Watchful
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What this cases shows is just how systemic corruption is in Thailand. I mean, how could no one see what this police chief had been doing for years? How he amassed a fortune?
How many innocent people did he torture to get a "confession", because he wanted their car, their house, their gold?
With corruption so pervasive, Thailand is NOT a place to visit if you have any assets. I mean, some corrupt police chief could easily get you to "confess" to anything and subsequently, demand payments from your family.
With corruption so pervasive, Thailand is NOT a place to invest.
No, do NOT give the Thais a chance to cheat you. Let them cheat each other, bribe each other, torture each other...
In short, have nothing to do with them.
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13 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:
Who cares about rankings like that?
Is anybody here looking at that ranking and planning to move to Costa Rica or Malaysia or any other country which scores better than Thailand just because of such a list?
That is a good point. My guess is the population of "fence sitters" is extremely low. People pretty much know where they want to go in retirement.
What articles like this may impact is their financial decisions. That is whether to buy or rent. If people fear they may never be able to sell, they'd be less likely to make that condo investment. I believe articles like this will have a negative influence on the "over built" condo market in Thailand.
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20 hours ago, chrisandsu said:
Yes they will be . Never underestimate desperation ! ???? Especially after a long period of time in lockdown.
I can't resist the temptation to open another can of worms here, but that "desperation" just might have found another solution. In short, my hypothesis is that some of these desperate men, being so desperate for so long may have "hooked up" with local females.
Continuing emptying that can, we must remember that those "desperate" folks have aged and older folks along with smokers are most "at risk" for serious problems upon catching COVID. I suspect that for some of those desperados the COVID risk may just be too high for the foreseeable future.
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4 hours ago, champers said:
I wonder why the Chicken Fried Rice on the Kids Menu is 100 Baht more than on the regular menu.
Actually the 100 baht more on the kids menu is quite reasonable. Just remember everything on the kids menu includes a soft drink and ice cream.
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15 hours ago, Thomas Hannah said:The hotel could have had him sent to jail.They chose not to ,but let him apologise for his stupid vendetta actions.He did not do one review.he did many on everywere he could find.And his review was totaly wrong about the hotel.Why should a hotel loose money.If it was your hotel .you would think differently.
According to what I read, the reviewer was arrested and spent the weekend in jail.
I think all potential travelers should know about this risk. In most countries, arguments over defamation are handled in civil vs criminal court.
If travelers to Thailand consider this an acceptable risk, that is fine. My point is they should be warned of the risk PRIOR to booking flights or hotels.
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8 hours ago, mark131v said:
I honestly doubt there was any that petty or vindictive that they would have done what Sea View has done even before this happened, most have more business sense, this is why this is news it's rare as hen's teeth
Mark, you have missed the point here. Not only Trip Advisor, but all airlines should notify travelers that if you make negative reviews in Thailand, that your passport could be confiscated and you could be put in jail, EVEN IF YOUR REVIEW IS TOTALLY TRUTHFUL.
The fact that most establishments would NOT do this is irrelevant. It can still happen and those laws should be revoked. They will not be revoked, however, until self interest tips in favor of revocation.
Accurate publication of the risks by all travel sites and airlines will show Thais the real downside of such awful laws.
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22 hours ago, polpott said:
The Op is the most accurate depiction of the current situation in Pattaya that I've seen. The biggest change for farangs is the "online bars" phenomenon with bar owners falling over each other to develop this new business model. Here's the CEO of NWG explaining his group's change to the new model:
I watched that video and found it somewhat confusing. This idea of buying drinks for bar girls is NOT new. I remember a YT vlogger asking his viewers to send him money which he'd then use to buy drinks for girls in the viewer's name. Frankly, I thought this is going no where. That is, nobody would actually send him money. Turns out, I was wrong! People did send him money (I believe via PayPal).
So now the bars are developing their own "online bars"? Won't this cut out the middle man (those YT vloggers)? I mean who needs them when you can buy drinks directly?
Another thought I had is if this new "online bar" model is successful, what prevents those absolutely beautiful girls in Brazil, Italy and Sweden from playing exactly the same game? Problem with an "online bar" is that it makes no difference where in the world it is. All that matters is if the girls can entice the viewers to part with their money. Right?
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7 minutes ago, Meaowma57 said:I wonder if Mr Barnes will be leaving a review for his short stay in jail - if he is being fair to all concerned he should leave an honest review of every establishment he stays in right??
According to several posters, Barnes has been fired. He'll most likely have to return back to the states. So your suggestion is he should publish an "honest review" of his short stay in jail.
My guess is he'll publish a lengthy review of his entire experience with the Thai Judicial System. It will make for interesting reading by prospective tourists and prospective investors. I'm quite certain that this "review" will NOT help the Thai recovery efforts.
Regards,
Watchful
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2 hours ago, Dukeleto said:
Let me put it this way, I will avoid this hotel like the plague, not due to the reviews placed by the guest but because of their complete and over the top reaction to them.
Dukeleto, I believe the problem is much bigger than tourists avoiding this hotel. The problem is tourists avoiding Thailand! Yes, the hotel went too far, but that was only possible because of Thailand's laws. A prudent tourist will avoid any country where they can be imprisoned for simply voicing their opinion.
Look, this is one big mess. According to several posters, Barnes has already been fired. He will most likely have to return to the US. And what will he do once home? Does anyone really expect he will remain silent?
He'll be telling his story everywhere about the corrupt laws in Thailand. He'll be cautioning travelers to avoid Thailand and advising companies against investing in Thailand. He'll be telling companies with operations in Thailand to get out before their US managers are imprisoned.
I don't see any way that this will end well for anyone. It has just escalated to the point that there is no solution that works for all parties. Once the Thai police got involved on the side of the hotel, that ended any hope for a "peaceful" solution. Indeed, this is why most countries leave libel and defamation to civil courts. The government takes no side. It simply allows both sides to present their case to a jury, who decides who is telling the truth (and often neither is) and whether penalties should be assessed.
Thailand's heavy handed approach should be worrisome to both travelers and investors.
Regards,
Watchful
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As one poster argued quite eloquently public infrastructure investment SHOULD make property more attractive and thus more valuable.
Other posters have argued and quite rightly that property values nevertheless are based on supply demand relationships.
Only one poster touched upon another heavy influencer here and that is relative currency valuations. Since the pandemic, every currency except the US$ has lost significant value to the THB. The demand destruction in the world energy markets will significantly impact the economic well being of Russians and Middle Easterners. This will limit some buyers. Then for the other non-Thai buyers, if prices stayed the same, it would represent a significant price INCREASE in their home currency.
I am sorry, but I believe the chance of price escalation is slim to none.
Another poster mention that the current pandemic is a one in a hundred year event. Oh yeah? Listen this damn thing is an influenza virus. There will always be new strains. What simply amazes me in that leadership the world over is bound and determined to turn the human race into Elois.
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There were several posts in this thread predicting the return of Russians, Indians and Middle Easterners. There is one dynamic not discussed too much and that is since the arrival of the pandemic, Pattaya has become a whole lot more expensive for every one of those groups. Since the pandemic I don't know of any currency that has appreciated against THB, but there are many, many that have depreciated.
The world wide demand destruction in the petroleum market caused by the pandemic has left Russia and many Middle Eastern countries in serious trouble. No one is predicting this situation to improve any time soon and this assumes sanctions remain in place on Iran and Venezuela.
My point is that regardless of the decisions made by the locals in Pattaya, their customers may not have the resources to visit any time soon.
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5 hours ago, Monomial said:
Biden as a candidate means that Trump is basically running unopposed in this race. He only has himself to beat. A few weeks ago I would have said this means 4 more years. This virus has thrown a wrench into everything though. Trump's bungling of this may be his undoing, but it remains to be seen which option Americans think is less palatable.
If Trump's team is "bungling" the pandemic, you had better share this with the big Democratic governors. They are all giving the administration high marks for the help they are providing state governments.
Or is it that the Democratic governors are "bungling" the left's chances of defeating Trump?
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1 hour ago, Tug said:I sense desperation in the trump supporters lol he will pick the best female candidate that fits his agenda kamala Harris or Amy imo each one would be fine and don’t think for a minute the women folk are happy with trump trying to take away their hard earned rights the lady’s are half the vote and they aren’t happy trump is history come November just look what’s happening on his watch approaching 20%unemployment people dying in droves due to his bungled response economy tanked deficit exploding all on his watch nope I don’t buy it he’s toast
Tug, as a Republican I pray Biden will pick Harris. Besides being dumb, she is hated in her own state. In the California primary she got less than 4% of the Democratic votes.
Then if you think unemployment stats will hurt Trump, you are dreaming. Trump drove unemployment to the lowest level in 50 years. Then for African Americans the level was the lowest ever recorded.
As for the pandemic, think again. You have the Democratic governors of NY, California and Washington all praising Trump! You had better get the party faithful together and start putting some leashes on these governors.
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13 hours ago, Leaver said:
I believe the virus effects smokers more seriously.
What is your point?
Leaver, I suspect you are correct, but I have zero data to support that.
I believe the medical community should start providing information that's databased about which populations are at the highest risk. It seems to me that quarantining those folks makes more sense than global shutdowns. Right now all I know is "elderly" and African Americans are at most risk. That really doesn't help any.
I suspect that both weed and tobacco smokers would fall in the "high risk" category as well as those that vape.
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5 hours ago, Leaver said:
The autopsies have been done. Samples have been taken and examined.
The results currently are, THEY DON'T KNOW why some die and some can prevail. Why do you think such a global emphasis on not becoming a host?
One of two things happen. Either the virus kills the host, or the host's immune system kills the virus.
The challenge is, to isolate the hosts from the healthy. Something that seems to be lost in translation for many who complain about bars and clubs being closed here.
Leaver, after the pandemic, I'd be interested in seeing some statistical analysis of those who perished. Since this virus causes all kinds of lung problems, I'd like to know whether those who intentionally introduce particulate matter into their lungs (tobacco, weed, vaping, etc) suffer any differently from the virus than those who do not.
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On 2/16/2020 at 8:00 AM, kensawadee said:
THANK YOU. You just told a story that fits perfectly to my 40 years experience in Thailand.
Kensawadee, this is NOT just a Thailand story. It happens all over the world.
Take the case of Stormy Daniels (a porn star paid off by Trump). She decided she wanted to screw the now president Donald Trump so she hired a lawyer, Michael Avenatti. Well, the good lawyer Michael not only did not screw Trump, but he did screw Stormy.
Stormy is now suing Michael, but she has to get in line. It seems the good lawyer Michael has a long line of clients he screwed over.
Like I first mentioned, this happens all over the world. There is a reason for all of those lawyer jokes. The "profession" has done a terrible job of policing it's members.
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Pineapple, banana, coconut? Are we talking about edible hospital gowns?
Brilliant... simply brilliant!!
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8 hours ago, Suitcase said:
It was GM who went bankrupt and the US government bail them out taking stock in return
several years later the government sold the stock and lost something like $39 billion
Ford motor company never went bankrupt and never needed a bailout
Suitcase, not just GM, but Chrysler also needed government funds to avoid bankruptcy court. Ford was solvent the entire time.
Obama did multiple victory laps for "saving" "Government Motors". Problem of course all he was really interested in was saving that HUGE voting block called United Auto Workers Union. GM has not made a quality vehicle since.
Going through bankruptcy would have been a better path, because it would force the necessary changes to union rules. For example, it's just about impossible to fire a UAW member. So rather than invest in building quality vehicles, GM is burdened with excessive labor costs and poor quality workmanship.
The recent 40 day strike just shows how unconcerned the UAW is with the health of GM. UAW knows another bailout is ready should GM get in trouble again.
Just like a government run business, GM is doomed. Once governments get involved with the private sector, they screw it up... every time!
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5 minutes ago, mogandave said:
But Thailand does not put high duties on products not produced in Thailand. How many HD are in a 787?
HD manufactured in Thailand will not be significantly cheaper than HD imported into Thailand, because of excise taxes.
A Camry manufactured & sold in Thailand has a smaller engine, and is more expensive than one built & sold in the US...
I did not read the link, but this is old news and as I understand it, the Thai assembly plant will serve a pretty broad market and develop market specific products for the region. They are not shipping bikes back to the US. This is a good move for HD.
If you’re ever in Milwaukee the HD museum is worth a visit...Your argument is NOT consistent with the following statement from the article (which you admit you didn't read):
"Asia has been one of the company’s fastest-growing markets, but over the years it’s also been a market with steep tariffs on U.S.-made motorcycles."
Everybody demands free access to the US market, but then protects their own via steep tariffs. Just look at what Thailand does to US Bourbon and cigarettes.
I say look at the highest tariff applied to US products and apply that exact same percentage to everything without exception to exports to the US (naturally upon entry into the US). That will end the games.
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This is the kind of story that really irritates me. Yes, I understand what HD is doing... They are setting up behind tariff barriers.
Trump is right we need to tax imports into the US at the highest rate that countries tax US goods. Now that would be equal and fair trade. Now, I am not talking about tariffs, because those are commodity specific. Further, tariffs punish the good guys as well as the bad. I am taking about border adjustment taxes that mirror what you do to our products.
So if Thailand taxes US Bourbon and cigs at 40%, then everything Thailand sends to the US will face a 40% tax. Let's see how "fair" Thailand would think this is.
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20 hours ago, Guyindanger said:
for all those who said i should grow a pair i already do have a pair and if they get any bigger ill need a wheelbarrow . when she's good she's very very good but when she,s bad she,s.............................
Seems she is withholding, but when she isn't she is very, very good. At the same time, you describe her as clingy and jealous.
Why don't you use her jealousy, to get what you want? Have a quiet conversation and simply tell her all men seek a "complete" relationship including the physical side. When they don't get this at home, all men start looking elsewhere.
Then tell her that you have NOT started looking yet, but are not far from doing so.
If she ignores the hint, she really doesn't care about you. She is more interested in saving face.
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I recommend that:
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, you ignore my advice!
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6 hours ago, nextmove said:
There are many reasons why as you put it "I don't want her back" , we are thousands of miles apart living different lifes and to be together I would have to uproot my daughter and swap her English education for a Thai one with all the problems that entails.
5 years is a long time apart and things and feelings can change.Yes I have yet to fully forgive her stupity but feel one day when I'm a little older and more mellow I probably will. I will support her if she is ever in any genuine trouble such as poor health,after all she is my childs mother so our journey through life is not over.
NM, thanks so very much for your interesting story. Real life stories like yours are a way for all of us to learn from the mistakes of others.
It is always easy to "Monday morning quarterback" and say, "This would never happen to me."
As for you ex wife/partner, don't forget ... people change. She has suffered due to her mistakes and being older, maybe she learned from them. I know it's complicated given your distance, but some compassion would NOT be misplaced.
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On 3/28/2018 at 11:00 AM, joeBr said:
Hey,
sorry for late reply as I was very busy.
And to give even more context. No bargirl. Family lives in Korea, is in shambles now - not an option.
Jesus Christ on a bicycle! Joe, are you telling us she is Korean and has no family at all in Thailand?
This is one of those little "details" you should have mentioned up front! Just about everyone on TV assumed she was Thai and possessed the "home court advantage". If she is Korean, no matter what she tells the police, they could care less.
How about a few more "details" such as:
1. Does she have a work permit?
2. Does she have a support network of any kind in Thailand?
Yes, we all understand you don't wish to give her any cash, but hell ... how is she supposed to survive?
Thai cops told to smarten up, get their hair cut and speak politely - R7 chief speaks out
in Thailand News
Posted
All kidding aside, it is important to look professional when you are demanding a bribe or torturing a suspect. Otherwise, no one will take you seriously.
I mean, this is just common sense in improving efficiency.