I feel a song coming on...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aXpty_1xo4

The place looks so much better without these abominations. I am not sure if "giddy" is the word...yes..that is the word.

Even more good news http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Taxi-driver-found-over-B100mn-bank-spurs/29735

Taxi driver found with over B100mn in bank spurs money laundering investigation

Even more good news http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Taxi-driver-found-over-B100mn-bank-spurs/29735

Taxi driver found with over B100mn in bank spurs money laundering investigation

That's just his "drinking money."

What about all his land holdings, property, stocks, and off shore cash????

I too was in Karon today and found it to be very near to post tsunami quietness and politeness. No loud braying of " Taxi, tuk tuk , taxi tuk tuk", parking space were available, and everyone seemed to have a genuine smile on their face. This was right in front of the soi the Old Phuket Hotel is on and those guys were the worst behaved mob I've seen on the island. Another scene I found to be quite nice was all of the thugs in their various locations that used to threaten people, were now delegated to sitting in plastic chairs next to their former illegal dwellings. I saw this in front of Club Med and the ex thugs there were not happy at all judging by what they were saying. I also saw a few more demolished areas that used to be a strong hold of these cretins, but now they were reduced to a small number sitting around with a blank look on their faces trying to figure out what to do.

What a nice sight!

I too was in Karon today and found it to be very near to post tsunami quietness and politeness. No loud braying of " Taxi, tuk tuk , taxi tuk tuk", parking space were available, and everyone seemed to have a genuine smile on their face. This was right in front of the soi the Old Phuket Hotel is on and those guys were the worst behaved mob I've seen on the island. Another scene I found to be quite nice was all of the thugs in their various locations that used to threaten people, were now delegated to sitting in plastic chairs next to their former illegal dwellings. I saw this in front of Club Med and the ex thugs there were not happy at all judging by what they were saying. I also saw a few more demolished areas that used to be a strong hold of these cretins, but now they were reduced to a small number sitting around with a blank look on their faces trying to figure out what to do.

What a nice sight!

Eagerly awaiting the same in Patong, with the tuk-tuks.

Is there hope at last.?

Maybe just maybe..

If they can sort this out it might be a game changer start at the top.

IMHO, the problem is too many persons competing for the tourist money ( too many tuk tuks)

The police came along Nanai Rd, Patong yesterday evening around 1900 making motocy and taxi drivers take down signs, umbrellas etc

I too was in Karon today and found it to be very near to post tsunami quietness and politeness. No loud braying of " Taxi, tuk tuk , taxi tuk tuk", parking space were available, and everyone seemed to have a genuine smile on their face. This was right in front of the soi the Old Phuket Hotel is on and those guys were the worst behaved mob I've seen on the island. Another scene I found to be quite nice was all of the thugs in their various locations that used to threaten people, were now delegated to sitting in plastic chairs next to their former illegal dwellings. I saw this in front of Club Med and the ex thugs there were not happy at all judging by what they were saying. I also saw a few more demolished areas that used to be a strong hold of these cretins, but now they were reduced to a small number sitting around with a blank look on their faces trying to figure out what to do.

What a nice sight!

everyone seemed to have a genuine smile on their face.

I couldn't stop grinning like a Cheshire cat while I was filming the removal of those salas, and the cops were smiling too - especially when I was giving them the

Just moments ago: One red/white police truck with lights flashing, followed by 13 white gov. vans, followed by 2 large black police trucks speeding south through Kamala. Something big about to happen me thinks.

Just moments ago: One red/white police truck with lights flashing, followed by 13 white gov. vans, followed by 2 large black police trucks speeding south through Kamala. Something big about to happen me thinks.

Maybe that's the escort for Phuket's first coast road baht bus.

It's amazing how nobody on the island likes these thugs, yet they wielded so much power that nothing could be done. Let's hope Pian, Prab et al get what they should have coming to them, a nice stint and all ill gotten gains confiscated after a financial audit.

On a separate note, does the top cop have a public email address for the public to send helpful information to? Now that the cat is out of the bag, I'm sure the general public would like to help put all of these criminals behind bars.

Large Police presence outside the Kalima hotel just outside Kalim about 20 mins ago. That's where the white vans are parked.Couple of paddy wagons parked on the beachfront at Kalim and lots of police and tuk tuk drivers etc a short way further on opposite the big hotels. Looks like action time Patong!

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They have left Pian's son alone.

At about 14.00 I noticed one black paddy wagon, 6 new white police minibuses and 4 banged up regular police pick-up parked at Wat Karon. Some sort of fair in the Wat grounds.

Several White minibuses and assorted Police and City enforcement vehicles parked 15 mins ago on Bangla Rd.

Even more good news http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Taxi-driver-found-over-B100mn-bank-spurs/29735

Taxi driver found with over B100mn in bank spurs money laundering investigation

I bet he's just holding it for some "influential person". And I bet there are others just like him, too.

electricity is back in kata..