LOS4words

Ofcourse they will be affected but the guys isnt totally wrong. Landmass closest to the glaciers will absorb more water than those closer to the equator.

I for one come to Phuket to Party and like it the way it is now. Yeah its starting to get expensive but compared to Pattaya the nighclubs are better, the farang food is better and the girls are better looking.

The location is amazing also with its close proximity to phi phi and Krabi, and the beaches are excellent. Even patong beach is awesome compared to anyhting in pattaya.

But but this is Thailand, losing face is wery important here. We need to accept that and embrace this culture. *spit*

"Western cultural influences: sex before marriage, lack of respect for older people, capitalisme and egoisme, thinking money driven, living to work instead of working to live, looking down at Thai people, use of alcohol and drugs, ...."

Thats just what the communists say.

Limiting exposure to foreign cultures certainly hasn't worked for any civilization throughout history. If people want to stick to old ideals or embrace new ones they should be able to make that choice themselves without some fascist nouveau dictator telling them what to do.

If the culture gets assimilated its only because the alternative is superior. Nationalism and religion are convenient tools for governments to use to keep its citizens docile.

Naturally most of us western people are to busy riding the moral high-horse to take any real stand in such issues. After all we must preserve all those quaint little cultures and cults. Everyone deserves and education and the choice to make an unbiased decision in matters of culture and religion.

I'm sure Thailand will have no problem competing in the slow moving uncompetitive microprocessor field. Personally I'm eagerly awaiting Thailand's answer to Intel's new 45nm manufacturing process.

I think its funny that some of you guys think its "suspect" and "careless" of the Russian birds to be hanging around the beach at 5am drunk at a BEACH RESORT!!!

Pattaya is obviously not a place for normal leisure tourists when its considered careless and stupid to hang around the beach at night. The first times i went to Thailand i had no idea what the dangerous places to visit at night were and what not to say to Thais to get stabbed etc. Its not like they hand out brochures that say "Walking down beahroad at night is extremely dangerous" "Insulting a Thais manhood is enough reason for him to shoot you. Enjoy your stay in the Land of smiles" (well actually i think they do have pamphlets warning about beach road)

I honestly think knowing all this crap is destroying my holidays. Ahh to be young and blissfully ignorant again.

The Swedish police would have cracked him over the head with a nightstick. I guess they learn how to handle frisky customers after a while

I'm surprised at the restraint those Thai cops showed.

So all of the sudden middle class western Europeans arent welcome anymore? I promise i wont buy your property and "ghetto-fy" your housing projects with my trashy European lifestyle.

I guess you have to be ten times as rich as the average BKK educated Thai to be considered a "quality tourist"

This thread is so typical farang. A farang gets shafted and everyone gets together so scheme insidious internet revenge plans. (avoiding direct confrontation naturally)

The guy knew you were a pushover and he cashed in on it.

Either you pay up or you go the distance.

You will never get any respect from the Thai .......

Only my freedom and independence.

Hahaha have any of these statistics people even been to Thailand?

Immigration is already getting full with certified English teacher lining up to get a well paid job in Thailand. Why stop there? hel_l, lets require them to have a masters.

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I've spent a total of 126 days so far in Thailand as a "REAL" tourist. And have spent some 750000 bath. Apparently i am now unwanted.

Can happen anywhere. Couple of years ago my company sent me to norway first class on a business trip. I was hungover like hel_l and looked like shit. I wore my pimp anaconda skin leather jacket, jeans and a wife beater so needless to say i didn't exactly blend in with the other business travelers.

I noticed immediately that some customs agent where stalking me at the baggage claim so i knew i was in for a treat. Of cource they took me in to the side room and started with all the awkward questions, while very carefully sifting trough my baggage. They even took the time to look at some year old paper strip that i had written down some numbers on and asked me what it was. All in all they acted like they were sure to find something.

Eventually they let me go. My best guess is that someone on the plane (stewardess?) though i was a drug courier and ratted me out.

We know the rules and thats all well and good. But you cant expect some 20 year old student in a drunken stupor to understand that "disrespecting" a thai guy can get you killed easily.

Shit all i knew about Thailand the first time was that "its totally awesome dude, they are all Buddhist's so its all smiles and love wherever you go"

Apparently the word is that its the safest place in the world. Yeah right.

Besides who here has never gone out of line when you have had to much to drink? Even the calmest and nicest of guys can throw a fit sometimes.

A solid beating with bats? Sure. A bullet in the head? No way.

I understand perfectly how things work with these crazy savages, but whatever the reason, only sociopaths kill people over words. The exception being stone cold bad ass Aussies like you of course.

I've spent about 126 days in Thailand this year as a tourist and spent on average 6.5k bath a day. I was planning on going back next week but as far as i can tell i wont be able to since i have to many VOA stamps.

Guess my money is no good there.

its a tragedy that this drunken farang got a bullet sandwich for his bad manners.

but punters must learn to treat thai with respect and dont get to pissed up.

different country , different rules and it never happens to people that play within the rules.

reason being , there's plenty of pissed up farang's with bad attitudes that need sorting out.

now dont spit the dummy punters as its not good that this guy got a bullet, but we all must remember were we are, and what's going down.

Its the Thai savages that needs to learn not to murder people in cold blood whenever they lose Face. I don't care if the farang guy spat in his face and called his mother a dirty monkey wh*re, a bullet in the head is never a suitable retort.

Im hoping for the death penalty for the shooter.

Bought my last TG jeans for 2.5k bath. She complained long and hard that they were to expensive. Guess next time ill settle for some fake diesel jeans.

Im tired of people being scared shitless. Every time in Thailand some expat or tourist is warning me about the dangers of Thailand. "Watch out for ladyboys they'll rob you and kick your ass", "don't even look at thai guy or he'll kick your ass"

You wouldn't believe the crap i have gotten away with in Thailand over the years and then you hear about some poor sap who gets shanked for being loud. Its all luck of the draw, or lack thereof

The day i start compromising my fun to feel safe is the day i leave LOS for good.

Thanks alot for the reply. If you guys have an office in Phuket ill drop by and we'll talk.

The full moon party is indeed on Koh Phangan. The party is on either the 13th or 14th of every month, usually the 14th. Since you're going on the high season you might want to book a hotel early. The party itself is down at Had Rin Beach so i prefer to stay at a hotel/bungee in Had Rin. (plus the beach and the people there are pretty)Last visit i stayed at a resort pretty far away from the action but it got fully booked anyway and we had an amazing time.

Have a few nights at Samui and take the boat to Phangan some 3-4 days before the party to get a feel for the place.

The No1 place to party is definitely Bangkok but if you want sun/bath etc Koh Phangan is pretty cool as already mentioned. I prefer to live somewhere down in Had Rin as its close to the action.

Chaweng beach at Koh samui is a party classic but i don't care for it that much though. I love partying at Patong beach in Phuket but all the working girls might scare you off.

Phi Phi Island off the coast of Phuket is paradise imo. Lots of young people and backpackers, laid back friendly atmosphere, crazy parties and amazing beaches. One week on Phi Phi is not to be missed.

My family and i are looking at moving to Thailand and buying a Hotel business.

We are willing to invest approximately 25m Bath but less would be preferable, to have a comfortable buffer.

We are looking to buy in Samui, Phanyang, Phuket and perhaps the outlying islands. Other "beach resorts" might be interesting to.

Ideally we would want to convert some of the rooms to permanent living quarters for the family however i do not know if this will pose some kind of legal problem.

I have been trying to read up on some basic Thai Law etc but i would very much appreciate some input from you people.

First am i right assuming that a foreign entity can own 100% of a Hotel business? And if so does that mean i can pretty much buy and own the property indefinitely? Or should i still go for a lease?

If i opt to buy hotel with a 10 year lease, what will happen at the end of the lease? Can i renew? Will my initial cash investment be totally forfeit?

My Parents will basically only be there to relax and enjoy their pension (and be the majority shareholder/owner). Can i as a farang work as an employee of my parents as a hotel manager or vp of operations or whatever?

How many farang employees can we have, if any and how many thai nationals do we have to employ?

Finally from a business standpoint, would it be better to just get a cheap lease and pay rent etc for a duration or fork out the big bucks?

Our aim is to have a secure business that affords us a comfortable lifestyle, and if all goes well after many years maybe be sold for some profit.

I realize that all this sounds haphazard, but I'm merely trying to get some meat on my bones before going back to Thailand to speak with real estate agents/lawyers and business consultants etc.

Thank you for your time.

/Christian