bannork

Settha became PM courtesy of the unelected senators and Prayud's party. He'll make noises but any meaningful change is out of his hands.

Not as simple as that. With banks not accepting land documents such as sor bor kor, many Thais have to rely on family or loan sharks if they wish to work overseas, for example, they may have to pay 100,000 baht or more in advance for labour fees, etc . Some loan sharks are liked, a teacher in our village enabled many Thais to work in Korea in the golden years before Covid. I believe 5% interest per month is the legal limit but many loan sharks charge 10% a month. Compulsive gamblers are easy prey for loan sharks, and when the latter 'have connections' as they invariably do, (otherwise how could they survive?) then the hapless debtor is in deep trouble, often having to leave the area. The problem is intractable unless the government punishes loan sharks with several years in the slammer. And that won't happen because of ..... 'connections'.

They've joined hands with the dictator. That's the price of their return.

Yingluk is the Queen of Hearts for PT. Photogenic, approachable, she appeals to folks upcountry, unlike Thaksin's daughter. She's geographically challenged, couldn't remember which Thai provinces were next to the sea when she was PM, but image is all. However, maybe she's had enough of being dragged into politics. Personally I think the elite are scared stuff of Pita and MF, too many brains there, which fills me with apprehension for the January verdicts on Pita's two cases.

Still so darn good.

Wondering if Crossy is going to wind us back to Year Zero as he usually does at New Year, lol

I don't think we can assume how it will finally play out, due to various factors. Thaksin is everything for Pheu Thai.If he dies, has an incapacitating stroke, etc, the party is finished and will dissolve into factions. Secondly, his fate is not in his hands. Things can change in a mercurial moment. His freedom in Thailand will always be conditional.

Thaksin is a willing hostage, not a prisoner. He wouldn't have come back otherwise! Play the game, join with the junta parties, betraying your pre election promises, sideline the election winners, MF, then you, Thaksin, will be freed after some time. Win win for Thaksin and the elite. Who loses? Perhaps Pheu Thai, the latest NIDA poll shows MF have nearly twice the support of PT.

The consequences of Israel's killing rage. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67745408.amp

Absolutely, then Pheu Thai reneged on pre-election promises and joined up with the junta parties purely to bring their paymaster home.

And Israel have done a lot worse at killing civilians including women and children. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/how-many-palestinians-have-died-gaza-war-how-will-counting-continue-2023-12-06/

Israeli troops beating up a journalist. They're no better than Hamas.

Hostages were carrying white flag on a stick when Israeli troops mistakenly shot them dead in Gaza, IDF says - CBS News

So this young woman of 17 years and 10 months, got into a night club with fake ID on her phone, flirted with Somrak at the venue, and then walked hand in hand with him to his hotel room. They then took off their clothes though she claimed she had come to see Somrak's children (at 3 30 am lol). The whole thing stinks of buffalo manure of the highest Khon Kean degree. Every Thai knows Somrak is not the sharpest tool in the box. He allegedly lost all his Olympic winnings to gambling and bad business decisions, later on he recovered somewhat financially with appearances on celebrity game shows. If you take all your clothes off and get into bed with a total stranger, how much compensation can you claim for sexual assault, if it's even provable?

A unique voice and sound.

5555 You'd give Eric Idle a run for his money,

Fine but cold. Back to los for March to see the grandchildren and family