peteregion

44 minutes ago, Eff1n2ret said:

It's strange that having entered Malaysia on their real passports they could have re-entered Thailand with the Portuguese one - unless those passports also carried, say, a fake Kuala Lumpur entry stamp so the inference would be that they'd flown into Malaysia from Europe.

 

It would seem that the forgery detection skills of officers at provincial immigration controls are somewhat below par, and that the forgers know this. Presumably it's more risky at Suvarnabhumi, otherwise they could have got a flight direct to Canada, where of course they would claim asylum.

They could exit Makaysia with their original passport and enter Thailand with the fake Portugese passport.

2 hours ago, dcnx said:

“If you take motorcycles out of the equation, Thailand’s roads will be as safe as (those in) Switzerland, the United States and Britain,” Dr Liviu Vedrasco

 

B.S. 

 

They are maniacs in cars and trucks too, they just don't die as easily.

 

I could sometimes go months without seeing a car accident in the US. I see one or two (cars) per week here, usually late night. 

BS

I am a CDL A Truck driver in the US and drives an average 400 to 500 miles per day. I see accidents everyday though many are not fatal. Many of these are cause by drivers on the phone or texting. There is almost no law in the US against drivers using the phone or texting whrn driving.

7 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

No...  anywhere else in the world you do not agree a price before hand in a metered Taxi, the driver simply uses the meter (without questions, without reminders, without negotiation). 

 

The taxi drivers in Pattaya are operating illegally by charging exaggerated fares and refusing to turn on their meter. 

The are now racketeering and using the threat of violence against any competition. 

 

Do they now have the protection of the local officials for their illegal behavior?

 

Chasing and rounding up the competition takes significant effort for these drivers, it must be fun for them. IF they applied the same effort across the board in providing a professional level of service they would be far busier and far more successful.

I had travelled around the world, Asia,Europe, US, South America, Australia, NZ, Africa etc.

Many good experience BUT not always. There are many countries as bad as Thailand. Before you comment, also go read up about the bad reviews of Uber services, Grab services, Lyft services, etc

Here's something to get you started.

http://www.londoncabs.co.uk/10-countries-with-the-worst-taxi-drivers/

i am stunned by the expats that think this situation is normal...are you insane , history has many terrible examples of what comes next

Appears to be pretty normal in Paris now http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/15/paris-attacks-operation-sentinelle-soldiers-patrolling-streets-france-safer

Doubt the French are in fear of being hauled off to camps. However, do agree possibly a mix of 'assisting' the local RTP with possibility of sharing of spoils? However, not sure something to get one's knickers in a twist about. They do still appear to care very much about the tourist sector and wouldn't think they'd want to have them scared off?

Sorry, I never heard about a reputable private hospital in Thailand. Is it the first one?

Sir your comment is disgusting.

When i was young if i talked sh..e like you, my mother would say !!i will wash your mouth will soap !!

I think that applies to you.

Many good private hospitals in Thailand.

May be you are 1 of those people who just like to bad mouth about things in Thailand.

Perhaps you've never had a bad / unsatisfactory experience at a Thai private hospital. Plenty have.

I always have very good experience in Thai private hospital and many others of my colleagues and friends. All have good experience because our travel insurance covers many of the treatment and medicines that we choose to visit private hospitals.

In the LOS it is easy to determine the cause of a building collapsing.if.the project calls for a certain size of steel rods in the cement then the foreman will use a less quality and size in the construction,then he will not use the correct mixture of sand,gravel,and concrete .He will then pocket the savings not caring about building codes or safety.These lapse in safety in construction in ever endeavor in LOS is covered up via bribes.Knowing this how would you like to be riding on the first trip when Thailand builds the super fast rail road?

But the Chinese will be doing the actual building of the railway (if that consoles you), while Thailand is merely footing the bill...

RIP to the Dead.

Construction accidents happen all over the world not only in Thailand and China.

http://abc7ny.com/tag/construction-accident/

http://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2016/0218-fatal-accident-at-great-earth-construction-pte-ltd-worksite

http://www.abc.net.au/sydney/topics/disasters-and-accidents/accidents/workplace/?page=1

A lawless, so called Buddhist country!

Being a Buddhist myself since 2005, it is obvious that Buddhism here is so so twisted and distorted, it's so far removed from what it is essentially. Here it is mostly revolved around luck, fortune and greed, which is sad

yes when I was visiting Luan Prabang recently I was lucky to meet the Danish translator for the Dalai Lama. She explained to me how Buddhism in Thailand is all about me me me and nothing about trying to improve the world which is the kind of Buddhism the Dalai Lama teaches.

Yep. She is just a translator and knows nothing about Buddhism herself if she tells you that.

Thailand is a basket case, anyone who finds this place their dream destination and plan to spend the rest of their lives here needs serious help..I bitterly regret spending so much of my life here and like many I am constantly calculating my options but at my age life itself is against me.

Luckily I never burnt my bridges and all my assets are still in Europe, assets I had here I have liquidated over the past 18 months and transferred all back to Europe.

Unlike many I came here with work, I never got into the bar and prostitute scene and never married a bar girl… I am not clouded by the rose tints a great many seam to experience and totally know what this place and its people are all about; its 3^rd world and will never change

If you like it enjoy; but if you could experience what I have over almost 5 decades you would be crying in you Sigha

Everyone always have a choice. Whether for work or family or for whatever reason. You choose to be here. Nobody forces you to be here. So are the Thai. They have a choice. They choose their own way of life. Western Foreigners coming here thinks that the Thai must follow what the Western foreigner's think is the right way of life. Many Thai (in fact many Asians) thinks that the Western Foreigners are no longer the Colonial Master and Superior race many Foreigner thinks they are.

Whatever your thoughts and choices are, the country is not yours. You can always pack and go. Many locals will said good riddance. New ones will come and fill up.

Who the hell are you trying to kid?

Yep, I agree, 99% of foreign men are in Thailand for the cheap sex.

It ain't that great a place to be otherwise.

Without the availability of the cheap women, I'd be in Spain/France/Portugal/Florida, all much nicer and safer places to live. Better food, and maybe even cheaper living.

And why pick on old guys?

Young guys are here for the cheap women too!

Depends who you mixed with and where you go. Over the past more than 40 years, I met many, many different age guys from many different countries who are not the 99%. They may go to the bars and to some shows but they certainly are not here for the cheap sex.

I think you have not been out of your house before. I traveled frequently and had been to countries in most of the continents of the world. As an alien (as some countries called us), you have to have your original passport with you if the police or immigration officer checks you. Even a copy is not recognize. Otherwise you would be escorted back to the station (until someone brings your passport to the station) or escorted back to the hotel.

In some countries, you may get away if you can offer the officer or police some cash in exchange for not having your passport with you. And these are not communist countries.

Over 50 countries. Never taken my passport out with me anywhere.

You wanna list the countries where you've been required to produce it in the streets?

Perhaps also a photo - you must be the dodgiest looking bloke on earth

I give you 2 nearby examples. Whether you carry it with you is your choice and as I stated earlier, the inconvenience is yours. At certain times, you can pay your way through if you are stopped.

Indonesia law requires all foreigners, other than those with short stay permits (KITAS), or residency permits (KITAP), to carry their passports at all times. KITAS and KITAP holders must carry that, or an SKLD, or a KTP (WNA) instead.

Malaysia requires that all foreigners carry their passport at all times.

Cmon man try harder.

I lived in KL for 2 years and am in Indonesia 6-12 times a year for over a decade.

I do recall once in Malaysia being in a nightclub in Desa Sri Hartamas which was raided by police and shut down and everyone had to present ID's. The policeman asked me for mine and I said I was an expat and only had my overseas DL on me. He said well you should have passport but it's ok. I talked to him for a bit and he said that the requirement is to have your passport but that if they had reason to detain you that you wouldn't be charged with an offence if the passport was provided within a reasonable period of time.

Again, this is the same issue in Thailand. Except Thailand doesn't even have a specific legal requirement for a passport (see my prior post responding to Big Mango)

Further, the law requiring proof of ID is one thing, the way police use ID laws is another.

The Thai police are acting like police state goons in this matter. None of the countries you've named act in that manner AND they have specific laws.

FWIW in both the countries you mention the Australian and British governments advise against carrying original passports. Are they advising their citizens to break the law? Or are people reading the laws incorrectly?

I'm not sure whether you are just being devils advocate or whether you are one of those suck up types who actually goes out of his way to be a stickler for the absolutely most conservative approach to every possible law. But either way, your aren't right...

Good on you. Maybe you can direct us to the advisory on not carrying original passport. At least I am not one of those BS type.

Nonsense. I have been to more than 50+ countries and some of them demands that you carries your original passport. Some of these countries are so called first world developed countries.

Name names. Countries where you've left the hotel and been subjected to a demand for your passport?

I give you two. If you are in some establishment having a beer during the Ramadan months in Indonesia or Malaysia, you may be in some inconveniences if you do not have your passport with you.

http://indonesiaexpat.biz/featured/the-immigration-inquisition/

I think you have not been out of your house before. I traveled frequently and had been to countries in most of the continents of the world. As an alien (as some countries called us), you have to have your original passport with you if the police or immigration officer checks you. Even a copy is not recognize. Otherwise you would be escorted back to the station (until someone brings your passport to the station) or escorted back to the hotel.

In some countries, you may get away if you can offer the officer or police some cash in exchange for not having your passport with you. And these are not communist countries.

Over 50 countries. Never taken my passport out with me anywhere.

You wanna list the countries where you've been required to produce it in the streets?

Perhaps also a photo - you must be the dodgiest looking bloke on earth

I give you 2 nearby examples. Whether you carry it with you is your choice and as I stated earlier, the inconvenience is yours. At certain times, you can pay your way through if you are stopped.

Indonesia law requires all foreigners, other than those with short stay permits (KITAS), or residency permits (KITAP), to carry their passports at all times. KITAS and KITAP holders must carry that, or an SKLD, or a KTP (WNA) instead.

Malaysia requires that all foreigners carry their passport at all times.

Anyone living here should know they have to carry a copy of their passport. I hope the message is communicated to tourists via their hotels or Embassies.

Anyone living here with decent Thai legal advice would understand that this is BS.

You of all people should know better.

There is no legal requirement to carry your passport or a copy. It has to be accessible within a reasonable period of time I.e you can leave it at home.

This has always been the case and was confirmed by a different chief of police only last year.

But you should have access to decent Thai legal advice Brewster and you should be able to confirm this.

I agree that carrying a copy on ones phone is prudent to avoid drama but if you get the wrong cop they'll just demand the original anyway. The law does not require you to have original or copy on you. Period.

I never mentioned the law, just that longtime expats like myself, unlike tourists, should know that carrying a copy of your passport is prudent. I have no desire to have any hassle if stopped, and having to retrieve my passport, or find someone to retrieve it, would be hassle.

I would imagine that this crackdown is linked to the new overstay penalties which come into effect tomorrow. I make sure my passport copy has not only my ID page, but also my Extension of stay stamp.

Fair enough. You did however say "they have to". They don't.

I've lived here 9 years, never carried a copy of my passport (or the original) either in Thailand or in any of the other 50+ countries I've been in.

Nonsense. I have been to more than 50+ countries and some of them demands that you carries your original passport. Some of these countries are so called first world developed countries.

C'mon guys.!

Go to any Kodak shop with your passport.

For $3 they will colour copy your passport front page and Visa/Extension, reduce to wallet card size and laminate with one on the front and the other on the obverse.

In less time than it takes you to enjoy a cold frothy.

Do it on the way home from your annual Immi visit - you'll need a coldie by then.

You miss the point entirely! Thailand police are doing this under the assumption that foreigners are guilty or criminals without reason. They are harassing tourists causing undue stress and given their history perhaps even causing fears of being bribed. Nobody goes somewhere on vacation expecting to be confronted by the police demanding to see their passports unless they are in a communist country. As much as I like Thailand I think the BIB are wrong in this and I hope they lose tourists for their actions.

You must be a newbie.

It has been a RTP Police directive for decades.

Only in "communist countries" - codswallop!

It has not been a police directive to go check the public to see if they have a passport in their possession.

What you are saying is that while in London or Sydney I can expect a task force to hold me from leaving the club until I produce my passport. Methinks you are the newbie

I think you have not been out of your house before. I traveled frequently and had been to countries in most of the continents of the world. As an alien (as some countries called us), you have to have your original passport with you if the police or immigration officer checks you. Even a copy is not recognize. Otherwise you would be escorted back to the station (until someone brings your passport to the station) or escorted back to the hotel.

In some countries, you may get away if you can offer the officer or police some cash in exchange for not having your passport with you. And these are not communist countries.

Well isnt it just Tit for Tat?....How many thais that travel overseas get all that free medical treatment from most countries...they certainly wouldnt be adding up all the bills and whinging about it would they?...They just get on with looking after the Patient, payment or not...

Nonsense. Don't spew rubbish. Which most other countries provide medical free for foreigner including Thai????

Wake up Thailand your people abuse the hospital system in Australia its paid for by the taxpayers , tuff TATAs thailand you make billions yet cry like babies if you have to spend 7 million on Hospital care,

Nonsense. Don't spew rubbish. Aussie taxpayers does not pay for the hospital charges of foreigners. Foreigners must have insurance before they can use the hospital services in Australia.

“We could ban all RVs from Phuket entirely, and seize all the RVs and arrest their drivers already on the island – without exception.

And in the rest of the world people have been travelling around in these for almost 50 years.......fum ducks the lot of em

Come On.Many countries in Asia also does not allow RVs.

Well, for what it's worth, this is a pretty uncommon occurrence; the BTS is generally very reliable transportation. If you can remember back pre Dec 1999, a trip from Klongtoey to Childom (home and work) could take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Stuff breaks and it seems like the folks at BTS are on top of it,

Very fair comment, agreed. Dont send BKK back to the dark ages....I remember pre BTS. Unlivable.

Yup. People should try living in Jakarta, if "living" there is at all possible.

Or even the so called efficient Singapore MRT. It is over crowded, packed, missed-schedules and breaks down regularly.

Well, it is obvious, in Vietnam they do realise foreigners bring in a lot if money, while the powers to be really understand bad press means less foreigners=less money.

It is said that every expat living within the country brings 1-2 jobs.

Oh well, Vietnam and Cambodia know that very well, Laos and Myanmar are starting to understand that.

Does Thailand really understand that?

I really hope so, for the sake of the people depending on the jib generating expats.

What nonsense are you talking?????

I would rate the top 10 hotels in Bangkok as follows :

(This is my list, so you have the right to disagree, but I have stayed in all of these residences and there is a clear winner)

Location, size of room, atmosphere, facilities, proximity to the sky train, restaurants and pool areas.

1) The Eastin Sukosol

2) The Mandarin Oriental

3) The Shangri - La

4) The Sheraton Royal Orchid (Riverside)

5) The Peninsular

6) The Pullman

7) The Westin

9) The Sukosol

10) The Anantara (Formerly Marriott)

The Eastin Pratunam wouldn't even lift my fathers luggage into the taxi. It was a skinny girl there who even couldn't lift it if she wanted to try.

The Pullman is nice but the personell can't speak english. Speaking english is the biggest problem for all hotels though.

Sheraton Royal orchid don't know how to make coffee even when they have a "real" barista on the terrace. Also they don't give a dime if a guest damages her car on their steap driveway into the garage.

I don't know the other hotels but i guess it's all the same. No english, no trained personell.

For me a 5* hotel needs to have well trained personell who of course can speak good english.

Many of the above written here are BS. I had stayed many times in the mentioned hotels and have NOT encountered any of the issue raised by the Op.

Every country in the world has been willing to ignore China's renege on the agreement with the UK on Hong Kong, extra territorial claims, the invasion of Tibet and Taiwan's democratic freedom in exchange for trade with China.

I don't support many of China's action, BUT What has China renege on the agreement with the UK on Hong Kong???

After watching this video a number of times and reading prior post. My opionion is the pedestrian is at fault. Had he been in a cross walk then the table is turned. He is another unwise person in the middle of traffic failing to look both ways then he darts and is struck.

Had this been me I still looking both ways before I dart across the street. This being Thailand you always have stray dogs and not wise pedistrian making the decision to cross the street when not safe. As in the video here. My 2 baht!

Nonsense. If you look at the video again, he look both ways.

Another crazy mini van driver, arguing with his complaining passengers all day and finally get refused his parking space outside his house.

No wonder he went on a killing spree.

Stay away from mini van drivers, they are a bunch of lunatics.

He is not driving a mini van. He is driving a Toyota Fortuner SUV.

Look at the names of those killed. None of them are Thai.

This time. But Thai's kill Thai's all the time. And remember there are 3 million migrant workers, plus another 1 million Farang in Thailand at any given time.

How long have you been in Thailand?

Mrs Sirilak or Jay Muay Sae Hor, is a Thai Chinese name

Mr Mulloh Bin-umat, is a Thai Muslim name

Anyone with actual experience with Data Centers in Thailand? I have my doubt after reading some of the comments ...

I can tell you that many of those comments are nonsense. I was from the Data Center hosting services and was a senior manager with one of the largest IT services company in the world before leaving the ICT industry. There are many co-location data centers in Thailand, not as many as Malaysia or Singapore but close enough. It is very fun when I read comments from TV people that do not know what they are writing.