stevenl

Any members dive professionally or involved with the business?

Yes, I do and so does RingO.

Very strange list BTW Snamos, with some accident prone diveshops and others not exactly known for their high quality. Also a good one I must admit.

Just to clarify - I know the vehicle itself - the physical steel, plastic and rubber, is a legal form of transport here.

What I meant, and I know I didn't explain it clearly, is "the vehcile's legal status at the time." What I mean by "legal" is, not the vehicle itself, BUT, is the vehicle registered, has road tax/insurance paid for the year, has it been deemed a roadworthy vehicle under Thai law and is the driver licenced and is not under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs at the time of any accident?

What I don't know, is, if you are injured, and there's a problem with any of the above mentioned, would a tourist's travel insurance deny the claim and you would be left trying to make a civil claim against a Thai individual, or a Thai Company, in which case, you can forget about it..

See my first answer. No, of course a travel insurance would not deny the claim if the driver is under the influence of something or anything else of the mentioned things. No one can expect a passenger to check things like that, no where in the world.

Count on 500 Baht, since the meter taxi's don't use the meter anymore.

If you want a bigger car (Camry) take one of the airport limousine cars, should be 600 Baht to Patong.

Oh, and PatongPete, if somebody writes 'Patong' you can presume they want to go to Patong.

Tuk tuks are for tourists and the vast majority of tourists love them.

I think 'love them' is a bit overdone. I hear quite often complaints from my guests about high prices, not about the quality of the service though, that seems to be coming only from residents and TV members who don't even come to Phuket.

Regarding the lists, did find it funny SB comes up with his own story here on TV as proof of his claims.

"Delhi Belly" is covered by travel insurance. However, being a passenger in a vehicle that is a commonly accepted mode of transport, BUT, is not a legal mode of transport, according to that country's laws, may null and void your insurance contract and you are in financial/physical trouble if injured in an accident.

Tuktuks are a legal mode of transport, so even according to your reasoning covered by travel insurance.

I think your travel insurance would be null and void because there isnt any seatbelts in tuk tuks, I also think that if the driver was full of crystal meth and whiskey that would void any claim too.

In general that would not be of any influence at all on your travel insurance (home car insurance is a different matter).

I was once advised (it seemed in all seriousness) by a Thai that if hitting and injuring a bike rider or pedestrian.. Its far better to make sure you kill them as the blood money is less than the hospital costs.

Yes, that is the same worldwide. The same advice you'll be given anywhere, and I have been given in many different places.

Really ??

In the west the person isnt liable for accident costs.. Insurance companies are.. I would imagine the first thought or concern would be for any injured person.

Same here. Dead people are cheaper, as simple as that. Only problem here, as in many developing countries, is quite some people won't have insurance. You won't here quotes like these from them though, because they won't care either way.

I was once advised (it seemed in all seriousness) by a Thai that if hitting and injuring a bike rider or pedestrian.. Its far better to make sure you kill them as the blood money is less than the hospital costs.

Yes, that is the same worldwide. The same advice you'll be given anywhere, and I have been given in many different places.

Every single person I know who has lived here over a year has had one or another bad thing happen to them(stabbed,robbed,attempted rape,assault strong arm robbery,accidents,hit and runs,shake downs)

Time you get to know me, and many of my friends, who have never experienced anything like this.

Well then you and your friends are lucky maybe I need new friends! I myself have only had minor issues not being on my toes never a fear of violence most Thais are actually pretty nice. Most of the things the people above had happen were crimes of opportunity. The attempted rape was a woman being too drunk and not being smart about late night cab rides(grabbed her breasts and inside leg). The strong arm assault was on a SA female teacher she got punched and the guy tried to take her ring. The stabbing was over someone getting in between a Thai and farang fight over completely stupid crap. The accidents and shake downs are how they do business here pay 5k or it goes to the police station and they do not side with you. Robberies were both bag snatches one cost my neighbor a ton. I live in Bkk(1Y) and none of these are second hand stories. Does it mean Thailand is anymore dangerous than a large American city HeLL No!! I have walked all over Bkk exploring all the great little ethnic enclaves and back streets except from an occasional old woman giving me the stink eye I have never had a problem. The people tend to be fairly friendly is these areas because they never see us there. Phuket is a nice place I had to pay 200Baht tea money for no helmet to me that was completely acceptable because I was not wearing a helmet and I did not want my girlfriend at the time getting a ticket. I don't ride Jetskis because it really is something you take a risk with. In the year I have been here opportunity always seems to be the name of the game.

Thanks. That sounds a lot more positive than your original post on this.

Every single person I know who has lived here over a year has had one or another bad thing happen to them(stabbed,robbed,attempted rape,assault strong arm robbery,accidents,hit and runs,shake downs)

Time you get to know me, and many of my friends, who have never experienced anything like this.

You must be living a very quiet life Steven if you & friends have not experienced at least one thing on that list. I have experienced 4 things on that list, and friends/customers have experienced quite a number of things on that list. I'm not saying it happens daily or even frequently, but there is no doubt that robbery, assault, accidents, shake downs are not unusual.

You're right, I overlooked accidents. Has happened to me once here, and does happen to others as well. That is IMO a different league though from 'stabbings, robbery, attempted rape, assault, strong arm robbery, hits and runs, shake downs'. I can't say I lead a quiet life, am out and about a lot, but looks to me like it depends on the social circles you're in if you have these things happen to you.

Hi Paul,

Have you already done your course or are you going to do it? If so, whom with and for how much?

Might be helpfull info for others.

Every single person I know who has lived here over a year has had one or another bad thing happen to them(stabbed,robbed,attempted rape,assault strong arm robbery,accidents,hit and runs,shake downs)

Time you get to know me, and many of my friends, who have never experienced anything like this.

There have been opening quite a few small, 7/11 like, shops in the area. My wife calls them 'small supercheap', so maybe your source means these. Very small though, and IMO in no way comparable to the real deal.

Tuktuks: agree on a price beforehand, pay the agreed price, and there are no problems.

Except when the want to jack the price up before the agreed destination of the journey.

Sadly this is often the case. I have read so many posts advising 'agree the price before starting the journey', that's sound advice, but what do you do when then price is much more than you agreed on arrival. That's a tricky situation, as seems to have happened to the unfortunate German man. I have read reports on another web site that he agreed to the 100 baht price, then 200 baht was demanded. I have no idea if that report is true, but it's often the case that the agreed price turns into price per person.

I seriously don't believe this happens, except to LivinLOS going up the hill 10 years ago. I have also heard that the agreed upon price in the case of the unfortunate German was 200 Baht, but on destination he refused to pay the agreed upon price.

Anyone with an IQ bigger than their shoesize would be able to stay in Phuket and not use tuktuks or jetskis.

Agreed, and even using them will hardly ever cause problems, IMO just 2 rules:

Jetski's: don't use them in Patong, only place where there have been problems;

Tuktuks: agree on a price beforehand, pay the agreed price, and there are no problems.

you're kind of missing the point...

No, I'm not missing the point, I just don't agree with you.

Unbelievable people continue to visit Phuket. Travelers too stupid to do any "discovery" before traveling anyplace have little excuse for finding bad trouble at the destination. That said, Phuket is a dump, has been a dump for several years now. Plain and simple....... STAY AWAY FROM PHUKET! I now have my customers here in China sign a release if they insist on booking into Phuket. They are 100% responsible for any and all occurances during the duration of their time there. More often than not, they decide to change their plans and travel to another place.

Of course people continue to visit Phuket. Hardly anone has problems, and the island has much, much to offer.

There is also Kata Big Rock, 100 Baht per day.

I think something is wrong in this statistics. I am sure that there are double or triple as many smokers in Thailand. From 10 males in my office, 8 smoke. We had a lot different people and it was always between 80 and 100 %. Might be less with Thai females in compare with Europe.

Like I said: 'somehow I doubt these, and many other, statistics', but these are WHO 2006 statistics.

Your right, the worst offenders are the instructors and DM's, at least here in Thailand. There have been many times where I was the only non-smoking instructor on the boat, (at least the only non-fist hand smoker.) I know a local Thai guy that has integrated a couple extra step into his giant stride entry...several last puffs and extinguish his ciggy. Just crazy because carbon monoxide and really cause problems at high partial pressures.

I think also a big part of it that the vast majority of instructors here are European, Japanese and Thai which tend to smoke more than some other nationalities, like Americans. In America there has been for sometime a pretty huge anti-smoking campaign going on. Back in the states boat staff wouldn't think of lighting up on a boat, but here it is commonplace. Ironic with all the "setting a good example" and "fitness for diving" stuff instructors and DM's get in the IDC. TIT.

Still, in the USA more than 20% of the population smokes, males more than females, younger people more than older. So taking that into account, one could expect a big part of the US Instructors and DM's to be smokers as well (2006 statistics BTW).

In the UK and Japan 25% of the adult population smokes, in Sweden only 14. So it looks like there is far less difference between the USA and (Western) Europe and Japan than you think. Thailand only 17% (I think of total population) according to these statistics, less than e.g. Australia and the USA. So somehow I doubt these, and many other, statistics.

I'd like to know why the drivers who held back the policeman (the one who felt he had so little control of the scene that he had to draw and fire his gun into the air) haven't been charged with assault on a police officer.

The answer is already in the article: "Lt col Kittipong explained that the minor charges were brought against the drivers in accordance with Maj Gen Pekad Tantipong's order to bring about change in local tuk-tuk drivers’ conduct “step by step”."

I'm not holding my breathe either

It's like being in the UK except the rain is warm here! what is the forecast for the coming day's?

I heard same through Sunday.

According to windguru same through Tuesday, with on Monday much stronger wind. And windguru is normally much more reliable than any of the Thai sites.

Warning

"heavy rain and strong wind-wave"

No. 3 Time Issued : August 26, 2011

The rather intense monsoon trough lies across the north and the northeast of Thailand. The active southwest monsoon prevails over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand. Abundance rains is likely over the country and isolated heavy to very heavy rain in the Northeast and the South west-coast. People in the risky areas are warned of the severe heavy rain and flash flood while strong wind-wave in the Andaman Sea. All ship should proceed with caution especially in the thunderstorm areas a couple days.

The advisory is in effect for Thailand from 26 August 2011

Issued at 05.30 a.m.

http://www.tmd.go.th/en/

So there is a warning. re boats etc. i saw seven speed boats at intervals head out to the near by island's from Laem ka [phuket]beach [as normal.] in heavy rain at the time plus i was unable to see Racha or Lone or Coral island .the chinese seemed happy .but one does wonder re the safety riley 76

Depends where they're going. If to places like Coral Island and other well protected places no problem. But the islands in the open are more risky.

Still doesn't look too bad though.

Good, there is a warning, so it will probably be dry with no waves to mention.

Yes, I also saw him, curious as well.