MangoKorat

Until recently I flew to Thailand 8 -10 times per year. It is only by seeking out the best value deals that I was able to do that. I don't like short layovers - some of these middle eastern airports are massive and getting to the next gate on time can be extremely difficult. I actually enjoy time spent in the lounge - direct flights are too mush for me, I've tried them. I am also a smoker. On my last flight with Qatar, the stopover was around 1.5 hours - never again. We arrived 15 minutes late and then had to wait a further 15 minutes whilst some of the royal family's employees were allowed to join those in business class and leave together. To add to the delay, clearly the new Doha airport isn't big enough because we parked out on the concrete and had to wait for buses to ferry us to the terminal. Then, as has now become the norm again, we had to pass through security yet again (clearly we'd had the opportunity to visit the terrorist shop in the sky). We were assured that our ongoing flights were aware and would wait - mine didn't. I then had to fight with Qatar who were trying to tell me that according to their system my flight had arrived more or less on time and I should have been able to catch my connection! No allowance was made for the matters above. When I got through security my next flight was listed as 'Gate Closed'. Qatar staff advised me to go to the 'connections desk' - long queue. I was then advised that they couldn't help and was sent upstairs where the fighting began. Whenever possible I choose flights with at least a 2 hour layover - especially in airports that are so big, you have to get a train between gates. I wouldn't recommend anyone accepts anything less - especially if you plan on visiting duty free.

Have you read the links I posted? The UK needs to take action now. I would point out that I have no time at all for Robinson, Reform or Farage but I repeat, the actions of these Sharia Courts plays directly into their hands. They call themselves 'courts' by the way and state that they do not recognise UK law - read the accounts contained within links.

I agree to an extent and I have stated that the behaviour of hardline muslims plays directly into the hands of racists. However there is an old saying - give them an inch and they will take a mile and I'm sorry to admit that in this case its very true. We granted these people a home and a right to live and work freely in the UK. In doing that, I don't think it was ever anticipated that they would segregate themselves and move their entire society over here. They hardline groups have no intention of integrating. We allow Sharia Courts to exist for example - because they claim to be societal advisers. As evidenced by the links I posted earlier, they are far from that. I dont' think there is anything more I have to say on the matter except that if you take an overview of the world's troublespots, the vast majority of them have a common denominator - Islam. Even in totally muslim societies, they fight amongst themselves - hardline groups seek to impose their brand of islam on others. Even Thailand does not escape that phenomenon.

You don't see a difference between Islamaphobia and being disgusted by the actions of some Muslim factions? I would condemn disgusting behaviour by any group or religious sect - as I did against those who rioted in the UK this summer. However, I would remind you that this thread is about Shariah Courts - a facet of the muslim religion. It should not be surprising then, that the behaviour of muslims is discussed. The BBC for example, regularly report on the situation in Afghanistan where women have recently been banned from talking outside their home. Are they wrong to call out such behaviour? Is the treatment of women and gay people by hardline Islamic sects acceptable? You cannot fairly state that the calling out of such behaviour is a phobia. Its right that people call it out, its not acceptable - in the UK or anywhere. Men and women of any or no religion and of any sexuality have a right to live their lives free of persecution. They have a right to live freely without being coerced or forced to live according to any religious group claiming to hold authority over them. Relating that to the UK - we are a free society and we will not accept such behaviour. We welcome and accept any religion provided that its practices do not harm the normal life and freedoms of either its or our people. Where we have gone wrong is we have failed to recognise what's been going on in the UK's muslim societies, we have bent and adapted to accomodate them and they have abused that. If calling all of this out is Islamaphobic in your book - so be it but I think most would disagree.

Never had any problems in either Doha or Abu Dhabi.

Because I fly regularly with Qatar and Etihad - they have no such rules.

As abhorent and shameful as this woman's behaviour is, you can bet this story becomes way bigger than that of the 80 year old Belgian man that was subjected to a knife attack and robbed in Pattaya. None of my Thai friends have seen that story but they have seen this one.

You think you know better? I used to live amongst these people. I deal with real world matters, not fanciful statements containing implict superiority. Read the damned statements of the muslim women to the parliamentary committee instead of trying to appear to have superior knowledge via your mobile dictionary. There is no human rights law that allows for a sham legal system to exist and attempt to dish out rulings and punishments. The behaviour of those courts in fact, violates the human rights of muslim women. Again, you fail to see the wood for the trees. The extremist elements of muslim society in the UK are not victims of racism - they are the creators of racism. The very fact that these courts exist just gives racists like Tommy Robinson et al ammuntion with which to stir up hatred. I am not anti muslim and I have no problem with muslims living in the UK. I do however, have a problem with muslims setting up courts and subjugating women in the UK. I have a problem with laws being changed to accommodate non native immigrant groups and I have a problem with any religion attempting to impose its ways and beliefs on society in general. Perhaps if you had the opportunity to listen to these people talk in private, to learn how they despise British ways and how the intend infiltrating further into the British political system in order to further their aims, you might begin to understand what is really going on. I have had that opportunity and also gain a lot of information from a non practicing muslim girl who lives amongst a largely muslim population in a large UK city. When an Asian taxi driver states "we're going to take over this country you know" its not just idle talk. He is of course wrong but he believes what he says and its illustrates the mindset. It should be made clear to people of any race, creed or colour that when they are allowed the privilege of being allowed to settle in the UK, they must adopt British laws. When in Rome..................

You should be damned well ashamed of yourself - the emoji is disgusting considering the subject matter! Pattaya has its shady side granted but it is also a tourist city. If tourists can't walk around safely, having had a drink or otherwise, then the city is lost. It it wants to keep its tourist status then the police have to get out there and make it safe. I urge everybody to repost the video of the attack in as many places as possible - there is nothing that jolts the Thai authorities into action more than bad publicity.

The more I read the article I quoted above, the angrier I get: '6. The Sharia Court judge said I was to stay within the walls of my house for 40 days. I was not allowed to answer the telephone, the front door or even to go into the garden during this time because a man may see me! I felt like I was in prison. I was told to pray or look after my grandchildren. What could I do but do as the Sharia judge said. My sons believe they are right. 7. After 40 days were completed I began to go out again but I am only allowed to go to the shops with my sons or my grandchildren. I am also allowed to visit one friend. She is a widow too so there are no men in her house. It is from my friend’s house that I am making this statement. I want people to know what is happening. 8. My husband has been dead for almost 4 months. I am now coming under a lot of pressure from my sons to sell my house and give the money to them. They have been speaking to this Sharia judge again. He told them that in English law I may own the house I live in but this is not the right way in Islam. He said that my husband’s property should have been given to my sons so that they could look after me and manage everything. Since the day the judge said this, both my sons keep putting lots of pressure on me to sell the house and hand over all the money to them. I cry every day because I do not know what is going to happen to me. Where will I go? The judge said I should live with one of my sons in their house. I want to be in my home' https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/75313/pdf/

Correct, they have no legal authority and cannot administer law - so why do they exist? Many muslims in the UK have no loyalty to the state, their loyalty is to Islam - I have personally heard that stated and its been demonstrated many times. Do you seriously think that a muslim living in the UK would ignore a ruling made by a Shariah court and get away without punishment. I think you would do well to read the statements contained in the link below - given by muslim women to a British parliamentary committe looking into the practices of Shariah Courts in the UK. 'The imam told us the divorce obtained in the English courts was not recognised and that Lubna would have to seek a khula from a Sharia court.' https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/75313/pdf/ 'The imam told us the divorce obtained in the English courts was not recognised' - who the hell do they think they are? There is clear evidence in those statements that the extremists that run these 'Shariah Courts' - want no part in the British legal system and try to exert their own influence wherever they can. This type of behaviour is why I say that there is no way that muslim and British cultures can co-exist peacefully. The extremist factions simply use the UK for what they can get from it. They have no intention at all of taking part in its culture, traditions and laws. Personally, I would deport people who come to live in the UK and then try to set up a completely different society, living under a separate branch of law. Its hardly surprising that there is so much conflict between muslim and native British populations where they crossover. The behaviour of these groups plays straight into the hands of the racists and provides them with ammunition. Its time that these courts were banned completely. We have a legal system, there is aboslutely no need or place for a parallel legal entity.

There have been honour killings in the UK but that's not the point. The point is that these people wish to administer their own law, educate their children outside the legal UK system.

I thought AirbnB's were banned???

This guy doesn't understand who he is dealing with. These people have no fear of death, they think they're going to a better place.

Well for one, that is Old Testament - I'm not sure if many Christians either believe or follow that anymore than they believe much of what's in that book. It is also at odds with more modern Christian teachings. You might note though that the punishment applies to both men and women, not only women. Whatever, the stoning of women deemed to have been unfaithful and gay people being thrown off high buidings is totally abhorent to most of the World's societies - as are many other extreme Islamic actions/teachings.

Not a book I've read but I do posses one. Where does it say that?

I believe that is very rare in Thailand. Very few of the long haul carriers have any sort of agreement with domestic airlines. I think most people book the two flights separately which means collecting your bags on arrival at Suvarnabhumi and checking them in for the domestic flight. That being the case, I wouldn't risk having a bottle confiscated by security in the domestic terminal - when its too late to put it in your bag. Remember, security is after check in.

You clearly can't see the wood for the trees. It is not Islamaphobic to criticise a religion that dependent on the location, teaches hatred of all non-muslims and other muslim sects, jails and otherwise harms homosexuals, subjugates and in some cases, withdraws education and normal human rights from females. That is not Islamaphobic, its pro-equality and human rights. Maybe you think stoning a woman accused of being unfaithful to death is OK? Should that not be criticised? In my opinion, the brand of Islam that promotes such extreme beliefs and behaviour, should be outlawed and stamped out. No religion or abnormal way of life, should be imposed on people. That is not in fact, religion, its conditioning. The brand of Islam applied throughout most of the UK's muslims is very closely related to the most extreme varieties that exist - that practised in Afghanistan for example. If criticising such extremist behaviour is Islamaphobic - guilty as charged.

The problem of Sharia courts has little if anything to do with refugees or asylum seekers - fake or real. Shariah courts are operated by the Islamic society in the UK who mostly arrived by legal means. The beginnings of that was initially to help rebuild Britain after WW2 and then to fulfill a severe labour shortage in the mill towns of Northern England. The problem was that not only did we allow the workers to come, they were allowed to bring their families too. That was also abused by claims that 'dependent' relatives needed to come. As far as I know, the families and dependent relatives thing has now bee stopped but it is way, way too late. We now have a Muslim community large enough for politicians to court them for votes during elections. Due to the size of that community, we also have Muslim politicians. How do we maintain British culture when those people are beginning to have affect the government and law making? That might sound awfully racist - its not intended that way. I have no problem with a person of a different race or colour being in government. I do have a problem with someone from a different culture who wishes to impose a different way of life, set of values and laws on the UK being in government. It is not for the UK to change its ways, its the duty of those who are given the privilege of living here to adapt to our ways. For other religions, there would be no problem but Islam requires Muslims to live by its codes - it controls their entire lives. Many of those ways are archaic and totally unacceptable in the UK. The subjugation of women is one such facet of the version of Islam they practice.

I most certainly am not a part of that. I have no control over the actions of my government - all factions of which are totally subservient to our US masters. There is little to be achieved by voting differently - they are all the same. However, that's as far as I'm going on that - I've seen far too many threads closed over off topic posts.

Yes but instead they keep telling us what a wonderful multi cultural society we live in. The Jewish society in the UK segregate themselves and live their lives according to Judaism but they don't seem as militant about it as Muslims are. I don't think that either are wholly compatible with UK culture but one appears to be a bigger problem than the other.

I'd rather visit more often thanks. Business class is great but its not worth 3 times the price in my opinion. Economy mixed with no queues and lounge access is perfecty adequate for me.

Jeez I'm sick of hearing that. I'm not proud of my country's history but it is just that - history. I am no more responsible for the crimes of my forefathers than German people are for the behaviour of the Nazis. This is the 21st century!!!

1. I've never used business class unless I've been upgraded. 2. Saving money on flights allows me to visit as often as I do.

Do what I'm doing - leave.