Phuketboy

Tourist numbers are definitely not up in Phuket. Yes bars are extremely quiet but so are the shops and restaurants. There are some people about (about a 10th of what use to be about this time of year) but are the Chinese who do the tours, but then cook in the room and don't really spend money out. I was at Big C Jungceylon yesterday doing my groceries. Lots of Chinese doing the same.

Bangkok was extremely quiet around Christmas time, but haven't been back since, so can't comment about what it's like at the moment.

Tourist numbers are down by a long shot and it will get worse as it's only the start of low season.

Thailand must have the world's highest number of deaths related to falling from balconies.

As for the beaches being dirty with litter….. I have said it once, (even sent an email to the governor) and I will say it again. If you want clean beaches, supply rubbish bins so that people can dispose of their waste properly. There are no rubbish bins anywhere, so people simply leave it there. It's not rocket science, although it may be above some people's (governor's) capacity to see this.

When will the Government take responsibility for this carnage? It's is because of their lack of road safety, lack of enforcement, and giving licences to people who have had no experience that is the main cause. A lot of people on the roads don't even have a licence. When they drive it's simply accelerator, brake and if that fails or something happens, they have no idea on how to correct or avoid a collision. Then there is unnecessary over taking just to be in front, speeding, not stopping for pedestrians on crossings (even though they have to by law), driving on the wrong side of the road, cutting corners and even running red lights. I think it's safe to say they cannot drive and have no idea about correct driving or road safety. The government need to make it harder to get licences and make sure that the road rules are fully enforced.

He said security forces are closely monitoring the group

Really? Why not just arrest them, or is just another announcement out the behind.

Agree, but arrest them? Terrorist groups whether domestic or inter national should be shot on sight.

More lies and bullshit. Yes the planes are full but nobody is spending money, just need to look at local businesses and how quiet they are to work that one out. The only tourists that are coming here are useless tight <deleted> that don't help anyone out. They may as well just stay home.

There should be a story about all the foreigners getting ripped of by landlords taking "key money" after fake promises, contracts, building plans and fake sold signs being put up to look like everything is selling (Fraud). But that will never happen.

It sounds like Consul offices and Honorary Consul closures are across the country. The other week The Australian Honorary Consul in Phuket finished, someone posted the Australian Consul Office in Chiang Mai closed, another said the UK office in Pattaya closed and now the UK office in Chiang Mai as well. Does anyone know of any others? With everything going on in Thailand to indicate they don't want tourists/expats coming here anymore, is this just another move to make it harder and remove support?

Have always gone to the partners village for Songkran (many years) and it has always been good. The local buddha temple puts on a fantastic concert at night, no trouble, just the village people having a good time. This will be the first year we have ever stayed in Patong and I'm already thinking is this a bad decision. Anyone been here during this time and what should we expect?

Never had this problem since my partner of 3 years and her family have never asked me for money. I provide for her and our daughter and that's it.

If they are targeting coloured people then they should be targeting everyone as we are all coloured. Some white, some black, some brown. As for their reasoning being complaints about deceiving Thai women. How many complaints would they receive about Thai women deceiving foreigners? Someone mentioned the racist card, well I am not racist at all, I have a beautiful Thai partner and a Thai daughter. However, we all know that Thai men don't really like us because we come here and do what they can't, open businesses, use our brains, get the girls they can't, buy houses, nice cars and the list goes on.

You could bring in 10 million Chinese tourists and businesses would still be struggling cause as said many times, Chinese do not spend money. But it is no good trying to explain this to TAT or anyone else because you can't explain logic to stupid people who don't listen. Last year TAT sent out a campaign to try and attract more tourists. This campaign was not seen in Europe, America, Australia, New Zealand or anywhere other than China. If they want more people to come here and spend money, they need to target these countries. The government and TAT need to work with airlines to offer holiday packages, cheap airfares etc to entice people to come. Bali do it, cheap $100 airfares from Sydney/Melbourne, so this year many have gone there as they have many years before. The only people who can drive a campaign like this is both government and TAT but why haven't they?

A strong baht is great news. It means the more money I send home the more money I make. Anyone with Thai business that imports from overseas would be loving it right now as well, because it means the products are cheaper. Why would any country want to trash their own currency to make it weaker against another? The only people it affects are tourists, those bringing money in, or those exporting and exports slow down. But for those doing the opposite, it is heaven right now. Always good to have a backup business in another country, such as your home country, so when currencies move you are covered either way. Do you think the US would want to weaken the dollar if it were strong against the baht? Simple answer is no, so why should Thailand weaken the baht. Get on board people.

I transfer from both ANZ and St George banks in Australia to Bangkok Bank here regularly using BKKBTHBK. No problems at all and have never been asked for anything else. The same when I transfer from the UK and from Hong Kong to Bangkok Bank. It sounds like it depends on what bank you are transferring from rather than the bank you are transferring to that requires different things.

The French Africans and French Arabs we are seeing around Phuket are a constant menace. All riding around on there big scooters (that they have no skill in riding), beeping their horns, driving erratically nearly cause accidents. Now to add to the list we have card skimming. It was only on Monday that I had 3 people at 3 different times complain about these groups, their reckless behaviour and lack of respect for anyone else. Not sure how they are staying here because none seem to work, but they need to be turned around at the border or at the airport, nobody wants them here.

Everyone knows who owns the casinos. The problem is, we can't even talk, so how are the police suppose to arrest?

You will find that once people realise that it's not the same for those coming to Thailand to work as it is for Thais going to neighbouring countries, the complaints will start and that will be another embarrassing blow for Thailand. The rules need to be the same. If a Thai can go to Malaysia, Vietnam or Phillipines for example and free to work the same should be for those coming here. It won't be and and this will lead to tensions between countries, probably with the end result being Thailand kicked out because it can't offer anything to AEC. A shame really, because if done right, it would boost Thailand 10 fold.

I don't think they will need to worry because it's just not happening. If they continue like they are the only people walking around here will be the families that are originally from here. No tourists will come = businesses will close = less tourists come etc etc and the Thai's that are currently here for work will have gone home because no tourists and no businesses = no work.

Want to save tourism? Then put your hands in your pockets, close your mouths and open your ears. Listen for a change to advice and what people want and then implement that. However, we all know this will never happen in Thailand so the tourism industry is doomed.

All these negative comments, all from people who know nothing about this guy at all..

He is charged with an offence, that's a long way from being convicted of it. He's innocent until found guilty remember.

You don't usually get to be Pres of a motorcycle club without being an exceptional man.

Of course, this man and other biker gangs live by a code of values that is alien to 99% of Thai Visa posters.

Best advice, if you don't know what you are talking about or have nothing constructive to add... just keep quiet.

You really don't know who's who or anything about half the people in the forum. How do you know people don't know him or anything about him? I do know this guy, I even knew him before he joined the club. Are you a member of any clubs or just a supporter? I employ a number of members (very good friends) of clubs in my construction business back home and my brother is a senior member in the Mongols. I'm not going into too much detail. I respect your stand and agree with what you are trying to say and do, but some people here do know what they are talking about.

How did they identify him at the airport?

Gazzpa,

If the Police put at 'travel alert' on him (which they would have) then as soon as his passport is scanned at the first Australian Check point after arrival then all the bells and whistles would of been activated and both AFP and QLDPS would of been immediately notified and the AFP are at the airport24/7.

It's also possible that they knew he was aboard the incoming flight.

They know who is travelling on every flight. Even little things like travelling to the same destination frequently will get them watching. Before moving to Thailand, I was coming here every month or 2. When returning home I would often get stopped by security before even getting my luggage and asked if I had anything. They even approached me using my name. I'd continue to customs where they would always search my luggage and ask me a series of questions. It was at this time the immigration officer at customs told me that because I fly to Thailand frequently, my name was flagged on the flight. It's wasn't that I had done anything wrong but just a safety precaution. Best part was that I got to know the officers well.

A bit late reporting this. I saw the article last week, if you have a look at the date it was published on Feb 11. Nothing like being first in news and keeping things up to date hey hahahahahahahaha.

The word from a Phuket Airport immigration officer today says different. According to him, tourist numbers are 30% down on this time last year.

Hahaha they have no idea. No fingerprints…well better start checking all the Soi dogs, I heard they are getting street smart these days LOL. Incompetent work once again, no clues, no evidence that's traceable, nothing except the voices in their head saying it must be foreigners cause no Thai would ever do this.