Questioning why i live here....

[nicolas18]

When the perp road of i was in good mind to chase him down and hit him in the car,

I bet you regret not doing that now

Yes, and if those 44 Kg weighted bastard gets injured you will be charged attempted murder and reckless driving, and you have to pay the idiot's hospital and motorbike repair costs also.

Why? Cause the legal defence situation was over.

Thank you.

I was those road already.

Because you wouldn't be charged with attempted murder and reckless driving if you tried to run over the guy who just stole your phone in the US or in Europe?

Edited January 27, 2014 by nicolas18

[MW72]

Perhaps Berkshire, if you read it correctly, it would read to you that it does not mean everyone, just a minority/majority depending on what way you look at it. the country is barking for sure, but to have a gun pulled on you for a iphone 5 worth a mere 18k is completly barking mad, anywhere else in the world he would have been hunted down and arrested, instead in thailand youtube is far better and more productive to the thai police....

Like i mentioned i have many thai friends, working with 200 directly but seeing this happen to me i look at things differently i now feel uncomfortable. i expect a gun to be pulled on me in Africa, the Middle East but not a thai holiday island....

A mere 18K? That's 2 months wages to a Thai on minimum wage. Are you sure you know lots of Thais? What middle eastern countries have you been to? Most have very low crime rates due to the standard of living and harsh sentences (unless in the midst of civil war). I worked in Ethiopia for 9 months and never once felt threatened but I didn't walk about with an iphone stuck to my face flaunting my wealth around poorer people.

So many phones are stolen in London each month that the police do not bother to follow it up. Does that make London policemen barking?

Sent from my KFTT using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[mrtoad]

Certain places are worse than others.

Every town has it's idiots as well. Phuket though has been a cesspool for sometime now, an these types of robberies are fairly common there. It a shame as it was a place sometime ago that I used to really like.

[jacko45k]

Leave Phuket, it's the worst place in Thailand, I used to live there, it's the land of violence against foreigners and corrupt cops.

You can't decide to leave Thailand because of something that happened in Phuket.

Yes come to Pattaya, people are so nice here.

Maybe.....

[somchaiq]

Have only been to phuket once,but from what i have heard your experience there is not unique.There are laws here but they are not enforced and the police are generally lazy unless "tea money" is forthcoming.This is the reality of living here,and its all ok until something like what happened to the OP happens to us.I have no idea if such an incident would affect me as it has the OP.

To live here successfully,happily,its important understand the culture here.

Plus in my opinion its not a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket,anywhere in the world.

To live here happily / successfully it's best to have as little interaction with the locals as possible.

Why would you want to learn the cultures? You'll never be fully accepted or understand them.

Did you ever try to understand them? I think no, since the best way to understand them is to learn more about their culture. I am at least fully accepted in my "THAI" Family. You may give it a try.

[chrisinth]

falangadang, on 27 Jan 2014 - 17:47, said:

Your first mistake was handing the phone over. Unless the guy insisted you threw the phone to him then he would have had to come within arms reach to take it. At which point he's not expecting any violence if you indicate that you're handing it over,... then disarm him (a swift kick in the nuts or punch to the throat would work wonders)

Your 2nd mistake was not running him off the road when you had the chance.... I would have reversed over him just to make sure he got the message

Your 3rd mistake was placing any faith in the police doing diddly squat to help you.

No matter where you go in the world you will find villains and ar$seholes! There are far worse places to be living (such as Fullerton California where the local police can form gangs of 6 and beat you to death for absolutely no reason at all and then get exonerated by the judge).

You do realize just how bad your advice that is to someone, sat in a car with a gun in their face?

Think you need to lay off the Hollywood movies for a bit mate.....................

[JaiLai]

Have only been to phuket once,but from what i have heard your experience there is not unique.There are laws here but they are not enforced and the police are generally lazy unless "tea money" is forthcoming.This is the reality of living here,and its all ok until something like what happened to the OP happens to us.I have no idea if such an incident would affect me as it has the OP.

To live here successfully,happily,its important understand the culture here.

Plus in my opinion its not a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket,anywhere in the world.

To live here happily / successfully it's best to have as little interaction with the locals as possible.

Why would you want to learn the cultures? You'll never be fully accepted or understand them.

Did you ever try to understand them? I think no, since the best way to understand them is to learn more about their culture. I am at least fully accepted in my "THAI" Family. You may give it a try.

As mentioned when I first came here I gave them the chance, not anymore.

Fully accepted in the wife's family, no issues - although most of them bare the normal traits of Thais, I'm under no illusion there!

[chrisinth]

After 10 years I'm still questioning why I live here!

Whats worsening it is that you arrive with a lack of perception to see the dangers and that this perception develops over time.

To my personal opinion Thailand is not getting safer, over the past 10 years I've seen for example a strong increase in aggression on the roads and an increasing amount of people that are hostile to foreigners as a standard attitude.

A lot more cars on the road and the realization that farangs are not all rich and influential would help with these changes you are seeing.

[ghworker2010]

Sorry to hear about what happened to you OP. Have you ever thought about moving to the country area's of Thailand in the north for example. The thai's actually smile at you and are genuine nice people. Everyone drives slow and no aggression. Phuket is no good pal.

[jacksam]

Clearly you have never had a gun stuck in your face. Another big mouth all talk and no brains

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 9A using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[kirstymelb101]

I'm not trying to be insensitive but these incidence occur all to often, and not much can be done. The Op was at wrong place at the wrong time. Unless the perpetrator was on camera, a by stander noticed him or the tracking device was still in service, the police could do very little.

But that's beside the point.. If I were the OP, it would have felt reassuring if the police where genuine and dealt with the case in a professional matter of course.

Believe it or not police are prejudice towards Thai people aswell, not only Farangs. They're just a bunch of power driven bullies who abuse the law when it best suits them.

[belg]

do like me, i own a shitphone, costing 399

he did not ask for your wallet, your car keys and help to put his honda jazz on the back of your pickup ?

[Julie H]

Clearly you have never had a gun stuck in your face. Another big mouth all talk and no brains

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 9A using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Assumptions, assumptions I happen to be ex Army, special forces to be exact. You may have been a cop for 40 years but here you are just text on a screen, wise up Mr policeman its time to hang up your hat & badge

[nicolas18]

Clearly you have never had a gun stuck in your face. Another big mouth all talk and no brains

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 9A using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Assumptions, assumptions I happen to be ex Army, special forces to be exact. You may have been a cop for 40 years but here you are just text on a screen, wise up Mr policeman its time to hang up your hat & badge

ooooohhh Special Forces... I would be more impressed if bars in Thailand were not filled with ex-SAS, CIA, FBI and MI6 agents.

[transam]

Clearly you have never had a gun stuck in your face. Another big mouth all talk and no brains

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 9A using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Assumptions, assumptions I happen to be ex Army, special forces to be exact. You may have been a cop for 40 years but here you are just text on a screen, wise up Mr policeman its time to hang up your hat & badge

Hey, a cop can be nearer a gun every day where you ''Special forces '' are not...............

[mrfaroukh]

It is sad that this has happened to you, but it can happen to anyone in any country. Now in some country the police take it more serious and in Thailand they may be less active. As your history

1) You should not occupy the fast lane when driving. Even if you are driving at speed limit, you should always leave it free for those car driving faster. It is there problem to get fine and no yours.

2) As crime rate etc. here is the list of top 10 countries with highest crime rate. I guess you may be shock to find that your country would be among them as most of them are from developed countries.

http://www.whichcountry.co/top-10-countries-with-highest-crime-rate-in-the-world/

[kannot]

I'm not trying to be insensitive but these incidence occur all to often, and not much can be done. The Op was at wrong place at the wrong time. Unless the perpetrator was on camera, a by stander noticed him or the tracking device was still in service, the police could do very little.

But that's beside the point.. If I were the OP, it would have felt reassuring if the police where genuine and dealt with the case in a professional matter of course.

Believe it or not police are prejudice towards Thai people aswell, not only Farangs. They're just a bunch of power driven bullies who abuse the law when it best suits them.

"some" Police are yes, I have one visit me regularly, he brings me fried bananas the odd mango, i eat at his Wifes restaurant his son (10)comes here feeding my fish sometimes, He speaks a bit of English I speak a bit of Thai. Nice chap, doesnt drink or smoke and also isnt corrupt, 18 years on the force salary 22k a month, used to be border police for 7 years between Myanmar and Thailand.

[Berkshire]

Clearly you have never had a gun stuck in your face. Another big mouth all talk and no brains

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 9A using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Assumptions, assumptions I happen to be ex Army, special forces to be exact. You may have been a cop for 40 years but here you are just text on a screen, wise up Mr policeman its time to hang up your hat & badge

Amazing, eh? Thailand has more ex-cops, ex-SAS, ex-SEAL, ex-Ranger, ex-CIA, etc., than any other place on Earth. And they're all dating/married to hi-so Thai-Chinese hotties. Thailand also has more wierdo-farang per sq-km than any other place. Amazing Thailand.

[paz]

Clearly you have never had a gun stuck in your face. Another big mouth all talk and no brains

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 9A using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Assumptions, assumptions I happen to be ex Army, special forces to be exact. You may have been a cop for 40 years but here you are just text on a screen, wise up Mr policeman its time to hang up your hat & badge

ooooohhh Special Forces... I would be more impressed if bars in Thailand were not filled with ex-SAS, CIA, FBI and MI6 agents.

What is even more remarkable, is that not one of them is willing to be silent about it for longer than 3 minutes.

[nicolas18]

What is even more remarkable, is that not one of them is willing to be silent about it for longer than 3 minutes.

Indeed. I have never seen spies so eager to reveal that they work for the CIA or the MI6 within minutes of meeting a complete stranger in a bar. I should contact both agencies and ask them to revise the "Discretion" chapter in their policy manuals.

Edited January 28, 2014 by nicolas18

[Julie H]

Clearly you have never had a gun stuck in your face. Another big mouth all talk and no brains

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 9A using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Assumptions, assumptions I happen to be ex Army, special forces to be exact. You may have been a cop for 40 years but here you are just text on a screen, wise up Mr policeman its time to hang up your hat & badge

ooooohhh Special Forces... I would be more impressed if bars in Thailand were not filled with ex-SAS, CIA, FBI and MI6 agents.

What is even more remarkable, is that not one of them is willing to be silent about it for longer than 3 minutes.

Go easy guys i was just trying to welcome a 40 year Aus vet cop into our ranks however it appears he/she still holds the "i will defeat all" Aussie cop mentality, give him time to learn i understand it must be hard for the stupid old bastard

[jacksam]

Give us a break.. special forces!! Geez I have couple of friends that actually were and they mouth off about it. Enough said. So many posts about disarming someone with a gun. Too much TV or in Julie h case .. hurt locker re runs. <deleted>

Sent from my ME371MG using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[happyfish]

Have your police General sort it out.

Your so well connected,why didn't you have a police escort?

What is unbelievable in your yarn,"I commandeered the police computer"really!

Try harder.

See its not only the Thais in this country, there are a few ex detective s and un symapthetic people around as well. Yep try to find happiness in a little more civilized country would be a good thought.

[happyfish]

What is even more remarkable, is that not one of them is willing to be silent about it for longer than 3 minutes.

Go easy guys i was just trying to welcome a 40 year Aus vet cop into our ranks however it appears he/she still holds the "i will defeat all" Aussie cop mentality, give him time to learn i understand it must be hard for the stupid old bastard

Yes, another example of why it may be time to look arund for another location.....losers MUK MUK.. maybe me too, but I hink Im geting out too, rather than just bitchin. p.s Philippies isnt much better or safer. Maldives?

[happyfish]

Confirmed - I dislike "most" Thai people.

Then you should just leave already. The Thais aren't going anywhere. You'll be doing yourself a big favor.

Up to me whether I leave or not, not you!

Of course it's up to you...duh! But it's sort of asinine to want to live in a place where you can't stand the people that live there. Only an idiot would do that. But I see in your other post that you like the ladyboys. Well that certainly explains things.

Another fine example of f...ing smart <deleted>. would be detectives, burnt out detectives, English grammar professionals, yes not only ( some, possibly a lot of Thais ) are annoying, but when you want to share your experience and get advice you are bombarded with shit. Actually Im out of her too, ( next month when I finish work) Maybe Hua Hin is better. I am reallty gonna miss thinking about the kind of people writing in Thai Visa....( including myself..!! )

Edited January 31, 2014 by happyfish

[willyumiii]

Leave Phuket, it's the worst place in Thailand, I used to live there, it's the land of violence against foreigners and corrupt cops.

You can't decide to leave Thailand because of something that happened in Phuket.

Agree.

Don't blame Thailand for what happens in Phuket.

Places like Phuket and Pattaya are just dirty pimples on the butt of a pretty good country.

Look in the worst places and find the worst things.

Come to Thailand!

[happyfish]

Man up or go home. I would have called his bluff

MAN UP ? Great advice. I will call you next time one person suddenly turns into a group of ten...

[happyfish]

Leave Phuket, it's the worst place in Thailand, I used to live there, it's the land of violence against foreigners and corrupt cops.

You can't decide to leave Thailand because of something that happened in Phuket.

Agree.

Don't blame Thailand for what happens in Phuket.

Places like Phuket and Pattaya are just dirty pimples on the butt of a pretty good country.

Look in the worst places and find the worst things.

Come to Thailand!

Yep. Thats like saying dont leave Syria because an areas of Damascus were bombed. Get out while you can. All of THailand: It is a lack of decency and law aviding citizens, led by DISHONEST Police, Political Leaders, religious leaders.

[happyfish]

I'm not trying to be insensitive but these incidence occur all to often, and not much can be done. The Op was at wrong place at the wrong time. Unless the perpetrator was on camera, a by stander noticed him or the tracking device was still in service, the police could do very little.

But that's beside the point.. If I were the OP, it would have felt reassuring if the police where genuine and dealt with the case in a professional matter of course.

Believe it or not police are prejudice towards Thai people aswell, not only Farangs. They're just a bunch of power driven bullies who abuse the law when it best suits them.

"some" Police are yes, I have one visit me regularly, he brings me fried bananas the odd mango, i eat at his Wifes restaurant his son (10)comes here feeding my fish sometimes, He speaks a bit of English I speak a bit of Thai. Nice chap, doesnt drink or smoke and also isnt corrupt, 18 years on the force salary 22k a month, used to be border police for 7 years between Myanmar and Thailand.

SOME, and that is ok.? I would expect most with a few rotten apples to be an accepted measurement of this job.

[Sam Gold]

Leave Phuket, it's the worst place in Thailand, I used to live there, it's the land of violence against foreigners and corrupt cops.

You can't decide to leave Thailand because of something that happened in Phuket.

Agree.

Don't blame Thailand for what happens in Phuket.

Places like Phuket and Pattaya are just dirty pimples on the butt of a pretty good country.

Look in the worst places and find the worst things.

Come to Thailand!

Yep. Thats like saying dont leave Syria because an areas of Damascus were bombed. Get out while you can. All of THailand: It is a lack of decency and law aviding citizens, led by DISHONEST Police, Political Leaders, religious leaders.

It has nothing to do with saying "Don't leave Syria".

Just as a reminder, this is what is going on in Syria:

http://www.google.fr/imgres?sa=X&hl=fr&biw=1067&bih=503&tbm=isch&tbnid=acaZOkE_A3GzsM%3A&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aljazeera.com%2Fnews%2Fmiddleeast%2F2013%2F10%2Fworld-powers-discuss-syrian-conflict-20131021918558324.html&docid=Msr_mM_n4gHhtM&imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aljazeera.com%2Fmritems%2FImages%2F2013%2F10%2F21%2F201310219194433734_20.jpg&w=680&h=450&ei=ymXrUpHBMoOQrgfLv4H4Bw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=3305&page=3&start=20&ndsp=12&ved=0CLcBEK0DMB4

Regarding corruption, Western leaders are just as bad if not worse - not a day goes by without another tax fraud/offshore/Swiss account/misoppropriation scandal popping up in every single country in the world.

Thailand isn't perfect but it sure is a lot better than a lot of places.