espinoza

Airport authorities with a trained eye Who is these people?

When I was last at Suvarnabhumi in June, on my way to Udon a guy approached me after being turned away from Air Asia for missing the check in time by 5 minutes (woops, 1 too many beers at the bar the night before and slept in).

He had what appeared to be a legitimate TAT ID Card, which he showed me. He claimed to be a tourist transport assistant and offered to help me rebook another flight. I guess he took me for fresh meat, and I probably appeared so as I still felt a bit tipsy.

He quoted me a price of 3500thb for a ticket to Udon, which I knew was rubbish. Pretty impressive though, he communicated (in English) to someone via RT (Radio, for those of you not in the business of using the walky talkies) who quoted the price, apparently from the Thai Airways desk. He told me he would take cash and arrange for the ticket for me.

I told him I would go and check other prices, and meet him in 10 minutes if I did not find a cheaper price. Went straight to the Thai Counter near the oversize baggage collection and booked for 1200b...

Surely the state of the art airport has cameras and we all know has ample security to kick out taxis not willing to pay to sit in the rank, so could there not be someone monitoring people walking around the airport dealing with large numbers of foreigners for hours on end? I work in surveillance and know for a fact that this type of activity is extremely easy to pick up (same people, same behaviour, day after day)and stop (trespassing these same people from the entrance doors inwards and putting their faces on a board on the wall).

It seems they did not try very hard on their crack down. Does TAT not understand that once a farang gets scammed in a country, they never usually return unless they have a very good reason? I will never return to Malaysia for that reason - the scamming is on a much bigger and more agressive level than in LOS.

Malaysia is not as corrupted as Thailand is.But,maybe Air Asia is contaminated.They have Thai Air Asia,you know.

This is why Thailand is sailing into nowhere with the flag on top.

however, airport authorities with a trained eye still see unauthorised taxi operators and tour guides preying on victims, but claim they get intimidated when they approach these people, who then claim they have connections in high places.

I am beginning to like that comment.

airport authorities with a trained eye How does this eyes looks?

What's the latest on the King Power gang?

Same as usually

One measure has been to transfer some officials who were thought to be involved with the gangs. A reshuffle of officials will be made this month, he said. Mr Serirat said the AoT will spend 15 million baht starting on Oct 1 to try and end the illegal operations.

Why not put them into jail where they belongs?

There has been so many members writing about somebody caught for theft in King Power shops.The problem is not the thefts,it`s the corruption in the royal thai police force.If somebody steal a lipstick or a bottle of liquer,they should get punished in accordance with the law.But why can they pay money to get out of the trouble?That`s the real Thailand PROBLEM!!!! Why can somebody pay money to get the legal prosecusion to go faster?That`s the real Thailand PROBLEM.King Power is finished after this hullaballo,but they just change name,and the problem is solved.Just like thai politics.Do anyone know who the owners of King Power is?Is it the Royal Thai Police Force?????

I've never been to KOREA/SEOUL, but will be flying KE for the first time. The layover is from around 9am to 9pm.

Anyone have suggestions on what to do? How is the airport? Train in and out of the airport?

Has anyone had this layover and checked out of immigration then back in?

If possible, any suggestions about what to check out in the city?

Interesting shopping areas? how are the seoul prices on korean products like samsung phones and handheld devices?

Things to buy that can be sold back in Thailand?

unique things to buy or cool things to see?

restaurants? ( i love korean food ),

activities for single guy??..

any and all replies appreciated

peace out cm96

I have been there several times.The airport is elected as the best in the world several years after each other.I think the airport is easy,but it`s expensive.The Korean prices is about the same as UK prices.I tought I would buy a Samsung phone here,but I did not find any.I korea they do not sell mobilephones to foreigners.If you need a mobile when staying in the country you can hire one.Electronics are generally more expensive then,for instanse Thailand and Norway.The korean food does not taste like it does in "korean resturants" in Thailand.From the airport you can go by train or bus to Seoul.The bus is cheap,but I do not know about the train.You have to pay 9000KRW for the bus (200 THB).The trip takes about 90 minutes.Seoul is a mega-city and I think you can do whatever you wish there.

The case is not solved althoug it was stated earlier that it was.

Dishes massive criticism against the police after the murder of Phuket

PATTAYA / OSLO (Aftenposten.no): Lawyer Bjørn André Gulstad and Brynjar Meling is highly critical of police for the murder of Norwegian Simen Sparre Knudsen in Thailand has not yet been resolved, and warns against Norwegian tourists missing the rule of law in Thailand.

There have been quite frightening to see how the rights in the community is resolved, in terms of how many foreignersthat live there, "said Meling to Aftenposten.no.

Lawyer Meling and his colleague Bjørn André Gulstad dishes massive criticism against the police in connection with the failed investigation after the killing of Norwegian Simen Sparre Knudsen (47) in Phuket in Thailand in September 2007.

Lack of commitment from both Norwegian and Thai police, and poor information flow from the government, makes Gulstad go so far that he will also warn Norwegian Thailand-tourists about the lack of legal protection in the country.

For about five months ago was Lawfirm Sjödin, Meling & Co. Contacted by Knudsens sister, Pia Sparre Hellenes, who asked them to investigate the homicide case. Now Gulstad, who daily work as a legal investigator, have been in Thailand for two weeks, among other things, to be able to investigate the circumstances surrounding Knudsens death. Aftenposten.no met him in Pattaya in Thailand at the end of his stay.

The family wants to know whats happened, why, and how it has happened. Simply to get as much clarity in the matter as possible, "says Bjørn André Gulstad to Aftenposten.no.

Sailor Simen Sparre Knudsen, who lived in Thailand, was killed in September 2007. He was on his way home on the motorbike to Rawai on the island of Phuket in the middle of the night when he was attacked and killed by knife wounds along the road.

Thai police quickly arrested two young boys, but much later indicated that they were not the perpetrators. One was quickly transferred to a youth prison in connection with other offenses. The other was released. Police hunted on a third boy, but there are indications that he was not involved. Now police have no other suspects - to the family's great despair. The case is unsolved.

When media coverage dimishing, and Thai police began to lose interest in the matter, the Norwegian authorities behave quite passive, in Gulstad`s sense.

- Norwegian police had a recent update on the matter in February 2008, which not said anything new in relation to what we already knew in September 2007. When we contacted the police in 2009, we were told that they had not heard anything new about the case. This means in reality that the case has been slighted for a year and a half, Gulstad said.

- The particular thing about Thailand is that they have a foothold there through the communications man. We would like the Norwegian authorities had taken advantage of this to ensure propelling of the investigation of the death of a Norwegian, says Meling.

Aftenposten.no has confronted the head of the investigation in Thailand with the criticism that has been directed at him. He turns, however, from the criticism, and blame it on the Thai court.

- The reason that no one has been convicted of the murder, is that the court not accepted our evidence, "said investigation leader Sirisak Wasasiri at Chalong Police Station to Aftenposten.no.

He tells that it took place in parallel to separate investigations of the homicide case, but that the two investigation groups reached different results. The investigation groups failed to agree with each other, and there was a conflict within the police. He maintains, however, that it is the two arrested boys who are guilty of murder, and points out that, among other things, they are mentally ill. He does not want to comment on whether the crime technical investigation has been inadequate.

Warns Norwegian tourists

Gulstad believe that the police passivity is a danger for the security of Norwegian tourists in Thailand.

- This means that citizens are killed in Thailand without the police making a proper investigation, and it is a very serious situation, says Bjørn André Gulstad.

Booze and bikes are a dangerous combination. Riding without a helmet only compounds the danger. I used to do all of that when I was this kids age. I was lucky and survived but a number of friends were not.

Thailand could really benefit from a national motorcycle safety campaign. I know, wishful thinking...

Yes this is wishful thinking.Thai authorities don`t care about a few hundred killed in the traffic every year.They show this very clear.In the developed world there is a lot of rules made effective to protect life.In Thailand they don`t even consider any rules.A simple but effective rule is to always use lights when driving.The government would probably make a lot of money if they effected such a rule.A small fine for everybody driving without lights would bring in a shitload of money the first year.But they don`t care.

Hi,I`m 48 years old.I work around the world.Usually I work four weeks on - four weeks off.I stay in Nong Khai on 30 days upon arrival visa when I have my time off.Now we got a little girl-baby and I want to get another visa.We are not married yet,but we will marry as soon as my divorce is completed.This will be during may-june.Can somebody give me any receipe for what is the easiest and best way to get a visa that is best according to my situation?

We are going to have a baby next month. My fiancee is a thai citizen and I`m a norwegian. What should I do to get long time visa to Thailand? I`m not retired,and I work outside Thailand. Now I`m staying on 30 days tourist visa every time I`m in Thailand. We will get married later,because I`m still only separated from my norwegian wife.

Hope someone can give me a right and informative answer.

Hi guys,

I have a Fortuner 2005 model 3.0 D4D turbo diesel. I am considering to install a Diesel Power Chip which improves performance, torque & economy.

Sofar I gave two options, with some differances in price etc. One is a european product the other made in Aussie.

- A Ptronic - http://www.p-tronic.co.uk/?cfC0A8002D=1DE6...nnMsCjfhaCoHzo=

- A DPchip - http://www.dpchip.com

The suppliers in Europe have requested a photo of the plug on the injector. Unfortunately I am working is Saudi and cannot take a pic. Anyone with a with Fortuner can help me out here?

As anyone of you tried these performance chips for the Diesel?

Your help is appreciated.

Thanks!

I sell them , i have a unit ( digital ) for the commonrail 3.0 D-4D ,the same unit is for the vigo/hilux,. the plugs did change in 07, i have both i will need the engine number to distinguish,. power figures are ,up to 205bhp and 455 nm torque,., i have a chart done by hks ( independently ) in bkk,and can supply customers for a referance,. pm me if interested,..

Price?

Where to pick up?

All info is on 'http://www.emb-norway.or.th/', including a pdf.file of a brochure that can be picked up in printed form in BKK.

Thank you very much.

I did a quick search and could not find what I was looking for. From what I remember it is very important that you not only sign the birth certificate but you must also sign the forms when registering the birth.

Also several stated that it is best to obtain a Thai passport before your Norwegian passport.

You should also be aware if the baby is a boy, he will be liable for Thai military service.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge then me will add to this post.

In the meantime try a search in Thai Visa and see if you can find any relevant threads.

Congratulations on the upcoming birth

Thank you very much.

Is it anything special about thai military service?

She's thai.

In april I'm going to be father of a baby to be born in Thailand. Can somebody tell me what to do so the baby will get both thai and norwegian citizenship/passport?

I have a 2008 Vigo 4x4 3.0 Automatic.Can somebody tell me where in Thailand I can get it chip-tuned?