smileydude

You say it's highly disrespectful to bother the Monarchy when he made a stupid error, so how do you then justify every other person that has made an appeal to the Monarchy for their "stupid errors" such as murder, rape, drugs, lese majeste etc etc? Are they not also then being highly disrespectful to the Monarchy in that case? Yes. he broke "the law" (technically), but it's hardly on the same scale as all the other offences that are brought to the attention of the Monarchy..

Let's not forget, this is not a tourist, or a visitor, this is a man who has lived in and contributed to this country for decades AND has (had) Permanent Residency. His entire family is living here (and I believe most have "citizenship"), does that not afford him some "rights"?

To me, PT/CMPO have MADE this a political issue by cracking down on an easy target, not because it's "right" or "fair", but just because "they can" and need to be seen to be making some kind of progress in dealing with the protestors.

Many of those appeals are for people who claim their innocence, or making a plea for leniency in cases involving life imprisonment or death-sentence. Or in cases where the foreigner simply did not understand the laws of this nation. Crimes also of poor starving people stealing to survive, or murdering in self-defense etc.

Is there any evidentiary validity to your speculation?

The evidence lies at the discretion of the Ministry of Justice, the Department of Corrections and the Office of His Majesty Principal Private Secretary.

http://www.correct.go.th/eng/royal_pardon.html

Often times those considered for pardon are petty criminals with good behavior.

I am not aware of murderers or rapist ever being pardoned but nothing in Thailand is written in stone.

Often time those with connections use this loophole to gain freedom but I'm sure abuse is kept in check by the Office of His Majesty.

I can understand the frustration and desperation but involving the monarchy at such a fragile moment in Thailand's history is not exactly the best idea.

There is actually a conspiracy theory floating around that the man in Dubai wants to rid himself of people who know too much thats why Seh Daeng, and Kwanchai got the bullet and to clean up the PTP image by letting the red shirt hard core elements implode themselves.

Disowning them would look disloyal.

Why not let them shoot themselves in the foot with comments like secession?

I think its a bit too late to try to clean up your image don't you think Thakky?

In the past it was mostly petty corruption. You wanted your documents processed faster you slipped a few bills at the amphur, customs, land registration department or to the police if you wanted to avoid a traffic fine. You could even bypass the driver's license test for 500 baht.

Nowadays petty corruption has pretty much decreased due to streamlining of the bureaucratic processes (except for the police).

Problem is high-level/national level corruption has increased dramatically.

It is evident everywhere and is costing the country billions of baht in taxpayer money lost.

Think concessions in the telecommunications business, energy (oil refining, drilling etc.).

Rice pledging scheme

One tablet per student

Medical supply purchasing scandal

Steyr fire truck purchase

I could go on and on.

You could compare the span of corruption nowadays to a lake as opposed to a few drops before.

Most people are NOT AWARE of high level corruption because as in its name, its high level, you don't come into direct contact with it nor can you understand the complexity as corruption has been fine tuned so much to avoid the radar and the law at times.

The light at the end of the tunnel is that people have become more aware since the rice pledging scheme came up.

But the solution rests on whether the voters want to do anything about it as it originates from the maggots we vote into office.

In the past it was mostly petty corruption. You wanted your documents processed faster you slipped a few bills at the amphur, customs, land registration department or to the police if you wanted to avoid a traffic fine. You could even bypass the driver's license test for 500 baht.
Nowadays petty corruption has pretty much decreased due to streamlining of the bureaucratic processes (except for the police).
Problem is high-level/national level corruption has increased dramatically.
It is evident everywhere and is costing the country billions of baht in taxpayer money lost.

Think concessions in the telecommunications business, energy (oil refining, drilling etc.).
Rice pledging scheme
One tablet per student
Medical supply purchasing scandal
Steyr fire truck purchase

I could go on and on.

You could compare the span of corruption nowadays to a lake as opposed to a few drops before.
Most people are NOT AWARE of high level corruption because as in its name, its high level, you don't come into direct contact with it nor can you understand the complexity as corruption has been fine tuned so much to avoid the radar and the law at times.

The light at the end of the tunnel is that people have become more aware since the rice pledging scheme came up.
But the solution rests on whether the voters want to do anything about it.

Top army pick for dummy bayonet practice.

Must be paid alot by the man in Dubai to face up to Prayuth like that.

I'm sure he's already been adopted by Hun Sen as his advisor with perks and complete with escape route +car waiting.

Nobody's that stupid/suicidal.

Too bad the pharmacist wasn't a guy as she is really dressed for the part.

If I was on duty I'd be so distracted her accomplice could probably steal my entire supply.

Ok, so what do we need to do to protect ourselves? Will a simple flu shot fix this?

ZINC

Human semen has relatively high amounts of zinc. Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semen) estimates a bit over 1/2 milligram per dose.

So to protect my lady, how many doses must I administer please?

If your a Centaur she should be fine.

The topic of gun ownership is probably as controversial as talking about abortion. There will always be 2 sides.

Personally as a buddhist I don't participate or condone hunting or even fishing. I'm not a vegetarian either so could I be called a hypocrite? I do believe in the right to use lethal force to protect my family, myself and my property which I feel is especially validated considering the incompetence of Thai LE. I do not have the stomach to shoot an innocent animal but I would not hesitate to pull the trigger on an armed thief lunging at me. I enjoy shooting because it challenges my ability to focus and concentrate. It also teaches me discipline and restraint as the consequences for unjustified usage is time behind bars. For those who think hunting is a sport or that ordinary citizens should not be allowed to own firearms my only opinion is that at the end of the day it is an individual right unless the law says otherwise.

Respecting a difference in opinion does not mean we concede defeat but rather accepting the diversity.

'Something to think about the next time you make that long overseas flight a few seats away from someone who can't stop sneezing & coughing... Cabin crew must develop incredible immunity (if they survive the first year or so of their employment). Do the surgical masks you see some people wearing actually do much good?

I think it is job hazard but mild compared to long-haul truck drivers, lumberjacks and law enforcement/firemen as physical risks usually outweigh others though stress messes with everyone's health.

Face masks like the 3M N95 masks should theoretically work better than surgical masks, which fit more loosely. But most studies have shown no difference in protection in household settings.

Studies suggest that swine flu is spread by large droplets and not by small droplets. All face masks may protect against large droplets; N95 masks may protect against smaller, aerosolized droplets.

Probably best to promote social responsibility and have everyone who thinks they're coming down with the flu to wear them to control transmission.

Having a defensive or anticipatory mindset might help lower driving accidents.

If we all have a sort of collective consciousness that enables us to understand each others driving styles and stick to it it might help.

Look at an intersection in Vietnam, I seriously believe they possess "collective consciousness"!

Ok, so what do we need to do to protect ourselves? Will a simple flu shot fix this?

"How well the flu vaccine works (or its ability to prevent flu illness) can range widely from season to season. The vaccines effectiveness also can vary depending on who is being vaccinated. At least two factors play an important role in determining the likelihood that flu vaccine will protect a person from flu illness: 1) characteristics of the person being vaccinated (such as their age and health), and 2) the similarity or "match" between the flu viruses the flu vaccine is designed to protect against and the flu viruses spreading in the community. During years when the flu vaccine is not well matched to circulating viruses, its possible that no benefit from flu vaccination may be observed. During years when there is a good match between the flu vaccine and circulating viruses, its possible to measure substantial benefits from vaccination in terms of preventing flu illness. However, even during years when the vaccine match is very good, the benefits of vaccination will vary across the population, depending on characteristics of the person being vaccinated and even, potentially, which vaccine was used."

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm

So it seems our best chance to avoid the flu is to:

-Maintain our immune systems ability by keeping ourselves physically fit (e.g. exercising or immersing yourself in ice cold water if you like the extreme way).

-Avoid crowded areas where catching the bug is more likely (BTS, shopping malls etc.)

-Getting vaccinated if you are elderly, risk of weakened immunity e.g. HIV, Diabetes, high-risk profession like vet, animal handler, farmer etc or being the parent of young children as schools are notorious for spreading the flu.

(I got chicken pox when I was in my 30's from my daughter)

-Teach social responsibility. If you are sick, stay home. If you feel you might be coming down with something wear a mask in public!

Why on earth would Chalerm, Thaksin or PTP ever support secession?

It would only mean less honey in the honey pot to stick your hand down.

How stupid... really.

What is the point of combing your hair on a motorbike!!!!!

I wonder if the polluted air around Chiangmai and surrounds have helped contribute to these deaths ?

Its always a possibility that toxic particulates breathed in large amounts could compromise the respiratory's ability to defend itself (think cilia mechanisms).

It is alarming that some of the most dangerous diseases of our time have originated in animals:

HIV (monkeys)

Anthrax (cattle)

Ebola virus/Marburg virus (monkeys/marsupials)

SARS (civet cats)

Avian/bird flu like H7N9 etc.

Creutzfeld-Jakob disease (human mad cow disease)

Swine flu H1N1

Malaria

These are all zoonotic diseases that originated in animals but once crossed into humans are highly lethal as our bodies did not have time to evolve our defenses to fight them. Sort of like a blitzkrieg on our immune systems. According to researchers 60% of all human disease and 75% of all emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, mostly from livestock such as pigs, chickens, cattle, goats and sheep.

13 animal-to-human diseases kill 2.2 million people per year.

Have a nice day.

The motorcyclist joins the stupidity hall of fame like...

drying your hair in a bathtub full of water

smoking while in bed and sleepy

having unprotected sex with an unknown entity

microwaving a can of beans

robbing a house and then leaving your DNA all over the place in the form of taking a dump

and my all time favorite......... becoming a Thai Prime Minister when you don't know sh#! how to run a country

As a fellow gun enthusiast I feel for you when your wife says no and you can't purchase one yourself.

But I understand that you can purchase a gun even if you are a foreigner I just don't know the exact regulations.

Should be the same as a Thai though.

age over 25

are a citizen of good standing with no criminal record

have proof of ownership of property and or assets to indicate you won't be runnin off

In order to purchase a gun you or your wife need to visit the amphur and apply for a Por 3 certificate which is a certificate which allows you to purchase a gun. The fee runs anywhere from 100-500 baht depending upon the caliber of the gun.

But in real life it isn't that simple. YOU NEED TO PAY TEA MONEY. The standard going rate is 3000 baht for a .22. 4000 baht for a 9mm and 10,000 baht for a .45 or .308 rifle, but most licenses to purchase rifles are not easily issued.

You will need to bring the following documents:

copy of House registration

copy of ID/passport?

membership of a shooting range

evidence of assets e.g. bank book, car registration, land ownership documents (chanote)

Once issued a Por 3 you can go to any gun shops (most of the reputable ones are located around The Old Siam shopping center on Burapa Rd. The Por 3 will specify which caliber and whether it is a rifle or handgun and you can only purchase the caliber you applied for so its better to decide which specific gun you are looking for before applying. Once you pick out your gun of choice the gun shop usually handles the rest of the documentation but you will need to go to the gun registration department on Lardprao road to have your gun checked and your fingerprints documented. They will issue you a Por 4 in a few weeks which is a document that allows you to own a gun. By law you are only allowed to transport your gun in your car when going to the shooting range and the gun and the magazine must be physically separated e.g. gun in trunk and magazine in glove compartment (unloaded). You cannot carry it on you as that requires another type of permit.

As many other posters said. Be prepared to pay 3-4 times what you paid in the US. I also have the .357 Marlin lever action, awesome gun. If I had only one choice of gun I'd get a Les Baer. It costs about $2400 in the US and about $6000 (180,000 baht) here. Install a Cylinder and slide hammer and trigger set and your good to go.

If you have any other questions feel free to pm me. I'm thai by the way thats why I can buy guns.

The difference I noticed is the Brits and other non-Russian residents of Pattaya tend to be single males with an average age of 60+ years and waist of 40+ inches. The demographics of visiting Russians seem to be younger with more 20+ couples and more families with children. I rarely see young british women in Pattaya, as I'm guessing most of them can be found around Koh Samui and Khao San Road as opposed to the many young Russian women you see in Pattaya. Caucasian women have always been a rarer sight then caucasian men but not in Pattaya. They tend to congregate and stick together at the Ambassador Hotel and Mimosa as their meeting point. They are seemingly unfazed by Pattaya's rudimentary song taew system and get on and off like they've being doing it for years as opposed to other westerners who you can tell apart with their wide eyed grins and I'm-not-so-sure-about-this looks. They also show a lack of apprehension when crossing 5 lanes of cars that refuse to stop for pedestrians.

All in all they seem more battle hardened and shrewd because of the cold winters and tougher life back home perhaps?

Actually the list is not very accurate.

They forgot to count those Thai politicians and military big wigs with cash stashed in offshore accounts and under their beds.

You'd be surprised what you can find under their beds.

Yingluck is giving the red shirts a lesson in politics 101.

Your not supposed to say out loud what your thinking and never say anything that could stick to you or so help us God should you ever be held accountable for.

Your supposed to slither like an eel and say anything but the truth.

I could picture Thaksin saying " Ai kwai, pood tum mai"

People will always find someone to look down on. Its human nature as it makes us feel better about ourselves and gives us a false sense of superiority. The Thais look down on our SE neighbors. The East Asians look down on all other asians. The US look down on Asia. The Europeans look down on the US. The French look down on everybody?

In the mind of Thai's saying someone is Lao's is a derogatory way of saying you are a country bumpkin, uncouth, uneducated and unworldly because of the geographical and cultural links to areas less developed. Lao's was once colonnized by the French so they have their suave side and because of their lesser mindset of materialism then Thai's are not jumping on the gold digging bandwagon just yet. I like to do onto others as I would like them to do unto me so I prefer to be respectful and avoid generalizations in order to see the best in people. Prejudice clouds the mind and Thai's like everyone have theirs.

Nothing will be resolved as long as those involved in this power struggle intend to hang on to that power.

Tit for tat is a common characteristic of those who don't know, don't see and don't think. All they know is anger.

The saddest thing about suicides is most of the time no one has a clue what the deceased was going through.

There are usually hints of depression here and there but often no one is able to piece it together enough to realize the gravity of the situation and reach out and help prevent such tragedies. We're are often so absorbed with our own problems that we forget to look after each other.