stevenl

Who would ever think that embassies would issue a travel warning about tuk tuks - which means no travel insurance if you use them - but they considered it.

As mentioned earlier, that could happen in theory. Small risk, but realistic. And also as mentioned earlier, that is something completekly different than a 'tuktuk exclusion clause'. But either you're not reading or not willing to comprehend.

It happens everyday.

Stay away from bar girls and you'll be fine.

I suspect this thread will blow up like the world trade.

The way he writes, i thought he was the bargirl and got scammed by a mean farang lady

not everyone can write good English sorry for that

how are you suposed to form a relationship with someone who isnt trying to scam you if you cant speak a word of the common language?

Every single male with sub monkey level english skills i have seen or heard of were all idiots coming here with 20years of money saved because they have never had any girlfriend or friends and are just coming here to get drunk, father children and party some more. Even those that consider themselves 'good guys' become total lunatics only interested in partying.

These guys have it coming to them. I feel worse for the shady woman who has to put up with them. Even with such horrible grasp of the language these guys manage to be the well beyond thaisoap annoying. I usualy consider the bad woman's newly found treasure as fair in those cases. She has to put up with an annoying virgin drunktard partying and preaching child for a few months/years, she entitlted to make some good money out of it.

If you want to complain about the level of English of non-native speakers here, at least have the decency to write correct English yourself.

This incident happened over 10 years ago, long before the days of Thaivisa. My son was driving my m/bike along Nanai Rd and witnessed a m/bike taxi with passenger sitting side saddle turn into Nanai 2. An oncoming car caused the taxi to stall and fall over. My son stopped to help (he was brand new to Thailand). The police were called and the 'locals' told that it was my sons fault (the car never stopped so someone had to pay). The taxi driver demanded 5,000 baht. my son had not enough money on him and came home to borrow some money from me. I looked at the motorbike damage and reeled off the cost of the parts to the poilce, less than 1,000 baht, the police agreed and I gave the taxi driver 1,000 baht and told my son never to stop if he witnessed an accident in Thailand.

Yes, I remember LIK telling this before.

I'm still wondering though why you paid up the 2,000 baht, including the 1,000 for the motorbike driver. I presume just to get it out of the way, but I seriously wonder what would have happened if you would have said: nah, my son did nothing wrong, I'm not paying anything.

I'm sure I mentioned this incident before, maybe on another forum. Before my days on Thaivisa.

No no, only paid 1,000 baht all up, nothing to the cops. They seemed to know this was all bogus. As for trying not to pay, cops said he would be locked up in Patong police station until the case resolved. My son was shitting himself, first week in Asia, can't understand what's going on, and he's from a country that respects policemen (or at least used to respect).

Yes, I understand the decision, just have the feeling he would have gotten out without any problems. But I guess it is worth preventing that experience for 1,000 baht.

I'm sure though we talked about this on TV before, as I recall there was somebody else with a story opposite Dino Park, you told your son's experience. Must have been some years ago though.

In 2004 it was known just minutes ahead of time a tsunami was on its way. That was the first in living history, no nobody had any idea how serious that would be, there was no alrm system in place, so no chance to get anubody away from the beach at all.

Is that really true ... just minutes ahead ?? I would need to revisit the news stories after the event but it was my recollection that they had at least an hour to make a decision. The time for the wave to reach Phuket from Indonesia was about 3 or 4 hours. I appreciate that back then excuses could be made, but do you really think we are all safe from the next one ??? I am because I now live on a big hill. And it's not likely to happen again in my life time.

I'm not afraid because there is no point in that, if there were to be another one chances of me being hit are small anway, and mainly because I don't believe there will be another one for many, many years. If I believed there might be another one and would have to trust the alarm systems I would be very much afraid.

This incident happened over 10 years ago, long before the days of Thaivisa. My son was driving my m/bike along Nanai Rd and witnessed a m/bike taxi with passenger sitting side saddle turn into Nanai 2. An oncoming car caused the taxi to stall and fall over. My son stopped to help (he was brand new to Thailand). The police were called and the 'locals' told that it was my sons fault (the car never stopped so someone had to pay). The taxi driver demanded 5,000 baht. my son had not enough money on him and came home to borrow some money from me. I looked at the motorbike damage and reeled off the cost of the parts to the poilce, less than 1,000 baht, the police agreed and I gave the taxi driver 1,000 baht and told my son never to stop if he witnessed an accident in Thailand.

Yes, I remember LIK telling this before.

I'm still wondering though why you paid up the 2,000 baht, including the 1,000 for the motorbike driver. I presume just to get it out of the way, but I seriously wonder what would have happened if you would have said: nah, my son did nothing wrong, I'm not paying anything.

you are both specualting in Insurance. In addition tuk tuks are involved in extremely few accidents compared to their milage, probably cause they drive like mainiacs making everyone else stay away

I agree they are involved in very few accidents, but they are involved in quite a few assaults. That guy a couple of months ago, I think he was German, they beat within an inch of his life would not have been a cheap bill for the insurance company. I think he was in intensive care for 2 weeks and in hospital for longer. No sure if he had to have rehab.

Anyway, all I'm saying is, if the embassies ever issue the travel warning about tuk tuks, surely the insurance companies will take notice and see it as a green light to insert an exclusion clause for using tuk tuks on Phuket.

You still don't get it.

If there were to be a travel warning there would be no need for an exclusion anymore, because it is excluded already based on the travel warning. Don't confuse health and travel insurance BTW.

And to KBB: I am not speculating, only refuting speculation from another member.

You can think what you want, but they are not one and the same. As mentioned, one has to be mentioned in the exclusions on the policy, the other one is invoked automatically when there is a negative travel advisory for tuktuk travel.

They are pretty much the same for the tourist because, either way, they are uninsured.

No, they are not the same for the tourist. What don't you understand? One is never going to happen, because that would mean excessive clasims for the insurance companies based on tuktuk related accidents, so they will adjust their policy conditions. If that were the case, all exisiting policies will remaind valid, only for policies with the tuktuk clause damages because of riding a tuktuk wouldn't be covered anymore. No chance whatsoever that is ever going to happen.

The other one there is a remote chance it might happen, if a negative travel advisory will happen for 'riding in a tuktuk'. In that case a soon as the advisory is given all damages because of that are not covered anymore.

I accept that in all likelyhood they will payout for your medical expenses and other asociated loss, however, if the day comes when the various travel insurance companies receive so many claims from tourist for tuk tuk related injuries, than the travel insurance companies may deem catching a tuk tuk a high risk and an activity they will no longer cover, so, if you decide to catch one, you will have no insurance if something goes wrong.

They already do this with many adreneline sports.

Could happen, but you'll know ahead of time because of the exclusion on the policy. As long as there is no exclusion it is covered.

And I rarely see any reports of tuktuk accidents with tourists, so chances of this happening are very small indeed. The chance of a general exclusion because of negative travel advisory for tuktuk travel is also very small but more realistic.

I think they are pretty much one and the same.

You can think what you want, but they are not one and the same. As mentioned, one has to be mentioned in the exclusions on the policy, the other one is invoked automatically when there is a negative travel advisory for tuktuk travel.

Thanks steven. The sensational PG title confused me. Ok, then so how long does it take to go from 'alert' to 'warning' ..... Was that not the problem in 2004 when the appropriate government dept in Bangkok was alerted and then failed to act with a public warning.

That would be decided in the black box of Thailand government decisions. As I said, I don't fully trust it, and that includes the whole process, giving a warning clearly ahead of time with ample escape time, etc.

In 2004 it was known just minutes ahead of time a tsunami was on its way. That was the first in living history, no nobody had any idea how serious that would be, there was no alrm system in place, so no chance to get anubody away from the beach at all.

I accept that in all likelyhood they will payout for your medical expenses and other asociated loss, however, if the day comes when the various travel insurance companies receive so many claims from tourist for tuk tuk related injuries, than the travel insurance companies may deem catching a tuk tuk a high risk and an activity they will no longer cover, so, if you decide to catch one, you will have no insurance if something goes wrong.

They already do this with many adreneline sports.

Could happen, but you'll know ahead of time because of the exclusion on the policy. As long as there is no exclusion it is covered.

And I rarely see any reports of tuktuk accidents with tourists, so chances of this happening are very small indeed. The chance of a general exclusion because of negative travel advisory for tuktuk travel is also very small but more realistic.

So, lets say we follow what we are trained at and our consiousness, and stop to assist, how to avoid to get blamed?

My advice would be, never even consider it if you are alone in your vehicle

Photo scene before leaving your vehicle

Stop and park your vehicle before accident scene and photo again including your vehicles position.

Call local cops 191 and/or HWP 1193 depending on what kind of road.

approach scene and try to find out if ambulance has been called. If victims have Insurance try to redirect to Bangkok Hospital Ambulance as it reduces the risk for victim.

Looking for more risk?

First aid. Shock is not uncommon, so talking in victims assumed language, yeah Im not good at Russian.

and again, Thai law needs 2 witnesses against you and you are done, so never stop without having your own witness

Thanks.

Had our 'phone line cut off for a TOT bill of 389bht. Which had never been delivered

No warning,no courtesy,just cut and bugger you attitude when we paid the bill.

Still no parcel from France,still no cards from England .

No True Move programme .

Can't really blame TOT, after all you know you have to pay each month. If no bill then I just go into TOT and tell them my number. And pay.

They don't normally cancel services after one month non-payment as well. I am sometimes behind because I recieve the invoice late (or not) and don't always check I have received it, and simply pay 2 invoice at the same time. No problems at all.

Yes, first I heard about this when I read the Gazette. Not much of an advance warning system ....

And it was supposed to be that way. It was an alert, not a warning. A warning means the towers would (or maybe should, I don't fully trust it) have louded, an alert means only people on the several lists have been informed. E.g. poeple who who need to know because of their profession, and people who applied for this.

I believe your travel insurance will cover you if your tuk tuk is involved in an accident and you are injured. Normally, insurance companies insist on the driver of the vehicle to be licenced and not under the influence of intoxication liquor or a drug. Who knows if these tuk tuk drivers are licenced? Who knows what the insurance company will say if they are not licenced?

Nothing will happen, because those clauses on the policy are only directed towards the driver of the vehicle, not towards the 3-rd parties, like passengers or other people involved in an accident caused by the driver. This means the insurance company will pay in full, and may try to get reimbursed by the person under the influence. If the dirver were to be not licensed the same would apply.

Whilst your actions are noble, they also put you at financial risk, and possible physical danger, that also places your Thai girlfriend at financial risk and physical danger.

Would be interested why he put his girlfriend in fysical and financial risk.

There is a (small) risk to his own finances, sure, but don't the positives outweigh the negatives? IMO Kenny did the right thing, maybe not the wisest though.

I am assuming Kenny is like most farang on the island and supporting, financially, his Thai girlfriend. Possibly even sending some money up to Issan every money as well.

If Kenny has to pay 1 or 2 million baht to a Thai family, to secure his release from gaol, because their husband/father etc is dead from a motorbike accident, but the family blames Kenny for the way he administered CPR as the cause of death, not the accident itself, would that not hit Kenny's household budget, to some degree? Maybe some assets like pick-up truck, condo etc would have to be sold. Does that not effect his, and his girlfriend's lifestyle? Hence, financial risk to the girlfriend as well.

The physical risk comes from the mob mentality that arises around an accident like this. Emotions are high, adreneline is flowing. A farang getting involved could be like waving a red flag to a bull, so, his girlfriend gets involved to try to "talk down" the crowd and get Kenny to safety. Is she not at risk of physical danger during a confrontation that could turn into an assault? Hence, she is at pysical risk of being assaulted as well. Of course, she would have to be with him at the time he saw the accident and stopped to render assistance.

Extremely far fetched opn both accounts.

Rain just started here in Kata.

Dropped a friend off at the airport 17.00 and it started raining up there 16.45.

Yes, much more rain there. Rawai is in my experience even dryere than Kata.

Whilst your actions are noble, they also put you at financial risk, and possible physical danger, that also places your Thai girlfriend at financial risk and physical danger.

Would be interested why he put his girlfriend in fysical and financial risk.

There is a (small) risk to his own finances, sure, but don't the positives outweigh the negatives? IMO Kenny did the right thing, maybe not the wisest though.

Forecast has improved even further, no reason at all anymore to stay home.

sad but from pictures there is a 0% chance the girl wasnt speeding and cutting cars by crossing over in the heavy oncoming traffic as they always do. Drive there everyday and the students are a million time worse than the average thai.. they're too busy taking off their helmet while speeding and holding a cellphone after every light to know if they are vehicules coming to squash them

RIP.

'his' indicated a male BTW.

From this article a quote from the Phuket Provinical Police commander:

“After the fight at Rachada pub I issued official letters to the the superintendents of all eight police stations in Phuket, including Phuket City, Patong and Chalong, ordering them to strictly enforce closing times at nightlife venues in their areas of jurisdiction,” he said.

The closing-time crackdown would have been issued even if the Rachada pub stabbing had not taken place, he stressed.

A new provincial police inspection unit will be making surprise inspections across the island to ensure compliance with the order.

Latest it says gusts up to 25 knots.

Put it this way, Vietnam will be booming with tourist, who will return for their holidays, and who will one day retire there, while we will still be reading about tuk tuk driver bashings, jet ski scams, drink spiking, robberies, fatal motor vehicle accidents, extortion, timeshare rip offs etc in Phuket.

5555

Try 20 years. The boarders only really opened up in 1990.

Yes, to package/organised tours, but backpackers, including myself, were there already before those 20 years. And as I wrote, it starts with the backpackers.

Sure it will have an effect on Thai tourism, but slowly slowly. At the moment Burma is receiving virtually no tourists, in the future first backpackers will come, slowly followed by more adventures travelers, and after that the package tourists. Same as tourism in Vietnam is developing slowly slowly.

"Same as tourism in Vietnam is developing slowly slowly."

Have you even been there????????

Yes, several times, starting from over 25 years ago. And tourism development there is the same as in many places all over the world: first 20 years very, very slowly, then 5 years a bit faster, then 5 years again faster. I would say Vietnam is in the second 5 years now, but Burma still has to start with the first 20 years.

Tourism in Vietnam is not developing slowly, it is developing at break-neck speed.

I couldn't believe how many European tourists were in Na Trang when I was there three months ago compared to only two years ago. There are many westerners opening up hotels, beach-clubs, bars and restaurants. There is only one chance to "get in on the ground floor" and many westerners are taking that chance.

At the moment it is going fast, after a very, very slow startup, as always, as everywhere. Tourism there started 30 years ago, so still a long way to go before they reach Thai numbers.