spidermike007

Typical Thai punk cowards. Afraid to take on one man without a gang. The "zero risk punk gang". Half men, boys in men's bodies. I would like just once, to see a one on one fight without any weapons from one of these two bit half witted punks. They came back with 20 men, to pick on one. Who in their right mind thinks that the Phuket police has any interest in enforcing the law against loan sharks. This continues lawlessness persists all over this nearly lawless country. If crimes are NOT committed, it is due to the fact that people did not want to commit them, and has NOTHING to do with "law enforcement" (simply a revenue collection agency posing as the Thai police). There is no deterrent here. Anyone with cash can buy their way out of nearly any crime. Only the ones with no cash go to jail.

There was no tourism industry in Thailand before the 70s.

I agree with the frustration you feel about the resorts, but, i fast there is no going back, it isn't going to change. I despair that as the resorts grew, there wasn't any consideration at all for waste management. The environment around most if the coastal resorts is a complete mess and to repair it now costs in the billions.

TAT is trying to market a damaged collection of attractions and it is only going to get harder as the competition increases. They could h have created paradise in the islands and something more than passable on the mainland, mafia controls huge interests in the resorts.

With all due respect, thus isn't a singularly ptp issue, thIs is a Thailand issue. Billions has been taken out by owners of tourism businesses, but so little reinvested to protect the long term future if their tourism products. There appears to be little long term strategic thought to anything that goes on.

If you have the money, build whatever you like, wherever you like, toss the rubbish over the wall, and wonder why the crystal blue sea turns green 5 years later. Chaos rarely produces a good outcome.

I noticed the story somewhere yesterday of the naive new resort bring built blatantly inside protected land. How can this still go on, as though no one knew our bothered to notice. It us the way it is and once again money ordinarily wins.

Good post and I agree with most of it. There was backpacker hippy-trail tourism in Thailand in the 1970s, but not the actual money-spending organised tourism. My Mother, who was a single-mum back then, took me on hippy-trail in Thailand around 1971, I was very young and carried in a sling. She was backpacking, visiting monuments and learning about Buddhism. It was only for eight months and I don't remember it at all because I was very young. She said it was the happiest year of her life and that is what made me visit here when I became teenager and later.

I'm not really making it a PTP issue, but in truth Abhisit did invest in his 3-year infrastructure plan which would have benefitted all aspects of Thailand including tourism. Thailand has yet to have a leader or ruling party that has tackled the issues of infrastructure and corruption, both of which are crucial determinants in tourist destination decisions. My problem with PTP is that they have not even touched those subjects at all, and they are in power today, hence why I mention them a lot relating to news stories. They have failed in their first year, to even commence the reform work which is essential to tourist confidence and to tourist health & safety on holiday.

The planning design and implementation, licensing, control and management of the resorts lies at the local level. It is corruption there that hobbles the development, not bangkok.

Yes, that is part of the issue. The reason why this persists, if that the federal government is unwilling to make arrests, charge corrupt people, and then try them, convict them, fine them, and lock them up. There is virtually no deterrent built into the system. So, what will stop someone greedy, like the mayor of Samui, Jaikwong Ramnate, from collecting all the money he can, while deferring the building of roads, the collection of garbage on the beaches, the construction of a sewage system that would allow the water to be reasonably clean, etc., etc. The road construction has already been paid for by the central government, yes he puts it off, in order to enrich himself. If the central govt. more or less condones this kind of irrational, and self enriching behavior, who will anything EVER CHANGE? So, sooner or later Bangkok does have to take responsibility for the lack of change.

Just departed thru the airport a few days ago and no problems leaving, thru immigration in about 15 min.., we where a bit late departing but the airplane arrived late. When I arrived from the Philippines earlier thru immigration in about 20 min no hassel. In the end all you can use to measure the airports preformance is your own experience.

Very good point indeed. I suppose as long as we do not see it, it does not matter too much, short of an accident being caused by a runway falling apart. But, the fact that it was closed so often suggests a level of motivation when it comes to maintenance. Overall, I find Swampy to be a delightful airport. The only improvement I could suggest is making it easier to find the free wifi passwords. One has to really search for an information counter to get one.

It does not matter that this university is one of Britain's worst. It will still far outshine the locals schools here, when it comes to English skills, which is sorely needed here. The educational standards here are some of the lowest in the developed world. What the Thai government, the educational apparatus, and the Educational Ministry are perpetrating onto the Thai people should be classified as a crime. Much improvement is needed. The entire educational structure need to be dismantled, and built up from stretch, using a model like they use in Malaysia, as an example. Much needs to be done, and there is little time to waste. Thailand was the 21st largest economy 5 years ago. Now, it is the 25th. They are losing their place in the world at an alarming rate, and if nothing is done, the lifestyle they have worked so hard to achieve will erode, and they will be surpassed even by such lowly neighbors at the Philippines, Burma, Laos, and Vietnam. Time is a wasting, and I do not see any leadership.

I agree, but the problem lies with the idea. If it doesn't comes from the Thais they wont do it! Its about face not brains in this country.

Ware a nice shirt you get the job, show some legs sign on the line.

The culture and way of life are so intertwined that the two exist together as a whole. Its true the whole system needs to be scraped yesterday, but it will take a revolutionary visionary politician to achieve that, one that isn't phased by saving face or the massively uneducated public opinion.

Face is simply a cowards approach to life. Let us now confront the underlying issue or problem. Let us hide behind a false sense of pride, and shame. It has little to do with reality. It is just this made up wall they hide behind. It is an excuse to not reflect on one's own issues, and to not do any inner work.

This is a good one. Nothing ever gets done here, in regard to protecting tourists, unless there is extreme egg on the face, due to negative international media exposure. Then, and only then, does the feeble government kick into action, and make multiple pronouncements. The question is, will they arrest anyone, with the power and the cash to buy their way out of trouble? If so, will they get convicted? If so, will they actually serve any time? Thailand is probably the most lenient country in the developing world, when it comes to crime against tourists. It is not taken seriously by anyone, much less Chalerm or Yingluck. Very rarely does anyone serve prison time for an offense committed. Though I love this country dearly, they do little to protect the tourists, or the ex-pats living here. In many countries, it is the exact opposite. Here, mai pen rai.

Police Snr Sgt-Major Wattana Changsab, from Pracha Cheun precinct, and Arthit Asunee Na Ayutthaya were nabbed along with Bt8,000 they allegedly got from Sirikan Divali, 45, along with a loaded pistol and a police motorcycle.

Well, let us see if this goes to trial, and if so, will the policeman serve time in prison? I cannot even remember the last time and policeman was charged with any crime, convicted, and sentenced to prison time. Thailand seems to be very serious about not convicting corrupt, violent, and out of control policemen. Almost as if they are going out of their way to protect the corrupt institution of the Thai Police. Can this thug be sentenced? We can all hope so. He sounds like he has worked hard and deserves a very long stretch in a stinky prison, where the other inmates will have tremendous "fun" with him.

produced by Doctor Company were tainted with Carbofuran at a level of 0.007mg per kg. The EU prescribes a safe level of Carbofuran as not exceeding 0.02mg

Isn't 0.007 less than 0.02?

Guessing that was a type o. I am assuming it should have been 0.7mg per kg. or it would not have been mentioned.

But, that was an excerpt from the Nation! One of the top two paper in the country! A recent test was given to high school math teachers nationwide. It was the same standardized test that the teachers give out regularly. Do you know what percentage of teachers failed their own exam? 86%! What can be done about the horrific educational standards in this fast declining country?

It does not matter that this university is one of Britain's worst. It will still far outshine the locals schools here, when it comes to English skills, which is sorely needed here. The educational standards here are some of the lowest in the developed world. What the Thai government, the educational apparatus, and the Educational Ministry are perpetrating onto the Thai people should be classified as a crime. Much improvement is needed. The entire educational structure need to be dismantled, and built up from stretch, using a model like they use in Malaysia, as an example. Much needs to be done, and there is little time to waste. Thailand was the 21st largest economy 5 years ago. Now, it is the 25th. They are losing their place in the world at an alarming rate, and if nothing is done, the lifestyle they have worked so hard to achieve will erode, and they will be surpassed even by such lowly neighbors at the Philippines, Burma, Laos, and Vietnam. Time is a wasting, and I do not see any leadership.

OK. Now we know exactly who the perpetrator is. The bartender at the frozen cocktail bar named Son Khontai, located at the corner near Euro Grand Hotel in soi Bongkot , moo 9, tambon Nongprue, amphoe Banglamung, Chonburi. Time to arrest him, and charge him with attempted murder. Should be tried and convicted, and sent to prison for 20-40 years. And his family should be fined a minimum of 2,000,000 baht, paid to the victim. Certainly there may have been mitigating circumstances. But, an annoying patron can be slapped around. Not chopped up with a machete, or a large knife. This savage goon needs to spend the next 4 decades getting punished by his fellow inmates. He has no business being out on the streets, much less behind a bar. Obviously this bar is not famous for good customer service!

, did you actually bother to read the the OP?

He was arrested and is being charged

Coffee???

Arrested and being charged means absolutely NOTHING in LOS. How long have you been here?How many times have you seen someone who is arrested and charged go to prison? It only happens here if one does not have enough cash to buy his way out of the crime he has committed! That is a fact.

Hopefully, this coward punk does not have the cash to pay off the toy police. If he does not, he will spend a lot of time in prison. All we can do is hope that many of the local Thai prison "mates" will take a shine to him, and ask him to be their "girlfriend". Let's see how tough he is when he is getting brutalized in the local prison.

Not sure why, but there is a pretty tremendous lack of self esteem, on the part of much of the youth here, but it also extends to many of the adults too. Most Thai people I know would gladly undergo surgery, if they had the cash. In the west we prize small noses. Here they want to make their noses larger. In the west we prize dark skin, here they want to whiten their skin, and pay a lot of money to do so, where it be treatments at clinics, or just spending a fortune on hocus pocus skin creams. Facial surgeries, sex change operations, on and on, and on. Not sure what the dynamic is. In the west no doubt there is a cosmetic surgery craze. But, I know many, many women who would not engage in it. Here, I know few who would not jump at the chance.

Just another example of Thailand doing nothing about addressing their problems. A suspended sentence is a slap in the face. 3,000 baht is less than this fool Sirapob Ngamriab makes per day, ripping off the same tourists he beats up, when they do not allow him to rip them off. Do the local authorities have any interest in addressing these issues? Only if they get egg on their face, from the national or international press, and only to avoid losing face. Did they discipline this fool? Did they set an example? Did they create a deterrent for the next goombah? Are they addressing the problems with the taxi mafia? Should he have been able to get away with charging more than it costs to take a nice comfortable taxi from Suvarnabhumi, to Sukhumvit, including highway tolls, and tip? You decide for yourself. My answer to all of these questions is a resounding NO.

As has been reported, the issue is a purely domestic politics problem. The PTP was worried that if a cabinet resolution was passed approving the mission, someone would file a lawsuit saying they had overstepped their bounds and they cannot make an agreement involving national security and sovereignty.

The Council of State had already ruled that it was within the constitutional rights of the cabinet to approve the mission, but they could debate in a parliament and have a non-binding vote on it.

The cabinet took the easy way out and voted to have a parliamentary debate (which cannot take place until August when it reconvenes)

TH

Essentially what you are saying is that Thailand has a nearly dysfunctional form of governance. That is the reality this nation is dealing with. That is part of what it taking the country in a slow, backwards direction. There is little in the way of true advancement here. Many of us love living here, but we see the nonsense quite clearly. Nepotism, cronyism, corruption on a massive scale, press censorship, false morality, and transparently false righteousness, from people as high up as the deputy PM.

Congratulations Yingluck and Abhisit, you have both done your best for helping your country moving forwards! Please continue this way and within 5 years Cambodia will overtake you with more than one length...

Meanwhile the students (the leaders of tomorrow) will continue to work hard on their tablet computers for reaching good results in international competitions, tourists continued being stabbed to death and yearly flooding despite a clear interdiction from the Minister of Science. And where is Chalerm?

But all this will soon be better once the constitution wil be amended and the amnesty granted for the convicted criminal Thaksin...

Amazing Thailand!

Thailand continues to move backwards, at an alarming pace. They were the 21st largest economy in the world in 2006, and are now the 25th. Give them 10 or 20 more years. Where do you think this nation of progressive genius will be? The political system is completely broken, and nearly completely dysfunctional. The ministries are run by cronies, and there is nothing even bordering on appointment by merit. There is an astonishing lack of talent at the national government level, and the same applies to the entire educational system from elementary school, through university. It is frankly astonishing, how little Thailand is accomplishing at this point in time. At the risk of sounding a little too harsh, when was the last time someone from Thailand won international recognition for a medical breakthrough, for a dance or theatre performance, for academic excellence, etc? When was the last time a Thai won a Nobel Peace Prize, or a Pulitzer, or a Peabody award?

It appears Thailand is no longer a peaceful land of smiles but knifes and tourists stubbings / deaths.

I was initially thinking about moving there for some time but the more such news come through the less I like the idea...

Thailand is still fairly peaceful. In comparison to the gangland killings in Los Angeles, or the murders in many capitals, it is peaceful. Unfortunately, some of the youth are being brought up with little regard for human life. And some of the southern men are animals. Less regard for life, and very short fuses. This guy was obviously a greedy coward. It is easy to sucker punch (stab someone) a guy who is not expecting it. It is the work of a tiny man, without a heart, a soul, or a conscience. What a two bit punk. Would love five minutes with this 13 year old girl of a "man". Hopefully, the toy police will be able to find him. Should be a walk in the park to find the bus operator, illegal or now. Whether or not there will be any will to prosecute this creep, will depend on how much publicity this gets.

Of course a banking executive will say there is no bubble. It's their bread and butter. Crooks

Exactly. A pronouncement by a non-visionary banker, who has zero ability to see the forest, beyond the trees. Classic myopia. Just wait. The local economy may take a bath. Too many elements are working against Thailand, and the local businesses, and government are doing very little to counteract the potential problems.

Be you that they will get a seat sentence without being represented by a lawyer because they can't afford one.

How little you know about the Thai judicial system. Everyone has a lawyer made available to them either a decent paid one or a free one regardless of nationality. By confessing they have basically accepted the guilty charge so that gets their sentence cut in half. They could get a sentence as low as 15 years which if they are clever and make their way up the prison grading system earn higher annual reduction in the Kings birthday. They could be out in less than 6 years.

That said IMO they should be given and serve a full 25 years.

I am very well versed with the way the courts work here.....

I was thinking a life sentence, without the possibility of pardon, and a 5 million baht fine for their parents, for bringing such rodents into the world. Little regard for a human life here. I hear that the stabbing took place before they took the purse, so there was not an option to not resist, and just give up the goods. What kind of regard for life is this? These insects deserve life in prison. They earned it. Lets give them what they earned.

12.2 million tourists who will spend 19.2 million dollars. That is an average of $1.50 each. What a deal! No wonder Thais are considered by many, to have some of the lowest math skills in the world. Even the major news outlets cannot do basic math. And believing the TAT is like believing Putin, the tooth fairy, Yingluck, or Obama.

The plot thickens, as the BIB try to muddy the waters to ensure that there is no damage to Thai reputation.

Exactamundo. Farengs are known to be responsible for all evil in the world. The Thai people are known to be of such purity, that they could never cause physical, or financial harm to anyone.

Wow, that's fast, so I take the respective commission has already been set up by him?

One idea that may help:

in Myanmar, everyone who steals from foreigners / tourists is sentenced to 5 years of heavy labour.

How about introducing that in Thailand?

I am sure it would send a shock-wave through Thailand, even if only coming from the mouth of Chalerm.

Yes, a shock wave would be putting it mildly. It may have been 20 years since a tourism operator has been held responsible for a crime against a fareng. Sometimes, it almost feels like it is encouraged!

Just another pronouncement from the toothless tiger. This goombah continues to impress, with the number of promises that go unfulfilled. Where were the governors of surat thani, and pattaya? These are two of the most corrupt areas. I cannot think of one area that is untouched by corruption in samui. The mayor there is lining his pockets daily. There is zero intention to go after the taxis who charge 500 baht, for 3 km! This has been going on for years. Farengs are regularly assaulted on the beaches for refusing to pay 100,000 baht for causing no damage to a jet ski owned by a mafia punk who is immune to any action by a toothless police force who are simply revenue collectors. Farengs are regularly extorted by local police in koh phangan out of 100,000 baht for possession of one joint of ganga. Nothing will change, and the Lerm will continue to spout his nonsense.

The 21st largest economy in the world has dropped to 25th, in just 5 years. In another 10, to 20 years, who knows? Malaysia, Indonesia, China, India, Vietnam, and many more neighbors are making a very sincere effort at improving their educational systems. Thailand is doing very, very poorly in that regard. Shame on the people involved, and shame on the education ministry. They could do better. Suggestion #1. Hire only fareng English instructors throughout Thailand. Suggestion #2. Publish all test results in the local newspapers. Suggestion #3. Fire all teachers who cannot pass their own exams. In a recent study, math teachers in 10 provinces where given their own math tests. This is the test they give out regularly. There was an 83% failure rate! Shame on Thailand for this travesty of an educational system. They could do much better.

Three suggestions to improve the education system in Thailand and you say the first thing is to hire only farong English teachers.

Yes for sure make learning English the number one project for improving the education system in Thailand. Thailand will have some of the best English speaking rice field workers in the world. That is providing the German speaking teacher can speak good English.

How about putting more importance on learning the basic for use in Thailand and at a later date if students want make English available to them. When you say farong are you aware that there are farongs who can not speak English.

English is a necessary language for about 3% of the population yet people want to teach it to 100% of the population. There are many sellers in the tourist industry who do not speak English and make a living off of tourists who can not speak Thai. There products are produced by many Thais who can not speak English. On the other hand there are many bar girls who can speak English. But most of them did not learn it in elementary school. They would of but the school had no electricity so they couldn't read the lessons.

While there may be some truth to what you are saying, there is no doubt how much many Thai people in the tourism industry would benefit from some decent english. I was witnessing this recently, when some tourists were walking by a woman in a tourist area, who was trying to sell them on some silk scarves, and all she could say was "colors, colors, colors". This feeble an pathetic attempt at sales was met with howls of laughter, and tourists who walked to the next booth, got approached by someone who spoke rudimentary english, and got a sale out of it. I see this over, and over again. The really motivated ones teach themselves some english. The sluggards remain very poor, and wonder why the others are selling so much more.

I retired as a teacher in America. I moved to Thailand 4 years ago and have only found sporadic, part-time work. My experience has been that Thais value "saving face" and "nationalism" so much that any attempts at actual education is NOT tolerated.

One thing to keep in mind, whenever the feeble "saving face" comes up, is that it is simply an excuse for not doing any inner work, and not getting to know thyself. Think about it. What better excuse, for not doing the difficult work of introspection, than claiming you are embarrassing someone. How lame. How weak, how cowardly, and how pathetic an excuse is that? Do you really care what others think, if you are completely comfortable in your own skin?