grantbkk

Yesterday started planning a trip to Los Angeles and looked at a variety of business class airfares. Same distance and similar itinerary China $2,727, Korean Air about $970 more. Thai allows you to fly at their lowest fare of $4,619. Of course at that price you get service staff with at least 20 years more experience that may or may not drop dead before you get to your destination. It makes the Thai flight more interesting than their contemporaries. One more plus for buying the Thai flight would be new guy announcing last week that the Los Angeles route may me discontinued, marking Thai's triumphant exit from the United States.

No one knows how much serious crime occurs in Thailand. There is no uniform crime reporting which is expected in a developing country. Serious crime obviously is under reported on orders of the government as constant mayhem and homicide reports will have a negative effect on tourism and cast the Kingdom on a bad light.

Since 2004 the raging civil war in the deep south usually only receives cursory attention. In a developed country it would be on the front burner. It is wildly reported that only 6,000 men, women and children have been shot, beheaded, burned alive and blown up over the past eleven years. I would bet money it is probably double that number but the country must save face. It is officially referred to not as a civil war for independence but an small insurgency by factions with different religious views. These 6,000 to 12,000 deaths are not even considered in the country's crime statistics and almost never make world headlines.

The harsh reality is that Thailand has a very high crime rate, especially violent crime. It takes some effort but the blogs, Thai language newspapers and websites, Twitter, Facebook paints a much darker picture of what goes on especially in Bangkok. Corruption is off the hook here as well and the number of have nots. Tourists are prime targets because they are never armed, don't pay attention to there surroundings, are unfamiliar with tactics to prevent crime, display money and jewelry and basically have there heads in the sand, thinking it won't happen to them.

In the cities and tourist areas there are the usual have and have nots. Traditionally many of the have nots want what they see others enjoy. That combined with rampant drug use by younger men leads to high rates of crime. Blame the parents, western television, Thai soaps or greed it doesn't really matter. The fact is there is crime and it is here to stay. The trick is to not become a victim.

There are tens of millions of good honest Thais but a large the large number of criminals here can turn a holiday into your worst nightmare.

The OP has a point. I've been occupying Thailand for a dozen years are so. I hope he didn't miss the Super Bowl it was a great game.

Does he know the flute is an American designed musical instrument? Not really but someone please, please tell him it was.

DPM: Trace found for Siam Paragon bomber

BANGKOK, 2 February 2015 (NNT) — Security measures are heightened nationwide, as authorities have found evidence that may reveal suspect behind the explosion at Siam Paragon shopping center, said the Deputy Prime Minister.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan revealed that authorities are on the lead to an evidence that may reveal the suspects behind the explosion outside Siam Paragon shopping center in Bangkok on Sunday evening.

Officials are now tracing to prosecute the suspect, while security protection is now tightened in all monitoring spots nationwide. Authorities will also heed to notification of suspicious activity by the public.

The Deputy PM said that differing ideas are welcome as long as they do not cause violence that will affect the lives and belongings of the public and the nation's image.

He said that the government has been continuously working to solve economic issues and to reduce poverty and inequality.

The Deputy PM has added that the security protection at the government's house and the Prime Minister's office will remain at the same level as it is already strict.

-- NNT 2015-02-02

Unless this guy is an uneducated eight year old he could not have approved such an unorganized, barely coherent, press release. The translation could be the culprit and the translator may be called for an attitude adjustment.

What a joke! Corruption in the dictionary has a picture of Thailand next to it. IMHO the evidence is in. NO ONE cares about the poor people in The Land is Smiles.

These people are sick. Wasn't Dr. Josef Mengele Dutch. I've had to be around the dead and dying in all states of decomposition. The sights, sounds and smells are different and memorable but nothing anyone but the deranged or sadistic would want to sample at their leisure.

Why can't we just give it a chance? Half the whiners probably have never been to Bangkok. This will not apply to the people living in the jungle on 1K Pounds Sterling a month.

Put the numbers in your mobile phone and you MAY have a chance to call on the RTP in the event of an incident. Don't and you will definitely not. The numbers can't hurt you.

A mobile patrol will be officers responding to your call for help in a police radio car or on motorcycles here in the capital.

We live in a developing country and all that goes with it. Nowhere is perfect just more efficient. A slim chance in better than none if you need help.

Let the flaming begin. The classic TV showdown.

Even the Doctor of Idiotic Proposals is beginning to dial it back. Makes no sense and creates a chaotic situation for businesses and tourist. Perhaps make a law that allows sales to any customer who brings a beach umbrella. Maybe this is just bad translation. With all due respect, could anyone be this stupid?

I always enjoy these Thailand Elite card threads.

I think Thailand Elite is a misnomer. Thailand Morons would be more appropriate.

Yes Mr. Lock many of us see dumb people too. At lest their shadow. Kindred spirits probably.

That's what I remember about it, though. Which card was the scammy card, then?

I am a relatively new member to Thailand Elite. I paid for and received my five year, Multiple Entry "PE" visa valid until 2019. Even if Thailand Elite goes down the visa issued by the Thai Government remains in play. For more than a decade it has been predicted that Thailand Elite is dead by detractors and by the various ministers who felt the need to pop off to a reporter. I do not know why people can't comprehend the likes of Gerry and other long term users very clear positive experience with The Card.

I personally know a few that got their Thailand Elite Card as the program began 12 years ago. They are on their third 5 year entry visa. Each enjoys the privileges of the card and are 99 to 100% satisfied with their purchase and would all do it again. Not one person has lost $1 that I know of, no ones been cheated and at least for the early adopters the worst that could happen is that their money would be refunded. This is based on the fact that Thailand would not want to lose face or become involved in a couple of thousand lawsuits if the program was cancelled.

Haters got to hate but should choose a quest others can get behind. The arguments against The Card are not well thought out, born of negativity and jealousy I would guess. Not one person is forced to buy but it is an option for visiting or living in Thailand.

Of course it can't be true but the wording of the official statements and news articles sound like the government is pandering to the taxi mafia. Probably just facts lost in translation.

Have these "Officials" try to get a taxi and they will see that Uber is necessary and needed.

The OP sounds intelligent but didn't do the research and proves that common sense is not that common.

Knuckle dragging cretin or not this guy doesn't deserve to have his stuff stolen by the police. Something which I believe is 100% possible.

A 'hookah' device isn't illegal. They may have been banned / restricted but if you have one sitting at home and it was purchased when they were fully legal then I don't think it should be an issue.

The cover up will most likely see him deported / visa revoked and that will be the end of the matter.

Arguably the stuff was never his in the first place.

Ill gotten gains by his own admission.

If and when the police find any of Mr. Sharky's assets then they are subject to forfeiture as proceeds of a criminal enterprise.

Sharky, the short fused criminal has to go.

Do an investigation into his complaint and email him the results.

Criminals who make their living illegally and admit it publicly are sometimes going to be caught up even in Thailand. He went too far and now he pays (maybe twice). I think the lesson here for Mr. Sharky is don't believe your social media postings are not going to be used against you.

Like they say .... you pays your money and you takes your chances.

Right now I'm on a retirement visa .... so the question is an academic one to me.

If you have the money give it a try.

But just do some research and see what happened to some of those who signed up for the ORIGINAL Elite card program a decade or so ago.

Basically, to cut to the chase, it went broke, and many people lost money on it.

I'm not saying that kind of thing will happen to this Elite card program this time.

Maybe this one will work.

But like I said.........You pays your money, and you takes your chances.

Up to you.

The above post is not only misleading it is absolutely false. Who lost even one dime? Please cite examples for us or stop making up the facts to support your argument.

I personally know original members that are on their third five year visa. Not one has regretted their decision to buy the original Card and no one has lost money.

I wish I had a really good reason to go elite. I could spend the money but just don't want to regret it. Sounds like a great program, will the limo take you anywhere in Thailand?

I was on a Retirement Extention for a decade before I, like so many others, took advantage of the new Thailand Elite option. Seven days from start to finish. Perfect service and no hassles or worries for five years. I actively debated the pros and cons for about three month until my extention was about to expire and settled on the Card. I know I could have easily cut costs and received another Retirement Extention but I gave myself a gift.

Looming large in my decision was a couple of TV threads and the vitriolic outpouring from several non-card holders. Me thinks they complained too much. After examining their complaints and motivations along with the personal attacks on people trying to give an opinion or help others asking questions my path was clear.

If it is still available in five years I will do it again.

This is one case I don't understand. Is it really so hard to keep the 800K THB in the bank, since you are willing blow it for a 5 year visa?

I can understand if under 50 but this just sounds crazy.

I hear what you're saying and the direction I took is not for everyone. Maybe it is crazy but at my age the reapplication process seemed like it was just around the corner and I don't like the lines. I do admit that for the first five years I enjoyed going through the process especially at Suan Plu. What a show that was. But, like may things it became tedious and I found an option for me. It certainly has nothing to do with 800K Baht in the bank.

When individuals shop for a new car there are many cars in different price ranges. A cheap and reliable $25,000 car will get the job done but some opt for the $70,000+ car with a few more options. Keep in mind I do not what TV to go nuts on the pros and cons of car buys I am just citing a nearly parallel example.

I wish I had a really good reason to go elite. I could spend the money but just don't want to regret it. Sounds like a great program, will the limo take you anywhere in Thailand?

I was on a Retirement Extention for a decade before I, like so many others, took advantage of the new Thailand Elite option. Seven days from start to finish. Perfect service and no hassles or worries for five years. I actively debated the pros and cons for about three month until my extention was about to expire and settled on the Card. I know I could have easily cut costs and received another Retirement Extention but I gave myself a gift.

Looming large in my decision was a couple of TV threads and the vitriolic outpouring from several non-card holders. Me thinks they complained too much. After examining their complaints and motivations along with the personal attacks on people trying to give an opinion or help others asking questions my path was clear.

If it is still available in five years I will do it again.