guns482

While I concur with many on this website, I do agree that we should await the final outcome of what is now 'The Third autopsy result or is it he fourth' it seems that no matter what one says the incompetence of the {Police and the Forensics here do leave us doubting whether the outcome will ever be released. And any outcome not coming from a Thai source will be pooh poohed by the authoritiesm as in the past.

We have for too long endured supicious deaths of holidaymakers and expats with little or no believable reasons, that really it has to stop.

I sympthise mwith the father and I do feel for him at this time of loss, but I do agree with him 100% another white wash of proof and a desperate race to dumb down the outcome unless the valuable tourist industry is hurt. Well I think they are trying to cap the bottle now that the genie is out and they have spectacularly failed.

While I appreciate the need for us Foreigners to be aware of Thai Politics, I do NOT see the need to report verbatum here, what has been printed in another newspaper, we may bemoan Thai politics but I am really sure that as we can do nothing about it or even them ( politicans) having it put on Thai visa is a complete waste of time and energy.

Thai Politics is like watching the local kindergarten at play, pettiness seems to rule the day, at least it appears that the current government is attempting to distance itself from the rumour mongers and govern the country , the other 66.9 million Thais would like that too, apart from the people in politics.

As a farang ( British) living here for many yuears, I can do nothing but agree, that all nationalities including the yanks behave badly, I have absolutly no sympathy with the relatives of those whose by their stupid senseless behaviour brings on their demise.

The trouble is that they tend to blame others and not themselves, due to the LAX ways in which you can change your name in the Uk a deported person can return with a new name and passport.

personally those who misbehave should have their passports confiscated for a period, no matter which country they come from then farangs may be more tolerated here.

As always the minority spoil it for the majority.

The solution in this crises is that the Thai people themselves, mujst decide that their country needs to move forward, constantly looking back and hoping for a miracle will not in my estimation do a dam_n thing.

Speaking to the locals near to where I live they do not understand the political ramifications of what is happening, when I say tourism is suffering as is exports they donot understand. This is perhaps why Thailand is as it is, the vast majority of people outside bangkok donot understand or even can comprhend what is happening, a rally stopped or traffic disrupted is acceptable, it does not effect them nor will it ever do so.

Misinformation or lack of communication is one of Thailands best weapons and the govt of the day uses it wonderfully, to find out what is really happening in Thailand one must scour the news form the surrounding areas in order to find out the truth such as it is.

I have been thinking of buying a car but have hesitated for some time now due to stories here as well as in the news about not only the high accident rate but the special pitfalls that await the expat driver.

So, what do you think could be done to improve safety on the roads in Thailand not just for Thais but for the expat driver as well?

To start with having been part of TV interview with a director of land transport office ( Driving Licence and test centre), I can honestly say Thailand has a major problem. The tests are a joke, the driver competence is never tested and the adherence to Traffic law is at best nominal.

Insurance coys could if they wished raise the stakes by insisting on full compliance with the law otherwise claims would not be paid, that would be a start and the Police need to get off theor repsective backsides and enforce the law instead of touting for tea money.

Apart from that having driven here for 6 years it is all in the lap of the gods.

The comments are all noted, having worked as a teacher of speaking and reading english, the school ( a up country one )has implemented a requirement for B Ed and age max 45, BUT they will only pay 25000 Baht per month, 9 months out of 12, therefore no self respecting teacher is going to apply as the pay is lidicrus, accomodationn unacceptable, but the school's attitude hurts the kids. Who in my mind come a close last to Thai teachers thinking

I recently went to BKK to renew my visa, new retirement proff of Income letter required each year, no need to provide any details of bank or credit card.

Photos are a must, ( but they may be used each year) if for a marriage visa.

Will combine renewal at BKK with visit to Embassy, they only take 24hrs to process.

Seems quite simple really, but as stated by anoither person yet another expense.

One of these days the 90 day requirement will not be needed, but I wait for that with bated breath.

Nationwide security alert for Songkran

BANGKOK: -- Authorities have issued a full security alert in the wake of an explosion in front of a Bangkok mall. Australia warned that more bombings were feared at Songkran this weekend.

Bangkok areas of particular concern were the Khao San Road, a celebrated meeting point for foreign tourists and backpackers, and Sanuam Luang, a large park in the centre of the old part of the city which attracts thousands of Songkran revellers.

The government has ordered extra police in Bangkok for Thai New Year celebrations this weekend to try to prevent a repeat of the New Year's Eve serial blasts that killed three people.

Pol Lt-Gen Adisorn Nonsee said more than 3,000 police officers would patrol the capital, up from the current 1,500, during the five-day Songkran festival which kicks off on Thursday afternoon.

Piyabutr Jiwaramonaikun, chairman of the Association of Khao San Traders, said more than 100 soldiers, policemen and civil volunteers would be on duty in the backpackers' festival area while bomb detectors would also be used as part of the security measures.

Mr Piyabutr expected that more than 10 million baht would be circulated during the four-day event on Khao San Road which should see a daily turnout of 40,000-50,000 Thai and foreign celebrants.

He said revellers would be banned from applying talcum powder on others and each day's festival would end at 7 pm. Water gun is one of the favourite equipments to splash water on others during the festival.

Nobody was hurt in Monday night's explosion in front of Major Cineplex Ratchayothin, but three phone booths were damaged. Police detained, but later released a taxi driver suspected of planting the home-made device.

The Australian embassy in Bangkok issued an advisory to its citizens in late February, saying it had received reports of possible bombs in crowded places such as department stores or public transport in the capital.

The advice, renewed today in an announcement, urged "a high degree of caution because of the high threat of terrorist attack".

"Thai authorities have previously warned of the possibility of further co-ordinated bombings in Thailand to coincide with symbolic dates, including in Bangkok and the southern provinces," the travel advice said.

"They have mentioned the Buddhist festive season of Songkran (around the period April 11-17, 2007) as a particular time of concern. We assess these warnings are credible," it said.

"Further terrorist attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Thailand," it added.

-- Bangkok Post, Agencies 2007-04-10

ThaiVisa Live Chat Event:

Discuss the Security alert in our Live Chat

(you must be logged in to the forum to use the chat)

if the police do not arrest drunken drivers because they may fight, what do they do about terrorists.....run ????

Why not check to see if they can drive as well, would be nice, but we wiat with bated breath what !!

it seems most people have bad experience with Tuk tuk rivers, well I have had none, respect their culture and they will respect you, not many people who read this respect anyone except themselves, I have sympathy with the Welsh gentleman, the hotel should have intervened, however, it seems the police have the matter well enough in hand, no further comment on the whys and wherefores.

No further coment on those who think all Thais are trying to fleece, cheat or otherwise do the farangs.

Well maybe, thre is some element of truth in this survey, but it is only survey, most Thai/Western marriages I know accept the Thai Social interaction as their wives need and they ( the husbands) build their own social group which ctars for their need.

The comment about all the wives know if wether their husbands have enought to support them and their children do not forget their parents as well, is something we farangs have known for a long time.

Any country that endorses materialistic wealth to replace deep feelings and emotional strength as a good reason for marriage, is on a downhill slope.

Wioth that comment I will say no more, other than when the money runs out so does the wife.