Thread: Stricter regulation of local tour operators imposed after German backpacker sexual

Thai authorities have acted decisively in response to a sexual assault case involving a 24-year-old province, to protect the country’s tourism reputation and reassure travelers. The incident, which garnered widespread media coverage, has spurred action from various governmental agencies.


Pol Col Sarawut Tankul, Deputy Commander of Tourist Police Division 1, stated that following a conclusive court decision against the accused, the Tourist Police are working with local law enforcement and various agencies to formulate new safety measures to prevent similar occurrences.

Wasaphon Atthaphonthanaset, President of the Professional Tour Guide Association of Thailand, stated that the offender was a local tour leader, not a professional guide. This has led to initiatives for stricter regulation of local tour operators, including mandatory registration and professional training to raise service standards.


Authorities have underscored the need for cooperation across all sectors, including police, government, and local communities, to bolster tourism safety. Measures include strict oversight of local guides, comprehensive training, and maintaining detailed records. These steps aim to align local guides with professional standards and provide a framework for inspections.

Stricter regulation of local tour operators imposed after German backpacker sexual assault case in Koh Chang - Pattaya Mail

German backpacker breaks down recalling Thai island rape ordeal

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world...al/vi-AA1l8xua

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

I sometimes wonder what goes through people's minds

Reading the Daily Mail?

Not a lot.

Originally Posted by cyrille

Reading the Daily Mail?

Not a lot.

Ah so they aren't quoting her then.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Ah so they aren't quoting her then.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

You think 'quotes' in the Daily Mail are a sign of authenticity?




Next thing we know you'll be taking idiotic statements to the press in Thailand seriously.





Oh.

Ok, this is my take on it. Sometimes western female travellers are very trusting/ naive/ foolish. They think that since it's safe in their home countries, that they would be safe in other less developed countries. (but it could happen in their countries too)

Some years ago, I had a bus seatmate, a Canadian lady (maybe late 20s to early 30s). We were both travelling from Phnom Penh to Saigon, 7H bus ride.

She was harassed by a Cambodian tuktuk driver. She hired the tuktuk driver to take her from Phnom Penh to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. On the way back, the driver said that he had some beers in his tuktuk amd if she'd like to stop by a park (or some trees?) to drink some beers with him. Thinking he was just being friendly, she accepted the invite. Then when they were drinking beers, he started saying that she was so beautiful, touching her skin and saying that she's so white, etc.

She then said that they needed to return to the city because she had to meet some friends for dinner but they could meeet again tomorrow. So he drove & dropped her off at her hotel. After that, she stayed in her room the whole afternoon/ evening, fearing that the guy could be outside waiting for her. The next morning, she left the hotel very early to go to the bus station since she was scheduled to travel to Saigon. And then we became seatmates on the bus.

********
Prior to her story, I've never known another female who's been sexually harrassed during my travels, though I've read about some cases. I did read a lot abt solo female travelling prior to embarking on my solo journeys. I'm glad that I haven't been on very uncomfy situations. (But there was this one time...)

Red flag abt the Canadian gal's experience - she shouldn't have agreed to the beer side trip. Since the guy had ready beers in his tuktuk, he probably does/ did it to others too. I wouldn't have accepted his invitation & would've requested to be brought back to the city ASAP.

Just like the German girl from the story - she went alone, to a secluded place with the guy (too trusting).

I'm sorry for the German girl's experience. I hope other ladies, especially solo female travellers, read/ watch more about the people and places where they'll be going to. There was this news story of an Australian-Chinese girl who travelled to many countries but cut her hair & pretended/ dressed as a boy when she was in sketchier parts of the world.

Any western woman who ventures alone to a deserted place in a third world country with a man she has only briefly met is clearly a fucking idiot.

I’d say that was true of all women everywhere. I’ve never quite figured out why women go to hotel rooms with men they just met then are surprised to be accosted.

Originally Posted by cyrille

You think 'quotes' in the Daily Mail are a sign of authenticity?




Next thing we know you'll be taking idiotic statements to the press in Thailand seriously.





Oh.

There's literally a video her being interviewed, you retard.

Perhaps you should try reading the thing before opening your stupid fat gob.

Originally Posted by misskit

I’d say that was true of all women everywhere. I’ve never quite figured out why women go to hotel rooms with men they just met then are surprised to be accosted.

Or even murdered.

I'm sure if Prayut saw this he'd say she was asking for it.

SA does have a point. While I do know a farang young lady who was beaten to death by her farang boyfriend, that was not a one night stand.

There are however plenty of examples of murdered farang women who have encountered a variety of SEA nationals over the years.

And of course it being Thailand, often the perpetrators have sufficient connections to spit in the face of the law.

Link

It's not just Thailand or SE Asia. Happens in other (dodgy) parts of the world too.

This incident with the German backpacker lady reminded me of Alina Mcleod's (a Canadian travel vlogger) experience in Colombia. Summary: she was walking and filming along a deserted stretch of road (for her YT channel) and she was almost robbed and shot.

Christ, these narcissistic drama queens really are a pain with their blubbing and histrionics. I’m with the Colombian boys on this one.

Put yourself out there and you misread the situation or can’t process risk in an alien environment, then down to you.

Christ, these narcissistic drama queens really are a pain with their blubbing and histrionics. I’m with the Colombian boys on this one.

i am inclined to agree.

but in todays world of half witted insanity, narcissism, self promotion and avarice, if its not vlogged, blogged, 'apped, twitted, toobed, podcasted or 'grammed it probably never happened.

Ah, the brothers grim are full of Xmas cheer I see

Originally Posted by katie23

Ok, this is my take on it. Sometimes western female travellers are very trusting/ naive/ foolish. They think that since it's safe in their home countries, that they would be safe in other less developed countries. (but it could happen in their countries too)

Some years ago, I had a bus seatmate, a Canadian lady (maybe late 20s to early 30s). We were both travelling from Phnom Penh to Saigon, 7H bus ride.

She was harassed by a Cambodian tuktuk driver. She hired the tuktuk driver to take her from Phnom Penh to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. On the way back, the driver said that he had some beers in his tuktuk amd if she'd like to stop by a park (or some trees?) to drink some beers with him. Thinking he was just being friendly, she accepted the invite. Then when they were drinking beers, he started saying that she was so beautiful, touching her skin and saying that she's so white, etc.

She then said that they needed to return to the city because she had to meet some friends for dinner but they could meeet again tomorrow. So he drove & dropped her off at her hotel. After that, she stayed in her room the whole afternoon/ evening, fearing that the guy could be outside waiting for her. The next morning, she left the hotel very early to go to the bus station since she was scheduled to travel to Saigon. And then we became seatmates on the bus.

********
Prior to her story, I've never known another female who's been sexually harrassed during my travels, though I've read about some cases. I did read a lot abt solo female travelling prior to embarking on my solo journeys. I'm glad that I haven't been on very uncomfy situations. (But there was this one time...)

Red flag abt the Canadian gal's experience - she shouldn't have agreed to the beer side trip. Since the guy had ready beers in his tuktuk, he probably does/ did it to others too. I wouldn't have accepted his invitation & would've requested to be brought back to the city ASAP.

Just like the German girl from the story - she went alone, to a secluded place with the guy (too trusting).

I'm sorry for the German girl's experience. I hope other ladies, especially solo female travellers, read/ watch more about the people and places where they'll be going to. There was this news story of an Australian-Chinese girl who travelled to many countries but cut her hair & pretended/ dressed as a boy when she was in sketchier parts of the world.

Couple of years ago a foreign girl asked me to help her get a taxi outside central Rama 2 Bkk after she has asked a few with no luck, she had just gotten off a van from Hua Hin. When I asked her where she wanted to go she said Cambodia! I tried not to laugh and informed her there was no way a taxi is going to go that far, she indignantly maintained that she read on the internet they would. I suggested a bus to the bus station, but no it had to be a taxi as she had a dog in a box with her and said dog did not like buses, vans were OK.
In the end I suggested trying her luck at Victory Monument which she had never heard of, so got her and dog a taxi to there. Had on a thin ethnic dress, no bra with her baps hanging out- gets in the front with the driver. I wonder if she got to Cambodia or ended up in a klong!

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

I'm sure if Prayut saw this he'd say she was asking for it.

the bloke must have been a monster of Thai to subdue her

Originally Posted by britanicus123

Couple of years ago a foreign girl asked me to help her get a taxi outside central Rama 2 Bkk after she has asked a few with no luck, she had just gotten off a van from Hua Hin. When I asked her where she wanted to go she said Cambodia!.....

.... Had on a thin ethnic dress, no bra with her baps hanging out- gets in the front with the driver. I wonder if she got to Cambodia or ended up in a klong!

When I was planning for my solo backpacking trip (Thailand - Cambodia - VN), I searched the net for info on how to cross a certain TH-CM border, one which wasn't too well known. That's how I was led to TD because I saw a pic thread about that border crossing. I made a thread on TD to inquire abt it and many posters warned me/ gave me tips (to take the bus, take a shared taxi, etc). I think the guys were worried for my safety - so thank you for that.

In the end, I didn't use that border crossing (plans changed) but instead went via the more common Aranyaprathet/ Poipet border crossing. I did notice that there were some Western girls who were dressed in more skimpy clothes (shorts and tank tops). TBF, temps were >30+ degrees Celsius and must've been hotter than what they're used to in Europe. (I wore a T-shirt & cargo pants.) I find it safer to wear trousers when travelling alone - less prone to harassment.

I didn't feel harassed or sketchy while I was in Cambodia. However, I felt a bit uncomfortable when I crossed the Thai-Myanmar border one year after (also as a solo traveller).