Old Croc

I think the examples in the press are in the hundreds now. They're even parading drunk drivers now. I wasn't denying the publicity has intensified making the problem more visible, and causing some hysteria, but I also believe the relaxed entry rules for some, has had a detrimental effect, as stated. I believe much of the current conversation started with the Chinese mafia before the idiot Swiss put his foot in it. Chinese mafia footprint in Thailand raises questions - Thailand Business News (thailand-business-news.com).

It's the BKK to Southern Provinces route, which would include traffic to neighboring countries. There are at least 18 passenger trains a day, according to the schedule. Presumably a lot of freight also

I think there has been an increase in crime by visitors, not just appearing that way because of heightened publicity. Mass tourism will always result in a few individual idiots and criminals doing their thing, but IMO, the reason for this increase directly relates to expanded government policy allowing visa free entry specifically to people from countries like China, Russia and Kazakhstan. Countries that have evolved with different cultural behaviors relating to law and criminality. Chinese mafia and gangs have introduced large scale money laundering, counterfeit goods and crypto, gambling and more. The Russian war resulted in large communities suddenly springing up in many regions resulting in increases in illegal workers to cater to them. Kazakhstan is known to have a huge crime problem. For me, Government policy is causing much of the crisis they are complaining about.

Agree about RIP, missed your show of respect. Noted your attack on other posters.

I recall a murder some years ago when the conductor (I think) raped a young girl and threw her from the train to her death.

Is that because my comment was about the country where most of us live, where this forum originates, and the death occurred. You found my use of the word "only" upset your sensibilities and needed to be called out. Would it set your world back in balance if I admitted people elsewhere may also be able to sleep near passing trains?

And yet your priority was to attack others, and censure the victim for not avoiding his fate, without managing so much as a RIP.

No more than about 18 times.

Perhaps only a Thai could sleep under the platform a few feet from passing trains.

Phuket has a newish, fairly substantial, regional prison. I don't know the policy on housing westerners, but this may be his future home.

I react the same way. When the wife's relations invade, the shoes scattered haphazardly in front of my own door can be infuriating for a wheelchair user as I get bogged down in all the plastic and rubber. We have a shoe rack nearby which I think they regard as decorative only. I consider shoes off to be fair and reasonable for a dwelling, but not for a pure retail outlet. The onus in keeping the floors clean is part of operating a business. Using other peoples feet or socks to assist is not reasonable.

There's no need to capitalize the first 2 letters in Parkinsons. My failing eyesight and arthritic fingers mean my posts are riddled with blue lines before I edit. 😁

Do all you barefoot shopping advocates leave your flip flops in the street outside a Central or Lotus's mall before entering?

I'm not sure what a Kiwie is, but if you meant Kiwi the post you quoted mentioned New Zealanders.

To me the most likely problem was an eating disorder. I noticed in pics some time ago she was looking a bit like a stick figure. I see Chomper suggested this early in the thread.

Both good places to drive through when going elsewhere. I've spent little time in them, and I was recounting my experience. But you have a point, some Muslim communities have local roots going back hundreds of years. (When quoting please don't alter the tone of my post by highlighting one line to emphasize it beyond my major points)

A couple of things: Phuket is an Island that attracts a massive number of tourists from all over the planet. About the same size as Singapore, it is always listed in the top 20 most visited places in the world. Pre-covid 9m visited in a year. This translates to overcrowding, clogged roads and an influx of all types of humanity, many of the worst kind. Criminals gather where the easy money is The government's love affair, and open armed welcome, for citizens from various despotic countries means that many who come have different moral values than many Thais. Local govt incompetency in planning and implementing solutions, add to the overcrowding. In 10 years living there I met very few born and bred Phukeians. Most of the "locals" come from all over the country because of the available and lucrative work opportunities. Many Thais from any Province have a low tolerance for boorish behavior by visitors when the money stops flowing.

This post should be pinned! Pure gold opinion of personal likes! A follow-up thread could be "Rex Rates Africa". See who rexpotter prefers in the dark continent!

I've had a gun held to my temple. I Immediately (deleted) myself, grabbed the barrel, pushed it away and started apologizing profusely as I backed away. The prick thought he had had a major win, but I later got to see him carried away by his extremities by 4 policeman.

OMG, got me! I guess that one news story was the end of the matter. Phuket Pub Killing: Policeman Surrenders, Says Bullet Wasn't Intended for Woman's Head - Phuket Wan I hadn't posted this follow up because quoting the source was against forum rules. It's long defunct and possibly no longer such.

Yes, the amount of Kiwi rubbish being returned to sender far exceeds what would be expected from a country with such a sparce population.

Phuket police have been known to be trigger happy on many occasions. Some years ago, a Policeman on his way to work gunned down a woman walking on the sidewalk near the circle. Phuket woman gunned down in Chalong | Thaiger (thethaiger.com) In another case a woman was killed by her Police boyfriend while sitting at a table in Patong. Young woman shot 'accidentally' by Phuket policeman - Phuket News - Thailand News, Travel & Forum - ASEAN NOW

The full interaction apparently was not filmed, and the complete story may never be known, but on the surface, we have tourists running from a traffic stop, fighting with a police officer and disarming him. If that's all that gets to court, they're in deep <deleted>. Many of us who have lived there are very aware of the notorious reputation of the Chalong Police. They have been running revenue raising traffic blocks at the circle for a long time. (Their station is adjacent) I won't mention any other dealings they have been rumored to be a part of. Interestingly, another Kiwi with connections to the Chalong Police was in the news a few years back, Apparently, he wasn't good at sharing. Former Phuket Tourist Police Volunteer Garry Halpin Sentenced To 9 Years For Drug Dealing - CTN NEWS (chiangraitimes.com)

Thaksin was never a physical criminal. All his various crimes from ordering extrajudicial killings, fraudulent financial dealings, stock manipulation up to and including election rigging were accomplished by a stroke of his pen, not his own hand. To claim he was not convicted by writing something is just faux-naïf. Thaksin Shinawatra - Wikipedia

"American 19, Appointment made with father’s consent" Parental permission needed to interview a 19yo alleged criminal? Does Thailand have bestiality laws, or will he be prosecuted under animal cruelty?