reallyok

hmmm.. sounds like the travel insurance wanted to save a dime and that cost him his life. I wonder if they can be held accountable.

And yes its real bad to get attacked like that here in Thailand, i hope they get the guys but if there are no more witnesses then it would be hard.

I sincerely hope that the insurance company are held accountable! Also seems to me, that the medical treatment here, would have been a lot cheaper than Aussie and of an equal standard too. My wife had a double heart valve replacement here and I have been in and out for various problems too. I have nothing but praise for the quality and dedication of the doctors here. Sounds like the insurance company is to blame in this case - sending an obviously very sick person on any trip sounds dubious to me. Condolences to all his family and friends, but don't let this just slide away!

The thing is that once he was back in oz, the state health authorities would have paid the medical bill and the insurance company knew that this would be cheaper for them than Bumrungrad. They would have only to pay the airline to change his booking ..........peanuts.

I was reading about a guy who was attacked and cut up subsequently dying from his injuries because his insurance company insisted he return to oz for treatment.

I am not sure where i read it, people were asking who is the insurance company.

Well the victim was the grandson of my mate in Adelaide so as soon as he gets me the information i will post it. And hopefully have more information, however my mate assures me that there were no other motives other than robbery, they demanded his motorbike and he argued with them. He was a very level headed decent young man. I know that there certain ones in here who are saying yeh ! yeh! Yeh ! but i know the family ( but not him) so just hope for the sake of this family that they belt up . Lets nail this bloody insurance company.

I have done a considerable amount of research regarding all of them and I still cannot find solid answers for #1 and #2, any help would be appreciated.

Answer to #1: Yes, http://electricaloutlet.org/, yep , them TV's over here got them there red, yeller and white plugs on the backside.

#2: Everything is available here.

LOL @ metishead !

Well, it will be your decision. Just watch the France 24 news footage.

My advise,stay home where you come from,and never visit Thailand,Tourists with their curiousity only get killed by stray bullets/scrapnells.

besides,Reds dont like Foreigners/Falangs especially.

Oh f's sake - am sorry - but that was a load of BS.

Your living place is in Pattaya - ruddy 200 km from the "raving zone" - and how could you give a comment like that? Like you are living next to the protesting area.

Unless you have been encountering what you have said in your reply or you are now living right next to the spots, I think you are just being too pessimistic or dramatic mate.

Am living in Sathorn area - not too far from the Rajprasong - but, seriously mate, the only thing right now that is pssing me off big time, is that the stupid kids already started the water war!!!

Ugh!

Serves you right...............you should pay the girls !!!

One needs to approach this question from an arm length's perspective and not allow a personal like or dislike for Thailand bias the decision.

I cannot speak for other regions, but it is quiet on Phuket. The beach chairs are showing 25% occupancy. That might reflect the world's economy, but I think it is more a function of the scorching heat. My AC conked out friday.

I believe that Bangkok is a place to be avoided and that it will probably get worse before it gets better.

The airport Saturday and Sunday seemed secure and calm to me. Outside of the protest zones, tourists are safe, for now.

Based on the ongoing turmoil, only a fool would travel to Bangkok in the next week at minimum. Stay away. If you go and there is a problem, you are responsible. Do not look for help from your government as it most likely has a very stern warning now posted to avoid travel.

Don't be so sure about the airport as i see that the bloody yellow shirts are talking of coming out again !

Excellent post, SantiSuk. The best advice I've seen yet. You are site specific for the OP. Bangkok is a HUGE place and unless you actually know where the protestors are rallying then it's impossible for a foreigner to make plans to avoid it. Nothing seems to be happening in the outlying districts.

However, all protests and public events in EVERY country seems to bring out the creeps and thugs who like to hide behind the anonimity of a crowd.

Sorry Ian, i was in that area for 8 days living down the bottom of soi 4, i had no problems or worries (safety wise) at all except for the kids (big & small) at the top end with their water playing antics.

Some very irresponsible posters here. To those saying that tourist areas are safe I'm sure people were saying that around Ko san. The fact is that wherever the protests may be now, should fighting start again then the fighting can spread in any direction people consider tactically viable (ie to escape or gain the upper hand over the opponent). Whether tourists are there won't factor into decision-making when people have bullets flying at them.

The fact that the CEO of CAT was kidnapped shows that the government, army and police are not presently in control of Bangkok, and the red mob can do anything they like, and they are doing exactly that. They're doing stop-and-search on people they don't like the look of etc. I would also point out that there are some right nutters in the red movement, Arisman being an obvious example but you've got someone much more violent in the shadows, Sae Daeng, with his paramilitaries armed to the teeth. If one side can gain advantage by shooting a tourist and claiming the other side did it do you think they'll hold back and think "no we can't we'll hurt the Thai economy"? We've seen already they don't give a dam_n about the tourist industry because they're killing it right now before our eyes.

I would suggest holding off til more peaceful times if you must visit Bangkok. If you come, and move to another area, have an escape plan ready (ie exit via Cambodia or Laos or wherever if the airport is inaccessible). I'm currently planning and getting everything ready in case I need to do one quickly. It's unfortunate but that's where we are right now.

As someone who visited Krung Thep last week .........In my opinion it is safe provided you stay away from areas occupied by the Army !

come on over.

for the tourist, its all about nothing. of course use common sense and dont go near the "party zone:"

I AM MUCH MORE AFRAID OF GETTING WET!

I was up there from Samui for 8 days last week to attend Bumrungrad hospital, staying near Sukumvit 1 where there was a big rally.

Being 'nosey' i went along and walked amongst several hundred protesters and police to take pics. Except for them trying to 'smile' me to death, i felt in no danger whatsoever ! A carnival atmosphere reigned and the redshirts moved amongst the police handing out water and food and shaking hands. After a few hours the police commander decided to take the boys back to barracks. The cheering and clapping redshirts then formed an aisle for the police to file back to the busses as they passed there was much shaking of hands and 'back slapping' with the police waving back....................NOW ! on the other side of town the ARMY were in charge and it was a completely different story with several deaths ????

Anyhow it was good to get back home on peaceful Samui. And dont tell me its more expensive down here where i can get a breakfast for Bht90 and Khao phat for Bht60 as opposed to Bangkok where breakfast Bht 180 and Khao Phat 120.

Like i said ..........happy to be home on KS.

Exactly. What the reds have created is anarchy. It simply can't be tolerated or there is no country.

Rubbish !! they are only copying what they were taught by the Yellow shirts only in a more civilized, considerate and peaceful way.

There is no doubt that these tactics were created by the Yellow shirts a couple of years ago..........where in the hel_l were you, not to have noticed it.

So the headline at the top, saying Government ready for more talks with Reds means the machine guns will do the talking?

It is the red leadership under instructions from Thaksin who prefer petrol bombs to negotiations.

you forgot to mention that this would not be happening if the ligitmate government (red shirts) were still in power

i am apolitical....

"Under instructions from Thaksin"................what proof has this idiot got ? Why are people allowed to print such inflammatory stupid bloody guesswork.............It should NOT be allowed past admin !

This government is unfortunately made up out of power horny morons. The frequent use of the word "Terrorist" means that the people do not give a rats ass about the status, the economy and the reputation of the country.

I try to figure out for a few days why the army went in last Saturday with anti aircraft weapons in their arsenal which according the claims of the army were confiscated by the red shirts. This can only be a set-up. the reds do not have any aircraft who is planning to bring one down? A terrorist? The army? It seems that everything is allowed to stay in power.

The economist was suggesting a election in three months time, which should probably do, if it were not for the deputy of Anupong who wants to take control in September?October. Given the fact that the polls that are so often quoted by the government will be proven to be paid for by the elite and the one and only poll (Elections) will bring parties related to the reds an outright majority his chances of being promoted are nil, zero, nada, which would void the entire coup which brought Thailand only misery.

Sonthi and his fellow couptakers should go to jail for a very very long time and their self proclaimed amnesty revoked.

At the end of the day, the facts are that all the present day problems that the nation is facing, were brought about by a selfish man called SONTHI. So where is he now ??? why is he allowed to walk away 'squeeky clean' will he ever have to face what he has done ?

Anupong appointed new emergency operations command chief

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced on TV Friday night that Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda has been appointed the new commander of the Emergency Operations Command.

Abhisit said Anupong has replaced Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban for the job.

-- The Nation 2010-04-14

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Surely by sacking his deputy PM from the security job and handing it over to the Army this an admission by the PM that he can no longer control the situation.

In this case, he should stand down and call a new election. The army should then firmly stand behing which ever party is elected to run the country for its term, regardless wether it be Yellow or Red.

I dont know the real reason for farangs hating Thaksing, however, I found him to be good for the country and economy.

If farangs (I m not a farang and I am so glad that I m not) cant stay here without defeating the system then they should better go home.

Think of doing so in USA and end up in Gitmo...

This government will go... sooner or later... it is on the wall... if anyone wise enough to read this...

Not because of red shirts... but because they have the seeds of their own destruction...

Look at what happened to Thailand and her economy after this government...

I planned to visit Thailand (as I love Thailand so much and I can actually READ, WRITE, speak and understand Thai very well, unlike many foreigners here) with my girlfriend... but she is so scared to goto Thailand under current situations...

Hope when Thaksin comes back and those puny clowns wont jump up and down... Thailand would be the most desired country once again... as it was in his last regime...

I dont care if farangs dont get visa... coz if u wanna live in a country then respect the laws of the country... we call it relativism..

Well said Mark!

Thaksin was about empowering his people and most Farangs feel threatened by this.

I am old enough to remember when Hong Kong and Singapore were the sex capitals of the world.

I hope I live to see the day when Thailand shakes this seady image.

Thaksin is their only hope with this.

Why wouldn't your average farangs feel threatened by him

To be accurate Hong Kong and Singapore were never sex capitals of the world. Shanghai with 100,000 working ladies in 1936 is the only place that comes close to the 2 million working ladies in Thailand. Thailand is unique in the history of the world.

OMG Mark, you have no idea!!

Hong Kong was the original "Sin City". I should know! After the Vietnam war we were often on the "last plane out of Sydney" to Hong Kong. Nana/Cowboy/Patpong had NOTHING on the bar scene in Hong Kong in the early 70's.

C'mon you old timers, back me up here

As an old timer from the Korean war days, i can assure you that Wanchai (Hong Kong waterfront) was a thriving red light area then, and Singapore was'nt far behind................err ! what was i saying ? lololol

Hague? So I guess Abhisit will be sitting next to him for the sending out all those people in the boats without engines - tied-up/set adrift?

Yep ! and shipping all those helpless MON women and children back to communist Laos

Let's call a spade a spade. I have read these low blow attacks at anti-red foreigners by pro reds several times here recently. They want to give the impression that anti-red foreigners are mainly that way for lurid, vile, corrupt, personal greed reasons. I do wonder is this the kind of anti-foreigner hate propaganda being broadcast to the red crowds to "explain" that so many foreigners are indeed anti-red/anti-Thaksin?

They don't want to give us credit that actually we do care about Thailand and sincerely do not like Thaksin and the reds and the misery many of us feel will be visited on Thailand if they manage to prevail.

Speak for yerself mate, we don't all think like you, so you really have no right to preach on what others think of Thailand and the Redshirts or in fact Thaksin himself on our behalf. By doing so you are only allieniating Thai feelings against us. So , think about what you are saying before you let your mouth run wild ! Just remember there are many thousands of Thaksin supporters out there !

Thats all i have to say on the matter , thank you.

The uncaring woman from Australian Foreign Affairs quoted as saying "it's a matter for Thai authorities to determine" knowing full well that NOTHING would be done. Getting a result in Thailand in almost all of these events is squarely in the hands of Australian Politicians and other various authorities. They just never bother. They simply don't care about it's citizens abroad. Demanding a result and putting sufficient political and economic presure will always get the right result and justice will be gained.

A case in point, an Indian student was killed in Melbourne. The Indian government put pressure on Australia and got an immediate and effective result.

It could be argued that Indian citizens are better protected (or at the very least get justice ) abroad by their government than Australians are

How many Australian citizens are killed or suffer other horrific events inThailand at the hands of Thais and Australia does nothing?.

What does it take for the Australian government to send the message loud and clear to Thailand to keep their hands off their citizens?

In the meantime the Thai "authorities" will continue to do nothing to either prevent or severely punish the perpetrators.

My condolences. It's now up to the family if they want to seek justice for their son, but don't expect any assistance fromAustralian government as they are too busy sucking up to the Thai authorities.

Well i sometimes wonder about Australian overseas consuls. I think it all depends on the invidual office.

A couple of years ago i was robbed in Amsterdam..........no money, no airline ticked (back to Luton) sweet FA !

On calling the aussie consul and explaining, i was told to go to the Hague ? no money says i, the 'lady' then tells me that she is fed up with backpackers loosing passports etc., on explaining that i am not a backpacker but genuine 70 yr old traveller, she told me to come back tomorrow............too late now !

Luckily i have a Brit passport as well , but it was in England at families home. I went to Brit consul who took details, told me to come back in a couple of hours whilst they checked with Canberra where my pp was issued. They gave me money for a meal etc. When i came back they had a letter for me for Dutch immigration and a free ticket on Easy jet back to Luton. After that it was all plain sailing till i got to the "British Somchai" car park attendant who would'nt let me have my car ............no ticket says he. I felt like knockong his bloody turban off. But thats another story .

hmmm.. sounds like the travel insurance wanted to save a dime and that cost him his life. I wonder if they can be held accountable.

And yes its real bad to get attacked like that here in Thailand, i hope they get the guys but if there are no more witnesses then it would be hard.

I sincerely hope that the insurance company are held accountable! Also seems to me, that the medical treatment here, would have been a lot cheaper than Aussie and of an equal standard too. My wife had a double heart valve replacement here and I have been in and out for various problems too. I have nothing but praise for the quality and dedication of the doctors here. Sounds like the insurance company is to blame in this case - sending an obviously very sick person on any trip sounds dubious to me. Condolences to all his family and friends, but don't let this just slide away!

Regarding Bumrungrad and its doctors, i say hear hear to this. They are wonderful.

What a tragedy. I hope the machete weilders a run over by a 10 wheeler.

And hows the actions of the Travel Insurer ?? What a**holes,, but thats insurance companies for you. They should be held accountable for this poor guys death and for the support of his wife and child.

And the DFTA response - its the Thai authorities problem/job. Pass the buck - typical of these desk bound authoritarian 'public' servants. "were right charlie...<deleted> you !"

RIP and condolences to the family.

Why not mention the name of the travel company

hmmm.. sounds like the travel insurance wanted to save a dime and that cost him his life. I wonder if they can be held accountable.

And yes its real bad to get attacked like that here in Thailand, i hope they get the guys but if there are no more witnesses then it would be hard.

Som was with him so she is a witness surely

Recently chatting with a Thai born lady in her 60's who married a yank during the Viet Nam war. She went to USA becoming an American citizen.

She is now a widow and wants to return home. Is she still a Thai citizen and will she have any problems as she wants to buy a one way ticket ?

and having seen uncircumcised mates suffer

suffer from what? Genuinely curious.

1. Mainly infection !

2. also a painful tight foreskin

1. water rationing in the British Army? showers saturdays only?

2. hmmm...

I think that Naam has been listening to the 'big boys ' again

and having seen uncircumcised mates suffer

suffer from what? Genuinely curious.

they suffered because they had to bear Reallyok's senseless claims for 18 years

Smart prick hey !!!

and having seen uncircumcised mates suffer

suffer from what? Genuinely curious.

As an uncircumcised western male, I too am curious.

I learned in my 20's that the practice was very sensible many decades ago in hot countries where frequent and careful, detailed, washing was not possible. Was thate the case in the forces?

I think the human body (male and female) was very well designed (or, sorry, evolved) and - especially now - there is no need for crude modifications. I've generally got the idea from circumcised chums that (1) they are de-sensitised but (2) many female partners prefer their situation.

When our boy was born in Thailand almost 5 years ago my Thai wife and I agreed that there was no way anyone was going to cut him off in his prime.

Well it certianly did not de-sensitise me

and having seen uncircumcised mates suffer

suffer from what? Genuinely curious.

Mainly infection ! also a painful tight foreskin

Am I the only one who also believes that male circumcision is also an outdated and frankly barbaric act against little innocent boys?

Well, having spent 18 yrs in the Brit armed forces from the age of 15 and having seen uncircumcised mates suffer, i thank god that i was circumcised as a baby and have no recollection of the procedure