llz

Where has the thai language section gone ? And why no local language section for other countries as well ?

4 hours ago, lungbing said:

Would it have been shameful is a white man had been beaten?

It would have been shameful but completely ignored by  most of the French media and the self-proclaimed elite - just as daily attacks against policemen are consistantly ignored.

Usual thai bashers are so busy dragging everything thai through the mud that they did not even notice that the figures given apply to the whole world and not to their small paradise that they hate so much.

What allow them back on the beaches to extort and bully those that choose not the use the chairs? What part of "public" beach do you morons not understand, for too many years you have used the exact mafia tactics you claim not to use. I for one am happy to see clear beaches and when I place my towel on the beach, I am not harassed. If I need to eat, I get off my ass and go get it.

So you must be very happy as 99 % of thai beaches are completely beach chairs free. Perhaps you could show some tolerance for those who prefer a full service, for their convenience or because of bad health.

Andy Hall makes a huge work for trying to get some justice in the forthcoming trial. On his twitter account he has just released some information and requests following a briefing with Khun Nakhon Chompuchat, head Koh Tao case defense lawyers team :

(1) Defense lawyers Koh Tao case complaint to Corrections Dept not provided adequate facilities for meeting with accused in Koh Samui prison.

(2) Police provided special open space, defense lawyers restricted room with plastic screen/telephone so can only speak accused one at time

(3) Defense team hoping court 26th Dec will understand significant challenges faced by defense team lawyers/will be flexible managing case

(4) Lawyers hope court will set down realistic case timeline based on lack of advance disclosure prosecution case/limited access to accused

(5) K. Nakhon concerned police/investigators maybe ceased investigating Koh Tao murders and focusing only on two accused Zaw Lin/Wai Phyo

(6) K. Nakhon considers many outstanding public suspicions and investigation should still continue to explore other possible perpetrators

(7) K. Nakhon said legal team calls particularly Myanmar community to work much harder to ensure witnesses for trial/ensure justice and truth

(8) K. Nakhon warns Myanmar community to use full censure power/pressure to ensure no false witness assists prosecution for personal benefits

And some still dare to think that the trial will be fair and unbiased !

We non native english speakers should spread the news in our own languages, as this kind of events gets very little coverage outside of the english language boards, forums and newsfeeds (same for Koh Tao murders I hate to say).

I sent an e-mail to the TAT branch in my country, and on a local popular travel forum ; more on the list to-morrow.

As a tourist I almost never had any problem with any taxi driver in Bangkok except from Morchit.

When I arrive at the queue and say I go to Saphan Kwai - sure a short ride for a driver that has been queueing for a long time - they invariably pout and grumble all the ride to my hotel. I have also been taken for a ride once or twice.

So now I walk all the way to the departures side where I can catch a taxi who has just brought a customer and who is smiling all over his face at his good fortune.

So this news doesn't come as a surprise for me.

Number 3

Are you comfortable posting absolute hearsay and steering all the sheep here into a frenzy?

Or do you just have some sort of perverse need for attention?

Some clown comes out of the woodwork and everyone is in a fuss as if it is fact.

Despicable.

EVERY post referring to Number 3's scoop uses a lot of "if", "maybe", and conditional tense. So posters here are unitil now far from being "sheep in frenzy". As for the so-called "clown", he explains clearly what his source is.

We should just make sure that, as the thread goes along, rumour does not turn into truth in the mouths of less careful or more impatient posters.

Do you realize that the - still unconfirmed - news that you bring us are a bombshell ?

If true this will nullify thousands of posts made all over this board and elsewhere ? (except for the highly important fact that these posts allowed the case not to be wiped off under the rug).

This could also cause HUGE loss of face and credibility for many, many people high on the scale of power in Thailand.

And more important that would mean that the two burmese cuties could walk free soon.

"...the two burmese cuties..."??

Does not the word apply to boys who have a nice face too ? If not, sorry, I am not a native english speaker.

Students' protests in France in 1968 began exactly like this ... we wonder why in 2014 any state in the world (except muslim ones of course) could bother with such personal things.

Quote from OP "Manche, named after the French term for the English Channel that separates the country from Britain, has played host to a Tour stage 23 times since 2011, most recently in 2013 when an individual time-trial ended at Mont Saint-Michel."

! Only 3 years have gone by since 2011 and yet Manche has hosted TDF 23 times? WOW!!! Impressive!!! I wonder if the TDF organizers will be invited for a meeting at a certain Camp?

Well spotted ... the original release by the French organiser writes the Manche played host to a Tour stage 23 times between 1911 and 2013 : another example of inaccurate reporting ...

Anyway the pictures will be impressive ...

e-visa now costs $40 with the processing fee and card fee.

It saves a little time on arrival but the VOA process is usually pretty efficient.

Costs $30 - you just need to complete the visa application and entry forms and have a passport size photo.

No scams at the airport, just make sure you pick the MFAIC site if you go the e-visa route. https://www.evisa.gov.kh/ContactInformation.aspx

What about getting a tourist visa from the Khmer Embassy in Bangkok ? I have enough pages in my passport and enough time to waste in Bangkok , and prefer not to get through the hassle of the e-visa process.

There are very contradictory reviews about how the Khmer Embassy in Bangkok deals with visa applications, does someone has an update ?

What is the rumour on this one then?

Suicide by shark. Mental disturbance as knew too much about `something` I hear.

More seriously, does seem to be a few more drownings than usual?

Poor guy RIP, oh and where is the Swiss one now?

Could these deaths be related to jellyfish which seems to be rampant now in the area ?

I feel sorry for these kids who were deprived of some of the best years in their life, as well as of the education that would have made their future so much better.

All this because of some ruthless sharks like there are so many in Thailand and all over the world (including in our so-called developped countries).

According to Andy Hall, the two burmese boys have repeated that they refuse to be accused and that they will plead "non-guilty"

After 6hrs nonstop police questioning KohSamui prison lawyers present accused Zaw Linn/Win Zaw Htun Koh Tao case reiterate 'not guilty' plea

If I had to stop somewhere during a Bangkok / Chiang Mai train journey, I would try :

- to stop about halfway

- and not waste time on long bus rides in order to get the most of the place I chose to visit

so that would rule out Ayuthaya (very close to Bangkok) and Mae Sot (a good 5 hours trip from Phitsanuloke).

For two nights Sukhothai is a good choice and a 1-hour bus ride from Phi-loke. Lampang is also a very nice town but too close to your final destination - you could go there on a daytrip from Chiang Mai.

Phi-loke itself is a big town with nothing really special except a well-known and much revered temple.

If you do want a small town non-touristy atmosphere, you could try Uttaradit : almost no farang in the streets (and few english spoken, but this is part of the adventure) and probably one of the best deals in all hotels in Thailand (Seeharaj Hotel). However there is not a lot to do in town during the day,

Lol yes your right so im guessing all open then.

On Fridays yes, Saturdays and Sundays, no.

As Thursday 23rd was a public holiday, you may want to check that they do not have a long holiday, which could make them be closed on Friday 24th as well ...

He already did "crime" - all those fake damage reports and extortions.

I'm off to the beach today with my camera.

Screw these operators.

Take care ... and good luck !

(note to myself)

Another bus company to avoid like plague : Chakkapong Tour ...

(...)

Have your trips to LOS different ??

Please come back again !!

Except for Singha shamefully shrinking their bottle, I never found anything like what you described during my 25 trips to Thailand.

But I may have been lucky.