Topshop and Topman open flagship stores at Central World (first floor) in Bangkok today. In terms of fashion stores, I could see the UK clothing giant doing very well in Thailand. It’s cheaper than Zara and a shade more trendy than somewhere such as H&M. There was a time when I bought almost all of my clothes from Topshop (well, Topman), but I don’t know if I would return to those ways.

I’ve recently started buying all of my clothes from eBay, but I will go and check out what Topshop has to offer while I’m in Bangkok this weekend. As I said, I think Topshop will be very popular because the clothes are affordable and the designs would definitely appeal to young Thais in the 16-to-25 bracket.

Those of you who have been in Thailand for a while will remember the intensive war on drugs that went on in 2003 under the Thaksin regime. At that time, so-called blacklists of “influential people” were drawn up and used to help the police target individuals suspected of dealing drugs.

It was never made clear how these lists of “influential people” were compiled, but extra-judicial killings were rife. Police were given shoot-to-kill orders and those who found themselves on these blacklists were in serious trouble.

Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but the war on drugs is back – and so are the blacklists. In February, Interior Minister Chalerm said, “For drug dealers, if they do not want to die, they had better quit staying on the road. Drugs suppression in my time as interior minister will follow the approach of Thaksin. If that will lead to 3,000-4,000 deaths of those who break the law, then so be it. That has to be done.”

Also in February, PM Samak said, “I want people to understand that in order to fulfil the anti-drug objectives, extra-judicial killings do occur, but police officers responsible for those acts will have to face legal consequences.”

As far as the general public is concerned, we have been led to believe that war on drugs will not be as out of control as it was in 2003. The current war on drugs began April 2 and there have been minimal rumblings as a result.

So why the new blacklists? Phuket’s blacklist of “influential people” has been drawn up and passed onto the governor for final approval. This time, however, those on the list are said to be involved in one or more of 18 criminal activities, including involvement in drugs, gambling and, in Phuket’s case, the infamous taxi “mafia”.

Confusing the issue is that to be blacklisted, an individual must have a network of people working for them or they must be connected to someone in power, such as a government officer.

Phuket’s blacklist is part of a nationwide campaign, but it has yet to be revealed how any of these lists will be used or even who are on the lists. Out in the provinces, away from Bangkok, people felt the full force of the 2003 war on drugs. You will, of course, have heard stories of the atrocities that took place. A repeat of such actions would not sit well after the intense criticism drawn from human-rights groups in the past.

Are we on the brink of something with these blacklists?

It’s been about eight months since the tragedy of One-Two-Go flight OG269. The latest development in that saga is an online petition that has surfaced with, at the time of writing, more than 4,500 digital signatures calling for Thailand’s prime minister to investigate Udom Tantiprasongchai, chairman of One-Two-Go.

There are some pretty strong allegations going around. From the website:

• Mr Tantiprasongchai personally encouraged One-Two-Go and Orient Thai pilots to fly unsafe airplanes.
• Mr Tantiprasongchai paid bonuses to One-Two-Go and Orient Thai pilots for exceeding legal maximum flying hours and encouraged other unsafe behaviors.
• Mr Tantiprasongchai bribed Thai aviation authorities (the DCA) to overlook these improper activities.

While it wouldn’t surprise me if these are true, I suspect the same could be said of all Thailand’s budget airlines.

Perhaps the most disturbing snippet from the website is that the seats from the plane’s wreckage are alleged to be for sale around the island. I have yet to hear anything about this, but it’s certainly an odd thought.

There is some pretty damning evidence working against One-Two-Go. Take some time to read through the website and let me know what you think. The problem with this type of website is that it can all become a bit Zeitgeist, in that people immediately assume everything laid out for them is true. They then take these so-called “truths” and run with them.

I’m still surprised that people refuse to fly with One-Two-Go. I have as much faith in One-Two-Go as I do any of the budget airlines, yet every time I mention to someone that I might fly One-Two-Go, I receive a look of disbelief.

Is it only a matter of time before we see another air crash?

What is it about society that drives people to protest? Other than for the sake of being there and actually experiencing a protest, I’ve never felt compelled to take to the streets to stand up for what I believe in. I wonder, though, had I grown up in Thailand rather than the UK, if perhaps this would be different. Bangkok is, after all, a hub of protesting activity.

Protests in Bangkok have been going on for as long as people have been able to voice their opinions. The latest round of protests in Bangkok saw some 10,000 people choose their side over the issue of the government’s plan to redraft the constitution. Had I not been so hungover on Sunday, I would have been down there with them to witness the spectacle.

It seems unlikely that we will ever see a Thailand without divisions that are so strong they polarize opinions and inspire people to take to the streets prepared to fight. This says something about how unstable Thailand’s political climate has always been. There is perhaps only One Person who keeps Thailand from falling into all-out civil war because people are always ready to fight for their beliefs.

When you look at the people at the protests, however, they aren’t that different. They’re really the same people just shouting different slogans. If they’re not shouting then they’re having a picnic or else enjoying a concert in between motivational speakers.

With pressure from the tourism industry, the economy and the world’s media, protests in Bangkok can no longer be met with gunfire and as such, people are more prepared to voice their opinions and challenging issues are raised for governments in a way like never before. The people have now have to be heard, which throws up all manner of controversial opinions, the likes of which have usually been kept behind closed doors. There’s still a long way to go, as the sheer number of reported lese majetse cases bears testimony to, but things are moving forwards.

It’s difficult to envisage a Thailand where everybody is happy with the political situation, but is this really any worse than Western democracy, where people have become so used to the way things are that they no longer care to fight for what they believe? In Thailand, people will even protest the actions and the very existence of an elected government. There really is no way to win.

People are all too happy to protest war or global warming, but when it comes to internal affairs, many people have lost interest. But I look at the situation in the UK, where kids are knifing each other on a daily basis, and I compare it to Phuket, where much the same thing occurs, and really much there are as many similarities as differences.

In Bangkok you can protest for or against governments, coups, constitutions, democracy, rulers, dictators, anything – and it’s through these protests that the most radical ideas are put into the public domain. Exciting time, isn’t it?

Phuket is one of the most popular destinations for visitors to Thailand. Predicted tourism figures this year point to in excess of five million visitors to the island. With all the websites out there offering information about Phuket, you’re going to want to choose a reputable Phuket guide in order to plan your trip.

Once you have your Phuket guide sussed out, the next step is to figure out what you want to do during your time in Phuket. Speaking from experience, Phuket is a highly underrated destination that a lot of visitors to Thailand are beginning to turn their noses up to.

Most Phuket guides will gloss over the truth of what the island is like, seemingly selling the entire island as a paradise. It isn’t, of course.

Patong is like hell on earth for some people, which is ironic because it’s often the only part of Phuket that some visitors see. Basing your perception of Phuket solely on Patong nightlife is silly because Phuket has a lot more to offer than the bars and clubs in Patong.

Most Phuket guides are also written by older folks who are trying to sell you a product, usually hotels. What Phuket needs is more websites written by young people, for young people. Phuket often feels as if it is losing its youthful edge and becoming overrun by sex tourists and retirees. It doesn’t have to be like that.

Phuket has a lot to offer. There are some fabulous beaches, some really cool cultural sites and some decent nightclubs. Phuket nightlife is often thought to contain nothing more than go-go bars and beer bars, but there is a lot more to the island than people give credit for.

Many Phuket guides will sing the praises of Seduction disco or Timber Hut nightclub, but few will mention Oasis or Barzah.

What is most surprising is that Phuket has a pretty lively DJ scene. We”re talking real DJs spinning the latest club tunes, with everything from breaks to drum n bass. Phuket is a diverse island with a lot to offer. While there is a lot of development, you have to remember that Phuket is a large enough island that you can escape the bad stuff and find your own corner with ease.

A visit to Phuket comes highly recommended.