MickGC

Get over it, sailors have been going on shore leave for hundreds of years and nothing has changed. There will be a lot of drunks, fights and puking and then they will all be gone and Phukett will go back to normal.

They will bring an infusion of money into the economy and ask any business man how he feels about a bit of R/R.

Moe666 is correct. Cannot see a problem here.

Thai Ladyboy: "Hello sailor"

Sailor Boy: "Hello darling"

Thai Ladyboy: "You handsom man"

Sailor Boy: "You are beautiful. I love you"

Thai Ladyboy: "You handsom man. I luv you short time."

Everybody happy. End of story.

It's pretty much criminal the renting of high-powered motorbikes to anyone who comes along with a passport and the daily rental fee. Booze, pretty girls, and fast bikes can make for a deadly combination.

I agree with you John Doe.  Is hard to blame the Thais here (I know you are not making any accusations).  Also I am really sorry for the 2 young men who were killed in the prime of their lives.  Their family and friends would be devistated.

You said it all "Booze, pretty girls, and fast bikes".  Such is life .................

Are you suggesting that being tried, convicted and sentenced as a criminal in Thailand doesn't account for anything?

Ironically, it's that sort of mindset that landed this shiela in the stink to begin with.

Being a beer mat thief in Australia would be a joke.  A joke here in Thailand also.  My Thai friends were having a good laugh tonight.  They did not know the story until I told them about it.  Beer mat theft is not huge news up this way.  We all had a good laugh over a bottle of Sang Som.  They all agreed it is not real good for the tourism industry here though.  

Wow... I've read every word from the closed thread to here and what a load of sh*te.

I spent more than twenty years "holidaying" in developing countries from central/south America to Africa, Asia and the former eastern bloc and I ALWAYS made myself aware of the cultural/political/judicial circumstances of the country/region visited - even before the ease of 'net searches!! Not to do so is gross negligence on your part - if you are naive enough to think going to "play" in a developing nation is like playing in your own back garden you should have your freakin' passport revoked.

Hey Mike.  I appreciate what you are saying.  I am a well travelled "tourist" also.  Been doing so for last 30 years.  That is just my point.  The majority of tourists do not have your experience.  Their first trip O/S on a cheap package tour.  Girls meeting up at the popular tourist destination Phuket to celebrate there Mum's 60th birthday.  Go to the Aussie bar and get pissed.  Are you and everybody else here angels when on holidays?  I personaly know 5 people who have been mugged in the same street as this bar.  Mostly by ladyboys.  2 were seriously injured.  No charges ever laid here.  Give the poor girl a break.  A <deleted>' beer mat for christ's sake ....

Is it true that a holder of non-O visa (I have a non-O Thai wife visa) can only get a reentry permit at the immigration office that serves the province he lives in?

If true, this will severely impact the ability of resident expats to travel freely at a moments notice.

In my case, given that my province does not have an immigration office, it means a 1200 km round trip journey to a city in northern Thailand.

If true, it represents yet another "expat unfriendly" immigration rule change.

You guys comments about Thai immigration makes me wonder if you have ever lived anywhere else. have you ever tried getting a visa to take your Thai wife abroad? The Austrian Embassy here was the worst followed closely by the Australian Embassy both here and New Zealand where the Australian Consul was a Greek and was abusive when I tried to get an extension for a Thai relative of my wife.

I almost never had problems with immigration in the 45 years I have lived in Thailand.

Visa fees must be the lowest in the world and you pay no income tax. Whereas in most countries if you stay more than 6 months in any year you have to pay tax on your world income.

You were lucky.  The Australian Consul was an Indian when my Thai brother in law was refused a tourist visa to Australia 6 years ago.  He had no chance even though he is 50 y.o.and has never been married, has 3 houses in Thailand, no criminal record and a stack of money in the bank.  Never had any trouble with Thai immigration in my 20 years coming and living here.

Hi all.  I have a 1 2 call simcard.  I keep getting SMS messages from a servive called "NewsPlus".  Its not much good to me as I cannot read Thai.  It averages about 6 messages a day.  Am sure it is not free.  Does anybody know how I can stop this service.  I have tried replying to the messages without success.  Thanks

Hello all beer lovers in Isaan!

Last year when I was in Laos I tried the Beer Lao and thought it was a very good beer. Later this year I will move to Isaan (Kalasin) and now I wonder if I can find it somewhere there? I have not seen it in any shops in Kalasin, but maybe in Mukdahan or Nakhon Phanom?

Isaanben

Hi Issanben.

I recently crossed the bridge from Mukdahan to visit the newly opened (not complete) casino in Savannakhet.  They have Beer Lao on tap.  About the only place up here I know with draft beer.  Was bloody lovely.  If playing the tables it is also free.  

cheers

I take it you haven't read his 190 comment over the last 2 days. Go ahead and browse through them and tell me how realistic his opinion's are I guess labeling a group of people that don't share the same opinion are mindless dumb monkeys that deserve to die is realistic......................................

Facts are, for most of the world's population, it is unacceptable to seize one of the world's largest airports for a week, no matter what you are protesting. The airport occupation didn't change the outcome of the courts. Also a fact, in most civilized countries, seizing an international airport, would have caused the police and possibly army move in within minutes and get rid of the protesters, if needed by force. Tell me how US authorities would have acted if the JFK airport was seized by armed protesters? How the Spanish authorities would have acted if the Madrid Barajas airport was seized by armed protesters? Or how Dutch authorities would have acted if the Schiphol airport in Amsterdam was seized by armed protesters?

If you have a different opinion, fine. But the authorities in these and most other countries would have acted much differently to prevent the economic disaster that Thailand and it's people will be facing in the coming months and years.

To me, the PAD are monkeys (and that's saying it nicely). That's my opinion, I've never asked you to accept or share it.

My opinion doesn't hurt anyone, but PAD's actions do and will.

You are speaking the truth.  Only other example of an airport takeover I can think of was Entebbe during Edi Amins reign.

My wife is giving 2000-3000 Baht every time she is there, my staff 100-500 Baht.

A first you asking me, where PAD pay Demonstrators, because your wife and your staff need to know.

Now you are telling us, they are donating PAD.

What the hel_l u are smoking?

there is a box at government house full with money 20 Baht 100 Baht 1000 Baht.

And always people put money in. If I recall right I have a picture of it from the place before government house, I can send you if you want or instruct my staff to make a nice new picture.

H90.  You are so one eyed.  I agree this democraticly elected government may not be perfect but show me a government that is (eg. George Bush and chads).  That is how democracy works.  If you are not happy, try again at the next election.  Do you really support the PAD's agenda?  30% of politicans elected and 70% appointed by VIP's.  Would be really interested to hear your opinion on this.  We all know where they will come from.  Not too many north of Bangkok I would guess.  Wow.  That really is democracy as the D in PAD suggests.  

I recently got a taxi from the center of Sydney to the international airport to fly back to BKK.  The driver bitched and complained the whole way because the fare was only 800 baht.  A similar distance in Bangkok would cost around 150 baht.  I agree with a previous poster who said most of the falungs with complaints here expect 1st world service at 3rd world prices.  That does happen often but when it dosen't - mai pen rai.  Life goes on.

I hate to go against the grain here but I reckon the fares are quite reasonable. I travel to and from the airport to BKK at least 3 times every year. To go a similar distance in Australia for example would cost around Bt1500. So even if the unwary tourist did get charged Bt500/600 they are still getting a cheap fare compared to back home. This comparison would apply in most western countries. I always ask about the meter before I get in the front seat or put my bags in the back. No meter no fare.

Hi to all you lads and ladies

Live up on the Lao border by the Mekong. Not too much falung food up this way but hey, who gives a s**t. Not too many falungs either. I guess that is why the local supermarket does not cater for our every whim and need. When your falung customer base is only a tiny fraction of your business it does not make sense to supply these exotic (for locals) foods. A lot of these products can be home delivered at a very competive price by the food suppliers associated with this site. And no I have no connection with these people.

If you get really dsrperate jump on a bus to Bangkok or Pattaya and fill up your suitcase at the supermarket.

cheers

Mick