Tropicalevo

That statement is very sad and very true.

I do not know about Pattaya, but on Samui, the fines for traffic offences are the same for Thais and foreigners. The only difference is that sometimes, the Thais genuinely do not have the money to pay the fine. They are told to 'call a friend' and if that fails, then they have to stay with the police until the checkpoint closes.

Firefighting is a very difficult and dangerous job. Well done to Firefighters everywhere. Sad that a colleague has been lost whilst doing the job that he loved.

I have always just turned up with my PCX but as Joinaman says, it is high season - best to book if you can. I never travel to the mainland during high season. Mind you, with a bike, I am sure that you would not have to wait too long.

The law was in place pre Thaksin. I vaguely remember it when I was working in Bangkok in 1993 and it was in place (but not enforced) when I moved permanently to Samui in 2000. i am currently on KPN for a few days and Buddha Days and the 14:00 to 17:00 bans are completely ignored here. Three different places served cans of beer. (The bottle ban starts tomorrow.)

I find it all a tad amusing. Different states rushing to create new departments. Hiring extra staff, renting offices and all of the associated costs with setting up a 'business' - all in the name of saving money!

Whilst this has never affected me - alcohol is always available when you know where. it can be an issue for tourists. Guests checking in yesterday after a 24 hour journey, only to arrive at their accommodation and they cannot buy a drink. Luckily for them, I had some spare. Here on Samui, there was a period when the smaller convenience stores were given a free pass to sell, but that has been stopped.

Not extinct yet. I still read books, as do some friends. Two books on the go at a time. I do not have a TV, nor do I watch films or You Tube, Tik Tok whatever. Just books and on-line newspapers. Us dinosaurs live on - just.

Seems so. That was my thought as well. It is not until the 5th paragraph that we find out that people were arrested.

That is an impressive incident. And, no one was injured. The mirror must be very strong in order to take the weight of the bus.

So who are they going to prosecute?

So now we know how “Boss” Yoovidhya (Red Bull) gets into the country every time that he visits.

One known case of tourists doing a runner and an upset 'taxi' driver, and suddenly 'locals' are blaming the visa free scheme. What about all of the taxi driver scams that are perpetuated every day against tourists and locals alike?

Think of all of the things that make us all happy to live here in Thailand. All of Thailand's strange attitudes, laws (and not enforcing them), the culture etc are all part of why we live here. The very few 'no alcohol' days every year are part of that culture. So, stock up or go to the places where you know that you can get a drink, but stop whinging about it every year.

I suspect that social media does more to exacerbate the issue than the 'savvy marketing strategies'.

Slightly off topic, but in response to your comment - I bought a second hand Suzuki Carry Just over a year ago. Unbeknown to me, it had been converted to run on both gasoline and LPG. Last year, it passed the Road Tax examination with no problems. This year, it failed. The LPG conversion was not an authorised one so we had to remove it. Did that in a recommended garage and we passed the examination. So, some Land Office people are taking the LPG problem more seriously.

Good job that he is not related to Mr Red Bull otherwise he would get off. Hopefully, this one is going to gaol.

It always depends on the immigration office that you use and even then, it can be different depending on the individual immigration officer that is serving you. I always do a new TM 30 report after I have stayed anywhere else. I have lived in the same house for the past 24 years and sometimes I am asked to do one and sometimes not. I find it easier to always do one now.

Good old Anutin, or should I say Big Bad Anutin. Going for the photo ops and 'sound bites', preparing for the next election. He may be the only one to oppose Thaksin et al.

I do not know what the issue is with Seatran, but they are offering a very limited service at the moment. No services to Koh Tao and only two trips a day to KPN.

Unfortunately, this little manoeuvrer occurs daily here. Even at slower speeds, it is almost impossible to avoid an accident. It is not just the bikes - vans, cars, whatever have all started doing it. Many people have no patience these days.

Not on Samui. Many people getting off the plane here very quickly lower their driving standards to match or even best the Thais.

I had a similar scam call stating that they were from the PEA and were going to change the meter. I told them to go ahead. I live on a private development and the electricity is distributed by the developer.

Possibly too young for gaol.

But there will need to be a quid pro quo before Cambodia gives up an income stream. Maybe the disputed rights to the disputed waters that they are 'negotiating' with Thailand on?