Been a member here (the site) for about 15 years and used to enjoy the interesting news pieces and robust discussions in the forums. I even looked forward to the email notifications in my inbox. But that's changed in recent times. The first 'kick' was when they had an article about a woman 'influencer' who got a bad sunburn on her trip to Thailand (that was literally it!) and I simply posted 'slow news day?'. Received a strong rebuke for that one i.e., being critical of the news team, when it was only a mild tease. Then, more recently, I politely responded to another poster that we shouldn't draw inferences about suicide rates among expats in Thailand on the basis of stories published here simply on the grounds that western news outlets tend not to publish stories on non-celebrity suicides... we don't have a benchmark to compare to. Again, I was chastised for being critical of the news team, when I was simply responding to another member!

Anyway, I'm done with this site. It's not as fun, interesting, and relaxed as it used to be. The newish moderators behave like tin-pot dictators and too many of the stories are click-baity (witness the recent piece titled 'Expats Face Visa Uncertainty in Thailand Rules Shift' which turned out to be about one guy from China complaining about is ED-visa woes ... you could see the frustration clearly in the comments, though that particular mod, to his credit, was more easygoing about it).

Anyway, it's into the sunset for me (here). I wish everyone, including the mods, all the best.

Cheerio.

8 minutes ago, Docno said:

Anyway, I'm done with this site.

Don’t blame you one bit.

Site needs to clean up the anti Trump and anti semitic crapp posted endlessly by 2 members who obviously are spamming the site all day everyday

13 minutes ago, Docno said:

It's not as fun, interesting, and relaxed as it used to be

Chill buddy, you can't leave us, too many characters here. It's better than reading the funnies.

Did you read Georgie boys posting regarding massage parlours, lots of laughs, these posting just keep coming, hilarious.

Recently, I got into an argument with a foreign woman, then her husband started commenting aggressively, messaging me with hostility 😂.

Chin up mate, relax, your expectations are too high 🫪

I'll stay a member as the visa information can be invaluable, but the number of interesting threads and posts has noticeably declined in the last few months. There also seem to be relatively few 'new' threads each day, and most are just repetitive news stories.

2 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

I'll stay a member as the visa information can be invaluable, but the number of interesting threads and posts has noticeably declined in the last few months. There also seem to be relatively few 'new' threads each, and most are just repetitive news stories.

Agree 100%

A few topics/posts that are still relevant to me. Otherwise I could give it up completely.

28 minutes ago, Docno said:

Been a member here (the site) for about 15 years and used to enjoy the interesting news pieces and robust discussions in the forums. I even looked forward to the email notifications in my inbox. But that's changed in recent times. The first 'kick' was when they had an article about a woman 'influencer' who got a bad sunburn on her trip to Thailand (that was literally it!) and I simply posted 'slow news day?'. Received a strong rebuke for that one i.e., being critical of the news team, when it was only a mild tease. Then, more recently, I politely responded to another poster that we shouldn't draw inferences about suicide rates among expats in Thailand on the basis of stories published here simply on the grounds that western news outlets tend not to publish stories on non-celebrity suicides... we don't have a benchmark to compare to. Again, I was chastised for being critical of the news team, when I was simply responding to another member!

Anyway, I'm done with this site. It's not as fun, interesting, and relaxed as it used to be. The newish moderators behave like tin-pot dictators and too many of the stories are click-baity (witness the recent piece titled 'Expats Face Visa Uncertainty in Thailand Rules Shift' which turned out to be about one guy from China complaining about is ED-visa woes ... you could see the frustration clearly in the comments, though that particular mod, to his credit, was more easygoing about it).

Anyway, it's into the sunset for me (here). I wish everyone, including the mods, all the best.

Cheerio.

I think many of us, me included feel the same way.

Recommend use of the sites RSS ( https://aseannow.com/rss/40-asean-now-master-rss.xml/ ) to better keep all the politics and BS at arms length

Got more than a few of those myself, and why I bypass topics started by staff, as don't know which are 'sponsored' (I seem to miss the notice), or might post something negative, not allow. Oh well, it is a for profit site.

Crossed mind also, not visiting AN, but it is an all in one stop for MSM headlines, and Thai happenings, I may miss one FB or YT, with a few topics that interest me. Along with a few, worth exchanging ideas with.

Most threads, as sad as they are, are comical as hell, that people are that ignorant or deranged, and triggered so easily. Does wear you down though, scrolling past the topic titles to get to something interesting.

If news posts need to be proactively protected by the site, then perhaps the problem is the click-bait news posts?

And the endless, baiting US political posts are only tolerated because they boost the post count and help advertising revenue, but in the end they dilute the value and purpose of the site.

Aside from what many may or may not consider click bait 🙄 or slow news day, I think AN really needs to work on finding a better 'host server'.

Any new visitor, won't be returning, as AN being the worst loading site I visit. Sites of all vids or photos load faster.

"Gateway Time Out" is annoying enough for members. Get that as a new visitor, and they won't be returning to join.

You have to post every day 20 times a day otherwise no one will remember you

6 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

"Gateway Time Out" is annoying enough for members. Get that as a new visitor, and they won't be returning to join.

I'm sure advertisers also take note of it

Couldn’t agree more with the Op.

I’ve had so many comments removed for questioning facts in news reports or correcting them.

Yes - the team work hard & that’s appreciated - but we’re on a discussion forum & surely the information can & should be questioned - particularly when it’s pulled in from other sources which may be using AI & pooling hearsay & netizen opinion rather than facts.

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

I'll stay a member as the visa information can be invaluable, but the number of interesting threads and posts has noticeably declined in the last few months. There also seem to be relatively few 'new' threads each day, and most are just repetitive news stories.

1 hour ago, KhunBENQ said:

Agree 100%

A few topics/posts that are still relevant to me. Otherwise I could give it up completely.

Exactly where I am as well - well said.

1 hour ago, Screaming said:

I think many of us, me included feel the same way.

Been a member here since 2003..... I agree with these sentiments :(

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Chill buddy, you can't leave us, too many characters here. It's better than reading the funnies.

Did you read Georgie boys posting regarding massage parlours, lots of laughs, these posting just keep coming, hilarious.

Recently, I got into an argument with a foreign woman, then her husband started commenting aggressively, messaging me with hostility 😂.

Chin up mate, relax, your expectations are too high 🫪

Lots of laughs for the intellectually challenged. Your hero is puerile and does nothing to promote advertiser traffic, which is what Thaiger is all about. Thaiger and its Asean Now operation are supposed to offer its "audience local deals and discounts from a huge network of local partners, insurance and finance products and so much more." And for its clients, they say that they are "expanding our offering of simple media advertising to include much more targeted and relevant advertising packages and digital marketing services, alongside our high-end media productions. The Thaiger is so much more than just a news site."

Now, ask yourself if you were a reputable firm seeking local business if you would wish to be mixed up with a group that offers a platform for hate and stupidity. The anti vaccine section is a gathering point for the mentally ill. Why would a health insurer want to advertise?

I'm surpised this thread has lasted this long to be honest.