Comments on: Is Thai Corruption On The Rise In The Economic Downturn? http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/05/25/is-thai-corruption-on-the-rise-in-the-economic-downturn/ Online travel magazine dedicated to exploring travel in the 21st century. Offering travel news, compelling interviews, online travel tools, and more. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:57:15 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Carlo http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/05/25/is-thai-corruption-on-the-rise-in-the-economic-downturn/comment-page-1/#comment-93019 Carlo Tue, 21 Jul 2009 03:55:07 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=2097#comment-93019 Check out this recent article on the BBC about a common scam at the Bangkok airport: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8154497.stm Check out this recent article on the BBC about a common scam at the Bangkok airport:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8154497.stm

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]]> By: Craig http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/05/25/is-thai-corruption-on-the-rise-in-the-economic-downturn/comment-page-1/#comment-92044 Craig Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:40:45 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=2097#comment-92044 A survey just came out in Thailand. You can see it on thaivisa's web site. Search for "Cops Top Graft List". Corruption is a way of life here. Like Tina says, it is the same way in many other 3rd world countries. Just a way of life...but it is rampant in Thailand. Here is a quick example. My wife changed her name this year after getting her US citizenship. To get the paperwork completed promptly, she had to pay 2 bribes to the local officials. Otherwise, it would have never gotten completed. They knew she was married to a farang and just shook her down for money. Luckily, it was a small amount, but still...bribes are common in all parts of Thai life. A survey just came out in Thailand. You can see it on thaivisa’s web site. Search for “Cops Top Graft List”. Corruption is a way of life here. Like Tina says, it is the same way in many other 3rd world countries. Just a way of life…but it is rampant in Thailand.

Here is a quick example. My wife changed her name this year after getting her US citizenship. To get the paperwork completed promptly, she had to pay 2 bribes to the local officials. Otherwise, it would have never gotten completed. They knew she was married to a farang and just shook her down for money. Luckily, it was a small amount, but still…bribes are common in all parts of Thai life.

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]]> By: Tina http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/05/25/is-thai-corruption-on-the-rise-in-the-economic-downturn/comment-page-1/#comment-91799 Tina Tue, 02 Jun 2009 04:13:32 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=2097#comment-91799 Thought provoking article, and interesting cases. On and off I've spent a total of around 2.5 years in Thailand. In my experience, yes it is corrupt, but transparently so - in that you know you, you see it, you learn the rules, and you live with it. I think many other countries are as corrupt - but it's behind closed doors, we don't see it so openly... but we are still unkowingly subject to in our everyday lives. Also, my experience of Thai people has taight me that ultimately, all many of them ask for, is for foreigners to respect them and their country. In cases 1 and 3, I can see how a "lack of respect" may have been displayed which led to the more unfortunate circumstances. Case 2 - is a little more interesting. If the cause of fire was indeed a cigarette - then putting myself in the position of the Thai landlord, who probably could not afford to rebuild the property, I can somehow understand how it would be pressed for the perceived "wealthier" Australian to foot the bill, considering they may have caused the fire. Overall though, this article concerns me. The majority of Thai people that I have encountered depend largely on tourism, and are the laid-back, warm people we have grown to acquaint with the "land of Smiles". What impact does negative press like this have on them and their families? For anyone considering going to Thailand, relax, be respectful and polite, and don't lose your head if you unavoidably end up in a difficult predicament. Keep a cool heart - Chai yen yen, mai pen rai.... and enjoy all the positive aspects of this beautiful country.... Thought provoking article, and interesting cases.

On and off I’ve spent a total of around 2.5 years in Thailand. In my experience, yes it is corrupt, but transparently so – in that you know you, you see it, you learn the rules, and you live with it. I think many other countries are as corrupt – but it’s behind closed doors, we don’t see it so openly… but we are still unkowingly subject to in our everyday lives.

Also, my experience of Thai people has taight me that ultimately, all many of them ask for, is for foreigners to respect them and their country. In cases 1 and 3, I can see how a “lack of respect” may have been displayed which led to the more unfortunate circumstances.

Case 2 – is a little more interesting. If the cause of fire was indeed a cigarette – then putting myself in the position of the Thai landlord, who probably could not afford to rebuild the property, I can somehow understand how it would be pressed for the perceived “wealthier” Australian to foot the bill, considering they may have caused the fire.

Overall though, this article concerns me. The majority of Thai people that I have encountered depend largely on tourism, and are the laid-back, warm people we have grown to acquaint with the “land of Smiles”. What impact does negative press like this have on them and their families?

For anyone considering going to Thailand, relax, be respectful and polite, and don’t lose your head if you unavoidably end up in a difficult predicament. Keep a cool heart – Chai yen yen, mai pen rai…. and enjoy all the positive aspects of this beautiful country….

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]]> By: Carlo Alcos http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/05/25/is-thai-corruption-on-the-rise-in-the-economic-downturn/comment-page-1/#comment-91779 Carlo Alcos Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:18:16 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=2097#comment-91779 Thanks for the insight Craig. It's very interesting, the different points of view between two people who live (or have lived) there. Thanks for the insight Craig. It’s very interesting, the different points of view between two people who live (or have lived) there.

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]]> By: Craig http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/05/25/is-thai-corruption-on-the-rise-in-the-economic-downturn/comment-page-1/#comment-91763 Craig Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:51:58 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=2097#comment-91763 Sorry to argue this, but you are dead wrong Matt. Thailand is extremely corrupt. My wife is Thai and we have lived on and off in Thailand for years. Many of her relativess are either police, in the army or in government. You should hear the stories. Unreal. Her comment is that Thai people learn how to deal with corruption when they are only 5 years old. Again, I could list countless stories...all of which are true...and they are incredible. I am even trying to get her brother to attend law school, so when we are there, we have somebody to turn to. Thailand is my favorite country out of 68 I have visited so far. I love it there. But even my wife does not want to invest money there in property...too corrupt. Sure, there are many other corrupt countries. No country can avoid this. But some are much worse than others. That international transparency report lists Thailand way down the list. AVOID drugs there at all costs. If you get caught, offer a large bribe immediately. When you end up at the station, it is too late. I have been shaken down there several times. Police targeting tourists and taking a small amount for some crazy infraction. But, same thing has happened to me in Kenya, Indonesia, Russia, etc. Just the price you pay for traveling. And saying Thai's worry about international opinion is not true. Most Thai's are so poor, they only worry about their next meal (or next bottle of 40 degree). And the High So's could care less as long as they are making money. Again, I love Thailand, but like many other countries, be careful and keep a low profile...and even then S*** happens. Sorry to argue this, but you are dead wrong Matt. Thailand is extremely corrupt. My wife is Thai and we have lived on and off in Thailand for years. Many of her relativess are either police, in the army or in government. You should hear the stories. Unreal. Her comment is that Thai people learn how to deal with corruption when they are only 5 years old. Again, I could list countless stories…all of which are true…and they are incredible. I am even trying to get her brother to attend law school, so when we are there, we have somebody to turn to.

Thailand is my favorite country out of 68 I have visited so far. I love it there. But even my wife does not want to invest money there in property…too corrupt. Sure, there are many other corrupt countries. No country can avoid this. But some are much worse than others. That international transparency report lists Thailand way down the list.

AVOID drugs there at all costs. If you get caught, offer a large bribe immediately. When you end up at the station, it is too late. I have been shaken down there several times. Police targeting tourists and taking a small amount for some crazy infraction. But, same thing has happened to me in Kenya, Indonesia, Russia, etc. Just the price you pay for traveling.

And saying Thai’s worry about international opinion is not true. Most Thai’s are so poor, they only worry about their next meal (or next bottle of 40 degree). And the High So’s could care less as long as they are making money.

Again, I love Thailand, but like many other countries, be careful and keep a low profile…and even then S*** happens.

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]]> By: nomadicmatt http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/05/25/is-thai-corruption-on-the-rise-in-the-economic-downturn/comment-page-1/#comment-91760 nomadicmatt Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:22:40 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=2097#comment-91760 Thai's are very very very very conscience of what the world thinks of their country and will do anything to try to maintain a positive image Thai’s are very very very very conscience of what the world thinks of their country and will do anything to try to maintain a positive image

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]]> By: nomadicmatt http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/05/25/is-thai-corruption-on-the-rise-in-the-economic-downturn/comment-page-1/#comment-91659 nomadicmatt Thu, 28 May 2009 04:14:44 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=2097#comment-91659 i might have gotten a bit emotional when i wrote that response....thanks for keeping me in check! i might have gotten a bit emotional when i wrote that response….thanks for keeping me in check!

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]]> By: Carlo Alcos http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/05/25/is-thai-corruption-on-the-rise-in-the-economic-downturn/comment-page-1/#comment-91634 Carlo Alcos Wed, 27 May 2009 04:33:16 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=2097#comment-91634 Hi Matt...thanks for the comments. I haven't actually drawn any conclusions, just stated the stories and raised the question wondering if there may be more behind them as some of these people have suggested. I am wondering, given that there are less tourists (less small bribes) if the officials/police are raising the stakes to make up for that. Re Annice Smoel, why should negative press stop them if a law was truly being broken? Why did officials pay the fine for her? Why did they apologise? Why did they tell her she was welcome back anytime? And I think that's a bit of an exaggeration if that happened in the States re the "false" passport. It seems to be a quick reaction followed by demands for money. Hi Matt…thanks for the comments. I haven’t actually drawn any conclusions, just stated the stories and raised the question wondering if there may be more behind them as some of these people have suggested.

I am wondering, given that there are less tourists (less small bribes) if the officials/police are raising the stakes to make up for that. Re Annice Smoel, why should negative press stop them if a law was truly being broken? Why did officials pay the fine for her? Why did they apologise? Why did they tell her she was welcome back anytime?

And I think that’s a bit of an exaggeration if that happened in the States re the “false” passport. It seems to be a quick reaction followed by demands for money.

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]]> By: Ryukyu Mike http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/05/25/is-thai-corruption-on-the-rise-in-the-economic-downturn/comment-page-1/#comment-91633 Ryukyu Mike Wed, 27 May 2009 02:56:21 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=2097#comment-91633 Case#1. Some friends: great prank. Whatever happened to acting like you're a guest in a foreigh country? Case#2. Sounds like something to go to the embassy over. Case#3. Whatever happened to acting like a guest in a foreign country? Case#1. Some friends: great prank. Whatever happened to acting like you’re a guest in a foreigh country?

Case#2. Sounds like something to go to the embassy over.

Case#3. Whatever happened to acting like a guest in a foreign country?

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]]> By: Turner Wright http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/05/25/is-thai-corruption-on-the-rise-in-the-economic-downturn/comment-page-1/#comment-91623 Turner Wright Tue, 26 May 2009 18:57:21 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=2097#comment-91623 Matt raises a good point - foreigners aren't singled out for this kind of treatment any more than Thais. Have to disagree about the corruption in the government and police force, though - that country thrives on bribes. Matt raises a good point – foreigners aren’t singled out for this kind of treatment any more than Thais. Have to disagree about the corruption in the government and police force, though – that country thrives on bribes.

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