peter48

To lose your daughter in these tragic circumstances demands sympathy, empathy and support. Clearly the roots of this are criminals who sell harmful dangerousl drugs. Tourists need protecting wherever they are in Thailand & these deeply sad stories need police investigations, local solutions not finger pointing. I hope the mother can help stop these serious problems somehow.

Yes but I think we can infer that a significant drop off in exports to USA will affect Thai economy,factories,jobs, incomes. Or perhaps I am wrong and I have missed something.

Am I missing something but not a single reference to Trump imposing some of the highest tariffs on Thailand? In most countries even with lower tariffs this is the hot topic.

Covid hits the elderly far more seriously than others. Brits over 75 have had a Spring booster earlier this year. It seems down to so many factors like your immunity, respiratory system, possibly weight, vitamin D etc., But one thing for sure its serious. Never forget it was under Trump ( 1,219,487 to date) and Johnson ( up to 230,000 deaths) that some of the highest deaths figures globally were recorded because they were late to take it seriously. India and Peru and Mexico too. Generally what happens is that at its height the hospitals never have enough intensive care facilities ( that's why Germany came out far better) . Advanced Covid more or less 'drowns the lungs' in the most worst cases. How come? Fluid builds up in the lungs Airflow is restricted The person can't get enough oxygen

Just down from Hua Hin and in Hua Hin there is lot of infrastructure appearing over last 2 years or so such as the new Railway now overhead, better and newer roads, further down big changes on the coast side, brand new dual carriageways taking you quickly to places like Pran Buri, Sam Roi Yot coastine, and lovely little quiet country park beeches like Samphraya beach and then further down to beaches close to Prachup Khirikhan. Brand new fast roads - impressive. You can avoid the very busy main road going southwards

I think your correct on that, noticed this year service can be variable with some restaurant lady staff looking quite miserable at times ( by know means all). Of course the best places are where you are made to feel welcome, plenty of smiles, attentive bright staff, food suggestions, reasonable English, and those are the busier places, making more money, where visitors will return.

But there are loads of places to go in Thailand where what you describe is not true, loads of gorgeous beaches, loads of historic places, family places, student places, walking areas, country parks, sea sport places ….maybe you just go where there are lady bars no problem with that, but don't assume all lovely Thailand is like mad Phuket or the wild west of Pattaya

I guess compared to UK/Europe not as expensive but that's just 2 Thai drinks with an early night. But I think if you are not on some 2 week splurge yes prices in Thailand have crept up after all its not a first world country. If your here for longer several weeks or month or so etc its noticeable and taxi trips in and around at 200 baht for 1 short trip.

Not sure on that, kids or students on gap year are not the poor of Europe. Generally middle class kids before or after university from wealthier parts of UK or Europe and whose parents can afford for their off spring to travel for some months often not just Thailand but Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia which as we know are cheaper and reportedly some say friendly too.

In the earlier 2000s Farang / Europeans/ Aussies flocked to Thailand because you got for example 55 baht to £. Now its too expensive often in tourist places well over 550+ baht for just two drinks and a basic meal for two. You can be charged 100 baht for a Leo in some bars. Decrease the Baht's value and tourists would flock back. Even now as Trump threatens the Thai economy and Thai exports with massive tariffs on its goods exported to USA ( where poor Trump voters will pay a lot more for everything imported) we only get circa 43 baht to £, lower rates at most Thai ATMs and ATM charge on Tourists every time is 230 baht ( circa £5.30)

Come on any of us can have an accident. As we age we are more careful but we may slip, fall or stumble. Our senses are less astute, our eyesight less focused, hearing too. Insurance companies need charge more for Thailand visits like US. Sorry that's reality. All age groups too. Would UK hospitals charge so much for our visitors from SE Asia. Are Thai hospitals over charging ? It's time UK authorities and Thai authorities sorted out these huge bills. Holiday insurance is all about things like accidents. Journalists should follow up the Holiday Insurance companies abandoning tourists in LOS

Lads are lads but this is sad. Be interested to know which insurance company this is. Often things happen to any age group. Motor insurance will cover our mistakes when driving surely. Accidents happen. It's time these holiday insurance companies are exposed and must surely know if customers go to Thailand you could face big bills. Something seems not correct with his insurance company.

They are not in a worst position. UK has more inequality in the regions than most of EU. Our economy has declined most of G7 as measured by exports. Labour is struggling to increase growth but deep damage has been done by Tories 14 yrs to our public sector, our infrastructure, healthcare, transport, universities , technology etc . 9 months ago Tories were sent back to 1830 in MP numbers - its that bad.

You forget after 14 yrs of Tory government and the self harm of Brexit which has hit the UK economy very hard...Brits have less money. We became by 2023 the 2nd most unequal country in Europe. Its like Thailand gets more prosperous Scandi , German, Austrian, Australian visitors than poor Brits.

Goodness me you're likely just talking about 'the wild west' - just Pattaya & parts of Phuket where actually most Farang dont go especially families, gap year students, over 35s, the better off, discerning seniors. Yes we may have all tried Pattaya in our hard drinking 20s/30s etc but really the rest of Thailand has masses of lovely beaches, scenery or calmer urban places