toonsai

Very simple... What is the salary of a General? Then look at their assets, cars, houses and lifestyle. Sure not corrupted? People want to get rid of corruption? That's what protesters say... Fine, great intention. But be aware that this might cause a heavy bloodbath.

So much hypocrisy here.

Congrats to the Pattaya Police for this major arrest. This guy is probably the boss of an international crime ring or a major international terrorism organization. If not, he is Russian, so he is guilty.

Congrats also to the Buri Rum girlfriend...

Congrats also to the Media for this very well taken picture. Sharp, plenty of drama and finger pointing

The best of Thailand in this news.

By the way, what is done to reduce the carnage on the roads? I just would like to take the opportunity of this brilliant, superb victory to remind that 150+ people died on the Thailand roads in 12+ bus accidents for the last 6 months.

"Better driver training"!?!?! To be better, it should already exist...

Problems to be solved, in an ideal World:

1) Proper driving test and license

2) Systematic alcohol and drug test for buses drivers

3) Regular mandatory maintenance for buses

4) Mandatory seat belts for passengers

5) Proper working hours for drivers

6) Adequate standard for bus modifications

7) Police doing their job and effectively making sure Public Safety is a priority; not only filling their pocket.

Why Thailand does not learn from developed countries who have decades of experiences and improvements? Of course it might eventually increase the cost of transportation in Thailand.

At the moment NONE of the above 7 points exist in Thailand = CARNAGE on the road.

Another tragedy and yet again no reaction from authorities. I do not work for Fox news but I am not shy to say SHAME ON YOU THAILAND.

Again, again and again: No control + no authority + no standard + failed State + No police + corruption + laxity = TOTAL ANARCHY!

* Road Safety

* Tourism scams

* Poor Construction Standards

* Food poisoning (by abuse of chemicals and pesticides)

* Pollution (Oil slicks, illegal dumps etc...)

And so on and so on, just name it.

Thailand DECADENCE

Tip of the iceberg... If authorities would really want to fight against prostitution, they would start to clean all entertainment venues, starting by ALL massage parlors on Ratchada, Nana Plaza and Cowboy and so on... This Chacherngsao operation is probably the result of the owner not paying enough money to the police. CORRUPTION is the CANCER of the Thai Society. Police = Mafia. They control all and nothing will never change unless there is a deep and final cleaning of the Police, main root cause of the rapid downfall of this country which is no more State and no more Authority, other than money and corruption. This country is a total ANARCHY. I am just reminding facts that are very well known, but it reaches such an indecent level of hypocrisy that the whole country is now DOOMED.

Note to the readers: I am NOT a red or yellow partisan. I just a 10 years neutral observer of the political circus and failed Democracy in Thailand

I believe the Democrats - if led by Abhisit - have a unique chance to WIN (yes i say win) the coming elections. It would an absolute first time since the Thaksin era. Why do i think so? Both Red and Yellow sides are divided. Suthep and its continuous gesticulations and failed promises is far from attracting all the yellow supporters. Cleverly Abhisit stays on the backstage, probably to prepare a timely return. On the Red side, Thaksin has lost a LOT of ground, probably much more than its predictions. Let's be fair here, Thaksin on his early days did a lot for rural areas (roads, hospitals, electricity etc...). Despite all scandals, the failed and corrupted rice scheme, he still keeps a broad electorate. But, most importantly, I believe that many of the old "Thaksin" supporters would be ready to vote for Abhisit (I say Abhisit, not the Democrats) if he gives some positive signals to the farmers and rural areas. For that, Abhisit would need to take some risks by stepping aside the rut of the traditional feudal society. He has the Education and some experience. I do not mean that the whole (Feudal) system will change tomorrow, but - like never before - the electoral map is ready to move in Thailand. To capture this electorate, Abhisit must not only lend "allegiance" to the traditional Democrats allies, but also to the rural electorate who started to understand that Thaksin and Co is not anymore a solution for the Country. Will Abhisit dare shaking the "System"?

dream on... his only chance is (as you hint at) is to give up the old elite ammart but that would take a few years not by the next election and he doesn't have the balls to do it

PTP win with less seats

Clarify please

who is this mysterious

"old elite ammart"

You are as clueless as the average red shirt.t repeat what some one who is paid to spread propaganda and misinformation told you. Love these conspiracy thinkers allows for all kinds of nonsense.

We all know who are the "old elite", no need to elaborate about that (and to some extend, we cannot). Without giving specific names, Thailand is ruled by a few powerful families. Both camps have their "hierarchy". That's why - i believe - we all agree to describe Thailand as a FEUDAL system.

Somehow directly linked to the atrocious death of Audrey and Noémi Bélanger.

I wrote about this several times already. While people (rightly) focus on the dangers of cigarettes, I highly believe that MOST of the Food (Veggies, Fruits, Chicken, Pork, Shrimps etc...) produced in Thailand for the LOCAL MARKET are - at least - as toxic as cigarettes. Like for so many other things in this country, a combination of failed State + widespread corruption + lack of standards + no control + no respect of laws and regulations has led to extremely dangerous abuses. In Thailand, there is no law and regulation on usage of pesticides and chemicals. As simple as that. If there are a few, it is not enforced and respected. A few weeks ago, a courageous Thai guy raised a red flag over the usage of highly carcinogenic formalin on veggies/fruits by street sellers and in markets. Just the tip of the iceberg.... (Mostly innocent) farmers are forced to use chemicals and pesticides that are forbidden for decades in the US or Europe. Thailand is 20-30 years behind... My call might be somehow highly "dramatic" but I am really convinced that the reality is dramatic.

Just look at the exponential increase of cancers in Thailand in the last few years. Some (usual) detractors will argue that Cancer is not only a Thailand issue and the largest International Food corporations are also accused on a regular basis to poison consumers, only to make more profit. Well, by anticipation I will answer to this question... Yes there are abuses everywhere. But in the US or in Europe, there are effective rules, regulations and controls. Yes there are also collusions but overall things move into the right direction: protection of consumers. In Thailand, probably 80-90% of the Food Chain is probably TOXIC. Reason being: no law, no standard, no control, failed state, corruption. this trend has been increasing very very fast in the past decade.

In addition to my above statement, I encourage you to read the below article.

http://www.voanews.com/content/pesticides-threaten-thailands-reputation-as-food-exporter/1519985.html

If export quality is questionable, I cannot imagine the "local" quality for food, veggies, fruits, chicken, shrimps etc...

I personally do not buy anymore street food. Looks good, tastes good, cheap. But highly toxic.

Note to the readers: I am NOT a red or yellow partisan. I just a 10 years neutral observer of the political circus and failed Democracy in Thailand

I believe the Democrats - if led by Abhisit - have a unique chance to WIN (yes i say win) the coming elections. It would an absolute first time since the Thaksin era. Why do i think so? Both Red and Yellow sides are divided. Suthep and its continuous gesticulations and failed promises is far from attracting all the yellow supporters. Cleverly Abhisit stays on the backstage, probably to prepare a timely return. On the Red side, Thaksin has lost a LOT of ground, probably much more than its predictions. Let's be fair here, Thaksin on his early days did a lot for rural areas (roads, hospitals, electricity etc...). Despite all scandals, the failed and corrupted rice scheme, he still keeps a broad electorate. But, most importantly, I believe that many of the old "Thaksin" supporters would be ready to vote for Abhisit (I say Abhisit, not the Democrats) if he gives some positive signals to the farmers and rural areas. For that, Abhisit would need to take some risks by stepping aside the rut of the traditional feudal society. He has the Education and some experience. I do not mean that the whole (Feudal) system will change tomorrow, but - like never before - the electoral map is ready to move in Thailand. To capture this electorate, Abhisit must not only lend "allegiance" to the traditional Democrats allies, but also to the rural electorate who started to understand that Thaksin and Co is not anymore a solution for the Country. Will Abhisit dare shaking the "System"?

We are out in full force with nonsense slagging Thailand post over a worldwide issue of stolen passports.

This is indeed a worldwide problem and Interpol database should be systematically integrated in all immigration gateways, starting by all airports.

Having said that, the FACT is that the stolen passports come from THAILAND and the tickets were purchased in THAILAND. So please do not try to dilute the issues in a Worldwide case, usual Thai style to escape the problem. This happened here in THAILAND for some good reasons that I highlighted in my post above. We all love THAILAND, no question about this, but it is highly time to open your eyes and see the VERY DEEP problems affecting the country and society here. Corruption and laxism cause major flaws and loopholes which - long term - are very dangerous. Thailand has enjoyed a very comfortable growth and continues to attract the World. But the foundations are all rotten and we only start to see the limits: daily crash of buses, boats sinking every week, scams at every corner, fast increasing rate of cancer due to veggies and fruits grown with pesticides and chemicals, no standard in buildings constructions and now international terrorism and so on and so on. We have examples in front of our eyes every single day. So ask yourself honestly why all this happen? You will find out that all these problems have the same root causes. An accumulation of negligence, laxism and corruption. So yes, plenty of countries have similar problems, but if you do not want THAILAND to continue to increasingly be on the front pages, then it is time to LOOK and ADDRESS the problems. Sweep in front of your door, do not divert and accuse the whole World for your own misery.

"Thailand has been used by some international terrorist groups as a zone of operation, to raise funds or to plan attacks," said Rommel Banlaoi, an analyst on terrorism in South-East Asia.

Surprised? Not at all... What are the root causes? Exactly the same and for the road accidents, the scams and other major problems that have been increasing in Thailand for the last decade:

No standard + No control + No safety + No authority + No implementation or respect of laws and regulations + widespread corruption = Total laxism and anarchy!

it does not mean that Thailand directly supports or funds Terrorism. Of course not. But indirectly because of laxism and corruption, the country has become a major playground for all kind of mafias and terrorists. Remember a few weeks ago, this story about fruits and veggies sold containing formalin? One seller was saying that is only concern was to increase profit!!! Somehow this is the same root cause. Here in Thailand, money can buy absolutely everything. There is absolutely no (more) moral and common sense. So, of course, it reaches a point where a total failed State leads to all kind of abuses and extremes; from road fatalities (Thailand rank 2nd in the World), food full of pesticides and chemicals (No law, no control), widespread tourist scams and the latest, Terrorism activities.

Actually I am very surprised that a major terrorist attack has not happened yet in Thailand. This country is such a failed State managed by a bunch of clowns.

Most probably just a matter of time...

We want to say "WAKE UP THAILAND", but after saying this for 10 years, there is no more hope.

No standard + No control + No safety + No authority + No implementation or respect of laws and regulations + Mai pen rai attitude.

Total laxism and anarchy!

Accidents, scams every single day on the news.

Maybe they should implement censorship on all negative news as it gives a bad image to the country.