sambum

A national newspaper quotes "more than 300 police and soldiers". Yes 700 is more than 300, but less than half as many as many as reported by "Samui Times" Maybe a few hundred got lost on the way?

OH MA GAH! Good job, DSI. Their job seems to be up to par with professionalism after the new govt took over.

This government deserves no special credit. Did you catch this line in the article: "The DSI has managed to root out many Iranian syndicates involved in making fake passports over the past years, she said."

There have been several such cases in the past, often with Iranians or Pakistanis running the show. For example, see: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/561337-iranian-suspected-of-producing-fake-passports-arrested-in-central-pattaya/

The unit responsible for rooting out these gangs was established within DSI in 2012 (http://www.thebigchilli.com/features/thailands-crime-busters-set-sights-on-passport-fraud-gangs). Guess that would put it under the YL administration.

And would guess that under that administration they didn't do too much!

No guessing required. I linked to one of several such busts...

So where's the link?

The date of the first hearing is interesting.

As usual - speaking in riddles waiting for someone to bite!

OH MA GAH! Good job, DSI. Their job seems to be up to par with professionalism after the new govt took over.

This government deserves no special credit. Did you catch this line in the article: "The DSI has managed to root out many Iranian syndicates involved in making fake passports over the past years, she said."

There have been several such cases in the past, often with Iranians or Pakistanis running the show. For example, see: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/561337-iranian-suspected-of-producing-fake-passports-arrested-in-central-pattaya/

The unit responsible for rooting out these gangs was established within DSI in 2012 (http://www.thebigchilli.com/features/thailands-crime-busters-set-sights-on-passport-fraud-gangs). Guess that would put it under the YL administration.

And would guess that under that administration they didn't do too much!

If someone "dumped" a bear on my front steps I would use some common sense and find out what the bear needed and who might be in a better position to provide that.

Pray tell, which organisations in Thailand are both in a better position to provide care and willing to take on dumped animals?

Perhaps you'd be good enough to post the names of these organisations and contact details here so that anyone facing the problem of a dumped bear in future can avail themselves thereof.

I have already posted regarding the situation on Samui, and I presume that there are similar organisations throughout Thailand. Apart from WFFT, (see above) just Google World Wildlife Fund, and I am sure there will be some answers there. Or, pray tell, are you just being obstructive or lazy?

If you read the previous postings, WFFT sent protest letters for 3 years, but their protest letters achieved nothing.

Despite charging volunteers large sums of money to "help" they weren't able/willing to arrange for the bear's freedom. (One week volunteering at WFFT costs the volunteer 350 Euros - around 12,000 Baht. How many weeks' volunteering would it cost to buy the freedom of the bear concerned? That's even assuming the bear was being kept for profit, which seems most unlikely given the terrible conditions it was kept in and its dreadful state. I'd posit the monks would have been very happy for a caring animal charity to take the unwanted bear off their hands. There wasn't any.)

I have read the previous postings, and unfortunately I have to agree that the WFFT protest letters achieved very little response.

I was also unaware, and am astounded that volunteers are being charged large sums of money to help, and I am not in a position to dispute your figures. I also concur that it seems very unlikely that the bear concerned was being held for profit, as it is highly unlikely that anyone would want to see (or pay to see a bear) in such an awful condition.

I therefore apologise for my cynicism in my previous post now that I understand the problems a little better.

The point remains however that why was this situation allowed to happen? If unwanted/sick animals are left or handed in to monks at a temple, does that mean that they can literally starve the creatures to death because it is against their religion to take a life? Surely by denying those creatures food and water (and sunlight) that is EXACTLY what they are doing?

In this particular instance, it appears that there may be a "happy" end result due to the efforts of the WFFT, and social media pressure, but it is very distressing to think that this is not just an isolated incident, and may be the "thin end of the wedge" as far as cruelty to animals in temples is concerned.

A bit off topic, but I am not a religious person by nature, because it is a known fact that many lives have been lost over the years in the name of religion, and are still being lost today. I thought that Buddhism was different in their "live and let live" philosophy, but I have now become cynical about that doctrine, and also the red tape and bureaucracy that abounds in all countries (not just Thailand) regarding the mistreatment and cruelty to animals.

If someone "dumped" a bear on my front steps I would use some common sense and find out what the bear needed and who might be in a better position to provide that.

Pray tell, which organisations in Thailand are both in a better position to provide care and willing to take on dumped animals?

Perhaps you'd be good enough to post the names of these organisations and contact details here so that anyone facing the problem of a dumped bear in future can avail themselves thereof.

I have already posted regarding the situation on Samui, and I presume that there are similar organisations throughout Thailand. Apart from WFFT, (see above) just Google World Wildlife Fund, and I am sure there will be some answers there. Or, pray tell, are you just being obstructive or lazy?

UPDATE from Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand:

After almost a week providing medical treatment to the bears at the temple in Southern Thailand we now have been informed by the authorities that all remaining temple bears will be rescued within a few days.

WFFT has been sending complaint letters and letters of concern to the authorities for three years now, as the bears at this temple were kept in inadequate enclosures, too small and too dirty. Unfortunately the wildlife law was not enforced over the past years and the situation became critical over the last month for 4 of the 6 bears, resulting in the death of 2 of the bears kept at the temple, with one more bear in critical condition till yesterday. The WFFT has no power to remove wildlife without permit, so we could only provide medical assistance while we were trying to push for a rescue with the help of (social) media. It seems now that this approach is working, and that rescue might happen soon. We are of course saddened by the lack of response by authorities, resulting in the death of two innocent bears.

In Thailand some people who keep wildlife as (prestige) pets sometimes find out that the animals become too aggressive or wild once they become older. Instead of handing over these animals to rescue facilities they often choose to "donate" these wild animals to temples, as they are "sacred places" where animals should be safe. In most cases temples, the monks and staff helping at the temples are not properly equipped, nor have the knowledge how to care for these animals. Some temples turn these collections of wild animals into a mini zoo to attract worshippers for donations, but in general we find temples with only 1 to 3 wild animals.

Religious leaders are just like politicians and wealthy people often above the law, so legal charges for illegal wildlife possession or animal cruelty are usually not pressed by police or other authorities.

We will keep you updated on any news regarding the bears.

Edwin Wiek

WFFT Founder

Thank you for your explanation regarding the situation regarding those unfortunate animals. Whilst appreciating your efforts, and explanation regarding the monks' lack of knowledge or equipment to treat these animals, I still feel that to keep those bears in such inhumane conditions is not down to either of the above reasons - it is down to pure unadulterated cruelty! To keep them deprived of sunlight/daylight is inhuman, and "WFFT has been sending complaint letters and letters of concern to the authorities for three years now, as the bears at this temple were kept in inadequate enclosures, too small and too dirty" So have they literally swept the problem under the carpet by hiding the bears away in underground cells or sealed enclosures where they are "out of sight ,out of mind"? If so, then they are guilty of deliberate cruelty - not ignorance, and as such, should be held to account for their actions.

As the whole of the Western world was laughing at the antics of Suthep and his opposing number (disguises, challenges to fist fights etc) in the pre coup days, I suppose Prayut wants to be seen to be carrying on the tradition!

Unfortunately I can only agree. Treatment of animals is absoulutely cruel.

So may suffering/starving dogs in the vlllage.

Many die early.

We have three dogs and two "guests" that come for food and clean water during the day.

I have to pull myself together not to let in more (my wife is not happy with even more).

That this happens at a temple ground, I have no words for.

Forunately the temple dogs here (about 10 or so) are treated fairly well.

Another 'animal lover' who stuffs dead ones down his throat?

Just had to get your 'Veggie" propaganda in didn't you? Completely off topic, and at least Khun is doing a bit to help.

Here on Samui there is a dog/animal rescue service that has done a wonderful job over the years at taking care of sick/unwanted animals, and reduced the packs of ferrel dogs on the beaches dramatically but I am sure that some of them enjoy a good non-vegetarian meal sometimes!

In reply to The Manic # Post 190:-

I do not believe in any kind of punishment for gum or tattoos. I think you are being hysterical. However, I would like to encourage young people to see tattoos for what they are: the mark of mediocrity, lack of originality, lack of achievement, low self esteem and often criminality. By all means feel free to tattoo yourself until you are blue in the face but at least understand why it makes you look inadequate and if you are female: hideous.

And I think you are being intolerant to the point of obsession! Personally I also dislike tattoos intensely, but who are you to decide what other people decide to do to their bodies? "the mark of mediocrity, lack of originality, lack of achievement, low self esteem and often criminality" Really? So the likes of David Beckham (and many others) are mediocre at their particular skill/trade? Achieved nothing? Had/has low self esteem? Had/has criminal tendencies? Bullpoo!

In reply to DaveinAsia # Post 82 :-

This is alittle bit off topic, but thank you for the statistics, and I have no reason to doubt them. However, just because the Netherlands have less prisoners per 100,000 population does not necessarily mean that crime in itself is proportionately less - only that there are less people in jail.

And your comments re Dutch (football) hooligans are merely your opinion, and I will take that with "a pinch of salt"!:-

Google

"Holland is one of the most tolerant and liberal countries in the world but has some of the most violent football hooligans. It all started back in the 1970's where one of the earliest confrontations happened when Spurs met Feyenoord in the UEFA Cup."

And as recently as Feb 20 2015:-

Over 6000 drunken Dutch Feyennoord "fans" rampaged through Rome for two days, trashing the Campo de'Fiori and the Piazza di Spagna, in the process knocking over parked motorcycles, throwing bottles, injuring 13 police officers, and urinating everywhere.

The worst damage was to Bernini's Fontana della Barcaccia, which had just been through an 11-month restoration. A 10-centimeter piece was broken from the rim, and there were other chips and scratches from thrown bottles.

The word "barbarians" is being used a lot in Rome newspapers today, and apologies are demanded, but there are also people calling for the heads of politicians who didn't manage to prevent this, especially since the rampage in Campo de'Fiori happened Wednesday night, and the destruction in Piazza di Spagna the following afternoon.

Lol, I guess it's revenge for all those 1000's of stoned Italians who urinate on the Dam Square every summer

"1000's"? The Dam Square must be a popular place, albeit a bit smelly!

Off-topic post removed that also broke a forum rule about external content.

14) You will not post any copyrighted material except as fair use laws apply (as in the case of news articles). Please only post a link, the headline and the first three sentences.

In this case it was a number of images of text.

My apologies!

In reply to DaveinAsia # Post 82 :-

This is alittle bit off topic, but thank you for the statistics, and I have no reason to doubt them. However, just because the Netherlands have less prisoners per 100,000 population does not necessarily mean that crime in itself is proportionately less - only that there are less people in jail.

And your comments re Dutch (football) hooligans are merely your opinion, and I will take that with "a pinch of salt"!:-

Google

"Holland is one of the most tolerant and liberal countries in the world but has some of the most violent football hooligans. It all started back in the 1970's where one of the earliest confrontations happened when Spurs met Feyenoord in the UEFA Cup."

And as recently as Feb 20 2015:-

I renewed my daughter's British passport at Trendy House a month ago. I found the service to be quick and efficient apart from the silly thing about having to colour copy every page of an empty passport.

Those racists among the readers here who hanker after the Empire should consider - in their twilight years - that time does indeed tend to change things.

Time does indeed tend to change things, but why is it that in the case of The British Embassy in Bangkok those changes

never seem to be for the better?

Having paid my "dues" for more than 45 years before retiring, I would have thought that the services provided by the British Embassy should be paid for by the British Government using the money that I and millions of other British people have coughed up over the years!

Embassies are treated as a cost centre, and as such have to try to cover their costs. They are basically diplo-economic offices.

Passports are not handled by the embassy, and they charge foreigners a fee to get a visa. Other than a letter for retirement, I am not sure what you have to pay the embassy for.

"Cost centre"? "Diplo-economic office"? As I have already suggested, it is a British Embassy which IMHO should be funded by the British Government as it is providing services for British citizens.

"Passports are not handled by the Embassy". They should be - were they not at one time? Change is not always good.

"They charge foreigners a fee to get a visa". Quite right. too - they are not British citizens.

There are quite a few services that they charge for, and these are shown on the Gov.UK website.

Why have an embassy at all? What possible help can they give a uk citizen anyway except say don't return home there's no jobs. The British Empire has turned into little britain. No wonder they're are so many British expats living over here, here we're treated better.Great Britain should be renamed and ambassador Mark Kent does renewing your passport take 9 weeks compared to 4 years ago when it only took 11 days to receive a new passport. What a turn around for UK expats. Maybe the real reason we don't want to go home is that we're ashamed to. What has happened to our Empire?

What on earth are you prattling on about.

Unemployment is tumbling, we can't get labour around here.

The govt hasn't got any money because the previous bunch splurged it away and then bailed out the world. Hence why the service is being reduced.

Our empire disappeared decades ago, didn't you notice....but still have plenty of things that are light years ahead of the rest of the world.

"The govt hasn't got any money because the previous bunch splurged it away and then bailed out the world."

Completely off topic, but the usual tired old excuse for any Government that finds itself in a financial crisis - blame the previous Government - YAWN!

I renewed my daughter's British passport at Trendy House a month ago. I found the service to be quick and efficient apart from the silly thing about having to colour copy every page of an empty passport.

Those racists among the readers here who hanker after the Empire should consider - in their twilight years - that time does indeed tend to change things.

Time does indeed tend to change things, but why is it that in the case of The British Embassy in Bangkok those changes

never seem to be for the better?

Having paid my "dues" for more than 45 years before retiring, I would have thought that the services provided by the British Embassy should be paid for by the British Government using the money that I and millions of other British people have coughed up over the years!

BeforeTigers, on 11 Mar 2015 - 13:02, said:

Oh, TV

Day and night this forum sounds off about what a violent hell hole Pattaya is.

Now this dude has a little blade on him and suddenly he's a pussy just for having it?

What's wrong with carrying a knife?

Knives aren't for fighting. Nobody would say they were. What do you think; he was videotaping a fight in public just so he could assault someone?

If I ever felt the need to carry a knife in Thailand for self protection or to be used in self defence...............then I'd also know it's time to leave.

"What's wrong with carrying a knife?

Knives aren't for fighting. Nobody would say they were."

Absolute claptrap! With that kind of attitude, no wonder there are so many stabbings and murders.

When I lived with my Girlfriend in Phuket she diligently collected our packaging or whatever and placed in a bin even picking up the rubbish others had left on the ground, at her home in Issan anything goes just toss it on the ground and let it blow away strange.

Many posters have mentioned the anomaly of the Thais who every morning sweep up the fallen leaves ignoring the plastic and other crap that is a real eyesore.

Couldn't agree more! Unbelievable that they sweep up the leaves (which will eventually "degrade" back into the earth), yet ignore all the rest of the garbage lying about.

I was forced to move from a nice bungalow a few years ago because of all the rubbish dumped as "landfill" nearby. The smell was horrific, and swarms of flies made sitting outside unbearable. When I complained to the landlord his attitude was that it wasn't his problem, as he wasn't the one dumping the rubbish, and it wasn't his land!

As always the eye for an eye responses that show the intelligence of many posters here. Many people somehow still believe that we will rid the world of all evil by being evil ourselves. How can that work? We've tried this medieval policy for 100's, if not 1000's of years and there are still many evil forces at work. Maybe it's time for a new approach.

Rest in Peace Prajak

I have yet to see any of those who have been executed come back and commit another crime, whereas the same cannot be said of those who are incarcerated for a period of time, including up to life in prison. Your argument doesn't hold water.

I'm not sure you understood what I said smacks41. Perhaps you are one of those people I was talking about? So deeply programmed and indoctrinated into believing that we should hand out harsh punishment for crimes that we otherwise condemn.

The Netherlands is a good example. Punishment for many crimes is very lenient there and somehow they have very little crime. If we are to believe you the Netherlands should be a dangerous cesspool of crime and corruption but it's actually the opposite. Unlike the US where they still maintain the eye for an eye policy and crime is soaring. I believe 2.5 million people are incarcerated in the god blessed States.

And how many people live there? And how many people live in the Netherlands? And are you saying that the Netherlands reputation for football hooligans is unjustified?

As always the eye for an eye responses that show the intelligence of many posters here. Many people somehow still believe that we will rid the world of all evil by being evil ourselves. How can that work? We've tried this medieval policy for 100's, if not 1000's of years and there are still many evil forces at work. Maybe it's time for a new approach.

Rest in Peace Prajak

I have yet to see any of those who have been executed come back and commit another crime, whereas the same cannot be said of those who are incarcerated for a period of time, including up to life in prison. Your argument doesn't hold water.

and the hundreds of people that have later been found to not have committed capital punishment crimes being executed is a price worth paying for the baying mobs out there is it?

"Hundreds of people"? Slight exaggeration methinks! But when the facts are unquestionable, and the guilty plead guilty, yes, save the taxpayer a lot of money and put these animals to sleep - forever.

"Phairoj, scientific crime defection officers and Ruam Katanyu Foundation rescuers rushed to the temple......"

Slightly off topic, but I think something has been lost found in translation here:- "scientific crime defection officers"

An alternative description for "volunteering" for an inactive post, perhaps?

And on topic, another absolutely shocking story about lack of respect and violence towards our hosts from a "quality" visitor from a certain part of the world

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's remark during his weekly TV programme on Friday night that he "would almost punch the reporter in the face"

When will "these people" learn to engage their brain before spouting off? In the Prime Minister's case, it may be explained by his military background, but is it not about time that he was given a bit of coaching by his advisors /PR people in what and what not to say when in the public eye?

Going back to pre coup days, do you remember when an arrest warrant was issued for a certain anti government politician, and the BIB could not serve the warrant because the politician was in a protestors' camp surrounded by his own armed security guards? The cop in charge threatened to don a wig and go in disguise into the camp and arrest the said politician!

The politician's reply was to offer to settle the whole dispute by having a fist fight with the police chief!!!

These kind of statements, by people who are, or would like to be in charge of the country, make Thailand an absolute laughing stock in the eyes of the world, and IMHO one of the reasons why Thailand will always be a 3rd World Country.

You seem to be unable to fathom the gravity of a country leader devoid of decorum and ordinary politicians. Politician challenging a fist fight is a dime a dozen in many countries but a leader of a country physical intimidation only happen in 3rd world country and in most dictorial countries.

"Politician challenging a fist fight is a dime a dozen in many countries"

"physical intimidation only happen in 3rd world country and in most dictorial countries"

Is a challenge to a fist fight not physical intimidation? I don't understand the point you are trying to make?

Really, politicians challenge a fist fight with citizens?.... A reporter is just a citizen

I was referring to the politician (Suthep) challenging the police chief to a fist fight, not the PM threatening the journalist

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's remark during his weekly TV programme on Friday night that he "would almost punch the reporter in the face"

When will "these people" learn to engage their brain before spouting off? In the Prime Minister's case, it may be explained by his military background, but is it not about time that he was given a bit of coaching by his advisors /PR people in what and what not to say when in the public eye?

Going back to pre coup days, do you remember when an arrest warrant was issued for a certain anti government politician, and the BIB could not serve the warrant because the politician was in a protestors' camp surrounded by his own armed security guards? The cop in charge threatened to don a wig and go in disguise into the camp and arrest the said politician!

The politician's reply was to offer to settle the whole dispute by having a fist fight with the police chief!!!

These kind of statements, by people who are, or would like to be in charge of the country, make Thailand an absolute laughing stock in the eyes of the world, and IMHO one of the reasons why Thailand will always be a 3rd World Country.

You seem to be unable to fathom the gravity of a country leader devoid of decorum and ordinary politicians. Politician challenging a fist fight is a dime a dozen in many countries but a leader of a country physical intimidation only happen in 3rd world country and in most dictorial countries.

"Politician challenging a fist fight is a dime a dozen in many countries"

"physical intimidation only happen in 3rd world country and in most dictorial countries"

Is a challenge to a fist fight not physical intimidation? I don't understand the point you are trying to make?

"felt like punching a reporter for asking him a question he disliked"

And this guy is a PM???

Yes, he is the coup leader and junta boss, GENERAL, and Prim Minister. Apparently he is also very statesmanlike as well.

Statesmanlike??????????/ Do you know the meaning of the word????

Don't think you were taught about sarcasm at school!