in a police force that is arguably the largest criminal organization in the kingdom, and you have a powerkeg just waiting to explode. I fear what we are seeing today is only the tip of the iceberg. I think that the future for Thailand is very bleak. I hope everyone here has an exit strategy. I know I do.

You are absolutely correct and very well put. I have been feeling like this since the Koh Tao events revealed quite how bad things are here.

I believe it. Guess what...they also have deleted and banned any posts on the incident in Hua Hin that has come to light here. They don't want reality getting in the way of making profits for their site. Screw them.

Ta is not a forum like tvf but meant to be purely travel related. These incidents are deemed to be not travel related.

Tourists being beaten up are not travel related??

Why do you ask me?

That is TA policy. Take it or leave it, but by having more than 100 reviews published (and I don't know how many posts) you are one of the people contributing to their success. So you complaining on here about their policies seems a bit strange to me.

I ask you because you are the one stating this is their policy.

As for my reviews, these were made before I became aware of this. There will be no more. Satisfied?

"So if a old lady slapped you in the face,would you hit Her?"

I'm thinking to myself about this question and a good part of me says no, of course I wouldn't, it's not the done thing amongst civilised people, is it!

BUT I do think that if I was faced with a 65 year old woman who slapped me for no reason that I could see, AND if she clearly was using her age and gender as a means of license and to protect herself from me, AND if her attitude was blatantly aggressive and unwarranted, I reckon I just might respond out of character, why not.

Interestingly the guy who got slapped didn't hit anyone in the face.

Well this or similar happen in every country....i remember than the english have a tradition to kick someones head over and over when he is on the ground...in any place in england or aussie when drunks gather outside a pub unprovoked attacks on bypassers are the usual with often lethal results...in germany gangrape happens way more often than published köln newyear and the police are masters of the cover up to practice newspeak newthink ...so why thailand should be different at a festival

Like songran when ever,body gets pissed like hell and releases a year long repressed anger...i mean i feel this what happened was a 100000% wrong and needs to be punished BUT keep the perspective guys in your homecountrys 100 times worster things are the everyday common so dont cry like babys when human beeings display there real inner selfes ...killing murdering torture rape is much wider spread in the world than compassion goodwill and love ..I guess 90 to 10 ratio want proove ? see all the wars now tchetchenia ukraine syria afghanistan northern africa many forgotten conflicts in central africa middle east etc etc and all sponsered by western and eastern guntrade and so called civilised government policys hidden from ur eye etc...

Oh yes, Sadly you are 100% correct. It is not about nationality at all. It unfortunately is just a microcosm of the unpleasant nature of some human beings and happens all over the world. Much of it because of a prevalence of soft approaches to dealing with it and the lack of education and family principles. Bullies continue to be bullies, unless they are taught not to be. I think the reason this became such a big story is the video and of course this is a web site called Thai Visa, so it is mainly about Thailand and events in Thailand. So people respond to the topic. Equally you can see loads of videos on youtube too where nasty violence occurs all over the world. And on those specific ones people write in shock and disgust too. It is very sad reflection on humanity 2016. But of course this thread is about this specific incident, not ones anywhere else in the world. But I love to see the reaction of people here. Because what it does for me, is give me confidence that there are decent people in this world, who live by a code and a set of principles. It gives me hope that the majority of people do not like to see old people beaten and to see violence. The more people speak out against such disgusting behavior is a good thing. People are tired of it all over the world. In the same way as I see people protesting unnecessary war and brutality anywhere in the world. It is good people have a platform to do this. To show people it is not acceptable, whoever you are, or whatever country you live in.

yes it does happen other places...BUT....if someone had done that in the US or UK or AUS they would have been tried on attempted murder charges and with video evidence likely a very long jail term. The problem here is we likely will not have that...Thai boys are often excused for bad behavior unless it is drug related or politically motivated. Beating someone senseless is not really a big deal here...therein lies the problem, a lack of accountability unless you happen to be a Burmese or Cambodian laborer...then you are sunk.

Absolutely correct and very well said. I'd also like to think that in the US, UK or AUS the public wouldn't have just stood by and watched.

Looked like granny started it - she don't be doing that again in a hurry.

Oh so I suppose that justifys a thai flying kick... sick in the head ........Thai boy on booze.....Perhaps we should warn all grannies and grandpas not to come to Thailand and visit the neighbouring countries which are much safer and friendly and hospitable.... Thailand you amaze me.... Grinning lot....

No, it does not justify their actions - but is makes clear those Brits and in particula this woman have their guilty part in the story, too

Exactly.

Sadly the scenes depicted in that video are commonplace to be seen late on a Friday or Saturday night in towns and cities around the world.

Really? Semi-conscious grannies on the ground getting kicked in the face?

Re thhe other assault on the young Laos girl by the gang of 8. Can anyone advise me on how and where from that CCTV footage can be shared. FB etc to follow up on the Hua Him incident ? Thanks.

Click on top left of video for youtube page.

Thanks. However, I cannot find on YouTube the video, that is on this TV site, of the Lao girl being attacked by the gang of 8. Only the one of the Hua Him attack. Any suggestions. Thanks

http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/more-shame-for-thailand-in-wake-of-brit-family-beating-as-gang-of-thugs-brutally-assault-cheating-girl/news-story/3e27371916437e21edb6b1b66105b8a4