The "To Jomtien" baht bus queue in South Pattaya a cauldron of violence

[H1w4yR1da]

JT. Why don't you learn a bit of Thai. I've been in queues or faced potential dramas as you have, but if you smile and say something to the driver such as "there's a lot of crazy Falangs out tonight, and most of them smell don't ya think?", they'll probably piss themselves and let you ride shotgun in the A/C cab.

Yeah, that's interesting. Maybe you can make some disparaging comments about Indians and Arabs while you're at. That'll appease the Baht bus scum even more. Maybe they'll let you ride for free?

Or maybe you can just stop trying to kiss ass with Thai Mafia types and try to keep your dignity.

[H1w4yR1da]

This scene was so dramatic that OTHER people in the crowd were in danger of being victimized by it as the swarm of violence was MOVING towards the large group of people, and people had to run away to avoid being accidentally hit themselves.

Shouldn't this be in the drama queen forum?

People were running. The fight swarm was moving very fast and pushing into people. Yes the crowd was freaked out. Indeed, I was freaked out. Should I not report the truth?

Not if it shows Thais in a bad light. Suradit can't stand that.

[Jonmarleesco]

'... They jump to violence on the slightest spark, like its a sport for them.'

Of course they do ... just so long as there are enough of them, or they are sufficiently armed, or both. Take numbers and/or arms out of the equation, and few of them will risk a confrontation.

[rumbo1]

For what it's worth here's my view on the situation , I'm from the uk and whenever I've left a bar/night club in the early hours many people are drunk so normal manners go out the window in taxi queues ,it becomes every man for himself on many occasions often resulting in fights.

Imagine what it would be like if they were all mixed nationalities on holiday like it is here ?

I've used the service to jomtien about 30 times so I'm no expert but not had problems in general.

Yes you get the odd <deleted> queue jumping but I bite my tongue and avoid confrontation for the sake of 3 or 4 minutes and have always arrived back at hotel trouble free.

This situation is not unique to pattaya or Thailand

[Rimmer]

Off topic posts removed, please do not hijack the topic

[vtjforyou]

Who is stupid enough to wait for this queue except tourists ?

[Basil B]

for 100 bht you can rent a motorcycle !

But if 100 bht /day is too much?????wait in line like cattle .

Probable because most people do not have a motorbike driving licences, insurance and travel or health insurance that would cover themselves in the event of an accident.

[Doc50]

Used that Song Taew stop when I lived there. Was once assaulted ( cold cocked from behind) by a driver at the Q. Cop was nearby and he told the driver he was wrong and you can't assault customers. So what did he do, he had the driver, drive me to the Police station to sort it out. Driving alone with your assaulter, ah shit this is Thailand.

Settled for an apology and a free ride to Jomtien in the next available Song Thaew, which I didn't get.

Glad I no longer live in Pats, the worst in Thai and Farangs that Thailand has to offer.

I live happily in Hua Hin for 4 years now. Night and day in attitude. Give me the pleasant day here.

Leave Pats to the drunks and hos.

Doc

[rumbo1]

for 100 bht you can rent a motorcycle !

But if 100 bht /day is too much?????wait in line like cattle .

Probable because most people do not have a motorbike driving licences, insurance and travel or health insurance that would cover themselves in the event of an accident.

And some people like to have a drink and don't want to take the chance on killing someone or themselves , I guess u don't drink ( or do drugs )

[Basil B]

for 100 bht you can rent a motorcycle !

But if 100 bht /day is too much?????wait in line like cattle .

Probable because most people do not have a motorbike driving licences, insurance and travel or health insurance that would cover themselves in the event of an accident.

And some people like to have a drink and don't want to take the chance on killing someone or themselves , I guess u don't drink ( or do drugs )

I drink a little, so what, probably a pint 2 or 3 times a week. never done drugs, never intend to, seen to many that have.

[ThaiBob]

For those suggesting to avoid the que by simply walking some meters toward Jomtien and then hail a passing baht bus, forget it during the high season or the high volume hours. That strategy works fine in low season or off peak hours but this time of year the baht buses are filled to the max when loading at the que or the buses are hired. I have waited for 30 minutes as bus after bus goes past. Frustrated I walked back and got in the que.

[Larry001]

Could not agree more with this post. Some of the people supposedly organizing the que (one lady in particular during the afternoon) can be so rude. They are nothing more than an uneducated bunch of hooligans. Many of the male drivers are the rudest Thais you will ever meet and outright thugs especially when they have their backs covered by 10 -12 other Thais. The lady drivers on the otherhand are usually very polite and will always smile when paid. Its time the Mayor and officials of Pattaya did something about these thugs. Along with the jet ski operators they are the worst people in Pattaya and certainly give Thailand a bad name

[belg]

no taxis in that area ? or all cheap charlies?

[Larry001]

Basil B, on 10 Feb 2014 - 20:31, said:

rumbo1, on 10 Feb 2014 - 20:03, said:

Basil B, on 10 Feb 2014 - 19:58, said:

lucjoker, on 10 Feb 2014 - 17:27, said:

for 100 bht you can rent a motorcycle !

But if 100 bht /day is too much?????wait in line like cattle .

Probable because most people do not have a motorbike driving licences, insurance and travel or health insurance that would cover themselves in the event of an accident.

And some people like to have a drink and don't want to take the chance on killing someone or themselves , I guess u don't drink ( or do drugs )

I drink a little, so what, probably a pint 2 or 3 times a week. never done drugs, never intend to, seen to many that have.

More to the point. Anyone that hires a motorbike does not value their lives. No matter how good a driver you may think you are; you never have control of the other morons driving. I would rather be herded like cattle than and up as another farang statistic.

[Jingthing]

no taxis in that area ? or all cheap charlies?

Taxis? There are no real taxis in Pattaya.

[Emster23]

I would not call the situation a "cauldron of violence". I have been living here for 8 years or so. Never seen any violence, perhaps some rushing like after Christmas sale. Then again, I don't get drunk and join that mob in the wee hours. I think lots has to do with attitude. At times there are many waiting it is true. But that means they are loading up as fast as they can. Gently move up with the crowds. Someone cuts ahead of you? So what. Means you may get home 3 minutes later than if hadn't been the cut. Don't sweat the small stuff. Even if you somehow win a fight with the Thai crowd, you are still not on your way home, which I assume is why you joined the line.

It is useful to learn a working ability level in Thai. I do not think you should try to show "you're one of them" by insulting other farangs and kissing ass. You will never be one of them. Be brief, polite and realize they have to deal with loads of <deleted> every day. Don't be one more. I know I would be hard pressed to be courteous to certain tourists from Eastern Europe, and I don't have to work with them. Not surprised at all that it was a Russian that was beaten down. Common manners seem to be very lacking in many of those who grace this land of smiles.

In high season I go up to the line, low season catch just after overpass. I always ask if "rot tamadaw" or they want "chatuh". Their business, up to them.

Lighten up people. No one is questioning your manhood, and even if they were, who cares what they think? Keep your goal of getting home or where ever in a reasonable amount of time, not the absolute shortest amount regardless.

[Jingthing]

He's never seen any violence. So what I saw last night EARLY EVENING (along with a large crowd) was a hallucination. Sorted.

[Jingthing]

Could not agree more with this post. Some of the people supposedly organizing the que (one lady in particular during the afternoon) can be so rude. They are nothing more than an uneducated bunch of hooligans. Many of the male drivers are the rudest Thais you will ever meet and outright thugs especially when they have their backs covered by 10 -12 other Thais. The lady drivers on the otherhand are usually very polite and will always smile when paid. Its time the Mayor and officials of Pattaya did something about these thugs. Along with the jet ski operators they are the worst people in Pattaya and certainly give Thailand a bad name

Thank you so much!

So I wasn't hallucinating?

That's a relief!

[Tchooptip]

TO GSX... Do you always put down your fellow kind just because you can speak Thai and KISS ASS??? Just wondering...............

No, I usually suffer fools gladly. But happy to make the odd exception with some drivel one reads on TV.

Do you think your post qualifies as drivel? Just wondering.........

Do you understand! I f you speak Thai and socialise or joke with the locals you KISS ASS ! Wow...

I do not know why you even bother to answer such nonsense

[louse1953]

No matter how big and macho the foreigner, and how small the Thais (even women), the foreigner is ALWAYS gonna get owned in the end (power in NUMBERS). It was quite a scene. The Thais were really small, the foreigner was really big, but the it was no contest.

One day one,or a group of farangs will settle the score.

[bander]

"Fists went up and instantly this large Russian man was surrounded by smaller Thais, men and women, and they were beating him badly."

Sounds like a monkey from a different tribe ended up in the wrong cage

[Jingthing]

"Fists went up and instantly this large Russian man was surrounded by smaller Thais, men and women, and they were beating him badly."

Sounds like a monkey from a different tribe ended up in the wrong cage

Ouch.

The "funny" thing is that the Thais were confident that the non-Thais would NOT rise up in defense of their "Pegot" man (Pan European Guest Of Thailand), and of course, they were right. Honestly, they could have murdered that man with scores of witnesses if they had wanted to and nobody would have done a thing in his defense. It should also be noted at that time of the evening, there were lots of tourist FAMILIES with CHILDREN, some quite young among the crowd being disturbed by the violent incident. It really felt like the Thais involved had no sense whatsoever that there would ever be any consequences against them for whatever they did. Now as said I don't really know who threw the first PUNCH, but at the point of a large gang against one, it really was SICKENING.

Edited February 10, 2014 by Jingthing

[GOLDBUGGY]

My Immediate reaction would be to turn my head and walk away. It is not your fight, or mine!

Tempers can flair up anytime which in many cases is basically over nothing. Expressing your disproval about anything is not a crime. But if your way to resolve and end a dispute is to raise your fists and start swinging, like the Russian Man did, then you get what you deserve. In My Books anyway.

Remember this!

He who lives by the sword dies by the sword!

Wise words spoken centuries ago which still holds true today.

[Jingthing]

Not suggesting that non-Thais SHOULD have joined the fight. There are always MORE Thais ... in Thailand.

It is in my view disturbing though the baht bus workers seem to feel they are a law unto themselves, and probably really are (for the most part).

Edited February 10, 2014 by Jingthing

[paddyjenkins]

I was speaking to a Chinese Singaporean the other day and Thailand came up. Thai behaviour is also viewed by other Asians as vile not just by Western standards but also by general Asian standards. Years ago Thais worked in construction etc in Singapore but that was stopped because of constant problems with them, so the aurthorities basically stopped Thais being recruited. The person I was speaking to even said before I said it that they had no idea how Thais got this way. The violence at the baht bus queue, the violence in bars, the violence at concerts, the jet ski gangs...the same thugs who get involved in the protests...yellow, red, whatever....Thailand has fundamentals problems that are unique to what seems to be a deeply screwed up culture.

Edited February 10, 2014 by paddyjenkins

[Bender]

This violence has been there for more than a decade in city resort like pattaya, phuket, koh samui. etc

I wish i can understand, i wish someone can explain me why so much hate toward foreigners, people that they dont even know! People that provide them income. Also dont they realize ten people lynching a foreigner can kill him or severely wound him with permanent damage?

Are they thai people inhumane? Why the government dont stop this?

Edited February 10, 2014 by Bender

[wooloomooloo]

The "funny" thing is that the Thais were confident that the non-Thais would NOT rise up in defense of their "Pegot" man (Pan European Guest Of Thailand)

Where do you get this rubbish from, Jingthing. But you made me laugh so much I was nearly crying. Priceless.

Edited February 10, 2014 by wooloomooloo

[Jingthing]

The "funny" thing is that the Thais were confident that the non-Thais would NOT rise up in defense of their "Pegot" man (Pan European Guest Of Thailand)

Where do you get this rubbish from, Jingthing. But you made me laugh so much I was nearly crying. Priceless.

If it made you laugh, it's hardly rubbish!

[jacko45k]

no taxis in that area ? or all cheap charlies?

I think they would soon be seen off by the baht bus drivers don't you?

There are a lot of taxis to be had around the Avenue or Central Festival Mall, but you have to realise most of these tourists have limited funds.

I am surprised this isn't happening more often to be honest, the Russians are hardly known for their manners and queuing etiquette.

And baht bus drivers who have been working all day and are buzzed up with Lipo, Lao khao or whatever too.

Personally I think Pattaya treats it's tourists like shit, offering them little in the way of services, facilities and transport.

After one miserable evening on Walking St I hope they prefer to stay in Jomtiem to go eat and drink and be merry.....

Still it looks better than February in Siberia.

[Awohalitsiktoli]

That place in front of the school is a mess. But there is one woman who works there who knows how to deal with ignorant, fat ass farangs who refuse to move in order to get six people on each side. She is soft-spoken and smiles and has a nice attitude. Another one is the bitch from Hell (always looks mad) and screams at farangs. While waiting in the hot sun I often see one baht bus after another pass with no passengers. The entire system sucks. I have seen a baht bus driver get into a fight with a farang, but that was just past the overpass and the driver did not have the usual group of thugs to back him up. The driver got out and walked to the back towards the farang, but the farang had a few choice words for him and was ready to beat the crap out of him. Guess what? The driver backed down. I know what happened and the problem was the result of a bad decision by the Thai driver, not the farang who was doing nothing wrong. I really dislike the baht bus system and the mafia thugs that run and operate it, but I do not like driving (and trying to find a place to park) in Pattaya, so I take the baht bus. Until the police do their job to stop corruption and mafia-fun enterprises (in other words, when pigs will learn to fly), the current FUBAR system will remain in place.