Wiggy

Don't drink and drive in the first place would be my advice.

I must say I've just had a very pleasant phone call with TrueVisions. It was the call to downgrade my subscription from Platinum to Gold and denying them of much needed income. The 'officer' said that True world inform me if the contract with BBC Entertainment was renewed. I don't want to read too much into this, but does that mean they are re-negotiating? Probably not as that would be logical and we know that True aren't into doing things the logical way, but let's hope so.

Feel sorry for MartinBKK though - I was thinking about buying a PVR a while back but decided not to after it didn't work properly during the free trial. Glad I didn't. What a rip-off. It most countries I know, when you buy something it's YOURS. Not here though. TIT.

I hate to say this, but as I am always very wary of TrueVisions' actions I wonder if this is a master plan by them to raise prices. How's this for a scenario:

They ditch their most popular channel on the Platinum package (BBC Entertainment) in the knowledge that most Platinum subscribers will downgrade to Gold. Then a month or so down the line and, hey presto! - BBC Entertainment re-appears back on Platinum. The trick is that Platinum now costs more. The reason I say this is that I can never remember UBC/True raising prices - they just mess around with the various packages.

Maybe I'm just being too suspicious - but we all know what they're like.

To the poster above who said True's programming lineup is all U.S. centric TV....

That may be true in some respects (principally because the U.S. probably CREATES more TV programming than other countries), but it's certainly not true in many other respects... For example:

SPORTS: True's programming lineup is FILLED (now and the past) with various versions of European football matches virtually 24/7 on multiple channels (as an American, of course, we call it soccer). In contrast, Americans are lucky to get one or two pro football games per week during the season, and shoddy coverage of professional baseball and basketball, and worse for everything else. I'm just guessing here, but for sports, in terms of hours of programming, True's mix has got to be 90% European - 10% American or more...

NEWS: I personally don't care for it, but forget finding FOX News on True, and forget finding the U.S. version of CNN here. Instead, there is BBC News, which is great, and the European version of CNN. So for news, I'd hardly call that U.S. centric. Rather, some might consider it actually a bit tilted toward Europeans on balance.

I'm glad other folks, including Brits here, are fighting to keep BBC Entertainment in True's lineup. Although not my cup of tea, I know it's a good channel with quality programs. But just know, the fight you're waging now is one Americans here have been waging for years to try to get some better balance to True's sporting lineup.

At least, you've had BBC Entertainment all these years, until the recent plan to take it way. For Americans, we've NEVER had a decent balance of sporting coverage here relative to European coverage. And of course, Americans aren't the only ones who are interested in American pro sports.

I was not referring to Sports.. I don't watch those channels.. More regarding the comedy, movies, adventure etc..

Would be better is the channels were classified in a way that we could select what we really wanted.. rather than silver / gold / platinum and the way True want us to watch.. I for one would not have one sports channel.. Most likly news , documentary (discovery, natgeo etc), BBC Entertainment and I would be done.. Lets the sports lovers have all they want and they can pay for it.

My sentiments exactly - see my earlier post.

Here's the latest reply from True - another load of corporate tosh and lies.

Dear Mr. Mike:

We truly apologize for the inconvenience that you might have experienced in our service.

Please allow us to clarify to you that we made the change based on 3 main factors.

1. The contract expiration of the three channels.

2. The conditions of the contracts renewal.

3. And TrueVisions’ continuing policy of acquiring newer and quality content for its paying subscribers for their ultimate satisfaction.

After considering such factors we have made the decision to change the 3 channels as follows:

BBC Entertainment to be replaced by AXN Beyond on digital channel 38 Animax to be replaced by All Sports Network (ASN) on digital channel 40 STC to be replaced by Nickelodeon on digital channel 42 We are sure that the 3 new channels will meet the satisfaction of our Platinum and Silver members by program category interest and program quality.

Under current economic circumstance, is the change considered a way to lower operating cost?

Nothing as such but the overall change has been carefully considered by in all important perspectives by our management.

Is the change of the 3 channels, for whatever reasons done without consideration for the existing viewers of the channels and why were they not asked for their opinions before hand?

TrueVisions does a monthly survey of its subscribers viewing preference and we confirm that we have the satisfaction of our customers at heart always.

What if subscribers don’t like the 3 new channels?

We would like you to watch the 3 new channels first and if you are really not satisfied with the program we also welcome your feedback at TrueVisions Care 0-2725-2525.

We are so grateful for your trust in our service and support us all time. Write us again whenever we can be of further help to you. Please contact us at 02-7252525 or [email protected]

________________________________

02-7252525àPress 9 for Englishà Press 8 for Platinum and Gold serviceà Enter subscriber number ….followed by(#)à Press 1 to submità press number 1 for Billing and Payment, 2 for Technical support, or 3 for General Information…, your line will be transferred to the representative shortly.

________________________________

Customer Information

Please be informed that TrueVisions will change the process whereby Tax Invoices are issued; changing from an accrual basis to a cash basis. Therefore, where we currently issue a Tax in the same document together with the statement, we will amend this process so that in the future the Tax Invoice will be issued only after the payment has been made.

________________________________

Best regards,

Mr. Wichian Chompoonog

Support & Non-Voice Management

Tel+66(0) 2725-2525

Fax+66(0) 2725-2500

Email:[email protected]

เปิดชีวิตมุมมองใหม่ เปิด ทรูวิชั่นส์

True Visions Public Company Limited

118/1 Tipco Tower, Rama VI Road,

Samsen Nai, Phayathai, Bangkok 10400

www.truevisionstv.com

It's entirely possible that BBCE have raised their fees, but then that's what happens in the world of cable/satellite TV. As we all know prices rarely go down in this day and age. If this is the case then it's down to TrueVisions to re-negotiate. However, their track record with this kind of thing is not exactly good. How many other times have we seen them messing around with what they offer (FA Cup, BBC Prime, Hallmark etc.)?

It was my letter in the Bangkok Post on Saturday.

I suggest you all contact Khun Pawadee at: [email protected]

Here is my correspondence with them so far:

Dear Sir/Madam,

Please give me a reasonable explanation why you are removing the best channel on True Visions (BBC Entertainment) and replacing it with rubbish (AXN Beyond). I have been a customer for more than 9 years and will now have to think about canceling my subscription. This is because you continue to downgrade the service and offer more and more cheap programmes at the same expensive price (my brother pays LESS than me for 171 channels in the UK - and some of them are HD).

Please answer the following questions:

1. Why are you not renewing the contract with BBC Entertainment?

2. How much will my Platinum fee go down because you are offering lower quality programmes?

3. Why do you never listen your customers?

4. When will you have HD (High Definition) TV programmes which are already available in the region?

5. Why don't you change your business strategy? For example, let the customer choose the channels and bill them individually for each channel. Or, have more packages on offer so that the customer can have more choice of what to watch. You could have:

1. Premier League Package at 1,000 baht/month (only EPL games)

2. Drama Package at 200 baht/month (Star World, BBC Entertainment etc.)

3. Documentary Package at 400 baht/month (Discovery, Nat Geo, Animal Planet etc.)

4. Movie Package at 500 baht/month (HBO, TCM, Star Movies etc.)

5. Sports Package at 400 baht/month (ESPN, Star, All Sports Network etc.)

(The prices above are just examples)

Then the customer can mix packages and choose what they want to watch.

Regards,

Mike White

*******************************

Dear Khun Mike,

We are truly sorry for any inconvenience caused. However, please be informed that the main reasons that we have to replace our 3 channels are as follows:

1. The contract with these 3 channels: BBC Entertainment, Animax

and STC are terminated.

2. The conditions for continuance contract of these 3 channels are

not agreed between mutual parties.

3. Our policy is to seek for the new and quality programs in order

to make the subscriber more happily with our new channels.

Therefore, with these 3 main reasons above, we have considered to launch the following plans:

- BBC Entertainment will be changed to be AXN Beyond on Channel D 38

- Animax will be changed to be All Sports Network (ASN) on Channel D 40

- STC will be changed to be Nichelodeon on Channel D 42

However, we would like to say thank you for your constructive suggestion and comment and we will forward it to the relevant department for their information and consideration.

We are so grateful for your trust in our service and support us all time. Write us again whenever we can be of further help to you. Please contact us at 02-7252525 or [email protected]

*********************

Dear K. Pawadee,

I have received many standard, corporate answers over the years but

yours is, I must say, truly pathetic.

You have made absolutely no attempt to answer most of my questions (the

answers to questions 1 and 5 are unsatisfactory). As I reminder here

they are again:

1. Why are you not renewing the contract with BBC Entertainment?

2. How much will my Platinum fee go down because you are offering lower

quality programmes?

3. Why do you never listen your customers?

4. When will you have HD (High Definition) TV programmes which are

already available in the region?

5. Why don't you change your business strategy? For example, let the

customer choose the channels and bill them individually for each

channel. Or, have more packages on offer so that the customer can have

more choice of what to watch.

You say in your email that, "Our policy is to seek for the new and

quality programs in order to make the subscriber more happily with our

new channels". Well let me inform you that you are going against that

policy, because you are making your subscribers unhappy. I can't believe

you said that. Why does True think we are not happy with the current

programs? You *_never_* ask us!! Your policy should be, "to seek new and

quality programs *in addition to our current programs* in order to make

the subscriber happier with our new channels". But rather, you just do

whatever you want and inconvenience the people who pay your salary - the

customer. You also mention that you are grateful for my trust in your

service and support you all the time. Never did I say I trusted you or

supported you. In fact it's the opposite. I have _*never*_ trusted

UBC/True and I have *_never_* supported your company, and I never will.

I only subscribe because I have no choice, but that is about to change

(see below).

I intend to take this issue further and higher. I have already written

to the Bangkok Post (see first link below - 2nd letter down after you

open the link) and there is a reply to my letter in the newspaper today

(see second link below - 5th letter down after you open the link) from

someone supporting me. In addition they have suggested alternatives to

True Visions. Thousands of people will read these letters, so I suggest

your company thinks again before canceling channels as it could mean

lots of canceled subscriptions when people find out they can choose

another service.

By the way, as a customer I have the right to an answer to my questions

and I shall expect an answer to *_all_* of my questions in your next email.

Finally, take a look at the following link also. You'll find out what people are saying about your organization - it's not nice.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Truevisons-U...rt-t261710.html

Regards,

Michael White

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion...8/forever-lying

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion...-learning-vital

look at the date guys

It doesn't say that we are forbidden to consume alcohol. It only says no alcohol will be "served" or "sold".

This means it is okay to drink our own alcohol, and to drink it regardless of the location.

It's a bit like the time-of-day restriction on alcohol sales. You can't buy alcohol before 11am or between 2pm and 5pm, but you can consume it any time of the day.

If we had left bottles of whisky with our name on it at a bar or club that were purchased on a date prior to the 14th of December 2007, can we consume them?

Would any bars or clubs allow BYO?

No alcohol will be SERVED - whether it's pre-paid for or not.

The official reason for the ban (so I understand) is that Thais can vote, "with a clear head and conscience"(!!) The real reason - probably - is so that nobody gets drunk and forgets who gave them 300 baht for their vote and they end up voting for the other guy!!

"This is a priority case because it has damaged the reputation of Sukhothai and the entire country,"

Not because somebody is dead - so that's OK then.

When I was in law school, we learned that "hard cases make bad law." Tonight's decision is clearly an example of this. For all of the sins of Mr Thaksin and TRT, banning a large party is simply a bad precedent, and a step back from democracy. Richard Nixon's administration was the closest the United States came to a dictatorship in living memory. However, no one raised the thought of disbanding or abolishing the Republican party. The way we get rid of bad politicians is to vote them out of office, not get rid of their parties. There are many in Thai Rak Thai, such as Mr Chaturon, who have something positive to contribute to this country. Why deprive them of what are in essence a huge chunk of their civil rights! Put the guilty ones on trial, instead.

On a lighter note, I am starting a new party.....called Farang Rak Thai. I think I can get many members, but few voters.

Keep calm.

That may be fine, but how do you vote bad politicians out when they simply buy the majority of the electorate with wads of cash? Admittedly Thailand is not a democracy, but at least this verdict might make some politicians think twice before adopting unfair strategies in the future. Democracy will be slow in coming to Thailand, but come it will.

When the fag companies were banned out of sports in the UK the negative effects to the sporting events and related industries (advertising, printing etc) were short lived.

The cost to Thailand if a few advertising companies go under and they miss out on a few rock concerts would be a small price to pay IF the ban saves even one life. Around 14,000 people die on Thai roads annually. 80%+ of these deaths are drink related. And that represents only one of the negative effects alcohol has on society.

Less drinking, less puking, less hangovers, less hospital visits, lower insurance, safer roads etc.

A very good news indeed !

Let's wait a few more month, to have other cancelations. And then, maybe, the government will start to understand that they should review their ridiculous face-based decision...

Sponsorship is only the tip of the iceberg... Actually, it's a big economic blow to the advertising and printing industries. That's the main issue.

Less activities, less revenues, less VAT, less taxes, etc.

Face has a price. They will pay it. At no discount.

80% of road deaths alcohol related - yes, but isn't there a drink-drive law in place? Oh, sorry it's not enforced is it. Ever heard of responsible drinking?

The reason the tax is not in the ticket price is that if it were it could not go into someone's pocket. C'mon guys, think about it!

Let's face up to reality - Thailand is a racist society. Just look at the name of the ruling party and the term "aliens" for evidence of that. If the law states that foreigners cannot own land/houses (apart from condos) then so be it, regardless of whether or not a Thai can buy property in our home country. This is why we appreciate democracies more than dictatorships, which Thailand is rapidly turning into. Yes, many more Thais will be thrown onto the unemployment scrapheap, but that's not on this government's list of problems. Making money is their priority, and they are obviously not making any out of "selling" property to foreigners. Plain and simple.

Sorry to those who will lose out.

Strange place the LOS. Valentine's Day must be the only day teenagers have sex. Come to think of it, what is the 'S' for in LOS??

Tourism does not drop by 30% overnight because of one (albeit sad and tragic) incident. Otherwise nobody would go anywhere. The government has slowly been destroying tourism for a year or two now with its "crackdowns". Somebody has added up the arrival numbers, had a shock, and looked for something other than the government to blame.

First a crackdown on tobacco displays so people won't be tempted to smoke, now a crackdown on alcohol displays so people won't be tempted to drink. What's next? Will the government force women to wear a bag over their head so people won't be tempted to rape them?!