mostcurious

Not sure if its the heat or just another crazy episode in thai politics --- well one this is for sure after two years of war in the streets - and the airport closures by the untouchable yellow shirts -- who is going to bother coming back here again for songkran or for that matter any other reasons to visit the "land of smile" - this has to be the death blow for the tourism sector - as if the world economy was not enough -- well maybe the PM can create a new project to plant more rubber trees and mass produce rubber duckies -=- VNAT - Vietnamese Association of tourism will be rubbing there hands in glee -the next major tourist destination - feel sorry for the hospitality industry workers also who are sure to face layoffs because of all of this --

if normal practice in riot control were applied -- and not the use of live rounds - things may have been a little different - maybe not - but without the high body count -- so much for the govt saying they were using international standards in riot control -- maybe i have missed reading something about the police and army shooting live bullets into the protesters - tear gas and water cannons are the most common methods used -

You are right visited Hanoi, first welcome to Vietnam at customs, then stayed at Ba Din district, the business district, was stopped at the street and asked to have my picture taken with their children, I am tall Vietnam Vet. Was surprised with their hospitality and made a few friends there which I am still in contact with. With LOS that left with this administration. Sorry I rather have the old military Generals back in power instead of this.

Quite agree, with all this trouble the tourism industry must be taking a battering, as for Vietnam - if flights to Saigon (Ho Chi Min city) were similar in price to flights to Bangkok then a lots more tourists would be enticed to go there instead. Right now for me the main reason for travelling to Thailand is to use it as a base to travel to neighbouring countries like Cambodia and Vietnam.

These documentaries are just a hyped up mainly excauated load of nonsense.

Take a look on Utube at the uncut interviews and scenes. It`s obvious that most of it is semi staged, plus the bar fights and street yob sagas, you'll find these in any British towns after the pub and club animal chunking out times. Also the story about the young girl facing drug charges and her loser boyfriend. I was hoping she would have gone down for a least a year as an example to those who think Thailand is a soft touch.

That JJ who during an interview admitted that he is not a full Thai, but half Dutch, is wallowing in all the fame and is always guaranteed to put on a good show in front of the cameras.

It`s all done for gaining high viewer ratings, profit and entertainment at the expense of the Thais, damaging the already badly hit tourist industries and Thailand's image around the world.

I am sure that for the Thais and the ex-pats that helped create and produce this rubbish are looking at a very grim future career wise in Thailand and perhaps even deportation for the Farang police who participated in this without official approval.

What the UK's towns are like is irrelevant. If everything were justified on the basis of it happens somewhere else in the world then there would be a free for all. As you well know, British TV is full of similar programmes about what goes on in British cities.

I also suspect you know that there are tourist scams all over Thailand. If you truly cared for the country, you would be happy for these to be exposed so that Thailand's tourist industry can clean itself up and improve.

Whilst foreigners focus on the scams, local Thais stare in shame at the debauchery

shown in the documentaries! Thailand is a Buddhist country and respect should be given to its religion.Why do foreigners come to Thailand to practise such debauchery?Do you not come to enjoy the sun,the sea, the natural beauty, the food and the culture?Thais have to protect their young and shield them from this hedonistic lifestyle and culture so different from theirs.

Just getting your money is a heavy price to pay for eroding their culture, their religion and corrupting their young!

Are you able to do that next door in Malaysia? You would have been whipped even before you go cavorting at the beach!Maybe foreigners should be more sensitive and have more respect for the host country. After all you are the guests and guest do not misbehave!

Remember that Thailand is a singular cultural society that does not accept multiculturalism like Western countries.

Thailand could if they wanted ban western foreigners from the country for whatever trivial reason.

You have to accept there is a high level of corruption that allows crooks like JJ to operate (this is only the tip of the iceberg).

The local population consider JJ a heroic Robin Hood type of figure - robbing of the dumb rich farang to give to the poor locals.

The solution as I've mentioned previously is DON'T USE THE JET-SKIS !!!!! period

Look at how much this crook JJ makes each year. If he extorts money from just one jet ski user per day then he receives 60,000 baht, multiply that by say 300 for the times the offence is perpetrated each year then he makes an astonishing 18,000,000 baht !!! . Add this to the actual hiring of the jet skis and you realise there is a huge profit to me made from this criminal activity. With kickbacks to the police force and high end officials, this scam will continue to run and run, even if JJ were to leave the scene another goon would simply replace him.

The bottom line is this 'DON'T USE THE JET SKI'S'

She works and can make about 150,000 B min. a year. For the record, I have not paid her and do not really intent to. Of course, I like to treat her once in a while and do pay half of the rent and the gas whenever I am using it. I am 47, not fat, bold, and have all my teeth. And, yes, I could afford it, but do not feel this would fit my definition of LOVE, as universally defined! Will I miss her, not really! As much as the meaningless conversation we have about nothing!

Ask her to talk to the local bank manager about opening up an ISA account for this 150,000 B, invest the money in gold, or maybe date the bank manager

In the mean time RUN away.

Just come back from a holiday in China, and I have to say I will be returning there instead of the usual trips to Thailand. Overall the food is much better, there are far more places to visit again and again, the majority of the people are very friendly and there are no beer swilling yobs.

If you get fed up of Thailand then go elsewhere.

Yes, have been advised the same by 2 friends.

But, as businessman I'm dependent on the internet. Any idea what it's like (can it be any worse than here?)

And can you watch English football easily?

I stayed at hotels/ guesthouses in Beijing Shanghai and Xian and there was free internet usage available.

If you want to travel to different parts of the country it is advisable to fly, its not much more expensive than train travel. I booked through a site called elong which is part of expedia.

One of the reasons I like to travel is to experience different cultures and to taste their food. The restaurants I visited were of a high standard, prices very reasonable, big portions of meat, great service, friendly staff, traditional tea served with every meal, small side plates with fresh authentic spices to dip food into, and the staff will cook the meat or fish on a stove on your table.

As far as I can remember the hotel TVs had a number of channels, some of which had football although not to many English football matches.

The way I see it Thailand is not a cheap place anymore. You have a combination a factors. A weak Pound, increased prices, poorer quality services all round. Even if the pound did gain strength, say 60 baht to the pound, it still wouldn't be cheap.

Just come back from a holiday in China, and I have to say I will be returning there instead of the usual trips to Thailand. Overall the food is much better, there are far more places to visit again and again, the majority of the people are very friendly and there are no beer swilling yobs.

If you get fed up of Thailand then go elsewhere.

On my previous trips to Thailand, Ive bought pirated DVDs from street venders and shopping centers and they have all been mediocre in quality. For top quality DVD's its better to purchase the real thing.

On my last visit to Thailand I noticed a distinct lack of Army Personnel at Bangkok Inernational Airport a stark contrast to when I visited in April whis year. Could it be that the army are on the side of the PAD supporters ?

It means those interested in gambling don't have to travel to that cesspool Poipet on the Thai/ Cambodia border. So YES, this is a brilliant idea.