Britannia

Self-made Billionaires especially if they have come from non-privileged background are super intelligent if not genius. Unfortunately being ruthless is a part of the formula in the chemistry of their persona

He is just a lot cleverer than all of you. Having knowledge is not intelligence; intelligence is what you do with that knowledge.

The country has been on a downward spiral for tourist, ex pats and the peasant classes ever since the 2006 coup

Expertise in the restaurant field! Have I missed something, French,Italian and Spaniards are not allowed to work in Thailand, are they?

That sums it all up!! We are not liked and now not even tolerated. Thai attitude rape them of everything and then send them back. Welcome to the Land of Smiles, no wonder they changed it

It seems that to some , the penny never drops, that we are not actually liked here.

You are over reacting .

It was just a regular raid on a problem bar .

No one got either "raped" or :"sent back"

Some people just got asked to show their passports

I don't think I am over reacting at all. I have been here a great many years now and there are those that have been here a lot longer. It has changed dramatically (And so has the World) Thais don't like us and that is a fact. I have lived in Chiang Mai (lovely place) Khon Kaen Udon Thani and a short time in Pattaya and some in Phuket. Its the money factor and all sane Farang knows this, but harassing Tourist and expats is new. Sub machine guns to raid old people playing bridge 100 police officers to check on passports, ho come on, this is not the old welcome to the land of smiles, It could get dangerous. Military running the show can always get dangerous

Thailand doesn't want any foreigners living there. They only want them to go there on holiday, spend lots of money, then go back to their own countries.

Nonsense. This and similar raids in Pattaya and Bangkok are an attempt to be seen to be doing something about the potential terrorist threat. Over the top maybe, but if it led to the apprehension of an ISIL terrorist it would be considered worth it.

I think most potential terrorists would hold a low profile and not run around enjoying the nightlife until the early hours of the morning, especially in Thailand where nightly pub raids can happen at any time.

In the US now, many acts (perhaps including this recent row with Apple) are being done in the name of national security, when it is anything but. This may be the same. This has nothing to do with national security. Arresting or dragging random tourists down the precinct for not having their passports on them, has to stem from another motivation altogether. It appears, that quite possibly we are seeing the beginning of a wave of anti western sentiment, on the part of the officials. That is the statement I get from all of this, combined with the SWAT raid on the bridge game, being played by a group of seniors recently in Pattaya. If that is not the case, and immediate apology to all foreigners, from the top man, should be forthcoming. And what do you think are the chances of that happening?

They are starting to act in a highhanded, arrogant, power hungry, senseless fashion, toward foreigners. This must stop. If they are serious about maintaining a large ex-pat community, and continuing to attract western tourists, this must stop.

A note to the authorities:

Tourists have too many other options. I know if I were a tourist, and I was one of the people dragged down to the precinct, this would probably be my last trip to Thailand. Think before you act. Think. Use you noggin. It is a God given gift, and is not something to be wasted on ignorant policy. At least make an attempt to demonstrate some long term vision. I realize it makes your heads hurt, but at least try.

Quote: It appears, that quite possibly we are seeing the beginning of a wave of anti western sentiment, on the part of the officials. That is the statement I get from all of this, combined with the SWAT raid on the bridge game, being played by a group of seniors recently in Pattaya. If that is not the case, and immediate apology to all foreigners, from the top man, should be forthcoming. And what do you think are the chances of that happening?

Sir you have as they say in Britain, Hit the nail on the head, you have got it right Sir and no apology coming from upstairs

It seems that to some , the penny never drops, that we are not actually liked here.

That sums it all up!! We are not liked and now not even tolerated. Thai attitude rape them of everything and then send them back. Welcome to the Land of Smiles, no wonder they changed it

They really know how to kill things off. Just look at Pattaya so many businesses set up and operated by Farang, just sold off to Thais, Mostly because the Thai Landlord put rents up to an untradeable level, No head whatsoever for economics.

They are just not aware that the money that was around 7-8 years ago is just not there anymore, so instead of generating business, they just sit and twiddle their thumbs until it's time to pack up and go.

Who are these people at the top, running the country? Do they honestly believe that an Issan can serve and operate a business for Westerners better than a farang and that, that is better for Thailand.

The Old man that robed the country so much and inflicted atrocities really knew how to progress business and develop tourism. Now it is just sick

Sad, So Sad RIP Both of you, the boy is a victim of uncontrolled anger, regardless of whose anger it was, Sad

Thaksin clan a scourge to Thailand, taking advantage of uneducated masses to line their pockets.

And why are the masses uneducated????

Who is right and who is wrong here,

I do not support Thaksin, however the talk of his attempt at an amnesty being an evil or corrupt thing as it was, needs to be balanced with the acknowledgement of the NCPO and their self applied amnesty on taking power.

Why are some posters so hung up about Thaksin seems to me his way is the Thai way and little different from the actions of those in power at present.

Good politics died with JFK now one must sort through the chaff given off by all politicians to see what grains of rice are left. Thaksin just happened to leave a little more behind for the people for which they were grateful. If your looking for the perfect politician your on the wrong planet.

My God, we have a man that knows what he is talking about. Agree JFK. Next load of trouble coming our way. NEW WORLD ORDER

If Buddhism is not legally enshrined as the official religion of Thailand why can't I or any other foreigner buy a beer on Buddhist Days?

Very good question, when you can by one on Christmas day or Ramadan

You presumably westerners who genuinely think that Thaksin is more corrupt or more evil than a host of other Thai politicians are lost.

Thailand is bursting at the seams with people just like Thaksin. They all share the same values but not all are equally competent at being corrupt.

Corruption is a fundamental part of Thai culture. Who would deny it?

Do we have any reasons to believe that the Junta, for example, is clean, or do we have reason to believe exactly the opposite?

What about any other political parties?

Westerners of reasonable intelligence should be better able to notice these patterns. There is no good group vs bad group in Thailand just as there is no good gang vs bad gang. They are all variations of the same lawless, unprincipled lot.

Not many command an armed group of terrorists that kill and celebrate on stage the deaths of people who oppose them. After the trad killings that left 2 kids dead the reds started cheering on stage. I would say anyone who has an armed wing like that would be bad in my book. (he uses them to get back instead of giving up like others)

As for your corruption argument, i cheer for every corrupt official that gets convicted. I don't care what side they are on (can look and read back in topics to confirm). So I want Thaksin to be punished too, he has been convicted and has serveral more serious cases going that would lead to even more convictions so without a doubt he is one of the worst. (just saying that others are bad too does not excuse him of doing time)

If you want to prove otherwise please give me some examples of corrupt officials that are convicted or have so many court cases going against them. You will see me cheering too if Suthep gets caught or an army general. But for now Thaksin is the one who is caught and has many cases going against him but uses violence and murder to get of the hook.

Do you remember anyone who has openly bribed judges like that (cake incident ?) or used threats and violence (his men in black and armed redshirts).

I think the same could be said about Margaret Thatcher and George Bush, Have control of the power of the military, will use it to their own ends. Its stupid to think that people in political or military power are not going to use it for their own goals. Mahatma Gandhi was in deed rare

You presumably westerners who genuinely think that Thaksin is more corrupt or more evil than a host of other Thai politicians are lost.

Thailand is bursting at the seams with people just like Thaksin. They all share the same values but not all are equally competent at being corrupt.

Corruption is a fundamental part of Thai culture. Who would deny it?

Do we have any reasons to believe that the Junta, for example, is clean, or do we have reason to believe exactly the opposite?

What about any other political parties?

Westerners of reasonable intelligence should be better able to notice these patterns. There is no good group vs bad group in Thailand just as there is no good gang vs bad gang. They are all variations of the same lawless, unprincipled lot.

Here Here, Well said, someone with their brains in gear

Who is right and who is wrong here,

I do not support Thaksin, however the talk of his attempt at an amnesty being an evil or corrupt thing as it was, needs to be balanced with the acknowledgement of the NCPO and their self applied amnesty on taking power.

Why are some posters so hung up about Thaksin seems to me his way is the Thai way and little different from the actions of those in power at present.

Here Here, got it spot on

Who writes this rubbish?

There are more beggars with babies on the streets of Pattaya than I can ever remember. Obviously the police and Child Protection services are too busy looking the other way to notice or care.

Yes, that's what the govt meant by "reorganizing beggars." That is, Pattaya has been assigned a larger allotment of beggars at the expense of other locations.

Ironically the Thais are more likely to donate something, where Westerners will turn a blind eye, They do not do it out of compassion but rather by doing so will bring them good karma (good luck for a Thai) They know tomorrow it could be them, where westerners believe it could never happen to them, much the same as the rich in 1929 when the stock market crashed and it became time to jump out of a window

That's OK, When their friends turn up (the Chinese) they will do away with that like they did in Tibet. Buddhism is about following and practising the teachings of the Buddha. Very rarely seen in Thailand, How many know the 5 precepts? the basics for all Buddhist, not many for you never see them practised and for Monks the extra 3 making the 8 percepts. I don't think any of them even know what they are.

Nearly all religions have been established by politicians for their own goals and all are light years away from the original teachings of their namesake

Politics is just a form of control of the masses and religion is just a tool to be used

Buddhism is alive and well (reasonably so) in China and Tibet. The Dalai Lama is not so welcome but even relations are thawing there!

I was a practising monk in India 30 years ago and still hold very firm to the teachings, I disrobed because of something called Samskaras. mental impressions of desires (material) I see little sincere practice in Thailand but it is a good job

Give them some dignity will ya? Instead of beggars, call them victims of a low-socio-economic Thai society, where the disparity between rich and poor is wider than the Grand Canyon, and the gulf is widening,

Many of these unfortunates get kicked to curb, to the lowest echelon and rung on the proverbial ladder, often by dint of being uneducated and being born into the "wrong" family. Entitlement is not in their vocabulary, nor is hi-so, hope, or opportunity..

It's about the next meal, so lend a hand as you can or may, if that is your wont..

Very few so-called "Beggars" "deserve" this way of life, judgmental as the smug and comfortable may be..

And then we have the despicable sex-tourists.....ew....

Facts....

The so-called "Beggars" are mostly part of an organized beggars groups of mafia style people who

allocates " beggars" to a prime positions where's a lot of foot traffic preferably of tourists,

most of those are not Thai, they're Cambodian, Burmese and sub continent people,

most of them are able bodies to work, but they prefer or coheres into begging,

those mafia guys, probably also engage in other vices, such as prostitution and drug

peddling... so next time, before you fell generous and benevolent wanting to help a beggar,

make sure who's' the recipient of that generosity....

Absolutely correct what you say about organized professional Beggars, However there are still an overwhelming number of unfortunates with no other way to survive, would you deny them their piece of bread or cup of rice because some other unscrupulous souls may be exploiting you?

The only way to know who would be the recipient of that generosity, would be to spend time amongst them and that would require compassion or to be oneself an unfortunate.

Role on the arrival of The New World Order, then we can all be beggars

Give them some dignity will ya? Instead of beggars, call them victims of a low-socio-economic Thai society, where the disparity between rich and poor is wider than the Grand Canyon, and the gulf is widening,

Many of these unfortunates get kicked to curb, to the lowest echelon and rung on the proverbial ladder, often by dint of being uneducated and being born into the "wrong" family. Entitlement is not in their vocabulary, nor is hi-so, hope, or opportunity..

It's about the next meal, so lend a hand as you can or may, if that is your wont..

Very few so-called "Beggars" "deserve" this way of life, judgmental as the smug and comfortable may be..

And then we have the despicable sex-tourists.....ew....

Facts....

The so-called "Beggars" are mostly part of an organized beggars groups of mafia style people who

allocates " beggars" to a prime positions where's a lot of foot traffic preferably of tourists,

most of those are not Thai, they're Cambodian, Burmese and sub continent people,

most of them are able bodies to work, but they prefer or coheres into begging,

those mafia guys, probably also engage in other vices, such as prostitution and drug

peddling... so next time, before you fell generous and benevolent wanting to help a beggar,

make sure who's' the recipient of that generosity....

That's OK, When their friends turn up (the Chinese) they will do away with that like they did in Tibet. Buddhism is about following and practising the teachings of the Buddha. Very rarely seen in Thailand, How many know the 5 precepts? the basics for all Buddhist, not many for you never see them practised and for Monks the extra 3 making the 8 percepts. I don't think any of them even know what they are.

Nearly all religions have been established by politicians for their own goals and all are light years away from the original teachings of their namesake

Politics is just a form of control of the masses and religion is just a tool to be used

As far as I’m concerned this place has lost it ..it is light years away from the day I first set foot here (Many decades ago)

What the people of this place have allowed over the years is disgusting all down to greed, a lack of interest and indifference.

China, Russia & Thailand all in bed together it makes my head spin …. Its pretty clear who will be on their back while the other 2 rape her…they deserve everything coming to them.

I for one don’t give a damn anymore; for years its not the place I loved plus the people are so dumbed down here its ridiculous .

agreed! The changes have happened so incrementally and so slowly that probably many people haven't noticed or they are forced to accept them anyway because they have family ties here. But there's many times I feel it's no longer the place I bargained for by a long way

I mean just how much can a koala bear?

Agree!! Agree!! Agree!! The whole place has gone rapidly down hill since 2009 but so has the rest of the World. Blame the Bankers and Blame greed. The World is changing BIG TIME

All these motorbike rentals that conveniently don't have any insurance for there bikes, of course they do, you cannot get a tax disk without at least the government tax which everybody has to have.

They should make it law that all rental bikes are fully covered including theft and not try and con tourists into paying over inflated price.

The Government insurance and Tax covers the cost of any medical bills but not property. If he gets a standard form from the Police stating his injuries were a result of a traffic accident and presents that to the Hospital, then his medical bills should be covered. They don't tell Farang of anything they may be entitled to, especially in tourist areas

Correct - Gov. Insurance and tax takes care of the hospital.

Foreigners - (Farangs) are bamboozled (Thai style of course) with the wording which the Thais keep perpetuating instead of coming onto the International business English world.

The insurance in question real and proper nomenclature is called: "UNINSURED motorist" and is part of the yearly registration of the motor vehicle. If you do not have the slip located on the bottom of the UNINSURED motorist insurance policy, then you CANNOT get the vehicle registration certificate.

Note:

This UNINSURED motorist insurance (operated by the Gov. and a money maker causing premiums to be reduced a few times already) pays the hospital and other medical bills, NOTHINGELSE. It was brought in some years ago because hospitals, not infrequently Gov. Hospitals, were holding the bag of the cheapskates (Thais and Farangs) who did not buy all coverage insurance.

Many countries I have worked worldwide have this insurance and call it by its proper nomenclature, "UNINSURED motorist insurance" even a blind person understands this wording but this being Thailand they have to have their own wording and not really knowing what they are doing came of with the concoction "Government insurance and tax". Surely bamboozles everybody including Thais. As Bernard Trink would say: "TIT".

LOL in LOS

Thank you Sir

Ok....quick 'voyeur' shot, with a mobile phone, taken JUST at the right angle?

In a normal shoe shop, we see ladies shoes...and behind, out of shot, is probably the men's section...where these monks MAY have been waiting to try on sandals? (YES...they are allowed to wear shoes!)

Or, possibly...monks have families....which presumably include sisters, mothers, etc...who DO go shopping? Waiting for them?

Come on guys, let's give these guys the benefit of the doubt - they give up a hell of a lot to live the way they do, and the last thing they need is ignorant and sarcastic Farangs jumping to stupid conclusions!

Did you know that the monks are allowed to keep any money given to them by way of placed in alms bowl or in an envelope for a blessing or attending a funeral. i was very surprised when I found this out, thinking it went to the Watt but no. I know this as my wife's son was a novice for 3 years and he made a lot of money, no joke and I had a Farang friend who don the robs and he was just as surprised when he was told anything given to him is his. Better than going to work

...'littering'........very hard to find garbage cans in town sometimes.....

...meanwhile.....monks receive carts full......each....daily.........

....bottom line....don't blame and condemn the homeless......

...help them.......

Nothing is what it seems in Thailand. There was a woman who would sit on the pavement with her kid and collect 500 baht then pack up and go home. Her husband had a FT job in the construction industry. Her family were probably making more money than the people donating to her.

The trick is to empty the cup every 15 minutes or so ,so it looks like you have very little.

Some 'homeless' people in busy areas are making as much as farang English teachers.

Would you have us deny all because the existence of the scammer? There for the grace of God go I and the majority of English teachers in Thailand do not have a degree unless they bought is so it should be Shhhhhh about English teachers in Thailand

Nice to see compassion for the less fortunate here, it makes a warm welcoming change. Keep it up

Immigration should put this up in all offices as the poster boy for the type of tourist they do not want. \

If a Tourist cannot show that they have insurance that covers motorbikes, SCUBA diving, tree canopy visits, bunji jumping, alcohol poisoning, to name a few, then the government should price such risks and make sure that everyone can get health care. I think they will find that the standard travel insurance does not cover these things

And lets close Thailand down altogether

All these motorbike rentals that conveniently don't have any insurance for there bikes, of course they do, you cannot get a tax disk without at least the government tax which everybody has to have.

They should make it law that all rental bikes are fully covered including theft and not try and con tourists into paying over inflated price.

The Government insurance and Tax covers the cost of any medical bills but not property. If he gets a standard form from the Police stating his injuries were a result of a traffic accident and presents that to the Hospital, then his medical bills should be covered. They don't tell Farang of anything they may be entitled to, especially in tourist areas

It doesn't cover the cost of "ANY MEDICAL BILLS." I was there, done it, no "hearsay". My motorcycle insurance for my 750 Yamaha paid only the maximum of 12 K, the "rest" in form of 86,000 baht was paid by my Thai SS insurance.

I live in a bit more remote area and when I had an accident in my pick, and had to have hospital treatment the police officer told my wife that I should go to the police station and he would give me a paper stating traffic accident, we went he gave it to us we gave it to the hospital and no charges. The Thai government and tax insurance covers medical expenses and nothing else, Did you ask a policeman for the certificate? did you know about it? Like I said no one is going to volunteer helpful information to a Farang