drdoom6996

with all due respect to HM, I can't get behind F1 racing. I've been to a few races, years back (my uncle was a course official and took me to Brands Hatch and Silverstone a few times, waaay back in the 1960's). However, F1 racing is on the way out, and here's why:

1. Burns a lot of fossil fuel

2. Hyper commercial. All drivers and cars are plastered with decals over every square inch. That's what we'd like to see politician's do, though their clothes and vehicles don't have enough yardage to showcase all the companies that prop them up.

3. Marginally athletic skills are needed. Much like golf, it fits with the premise that: the less amount of stamina, the higher the pay-outs for contestants. Look at sports which require a whole lot of stamina & athletic skills: Iron Man/Triathlons and Rock climbing and marathons. Then look at how much they pay out compared with low-stamina sports like golf and F1 racing.

Burns fossil fuel--as you and I do, it's not going away soon and there is no shortage

Hyper commercial--like all other sports

Marginal athletic skills--I suppose footballers are the only sports personnel with any kind of stamina. You should be better informed

They must be including the 4 million that are in transit waiting for flights to other holiday destinations.

The have a very unique way of counting tourists. If a plane flies over Thailand they use those numbers too.

Yes, and one of the tourists was Elvis

Jim Morrison was behind him at immigration.

Why not start teaching the youngster at schools and uni's the type of head injuries that you get from not wearing a helmet show slide/ photo's of accidents,and try to hit home to them about over loading the passengers / sitting side saddle. And let the police book more students for breaking the law, if they can't pay the fine make the parents pay or take the motocy off them.Let the police book them any day of the week not just certain days when they are short of money.

Why not make the BIB be an example instead of the exception to the rule. BIB with no helmet has not job. BIB don't do anything anyway. Except stop helmet-less drivers to collect tea money and then ride off on their motorbike without a helmet. Great Message BIB

I do not think any of the helmets sold in Thailand would pass even i safety regulation in Oz and few other countries.

There are helmets available that meet international safety standards but most are priced well out of the average Thai's budget.

As for this new law, what a fookin joke, I would like to see the stats of helmetless people killed within government zones versus those killed outside of government zones.

What? So a 50,000 baht motorbike is within their budget but not a decent helmet? I think your argument is flawed.

What is the issue is the Thai's dissregard for safety issues. I live in a soi with a kindergarden on it. Most parents

pick their kids up on motorbikes and noone wears a helmet even though they could easily walk. home It comes down to selfishness, laziness and not caring

maybe part of Thai culture?

When a new motorbike is purchased a helmet should go with it. Not to say it will be work or people will wear it, but.................

Where I come from if a person gets his helmet broken in an accident and it saves his life he gets a new AVG from local donations through a radio station.

Why the need for helmet wearing zones when it has been law for years that you have to wear a helmet when riding a motorbike?

or why have very low helmet safety standards? defeats the whole purpose of a helmet.

I do not think any of the helmets sold in Thailand would pass even i safety regulation in Oz and few other countries.

I mean having a salad bowl on your head, hardly will protect your head, if anything will cause even more damage

Exactly, quality helmets should be made mandatory if helmets are mandatory. However, for a bright few, there are places where proper helmets can be purchased in Pattaya and Bangkok.

I think this is about the 93rd crackdown they have had on that road.

Last time I was in Pattaya they had a great night market all along the road that basically made it impossible for the prostitutes to operate. I thought it was genius. Driving revenue to the city (I assume the vendors pay rent) while cleaning up the area at the same time.

It was by far the best market I have ever visited in Thailand. The prices for everything were dirt cheap and clearly marked. No need for negotiation, they offered a very good price from the start.

Try going to Made In Thailand one block from the beach. And it does not cause traffic problems on Beach Road all day and night long.

I have not been connected to TOT for almost 2 weeks at all. They will not provide service to repair. This is regular where I live (not close to the city). But the bill comes right on time every month. I guess it all depends which technology they decide is important. As with all things here, it's all about the money.

Some really wild exaggerations here (and just a little racism against our president) but Asia especially China is on the rise so the days of cheap Asian currencies including the baht are numbered.

RACISM??????????????? The truth is the truth, no matter RACE, CREED or COLOR

It is hypocritical that after he has made his riches be comes out and bangs the everyone should respect the law drum. The problem is these politicians are so deep into their mansions and mercedes, they have no other choice but to keep going. WIthout money there is no power, so the never ending quest to make as much money as possible, anyway possible will always overrule any moral conscious in this country.

I don't recall anyone ever accusing Chuan of any corruption. He is considered to be one of the most honest PM's Thailand has ever had. Back up your statement with a fact or two.

Yes, Chuan is one of the good ones

The Government are playing a fantastic strategy here. First the offer new ID cards and a free ride home to the ones that want to leave the protest. Then they announce a very reasonable compromise in the road map. The majority of red shirts will accept this as a victory. The hard liners will not. The numbers drastically reduce and the women and children leave.

The door is wide open to use force to arrest the hard liners. Good plan by the Government in my opinion. The reds and Thaksin have once again been out flanked by the Government. Abhisit will come out of this, smelling of roses and the red leaders will be seen by the world for what they are. Thaksin's mercenaries.

Cheers, Rick

Good one, Rick. I'm with you!

Hear Hear !

That's how I see it as well

Yes Yes Yes, a comment worth replying to. Unbaised and thoughtful.

Let's keep things in perspective pls. Why is any of this worse than what we've seen very recently, with people getting shot and grenades going off and people dying? I sense a lot of fabricated indignation; the Reds are jittery, they KNOW they can get their faces blown off at any time by government (or rogue army) snipers.. It's chaotic, someone thinks they see military in the building directly overlooking their site.. It happens to be a hospital, but better safe than sorry.

Good of Dr. Weng to apologize though, respect.

Perspective? With all that has happened in the last 3 weeks I would have thought even a red shirt sympathizer could / should not try and made this act or the others you mentioned sound just and legitimate. Poor sick people, pregnant mothers and the like. For goodness sake. It is time for the rabble rousers to call it a day on both sides before it ends in civil war. And please pardon me for my humble opinion on the subject.

My 15 year old Thai daughter and I have considered leaving Thailand, but will probably stay as her mother lives here. I have sole custody from the Amphor in Banglamung. After living here for 23 years I have seen many changes to the country and the people. The best decision I have made was to get out of the city (Pattaya) and move about 25 kilometers away to Tambon Pong. We still are close enough to shop for items not available in the local community, but far enough away to not have to deal with the get as much as you can as quick as you can attitude (Thai's in the Resorts/Cities) and Farangs that only come for the nightlife and act as though they should have special rights because (I don't know why). Thailand still is and could remain the best place to live as an expat. Now, maybe you just have to look a little harder and in different places. Respectfull submitted As my humble thoughts on the subject.

As an expat for 15 years I'm happy to see we are more appreciated and welcomed with a free visa fee.

I remember the good old days about 10 years ago,or maybe 8 when I got 3 months "welcome" tourist stamp when entered the kingdom Of Thailand. It went from 100 baht overstay, to 200 overstay, then 500 baht, and then to make it sure it was only 15 days tourist visa crossing the border to Malaysia, where they still give you 3 months visa.

Now Thailand is close to a civil war,,,and do understand that pats and tourist are do needed to make he wheels to go around.

Thailand have always been a country where to find peace, friendly people and smiles,,,,,now this might look like to be a history,,what happens now? Why this stupid violence in this great kingdom??? What is going on??

My kids are born in the motherland Thailand,,is it now time to pull them out from their own country...

I'm confused and do not know the real situation, who does it effect who ever is the prime minister??? It is always the same story,,,very corrupt and not so corrupt.

From a person who loves Thailand.

Stone: I have been living in Thailand for 23 years and am the sole guardian (on paper by the Amphor) of a 15 year old Thai daughter. We have been looking at boarding schools as well as both of us leaving. Many problems and many coups during the years but nothing like Taksin's corruptness and nothing like this violence. I favor no side and am not politically motivated. I would like to see peace in Thailand. I think (no proof, don't know for sure) about 60 million Thai's feel the same.