saeb

German man jumps to his death at Central Pattaya Hotel.

hmmm, wouldn't be the same guy from the other news story would it ? The guy who fled the police check-point carrying two bags, leaving behind his expensive car and (more expensive ?) Thai woman ?

Could be a valid point :

Excuse my ignorance, but his room number was something like 2045?.

Should that not be the second floor?.

He jumped from the 4th as I read it.

Ho-hum......

I don't understand your point. Did you read the full page or just the first paragraph?

Don't know! - Didn't read it - backpackers doing the ethnic thing man.......

I was first there in 92' before the Australian Government coughed for the loot to finish the 'Friendship Bridge' over the Mekhong.

Weren't nowt to do in Luang Prabang. The wats were nice. The people were nice.

The climate was cool.

Most of the population were stoned or drunk.

A nice place to catch up on reading and relaxing.

Thaket is less 'ethnic traveller' as is Sakhamavet - i.e. they don't take the piss trying to make money out of you being a person never liable to return.

(Oh - my and my great Thai pal will retire to Laos. We decided that many a year ago.

With multiple wives and kids, cats, dogs, to watch the river go by............).

Consider the possibility that there is no German. It was simply the Thai woman who made up a cock-and-bull story to get out of being charged with having the pills, or maybe because of an entirely different motive, such as to cover up the theft of the car.

Brilliant!

I suppose, really, we have to look at a few things:-

1. Series 7 BMW's are expensive. In Thailand, very expensive.

2. The car concerned has engine and chassis numbers.

3. The car was imported - or at least assembled under licence with the appropriate manufacturing certificates.

4. The car is registered to a "person as yet unknown".

5. It had insurance.

6. It was taxed.

7. From no., 2 to 6 it would take your average MIB about 30 minutes (including 20 minutes for lunch) to work out who the actual owner is / was.

8. The wench in the motor had 1.5 yaa baa on her person.

Maybe Kaman Po was driving?. After all, he can afford a 7 series

So I guess you are saying that Pol Pot faked his own death? eh? Damned clever.

Pol Pot AKA Brother Number 1. Really.

No, he didn't fake his own death. He died happily with his wife in Thailand.

A much greater privilege than he allowed 1.5 million of his own people.

At least he died of old age.

And of course, nobody in Thailand ever made any money at all from logging or gemstone concessions from the Khmer Rouge..........being fine upstanding folks and all.

The fact of the matter being that various international organisations were after him to stand trial for genocide seem to have been conveniently ingnored by Thailand who on many occasions stated that they were looking for him.............Seemed to be common knowledge that he had his villa in Baeng Saen and was treated regularly in BKK for lower bowel problems.

Usual thing - dirty money, and rewrite history.

"Nationwide hunt for a supected foreigner who may or may not be German who was carrying two bags which may or may not have contained food supplies from Tesco or yaa baa. Said unamed person with or without European nationality may or may not have fled the scene having suffered serious trauma over several years having to pay unwarranted and illegal fines for road traffic offences which he may or may not have committed. Said unamed and unknown person may or may not be the registered owner of the vehicle in question".

P.S. Is there a nationwide hunt for Kaman Po?.

Lets start a new survey : Where is Kaman Po?.

I reckon India.

Take his preferred calibre of pistol, divide it by the size of his penis and one should arrive at his intelligence quotient.

Eminently suitable for voluntary service in Iraq.

Good point Gent:

Today another 74 killed by bombs in Iraq's capital - and goodness only knows how many maimed.

Women, children, the old and the 'wanting to get on with their lives'.

Maybe Mr Monkey Cum could volunteer to work in triage in an Iraq hospital for a few months?.

Think of all those immobilsed people as a captive audience to sell time share to in Pattaya........

Ooopss....sorry - he lives in comic book land - sorry. My apologies.

Really he needs what is called in Scotland a '3T' conversation. Tactile Training Thought.

Generally using means other than conversation. Oh: And no guns.

I will always, always, always, go off the deep end with any clown who advocates gun useage.

As any member of TV who has had to use one of the things will know you are left with a feeling of

dirt that will never ever go away. Ever.

Ain't no heroes who ever killed anyone - the heroes are the ones who can walk away without recourse to killing other people.

"As long as we are talking we are not fighting".

Presumably Captain Nahm Ling had the benefit of an education in the U.S.?.

My Fiance', her Father, and I went to the Thai Navy range in Samutprakarn a couple months ago when we got her a lovely 9mm. She carries all the time and everyone feels much better now that she dose. I only wish I could carry too what a lame rule that we can't carry guns. We (foregners) get victimized too. In the States I'm licenced and carry a Glock model 22 .40cal. In Iraq I pack a classic, Colt 1911 .45. I would like the Glock for Thailand, I would think with all the humidity the .45 would require much more cleaning and attention.

Mr Time Share is a liar. No problem there. For 14 years I have done business with the Thai military in specialist fields. They, as any user of guns who may have to use them, despise the things.

As a U.K. qualified marksman (no scopes you Yanks and 200 yards with full bore), the boy is living a fantasy. Guns are horrible. Disgusting evil things.

Mr Money Shot - I look forward to seeing you in Sattahip at the Thai SEAL training centre along with the Forward Recon RTN Marine Units.

<deleted> - if someone is going to rob, shoot, or rape you, they are not going to it do John Wayne style.

Bang -bang- "There's injuns over them rocks".

Idiot - get a life and continue to make money out of the immoral situation that exists where you say that you currently work in Iraq. Picking up shoes on a basketball court?.

That's what you said.

Why do the serving staff get access to guns?.

I know some good guys working in Iraq trying to get the infrastructure up and running whilst idiots like you seem to have some wank fantasy about guns. Idiot. Stupid.

Give me the name of the Naval Officer who signed your chit to gain access to a Thai military shooting range :- Can you?.

PM me if you have the balls and your name and pp no. or bints ID.

I look forward to a blustering reply..................

What is it that you have to be so insecure to lie?.

Pip-Pip.

Is it illegal to carry around a taser (stun gun) and use it only for defence purposes only? For example, would I be arrested for using a taser to protect my self when I'm surrounded by a group of gangstars that are about to beat me up?

Do you really care in that situation if it's legal or not if you have a stun gun in your hand?

Legal or not, I have brought one from overseas (Japan) in checked baggage and had no problem clearing (or simply passing through the) customs at Don Muang. It no longer works now and I since live in a better-than-average security condominium but there was a burglar in my condo last year in which a Japanese couple had their laptop, cash and cell phone stolen in their sleep so I'm now looking for someone who can get it fixed.

P.S. Buy a battery charger.

What is this weapons thing about Thailand these days?. Why do people ask these daft questions?.

Why do they pay good money to go to a country then ask idiotic questions?.

I can just imagine the reaction that I would get if off to the USA that I ask the question, "Where can I buy a .44 and can I take it through customs?"

After all every U.S. t.v. show that I have ever seen (Simpsons excluded) seems to involve people shooting each other................ <deleted> - get a life!.

Really, can T.V. open a kindergarten forum for these clowns?.

Thailand is safe- if you speek nice wot most peeples do. TIT. (The quoted poster not the country.)

Hi

Ok so I have been on the beach too long and renting or owning a motorbike is no great problem but reading through some of the other posts I realize that the DVLA has issued new Photocard driving Licences.

Has anyone got their old paper driving license upgraded to the new Photocard one while here in the LOS?

The DVLA website has lots of useful information but no application form to download.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Get someone to go to a post office in blighty and post you the forms.

Fill them in and put your address in Thailand but c.o. an address in blighty.

Worked for me and some mates........ages ago.

Is it illegal to carry around a taser (stun gun) and use it only for defence purposes only? For example, would I be arrested for using a taser to protect my self when I'm surrounded by a group of gangstars that are about to beat me up?

This site needs to hand out some serious drugs to some people.

What do we get?. "Is it o.k. to import guns?".

"Gun laws in Thailand?".

Stick site, "can I import a flak jacket?".

Now the taser question!.

Wow!.

"Group of gangsters about to beat me up". Yuk-yuk-yuk.

Sunshine - a taser is a one shot thing. I am sure said gangsters would get a bit miffed about one of their mates having a spastic attack because of your actions.

See in dictionary under sub heading, "BIG MACHETE".

How about you just get on with the locals?.

Oooooeerrrr.......severe opinions have reared their heads again I note:

However, with regard to the poster(s) complaining that sentencing in the U.K. is too soft appear not to be aware of a couple of points:

1. It is called the 'Rehabilitation of Offenders Act' - please note, "Rehabilitation".

Jeffery Archer being a prime example - now if he were from a council estate would it be different?.

Maggie Thatcher's son who got 30 mill from the Saudis to help broker the Tornado deal - <deleted> can't even read a map ; What does he know about aircraft?.

The whole prison system was reformed in the U.K. through the late 1800's and early 1900's in that the system that had previously hanged children as young as 8 for stealing a loaf of bread thought that there was another way forward.

Transportation for life to the colonies for trapping a rabbit. It happened far too often.

2. A number of countries came to the conclusion many years ago that keeping someone in prison for more than 7 years was a waste of time and money as after that time a person becomes 'Institusionalised', i.e. where they are is the norm and it serves as no further deterent.

Putting more and more people in a lesser and lesser available space as the prison poulation in the U.K. is expected to do so serves no purpose other than to place people off the street.

Surely on their release, they should then be expected to have a worhtwhile place in society - work, pay tax and avoid future criminal acts?.

How then are they expected to do this whilst locked in 21 hours per day and learning sweet FA?.

Any prison governor will tell you that prisons breed criminals.

Oh - and to the 'cut their nuts off and hang 'em high brigade'

My younger sister was raped when she was 19. By a man who had a history of extreme violence going back through his father and grandparents - he had been cleared of two rapes and numerous violent assaults before that time.

He himself had been subject to systematic sexual assaults by his father and uncles as had all the kids in his family............

Whilst he is a piece of shit in my opinion he is a product of his upbringing.

His father and uncles - nothing happened to them. Him?. He's now in for attempted murder aged 40 and no doubt enjoying raping 18 year old boys in the nick for non payment of fines.

And how many of those kids are going to come out with a chip on their shoulder?.

There are often posts which promote what might be called the "lynch mob" or "witch hunt" system of 'justice' (you can probably already tell which side of this I am approaching the subject from).

A few recent examples include celebration of the beating-to-death of man by a mob at the Erawan Shrine, promoting violence against a beggar in Bangkok because he is caucasian, and suggesting a variety of non-standard surgical procedures to be imposed upon someone accused (but not convicted) of having sex with a minor.

The number of posters who apparently support bypassing the law and applying these measures absolutely shocks and surprises me; which leads to me asking myself a question, and thence to asking this forum that same question:

In my experience elsewhere (outside the forum - yes, there is another world out there ) I have not previously encountered this same level of support for "mob-rule", nor anywhere near it. So, I think one of the following must be true, and I am curious to ask fellow TVers which they think apply (or to add alternatives if I have missed them).

a) I have previously misjudged the opinions of most people I have met and talked to;

b ) TV members have a much higher percentage of "mob-rule" advocats than the population as a whole;

c) The people I have met elsewhere have a much lower percentage of "mob-rule" advocats than the population as a whole;

d) People express themselves differently when on TV - perhaps taking advantage of the anonymity of the medium.

(d) above could then be split into further options: (i) they are more honest on TV; (ii) they are less honest on TV; or (iii) they don't really think that way, they are just venting anger or frustration.

I tend to believe it is a combination of (b ) and d(iii) - but I must admit I am rather afraid that it might be (c ). Any ideas anyone ?

By the way, the underlying question is an analysis of the dominant opinions of the population - I think arguments for or against "mob-rule" are better dealt with elsewhere, and in fact have been dealt with in other threads on specific issues.

Edit>> corrected to b )

Alas, mob rule does tend rule in every country amongst certain segments of their populations.

A social demographic map would be interesting vis a vis different countries and cultures.

Certainly in the U.K. we had the fascinating case of a mob burning a Paediatrician out of her house because the mob thought she was a paedophile.

Mob rule works to a common fear of a single denominator and which is instigated by an individual who in full knowledge, knows and understands that a rumour once started will grow.

Propaganda is this very thing.

Examples:

1. Thais think that foreigners have b.o. because they eat cheese.

2. During the war years: Japanese pilots could not fly at night because they had a vitamin deficiency.

3. Iraqi citizens were responsible for the whole business of 9/11.

4. Throughout the 1930's Jews were seen as a plague in Europe and demonised accordingly by various governments. (The notable exceptions being the Dutch and Danish).

I have seen at first hand what a mob can do in various countries and indeed, their different rational

to justify their actions.

But then of course we have to get into the realm of government approved mobs ;

I was in BKK in 92' when the squaddies were shooting people who were protesting the actions of their government.

I was in Belfast in 76' when everyone was shooting everyone else for as yet undeterminded reasons.

I was in the U.K. when Margaret Thatcher decided to break the coal miners strike - and used members of the military in police uniforms to help with the numbers.

A member of a mob will never admit wrong, the justification being that "Everyone else was doing it".

And post 1945 it was virtually impossible to meet anyone who would admit to being a follower of Nazism during that time in Europe.

I believe the original poster is confusing savagery' or barbarism' with mob.

And of course by no-one interceding in the beating / killing of the man who vandalised the Erawan shrine, does that make them part of a mob - or just as guilty as the murderers for not trying to stop the violence?.

Who wears a football shirt to go drinking?. And why?. It's all a belonging thing you see.............

The only "Best Bar" that I know of is an Expat establishment. Owned by a Brit I believe. It's supposed to be on Soi 8 in Pattaya. Hope this helps.

Could well be that the chap is mistaken and is looking for "Another Bar". Located in what used to be Soi Machin but now known as Soi Zero.

The name always cracked me up and indeed I lived in the same compound as the girls who worked there.

The owner is a tight, mean, skinflint, miserable, angry, bitch.

But she knows that I know...............

If you go say 'harro' to Dow - (cashier) if she's awake. An unlikely scenario though.

Dow to be awake that is.

As the starring bar in "Nine years on rice and beer".

Photos are available (for a price) of the staff actually moving - eating even.

i am serious about meeting a Thai lady and starting a relationshipe,hopefolly to get meried and bring her back to the UK.

i have been to Thailand (Pattaya) 3 times to visit family, and allways had a good time.But the bar girls i have meet, allways promise the earth and let me down!! As the song go's love the one your with!

I work long 13 hour days,is Thailand worth all this efort,sleepless nights,strees over visa's.

My uncle is maried to a Thai lady and offers no advice.

1) Has anyone any advice about meeting a reasonable Thai lady who is interested in a serious relationshipe?

2) if i meet her in April, can i say i meet her on my first tripe (back dated photo') for her visa?

3) any info on Bangkok dating agencies would be verry helpfull, are thay successful or a waist of time?

I DONT WONT IT TO GO WRONG AGAINE,

Daft. should be sacked from the human race.

Asking advice from other men how to meet a girl?. Not quite a hunter gatherer is one?.

Try a Coldplay c.d.

does not reflect well on the supposed bhuddists who beat the guy to death.

Where does this leave them on their path to enlightenment?.

that's the right word - "supposed" buddhists. pretty much as most of followers of other religions are merely "suposed".

better called these people "worhsipers". what/ whom they worship actually doesn't even matter. FOR WHAT - is main thing.

most of this people most propably have even no slightest idea of what "enlightenment" is and neither ever bother to find out. most of worhsipers do their worship for material gains - money, health, good wife (or mia noi), education - whatever....

so, don't be so heavy on them, mate - they rarely, if at all, seek enlightenment as it is. and therefore you can't use such high charges against them, because it doesn't leave them anywhere else than they are - pseudo-religious level which is virtually equal to materialism.

simply mob, which is same whether it is religious or any other.

You are quite right and very valid points made.

But, I have over many years seen such violence used by people who 'pretend' to be Bhuddist.

Simply mob - hits it on the nail. A bunch of monkeys without the wherewithal to make a rational decision and even an attempt to question why the act was commited before feeling that some part of their cultural identity had been insulted.

One thing that differentiates us from animals is that we can have sympathy for those unable to care for themselves and can accord them (to the best of our abilities) the treatment they need.

Depression is not a mental illness that makes you totally crazy....

I would strongly encourage you to research the subject more thoroughly then...

Depression is a mental illness and can be sufficiently severe to lead to suicide.

Alas, all too many cases are undiagnosed and the depressive actually believes that he or she is perfectly all right.

This is when you find out who your friends and family really are...........

The fact that an 'image' has been broken is irrelevant in comparison to the loss of a life - and does not reflect well on the supposed bhuddists who beat the guy to death.

Where does this leave them on their path to enlightenment?.

How about a joint venture in LOS?. We could train Thai staff to be diligent?.

'The Further Educational Institute for Diligence'

('Serving the modern workplace').

Could be a money maker you know

mmm............ive got a much better 'joint venture' idea.......how about you..........pay me.............. to keep my mouth shut re your tax dodging!!!!

I'm clean - I pay my whack. Uncle Tony likes me. The nice people in Guild St., see to that.

Thinking more in terms of the 'Unusualy Rich' vis a vis corruption.............

Why not Further Educational Establishment for Diligence Master of Education cert?.

Then every graduate gets a FEED ME diploma.

I think it's a goer.

[game4shame]

saeb, you're safe mate - i dont get paid commission..........so i really dont care!!!

just call me mr reliable employee 2006.

Excellent - diligent employees are like hens teeth these days.

Presumably your employer(s) realise your worth and award you accordingly.

Mine don't..........oops - forgot, I'm self employed!.

How about a joint venture in LOS?. We could train Thai staff to be diligent?.

'The Further Educational Institute for Diligence'

('Serving the modern workplace').

Could be a money maker you know.......................

Sukiyaki = Kyu

Riders of the storm = Doors

Cheque Book = Dr Feelgood.

Down by the Jetty = Dr Feelgood.

Theme to Harry's Game - Clanad.

He "apparently" also worked at Mc Donalds while the wife was "apparently" working at Burger King in order to survive while he was studying in the U.S. He won't tell you today that back then he also purchased and shipped a Mercedes back to Thailand.

Someone was just telling me about american university professors looking at his thesis lately and saying that it looked and read like it was done by some high school student and called it a "mickey mouse thesis", wondering how Thaksin can be called Dr. today... Maybe a generous donation was made to the University back then, who knows... We'll probably know more about this "thesis" in the near future with people digging up on his case.

He can not be called a bright person (countless public adresses, tv interviews and radio shows blunders) although he was always good at surrounding himself with people thinking and acting on his behalf.

He constantly reinvents himself, often forgetting that people are taking notes, recording image and audio to be played back later...

As I've said before, I suspect the man of having bipolar disorder or being manic-depressive.

"The business of politics" is a great book and will tell you more about Thaksin and his entourage. With all that's been happening, I'm hoping the book is followed by a second one as there is enough material so far for 4 books!

And lets not forget his first 'commercial success' An ex police Captain selling computers to the.........

police. However, the c.v. seems to be lacking transparency - or most anything at all.

He was born into wealth.....fact

Yes, "The son of impoverished Chinese silk merchants" (Independant newspaper, Thursday).

Is that a paradoxical statement?.

Of course the degree in the US had to be paid for somehow...........

Interesting study subject though ; Criminology.

Somehow I don't think he was sharing a room with 6 others and eating plain rice.

Errr.....does corruption involve the avoidance of vast amounts of tax money?.

Before I vote like....

I better not tell you where I work!!!

Same same!.

and you better not tell me where you live!!!

BKK far enough from Samui?. Aberdeen - why we are nearly neighbours.

Almost, sort of thing.

After my help me thread it seems some people think I would be a burden to Thai society, can I get some votes on this please im my 'What would most likely be a burden to Thai society??' poll.

Cheers.

Errr.....does corruption involve the avoidance of vast amounts of tax money?.

Before I vote like....

When you legaly change your name and apply for a new passport you still have to give your previous name on application. Any details on record ie persona non grata of any country will be entered on your new passport.

When you apply for a new passport without changing your name you do get a new passport number but your old one (along with any history, visa violations, deportation etc) is linked on computer to the new passport so it makes no difference. The same will happen even if you change your name by deed poll, your history under your old name will show up on any immigration computer that the new passport number is entered in to.

Noodles

How does that work then?. I knew a chap a few years ago who got into a bit of grief. After a couple of days at IDC, to the airport and back to his home country. (He never attended a court in LOS)

He lost his last name, got new pp and returned to LOS within 6 months.

The only extra stamp he had was a stamp with about 4 lines of script and the departure dates plus someone's initials. (There was another stamp which had been tipexed out though and the other placed on top).

It was in the standard purple ink.

Maybe all different now since 9/11?.

back off the lot of youse...that bambi woman is mine...

I gots to admit that a lot of the language used on this forum comes across as tiresome pedantry...but, you know ridicule thereof provides a lot in the way of entertainment...

why don't no one denigrate my excessive use of ellipses?...............

Gosh, we are the Chelsea set aren't we?. Or should that be, 'Are we not the Chelsea set'.

(Nothing to do with football chaps).

A large proportion of readers and writers to TV are not native English speakers therefore it is virtually impossible for them to understand the idiom and idiomatic approach to many of the posts on this forum.

For Brits who choose to use not to use their own language properly, but then ask advice on how to obtain the best result on visa application(s) for their fiancees, wives, (note: plural), or girlfriends, perchance should have to undergo a basic literacy check at the Brit Embassy?.

After all - even the Job Centre asks if you need help to fill in the forms.............

What's all this tutsiwarrior stuff anyway?. Do you have any Hutu friends?.