Mae Haad is a beautiful beach in the North-West side of Koh Phangan, with the small island of Koh Ma connected to the beach, with the low tide, bi a narrow strip of sand. Here is the best snorkelling of the island, a nice beach to relax and some simple restaurants and bungalows.

Lately something strange happens.

A friend of mine was asked by a self-styled, threatening thai man, the sum of 500 baht just to use on the sea his kite surf. "The beach is mine, if you don't pay, you go away"

Yesterday, 1st of May my restaurant was close and my staff decided to spend the day off on the beach of Mae Haad. Just few minutes after arrived, a man came to them amd simply say "go away, this beach only for falang!"

No comments...

Demanding money with menaces/extortion/scams happens alot on Koh Phangan from threatening local lowlifes right up to various chiefs of police. Many tourists have had their lives played with in a quite dangerous theatre. There is no real solution as the rule of law lies in the hands of the locals. Most of the foreign embassies have tried in vain to ask the authorities to help, however their hands are tied and their concerns usually fall on deaf ears. Websites like TV probably help visitors more than any embassy can and enable visitors the ability to vote with their feet. Such a shame, a truly beautiful island.

Regards Bojo

All the beaches in Thailand belong to His Majesty The King. I'd kick the guys stupid ar*e if he was unfortunate enough to try that on me

All the beaches in Thailand belong to His Majesty The King. I'd kick the guys stupid ar*e if he was unfortunate enough to try that on me

Then your stupid ar*e would probably get a CAP in it, haha

Was that happened on Mae Haad side or on Koh Ma?

Because Koh Ma is privately leased from the government.

Few years ago, when Chai was the caretaker, everybody was welcome even non-paying guests.

You were able to bring your food & booze, organize bbq on the beach and plant your tent for a night (or more) without a cost.

At high tide, he was dropping you, with his boat on the mainland, also without a cost.

Now, that Chai is living in Japan, things have certainly changed.

And apparently, not for the best...

Demanding money with menaces/extortion/scams happens alot on Koh Phangan from threatening local lowlifes right up to various chiefs of police. Many tourists have had their lives played with in a quite dangerous theatre. There is no real solution as the rule of law lies in the hands of the locals. Most of the foreign embassies have tried in vain to ask the authorities to help, however their hands are tied and their concerns usually fall on deaf ears. Websites like TV probably help visitors more than any embassy can and enable visitors the ability to vote with their feet. Such a shame, a truly beautiful island.

Regards Bojo

Unfortunately, in these outlying areas of Thailand the local law keepers are plainly pusillanimous and are totally unwilling to do the jobs that they are being paid to do.

Because Koh Ma is privately leased from the government.

But I'm talking about Mae Haad Beach, not only Koh Ma

Demanding money with menaces/extortion/scams happens alot on Koh Phangan from threatening local lowlifes right up to various chiefs of police. Many tourists have had their lives played with in a quite dangerous theatre. There is no real solution as the rule of law lies in the hands of the locals. Most of the foreign embassies have tried in vain to ask the authorities to help, however their hands are tied and their concerns usually fall on deaf ears. Websites like TV probably help visitors more than any embassy can and enable visitors the ability to vote with their feet. Such a shame, a truly beautiful island.

Regards Bojo

Unfortunately, in these outlying areas of Thailand the local law keepers are plainly pusillanimous and are totally unwilling to do the jobs that they are being paid to do.

and what and how much would YOU do for USD 200/month?

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and what and how much would YOU do for USD 200/month?

What does US dollar have to do with Thai way of living? It's like you saying how can a US cop live on 6,000 a month

and what and how much would YOU do for USD 200/month?

What does US dollar have to do with Thai way of living? It's like you saying how can a US cop live on 6,000 a month

what? i never said anything about US cops. point is that cops here in Thailand make nothing, and "nothing" by "Thai way of living" standards too...not in salary anyway. So what do you expect? You pay peanuts...you get monkeys