smileydude

This is a misogynistic timebomb.

(shuffles away)

One thing this highlights is the remarkable lack of violence present at the Bangkok protests compared with other places. Are protesters more likely to be killed or injured at the Bangkok protests or the ones going on in Caracas or Kiev. Think about how many casualties there are whenever some Muslim Imam stirs up the crowd with accusations that would be considered minor elsewhere.

Thais just don't do violence well. Everyone has heard the old joke about Thai coups, Each side rolls out their tanks and the ones with the most win. That hasn't been true since the days of Thanom and Narong Kittichikorn but neither has it been too far off. The protests of 2010 were not notable for their violence, though there was some, but for its lack of it. That is also true for the present difficulties.

The problem is that given the 50/50 split between the Red Shirts and the Yellow Shirts there doesn't seem to be any place to compromise. But without a compromise there is little hope of resolving the differences peacefully.

I think the place to start would be an agreement that Thaksin remain persona non grata. Maybe he could run off to Myanmar to become a monk, or something. The important this would be that he stay out of the country.

Each side considers the other corrupt. There's little argument there, they are corrupt. They're both for The People. The problem is that they are for different People.

But being a Farang who does not live in the Kingdom my views are immaterial. Not my skin, not my game. The expat community in Thailand may have skin in the game, but it's not their game either.

I am not sure how far the propensity for non-violence will stretch, but I am sure that if there is a tragic event such as the death of a well loved figure, the wheels are going to come off.

Interesting observations.

Thai's individually by nature are non-confrontative and krengjai (considerate). Aggression and violent behavior are seen as disrespectful and impolite. Sort of like the Japanese but with a more care free attitude. It reflects on how we settle differences, usually as non-violent as possible but in the past decade politicians have manipulated our weakness. That is we tend to become less krengjai and more confrontative when in groups. We do like to follow, sometimes a bit blindly without strong personal opinions.

If you look into our past, corruption was probably highest during the field marshal militaristic days of Thanom and Prapas. Then we had the transition period of Thanin Kraivixien. Our golden age of minimal corruption was under General Prem Tinusulanonda. Yes through a coup and a general as a leader. He is perceived as a man of moral character and still highly respected today. Those who do not like him are those who see him as part of the elitist system. After Prem came Chartchai and the dawn of political parties. Political parties started to play an important part in forming governments. With this dawn came the ugly face of corruption. It seems when you rule by iron fist but with integrity sort of like Lee Kuan Yew in Singapore, MP's toe the line and corruption is minimized. But with the creation of governments through several political parties you start seeing governments formed on principles of shared interests, greed and corruption and vote buying rears its ugly head. People's acceptance that corruption is okay as long as the country benefits is the source of the problem. People are to blame because they elect MP's who benefits their province, tambon, amphur or village, not those who have moral integrity, principles and good governance. Its just as expected.

I'm not advocating coups or one man iron fists rule as seen in Malaysia and Singapore, which have surpassed Thailand by leaps and bounds. It is rare that a single man with integrity and good intentions is chosen as a leader, but if Thailand wants to use the democratic system they have to start by electing good people.

Not people who give you free handouts in exchange for your vote.

Those unpaid farmers have every right to be pissed off but history has repeatedly shown that as soon as they are paid their memory will be like goldfish. I hope they realize that whether being paid or not is not the issue here.

They were used as part of a corruption scheme of epic proportions.

Farmers have to realize that there are no free meals, when politicians give they expect to reap it back 100 fold, at our expense.

The 15,000 baht/ton for rice was just too good to be true because its 30-40% above market prices but the farmers loved it and sold all their stocks to the government in exchange for a piece of paper (voucher).

Farmers needs to wake up and VOTE NO to corrupt politicians even when they dangle subsidies in front of them otherwise the vicious cycle of corruption and greed never stops.

Don't just demand to be paid. Demand that heads roll.

I had a monitor lizard that went up a pipe shaft from under my house to my ceiling.

You could tell by the hissing and claw dragging sounds.

No way in hell was I going to go up and drag it out. I got whipped on the arm by a 5 foot specimen's tail once and it stings.

Like other posters said. Leave it alone. If it can find a way in it'll find a way out.

"Peace for Bangkok."............i shudder to think what "violence for Bangkok" would look like.

I think Chalerm meant to spell "Pieces for Bangkok".

We know the CMPO has a problem getting the spelling right.

Maybe instead of only a "Like this" button we could add a "thumbs down" button to encourage people who are too lazy to think of an intelligent civilized reply to vent their disagreement via the button instead of having to waste minutes reading through what I thought was going to have substance but is nothing more then inflammatory and irrelevant rants.

BP does it and it seems to cuts out alot of the garbage.

If the rice-pledging scheme was meant as true subsidies to assist farmers financially until they were efficient enough to increase their harvest yield/acre productivity enough to compete with advanced agricultural countries I'm all for it.

Japan is well known to subsidize its agricultural industry because due to the weather and landscape they can only harvest once or twice a year. Most Thai harvests can be done 3 times a year but if farmers become complacent on free hand outs and do not try to improve the quality and quantity of yields through efficient farming techniques they will in the long run lose out especially with the emerging AEC markets and FTA's on their heels.

The NACC has already pressed charges against Yingluck for neglect of duty and is considering an impeachment case. She is due to be summoned on Feb. 27th.

This guy must be part Japanese or Korean because I've never heard of a Thai resign to show responsibility.

Respect.

Nowadays I think the mods already have their hands full dealing with the anti-government and red shirts throwing insults at each other.

Trolls are relatively harmless compared to aggressive and argumentative posters who seem to find it difficult to accept that others have different opinions from theirs.

Trolls usually just bait us, sit back and have fun watching us feed the troll.

News Flash

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has just read their verdict and found Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra guilty of corruption in the rice-pledging scheme.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/newsen/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNPOL5702180010010

Its about time.

Excuse me, but are the above posts actually made by expats living in and out of Thailand?

I have been here for over 20 years and was on the front line on the night of May 17 1992 when Thai security troops under the Suchinda government opened fire at protesters gathering at Sanam Luang.

I am so proud (then and now) to see the heart of the Thai people out on the streets farmers and all.

Expats....do your homework. Do just a little research and you will find a history of a man (Thaksin) who has been a hugely corrupt and an unscrupulous and greedy parasitic megalomaniac who will NEVER be able to steal enough money from this great country.

He is a convicted criminal who has siphoned billions upon billions of baht from the Thai people and now under his own sister has completely ruined the best quality and best producing rice industry in the world!

It is gone with Cambodia winning last years Best Jasmine rice in the world award and India and Vietnam's rice harvests both out producing Thailand.

They have ruined the country and totally divided the Thai people.

For God's sake! These poor rice farmers are the very people the Shinawatra's convinced to vote for them.

Yingluck doesn't even have the integrity or consideration to even show up to appease these poor farmers and Chalerm is running scared and half mad as he knows that if the Shinawatra Regime crashes his career and life is over and that includes his alleged murdering son.

The alleged murdering son comment is simply information taken from public domain (Google it!) and should not be omitted.

Wikipedia: Chalerm Yubamrung: In 2001 Duangchalerm was arraigned for the murder of a police officer. After deserting from the Army and fleeing to Malaysia, he returned and handed himself in. He was released from jail on bail terms in 2003, and finally acquitted as the court considered the evidence insufficient and the witnesses accounts contradictory.^[

^{Notation: In Thailand the word contradictory is often a synonym for purchasable.}

Yes, it does seem that you have to organize a band of corrupt thugs to become Prime Minister in Thailand but plundering the nations funds, ruining the country while turning Thai citizen against Thai citizen and then spitting on our King is just NOT in the cards folks.......it ain't gunna happen!

Yes, Suthep has his own allegations of a corrupt history......but which one of you would walk in his shoes today....for even a minute!

The man is and will go down historically as a super hero and servant to our King and the people of Siam......want to bet?

Stand up Khun Thai! Stand up every Thai farmer that gave their rice harvest and received nothing in return!

Fight this insanely evil piece of dung and through every generation of his family out with him as they have disgraced our King, our country and the very souls of our people.

Yes, I'm white but I'm no expat!

This is my home, my King and my brothers and sisters.

Fight on and drive the snake out of the land!

Now let's turn this over again to the usual ignorant barking dogs so they can shoot their uneducated and sorry asses off!

Nicely put, but hopefully you do realise that many millions of Thai people disagree with you.

What a distortion and misrepresentation of Thai history, have you ever bothered to read about it or you just have a recording of Sutheps stupid rants,

Have you ever bothered to read Transparency International March 2013 reported findings that Yingluck government was less corrupt than Abhisit government,

-During Abhisit government unemployment increased 63%

-Thailand's government budget went into deficit for the first time since 2003

-Budget debt had reached -4.8% of the GDP , the largest budget deficit since the Chuan Leekpai government.

-Large scale fighting erupted with Cambodia leaving dozens dead,Thai military admitted using cluster munitions in that conflict.

- Largest increase in military spending in many years

-Southern Thai insurgency worsened International Human Rights groups accused Abhisit of routine and systematic torture of suspected insurgents.

- ICT increased censorship of the internet

-From 10 October to 19 November 2010 the worst floods in 50 years.

- Corruption charge over the building a hundreds of police stations around the country.

-corruption charges on building of hospital

-corruption charge over rice deal

- faces murder charges for red shirt crackdown

His wealth upon appointment to PM was 51.8 million increased to 54.4 million, Abhisit has never worked in the private sector wealth was inherited.

Documented proof that corruption was rife in the Abhisit Democrat government!

Cheers

Your facts are wrong.

I just attended a TDRI hosted public forum on corruption and monopolies and the stats from Transparency International indicate a downfall from Thailand's previous rankings of 63 to 78 to 88 and currently 102.

Transparency International bases a lot of its analysis from interviews on "perception" of corruption as they are unable to actually get data on something that the government does not accurately gather up to date info on.

Pretty difficult since corruption has no receipts. I noted that the last independent research study on corruption was done over 10 years ago. Interesting thing is this "perception" is based on corruption that the common people experience, be it police checkpoint bribes, government office bribes (think land department, customs, etc). It seems the so called "perception" of corruption that exists in Thailand has been lower over the past 15 years and I agree as most common government related procedures like your ID or drivers license has been streamlined and is more efficient with less bureaucracy and thus less need for bribes. This is petty corruption.

Problem is high level corruption has increased and thus Thailand's fall in rankings.

It seems the level of "organized and systematic corruption" has increased in major ministries such as Transport, Telecommunications, Finance, Commerce and our current favorite Agriculture.

Most of the systemic levels of corruption involve concessions that allow for monopolies like the 4G bidding by the NBT, High speed railroad, and exclusive oil processing by PTT to name a few instances. On the surface it seems like a fair bidding process but in reality there is often collusion by the bidding parties.

The levels of corruption are no longer simple puddles but span oceans.

Interestingly the reason why corruption still exists on such massive levels is the lack of political will and that the mindset of the average Thai is that "corruption is okay as long as there is progress".

The light at the end of the tunnel is that this mindset is changing especially among the younger generation and private businesses.

The attempted passing of the Amnesty Bill was a trigger and the first protest response was by students as we all saw.

Now everybody is getting onboard, be it businessmen to farmers. Usually it has to hurt your own pocket before we start caring.

We obviously all know that those in power do not want to reform and seriously tackle corruption and just offer lip service.

Hopefully the mindset of Thai people will start changing and people will refuse to take vote bribes and see politicians for what they are. Self-serving maggots.

This all started because of corrupt and crooked politicians and will end when Thailand is rid of them from politics.

Thai people are being led to hate each other through rhetoric of feudalism and oppression that looks noble but is only meant to benefit those in power.

The NHSO is a noble idea started by medical professionals and supported and initiated by the Thaksin led government.

Has it been hijacked for the use of populist policies and votes?

Problem is the funding of the NHSO is in dire straits.

It is unsustainable and hospitals under the Ministry of Public health are losing money.

Most private hospitals who previously participated in the scheme saw it as a black hole so they withdrew from the program cutting their loses.

Unfortunately government hospitals have no choice but to trudge along despite their losses.

University hospitals who have a choice have opted out or minimized their treatment for NHSO patients to tertiary care because primary and secondary care is where the loss is mainly at.

Why is it unsustainable?

Because the main group of recipients of the NHSO are the elderly and children.

Most of the healthier working population are covered under the Social security program.

30% of the elderly have chronic diseases which account for 80% of the programs costs because they require visits of at least once/month with a bill of 3000 baht/visit on average.

Because the program is free for all and their is no copayment patients don't really have any incentives to take care and be responsible for their own health. Uphill battle for preventive medicine.

The payment also covers costs for accidents and most accidents are due to motorcycles and drunk driving. Again no copayment so no incentive to correct drinking behavior because its free.

Most of the thai public distrust the quality of healthcare from the NHSO as substandard and complain but they have no choice as free care is better then none. Those that can afford the bill go to private healthcare providers.

The NHSO tries to maintain sustainability by lowering the fee rates it reimburses to providers but with rising health costs (equipment, supplies and medication, health personnel etc.) but this is illogical as providers will drop dead one by one and the system will go bust.

Best way is to allow for co-payment so that everyone has to chip in but that would create an uproar and be extremely unpopular. Which government would dare lose voters?

I'm surprised that he didn't use one of his infamous "white lies" and tell the farmers that they would be paid next week.

He may actually have a ounce of integrity left in him by not wanting to give an answer he knows does not exist.

But after this real life experience I'm sure it has changed him and he will no longer come out to meet farmers.

I anticipate many more white lies to come to save YL and his own skin. Ministers, what a pathetic bunch of incompetents.

Actually I am not sure if the TRC will accept a script from a doctor out of country or not, has anyone tried this?

I have enquired with them directly and it was their answer

Are you saying that the TRC will accept a non Thai doctors prescription ?

Which country are you from and exactly which medication are you suggesting can be provided against a non Thai prescription.

I am pushing here because providing false or inaccurate information could bring disappointment to many .

I would like to confirm that only doctors licensed by the Medical Council of Thailand are allowed to prescribe treatment and medication here so I think the TRC would not accept a non Thai prescription as it would be against regulations. I have seen non-Thai doctors treat and prescribe medication in Thailand but they would have to do it under the supervision of a doctor licensed by the Medical Council which would make that doctor legally liable.

I would just like to add that my answer is based on the general medical-legal aspect of prescribing medication in Thailand. If the TRC gave an answer that it might be possible to prescribe medication from a non-Thai prescription I think it could be based on their trying to be accommodating as they want to encourage people who SEEK HELP to come to them without fear of judgement or have to worry too much about bureaucracy or regulations.

Actually we shouldn't worry too much about the legal aspect of prescriptions because eventually having a licensed doctor evaluate you by the TRC should not be a big issue in terms of costs or cause any delay in treatment.

A few years back a thai guy had the same search procedure done on him and they found he downloaded child pornography onto his ipad.

He got jail time for that.

The profiling is more on the country you come from our visited due to the notoriety but I'm sure they also do random searches. Those involved in law enforcement know well that profiling is an effective and necessary evil even though it seems racist. If we are clean we have nothing to worry except the inconvenience. My wife has her brand name handbag examined and marked every time we go to Europe to check for counterfeits. We are delayed by about 10 minutes each time. I tell her to change to some cheap stuff but she gives me the stink eye.

If our privacy needs to be invaded to catch these scum I'm all for it. I have 2 daughters and I think its about time something was seriously done to rid the earth of these abominations of mankind.

Actually I am not sure if the TRC will accept a script from a doctor out of country or not, has anyone tried this?

I have enquired with them directly and it was their answer

Are you saying that the TRC will accept a non Thai doctors prescription ?

Which country are you from and exactly which medication are you suggesting can be provided against a non Thai prescription.

I am pushing here because providing false or inaccurate information could bring disappointment to many .

I would like to confirm that only doctors licensed by the Medical Council of Thailand are allowed to prescribe treatment and medication here so I think the TRC would not accept a non Thai prescription as it would be against regulations. I have seen non-Thai doctors treat and prescribe medication in Thailand but they would have to do it under the supervision of a doctor licensed by the Medical Council which would make that doctor legally liable.

Let the NACC and courts do their jobs and take care of whoever is corrupt.

Corruption and irregularities in the rice-pledging scheme shouldn't be difficult to prove.

The fact that the proposed Amnesty Law, approved by parliament, was against the constitution is pretty clear.

Next whatever way you do it make sure its legal and within the constitution otherwise the legitimacy to rule will never be there.

Where are all these bitter inhuman unsympathetic remarks about suicide coming from?

Are you so removed from reality? Are you so lacking in compassion to realise the depth of despair some individuals sink into that their only feeling is to take their own life as a relief?

If you have been here long enough you will see that all the unsympathetic remarks are coming from supporters of the red shirts. They are trying to distort it via conspiracy theories, denial and other off topic remarks as the deaths of these farmers reflects badly on the PTP and the same people who supported them.

I wonder how many more farmers will have to die before the government comes clean?

Oh please, farmers were committing suicide thousands of years before Thaksin was even born.

evidence of denial.

I rest my case

The least expensive source of these drugs is the Thai Red Cross Anonymous Clinic; this is also the least expensive source for viral load/CD4 tests etc. You will need a doctor's prescription first. See this thread for some recommended doctors and address/location of the Thai Red Cross Clinic:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/285198-hiv-testing-and-treatment-in-los-doctors-meds-costs/

Kevin, I'm sorry to hear about your situation but with the advances in HIV treatment your chances of living a normal life are much higher then before. I agree with Sheryl's advice as The Thai Red Cross Anonymous Clinic are very experienced in HIV treatment and they treat patients with dignity and confidentiality. The Thai Red Cross Anonymous clinic was founded and staffed in collaboration with top immunologists from Chulalongkorn University so you will be in good hands as they have recognized expertise in HIV treatment in Thailand. HIV treatment for thais is free of charge under the Universal Health Care program but even for you I'm sure the price of treatment will be reasonable.

Since there are currently many combinations of anti-retroviral medications available I advise that it might be best to undergo testing for viral loads and CD4 counts again in Thailand to evaluate your current condition. If you have any history that you can get translated into english from your hospital of treatment in China that may be helpful for doctors in Thailand.

I hope this was helpful and I wish you the best of success in finding someone to share your life with.

Despite the best efforts of the Yingluck administration, even the appearance of normalcy will not be achieved. Whether the buildings are open or not, this administration is constitutionally stripped of being able to govern. Their own flexing of power has now dwindled down to just two things - the emergency decree and the police. As they have no mandate, no parliamentary quorum, no legislative power - or any feasible path towards attaining it - they have literally been stripped of the tools of democracy. All they have left are the structures of power - the building themselves. But once in them, they can't do anything - outside of trying to look busy, of course, because that is the sum total of what they are now constitutionally allowed to do. It's a hollow victory. It has no meaning. What has meaning is the fact that they are constitutionally paralyzed. What has meaning is that the courts are going ahead with the impeachment proceedings. The power was never on the streets. But power was always through the courts and the rule of law.

All I see from the yellow Farang's is attempts at facesaving of trying to pull a victory out of utter, total defeat. They backed the shut down of the election, and Thai's turned out and backed the Democratic process of an election.

This person states it is a hollow victory, but it was a victory for the Democratic system to continue in Thailand, and history will always denote that it was Yingluck who will be credited for that victory,

With the yellows having all the aces in their hand, the EC, The Courts, The NACC and the Army, lost the battle against PTP, badly hampered by the courts and EC, but they have the Thai people on their side.

So it was a great victory for the people of Thailand! It was only a battle many more are to follow.

Cheers for Thailand!

Who exactly has the Thai people on their side?

Last I remember there are Thai people on both sides and there can be claimed no victory for the people of Thailand until both sides find common ground and settle this.

Rhetoric based solely on the so called democratic principle of voting is not a cure all.

The majority cannot rule without listening to the minority nor can the minority rule without listening to the majority.

Thailand can only win when people can find a way to get along despite their differences.

Lets start by voting in good people with conscience and ethics and not just those that make lofty promises and populist policies.