Fake ID easily attainable in Thailand

Fake ID's easily had in Bangkok

With the Malaysian Airliner missing, two Iranian men boarded on stolen passports on purchased tickets from a Pattaya travel shop, i thought this was interesting. It's scary what kind of official documents can be easily duplicated in Bangkok's Khao San Road. Check out this article:

Khao San Road fake IDs look like the real thing
Nirmal Ghosh
The Straits Times


file photo

BANGKOK: -- Khao San Road, crammed with budget tourists from across the world, has long been a backpacker hub for Southeast Asia.

The streets are lined with restaurants, guest houses, travel agents and shops selling cheap cotton clothes and souvenirs.

Police lounge at either end of the 200m street, keeping an eye on things.

Itinerant Indian "fortune tellers" and Nepali tattoo touts lurk and accost passers-by.

"You have a very lucky face," one Indian "fortune teller" told me.

Normally, the handful of vendors making fake identity cards are clearly visible. On Wednesday though, I had to hunt for one.

I asked a Nepali boy who was trying to find customers for a tattoo shop, and he took me to a man, who was this time positioned slightly back from the street at a discreet table with two stools.

He was a Thai man, in a blue shirt and wearing glasses. There was an air of edginess from the start.

"What country?" he asked me.

I told him I was Indian and he looked incredulous. But then he produced a large album - the kind used to hold business cards - for me to flip through.

In it there were well over 100 samples of identity cards, from driving licences to student passes to airline crew passes and many others. There was even an Interpol ID card and a Singapore identity card.

When I expressed surprise at the Interpol card he stared and said: "Are you Interpol? Are you Interpol?" But I laughed it off.

I chose a Singapore driving licence and a Qatar Airways crew card. They cost 800 baht each.

He informed me they would take an hour and a half to make. I gave him a couple of passport photographs I had brought for the occasion, and he said that for the airline card he could alter the photograph to have me in a suit and tie.

I asked him quietly if he knew anyone who could make a passport, and he said he did not. I asked him if he made Thai IDs and he said: "I don't do Thai."

This was something a law enforcement source had told me - the fake ID peddlers don't ever make Thai IDs, which is why police leave them alone.

It is also probable that they pay police, my source said - entirely believable given the environment and the trade they are in.

When I arrived at the appointed hour, the man again said: "Are you police?" I laughed and shook my head. Then he asked where I lived and what I was doing in Bangkok. He seemed satisfied by what I told him.

Then a young South Asian man who seemed to be helping him appeared and pressed a folded piece of paper into my hand. Inside were the cards.

In my hands were a spanking new Singapore driving licence and a Qatar Airways crew card. The only difference from the real Singapore licence was the absence of holograms. The fake ID vendors do not seem to be able to make cards with holograms.

Yet, on the face of it, the cards were startlingly realistic.

"If any enforcement officer just takes a quick look, or Googles these documents to compare them, they are unlikely to spot any problem," my law enforcement source said.


-- The Nation 2014-03-15

Tourists do not seem concerned about Bangkok protests

Thailands political problems and travel warnings issued by many western countries do not seem to be affecting tourism.

It is the end of 2013 and it has been a couple of years since Thailand's last last political dispute which means the country has been overdue for this.

 

Protesters on both sides took time out yesterday to honor the kings 86th birthday showing in spite of political strife, Thai culture and a strong common bond does still remain. Perhaps that common bond, ie: a Monarch, is the only real way forward for the Thai people. However with Thailand's peak tourism season upon us it seems that tourists are not concerned about red shirts, yellow shirts, or any other color, they just want their holiday. 

Here is an article from  the Wall Street Journal:

 

As Thailand Fears a Drop in Tourism, Visitors Say No Worries

By Nopparat Chaichalearmmongkol

BANGKOK—Political protests in Thailand have calmed slightly following an uneasy truce between demonstrators and the government on Tuesday. But fears remain that the ongoing political turmoil could reverberate throughout the economy.

Thailand’s tourism industry, a major contributor to the country’s gross domestic product, could be an obvious casualty, with news and scenes of continued street protests and the storming of government offices in Bangkok scarring away foreign travelers just when Thailand is entering peak tourism season.

As of Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry reported that 37 countries have issued travel advisories for Thailand – mostly at level 2 – “Exercise Caution.”

 

Still, several tourists interviewed by the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday said they found Bangkok to be safe, even when coming across demonstrations.

The British government “issued advice, saying we should avoid protest sites, which apparently we have not managed to,” said 30-year-old British national Mark Abbott, who was walking down Ratchadamnoen Avenue, the main anti-government rally site in Bangkok.

The avenue sits adjacent to the city’s famous backpacker hub, Khao San Road, which makes avoiding the rally sites somewhat difficult.

But since Mr. Abbott and his companion Kadi McLeod arrived in the Thai capital just days ago they say they’ve not found anything to worry about.

“This looks very organized and everyone seems to know where to go and what to do,” said Ms. McLeod.

Even though the protests have eased, however, airlines and travel operators say their main concern is that tourists who have not yet arrived will re-think their visits, particularly if the protests resume next week after the country has celebrated the birthday of highly-revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Dec. 5.

The latest data from flag-carrier Thai Airways International and leading budget carrier Thai AirAsia showed a slight a drop in passenger numbers for the month of November, when protests first started heating up.

“While we are not seeing mass cancellations, a prolonged situation may lead short-haul travelers to change their holiday destination to somewhere else,” said Chokchai Panyayong, senior vice president of Thai Airways International PCL.

Condo Market Sales Continue to Rise!

Thailands Condo Market has been thought of as overbuilt, and a bubble waiting to pop. 

Not only is development still going strong but units continue to sell and not just in places like Pattaya, Jomtien Beach, and Hua Hin but also the nations capital.

Check out this article from National News Bureau of Thailand

Special Report:
Condo sales in suburban Bangkok reach new high

BANGKOK: -- According to property experts, the average sales price of condo units in Bangkok's outer areas is set to soar by nearly 50 percent but condo supply in general will dwindle by next year.

The growing popularity of condominiums in suburban Bangkok is due to the expansion of the mass transit system from the central business districts to the suburbs and the safety from flooding which damaged many areas of Bangkok and other provinces in 2011.

The extension of the mass transit network, especially along the skytrain line from On Nut to Bearing, has fuelled growth in condo supply. Continual increases in condo prices were reported in six locations, which include Khae Rai-Lak Si-Ram Intra, Bang Sue-Nonthaburi, Ratchada (Lat Phrao-Makkasan), On Nut-Bearing, Bang Na-Suvarnabhumi and Taksin-Bang Wa.

SET-listed developer Sena Development Plc said condo prices in far-off locations rose from 68,000 baht per square meter on average in 2009 to 100,000 baht this year - an increase of 48% in four years.

Sales of condominiums grew by a staggering 151.8 percent year-on-year during the first quarter of 2013. Suburban areas contributed heavily to the recent growth of Bangkok's condominium market, accounting for 70% of new launches or 22,465 units. The Real Estate Information Center (REIC) predicted a total of 70,000-75,000 new condominium units would be added to the market in 2013, a record for the property industry.

The projection for new condominiums this year was higher than in the 1997 financial crisis, since condominiums are gradually replacing single housing units in some locations.

The center noted however that the condo supply will slow down next year as developers reduce projects. A number of government agencies have earlier warned that there is a risk of oversupply, as more projects are launched throughout the year.

Negative factors contributing to the decrease in condo projects include the labor shortage and the excessive amount of new condos being built this year. Condo supply has already reached a surplus in some areas with slowing sales amid high competition.


-- NNT 2013-10-23

The U.S. Embassy in both Bangkok and Chaing Mai continue to operate

Despite the partial shut down of the U.S. government both branches of its embassy remain open.

This article according to this mornings "The Nation"

 

BANGKOK: -- The US Embassy in Bangkok on Tuesday announced that the embassy and the Consulate General in Chiang Mai remain open to the public as the US government began its first partial shutdown in 17 years after Congress failed to break a partisan deadlock by a midnight deadline.

The embassy issued a statement in its facebook; U.S. Embassy Bangkok, saying that all consular services, including visa processing, are also open for public.

"The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and Consulate General Chiang Mai remain open to the public. As always, our priorities remain providing safety, security, and service to U.S. citizens. We are open for all consular services, including visa processing," read the statement.
 

Thailand braces for first Tropical Depression of the rainy season

Bangkok Thailand and its North East region of "Issan" are bracing for heavy rains and flooding 

 

 

 

 

This article from this mornings "The Nation"

Tropical depression already drenching parts of Northeast

BANGKOK: -- Authorities have identified 37 flood-prone spots in Bangkok in the face of a coming tropical depression.

The depression, which entered Thailand's Northeast yesterday morning, is expected to reach the Central region today. It is expected to bring rain.

Traffic Police chief Pol Maj-General Piya Tavichai yesterday said Bangkok residents should avoid all of the 37 flood-prone spots, if possible, during heavy downpours.

Among these spots are a portion of Rajavithi Road between Suan Dusit Rajabhat University and the Krung Thon Buri Bridge; a portion of Phya Thai Road in front of the Livestock Development Department; and a stretch of Ratchadaphisek Road in front of Robinson Department Store.

Sanya Chenimit, deputy permanent secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), said some of the capital's low-lying spots had already been drained in preparation for possible rain.

Based on what he has seen so far, Sanya expects the coming depression to affect the city only indirectly.

"It may cause light rain, but will not bring any serious downpours," he said.

As part of the preparations, Sanya said officials had been instructed to conduct constant checks to ensure that no garbage blocked drainage pipes. Clogged pipes are often blamed for flooding.

He added that people could ease the problem of clogged pipes by putting garbage into bins.

In a separate interview, PM Yingluck Shinawatra emphasised the need for the BMA to dredge canals and drainage pipes.

"I don't want to see the BMA [waiting to] talk about drainage until upstream run-off water has already arrived," she said.

She said the central government had worked hard on managing water volumes in upstream and midstream areas so as to minimise the impacts on Bangkok.

At the peak of the 2011 flood crisis, the central government and the BMA quarrelled over how best to manage the water volume. The floods submerged some parts of the capital.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Chatchai Phromlert said the depression would increase rainfall in Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon, Roi Et, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Sa Kaew, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat during the next two days.

"We are now paying close attention to risky areas such as at the foot of mountains and low-lying areas," he said.

Meanwhile, downpours continued in many parts of Phitsanulok yesterday.

The province's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation office warned people in Wang Thong, Nakhon Thai, Chat Trakan, Wat Bote and Noen Maprang districts to beware of possible flash floods and landslides.

Phitsanulok is among the flood-prone provinces that Yingluck has expressed concerns about.

-- The Nation 2013-09-20

You think Pattaya's Condo Market is getting expensive??

So you think Pattaya's Condo Market is an over built over inflated bubble waiting to pop?

Pattaya is not the only place in Thailand that has seen a huge mount of new projects springing up out of the ground. In fact people have said Bangkok is also an over developed market yet according to Colliers International Thailand th4e average price for new condos in Bangkok rose 21%! Check out this article from Coconuts Bangkok:

 

Bangkok condo prices jump 21 percent

By Coconuts BangkokAugust 27, 2013 / 16:55 ICT

 

Average prices for new condominium projects in Bangkok rose a staggering 21 percent quarter-on-quarter according to the latest research published by Colliers International Thailand.

In its Bangkok Condominium Market Report covering the first half of 2013, Colliers revealed that the number of new launches dropped by 22 percent compared to the previous quarter, but the number for the entire first six months was 12 percent higher compared to the same period in 2012.

Low- and middle-income buyers with budgets under THB 3 million remained the highest proportion of property buyers in the Thai capital, according to the report.

The average take-up rate for new condominium projects in Bangkok during the second quarter was 74 percent – the highest recorded for a number of quarters due to strong sales at projects being sold by reputable, listed developers and located close to the city’s mass transit network.

Average selling prices in the city area were recorded at THB166,000 per sqm – the highest for more than two years and 2.7 percent up on the previous three-month period. Prices in the city are more than 100 percent higher than average prices for the entire Bangkok metropolitan region.

The research also noted a price drop once a project is more than 200 metres from one of the city’s mass transit stations, and declines substantially once that distance is more than 1,000 metres.

Housing loans offered by financial institutions have also declined as banks reigned in their lending over concerns of rising household debt and the country’s first car policy - which has impacted some low- and middle-income buyers.

“Thailand is located in the centre of Asia Pacific and has great potential for AEC in 2015,” the report noted.

“Many foreign developers are entering Thailand by themselves or looking for joint ventures with Thai developers to start their first projects in the country, especially in Bangkok. In addition, many foreigners are back in the Bangkok condominium market again and most of them are looking for luxury condominium units in the City area around the BTS stations; foreign buyers will continue to increase in number in the future."

Colliers added that because of the high number of new supply, certain projects will do better than others. Those that have the best prospects are those from well-known and reputable developers. 

Other developers can still do well if they focus on well-researched projects in strong locations, well-designed and targeted clearly at a clear market segment.

“New opportunities are also coming outside Bangkok where there is now more disposable income and the market historically has been poorly served.”

Story: DD Property / Andrew Batt
Photo: Coconuts Bangkok

 

Pattaya Real Estate Market is on the move!

I wanted to let everyone know that Pattaya Real Estate Market has merged with Big Mango Properties!

Big Mango Properties has been in business for almost 10 years and carries a very solid reputation in both Pattaya and Bangkok. Our Pattaya Real Estate Market website will remain up as will this blog.

Our other blogs

• Forrentinpattaya.blogspot.com
• Forsaleinpattaya.blogspot.com

Will be also continue with many new listings on the way! 

We look forward to this merger giving our clients a much broader database to better your needs as well as a bigger team to better serve new and existing customers. 

You can check out the new changes here at www.bigmangoproperties.com. I can now be reached at Brian@bigmangoproperties.com

Thank you all very much

Kind regards,
Brian Berlin

Thailand to require foreign tourists to buy health insurance

Published: June 28, 2013 at 6:04 PM from UPI.com

 BANGKOK, June 28 (UPI) -- Lawmakers in Thailand say they want all foreign tourists to be required to purchase travel and health insurance before arriving in their country.

Thailand's Public Health Ministry Wednesday proposed the measure during a meeting with representatives from the Airports of Thailand, Royal Thai Police and other government ministries, the Bangkok Post reported.

The health ministry has suggested the cost of health insurance coverage might be included in visa fees, Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong said at the meeting. 

Those visiting Thailand without visas would be required to buy insurance at immigration checkpoints or the fees could be added to the cost of airline tickets.

After the meeting, Pradit said all of those involved agreed to set up a subcommittee to work on the proposal.

The health ministry set up the meeting after Thailand's government asked it to address concerns about the financial burden on the country's state hospitals, which are required to provide foreigners with free medical service, Pradit said.

Bangkok set for 2014 Formula E Grand Prix

 Looks like Bangkok is growing up and going green! Check out this article from this mornings "The Nation"

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok was yesterday chosen to host a race in the inaugural season of the FIA Formula E Championship for electric cars next year.

The announcement came during a special unveiling for the first time in Asia of the fully-electric-powered Formula E car, witnessed by Alejandro Agag, CEO of Championship promoter Formula E Holdings (FEH), advisor to the Minister of Energy Pol Maj-General Lattasanya Piansomparn, and Chiruit Israngkun Na Ayuthaya, director-domestic MICE, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau. The Formula E car will be demonstrated again this November in honour of His Majesty the King's 86th birthday.

Bangkok has been added to the preliminary list of eight host cities for its inaugural season - London, Rome, Los Angeles, Miami, Beijing, Putrajaya, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. The remaining host for the 10-circuit race will be announced in September.

The Formula E cars are being built by Spark Racing Technology (SRT) in collaboration with Renault, with a design that mimics their Formula One counterparts but focuses on ease of control, low cost and weight (780kg), and safety. Tyres are being supplied by Michelin.

The Formula E machine accelerates from 0-100kph (60mph) in 3 seconds and has a maximum speed of 220kph. The car will also serve as a platform for research and development on electric vehicles (Evs), and help boost general interest in EVs for personal use.

-- The Nation 2013-05-22

Dem Reds are at it Again!!

Reds urge mass rally at court

 Group calls for 100,000 people to protest outside charter court next week to pressure judges to resign

BANGKOK: -- A red-shirt group protesting against Constitutional Court judges yesterday called on fellow red shirts nationwide to join a rally in front of the court next week in order to step up pressure against the nine members of the bench.

 

 The Pro-Democracy Community Radio Group made the call for up to 100,000 red shirts to move to Bangkok to join a mass demonstration in front of the Constitutional Court on May 8.

Charn Chaiya, a leader of the group, said the 24-hour deadline for the judges to clarify whether they were properly appointed by royal command had expired, so they must all resign.

The group has been rallying outside the court, located in the Government Complex, for the past 10 days.

Spokesman Sornrak Malaithong said the group wanted to invite red shirts nationwide to join the rally next Wednesday to pressure the judges to resign and to demand the cancellation of Article 309 of the charter, which endorses the 2006 coup and its consequences.

The group will also gather signatures to begin an impeachment process against the nine judges. If the judges do not resign by May 8, they will face an all-out campaign from the group, he said.

However, the Constitutional Court judges came to work yesterday, despite the rally against them in front of the court. They considered two cases related to petitions against the bill that seeks to amend Article 68 of the Constitution and restrict the court's power in accepting petitions.

In the first case of a petition filed by Senator Somchai Sawaengkarn, the court announced that copies of the petition had been sent to 312 MPs and senators who were accused of violating the charter, although the parliamentarians claimed they had not received the copies and refused to send their explanations to the court.

In the second case, the court voted 5:3 to accept a petition by General Somjet Boonthanom for review, but it declined to issue an injunction to suspend the amendment of Article 68.

Somjet was ordered to send copies of his petition to the 312 MPs and senators supporting the amendment bill.

The court yesterday also postponed to its next meeting the review of a petition against Democrat Party leader and Opposition Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, saying the judges needed more time to consider the case.

The petition asked the court to revoke the MP status of Abhisit following the Defence Ministry's decision to revoke his military rank on allegations that he had dodged military conscription.

A company of crowd-control policemen was deployed to maintain security around the Constitutional Court, and the police set up a barricade to prevent people from entering the court's compound.

Two bills backed

Meanwhile, Suporn Atthawong, deputy PM's secretary-general and a red-shirt leader, said yesterday that the Pheu Thai Party supported both the amnesty bill of Pheu Thai MP Worachai Hema and a reconciliation bill of Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung.

Worachai's bill, which has been put on the House's top agenda for deliberation in the next parliamentary session, is aimed at absolving ordinary red-shirt people from crimes committed during the protests.

However, Chalerm's bill is aimed at granting amnesty to all sides, including the yellow-shirt movement and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Suporn said it was possible that Chalerm's bill could be deliberated along with Worachai's draft.

Abhisit yesterday called on the general public to come out to send a strong message to the government that ordinary citizens disagreed with the plan to grant amnesty to Thaksin so that he could go scot-free and get his Bt46 billion in seized assets back.

He said Thaksin had sent a clear signal to his red-shirt supporters and Pheu Thai members that he wanted Chalerm's bill to be enacted so that he could get the assets back.

The former PM said Thaksin's recent Skype video-call to a Pheu Thai meeting clearly indicated that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was doing everything she could to whitewash her brother and help him get the assets back. Parts of the seized assets also belonged to Yingluck, he added.

-- The Nation 2013-05-02

Outbound Bangkok trains, bus terminals crowded by Songkran exodus

If you are thinking of heading up country for this years Songkran you should check out this article from Thai Visa








BANGKOK, April 11 -- Train stations and bus terminals in Bangkok are crowded with passengers beginning to flow out of the capital to celebrate the Thai traditional new year, or Songkran long holidays, and homecoming trips.

Revellers started arriving at Hua Lamphong Railway Station early morning to catch trains to their hometowns. The northeastern route was on highest demand followed by the northern route.

Additional holiday April 12

The Cabinet approved an additional holiday April 12 as a special case during Songkran to enable people to return home during the festival, making it a 5-day holiday (April 12-16).

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has implemented measures to facilitate and ensure the safety of passengers during April 11-18.

Eight extra trains will be provided on top of 250 daily train services April 11-12 and 18 extra trains from April 15-18 which could carry an additional 13,000 passengers daily on average.

Meanwhile, Mo Chit Bus Terminal was gradually crowded since early morning, particularly the northeastern route.

More than 210,000 passengers are expected to use the interprovincial bus services today.

The Transport Company increased the numbers of services by 2,000 trips and expected to cope with the high demand of passengers.

No stranded passengers were expected by midnight.

At Suvarnabhumi Airport, it is expected that more than 164,000 passengers will use the airport on Thursday, a highest number during the festival.

Various airlines have provided more than 400 chartered flights to respond the demand of passengers. (MCOT online news)

 
 -- TNA 2013-04-11

People not allowed to splash water down from pickup trucks during Songkran

BANGKOK, 29 March 2013 (NNT) – The Ministry of Interior aims to ban the practice of carrying water containers on pickup trucks and splashing water down from the trucks, for the upcoming Songkran water festival.

 File photo. Source: Wikipedia.org

An Interior Ministry meeting to discuss reducing road accidents and casualties during Songkran holiday has set April 11-17 as days when tight control on the road will be implemented.

Aiming to increase road safety during the period of water play, the meeting agreed to switch from the previous model of using a central command center that issued guidelines to provincial officials to a model that allows provincial administrators to adjust their methods to best fit their localities.

Under the new model, provincial governors must lay down measures and guidelines for districts, municipalities and other local administrative bodies to follow and implement.

Every province must establish zoning for Songkran water play.

People on pickup trucks will be banned from splashing water on public roads, in order to reduce the risk of accident occurring.

 
-- NNT 2013-03-29

Don Muang airport to operate in full again to ease crowding at Suvarnabhumi

BANGKOK, 28 March 2013 (NNT) - The Airport of Thailand public company has announced that it will allow all airlines to use Don Muang international airport again. Don Mueang. File photo, source: Wikipedia org

The decision was made by the airport company's board of directors, and will have to be approved by the Cabinet, as 70 per cent of the company's shares are still owned by the government.

The company has revealed that airlines in the One World group, led by Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific airway, has expressed interest in using Don Muang airport.

The airlines group also suggested that Don Muang airport be expanded to allow for giant Airbus A380 aircrafts to land and take off from there.

Don Muang airport is currently operating as an airport for budget airlines. The decision will turn it into a full-service airport.

Bangkok's main international airport, Suvarnabhumi, has the capacity of 45 million passengers per year. Now it is handling over 51 million passengers per year.

The Airport of Thailand expects Don Muang airport to ease the crowding problem at Suvarnabhumi while the country's number one airport is being expanded to allow it to handle 60 million passengers by 2017.
 

Authorities in Thailand WILL BE RESTRICTING alcohol sales during Songkran

According to "Coconuts Bangkok" the decision has been made to set up alcohol free zones...parts of Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket to be affected.

Included in these dry spots (an ironic designation during Songkran) will be Bangkok’s Khao San, Rama Nine and Silom roads.
Parts of Pattaya and Phuket will be subjected to the dry spell as well.

Deputy national police chief Ruangsak Jaritek said on Monday that revelers will be allowed to enter these areas, but only if they park their vehicles outside of the safe zones’ boundaries. Anyone caught driving or riding in a car while under the influence of alcohol will be subject to six months’ imprisonment or a THB30,000 fine.

These strict measures have been undertaken in an effort to increase road safety during the “seven dangerous days” of the Songkran holiday.

Police will set up roughly 12,000 security checkpoints throughout Thailand in order to help curtail drunk driving and push this year’s count of road-related fatalities downwards.

The Bangkok Post reports that last year, police countermeasures reduced traffic accidents during Songkran by 5%, though an accident reduction target has not been set for this year.

Thailand’s Prostitution Image Is Embarrassing???

Thailand’s Prostitution Image Is Embarrassing??? I saw this article in the Pattaya Daily News and had to do a post about it.

Thailand saw last year over 20 Million tourists and i would be willing to bet only a fraction were here actually for the sex trade. Thailand has beautiful beaches, mountains, lakes, culture, and history...so why is it most known for prostitution???

Thailand was home to the U.S. armed forces as well as other nationalities during the Vietnam war. Thailand's hospitals served as recovery centers, airstrips served as allied air bases, buildings served as station posts, and places like Udon Thani and Bangkok served as r&r havens. 

Thailand's northeast " Issan" and northern regions are home to some of the countries poorest - by monetary definition - relying on farming just to get by on a daily basis.

 

The Vietnam war was brought home to televison and dinner tables all across the U.S. The social movements and protests changed the sentiment and culture of the country. Hollywood was very quick to begin writing and producing movies about life on the war front as well as the r&r of the soldiers. From their day and weekend leaves to Saigon where they indulged in booze and local bar girls to Bangkok and Udon, where girls flocked from all over rural Thailand to try and capitalize in the frivilous spending of the countries new guests, and make some quick extra cash. Hollywood sensationalized the bar scene, took Thailands natural charm and mystique, and catapulted Thailand to the top spot in sex tourism. 

So what seperates Thailand from countries like Phillipines, Singapore, Indonesia, Chek Republic, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Argentina just to name a few? All having notorious nightlife and are known for brothels, cheap women and booze. More than likely it is that Hollywood has yet to lend to their fame.

 

Just who are the girls that make up Thailands sex trade? Are they really just dirt poor farmers with no other option as their families are starving? There is alot more to it than the typical rehearsed story a "ying" gives a punter in the bar, and leave it at that. Instead lets look at another side of things.

 

How many of these girls now have found foreign boyfriends, and husbands? Boyfriends and husbands that have provided edcucations for the children the girls came into the trade to support. How many tractors have been bought to help families to be more productive farmers and make better lives for themselves? How many new homes have been built to improve the living conditions of their families? 

While the girls like to cry boo hoo for sympathy and the country wants to hang its head in embarrassment over the trade, no one seems to have any problem taking the cash. Is Thailand really embarrassed by its prostitution image...its just politics babe!!