Misterwhisper

I'd like to believe that Madam Widmer-Schlumpf politely thanked Prime Minister Yingluck for the insightful talk, then retreated into her waiting limousine where she broke out in hysterical laughter.

Devil's Island in Thailand?

Fantastic, a Thai Alcazar sorry Alcatraz

Thailand already has one.... or had one.

They could simply re-open the prison on Koh Tarutao.

It has already had its torture pits reconstructed.

Just make sure the island prison remains supplied this time around so as to prevent the guards and prisoners working together as

The Pirates of Tarutao.

(very good book).

Exactly, Buchholz. I also wanted to mention Tarutao, but you were faster. And the book is fantastic.

Did you also know that some scenes in the film "Papillon" with Steve McQueen were ironically filmed on the island in the 1960s? The high vertical cliff just off the main beach served as backdrop.

And while we're at it, why not also have a prison island just for our politicians? Confined there, they could meddle, intrigate, cheat eachother out of their shirts, lie and make clownish statements to their heart's desire and wouldn't hurt anybody, because they're among themselves. Could become a new tourist attraction, too. The only problem is which island to choose that is remote enough. Tarutao, I fear, is still too close to the mainland and unfortunately the saltwater crocodiles that once prevented prisoners from escaping have long since been eradicated.

It's not even *on* Thonglor, but tucked away rather deep in Thonglor Soi 13, which is basically a shortcut between Thonglor and Sukhumvit Soi 49. With very little pedestrian traffic and even less parking space, the location is less than ideal and whenever I drive past (which is often) the place looks absolutely empty and deserted. Seems the only thing that keeps them going is "Food by Phone" orders. So let's keep ordering, shall we? Their hamburgers are really tasty; always have been since the shop first opened on the second floor of Nana Plaza some 20 years ago and quickly became a true expat magnet. Not sure why they eventually moved to that desolate out-of-the-way location. Might be that their Nana Plaza lease expired or that the rent became too high.

What Thailand sorely needs is an independent agency like the FBI, staffed by incorruptible officers that have all-encompassing powers to investigate and if necessary prosecute their peers. Problem is, where would one recruit such agents in a system that is rotten through and through? Perhaps even more importantly, how many of these agents would be able to maintain their integrity when bestowed with so much power?

Thailand already has the equivalent of the FBI. It's called the DSI (Department of Special Investigation), supposedly staffed by police with morals and integrity, Their pay is supposedly 5 - 10 times that of regular police.

Unfortunately, from my observations, they are not powerful enough to deal with organised activities within the criminal community, and regular police, and only end up with enough cases hand-balled their way to make quotas.

I know there is the DSI, and I do *not* consider it Thailand's equivalent to the FBI, exactly *because* they do not hold that all-encompassing power necessary. Whoever established the DSI knew exactly why they didn't furnish them with that sort of power. In the end it is merely a department under the Royal Thai Police Bureau, i.e. *not* an independent agency.

More of these during the next Redshirt siege, please!

Oh, and the Culture Ministry is probably rotating over the display of so much 'Thainess'.

"He said he had ordered his deputies and Metropolitan Police Division 19 chiefs to check on their jurisdiction areas if there were gambling dens and punish any involved cops."

Yup, that's the right approach. Ask those who potentially reap the most benefit from the illegal goings-on in their areas to get tough on these operations.

What Thailand sorely needs is an independent agency like the FBI, staffed by incorruptible officers that have all-encompassing powers to investigate and if necessary prosecute their peers. Problem is, where would one recruit such agents in a system that is rotten through and through? Perhaps even more importantly, how many of these agents would be able to maintain their integrity when bestowed with so much power?

Surely this can't be true, for only a few weeks ago Mr Chalerm assured us all there were no more gambling dens operating in Bangkok.

You're still believing what Chalerm is saying? Do you also believe in Santa Claus?

"However, they found something even more sinister inside the home, as the suspects were making counterfeit gold."

Why would this be 'even more sinister' than the house allegedly serving as a gambling den and crack house? Sometimes the choice of words of local journalists makes my mind boggle.

Now if that wasn't karma....

Or if somebody just ever would learn to give some thought to safety measures...

200%

if thai good s were to be receive reciprocal duty from recipient countries would Thailand object?

Oh noooo! That, of course, would be a grave injustice and so totally unfair against Thailand! I have always said that certain regulations should be reciprocal in cases where it is deemed that the goods or citizens of one's own country do receive what is seen as unfair treatment in another country, whether that may be Thailand or not.

Foreigners not being allowed to buy and own land in Thailand? Very easy, Thais not allowed to buy and own land in our country. Foreigners only allowed to own 49% in their own company in Thailand (although usually putting up with 100% of the investment)? Very easy, Thais not allowed to own more than 49% in our country. A staggering 200% import tax on foreign cars? Very easy, 200% import tax on any cars imported from Thailand, regardless whether they are actually our own brands and are only manufactured in Thailand. Such procedure will Thailand soon bring down from its high horse.

What about Thaksin's former maid, gardener and chauffeur? Why aren't they rewarded with some high government postings as well?

Since that - unfortunately unnamed - government officials seems to be so eager to once again blame this tragedy on "foreign tourists" in an attempt to divert attention away from the real culprits, greedy locals, perhaps any investigation should start at his door step. By making these unfounded claims it looks to me like he were involved somehow.

Isn't there a system in place that tracks baby elephants born in captivity, perhaps being fitted with an electronic imbedded in their ear or something? That would perhaps make it easier to distinguish between elephants born in the wild from those bred in captivity. But then again, there probably would be more than enough corrypt officials who would issue such an electronic tag for appropriate tea money...

The shooting took place at the entrance of Soi Suksawas 23, just 1.5 meter from Bangpakok Hospital.

Wonderfully accurate reporting!

I'm shocked! Shocked!

555 That was EXACTLY the clip I had in mind! Thanks for this!

Ha ha ha, 555, rofl and lol is all I can say to this. Wait, not quite: I also suggest that so-called Ministry of Culture be renamed into "Ministry of Hypocritical People Utterly Out of Touch with the Real World".

If proven true, is this not blatant government interference in the judicial branch and should meet with harshest criticism? Secondly, how dare they use tax payer money for this? If anything, perhaps they should take the bail money from the sacks of cash many of their ministers apparently have stashed away at home in their closets. Lastly, when will this loudmouth Jatuporn finally shut up?

Seems he's pulling a "Shinawatra"...

Does that also include a lifecycle plan for any present and future prime ministers?

The mind just boggles.

Okay, so there exists an arrest warrant against Thaksin related to the May 2010 chaos AND an arrest warrant because he jumped bail on his corruption conviction.

Which begs the question: Is is standard procedure for the Thai government to issue new passports to fugitives with outstanding arrest warrants? If yes, then I am not surprised at all why holder sof Thai passports are often subjected to intimidating interrogaitons when requesting visas to other countries. You never know who you're letting in...

Only 2 words come to mind: blithering idiots. 'Nuff said.

"21.96 percent believe that all of the MPs should be dismissed..."

Now there's an idea that deserves support! Why don't we re-open Tarutao Island as the remote penal colony it once was and ship the whole bunch there, so they can engage in their very own "Survivor" show with eachother? And no, no immunity idol will be provided.

"In terms of percentage by population, Thailand was the most generous, with 85% of Thais making regular charitable contributions."

Like to police officers, city inspectors, government officials and - indirectly through their taxes - to politicians?

Sometimes companies withdrawing large amounts of cash stamp their company seal or other identification on the bands. If a company handles several projects at once, it might also write down the respective project on the bands to know which bundle is intended for which project.

What IS suspicious, however, is that the man allegedly "applied" for his passport at the Thai Embassy in Dubai on the 25th of October and already received his travel document a single day later, on the 26th of October. Even if a Thai citizen applies for a passport in their home country at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they can hardly expect it to be isued within 24 hours. Rather, it can take several weeks! Keeping this in mind, some influential powers have obviously been at work to "facilitate" his passport so speedily.

Actually we just made passports for our children. Picked 'em up today. It takes only 3 days and 1000 baht. This is standard service offered to every single Thai citizen. There is also an expedited service available for an additional fee, but we didn't investigate that option so I don't know the details.

Not saying I agree with giving the criminal fugitive a passport, but 24 hour turn around would likely be available to anyone, and probably not even expensive. The issue with the passport that is incriminating is how and why his name was removed from the blacklist. Giving him a passport didn't actually do much for him, as he could already go basically anywhere he wanted, but it did make a mockery of the Thai justice system and showed utter contempt for all of Thaksin's victims.

The truly scary part is that the current government is pushing ahead with this policy of bringing Thaksin home and the country be damned. Only a fool believes bullets are not going to fly if he comes back. How many lives of their fellow countrymen do these red terrorists think that square faced scumbag is worth?

I gladly stand corrected then. But 3 days are still 3 days. Thaksin's passport was issued within 24 hours and not delivered domestically, but to a Thai embassy abroad. Now, I do understand that he does have the means to pay for "expedited service", though, and he might well have taken advantage of that service. Taking advantage is one of his fortes anyway. ;-)

As for the rest of your post, I wholeheartily agree with each and every point you make.

The last time I checked Taskin is a citizen of Thailand, therefore he is entitled to a Thai passport.

Passports are usually withheld to prevent nationals from leaving the country where the passport was issued, not withheld to prevent a national from returning to his/her country of citizenship.

As far as the international arrest warrant goes, it seems no country worldwide is willing to recognise the warrant. Therefore we have to assume the warrant is either political or malicious.

He doesn't need a Thai passport to return to Thailand. He has many others.

Is there an international arrest warrant?

And since when is a passport an entitlement?

There seem to be certain misconceptions as to the nature of a passport. A passport is nothing but a document issued to a citizen of a country to facilitate their traveling abroad. A passport has no bearings whatsoever as to the nationality of the person to whom it was issued. You can be a Thai citizen without holding a Thai passport. There is absolutely NO "entitlement" whatsoever to a passport, but it is issued at the sole discretion of the government. Clear now? Good. Then we can hopefully and finally put that discussion at rest.

Secondly, and with regards to that back-and-forth correspondence about "diplomatic pouches": If a citizen of a country lives abroad and applies for a new passport (or any other official document) at their embassy/consulate there, that document is usually issued by a government authority back home and then delivered to the embassy in a diplomatic pouch. Diplomatic pouches are dispatched to an embassy on a practically daily basis, containing all sorts of documents. Passports are therefore ALWAYS delivered to an embassy in a foreign country by diplomatic pouch. ALWAYS! So can we shelf that now as well, please? Thank you.

What IS suspicious, however, is that the man allegedly "applied" for his passport at the Thai Embassy in Dubai on the 25th of October and already received his travel document a single day later, on the 26th of October. Even if a Thai citizen applies for a passport in their home country at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they can hardly expect it to be isued within 24 hours. Rather, it can take several weeks! Keeping this in mind, some influential powers have obviously been at work to "facilitate" his passport so speedily.

What irks me most is that his "adviser" Noppadon claimed Thaksin wouldn't use his brandnew Thai passport. If that is the case, why apply for one in the first place? Or was that passport perhaps "forced" on Mr. Thaksin and he had no other choice but to reluctantly accept it? Ha ha ha, sure, we all are going to believe that. The only thing that is certain is that a whole bunch of people have blatantly lied over the issue.

In the end it turned out that the announced "New Year's gift" was noting less than a "late autumn gift" anyway.