lcpossum

Okay. I admit it, I don't have a dog in this fight. But, if folks are interested in visiting a backward SE Asian country, might I suggest Vietnam? We are as behind the times as Thailand and we have our own collection of cultural anomalies, scenic views, Buddhist temples, historic sites, etc. and so on. Plus, you don't hear horrible stories of foreign tourists being tortured by the local constabulary over some minor incident. Vietnam is interested in your tourist money and doesn't make an all-out grab for it in every which way possible. Our taxis tend to be metered and honest, our food is generally safe (don't eat the shrimp paste that comes with dog meat), Vietnamese nationals are friendly and engaging, females (and males, for that matter) are incredibly attractive as a general rule, and everything comes at a MUCH lower price than in the Land of Smiles. I'll respectfully pass on the subject of political stability. Add it all together, why would any sane person want to visit Thailand?

I'm sorry, but I find many of attitudes on here puzzling. IMO, it is all just more Thai-bashing from Westerners who feel that all of Thailand should bow and scrape to them.

The woman in question ran from the police during questioning, resisted arrest, and then verbally abused the chief-of-police. In the USA, where I am from, any of these crimes carry serious charges. But in Thailand, where the Westerner is to be worshipped at all cost because all Thais should be whores to the tourist dollar (regardless of their station), the Thais are awful for detaining her while they decide how to handle this case and what charges to press.

In the end, it will probably be a small fine and no jail time just as with the Burroughs case (and in his case he abused and threatened airport security and immigration personnel which would also be a big crime in the US). That is not a big punishment to pay considering the circumstances. The woman from Australia is the one who made a petty problem very serious by her actions. Consider in your home country what would happen if you fled the police, resisted arrest, and verbally abused the cheif-of-police. But in Thailand, tourists should be able to do whatever it is they want according to the reasoning of some.

I DO agree that Thailand has endemic problems with police corruption, and criminal justice can be a twisted thing in LOS. However, in this case, I think the Thai authorities are within their rights. What must the Thais think when they are asked to excuse serious crimes for the sake of sucking up to tourists (and, no, I am not talking about a stolen bar mat)? It perputuates the sterotype many Thais have that all Westerners think Thailand and its people should excuse any behaviour and any crime from tourists and Westerners to save face with Westerners and their media.

Many of us know the worst thing one can ever do in Thailand, especially with authorities, is to raise one's voice, especially if verbal abuse is involved. This is NOT a case about a bar prank or a missing bar mat, and it must infuriate Thais that Westerners and their media want to paint it as such. Now the woman and the media are trying to insult the Thais and the Thai authorites involved by conducting a media campaign that makes Thailand look bad for holding someone in such a case (fleeing a police investigation, abuse of police staff). That is not a winning move on her part as she is now just fanning the flames, making a bad situation worse, and hardening the attitudes of the Thai authorities involved.

And had this happened in a Western country to a Thai person (and Thais who travel to other countries would probably never behave in such a manner) that fled police when being questioned and verbally abused the police and their cheif, would all of us be in an uproar? The woman (and any of us) need to learn that one must respect the laws, the authorities, and the customs in ANY country in which we choose to travel, and that being a Western tourist in a devloping country dependent in part upon tourism and tourist money does not give us the freedom to act in whatever manner we like and to break any laws we wish.

JMHO, and presented as another opinion in the face of all the rampant Thailand-bashing in this thread and the "another-nail-in-the-coffin" crowd who frequent the TV forum.

Sorry, Bub, in the USA--where I am from--verbal abuse is NOT a crime and is, in fact, called "freedom of speech" and guaranteed by the US Constitution. But, it's obviously a hanging offense in Thailand.

Hey, folks, I am in Hanoi and probably going to South Carolina (USA) this August, returning to Hanoi in January. I'd be happy to pick up fresh seed from Park, Burpee, Gurney, Shumway, etc., and then mail it to you from Hanoi in January. Talk to me: [email protected] (all lowercase)

JR: I'm in Hanoi & probably going back to South Carolina (USA) in August and returning to Hanoi in January. I'd be happy to bring back an assortment of pepper seed for you, and then mail them to you in January. You can talk to me at: [email protected] (all lowercase).