Multiple Farang Deaths in Phuket

[heavyshift]

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." Better to ascend to a higher perspective.

People meet their end exactly the way they are meant to. Thais are human beings on this planet just like 'farangs'. Generalities do not apply. There really is no justice or reason down here.

I see that now we have 'farangs' killing 'farangs' in Thailand. Welcome to globalization.

(Try to) Have a nice day. peace

[Jamesq]

Every embassy should be warning tourists about the Phuket/Koh Phi Phi area. How many more poisonings, stabbings, murders assaults etc.. No one should travel down there thinking it's normal Thailand. It has become a literal hell hole of gangsters, corruption and angry people. Koh Phi Phi is the worst.

[Modin]

I love Thailand and Thais in general, but to me there seems to be an issue with saving face in these types of cases.

Thai officials can be so concerned with saving face they do not realize the immense harm they do to the face of the entire nation by sweeping crimes such as robbery, assault, rape, and murder under the carpet. While it may not be any more likely to have these happen to you in thailand as compared to other countries of the world, there does seem to be a problem with admiting that it happens at all.

Until the pathetic excuses for police and justice officers realize that they are considered by foreigners and locals alike to be corrupt and inept when they refuse to do their jobs, nothing will change. They need instructions from above to demand that they prosecute these cases in order to save face for the whole nation.

I have seen drug dealers paraded in front of the camera and shamed in order to cause deterence and I support that, but there seems to be an unwillingness to shame those who murder and rape. I have seen the police making excuses for them in fact. People know the country and city isn't responsible for a deviant rapist or a crazed killer, but if the people meant to uphold the law turn a blind eye to it, their complicity becomes part of the problem and they should share in the loss of face.

Like it or not the reports in the farang media will continue and Thailand will gain a reputation of a dangerous and risky destination. The tourism industry will suffer as will all those who benefit from the income spread around by the tourists visiting. If there is one thing to remember it is to never bite the hand that feeds you.

[Dash_in_TX]

Two friends, husband and wife, were involved in a traffic accident between Patong and Kemala. An old and drunk local caused a head on collision with the couple. Husband killed, wife seriously injured.

When the police went to interview the wife in hospital, they started to blame the accident on the victims, even it was 100% clear, that the local had done wrong. Police were accusing the foreign couple for driving a motorbike at 1 o’clock in the morning.

The wife had a nervous breakdown and only thanks to the intervention of the honorary Consul on Phuket the police left the woman alone. The old local man has never been accused of anything and has been seen driving his pick up truck since and he still enjoys his white whisky.

Or the German trouble maker, who has been found dead in the sea. Midnight swim accident with no foul play, was the official cause. Broken skull in a sandy beach with no rocks whatsoever. Strange thing, this guy hated water, could not swim at all and has never been to the beach before.

Just two sad stories, from the land were foreigners die easily and police could not care less. Seems like the authorities say, if the victims would not have come to Thailand, they would not have died here. Sad Thailand…

When I first came to Thailand (1971) I was told in no uncertain terms that if I was EVER involved in an automobile accident (even if it was obvious I was not at fault) that I should run, walk, crawl, whatever it took but to get away as quickly as possible since if I was found at the accident site, it would be determined that it was my fault. I took that seriously and never had any problems. I love Thailand and the Thai people but never forget; it ain't Kansas! and you need to adjust your actions accordingly.

[udon98]

One thing is lack of public information an other thing is how this will affect the turism? It looks to me as Thailand(read: thai police) will do everything to protect Phuket from getting a bad reputation. Phuket has already a very demished reputation as turist center due to the lack of serious police investigations on various crimes, and special is the police famous for protecting Khon Thais (special drunk drivers) The police force need really to be educated after international standarts

[ibgort]

This is by far the dumbest and most stupid "HEADING" that is shown everyday on BANGKOK POST. It sends a negative message to anyone who has never been to Thailand. It says don't come here because foreigners die. And actually it is very insulting to infer that Phuket or any other Thai destination is unsafe to all the hotels, restaurants and people who rely on tourism for their income. If the editors can not understand this point of view then there is certainly a lack of respect for their own countrymen. The original post was in 2009...four years is too long. Time to close this subject.

[ElCubanito]

There is NO MONEY for police in conducting an investigation. Its a lot easier to brush under the rug than to do formal investigation. How thai thinks is that Farang is dead already, nothing can be done. Put in box and ship home. A lot of these Farangs getting the pine wood treatment poke their noses where they shouldn't...I know of a few do-good people that have ended in similar situations.

Rule of thumb is to keep your head down, mind your own business AND learn thai language and culture. This is NOT YOUR COUNTRY!!!! YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS!!!!

[HarryB]

"Re: Multiple Farang Deaths in Phuket
by ibgort on Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:43 pm

This is by far the dumbest and most stupid "HEADING" that is shown everyday on BANGKOK POST. It sends a negative message to anyone who has never been to Thailand. It says don't come here because foreigners die. And actually it is very insulting to infer that Phuket or any other Thai destination is unsafe to all the hotels, restaurants and people who rely on tourism for their income. If the editors can not understand this point of view then there is certainly a lack of respect for their own countrymen. The original post was in 2009...four years is too long. Time to close this subject."

Time to CLOSE it? Surely you mean UPDATE it.

[Asian Hand]

Agree with HarryB - close this discussion. Tourist havens worldwide experience more deaths/visitor than Phuket or anywhere else in Thailand.