mike2011

For the collection: His remarks on Pope Francis, his announced apology (rhetoric), and non-apology (reality):

Philippines' Duterte says no personal pope apology for 'whore' jibe

Philippines President Duterte offering bounties to public to kill criminals

Agence France-Presse

05 Jun 2016 at 08:27 ET

The Philippines’ president elect Rodrigo Duterte urged the public to join his anti-crime crackdown, offering people huge bounties for killing drug dealers.

His announcement late Saturday came as other officials began paying bounties for slain suspected criminals in an apparent attempt to ride on Duterte’s success.

Duterte won the presidential election last month, running on a platform of a ruthless anti-crime campaign.

After previously saying he would unleash the military and police on criminals, Duterte said the public could go after them as well.

“If they are there in your neighbourhood, feel free to call us, the police or do it yourself if you have the gun. You have my support,” he told his cheering followers.

“If he fights and fights to the death, you can kill him,” he said, adding: “I will give you a medal.”

He stressed that drug addicts could not be rehabilitated and warned, “if you are involved in drugs, I will kill you. You son of a whore, I will really kill you.”

Duterte reiterated that his anti-crime campaign would be “a bloody war,” as he offered money for slain drug lords.

“I will pay, for a drug lord: five million (pesos)($107,000) if he is dead. If he is alive, only 4.999 million,” he laughed.

Duterte, who takes office on June 30 and is the longtime mayor of the southern city of Davao, also offered smaller amounts for lower-ranked figures involved in the drug trade.

He did not say how a private citizen could identify suspects.

Duterte has previously been linked with vigilante “death squads” that have killed scores of people in Davao and has vowed to widen his campaign when he becomes president.

Others have followed his lead with the elected mayor of the central city of Cebu, Tomas Osmena, admitting he paid more than $3,000 to police officers for killing drug traffickers.

Duterte and other officials have previously brushed aside warnings from human rights groups about the dangers of such a policy.

According to the PNP (Philippines National Police) Davao IS (!) the murder capital of the Philippines. The killings go largely unreported - remember Duterte's demand for 'respect' from reporters? (Check some movies by Martin Scorsese for the definition of respect). Take a look here for a statement on reporters: http://edition.cnn.com/2016/05/31/asia/philippines-duterte-journalists/

The killings by the Davao Death Squad include wide areas including Tagum to the north and Digos to the South. The victims include street children and beggars.

As for the rhetoric argument. 12 days ago the shooting started. General Santos City is also a smoke-free city. The mayor is an ally of Duterte. There is no indication for an independent investigation. It seems the police report suffices. The implications are obvious, me thinks....

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines—Four drug suspects were killed when they traded shots with the police in General Santos City on Thursday evening, authorities said.

Superintendent Maximo Sebastian Jr., chief of the Regional Special Investigation Detection Team, said on Friday that policemen—backed by a search warrant—tried to enter the house of Banny Marohombsar in Barangay (village) Labangal around 9 p.m. but were met with gunfire.

He said the operating team returned fire and engaged Marohombsar and his companions in a shootout.

Marohombsar, Jasper Calapia Tondog, James Mercado and a certain “Pogi” were killed. Another suspect, identified as Tintin Tan, was arrested.

Recovered from Tan was a .45 caliber pistol. Several other guns and a still undetermined amount of illegal drugs were also recovered alongside the slain victims.

“He (Marohombsar) had been in our watch list for so long already,” Sebastian said. RAM/rga

This is from the Guardian, for the rest following the link:

The Philippines’ president elect, Rodrigo Duterte, has caused new outrage this week, for first seemingly threatening journalists with assassination and then catcalling GMA reporter Mariz Umali during a live broadcast press conference. While such behaviour is hardly out of character, his choice of target is telling. With an already weak and vulnerable free press, journalism arguably has not been as threatened as this (from the presidential palace, at least) since the Marcos dictatorship. Yet the press remains in thrall to the monster that – some outlets more than others – helped to create.

It has been a fairly standard week for Duterte who, since a landslide victory less than a month ago, has already taken aim at the Catholic church – warning them “Don’t <deleted> with me”. He has told the military to “shut up” about concerns they have about Duterte going beyond reconciliation with rebel communist groups and offered official positions in his administration to people accused of mass murder.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/03/rodrigo-duterte-philippines-nofilter-president-no-joke-journalists-women

This is on the free to shoot by ordinary citizens policy

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/05/kill-drug-dealers-medal-philippines-president-rodrigo-duterte

I was at that notorious Ban the (?) market near the backpacker ghetto and opposite the main municipal bus station. When I checked thoroughly the merchandise they quickly gave up. At one place I found the same shirts I usually buy in Phnom Penh (I pay USD 8 instead of the 12-15 asking price - I buy at least 4 at a time and I m a return customer). When they started asking USD 20+ I offered them to supply some shirts for 10-12 USD a piece. Too bad I had no camera out to take a photo of the lady's face. I told them I pay USD 8 in PP. That was the end of it. They go for tourists who do not know SEA and skin those. When they encounter an old street dog like me they back off without much argument.

The vendors are OK in comparison to PP and not really a big deal. Also the bag snatching etc is not that big a deal IMHO. Before I went last year I checked the online reports on those incidents. They seem to follow a pattern. All cases I found involved women only and mostly middle aged and not so middle anymore ladies. In short, people who wont fight back and resist. Moreover, the people appeared not too familiar with SEA. This does not excuse the crime of course. It just means that the likelihood of a robbery is uneven distributed across the tourist population.

Maybe it is time to have a thread monitoring Duterte, the incoming president of SEA's bottom.

So far he has announced that police will kill suspected drug dealers and others involved in the trade. Police officers are to stop drug dealing. Then he announced a purge of police generals suspected of drug dealing but remained so far due to lack of evidence. Finally, on Saturday he encouraged common people to arrest or kill criminals anyway. The latter statement is an open endorsement of death squads.

He also threatened journalists with death in case of disrespect (last week on Tuesday).

On top of that he has included a representative of the Ampatuan clan, who massacred 57 people in 2009, most of them women and journalists in his team.

Aside from that he has dismissed the UN and its human rights charter.

Insulted the pope as an sob and 'warned' the Catholic church not to 'f..k' with him.

His attitudes towards rape (positive if he can participate) and on women in general were well covered in the past 2 months.

In sum, he is hurriedly building up and extending informal authority and lethal structures. Attacking independent reporting on a national scale, following the model he used in his stronghold Davao. The latter place is according to official police reports the Philippines' murder capitol but the killings go unreported- or under-reported.

Due legal process appears to be progressively abandoned.

We watch the making of a new dictatorship.

So let's keep a record of this person and his cronies. To keep it informative, I suggest that people who do not believe in law and order, rule of law, human rights, a free press, equal rights for women etc. open a Duterte fan thread and leave this alone.

Perhaps we could focus on posting newspaper clipping like a recent Guardian article and quotes from the Phils press.

all this talk is pretty cheap. I m different... Just booked my ticket to SGN.... That's the best argument when discussing the place In a few weeks I have all the authoritative updates on Pho, sidewalks, bathrooms, those traffic hassles, smelly backpackers, British girls with big butts and boobs down to their knees etc.

I m surprised by the bad press here about touts and cheating. I visited in Dec/Jan and even in the ghettos it was easy to handle and IMHO much less a problem than in BKK (not to mention the Indian gentlemen in Pattaya).

I did not have any bad experience and people were helpful to an extent that surprised given the attitudes of some backpackers.

Also the remarks about the traffic dont sink in with me. I had to catch a train in the evening and had to pass across town for some distance. It was rush hour but nothing in comparison to BKK and the rate was good and no attempt at ripping off. Try that in pattaya without a bulletproof west or an RPG7 to back up your point of view on pricing.

Women also seemed more level headed than in Thailand. I m not talking about working girls. Ever spoken with a Thai lady about art? Never happened to me in xmany years. In Vietnam within a few days. The people are better educated than in Thailand on average at least.

Too bad there is no Vietnamese community in Thailand of any size like in Cambodia (Nonkhai, Nakhon Phanom etc. dont really help the central and southern areas).

Once Cambodia deports him and with the German embassy in PP being aware of his case, his troubles wont be over. Assuming, not knowing, that there is some substance to the accusations, the man will have his day in a German court as well. Such crimes committed by German citizens are due to be prosecuted in Germany no matter where the crime took place. After that he might spend his days in prison lining up for his daily raincoat handout as he will need it each and every night.

I have been to the border a few times. First time a visa run more than a decade ago after that I exited several times as I like visiting the northern area - Pusingh is, however, my favorite.

The chaos at the checkpoint beats Poipet with people running around and trying to do some business when they see a long nose.

I like the info becos this opens a speedy connection to Surin. I was aware of the PP-Osmach bus once a day but that's very limited and likely to be delayed and arriving at Osmach rather late in the day. Then leaving at an early hour for PP making it impossible to catch it when coming in from Surin. Not ideal. Plus I would anyhow stay in SR for a day or two. No need to break my lower back.

The visa guys wont be happy with me as I got an annual visa. No tea money coming along their way....

THANKS again this is really very helpful

thanks, that's excellent info. Any chance to get the details for the morning bus?

Pattaya to Aranyaprathet

I was at the bus station on Pattaya Nua and asked for the price and departure times for the yellow bus to Isaan (Mukdahan, Surin, Satuk).

Right now the price stands at 260 baht from Pattaya to Arayanprathet. Thus, there must have been a recent price increase.

There are three departures in the morning:

8 AM

9 AM

9 30 AM

According to the friendly lady it takes 5-6 hours to Aranyaprathet. Add another 15 minutes for the ride to the border by motorbike taxi or trike.

This means that the 8 AM departure would allow visa runners to catch the 3.45 bus to Chaosensao from the bus stop adjacent to the border check point as described above. If the bus is a bit faster than 6 hours additional shopping time on he Cambodian side is available.

it took me 1 hr to cross the border from Cambodia to Thailand due to the slow handling of the crowed by Thai authorities. It was a Saturday thus there might be more runners from BKK as these guys need to work during the week.

This is an alternative bus for BKK/Pattaya including the bus the Chaosensao.

The departs at Rongklua Market at 3.45 PM and from Aran bus station at 4 PM. The route runs via Sae Keow, Kabin Buri to Chaosensao. Arrival at Chaosensao around 7.15-7.30 PM.

From there it is easy to get a Van either to BKK or Chonburi.

The Chonburi van runs all the way to the new shopping mall (Robinson) south of Chonburi center. It stops under the pedestrian bridge. Here you can pick up a van going to pattaya.

Chaosensao to Pattaya Klang incl. change at Chonburi 8 PM to 9.30 PM

cost:

2nd class aircon bus Rongklua Market to Chaosensao 140 Baht

Van Chaosensao to Chonburi 40 baht

Van Chonburi to Pattaya 80 baht (probably over-charged)

NOTE:

a) At Kabinburi bus station were frequent good 1st class aircon buses running the route Korat - Rayong. These buses do not pass by Pattaya as they take the route via Baowin.

it is possible to connect to the Chaosensao bus or the 5.15 PM airport/ BKK ekkamai bus station bus from Phnom Penh. The Capitol bus leaves PP at 6.30 AM and arrives 2.30 PM at Poipet. Price 33000 riel/8.25 USD.

In poipet take a motorbike taxi to the border checkpoint: 4000/1 USD riel

On the Thai side make a right when walking out of the check point, pass the "Cross" cafe and walk of the defunct rail line, make a right and you see the buses. A lady sell the tickets at a small table. Lots of good street food options.

It is usually not necessary to take a bus from Aran unless the last Ronklua market bus has left. In that case, a 60 bath motorbike or 80 baht songtaew ride brings you to Aran bus station. According to the sales office there buses run almost hourly from 4 AM to 6 PM (BKK bound).

double post

This is relevant info for all traveling from PP or SR to Thailand via Poipet and who want to use a bus to Bangkok (Morchit or Ekkamai bus stations) or the new airport.

People going south the Pattaya/Rayong could change in Kabinburi and avoid going all the way to Ekkamai in BKK. Prices to BKK are 265-268 baht.

Note: The Mukdahan buses passing through Aran are not mentioned. Same holds true for the Chantaburi buses. So there are more departures and choices depending on your needs.

THis website details the departures from Aran bus station and those from the border market. The bus departs from the immediate proximity of the Thai immigration office. The website provides a detailed map.

https://12go.asia/en/travel/rong-klua-market/morchit?date=2015-04-24

If you take the airport train to Makasan and then the MRT to Kampang Pet you can get a taxi taking you to Morchit for 40 baht. I would not walk in the sun the distance much less with 25 kgs.

If you go to Isaan the airport bus terminal might have suitable connections for you.

Klause,

one quick suggestion, if you feel like running out of time: Instead of taking the MRT from Asoke to the main station take the MRT in the opposite direction to the terminus Ban Sue. This is also a train station on the line to old airport and it saves you a good half hour or more.

If you stay in Jomtien, take the airport bus and then take the shuttle to the old airport assuming you have a valid ticket for the same day.

A lot depends on your preferences. Is time an issue or do you prefer to spend more time and save money? Public transport is pretty good and you are your own boss.

i did some research on the mystery wooden benches. Here is the result: Of the two trains running between BKK and Aran one has a carriage with those historic seats which are the dream of all railway enthusiasts. The BKK train leaving early in the morning and returning at noon from Aran provides this special service.

I usually use the other train so I missed out....

Right now the construction works between Prachinburi and Sakeow slow the train seriously. This week it took 6.5 hrs to Aran with the afternoon train from BKK which left another 15 minutes late. We were just before 8 pm in Aran.

This is, however, not a problem for those going on to Cambodia as the Thai checkpoint is open till 9 PM.

Buses to Phnom Penh leave 7.30, 8.30 and apparently also 9.30.

Two bus companies provide those simple sleeper buses. Olympic and Golden VIP Bus (forget the VIP). Their offices are in Phnom Penh near the old market right next to each other on the left hand side at the corner when you walk towards the river. I got my ticket in Poipet from Olympic and ended up on Golden. So the two work together and sell tickets for each other.

Prices were bad this week as all companies had increased fares because of Khmer new year. So the 12 USD were not representative of normal times.

My bus left around 9.30 PM and got around 7.15 AM to PP. Last time Olympic left around 9 PM and was at about 5.30 in PP. A lot depends on the bus arriving north of PP before the morning commute starts. If it did not, you lose an hour as due to construction the buses cannot or do with difficulty overtake the slow motorbike towed carriages with the workers.

Hi John,

I just checked the map for the Sathorn division. It came up on google maps with the remark "permanently closed". So that seems to be off the list.

Thanks for the helpful replies.

@Kevc:

I never heard of that body. Do you have a little more info and an address. The data might come in handy if this story turns more ugly than it is already.

I have a problem with a travel agent near Silom. I bought a ticket via wire transfer and he refuses to provide me with an official receipt. Consequently, I have serious problems with my travel reimbursement. The lady in the well-known agency was livid and very offensive. While I do not like to go there again, I have to. My game plan is now to first speak with the tourist police. I have all evidence on the made payment and there cannot be any doubt. Perhaps they can give her a call and remind her that she anyhow needs an official receipt in order to pay her taxes correctly.

Anyone knows where the tourist police in BKK is located and their office hours next week?

Any positive input is very much welcome THANKS!

Sheryl,

a slight correction. My sensitive lower behind distinctly remembers that the train did not have wooden seats. it is definitely more comfy. Only fans plus the breeze from the ride. 2 trains leave BKK per day. 1 shortly after 6 AM and one at around 1 PM. These make numerous stops before leaving the city so often no need to go to the main station. The ride is a little slower than the bus once you factor in going to Morchit or using one of the smaller stations. The cost is a staggering 48 bath.

The line runs through the country side and rice fields. So lots to see and I like the crowd on the train.

In the past (long time ago), MEmorial always added 20 baht for the step on the scale and the blood-pressure thing. At a public hospital there is no extra-charge. Unless you have something rather specific to be taken care of rather than a routine matter public hospitals are fine and MUCH,MUCH,MUCH cheaper. Many of their doctors work in the evenings in the private hospitals and charge what they can. So better see them during the day. Some gentlemen will read this carefully as it frees their schedule for investing their savings on doctors in some time at the counter.