"We are not coming back" : Tourists give the thumbs down to Khao San Road changes

[TPI]

15 hours ago, Thian said:

Do you think it was good for the image of BKK and Thailand that the whole world knew that on kao sarn road you can buy fake id's, presscards, university degree's, and probably everything else fake...It was just open on the corner of the street for loads of years...

Yes! Of course, where else could you buy a "talking point" to show your friends back in civilisation? People come to the LOS because it's different, like Kings Cross in Sydney or any other sleezy part of town in any country! Think about how many people rely on the money that these tourists bring into the country....? Have you ever been to Kaow San road??

[Yeahbutwhytho]

Many years ago when I first came to thailand I visited Phuket, Koh Samui and Bangkok as a tourist, the reason I fell in love with the place is just how fun it is - its a UNIQUE tourist experience you cant see anywhere in the world. Its on mars compared to anything else. But one mistake me and a friend made, we didn't do much research about bangkok before arriving, so what we did was all the tame stuff on top of trip advisor list planned quickly and NO DRINKING PLACES. We had enough of it while having fun in Phuket & Samui and were ready to just see BKK sanitized, that means

1, No Khaosan Road (never heard of it), no nana, no anything like that
2. No Street food stalls around the famous soi's (heck we didnt even know where they were)
3, Only market we saw was the one in chinatown

So basically we had the sanitized experience.. and damn was it about the most boring trip we've ever had. Phuket and Samui was AMAZING, but for years whenever people asked for suggestions we said 'just skip BKK and you'll have fun', but that was until I discovered the street food, the parties on the streets, the uniqueness of BKK yet years later (and Thailand became my favourite country behind HK). I visited BKK as if I visited from the gentrified future

The point of the story is, lets picture out all the things that are planned to be destroyed in this ridiculous sweep... the culture completely wiped out of a city... and god damn is that a boring thought.

[natway09]

Never mind,,,,, I am sure the Chinese will find a use for it & they will get all the help they need from this Government

[Enoon]

1 hour ago, mfd101 said:

But those of us who live here dream of a modern, prosperous, democratic country, well-governed, non-corrupt, with its young people climbing the education ladders and building a better life for everyone, with safe roads and a decent welfare system as well as rewards for hard work.

 

 

 

That sounds nice.

 

Just one small problem.

 

What do you think the governing clique wants?

 

Oh, by the way, who in that governing clique gives a **** about what "those of us who live here dream of" ?

 

 

[hottrader77]

17 hours ago, Lungstib said:

Seems like streets full of cars is fine but streets full of people need banning. Weird.

the army government did the same thing in pattaya they took away all the seats on beach road nice big comfy seats all along its 2 mile stretch and replaced it with only 2 seaters and only about 10 of them in a 2 mile stretch and cleared alot of girls working on beach road off the sea front to make it into a family orientated place , so tourists now have to sit on the floor at side of the beach as all the 10 seats are full and tourists sit on a dirty floor with cochroaches running about over them as there is nowhere else to sit also alot of girls disappeared as they got sick of the constant harrassment of the army authority messing them about and fine them all the time also they never spend any money on cleaning the beach and sea up so your swimming next to rubbish in the sea at pattaya beach and also rats are running about and living on the beach and also many thais who do taxis motorbikes go onto the beach and piss on it at night sometimes in the middle of the beach where people sunbathe a disgusting habit and as i say the army authorities never clean the beach so the money must be going in their pockets and treating tourists like rubbish is only going to send the wrong message they are useless and brainless people running it now and i cant wait till the thais have had enough of the army and get back to democracy , they also stopped the businesses putting deckchairs on the beach 1 day a week on a wednesday so the businesses are losing more money brainless baffoons same ones that are in charge of kao san road 

[MaxYakov]

4 hours ago, whaleboneman said:

And just how much is a tuk tuk from Khaosan road to Tijuana?

How much you can pay? ?

[MaxYakov]

36 minutes ago, hottrader77 said:

the army government did the same thing in pattaya they took away all the seats on beach road nice big comfy seats all along its 2 mile stretch and replaced it with only 2 seaters and only about 10 of them in a 2 mile stretch and cleared alot of girls working on beach road off the sea front to make it into a family orientated place , so tourists now have to sit on the floor at side of the beach as all the 10 seats are full and tourists sit on a dirty floor with cochroaches running about over them as there is nowhere else to sit also alot of girls disappeared as they got sick of the constant harrassment of the army authority messing them about and fine them all the time also they never spend any money on cleaning the beach and sea up so your swimming next to rubbish in the sea at pattaya beach and also rats are running about and living on the beach and also many thais who do taxis motorbikes go onto the beach and piss on it at night sometimes in the middle of the beach where people sunbathe a disgusting habit and as i say the army authorities never clean the beach so the money must be going in their pockets and treating tourists like rubbish is only going to send the wrong message they are useless and brainless people running it now and i cant wait till the thais have had enough of the army and get back to democracy , they also stopped the businesses putting deckchairs on the beach 1 day a week on a wednesday so the businesses are losing more money brainless baffoons same ones that are in charge of kao san road 

Wow! A 297 word sentence (according to the Mac's UNIX wc utility) with only two commas and without an opening capitalized word and a closing period. This has to be some kind of record. It makes me tempted to doubt the quality of the content.

[Dick Crank]

11 hours ago, JennaBurrows said:

Utter nonsense. Khao San Road is packed with Chinese folk at night partying. 

upper crust chinese dont like khao san. they dont think its cool man.

 

one wealthy buffet eating fancy hotel room watching escort bobbing head with a rolex will spend many times more the hoards of chinese backpacker dreadlocks musty unshaven arm pits in tiny guesthouse farting think its cool dudes.

[lamyai3]

2 hours ago, MaxYakov said:

Wow! A 297 word sentence (according to the Mac's UNIX wc utility) with only two commas and without an opening capitalized word and a closing period. This has to be some kind of record. It makes me tempted to doubt the quality of the content.

The content makes a valid point. Agree about the punctuation though. 

[utalkin2me]

There are novels with only a single period in them. Under 300 words is not even that bad. 

[MaxYakov]

3 minutes ago, utalkin2me said:

There are novels with only a single period in them. Under 300 words is not even that bad. 

Best sellers, I'm sure. Can you name one? (are we off-topic enough or should we continue?)

[lamyai3]

21 hours ago, Thian said:

Do you think it was good for the image of BKK and Thailand that the whole world knew that on kao sarn road you can buy fake id's, presscards, university degree's, and probably everything else fake...It was just open on the corner of the street for loads of years...

Most definitely. People love it that places like this exist in the world. Being labelled a mecca for backpackers isn't an idle phrase - to become such a major travel hub over decades is an accomplishment many places in the world would aspire to. It's also a relatively clean image of Thailand that backpackers and gap year kids can write home to their parents about, compared to many of the shadier parts of town. 

 

If you have an issue with fake goods, then you're going to have to insist on closing every market in the city, including those in legitimate off road locations. As mentioned earlier in the thread, fake goods can be found everywhere in abundance, including the markets of London, Paris etc, and and all over Asia. When Lady Gaga came here a few years ago she made the Thai authorities furious when she tweeted that she was looking forward to buying a fake Rolex in Mongkok - the irony is that in spite of her slip of the tongue, she could have picked up any number of fake watches in either place - Bangkok or HK.

 

It's interesting that it only seems to be the most anally retentive expat types who are in favour of these crackdowns. The wider world mostly loves the wild and crazy version of Bangkok depicted in The Beach and The Hangover 2, and is always baffled by the authorities' actions, such as the street food ban immediately after CNN reported on Bangkok being the best place in the world for it. They seem to have a reverse midas touch here, how to turn gold bricks back into shit. At the end of the day, all it tells the outside world is that the country under the current administration is being ruled by a bunch of incompetents with an iron fist. 

[lamyai3]

19 minutes ago, utalkin2me said:

There are novels with only a single period in them. Under 300 words is not even that bad. 

I like Jack Kerouac myself, but (as in his case) stream of consciousness writing with no punctuation suggests too many drugs. Not a good look in a conversation when trying to make serious points. 

[JennaBurrows]

11 hours ago, bkkgriz said:

Ah well, just the price we pay for globalization. Isn't it wonderful? Every place looks just like every other place. How completely boring the world has become.

This.

 

Do the tourism officials, governer Sakoltee Phattiyakul ask themselves why are so many millions coming to Thailand?

 

It's not for pavements. It's not for malls (every single metropolis now has mega malls). It's not the non existant tourist attractions that Thailand has - where is Bangkok's version of Sentosa, or Universal Studios Bangkok, casinos, historical landmarks, museums etc? Oh they have none. 

[JennaBurrows]

11 hours ago, yellowboat said:

What does the junta government have against all things Thai ?  They are determined to ruin Bangkok.  Thailand gets sadder by the day. 

 

They want to be Singapore. But they don't even have a fraction of the wealth Singapore has. They plan to do this by somehow destroying 20% of their GDP that comes from tourism. 

 

Makes sense. 

[utalkin2me]

18 minutes ago, lamyai3 said:

Most definitely. People love it that places like this exist in the world. Being labelled a mecca for backpackers isn't an idle phrase - to become such a major travel hub over decades is an accomplishment many places in the world would aspire to. It's also a relatively clean image of Thailand that backpackers and gap year kids can write home to their parents about, compared to many of the shadier parts of town. 

 

If you have an issue with fake goods, then you're going to have to insist on closing every market in the city, including those in legitimate off road locations. As mentioned earlier in the thread, fake goods can be found everywhere in abundance, including the markets of London, Paris etc, and and all over Asia. When Lady Gaga came here a few years ago she made the Thai authorities furious when she tweeted that she was looking forward to buying a fake Rolex in Mongkok - the irony is that in spite of her slip of the tongue, she could have picked up any number of fake watches in either place - Bangkok or HK.

 

It's interesting that it only seems to be the most anally retentive expat types who are in favour of these crackdowns. The wider world mostly loves the wild and crazy version of Bangkok depicted in The Beach and The Hangover 2, and is always baffled by the authorities' actions, such as the street food ban immediately after CNN reported on Bangkok being the best place in the world for it. They seem to have a reverse midas touch here, how to turn gold bricks back into shit. At the end of the day, all it tells the outside world is that the country under the current administration is being ruled by a bunch of incompetents with an iron fist. 

On this whole fake id point, since we are already in the illegal and unethical realm, what I would like to see are markets where stolen goods are sold cheaply. I am serious too. Yeah yeah you can tell me all you want that this will promote theft but <deleted> all that. Give me markets with cheap, stolen camera gear and ipads all day before the fake id crap. 

[JennaBurrows]

Think what one poster wrote that there are too many officials who are trying to justify a salary and job. Sit in their big offices thinking of brain storming ideas how to interfere and change Bangkok. There is no democracy so they can actually do what they want.

 

These past 4 years is the first time they are being led by a non democratic BMA. 

 

[pattayadgw]

The same old story as it is with many things they decide to do.... 'its all due to the fact they dont have any idea what tourists want'!!!

[cmsally]

20 minutes ago, JennaBurrows said:

Think what one poster wrote that there are too many officials who are trying to justify a salary and job. Sit in their big offices thinking of brain storming ideas how to interfere and change Bangkok. There is no democracy so they can actually do what they want.

 

These past 4 years is the first time they are being led by a non democratic BMA. 

 

Adding to that, there is also the fact that no one in a junior /lower position to any official will be telling him/her he is wrong.

This is one of the big problems that increases the education issue exponentially - the "yes culture".

[JennaBurrows]

3 minutes ago, cmsally said:

Adding to that, there is also the fact that no one in a junior /lower position to any official will be telling him/her he is wrong.

This is one of the big problems that increases the education issue exponentially - the "yes culture".

 

This. 

[Phil Here]

Yet again picking on the easier things to discourage the tourists. How many times are they going to shoot themselves in the foot? Why don't these brain dead people do something to encourage more tourists and make Thailand a safer and a beautiful country,  like stop polluting the sea, taxi rip offs, driving standards and more?

[JennaBurrows]

8 minutes ago, Phil Here said:

Yet again picking on the easier things to discourage the tourists. How many times are they going to shoot themselves in the foot? Why don't these brain dead people do something to encourage more tourists and make Thailand a safer and a beautiful country,  like stop polluting the sea, taxi rip offs, driving standards and more?

 

If they are genuine and concerned about safety (LOL), then why not ban the cars driving up that road, the bikes parked up, taxis parked up. Why is it okay for a stall not to be around, but it's perfectly okay for a car to block the same space?

 

On Sukhumvit now, you essentially have a car park on the pavement where stalls used to be. 

[JennaBurrows]

Just now, JennaBurrows said:

 

If they are genuine and concerned about safety (LOL), then why not ban the cars driving up that road, the bikes parked up, taxis parked up. Pedestrian only the road, like many cities are doing. Why is it okay for a stall not to be around, but it's perfectly okay for a car to block the same space?

 

On Sukhumvit now, you essentially have a car park on the pavement where stalls used to be. 

 

[The Teacher]

23 hours ago, colinneil said:

Just another brain dead idea by brain dead people.

The brain dead bar stewards are slowly destroying Bangkok with these stupid schemes, what they fail to realise is tourists love what Kao san road was like before they tried to sterilize it.

Welcome to Bangkok the city where the only thing you will experience is nothing but empty streets.

Another fine example of not listening to the peoples need or having your head stuck up your ass, your decide 

[lamyai3]

25 minutes ago, cmsally said:

Adding to that, there is also the fact that no one in a junior /lower position to any official will be telling him/her he is wrong.

This is one of the big problems that increases the education issue exponentially - the "yes culture".

Yes, the only way they get reprimanded is when it gets blown up in the foreign press, and they cause their higher ups to lose face. The fact that they haven't cottoned onto this by now is a sad reflection on the lack of critical thinking skills in the education system and culture at large here. 

[cmsally]

17 minutes ago, lamyai3 said:

Yes, the only way they get reprimanded is when it gets blown up in the foreign press, and they cause their higher ups to lose face. The fact that they haven't cottoned onto this by now is a sad reflection on the lack of critical thinking skills in the education system and culture at large here. 

Yes its a huge problem and I think it is one that is very underestimated and in the present culture is actually getting worse (if that is possible).

[NoshowJones]

15 hours ago, manarak said:

the government brings order to the wrong places and not to the places which would need more order.

Correct, you mean like sorting out how to reduce the carnage on the roads.

[NoshowJones]

15 hours ago, LongTimeLurker said:

In 23 years in Thailand I've never felt the need to go to Khao San Road.

I only go for the fake IDs, certificates etc, before my trips to the UK, just as well I got there before my upcoming trip.?

[NoshowJones]

15 hours ago, RyanWalker said:

Lol you think? I'm sure they all have visas and work permits in soi 3 and 5 and 4 and 11. Rather catch the teachers working and let Nigeria do their business.

I cannot imagine the Nigerians passing round brown envelopes.

[NoshowJones]

15 hours ago, JennaBurrows said:

Governor Sakoltee Phattiyakul doesn't have a single clue what attracts tourists to Bangkok. It's not like neighbouring Singapore who are spending billions on Sentosa, Universal Studios, Golf resorts, Marina Bay, etc - and still get nowhere near the tourist numbers of Bangkok. 

 

This is a clue for Sakoltee - it's not shiny clear pavements. 

 

How a man like that ever got into a position of power is beyond parody, go read up in his rather dodgy history. It's all about saving face now, there is no way he will back down and look stupid (which he is).  He is going to hope no one creates a fuss with the 6pm-12am plan and forgets it - as he ruins one of the greatest cities in the world. 

 

Bring back the street food to Sukhumvit !!!!!!!!!!! 

Fine, as long as they do not go back to the recent past of forcing people on to the road to get past.