BOS2BKK

The Thai side check your passport for your exit stamp from Cambodia. No exit stamp = no entry to Thailand

I agree that is what is required, but i have never seen them check. I have entered Thailand at Poi Phet and Klong Yai at least 8 times. My passport has had pages added 3 times and almost every page is full. It would take them more than 5 minutes to search for and find the most recent exit stamp from Cambodia. I am through in less than 10 seconds every time. They may check some, but I do not think that they check all. I think that the worst that could happen is that they'll send you back and you'll waste an hour.

Seriously? You are going to put yourself through that much hassle to save the cost of lunch and a movie ticket?

what a great place Pattaya is...

Yeah. When your not getting choked out by a high ranking Russian Diplomat (see another TVF thread) Your getting a gun pressed to your head. Why people still spend a minute or a penny in Pattaya is beyond me. The place is truly a cesspool.

More disconcerting than which said yes and which said no....A high ranking member of the United States Department of Defense just publicly acknowledged that they have two separate and distinct channels of communication open with Thailand, presumably Military, and Political, who are openly in conflict with each other. That is not an indicator of peace and stability in the near future.

No. What is disconcerting is the nameless USDoD mouthpiece in the OP suddenly becoming 'high ranking' in your post. Do you watch Fox News a lot? As I see it, the US Navy was basically admitting they don't have an up to date "who's who" list for Thailand. You can get them on eBay.

What does Fox News have to do with anything?

I think for the US Navy to get a "who's who" list for the Thai government,the Thai government would have to agree on "who's who" Since we have one department ordering evacuations a week ago, then another saying that was an error, and there would be no flooding in Bangkok. The military trying to declare a state of emergency, and the new government refusing it. In order for there to be a "who's who" there has to be a functioning government to begin with. I think you can buy one on EBay.

"There were two channels (in the Thai government)," the defense official told AFP. "One was saying 'Yes' and one was saying 'No.'"

I wonder which channel of the Thai government said no? I sure hope this fact is revealed.

Is this a trick question?

The governing channel OBVIOUSLY.

"You say yes, I say no

You say stop and I say go, go, go

Oh, no

You say goodbye and I say hello

Hello, hello

I don't know why you say goodbye

I say hello

Hello, hello

I don't know why you say goodbye

I say hello"

Perhaps this song was a prophecy. John Lennon

Though the songwriting credit is Lennon/McCartney, it was written solely by Paul McCartney.(Per Alistair Taylor: assistant to Beatles manager Brian Epstein)

More disconcerting than which said yes and which said no....A high ranking member of the United States Department of Defense just publicly acknowledged that they have two separate and distinct channels of communication open with Thailand, presumably Military, and Political, who are openly in conflict with each other. That is not an indicator of peace and stability in the near future.

"The installation of the CCTV cameras and the recruitment of beachfront workers as volunteers is expected to help police monitor Patong and make it more tourist friendly, he added."

The installation of the CCTV cameras is expected to put yet another backhander in someone's pocket...

Did anyone notice the cost estimate for the CCTV cameras? 15M Baht for 100 Cameras. That's about 500,000 USD give or take... divided by 100, that is $5000USD per camera. Does that strike anyone else as obscenely high?

PM caught crying due to stress from flooding crisis

Maybe she broke a finger nail.

She is explaining to her Farang boyfriend about how her families buffalo died, her grandmother needs an operation, her younger brother can not afford school clothes, and her younger sister is being sent to work at Nana to pay her dead fathers gambling debts.

This story smells fishy. Why would anyone exchange their cash at a travel agency instead of a bank? Why would you bring US Dollars to Thailand instead of Thai Baht? It just doesn't make sense...

There is nothing fishy about this. Alot of African currencies fluctuate in value too much. Many cash exchange places refuse to deal with them. For the same reason the currency of Choice in Zimbabwe, Sudan, Cambodia etc is US Dollars, they are one of a few reliable currencies used in travel. It is not at all uncommon for a South African, Russian, Brazilian, to change his local paper which may or may not be accepted, into Dollars, which he knows will be accepted in any country he travels.

Also it not being his home currency, it is perfectly plausible that he may have even been given one or two high end counterfeits during his transfer. There are plenty of counterfeits out there that are virtually indistinguishable from real bills...unless you have the warnings with the fake serial numbers, like a cash exchange place would have. Scam wise, taking it to the next level, it would not be impossible for the exchange service to have a few fakes tucked under the drawer to swap out when the opportunity to sham a rich guy presents. Just like the vendor selling the Ganjha pipes on Patong always has a dime bag handy to sell you, and a cop buddy handy to signal too. As for the changing of money at the travel agent, it was probably viewed as a convenience provided by a full service travel agency, rather than a fishy move of some sort.

Rule of thumb in any foreign country. Whenever I cash in Gold coins (I always keep a stash for emergencies, and the current gold price has led me to cash them in) or a large sum of money, I always have a local do it for me. It is worth it to drop a couple hundred baht tip to some waiter or hotel maintenance man. Often they will know someplace off the street that give a better exchange rate, and you may make out. Of course the best way is to avoid the situation altogether, take the hit and just use ATM's. Yeah they have the ridiculous charge, but hey...vacations cost money. If you are sweating a 150 baht bank fee, then you probably can't afford to be on Holiday anyway.

I totally agree with your last point about using an ATM! As for the rest it's all about luck and timing...

Unfortunately there are quite a few countries out there that don't have access to internationally accepted plastic. It's a real burden. I work with alot of people from a number of countries and I am constantly having to use my credit card for them and taking the cash. Most of the non industrialized world still runs on cash in hand.

It's tough dealing with foreign currencies too. I spent a good deal of time in Sudan where US hundreds are the currency of choice. I was constantly refusing counterfeits when drawing money from local bank. All the bank did was put them back in the cash drawer for the next schlub who maybe didn't notice. I have grown up with the feel, look, and weight of US currency, and on some of them even I wasn't sure. It is not at all implausible that someone like this guy picked up a few fakes when changing his money. There are some estimates out there that as many as 1% of US hundreds, and 2% of Euro Bin Laden's are counterfeit. This ranges from badly done laser printer jobs to fakes so good the only way to spot them is to check serial numbers against known print runs. Even the US treasury admits there are "super dollar" fakes out there that are essentially indistinguishable from real money.

All this is of course predicated on the idea that he actually changed fake money. My point is, even if he did, the guy deserves the benefit of the doubt. Even in the US if you try to pass a counterfeit bill or two when changing money all that happens is they confiscate the bill and record your ID, on the assumption that you were likely unaware it was fake...do it more than now and then and I am sure you will get a knock on your door...

As for some of the above postings about exchange rates...I feel your pain. I too arrived in Thailand when the Baht was 46. Life moves on. If you are taking advantage of your holiday funds to try and make out a few hundred dollars on currency speculation then again I wager you can't really afford your holiday to begin with. While it is certainly something we frequent travelers pay attention too, merry makers are subject to the whim of lady luck when it comes to exchange rates.

I have lived in many countries over many years and traveled extensively. My one lesson is...you are going to lose a little money when you change currencies, whether it be fees or rates... Now and then you will luck into a positive rate, but more often than not you will lose. Just accept it as an expense of traveling and do everything in yoru power to be safe and sound on your trip. This includes using plastic as much as humanly possible, and if you must deal with cash, break it up. Use different cash counters. Figure out what the optimal exchange amount/fee ratio is and change only that amount. Changing a large sum at one time may seem more convenient put it also tells any number of minimum wage employees and maybe their friends or immediate family, and any nearby people, and their immediate family and acquaintances that you are cash heavy. Just because the girl at the counter is sweet doesn't mean her boyfriend is. Also remember "not alot of money" is a very relative term. Changing $1000 to pay a hotel bill may not seem like a big deal, but it might be 6 months wages to the person collecting bottles from the trash bin ten feet away. Temptation takes many forms. When on holiday, in any country, be alert, be discreet, and be safe by being the man who doesn't stand out.

This story smells fishy. Why would anyone exchange their cash at a travel agency instead of a bank? Why would you bring US Dollars to Thailand instead of Thai Baht? It just doesn't make sense...

There is nothing fishy about this. Alot of African currencies fluctuate in value too much. Many cash exchange places refuse to deal with them. For the same reason the currency of Choice in Zimbabwe, Sudan, Cambodia etc is US Dollars, they are one of a few reliable currencies used in travel. It is not at all uncommon for a South African, Russian, Brazilian, to change his local paper which may or may not be accepted, into Dollars, which he knows will be accepted in any country he travels.

Also it not being his home currency, it is perfectly plausible that he may have even been given one or two high end counterfeits during his transfer. There are plenty of counterfeits out there that are virtually indistinguishable from real bills...unless you have the warnings with the fake serial numbers, like a cash exchange place would have. Scam wise, taking it to the next level, it would not be impossible for the exchange service to have a few fakes tucked under the drawer to swap out when the opportunity to sham a rich guy presents. Just like the vendor selling the Ganjha pipes on Patong always has a dime bag handy to sell you, and a cop buddy handy to signal too. As for the changing of money at the travel agent, it was probably viewed as a convenience provided by a full service travel agency, rather than a fishy move of some sort.

Rule of thumb in any foreign country. Whenever I cash in Gold coins (I always keep a stash for emergencies, and the current gold price has led me to cash them in) or a large sum of money, I always have a local do it for me. It is worth it to drop a couple hundred baht tip to some waiter or hotel maintenance man. Often they will know someplace off the street that give a better exchange rate, and you may make out. Of course the best way is to avoid the situation altogether, take the hit and just use ATM's. Yeah they have the ridiculous charge, but hey...vacations cost money. If you are sweating a 150 baht bank fee, then you probably can't afford to be on Holiday anyway.

It was hardly a case of "the gloves coming off" obviously she either hasnt been told, or doesnt believe the many stories of thugs in the tourist industry who are apparently above the law, despite the massive documentation available.

Thailand is, and has been our staunchest ally in the region for 40 years. With the vast majority of Asia being governed by either communists, or Islamists, and an inevitable war with china looming sometime in the next few decades we can not afford to alienate any of our Asian friends.

Noriega, Saddam, The Shah etc... all ruled with impunity while allied with America. It wasn't until they stop doing what they were told that they became problems.

America has never been one to try to force a country to adhere to our morals, just our instructions.

I'm just happy that there are some high class gents as BOS2BKK to share a spot of tea with, away from you loud obnoxious louts and yanks. I'm sure we could share some simply scintillating banter.

Enough crap about that pompus yank. If he cannot be extradited to Thailand I hope the US then proceed to try to extradite him, if only to tie him up in jail longer. I understand innocent until proven but there is just too much evidence here.

Someone has to civilize you people.

Why do people go to phuket?

Because it is a very nice place with lots of things to see and do.

As the editor of another news source said: "It would be a shame to overstate the scale of the problem. The vast majority of people have a wonderful time on holiday on Phuket. But while there is a lawless element among the tuk-tuk drivers and jet-ski operators - and now, apparently, motorcycle hirers - Phuket will suffer. Incidents of intimidation, violence and fraud should not happen on Phuket."

Wow...that must be some really delicious Kool Aide. Another nail pounded firmly into the coffin lid of Phuket.

I sold my business interests in Phuket last year and I am happy I did.

The sooner the world can stop pretending Phuket is anything more than Pattaya on an island the better. Let it die and will it to the Cheapskates, Indians and Russians like they did with Pattaya. There are plenty of other nice beaches in Thailand where there aren't roving bands of murderous thugs.

He'll beg for the death penalty after a year in Thai jail.

If anyone thinks that the US government won't apply pressure for justice is sadly mistaken.England won't say no to the US over a two bit thug.

He will be coming back to do some hard time for the crime.

You guys really don't get it. He won't be coming back, it's not up to the UK. They can rubber stamp 'approved' in onto the extradition request as much as they want, it makes little difference to the final outcome of the case. In the end it's not up to them anymore, it's up to the EU. Believe me when I say this - the EU don't give a hoot what the US nor Thailand thinks, they will make their decision after years of deliberation and that will be the final word on the subject.

They'll keep him in prison for as long as possible but there is no way in the world he will be extradited back to Thailand.

But the EU will be the first ones who will complain about how Thailand is a haven for criminals and they should all be extradited. Always the victim, never the law. Typical of the European ineffectiveness that requires Americans to periodically come bail them out. What a sad sad Joke. How many more millions of Americans will have to truck over to Europe to bail out there messes in the next century. EU 2011....finally around to copycatting America circa 1776, and screwing it up.

The ranting on this thread is just more confirmation of entitled bitter British economic refugee expats thinking that they are above the law of any country but their own. Just because their dole payment goes farther in Thailand doesn't mean they have to be here. More reason to avoid all the Pattaya and Phuket dumps populated by the tightwad Chang drinking flip flop crowd.

I love being in Thailand, I encounter none of these problems with the law or crooked taxi's or angry thai boyfriends weilding machetes. Probably because I stick to high class places that charge more than 100 Baht for a beer, so no Brit would be caught dead in them.

Sorry if this is random and off topic. I just figured all the rampant Thai/America bashing that goes on here on TV needed a counterpoint.

Oh I don't know about >100baht beers...I just avoid places where heavily tatooed people with shaved heads who answer to names like Pitbull hang out. :jap:

Good Point.

The ranting on this thread is just more confirmation of entitled bitter British economic refugee expats thinking that they are above the law of any country but their own. Just because their dole payment goes farther in Thailand doesn't mean they have to be here. More reason to avoid all the Pattaya and Phuket dumps populated by the tightwad Chang drinking flip flop crowd.

I love being in Thailand, I encounter none of these problems with the law or crooked taxi's or angry thai boyfriends weilding machetes. Probably because I stick to high class places that charge more than 100 Baht for a beer, so no Brit would be caught dead in them.

Sorry if this is random and off topic. I just figured all the rampant Thai/America bashing that goes on here on TV needed a counterpoint.

You slander an entire society due to the deeds of a dodgy few and wonder why people bash you and yours. What a piece of work. Btw, are you sure you know what 'class' is? It's not wearing socks under your sandals, you know.

Touched a nerve I guess?

"The extradition shall not take place unless the evidence be found sufficient according to the laws of the State

applied to, either to justify the committal of the prisoner for trial, in case the crime had been committed in

the territory of the said State..."

The above quote is from Section 11 of:

TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SIAM RESPECTING THE

EXTRADITION OF FUGITIVE CRIMINALS.

Sign at Bangkok, March 4, 1911.

(Ratifications exchanged at London, August 1, 1911.)

It's quite probable the Thai authorities have little or no evidence that would stand up in a UK court of law on a charge of murder (assuming the charges as laid are appropriate to the offense and can be prosecuted with a high probability of conviction) and therefore the subject/accused of extradition would not be compelled to be extradited. But of course, falsification of documents is pretty standard in TH. So, wait and see the outcome of the accused's appeal.

There are literally dozens of witnesses. CCTV footage of him in the initial fight, CCTV footage of him robbing the knives from the 7-11 and CCTV footage of him in the hotel where he stabbed the Marine. I am pretty sure even the most liberal of courts would call this enough evidence to bring the man to trial. Why would you make a comment about the Thais falsifying documents? It is all but a gurantee that this extradition is being driven by the US not the Thai government. I am not sure if you remember this initial reporting of this case, but it was hardly a quiet crime. This guy went on a drunken drug addled rampage through the streets wielding knives covered in blood, the murder was only the most heinous of his crimes that evening.

Why is hating Thailand such a passion of people who post on this board? If you are that unhappy in Thailand why do you stay?\\

No hate, no bias, just the facts. And, why would you assume any facts that are unsubstantiated? Reread your post, give it a little more thought, and then put the pen on the paper. Keep things clear and to the point objectively. Falsifying documents....in TH....who are you trying fool except yourself?

The facts aren't unsubstantiated...the videos of this guy stealing the knives and numerous people trying to grab him and stop his rampage are on You Tube for Christ sake! Why are you blindly defending a murderer just because you are so hateful of Thailand? You talk about clear and objective? What documents are you accusing the Thais of falsifying? You made the accusation right? Please defend it? Innocent until proven guilty is a western concept. It is not universal. We can give the guy the benefit of the doubt if we choose too, but the evidence that is available just by googling this case is overwhelming. Certainly more than enough to bring him to trial. Please don't let your racism towards Thailand feed into this delusional belief that a white Expat can do no wrong.

The ranting on this thread is just more confirmation of entitled bitter British economic refugee expats thinking that they are above the law of any country but their own. Just because their dole payment goes farther in Thailand doesn't mean they have to be here. More reason to avoid all the Pattaya and Phuket dumps populated by the tightwad Chang drinking flip flop crowd.

I love being in Thailand, I encounter none of these problems with the law or crooked taxi's or angry thai boyfriends weilding machetes. Probably because I stick to high class places that charge more than 100 Baht for a beer, so no Brit would be caught dead in them.

Sorry if this is random and off topic. I just figured all the rampant Thai/America bashing that goes on here on TV needed a counterpoint.

I stick to "high class"???

Right, the "high class" get their underlings to do the dirty work. Good counterpoint.

The high class or HiSo carry out executions in nightclubs safe in the knowledge they can do it with impunity.

Good to see I was able to stir the pot.

A few things.

A) Thailand is on the Human Rights Watch List for countless violations, especially regarding prison conditions. His attorney's will probably be all over that in an effort to stop it.

The U.S. actually DOES have jurisdiction, and grounds to request he be sent there for trial, due to the fact that he not only killed a U.S. Citizen, but a member of the U.S. Military who was on medical leave from active duty. I think maybe they might be waiting to see what happens with the extradition to Thailand. If this scumbag is able to successfully stop being sent to Thailand, then the U.S. will probably start extradition proceedings to have him brought there for trial.

As a former Marine myself (20 yrs), I would love to see them send this guy to visit the unit Dashawn was part of. Trust me, justice would be served.

I think you are wrong. Regardless if he is a citizen of the US or a Serviceman the killing was a personal one and not related to any way to terrorism, war or any kind of attack on America. Regardless of what the US may wish, their laws can only be for their own citizens or those who commit acts within the US borders or controlled areas or that somehow threaten those areas and/or the people within them.

U.S law is the Ultimate law and over rides the laws of every country and they have juristiction in every corner of the globe. Well at least they think.

I've been waiting...knew it was coming. Let's bash the US now!

It is the number two passtime on TV second only to Bashing Thailand. How dare we arrogant Americans ask for the prosecution of a murderer.

Having been on TV for a few years, BOS2BKK, this is in my top 2 of best posts I've ever seen here. Excellent post.

Wow...I have been on Thia visa as a creeper for some time, but only recently posting. I have however been an opinionated asshol_e most of my life. I take that as a great complement. Thank you very much.

The ranting on this thread is just more confirmation of entitled bitter British economic refugee expats thinking that they are above the law of any country but their own. Just because their dole payment goes farther in Thailand doesn't mean they have to be here. More reason to avoid all the Pattaya and Phuket dumps populated by the tightwad Chang drinking flip flop crowd.

I love being in Thailand, I encounter none of these problems with the law or crooked taxi's or angry thai boyfriends weilding machetes. Probably because I stick to high class places that charge more than 100 Baht for a beer, so no Brit would be caught dead in them.

Sorry if this is random and off topic. I just figured all the rampant Thai/America bashing that goes on here on TV needed a counterpoint.

"The extradition shall not take place unless the evidence be found sufficient according to the laws of the State

applied to, either to justify the committal of the prisoner for trial, in case the crime had been committed in

the territory of the said State..."

The above quote is from Section 11 of:

TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SIAM RESPECTING THE

EXTRADITION OF FUGITIVE CRIMINALS.

Sign at Bangkok, March 4, 1911.

(Ratifications exchanged at London, August 1, 1911.)

It's quite probable the Thai authorities have little or no evidence that would stand up in a UK court of law on a charge of murder (assuming the charges as laid are appropriate to the offense and can be prosecuted with a high probability of conviction) and therefore the subject/accused of extradition would not be compelled to be extradited. But of course, falsification of documents is pretty standard in TH. So, wait and see the outcome of the accused's appeal.

There are literally dozens of witnesses. CCTV footage of him in the initial fight, CCTV footage of him robbing the knives from the 7-11 and CCTV footage of him in the hotel where he stabbed the Marine. I am pretty sure even the most liberal of courts would call this enough evidence to bring the man to trial. Why would you make a comment about the Thais falsifying documents? It is all but a gurantee that this extradition is being driven by the US not the Thai government. I am not sure if you remember this initial reporting of this case, but it was hardly a quiet crime. This guy went on a drunken drug addled rampage through the streets wielding knives covered in blood, the murder was only the most heinous of his crimes that evening.

Why is hating Thailand such a passion of people who post on this board? If you are that unhappy in Thailand why do you stay?

If he gets put in a Thai prison, he may wish he had received the death sentence instead.

Not really, he can apply to serve his sentence in a UK prison, assuming he is convicted, using the 1984 Repatriation of Prisoners Act.

But this is not up to the UK. Just because the UK has a law that allows UK prisoners to return to be jailed there does not mean the Thais have to allow him to do that. It will be the subject of whatever treaties the Thais and Brits have in place. This stuff is far from cut and dried, and while we as westerners tend to think our rights and opinions take precedence, they don't. Thailand is a sovereign nations,and expat criminals are subject to their laws an applicable treaties. It kind of bothers me to see Expats talking about these things as if the Thai legal system (hahahahhahaha...thai legal system hahahaha) were some nuisance interfering with the proper execution of justice by their home courts. Thailand has a right to enforce its laws, whether they jibe with our laws or not.

I am surprised his lawyers have not tried to get the US to charge him and get him extradited there ... but not sure even with the victim being a serviceman that the US could hold any jurisdiction.

I thought the fact he allegedly murdered a US citizen gives them jurisdiction worldwide

I don't think so...since the victim was traveling as a private citizen, both parties were private citizens. Military or not, the US is less help than most in this type of situation.

cr

He was not traveling as a private citizen. He was an active duty Marine on liberty (medical leave? I have seen both listed). The US has had a formal Status of Forces Agreement with Thailand since the 1960s that allow us to place military personnel in various capacities in Thailand and encourages the Military to use the Thai resorts as leave and liberty destinations. That is why in Pattaya and Phuket when the ships are in you can spot uniformed US Navy and Marine Police around the bar areas operating with the permission of the Thai government. Generally party to these SOFA's are guarantees regarding the various crimes that inevitably occur with military men on leave.

I thought the Thais couldn't be bothered about farang on farang crime? That's what some genius said in the dead Kiwi thread.

They can't generally be bothered, but something tells me the US Embassy differentiates between a destitute alcoholic punter getting thrown off a balcony by his Girlfriends Thai boyfriend, and an active duty US Marine on leave getting knifed. In a different age that could be interpreted as an act of aggression worthy of a military response. I am sure this is the result of pressure form the Embassy.

i am no lawyer, but he wont be leaving the UK,

his lawyer will use the Euro Human Rights Crap

- The right to a family life

Its what all the immigrants use to stop being deported to there homelands, and his lawyer will use this plus other clauses for lee not to be sent to thailand

Tough to sell that new age huggy kissy nonsense when there is a cut and dried murder case hanging overhead. Big difference between deporting an illegal who is staying with their family, and returning a murderer who was arrested at the airport fleeing from justice.

The fact that the UK government already negotiated the extradition to exclude the death penalty suggests he is going. If they weren't intending to let him go, they would not have gone to the effort of negotiating the extradition. They simply would have said no.

Honestly, we can't have a double standard either. We in the west are cracking down on Thailand as a haven for criminals, demanding they arrest and extradite our wanted men. Thailand has so far been cooperating to some degree. We can't be two faced. We have to return the favor. I think pressure on the Thai government to bring this guy to justice will be quite strong. The US doesn't look kindly on its servicemen being knifed by a well known drug addicted bully while they are on leave.

To answer some other posts. I am hardly a lawyer, but I don't see how the US could have any jurisdiction here other than political pressure. There is a law in the US that a US citizen can be prosecuted for class A felonies (severe crimes such as murder, rape and pedophilia) no matter where they occur in the world, but I don't see how they can apply this to a non US citizen? Any armchair TV lawyers out there care to set us straight on that?

Anyway. Regardless of your leanings or where your national loyalties lay (America hating seeming to be a major passtime on TV, second only to Thai hating) A murderer is a murderer and they need to be brought to justice, no matter where it happens. Taking the life of another human being outside the auspices of the state is completely unacceptable. It is an insult to the very fabric of society, and can not be tolerated.

Rediculous comments compairing the price to a 'once in motion' BKK price of 14 baht won't help.

Pretty simple solution. Metered taxia in Phuket. The Tuk Tuks, Motorbike Taxis and Meter taxis run side by side in every other developed area of Thailand. Phuket is well beyond the quiet beachside community that can argue that taxis will ruin the atmosphere. Let the TukTuks compete in a free market without the support of corrupt police and thug mafias. They will not, because they can not. I used to love Phuket. I was even part owner of a business there. I sold it, and I tell everyone that will listen to avoid Phuket like the plague that it is. There are plenty of other beaches in Thailand with good honest business men who deserve my support. The savage mafia thugs of Phuket can starve to death and the world will be better off. The only place worse than Phuket now is Pattaya. Pretty soon Phuket will be populated by the same sort, Cheapskates, Russians, Africans and Pedophiles.