outsider

The driver has a reluctant look on his face, as if saying "Damn... I am so not happy to be giving the money back."

Jokes aside, we all know there will still be good apples in a basket of rotten ones. They just need to be singled out, recognised, commended and rewarded for their efforts. Good one, K. Surashort.

Finally!!! It's been a while. Can't remember when the last hub story was. Getting withdrawal symptoms already.

Thailand has the potential for being many nice things..... a shopping paradise, medical tourism, etc etc. Unfortunately, the visitors die too often and their 30% markup on imports are keeping people away.

So are the scams.

There's a reason why "the number of passengers using the service has consistently been low", Bozo. It's because the system doesn't work.

Seriously...

And if Indonesia gets its act together, it will be the new automotive hub in SEA. Time Thailand stopped sitting on its laurels, grow up and do something affirmative and sustailable.

First get rid of those pesky taxi roaches who refuse fares. My friend visited BKK recently. Stayed at the Kempinski. For a week. She paid for it herself. It was her holiday. Spent the week here shopping and dining. Cheap roadside stalls, expensive restaurants, the works. Bought things at tag value, no bargaining. I believe that qualifies as a 'quality tourist' in TAT's books? She tried to get a taxi from her hotel to Lang Suan. At 2300 hrs, so no traffic jam. The basterd pulled up, turned on the meter, my friend got in, and as he drove off, switched off the meter and said the meter was broken and that the trip would normally cost THB500. She got down. The next taxi that came up the driveway simply refused to go.

AND YOU WANT QUALITY TOURISTS, THAILAND???

This taxi problem is only one of the few problems that are giving you guys all the negative press. Even if you do get 'quality tourists', they will not be spending 'quality money' the way you wished they would, because they would see the scams and insincereity beyond the fake smiles and wais, and will then decide that Thailand is a good and cheap place for a few laughs, and then some, but that's it. It won't be seen as a 'serious' destinationan and therefore, 'serious' money won't be spent.

Grow up, stop demanding as if the world owed you everything and try to give something back for a start. A bunch of bumbling idiots, you lot.

I hope the DNA is taken professionally, by professionals and witnessed by the British officers who I believe are still here in Thailand. There should be no ambiguity, no possibility of a swap, no reasons to suspect that the DNA sample is from anyone (or anything) else other than Nomsod. If he is innocent, let it be proven beyond reasonable doubt. Or am I daydreaming here?

As for the 'damaged reputation', you brought it upon yourself. You should have volunteered to submit your DNA the moment there was even a hint of suspicion that you were involved in any way, instead of waffling about while your dad flexed those 'influential muscle' of his. Deal with it. Face is like respect. You earn it. Not buy or demand for it.

Islam is a religion of peace...

Let them all go, whether it's to fight or marry a fighter. Just don't let them return.

This was subject of news today in Australia and apparently it is a violation of human rights if a woman is prevented from marrying who she wishes and going to join him wherever he maybe. They also say it is a violation of human rights to stop anyone from travelling to any place ISIS maybe. It is also claimed to be a violation human rights if countries prevent them from returning home. I think Human Rights clubs need to stop being so politically correct and wake up and smell the roses.

Smell the blood ya mean? I'm all for protecting the rights of humans. I mean real humans. Not IS/ISIL/ISIS sub-species. You can put rapists-cum-murderers in that category too, I guess.

I hope they find it... and soon! But I wouldn't be so optimistic on record so early on, Mr. Minister.

Ok, they solved the case. Yes, yes, yes... the couple were not connected people, didn't have powerful backing blah blah blah... I get that. But credit where credit is due, they did it and that's that.

In two months?

Who said Thailand is a case of 'right hand not talking to the left hand'??? Here they're going hand-in-hand!

I'm sorry but I don't feel particularly sympathetic here. Try harder next time? With sincere and honest efforts and serious proofpoints to show?

If you people were sincerely nice and not turn into a pile of scums once you're done with the smile and 'wai', you may no need to do these 'image restoration' exercises at all. You put the 'farangs' on the spot for everything, and then when tourist arrivals drop, you turn around and tell people how much you like 'farangs'. It's the same as the 'I Love Farangs' taxi stickers in BKK. Completely tasteless!

I know many people here, including myself, have said this many times. And I won't apologise for saying it again - what has changed, apart from the disappearance of some street vendors and reclaiming (albeit temporarilty) some beach-front real estate?

This is yet another case of 'the law is for everyone, while we have a different set of laws'. How is this different from the previous administrations? Ok some of you will reply and say that at least the previous administrations were 'democratically' appointed. Ok, I'll give you that - not about to launch into a debate on that particular issue. Be that as it may, and despite the blue-sky-and-everything-nice promises and the teary-eyed-vows to reunite the country and make it a happy one again, what has changed?

I wonder how many Taxi drivers refuse fares in BKK and how much potential baht they fail to make. I know that in BKK on many occasion if you don't have exact change they will gladly withhold it. I understand they may not make so much money but you cannot only blame it on the low fares. The drivers must accept some of the responsibility.

We were driving in and around central BKK today. Wifey was driving so I was free to observe. I noticed several taxis stop, blocking traffic, and then refuse to take the people. All the customers were Thai.

This was around Siam. Cenrtal World, Platinum and Wireless Road at different times of the day.

Last week four refused me and two refused Mrs. BB.

It's getting worse than I ever seen it.

+1 re the part about it getting worse. It seems to be deteriorating BY THE DAY! I remember the problem wasn't so bad and that was just what... two to three years ago? I used to tell people that being refused is an exception, but it's becoming the norm now. How the hell are they supposed to make money when they refuse fares? Once, a taxi refused to take me from Suk-11 (yup, ground zero for these idiots, in my book)... then he drove into and sat in a traffic jam on Sukhumvit road. And all I wanted to do was go to Suk 24!!! Now if he had taken me, wouldn't he at least earn some bahts while burning precious fuel sitting in the traffic? I am realy, honestly curious about the reason behind this strange phenomenon particularly on Suk-11. Anyone here has some insights?

Thailand. Human rights.

Will there be a centre on Koh Tao?

74 percent of the tourists did not doubt the investigation into the murders... really.

"I am committed to do good things and create understanding with people and am determined to solve problems."

When will that start, General Sir?

Ah... but it's safe to breathe hydrogen sulfite.

Thailand wants this, Thailand wants that.

What sort of 'authority' is this? Taking a reading to confirm there exists harmful gases, but does nothing to solve the situation i.e. shut the place down and get the problem fixed? And people blame the lot here for being cynical and bash LOS at every opportunity.