spidermike007

I consider the biggest joke to have no credibility. He is a master of PR and a publicity hound. Deos he ever really accomplish anything?

Few allow it. Defiance is the key word here. I always hide my carry on in front of the counter. When they ask me if I have one, I say NO. When I walk away sometimes they shout out at me, and I always ignore them. Compliance in the face of ignorant and greedy rules is not something I am interested in. Comply if you like. No thanks for me.

Just another example of Tik tok, Twitter and Instagram being very toxic and harmful to the public.

His claims are totally believable. Except the part that the racket started only last year. This has been going on for decades. And not only are the quoted numbers ikely on the low side, this happens all over the country. It is likely way, way into the billions of baht.

Spot on. The highly selective shutdowns, which favored army cronies, and punished the common man were cruel and very unnecessary. Remember the prohibition on beer and wine in restaurants? As if every glass of wine contained covid. You cannot shut down the entire tourism industry for nearly 2 years, decimate the nightlife, hotels, restaurants and countless related businesses, engage in a very poorly planned vaccination program, create a climate of fear and panic, and then just expect because you open your doors again, tens of millions will flood in. The world does not work like that. Thailand is NOT the center of the known universe. It is becoming less relevant by the minute. Tourists are forgetting Thailand. Thailand needs foreigners 100x more than they need Thailand.

This time it is from the TIC. The tourism industry council. Prior to this article, likely only a few hundred people ever heard of their existence. Much ado over nothing.

If the bartender is able to make a margarita with fresh lime juice and agave nectar, he gets 600 baht.

“We have checked this statement out and found that this issue happened a long time ago and we were not sure if it was true about the extortion". Wow. I am convinced. That was some very skillful PR. Phuket must feel such pride in having so much talent to work with. They are so good they could likely convince a few hundred people that Prayuth is honest or that the Thai army is a noble organization. Impressive.

Only the sky seems to be the limit. Does anyone believe these guys? Does anyone care? There is no credibility, so why would anyone listen to these inane predictions? There are so many variables, and none are likely taken into account. A looming recession. Issues plaguing Thailand, that were never addressed. The foul, bent cop publicity. Continued repression by the leadership. One could go on all day.

He was ready and prepared to give evidence in the case. Your honor, I am RTP. You and I both know I am above the law, and protected at every level. They even told us that in the academy. That is all the evidence I need. The person making the complaint is just a citizen. They don't count. You know that. I know that. The RTP are superior to citizens. We have the power and you are sworn to protect us. So, drop the charges and let me get on with my franchise.

Aoi at Siam Paragon is great. Their lunch bento is not outrageous. The Four Seasons Chinese restaurant at Siam is good too. Many great restaurants out there. Trip advisor and such sites are good for customer reviews.

Good on you. Congrats. Few things done every day continue to be satisfying. Change is good. I enjoy very good wine and when back in the US, indulge my passion for it with friends and family. Same applies to stand up comedy, live jazz, theatre, ballet, really good art museums, independent and foreign film, and more. Any passion or hobby that does not cause harm to you or others is a great thing to pursue. Anything. Reading, walking, running, hiking, climbing, writing, movies, poetry, racing, sports, etc. The list goes on and on. Just find some things you really enjoy.

I bring in 5-10 kilos of goat and aged manchego cheese nearly every time I return, in my carry on. It is 70% lower in cost than in Thailand, where it is exorbitant. Never had an issue. It causes me to always have my bag searched by TSA, in the US, on the way out. I guess it looks like plastic explosive on the screens. So, yes do it. Deprive them of their silly taxes. It is a real treat for friends, family and self, to have it here. I freeze most of it.

The chief has to say something. He is hoping people forget, and that he can simply transfer his boys to another station, at full pay, without a reprimand. Why would they be reprimanded? They were just doing the job profile of an RTP officer. My bet is the guys who do not bring back alot of cash to feed the Pyramid scheme, are the ones who face disciplinary action.

The chief has to say something. He is hoping people forget, and that he can simply transfer his boys to another station, at full pay, without a reprimand. Why would they be reprimanded? They were just doing the job profile of an RTP officer. My bet is the guys who do not bring back alot of cash to feed the Pyramid scheme, are the ones who face disciplinary action.

I totally agree. Most of the time I push back a great deal, against the corrupt cops. Often it works. They tend to look for an easy mark. They just don't want to work too hard for their "villa money". People say you can't do that. You will get shot. I say this is not America. Cops don't shoot people here for sport. People say you will get arrested. For what? Resisting a fine? Often I just drive away. People say you will get arrested. Only one time did I have a cop who followed me. And he let me go when I showed him my Thai license. They know they are shaking me down. I know they are shaking me down. It is all one big game, and has little to do with law enforcement.

I cannot call my consular official, being an American. It takes weeks for me to even get an appointment online.

Laos. Friendly people, good food, lots to see. Bali is awful. It has gotten way too over developed, the traffic and congestion is horrendous, and way too many young, drunk Aussies. Vietnam is entirely subjective. The people do nothing for me. Many are like cold, wet fish. Angeles City used to be amazing. A good friend who lives there tells me the whole scene has changed, and most of the action is now online. Apparently the bars and clubs are a pale shadow of their former selves. And you also have the crime, the ghetto atmosphere and the horrendous food. But, many of the people and many of the gals are lovely.

When I used to live on Samui, I ran into a couple of folks who were extorted out of 100,000 baht for possession of small amounts of ganga, under threat of arrest, resulting in prison time. That never made the news. I also knew a guy who was arrested for dealing in ganga. The cops offered to let him go for a cool million baht. He was not able to raise the money, and spent 16 months in the Samui prison. I visited him there. What is being reported is commonplace. Perhaps people are just getting fed up with it, or being embolded by others who are outing the bent cops. The RTP and the administration deserve this, richly. They have earned it.

What would you estimate to be the percentage of honest, or non bent cops here? Considering what their salaries are, that they are expected to cover many of their expenses, do you really think the system is designed to support cops with integrity here? I would, and often do, make the opposite argument. And I tend to adhere to the law, if and when I respect the law.

We had far fewer tourists in 2021. So, fewer moving targets. And nothing reported by the NACC has any credibility. They are one of the least serious agencies here, and that is saying alot. They do nothing to improve the life of the average Somchai.

Is it possible the goons could finally be getting serious about air quality and the environment? A while back they had another campaign similar to this and they had posters with phone numbers that you could call to report vehicles that were polluting. We were driving and we saw this truck that was pumping out huge black clouds of smoke and I copied down their license plate and I dialed the number, and handed my phone to my Thai wife and ask her speak to the department. She asked the person who answered the phone what can they do? He ask my wife why are you calling us and she said, well you have phone numbers posted to report polluting vehicles? The guy said well I don't know anything about this, nor who I would report it to, and she said well that's not really our issue is it? You're supposed to be monitoring polluting vehicles. He said OK, give me the license plate number and I'll see what I can do. My wife said are you going to do anything? He said, I don't know I need to look at the regulations first and see who I'm supposed to report it to, and then maybe somebody will do something.

He is likely correct. Politics equates to power here, and the law seems to have little interest in pursuing those in a position of power, unless there is international news, or a great embarrassment to this weak, feeble and morally bankrupt administration.

For most of us, I would prefer the cops here, unless there is a real need for one. Then, it is roll of the dice. At least the cops here stay out of my face, and when they do hassle me, I push back alot. I mouth off to them, I raise my voice, and I make a real stink, if they are engaging in "petty mordida". Usually they back down, and if not I give them 200 baht. Rarely more than that. Impossible to do in the US. And if you need law enforcement, outstanding forensics, or a good detective, you can get it back there. Not here. Not likely. DUI? How about pulling people over for reckless driving? The police here are not law enforcement. They are franchisees. The franchisees who represent a morally bankrupt administration, posing as puritans.

Yes, they have been caught red handed, with their pants around their ankles, and they are were wearing any underwear. But, does it matter? It is always gratifying to see lowlife creeps outed. But, they are protected at the highest level, with near total immunity, so can anything ever change or improve? The rot comes from the top. Their masters in the army are morally bankrupt. It is all one big protection racket.