apalink_thailand

Pathetic.

Give it a nickname. Does this legitimise idiot people who plant bombs?

This fool is just a mad man.

Not a fool at all. He was hired to do the job and is skilled in what he does (aka one of the so-called "men in black"). He placed the devices in a place that would not hurt anyone but make a large noise. This was clearly politically motivated and not the work of a madman or madmen.

*yawn*

Never ceases to amaze me when guys try and apply western standards to a third world country.

I work in a 3rd world country and although its like pulling teeth, we continue to push western safety standards on them. If management fully buys into a safety program, it can work anywhere. I have also witnessed Western 1st world construction companies practice some pretty horrible safety standards too.

I wonder what he will say after the next unexplained death? Should happen soon enough.

Fun police strikes again. Alcohol time restrictions have been in force for ages at 711 & tesco lotus etc. Mom & pop shops / condo minimarts sell booze 24/7, that won't change. As if people will stay in a club after midnight if they can't drink. Once a party city now getting tamer & more regulated by the minute. This will hurt Bangkok!

Not to mention random drug tests on the street. I am glad I got my partying out of my system when it was still "fun city" in the 90's. Would the last one out, please turn off the lights.

And another nail gets driven into the coffin.

Lots of wild speculation here, based on what? Koh Tao is a wonderful place and maybe if tourists lose interest, it will be even more relaxing to vacation there. I've noticed that people die everywhere in Thailand, every day, from various causes and some are very nasty deaths. In a nation of 63 million, with millions of foreign tourists, the statistics are pointing to 'not much chance of being killed in Thailand' - as say opposed to Mexico or Brazil. From what I see first hand, from the general behavior of a percentage of foreign tourists, there is a larger amount of 'risky' behavior. Risky can mean lots of different things but personally, I don't expect to be able to behave as if there are no 'limits', while on 'vacation'.

We don't need more apologists for Tao. It is a dark, rank place, disguised as paradise. Sure, it is a pretty place. But, beneath the surface, it is a horrible place, ruled by a few vicious overlords, who are stuck in the 13th century. And the lack of law and order makes them incredibly dangerous people to deal with. All tourists are walking on glass the entire time they are on Tao. The slightest provocation can lead to immediate death. There are a few punk gangsters, who have been allowed to commit serial murder, and who come from super rich, piglet families who are totally above the law. All law. Government law, army law, all law. So, what results with a situation like that? Super rich punk ass murderers who have impunity. Not a place I need to spend time. I have been there over 10 times over the years, and I will never go back. Ever. And I am trying to convince every living soul to not go within 10 km. of that crime infested sewer of an island. Stay away. Forever. The risks on Tao are high. Unless you keep yourself locked up in your room. And if you do go, steer clear of every Thai man you can. Many are involved in some pretty dark stuff.

Your post suggests you have vast knowledge of the alleged underworld on this island and what criminal activities they are engaged in. It also suggests that you have vast knowledge of those involved. I do not have a clue, as I have never been there but from your post it appears you have gained your knowledge over ten visits, and possibly from what you have read and have maybe heard, secondhand. Does all this make you an expert?

So, as one who is not an apologist and has absolutely no idea of what goes on there, are you willing to provide proof to sustain you allegations and, in turn, convince me never to go there. The disturbing thing I find about your post is that you are tainting every Thai male there, providing a scurrilous description of the entire island and its inhabitants, none of whom you would not dare to name; making allegations as to serial killers and allegedly know that certain families are above the law

This may well be the case, but I think if you want people to stay away then by you showing your intense hatred for the island and its people is not the right way to go about it, and you want to make such defamatory allegations then you should, at least, provide evidence to sustain what you state. Otherwise, your post will be just looked upon as another TVF rant and a very poor one at that.

TV rant it may be but lets face it, the spate of strange deaths on this tiny island (pop'n 1,382 in 2006 census) plus multiple reports of a nasty mafia style operations there seem to indicate there is more to this place than meets the eye. The question is: How many more strange deaths of seemingly healthy young tourists will be passed off as natural deaths, suicides or accidents before some real, unbiased investigation is undertaken? My guess is that the deaths will continue and nothing will be done about it. Simply because the place is a lawless fiefdom controlled by 5 local families where even outside investigations from mainland and national police can be controlled. Personally, I would advise ALL foreigners who do not have a deep understanding of the "Thai ways", to stay out of that place. One wrong move, it seems, and you can be found hanging from a rope or drowned in the ocean and your families can be certain that the police will not investigate. Mark my words...there will be more unexplained/strange deaths this year.

Rumour is that the victims body was found in an area of a resort which is owned by the same people as the now infamous AC Bar.

No idea if it's true but that's what I've heard.

I used to visit there regularly and go scuba diving- it lost it's appeal some years ago when the diving quality deteriorated. There has always been 2 main mafias 'running' the island, and I heard from locals I knew there of many stories of goings on and I stopped visiting. Shame: it was once a much more beautiful and less- commercial island. Not sure the exact number, but it has only been inhabited for something like 20 years: not worth visiting any more.

Curious. What sort of "going's on". I have some theories based on similar reports. Do you feel OK with elaborating?

No details of how she died? Rather strange in and of itself. Oh, wait, they need time to come up with something "plausible" in their eyes.

This I can guarantee you. It won't be murder, nor will a local Thai be implicated in any way.

If we are to report any driver refusing passengers to the 1584 number, that's going to be a REALLY busy line ... hope they have plenty of operators.

Dialled it just now. Person who answered could only speak Thai, so for tourists, its not much use.

Again, those are not Thai police but BTS officials and the 2000 Baht fine is a legal one and posted in many places regarding littering. There have been multiple articles over the last few years referring to it as a scam when it is in actuality legal enforcement. But if targeting only the foreigner, then certainly the Governor should step in (again) to do something about it, but no fingers crossed here that will happen.

Only one little problem. The fine does not fit the crime. For example, the fine for disobeying a police officer is 1,000 baht, which to me seems worse than dropping a butt on an already dirty street. Meanwhile, tuk-tuk drivers, food vendors etc can drop whatever they want on the pavements in full view of the officers.

I suggest we all do the same, post a picture of our receipt of any taxi driver that treats us badly.

Good idea. Here's my fix for this problem:

1. Politely ask the driver at the taxi stand when you get the ticket, if he will be using his meter. Do this in front of the ticket desk not as you are walking to the taxi.

2. Take a photo of the ticket

3. Keep bags in the back seat of the taxi (if possible), not in the boot/trunk

4. Photograph his ID card. Do this before you leave. If he is a cheat. he will get pissed off and chuck you out of the taxi, and you can then go back to the counter to complain. If they shrug and smile (the most likely response) then

5. Dial 021329199 for the Airport Taxi Complaints line and make sure you are seen doing this. You may even wish to warn others in the queue of what you are doing and why.

There are SOME honest drivers there so its not fair to tarnish them all. I am sure that you will get one of those next, or if not, you will get the next trick in the book which is being taken on the "scenic route".

6. Be sure to tell them which roads to take to get to your destination. Of course, only do this if you know your way. There are many one way streets and many others that may seem like a nice direct route on Google maps, but may have horrendous traffic.

Comments?

At Checkpoints Fine them on the spot for non use of meters...

A Thai demanding a fine from another Thai in favour of a Farang tourist? Sounds nice in principle but NEVER gonna happen.

Although slightly off topic, when forced to pay a taxi who would not turn on the meter to take me home, I would tell him to wait downstairs because I didn't have enough cash on me. Then slowly walk up to my room, count out the fare in one baht coins and bring that back to him. Nice way to get rid of your coins and piss off a taxi scammer in one go.

Take the fine money out of your wallet, drop it on the sidewalk, turn and walk away. ;-)

He's a real catch.

Some of my funniest moments have been watching Chinese queuing for trains and buses in rural China

They can queue?

Indeed, you are not the only one...When I take a Taxi, I show the driver the map and tell him: "this is where we are now, and there is where we have to go by following this road" (now in Thai), an also insist to put the meter on before I geet into the car. Usually they are not pleased but still showing the amazing smile as ever.

They can read maps? That's new.

Good to see that our tax money is still being properly mismanaged.

As I recall, you need to get a printed copy of your bank statement where PayPal will have deposited 70 baht. In that one line of the transaction, there will be a code number. You may also be able to view this from your online bank statement.

Quality tourists!

Groan,

The new predictably boring comment on Thai Visa.

Groan.

The new predictably boring reply on Thaivisa to a predictably boring comment!!

The new predictably boring reply to a reply to a reply about the new predictably boring comment on Thai Visa

What he said...but even more predictable and more boring. Nyaaa

I just love the name of the Resort - Peter Pan.

I wonder if the Captain who busted the party was called Hook?

Any reports of harassment in other areas of town or just Sukhumvit? Curious.