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What Mafia? Phuket's Problems Are Scams and Gangs
By Chutima Sidasathian Tuesday, July 30, 2013
PHUKET: The word ''mafia'' misrepresented Phuket's problems and wasn't accurate when used in relation to Phuket scams or gangs, Governor Maitree Intrusud said today.
He told a meeting that it would be unfair to characterise tourism-related issues as being associated with the ''mafia'' when the word conveyed the impression of violent, organised crime, he added.
The word ''mafia'' has been widely used to describe taxi, tuk-tuk and jet-ski operators for years on Phuket, with considerable exaggeration.
In a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall in Phuket City that covered a wide range of tourism related issues today, the number of drownings of tourists was addressed.
President of the Thai Hotels Association (Southern Division), Suchart Hirankanokkul, told the meeting that it should be made the responsibility of guides to inform their tour groups accurately about the dangers on Phuket, particularly in the water.
The governor agreed. He said he would start talks about infrastructure and other needs for the coming high season with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Tourism and Sport Ministry next week.
A Phuketwan reporter raised with the governor the issue of the regular Phuket honorary consuls' meetings, which the European Union ambassadors, gathering at a seminar on Phuket last month, suggested should be resumed.
The last Phuket honorary consuls' forum was held in September, 2012.
The governor said today that he had been meeting one on one with honorary consuls but accepted there was sense in having an open discussion, covered by the media, between the tourists' and expat residents' representatives and Phuket's administrators.
A date for the next Phuket honorary consuls' meeting is expected to be announced soon.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
So, the main outcome of the meeting is that the m**** shall no longer be called the m****?
Posted by
smik
on
July 30, 2013 15:44
Editor Comment:
''will'' is the correct verb, smik.
Bet you couldn't wait to get this story online Ed????
Posted by
phuket madness
on
July 30, 2013 15:47
Editor Comment:
Nothing to do with me, phuket madness. But talking sense does have a way of getting around.
So, the main outcome of the meeting is that the m**** shall no longer be willed the m****?
That makes no sense.
Oh and I did notice the bit about creation of unnecessary jobs for the locals at the end of the article
Posted by
smik
on
July 30, 2013 15:55
Editor Comment:
Like i said, the verb is ''will'' not ''shall.''
It's shall if if it's decreed by his excellency....
Posted by
smik
on
July 30, 2013 16:01
Editor Comment:
excellencies are bad at grammar. It's ''I shall'' or ''we shall''. The rest is ''will.''
Call it what you 'will', they are what they are! Many of these people operate illegally, no insurance, no tax paid. If they are operating illegally, under a cooperative then what are they?
Posted by
eezergood
on
July 30, 2013 16:35
Editor Comment:
tax dodgers.
"covered by the media" the best four words of the article. If the media cover local issues PW. etc then problems with gangs/thugs/m**** (same same but different words) will be exposed and then less tourist Baht will come which means action will be taken. Harse but fair, in Phuket it is mostly money the rest is just a charade (an absurd pretense intended to create a pleasant or respectable appearance) as by definition first appearing on google not my own defintion. I am not bitter just living in the real Phuket world. How many Thais have said to me with money you can do anything in Phuket!
Posted by
Fiesty Farang
on
July 30, 2013 16:38
Perhaps only in australian primary scholl grammar classes of yore:
"Shall or will?
When it comes to expressing a strong determination to do something, the roles are reversed: will is used with the first person, and shall with the second and third. For example:
I will not tolerate such behaviour.
You shall go to the ball!
In practice, though, the two words are used more or less interchangeably, and this is now an acceptable part of standard British and US English"
shall (shl)
aux.v. past tense should (shd)
1. Used before a verb in the infinitive to show:
a. Something that will take place or exist in the future: We shall arrive tomorrow.
b. Something, such as an order, promise, requirement, or obligation: You shall leave now. He shall answer for his misdeeds. The penalty shall not exceed two years in prison.
c. The will to do something or have something take place: I shall go out if I feel like it.
d. Something that is inevitable: That day shall come.
Posted by
smik
on
July 30, 2013 16:48
Editor Comment:
''We shall not be moved,'' as the song says, using ''shall correctly.
Follow your argument and ''will'' and ''shall'' are virtually interchangeable, which is total nonsense. You will never go to the ball, smik.
The definition and notes on usage of will and shall above, were taken from the oxford dictionary and oxford dictionary of usage. The words/analysis are not mine. I appears that it is not "total nonsense"
Posted by
smik
on
July 30, 2013 17:06
Editor Comment:
There's the living language, and then there's the Oxford. Total nonsense. What does Fowler's say?
Tax dodgers is indeed one thing they are, potentially that is! Therefore they are operating illegaly as a group, why one could almost call that a mafia LIKE organisation!
Posted by
eezergood
on
July 30, 2013 17:15
Editor Comment:
The Mafia was called the mafia because they were killers and cutthroats, eezergood. I'm not sure non-payment of taxes had anything to do with it.
Editor Comment:
The Mafia was called the mafia because they were killers and cutthroats, eezergood. I'm not sure non-payment of taxes had anything to do with it.
I'm sure that Al Capones family will beg to differ...
Posted by
Mal
on
July 30, 2013 17:28
Editor Comment:
Did Al Capone have some connection with the Mafia? I thought he was an American gangster.
I hardly think that is the extent of the crimes these groups commit! Over time language & the use of words change, unlike the attitudes of certain members of the press. Just accept that in the common venacular, M**** has far greater meaning than the original or dictionary definition. Take the word pussy for example! Am sure you wont publish this........
Posted by
eezergood
on
July 30, 2013 17:28
Editor Comment:
The point is that the word ''mafia'' is confusing and non-specific.
That is the point, think of it as a covering the 'gamut' of Phukets ills!
If you are worried about confusing & non-specific lexicon, Phuket maye not be the best place for you! Its full of them - LOS & so on
Posted by
eezergood
on
July 30, 2013 17:53
From his biography;
Al Capone became leader of the Chicago m**** after Torrio was shot....
The TERM "M****" comes from Sicily... The Sicilian adjective mafiusu roughly translated, it means "swagger", but can also be translated as "boldness, bravado"
Posted by
Mal
on
July 30, 2013 18:01
Editor Comment:
No doubt there were people who mistakenly called Capone part of the Mafia.
He says it doesn't exists then it doesn't exist thank goodness that's been cleared up at last and to think the last decade of this group sorry M words criminal assaults road blocks and intimidation tactics are all a figment of our collective imagination thank god he has enlightened us I'll never use the M**** word again how's about syndicate as our new word
Posted by
scunner
on
July 30, 2013 18:13
Editor Comment:
''Syndicate'' would be another word that doesn't mean what you think it means.
Ed: What does Fowler say?
H.W. Fowler (1858 1933). The King's English, 2nd ed. 1908.
When "Shall" and "Will" retain the full original meanings of command and wish, each of them is used in all three persons, so far as it is required.
So don't bandy words with me , you quizzling
Posted by
smik
on
July 30, 2013 18:36
Editor Comment:
People have all kinds of obsessions, don't they, smik? Fowler's and the Oxford have different views. Doesn't that mean one or the other is total nonsense?
What about "Mob" as in "the Karon tuk tuk mob"?
Posted by
smik
on
July 30, 2013 18:51
Editor Comment:
''Mob'' is another word that has serious and gentle applications. Best keep it for large gatherings on the street.
It's called sarcasm and being the lowest form of wit it's clearly lost on you
Posted by
scunner
on
July 30, 2013 18:52
Editor Comment:
Sarcasm, like bombast and bluster, never works in print. You have to hear it. I am sure you listen to a lot, scunner.
You really have lost your marbles this time ed...fair go man you are making yourself look more and more idiotic every comment.Weird ed!!
Posted by
Mal
on
July 30, 2013 19:01
Editor Comment:
When you grow weary of wasting everyone's time, Mal, do let us know.
Ed says "Fowler's and the Oxford have different views. Doesn't that mean one or the other is total nonsense?"
Oxford says:"In practice, though, the two words are used more or less interchangeably, and this is now an acceptable part of standard British and US English"
Fowler says"When "Shall" and "Will" retain the full original meanings of command and wish, each of them is used in all three persons, so far as it is required. "
So not different views and ergo not "total nonsense"
I pity your wife and your children
Posted by
smik
on
July 30, 2013 19:07
Editor Comment:
Read and absorb the dictionary entry for ''assumptions,'' and ''pity,'' smik.
It's plain my views on the difference between ''shall'' and ''will'' were formed when there was a difference - and a point to the difference. Total nonsense.
Es: "It's plain my views on the difference between ''shall'' and ''will'' were formed when there was a difference"
Unless you were born and educated before Fowler's time (1858- 1933) then there has not been a cast-in-stone difference. At least you now finally accept theer is nowadays no difference, and as such my use of "shall" is not "total nonsense". There is hope for you yet.
Posted by
smik
on
July 30, 2013 19:17
Editor Comment:
Let me point out that ''while Fowler's name remains on the title-page . . . his book has been largely rewritten." The style at Phuketwan is to retain the difference. Otherwise there would be no point in having both words.
Read and absorb the dictionary entry for ''assumptions,'' and ''pity,'' smik.
Ed
I suggest you read the definition of "sociopath"
Posted by
smik
on
July 30, 2013 19:19
Editor Comment:
You've clearly skipped ''civility'' and ''courtesy.'' But I bet you could tell us all about ''misanthropy.''
Whoops, posted this before but in wrong forum, please allow repost here.
I think the term m**** has entered the global lexicon and applies to Phuket's woes. A group, (and yes, even probably related,) controls transportation in a monopolistic and intimidating way.
Posted by
NicGalore
on
July 30, 2013 20:52
Editor Comment:
A ''mafia'' can mean anything from the Mafia (serious villains who kill and torture) to a knitting circle ''mafia'' who share the same harmless fun. The word no longer has a clearly defined meaning so it's inappropriate in a Phuket context where the people so described are not villains who kill or torture, nor are they a knitting circle. Other words are more accurate. We're fond of accuracy.
Mr Staffer ... Can you feel the heat yet?
That hole you're digging for yourself must be pretty deep by now!
Keep digging ... we need our daily shot of humour!
Posted by
Amazed in Thailand
on
July 30, 2013 20:54
Editor Comment:
You need to keep reading the comics, Amazed.
In Spanish Mafia means
"Any criminal underground organization."
If TUK TUK are not a organization, If TUK TUK have not been beaten costumers, If TUK TUK not slashed Tyres, if TUK TUK etc, etc.... They are not M***. And sorry about my English Im Spanish.
Posted by
Jbaemm
on
July 31, 2013 09:35
Editor Comment:
There is no evidence that Phuket's tuk-tuks and taxi drivers are part of any ''organised crime.'' The Mafia was a criminal gang of killers, extortionists and cutthroats who carried out violent crimes, torturing and killing in an organised fashion. ''Mafia'' has also now been misused to the point where any kind of group is a ''mafia,'' even a local knitting circle. The taxi and tul-tuk drivers are not a knitting circle, nor are they the ''Mafia.'' The word is inappropriate.
In the interests of clarity, which seems to be your 'thing' - they are NOT actually Tuk tuks! Only in the local lexicon of Phuket. Please refrain as this coule be misleading to some!
Posted by
eezergood
on
July 31, 2013 09:55
Spot the difference? .....
1. Bangkok Post
Centre set to fight Phuket mafias
Published: 1 Aug 2013 at 18.24
Online news:
"A crime-fighting centre to crack down on local and foreign mafias on Phuket island will open next week, Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri said on Thursday."
2. Phuketwan
PhuketWATCH Daily Media Wrap
Published: Friday, August 2, 2013
"bangkokpost.com A crime-fighting centre to crack down on local and foreign ''mafias'' on Phuket island will open next week, Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri said."
Posted by
Amazed in Thailand
on
August 2, 2013 10:58
Editor Comment:
You are keen on trivia, Amazed in Thailand.
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So, the main outcome of the meeting is that the m**** shall no longer be called the m****?
Posted by smik on July 30, 2013 15:44
Editor Comment:
''will'' is the correct verb, smik.