Thailand FAQ

I’ve been meaning to do a Thailand FAQ for a long time. There are many questions visitors and expats alike have about Thailand and most visitors I’m sure end up using a TH FAQ before coming to LOS. I wanted to make one that’s useful and that combines not only my knowledge but other resources as well.

Thailand FAQ is a pool of information from a number of sites - and I’ll be adding to it over today and tomorrow as well. There are many subjects that deserve a whole FAQ for themselves. The Full Moon Party was one of them.

If you have written a FAQ about some part of Thailand - the culture, attractions, anything really - shoot me a link and let me see if it will fit with this Thailand FAQ collection.

Joe, an American inside Suvarnabhumi, Joins PAD

I’m watching some American clown on Thai PAD TV named Joe. A “marine” from Boston, Mass. in the states. Quoting John F. Kennedy… telling PAD at Suvarnabhumi Airport they should continue to fight for Democracy and independence.

Apparently he’s the only foreigner in the airport - and he just stood up in front of the whole group on a microphone to tell them he loves Thai’s and he loves the King. A woman asked what he wanted to say to HM the King…I cringed… he said, POM LA RAK Si Luang or something like that. Nobody said a word. He tried again. Silence. The woman told the audience what he said…

He’s wearing a yellow shirt and headband.

One of first things he said to the crowd that he has been “sleeping with all you people”. He then went on to explain he’s been talking with many people there at the airport about the corruption in government and that Thaksin was the head of it. He went on and on… warning them against violence…

Then he said, there’s only 2 ways he’s leaving the airport:

1. He gets dragged out, forcibly removed.

2. The airport opens. He is NOT leaving until he can fly out of the Suvarnabhumi Airport he insists.

Jesus… It’s time like these that you’ve gotta question Americans getting involved in things they don’t understand. The guy doesn’t speak Thai - though he tried, so he’s not been in-country long enough to not make an idiot out himself… Oh well. He sat down now - almost 10 minutes standing up making the whole group uncomfortable. I thought it was a teacher, “Mark” that I worked with at one time - that would have been great.

Why is it always an American?

Another Perspective on PAD, PPP

There is so much resentment toward People’s Alliance for Democracy, but I must say I see can see their side. I understand what they’re fighting against. I don’t agree at all with their methods, but, if I were really incensed about something going on in my country where I felt like the whole country was being taken advantage of by those in government - whose to say what I would do?

Here’s an interesting article about a guy - expat maybe, that makes an argument for PAD based on his experience living in Thailand.

While his experiences with PAD show them to be non-violent and non-radical, events of recent days show otherwise. There is a lot of emotion behind their protests, understandably so.

The current government - the People’s Power Party (PPP) - I keep hearing people say, was “Democratically elected”. There is a shade of truth to this as elections were held - but maybe Thailand has never had an election free from corruption. Allegations are that PPP, like Thaksin did years before, bought votes and manipulated polls and polling stations. Allegations are that Thaksin is still pulling the strings of the PPP from abroad. Having Thaksin’s brother in law as the current Prime Minister probably is fueling those accusations just a little. Probably the PPP that exists now is no different in spirit than Thaksin’s Thai Rak Thai party.

PAD appears to really want a government free from corruption - at least the current brand, and is fighting for an idea that is very strong in their minds and hearts. Their real goal is to remove anyone associated with Thaksin so he can’t affect anything in the country anymore. Thaksin made billions of dollars for himself, family, and friends while Prime Minister… some insist it wasn’t above board. I don’t know one way or the other - neither do you. What we read in the newspapers is of course not 100% truth. Government controls much of what is released through the media, including TV, radio, and newspapers. Still the TRT government watched helplessly as huge allegations of corruption slipped into the media and gradually gained a following as charge after charge was leveled at Thaksin and members of his TRT party.

Before this current crisis I heard many expats that have been living here for many years complaining about Thaksin and how he’s corrupt through to the bone and they couldn’t believe the Thais’ ignored it and went about business as usual. Now - when there is a group fighting against Thaksin and all he stands for - these same expats want airports open and business to be as usual. Expat business ‘owners’ were prospering under Thaksin - but wanted to enjoy their prosperity AND have him ousted as PM. Now - he’s ousted and the country is dying economically.

Can Thailand have good leaders AND economic prosperity at the same time?

Now Thaksin doesn’t seem to have been that bad to many expats - and Thais. Some (most?) are willing to accept Thaksin’s return if he can turn the country around economically - and he probably can. The guy is brilliant in his manipulation of people and cash. Will he return? I’m betting he will. Apparently he has a few BILLIONS of US Dollars on lockdown in Thailand that the courts won’t release. That’s a lot to fight for. I think he’ll give it everything he’s got to return.

Probably today is going to be the day of action by PPP, police if Prime Minister Wongsawat can mobilize them, and maybe the Army will either be called in or step in.

What if Thailand had a government almost free from corruption? What if the government was transparent and all dealings were subject to scrutiny and punishment if found to be self-serving or otherwise corrupt?

You know how far we are away from that today? Wow. Every bit as far as in the 1990’s I think. Is PAD any better? Any less corrupt? The politicians, chiefs of police, generals, business leaders and more that have enjoyed a corrupt Thai society because it gave them freedom to do as they chose is still here. Everyone has their own selfish interests at heart - not really the good of the country or the prosperity of the country as a whole in mind. Those with billions of baht are still in charge. The people are relatively clueless about the level of corruption that goes on. It’s accepted most times - it’s the way Thai society “is”. Usually it’s nothing Thais’ get upset about.

Now PAD is upset about it - is it for reasons of self-interest or the good of the country?

Probably a little of both.

Bomb Blasts Hit Bangkok, PM to Declare Emergency

Probably not a good time to come to Bangkok. Will update this as info becomes available.

Bangkok Ready to Blow Like Krakatoa?

Here’s a great article about the situation in Bangkok as it is today.

Is Bangkok ready to explode like the ultra-violent Krakatoa volcano?

Amazing Thailand indeed! Amazing Thaksin if he pulls off a comeback!

Is Thailand Safe to Visit Now?

I have a friend working with TAT, you may know him - he’s a well known expat and writer. He’s been working with them to try to dispel the myth that Thailand is unsafe at the present time for visitors because of the political situation. He’s helping to create videos for them and marketing to Europeans, Japanese and everyone else that Thailand is safe for visitors as we start the regular visitor high season.

I’m a member of a few travel boards where people regularly ask questions about whether it’s safe to go here or there. Lately everyone is asking the same question - is Thailand safe to visit now?

Is Thailand safe for visitors now?

Here are a few reasons I think it’s safe enough for visitors:

1. I’m completely unaffected by anything happening in Bangkok. If people are dying in clashes there with police - that doesn’t have a trickle down effect causing the rest of the country to be unsafe. In fact, I’d say only if you’re taking part in the demonstration in Bangkok, are you at risk of injury or death. If you’re coming here to visit you’ll be OK. If you’re coming to revolt against the government and incite Thais to rioting on a mass scale, you might be in danger.

2. The entire country - outside of Bangkok is unaffected by anything happening in Bangkok. The rest of the country will continue to remain safe - even though Bangkok might get tense.

3. This is a Thai political problem. Thais have nothing against foreigners. They love you. They want you to come. They don’t want you to have problems once you get here. You will not be accosted to confess your political beliefs about the current system, Taksin, or anything else. You’re not involved in any way. This has nothing to do with the terrorists in the south.

4. Even at the height of the airport protests in the few major airports there really wasn’t a problem with violence at all. Airports were blocked. So, you extend a few days. That’s the extent of the issue in areas outside Bangkok. Nobody is going to throw a brick at your head if you go near the Phuket Airport during a demonstration. Thais are afraid of the police and military. As a group they very rarely get violent first, they have quite peaceful demonstrations.

Is Thailand safe to visit during this political instability?

Yes. That’s the right answer with a few qualifiers…

Don’t take part in demonstrations.

Don’t spend your vacation in Bangkok - get out and see the rest of the country which is infinitely more enjoyable than Bangkok’s crowded streets anyway.

Stay away from the deep south. Krabi, Lanta, Trang are all fine. Thais say that even down into Songkla is fine. I wouldn’t say that, but down to Trang is perfectly fine.

Recently 10 countries issued fresh warnings about traveling to Thailand during this time including UK, Sweden, Germany, Canada and others. (Not USA). I think you’re fine to come, AND bring your family. Mai pen rai the whole thing - it’s not affecting the country as a whole. If it does- then delay your trip. Right now - business as usual everywhere outside Bangkok.

Bangkok Governor Hopeful Falls Into Canal in Bangkok

This got a small photo and brief caption on the front page of The Nation online newspaper today (25 Sept) and I’m glad I caught it. Just kind of funny. No article, just this…

Leena Jungjanja is pulled out of Saen Saeb Canal Wednesday. She fell from the Pratunam pier into the canal while campaigning there for her race for the Bangkok governor’s seat.

Thailand is NOT All That Corrupt!

Isn’t that remarkable? I know it sounds like a ridiculous statement but I have proof to back it up.

Yes, really. Transparency International posted this corruption index that ranks countries on their levels of corruption and Thailand is nowhere to be found in the worst 90 countries!

Out of 180 countries mentioned, Thailand is just 96th. That’s bottom 50%. If you look at the map the countries that are darker red - like dried blood are the ones that are most corrupt. Those tending toward yellow are less corrupt. The country in white (Greenland?) didn’t have any data.

Now, if Thailand is ranked in the better 50% on corruption what does that mean for the rest of our world? The map makes it pretty clear.

Notable highlights…

UK beat USA
Japan beat USA
Hong Kong, Germany, Ireland and Belgium beat the USA.

Somalia is worst most corrupt country in the WORLD. Myanmar (Burma) is 2nd!

Cambodia is 15th.

Laos is 26th.

Philippines, 38th.

Canada is a great big cold place but not very corrupt.

Australia is the only warm place that is not that corrupt. The other countries that rank well are located in the really cold regions. This means two things.

1. Corruption puts money in people’s pockets. These people move toward the warm weather.
2. Australians with money aren’t smart enough to move toward warm weather.

Joking, joking - I think the Aussies are about the friendliest, coolest bunch I’ve met here in Thailand. Sorry to joke at their expense. Anyone else want to interpret the results?

Here is full list:

Global Corruption among Countries of the World, 2008

Thailand’s Political “Situation”

I usually don’t pay much attention to politics - here or abroad, but I wanted to find out what the real situation is all about here in Thailand since the tourist season is fast approaching and all will be ruined if this drags on for any amount of time.

I found this New York Times article that summed it up pretty well.

Thailand Protests…

It appears that political analysts - Thai analysts think that the people really aren’t ready for a real democracy. They actually prefer a system similar to the ruling monarch idea. They like it. They want it to resemble that more than they want democracy.

Great article - read if you have 2 minutes.

How Many Will Die in THIS YEAR’s War on Drugs?

ThaiVisa had this headline in a feed I read from them, “War on Drugs to start on April 2″

If you remember the war on drugs from previous years you’ll recall there were somewhere in the neighborhood (no good numbers) of 2,000 people dying all over Thailand as a result of Thai police having target practice in the streets!

Human rights activists cried about it later, but how much good did that do? If this quote is right from the nation - they say, they want Thai police to be tough and IGNORE the concerns of human rights activists?

It’s times like these that you can get a glimpse of what those running the country are really like. Usually this kind of thing goes on all the time, but every once in a while - they announce it to the country and the public sees it on a much wider scale than usual.

If you know anyone doing drugs in the country - or on the police shite list you might want to suggest a trip to Laos for a month or so. A year?
They pulled a clip from the nation,

War on drugs to start on April 2

BANGKOK: — The government will launch its war on drug on April 2 and mobilise all units to crack down on illicit drugs for 90 days, Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrun said on Wednesday.

Chalerm said he was aware of a difficult fight ahead but expected cut down the trafficking. He called for strict law enforcement without heeding the concern of human right advocates.

– The Nation 2008-03-26

I never do this, but there are some VERY interesting comments at ThaiVisa forum about this subject… I find forums so filled with extraneous shite that it’s like separating salt from pepper with a toothpick. So far at least the forum is right on and offers some good suggestions as to the reason for Thailand’s “War on Drugs” this year.

Thailand’s War on Drugs >

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