Chiang Mai – English girls walking around a temple in bikinis

Via: Living Thai

This afternoon police in Chiang Mai were called to Wat Phra Sing in the center of Chiang Mai that there were 3 foriegn girls walking around the temple dressed in nothing but bikinis.

The police escorted 2 of the girls to a shop so they could buy some clothes to cover up.

The girls were given a warning and allowed to leave.

English girls walking naked around a temple in Chiang Mai

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Thailand – UK Foreign Office Issues Press Release Warning again Balcony Falls while on Holidays

Via: City News – Chiang Mai

The press release strangely does NOT mention Thailand, especially Pattaya, where SCORES of expats and holiday makers fall to their deaths not just every year, but every month, including many Brits. A quick Google search and subsequent browse through the Pattaya dailies stands testament to the amount of unlucky balcony accidents.

What is perhaps perplexing is that the vast majority of falls involving foreigners occur in Pattaya, followed by Phuket. Since the inception of CityNews around two years we have reported one foreigner who died as a result of falling from a condo balcony. The police ruled it a suicide. In Phuket a young Australian died as a results of his injuries after he reportedly jumped from a Phuket balcony on June 25th.

The Foreign Office and ABTA – The Travel Association wrote that:

“In Majorca and Ibiza, two of UK’s top tourist destinations, there have been 9 cases – already matching figures for 2011, despite only being half way through the season. Most incidents involve young people between the ages of 18 and 35 and whilst not always the case, alcohol often plays a part.”

Paul Abrey, Consul in the Balearics, said: “We’ve already seen some tragic cases this summer which have had devastating consequences for the individuals and families concerned. This year there’s been a particular spike early on in the holiday season with figures already matching last year’s. Some people have fallen whilst climbing to a friend’s apartment, others have simply lost their footing after a few too many drinks and a few have deliberately jumped off aiming for the pool below. It should go without saying these practices are extremely dangerous and can cost them their life or leave them permanently disabled. Many young people also arrive without travel insurance. The FCO can’t pay medical bills and holidaymakers may end up paying out thousands for medical bills and flights back to the UK.”

http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=1995

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“Some people have fallen whilst climbing to a friend’s apartment, others have simply lost their footing after a few too many drinks and a few have deliberately jumped off aiming for the pool below.” – All true.

I don’t have proof, but I suspect some of the ‘accidents’ in Thailand might not be ‘accidents’; i.e. mess around with someones Thai wife/girlfriend, bye-bye.

Be careful, very very careful!

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Thailand – The scandal of British pensioners

Via: Andrew Drummand

Is the British government condemning a large group of senior citizens to an early and excruciatingly painful death?

Almost certainly it is playing a part, but health services and insurance companies are also to blame and among the worst hit are pensioners in Thailand.

The major part of the scandal is that the British government is refusing to pay cost of living increments to British pensioners living here even though they are clearly not a day to day drain on goverment resources.

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That means a British pensioner who took his pension 10 years ago – is still getting the same pension. British pensioners living say in Europe get the full year on increments.The case has been fought at the European Court in the Hague so far without any success.

British pensions are also frozen in around 170 other countries including Australia, Canada and New Zealand but not strange enough, the United States or the Philippines.

This is despite the fact that the British Foreign Office itself categorises Bangkok as a ‘hardship posting’ and provides hardship allowances to Embassy staff. And for Bangkok the allowance kicks in at about half an expat Brit’s government pension!

This despite the fact that severe restrictions are placed on consular staff stopping them from over-assisting British nationals.

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The result is that many pensioners, many of whom had frittered money away on their Thai families, on land deals and failed farm projects, cannot even cover the rising costs of living in Thailand let alone the cost of expensive private medical care, even the cheapest package.

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It gets WORSE; read more, HERE:.

http://andrew-drummond.com/2012/09/11/the-scandal-of-britains-pensioners-in-thailand/

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Chiang Mai – 500,000 Baht for Leads to Capture Daughter’s Murderer from 12 Years Ago, Says Kirsty Jones’ Mother

Via: City News

On the 10^thAugust 2000 the body of Kirsty Sarah Jones, a 24 year old Welsh backpacker in her second month of a one year, round the world, travel, was found brutally raped and murdered in Aree Guesthouse, Chiang Mai.

The case received international attention and with mounting pressure from the press, the Chiang Mai police were accused of conducting a ‘shambolic police investigation’ (I know, hard to believe, huh?) according to the BBC. One suspect after another – mostly western– were paraded in front of the press, before lack of evidence forced the police to move on to the next suspect.

Within a couple of weeks, Dr. Tanin Bhoopat, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Forensic Medicine, had announced that the DNA evidence recovered from the body was that of an Asian male.

In spite of this scientific evidence police continued to focus their investigation on westerners. Colonel Suthep Dejraksa, one of the investigating detectives at the time theorised that evidence was planted in the victim, “the farang murderer must have bought some Thai sperm from a tuk tuk driver,” he told Citylife magazine at the time. His claim was immediately disputed by Dr. Tanin who insisted that the evidence could not have been planted.

Today, Lieutenant General Suthep Dejraksa has risen to position of Commissioner of the 5^thRegion Police.

He told CityNews two months ago that he still stood behind his theory that the guesthouse’s English owner, Andrew Gill, was the culprit and that the Asian DNA was planted.

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Read more, HERE: 

http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=679

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Thai Ladyboy Beats 200 Other Women in Modeling Contest

Via:  Daily Telegraph

BRIGHTON, U.K.: — Thai lady boy Angkookrat, known as Toon, was one of 200 ‘women’ to enter the Brighton’s Next Hot Model contest.
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Shy Toon sailed through the preliminary rounds, wowing judges with her deep brown eyes, long dark hair and slimline figure.
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After being given the green light by every member of the panel, the Lady Boys of Bangkok star, 26, revealed that she was born a man.
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Organiser Scott Woolgar said: “During the selection process it did not cross any of our minds for a minute that she was a man.”

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Reed more, HERE:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/9274694/Beauty-who-beat-hundreds-of-women-to-final-of-modelling-competition-revealed-to-be-a-man.html

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The undocumented dangers of Thailand’s Roads

Via: Channel 4 News

It is a top tourist destination – but what the guidebooks don’t tell you is that Thailand’s roads are lethal. Now a group of mothers whose sons died in a bus crash are campaigning to change that.

With the Christmas holidays winding down and the weather closing in, a winter break in the tropical sun starts to sound pretty good. No wonder January and February mark the high point in our unofficial “escape season”.

Among a multitude of tempting destinations, more than 800,000 Britons strap themselves in for the 12 hour flight to Thailand – the majority no doubt, heading for the beach – or the historic, temple-laden cities in the north.

The guidebooks will congratulate you on your choice – the country boasts “international standards” at an “affordable price”. In the “general information” section, you will also read about the dangers of sunstroke and malaria and sexual diseases. What you are unlikely to find however, is one critical bit of information: in Thailand, the roads are lethal.

This is something four British women have recently come to realise. Before starting university, their sons grabbed their backpacks and left for a few weeks of fun and adventure – but their holidays in Thailand would cost them their lives.

Tragic deaths

Bruno Melling Firth, Max Boomgaarden-Cook, and Conrad Quashie – all 19 years old – arrived in Thailand for a 9-week holiday in June. They had saved up all year for a final holiday together before starting university. Four days into their trip, they boarded a night bus in Bangkok. There were heading for the ancient city of Chang Mai, which lies 11 hours by road to the north.

After a break at a road-side rest stop, the bus driver exited using the entrance road. He stopped the bus in the middle of a six lane highway as he tried to gain access to the other lane. The three boys, who were sitting at the back of the bus, saw another vehicle – an intercity bus – hurtling towards them. They even made a joke about it before they were hit.

http://www.channel4.com/news/the-undocumented-dangers-of-thailands-roads

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personal thought:

First of all, I’m very saddened for the parent’s loss.

However, it seems to me, the ride into the city from the airport should be sufficient ‘documentation’ the roads are not ‘always’ safe.

Be careful in Thailand; very, very careful.

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Pattaya – CSD Seizes Drugs Valued 10 Million THB And Arrests 58-Year-Old British Man

Via: Pattaya Daily News

Pol. Lt. Col. Kwanpichai Manocharoensap Deputy Superintendent, Crime Suppression Division said the CSD team had arrested a British citizen, charged with selling prohibited drugs such as anabolic steroids and psycho-sexual stimulants.

With an warrant from Pattaya provincial court: KOR 512/2554 dated October 8, 2011 to seize prohibited drugs at 243/38 View Talay Condominium 6, 2nd floor on Second Pattaya Road, Tambon Nong Preu, Amphur Banglamung, Chonburi province. At the condominium the police finds Ms. Jariya Promphao age 37 office manager, address: 78 Moo 1 Tambon Ponsung, Amphur Baandung, Udornthani. At the 32 square meter office the police finds a computer and an on-line web site selling sexual enhancement drugs and anabolic steroids. In a office cabinet and in the refrigerator many different types of anabolic steroids both tablet and injectable form are found ready for mail delivery. Most of the customers are in England, U.S.A. and other countries all over the world. Also false names and addresses of the sender are found.

Later more prohibited drugs are seized at another office located in 425/7 Soi 16 Moo 9 Tambon Nong Preu, Amphur Banglamung, Chonburi province. Here the police finds receipts, accounting, expense and revenue records which indicate a monthly profit of 3 million THB.

Ms. Jariya, the office manager said that all of the prohibited drugs were purchased in Thailand and the manager cum owner of the website is Mr. Chris Ireland aka “Daff” who also owns a real estate business in Hua Hin. The police suspects r. “Duff” has left Thailand.

Upon inspection of the documents. A company work permit have been issued in the name of Mr. Neil Patterson-Hartley (maiden name?) age, 58 British citizen. An arrest warrant from Pattaya provincial court is obtained and Mr. Neil Patterson-Hartley is arrested at Nicky Beer Bar Second Pattaya Road.

He claims he is innocent. However, Mr. Patterson-Hartley will be investigated and prosecuted according to the Thai law.

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2011/11/05/csd-seizes-drugs-valued-10-million-thb-and-arrests-58-year-old-british-man/

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10,000,000 THB = $325,700 USD

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Thailand – Son Of London Deputy Mayor Dies After Full Moon Party

Via: Andrew Drummond

The 28-year-old son of the Deputy Major of London has collapsed and died in a £12 a night guest house after attending a wild ‘Full Moon Party’ on the Thai island of Koh Phangan.

Police said here today that Andrew John Lister, 28, son of Edward Lister,  the former Tory chief of Wandsworth Council, collapsed while drinking with friends in a guest house on Haad Rin Beach last Monday….the morning after the island’s monthly Full Moon Party.

A police spokesman said: “Witnesses said Andrew John Lister, 28, of British nationality was drinking with four friends in room 315 of the Baan Talay Guest House on Haad Rin Beach when he collapsed.  Attempts were made to revive him but they failed.  His body was taken to the local hospital. We believe he died of a heart attack. There was no evidence of drugs in the room.”

Police said while there was no evidence of any drug taking a post mortem was being conducted.  As Lister collapsed at 6 am it appeared he had been drinking all night.

But sources close to the famly insist that Andrew Lister did not indulge in any excessive behaviour. (except of course, drinking all night – but hey, that doesn’t count).

They believe he died from an undiagnosed medical problem and a post mortem is expected to be carried out in London.

Last night British Embassy officials were arranging for Lister’s body to be flown home. Britain’s consular agent was off island at the time. Results of a local post mortem on Andrew Lister on the nearby island of Koh Samui have not been released.

Attending a ‘Full Moon’ party on Koh Phangan is a ‘rite of passage’ for many young Britons and Europeans on their gap year.

But each month the island’s hospital is always full after the party and there have been many deaths from drugs and even drowning when revelers have been carried away by the monsoon currents.

Occasionally there are fights between tourists and locals and robberies and sexual assaults are also reported each month.

Gavin Hill, a British television producer who attended serveral ‘ Full Moon’ parties for a documentary series ‘Big Trouble in Tourist Thailand’ said:

“ On the mornings after the full moon parties I accompanied the British Honorary Consul. The first question he would ask was: ‘How many rapes do we have today?’

http://www.andrew-drummond.com/view-story.php?sid=440

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Thailand – Police raid amateur sexvideo operation in Korat

Via: The Nation

Police yesterday arrested three Britons and six Thai nationals at a house in Nakhon Ratchasima for allegedly running an online sex show that fed footage for broadcast in a UK town.

Ina Radal Davies, a Welshman, said he earned around Bt100,000  each day from running the business for over a year  and did not think it was in violation of Thai laws. The two other foreign suspects are Englishmen Mark Sotell and Kieth Goovyer.

He said the Thais, four women and one transvestite – none of them under age – were performing of their own will and were paid Bt1,500 daily, He said he also earned Bt75 per minute of sex chats between the girls and clients, who want to talk apart from watching.

All nine suspects have been charged with distributing pornographic material, and the two Thai men – Kittisak Saetang and Issara Rakwiset – additionally with drug use, after their urine tests proved positive.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Police-raid-amateur-sexvideo-operation-in-Korat-30165491.html

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100,000 baht per day x 30.30 = $30,300

$30,300 x 365 = $11,060,600 per year

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And the defense will be, “I didn’t think it was in violation of Thai law”

yeah, that should work

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