Now, 'Open Hunting Season' on Tourists in Phuket - Part 1 of 2

[brutox]

A Bangkok Post commentary reports the foreign diplomatic delegations from 18 EU nations + AUS joined together last week to publicly condemn the Thai government's indifference to the Thai culture of endemic corruption, and what is now 'open hunting season' on foreign tourists in Phuket.

 

Anyone coming to Thailand should understand that you are 3rd world exposed here ... think Sub-Saharan Africa, and behave accordingly.

 

When victimized, foreigners have no recourse to the notoriously corrupt Royal Thai Police, or the corrupt Ministry of Justice ... even in the most blatant and egregious cases (rapes, murders), legal recourse simply cannot be expected by foreigners in Thailand.

 

Thais do not widely practice a civilzed rule of law ... they more commonly practice a deformed form of village justice.

 

In this environment, Thai crooks have come to realize that they are unlikely to be arrested for crimes they perpetrate against foreigners, and if arrested, they are unlikely to be punished ... consequently, it is now 'open hunting season' on foreigners, and especially tourists.

 

The commentary below specifically addresses Phuket, which has been reduced to a black hole of official corruption, thievery, extortion and greed against foreigners.  But, Phuket's 'open hunting season' is now infecting most anyplace in Thailand where foreigners are found ... these places are viewed as rich hunting grounds.

 

Phuket is still tolerable if you want to visit for a few days of partying and mongering around the adult entertainment zone ... but, it is no longer a place for any kind of relaxed vacationing (dining, beaches, shopping, motoring about, etc.) ... a person can only avoid the relentless Thai crookery laying in wait on every curb, by barricading themselves into a fully amenitized hotel with a private beach and not leaving until it is time to go to the airport.

 

Otherwise, outside those barricades, you will have to keep your shields on full power and deal with the scammers ... sometimes difficult to do when out partying, judgement skewed by a testosterone rush, and even just a bit drunk.

 

To those recreational whorists planning to visit the Whore House to the World, understand into what you are buying ... use care and diligence beyond what you would back home.

 

[To follow ... 'Now, Open Season on Tourists in Thailand - Part 2 of 2']

 

 

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/356601/it-has-taken-foreign-clout-to-force-action/page-2/

 

COMMENTARY

 

It has taken foreign clout to force action

 

Published: Bangkok Post, 24 June 2013

 

Your attention, please. The plane will descend to Phuket International Airport shortly. All passengers please remain seated and fasten your seat belts until the aircraft comes to a complete stop. All passengers please fill out an immigration form and proceed to the immigration counter upon arrival. For those who are visiting Phuket for the first time as a tourist, we strongly recommend that you read a statement by the EU ambassadors in Bangkok in the seat pocket right in front of you before you go into the arrival hall.''

 

All planes flying to the resort island should put a copy of that statement, dated June 20, 2013, in seat pockets for the benefit of tourists. It goes right to the point of the problems that are plaguing Phuket. Here is the exact wording of the problems that the ambassadors or representatives of 18 members of the European Union want to see attended to or wiped out.

 

An efficient and fairly priced public transport system in Phuket which is available to foreign tourists and residents alike.

 

An end to intimidatory and violent behaviour by an element of tuk tuk and taxi drivers.

 

Strict enforcement of marine safety standards, including flags on beaches to indicate when it is safe to swim.

 

Strict enforcement of standards of behaviour for public officials, including police and immigration, to ensure that foreign visitors and residents feel protected, treated in a fair way and never at risk of extortion.

 

An end to scams involving the hiring of equipment such as jet skis or motorbikes.

 

Strict enforcement of road safety regulations.

 

Promotion of environmental issues, including monitoring of water quality.

 

The only word to best describe Thailand after seeing this statement should be ''embarrassed''. But the country _ tourism and Phuket authorities in particular _ should not get upset or angry about it. The ambassadors were only doing their job to protect their citizens.

It was embarrassing for those authorities in Phuket to see the diplomats head south from Bangkok on June 14 and 15 to pinpoint what they diplomatically described in the statement as things they are ''keen'' to look at.

 

The trip was followed by another one by Jonathan Kenna, deputy head of mission at the Australian embassy, on Tuesday to call for better safety and better transport from the airport to town for Australian tourists.

 

All problems identified by them are nothing new and have been dragging on for years on the island with no serious attempts by the authorities to tackle them. That is the reason why many tourists, Thais included, feel they have had enough of being ripped off or seeing visitors cheated and have decided to skip Phuket as a vacation destination for good.

 

Still, the island, dubbed the Pearl of the Andaman, is still a place for many to visit. It received 7.4 million visitors last year, 80% foreigners.

A large portion of them were Europeans.

 

Thai authorities have turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to the problems facing tourists as they have been carried away with the notion that Phuket is too good for tourists to turn their back on. But they should carefully read the EU statement again, as it is sending a signal to the island and the Tourism and Sports Ministry that officials in other countries might not sit idly by if Phuket remains the same.

 

''For their part, the European Union embassies will continue to maintain a dialogue with the national authorities such as the Ministry of Tourism, as well as ensuring through their travel advice that their citizens have accurate information and advice available to them,'' the statement says.

 

It will be a good thing for officials to come out and act for the betterment of Phuket. But it will be sad to see them do so only after foreign big shots were forced to make serious complaints _ while Thais have also done that before but ended up with nil result.

 

That reminds us of what Moody's did with the rice-pledging scheme. Thai critics have been crying foul about the policy and have urged the government to reveal the financial figures behind the scheme to show the extent of the damage. The government simply shrugged them off. But when the credit rating agency threatened a downgrade, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her cabinet became rattled and hastily adjusted the scheme.

 

Hopefully, the EU diplomats' next stop will be Pattaya.

Saritdet Marukatat is digital media news editor, Bangkok Post.

[Daveo]

Interesting read albeit some of it over exaggerated, barricading yourself in, I mean really its nothing like that bad, most problems arise from uninformed tourists who do not do their homework before they arrive.

Lets face it if you spend a while Googling Phuket/Pattaya you will soon find jet ski scams and alike and know what to look out for.

[brutox]

Interesting read albeit some of it over exaggerated, barricading yourself in, I mean really its nothing like that bad, most problems arise from uninformed tourists who do not do their homework before they arrive.

Lets face it if you spend a while Googling Phuket/Pattaya you will soon find jet ski scams and alike and know what to look out for.

.

... I hear you Daveo, I do ... as you, I live here (BKK), so am tuned to avoid scammers.

 

... but ... I am deeply disturbed by the impunity with which I now see crimes perpetrated against foreigners ... committed in the open, before everyone, with passers-by knowing they are witnessing a shakedown ... a foreigner can be prepared to sidestep the gazillion scams, as you cite, but when a Royal Thai Police officer pulls you aside on the sidewalks of Bangkok and shakes you down, that is just way too much ... when Thai officialdom becomes the Thai Mafia, foreigners are in a free fire zone with targets on our chests.

 

... that 19 foreign diplomatic missions are jointly and very undiplomatically and publicly chastising in the local press the Thai government's failure to protect their citizens in Phuket is a sign that they too see the time has arrived for externally threatening Thailand, to force Thailand to change their failure to behave as a civilized society.

 

... it ain't good, Daveo ... it ain't good, and I don't see this getting better ... I do not like having a target on my chest, with the crooks knowing they can do as they wish and suffer no consequences ... at that point, it is spiraling down ... sadly, I am thinking Mexico and Jamaica, where much travel by foreigners is at-your-own-risk ... harbingers of a failed nation.

.

[cbmgolfer]

Just spent a week in Phuket. .. Albeit, not the monger trip.

 

One thing that really struck me was how organized the taxis are at the airport.

 

I rented a car, but was hanging around waiting for the GF, who was arriving seperately. Met this American couple trying to get to the Marriott Beach Club... Literally 10-15 min from the airport. They obviously asked a lot of questions and the hotel told them 300 bt taxi to hotel. The touters were quoting 800-1000 bt ... They asked me what to do, so I pointed them to the Taxi Meter stand at the end of the terminal and walked them down there thinking they could get a taxi on the meter... Nope.. 600 bt flat fare. I told

them, sorry, as good ad it gets, take it. These guys are well organised.. Its too bad.

[cbmgolfer]

Also, the rental car service is really horrible in Phuket these days. I hadto sick the TGF on them after 20 min of waiting for keys to a car in the hot sun.. Sad lot now. Much different than 2 years ago.

[andyaus]

I have only spent a few days on Phuket and most of this was in Patong. 

 

For what its worth, my observations made comparrisons with Pattaya and there are big differences. 

 

TAXI’s. I prebooked a taxi at the airport and had a fixed 700 baht price to my guest house. My taxi was late and I had touts trying to grab my bags etc and quoted prices up to 2000 baht. You get that at most airports and if you were not aware you might fall into that tourist trap. I booked taxis several times through the guest house and saved quite a bit of money.

 

Tuk Tuks These are not the same as the Bangkok vehicles. Better maintained and more expensive. From my guest house to Bangala road was a 200 baht trip. No negotiation. I walked it in 15 minutes and guessed it was a little over a kilometer. If there were 4 of you then it is reasonable but on my own I think its too much. 

 

Motorbike Taxis These guys are stationed everywhere and the one outside my hotel charged 50 Baht to take me to JungCeylon shopping centre  which is at one end of Bangla Road. If I wanted to go to the beach end it was 100 baht. Again no negotiation.

 

By Pattaya standards these prices are very high and my initial reaction is that the transport industry is killing a tourist resort. Apparently attempts at setting up a Baht bus style service was met with violent actions with drivers being beaten up in the street etc. One large hotel attempted to arrange their own “bus service” for guests and the TukTuk drivers barricaded the hotel. Not even the police could get through.

 

The result is that Patong has an expensive, inflexible local transport system.

 

After talking to other tourists, this doesn’t seem to deter them. It is what it is and they work around it. You either stay close to town or you pay to travel from the resorts.

 

The expression Tuk Tuk Mafia is used but I think it simply a result of unionised transport.

[localguy]

Interesting read albeit some of it over exaggerated, barricading yourself in, I mean really its nothing like that bad, most problems arise from uninformed tourists who do not do their homework before they arrive.

Lets face it if you spend a while Googling Phuket/Pattaya you will soon find jet ski scams and alike and know what to look out for.

 

True - it's usually the uninformed tourists that didn't sufficiently google their holiday destination who get ripped off the most.

 

True or not, it's an unsustainable attitude for the (sizeable) Thai tourist industry. "Don't bite the hand that feeds you" comes to mind, especially if you want to get fed again in the future. Information flows freely on the internet, and for every tourist that googles Phuket in advance, I'll bet you have several that hear enough bad things to stay closer to home.

[speedybluebiker]

This is one of the reasons that I don't go to Phuket anymore. 

[Pakwaan]

I always rent a car online from one of the small companies opposite the airport. They pick you up on arrival and drop you off for departure with no hassle. You can get a Honda Jazz for around Bt700 a day. 

 

Last time I was there in February my TGF was amazed at how rude the Patong tuk tuk drivers were to foreigners (mostly Russian) and what they were calling them in Thai. Methinks they are biting the hand that feeds them.

[doriboi]

Wow...therte are so many strupid people out in this world.....If you come to thailand thinking it's all roses and daisies....you are a walking target. 

 

It is a smiling city ----- but behind that smile is a grudge and envy that would burn a hole in your wallet in seconds. It is a dog eat dog world and only the fittest survive...if you go there with your little dollars and maxify it to thai currency thinking you will be a king - only last one day

 

Thais only look after themselves - if youdumb enough to tip 100 bhat here and 100 baht there- it's only natural they will ask for more..push push.

 

But in saying this - I love dog eat dog world. us " Farungs"... are so much better at it.  They do it for survival...I do it for fun cause I'm a nasty F--ka!

 

I have been going to thailand for past 7 years - and love it more and more.

 

Once you get to know the villagers/locals (over a long period) you will see their true colours. They are yobs, bums, cheats, liers...no different to rest of the world at the end.  The rich are the bigggest f**Kwits I know from walking around and flaunting themselves...I think rich thais treat their own kind like 3 grade dog sh*t...again no diffrenet to us

 

If you don't like it................take your cash to cambodia, burma...still young and not polluted with tourist filth (yet)

 

Thailand is what you make it out to be...it's on your head

 

Note:

Australia - no1 for road rage

US - drugs

Eu - rapes and murders

(this is just in general)

 

The whole world is rotting - so make the most of it

 

Just to those haters who will disagree and curse me

 

I have a TGF, A house (i am on the chanote - standard rules %49 (heads up, pay the extra and get a lawyer to draw it up) never let your guard down..even with your long term TGF/Wife - you will be thrown out in your jocks if you f**k up), Apartment, car etc.....will retire there soon ....and yes no where near the sexy south.....come to the north - this is the real thailand (for now - till those dirty Russians come up - who likes Russians anyway - rude fuckers).

 

PS: I can't wait to see replies to this - to all those who understand - big up!

 

Khob Khun Krup

[doriboi]

Wow...therte are so many strupid people out in this world.....If you come to thailand thinking it's all roses and daisies....you are a walking target. 

 

It is a smiling city ----- but behind that smile is a grudge and envy that would burn a hole in your wallet in seconds. It is a dog eat dog world and only the fittest survive...if you go there with your little dollars and maxify it to thai currency thinking you will be a king - only last one day

 

Thais only look after themselves - if youdumb enough to tip 100 bhat here and 100 baht there- it's only natural they will ask for more..push push.

 

But in saying this - I love dog eat dog world. us " Farungs"... are so much better at it.  They do it for survival...I do it for fun cause I'm a nasty F--ka!

 

I have been going to thailand for past 7 years - and love it more and more.

 

Once you get to know the villagers/locals (over a long period) you will see their true colours. They are yobs, bums, cheats, liers...no different to rest of the world at the end.  The rich are the bigggest f**Kwits I know from walking around and flaunting themselves...I think rich thais treat their own kind like 3 grade dog sh*t...again no diffrenet to us

 

If you don't like it................take your cash to cambodia, burma...still young and not polluted with tourist filth (yet)

 

Thailand is what you make it out to be...it's on your head

 

Note:

Australia - no1 for road rage

US - drugs

Eu - rapes and murders

(this is just in general)

 

The whole world is rotting - so make the most of it

 

Just to those haters who will disagree and curse me

 

I have a TGF, A house (i am on the chanote - standard rules %49 (heads up, pay the extra and get a lawyer to draw it up) never let your guard down..even with your long term TGF/Wife - you will be thrown out in your jocks if you f**k up), Apartment, car etc.....will retire there soon ....and yes no where near the sexy south.....come to the north - this is the real thailand (for now - till those dirty Russians come up - who likes Russians anyway - rude fuckers).

 

PS: I can't wait to see replies to this - to all those who understand - big up!

 

Khob Khun Krup

 

 

I forgot...

 

To all the new tourist. Before you arrive go and make a t-shirt with the words .. FARUNG KIN  KEE NOK...you will have treat!!!!!

[geezerrb]

Only been once, doubt I will go again. Minibus from airport dropped me at the wrong hotel at night so did not recognise it, got charged big fare as I did not know where I was to be taken to less than 2 Kilometres to the correct place. The hotel gave me a sheet of rip off limitations that contradicted the reason I chose the hotel, which I completely ignored and they could not charge to my FX card. I did have (I am old) my first 19 YO since 1999 and my first ever 3 some. I found it apart from my preclusions expensive and outside the bars, a very unfriendly resort.

[dave01]

I go to Phuket, 3 or 4 times a year.

The article, in MY experience, overstates the problems. However, I can see the validity concerning a newbie. Phuket, really is a learn as you go place.

The Taxis are a problem, but NOT insurmountable.  The meter taxi, is THE best way to go.  The talk of the 600 baht, is about right.  The meter will run 500 or 550 baht anyway...  If, there is traffic or an accident the 600 will stand, regardless of the meter....  That has been my experience.  What needs to be remembered about the Meter Taxi guys, is that they are unable to pick up a fare in the town precincts of Patong, so return empty to the airport. That is their problem, and it is still cheaper than the touts.  The other thing, for those that worry about this sort of thing, is the docket, will tell you what Taxi you traveled in, as well as a number to contact, in the event of bad service or lost property etc.  You won't get that with the touts....The mini buses are OK, if you want to be driven all over the island on the way to your hotel!!!

There is also at least one hotel I know of, that offers a free transfer transfer FROM the airport if you stay 3 days or longer.

The problem we all face, with transport, is getting back to the airport... There are no meter taxis in Patong, so you will have negotiate, usually with a "black" taxi driver to get you back, or arrange it through your hotel.

If you are in Patong for any length of time, odds are, you will probably end up having some sort of relationship/friendship  with a girl.... She will know someone, who will have a lovely 4WD, and if she actually likes you, will be able to get a reasonable deal for a car back to the airport.

I don't use Tuk Tuks, generally... they are expensive (relatively), but there was movement in the last year or so, to standardise the pricing on the island. At the Police Box, on Paton Beach, at the end Of bangla, there is pretty large sign, with the maximum taxi/tuk tuk fares displayed.   It should be noted, that to go anywhere, be it 200m or a lap of the town, in Patong, the minimum charge is 200 baht. It is what it is. Old hands will already know this, but newbies should be aware, Under no circumstances get into a confrontation with a bloke driving a Tuk Tuk.... It will end badly for you....  no ifs or buts. Just walk away.

I like the moto taxi guys, that I use.. they are great. many a night, a regular rider has picked me up and taken me home, and made sure i was ok. Despite, what was written earlier, there is room for negotiating with these blokes... But ask yourself, is the negotiating REALLY worth it........ Remember, just like Taxis in Sydney for example, they will want more late at night.. And because it is already a low fare to start with, it is no big deal. Just pay it.... or walk. You are talking a couple of bucks...

I am heading over again in about 3 weeks.. It will probably be pissing down rain most days... That's ok, I can find plenty to do.  A friend of a lady I know, and his wife, will meet me at the airport and take me into town, in their Toyota 4WD...  not sure what it is, it is a bit like a Kluger... could be a cruiser but i am not sure. Then for the rest of my stay, if I want a vehicle, I just call him, and he will take me anywhere I want to go. All for the princley sum of around 20 or 30 bucks... I will have a couple of mates with me, so this becomes VERY cheap transport indeed... At the end, he will take me back to the airport.

Sure, there are plenty of traps for the newbies.. no argument from me. But keep your wits about you, don't get angry or flustered, and all should be good.

 

[Sexyfarangman]

Notice that it says: "An end to scams involving the hiring of equipment such as jet skis or motorbikes." It could be talking about Pattaya as well.

 

[brutox]

Notice that it says: "An end to scams involving the hiring of equipment such as jet skis or motorbikes." It could be talking about Pattaya as well.

 

 

.

I posted this thread with another related thread, which was a Bangkok Post editorial stating that these embassies might be expected to continue their public campaign against other Thai tourist venues where tourists are now being horribly and aggressively scammed with impunity, by crooks partnering with the Royal Thai Police:

 

"Senior diplomats from 18 European countries descended on Phuket with the single aim of criticising and shaming the government and every official and policeman in the island province for allowing tourist scams and robberies to get so out of hand. Australia joined the critical chorus, and it seems Pattaya is about to get the same, understandable disapproval. Bangkok might be next on the list."

 

The editorial paints more than Phuket as now infected by aggressive official corruption and greed ... Pattaya and Bangkok appear next on their hit list of Thai city's about which they are warning their citizens ... the Thai's culture of corruption is endemic and appears to be focussing even more (if that is possible) on the easy, rich targets - foreign tourists.

 

Read on ... http://www.pattaya-addicts.com/forum/topic/157077-now-open-hunting-season-on-tourists-in-thailand-part-2-of-2/

[Sexyfarangman]

 

The editorial paints more than Phuket as now infected by aggressive official corruption and greed ... Pattaya and Bangkok appear next on their hit list of Thai city's about which they are warning their citizens ... the Thai's culture of corruption is endemic and appears to be focussing even more (if that is possible) on the easy, rich targets - foreign tourists.

 

Read on ... http://www.pattaya-addicts.com/forum/topic/157077-now-open-hunting-season-on-tourists-in-thailand-part-2-of-2/

 

Anyone coming to Thailand should understand that you are 3rd world exposed here ... think Sub-Saharan Africa, and behave accordingly.

 

When victimized, foreigners have no recourse to the notoriously corrupt Royal Thai Police, or the corrupt Ministry of Justice ... even in the most blatant and egregious cases (rapes, murders), legal recourse simply cannot be expected by foreigners in Thailand.

 

Thais do not widely practice a civilzed rule of law ... they more commonly practice a deformed form of village justice.

 

 

I go to Phuket, 3 or 4 times a year.

 

The article, in MY experience, overstates the problems. However, I can see the validity concerning a newbie. Phuket, really is a learn as you go place.

 

Sure, there are plenty of traps for the newbies.. no argument from me. But keep your wits about you, don't get angry or flustered, and all should be good.

 

 

 

 

Interesting read albeit some of it over exaggerated, barricading yourself in, I mean really its nothing like that bad, most problems arise from uninformed tourists who do not do their homework before they arrive.

Lets face it if you spend a while Googling Phuket/Pattaya you will soon find jet ski scams and alike and know what to look out for.

 

 

 

It seems to me that everyone is overlooking the big picture: the fact that the corruption mentioned is what allows us to monger there. Cleaning up these areas will result in enforcement of Thailand's anti-prostitution laws.

[brutox]

It seems to me that everyone is overlooking the big picture: the fact that the corruption mentioned is what allows us to monger there. Cleaning up these areas will result in enforcement of Thailand's anti-prostitution laws.

.

... I hear you sexyfarangman ... it seems we are caught in a philosophical dilema.

 

... conventional society here (and most everywhere else) has confused moral wrongdoing with ethical wrongdoing ... I find no criminal wrong in women providing sexual services (for me, a moral issue, which cannot be legislated away ... morality is burned into our bones) ... for me, prostitution is an entirely different order of behavior, than when a corrupt Thai cop and his civilian co-conspirator puts the red dot on your chest and they come after you.

 

... I see prostitution totally unlike what is editorialized about here, and now erupting throughout the Thai resorts ... criminal wrongdoing by Thai officials against foreigners.

 

... unfortunately, these differing moral and ethical behaviors are not viewed separately by the Thai law (and most everywhere else) and are equally un-enforced by the corrupt Royal Thai Police ... my guess is that they will be eliminated together, or proliferate together.

 

... fortunately, mongering here is not under legal threat anytime soon.

 

... unfortunately, neither are criminal behaviors by Thai officialdom.

 

... unfortunately, that makes Thailand an increasingly riskier place to vacation, for mongers and non-mongers alike.

 

... we'll adapt, adding more layers of protective gear on our nights out and about ... behaving more as we would on a night out in Southside Chicago, or East LA, or [ insert here any crime-infested neighborhood where you live ].

 

... but, will Thailand be capable of rehabilitating itself to protect a significant sector of its economy? ... tourism is something around 7-8% of the Thai GDP, and looked to by the government as an increasingly important element to the country's economic health.

 

... it was nice living here in years past ... we could go out without having full shields between us and every single person that passed us by ... hapless and unaware, we might then be clipped here and there by a taxi driver, or a shop keeper, or a restaurant owner for a few baht.

 

... but, now? ... even aware and shields up, we are defenceless targets for much more money, now that the Royal Thai Police openly collude with the street crooks ... or, they simply come at you all by themselves ... 'you show me you visa' ... ' you let me see inside you bag and pockets and wallet' ... 'you come with me, take drug test' ... 'I see you drop paper on sidewalk' ... common Royal Thai Police scams, all ... and the extortions that follow are expensive and frightening to innocent, unsuspecting tourists.

 

... nowadays, no strange Thai (or, farang for that matter) approaches me that I do not suspect of trying the scam me, Thai cops especially.

 

... interesting enough, I often stop to offer unsolicited guidance to tourists who are obviously lost ... suspecting that I am just the kind of farang crook about which we are talking about here, they seem more likely now than in the past to decline help ... I guess word is getting around about Thailand.

 

... just yesterday, a couple of guys with a map in hand, obviously lost, declined my help, preferring to take the guidance of a couple of authoritative-looking Thai security guards ... I wonder if they knew that they were probably still lost, after getting directions from Thais, who seemingly have absolutely no directional DNA beyond 'you go ober dere' ... ;-)

[surinrob]

Wow...therte are so many strupid people out in this world.....If you come to thailand thinking it's all roses and daisies....you are a walking target. 

 

It is a smiling city ----- but behind that smile is a grudge and envy that would burn a hole in your wallet in seconds. It is a dog eat dog world and only the fittest survive...if you go there with your little dollars and maxify it to thai currency thinking you will be a king - only last one day

 

Thais only look after themselves - if youdumb enough to tip 100 bhat here and 100 baht there- it's only natural they will ask for more..push push.

 

But in saying this - I love dog eat dog world. us " Farungs"... are so much better at it.  They do it for survival...I do it for fun cause I'm a nasty F--ka!

 

I have been going to thailand for past 7 years - and love it more and more.

 

Once you get to know the villagers/locals (over a long period) you will see their true colours. They are yobs, bums, cheats, liers...no different to rest of the world at the end.  The rich are the bigggest f**Kwits I know from walking around and flaunting themselves...I think rich thais treat their own kind like 3 grade dog sh*t...again no diffrenet to us

 

If you don't like it................take your cash to cambodia, burma...still young and not polluted with tourist filth (yet)

 

Thailand is what you make it out to be...it's on your head

 

Note:

Australia - no1 for road rage

US - drugs

Eu - rapes and murders

(this is just in general)

 

The whole world is rotting - so make the most of it

 

Just to those haters who will disagree and curse me

 

I have a TGF, A house (i am on the chanote - standard rules %49 (heads up, pay the extra and get a lawyer to draw it up) never let your guard down..even with your long term TGF/Wife - you will be thrown out in your jocks if you f**k up), Apartment, car etc.....will retire there soon ....and yes no where near the sexy south.....come to the north - this is the real thailand (for now - till those dirty Russians come up - who likes Russians anyway - rude fuckers).

 

PS: I can't wait to see replies to this - to all those who understand - big up!

 

Khob Khun Krup

 

You could only be on the chanote as a person with a registered usufruct at the local amphur.  You cannot be on the title as an owner.

[Sexyfarangman]

.

... I hear you sexyfarangman ... it seems we are caught in a philosophical dilema.

 

... conventional society here (and most everywhere else) has confused moral wrongdoing with ethical wrongdoing ... I find no criminal wrong in women providing sexual services (for me, a moral issue, which cannot be legislated away ... morality is burned into our bones) ... for me, prostitution is an entirely different order of behavior, than when a corrupt Thai cop and his civilian co-conspirator puts the red dot on your chest and they come after you.

 

... I see prostitution totally unlike what is editorialized about here, and now erupting throughout the Thai resorts ... criminal wrongdoing by Thai officials against foreigners.

 

The problem is that few people will draw a line between ethical and moral wrongdoing, and I'm not sure it's even possible. Also - and unfortunately - corruption will flourish where there is illegal prostitution. I don't think there is any way around it. Considering the extreme nature of Pattaya, I don't think the threat to personal safety is too bad. Attacks on farangs are the rare exception, not the rule, and the city appears to be reasonably well run. If this wasn't the case, you wouldn't have so many farangs either moving there or planning to move there. If the Thais ever institute anti corruption standards as exist in the West, that will be the end of Thailand as we know it, and it will be a far less attractive vacation and retirement destination.

[paul955]

I lived on Phuket (Kamala area ) for 2 years. Let me tell you it is far more corrupt than Pattaya ( my god is that possible!!!! ).

 

Saying most incidents are caused through misinformed tourists is absolute twaddle. And saying there is no   transport 'heavies' is laughable. Find yourself in a tuk tuk at 2AM who decides on a deserted road halfway between Patong and Kamala to double the agreed fare, aregue or disagree at your peril. 4 Thais ready to beat the shit out of you, man or woman, are only a quick phone call away. Ive witnessed it first hand, and know of many such similar incidents with people living on the island. But then again we must just be 'uninformed tourists'!!!!

[speedybluebiker]

 

Note:

Australia - no1 for road rage

US - drugs

Eu - rapes and murders

(this is just in general)

 

 

What??  I always thought the USA was #1 in those three areas.

[losworld]

I have only spent a few days on Phuket and most of this was in Patong. 

 

For what its worth, my observations made comparrisons with Pattaya and there are big differences. 

 

TAXI’s. I prebooked a taxi at the airport and had a fixed 700 baht price to my guest house. My taxi was late and I had touts trying to grab my bags etc and quoted prices up to 2000 baht. You get that at most airports and if you were not aware you might fall into that tourist trap. I booked taxis several times through the guest house and saved quite a bit of money.

 

Tuk Tuks These are not the same as the Bangkok vehicles. Better maintained and more expensive. From my guest house to Bangala road was a 200 baht trip. No negotiation. I walked it in 15 minutes and guessed it was a little over a kilometer. If there were 4 of you then it is reasonable but on my own I think its too much. 

 

Motorbike Taxis These guys are stationed everywhere and the one outside my hotel charged 50 Baht to take me to JungCeylon shopping centre  which is at one end of Bangla Road. If I wanted to go to the beach end it was 100 baht. Again no negotiation.

 

By Pattaya standards these prices are very high and my initial reaction is that the transport industry is killing a tourist resort. Apparently attempts at setting up a Baht bus style service was met with violent actions with drivers being beaten up in the street etc. One large hotel attempted to arrange their own “bus service” for guests and the TukTuk drivers barricaded the hotel. Not even the police could get through.

 

The result is that Patong has an expensive, inflexible local transport system.

 

After talking to other tourists, this doesn’t seem to deter them. It is what it is and they work around it. You either stay close to town or you pay to travel from the resorts.

 

The expression Tuk Tuk Mafia is used but I think it simply a result of unionised transport.

 

good points and just rent a bike for anyone that can and is willing to do it.  otherwise accomodation can be had on the island for pretty well the same rates as pattaya particularly off season.  however finding condos is another story. 

[doriboi]

What??  I always thought the USA was #1 in those three areas.

 

Sharing is caring.....:

[doriboi]

 

Wow...therte are so many strupid people out in this world.....If you come to thailand thinking it's all roses and daisies....you are a walking target. 

 

It is a smiling city ----- but behind that smile is a grudge and envy that would burn a hole in your wallet in seconds. It is a dog eat dog world and only the fittest survive...if you go there with your little dollars and maxify it to thai currency thinking you will be a king - only last one day

 

Thais only look after themselves - if youdumb enough to tip 100 bhat here and 100 baht there- it's only natural they will ask for more..push push.

 

But in saying this - I love dog eat dog world. us " Farungs"... are so much better at it.  They do it for survival...I do it for fun cause I'm a nasty F--ka!

 

I have been going to thailand for past 7 years - and love it more and more.

 

Once you get to know the villagers/locals (over a long period) you will see their true colours. They are yobs, bums, cheats, liers...no different to rest of the world at the end.  The rich are the bigggest f**Kwits I know from walking around and flaunting themselves...I think rich thais treat their own kind like 3 grade dog sh*t...again no diffrenet to us

 

If you don't like it................take your cash to cambodia, burma...still young and not polluted with tourist filth (yet)

 

Thailand is what you make it out to be...it's on your head

 

Note:

Australia - no1 for road rage

US - drugs

Eu - rapes and murders

(this is just in general)

 

The whole world is rotting - so make the most of it

 

Just to those haters who will disagree and curse me

 

I have a TGF, A house (i am on the chanote - standard rules %49 (heads up, pay the extra and get a lawyer to draw it up) never let your guard down..even with your long term TGF/Wife - you will be thrown out in your jocks if you f**k up), Apartment, car etc.....will retire there soon ....and yes no where near the sexy south.....come to the north - this is the real thailand (for now - till those dirty Russians come up - who likes Russians anyway - rude fuckers).

 

PS: I can't wait to see replies to this - to all those who understand - big up!

 

Khob Khun Krup

 

You could only be on the chanote as a person with a registered usufruct at the local amphur.  You cannot be on the title as an owner.

 

"You could only be on the chanote as a person with a registered usufruct at the local amphur.  You cannot be on the title as an owner."

 

This is correct.........

 

After all it's a Kingdom........Imagine if Thailand let all it's walls down to western society......we would all have to find another place to party, this is the reason why we all (90% ish) travel/reside/choose to work etc.....in Thailand.  After all my visits there - I have lost the pzazz in Thailand and just accept that this is where I will rest my feet soon - the wild wild west.  I have fooled/been fooled, stooge d/been stooge d and all under the sun like all other fools I admit - but for some inexplicable choice - I love it.  I will be resting my feet in a town of region Phayao in the next 3 years I hope in a little village run by some Chief that dictates the village laws before police step in, with a simple honest Thai girl I met in Malay (working in a private sauna hotel) who has middle class village family (teachers, police workers).  In saying this I MIGHT  be safe (from the fake smiles)....But I drink their beer, I eat their food, I sit on the floor with them, I farm with them and help out during rice season, I have fighting cocks (my TGF cousin is a mad cock fighter - sick sport, but this is the vilage way of entertainment).  My home was built by local workers etc......I have adapted to their way and not tried to change their ways to suit my needs

 

 

Like I mentioned in previous text...Thailand is what you make it out  to be!  If you travel there for mischievous fun, you will find it (Note: you will also find it in your own backyard, but Thailand is more fun)....but this is a 2 way street that many first timers who only go on stories and believe all the dumb stories...."You live like a King"

 

Again as mentioned in my previous text....you must have the upper hand...but be fair (this is the hard part - how to have the upper hand hand and be fair, without sounding like a hypocrite)....this last line in brackets I let for you others decide this meaning

 

I hope this helps...my apologies if all this sounds rude---but I'm sick of ignorant ppl who only read brochures, pamphlets, listen to travel agents in their home countries bla bla bla - come to thailand and leave with a bad report based on 1 trip (or 2) to either pattaya or phuket or any of the hotspots - without seeing the other parts

 

Thanks 

[sam saporit]

really? Have you ever even been to the US? i'm no super patriot,

but really a stupid uninformed jibe.

What??  I always thought the USA was #1 in those three areas.