mogoso

[quote name='h90' date='2007-03-15of cases known, he is there against any laws ever made, the complete Guantanamo thing is as illegal as german KZs. Red Cross is not allowed to check it (why?).

But if you ask that way: No I have no proof that he was tortured, do you have any that he wasn't?

But thats not much Thailand related.

Lets see enemy combatants taken in the field of battle, put into a military prison, is that really illegal ? They're at Gitmo to recieve military justice, if taken to US soil the demos would demand that they recieve civilian justice. (Slap on the hand sent to bed without the dinner.)

The Al Queida manuals call for when captured scream torture, (the looney left will believe it.)

Islofascists have nothing but comtempt for all non Islamics, but even more for those surrender monkeys. Those who fight against them show a bit of manhood, those who capitulate are below the status of women, and you know where women stand in Islofascists eyes. You may revere your women and children, to them they make the best targets.

As far as checking out Gitmo, Democrats have toured many times, nothing much going on there but what the internees cause.

The American public would be happy to recieve the same level of medical care given to the inmates there. The Red Cross is an ok organization but some of the personel might be used to relay messages back to the inmates organization. They maybe captives, but intelligence gathering is oft a two way street.

Good luck. If you are having the surgeryin Bangkok, I'll visit with some grapes.

=================================================

I should hope those grapes will be in a fermented liquid form for maximum enjoyment

Good luck with the surgery.

Extremists turn to attacks on the helpless

By Maluding Deeto and Muhammad Ayub Pathan

The increasing number of separatist attacks on women and children make it more important than ever that the government give serious attention to tackling the problems in the far South, a civic group said yesterday.

Speaking on the eve of National Women's Day, Lamai Manakarn said in the past six months militants had attacked many women and children.

In the past, the rebels had concentrated their attacks solely on state authorities.

This change of tactic could be seen as a move to gain the upper hand in the conflict and provoke religious clashes.

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This is a favored technique used by islofascists throughout the world. Close up children and women can't fight back. The sorrow from grieving parents, spouses is extreme, the will to fight, to resist leaves them. They cannot fight those they don't know, they fear the unknown, they begin to want only peace, their love ones alive. They ask the gov't to give the islos what they want, we want peace, security, we want to live. Islam wins, inch by inch.

The stent – some urologists call it “pigtail” because of its shape – serves to hold the stone in place. You only get colics – the type of excruciating pain you experienced – when the stone moves.

The delay in using the ultrasound procedure – ESWL (extracorporeal sound wave lithotrophy) – serves to give the inflammation time to subside. If the procedure were done immediately, it would be more painful and probably also less effective. I know, I had it done two months ago.

ESWL is more effective than laser, and for a stone of your size laser would not be indicated.

There was a recent thread on kidney stone – included also gall stone – here.

Incidentally, its only the first time you get kidney colics that you feel like you will die. Once you know what it is it is less scary.

--

Maestro

Thank you maestro, I read the aforementioned forum and feel that what they said (VA doctors) matches your desciption. The pain didn't scare me, I was concerned, it just hurt My wife was really beside herself, she still hasn't recovered totally, and takes even better care of me. Life is good

A few weeks ago I had the most incredible pain. From the time the pain started and I decided to seek emergency treatment was a couple of hours. When I reached the emergency room I started to fill out a form, the nurse saw I wasn't well and sat me down to take my vitals immeadiately. She couldn't believe the thermometer the first time she took it and retook it 95 degrees F. She went to get me a wheel chair, but I laid on the floor until she returned. She made me sit in the chair while she went to get a gurney. But I couldn't sit in the chair and went back to the floor hurting from scrotem to kidney on my left side. My body felt like a numbing electrical current was passing through it.

Returning with gurney her and my wife put me on it and away I went. After a while a shot of morphine was administered, but it didn't touch the pain. Wheeled down to have a CT scan and then back to emergency I awaited the results. My wife and her Vietnese friend began massaging me on the affected side for a half and hour and all of a sudden the majority of pain just went away.

Doctor came in and said kidney stone, said the radiology doc results were a medium sized stone and it'll pass in a few days, just drink lots of water and take these hydrocodone pills till that occurs. I'm pretty relieved and go home.

Two days later the emergency doc calls me and asks me to come in and retake the CT as the oringinal dianosis wasn't correct as to size.

Returning to hospital I have another CT scan results are a 6x11 stone.

Heres where I get a bit fuzzy on what they're going to do. First instead of using ultrasound to break it up, they're going to insert a stendt from kidney to bladder for 6 weeks then use ultrasound to break it up, then remove the stendt. I was told puffiness around kidney and where the stone is lodged is the reason I'm given. But why not ultrasound and be done with it? They don't wanna use laser where its located either. So am I being given the right treatment? This is at a VA hospital where they've all sorts of equipment and the doctors are from Emory so I guess they know whats up, just seems a bit backward.

[quote name='sarpesius' date='2007-03-12 13:55:59' post=Malaysia may be boring if you live in the malay parts, but Georgetown on Penang is majority Chinese. The town is great for walking, eating, vistas, has mucho internet, a big range of types of accommodation.

It also an Indian community with Indian restaurants and shops, and malay culture. They have 24-hour stores and late night restaurants that are smokin.

Many of the Chinese there are Christian.

If I was looking for a quiet place to live in Malaysia, I try Ipoh. Mostly Chinese, very laid back, not a whole lot to do but, its quiet. The Buddhist caves around town are interesting.

South Americas an option for me, but even though I have a small home in Colombia, its not too safe for gringos, hel_l anyone, to live there.

I might try Chile , Peru or Ecuador lot cheaper to abide there.

But we'll probably end up in Thailand, and spend sometime elsewhere for a diverse existence.

1965 Married a Chinese born in the USA....(it was the 60's and I screwed things up.)..5 yrs

1977 Married a Columbian girl.....way too possessive and jelous...............................2 Yrs

1990 Married a Okinawan/Spanish singer......black heart..........................................2 yrs

1997 Married a Thai.practice makes perfect...(or finally somebody that can stand me.)

Happily married isn't that an oxymoron?

Just joking

My first wife was also a Colombian lady, who remained my best friend until her death. Her wealthy family and I remain close.

My present and final wife is a Chiangmai lassie, aye, and a bonnie one at that. I love her with a greater intensity as every day goes by. We're happy despite a slight age difference of 25 years and a differential in the looks department. Maybe I'm not pug ugly, but probably close.

We've been married and living in the US for close to six years. My wife has a few Thai friends, some of whom were my friends from long before we met. We've encountered no racial discrimination, or social discrimination due to her Thainess, but the again we live in the southern US where contrary to stereotyping, the people I know are certainly more accepting than other parts of the US.

I do get a real kick from the looks we recieve by older white women who obviously disapprove of our age difference, I think it makes them concerned it'll give their husbands an idea. But then I've a customer who calls me his hero for being able to keep such a beautiful women happy, despite the 25 year age difference.

My wife because of my Thai friends had a relatively seamless transition into american life. She had immeadiate employment offer, and socially we had my friends and later through our local Wat she made friends of her own. She has a multicultral/racial cadre of friends now. I think her transsition was easier due to her intelligence, and the general enviorment. Many groceries stores that are Thai or that Thai products that can be obtained at. A Wat where our abbot and the monks are outstanding, and ready in place Thai support system. It doesn't hurt to have a satellite system that brings Thai tv to her, as Thai ladies enjoy their "stories"

That she misses her family is a given, but that'll change in the near future.

Amazing animals and trainers. They took my sisters worthless Dalmatian and turned it into a service dog for her. She has leukemia and is apparently subject to blackouts. Dog is trained to bark when outside until someone comes to aid my sister, or if she blacks out in her home the dog has a panic button to push. Dog in my opinion was utterly worthless till the training, and now its priceless to her.

Those of us just have too much time on our hands, or just like to learn, try this link.

www.ocw.mit.edu/index.html

Offers the entirety of MIT courses online for free. No you don't get any class credit for it, but as an education tool it cannot be beat. You'll find a link that'll lead you too other Universities.

Those of us who fell asleep during lectures, can relive those golden days. And the price is certainly right.

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

Muslim fundamentalists will keep chipping away at the freedom of the Thai people until, one day, your avarage Thai will awake to the 5:00am call to prayer.

When will the Thai people stand up for themselves?

Virgil, Out!

Here Here, what you said

Maybe corny..but my wife... best wife, I swear, in the world! Thai food, my favorite and the list goes on.

Now I beg to differ, in my humble opinion, my wife is the best wife in world. Although I might concede that yours is the best wife in the world for you, as mine is for me, and mine is one of the better thai cooks in the world.

Tiger Woods momma

Lots of rice exported, maybe #1 I think

Many rare floras and faunas

How about some of their festivals, Songkran was alot fun

Folk dances (Lanna for example)

How about the average joe thai person, you got lottsa bad apples in any society, but most folks are pretty decent there

Beer Chang

Som Tom

Some really neat ruins showing the greatness that comes and goes in any society

Wonderful Wats in Thailand and the world, I think the world of our abbot and the monks at my local wat in the US

Fun loving people

Did I mention many beautiful women

Beer Chang (I just like thinking about it)

How female caddies

The wonderful Issan music

I gotta quit writing I'm trying to pass a kidneystone and I keep losing my train of thought as I've drank three gallons of liquid today, and gotta keep getting up and going to hong nam.

the government will never be able to stop the attacks.

the muslim extremists will succeed , even if it takes them 100 years , in wrecking southern thailand and taking it back to the middle ages , and their he11ish vision of a truer form of extreme islam.

within 2 or three generations , large portions of asia will be heading the same way , as will parts of europe.

holland , france and the uk spring to mind.

i agree with this as i live in london and have allready seen and tasted there ways and once they become stronger in numbers they be telling us what to do and in england we dont want to annoy so they get what they want its there human rights why cant we all live in peace

We could, but they can't and I wonder why. Why can't they accept that others have their human rights too?

Europe allowed the Muslims to come into their countries with open arms. Saying we are a secular society, we welcome all to live as they feel best. We have very liberal laws and rules to protect all . Islam entered but didn't intergrate into society, looked at society and found it evil, seeing it allowing the sins of drug use, free fornication among consenting adults, nud_e beaches, alcohol consumption, working on their days of sabbath, etc.

Slowly they've had laws changed, that in reality aid in their expansion. Europe keeps putting western mores on Islam, which of it self is the definition of insanity (keep making the same mistake hoping for a different outcome) I've feel as many that the tipping point in Europe isn't too far off. France, Germany, the UK Spain will fall under the crescent moon first, then the rest will follow. It doesn't take 50% or more of the population to allow a political takeover look no further than Malaysia to see how it occurs.

.

One of the biggest lies especially regarding anti-retrovirals and AIDS research is the development costs of those drugs. First of all, most was not financed by the pharma companies, but by universities through government funds, and pharma companies only financed clinical trials. Many patents do not even belong to the pharma companies, but the universities. But the pharma companies spend a lot of effort any money to prevent generic providers from finding out to whom these patents actually belong.

I am not gonna waste my time with you anymore to go into any more details. All this information is freely available if you make the effort to actually familiarize yourself with the problem. For you this may be just an armchair warrior issue, for me though it isn't.

Many people i love are infected, and do only survive because the existence of generic medicine. If it were for people like you, they would be dead. Fortunately though the world does not only consist of coldhearted uncompassionate animals like you.

[/quote

Let me get this right its ok for the US to fund these universities to do the research. But when the gov't turns the research over to US Pharma companies hoping to recoup the monies given to the universities through taxes on the company through the sales of new drugs, but thats not allowable. I do agree that the profit is great, but we live in a litagious society where every drug company worries about the next vioxx or other drug suits.

Actually many of the top pharma companies aren't even US companies Bayer. Roche, Glaxosmithkline, Novartis, Aventis, Astrazeneca arent they all Euro companies, yet the tone of the postings always seem to have an antiamerican slant. It really curious how so many posters on this board color their thoughts with an underlying antiamericanism, without a passing jab at their own counties (companies) shortcomings.

I'm sorry you've many loved ones suffering from Aids. from what I've seen its a horrible disease. But to be truthful I know no one in my lifes travels that has it, I read about it how its affecting so many people, and have seen in visits to the clinic a few people that were suffering from it, but they weren't in my life. I wish them well, but unless its a child who had no say in the matter it was a lifestyle choice.

I se my primary physician every six months for the past 35 years and I get my blood tested at the same time . About ten years back after a visit to Thailand I was told I had Hep C. I don't use drugs, I don't hang with people who do. I didn't get a tatoo, so I was at a loss on how I might have gotten this disease. After four years of tests at 6 month intervals where it'd show up on one test and not another a final determination was made that I did indeed have it. I was sent to a class where I was given info on transmittal of disease. The cure rates and of the ten percent it'd just go away.

I did learn not to let anyone use your razor (not a problem there) or of all things your toothbrush. Fortunately for me I'm one of the lucky ten percent.

But I did learn not to let any casual overnight guest use your toothbrush, a word of warning to those who have that occasional visitor. Not a problem to me any more as my wife keeps talking about ducks.

The Thai Police could fall into a bucket of tits and still come out sucking their thumbs.

The "bombs" were just fireworks by terrorist standards. Any terrorist organisation claiming responsibility for those would be laughed at.

Its just some recently disenfranchised members of the military / police / business groups spitting the dummy about not getting their slice of pie from the new new government carve-up.

I guess a few months back in the south of Thailand where a series of I believe 14 bombs set off in an almost simultaneously, injuring many and killing just two were fireworks also. They weren't powerful bombs and weren't made to take down an entire block but to cause damage, and more importantly "terror"

The whole purpose is to cause fear, injuries are certainly an effect of the bombs but not the main purpose. So will you laugh at those who set off those bombs?

Probably. So who is your money on then, Sherlock?

You'll "probably" laugh at people who caused death and injury due to the placement of small bombs that you consider puny because they dont cause massive amounts of destruction and death. The people injured aren't laughing because of the bombs size. Have you ever seen up close what a hand grenade does to the human body (One report of a hand grenade being used)

As for the whom set off these devices I do have an opinion, but will wait for more evidence.

Who really did it? This is the same tactic that G.W. Bush and his administration did after 9/11. Look now at the results. The U.S. government made it legal to go after Muslims from any country and the former PM followed suit.

From what I have heard from the local Thai population here and around Bangkok, they feel that is the new CNS government who planned it and did it, in order to raise some support for their failed cause to liberate Thailand from the "Evil Ways of Thaskin and his disciples".

Since it has been shown in the last decade, that to blame a religious organization such as Islam for these attacks, it's easy and a very old proprangda trick. Look at the U.S.

The new Thai government is losing control day by day and they will do anything to keep themselves in power.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lets note the US made it legal to hunt down terrorists whom have acted against the US. There is no provision to hunt down Islamics, just to hunt those who commit terrorist acts against the US. It is not a license to hunt down specifically Muslims as you suggest.

I'll not comment on the present Thai gov't

Its pretty easy to blame Islam for attacks of terror for the last forty years as mostly a few Muslims are committing these acts. If it raining you don't blame sunlight for causing rust.

The Thai Police could fall into a bucket of tits and still come out sucking their thumbs.

The "bombs" were just fireworks by terrorist standards. Any terrorist organisation claiming responsibility for those would be laughed at.

Its just some recently disenfranchised members of the military / police / business groups spitting the dummy about not getting their slice of pie from the new new government carve-up.

I guess a few months back in the south of Thailand where a series of I believe 14 bombs set off in an almost simultaneously, injuring many and killing just two were fireworks also. They weren't powerful bombs and weren't made to take down an entire block but to cause damage, and more importantly "terror"

The whole purpose is to cause fear, injuries are certainly an effect of the bombs but not the main purpose. So will you laugh at those who set off those bombs?

Muslims are no more terrorists than your precious Christians who invaded the Holy Lands bent on converting the people there to Christianity...not any worse than that...just a bit of rape, pillage, murder, and mayhem...but it's OK, because that was in the name of God...not Allah... Hmmm...

The name Allah IS the Muslim name for GOD! Muslims believe in one God the same as most of the christians. The problem is that the christians and the muslims dont think its the same god. Why they don't is anyone's guess, but there you go.

My point is this... the Muslims are not any more to blame for this going on than any christian was to blame for the action of a bunch of religious extremists in the 13th century. So don't come over all "holier-than-thou" 'cos it doesn't wash!

=====================================================

I believe that there are over 130 shooting conflicts in the world today, all but a handful involve Muslims, showing how well and how peaceful they can get along with their neighbors. Look at how well they treat the black christians and animists in the Sudan.

Allah is the name given to their god, not mine. Islam means submission to the Islamic god, not mine. I don't believe its a just or fair god that gives a Muslim three choices on how to deal with those he meets, convert them, enslave them, or kill them. What about leaving them alone in peace to enjoy their lives.

As for the Crusades, you may call them extremists, but consider that those who were going on pilgramage or trade to the holy lands were oft killed, enslaved, converted by force or necessitiy, or the ever popular ransomed. Throughout the middle ages Europe on its eastern and southern borders was invaded by Islamic armies from time to time, and they just wanted it to cease. So it was only internal and external political expedicy which brought on the Crusades.

In the early 1800's the US invaded the Barbary coast of northern Africa to stop the kidnapping of its sailors and citizens. The amount of people of all nations over a two hundred years period was over two million that were once again enslaved, converted, killed or the ever popular ransomed, by the Barbary Pirates.

Sorry as a nonbeliever in the three major mideast religions, I find faults with all, but in one in this day and age one in particular.

Nagasima had parts of two fingers missing, a common trait among Yakuza members, who are often forced to slice off parts of their own digits for disobedience or failing to properly carry out their criminal tasks.

Suwat said Nagasima was punished in such a way for embezzlement.

- Associated Press

===================================================

I guess when you add things up, he came up a little short

[Prosecutors say a former manager of the factory, Woravit Mektrakarn, likely killed Garcia, an immigrant from Veracruz, Mexico, over a pay dispute and then disposed of the body.

In 2003, police uncovered evidence suggesting Garcia, 24, was likely killed in an office at the factory.

Mektrakarn was charged with murder.

Plengsangtip, the factory manager and a friend of Mektrakarn's, was at the factory on the night of the disappearance, but told police he knew nothing about what happened to Garcia. Prosecutors charged him as an accessory to the murder under the theory that he is lying about what he knows and is helping the killer by keeping quiet.

San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Barry Plotkin ruled in October 2005 that prosecutors had ample evidence to try Plengsangtip on the charge.

But another judge, Ingrid Uhler, overruled that decision three months later, saying Plengsangtip's mere denials of knowledge - even if untrue - don't make him an accessory to any crime.

Prosecutors are now asking the state appeals court to decide which judge is correct.

Mektrakarn remains at large.

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I gotta go with Judge Uhler on this ruling. Just because he was on the factory grounds during the time the crime was committted doesn't mean he had any knowledge of it. Afterall it is a factory, things are fairly noisy and people are moving things around. Plengsangtip could've been on the floor doing things, he was at work afterall.

Might be raspberries on the lead detective as the murder suspect is still at large, why not blame the friend as an accessory. Just a convient way to gain some kind of conviction on the case.

But then again theres the maybe.........catch Mektrakarn and possible the truth could come out.

Meanwhile if I'm Plensangtip and innocent I stay tuck away in a relatives home till the courts decide, it'll save him a lot of hassle.

Anyone who has anything to do with drugs in Thailand or SEA is stupid.

That's a bit harsh. Perhaps just ignorant. But yeah, if you know what the consequences can be, then it's stupid. But many are just ignorant.

To respond to the original poster's question, I think it'd be a rare case that was banned from Thailand for a minor pot bust.

We all know drugs can get you in big trouble in Thailand, or should, and it does happen. However, a Thai friend of mine got caught at one of those club raids where they test everyone's urine. She had taken ecstacy. Finally, five years later she had to serve about 20 days in a drug rehab place and that was it. She had a good lawyer, though.

Just saying you're not always going to get the short end of the stick. The law in writing is often more harsh than the actual application in Thailand.

Lets examine the other side of the stick. Five years of stress and worry about what may or not occur at some point in the future. The expense and hassle of having an attorney that you must visit with occasionally taking away from other more fruitful activities. Then at the end, twenty wasted days in a drug rehab center. To me theres easier ways to live, just don't do drugs.

Perhaps he was being generous?

Perhaps he was trying to earn "merit" for all the riders he has overcharged.

For me I can only think of one thing that stands out: The loss of democracy and with that the loss of political stability and international recognition as a modern nation. I'll leave it up to each and everyone's political persuasions to decide for yourselves if this loss happened in September last year, or gradually during the last few years under the previous PM, or that it was all merely a democratic facade from the get-go; take your pick. But the result is that Thailand is not (and perhaps never was) a nation to bet your life on, to make serious investments in, or make a living in long term.

A lot of the posts above seem to deal with a particular place that changed. I'd say that's only natural; you can't expect to go back to Paradise-X and expect it to have stayed the same; you will need to go find your current paradise.. Same with 'too many farangs'. Where, Sukhumvit? Chiang Mai even? Sure.

Cheers,

Chanchao

"you don't know what you've lost till it's gone

they've paved paradise and put in a parking lot" joni mitchell

I'm in central Pattaya, Thailand. It's now 90 degrees F/30 degrees C.

I'm usually in Montreal, Canada which is beautiful but cold for 7 months of the year.

Where are you and do you have a photo? Cheers.

I'm in Atlanta wishing I were in Thailand or even at Mt Tremblatt or visiting friends in Verdun P.Q. or at Biddles if he's still alive and running his jazz club.

But maybe you do not come from a modern society and therefore have difficulties to understand the concept of human rights and due process, and its advantages.

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Your probably right I don't come from a modern society, I come from the US and as most western euros will tell you we're a backwater third world country. But I didn't say summarily executed, just that they should be, you put the human rights due process in there. But then again as English may not be your native tongue or maybe the your schools don't have good english departments, I'll certainly over look the interpretation

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And basically, no, hill tribes are not allowed to grow these substances and use them. They do that clandestinely, and get punished when caught. It is not just hill tribes who traditionally use Ganja, ethnic Thais do as well.

Opium was a relatively recent introduction into the area. It was introduced by the British who made lots of money by selling it to China in exchange for tea. Two wars in the mid 19th century were fought over this issue with China, which tried to refuse the British policy of selling opium. China lost the opium wars.

_____________________________________________________________________

I thought that Thailand a few years back changed the laws on this, but as I've seen it in several villiages in years past, including the touristy one at Doi Setup in Chiang Mai, it hasn't been more than 10 years ago. I did take photos and have them somewhere in my boxes of photos.

I did know of the opium wars, but really the illegalization of drugs began in the 1930's in the US and grew very quickly throughout the world.

Samuel Clemens in the 1800's liked cocaine so much he thought of going to South America to become an importer, but instead turned to literature.