Mr Meeseeks

That's a tough sell. They never admit their own failings, and will lie through gritted teeth in denial. Embassies and consular services need to be very vocal about the dangers of travelling to Thailand.

Correct. A brief viewing of the video confirms that.

Far beyond Thai drivers to anticipate danger, unfortunately. They are just not competent to operate motor vehicles correctly.

Do you know who his father is?

Her criminal Dad is meeting the Burmese dictator tonight. A great leader indeed.

I know one of the Thais that started EST. He brought cases of the stuff to a private function where everyone was drinking booze and forced everyone to try it. It tastes like the cheap cola you used to get in glass bottles in the UK in the 70's and 80's. They started by commandeering Pepsico's outsourced bottling operation for their own use then forcing the Pepsi distributors to give everyone EST instead. Retailers were encouraged to replace Pepsi with EST. Many did and did not go back. For a while, Pepsi was not available, as they had no glass bottling operation and their distribution network was actively working against them. It was only temporary. Got to hand it to EST, it worked pretty well, their product is sh*t, but it can be found everywhere now. I do tell everyone not to trust the Thais as they will not hesitate to do you over in business if they think they can make more money.

Also, the Thai government gets involved on their behalf. One industry I used to be involved in is actively monopolised by the Thais and includes price fixing. This is to ensure one or two Thai companies and entities continue to be able to operate and get paid and competition is restricted from entering the market. It is much the same as all the big industries here, beer and tobacco included.

Well they didn't last time.

Only if his family and other families that pay fealty to him control them.

They did get away with it to an extent as they took Carslberg out of the game and got rid of their brand altogether in favour of their own while taking over the entire Thai operation. That operation, and Chang beer itself being a Carslberg creation in the first place. I believe it was initially called Carlsberg Elephant Beer. Carlsberg made a brief, half-hearted re-appearance as an imported beer in the early 2010's but couldn't secure a market share. With Pepsi they stopped bottling the stuff at the bottling plants, breaking their agreement with their local distributors, thus stopping the supply. They then used the bottling plants and distribution network to try to push their own cheap cola EST, which by no coincidence has the same colour logos as Pepsi. I believe that they gently 'encouraged' retailers not to stock Pepsi but stock their cheap cola alternative instead.

Similar things have happened to many Western brands, Pepsi, Carlsberg etc. It's as if Thais believe they have the right to steal other people's hard work, brands, and products.

You too.

I'd rather have the stop and have a decent experience overall. I suspect many agree. Again, I don't get the importance of having a non-stop flight that long unless you are disabled or ill. Another negative for TG is they are part of Star Alliance and their membership scheme Royal Orchid Plus is rubbish as it offers few benefits compared to OneWorld etc.

The TG business class lounge at Suvarnabhumi is no better than the Miracle or the Coral which are run-of-the-mill lounges that Dragonpass and Priority Pass holders can use. Food and drinks options are very poor indeed. The new Emirates lounge in the new terminal does look good though, although I have not been in. As Qatar have started flying from the new terminal they are using the Miracle Business lounge which is very average. I tried the Miracle First Class lounge at the new terminal on the way out last week, and it was better. Can get in with Dragonpass or Priority Pass.

They have just released a new bus class product which is pretty decent. I am Platinum on QR so hence my loyalty is with them.

Hardly apples to oranges. I was comparing QR business class to TG business class on the same route BKK-LHR.

Same for me when only considering the aircraft.

The lesson is never fly Thai on business long haul unless there is absolutely no other option. I just flew back from the UK on QR in business with Q-Suites on the second of the legs, and it was excellent. Dine on demand, private cabin, fantastic entertainment options, great selection of bevvy etc. Don't know why people persist on these expensive mid/low tier bus class products from TG when there are so many superior options available at less cost.

That is Singapore and that is why it is needed there. Foreigners will still need to queue up and see an immigration official for an entry stamp on arrival in Thailand.

It is the easy visas and cheap flights to blame. I can see a tightening of visa regulations in the not too distant future, to keep out the undesirables.

Why, is that a fetish of yours?

You are not here permanently unless you have permanent residency or Thai citizenship. Most of us are long term tourists or visitors on non-immigrant visas, which are temporary and renewed periodically. This is an important distinction.

Nonsense.

Some of the worst badly behaved tourists I have seen have been South Korean. Two notable incidents, one on the golf course, another on Soi Cowboy. The latter ended badly for the two Koreans getting beaten severely by a posse of Thais, using all sorts of weapons and dispensed some deserved vigilante justice. The former ended up with the two guys unconscious as my mate knocked both of them out after they were rude and abusive to Thai caddies at the clubhouse. Their swift demise met with rousing applause from all others present. Maybe this Korean deserved what he received from the British man?

No country for young men.