outsider

Any country that wants to have a robust tourism economy has to welcome tourists. Therefore, removing the visa-free policy isn't the answer. Furthermore, Thailand is still fascinating as well as relatively inexpensive and this attracts all sorts. The only way to drill the 'you are welcome as long as you follow our laws and respect local culture' message is enforcement. Swift and strict enforcement, without exception. For example, idiots like this should be arrested, fined and deported - immediately. Subsequent batches will be more well-behaved, once the message goes out that you really can't literally 'do as you please without consequences' in Thailand. But, we all know what 'enforcement' is like in Thailand. It's non-existent, except in high-profile cases and those meted out by Soi-6 security chaps. So until the authorities wake up and start doing something FOR THEIR OWN COUNTRY, local folks as well as decent tourists will have to bear the brunt of this crap.

I don't, for precisely this reason. It's not how many times I've taken it, it's that ONE time when something happens. Anyway, it's just a matter of choice. To each his/her own, right? Safe travels mate - whatever mode of transport we choose.

The inter-provincial and tour buses in Thailand are death traps. Period. Avoid at all costs.

The purpose of the whole article was in the last sentence Sarcasm aside, I guess they do deserve the thumbs-up.

This is wrong. 'Moral standing' should never be in the same sentence as 'Shinawatra' or anything related to this 'clan'.

While the audit administration building was certainly 'under construction', the Ghost Tower isn't exactly completed so technically (and arguably), both are still 'under construction'. The latter has been exposed to the elements for decades, which should've weakened it, but it is still standing tall and erect against the test of time and mother nature (literally). Also, since the Ghost Tower was nearer to completion, its structure would've had to bear more weight than the audit administration building which doesn't have the weights of claddings and finishings added to it yet. So while the derelict continued standing even without care or maintenance, a spanking new building that was supposed to be built using more modern techniques, materials and technologies collapsed like a house of cards. Oh, and as one poster here mentioned, it's just one of the many tall buildings in BKK that did not collapse. 'The Chinese didn't build the Ghost Tower' is the simple answer, but I think the issue runs deeper than that and the corruption that surrounds the development and construction of the collapsed mess.

Months to investigate? For people to forget, more like. Reeks of a cover-up. The 23rd (or 24th, depending on which side of the divide one is on) Chinese 'province' has to tow the Party-line. Can't upset the mainland masters, right?

So is boxing.

I wouldn't bother with Malaysia, honestly. The only thing there that's better than Thailand is they do not have the alcohol prohibition hours. The intra-city rail network is comparable to BKK's too. Some say it's better, but it really depends on where you want to go. But last-mile connection is crap. At least you have the motorcys in BKK that can complete the last one km or so of your journey to your destination If you think taxis in BKK are bad, those in KUL are worse! At least in BKK the ones you flag down still use the meter. In KUL? Forget it. Also, most taxis in BKK use new Toyota Corollas. The ones in KUL are old, beat-up local cars that reek and the seat cushions have the thickness of zero. There are some that use newer cars and they double as Grab/Bolt rides, so these aren't too bad. Their non-halal (especially Chinese) food is good, but you'd need a local to take you to the good ones, else you'll end up in some tourist traps. In other words, it is not that easy to chance upon good food as you would in Thailand. The service attitude in Malaysia is also below par. There is a lack of 'service mind', for want of a better term. I know some of us have complained about deteriorating service levels here in BKK and Thailand, but it's still better than Malaysia/KUL. As for their tourist attractions, well there are a few, but upkeep and maintenance is again, below par, if any. There are some great locales, but are let down by poor maintenance and management. And my pet peeve - toilet manners. There's none. Their public toilets reek, and I'm talking about those at swanky shopping centres ala EmQuartier/Paragon. I travel there often, so I'm not simply bashing.

And again... 'influencers', 'youtubers' etc are all bywords for people with no real professional or life skills. Add 'tiktok star' to the list.

Yeah, not sure why he didn't do an online or even an over-the-counter bank-to-bank transfer. But I think you may be underestimating banks if you thought he was trying to hide his other acc. Once any banks log on to the central system, they will know all your other bank/credit card/loan/etc accounts, balance, transactions, credit history, spending - the works. Unless the other account is under an entirely different person's name and ID. You may be able to 'hide' the transaction by making physical withdrawals, but not hide your other bank accounts if they are under your name and ID.

'Authorities' and 'vigilance' in one sentence?

Maybe because it's assumed that most people are asleep from midnight onwards and not many people drink in the morning, except tourists maybe, while most people may start drinking during or after lunch, or have an early 'happy hours' hence making the 2-5 ban more obvious? Just guessing.

I'm with this Somchai 🍻

Only a single condo in the Nana area? For the record, these sort of 'troubling situations' happen in MANY areas and, dare I say, in most parts of the country. And it's not just limited to Thailand. MP Phanthira Nwamjerm - either you're a an ignorant muppet, or a xenophobic racist. I think you're both, with a lean towards the latter, I'd venture.

I follow a few portrait photography pages on FB. Sometimes the admins post portraits of really beautiful women. Instead of commenting on the photography or even the beauty of the women, one should read of the comments from this lot. 'Despicable' doesn't even begin to describe how small their brains are. Or course not all are bad. But there are enough to paint a rough picture. Enough said.

Good riddance. Good luck Japan.

Maybe Thailand kept them as bargaining chips with China, who knows? I read that this not-so-secret secret deportation took place after some high-level meetings between the two governments. Maybe this is Thailand cashing in their chips for some Chinese favour? Can they be this foul? I wouldn't put it beyond them, if I'm honest.

Agreed. As they say, you need a bully to deal with a bully. It's as simple as that.

By the way, the images and videos of people greeting and hugging the returning refugees could have been just a show. The CCP is perfectly capable of putting on a show like this, and it is nowhere near 'beyond them' to do so. For all we know, the people hugging them are actually CCP members telling the refugees to 'you're back, you won't be going anywhere so do yourself (and your family) a favour - shut up and do as you're told or face worse consequences'.

If it was all above-board, why didn't you make a pre-event announcement and clear the path for this 'exercise'? Tell the public the refugees want to go home, let the refugees speak, then send them off properly - not in taped-up buses under the cover of night. Why is there a need for secrecy (not that you lot can keep it well anyway!). The way you guys are clutching at straws now is just so amateurishly pathetic. Sought intervention from PM Puppet... 555555 This puppet wouldn't know where Xinjiang is if nobody pointed it out to her. So it seems PM Puppet's father isn't the real puppetmaster. It seems he's just an older puppet and the real master is Master Xi. A lot of Thais are outraged (and this time, rightly so) when people say Thailand is the 23rd Chinese province. I told them 'direct your anger at your government, because ultimately they are the ones who brought this insult and shame to your country'.

This is what I've heard from some people. Unverified and may just be hearsay, but somehow it sort of makes sense. China is practising a form of 'genocide' (don't know if there is a better term for what I am about to share). But instead of openly murdering people, they are sending hordes of Hans to mix with the Uyghurs in Xinjiang. The Hans are 'encouraged' to live with the Uyghurs, brainwash them to tow the CCP line and, ultimately marry and start a family with them. This way, it will dilute the Uyghurs' genes, culture, identity etc. to a point where Uyghurs will simply cease to exist in the future. Maybe this is why they want them back in China - they do not want even one to be spared of this 'conversion'. Maybe this is just another conspiracy theory, I don't know. Just sharing.

It boggles the mind doesn't it? Every time someone spills a bit of tea, everyone is 'outraged' and worried about how it will affect the 'clean' image of Thailand. And then they do this...

Why is there a need for a new law? Existing laws are enough already to 'restrict operating hours and bolster security requirements'. If you bumbling idiots bother to enforce them! Since you people don't, the new law is going to be just another piece of toilet paper. Or another avenue for you clowns to siphon more money.

Yes, surprised that the 'netizens' aren't 'outraged' like they usually are over everything.