sambum

It would be nice if they all did it the way they're supposed to, but there's always going to be some who don't.

I don't find it a big problem, though. Never seems to take long to find a driver who'll put the meter on. At worst, walk a block or two to a different location. It helps to use a bit of sense and try flagging them down where they're already going in the right direction.

Agree in part with your first sentence, but once again, it seems that "TIT", and the BIB are not prepared to enforce the law apart from one report that I saw where a cop had given a taxi driver an on the spot fine for refusing a fare! Obviously flagging them down when they're already going in the required direction is a good idea, but walking "a block or two" when you're carrying a heavy suitcase is not a sensible option for a "Golden Oldie" like myself!

These people are required to abide by the law.

What exactly does "the law" state?

If a guy due to finish his shift and hand back his taxi, he isn't going to head in the opposite direction to his changeover location. I'm not sure why some folk expect otherwise.

I agree with your reasoning, but most of the time I think it's an excuse.

That's fumnny,saying abide by the law.He must have forgot where he's at.I say get off of some of your money,or go back to your

Home country.I mean we are talking small money.

Small money is not the point! "Meter Taxi" should mean exactly that! And if they use the meter, I always give a tip (e.g. Airport run - 100 baht tip. No meter - no tip!)

Never had much problem with taxi drivers.

They quote a price,I counter offer.

If the price is agreeable to both parties,off we go.

These people are entitled to make a living,

If you can't afford the price,walk,or take the bus.

Not that I can't afford the price, and yes, they are entitled to make a living, but why have "Meter Taxi" on the top and refuse to use it?

You would think these guys got no high rise buildings over 2 story in their own country.

ive lived in high rise and many house with many level for 40 year been blind drunk many times

Can only get so drunk and even if so drunk you cant walk,would still be a challenge to get over the railing

why they keep falling in thailand got me beat??

It's not just in Thailand. I fell off of a balcony in Benidorm when I was on holiday with a bunch of mates just after leaving school. It was a second floor balcony too. Luckily the ground broke my fall.

" Luckily the ground broke my fall." ? No brain damage then!

Ha ha!! It was a quote from a Spike Milligan book called "Puckoon". I fell into a bunch of bushes that softened the blow somewhat, plus when you're just 18 years old these falls, bumps and bruises are not so harsh!

It's not the fall that hurts/kills you, it's the hitting the ground!"

The Friday before 31/10 my wife who is Thai and I also had difficulties with getting a Taxi on 3 occasions. All told there were about 15 who refused to go where we wanted to go. All the fares would have been about 70 baht. We had 3 that wanted 200 baht for the trips. There were also a great number that had the vacant light on but did not pull up. We eventually got taxis on 2 occasions after a long wait.

Saturday was very different. No problems getting Taxis.

Wonder why Saturday was different?

You would think these guys got no high rise buildings over 2 story in their own country.

ive lived in high rise and many house with many level for 40 year been blind drunk many times

Can only get so drunk and even if so drunk you cant walk,would still be a challenge to get over the railing

why they keep falling in thailand got me beat??

It's not just in Thailand. I fell off of a balcony in Benidorm when I was on holiday with a bunch of mates just after leaving school. It was a second floor balcony too. Luckily the ground broke my fall.

" Luckily the ground broke my fall." ? No brain damage then!

I found the following extract from an archived post regarding a "crackdown" on taxi drivers in Bangkok.
"All department stores have been asked for cooperation to install signboards publicising regulations that taxi drivers are forbidden to refuse passengers.
Call centre telephone number 1584 for receiving complaints will also be publicised, he said."

Last Friday (7 November), I needed to get from Soi 1, Sikhumvit to Don Muang Airport in order to catch an afternoon flight just after 4 pm. For approximately 15 minutes from just after midday. I tried unsucessfully to get a taxi to go there using the meter, and excuses ranged from the usual "meter no work" to "finish job now - go home". Eventually, I gave up on the idea of getting a "Meter Taxi" to use the meter, and had to settle for haggling a price with taxis that were even reluctant to go there anyway. I eventually settled for 400 baht with the driver paying the tolls, and took no pleasure in giving him the exact money and saying "No meter - no tip!"

As there is shortly to be an agreed increase in taxi fares, will there also be another "crackdown" on drivers that refuse fares, or turn on their meters?

Before someone has a go at them, plaudits to the Chanasongkram Police for nailing the cowardly little bastards.

They? "Police say Surasak Wanprapao, 19, hit the Frenchwoman in the head with a brick stone on Samsen Road before dragging her into a nearby alley, where he proceeded to steal her iPhone and cash."

But yes - well done BIB for doing their job!

Mr Whoever you are, by paying them the 100Baht, you are an accomplice to corruption as they are.

And by grassing them to the newspaper did nothing to improve your wrongdoings.

o please with the cooruption it is what makes this country work I would pay the 100 in a heart beat not to stand in a line over an hour, I bet you would too.

So if everybody took the same "line" (excuse the pun!), the "100 baht" queue would be the longest queue!

It seems it may be possible that authorities may be allowing the Brits more access than just observer status. If this is the case that is great but will not help those hell bent on conspiracy theories because nothing will convince them of any thing short of their being a set-up .... This despite the fact that police early on showed they were not scared or intimidated by the headsman family. Like other early suspects they came out publicly stating the headsman's family were involved but like other earlier suspects, they were ruled out.

Conspiracy Theory - "This despite the fact that police early on showed they were not scared or intimidated by the headsman family. Like other early suspects they came out publicly stating the headsman's family were involved but like other earlier suspects, they were ruled out."

Ok Mr Headman, in order for us to appear to be doing the right thing, we're going to accuse you, but don't worry, we'll retract it later, and then you'll be in the clear. We've got a "photo" of your boy to prove he wasn't there at the time, so he doesn't have to take a DNA test.

P.S. " their being a set-up" - are you implying that in some way, the British Police are being set up?

"When asked about international concerns over the investigation, Mr. Thawatchai said that Thai police will be able to answer every doubt raised but no outside authorities can send their people to work on this case as Thai laws do not permit such a scenario."

The answers the BIB give to every doubt is the cause of international concern.

As to what Thai laws allow, you might want to check with the PM about that, as Burmese and UK police are coming over/already here to look at the case.

There is "working on the case" and "observing" - 2 very different kettles of fish!

Hello Mr. English investigator,

You can look over my shoulder. You can even ask questions, but most of the time my answers will be, "We already have the data." or "we already thought of that." So, don't embarrass us with your Sherlock Holmes silliness, and all will be fine,

thank you,

Mr. Police Chief.

P.S. The PM agrees with everything I say and do, so that should be enough for you to circumvent the yukky details of the case, all of which we have covered.

Obviously you don't understand British tarnasity, WE are still catching criminals from 45/50 years ago.

"tarnacity"? Surely you mean "tenacity"! And "criminals" from 45/50 years ago like DJ's who fondled a boob? And at what cost to the taxpayer? However, I agree with the tarnacity/tenacity thing - just wish they'd get their priorities right a bit more often!

And perhaps instal a thermostat or some means of controlling the temperature. Every time I have travelled in an air con carriage the temperature has been far too low, with ALL the passengers looking like Nanook of the North (If they had the foresight to bring winter clothing with them!) I have even asked a guard to adjust the temperature, or contact someone who could and got the standard get out "No can do" answer. Even opening the door between carriages resulted in an angry guard closing it again! P.S. I always sleep with aircon at home, so I do like a cool bedroom, but I don't like sleeping in a fridge!

That is true. I tried the Aircon once and needed three blankets, but it was still cold. Since then I take the regular fan compartment, preferably upper, and in the middle of the coach, as I do not like the noise of the automatic sliding door, or to sleep next to the restrooms. During the last twelve years in TH, it happened to me one single time, that the train was on time. I always travel the 169 and 172 travelling from/to HDY to/from BKK. Those trains are in between one and three hours late, but it does not bother me, as I know it. But you can't beat the price of 555 THB for the sleeper, and the main thing is, you can stretch your legs better than in any bus.

Also very true, and also much safer than the bus/minibus! When I first came to Thailand many years ago, the trains ran on time - what's happened?

I suppose, that there is more traffic on the rails, than 10 years ago. The "Rapid" waits a couple of times at night at siding places, to let other trains pass (in both directions). The more traffic, the more time the train needs, to reach its destination.

Makes sense, but very frustrating - my wife needs to get to B/K early to catch the markets and now has to get a bus/minibus as the train times are so unreliable. By the way, thanks for the feedback!

And perhaps instal a thermostat or some means of controlling the temperature. Every time I have travelled in an air con carriage the temperature has been far too low, with ALL the passengers looking like Nanook of the North (If they had the foresight to bring winter clothing with them!) I have even asked a guard to adjust the temperature, or contact someone who could and got the standard get out "No can do" answer. Even opening the door between carriages resulted in an angry guard closing it again! P.S. I always sleep with aircon at home, so I do like a cool bedroom, but I don't like sleeping in a fridge!

That is true. I tried the Aircon once and needed three blankets, but it was still cold. Since then I take the regular fan compartment, preferably upper, and in the middle of the coach, as I do not like the noise of the automatic sliding door, or to sleep next to the restrooms. During the last twelve years in TH, it happened to me one single time, that the train was on time. I always travel the 169 and 172 travelling from/to HDY to/from BKK. Those trains are in between one and three hours late, but it does not bother me, as I know it. But you can't beat the price of 555 THB for the sleeper, and the main thing is, you can stretch your legs better than in any bus.

Also very true, and also much safer than the bus/minibus! When I first came to Thailand many years ago, the trains ran on time - what's happened?

And perhaps instal a thermostat or some means of controlling the temperature. Every time I have travelled in an air con carriage the temperature has been far too low, with ALL the passengers looking like Nanook of the North (If they had the foresight to bring winter clothing with them!) I have even asked a guard to adjust the temperature, or contact someone who could and got the standard get out "No can do" answer. Even opening the door between carriages resulted in an angry guard closing it again! P.S. I always sleep with aircon at home, so I do like a cool bedroom, but I don't like sleeping in a fridge!

This 'loving father' has zero credibility and is probably an accessory after the fact. If he is so sure his little didums is innocent, why not send off his DNA for testing in the UK? Then we will all believe it.

Maybe doesn't know how to, or more likely can't afford to. His Government had to pay to get him here, and look after him - how is he going to pay for expensive DNA testing? Ah, he could ask someone to do it on his behalf Any ideas?

Yep they have plenty of time, fix all flaws, and the UK and Myanmar Ambassadors, have been told to stay out of it, only watch, did we really expect anything less then this to happen, I think not, has been a total shame from the start.

As quoted in a previous post "fix" as put right, or "fix" as in the result! And as representatives from the UK and Myanmar can look but not get involved in any of the proceedings, it implies that they can see what the Thai authorities want them to see. As to your last sentence - did you mean "shame' or "sham"? In any case, right on both counts!

now we will see how a murder case is properbly run! duhhhh when do you plan plan to catch jack the ripper, or another train robber escape ! or another world cup, but wait you did win wimbleton, oh he was scottish sorry

Properbly? Wimbleton? scottish? No spell check on your computer, then? Oh, I've just looked again - no use of capital letters either - you must be American! Never mind, back to business! As the death happened in Scotland, I would imagine that a Scottish Police Force will be investigating, and I don't believe that they had a great deal of involvement with the investigations regarding The Great Train Robbery, or Jack the Ripper! And the use of the word "you" implies expectations that an English police force will be in charge - wrong! However, English or Scottish, I am sure that the investigation will be conducted properly, unlike the case that is being alluded to. By the way, Scotland have recently turned down their chance to be an Independent country, so like it or not, England and Scotland are part of a United Kingdom, so to say that "you did win wimbleton" is actually correct as Andy Murray is indeed British - a UK citizen.

lesson learned

never drink with the Thais

I think the Thais' take home lesson is: never drink with a Cheap Charlie.

But perhaps more accurately in this case, never drink with a Brit but that would be generalising, wouldn't you say?

It would be generalising, and you sound like the kind of person that is the Cheap Charlie! I've met your type many times before - you don't /don't want to understand the concept of buying in "rounds". Do you accept drinks from everyone in the company, and when it's your turn, make some excuse as to why you have suddenly got to "go home" (last bus, buffalo/mother in law sick etc etc) I think the lesson to be learned here is that farangs are always expected to pay for everything - that's their job!

Does this really warrant news headlines? This type of "scuffle" is a regular occurrence every night in every town or city in the UK. Maybe it is to serve as a reminder to "newbies" to get advice on Thai protocol in these matters - e.g. the farang ALWAYS pays as he has obviously got more money, or he couldn't afford to get here in the first place!

The BBC just announced that Britain's offer for help has been rejected.

This trial is going to be railroaded through regardless.

What a surprise! Look, but don't touch, and look at what? A bit like having a look at the bonfire after Guy Fawkes Night, but don't try to pick out any hidden/forgotten/lost roast spuds!!!

A bit off topic, but I agree - a bit like Andy Murray the tennis player complaining that he's Scottish not British! Well, they've had their chance for Independence, and obviously don't want it, so now perhaps they'll be proud to be British!

Regarding the second part to your statement, that's because the Mr Bigs have the money and muscle to get the Mr Littles to stay "Shtum" - TIT, did you not know?

When Thai men are busted it's "two men." When non-Thais are arrested it always "a (nationality) man." Always specify when not a Thai but never say Thai when it is. And they never use these little guys to sting Thai Mr. Bigs up the food chain.

Great headline! 100% true, but I don't think we're supposed to look at it in the way that it implies!

The thing is, SB, usually the abbreviation is specific to the thread, so everyone who's reading the thread usually knows to whom the poster is referring.

It would baffle everyone if I posted about 'SB's post" in another thread, particularly as "SB" is probably a well-known poster on TV in general.

Most people know JT, UG, maybe NMS and D48 and HJC, but less well known people such as yourself and me, get abbreviated too SM or SS only in the thread in which we are having discourse.

Don't fret it, just follow the thread and "get it".

I agree that by following the thread, you can usually get to know to whom the poster/replies is/are referring, but for instance I have been following the thread, and I still don't know for sure who " W on KT" or G.M.H" are! If the poster applied the method of "initially" using the full name, and any subsequent reusing of that name in an initial in brackets then we would all know who or what he was referring to e.g. Win (W) on Koh Tao (KT) By the way, any ideas on G.M.H - George Hemingway perhaps? Or Grievous Mental Harm?

P.S. I like your poetic last line!

Let me guess...You're British?

Correcto! And let me guess - you're from the US of A?