Friends Lim Kok Hon (Ethan), 26, a social worker and Mohd Khairie. Ethan was assaulted . - AXN photo

Indian cousins Sahil Banga, 25 an aspiring actor and Manas Katyal, 23, a reality show bachelor were ripped off in Sri Lanka - AXN photo

Sri Lanka's tuk tuk hustlers on the move - AXN photo

Competitors donate money to help out Sahil and Manas escape from their tuk tuk nightmare experience for their overcharged fare - AXN photo

Video Beat EXTRA Part 2 - AMAZING RACE ASIA CONTESTANT ASSAULTED & RIPPED OFF IN SRI LANKA

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

A tuk tuk driver became physical and assaulted a Malaysian team and friends Lim Kok Hon (Ethan), 26, a social worker and Mohd Khairie, 25 a graduate. The driver grabbed Etahn's arm when they reached the pit stop. The driver insisted that they pay more. This is considered an assault in America punishable by law. - Recommended TV Listings

Thursday October 14, 2010

FOREIGNERS BEWARE

The Asian version of Amazing Race is not as well organized as the USA edition most notably in their tasks and lack of transparency of informing the viewing public how much money the contestants are given for each leg of the race as does the USA version. This is a major factor in strategy and intelligence for the contestants and gives the viewer another interesting aspect to team strategy.

The money issue became a major factor this past episode when tuk tuk (referred to as a Tri-Shaw in Sri Lanka) drivers there were overcharging some of the contestants. In a couple of instances the drivers were asking for 3000 rupees for a short trip across the city of Colombo. At a rate of 115Rs/ USD that works out to $26. Some contestants were being charged 500 per trip ($4.34 USD). Other conversion rates are 159Rs/ EUR or 183Rs/GBP but all rates are subject to change daily.

That scenario played out to where the two Indian cousins team Sahil Banga, 25 an aspiring actor and Manas Katyal, 23, a reality show bachelor. They were almost eliminated. They ran out of money and gave the driver all they had when they reached the pit stop to check in. The driver demanded more and confronted them at the pit stop were host Alan Wu told them he couldn't check them in until they settled the problem with the driver.

The team borrowed money from the other contestants who had checked in as well as offering some of their personal items to the driver. The driver initially wasn't satisfied but later relented and accepted the payment.

Another driver became physical and assaulted a Malaysian team and friends Lim Kok Hon (Ethan), 26, a social worker and Mohd Khairie, 25 a graduate. The driver grabbed Etahn's arm when they reached the pit stop. The driver insisted that they pay more. This is considered an assault in America punishable by law.

This was the typical case of a rip off taxi/tuk tuk driver who wants to make a month's wages off what they perceive as rich foreigners. If you haven't traveled to Asia all foreigners are considered to be rich since we have the money to travel to their country and they lack the funds to travel to ours.

According to the tourism ministry of Cambodia one of the selling points when the Amazing Race USA proposed filming in their country is the benefit of the exposure they will receive from the show to attract tourists. This situation doesn't bode well for Sri Lanka. From this experience it appears that they area rip off the foreigners nation.

According to Wiki Travel most Three-wheel driver's (in Sri Lanka) tend to over price foreigners, so never agree to the first estimate. If you do come across a metered Tri-Shaw make sure the meter is switched on. But Taxi's are generally the same price and possibly safer.

Taxis are a better way of getting around Colombo than three wheelers as, due to the metering, they often turn out to be cheaper. Rates are about USD0.55 and they have full day packages (approx 8 hours and 80km) for around USD 40.

They will also take you outstation for around USD 0.30-0.35 per km with no waiting charges. You can also set up your own itinerary and travel around that way as opposed to whatever the tour operator tells you. For what dramas the ARA racers will face next tune in tonight on AXN.

Part 1 - TROUBLE BREWING ON AMAZING RACE ASIA

NOTE:

For some UNEXPLAINED reason AXN is junking up their schedule by having some programs start 10 minutes after the hour. That time is usually used to promote other programs on the network. When noting our schedule below please take this tip into consideration.

The Australia Network

The Australia Network is offering an interesting program this week Surviving Disaster - Eruption at Mt St. Helens

Surviving Disaster - Eruption at Mt St. Helens

Whether caused by man or by nature, the world's worst disasters are not easily forgotten. This massive eruption devastated the surrounding area and killed 57 people, including volcanologist David Johnston who was monitoring the volcano. But scientists are now able to predict possible eruptions within weeks or even days.

When To Watch in the Thailand/Cambodia time zone is:

Surviving Disaster - Eruption at Mt St. Helens

Friday, 15 October 2010 at 17:00

Friday, 15 October 2010 at 21:00

Saturday, 16 October 2010 at 00:30

Saturday, 16 October 2010 at 12:00

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TV SCHEDULE

Note: The shows listed are for the Cambodia/Thailand time zone. Check our chart or your local listings for time in your area.

NOTE TIMES OF THE SAME TELECAST IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES

10:00 PM - LOCKED UP ABROAD - National Geographic

10:00 PM - Amazing Race USA ( New Season) - AXN Network

1:00 AM - AMERICAN GREED - CNBC

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