Mafia/murder/crime,etc

[Spitfire]

Agree with many of the points that have been made here. Thailand is a generally safe place to be as a tourist. The locals are not really interested in getting involved with you as it's too much of a problem.

There is, however, the Thai's own world and it is distinctly different from the one most experience whilst on holiday. You only see this somtimes if you live here for long periods of time.

This world is 'Thai world' and you are seldom welcome in it(on an understanding/participating level) and are usually steered away from it.

Much happens in the 'Thai world' that goes unnoticed by us and the Asians often settle scores/disputes out of court.

I believe there are "dark forces" everywhere, but to what extent they prevail or extend is debatable.

The Thais are very protective of their tourist industry and, from what I can gather, the penalties for the locals from the authorities for disrupting it or giving it a bad name are very severe.

It is quite safe as long as you don't do anything stupid.

Once you start doing business etc(as SJpointed out), then that's a different ball game, it's their rules coupled with the absence of a fair court, you'll hear stories that will turn your blood green. All they want us to do is visit, spend and then dissappear. If that's what you do then it will be tranquil and enjoyable visit.

[Bamboo Grove]

mark johnson, people were giving different opinions from yours and did it in a very polite way. Why get so upset?

[buksida]

Some very good points raised here, on the news front yes of course all the bad things could be covered up and there are already a number of Hua Hin publications that stick only to advertorials or 'happy news'.

But as someone said if anything happened whilst visiting I'm sure the first reaction would be "why wasn't I told about this". For those looking to live here or do business this kind of news is essential, we need to know what's going on.

Also as said this is still one of the safest places in Asia to travel to and these incidents are a shock to all because they are so out of the ordinary.

[STEVE G]

Just one point to add to what Guess has sensibly pointed out here, is that many Thais I know use the word “mafia” to refer to any type of criminal, or somehow antisocial, gang activity.
This is in no way necessarily related to an organized crime family in the manner of the Italian /American mafia.
For instance I was sat on the porch one day talking to our taxi driver when a group of teenager lads on scooters rode by and he referred to them as mafia which to me seemed an exaggeration of their criminal potential.
Likewise in my partners village people refer to local troublemakers as “mafia”, but in the west we would just see them as hooligans or whatever.
I’m not saying that organized crime doesn’t exist in Thailand, as a daily read of the Bangkok Post suggests it does, only that when you hear the term “mafia”, don’t instantly think of something like the Cosa Nostra.

[Super Joe]

Likewise in my partners village people refer to local troublemakers as “mafia”,
I’m not saying that organized crime doesn’t exist in Thailand, as a daily read of the Bangkok Post suggests it does, only that when you hear the term “mafia”, don’t instantly think of something like the Cosa Nostra.

Spot on Steve from my experiences too. Been with my wife and there wa s dodgy Thai character causing a fuss and my wife said 'he mafia'. I asked her to elaborate as in is in local gang and she explained that she was talking about him as an individual.
But in thailand that goes for many Thai lads who may be nice as pie normally, not getting up to any trouble etc, but a small altercation and he comes back with 10 mates with weapons and seriously injure the person. Seen it loads of times.

Couple of cases that stick in my mind:
1) Pattaya where skinny little Thai kid is rowing with his girlfriend in a bar gets aggressive, two farangs stop it and throw him out. He returns and shot them both over something that trivial.

2) Thai lad grabs gold off Thai ladies neck, farang chased and caught him and Thai got 2 or 3 years. Day after he got out he shot the farang dead. So they can certainly hold a grudge.

SJ

[lomuamart]

On a positive note, I came back from a friend's house last night on foot down the canal road. Was looking for a motorcycle taxi, but there were none around. It was only about 9.30pm, so that makes a difference as there are still quite a few people around.
There's been a thread on the board about the thugs who used to target foreigners riding bikes along that road and I'm not belittling that unfortunate time, but I didn't really have a care in the world. Approached a Thai man selling food from a stall and asked if there were any motorbike taxis around. He just asked if I was going home and where that approximately was. He called over to someone else saying he was taking the farang home.
Admittedly, I let him drop me off on the main road rather than on my doorstep, but as there had been no mention of money I gave him 50 Baht. He was happy as Larry, waied me and rode off into the darkness.
That wasn't the only time I've been stumbling around HH somewhere and someone has taken pity on me and taken me home, normally refusing any money at all. (And I do mean just a lift home, nothing else - before some bright spark suggests differently
)
The number of times I've been stranded either up or down country waiting for bus connection are too numerous to count. As I'm having a beer, the local hooligans invite me over to their table for a chat. It's rude not to accept and the rest is history. I've been taken to discos in Chumphon, given food in Issan, taken to parents' houses in Sungai Kolok and all for nothing.
Sure there are bad people. They're everywhere, but "touch wood" I've just been lucky so far. Just try and smile, speak some simple words in Thai and I bet you'll never have trouble.
I felt more worried about walking around my neighbourhood in South London than I ever have anywhere in Thailand.
Albeit a long post, I hope that's positive because that's how I generally feel about Thailand.

[Super Joe]

Nice story Lomu.

I think the thing is here, it can be one extreme to the other. Thais are really, friendly warm people etc etc, but if you insult, get aggressive with them they can turn in the devil.

SJ

[Cowtown Comedy]

Steve, thanks for opening up a new thread for this. I think we were all considering it. My only comment is remember where we are and that disputes are settled different here. Keep a low profile, keep calm, be patient, and consider the fact that there are hundreds of people who will happily end your life for few baht.

[splitlid]

the fact that it is making the news and attracting so much attention from the public just shows how irregular it is. if nobody was concerned and talking about it then that would be a real worry.

[steve/m]

Mark,i never said i threw 2 Thais out of a restuarant.
I said i threw 2 farangs out of my wifes Salon in selecam.
And if you know Huahin so well, then you would know that her shop was opposite peters pub ,the lord nelson.
As for believing me........well im not worried eaither way. But then again you could always go and ask Peter.

As for connections, well non existant in my case.
Yes i know Thai men,that have guns, but up to them they have their reasons and thats not my business.

[steve/m]

CC i do understand %100 what you have said.
For myself when im in LOS i have energy/power in myself I feel alive.

My head is full of ideas,i go places i talk to everyone i can, be they Thai or Farang.

I want to know and learn about everything

Many people have told me in the past not to do things in LOS that i would not do in the uk. Well i heard what i was told but so far have done everything i would not do in the uk, and im not relating to bad things
When i first came up with the idea of painting the Wat people said to me you cant do that you need a work permit etc .

Well yes maybe thats true,but my wife and i still went ahead and did it.

Do i want to live in LOS..Yes

Can i afford to live in LOS No

Will i live in LOS Yes.

Will i buy a house or condo No

I will build my own house

Will i try to have it in my name No.

My wife and LOS give me all i ever want from life,and yes its hard right now not being with her. Its hard everytime, i come back to Huahin and have to leave again.

But i know things will not always be this way,things will change will get better.

I never feel scared in huahin or anywhere else in LOS.

You all sound like a great bunch of people,and as i have said before,maybe i have met some of you before,in passing or in a restuarant/bar, or maybe at my wifes shop.

And if not maybe if i can make it back in Dec we can all meet up sometime.

[richard]

Steve/m

You mean the salon connected to the golf shop?

What happened to the Thai owner or do you lease it off him?

[Ray123]

That foreigner D who got shot on his doorstep from a pickup. Was he having disputes with the English developer? about the house he was living in or different house. if it is off topic or against rules don't answer but i was searching and didn't find. i don't know the story or whos right or wrong but shoting the guy takes it to a whole other level but serves to scare the rest of us into place or not.
I'm surprised not to see cctv at the gates of all them places to discourage crimes and link them to internet with wifi to discourage inside jobs. the technology is very inexpensive now.
usually they get installed in houses after robberies, treats etc which is too late.

[Spitfire]

Hi Ray......er.....well.....I don't think any of us should speculate on a subject that is still "ongoing" out of respect to many angles and I think this has already been mentioned elsewhere. Think this is a more general thread.

The reason I have actually answered is because this is a very interesting thread and it would be a shame if it was "killed" with one post as many will have input on it which is a benefit to all readers from all places.

Please continue gentlemen, informative to get differing angles.

Mods, I apologise if this is a bad post.

[Cowtown Comedy]

I'll be extremely careful here, so lets say I know a friend of a friend of a friend....that has in her speed-dial on her mobile a number to call for getting rid of things...same day service...10,000B.