riverhigh

"The incident occurred near Koh Poda Nok, off the Krabi coast, as the vessel was battered by powerful waves, resulting in a significant leak." What powerful waves ??? Looking at the photo of the rescue mission, courtesy of MGR online, I could barely see the waves. Maybe, just maybe, the leakage could be due to poor maintenance. Just saying.

"Steffen admitted to managing two dark web sites with over 5,000 child pornography videos, attracting over 10,000 subscribers and generating illegal earnings estimated at 3.5 million baht. He confessed to beginning this illegal activity after retiring and moving to Thailand." 3.5 million baht for 10,000 subscribers seems to be on the low side. That works out to 350 baht per subscriber. Condisering the content I think 35 million baht, at mimum, would be a more realistic amount. Maybe hiding the money for his retirment from prison. Yes a deviant cnut, but unfortunately a smart one. The worst kind and a danger to society! It takes brains to set up an operation like this.

A 58 year-old professional criminal living illegally in Thailand and commiting crimes. This individual needs to be jailed for a long time and, after his term, deported as a decrepit old man and banned from Thailand for the remaining years of his life. Just deporting him will only result in him coming back and commiting furhter crimes.

Fine, jail, deport. Being an <deleted> is not a medical condition. Send him back to Italy and let him try that stunt in his home country. Thinks he is smarter than everyone. Takes no responsibility for his actions . Looks down at the Thai authorities. Shows no respect to anyone. I don't wnat to see this cr*&p on the beach.

"As the Israeli tourists attempted to intervene, they became embroiled in the dispute." Why? Why? Why? Why are people unable to control their urges to intervene in other people's business. Of all things to get involved in, an all Thai squable about client-stealing. In the video, the Israel tourist looked like an idiot running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. The Israeli emabassy urges their citizens to use caution. How about asking their citizens to use some common sense? I guess that's a big ask, common sense is not that common.

What a mess!! I don't beleive the owner that this dog, in his seven years of life, has never caused a problem. Just one time the neighbor leaves the door not propelry locked and all hell breaks out. Hope the little girl recovers. As for the dog Solar it's time for a solar eclipse.

IMHO, this has nothing to do with the visas, this is about the arrogrant Italian tourists and the tour boat that illegaly took them to the restricted area. Even if the Itlaians were innocent of the restricted area, thier behaviour was unacceptable. Once told by the Thai park ranger they were performing an illegal activity that should have been end of story. As to the tour boat, they are guilty regardless of either taking a bribe form the Italians (private hire) or instructed by the tour agency to take them there. The Thai authorities should be focused on the Thai tour boats and Thai tour agencies.

Thailand being heavily reliant on tourism and exports would, for the most part, prefer a devalued Thai Baht. Tourism up, exports up, I think there is a good chance of the Thai baht staying in current range or even appreciating. I wouldn't raise one's hopes of the Thai baht deprecaiting against your home currency. Unlike Thaialnd many Western countries have massive debt and current account balance deficits

"During the 1990s, the introduction of retirement visas and non-immigrant visas for specialised groups bolstered the necessity of visa agencies. They offered relief from lengthy queues and cumbersome paperwork through services such as address verifications and residency certificates." Silly me I always thought it was for those who didn't have the 800,000 baht and/or medical insurance, depending on the visa. If memory serves me right, I never heard any of my friends say "I'm glad I paid the 19,000 baht for the relief of not standing in line".

"it could take up to 29 months to reinstate a functioning system, with procurement yet to commence." 29 months to fix a plug-and-play sytem! I thought when they bought the package off the shelf it had been already tested and considered "idiot" proof". Obviously not "Thai" proof (smile).

The last thing I want to do on holiday is time keeping. Now what time is it I can't buy a beer. Is it 1pm, 2pm, 5pm? Damn my brain hurts. So inconvenient.

Tonsillitis contracted in India, not covered by insurace? precondition? It appears that rather than going back to the UK from India they decided to continue their holiday to Thailand. It also appears that she was rushed to the Thai hospital after they had celebrated her birthday. Party first, hospital emergency second? Maybe some poor decision making?? Hope she gets better, but ....

The Russian was having good old gay time and unbeknowst to him fate turned on him. Situation completely out of his control. How do I can contact the GoFundMe for Russians? I want to donate.

"Wallace, a 72-year-old retired lorry driver from Sidmouth, Devon, embarked on a brief journey to Thailand." On a brief journey to Thailand and his health insurance lapsed. Give me a break! I doubt he ever had travel health insurance in the first place considering this lorry driver only knows living in the nanny state where everything is paid for. Photos of him living it up in Thailand gives me the impression that before coming here he was in good health and consequently took the gamble. Hope he recovers, but ....

Difficulty of opening Thai bank accounts has been discussed many times. You can blame the two-week millionaires for this problem. They would come to Thailand and want a cheap place to securely park their money. They would open a bank account, deposit money and then close it a few weeks. Very expensive for the banks.

"Despite these challenges, Mr. Phanuwat remains optimistic, noting that most local businesses continue to welcome tourists with open arms." .... Give me break!!! What is Mr. Phanuwat to remain optimistic about? Businesses will no longer accept tourist money with open arms?? I don't see how these businesses can handle the challenge of selling over-priced products to naive tourists.

Thanks for the horrendous photo. All doubt has been removed that I am now old ... 555. Nothing worse than a tranquil area turned into a cesspool of self-centered narcissistic young adults. I have very fond memories of Pai and intend to return in the "very low" season of July and August. As a side note, you won't be seeing me floating around in a old tire tube buzzed out of my mind on some locally procured drug.

Yup. We only get half the story, the rest is left to our imagination. On the limited information provided, my guess it that the American took some shortcuts in setting up a corporation to run an entertainment business in Thailand. Just another example of a foreign retiree living his dream of running his own business and getting over his head. Being 67 years old and American, he should have a good pension and be able to live comfortably without getting involved in a sketchy Thai business.

Wonderful service. Check that your Thai dolly is suitably drunk before taking her home. More booze better the sex ... not that I know just quoting a friend!

As long as the Thai police force is funded by the amount of fines it collects from the general public one can expect some shenanigans. Most of my foreign friends who get traffic fines see them as cheap road taxes. TIT.

Let's face it the 2pm - 5pm alcohol sale ban is just plain inconvenient! The heavy drinkers will adapt and work around this inconvenience. It is ridiculous to think that this 3 hour time ban will have any effect on the level of alcoholism in Thailand.

"On 8th February, Police Lieutenant Colonel Suwit Bunnaphen of the Mae Hong Son Tourist Police confirmed the removal of disruptive Israeli tourists from the country. These individuals were charged with causing disturbances at Pai Hospital and have had their entry permits revoked." Nothing to do with jew-hating, anti-semitism, zionism, etc., its about individuals from Israel who insist on bringing their problems and arrogant attitude to Thailand. Narcissistic self-centred young Israelis who cannot adjust to living in a foreign country and abide by the country's norms and laws. Arrogrant Israelis who neither know nor care about the amount of damage they are doing to the reputation of their home country. When the Thai governemnt and businesses start signaling out a specific nationality for unacceptable behaviour then there is problem for that nationality. In this case Israel.

"He claimed the meeting was meant to be a peaceful discussion with a former friend, "Ice," who had distanced himself from their group." It kinda of makes sense why the gang rivalries decided to meet close to the Pattaya police station for a "peaceful discussion". What could possibly go wrong? Who in their right mind would open up fire 50 meters away from the police station? A few phrases come to mind: "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong", "Common sense is not so common", "Never underestimate stupidity, stupidity knows no bounds and finally for our American Vets 'SNAFU ... Situation Normal All fu&$ed up".

"Despite officials from the Pattaya Mayor’s office inspecting the site later that morning, no immediate repairs were made. The lack of accountability has sparked outrage." Please include me as one of those who is outraged. This is not an isolated instance. Many of my friends, including myself, have had accidents because of lack of road/pavement repairs. It's ridiculous to think that Pattaya Beach has recently earned three prestigious awards, spotlighing its oustanding beauty and commitment to sustainable tourism practices. When it comes to road/pavement maintenance, Pattaya is a dump!

All I see is a drunkard clown getting off the ground and waving his arm telling people off. Did you notice that his friend was waiting outside the bar while the drunkard clown friend was getting roughed up? Friend didn't want to get involved and most probably for good reason. Something tells me that this is not the first time this has happened. Will the drunkard clown learn from this? Answer: Not a chance in hell, give it a couple of days and all willl be forgotten.