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[Berty]

Things'll never change chaps. Same as the Baht bus mess in Pattaya. Shame really as these people will never learn, however the tourists continue to flock.

[cdnvic]

Berty, on 2006-12-05 09:22:29, said:

Things'll never change chaps. Same as the Baht bus mess in Pattaya. Shame really as these people will never learn, however the tourists continue to flock.

...but the Taxi drivers are pricks

What choice do you think the (male) tourists will make?  

[pap]

intoxicajun, on 2006-12-02 23:46:37, said:

backflip, on 2006-12-03 08:19:34, said:

"He had "fallen asleep" in the back"
Why did you put "fallen asleep" in parentheses?  Doing so indicates that's not what happened.

"He begged us not to involve the police, or the newspapers."
Why would he do that?  That doesn't make sense at all.

Your story does not seem right, and it appears to be simple fear-mongering.  Why would you do that?

Say flip, are we on the same island?  Do you even live here?  Fallen asleep in QUOTES, not parentheses, (geezer) is meant to say, passed out.  As I said, had you been paying attention, he went to Patong after a grueling day at work.   As far as your grammar, use spell check before you send notes from now on.  These (  ) are parentheses, these are quotes " ".

http://wsu.edu/~bria...arentheses.html
http://wsu.edu/~bria...ors.html#errors

Why would I engage in fear-mongering.  Why would I need to?  With all the violence in and around Phuket, there needs to be little story telling, just look around.

("He begged us not to involve the police, or the newspapers."
Why would he do that?  That doesn't make sense at all.)

Makes perfect sense.  To alert the police would mean the possibility of one of the police knowing one of the assaliants, and maybe informing him.  Same with the newspaper.  It's funny that you would think someone would to such lengths to strike or attempt to strike fear in people.  It is people like you, who choose to turn a blind or in fact, ignorant eye to what is going on.  This is why violence happens here. Because people like you choose to ignore it when it does and will continue to happen.  People like you need to wake up and realize that not everything around them is smiles and fresh fruit.

If you alert the police you limit your response possibilities.

If your buddy isn't going to bring in the cops, (and pay them handsomely to make a point) or write something in a paper hitting them in the pocket book that leaves few options.  

Accept it and move on... or don't ....If you choose don't, and you really were trained out, then you already know not to post anything here.  Since you are posting I assume you're hoping there's a way to fix this.  There are no good options.  Let me say that again.  There are no good options.  

If its known who the tuk is then any course of action you choose is fairly simply.  Once you choose police you are limited to only that option.   It would be a bad idea to pretend to be drunk and pretend to fall asleep while having him take you somewhere dark.  Bad things happen in the dark.

Be smart and get on with your life.  If you choose to be stupid....good hunting....but be sure you are aware of ALL the facts.  You may not really have them. Then again it may not matter.

[BkkAnimalover]

I don't live in Phuket but I live in Thailand more than 15 years already , from the experience I get during this time I strongly believe that the only way that can give some good and direct results , is not the newspaper even if is an international ones, is not the Police all of us we know well why , I don't like violence and I hate who use it against the others expecially when not happy enough of having stolen His money   they use the number ( 4 to 1 ) the situation ( tired , drunk and in a land far 10000 km. or more  from His hometown ) to outcome and badly beat a person that is simply asking them to bring him back home . In this country they respect You only if they skare of You . If they think that You are a little man they will always give You tons of s...t . The nice part of the story is that here is not so complicate become a big man , skare them and get respect . Not only in Thailand money is " God " as foreigner I think that one of us by average earns money 20-30 times more than ONE OF THIS B.....D , so simply collect some donation from all of us , contact the right group of people from a different province , give them the requested amount and then simply go back to our activities , they are really professional and at the right time they will explain to the four B.....d  that what they had done is " NO GOOD ! " . I'm sure that after that most of the others will get the strong feeling that the game is over and they will simply put their head down the sand as usual without complain , reactions and probably even smiling . N.B. I'm not suggesting to start a war , I'm simply give my opinion on how to stop someone acting against the others as the worst of the crimanals ,  ( I don't say as  animals because I'm worry to get complain from dogs , snakes , Jenas , Condors , shark ecc. ecc. If Your friend will not come back to Phuket anymore tell him to not be worry so much about them , they are not so smart and powerfull to reach him and hurt Him more , also because who is behind them limit their freedom in the island and they don't want rumors came up somewhere else , could be not safe for them .....Hope He will recovery soon . I live in Bkk , so in case I can be helpfull for Him in someway let me know , will be a pleausure. p.s. I can speak Thai fluent. Regards

[Padkapow Guy]

cdnvic, on 2006-12-05 08:52:55, said:

Wolfie, on 2006-12-04 14:12:40, said:

In all seriousness, as 'EX-Spec-Ops US Navy' i would hope you'd have a touch more intelligence than to come here and kick off some kind of war.

But then maybe that oxymoron "military intelligence" thing holds true  

Authentic "special ops" are easy to spot. They're the ones not telling anyone about it.  

Exactly cdnvic

My short military career was supporting these guys. The one thing I learned is they never talk about it.
Never admit to it. They are not there to try to impress drunken bar flys.

My best friend stayed in the Army. Now he is a command sgt major of a special forces group. If you did not know him you would not even know he is in the army. They have a code not to talk about what they do.
And they honor it.

They dam sure would not get involed in a tuk tuk mafia war.

Best bet is to call up Steven Siegal


PKG

[Tony Clifton]

Padkapow Guy, on 2007-01-23 04:18:44, said:

Best bet is to call up Steven Siegal


PKG

Anything to keep the lamer from making more movies.

[BkkAnimalover]

Tony Clifton, on 2007-01-23 11:35:17, said:

Padkapow Guy, on 2007-01-23 04:18:44, said:

Best bet is to call up Steven Siegal


PKG

Anything to keep the lamer from making more movies.

I'm here to discuss and try to find solution to solve our problem and not to  judge the tips , the suggestion or the ideas of someone else . Nobody is perfect and nobody always give a good or the best advise ( point of view ) . Probably my reaction in the eyes of other member is considered as " kick off a war " or a  " movie " and I respect their ideas but I repeat that the reason why I'm here is to discuss and try to find out a solution , so I write my point of view . Sometimes the road to solve a problem is not nice and not confortable and You have to choose. Accept the situation and live with that problem always near You or solve the problem . I read many post that suggest to report to the Police or write on an international newspaper and I wonder if we are in the same place or not .  The first solution make smile and who live here longer know why , the second is a polite way to let many people know that we have a problem but 3 days after all the reader already forget it ( our friend sure will not forget it for all his life) and nothing change. Question : we want solve the problem or we want have some fun judging the opinion of other member that from our point of view are funny , crazy or even stupid ?

[Padkapow Guy]

BkkAnimalover, on 2007-01-23 13:38:14, said:

Tony Clifton, on 2007-01-23 11:35:17, said:

Padkapow Guy, on 2007-01-23 04:18:44, said:

Best bet is to call up Steven Siegal


PKG

Anything to keep the lamer from making more movies.

I'm here to discuss and try to find solution to solve our problem and not to  judge the tips , the suggestion or the ideas of someone else . Nobody is perfect and nobody always give a good or the best advise ( point of view ) . Probably my reaction in the eyes of other member is considered as " kick off a war " or a  " movie " and I respect their ideas but I repeat that the reason why I'm here is to discuss and try to find out a solution , so I write my point of view . Sometimes the road to solve a problem is not nice and not confortable and You have to choose. Accept the situation and live with that problem always near You or solve the problem . I read many post that suggest to report to the Police or write on an international newspaper and I wonder if we are in the same place or not .  The first solution make smile and who live here longer know why , the second is a polite way to let many people know that we have a problem but 3 days after all the reader already forget it ( our friend sure will not forget it for all his life) and nothing change. Question : we want solve the problem or we want have some fun judging the opinion of other member that from our point of view are funny , crazy or even stupid ?

I am here for the fun

But in all seriously, do you think Thailand is going to change its ways to protect foreigners when it does even care about its own people.

The rich rule thailand and they do not want us here. So just come to los spend your money as fast as you can and leave!

These problems will never be fixed in our life time. If you take off the rosey glasses and realize this you will not be so disappointed when it happens again. Thailand is still a beautiful place and a cheap vacation destination with some of the nicest people in the world. But farangs are nothing more stupid people who part with their money very easily.

Don't get me wrong I love Thailand, and except it for the way it is. A Farang will never have any rights in LOS.
So there is no need to get bent out of shape over something you can not change. The only thing you can do is have lots of money when you are in Thailand. Money will solve most of your problem in Thailand.( I know this is not unique to Thailand)

sorry could not sleep may sound a little grumpy

PKG

[BkkAnimalover]

Padkapow Guy, on 2007-01-23 16:18:15, said:

BkkAnimalover, on 2007-01-23 13:38:14, said:

Tony Clifton, on 2007-01-23 11:35:17, said:

Padkapow Guy, on 2007-01-23 04:18:44, said:

Best bet is to call up Steven Siegal


PKG

Anything to keep the lamer from making more movies.

I'm here to discuss and try to find solution to solve our problem and not to  judge the tips , the suggestion or the ideas of someone else . Nobody is perfect and nobody always give a good or the best advise ( point of view ) . Probably my reaction in the eyes of other member is considered as " kick off a war " or a  " movie " and I respect their ideas but I repeat that the reason why I'm here is to discuss and try to find out a solution , so I write my point of view . Sometimes the road to solve a problem is not nice and not confortable and You have to choose. Accept the situation and live with that problem always near You or solve the problem . I read many post that suggest to report to the Police or write on an international newspaper and I wonder if we are in the same place or not .  The first solution make smile and who live here longer know why , the second is a polite way to let many people know that we have a problem but 3 days after all the reader already forget it ( our friend sure will not forget it for all his life) and nothing change. Question : we want solve the problem or we want have some fun judging the opinion of other member that from our point of view are funny , crazy or even stupid ?

I am here for the fun :lol:

But in all seriously, do you think Thailand is going to change its ways to protect foreigners when it does even care about its own people.

The rich rule thailand and they do not want us here. So just come to los spend your money as fast as you can and leave!

These problems will never be fixed in our life time. If you take off the rosey glasses and realize this you will not be so disappointed when it happens again. Thailand is still a beautiful place and a cheap vacation destination with some of the nicest people in the world. But farangs are nothing more stupid people who part with their money very easily.

Don't get me wrong I love Thailand, and except it for the way it is. A Farang will never have any rights in LOS.
So there is no need to get bent out of shape over something you can not change. The only thing you can do is have lots of money when you are in Thailand. Money will solve most of your problem in Thailand.( I know this is not unique to Thailand)

sorry could not sleep may sound a little grumpy

PKG

I agree that money will solve most of your problem in Thailand and I add almost every where , the difference is only on the amount. I live permanently in Thailand more than 15 years already and I deeply love this country and the Thais , personally I  have hundreds of local friends of all categories and I get a different point of view . Probably my view is different from Yours first of all because I'm living in Bangkok that  is not a tourist minded city , in so many years I  heard about similar story of violence against strangers not more than 3-4 times and in all the cases the criminals has been dicovered , arrested and hardly sentenced within few days . Than thanks to the fact that actually I can say that I'm able to understand and speak Thai fluently ( better than English ) I realize that what I was thinking about Thais and Thailand during the my first period here ( 3-4 years ) was almost wrong and I also understand that the best way to manage any kind of situations ( I mean to get the best result ) is simply , just do exactly what a Thai man of a similar level do in in the same situation ( Thai Society and relationship between person are always based on their status and cross the borders is very  hard and could be very dangerous ) . You know why this tuk tuk drivers criminals ( don't call them mafia please , some sicilian will take it as an offence ) they do this kind of thinks not only to stole Your money sometimes  just for fun  or for revenge against someone that they don't like because their status is much more lower and they think that Your wealth depend exclusively from Your good luck . They do it so easy and without any reason just and only because they know well that is not risky and You will never react . They will never even think to do it to a similar level of Thai man ,  they know very well that they could face sometinghs even harsh immediately after  . Is not nice to say and not funny to do it but the only way to stop this kind of crime and keep them calm and smiling is to skare them and to do this there is only one way , their way , also because their ignorance prevent any kind of pacific and mutual benefit solution . N.B. I'm talking about stop it , then there are also other solutions ( probably more smart solutions ) as try to minimize the danger avoiding as much as You can places and person like that , or completly avoid any contact buying a one way ticket . Sorry if my answer is so long  and my first replay was a bit hot but I was really very touched and my blood temperature suddendly become very hot reading the story of a man that has being assaulted in a such bad way and now is suffering in an hospital badly injured , skared at the point to ask to not talk about his story to the press , not enough they had also stolen his money . My best regards to You and my best wishes of a prompt recovery to Him .

[StickKettleOn]

Can someone explain to me what the crack is over there in Phuket?  I browse this forum now and then, and often find posts about tuk tuk guys kicking of or local Thais going mental for no reason.

Seriously - i realy want to know.

WTF is going on over there?  I lived in Samui for over two years, we also had a taxi mafia.  The difference was, that the only mafia activity they employ is to stick together to ensure none of them use meters.  Thats as far as it goes.  It would be a cold day in hel_l before a Samui taxi driver so much as shouted at you, let alone beet the fark out of you.  Never in my two years there did i hear of one taxi driver getting tasty with anyone.  Never.

We also had a proper mafia there - but they had jack shite to do with tourists or ex-pats.  Never did i hear a story of mafia bullying bar owners, business etc.

And whats the deal with the references to lady boys over in Phuket?  Cant walk on the beach at night and all that?  Again, in samui they pester you a little but if you tell them to piss off, they do.

So why is it so crazy over there?  They are both simmilar islands - phuket is just bigger.  I dont get it.

How many tuk tuk drivers are there in Phuket?  Are there so many that the powers that be cant give them a slap now and then when stuff like this happens?

I hope the poor bloke gets well.  And to the guys here that have said 'must be more to it', im sorry but thats bang out of order.... a poor bloke got beat to hel_l.  He may have gave them a bit of lip but did not deserve 4 blokes battering him.

[LivinLOS]

StickKettleOn, on 2007-01-24 09:35:29, said:

How many tuk tuk drivers are there in Phuket?  Are there so many that the powers that be cant give them a slap now and then when stuff like this happens?

Seems 'the powers' own the noddy cart leasing.. Hence the red menace always gets it way..

[faultytower]

Phuket is fast getting a reputation as a place where violence is becoming the norm. These acts of violence
are happening all over the island and with increased frequency

[qualtrough]

Not in any way wishing to defend the Tuk Tuk scum, but from the details presented by the OP another scenario could explain what happened:

1. Friend is shit-faced, walks down soi and hails Tuk Tuk. (according to OP)

2. Passes out in Tuk Tuk and and is woken up by driver. (According to OP)

3. Friend realizes wallet is missing, blames Tuk Tuk driver. (According to OP)

4. Friend is beaten by Tuk Tuk driver.

Here is what is what easily could have happened:

Friend gets drunk, loses wallet, hails Tuk Tuk. Cannot find wallet, blames Tuk Tuk driver, curses him out, and refuses to pay. Tuk Tuk driver and friends proceed to beat shit out of said friend.

I think the fact that the Tuk Tuk driver demanded payment adds to the possibility that he might not have been involved in the theft, since the Tuk Tuk driver probably would have cared less if he had stolen a wallet with lots of money.

It certainly is not right for Tuk Tuk drivers to bash people, but in many parts of the world you would not fare much better if you stiff a taxi or similar driver. I used to know a cab driver in Canada, and one of the stories he told me was about being stiffed by a customer one night. He got out of the cab, slammed the guy face first against a wall, and took the fare out of his wallet. Out of character, but sometimes people ask for it. Not saying this is necessarily the case here, but when someone gets so drunk they pass out you have to wonder if their recollection matches what really happened.

Edited by qualtrough, 2007-03-01 23:05:03.

[lazeeboy]

womble, on 2006-12-03 12:43:49, said:

We need to find a friendly foriegn journo and get every incident into a tabloid.

Now this may sound wierd but........

I bet we could find a journo for the sun or news of world that would put this in for a small fee (corruption Thai style), if we club together, put a quid or two in each, I bet we can get a few stories in print.

things will change very quickly when it gets into the international media!

we are getting enough bad press what with rapes murder and the likes the thai police should sort this out otherwise our resorts and bar will be empty and then they will be layed off and finding new jobs picking coconuts as there parents not that long ago

[khall64au]

lazeeboy, on 2007-03-02 02:18:57, said:

womble, on 2006-12-03 12:43:49, said:

We need to find a friendly foriegn journo and get every incident into a tabloid.

Now this may sound wierd but........

I bet we could find a journo for the sun or news of world that would put this in for a small fee (corruption Thai style), if we club together, put a quid or two in each, I bet we can get a few stories in print.

things will change very quickly when it gets into the international media!

we are getting enough bad press what with rapes murder and the likes the thai police should sort this out otherwise our resorts and bar will be empty and then they will be layed off and finding new jobs picking coconuts as there parents not that long ago

Thai journos who report the truth are, at best - sacked- at worst, laid to rest. Foreign journos, in residence, who know the truth dare not report that truth in fear of being expelled never to return.

One could pass on the 'truth' tho to any number of newspapers around the globe!

Edited by khall64au, 2007-03-02 02:39:39.

[DrDweeb]

StickKettleOn, on 2007-01-24 03:35:29, said:

Can someone explain to me what the crack is over there in Phuket?  I browse this forum now and then, and often find posts about tuk tuk guys kicking of or local Thais going mental for no reason.

Seriously - i realy want to know.

WTF is going on over there?  I lived in Samui for over two years, we also had a taxi mafia.  The difference was, that the only mafia activity they employ is to stick together to ensure none of them use meters.  Thats as far as it goes.  It would be a cold day in hel_l before a Samui taxi driver so much as shouted at you, let alone beet the fark out of you.  Never in my two years there did i hear of one taxi driver getting tasty with anyone.  Never.

We also had a proper mafia there - but they had jack shite to do with tourists or ex-pats.  Never did i hear a story of mafia bullying bar owners, business etc.

And whats the deal with the references to lady boys over in Phuket?  Cant walk on the beach at night and all that?  Again, in samui they pester you a little but if you tell them to piss off, they do.

So why is it so crazy over there?  They are both simmilar islands - phuket is just bigger.  I dont get it.

How many tuk tuk drivers are there in Phuket?  Are there so many that the powers that be cant give them a slap now and then when stuff like this happens?

I hope the poor bloke gets well.  And to the guys here that have said 'must be more to it', im sorry but thats bang out of order.... a poor bloke got beat to hel_l.  He may have gave them a bit of lip but did not deserve 4 blokes battering him.

There are so many Tuktuks (not really tuk-tuks actually, they are small. 4 wheeled Diahatsu trucks that are possibly even more uncomfortable to ride in than a real Tuktuk - but I digress), around the tourist areas of Phuket, that they are like a plague of locusts.

They are hideously expensive by any reasonable standard.  One ride in a Tuktuk over anything but a trivial distance would probably pay for bike rental for a week.

The Tuktuks are a law unto themselves, they consume vast amounts of street space that they have assigned to themselves, and protect it with a high level og agression.  The Tuktuk mafia pricing structure "fixed fee plus".  They have a monopoly and defend it.

I have not met even one Tuktuk driver whodid not have an "attitude".  Most of them I have wished to terminate.

So, I avoid the Tuktuks on Phuket, because they are expensive and the drivers are aggressive ignorant a-holes, however I mostly avoid them for fear of my life.  I ride motor bike taxis in VKK all the time and have had zero problems with them - ever - and they sure do know how to negotiate the traffic.  The Phuket Tuktuk drivers are maniacs who respect no other user of the roads.  Using a Tuktuk puts your life, and that of every other road user at risk.  Not using them is a benefit to public safety.

I do not go and get drunk anymore, unless I have alternate means of transport home.  I like my life too much.

Didn't Samui get taken over by some danish biker gang?  It's a few years since I was there last.

[Jimjim]

intoxicajun, on 2006-12-03 06:24:09, said:

I am sure that if say, I wanted to buy a Tuk-Tuk, and get a work permit and taxi tourists around the island that there would be some red tape, and maybe a license fee or something, but I imagine it would be more.  For instance, I am sure I would get threatened, and scolded by the local Tuk-tuks.  I would be forced to pay or "kick-up" as Tony Soprano has said.  I am sure there would be unwritten fines, and fees that would be applicable.  Police would get some and so would the Street Bosses.  But I could never get them to accept me as one of them.  I would have to fight like the first woman in combat.

Foreigners cannot be taxi drivers in Thailand.  It is a banned occupation for foreigners according to Thai law.  This ain't New York City.

[Dupont]

Jimjim, on 2007-03-02 04:49:42, said:

intoxicajun, on 2006-12-03 06:24:09, said:

I am sure that if say, I wanted to buy a Tuk-Tuk, and get a work permit and taxi tourists around the island that there would be some red tape, and maybe a license fee or something, but I imagine it would be more. For instance, I am sure I would get threatened, and scolded by the local Tuk-tuks. I would be forced to pay or "kick-up" as Tony Soprano has said. I am sure there would be unwritten fines, and fees that would be applicable. Police would get some and so would the Street Bosses. But I could never get them to accept me as one of them. I would have to fight like the first woman in combat.

Foreigners cannot be taxi drivers in Thailand. It is a banned occupation for foreigners according to Thai law. This ain't New York City.

Being dead would circumvent most of the red tape anyway, so don't worry about it

[womble]

lazeeboy, on 2007-03-02 02:18:57, said:

womble, on 2006-12-03 12:43:49, said:

We need to find a friendly foriegn journo and get every incident into a tabloid.

Now this may sound wierd but........

I bet we could find a journo for the sun or news of world that would put this in for a small fee (corruption Thai style), if we club together, put a quid or two in each, I bet we can get a few stories in print.

things will change very quickly when it gets into the international media!

we are getting enough bad press what with rapes murder and the likes the thai police should sort this out otherwise our resorts and bar will be empty and then they will be layed off and finding new jobs picking coconuts as there parents not that long ago

Perhaps if the country was shamed by the international press and pressure was put on them to clean up Phuket, Samui, Pattaya and other beach resorts, it might be better for everyone in the long run.

No?

[DaiilyLlama]

I am a regular visitor to Phuket ( 8-10 times a year ) contemplating a property purchase there

Its sweet that all the well meaning types here are looking for an explanation of the increasing violence in Phuket .....


But it just doesnt wash ;


Last weekend i was with my family ( 2 kids ) in a tuk tuk and the driver refused to take us where he had originally agreed ( it was Kata beach - not an "unknown" for the tuk tuk driver )

I went around to pay him and he said the fare had increased - i said that was unreasonable - he pulled a knife !

I threw him the money and got out of his way - he backed up the tuk tuk , screaming in full view of the busy street, he continued waving the knife around , threatening death, disembowlement and other attrocities ;

I admit i could ignore the general feeling of rising tension, until this happened - it has really kind of put me off the place

[smartecosse]

its is a shame that they are allowed to get away with it but "they" simply hold too much ssway over the powers that be for anything to be done

its a joke in patong now, try to find a parking space on beach road you have half of it coned off by tuk tuk drivers and the rest by the bike / car rental guys. Where are you meant to park? Been using the Junceylon one and walking but i can see them putting a stop to that

[ToTheBeach]

I am pretty sure that most Phuket expat residents know stories of abuse by tuk-tuk drivers and associates.

As for myself.....
Last 4 weeks 2 times issues with them. First one was a tuk that hit me full with a mirror in the back whilst standing on the side of the road. He kept driving and in a rush I smashed a small dent into the back. The guy stopped and yelled abuse. Photos made by bystanders showed his broken en twisted side mirror and the situation. Faced with that he finally moved out quickly, knowing that he was in the photo in rather compromising position.
Second time was when I was looking for a parking space for my motocycle on Rat-U-Thit road close to Jungceylon. To my surprise I found an open spot within moto cycle parking area. After parking confronted by one of the tuks stating tuk tuks only. Showed him my unwillingness and the reason why. After this he pushed his tuk against my bike. Told him I would ripp his head off if he continued and proceeded into the shop. The driver followed me into the shop but backed off when he realised that all staff knew me by name. Coming outside he continued his tirade. As his tuk was now parked against my bike I pushed his cart (or tuk tuk) away and told him that he did not set the law for me before riding away.

Just 2 simple instances where they think that the law does not apply to them. I will never, ever use them and will stand up against them if needed. I hope everybody will do the same....

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

cdnvic, on 2006-12-05 08:52:55, said:

Wolfie, on 2006-12-04 14:12:40, said:

In all seriousness, as 'EX-Spec-Ops US Navy' i would hope you'd have a touch more intelligence than to come here and kick off some kind of war.

But then maybe that oxymoron "military intelligence" thing holds true  

Authentic "special ops" are easy to spot. They're the ones not telling anyone about it.  

that is SOOOOO true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[faultytower]

DaiilyLlama, on 2007-03-03 10:56:42, said:

I am a regular visitor to Phuket ( 8-10 times a year ) contemplating a property purchase there

Its sweet that all the well meaning types here are looking for an explanation of the increasing violence in Phuket .....


But it just doesnt wash ;


Last weekend i was with my family ( 2 kids ) in a tuk tuk and the driver refused to take us where he had originally agreed ( it was Kata beach - not an "unknown" for the tuk tuk driver )

I went around to pay him and he said the fare had increased - i said that was unreasonable - he pulled a knife !

I threw him the money and got out of his way - he backed up the tuk tuk , screaming in full view of the busy street, he continued waving the knife around , threatening death, disembowlement and other attrocities ;

I admit i could ignore the general feeling of rising tension, until this happened - it has really kind of put me off the place

DaiilyLlama....Sorry to hear about your bad experience but unfortunately it is a trend that is happening to many people phuket on a worryingly all too frequent basis. The number of violent or threatening attacks has been increasing dramatically over the last couple of years in phuket and i fear it will only get much worse until their is another horrific beating that makes it into the media or the death of a tourist.
Sad but probably rtue

[PCA]

Sad story, really though I think that there was something else that caused the incident to develop that tragic.
I am using the tuk tuks in Patong regularly since years, basically 3 to 5 times a week when I go out. I know many of them and cant state that they are more rude than the crowd in the nighlife scene in Patong. Since this is probably not commonly known there are many policemen driving tuk tuks in their free time and I have (had) more than a handfull of businesscards with their name and police rankings on it. So you dont need to involve the police in any of those things when you think that you are the first or only one witnessing it. Those actions are all backed up by the bigger guys.

The situation in particular is just suspicious to me due to the fact that the driver who did the fare to Chalong had to assemble help from the spot. If this all would have been planned as either theft, beating up or both then he would have been accompanied right away from starting in Patong.

Best way is to always pay in advance no matter where the trip goes when chosing a tuk Tuk for the ride. There is no meter to determine the price and there cannot be misunderstandings accordingly. This is all business and they are making the rules. Deal with them or let it be.

All Thais when brought to the boiling spot are ready to kill you instantly, also those with almond eyes and big t..s. But whom am I telling this.