outsider

I think the intention is to manage the money to ensure it does end up in where you and I don't think it should be. To me, it is just them seeing an increase in tourists, and thinking how to squeeze more money from them, with nary a thought on how to use those funds to 'improve' tourism and infrastructure or anything beneficial, for that matter.

Not a day goes by without the idiots singling out foreigners for whatever reasons, or trying to fleece them. Just. Can't. Fix. Stupid.

I like this PM. First time a PM has ordered a crackdown on people that includes himself. R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

BiB - Bell-ends in Brown. Enough said.

Utter BS by dumb authorities - again. What about returning Thais who travelled abroad? Not a day goes by without some brainless idiots trying to find something to target foreigners.

As a regular traveller to Malaysia, their airport-to-city express rail link is simply superb. It's a non-stop express service from airport to their rail hub (yes it is a REAL hub). Thailand's 'airport rail link' started with a commuter and express service, the latter which no longer exists. Let me put it this way - even when it was operating, Thailand's express link is nothing compared to what Malaysia has. Where is that face-saving pride (and making things work better) when you need it?

Not saying all LBs are angels. Just saying they don't physically attack people for no reasons. Them relieving unsuspecting tourists of cash and valuables is rampant, this I know.

Finally! Someone with a pertinent question. I've been to Patong a few times and I am pretty sure the LBs there don't attack people for no reason. At worst they will just physically (and suggestively) accost you and if you ignore, refuse politely or just walk away, nothing will happen. This guy must've said or done something to piss the LB off in a big way. The Instagram clip is typical media sensationalism without telling the whole story.

Many 'headline readers' in here. Mostly their aim is to get a comment in first, without regard for accuracy or context.

Let me help with the inaccuracy... "Over the past two decades, we had governments that saw opportunities and seized scammed them." ... LoS is a hub for at least one thing - xenophobia, scamming and, exploiting/abusing foreigners. Sorry that was three things. LoS - Land of Sniggers, Land of Scams... take your pick.

Reverse the sequence - stand on red chair, put red t-shirt over head, secure noose around neck, secure hands at the back with cable tie (this could be a bit of a challenge but if the lead is long enough, it's still doable), kick away chair and snap! Not suggesting this is what happened, just saying it is possible. It could be a suicide, or murder made to look like a suicide.

Not exactly 'objective reporting' eh. Journalistic ethics/etiquette - what's that On a separate note, I'd love to see what the Shinawatras would do to the 'lying sack of crap cum crybaby general dictator' once the (Shinawatra) family is properly reunited.

'Bad foreigners', to borrow Thai authorities' favourite term as well as scapegoat, may cause some problems for some tourists (and locals!) but they are not the single cause of low tourist arrivals and everything that's wrong with the tourism industry. They need to be removed, of course, but stop blaming them for everything. Start by looking at the mirror first, useless brainless muppets.

Doesn't matter what the polls say or what Thais really want for their country. As long as the stubborn, greedy, sneaky and short-sighted pre-historic gits continue to conspire and rig elections, nothing's going to change. I guess the next-gen will have to wait until these dinosaurs die off (figuratively or otherwise!) before they get the chance to 'repair' the country.

Every time I see/read TAT, I see in my mind a circus with not very good clowns.