Is Thaivisa still relevant?

[Throatwobbler]

Simple question All I see is the same 10 or 20 posting on everything. Most of them are negative and hate everything about Thailand. These people have driven everyone I know away from this website apart from the occasional look to laugh at the car crash of other peoples lives.

My point is how relevant now is Thaivisa? Everyone can now get their info from other places. Are we watching the death throes of this website? 

[canthai55]

6 months ago the new owners 'Improved' the website. Still has the same problems, and more besides. Very slow to load, post a reply, it says saving ... Look how long classifieds took to get going. This Forum can be a great source of info - but the new owners need to kick whoever they got the 'upgrade' from right square in the cojones and fix it. And enforce the rules they require members to abide by. Trolls, Derogatory, Inflammatory, Racist, Sexist posts must be removed and the posters sanctioned. But I fear that if the rules were followed - as you say - there would be very few posters left. Shame really - was a good website before, and can be again. But <deleted> fix it.

[jobin]

2/3 yrs ago TV was an everyday look, even 2x.  Now, far less esp never now look at classified since no local accumulation.  And various 'new' TV ideas are, IMO, a big waste of time; my most precious resource.  TV=who cares?

[worgeordie]

It is if you are looking for Marmite or want to complain

about your Burger,there have been big changes,new posters,

mostly just quoting what you write,the Thai news just seems

to be regurgitated again and again, it's not the same

regards worgeordie

[fcgprg]

The Visa forum is still a good source of information but the Chiang Mai forum is poor now to what it used to be.

[Jai Dee]

37 minutes ago, canthai55 said:

And enforce the rules they require members to abide by. Trolls, Derogatory, Inflammatory, Racist, Sexist posts must be removed and the posters sanctioned.

There is a report button available for every single post on the Forum.

Mods cannot possibly read everything, so if you find something offensive please report it and all online mods will be alerted.

[Fleafreethree]

1 hour ago, Throatwobbler said:

Simple question All I see is the same 10 or 20 posting on everything. Most of them are negative and hate everything about Thailand. These people have driven everyone I know away from this website apart from the occasional look to laugh at the car crash of other peoples lives.

My point is how relevant now is Thaivisa? Everyone can now get their info from other places. Are we watching the death throes of this website? 

I think that describes reasonably well how the forum seemed when I first read it in, I think, 2003. As long as elderly white men flock to Thailand and/or the trade in internet brides continues, Thaivisa will probably be relevant.

Edited March 21, 2017 by Fleafreethree

[logon1]

great question. I've pondered that as well. My guess is it is relevant however only to the same 10-20 people

[logon1]

37 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

It is if you are looking for Marmite or want to complain

about your Burger,there have been big changes,new posters,

mostly just quoting what you write,the Thai news just seems

to be regurgitated again and again, it's not the same

regards worgeordie

we don't need TV to locate anything we only need folk guitar The following is a directed quote from him   "I help people locate things they may want." this was in response to somebody trying to find miracle whip

[transam]

20 minutes ago, Fleafreethree said:

I think that describes reasonably well how the forum seemed when I first read it in, I think, 2003. As long as elderly white men flock to Thailand and/or the trade in internet brides continues, Thaivisa will be probably be relevant.

So glad you just decided to join us rascals after quite a long think about it.......

[transam]

2 minutes ago, Fleafreethree said:

I log in/rejoin about once every 2 years. That's more than sufficient.

That's cooool, at least you know where we are......

[scottiejohn]

It must be relevant as you have had more than one response!

[Thailand]

There is not much you can't Google info for but if it's Thailand/Chiangmai (In respect of our local forum) related then chances are it will point you back to TV.

 

Yes there are a limited number of regular posters considering there are over 100K members but I am sure there are an awful lot of watchers and many those seeking information do not need to post, just the ability to use the search function.

 

Posting new threads, or even simply replying to older threads usually brings out an unusually high number of trolls etc, this of course puts many people off even bothering to reply or post new threads,but as Jai Dee posted there is a report button-use it! 

I would think that I have personally used it more in the last few moNths than in the past 14 years I have been a member, indicative of the times perhaps but it works and generally the mods are quick to react.

 

Thai Visa continues to remain relevant and an excellent source of information,.Will the new liaison with the  Nation and their affiliations see significant changes for the better or worse? Only time will tell!

 

 

 

Edited March 21, 2017 by Thailand

[Trujillo]

This will probably get me in trouble, but when I was a moderator on the Taiwan forum, Forumosa, we had a public section where anyone could post anything (within reason) about moderation issues. You could name names, complain about thread closings or inconsistencies or praise nimble invisible hands. Whatever. And as moderators, it was useful to have a public place for not only feedback, but venting as well. 

ThaiVisa, as far as I understand, doesn't have such a feature; the only contact you can have is through a Private Message. I believe such a forum would be of value to ThaiVisa, both internally and publically. 

 

As for relevance and ease of use, I only use a computer and the forum never hangs or is slow to load anything. Ads are not really part of my interest, so whatever people make of them is up to the individual. 

 

Perhaps the dynamics have changed regarding the people who are either living in Chiang Mai or visiting or planning to come. There could be some negative Pygmalion effect sort of thing going on --  the lower the expectations, the lower the result. Fewer interesting threads, fewer interesting replies spawns apathy. 

 

Having said that, there is no other viable source for immediate, man-on-the-ground replies to questions you might have than on ThaiVisa. 

Sure, there are numbskulls about, stupidity and people being willfully obtuse, but if you don't have thick enough skin for ThaiVisa, then maybe you ought to shuffle off to the Christian healing network, where things are softer and fuzzier. 

 

[WinnieTheKhwai]

13 minutes ago, Trujillo said:

Having said that, there is no other viable source for immediate, man-on-the-ground replies to questions you might have than on ThaiVisa. 

 

 

Oh really. :)  

 

Hint: it's the site that everyone around the world is on.

[BaldRichard]

5 minutes ago, WinnieTheKhwai said:

 

Oh really. :)  

 

Hint: it's the site that everyone around the world is on.

Pornhub?

 

I have only very recently returned to TV after a few years off (but still in CM) as needed to get some contact details and other info from a member.

 

I know Winnie has been round for years and he may remember who/what I am talking about...but when stuff happened with TRL and the owner who often posted here, or Ian Forbes and a few others  that were effectively pushed out or left TV for good despite staying in CM I lost a lot of interest.  That coupled with the passing of some long termers (eg, Blinky Bill) and some long termers (understandably) winding down their postings (eg Gonzo).  When a board alienates well known places like TRL or has local sponsors questioning and ceasing relations there is something amiss.

 

I cannot see myself staying round that long now that I have info I required and having seen what the board has degenerated into.  Others have voted with their feet already and as you have indicated younger generations are using FB/Line/Wechat etc more and boards such as this generally seem to be dying out.  The proliferation of keybooard warriors  one upmanship,  nit picking  not staying on topic,  one line terse responses, people from Pattaya hopping on to make uninformed comments on CM topics and visa versa, or just brutally replies that one would  never give in rl.......and rain, hamburgers, pizza, immigration, rent vs buy, Songkran regurgitated year upon year (same subjects as when I was last on TV more than 5 years ago).

 

And with that, "so long, and thanks for all the fish".

[opalred]

has someone have a shotgun at your head to read tvf

[BaldRichard]

14 minutes ago, opalred said:

has someone have a shotgun at your head to read tvf

Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, I give you exhibit A.

 

"The proliferation of keybooard warriors  one upmanship,  nit picking  not staying on topic,  one line terse responses, people from Pattaya hopping on to make uninformed comments on CM topics and visa versa, or just brutally replies that one would  never give in rl......."

[scottiejohn]

To the OP. What is the point of the post?  If this site is irrelevant to you just ignore it.

 

Let those of us who use it continue to do so without your interference.  Go post elsewhere and leave us in peace!

 

Call me a ‘conspiracy theorist’ if you wish but is there any chance this is a ‘Promotional' Troll on the behalf of a sponsor?

 

By starting a post to decry the whole purpose of the site is the OP just generating advertising income by getting us all to respond?

 

We will soon find out as the Topic will either be shut down by the Mods as a result of the anti Mod comments that will obviously prevail (wrongly in my opinion as they do a good job) or this post/comment(s) will be removed and the topic will run for many pages.

 

Interesting to see what happens to this topic.

 

 

Edited March 21, 2017 by scottiejohn
correction

[BaldRichard]

17 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Call me a ‘conspiracy theorist’ if you wish but is there any chance this is a ‘Promotional Troll on the behalf of a sponsor?

 

By starting a post to decry the whole purpose of the site is the OP just generating advertising income by getting us all to respond?

 

We will soon find out as the Topic will either be shut down by the Mods as a result of the anti Mod comments that will obviously prevail (wrongly in my opinion as they do a good job) or this post/comment(s) will be removed and the topic will run for many pages.

 

Interesting to see what happens!

Not arguing at all, but are'nt your observations in themselves a sad indictment of the board.  I agree with what you have commented on in it's entirety.

 

The (not unreasonable) belief that promotional troll posts now exist (be this one or not), that the board is now more about business revenue and monetizing  than community or customer service or a "forum" (accepting that it was always a business but less obvious and more balanced), that the topic itself may be shut down, or that your reply will simply disappear are concerns in themselves.

 

To me this is not so much interesting to see what happens, as much as no matter what happens (complete free and degenerating reign, cessation, or censorship) are all bad outcomes compared ot what the board was just a few years ago.

 

Edited March 21, 2017 by BaldRichard

[canthai55]

1 minute ago, BaldRichard said:

that the board is now more about business revenue and monetizing  than community or customer service or a "forum" (accepting thatt it was always a business but less obvious and more balanced), that the topic itself may be shut down, or that your reply will simply disappear are concerns in themselves.

I have found this also. When george started it there was much more helpful responses and less vindictive behavior. Sadly - judging by the forced Ad Blocker fiasco a short time ago - monetary dictates have now become paramount. The way of the world I guess. Personally, I have been here long enough now that I know people who can answer most questions I have. In that respect the degree that I find TV Forum useful as a source of info has diminished.

[opalred]

WOW after 11 post you got some attention 

[canthai55]

3 hours ago, Jai Dee said:

There is a report button available for every single post on the Forum.

Mods cannot possibly read everything, so if you find something offensive please report it and all online mods will be alerted.

True. But I have seen posts disappear, yet the very posters themselves do not. And I have seen Mods reply to Topics while leaving offensive post in situ. Difference of opinion ... perhaps. Or perhaps not. Some of these posting are long time members - maybe they are covered by a Grandfather clause.

[Jai Dee]

There is no such thing as a Grandfather clause.

All rules apply to all members old and new.

Some leeway may be given in more light-hearted forums like the Pub, however if someone oversteps the line, then they should expect mod intervention.

 

Can we please not allow this topic to deteriorate into discussion of moderation?

It is against the Forum Rules you know... 

[canthai55]

The Topic title asks the question 'Is TV Relevant'. The actions of those who Moderate have some bearing on this IM not so HO. But I will refrain from further comment.

[Shoeless Joe]

4 hours ago, Jai Dee said:

 

"Mods cannot possibly read everything"

Really?? You surprise me!

 

Regards,

 

Joe

 

 

[Shoeless Joe]

1 hour ago, opalred said:

WOW after 11 post you got some attention 

...and now Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury....Exhibit B!

 

(Thanks to BaldRichard)

 

Regards,

 

Joe

[EL159]

Thai Visa? Its now nothing more than a corporate entity!  Used to be independent, now tied to The Nation,  you cant criticise advertisers/ sponsors, and if you have a perfectly jusifiable ad blocker ( anyone in their right mind has one), you cant enter the site until 30 seconds has passed by!

 

Moderators, so called, seem to be little more than corporate protectionist blockers, and so many people that used to post enjoyable thought provoking stuff on the CM forum have simply given up and gone away!

[WinnieTheKhwai]

5 minutes ago, EL159 said:

Thai Visa? Its now nothing more than a corporate entity!  Used to be independent, now tied to The Nation,  you cant criticise advertisers/ sponsors, and if you have a perfectly jusifiable ad blocker ( anyone in their right mind has one), you cant enter the site until 30 seconds has passed by!

There is a plugin for that.

[Andrew Dwyer]

My point is how relevant now is Thaivisa? Everyone can now get their info from other places. Are we watching the death throes of this website? 

I would say it is relevant yes!
New people are coming on board ( like myself, 1 year ) and need info on visas, 90 days reporting, extensions etc , plus tips on travel, driving license, hotels, safety etc .
Sure you can get these things on a website but you can't beat first hand experience and there is a wealth of knowledge on TV, for me just UbonJoes ( and others of course) experience and common sense replies are worth their weight in gold
Then there are the more light hearted posts, not to everybody's taste but personally I like 'em .
Of course there are the nit pickers and people who would appear to just want to start an argument but you don't have to join in or read these inflammatory remarks !

Personally if I see a thread about racism, religion or politics I skip it !

Whether TV has changed over the years I couldn't comment but I'm happy with the way it is right now !