Koh Tao would you go?

[mrtoad]

I think, on another thread, I said: Close Koh Tao down. No business. No money. Clean the place up. Hit the pocket. Who is going to do that? Actually I don't like it there very much. Been there and Phanghan maybe 10 times.Plenty of more pleasant island "getaways", but you have to shift yourself to organise it.Of course I am not a backpacker. I am glad to say I have no clue what they want. My family want, for a seaside vacation, a decent bungalow, a clean..jellyfish free beach, somewhere to eat, absence of ear splitting music at 04.00 am. I know it sounds boring but with young children you keep them happy and safe, no? Not sure this can be found any more in Thailand.We once lived in Phuket. Lovely little village by the sea.Look at it now. You would have to pay me to go there..and I suppose the greed and graft will send the rest of the country the same way. Never mind; if the sea level rises 10 meters the coasts and Bangkok will be drowned:)

I go to my best kept secret somewhere in Prachuap at New Year. Bungalow on the nice beach and hardly anyone else there....no crowds, no lound music. Very nice. I have absolutely no interest in backpacker touristy type places, and even less so now.

The quiet places are the best!!

Plenty of nice places around that are not on the "beaten track" so as to speak.

[rgs2001uk]

I think, on another thread, I said: Close Koh Tao down. No business. No money. Clean the place up. Hit the pocket. Who is going to do that? Actually I don't like it there very much. Been there and Phanghan maybe 10 times.Plenty of more pleasant island "getaways", but you have to shift yourself to organise it.Of course I am not a backpacker. I am glad to say I have no clue what they want. My family want, for a seaside vacation, a decent bungalow, a clean..jellyfish free beach, somewhere to eat, absence of ear splitting music at 04.00 am. I know it sounds boring but with young children you keep them happy and safe, no? Not sure this can be found any more in Thailand.We once lived in Phuket. Lovely little village by the sea.Look at it now. You would have to pay me to go there..and I suppose the greed and graft will send the rest of the country the same way. Never mind; if the sea level rises 10 meters the coasts and Bangkok will be drowned:)

Baan Pun Sook Resort,

Chao Lao beach,

Chantaburi.

Suits me just fine these days.

Edited September 24, 2014 by rgs2001uk

[RolandRat]

Well visited , popular areas attract the wrong people from both sides of the fence. Tourist traps etc and typical touristy holiday stuff of overpriced commercialism.

Not for me. I prefer the less known unspoilt uncommercialised paths that allow you to meet lovely genuine people and able to soak up the real beauty of Thailand without watching every thing you do, looking over your shoulder or keeping your hand on your wallet.

KohTao and similar islands are not what I look for in a holiday.

Edited September 24, 2014 by RolandRat

[rgs2001uk]

Just for some info, this is not a Thai bash.

Wrong info ... You are always bashing one ,you are sick!

If you think this is a Thai bash you are sick. Most Thais don't want to go to the South because it's lawless and I'm not talking about the Muslim Provinces.

Most Thais want nothing to do with Southern Thais, their reputation preceeds them.

Ask your mrs, the usual answer is, jai daam, black hearts.

[ALFREDO]

Was there 1998 for some days, coming by ferry from Chumphon, sidestep from a Moto bike tour with a friend and our Thai Gfs.

Was quite that time, smelled in the night in many sparsely lit Restaurants and bars sweet, hashish-smoking style.

Had never the idea to go back again, was not worth it for me.

[edwardandtubs]

Koh Tao is rubbish. The 'locals' (Thais and Burmese) are the most obnoxious bunch of people you could meet in Thailand. Everything is overpriced and there are some despicable business practices, such as the motorbike rental scam (charged extortionate sums for minor or pre-existing damage) or the pharmacy scam (charged 250 baht for a 25 baht packet of aspirin). 90% of them run these scams. The roads are awful. Some of the western tourists are really nice and I feel sorry for them that they've chosen such a bad destination when there are much better places in Thailand.

Edited September 24, 2014 by edwardandtubs

[MJP]

Just for some info, this is not a Thai bash.

Wrong info ... You are always bashing one ,you are sick!

If you think this is a Thai bash you are sick. Most Thais don't want to go to the South because it's lawless and I'm not talking about the Muslim Provinces.

Secended. The old woman would never let any of us further than Bangkok.

[geronimo]

It wouldn't change my plans if I were heading there.

[Gringogazzer]

The scams, the lack of respect for people & the general problems doesn't get reported along side the murders of the two Brits where holiday makers come from so people only see it as an isolated heinous act.

Once the dust settles people forget fast & will be back regardless.

You & a few expats won't change that.

If you ask a question that has negitivity towards country or people no matter how honest & open, it's bashing. You just can't do it, according to some.

[ttthailand]

The only voice we as Farang have is with our feet. I wouldn't visit that island if they gave me the best room on it for free. Just seeing the photos of that poor girl laying on the beach was enough to make me hate that island. Who ever released those photos should be locked up in a monkey house for years, They are a monkey for sure !

I say we should all avoid that $&;@$ island at all cost !!!

[tonytigerbkk]

This is just an excuse to bash the thais again from the usual suspects ...makes me sick

How exactly? I'm certainly not a Thai basher, and a few other responses aren't either.

I have to agree with kurtramsbottom Mr. Toady, I see your post as Thai bashing.

Every time that there is a double murder of Western tourists on Koh Tao which has a high possibility that it was committed by Thais, covered up by the local Thais, where the Thai police have allowed the crime scene to be contaminated from the start, where the Thai police have looked for foreign scapegoats rather than trying to find the real murderers, where the Thai police have been incompetent throughout the whole investigation, you go ahead and start spouting out relevant facts.

How dare you question the safety of where this incident took place because it is controlled by Thai families (Mafia), who no doubt would put you in the ground as soon as look at you if you crossed them.

So what if the place is run by corrupt people and officials, we should be dancing in the street for the chance to be amongst these people.

You on the other hand have the audacity to come onto an open forum and ask whether other people would go to this area.

Are you forgetting the warm welcome that was bestowed on the friends of the victims?

I see this as Thai bashing.

Mind you, I do have a problem reading and understanding posts and I am small minded and stupid.

[mrtoad]

I haven't been down that way for many years, I didn't like it then, and it doesn't sound like it has improved. Phuket, another example were the outright corruption and greed has ruined the place, last went there in 2008 and haven't felt the need to go back. Some of the locals effectively think that they can do exactly what they please without any government intervention. Most that have spent any time here know the scams and intimidations. It's a real shame that some of these beautiful places have become what they have.

[umbanda]

No difference if you are local or foreigner. You mess with the wrong people in ANY country and place in the world...and you will get in trouble.

[scavenger]

I have never been to the southern islands, and I have no intention to go at any time in the future. Actually, my fiancée and I have ruled the south of Thailand out of our travel plans simply because we don't like the people there. The north and northeastern parts of Thailand are much more agreeable. And there are other countries besides Thailand for pleasant vacations, such as the Philippines, where it is cheaper, with extremely polite and welcoming people who speak excellent English.

There is more to safety than crime statistics. There is also the atmosphere, the welcome, and the seriousness with which crime is tackled. I have felt safer not only in Manila but also on the streets of New York or in the townships of Cape Town SA than I have anywhere south of Petchaburi.

Edited September 25, 2014 by scavenger

[Aussieroaming]

Thailand is marketed very well and very few tourists understand the mafia mentality at all. To be honest why should they..a taxi rip off is seemingly part of the excitement.

You could try to get westerners to boycott but there are huge numbers of asian tourists, with China increasing numbers yearly.

My feeling is there is nothing to be done to change the outlook except via government driven changes.

[54321]

i do not think people should boycot the island until someone (as suggested high up politically or otherwise) is found guilty. if they are a politicians son or a supposed "head family" relative or whoever then it would be nice if most governments recommended citizens not to visit the island. It would be nicer if the military stripped the killers families of all assets and threw them all in jail. that is the only justice some people understand.

its a shame "the west" do not have the balls to put enough pressure on thailand to get them to clear up their act.

[thai20144]

One of my Falang friends on FB recently posted on his page that KT was the best island in Thailand, but he is a DJ and a weekly user of hard drugs.

Take for that what you like... I know I wont be visiting anytime soon.

[mrtoad]

One of my Falang friends on FB recently posted on his page that KT was the best island in Thailand, but he is a DJ and a weekly user of hard drugs.

Take for that what you like... I know I wont be visiting anytime soon.

Sounds like a great place..........to avoid!

[krisb]

Koh Tao is rubbish. The 'locals' (Thais and Burmese) are the most obnoxious bunch of people you could meet in Thailand. Everything is overpriced and there are some despicable business practices, such as the motorbike rental scam (charged extortionate sums for minor or pre-existing damage) or the pharmacy scam (charged 250 baht for a 25 baht packet of aspirin). 90% of them run these scams. The roads are awful. Some of the western tourists are really nice and I feel sorry for them that they've chosen such a bad destination when there are much better places in Thailand.

Koh Tao we're talking, not Koh Samui.

[krisb]

One of my Falang friends on FB recently posted on his page that KT was the best island in Thailand, but he is a DJ and a weekly user of hard drugs.

Take for that what you like... I know I wont be visiting anytime soon.

Sounds like a great place..........to avoid!

Everywhere's probably great when your using hard drugs weekly.

[yougivemebaby]

This incident won't stop people from going to koh tao. Myself included. I don't frequent bars though or shady places (EVER). Nor do i ever co-mingle with shady individuals. (as much as I can trust my gut) But I hope everyone knows to stay out of these situations AND bars. Go home at a reasonable time. If you want to party just bring it back to your room. If you do decide to go out, go with a group of people. Don't get wasted and don't do drugs ESPECIALLY in Thailand. You're very vulnerable here and to be intoxicated is setting yourself up for robbery, rape, or murder.

I highly doubt they will ever find the culprits. I just hope this is a lesson to all others who plan on going ANYWHERE.

[balo]

I don't like islands infested with tourists and scams so would never go there or any other tourist island in Thailand. Only the smaller, more remote islands if they still exist.

[Crazy chef 1]

There is only one person who can sort the 3 x family mafia control of Koh Tao and its police force, but he is busy being PM. So i guess it will stay that way.

now i know whom you mean.at first i thought you mean WOLVERINE...

[ToddinChonburi]

Big old yes yes yes !!!!

[Mirkwood]

So should Westerners boycott Koh Tao to put pressure on the local authorities and The BIB to clean up this corruption by hitting the local mafias where it hurts and getting real answers?

I guess the only real way for people to effect change in Thailand is to hit the "one true god" money, one of the really disgusting things, in addtion to the conduct of the BIB, is the constant articles and announcments by various goverment agencies that these murder's will not affect tourism or it will be only short term, in other words they are not interested in change or catching any killers, only worried about the prospect of it hitting their pockets.

Agreed SP, so far as from what I can see the announcements are more about protecting business interests. I saw some other reports were KT bars are effectively taking the piss out of the whole thing, and making it seem irrelevant . Can't link here cos not allowed. Time that some of these places IMO got hit were it hurts, otherwise they have no reason to change their criminal ways.

Can't link it here cos not allowed?

Why not?

Are the members and admin here all brainwashed by their Thai wives or something?

Nobody allowed to point out the fact that most Thai's people that members will come in contact with are either prostitutes or thieving males that actually hate them.

[tonytigerbkk]

So should Westerners boycott Koh Tao to put pressure on the local authorities and The BIB to clean up this corruption by hitting the local mafias where it hurts and getting real answers?

I guess the only real way for people to effect change in Thailand is to hit the "one true god" money, one of the really disgusting things, in addtion to the conduct of the BIB, is the constant articles and announcments by various goverment agencies that these murder's will not affect tourism or it will be only short term, in other words they are not interested in change or catching any killers, only worried about the prospect of it hitting their pockets.

Agreed SP, so far as from what I can see the announcements are more about protecting business interests. I saw some other reports were KT bars are effectively taking the piss out of the whole thing, and making it seem irrelevant . Can't link here cos not allowed. Time that some of these places IMO got hit were it hurts, otherwise they have no reason to change their criminal ways.

Can't link it here cos not allowed?

Why not?

Are the members and admin here all brainwashed by their Thai wives or something?

Nobody allowed to point out the fact that most Thai's people that members will come in contact with are either prostitutes or thieving males that actually hate them.

Try reading the forum rules and you may start to understand.

If the rules are too complicated for you to understand maybe you should PM a friendly moderator and have them explain them to you.