Grey13

Russian government already accused US officials of bribing the court., which is of course inconceivable in clean Thailand. Given the fact that the RUssians were delivering the Thai government very cheap oil I assume they will review that policy after today.

If he had not sold weapons to the enemies of Israel, the U.S. wouldn't want him. The Israeli tail wags the American dog.

"In the video, at 3:23, Mr Aldhouse lunges toward his opponent with the

intention of biting his ear off, as described by Mr Avison who made the video."

Huh...? How d'ya know that? I watched the video; didn't see any attempts at biting. Anyway, very bad farang...

I watched the video twice & saw no biting. The little Thai guy was simply overmatched. The Thai fighters can kick but have no power in their punches. Watch it on TV & once the White guy gets close enough he will knock the little Asians out. They can't punch & they can't take a punch.

Quote:

"....Thanadej (thakisn lawyer) said Thaksin was not a leader of the red-shirt protests - he simply made phone calls to offer moral support to the protesters and their leaders, with no intention of inciting unrest. ....."

The man is delusional, again - seems to believe that everybody is stupid and cannot see him for exactly what he is, a liar, a charlotan, a person with no values or morals or respect for others.. Seems to think he can just re-write history, after the event, to a different version which are expedient for his current purposes, or which 'sound better'.

I agree 100%. The man is a criminal. Any fool knows he & his family were the chief fianciers of the burning of Bangkok. The man is a terrorist & should be dealt with accordingly. Sad that so many of the ignorant peasants from the north admire this scumbag. The Red Shirts will never stop as long as Thaksin is alive. He has done everything in his power to ruin the economy of Thailand & put thousands of his peasants followers unemployed and they still do not realise it.

Some in fact consider the horrendous traffic and the adrenalin-rush of riding through the polluted streets and sois on the back of a motorcycle taxi or in a tuk-tuk as an attractive part of their Bangkok adventure

:cheesy:

Too bad they cannot substantiate that claim. Anyone that comes from a city with greenspace, cleanliness, room to move and decent air loathes Bangkok.

Bangkok is as representative of Thailand as is London to England. England has some beautiful places and people but one wouldn't know it from parts of London. Same applies to Bangkok. Thailand has so much better to offer than stinky Bangkok.

My guess is that if someone looked at statistics Bkk is much safer than London or any big city in the U.S. Pollution is part of a big city. The dregs of society live in the big cities all over the world - white collar criminals, drug pushers, drug addicts, prostitutes, etc. I would like someone to begin listing any big city in Europe or the Americas - more than 1 million pop. - that is not polluted from industry & that any safer than the streets of Bkk. Mexico City? L.A.? New York City? Detroit? London? Add some names & we can discuss it. Want to look at pure trash look at the big cities in Africa, Central & South America? Are they safe? Are they not polluted? Is it not dangerous to walk the streets at night? I don't like Bkk mainly b/c of the pollution in the air & the traffic but any big city has the same problems? Think about rat holes like New Delhi, Calcutta or any other city in India? Or the filth in Pakistan? Or the unbearable cold in Moscow or the filth in the cities of China like Shanghai & Beijing or any Asian country for that matter?

Looks as though the family might have been trying to extort some money from the Russian. Not saying that he didn't do it, because so many foreigners come to Pattya for sex with young boys & girls & the richer they are they more likely they are to get away with it. My guess is that the Russian will be able to pass around enough money to the right people to beat it whether innocent or guilty. Money talks in Thailand - everything is corrupt - and all Thia officials have their hands out.

If there's one issue to get people really excited on this site - alcohol - how sad!

Hope you all manage to survive - 2 whole days without a drink.....what kind of lives do you lead????

I purchased 5 cases of beer & two bottles of wine before this went into effect. I do feel for the tourists who do not have the option of going to bars & having a few drinks & some fun & for the bar owners who surely will lose quite a bit of money. Religious holidays should not be forced on people who are not of that faith. Thailand will always be backward to a certain extent - 2 to 5 no alcohol sales as Thaksin said, "there were too many minors buying alcohol & hanging around the schools " we all know that was BS, & the ridiculous horrible photos on tobacco products, etc. Thailand is where I have chosen to retire but I certainly disagree with many Thai laws. I am forced to accept them but I can damned well protest. Well, of course one subject is off limits but I have sense enough to never, ever mention it.

If this story is in fact true, it makes a total mockery of justice in Thailand. Might this be because Pletnev has shown he will fight the case in Court and the authorities are so incensed by the international media response (which has highlighted the fact that Thailand is a haven for pedophiles rather than the efforts of the country to clean up its act) that they literally want the case and Pletnev to disappear? Wherever he is now, he cannot get back to Thailand and report back to the Court as ordered. So he is doubly damned. Accused of being a pedophile and treated as one without any shred of evidence being brought out in Court! Yet not even allowed to prove his innocence (if that is the case). What makes this even more disgraceful is that the Immigration Chief has acted before getting a reply from the "Child and Women Unit". I am shocked and appalled.

MAYBE WE SHOULD WAIT UNTIL HE IS CONVICTED ? JUST A THOUGHT LA !.....

Perfectly fair point. But it seems the Thai Justice System will not even give him that opportunity! I hope there is an international outcry over this.

I think you may be looking at it the wrong way.

They've stopped his visa so he can't come back and face charges.

What if influential people from whichever country have found a way to let him go free without Thailand losing face.

The Thais can't prosecute him because they've put him on a blacklist and won't let him back into the country.

I wonder who gets to keep all the guy's assets in Thailand. Hasn't he got houses and businesses all over the place?

Makes you think.

Some of you are totally missing the point. The guy CAME BACK LAST WEEK AND REPORTED TO COURT JUST AS HE SAID HE WOULD DO. After his court appearance he told the press, he came back to prove his integrity, and to show he's a man of his word. He also stated he knows who is behind the charges, and that it's pretty much a frame up. THAT is not what the Thai courts expected. They figured he would not come back, but when he did, and reported to the court as he was supposed to, they had to come up with something else. So, cancel the visa and blacklist him, even though he's hasn't been found guilty of a single thing.

If I were the Russian Ambassador, I would be DEMANDING a meeting with Abhist and voicing my serious disapproval of what is going on, and then call a major press conference with every news media, local and international, and totally trash the justice system here in Thailand, exposing it for the corrupt entity that it really is.

Who really gives a dam_n what a Russian Ambassador has to say? The Russians are taking over organised crime all over Thailand. Do you think these rich Russians who were Communists and some former KGB officers word is worth a dam_n?! If you think Thailand is crooked, try Russia where every citizen is terrified of the police & the court system. How many tens of thousands of Russians do you thing are in the Russian prisons where they guards turn their heads and allow rape and murder every single day? Russia is not part of the West and cannot be compared, even with Thailand where people have many more rights than the average Russian. But, this guy is a rich Russian and expects to be treated as royalty in Thailand just as he has been treated in Russia.

MAYBE WE SHOULD WAIT UNTIL HE IS CONVICTED ? JUST A THOUGHT LA !.....

There are too many Russians in Thailand already. A friend, who is Russian, told me when I mentioned that Communism fell in Russia in 1990, that it didn't fall, it just changed names from Communism to Capitalism. The Communists had the money when it so- called "failed" so they bought the corporations. so the Communists still control Russia and are sending their underworld organised crime all over the world. They are fighting for control of drugs & prostitution in Pattaya & are buying up resorts & housing subdivisions in Phuket. This guy may not be convicted but I believe the police have enough on him that he would spend the rest of his life in the penitentiary in the U.S. or most other countries. He may be able to buy his way out here in Thailand but it appears as though the Thai government would rather get shed of him than have him hanging around bringing young boys home with him. Russian prostitutes come in on 30 day visitation visas in Pattaya & then are replace by more when that 30 day expires. Every person in Pattaya is well aware of it.

<BR>Why do the Thai Police pity this self confessed murderer?<BR><BR>He has committed murder and should be treated the same as any Thai that commits the same crime at home. Using the intoxication and stress excuses really don't wash - he was ex military and as such should have known his own limits both physically (in terms of consumption, presumably having ample time to drink in the service) and mentally.<BR><BR>Some men do get violent when they are under extreme stress and drunk, but the smart ones know not to drink more than a few small bottles when this is the case.<BR><BR>I sincerely hope that this man does life, and suffers for what he has done. This man saw the bar girl as something less than he was, and the murder was a show of power - let the hand of justice now show its full power in return.<BR>

<BR><BR><BR>By what I read he is being treated the same as any Thai man who commits murder. There is a press conference with as many police as can fit into the room in front of cameras & the newspapers as it is explained that the subject admitted to murder. In my 11 1/2 months of living in Phuket I don't remember this farang being treated any different than a Thai. As far as a Thai policeman feeling sorry for him, that is probably just media hype. Probably a bald-faced lie. His life is over the same as the female he killed. He will simply suffer more. Thai prison is not a quick death.

Cambodians are very peaceful and wise because they (the ultra nationalists) make their small stuff in Phnom Penh.

The Thais are crazy because they (the ultra nationalists, Yellow Shirts) make their provocation at the border TO CREATE A WAR.

Cambodian police should prevent incident to arise. Thai army obviously helps, sometimes, the Yellow to CREATE A WAR.

Cambodia does not have the military capacity to fight a war against any of their neighbours; and their military are too busy enriching themselves to bother.

Much the same could be said about their Thai counterparts. Though the Thai military on paper is much stronger than the Cambodians, I am unaware of ANY successful campaign carried out by Thais in the last century. What makes you think that they want to spoil their perfect record?

If you are unaware you only have yourself to blame. in 1940-1941 Thailand went to war with France (well Indochina) after France became occupied by Germany. Thailand won new territories from Laos and Cambodia. The Victory monument in Bangkok was build to commemorate this success.

During the two months of the Red Shirt/UDD occupation and eventual riots in Bangkok the whole world saw how weak the Thai military is. When a few Reds approached them they dropped their rifles and ran thus supplying the Reds with more weapons. After the Burning of Bangkok I really doubt that the Cambodian military is the least bid frightened by the Thai military or the government that allowed the occupation of Bangkok and the buildings that were burned.

<BR>Wonder if there has been any "advise" offered from Thai friends of Cambodia?<BR>

<BR><BR><BR>Isn't the hero of the north & northeastern Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, an Economic Advisor & person friend of Hun Sen? I wonder if Thaksin is paying these Cambodians like he did the Red Shrits to stir up problems with Thailand? Thaksin will never rest as long as he can make Thailand look bad in the eyes of the rest of the world. Wouldn't other governments have taken him out even without a bounty?

There are no truer words than "A skirt cannot be too short."

I think they should all have to wear Burkas. I think they are coming into fashion all over the world. They certainly cover everything and no man will take a second look at a woman wearing one of these black ones down past the ankles. Then no teacher/professor, administrator, men/boys would spend any time looking at the girls/women. I mean even if you could see their eyes you wouldn't be positive if the person was male or female. Problem solved. It would show that the Government (old men) care about the people of Thailand.

<P>Government should have done this long time ago.</P>

Aren't most of these girls parents paying for their college/university? What is it of the government?! All governments want to control everything and everyone. Yes. If the old men who run this country don't want to look at the girls legs or let the young men look at their legs, why don't they (the government, since people think they know everything) make them dress like Muslims in all black and maybe also wear gloves like I saw one Muslim one in the grocery store in Phuket. Corruption? NO, can't check into that. Let's keep everybody in Thailand from buying beer between 2 & 5 p.m., put photos of rotten mouthes on cigarette packages, are chase down motorcylists without helmets. It is true that very few men take a second look at a Mulim woman in full black robes.

<BR>Is it already that time of the year again?  <IMG class=bbc_emoticon alt= src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif"><BR>

<BR><BR><BR>With all the corruption in Thailand it seems that the Powers that be want to tackle insignificant probems to show their control such as wearing helmets while riding a motorcycle or young women wearing short skirts. I have lived in Thailand for 11 1/2 months and though my wife is Thai and has told me all about the corruption that has always been Thailand, still I am dumbfounded, simply amazed by the corruption in every single segment of government, private business and amongst individuals. Every person you meet will try to rob you blind or at least steal something from you. It makes no difference if they are rich or poor. It would take hours for me to write about all the corruption  we have witnessed (much of it personal). And, I am sure if any farang has every run a bar or any kind of business here, they could do the same. "short skirts?!" is that all these dirty old men who live for power and wealth can think of to do?! I mean, get a life!  There are no traffic cops stopping people from speeding and unbelievable reckless driving here in Phuket  but they can sure stand on the side of the road and pull somebody over b/c he/she doesn't have a helmet on! BS! Ridiculous. Since when has ANY government agency in Thailand or any other country ever given a dam_n about the common people? Is it their business how one chooses to die?! Put another dirty photo on cigarette packages?! Come on, is that all they can do?!

Sounds like a fishy story. Anything is possible I suppose but it just doesn't sound fitting. Maybe he molested them one at a time? Otherwise there is no way a 90 year old man could pin down 4 girls at once.

Given some of the scams the Thais try to pull on falang I would not be surprised if the father is up to something or getting even with him over loss of face.

We can only hope the police are capable enough to do a proper investigation and find the truth. On second thought, he's screwed.

My guess is that the father wanted more money & the old man said "enough." From what I have been reading lately, this has become a fairly regular Thai scam.

This is why I always book my tickets directly with the airlines.

That's being a bit paranoid isn't it?

Nope, it's simply easier. Just go on their web site, book the tickets, and voila...ordnung must sein!

Who on earth uses a travel agent in the year 2010!

Been using a travel agent out of Dallas for many years. She is Thai & has always gotten us better prices than we could find online. Has saved several friends from Texas $200 to $300 on round trip flights from Austin-DFW to Thailand. We have gone online for years trying to beat her prices. So, yeah, there are still some of us "idiots" out here using travel agents - that we know personally.

In an area where I once lived, all the money lending and illegal gambling was run by the Police.

Maybe they just want to get rid of the competition.

It is run by the police everywhere. Where I used to live in a small town in Phayao my ex-bro-in-law was the son of a local police chief, they had a dozen tables full 24/7 --- 90% police and their families. They charged for the tables by the hour, supplied them with booze and grub too, nice little earner!

Most Thais - particularly Chinese - play the illegal lottery. It is played twice a week. The bookies make a good living. And, of course, most of the police know about it. Most of them play it.

Sometime the 7-11 staff are beyond belief. Like when my only purchase is a single cigarette lighter and quite often .. not always .. they try to pop it into a little plastic bag. I say "try to" .. because I'm one step ahead of the twits and wait to see if they start to reach for a bag .. then quickly say "mai ow tung" and pop it in my pocket where it belongs. They usually have a bit of a sheepish face after that .. so they do realize how crazy it is .. it's just habit for them I suppose.

Just as the habits have been instilled, they can just as easily reconditioned. The shop clerks as well as the catatonic masses. Wonder if anyone remembers how things were some 20 years ago {not even that long} before this 'introduced' plastic consciousness swept the society. It certainly wasn't the purchaser whom demanded plastic, but instead was the proposed indoctrination of the servicer. This ever increasing consciousness for encasing everything is plastic is surely akin to the growing mentality of unnecessary and mindless consumption - an introduce and forced upon disease.

I'll have to ask my wife about that one. Yesterday, after almost 4 months in Thailand she said, "I left here 30 years ago, come back and nothing has changed." Perhaps that is a broad statement and maybe she was talking about politics. I know she was also talking about the widespread corruption.

Very good move. I hope it catches on and spreads throughout the country.

Unfortunately it doesn't include the worst givers of plastic, 7-Eleven, where you get a bag regardless of the size of your purchase, plastic bags inside plastic bags, a plastic straw if you buy a litre of milk etc.

You can refuse a plastic bag. When I buy a coke @ 7-Eleven I tell them that I don't need a bag. Here in Phuket there needs to be some law - or if there is a policeman being visable occasionally - to stop shop owners from dumping their garbage in the klongs. There is trash pickup in front of their businesses but most prefer to just dump their trash. My wife and I have used bags made of other material for years. If you drive through the eastern side of Phuket, it is becoming more and more of a dump. If this helps one iota it is worth it. But, I wish the governor of Phuket would enforce littering.