waders123

On 6/12/2025 at 11:05 AM, nauseus said:

 

THAI used to do it but there was a pit stop.

Usually, the pit stop was in Taipei.

A direct flight from Seattle to Bangkok? That would be amazing—can’t wait to see it happen!

Moving toward a police state atmosphere—what could possibly go wrong with uploading raw public footage into an AI database? The constant buzz of drones overhead while trying to enjoy a peaceful holiday isn’t exactly inviting.  Just what Thailand needs: another reason for travelers to consider neighboring countries where they can relax without feeling monitored or unwelcome.

From what I am getting out of the story, it appears she may have been acting as a "mule" for a drug trafficking operation—possibly manipulated through a romantic relationship or the promise of easy money.

She seems like a young person who has a close family and an easy life before her travels, but was likely naïve and didn’t fully consider the potential consequences if things went wrong.

On Monday, it snowed for the first time this fall in Southcentral Alaska.  Do they declare it winter now, or should they wait for the official announcement out of Thailand?  Will it be in the Gazette?  I'm just asking for a friend. 🥴

What a colossal waste of time and money! This will only frustrate tourists and damage Thailand's reputation as a welcoming destination. It would be wiser to wait until the Thai economy recovers and operations are running smoothly before implementing such changes. These ill-conceived ideas should be put on hold until the situation stabilizes.

The ultimate goal of this scheme seems to be to transition everyone into a tax-based system, drain personal finances with variable/floating tax plans, and privatize the financial end of their Social Security system using insurance companies. This approach mirrors the U.S. healthcare model, where insurance companies have wildly profited while citizens struggle with inadequate coverage and significant out-of-pocket expenses. It's clear that this model is a failure and has impacted the American middle class the most. For the sake of Thailand's citizens, it's crucial that policymakers carefully consider the potential consequences of such a system and make informed decisions instead of making the insurance companies richer while their citizens become poorer.  I wish the best for everyone.

Throw them into the jail system for the rest of their stay, then boot them out of the coutry with a ban from returning.  

"They paved paradise and put up a parking lot" a song called “Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell comes to mind.  Phuket won't be the simple paradise it was, once the "Tourist Money Machine" is completed.  I feel fortunate to have had the chance to enjoy it in its past glory.  Undoubtedly, there will be both pros and cons to the developments ahead.  

16 hours ago, impulse said:

By my calculation, the guy's still 3,500 baht ahead, and I'd bet dollars to donuts he's back out plying the streets in his tuk-tuk by tomorrow.  At worst, maybe across town where they don't recognize him.

 

At the very least, they should have made him return the 6,000 baht.

And held his Tuk Tuk in impoundment for the 90-day suspension. 

On 3/27/2024 at 7:16 PM, realfunster said:

Blimey, and many on here are quick to criticize the Thais for being money obsessed…

 

In response to your specific comments, as the article notes only Taiwan and Nepal have taken this step so far, so not sure how Thailand has lost ground on this issue.
 

I would have thought that Thailand would have been seen as a pretty welcoming and tolerant destination for LGBTQ+ for a long time already?
 

A brief Google indicates lots of potential legal/rights/societal challenges (and I don’t mean just not being able to marry) for LGBTQ+ across most of SEAsia and Asia, I didn’t bother checking Malaysia and Indonesia for obvious reasons….

 

Anyway, a decision to be applauded and let’s hope the Senate dinosaurs don’t block it. 

I simply wanted to point out the potential economic benefits of Thailand becoming a sought-after destination for LGBTQ+ weddings and honeymoons. It's not about being money-focused, but rather recognizing the economic advantages that can come from catering to diverse communities.  Indeed, neighboring countries like Vietnam and Cambodia have discussed legalizing same-sex marriage, highlighting the importance of Thailand remaining competitive in attracting LGBTQ+ tourist dollars. That's why I emphasized as one pro point, the need for Thailand to consider passing such a law—to ensure it remains an appealing destination for LGBTQ+ travelers and maintains its position in the tourism market.  This is simply about smart leadership and has nothing to do with being obsessed with money.

I would agree with you in that Thailand has a good reputation as a welcoming and tolerant place for LGBTQ+ individuals as it is now, but if Thailand were to pass such a law, it would undoubtedly set a powerful example in Southeast Asia, showcasing its commitment to human equality, and solidifying its reputation as a leader in promoting diversity and acceptance.

The decision to legalize same-sex marriage should indeed be applauded, as it signifies a step towards greater equality and inclusivity for all Thai citizens. Let's remain hopeful that the Senate will recognize the importance of this decision and not hinder progress towards a more equitable society.

20 hours ago, nausea said:

The truth is this liberalisation threatens a lucrative income stream. 

This hits the nail on the head. The big players didn't anticipate this taking off so quickly and tapping into the main revenue stream. Feeling left behind, they now want their "fair" share of the profits from the business. They aim to backtrack the progress made, allowing them to regain control of the dispensaries or at least secure a significant stake in the "pie."

Individuals like this should be prohibited from traveling altogether. Their behavior tarnishes the reputation of all travelers.  They go on the no-fly/no-travel ban. 

20 hours ago, djayz said:

Yes, that's exactly what Thailand has needed over the past "15-20 years"; more sex tourists. That'll improve their image and reputation. Good one (sarcasm warning). 

I'm not sure where "sex tourists" came from in your interpretation of my statement. It would be beneficial if you could focus and read my words carefully. I specifically discussed a new demographic of tourists choosing Thailand for vacations and marriage ceremonies in a gay-friendly environment, ideal for honeymoons. My point was unrelated to any potential involvement in the sex trade.

Until same-sex marriage is officially announced as being legal in the Gazette, it is only an idea. Legalizing same-sex marriages should have happened 15-20 years ago; Thailand could have been benefiting all these years from the influx of money and set the standard as the preferred destination for the LGBTQ+ community in Southeast Asia.  It's not too late to turn this around and capitalize on it before neighboring countries legalize same-sex marriages and start aggressively vying for the "Gay dollar."

It seems like a missed opportunity for the PM of Thailand not to target Western travelers, especially considering the current travel landscape. With fewer flights and soaring airfare tickets in the West due to the recent pandemic, there's a significant demand for alternative destinations like Thailand. Thai Airlines could potentially tap into this market by obtaining FAA certification, dropping prices, and offering direct flights from Canada and the US.

By filling the gap left by Chinese flights to the West, Thailand could attract not only tourists but also travelers with more disposable income.  While the average Russian citizen might not have as much spending power as Western tourists, focusing on attracting visitors from the West could provide a boost to Thailand's tourism industry.

Ultimately, prioritizing economic opportunities over political considerations could benefit Thailand in the long run, especially in the current global travel climate.