Pattaya_Fox

I am talking more of a presumed use of violence of the baht bus mafia to the introduction of real competition. The only way they will allow taxis here without violence is if they own and control them, and if it is done that way, it isn't worth bothering. as happened in Chiang Mai where they have corrupt overpriced service of drivers who won't use meters. The Bangkok way or no way.

Ah now please let me get this clear you are talking of a presumed use of violence. Presumptions can easily backfire on the presumer especialy when they are presuming something which will never happen.

I think that we should stick to the facts which we know:-

1 Chiang Mai metered taxi have corrupt and overpriced service of drivers who won`t use meters.(your words)

2 On Samui they have violent and extortion problems as outlined in the Samui express with taxi meter drivers.

Not presumptions merely facts.

Here we have criminal baht bus and moto "taxi" drivers aplenty. What is your point? Stay home?

I thought that my point was quite obvious. You stated that the so called baht bus Mafia were violent and I balanced the statement.

I feel that it is always better to balance the equation when you are talking about violence as indicated below;-

Cab Driver Nabbed for Tourist Assaults

TAXI driver who had assaulted four tourists—two of them seriously—on Samui has been arrested in Nakhon Sri Thammarat province where he had gone in hiding.

Korsak Jantharasena, 32, of Trang province, was presented to the press on Aug. 11, five days after the incident, by no less than the chief of the Southern Regional Tourist Police, Maj. Gen. Chuchart Suwannakhom, and Koh Samui Police chief Col. Chaiyuth Nilwong and Samui Tourist Police chief Maj. Sathaporn Sangaunsook.

He has been charged with assault, deliberately committing a crime, and using a deadly weapon in a public place.

Based on earlier police investigations, in the early morning of Aug. 6, Korsak allegedly attacked Christina Seredina, 26, of Uzbekistan and her companion Hori Frank Victor, 28, of France, and two other tourists who had come to their aid—Oliver Kyelie, 29, and Peter Zeger, 28, both of Belgium.

The two Belgians were seriously injured. Kyelie had a 25-cm cut at the left side of his neck that nearly hit the main blood vein, requiring an operation to save his life. Zeger had cut in the left hand that reached the tendon and bone. He was also wounded at his back.

The attack was the offshoot of an altercation between the taxi driver and Ms. Seredina and Victor over an exorbitant taxi fare.

Based on the police report, Victor and Seredina boarded a metered taxi in front of the Q Bar in Khao Hua Jook and asked to be taken to Malibu hotel.

Upon arrival, the taxi driver charged them Bt300, but the tourists protested, saying it was exorbitant.

They claimed the driver had not used the meter. In the ensuing altercation, an angry Korsak allegedly punched Seredina and then did the same on Victor. Kyelie and Zeger, who witnessed the attack, helped their fellow tourists. But the taxi driver took his 30-cm-long sword in his car and attacked the two men before speeding off.

Upon receiving the report of the attack on the four tourists, a police team from both the tourist police and general police departments launched a manhunt for the assailant whose taxi cab was later found parked in front of the 99 Inn in Bophut.

The taxi driver had reportedly left on a black Chevrolet car driven by someone who picked him up.

It was learned that Korsak had checked in at the hotel apparently to clean himself up.

It was reported that the taxi was rented from Ms. Kulanat Inkaew for Bt18,000 per month.

On questioning, Korsak claimed that Seredina and Victor had hired him for the trip to the Malibu hotel at the agreed rate of Bt300.

He said Seredina was drunk and verbally attacked him. He tried to ignore her, he said.

But when they arrived at the hotel, he said Seredina threw pieces of garbage into his car.

While he was taking the trash out of the cab, he claimed that Victor brought two other men to attack him.

He said he was forced to defend himself with the sword.

He said he escaped and stayed with relatives in Nakhon Sri Thammarat.

Regional tourist police chief Chuchart said he would seek measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

But the head of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, Seni Phuwasethwaorn, claimed that the assault involving a taxi driver was not the first to happen on Samui. Before that, he said, many tourists had been attacked by taxi drivers on the same issue of overcharging. He admitted that these incidents would affect tourism here badly.

Seni encouraged all concerned agencies to crack down on taxi drivers not using the meter.

Chuchart said he planned to meet taxi and songtaew drivers’ groups to discuss the problems of not using the meter and fare overcharging.

Meanwhile, the two Belgian victims said they held no grudges against the Thai people.

They thanked people who showed their concern when they were treated in Bangkok Hospital Samui for two days.

On the first day of their confinement, Phanu Woramit, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Southern Region, and Roengnam Jaikhang, head of the East Southern Hotels Association, presented the two tourists each with a “get-well-soon” bouquet and a certificate of commendation.

Kyelie and Zeger said that if they get a chance, they would bring their respective families to Samui for a visit. Kyelie said that incidents like what happened to them were done only by few people and that he still appreciated Thai kindness.

Both men left the country on the day they were released from the hospital.—With a report from Kik Sodsai

-----

More taxi assault cases pour in

IN the wake of the assault on four tourists by a taxi driver, a wave of similar cases has surfaced. Samui Express has learned from a source that about four days before the Aug. 6 assault, an Australian man was badly injured by a taxi driver and had to urdergo 32 stitches as a result.

Concerned local residents said they were distressed and embarrassed by the action and behavior of bad taxi drivers.

Recently it was also reported that a tourist couple were wounded after they were assaulted by a taxi driver who charged them Bt400 for a 300-meter ride from Green Mango disco in Chaweng to Bowling Square.

The couple had reportedly refused to pay the exorbitant fare. The driver reportedly took a sword to attack them before horrified tourists and local people. The action of the driver was so brazen since a police kiosk was located a mere 30 meters away.

Another related case is about a Swedish tourist who had to shell out Bt400 baht for the distance of 10 kilometers, which ordinarily would only be Bt75, while the cost of the gasoline consumed would only be Bt15.

Because the police seem not to tackle the problem head-on despite complaints, an anonymous “civic” group has threatened to forcibly remove the word “meter” from the cabs’ “taxi meter” sign for the sake of those who have been victimized by abusive drivers. The group said that taking off the sign would make foreigners realize that they are not charged by meter but through negotiation.

The group suggested that the Transportation Department should check taxies every six months to see if the meter reaches 3,600 kilometers. It said that if it doesn’t reach the number, chances are the driver did not use the meter. In this case, it added, the license for taxi service should be revoked.—Chat Anupan

Source Samui Express

I am resigned to their presence, but would greatly like the option of an actual taxi.

As do 80 percent in the poll.

So what is stopping this?

The baht bus MAFIA.

The word Mafia conjures up many dark aspects and for some people it leaves a vague and fearful impression when used. I have used baht busses for many years as have the local people of Pattaya and they have proved to be a great mode of transport both for the tourists and local people who use them in their thousands every day. This cheap and efficient mode of transport for local Thai people is essential for their mobility providing regular and efficient transport at a cost which is affordable for them.

The last thing that most people want to hear is this word Mafia banded about by certain individuals who for whatever reason are pushing an alternative form of transport. So listed below are the details of their published trading figures printed in the Pattaya Mail.

The introduction of Taxi Meters in Pattaya could well result in a similar situation as in other areas where the prices are very high and are difficult to negotiate. At least with the baht bus you can negotiate a price and then if not satisfied try another one.

Of course there are other altenatives and airconditioned cars are available from many outlets.

The Baht Bus Taxi co Ltd. had over 700 vehicles in the cooperative at the end of 2006 with 412 members.

For the year ending 31.12.2006 the company made a profit of 1.4m baht.

Baht buses make a profit of 1.4M baht

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

Pattaya’s baht buses made a profit of 1.4 million baht last year, according to Jamlong Sukprom, chairman of the Pattaya Baht Bus Taxi Co Ltd, the cooperative under which all the drivers and vehicles work.

Jamlong was addressing the cooperative’s annual general meeting and the figure quoted was for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006.

Officers from the Chonburi Traffic Department attended the meeting, as did Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and his advisor Itthipol Khunplome.

The meeting was held at the Town in Town Hotel on May 25. After the financial results were read out and a summary of the committee work reported, Jamlong said that each member of the cooperative would receive 50 baht for each taxi number, and a 100 baht dividend.

Isuzu presented jackets to the drivers to thank the cooperative for buying so many Isuzu trucks.

Jamlong said that currently there are 412 members with more than 700 baht buses. Capital for operations at the end of December 31, 2006 was 10,610,270.36 baht. This amount included a debt of 1,191,965.56 baht. The capital stock of 663,000 baht accumulated a capital of 4,819,887.40 baht, and a profit for the year of 1,405,779.88 baht was declared.

Pattaya Mail.

Yep that`s him ...still wearing the same head gear

Ancient history

Pattaya got its name from the march of Phraya Tak, (later King Taksin), from Ayutthaya to Chantaburi, just before the fall of the earlier capital (Ayutthaya) to the Burmese invaders in 1767.

When Phraya Tak's army arrived in the area what now is Pattaya, they confronted with the troops of Nai Klom, but it came to no fighting because Nai Klom was awed both by Phraya Tak's dignified manners and his army strict discipline, so Nai Klom surrendered without fight.

The place where the two armies confronted was later called Thap Phraya, which means the Army of Phraya, this was later changed to Phatthaya, which means the wind blowing from the southwest to the northeast, which appears in the beginning of the raining season.

Thap Phraya is still not forgotten, there is a road connecting South Pattaya and Jomtien Beach called Tappraya Road, and it has probably been somewhere in that area the two armies confronted, and from what I have been told from native citizens of Pattaya, the south Pattaya area is where the original old Pattaya city was, but modern buildings has replaced the fishermen's huts.

Phatthaya, is actually the most correct spelling of the name of the city, but simplified it ended to be spelled Pattaya.

I just need a way of getting along Sukhumvit Road where the baht buses don't go. I'll keep a lookout for them this week.

There are Baht Busses at Sukhumvit Road. Sometimes I take one from Naklua to Sri Racha. Total fare for the trip (no surcharge because I am Farang) 20 Baht !. There are also Baht Busses going the other way (i.e. direction of Sattahip).

Yes I have used them also in that area...amazing value and so convenient.

Late eagle gives Pettersen her fifth win

Chonburim, Thailand (Sports Network) - It wasn't as easy as it figured to be.

Suzann Pettersen needed an eagle on the 72nd hole Sunday to defeat Laura Davies at the Honda LPGA Thailand for her fifth win this season.

Pettersen's closing eagle gave her a round of one-under 71 and a winning total of 21-under-par 267. She has now won two straight tournaments and three of the last four overall.

She entered the final round with a seven-shot lead.

"It feels pretty good," said an understated Pettersen, who collected $195,000 for the win. "It's been three wins in October, so I can't complain. I'll enjoy a week off now and try to sum it up and get ready for the last few."

Pettersen (five wins) and Lorena Ochoa (seven wins) have combined to win 12 of the 27 official events this year on the LPGA Tour. Both players won their first major this year too: Pettersen claimed the McDonald's LPGA Championship and Ochoa was victorious at the Women's British Open.

Davies finished one shot back at minus-20 thanks to a closing seven-under 65.

Paula Creamer got within two shots of the lead thanks to an eagle on the par- five 10th, but could not get any closer. She carded her third straight 66 to end alone in third at 18-under-par 270.

Rachel Hetherington fired a seven-under 65 to finish in fourth at minus-16, while Stacy Prammanasudh took fifth at 14-under-par 274 after a final-round, six-under 66.

Former world No. 1 Annika Sorenstam closed with a five-under 67 to take sixth at minus-13.

Pettersen's seven-shot lead was quickly cut to four as Davies eagled the par- five first and came right back with a birdie on the second on the Pattaya Old Course at Siam Country Club.

After opening with four straight pars, Pettersen stumbled to a bogey on the fifth and her lead dropped to three. Both Pettersen and Davies birdied the seventh.

Pettersen's lead was down to one after she bogeyed the ninth and Davies converted a birdie chance on No. 10. Pettersen recovered to convert a six-foot birdie putt on 11, but her lead was back to one when Davies dropped in a 10- foot birdie putt on the 14th.

After a birdie at 15, Pettersen stood at 21-under and led by two. Pettersen and Davies both bogeyed the par-three 16th.

Pettersen faltered to a three-putt bogey on the par-four 17th, while Davies made birdie from five feet to tie Pettersen for the lead at minus-19.

At the last, Pettersen did exactly what she needed to do. She hit her three- wood to 15 feet and drained the eagle putt to jump to 21-under and collect her fifth win of the year.

"It was a tough day," admitted Pettersen. "Laura and Paula just kept playing at me. I just tried to play my own game and tried to shoot six-under and see where that could end up. Then, I made a few mistakes on 16 and 17. To make that last putt, I think that was the best putt of my life."

Davies was unable to match the eagle, two-putting instead for birdie from 25 feet out.

"She made a great shot on the last and that was it," stated Davies of Pettersen. "It was all about that one shot. She hit the shot and I slightly pushed my six-iron. I had a really good putt, I thought I made it, but I didn't make it."

Alena Sharp ended alone in seventh at 11-under-par 277 after closing with a two-under 70. Laura Diaz (68) and Reilley Rankin (69) shared eighth at minus-10.

Katherine Hull was the only player in the top 10 to shoot over par in the final round as she closed with a 73 to take 10th at eight-under-par 280.

Amateur Ariya Jutanukarn, who became the youngest golfer ever to compete in a major tour event when she teed it up at the age of 11 years, 11 months and two days old on Thursday, struggled to her third straight two-over 74. She ended in a share of 51st at plus-nine.

The Sports Network

Some posts which were not relevant to this topic have been removed.

Please keep the thread on topic.

Astromash, if you believe her story, you should enrol as a space cadet. . Keep of the loopy juice.

I'm not saying I believe it. When I first posted I wasn't even sure about the military parts of her story - but according to subsequent posts here those parts could be true.

So what part(s) don't you believe?

That sixty years ago there was basically one family in the area and they had Pattaya/Thappaya/Thappraya as part of their family name?

Astromash, you could be right after all! Having just read this weeks Pattaya People I see an article on page 11 relating to a burglary in Naklua. It seems 6 rooms were ransacked, but the one which was most 'done over' belongs to Mr Pattaya Songrak aged 38! Perhaps this lady you met on a songtaew meant that her first name was Pattaya, which would explain it. Thais often refer to some one as Mr. Peter, Mr. Michael or Mrs Ann. They use the Christian name rather that the surname. Even so does anyone actually know when Thrappaya was renamed Pattaya?

History of Pattaya

Until the late 1950’s Pattaya was a small fishing village like many others in the Gulf of Bangkok. Called Pad Tha Ya, which means the ‘wind blows from the southwest to the north-east at the beginning of the rainy season’, the name eventually became Pattaya.

Pattaya was a small fishing town before the tourists arrived Before 1956 Pad Tha Ya was just a sub-district of Chonburi and did not even have the status of a municipality. This covered only the Naklua area, which was extended to South Pattaya in 1964. In about 1959 Pattaya started to expand into a resort for visiting American GIs from a base in Nakhon Ratchasima with plenty of money to spend. US navy men from nearby Sattahip, particularly during the Vietnam war, enabled great expansion of facilities available to visiting forces by local entrepreneurs, and Pattaya became an official centre of ‘Rest and Relaxation’ for American troops. They were flown into U-Tapao airport, which was built for American use at the time, and hotel accommodation, shops, bars and services in Pattaya grew rapidly due to the increasing demand.

Many Thais, particularly from Bangkok, were also regular visitors for the weekend, many renting or buying small bungalows and beach huts in the area. From that point on, Pattaya grew very quickly as a holiday destination for both Thais and foreigners, and in 1978 the national government granted it city status to reflect this. ‘Pattaya City’ came into being on 29th November 1978, and this anniversary is celebrated every year.

The 1980s and 90s were also a boom time for Pattaya with a large influx of tourists from European countries, particularly in their winter. Later, as well heeled visitors moved south to the Andaman coast and Samui, a new generation of Russian, Eastern European and Arab nationals began arriving. The city’s administration has grown to cater for the increasing size and demands of Thailand’s biggest resort town, which now receives several million visitors every year, both Thai and foreign.

The city’s infrastructure has also grown to keep pace with increasing development, with construction of many condos in both Naklua and Jomtien, as well as “in-filling” of any available open space in Central and South Pattaya, making resources such as water scarce in the dry season. This has necessitated large public and private long term investment in major projects. The new Bangkok airport at Suvarnabhumi, which opens in the summer of 2006, will mean that Pattaya is only about an hour away on the new road which is under construction. This has brought another spate of development to Pattaya to meet what are seen to be the increasing needs of visitors.

The arrival of American GIs on R&R from Vietnam in the '60s changed Pattaya Due to its proximity to Bangkok, and partly as a legacy of the GI R&R activities during the Vietnam war, Pattaya developed a reputation as a party city, a badge it still honourably holds today. With this came an influx of girls from the poor Isaan region of Northeastern Thailand who supplied the ever-growing sex trade, which is very much part of the city. However, Pattaya also has its serious side and provides for a growing community of foreigners employed in the burgeoning eastern seaboard industries of the area. An estimated 12,000 people from all parts of the world live permanently in Pattaya, supporting a large establishment of restaurants, bars, clubs, societies and services set up specifically to support them. This number is said to swell considerably with the part-time residents who spent part of their year here. This is evident in the extraordinary boom in construction and property prices that the city has recently witnessed. More on Pattaya for ex-pats.

Pattaya is a modern city and you won’t find any old buildings, simply because there aren’t any, although the Buddhist Temples (wats) have all the character and splendour of older buildings. This resort city has grown apace with the influx of visitors, and will no doubt continue to do so.

The MegaBowl is great! The paving design as you come off 2nd Rd is crazy, with wide areas of grass that you can't help step on. Even when it's not raining they are mud pools!

It certainly is crazy paving and poorly thought out. I reckon the areas around the large stone slabs will have to be filled in.

3 Police Divisions participate in Pattaya Beach Security Operation.

On Thursday Night, a joint operation took place, participated by Pattaya Police, the Tourist Police and Immigration Police. A briefing to Police and volunteers took place at a parade which took place in the Car Park of Pattaya Police Station. The purpose of the exercise was to check the entire stretch of Pattaya Beach for prostitutes and others who were involved in activities which contravened the law. We are please to announce that only a small number of arrests were made despite more than 150 people who were checked and some were searched. This is encouraging news for Tourists and others who frequent the beach late at night and the Police confirmed that over the high season months regular checks along the beach will be made to ensure that Tourist safety is maintained.

Pattaya City News

Friday 26th October 2007

Well so far this thread has not measured up to my expectations. TIT

Now to finish off my intent, DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHERE TO REPORT A HAZZARD?

Thanks

Well for anyone who is serious about contacting City Hall then here are the numbers.

Pattaya City Hall North Pattaya Road Tel +66(38) 429 405

Tel +66(38) 421 916

Tel +66(38) 429 270

Tel +66(38) 429 403

Tourist Police seize over 100,000 indecent images from 75 Year Old English Man.

We joined the Tourist Police as they conducted a raid of room number 95 at the Diana Estate in Soi Boekeow on Tuesday Afternoon on the strength of a search warrant issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court. The room occupant is Mr. Alan Charles Mawson aged 75 from England who was suspected of possessing indecent images. A search of the room took place and officers found photo albums and pornographic CD’s. More than 100,000 indecent images and more than 300 pornographic CD’s were confiscated and Mr. Marson was placed under arrest and taken to the Tourist Police Station. We understand that Police suspect that Mr. Mawson was selling images to friends; however this is still under investigation. It is also known that he has been collecting these images over many years and other residents were aware of his actions. The British Embassy in Bangkok are monitoring the case and will offer consular services to the suspect if required.

Pattaya City News

23rd October 2007

I'm in - I'll be there - how many guests are appropriate?

NOTE: Attendance is limited to Thaivisa members +1 (one guest) only. Due to the theme of the party and the layout of the venue, no children can be allowed.

I'm sure this topic has been up before but I just can't seem to find it. I'm looking for someone who can do stickers, logotyped t-shirts and caps etc. I'm not looking for amateur shops the likes of which you find in Big C etc., but someone who can produce on a larger scale. It would be nice if I had to use only one shop/company for all my needs so if you know of any please let me know.

Cheers

Try this one:-

The Big Banner Company Ltd.

Eastern Seaboard Business Center

6/28 Moo 9, Sukhumvit Rd.

Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi

20250, Thailand

Phone (English) +66 (0)899 364 800

Pilot Blamed For Indonesian Crash

JAKARTA (UPI) — The pilot of a Garuda Indonesia Boeing 737 had been given 15 warnings not to land before his plane crash landed in Indonesia, killing 21 people, a report said.

The finding by Indonesias national transport safety committee relate to the March 7 incident in which the jet, flying into Yogyakarta from Jakarta with 140 aboard, slammed hard on the runway, the Antara news agency reported.

The plane then plowed into fields and caught fire. The crew and remaining passengers escaped through the emergency exits.

The findings said the pilot, despite the 15 warnings from the Ground Proximity Warning System, landed the plane even though the jet was traveling atan excessive airspeed and steep flight path angle

The plane also used an instrument landing system approach without informing ground control, which had cleared it for a visual approach.

The pilot in command descended steeply in an attempt to reach the runway, but in doing so, the airspeed increased excessively," the report said, noting that the pilot did not hear or disregarded the warnings.

IMEDINEWS

October 22 2007

So does this mean that fining them will make the problem worse?

In the real world the police would have to prove that they are prostituting themselves in order to arrest them. How do they justify picking up girls standing around looking pretty.

Well they are hardly there sunning themselves in the early hours of the morning are they?

Loitering with intent to commit prostitution would cover it.

It's a good thing you're not a law maker.

Loitering in the early morning hours is what people do in Pattaya. It's a loitering kind of place.

Sometimes my GF sits on the benches along the beach with me in the early hours. I suppose they would probably take her away too in a sting. Would I have to prove at the police station that she is my GF?

With all due respect there is a slight difference between 48 women lurking on the beach for the purposes of prostitution and you sitting on a bench with your girlfriend.

So does this mean that fining them will make the problem worse?

In the real world the police would have to prove that they are prostituting themselves in order to arrest them. How do they justify picking up girls standing around looking pretty.

Well they are hardly there sunning themselves in the early hours of the morning are they?

Loitering with intent to commit prostitution would cover it.

There is a thread already running and being updated by the moderators in the main news section concerning the manhunt and capture of the alleged offender together with any news deemed relevant to the event. A flaming post has been deleted.

Yes brit a great form of transport...been using them for over 20 years without a single problem

The Mosquito which causes Dengue Fever is the Aedes Mosquito...some details below: note the stripes on the legs.

Fast facts about the mosquito

Only the female aedes mosquito bites as it needs the protein in blood to develop its eggs.

The mosquito becomes infective approximately 7 days after it has bitten a person carrying the virus. This is the extrinsic incubation period, during which time the virus replicates in the mosquito and reaches the salivary glands.

Peak biting is at dawn and dusk.

The average lifespan of an Aedes mosquito in Nature is 2 weeks

The mosquito can lay eggs about 3 times in its lifetime, and about 100 eggs are produced each time.

The eggs can lie dormant in dry conditions for up to about 9 months, after which they can hatch if exposed to favourable conditions, i.e. water and food

After many years in SE Asia "dating" 100's of the best looking women in the world, I know I would find it almost impossible to settle down in a relationship with just one woman for the rest of my life.

I've had truly wonderful gf's, almost perfect, well educated, good looking etc etc, but after a year or less I'm out there looking again. (in between this, there are also many, many one nighters, most paid, some not)

Is there hope for me to mend my ways and become "normal" again?

I don't mean normal in the western world sense, like grovelling after overweight, solemn women at discos, but as in sticking with one women and building a solid relationship.

Seems a bit strange after your post a couple of months ago

Here

Is there hope for me to mend my ways and become "normal" again?

you're normal for you , there's nothing to mend.

if you were tired of your promiscuity then you would have stopped it.

either the right woman will come into your life at the right time or she wont.

these things never happen when you are actively seeking them

taking yourself away from places where there is a high availability of willing women might help.

a spell in scunthorpe or possibly riyadh might concentrate the mind a bit.