wcr
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Posts posted by wcr
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I've got nothing against Howard or his broadcasting empire but though the Aussie was off his head our dear volunteers did absolutely nothing to see if the Aussie's tale was true. They took the Aussie to the van at the end of the street and (to be fair) tried to calm him down.
Agreed. The guy had a huge cut to his head. He was obviously drunk, but no investigation into why he was assulted and by whom. Obviously Thai's assaulted him, so, that's it then? No further action?
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I am in the UK.
The programme is called "Big trouble in Thailand"
It is on Bravo channel, which is a satalite/cabel channel.
It really does not show Thailand in a good light if the first episode is anything to go on. But as they say, the truth hurts.
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Last night I watched a new TV series starting on UK TV. It does not show Thailand in a good light, and serves as a huge warning to all who go there on holiday. The hour long programmes hold no punches.
Last night showed 6 Royal Navy personel getting ripped off in Phuket with the jetski scam. The owner bought out a gun and threatened all of them with it to get his 44000B. The cheif of Naval Police (UK) turned up and had a big face to face barny with the owner saying why is it you only get damage done when my boys take out your jetski's. And called him a thief to his face. Anyway they ended up paying 33000B.
Then there was the full moon parties. All about drugs and a young English girl who was done for having weed on her. They also featured 2 TPV's, one English lady and one American lady. Head of the TPV's was the English lady. They both seemed real nice and caring people. Helping those who were worse for wear and rendering first aid. Also the British Consular was filmed giving advice to prisoners about paying bond over and saying a lot without compromising himself. There was talk of police corruption and how you can pay your way out of everything.
Then they switched to Pattaya and HM + tribe
And what a difference compared to the first showing of the TPV's! Shots of them marching up and down WS, patroling in an electric car with flashing lights, jumping out of same to find a Thai foodseller who was selling drugs. Dealing with a drunken Aussie who had been assulted. Complete difference to the first lady TPV.The series continues next week.
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Don't forget there are in fact 3 sets of Farang volunteers.
1) The TP. These provoke the most comments. These are found in Walking Street wear the uniforms and all the gadgets.
2) The one at Soi 9 Police Station. These sit at a desk in the police station and are there for people to approach and ask questions of proceedure etc. They do wear a uniform, black trousers and black shirt with Police Volunteer embossed.
3) The Immigration Police volunteers. These don't where any uniform and inform in IP of suspects working without permits and overstayers.
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Can any one ever answer what procedure of character screening is put in place for the FPV.
The two I have known both had "history" that would have any reputable organization serving the public running a mile from them.
I ask this question on every FTP thread and surprisingly the normally fast to respond FTP posters never answer.
I'll answer that for you as I went through the process. This may have changed now as when I looked at the TPV it was about 4 years ago. Basically I went to see the police captain. He asked me about myself. I then got sent out to see what the role was like (at my request) with Howard. I did this for a couple of weeks before I decided it was not for me. If I wanted to proceed I believe I had to fill out an application form and then have some sort of induction. I know that they did start running training days for wannabe TPV headed up by the head honcho HM. I am an ex-police officer of 16 years in the UK and I took information in to back this up when I saw the captain but he wasn't interested in any of that, and happy to take my word of my experience.
The FPV's who are based in Pattaya Police Station is different don't forget. That is Niels Colovs Kingdom. There again you need to fill out an application form. You are then buddied up with a team leader and after a couple of shifts get put with 2 experienced people for a couple of weeks before going onto the regular rosta. I did join the FPV's as I felt more comfortable sitting in the police station at a clearly marked desk and really helping out both tourists and expats who had to go to the police station for some reason. Some of the people I came accross in the FPV's had been police officers or in the military in thier own countries, but most had not.
I hope that goes some way to explaining? But the background checking is very limited from what I saw.
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The TP FV's do get involved in things. They watchout for flower sellers and move them on, stop the shoe shine boys and anything else thier Thai masters ask them to do. I know this as a few years ago I went down WS several times with HM whilst he was on duty as I was considering joining them and I wanted to see exactly what they do. They do also help out farang who are lost or have had money stolen etc. Frankly the work was pretty boring most of the time, just walking down the street or sitting at the police van. There was one farang volunteer who spoke fluent Thai and he was useful.
I decided not to join them as I was quite concerned about most of them and why they were there. To my knowledge one was an ex Military Policeman, none of the others had police experience apart from Howard who told me he had been a police volunteer (special) in the UK, however he later denied this on this forum.
The question to whether they have the law on thier side is easily answered. No. However I was told that if I did get involved in something that I was not to worry as the police would always back you up and get you out of any situation as I was there supporting and helping them. Another reason not to join IMHO.
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Nice? Or the truth?
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You gotta remember what "creepy" you tube star Howard Miller does for his day job. By doing what he does with the police volunteers it gets him in the know about what is happening and gives him access to important people. He denies this of course, but it is as plain as the nose on your face. Secondly he is of course on a power trip, and his actions in this video are pathetic. He'll be the first one with a camera in someones face who has been set up by the people he volunteers for as they make thier high visibility arrest. Yet when someone films him, they are stopped? Talk about double standards. But then again, I guess this sort of behaviour sits nicely in Thai culture. One rule for me and one rule for everyone else.
BTW The Thai police were called as good as useless today on the BBC News here in the UK by the ex UK Ambassador to Thailand.
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Oh dear. Good video link Paul.
When will you guys realise you will never win with these "protected" people.
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Thailand on self distruct again?
Thankfully I got out when I did.
Oh how I miss all the upheavil... NOT.
Thai's -
Thanks for the suggestions guys. But I really need to know of a travel agent in Bangkok where my partner can go and book the ticket and pay for it in cash. I am in the UK do can not do it myself on a credit card.
Cheers
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Dear All
I am looking for a one way ticket to the UK in early Feb. Can anyone please suggest a travel agent in BKK that could help with good prices. Ticket needs to be paid for with cash.
Thanks
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Thanks to all for your suggestions.
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Can anyone suggest a clean but cheap (800 Baht or less per night) hotel in BKK that is a short walk or taxibike ride from a BTS station for my Laos partner to stay when visiting BKK in a few days?
Thanks
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Can anyone suggest a clean but cheap (800 Baht or less per night) hotel in BKK that is a short walk or taxibike ride from a BTS station for my Laos partner to stay when visiting BKK in a few days?
Thanks
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Can anyone suggest a clean but cheap (800 Baht or less per night) hotel in BKK that is a short walk or taxibike ride from a BTS station for my Laos partner to stay when visiting BKK in a few days?
Thanks
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UPDATE
I have just been told that AIA will actually now be paying out 260,000 Baht. The insurance rep got it wrong. No surprizes there then? They are paying me by 2 cheques, one for 60,000 and one for 200,000. The agent only told me about the first one!
So, they will have paid me out 460,000 in total. The total hospital costs were 700,000 Baht.
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Amateur Insurance Agents ( AIA )
Very true what you're saying and not just AIA, many of them are just AMATEURS or shall I say ruthless businesses. You see those glossy brochures with "we care" crap. All bull.
I am with Premier now. Fingers crossed. Hope they deliver what is in the policy wording, especially if you forked out 78,000 Baht for the yearly premium. LMG I heard offers something quality also, 100% full coverage, I think for around 40k but IPD only though. Anyone insured through LMG?
To OP,
If you don't mind me asking; how much did you pay for the insurance?
I had had the insurance for 5 years in total I think. Upgraded to cover Cancer 6 months before I got diagnosed with Cancer. The total premium I think was 40,000 Baht and I was 44 when I upgraded
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Wcr, which insurance have you opted for? Congrats on the recovery, all the best!
Not sure what you mean by this question?
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Thanks guys.
I am well know, and back home in the UK. Got given the all clear in August. Had another op here in September, and all is well.
As for the insurance, it was in Thai with an English sumary. I didn't expect the complete sum as it was over the excess. However I was told by my agent who worked everything out for me that I should expect another 500,000 Baht on top of the 200,000 already recieved. OK, it doesn't cover, but it pays a fair chunk. However to only get 69,000 is an insult.
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I have had AIA health insurance for 4 years whilst in Thailand, and 2 years ago upgraded to a Cancer policy. Last year I got colon cancer, had the op in Pattaya. Following compilcations I stayed in hospital for 2.5 months. Total bill 3M Baht. I got paid an initial 200,000 Baht and was told I would have to wait for the rest. Now in October and after the claim went in in January I have finally (and after a lot of chasing) been told the balance will be paid to me. The maount is 69,000 Baht.
Unbelievable. I can't understand why its so little. In typical Thai style my insurance agent is no frigging use, just saying "thats all company give"
So my warning is do not use AIA for health insurance.
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Seems like there a lot of dissatisfied purchasers?
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One of the comments at the bottom of the pages creased me up
"Why the panic?! Estate agents don't have to worry if they lose their jobs as there are plenty of jobs out there stacking shelves and the qualifications required for these jobs are the same as for an estate agent."
Do you remember the Maureen Lipman adverts where she was always consoling her grandson (or was it a nephew?) about his crappy exam results: ", Oooh, you got an 'ology! You said you'd failed and you got an 'ology? You get an 'ology and you're a scientist..." There was a parody on this on some comedy show where she tells the kid, "Aw, never mind love, even if you don't get an 'ology, you can always become an estate agent!"
A relative of mine back in the UK is very much in that category, a successful estate agent without so much as an O-level to his name. He's nothing but a charming con-man, but people like him and like doing business with him. Personally, if he ever shakes my hand, I quickly check to make sure I've still got all my fingers.
Nice way to talk about a family member!!!
And what a difference compared to the first showing of the TPV's! Shots of them marching up and down WS, patroling in an electric car with flashing lights, jumping out of same to find a Thai foodseller who was selling drugs. Dealing with a drunken Aussie who had been assulted. Complete difference to the first lady TPV.
Thai's
Howards Mob On Uk Tv
in Pattaya
Posted
No of course not. He must be Cambodian or Loas? Perhaps, English?