bannork

Recommended for driving or lying in a hammock.

Some countries are outright authoritarian: China, Russia, Iran, Laos, Vietnam, others are more subtle, there are multi party elections but money is key to attracting MPs and passing laws to protect big business. The monopoly in the alcohol business in Thailand for example And how many poor or even average income MPs are there in Thailand? I remember the excitement of the 1997 Constitution here in Thailand. There really did seem to be solid checks and balances against abuse of power. Intelligent people like Dr Surin were in office, it looked like Thailand could start to fulfill its potential. Could politics attract those genuinely wishing to serve the country? Thaksin had a great chance with his election victory but rather than bringing in young and talented blood, he set about amassing all power around himself. He bought up the entire NAP ( over 80 MPs) bar one man, he explained to journalists that politics is like business, a monopoly is best, as in the early days of his dominance of the mobile phone market. Eliminate the opposition. Many academics, NGOs who had initially supported Thaksin seeing him as an example of the new generation of tech savvy businessmen, turned away, disappointed. No one could compete with Thaksin's money, a new type of corruption emerged, policy corruption. No need for the old and clumsy method of suitcases stuffed with cash, rather by the sheer size of his majority, Thaksin could change laws to benefit his and his cronies' businesses The sheer dominance of Thaksin over PT makes its claim to be a democratic party, laughable. If Thaksin died tomorrow, the party would collapse, splintering off I to different factions. Supporters of PT will say PT won successive elections, the will of the people must be respected. True, but please don't expect much progress regarding economic equality, justice for all, government transparency, etc. Big business and Thaksin go hand in hand. Imo, the only party worth voting for is MF, six more years until the former three leading members of FF can play a public role again Now they were formidable

There is no FFP these days Now they are the MFP, sadly a lot weaker than the banned FFP. There's a lot of rubbish in PTP, MPs devoid of any idealism.

If Pheua Thai need to make up the numbers to form a government, I don't think they will choose MF as a partner and I'm not sure MF would accept. MF's stance on Article 112 is unacceptable to PT, they're too radical for PT who have a lot of veteran MPs devoid of any idealism. Plus if MF were in government, they would have some achievements by the end of the Parliamentary term. PT wouldn't like that considering both parties are trying to appeal to the young. PT would rather keep MF on the Opposition benches, barking but impotent regarding tangible achievements I think PT would choose Bhumjaithai as a partner, the only clash could be over cannabis but if they pass the bong around they could probably reach an agreement. MF are not going to win so many seats this time with the new voting system, plus there are quarrels regarding strategy. Piyabutr wants MF to project an ideology, focus on creating its own identity, whilst the leader, Pitak, is more flexible, prepared to compromise to be in government. There are pros and cons to each viewpoint.

There's Laura Nyro with Duane Allman on the music thread. The sort of thing you could contribute to. Please come back, at least now and again.

Tremendous stuff, zz What an unlikely combination and wonderful outcome music wise! It's a shame Tippers has left this thread. He'd love gems like this. I'll try to coax him back

Appropriate for Thailand now

Worth reading to grasp how isolated Putin has become.

I was on the bus to Udon when the skies opened up around Thung Fon ( very appropriate). The bus screeched to a juddering halt, and the bus driver, plus able bodied passengers, frantically tried to shut windows that hadn't been closed since October. It bucketed down but 10 minutes later we were back in sunshine with everyone opening the windows again! In my experience Thai summer storms are extremely local. It could belt down here yet a mile down the road is bone dry

Owl, I found one mod to be very decent. He deleted a post of mine but explained in a sympathetic manner why. I gathered from his appearance he was an avid sunbather or simply spent a lot of his time outside

Surely Rooster's job is to promote 'robust' ( how I love that word) discussion on this website. Playing devil's advocate, click baiting, whatever. The answer lies in his name, Rooster: early to rise, 5 am, making a god awful din, crowing non stop, disturbing sleeping, peaceful TV members

This is more cheering. Two panellists tell the others to face reality that the war is going nowhere.

Forever war, and the Russian populace seems to have swallowed the lie about the invasion/ conflict being an existential fight for Russia itself. But what will Russia do if they lose Crimea? Nuke Ukraine?

No different to Goebbels

Atmospheric country

Bob Hite had a large collection of blues records. They certainly played this classic note for note.

Oh that slide!

Johnny in get up and dance form

I see laughing gas is to be banned due to widespread social abuse.

Yes, why are there so few prominent female guitarists, lead or rhythm, in rock? Singers, bass guitarists, keyboard players, yes, but lead guitarists? There are some now recognised black r'n'b / blues female guitarists from the 50s and early 60s but I can't think of any outstanding female rock lead guitarists from later on

I feel sorry for Yingluck. The youngest of the siblings, Thaksin the oldest, he made her CEO of SC Assets if I remember right. It gave her something to do. Never too bright, she couldn't even remember which Thai provinces were next to the sea, but her natural beauty and charm, her ease at talking to vendors, made her an instant hit with the working class. Thaksin called her his clone, perhaps he was jealous of her popularity, reminding everyone she only became PM because of him. And then she was forced into exile, the populist guaranteed subsidy for every grain of rice grown was clearly stupid as it resulted in widespread smuggling of rice from neighbouring countries claiming to be Thai rice but it wasn't her fault. She had only been in politics for 45 days! She was a pawn who one day will be allowed back but her brother has two many enemies. When Thaksin was PM he ruled by domination, financially and politically. A good leader will be decisive but also inclusive, considering all points if view. Thaksin was too arrogant for that. Even now he feels sorry for himself.

One of the most sing-along to of The Doors songs. My neighbours think the sun has gone to my head. Maybe so, but I 'm not crazy enough to want to go to Hong Kong

No, my dislike for Hong Kong and rugby came on all of a sudden, clouding my vision of the wider world. A shrink offered me succinct ( is that the right word, it sounds good?) advice 'Turn off your phone for a few days and the symptoms will disappear.' 'No doctor! Please, no! Anything but....'