sportsman69

There's an Oprah house in Phuket Town.

Just across from the ballet school, near the railway station.

Are you sure ???

I thought it was near the park where the old electricity company used to be. You know the park where they have the cane toad races every Friday evening, shortly after the Phuket naked ladies volleyball club afternoon matches. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Opera?

Isn't that a large, African-American lady that has a TV show?

Wasn't aware that she sang, though.

Hi! KB

Just did a Google search for Opera. The lady you mentioned wasn't listed. Different spelling I think, Oprah.

You might be confused with the Opera web browser which some use for surfing the net. ( don't know why they call it that, even more confusing.) Next we'll be discussing long or short or boogie boards or waterproof laptops, left break etc; Now i'm confused.

Of interest to the OP there was a link to The Bangkok Opera. Their contact us page had many email addresses which you may find useful. http://www.bangkokopera.com/home.html

Thank you Annabel for your excellent and revealing post.

Stick with your sig.

Saving humanity one post at a time. It's about all we can do at the moment. Cheers.

27 guys on just one ferry? is it high season already?

good that no one was seriously injured

That's not a ferry - it's a small speedboat. I'll be surprised if it is certified to carry more than 10 - 15.

Yes I agree the photo of the 'ferry' puzzles me too. It does not look like the normal chunky old wooden ferry boat which is used on the public service to Koh Larn and to Koh Samet which I have often used in the past. These would be quite capable of carrying 27 passengers and coping with larger waves -with the exception of severe storms perhaps. The photo shows the bow of a smaller modern fibreglass boat -possibly a speedboat service boat. 27 people on one of those? -Now thats a different question!

No the photo shows a plywood, possibly 6mm thin non waterproof ply death trap.

Thank you for the links and translations annabel.

+ one

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n_gUlLbCrZk/T41lVouYClI/AAAAAAAAAFU/JYzQibLe5P0/s1600/562836_894388935994_75300758_36573920_1600800796_n.jpg&imgrefurl=http://faithandhorseshoes.blogspot.com/&usg=__FMc9qUODr5PJ4Dw_WNrncsa2sos=&h=960&w=676&sz=102&hl=en&start=0&sig2=f0ohvDQ0C95Bacdee5rS_g&zoom=1&tbnid=nmiMX9glgYBKkM:&tbnh=157&tbnw=111&ei=ZuBuUPz2MoGJrAe-vIDABg&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=99&vpy=158&dur=3556&hovh=269&hovw=189&tx=96&ty=154&sig=111725648892518081659&page=1&ndsp=14&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:52

update

Police re-confirm no further investigation into Belanger sisters' deaths

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Krabi Police re-confirmed to the Phuket Gazette today that they have ceased any further investigation into the deaths of Canadian sisters Audrey and Noemi Belanger.

No further investigation into the death of the sisters will be conducted, unless the Public Prosecutor or the Canadian Embassy orders that the police resume their work on the case, explained Lt Col Jongrak Pimthong of the Krabi City Police.

“At the police investigation level, the case is closed,” said Lt Col Jongrak.

“However, the case technically remains ‘open’. It can only be officially closed by order of the court,” he explained.

“We have sent a cause-of-death report to the Canadian Embassy and the Krabi Prosecutor’s Office. This is not a criminal report. We have no suspects,” Lt Col Jongrak said.

The cause of death is listed in the police report as “unknown” due to the circumstances of the sisters’ deaths, he said.

“I cannot comment any further about the cause of death,” he said.

“The Embassy is not questioning the cause of death. They only want to know how ‘it’ [DEET] got into their systems,” he added.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...aths-18098.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-10-05

"They only want to know how ‘it’ [DEET] got into their systems,” he added." What utter bullshit. It would have to have been well over 50 mill each to cause even mild symptoms of a poisoning . Could someone please check the cost of 100 mill of pure Deet. Judging by the price I saw today for Deet mosquito spray in Lotus, not even 100 %, it would be a totally uneconomical additive, in that quantity, for any "cocktail " selling for 200- 300 baht. Thais don't like to lose money, but white is black and yes means no.

Well it seems like a bit more ducking and weaving and more bullshit from the Thai side until the transfers come thru and then they'll not be available for further comment on the case in question.

They couldn't investigate what caused a pile of shit in a toilet bowl. This is something out of Cheech and Chong.

No disrespect meant to anyone except to those involved in the lies, cover up, and the bulshitt but this case is really getting on my goat.

I guess the best we can do for now is to wait for any information from the Canadian Authorities, at the same time hoping that any negative aspects are not withheld to keep international relations on a friendly level.

I think the statement from the father should be repeated for those that might overlooked it.

" Their father also said "Many questions remained unanswered and that is why the investigation here by the Quebec Police must continue. Two girls in their 20's enter their room totally healthy and never come out again to me is not "AN UNKNOWN CAUSE:. Barely 1 week after their death we could not even identify them ! THEY WERE NOT HIT BY A TRAIN ! I will not say more at this point as I do not want to jeopardize the investigation which is progressing very well."

As well as the final case closed remarks from one of Thailand's finest police officers.........

“At the police investigation level, the case is closed,” said Lt Col Jongrak."

Could someone please help them to lift the rug, they have the brooms in hand.

Advanced Members

1,747 posts

Posted 2012-03-12 18:53:15

TexasRanger, on 2012-03-12 17:44:54, said:

500 Bt, that'll show em.

Loose change...

They need to be harder on scammers regardless of nationality if they do not want to see Pattaya labeled as the most corrupt place on earth, which it seems to be.

A few things have changed since your last post. Krabi / Phi Phi are making very strong claims in expats eyes to knock Pattaya and Phuket off the podium.

I know its a long read and possibly best read from the last post back if you are anyway familiar with the case, you will soon get the sentiment involved The whole story beggars belief. Phi Phi and those that control it, and the police involved, Rotten to the core.

Especially the Fathers comments, " they died in a hotel room, they weren't hit by a train " How they must be grieving.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/588694-case-closed-on-the-deaths-of-canadian-sisters-audrey-and-noemi-belanger-krabi/page__st__75

Wow they all had life jackets! I'm impressed. Last boat I saw going out to sea was at night with what looked like too many tourists 150+, four life rings a 4X4 overhanging the bows and no life rafts. And that was an over night ferry to some island. As an ex ferry operator I can't believe the standard here, just how low can you go.

Last time I had the misfortune to go to Samui on the Car Ferry from Donsak, a resurrected Chinese relic, but still floating, had all the 20 pax RFD life rafts 5 yrs out of date and the auto inflate sensors disconnected. I even managed to coax the one in control down to have a look, You all know the answer, a shrug of the shoulders and a hands guestualation, so what the F***k. I guess not much has changed. Safety costs money, but not out of our a/c.

Could that first photo really be the boat that was carrying 20+ people?

No probem, they put 40+ Asians into these 6mm plywood hulled death traps with up to 500 hp + outboards on the stern here in Phuket. Read the archives for the results. Problem is the punters don't know any better, speak no language than their own and believe the spiel from the tour company or agent. After all they paid upfront. Bottom line money, Bhatisim the latest Thai religion.

Thanks everyone! Appreciate all the input. We need to extend for 9 days, so bugger, if the max is 7 days we're out of luck! Low cost flight it is!

Thanks, Flying Clog

Check the current schedules but last time for me was a few months ago. from memory Dep. HKT 8.30 am Tiger Air return to SIN. Back HKT 7.00 pm I think around 3,200 b all up. Painless.

Maybe the just announced PGTV on Prime time UBC can get a hand around this and give some real live coverage.

http://www.thaivisa....bctrue-visions/

Was that a PGTV van I saw parked on the bypass ?

edit; yes this post is as ridiculous as the thread itself. With over 11,500 views in 18 hrs at least it proves that anything connected with sex is a top seller ( google wise )

Thanks for the advice, but everything is legal and of course it s not my real name . But can t you help me with some contacts ? I have not much hope anyway, but don t want to give up that quickly!

Merliah. Like you I believe the impossible simply takes a little longer.

To offer constructive help I thought a good start would be to ask a friend who was teaching English at the high school in another thread on this forum.

http://www.thaivisa....my-kids-school/

I asked him if he'd not mind asking the principle your question. The conversation went something along these lines.

" Do you know anywhere in Phuket where a recently arrived German lady could continue her interest in opera with a local established group."

The answer was, " Opera?? wats Opera.?? "

My friend replied, singing, you know, tra la la, and then proceed with his best effort of Do Lar Rae. Me..etc.

Ah, no probem, you mean Karaoke yes ?? There is a place near here with lotsa of nice girls and cheep drink.

No I mean singing with an orchestra in a theatre.

" With what ??"

Oh, forget I even asked.

So much for the standard of high school education here in Phuket.

Another thought was that I seem to remember Rajabhat University, North end Phuket Town, had some orchestral performance for some reason or another at their campus a while back. Might be worth a bit of on site investigation.

Another idea maybe Phuket Or Bor Tor or other council groups who have organized musical performances for certain festivals and I believe employed some foreign musical director for setting the music for the fountain of lights at Saphan Hin. I don't know if that white elephant is still functional. Maybe some BM can elaborate.

Sorry I have no links to the possible avenues I mentioned, give it a shot with Google.

The biggest problem you will find is summed up by the first part of my post, Thais simply don't understand the question, even some that seemingly speak very fluent english and in positions of authority. To a multi choice question if they don't know the answer is always yes. For example, " i go to the end and turn left or right." Pause, thought, Yes. To say " I don't know " represents a loss of face.

The only successful way around this is to take a Thai speaking friend along with you on your travels or at very least a list of questions written down.

Good luck.

https://encrypted-tb...3zxpf3jCtRkEJDg

Thailands dumbest criminals

Yep - surely the most stupid. Any excuse to be pulled up - what they think they are invisible? Never cease to amaze me how the buffaloes are more intelligent than some humans.

Totally correct. Never seen two buffaloes involved in a head on collision, except at their "cockfights" and when in the back of two pickups driven in opposite directions by a pair of Somchais.

Joiner fees are common in Thailand and in a few other countries. My own first hand experiences over the last 20 years of travelling around the world:

- when checking into the Amari Boulevard in Sukhumvit Bangkok, the receptionist told me straight out as she was handing me the key that the joiner fee is 800 baht.

- we once had a management meeting in Amari Watergate Bangkok. Due to some mix up, one of my colleagues was booked into standard rather than executive floor. On the night out with two other colleagues, they each brought a girl back with them. Security stopped us. They allowed one of my colleagues who was on the exec floor with me but rejected the other who was on the standard floor. In order to avoid a scene, I "decided" to take this girl myself to the exec floor and the security relented. In the lift on the way up, I handed the girl back to my other colleague

- in St. Petersburg, I took my (ex) Russian gf back to my room after a company function. Security tried to stop us but after a scene, they relented

- in the Mandarin Oriental Manila, I was presented with an additional bill on checkout as in 1 of the 4 nts I stayed there, it was for "double" occupancy. The hotel had thoughtfully separated this surcharge from the main bill in case I wanted to pay cash or with separate credit card.

- in many hotels along Ratchadapisek Bangkok, there is a term called "green light". This is for VIP guests that enjoy a waiver on joiner fees.

Some top shelf hotels there. Maybe you could give us your experiences in the mile high club ? An A380 would be a good call !

If you want to extend for 30 days Tiger Air and Air Asia both offer same day returns for around 3000 b, sometimes less sometimes more. Far better, although costing more than an uncomfortable, white knuckle and sometimes dangerous minivan ride to Ranong with a jockey straight out of Kamikaze school. There was one driver named Pot who with us did over a million kilometers whilst in our employ without a single accident or incident. He now runs his own company catering predominantly to Vietnamese workers in Patong. Money is king. Unfortunately he no longer drives.

With the new band of inexperienced drivers I refuse to subject myself to the torture, the fear and the risk. Many visa runners have been killed or crippled for life. None to my knowledge, using the airlines.

davidstipek.

" What would happen if we as foreigners handed out leaflets at Thailands International Airports to arriving Farang's??? What would this do to repair their (Thai Police) Attitude?? "

A quick and accurate answer I think would be would be......

Ok you try it first, be my guest. If you weren't grabbed by police and charged with working without a permit and deported, someone for a fee, probably 5 or 10 k baht, judging by current court reports, would follow you home after your first day on the job, and next thing you know, (well you wouldn't) you would keeping these poor unfortunate girls and those before them company.

Leaving yet another unsolved case.

I just want be clear, I'm not saying there was necessary a cover up but it still nonetheless an option. The bedroom that was clean before the toxicologist can be just a stupid mistake and not a cover up. In fact, it's more plausible.

But the thing that really anger me is when the Kabri police is pointing finger to the Canadian Embassy and the Bélanger family for not revealing anything about the case because they been ask for. Not only it seems to be false (the father himself said so, he even said is a much in the dark as us) but it's up to the police to reveal or not the critical informations, for the security of the travelers. And If there is nothing new in the conceal informations, just said so. But no matter what, the final decision to reveal the conclusions of the survey is up to them.

So when the Kabri Police hides behind to the Canadian Embassy and the already grieving Bélanger family saying they been ask by them to not reveal anything, it's quite a disgusting low blow. And of course, you want to know why they said such things and you start thinking that maybe there some sort of cover up or they are simply bad in public relations.

I agree with both of your last statements.

It has been a cover up from the very get go. It was Lt-Colonel Jongrak Pimthong of Krabi City Police that told us [ quote ] "We have been asked by the Canadian Embassy and the [belanger] family to not reveal anything about the case."

NOT the Embassy themselves telling us direct. There is a huge difference.

Post # 100 from a seemingly reliable source. As late as yesterday 3rd. October 2012 the father attests to this fact and also views his disappointment with the case so far. I would rather believe such a statement coming from him than from a jockey or in this case seemingly the bookmakers. There could be a lot at stake here.

Are they simply bad in public relations ?

All those in public office, above those that started yesterday, be they politician, land department, police, or in this case Lt-Colonel Jongrak, only open their mouth to change feet.

I feel the parents may be privy to this forum, if read in context the statement. He held to mean that he was appalled by the comments left by some users who got their assumptions on media sites.

Besides offering my own personal condolences on the family's loss to Carl Bélanger, I would point out that us on this forum are in general as frustrated with the investigation to date and the poor standard of factual reports by the Thai Press.

If you have a boat you will probably want to try trolling around any islands or sunken structures, reefs etc. Looking for drop offs from deep to shallow water, any obvious mixing of fresh and saltwater in estuarys and thermal meeting points. You can usually see these as a line through the water. I forget the term, thermoclines maybe? You'll often get flotsam gathering at the current lines. Get yourself some maritime charts to find any sea mounts or trenches where upwelling of currents can occur providing bait to big predators. Also look for birds, they are the best fishermen of all.

With due respects Jack, all your points are valid. Fishing 101. I think the op knows to fish, judging by his posts. I think his direct question is where to fish in his local area. I jokingly agreed with his assumption that they had been fished out and gave the reasons. Unfortunately this is an Asian phenomenon, there has been absolutely no thought given to the sustainability of the oceans resources. Very sad and very true.

As said back home " ow did yer go mate." No real need ATM for myself but interested to know if the forum is useful. SL was up to a quick reply.

I'm afraid any comments by me on this topic would result in a ban. Especially with what should happen to that beautiful Pink Posy.

( thorns outermost !)

The Wild Wild East.

You're on your own in Thailand, kids.

Must be some pretty heavy duty players in Krabi / Phi Phi to put the lid on this in such an effective manner.

Maybe a question to the family via a facebook link which surely must exist ( don't all youngsters have one ) may result in a forthright answer.

Annabell. I believe you are Canadian, maybe you have had contact somehow with the embassy from the past which may give an opening.

Just thinking aloud.

Don't think the surf people were the same, as Pentangle Promotions runs the FIVB beach tourney and also some professional tennis tournaments. Yes NomadJoe, R-K are coming,but not sure if the weekend before the Bang Saen event or after the tournament, will have more info later on that.

Ok.

I hope it comes back to Karon. I will miss our mini TV meet-ups we always have!

Don't worry. Wait until November 24. Although the party starts at 6pm Thai Visa members have been offered, although not formally announced by Admin, all day free exclusive use of the volley ball court at the venue. This also applies to the tennis courts unless prior booking by regular customers. Restaurant and bar open as usual.

Another Santika. The press will report the first findings, everyone in an uproar and then nothing further once the tea money is paid. It will all just cease to exist.

No, not really IMO. Tiger has been very good in taking care of the victims, with for Thai perspective very high payments.

was there compensation paid to the foreign families involved ??

stevenl in the above post seems to say that they have paid well to everyone concerned, I assume that to be Thai and foreigner alike.

Like your self, I would like to see the figures for the foreigners claims and settlement if any . Maybe stevenl can enlighten us.

I believe that at the opening of their new joint, ( according to some reports an equal death trap and another " accident " waiting to happen) much 'hoo ha' was given to presenting sums of money to the Thai family victims, well the dead ones anyway.

Like everything here, read whatever you want to put into the story, true facts are unimportant.

Another Santika. The press will report the first findings, everyone in an uproar and then nothing further once the tea money is paid. It will all just cease to exist.

No, not really IMO. Tiger has been very good in taking care of the victims, with for Thai perspective very high payments.

{quote} " Tiger has been very good in taking care of the victims," Yes they have paid the Thai victims some money but not much for the loss of life and grief for the families Were they given the ultimatum of, take this amount, or wait forever whilst we drag this thru the courts, we pay our lawyers more than you can pay yours, syndrome.

I don't believe the foreigners or the families of those whose who died or were injured have been compensated to the full extent. Interested in any links that might prove otherwise.

I have a gut feeling this will go the same way of the Santika investigation. Why should this be any different than what has gone before when the result sheet for successful outcomes hasn't changed one iota. Because it happened in Patong where there is hardly any corruption,? unlike that in Bangkok? Don't think so.

So you also think the perpetrators will be sentenced to jail time, just like in the Santika case?

Certainly otherwise it would appear a whitewash.

Perpetrator. There has, according to the story, only one person been charged. the other charge is against his company possibly in regard to not obeying the building code. You can't put a company behind bars only demand it pay cash or other compensation. The company could possibly front some names to shift the blame as to who might have been responsible but what we read at the moment, this is not the case.

Quite possibly a sentence for time in the big house will be passed down but I doubt he will do time inside. He and his cohorts are regarded as Hi Sos and not considered to be criminals as such by those that rule or pass judgement. They all probably play golf together.

Prediction. A few million baht over the table ( eventually ) for the foreign victims and their families. They surely won't want a long drawn out case with little result. This will be considered by the court as an admission of guilt with remorse, this will get the company charge off the hook.

This will lead to a jail sentence for the Ceo but will be reduced to a good behaviour bond on account of the above as it is his Company.

I will not speculate how much will pass under the table to achieve this said prediction and there won't be many that would know.

Finally it will all be forgotten like most disasters, Costa Concordia, One to Go, are a few examples. There is no ongoing reports and no one is in the big house. Their news value is no longer headlines.

[ quote ] " Among Phuket's most notable unsolved cases is the assassination in

broad daylight of local newsman Wisut " Ae Inside" Tangwitthayaporn. "

IIRC. They arrested the owner of KKP cable who was the president of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce or something like that for organizing the hit. Got bail I believe because a local Hi So or Gov official said he's an alright guy. 5555. The last I heard of it they were looking for someone else as an accomplice, hit man or driver .

Not much space left under the rug to sweep all these unresolved cases but they probably fall off into a dumpster at the other end so status quo.