smileydude

I wouldn't say unexploded WWII ordnance poses a HIGH risk to Bangkok residents in general as the headlines so sensationally suggest.

Considering the odds of digging up a WWII bomb are probably like a gazillion to one, the only ones at risk are those too greedy or stupid to recognize a 500 lb bomb when they see one.

Living next to scrap metal/junk collectors your probably more likely to die of lead or radiation poisoning then an exploding bomb but considering the spate of M79 grenade attacks of recent the odds may be changing.

I always believe that a person's actions defines them best. Words, reasons, excuses mean nothing.

In this case, poor or rich, educated or uneducated, accepting an invitation to hook up based on a cash proposition says much about their integrity or lack of it as in this case.

Sadly in Thailand it is becoming a common value amongst women that providing sex and companionship for monetary gain is OK as long as its NOT done as a full time job (otherwise your a hooker). Sort of like the no harm no foul philosophy.

I'd stay away.

Who do you think the fascists are? If you bothered to look up the definition of fascism you might find it fits The Red Shirts and the Shinawatra clan better than anyone else in this country.

As for Pantongtae's proposal, if he had added that those standing for the interim PM position not be related to his father in any way, it might be more credible.

I like these people who don't yet know what they are so they toss the word around freely and without thought, referring to a several word dictionary "definition" when most dictionary definitions of fascism are out of date, focusing as they do on the first half of the 20th century. Here's why the reds are not fascists and why Suthep, his predecessor PAD, his political party front men and his financial backers are contemporary fascists.

"Fascism seeks to build a mass movement of everyone considered part of the

national community, actively engaged but controlled from above, to seize

political power and remake the social order. This movement is driven by a

vision of the national community rising phoenix-like after a period of

encroaching decadence which all but destroyed it. Such rebirth involves

systematic, top-down transformation of all social spheres by an

authoritarian state, and suppression or purging of all forces, ideologies,

and social groups the fascists define as alien."

http://kasamaproject.org/history/2076-8fascism-as-movement-ideology

Sorry kid, we don't really need political advice from the son of a convicted fugitive who had to cheat in his college exams. Someone such as you should just <deleted> and just continue collecting allowance from daddy and mommy.

Is this little pimple faced kid seriously that stupid

He is suggesting holding an election with the current corrupt mechanisms that people are protesting to get rid of - whether is a temp PM or a government makes not difference the process is still flawed.

and his suggestion that "the people" (as he claims) would not support an appointed PM and Reform Council - I assume he understands he is NOT talking for all of Thailand and certainly not the majority as has been proven many times the last few months

He should get himself prepared for an extended holiday in Dubai instead of posting this rubbish on FB

You are wrong.

The vast majority of the people of Thailand do not want an appointed ruling politburo whose exclusive membership remains anonymous, which would suspend or nullify the constitution (which does guarantee some rights and freedoms), remove the still elected caretaker government, arbitrarily imprison the people you believe to be the "thieves," the council themselves only and exclusively write their cherished "reforms" that would then be imposed on the entire country, finally to hold a referendum that would be equally as tumultuous as the present chaos and which itself might result in a military coup.

Just removing the still elected caretaker government would itself be enough to spark the fire, so your proposals are completely one-sided, arbitrary, dictatorial (see quote cited above), compulsive, uncompromising, militant. For instance, you say to imprison the "thieves" but you say nothing about courts, trials, the due process of law. Suthep is not a thief?

I'm not sure that applying imported western political tags to Thai politics works. I also doubt that there is an ideological platform, as such, on both sides (a lot of rhetoric masquerading as such, yes). If one insists on applying the F term here, it would fit some aspects of both groups. None of them is democracy's knight in shining armor, but rather pawns. Reading the definition you provided (there are others, and dictionaries/encyclopedias are regularly updated, btw) and thinking that a tweak of word here, a change of word there....couldn't tell which side is which. Also, political groups are very rarely homogenous, and using tags to define them often leads to over simplification of positions, and demonizing of opponents.

Wouldn't presume to claim what the "vast majority" of the people of Thailand want or do not want. If the PDRC wouldn't have had any support, it is doubtful that they could pull through the disruption of the elections. There are Thais that actually support the notions of removing the caretaker government, imprisoning people they see as thieves, and temporarily relinquishing some rights in order to improve the system. Now, I'm not necessarily condoning any of the above - just pointing out that all encompassing statements about what the People want aren't grounded in reality.

I agree. It would be rather presumptuous to assume what the vast majority wants. We do know that a large majority abstains from voting. Does the average person have an understanding of politics or a political ideology in Thailand? Those who do vote usually vote based on who has their best interests in mind.

Imho I think very few vote based on the ideological platform of the political party other then I like or don't like the party leader and his populist policies.

The ideology of democracy is noble but it does not necessarily work if those voting exercise their rights based on whats good for me rather then whats good for the country.

Forensics and toxicology can answer a lot of things but not everything.

I hope their family receives closure somehow and that this be a lesson to young people seeking fun during the these Full Moon parties that there is often a thin line between thrills and death.

Notice to parents: Your partially responsible in making sure your children don't grow up to be scum.

More photos please !

I second that!

No one will ever accept invitations to a debate as the topic is usually geared towards the strongpoints of the person who initiated the challenge. Nuttawut wants to bait Suthep and Abhisit into the seemingly undemocratic process of overthrowing a government via mob protest and invoking Article 7. He has international protocol on his side. On the other hand Yingluck and Nuttawut will never face up to answering corruption problems like the rice pledging scheme or the possibility of reform before elections.

Instead why don't they have a debate about how they think a country should be governed to benefit everyone equally? Less complex issues tend to bring out the truth as you cannot bs your way out of it (or maybe politicians can?) The person who is sincere about solving Thailand's problems will win the debate so we can finally know once and for all who is the more capable of the two sides.

The use of the word "hub" for Thailand is driving me crazy.

I think the writers need to get a thesaurus.

Here let me help:

More words related to hub

center

noun. middle point

axis

bull's-eye

centrality

centriole

centrum

core

cynosure

equidistance

essence

focal point

focus

gist

heart

hotbed

hub

inside

interior

intermediacy

kernel

mainstream

marrow

middle of the road

midpoint

midst

nave

navel

nucleus

omphalos

pith

pivot

place

polestar

quick

radial point

root

seat

Yeah I like the world "omphalos". Lets have Thailand be the belly button of the auto industry for a change.

Its rather sadly interesting that the countries like Greenland (1) South Korea (3) Japan (10) are developed countries yet suffer from high suicide rates. Thailand is ranked 59. It seems economic development is only a part of the equation with our happiness index also linked to:

Physical wellness

Mental wellness

Social wellness

Workplace wellness

Political wellness

Environmental wellness

I think many would agree that mental and economic wellness would top the list of causes of suicide.

I am not surprised that many foreigners commit suicide in Thailand as they lack the social support network locals may have but many people don't open up well either. As for the commonly implied Thai wife running off with the money, well, we choose our own partners so we have to use our best judgement to deal with that.

RIP and my condolences to whoever has lost a grandfather, father, brother, and son.

For me the selection of candidates for senators in Samutprakarn leaves much to be desired.

The only details you are provided are their names, education background, current occupation, and past work experience.

You have no idea what their ideology is or how they are qualified to scrutinize parliament.

Samutprakarn is predominantly red and the Asavahame family pretty much calls the shots here. Its like your voting against a wall.

Upon reading the headline I actually looked at my watch to see if today was April 1st.

One common form of non-verbal communication is known in Thai as yak kiu. This is a gesture of confirmation or agreement which involves raising the eyebrows up and down (yak = move up and down; kiu = eyebrows). For example, if two friends are talking and one suggests to the other that they should go to the cinema to watch a movie, the other friend may yak kiu. The wiggly eyebrows are often accompanied with a slight smile which makes it even more endearing. As a non-Thai theres no need to start practicing your yak kiu skills. A simple yes or OK will serve a similar purpose, but at least youll know what the deal is with the wiggly eyebrows if you notice Thai people doing it.

http://www.thaizer.com/culture-shock/thai-body-language-saying-it-with-the-eyebrows/

Thai people make eye contact all the time. If you don't notice it means you don't live in Thailand or if Thais don't make eye contact with you something else is wrong. I would check my deodorant, cut down on dairy products and get some new clothes.

and you should check your thai translations.

for a start the word your looking for is ยก / yok not yak

secondly ยก/yok means to lift, not to move something up and down.

ยก คิ้ว / yok kiu would be correct

not "yak kiu" as you stated.

surprising, as you have claimed to be fluent in both spoken and written thai on some of your previous posts.

maybe your just having a bad day

As a thai I'd like to confirm that we do say ยักคิ้ว "yak khiu". It is a thai expression that google translate is not able to compute. ยก which you correctly said means "to lift" is not used to mean raising of one's eyebrows as a gesture of acknowledgement. It would literally mean to lift up one's eyebrows as say applicable in plastic surgery. If you notice, thai's do not use facial expressions as much as westerners including yak khiu as it is not considered appropriate social behavior usually limited to among very close friends. If you did a yak khiu with a thai person you just met I'd wager they'd be taken aback or งงๆ look a bit confused!

In Thai culture prolonged eye contact is not normally practiced. It could be interpreted as either confrontational, rude, nutty, or enamored. The acceptable length is further shortened by the younger person if conversing with someone significantly older as it is considered disrespectful and challenging authority.

The only time I make prolonged eye contact is when talking with an attractive person of the opposite sex as I am checking out her pupils to see if they're dilated as a sign of interest as I am lousy at reading the other signs.

We like polls when they confirm our beliefs and believe them to be rubbish when they don't.

In this case polls on whoever we believe is "neutral" if there is actually such a thing, will not solve the problem unless both sides are sincere in finding common ground and working on from there. I see neither except for tactical maneuvering because one side has deep distrust while the other is just interested in hanging onto power.

So Yingluck, who's your daddy now?

The UNDP is not your run-of-the-mill organization and they have clear criteria.

Malaysia has always been good at self-promotion but they have their own problems which many are not aware of but

Thai bashers will always be Thai bashers.

Is this what you call "Turkish delight" perhaps?

If those agencies responsible for sewer work were held accountable for the deaths I'm sure we would see proper oxygen tank equipment provided for workers. There are a lot of hazardous gases lurking in sewers including methane and hydrogen sulfide. There are numerous stories of persons going down to save colleagues without proper rescue equipment only to succumb to the lack of oxygen. Without corruption I'm sure Thailand would have more then enough money to properly outfit sewer workers. RIP and my sympathy goes out to their families.

Thailand may be sick but the cancerous mole is clear as daylight and can be cured by surgical removal.

We just need a doctor in Dubai.

Its deteriorating into a 3rd world country..

Where are you from - Thailand is a 3rd world country! It's only smoke and mirrors that gives the impression that it is 2nd world - anyone that thinks it is 1st world has mental health issues.

Where are you from? Thailand is considered an upper middle income country. They no longer receive funding assistance from organizations like the ADB because they are not considered under-developed which is synonymous with the definition of 3rd world.

The World Bank classifies all low- and middle-income countries as developing.

Low income countries had GNI per capita of US$1,026 or less.

Lower middle income countries had GNI per capita between US$1,026 and US$4,036.

Upper middle income countries had GNI per capita between US$4,036 and US$12,476.

High income countries had GNI above US$12,476.

According to the UN's human development index (HDI) Thailand is considered upper mid level.

Mid level development examples are Cambodia, Bhutan and Laos. Low development examples are Pakistan, Burma and Nepal.

Saying Thailand is a 3rd world country based on traffic accidents is clearly taking it out of context.

Get your facts straight before denigrating a country otherwise you look pretty 3rd world yourself.

I disagree. The Thai justice system is NOT the root cause of all problems.

The root of all the problems is greed and no one stands for greed better then politicians.

The inherent weaknesses of laws is that they are often open ended for interpretation depending upon intent but even people like OJ simpson can be acquitted if you can afford the best lawyers so is that to say that the inequality of the US justice sytem is the root of all problems?

I think Dr. Ukrit himself is poltically biased. Who isn't?