aussienam

This Chinese man Mr 'Tian' 38 living abroad in a luxury villa illegally overstaying.  What shady business/es have you been up to?  Scams? Other online frauds? Laundering? Drugs?  Something criminal I speculate. Why would I think that?  Getting cynical

5 hours ago, thesetat said:

I used to be able to buy this at a doctors office. Hospitals rarely want to give it to you anymore. Now they offer something similar with a warning on its addictiveness. However, I have never been told to keep the paperwork with me. The chances he bought this on the street is slim at best. It is not something so common for sale and consumption illegally. The witch hunt continues. I wonder how many taxis they stopped that had Thais in them? 

Maybe 'Stresam'?  I was prescribed that at a hospital in lieu of diazepam.  And an antidepressant.  Cost over 4000 baht for one month.  I almost fell backwards.  In Oz, my specialist prescribes diazepam.  The hospital specialist wouldn't.  Price gauging galore. 

So, this appears to be a blitz in Phuket as a knee-jerk response to the Swiss idiot who kicked the Thai doctor.  Fair assumption?  Since the multiple crackdowns on farangs there lately.

Now punishment will be ten-fold against farang to serve as lesson to not harm Thais. I am not disputing that there are farangs doing the wrong thing.  And there are some bad actors living in LOS who shouldn't be. 

Diazepam is dispensed at so many clinics.  People with anxiety disorder, depression, chronic tinnitus and other inner ear disorders, alcohol withdrawal, chronic insomnia - can benefit from being on this medication.  Of course it can be abused, which is the issue.  

Many clinics dispense them at 15 to 20 baht each.  Hospitals charge consultation and then hospital prices which are exorbitant and almost criminal in how much they charge, albeit the apparent correct way. 

You go to a certified clinic to speak about suffering with a diagnosed disorder and you are provided with Diazepam and you are meant to know this is apparently not legal as you were not provided a script, rather a clinic resealable bag with a number of tablets, no receipt.  

Publishing an arrest for 1 x diazepam tablet, and prosecuting him for it. Wow!

The man apparently 'looked suspicious' and searched.  Looking suspicious?  How? Nervous? Shaking in fear?  Trying to conceal something?  Or just by the 'look' of his face?  Or just an excuse made up to target foreigners.  I wonder which one.  Phuket police are known for some questionable methods.  

Technically the medication is illegal yes, if not prescribed.  But then why not crackdown on the thousands of clinics and pharmacies dispensing them to clueless foreigners. 

On 3/9/2024 at 4:58 PM, bristolgeoff said:

You can look maybe touch but do not take.that has the rule for years.everyone knows including boat owners.so doing that is a complete no no

 

 

 

Should not touch either.  How many delicate corals that take decades to form are destroyed by apathetic tourists who trample on, break off with their hands, knock their fins into things, and some trying to acquire souvenirs or 'show and tell' at the surface.  Fan coral, one of the most delicate corals that takes decades to form, I have seen videos of clumsy and intentional foreign tourists breaking pieces off.  Touching and holding onto fish/reef sharks etc, can remove important protective mucous lining on their scales/skin, leading to infection.  

5 hours ago, scorecard said:

 Wow, what evidence do you have to support this scenario? 

It's not evidence, it's a 'scenario'. And I included words to the effect I hoped it (that scenario) wasn't what happened/close to the truth. Which is why I hope there is more to the story than what was reported. 

I've met a few expats who have invested into a bar and their partner manages it.  They just sit and build rapport with customers to generate repeat business. So technically not working but just drinking and customers buying them drinks plus the bar staff. 

I've been told they need to be very careful to never lift a finger to help, in case they are deemed working.  Answering the phone to acknowledge a room is available, picking up a dirty ashtray to give it to staff, anything that a bar staff employee could do.  But recommending a drink is deemed working?  I hope there is more to the story than that as this sounds truly lame. 

Imagine you are sitting in a bar you invested in that your wife runs.  A regular comes in and says, "Mate, what do you recommend for something new to drink, I'm sick of beer?"  "Mate, how about a Sangsom and coke?" Thai undercover police swoop in.  Evidence of working!  No way.  

Maybe Putin is sourcing more funds for his Ukraine invasion! (Just a wild theory).  Russian hackers are notorious for hitting large institutions.  Micro debits multiplied by few million can make a decent fraud scam very profitable. 

7 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

When a foreigner is involved, Thai witnesses do not always tell the truth here on Samui

1  young girl on a motorbike had a toddler in front of her. She drove straight into a parked truck. Just not looking.

I stopped my jeep and went to see if I could help. eg take the toddler to hospital.

A crowd of 20 - 30 Thais soon gathered around and started blaming me until two Thais told them not to be stupid. I was nowhere near the accident. I was driving on the other side of the road going in the opposite direction.

 

2 worker from the hotel near where I live was diving fast down a narrow lane and hit a pot hole.

Came off his bike and smacked his head. Unconscious.

I was the first to arrive and again tried to help.

Another worker from the same hotel called the police and said that he had seen the accident and told them that I had hit is friend and knocked him off his bike.

The police examined my jeep but could not see any damage. The case was left open until the first guy recovered his senses and told the police that no one else was involved.

 

So forgive me if I read 'witness 'statements like the above with a bit of scepticism

Unfortunate third world mob leech scamming mindsets of a segment of the population- regardless if you are a good Samaritan, you may be seen as a source of funds to fix one of their own. They know we most often have insurance, and assumptions we can source the money, even if it bleeds us dry of all our funds and forces us into destitution. 

But it's  a dog eat dog world with Thais lying against other Thais as well. I know of two separate road deaths of Thai people where blame was cast to the victims, hit and run scenario and very questionable investigation (virtually none, maybe brown envelope scenario and/or total disinterest). Families then ruthlessly scramble for assets left over with no morals or scruples. 

I'd have stopped as well, like many people.  Perhaps it's always wise to have dash cam and phone footage on outside the car to cover yourself and upload footage to a cloud server before authorities arrive for your own backup. 

On 1/22/2024 at 12:20 PM, eyeman said:

A lot of the loss of these crimes could be solved if the pawn shop was made legally and financially responsible for clearing stolen items. It would be up to the shop to decide what measures they would take - holding payment for several days, requiring witnesses, other titles etc.. but at the moment seems like all these shops do is facilitate the crimes

 

That said I don't get the attraction with a big f' off gold necklaces, tacky as a Lacoste polo, or burberry man bag, they must get sold together in the knobhead starter kit..

I worked in a unit in Australia, years ago, tasked with enforcing compliance of pawnbrokers and second-hand dealers.  All serial numbers, engravings, descriptions, valid IDs were all uploaded to a national database for potential matches to stolen property.  Most owners unfortunately never bothered recording their serial numbers etc.  So often it was just doing a lot of standard investigation work to link property to thefts, robberies, break and enters, shoplifting, fraud, etc.  

It became obvious after a few years of auditing the shops, that the vast majority of property pawned and sold were stolen.  The sheer quantity of stolen goods made it impossible to investigate every item.  Pawnbrokers and second-hand dealers are straight up licensed receivers of stolen goods. 

I am sure Thailand is likely the same and that their auditing and compliance requirements are not stringent.  

43 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

How will the Thai RD determine what is savings, and what is income?

 

I get paid a pension, it goes into an Australian bank. I also have funds on term deposit with the same bank, and elsewhere.

If I draw on the term deposits, and leave the pension to accumulate, how will the RD know the difference?

Thailand adopted Common Reporting Standards in September 2023, joining the several other countries already registered. Meaning exchange of all transaction data. So bank to bank transfers, bank to money exchange to bank transfers, etc.  It appears Thailand revenue department will technically be able to now audit your transaction records from source country/ies for remittances sent to Thailand and your home country will be obligated to provide data. The trail will indicate the sources of each transaction.  

19 hours ago, TigerandDog said:

that's the confusion with the wording of S18. Does "State" mean the State/Country" where payment is made from OR where payment is received. That's what I'm waiting to hear about. I'm scheduled to receive a phone call from an aussie tax agent on Jan 23 with regards to S18

From my interpretation you will be taxed in the state you are a resident of. For tax purposes, Thailand deem you a resident of Thailand as over 180 days staying in Thailand in a calendar year.  

If you haven't been taxed in source country above your determined Thai tax bracket, then it appears you will be subject to being taxed for your pension.  There are some possible deductions that reduce tax liability for certain individuals. 

She exclaims how unsafe Russia is because of her luggage theft.  

I had several things stolen from my luggage that I discovered when collecting it from baggage carousel in Bangkok.  Is Thailand now therefore dangerous???  

The level of indifference and disinterest reporting theft incidents would be on par as well for both countries. 

At least in Thailand you won't fall out of a window like in Russia ..... oh .. wait.  

I am guessing that this lady when alive was very head-strong!!  

"The coffee shop is seen as targeting customers with high purchasing power, as a cup of coffee offered by the shop is well above the minimum wage of 302 to 316 baht."

As another poster has revealed, the coffees sit around 150 baht.  So, a bit of poor reporting here from The Thaiger.  Proof reading and fact checking needed from the editor. 

Nonetheless, 150 baht for a coffee is what is charged in a cafe in Oz these days and one reason why I am in Thailand, to avoid hefty prices. 

My local Cafe does barista quality coffee with a very decent coffee bean for 50 baht for a cappucino in a mug.  Iced coffees 55 baht.  Very decent price and IMO better than Starbucks. Sure, there are die-hard Starbucks fans who swear by it, but not for me.  Amazon is an alternative that is half decent and much cheaper than Starbucks.  

"This incident sparked concern among residents and tourists alike, highlighting the need for increased security measures and stricter regulations for foreign visitors, particularly during the high-tourism season."

It is these type of criminal scumbags that potentially ruin it for the rest of us including retirees with harsher, punitive style measures that could also cost us all more.

There is a 'non-snitching' culture promoted amongst many underclass, criminal elements, and others thinking it's ok for bad people to operate their illegal businesses and to just turn a blind eye.  Then people becoming hesitant to report over fear of being labeled a 'snitch'. 

Personally, any scum carrying a firearm with loaded ammunition in public needs to be reported, arrested, imprisoned and deported being permanently black listed. And any other piece of garbage criminal who also risks the reputation (through stereotyping and generalizations) of foreigners. The bikie OMCG arrests recently has potentially already caused harsher measures for all living here. 

5 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Really? Why would that do that?

Does anybody believe there is not more to this story which was not mentioned? 

Even if there was a fight by the patrons, security staff, if professional should be trained to defend in appropriate measures, restrain, detain and either report to police or eject them from the premises.  

Having cameras not working as well is a red flag for a rogue club.  Any professional club will ensure they are always operating and recording by frequent maintenance and checks.  Total BS 'out clause' to use the faulty camera excuse often used. 

Totally unprofessional typical mismanaged rogue-type nightclub operation. Hiring of thug security staff that think they have carte blanche right to assault patrons. The extent of injuries to the hospitalized male is obviously excessive.  Perhaps a strike to the back of the neck and head by a punch, elbow, knee or foot stomp. Cowardly and criminal.  Security guards who think they are above the law.

I've seen some absolute wa****s wearing their 'SECURITY' uniforms feeling so powerful and displaying passive aggressive mannerisms. 

Attack in packs to get their cheap thrills to hurt others for fun and release their aggression. 

Definitely this is a deadbeat club to avoid.  

Sad consequences of COVID.  Debt. 

Poor family with basic fiscal management abilities.  Wonder where the parents are whom the grandparents now support?  

Thai mafia loan sharks, that charge extreme interest on top.  Sad story.  Poor man to sacrifice his life to save his wife and grandkids from potential harm and destitution.  This is harsh poor living reality in Thailand.  

10 hours ago, Highlandman said:

So a "concerned" snitch aka busybody decided to rat out a foreigner staying in a tent. Why can't Thais just leave others alone? 

Could have been a hiso farang who considered it a visual blemish to his afternoon stroll and took immediate offence. Calling Tourist Police with haste!

"No signs of panic or PTSD" as reported in Thaiger!  Hmm. Who made that diagnosis??

PTSD can present itself as accute, accumulative, and/or chronic and complex.  It can easily be undiagnosed.  Frontline workers often conceal their symptoms for many reasons (cultural, saving face, expected in their job to confront danger and traumatic incidents, fear of losing job, etc) or not even realise they have it until much later.