George Talks

He’s an institution: George, founder and owner of ThaiVisa.com, Thailand’s probably most popular website among foreigners with its unique forum.

George is the brain behind the success, but success invites envy and jealousy, so not all you read about ThaiVisa is milk and honey.

I recently had a talk with George and here is what he says about Thailand today, ThaiVisa’s sometimes debatable moderators, politics, etc.

George say, how did it all start with ThaiVisa?

It was an accident! It started with an experiment with SEO (search engine optimization) in 2002, I wanted to see if a forum like this would be able to reach the top of search results without any cheating (it’s called “white-hat SEO”). As we only had myself and a few friends in the very beginning, we started to ask each other questions and answered each others topics. Most forums actually start this way, even if it does sound a little strange. At that time there were not many Thai related forums around and mostly they covered the bar scene, and we weren’t interested in that and wanted to offer something completely different. I invested a lot of baht in marketing the site during the first three to four years.

ThaiVisa has some dream stats. Share some of the Google Analytics data.

We have around 35-45,000 unique visistors per day, and we are approaching 6 million page views per month. We grow approx 10-15% per month, but some months are more or less due to seasonal variations and how much we spend on marketing. Around 50% of our traffic is from within Thailand. Most of our revenue is reinvested in server infrastructure and online marketing.

You seem to be constantly online. You’re hooked! Can you ever take a day off from your site?

Well, I do try to take days off, but yes, I am hopelessly addicted. However, we have a great team on ThaiVisa and I know that it’s in good hands. My normal working day is between 12 and 16 hours per day, a bit less on weekends or when traveling. I went to China for a week recently and had severe withdrawal symptoms. smile.gif I have promised myself to “get a life” soon though …

Who are the key players within ThaiVisa?

Our members, and of course the moderating team which help keep the forum a welcoming place for newbies and older members alike. Also our admin team take care of servers, sales, marketing and support. The sponsors pay our bills and bandwidth, a big thanks to them.

ThaiVisa has become a remarkable enterprise with an innovation every few months. You sell insurances, organize parties, now the cooperation with The Nation. You’re way ahead of the competition, if there’s any. Has it become too stressful to manage ThaiVisa?

No, not really, I have a great team backing me up, its certainly not a one man show. Some of the services we offer are outsourced to third parties who do an excellent job.

You have any competition? I mean the hate and distrust between the major expat forums in Thailand seems to be deeper than between red and yellow Thais.

We don’t hate any other forum, we don’t really have the time or energy to worry too much about what other forums are saying or doing. More than 87,000 members keep us busy!

What local sites are you reading? Nah, you don’t have to mention absolutely Bangkok.com ..

Most of the English Thai dailies and blogs. A lot of good content ideas comes from social networking like Twitter and Facebook. ThaiVisa takes most of my time really. I’ve been a member of webmasterworld.com since day 1. I read 2bangkok.com and Stickman’s weekly column to name a few examples.

ThaiVisa’s commercial tie-up with The Nation, a newspaper quite often so one-sided it asked for the creation of Not The Nation: Wouldn’t the Bangkok Post have been a more appropriate partner of choice?

Our tie-up with The Nation is strictly a marketing/media issue. We have a few new exiting things in the pipeline with them.

A recent example with our tie-up with The Nation and The Phuket Gazette is the new SMS service we started a few weeks ago, targeting expats and their need for news in Thailand. We already got a few thousand SMS subscribers and the feedback has been very positive. We wouldn’t get rich of premium SMS services, but we will be able to employ one or two full time native English speaking editors in the near future.

The Bangkok Post is not willing to cooperate with ThaiVisa on posting news so, unfortunately, they do not have a voice on the forum. We are still in talks with them though, and there is no hard feelings.

Ever got warnings from Thai authorities?

No never, because we have good contacts with them and we try to comply with all Thai regulations and laws. Thanks to our moderation rules and very good communication with the relevant authorities.

ThaiVisa’s the bible of the arriving farang with its rich archives. You seem to be losing longstayers though, some say because overzealous moderators. Not?

Trees grow and fall – for some that will be true – but for others it is a reason to come and stay. Most people do not appreciate being called names any more here than in person. All forums lose posters for the usual reasons.

We have many long-term members with thousands of posts who are still with us. Those who have been banned have usually been given many chances, and their loyalty is a factor in our decisions about moderating them. It is not common for reasonable members who are posting in good faith to have trouble. Posters who wish to be abusive, trollish, or break the laws of Thailand will not feel welcome.

The forum has to be a place for all members to feel comfortable posting in, without fear of flaming or cliquish behavior.

It is also true that as the site has become bigger and enjoyed a larger profile, we have had to become more concerned about public attention and this has meant some long-term members are not able to push the boundaries as much as they used to do. However, the changes have been beneficial to the site overall and the vast majority of our present members are satisfied with the way rules are enforced [maybe cite something from survey here?]

How do I become a ThaiVisa moderator.

People get invited, usually by consensus among the moderators, but one must be temperate, reasonable, civil and polite to become a moderator. apart from the above qualities many mods are invited because of their knowledge of a particular subject and begin as a single-Forum mod, only later moving up to super moderator.

Who are your readers? Mostly SWM?

Actually, we recently did a poll and its also alot of married men as well and a small percentage of women. I suspect most have Thai wives or GFs. We recently did a demographic survey of the ThaiVisa users that you can read here.

Some of the ThaiVisa mods seem to be more Catholic than the pope. Thai laws are not that restrictive, aren’t they?

Yes the laws, while strict can also be vague – which often requires preemptive action be taken to avoid even the appearance of violating. The new computers laws are indeed much stronger than previously. It remains to be seen how they are applied but we do not want our members being arrested to test them.

ThaiVisa also doesn’t wish to be sued with defamation or charged with lese majeste. Several sites have been sued or closed down for these exact reasons, so, considering the number of people who rely on ThaiVisa as their first port of call for information on living in Thailand, we prefer to follow a middle road.

You could have an even bigger community without some of the zero-tolerance moderation. What do you tell your critics?

That is not our opinion – we have always had a set of rules; and it works. If people just want a brawl they can use other forums or USENET groups. They come here for a fair hearing – only when they can not abide by a set of rules (that they likely would require if they had their say) is there an issue. Most members are warned privately multiple times before any adverse action taken. But as with any such forum, there are those more intent in stirring up trouble than in helping others – and that sometimes causes problems for people who would otherwise not have a problem. That is very unfortunate and is why we have to be very strict at times to avoid personal conflicts.

Have a look at some of the loosely moderated forums (no need to mention who) and see what happens. Who would want to belong to something like that? They’re the only forum I’m aware of that either has “deep seated hatred” of other Thai forums, or whose members would be so concerned over moderation questions.

A very big part of ThaiVisa’s success is the moderating team.

Why not give “abusive” posters a friendly warning first? I got banned once for nothing, or so I thought. The mod thought differently.

We do give friendly warnings. We seldom ban, especially early on. Most poster do indeed get warning(s). It is very seldom a one time thing and should be clear to the poster why – they can always contact support if they feel it was not proper. Many people confuse a suspension or warning with a ban when in fact, they have not been banned at all. And while I am sure you thought it was nothing, there are forum rules that people do agree to follow when they sign on.

Thai authorities must love you. Hardly anything about nightlife, no controversial politics topics, sometimes ThaiVisa reads like an official publication of the governments public relations department. Don’t you need some more zesty content to become a more “credible” source of information? You can find lots of yellow, shall I say: propaganda stuff in ThaiVisa. The reds don’t seem to exist.

Yellow propaganda stuff? We try to keep a level field and do not believe you will find more of one side or the other here than in any other mainstream source. Our goal is not division – but helping each other. This is not a supermarket tabloid but an information exchange. We long ago decided the nightlife business was not our business. Those seeking that have other avenues.

Thailand today George, how different’s the place compared to when you arrived years ago?

Well, its certainly gotten more affluent, and with that affluence comes some of the downsides. But, honestly, I still find the people warm and welcoming and love living here.

What role can foreigners play in all this? I mean, they better limit themselves to forums? Most of us love the place and are just utterly disappointed about the dirt and lies being thrown around by all sides. What can a farang here contribute?

I think most foreigners need to take a more local approach when dealing with issues in Thailand. Its best clean up one’s own backyard before telling others how to take care of it themselves.

How will politics here play out? A wild guess?

I watch the political developments in Thailand with much interest, but am too far from being an expert on the subject to give any advice to the various players.

Your advice to Thaksin?

I don’t comment much on Thai politics.

Your advice to Sondhi?

See above.

Give me the names of some outstanding Thai people.

HM the King is an inspiration to not just Thai people but to foreigners as well for his ceaseless concern for the welfare of Thai people in his many projects around the country.

Is Thailand still inspiring you today after all those years? I mean the reputation of Thailand and her values seem to go down the drain lately.

Yes I love Thailand. It can be frustrating sometimes, but I haven’t found any better country to live in so far. At least not in Asia.

You must hate at least something about Thailand.

Yes indeed! Thailand get your act together politically! This is a great country!

As mentioned in the previous answer, there are some things that frustrate me in day to day living, but that will be the case no matter where you live. Overall I find Thailand has more positive aspects and these make the small frustrations easier to deal with.

Did Thailand make you a happier man?

Yes, certainly. While in my heart my birth country will always have a special place, Thailand is my home since more than 20 years, but I do visit there from time to time. Would be very hard for me to return and live in the western world.

Would you again, today, emigrate to Thailand? Or your place of choice?

Yes, I would. I haven’t been in South America and Vietnam yet though.

Your favorite three places in Bangkok?

I’ve been to all the cultural places already, but lower Sukhumvit feels like home to me. Good restaurants and great places to have a beer or ten at. Not so much barhopping these days though, but it’s nice to be called “handsome man” once in a while.

Oh, and you never organized a ThaiVisa party in Hua Hin. When?

Our team has recently been expanded with a moderator and an admin from Hua Hin, both very well-connected in the local area. So who knows what the future will bring.

Anything else?

If you want to contact me directly for whatever reason, feel free to email george@ThaiVisa.com or join my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/farang.

We also use Twitter a lot, http://twitter.com/georgebkk.

Thanks for your time George.

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Comments

37 Responses to “George Talks”

JJ on November 19th, 2009 7.06 pm

Congrats George, you’ve come a long way. ThaiVisa was essential when I arrived here dealing with visa issues and where is what and so on. Still now and then I use the archive as a resource. The whole design has become too flashy and colorful for my taste though, I prefer the less ad-rich sites. But there’s content and that’s what matters.

Maybe ThaiVisa should have a “Members Only” subforum for richer content. But there are other forums and sites for that, and that’s good like that.
StanG on November 19th, 2009 8.01 pm

Each poster gets a certain amount of “lives” and he loses them with each warning or suspension.

This information is never disclosed, however.

I don’t know why.

These days I can’t force myself to read through their political forum, it must be a great place to find rare information but the amount of “garbage” makes it a really daunting task.

Nobody can beat Bangkok Pundit for that, and these days he’s got translations from Matichon, too.
Rich on November 19th, 2009 10.24 pm

I rarely get to hear the view of someone who is evidently in deep denial. Whilst I have never met George, it is clear he does not know what his mods are doing on his behalf and that makes him a bad manager.

ThaiVisa is known as a flamers pit and although George says it is not cliquey, unfortunately saying it don’t make it so and my own experience of ThaiVisa , and is very biased among the moderators in favour of certain royalist view.

George would be unlikely to say it is a bearpit where the mods run riot and where political views have to agree with the mods, so we have to attach greater credence to the victims of these aspects of ThaiVisa.

I personally was banned because my login name was my real name and I saw later that this was not wise. I could not get the login cancelled so made a new one and discontinued using the original. Result: I got suspended for having a duplicate login. Ridiculous? Oh yes.

Of course I am only one (ex) member so you can safely ignore one case, but I wonder how likely it is that there are no other cases like mine given the poor reputation and track record of some of your moderators? Not likely at all I wager.

So, sorry George, what you say just doesn’t wash and is just humbug. If you really don’t know what is going on then with respect, you are incompetent. If you do know what is really going on then with respect you are, well, not honest. Take your pick really.
Jai on November 20th, 2009 9.48 am

I used to like ThaiVisa and then I started advertising on their site and when I stopped advertising after a six months program because I had no response form their sites, and when I refused to continue with them, their moderators and George and Dr Patpong gave me a hard time online and then banned me. This is how ThaiVisa is like! You can contact me for more evidence. (Oh by the way, when I advertised, I did have a legal contract and also proof of transfer, but what’s interesting is that they did not require the 7% VAT!)
Talen on November 20th, 2009 10.48 am

Excellent interview. I check in on ThaiVisa every now and again but I lurk more than anything. It does seem a little cliquey at times but show me a forum that doesn’t get like that.

The numbers they draw are definitely impressive. George has a good thing going.
BangkokDan on November 20th, 2009 1.00 pm

Unfortunately I had to delete a series of comments. No unfounded badmouthing, hearsay rumors, personal attacks here.

BangkokDan
Val on November 20th, 2009 6.53 pm

Rich, as a longtime member at ThaiVisa, I disagree with you completely. I have found most moderation there to be fair. Mods do make mistakes, but when they do they are usually rectified, or so it seems. At no point have I ever felt that mods were pushing a particular point of view, politically speaking. Perhaps seems that way in the sense that they website admins have to uphold Thai laws. So naturally they comply with legistlation on defamation, lèse majesté, etc. In that sense they may appear pro-establishment or pro-old guard. But that’s the only way to keep from being shut down a la Prachatai.

Personally I could care less about discussing politics there. I find the forum a good source for Thailand news and events, and for exchange of consumer information.

I’ve been a member since 2003 and have logged only one warning so far. I deserved it, too. Most members probably have never been warned. I’m grateful for mods efforts to keep things civil. If you are seeking freedom of speech, start your own forum and see how long you last.
Rich on November 21st, 2009 8.23 am

Well, there you go. Our experience differs. I have been an intermittent member since about 2005, and every single time I have used the forum as a member I have see mods flexing their muscles, either with me or with others. A friend of mine was suspended for enquiring after a member he hadn’t seen around for a while. Turns out he had been banned and my friend was promptly suspended for “discussing a mods decision to ban him.”

If you haven’t been bitten by these people then good luck. lots of people have – I won’t be going back. My prerogative, vote with my feet.

George says he is happy with things the way they are – though he seemed a little shrill and defensive in the interview, I suppose he still thinks it is good management to back the staff whatever b ut his discomfort showed through in what he said.

Problems like this don’t happen by accident, they are a consequence of management style and ethos, which comes from the top.
Rich on November 21st, 2009 7.15 pm

Sure, but then it’s a bit ingenuous to claim that ThaiVisa is free, fair and balanced when the body count of members banned for simply expressing negative views of Thais must be in the hundreds, some other friends of mine included. In fact as I recall, it is in the forum rules that people should not be overtly or excessively critical of Thais.

George wanted to offer some services in Thailand, for money. As a consequence, he allowed the Thai bureaucracy to dictate what views about Thais were and were not acceptable, and he dutifully sang for his dinner at their table, such was his need for approval.

Sad really, I am used to Westerners having more dignity, but if you have a close look at most of the political debates on ThaiVisa, dignity isn’t the first word that springs to mind, and we are reminded that many westerners who come to Thailand to live were losers on their own country as well.

Still, it is what it is and I am sure he is proud of it. He seems like an easily satisfied kind of a guy. Personally I would be deeply unhappy about it but then I would take the time and trouble fo be aware of what was actually going on instead of relying on the same mods that do the damage to inform me.
Jack on November 23rd, 2009 6.04 am

For such a big forum I think the moderators do a good job. Yes, there are certain subjects that can’t be discussed. Yes, the mods can act a little aloof, but on the whole it’s the best resource on Thailand.

I am also very impressed at what George has accomplished, certainly a webmasters dream. It’s amazing what they have done, not just with the forum, but with brand name recognition. It’s really inspirational.
Chris Johnson on November 23rd, 2009 12.03 pm

The key characteristic of ThaiVisa is that it mainly caters for intinerants of various kinds. Very few seem to have a job in Thailand of any status and the tone is predominantly blue collar. Foreign businessmen holding senior management positions would typically not be members or even have heard of the forum. Look at the advertisements and sponsors and that will tell you everything you need to know. There are some first class moderators particularly on immigration issues.In politics and current affairs some seem rather out of their depth.
Dave on November 23rd, 2009 2.20 pm

This guy is wasted; he says he has no interest in politics but his answers read like pure political rhetoric! Sure the government over here could use that kind of character.
eman on November 23rd, 2009 2.50 pm

Pouring adulation on to TV? Must be desperation dressed as a homily. But now the stakes are much higher. Thanks for the reminder of the new benchmark achieved in mediocrity as we censor ourselves to stay afloat, George. Passed on any pesky IP addresses to MICT recently? Makes one miss the days of Mango Sauce, where the webmaster didn’t need to pose as a commentator to beef up his post. Those were the days, indeed, and what ever happened to David?
geomark on November 23rd, 2009 9.36 pm

Wouldn’t it be better to just decline to answer some questions instead of looking like such a fool parroting the politically correct speech required to do get along in Thailand? Or do you just automatically lose your self respect when your business reaches a certain size?

Just asking.
BangkokDan on November 23rd, 2009 9.50 pm

Again, hesitating to intervene, just a word of caution:

Commercial viability requires the ThaiVisa approach.

TeakDoor or HuaHinAfterDark may be much more fun, but not as resourceful and they ain’t gonna make money.

Or shoot the messenger for asking the wrong questions.

BangkokDan
Rich on November 24th, 2009 7.37 am

Not to flog a dead horse BD, but while your own comments seems fair, George made a point of emphasizing the “free, fair, and open” point when everyone with an awareness level higher than a vegetable is aware that TV is not “free fair and open,” though many folk are prepared to accept it for one reason or another. Worse, in light of his somewhat dishonest comments and your own, more honest insights, this seems to be a definite policy based on what is required to do business in Thailand.

George cannot have it both ways. He cannot say it is “free fair” and open’ and yet sing for his supper at the table of the Thai ego by maintaining a moderation policy of disallowing comments that might offend the somewhat precious Thai self-image. This just prostitutes the principle of freedom of civilised expression in order to make a few sleazy bucks, while at the same time trying to pretend that the principle is maintained in a pristine state. The latter is fair enough of course, but George should be ‘free, open and fair’ about his motivation and say so at the portal so that contributors understand that free speech and opinion may be subject to what the moderators personally like and don’t like, and what allows George to make a few quid. Instead, he pretends that TV is something it is not, and does his own credibility no good in the process.

The accumulated experience of a lot of people, myself included, is that some of the mods (by no means all, in my experience there is a minority of good mods there) run riot and satisfy their own need for self-importance rather than the needs of the forum and it’s customers. Pat Pong, IJustWannaTeach, and a few others (irrespective of any alleged homosexuality) are prime examples of people who should not be allowed to exercise any authority until they have learned how to do it properly.

George’s comments disappointed me, I thought he was brighter than this, but he is just seems like one more of the farangs that will toe the Thai line in order to make a few bucks, and evidently allows his mods to stroke his ego so he can retain his state of cognitive dissonance. Like I say – disappointing, a dash of candour and honesty would have been so much more impressive – as it is, all we got was a mealy-mouthed bit of self-promotion.
Frank on November 25th, 2009 11.02 am

It is disgusting to hear farangs who should know better talk like this.

I know, people live in the kingdom and have to worry about being arrested, deported or beaten to death by brain-dead moron motorcyle taxi drivers and street sweepers, etc., but Jesus Christ … Thais have an excuse, they’re brainwashed from birth … educated farangs have no excuse for regurgitating this moronic bull crap …

Anyone with eyes who can read can easily see that certain people came to be in power in certain SEAsian countries due to specific historical and political circumstances and their willingness to suck at the teat of (and accept billions of dollars from) the evil United States in the “fight against communism” in the 1950s and 60s … (groan) … the “inspiration” and “respect” inspired in the citizens of certain countries for such scam artists is a total media blitz, manufactured thing, with no basis in reality …

When certain respected individuals in a certain country die, as they soon will, within five years there will be virtually no memory of “respect” left … it will all die as quickly as the brief, accidental historical moment that spawned it …

For a farang who should know better to give lip service to such utter shit is unforgivable, and totally disgusting …
Rich on November 25th, 2009 1.18 pm

Frank.

Well done my man. A tad more angry than my own perceptions but then you have probably had them longer and saw through the bullshit sooner than I did.

Fully agree, though if you go to TV, you will find no shortage of our more stupid brethren wishing this guy a happy birthday, saying long live that guy etc etc., each hoping to out-grovel the next.

And all in the mistaken belief that someone gives a damn and the hope that it will ingratiate them in some way with their new found bar-girl-friend.

Sickening but common.
Dave on November 25th, 2009 1.25 pm

Wise words by Frank … let’s hope TV don’t inform on him …
StanG on November 25th, 2009 2.36 pm

If you look at all the images of Rama V here you’d think he has some sort of god-like status. Some memories DO live in this country.
Frank on November 25th, 2009 8.57 pm

I would argue that Rama V is quite a different case … First of all, he really did take some actions that helped his country a) not be made anyone’s colony and b) confront the 20th century on its own terms. Just cross the border from Thailand into any of her neighbors (with the exception of Malaysia) to see the legacy of his forward-thinking rule. And yes, he has in effect been made into a deity, though this happens with other (non-royal) “people of merit” (nak bun) in Thai culture as well.
StanG on November 26th, 2009 3.09 pm

Comparing two persons of a god-like status is a no-win job.

Do you read ThaiVisa? I agree with Chris above that it’s great for the newbies. Is it possible to sort out their members by number of posts and their forum age?

That could make a great chart.
StanG on November 27th, 2009 3.01 pm

I found it’s possible to sort their member list in different ways. Apart from admin, their top poster is Sriracha John, now banned. There are also a couple of other banned members in top 40, otherwise heavily dominated by various mods.

There are about 50 banned posters with a post count over 1,000, which, I figure, is about one in ten ratio for “advanced members”.

On average those top banned posters lasted for about three years before being bumped off.
BangkokDan on November 27th, 2009 5.46 pm

If those stats are correct StanG they basically say it all. Which raises the question:

Do/can mods ban mods?

BangkokDan
StanG on November 28th, 2009 9.15 am

Out of total 87,000 members they have only about 400-500 members with post count over a thousand, which is roughly 0.5%. It’s easy to understand why they don’t particularly care about allegiance of this small group, why they banned 10% of them after several years on the board.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/member-list.html
Jaded on November 28th, 2009 12.51 pm

Let me make a small disclaimer before I comment. I know several of the people involved in this site and its many and varied associated businesses. I have read it for the immigration information. I like to pick up their news alerts. And, when I first came to Thailand I had a personal connection with the business and its owner.

All that said, I believe that the strictly censored forum on ThaiVisa makes it about as reliable as Fox News. Given their prominence I am sure that if they were to loosen the vice like grip of their moderators a great deal of trouble would arise. However, by continuing to cover only certain news and entertain certain views they have become active supporters of the current status quo. Their coverage of Thailand is therefore totally misleading and by continuing in this fashion they are surely damaging the interests of many in the community that their site claims to serve. If ThaiVisa, Sunbelt, Sunrise Tacos, etc. are all so closely linked that they stand or fall together then its difficult to see how their business empire could survive if they were to change their censorship policy now. Their very success at recruiting so many new arrivals means that for many people, including myself, their first encounters with Thailand are more than a little misleading. Thailand’s most prominent face to the English speaking world of the internet is probably ThaiVisa. And you can bet that MICT is as aware of this as TAT. I am sure that certain other important parts of the bureaucracy are also completely satisfied with the excellent job that ThaiVisa does whitewashing the awful truth. As businessmen, the primary object of ThaiVisa and its associated businesses is of course to make money. So long as this purpose is served by their syncophantic relationship with officialdom its unlike that this policy will change. And that means that it is quite likely that through their quite partial and highly censored coverage of the Thai news many of their readers will be lulled into an entirely false sense of complacency. More damage to the interests of their members seems the most likely consequence. Its difficult to see how anyone, let alone George and his friends, can continue this policy in good conscience. They should be ashamed.
Rich on November 28th, 2009 1.01 pm

@StanG:

I think there is a different dynamic at work here. I doubt that a lack of value for the high-volume posters could translate into bannings.

I suspect that most of the people banned after contributing to the board, were on the board long enough to see the blatant abuses of the mods, the political alignment of the board ad the constant kow-towing to appeal to the Thai ego, and just got fed up with it. As a consequence they were possibly not willing to just g along with the numerous nonsenses that characterise ThaiVisa, said something which illustrated this and got banned.

I doubt George will worry, he seems like a nice head-in-the-sand kind of a guy. After all, why worry about integrity when there are agendas to peddle?
Siam.Rick on November 28th, 2009 4.14 pm

It’s interesting you have to go “off-board” to find out more of the real story at TV. Kind of shocked Sriracha John has been banned. He was entertaining. Overall, the board has a very high noise to signal ratio, except for the visa info, which is absolutely invaluable, thanks to the outstanding contributions of certain visa experts. The news alerts are useful, too. Otherwise, it’s 95% tripe. The good 5% comes from the regional subforums, such as for Isaan and Southeast Asia. Even then, there’s not much that’s useful.
If some new forum operator could actually lure away and even pay the visa gurus. I’d be there in a split second.
Rich on November 28th, 2009 4.59 pm

@Siam.Rick:

Absolutely agree, the noise to signal ratio is shit indeed. I also agree with your comment about visa information. I always found lopburi3 (I think it was him to be well informed and very willing to offer advice ad help. Perhaps he should be a mod.

Cheryl was always very effective as well, and the presence of an articulate medical doctor there was a boon for many. In contrast, ‘Dr’ Patpong is just a lout and an embarrassment, if I were George I would tell him to close the door quietly but firmly behind him (with the imprint of my boot still visible on his ass).

So all in all, 95% shit seems about right. Pity the price of getting to the 5% good stuff was having to wade through the 95% shit though, that is entirely down to George, institution, legend or whatever.
BangkokDan on November 29th, 2009 7.36 am

More on “George’s cowboys at ThaiVisa”:

The Koh Chang Clockwork Orange Farang Sex Attack

BangkokDan
James Goldworthy on November 29th, 2009 11.14 am

Whatever the faults of ThaiVisa the background provided on immigration is invaluable. The problem well detailed above is the large number of mediocre and apparently uneducated moderators. A friend of mine was banned several years ago by daring to suggest that Thai parents might not be exactly thrilled to know that foreigners entrusted with their childrens education were almost nightly frequentees of paid sex establishments whether catering for young girls or young boys. A propos the latter I believe the moderator in question was Ijustwannateach mentioned above who also has responsibility for the fatties corner at TV.
qualtrough on November 29th, 2009 8.49 pm

Long ago I used to avidly surf through ThaiVisa and participate, but after a while I tired of the sheer amount of ignorance about Thailand on display. Any good thread was soon ruined by the nattering nabobs of negativism. I found that it was affecting my mood to expose myself to that, so more than a year ago I just stopped cold turkey. The only time I visit the site now is to post a query, e.g. Where can I buy this, nothing else. One of the best decisions I ever made. If I want to learn about the political scene I can visit BKK Pundit or find the info myself, and since I can read and understand Thai I can get news that way without it being filtered through someone’s bargirl girlfriend. BTW, bargirls are a protected class on ThaiVisa. I think the reason for that is obvious. Insult them, and you are insulting a ThaiVisa member’s wife or girlfriend.
Papu on January 12th, 2010 11.25 am

Reading this site makes me want to round-up the yellow-clad farangs to take the extended political history course. If refused, deport! If failed in post-test, deport!
Dave on January 12th, 2010 11.51 am

What a wonderful idea that is Papu. Because once they had done the test they would have come to understand the importance of freedom of expression in a “democracy” only to face the inevitable results of what freedom of expression means in the reality of a fascist state if you go against the accepted dogma/mantras.

What do you think the benefits of an extended political history course would be in this context? Honestly, I am fascinated. Please elucidate your plan for us. I’m guessing you have some kind of communist re-education scheme in mind … let’s hear your five year plan.
Ian Poster on January 24th, 2010 12.44 pm

Has any one actually met this “George” face-to-face, from things I’ve read he never makes an appearance in person. either doing the commentating via emails or getting one of his so-called moderators to speak for him. I wonder why?
BangkokDan on January 24th, 2010 3.08 pm

That’s the third time you pose this question here Ian.

So what are your motives?

There’s jealousy and, guess what, stalkers out there.

And well I had a talk with George and he’s quite approachable, has a phone number and offers contact details as you can see at the end of the interview.

What does his real appearance matter? Again, it’s as easy as adding 1 + 1 to understand why he avoids inviting unnecessary publicity.

BangkokDan
TheRealist on March 11th, 2010 9.22 pm

ThaiVisa is a joke. It is a completely censored and biased forum. If anyone makes any comment about the “real power” in Thailand they are suspended and the comment removed.

It is disgraceful how the admins bow, scrape and genuflect to the Thai royalty. I guess they left all dignity, self-respect and morality at the airport a long time ago.

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