Underdog

Nothing new here, during the cambodian kymer rouge reign the thai army sent 1000s of khymer refugees back down the hill at preah vihear, those that didnt die from land mines were shot attemting to climb back up,.

A pretty civilised culture no doubt.

It made the front page of the SCMP (HongKong major newspaper) today :

"Dozens of refugees were detained for hours and some were beaten by the Thai navy on an Andaman Sea tourist island."

"My shock at rough treatment of refugees on Thai holiday beach ... Thailand's secret refugees: hidden on an island, then dumped at sea ..."

Unfortunately the online edition is only accessible to subscribers. A reader sent pictures he took yesterday on Thai beach, showing Thai army abusing refugees.

Does anybody have more information about this subject?

For background : http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=14213

Anything goes here eh!

Take a look at some of the shit about the Laos Army/Air Force using the Hmong as living targets, bombing them straffing them, ambushing them, killing whole tribes...it's another world!

These pickpocket gangs have been highlighted before on TV. Thanks for the latest update.

The second location has not been mentioned before but as with all previous locations, it fits the pattern of a place with a lot of foreigners likely to be carrying a lot of money (expats in well-paying BKK jobs and tourists). Haven't heard this scam tried in Nong Jork but there's always a first.

It's interesting that you mention Filipinos as they crop up with regularity when talking about pickpocket gangs and other-related scams (cards, lost my wallet, etc.) in the downtown areas of Bangkok.

I bet you have a city map with pins pointing out the hotspots..Inspector Clouseau!

Sorry if I have been unclear with the timing.

The accident was approx 4 months ago. After the accident I returned to Australia for approx 1-2 weeks prior to returning to meet with the family and the insurance. After the meeting my passport was held by the police for 2 months until they lodged the paperwork with the court at which time I received my passport back. The court then gave me a date to come back and talk to the prosecutor, I once again returned to Oz for 7-10 days before returning for the initial meeting approx 26th of November (this was the meeting when they were too busy to see myself and my lawyer). This was then rescheduled to approx 16th December. I was put in the cells, eventually granted bail and returned to Oz on the 18th December. My next appointment in court is the 16th of Feb.

Please accept my apologies for any vagueness, this as you can imagine has been a very stress full and taxing time.

C

maybe a stupid question, but why you came back to Thailand, once you are in Australia nobody can touch you, because not any country extradite his own citizens to another country.

Maybe he had a life in Thailand?

I responded to the most recent warden message (below), as follows below. I note that the embassy is located on Wireless Road in Bangkok, perhaps more aptly renamed "Wireloose Road."

Re: Embassy Bangkok - Warden Message - 12/29/2008

I have lived in Thailand for a few years. These years have not been easy years for Thailand, but I think that this warden message is totally overstated and unnecessary. It strikes me more as a "CYA" message serving the U.S. Department of State rather than being truly thoughtful and sensible to realities in Thailand. Frankly, to avoid personal harm, I would advise residents and travelers to stay off the road --- especially at night --- during the holiday season where the chance of personal harm is enormously more likely. And --- tragically --- to stay out of "20-somethings" rock concert halls.

/s/

On Dec 30, 2008, at 5:44 AM, US Department of State Warden Message wrote:

Warden Message: Holiday Celebrations

American citizens traveling to or residing in Thailand during this holiday season are reminded that bombings have occurred in the country, including Bangkok specifically, during the New Year's celebratory events in past years. Given Thailand's experience with violence during this time of year and the currently dynamic political environment, American should remain vigilant of their surroundings at all times and exercise caution in areas of large public gatherings. American citizens are encouraged to avoid large public crowds whenever possible.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and health-information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada or, for callers in other areas, by calling a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

American citizens traveling or residing in Thailand are encouraged to register with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok. The Embassy is located at 95 Wireless Road in Bangkok. The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy can be reached by calling 66-2-205-4049 and by e-mail at [email protected]. The after hours emergency telephone number is 66-2-205-4000.

it is not overstated or unnecessary. the advice was sanctioned at a high level. it is for tv members to take the advice or not - their choice

but please respect a government's right to issue a warning.

intolerance of other people's views seems to be a requisite for some members in tv

The advice should be heeded, especially if you are coming here as a tourist...i.e. check the small print on your travel insurance, you may find you are not covered!

Put a resistor in the wire so no matter how far they turn up the dial it will be a muted bleep. They likely can find a cut wire but a doctored wire is likely beyond them

Play really loud bagpipe music. Most Asians hate bagpipes and I have a lovely collection. Peibroch funeral music is specially annoying.

Or just pay to have it moved.

Yes bagpipes, brilliant idea!!

I shall march up and down our Soi at 5am and practice.

That should get some attention.

Sgt. Mc Kenzie...."lay me doon...in the cold cold groond".....over and over again, should prove amusing.

The level to which farang volunteer police get involved in 'investigations' does vary from province to province. In Phuket, none of the volunteers are involved in checking papers, checking car eg, checking tax or undercover work against farang. (We have done undercover work to obtain photographic evidence against the Thais who offer baby gibbon monkeys for photos in Patong. Despite obtaining clear photographic evidence of those involved, and despite passing this evidence 'up the line', it was never acted upon).

Clearly, (from previous TV threads), the 'professionalism' of each volunteer varies greatly, and no doubt there are some (many?) who volunteer for totally the wrong reasons. The Phuket Tourist Police Volunteers have just updated their rules and guidelines documents, and each volunteer must adhere to these rules which are intended to ensure that each volunteer is helping for exactly the right reasons! I'm not sure whether the Pattaya volunteers also have a rigid set of guidelines, (and how/if these are enforced).

Anyway, I do expect to see some of the Phuket volunteers being 'let go' in the near future, either because their work 'ethic' does not meet the minimum requirements, or simply because they cannot speak sufficient Thai, (which is a requirement of this volunteer work).

Simon

Proffesionalism of each volunteer? How can this be? "RULES"...what on earth are you on about? Why don't you look at the big picture? YOU ARE BREAKING THE LAW BY WORKING WITHOUT A WORK PERMIT, Why don't you arrest yourself and turn yourself in to your boss?

Livinginexile started a thread with some interesting, (and provocative) comments about Sonti, but no abuse, no lese-majeste etc. That thread was rapidly closed without comment.

Why?

We should be able to discuss this topic - LiE comment's may be very accurate and it's an extremely important subject.

Simon

But it doesn't fit in with the rose tinted spectacle view held by many on this forum!

Aplologies, as my first language is not English, but I would like to wish the Great King of Thailand a Happy Birthday Wish, and say how much I respect he way he has taken care of his loyal subjects over the past 7 days of airport closure, thank you! From the bottom of my heart.

It is wonderul now that the airports can open again and peoples from many lands can once again flood to this great country, bringing wealth and prosperity to this great land. Thank you and Happy Birthday!

Took my missus to Harbin, -30 or colder, she was really surprised how her hair froze...now that was COLD!

I think the question is 'why wasn't it nipped in the bud.' Just like children, unless you stop them from misbehaving early on, their behavior will only get worse.

The mistake that was made, was made a long time ago.

Tend to agree, about 2540 years ago!

I, personally don't like what PAD's doing. I think it's counter productive, but I believe in thiere point. DO NO LET YOUR GOVERNMET BE RUN BY PROXY! The current PM is a PUPPET for Thaksin. I see thier point, but they are goin about it the wrong way.

Thaksin was and is billionaire, before he took office. I believe he used his office to make more money. (My wife is Thai, and she says "We all know, he is corrupt, and can accept that Why can't you westerners accept that? "I believe he has a personal agenda. MAKE MORE MONEY!!!!!!!!!! He sold 51% of the Thai Port, to Singapore, for $300 million US $. ! He still retains control of 49%. I don't believe he has the country's interests at heart. Now he thinks he got a raw deal? I think he believes "He who has the most toys and money wins" If he believes in Thailand, why does he continue making money off the Tai poeple, and foriegner tax? He is seriously coruppt. No doubt about it. My wife is a firm suppoter of Thaksin. I beg to differ.

If you give me $100,000,000, in corruption, and I return 10% ($10,000,000, to your childrens schools, you will love me too. Thats what he has done. He has no right to run your country. Just my opinion.

What PAD have done over the last few months, is wrong in anybody's book.Tonight a state of emergency has been declared. If these people do not move, they get what is coming to them. Enough is enough.

Here Here!

up North where I am, the locals have been crying out for them to be "Shot" Bombed" "Killed"...this is the first time in ten years I have heard the ordinary people make a statement, the PAD will be gone tonight!

What Would Civil War Mean?

A polite armed conflict.

That answer is probably why you give yourself the nick "Adjarn"!

I am getting tired of reading post the like of "will they charge for overstaying", "it is not our fault" blah blah blah ... Wake up people, of course they will. This is not a normal country, it is a failed state that has fallen into the abyss. Thailand has always been a dirty cash grab ... any opportunity to extort money without thinking of long term consequences has been the norm. Just look back at the thousands of previous topics/post on Thai Visa over the years which have touched on this topic. Most were met with the holier than thou die responses from die hard farangs that were prepared to defend Thailand at any cost. At the moment tourism is thriving in Thailand, because no one can leave ... As soon as the airports are open again there will be a mass exodus of people who have finally had enough ... Will the last one out shut the door.

You damned cynic you!

why would you think that the immigration wouldn't want to be generous???? They will probably pass a law in the next 24 hours where the charge is a million a day, just to pay for the shit they have.

The dumb gits unfortunately had a captive market at the airport, then went and closed the exchange booths, the restaurants etc..the usual Thai business skills, they could have made a killing...the cops or the army will probably make a real killing later tonight though!

I hope not literally ....

That is one thing I have learnt about Thailand, if there is a baht to be made, then dam_n the consequences down the track. Better to make one baht today than worry about the next. I love Thailand, but I am afraid they are their chickens are well and truly coming home to roost.

ps. If truth be told, they have never wanted us here anyway, just out $$

Exactly!

They don't want us here, where we can spy upon their corrupt little world, of power and corruption, they hate it! But regarding our presence, it's only the money, hence the long stay visa regs. and yes us poor suckers who are in the sticks may lose everything! BURN THE FARANG AND GET HIS HOUSE...

I applaude your honesty, most of the posters here are PAD aligned retards.

I am getting tired of reading post the like of "will they charge for overstaying", "it is not our fault" blah blah blah ... Wake up people, of course they will. This is not a normal country, it is a failed state that has fallen into the abyss. Thailand has always been a dirty cash grab ... any opportunity to extort money without thinking of long term consequences has been the norm. Just look back at the thousands of previous topics/post on Thai Visa over the years which have touched on this topic. Most were met with the holier than thou die responses from die hard farangs that were prepared to defend Thailand at any cost. At the moment tourism is thriving in Thailand, because no one can leave ... As soon as the airports are open again there will be a mass exodus of people who have finally had enough ... Will the last one out shut the door.

You damned cynic you!

why would you think that the immigration wouldn't want to be generous???? They will probably pass a law in the next 24 hours where the charge is a million a day, just to pay for the shit they have.

The dumb gits unfortunately had a captive market at the airport, then went and closed the exchange booths, the restaurants etc..the usual Thai business skills, they could have made a killing...the cops or the army will probably make a real killing later tonight though!

Wars are fought by armies... when the civilian population polorises into two or more disputive factions, what you get is anarchy... a total breakdown of law and order, and a series of terrorist actions. Neither side has a defined or visible enermy. In that situation, Farangs would be at considerable risk. Some who were part of local communities, by virtue of marriage to a thai spouse may be alright, if they have intigrated with, and are respected by the community in which they live, and are not conspicuously wealthy.

Farangs who pursue an exclusivly ex-pat life style... and own homes that earmark them as rich will be at considerable risk, as the polatics of envy come into play. There will be no one available to protect them from raiders, bandits and those who decide to even the score between rich and poor... if they try to protect their belongings, they will die... they may be killed anyway, merely because they present an available target for the wave of resentment and bitterness that will arise when the bloodletting begins. Stranded tourists, or defiant ex-pats will merely become a brief source of wealth and consumer goodies... then any of them who cannot obtain some sort of sanctuary will become casualties.

If anarchy arises, the conspicuously different are always amoungst the first to suffer. Remember year zero ? That happened in the country next door, and not that long ago in the greater scheme of things...

And as I said months ago, this will be the new Uganda, and the foreigners will be the Indian and Asian businessmen that got shafted there too!

I am getting tired of reading post the like of "will they charge for overstaying", "it is not our fault" blah blah blah ... Wake up people, of course they will. This is not a normal country, it is a failed state that has fallen into the abyss. Thailand has always been a dirty cash grab ... any opportunity to extort money without thinking of long term consequences has been the norm. Just look back at the thousands of previous topics/post on Thai Visa over the years which have touched on this topic. Most were met with the holier than thou die responses from die hard farangs that were prepared to defend Thailand at any cost. At the moment tourism is thriving in Thailand, because no one can leave ... As soon as the airports are open again there will be a mass exodus of people who have finally had enough ... Will the last one out shut the door.

You damned cynic you!

why would you think that the immigration wouldn't want to be generous???? They will probably pass a law in the next 24 hours where the charge is a million a day, just to pay for the shit they have.

The dumb gits unfortunately had a captive market at the airport, then went and closed the exchange booths, the restaurants etc..the usual Thai business skills, they could have made a killing...the cops or the army will probably make a real killing later tonight though!

I have said it other threads and will repeat it again and again, how can this be allowed to happen? this is not a protest, it is a disgrace! They (PAD) have brought shame onto the country they purport to represent.

The quicker they are removed from the Airports and the streets of Bangkok the better! I cannot imagine any "civilised" nation putting up with this crap, it is beyond belief! Words cannot describe their behaviour, what do they want? another election where they lose again? and this continues ad infinitem?

Thail;and needs to smarten up, or simply fade away as another lawless backwater 3rd world banana republic (did I spell banana correctly...the mind goes with age)

my god...

how can paople say things such as "lets break some eggs" and "they should stop this with any means".

Protest is the heart of our democracy. If you could fly to thailand with your foreign money to make your bellies bigger, sitting on your desks, and talking shit, because you know how "things should be", its just because you come from a country well we had MUCH BIGGER protests than these in the past..

how pathetic.

What a waste of human brain.

The total absence of any criticism.

I am totally disgusted by most of comments here.

Yeah, you should be up there with the PAD, that's democracy! It has nothing to do with democracy, this is CRUNCH day for the Feudal system here (with any luck), and hopefully an end to the PAD, they make this country an international disgrace!

This should do it ... if the military prevents this clash between the PPP/Government/Thaksin forces and the PAD (with many middle aged women and some kids) camped out at the airport then THIS gov't can never function here.

If the PPP/Government/Thaksin forces are allowed to attack the people camped out at the airports and ANY deaths occur I don't see the coalition government holding together and poof .... new elections with blood on the hands of the PPP.

Then there is the chance that the military just says "Time to go folks, we'll take care of running the country until we can have new elections again"

There seems to be nigh onto 0% chance that the PPP/Thaksin gov't can survive this.

What complete and utter crap!

They (PAD) have brought this on to themselves, they are even alienating moderate Thais, even their previous supporters with their disgraceful behaviour, crack their wooden heads and let it be the end of it!

And again this government is not democratic elected.

And again, this PAD movement is illegally blocking airports and causing dramatic damage to the country.

LaoPo

Just a thought, in most civilised countries, airports are probably the most heavily guarded places that the public go. We all know the security checks we have to endure whenever we decide to fly, yet, here in amazing Thailand, thousands of people, some armed with bombs, some with guns and knives, and a lot more with clubs and sticks can take over TWO of the countries MAJOR airports, effectively cutting the country off from the rest of the world, and the government/police do absolutely nothing?

Is it me, is something just a little bit wrong here? Where is basic LAW and ORDER?

Could you imagine this at Heathrow / Charles De Gaulle / JFK? It is beyond belief, and the damage that this is doing to Thailand as an airport hub, and a tourist destination does not seem to bother them in the slightest.

I [my personal view] believe it's a coup brewing.

Hope that's the worst that is going to happen, my opinion, I reckon Thailand is heading for civil war.

But they are big, big fans of the PAD!

And if you know who the PAD are big fans of that will answer the OP's question.

There is a lot more to it than that. There is also a huge divide within the army, those for Thaksin and those against, if the army steps in, who knows where it will end.

It is a civil matter, and should be POLICED, unfortunately this is not happening! That is the bit I cannot understand, why can a group of Pro dictatorial squatters hold a country to ransom?

How many are there at the airport? Why not get a rough count, assign 2 police for each squatter and simply drag them out!

The immigration will make a killing with the 500baht/day overstay!

With deepest respect, People's Alliance for Democracy Tuesday, November 25, 2008

These f*cking idiots dont even know the word respect, never mind signing off with the words...

If the Government/Police wont do something about them, its time the Military did... they are no better than "Domestic Terrorists" in my (humble) opinion

Never a truer word spoken! Enough is enough, I cannot understnad why nothing is being done?

Could the government be letting them get away with this just to let them cause as much mayhem as possible? Then smash them when the government has sympathy from the "average" Thai?