truethailand

What you need to do is to give all Thais, regardless of their rank or status, a decent education. It might mean that the rich will only be as rich next year as they are this year but it will delay or even prevent the eventual bloodbath.

I dont know why they stopped at English bcos the Maths is dire too, their IQ level needs alot to be desired and there is not a lot right about the Thai education system. They excel in design and creative studies bcos there is no rule book or standard to mark them against. Revamp it...blow it up and start again. Money is wasted in army bric-a-brac which only goes to fill the pockets of the few.

Since Abhisit came into office for one reason or another he has increased the army budget by 10's of billions and earmarked over 100 billion more on defence spending. Hes not the only one and he wont be the last.

Yes the system is designed to keep them dumb. Kids here love to learn like all kids its just that the tools are not there to help them. I have been getting my kids to test drive some online English with work sheets etc and the stuff out there is amazing. My kids and their two Thai friends (very minimal English) sat there for over 2 hours and kept selecting more videos to watch and they all helped each other. I could hear them all trying to pronounce the words. We should not deny children the opportunity to excel to their maximum, it is a crime.

I truly believe like you the system is about to explode on a scale that may shock us farangs. Its not scaremongering, they are being denied the opportunity to improve their life and education is key to everything. They know who is denying them the opportunity and they will eventually take their pound of flesh. Post what you want in reply to this but me and you cannot stop the evolution of this nation.

a ministerial post in his pocket?

he missed it with democrats, so changed the side.

no political principles, just will follow, whoever gives him more

As the article reads, he was betrayed at the last election so he believes he has no other option?

As the article reads, he was ex-TRT, he opposed Samak and Somchai and he didn't get into the PPP led government. So he goes back to them??

Those that have been predicting a Pheua Thai victory, by whatever means are now sitting very smug and comfortably. Yes hes a dinosaur but whats he bringing to the table... It just goes to prove who is the most powerful man in Thai politics(except for one generaal) Democrats will p1ss the next election

Heart goes out to the family. Thailand is a great place but if anything goes pear shaped they like to keep it in house, they are paid to put there head in the sand and wait til it goes away. Hopefully the intended website will grow too allow other 'cover ups' to be exposed and may entice witnesses to certain events to post anonymously. You will never shame the perpetrators here they are just too thick skinned and live in a bubble where nobody is allowed to question their actions.

Good luck, hope you are successful but like the previous poster said dont do it from inside Thailand, life is cheap as tradgically your daughter found out. Just dont be too successful because then your site will get blocked from its main contributors... farangs here in Thailand. Please send us a link when its online

just checked www.thaicoverups.com is available

Simply more stalling tactics. And then when the House is dissolved, there will be no Parliament to induce or decide upon an outcome. It is all going pear-shaped again.

Sirichok Sopha ...is that the same guy

"Lawmaker Sopha visited Bout in April in a pre-trial detention facility... During the meeting... he tried to persuade Bout to testify that the Il-76 plane with an illegal cargo of arms from North Korea was financed by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who bought the weapons for his allies, the red shirts," Promphan said during a parliamentary session on Tuesday.

Link

there is many to choose from

Abhisit close confidante... another smear Thaksin attempt...By christ they are shit scared of him..

Now, where are the red shirts (PTP) going to get their landslide election win with only 14% of people directly supporting them?

More anti red posts, you never miss an opportunity. If there is any chance of a reds victory there will be no election... I keep telling you that.

Glad that was tongue in cheek I nearly rewrote war and peace

Thaddeus instead of leaving how about fixing the problem.

Well, that is the point I was making, or trying to make with my comment.

Every time a topic is started in here by a non-Thai forum member about any niggle, large or small, sooner or later, usually sooner these days, someone will make the 'if you don't like it, leave' statement.

This irks me somewhat, as most of the problems we would like to fix, we could do ourselves, be we aren't allowed to as this isn't our country.

Now we have Thai nationals saying that they 'hate' litter, a rather strong word in my opinion, well, they have the power to fix it, and they have no excuse for not fixing it, it's their country, but like many things that Thais complain about, it always seems to be somebody else's problem.

Lord knows how many years ago, we started a "Keep Britain Tidy" campaign because, quite frankly, we were a nation of litter louts. Sturdy rubbish bins (trash cans for our merican members) were installed countrywide where people gathered, and Public Information Films were shown on television, people were instructed to take their rubbish home with them if there were no bins around, and some fairly hefty fines were imposed for people who were caught littering.

It took years, but it worked.

As Phil said earlier, he has never seen a westerner litter to much extent and neither have I. What I have seen is westerners with their kids, self made or inherited, teaching them to put stuff in the bin. It isn't difficult and requires little effort, one day I'm hoping to see some adult Thais do the same thing.

If you think pissing on the wall is bad try this. About 2 weeks ago my daughter was drinking at the water fountain in Tesco Lotus, next to the fountain was a bin for the waste cups. I stared in amazement when a mother lifted her 5-6 yr old son up and she held him up while he p1ssed in the bin in the middle of Tesco. Being farang thats well out of order so I told her, she just looked me up and down like I was shit and walked away. My daughter asked "Daddy why the little boy not go toilet" I just replied that his mum and Dad are too lazy to teach him right and wrong and dont you ever do that". What I really wanted to say could not be printed here. Too many people hide this obnoxious behaviour behind 'culture' > Farangs trying to teach their children the right way have a hard time in Thailand bcos all around them they see children doing the opposite.

"you no farang, you no understand Thai way, you go home now" Lazy B4st4rds

You forgot about this tidbit:

"Thaksin Shinawatra had indicated that the country was not ready and had called on the government to complete its term."

If true, this would be a complete turnaround from the usual stance.

He may have made comments of this nature(anybody got a link ) but do you think he is still that powerful that he can make commissioners scurry off to another job. Thaksins not applying the pressure but abhisit has to get the message out there without saying who it is. Sondhi stands on the stage , followed by retired forces TOP BRASS and you and the ones that posted after you want readers to believe its Thaksin. You are turning every thread into anti Thaksin, its unbelieveble. I still think this election will not take place at the dates being suggested.

Some juicy entrees there when you cut out the padding..

Abhisit says election will go ahead despite some people wanting to delay it, urges EC to reveal who is putting pressure

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday expressed confidence that the next general elections would take place this year as planned despite efforts by some people to prevent the early polls.

He also called on the five election commissioners to specify the problems they are facing after one of them, Sodsri Satayathum, earlier complained about mounting political pressure.

When asked about possible obstacles to the upcoming election, expected around mid-year, the prime minister said: "There are people who do not want the election to go ahead. But I think any effort to obstruct the process will not be welcomed [by the public]."

Dont jump to think he means the Pheua Thai others have vested interest

When asked about possible obstacles to the upcoming election, expected around mid-year, the prime minister said: "There are people who do not want the election to go ahead. But I think any effort to obstruct the process will not be welcomed [by the public]."

However, he admitted that he had no knowledge as to what was the actual motive of these people. "In our democratic system, you can present your ideas during the election campaigning and offer yourself as a choice to the voters," he said.

He knows there are people but he does not know their motive.... Should read maybe they too powerful for me to say

Regarding the reported political pressure on the EC, Abhisit yesterday called on Sodsri to make it clear what was behind her concern ahead of the election. He called on the public as well as the relevant state agencies to provide support to the election commissioners in this regard.

You tell them who's putting the squeeze on. If it was simply another political party and you have proof tell the public. Answer: No its not and Are you nuts Abhisit

Sodsri had said last week that the EC was facing much political pressure and disclosed that she was applying to join a government law-reform committee headed by former attorney-general Kanit Nanakorn. She revealed that she would leave the EC if appointed to the panel.

Again 'political pressure' maybe from a 'none' political source. EC Commissioner takes what looks like a downward career move to a committee. At her level you are 'head hunted' and you dont reveal to the world until the job offer is made and accepted.

Theptai Senpong, spokesman for the Democrat Party leader, yesterday dismissed speculation that there would be any incident that could lead the country to a political dead end. He reiterated that the general election would be held as scheduled. However, if only two Election Commissioners were holding office, the election would have to be postponed, he admitted.

One publicly packing her bags only 2 to go

"There is no need to take recourse to Article 7 of the Constitution to solve problems as people who try to block the election are suggesting," he said, referring to an idea that His Majesty the King should be requested to appoint a new prime minister to get out of a political impasse.

Who stood on stage and submitted this idea to his audience only this week.. Hes got powerful friends

Theptai said he believed the Pheu Thai Party expected to benefit if the general election were postponed because the opposition party and its de facto leader Thaksin Shinawatra had indicated that the country was not ready and had called on the government to complete its term.

He said the Pheu Thai Party was not ready to go the election because it was still a headless party, with key party leaders such as Mingkwan Saengsuwan and Chalerm Yoobamrung vying to take the helm of the party. He added that Thaksin was scared to handpick Pheu Thai's leader, fearing the party will break up.

Which good politician is not going to take a swipe at the main opposition when a microphone is under his nose. Just padding

Just my view on the above.........

RIP

I cannot believe the kid drove for another 4 to 5 minutes, then sat in the car 5-10 minutes after parking (according to witnesses via one of the news links above) and then got out and left.

There is a very good possibility the girl was still alive, albeit in a serious state of shock and probably for only a few minutes as she bled out, but depending on how she landed inside and where exactly she was cut, she could have still been able to move a little, look at him, and possibly even speak a word or two. Even if none of this happened, this kid's life is ruined as well (and rightly so). He will be haunted by her in his head forever, and he will always see her in his mind.

Sat with half a dead corpse for ten minutes in the confines of a small car.

Either in shock or a real bad ass.

Having been a train driver and had mates who unfortunately were driving trains when somebody committed suicide or just walked on the track I know better than most the effects of it. One good friend took a swan diver from the bridge straight thru the front door of the train. It knocked a 300 kilo door of its hinges and splattered body fluids all over the driver, even in his mouth. He was frozen rigid for over 1 hour and could not speak, move or hardly breathe, only relaxant in the form of an injection allowed them to move him to hospital.

Now take this arrogant little tw4t, drives another 10km, sits there and makes some phone calls, gets out, locks the door and hops in a taxi. Half a kid in your car and you sit there and chat on mobile. Something seriously wrong with this person, just like the young girl on the phone after killing nine from a mini bus. These rich kids here are totally detached from any form of reality and some are lauded in magazines and on tv for the youngsters to copy, dont blame them, blame their parents. If the son absconds then lock his family up...wishful thinking

This is just one more example of how Thai power groups have no concept of what democracy is. Just as we have seen with the Red Shirts, albeit in different ways, the Yellow Shirts are taking the attitude of -- if we can't win controlling power, it's not democracy. Actually what they want is the antithesis of democracy.

If I recall correctly the yellow shirts were not looking for democracy. They wanted only 30% to be elected and 70% to be appointed.

True .

Not true. It was a discussion idea batted around and then discarded, literally, years ago.

But it's great sound bite for those that wish to dishonestly perpetrate the myth.

I am more convinced after your photo links to the PAD Website and now this defence, that you may be Sondhis sidekick

poor girl, i know most on the forum would love justice for this girls family, and that the offender is justly punished, but we can only hope, probably in vain that this will happen.

talked about this today with the wife, her family is about see its fourth generation to start in the BIB, and firmer believer in her family's traditional meal ticket that you could ever meet, when i commented about most peoples lack of faith in a fair and transparent handling of this incident by the BIB, if a hi-so is the culprit, she gave me the "dont question me about this, you dont understand, your a farang look".

Rest In Peace

I get much the same answers as you would. I remember when a little brat in a fortuner pulled out after seeing my friend approach on a bike. T Bone time. Brat on phone gets out declaring " Do you know who I am' and trys to verbally beat down on my friend with his wealth." After getting fed up of apologising for something that wasnt his fault, he just nutted the little brat. This farang was 60 yrs old and a doctor in a previous life, not a thug. If their parents dont teach them responsibility, manners and other social niceties then it is good to know there are farangs out there who will do the job for them.

Why is that people dont see the link between the Pad and its army backers... Would it be possible to have a 'paint ' facility on this forum because some here need you to draw it for them

Would it be possible to tell us what this link is? If the army and PAD are so entwined, why is the army letting PAD die a slow death? And how does this link whitewash all the violence of the Reds? So the army didn't move in and kill a bunch of PAD demonstrators. The government and army were more than patient with the thugs who took over a section of downtown Bangkok and advocated the violent overthrow of the government, as well as the burning of hospitals, mosques, and other institutions. Since this argument has been going on for a year, I'm guessing we won't come to an understanding tonight....

The armed forces are not letting Pad die a death. Only the other night it was reported about 4 retired top ranking forces personnel , including I think an Air Vice Marshall, standing on the PAD stage and one was even spouting about going to war with Cambodia. It was also stated that they agreed with Sondhi that Thai Politics should be clensed for 3-5 years. These guys dont ever retire they still take their orders from Prem. I am not saying its all the army, its just the most influential parts of the army, its not generals that take care of conscripts.

PS.. Read Clense as... Prem will select the government members. Effectively cutting off thaksin from politics. These people are petrified of Thaksin.. Everyone to their own opinion but I still believe, for good or bad, that providing he does not meet an unnatural end Thaksin is coming back.. I think hes got his eye on a couple of jobs already

Apparently it failed to clarify for the forum reds that still refuse to acknowledge that the Reds had more violent incidents and far more weaponry which resulted in far more deaths and far more mayhem and destruction.

Oh, well.

Both governments handled the situation differently primarily because the military supported one of those governments and did not the other.

Had there been an attempt (and rightfully so and as would have happened in any other country in the World) to remove the protesters from the airport using live ammunition and force as we saw at Rajaprasong what would have happened then?

I think we all know the answer.

Yep, if the bro-in-law had a pair we would have found out. But he didn't / doesn't. And if things had been different in '92 or '73 or 1941 blah blah blah. I am not defending PAD, but the fact is their leaders didn't ell them to bring bottles filled with petrol, they didn't have rogue army officers with an armed militia behind them, they didn't storm hospitals, shoot RPG's at public transit or burn down a shopping center (or even the airport). All of those don'ts don't make what they did okay, it just differentiates them from the Reds.

Why is that people dont see the link between the Pad and its army backers... Would it be possible to have a 'paint ' facility on this forum because some here need you to draw it for them

The PAD violated the principles of peaceful assembly as evidenced by PAD-led protesters putting on masks and wielding wooden and iron sticks to raid the grounds of the two airports, the verdict said.

Some posters were denying there were violent elements at the airport on another thread.

Hope that clarifies.

It should also hopefully clarify that wooden and iron sticks are no comparison to the grenade launchers, various bombs, and automatic weapons that the Red colored shirts utilized.

It should clarify to some posters who were postulating that the level of violence employed by the two different shirts were equal.

.

You cannot help yourself..but nobody is listening anymore. Take defeat on this point gracefully..like a man.. While your licking your wounds justify this little titbit recently surface on the net

and justify or explain away.

2,120 sniper shots fired

PPT knows that the army has great trouble keeping track of its arms and ammunition as they are lost, stolen, misplaced and traded in large numbers. However, a short report at ............. makes for interesting reading.

The report says that a Puea Thai Party Chair of the House Committee on Military Affairs has disclosed “an account of ammunition disbursed by the army during the crackdown on red shirts early last year” that we call the Battle for Bangkok.

Even allowing for the army’s fudging and “losses,” it is astounding that “3,000 sniper rounds of which 880 were returned…”. It would appear that 2,120 rounds were fired at protesters and others by the army during April and May 2010.

Moreover, less than 7,000 blank rounds were fired while 117,923 live rounds were fired at the people. So much for the government’s claims that blanks were used and “reasonable” measures taken by state forces….

Its called alternative press..you should trying reading... Sorry if this off thread but the nation wont print claims like this

The PAD violated the principles of peaceful assembly as evidenced by PAD-led protesters putting on masks and wielding wooden and iron sticks to raid the grounds of the two airports, the verdict said.

Some posters were denying there were violent elements at the airport on another thread.

Hope that clarifies.

They only deny bcos then they can justify why it was correct to send the army in against the reds. Civil court says violent take over of 2 airports. Supporters of the current government like to comment... you should thats how you got to power

Yes, you did.

Quite clearly I did not.

Is this how you choose to spend your life or is it forced on you? It is as though some posters on here have nothing to do all day but try to start spats on the internet, it is all a bit sad really and I am guessing you don't get invited to many parties. i have made this clear a number of times, read what is written, absorb it, understand it, then refrain from changing it your head to what you wish was written so you can start another petty spat You should understand it, I am not even using joined up writing

He wont like that.. He will take his bat and ball home if you say something he doesnt agree with

"The courts are quick to rule on cases against poor people. For rich people, cases have dragged on for a long time," Somkiat said.

Some examples of rich people's cases that have dragged on for a long time:

Potjaman Shinawatra nee Damapong, convicted in July 2008 and sentenced to 3 years in prison. Case appealed.

Former PM Somchai and former PM Chavalit indicted by the NACC in September 2009. Case still pending.

Current and former Red Shirt Leaders Veera Musigapong, Jatuporn Phromphan, Jakrapob Penkair, Natthawut Saikua, Weng Tojirakarn, Wiputalaeng Patanapumithai, Manit Jitchanklab, Apiwan Wiriyachai and Jaran Dittha-apichai charged with inciting riots in July 2007... and again in April 2009... and again in May 2010. All cases still pending.

.

You forgot one. What about Chuan Leek Pai's Brother( the same ChuanLeek Pai who is seen as the guiding hand for the current PM) did he not abscond to Taiwan when he was alledged to have had it on his toes with neary 10 million....dollars. Came back only when it was safe to do so years later..

Holding the meeting on neutral territory is sensible but at least the military have asked Phnom Penh to provide the venue, showing Thai Military are not opposed to working on and in their neighbours country. Maybe there is some chance of success for the border dispute.

You completely miss the point that Thailand is rejecting third party mediation regardless of where the venue is and still trying to pursue the already failed bilateral route.

One wonders what it is they are scared of.

Stalling tactics also..one meeting cancelled next month. They dont want a resolution and I am pretty certain that the army may be pre occupied with something else if this dispute runs into the summer. Oh by the way Abhisit and Suthep echo the words of the army, surely the army should be echoing the words of a government in a democracy. The government controls the army...oops keep forgetting

but if your 3 yr old had guns, APV and tanks added to ulimited fianacial clout... you may think twice.. Still think its nearing coup time, cant put my finger on the excuse to be used. Thaksin will most probably get the blame....

JD who backs the pad..Who is General Srimuang best mate, who stand defending the supporters of the pad now and at the airport..

Sondhi was quoted saying "The key yellow shirt leader also called on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to take a three-year break from politics and to request royal nomination of a new prime minister to head a new Cabinet that consists of people who are more capable and honest than those in the current one

... and a new cabinet selected by who? This may be a token political movement but they are by far the most powerful group in Thailand. If Sondhi is not advocating reds or yellows and hes instructing his minority membership to boycott the elections who exactly does he want in power. I turn on Channel 28 and can still see him spewing his bile to an audiencs, police cant move him, army wont move him... Still say a coup is coming

I think with this their latest announcemet PAD shows their real colors.

It is us in power or nobody else.Sounds like 3 year olds fighting for a toy....................oops I forgot that the majority here has the mental ability of a 3 year old .

but if your 3 yr old had guns, APV and tanks added to ulimited fianacial clout... you may think twice.. Still think its nearing coup time, cant put my finger on the excuse to be used. Thaksin will most probably get the blame....

'International' monitors would be completely useless as none of them would speak Thai or have the slightest clue what is going on. You'd have the situation like during last years riots, where people are saying in English we are peaceful and democratic and in Thai to prepare to burn down the city. And if their violence and intimidation campaign is successful they would whitewash their crimes by pointing to the clueless, ineffectual foreigners who neither saw nor heard what happened.

The 'don't respect farang' comment is out of line if that was what was said

No different than the head of the army not wanting the Indonesian observer in the disputed area, like trying to scare and murder the press in April?May last year. They just dont want the outside world knowing what sh1t they are up to. Somebody must tell Mr Suthep...its too late because a lot of farangs know exactly whats happening in this 'Myanmar with paint'. Maybe thats why he detests us because we come on forums like this and tell him what a fool he really looks, to the outside world

An acquaintence here once explained this to me... 'When pressed in a corner Thais will say anything but if you want to know the truth, take what the Thai person said and then think about the opposite of what was said and you will be a damm sight closer to the truth'... and in a lot of cases it as proved to be correct for me

“The toll on the media has been heavy, while many others have only narrowly escaped death,” says the press freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders. “We are stunned and outraged by the indiscriminate nature of this assault, which shows that the Thai authorities made little attempt to protect journalists in their desire to suppress the Red Shirt opposition.”

It adds: "We call for an independent investigation into Fabio Polenghi’s death, including an autopsy and a ballistic study carried out in a transparent manner and, if necessary, with the help of foreign experts.”

Transparent, Thai Authorities are not.

do we expect japanese to believe that? "all 13 victims killed during the clash" ? I don't think so. Another whitewash.

don't think they want "will inform them of all the information", but the truth.

Why do you assume it is a whitewash? Ballistics experts can identify, in most cases, the type of weapon used. Also in this case, the reds were 100 percent active as a violent and para force. They wanted deaths to serve their own nasty political ends. Don't forget that politics in this country is extremely dirty. Abhisit's attempts at cleaning it up is bound to meet the strongest resistance and the red demos were a huge throw of the dice. Murder was always inevitable and now the truth is out, off course the reds will shout 'foul play' and the 'impartial' (sic) observers on this board will try and outsmart everyone.

Of course the army shot nobody... Abhisit trying to clean up politics..the truth is out...impartial observers These defenders of last years atrocities need to accept the dirty deeds committed...on both sides. Not just the reds