noitom

No matter the global economic uncertainty and breakdown in Europe, unemployment in the US, stagnation in Japan, slowdown in China, Thailand will rage on. Undaunted and impervious to outside world conditions Its "black economy" will continue to boom, counterfeit IP, fake this and that, payoffs, corruption, drug trade, and endless sex for sale at reasonable prices by world standards. Thailand is a tiger. Hats off to the girls, the real backbone of the Thai economic engine.

Thai yellowshirts. Permitted to protest with impunity. Close the international airport for 10 days including downtime and setup/checkout with impunity. Now bring government to its knees with impunity. Nice step toward reconciliation.

Sounds like she could charge attempted rape. It's certainly some sort of "sexual assault." People came to her aid and had to intervene to get her free from his grasp. That is quite significant. He should be charged and if convicted, do his time, and then be placed on a computerized "sexual offender" list that all countries have access to.

What about that 400 THB? Follow the money.

According to witnesses, "he attempted to rob an Ayuthaya Bank branch, but couldn't open the door." This makes a lot of sense in describing a Thai stickup.

Another Nigerian bites the dust.

Hats off to the girls!! The real soul and guts of the Thai economy.

Editorial seeks a noble purpose without action. Why doesn't The Nation really help out and "investigate and expose" the business and the Mr. Bigs? That would be a true journalistic purpose. If the newspaper knows what's really going on and doesn't get after it and make it public, it's really just a sham.

"Why doesn't The Nation really help out and "investigate and expose" the business and the Mr. Bigs?"

Defamation.

So it's just a sham. Meaningless purposeless chit chat filling white space.

Condolences to the girl. It is a terrible thing. The newspaper should be consistent in the way that they spell these names. Noppadon, Noppadol - what's on his license? His trial, conviction, and sentencing should be televised as a message that this will not be tolerated and severe penalty will be dealt.

Editorial seeks a noble purpose without action. Why doesn't The Nation really help out and "investigate and expose" the business and the Mr. Bigs? That would be a true journalistic purpose. If the newspaper knows what's really going on and doesn't get after it and make it public, it's really just a sham.

Family member killed by Somchai the construction worker or Phet the street food vendor and they have no money. You would in fact be stuck and have to put it down to karma. No real closure. Worst thing is Somchai and Phet could be remorseful but still destitute and go out again next month and repeat the same thing. Same as the underage Thai drivers referenced in these posts. Or the drunk or sleeping truck/van drivers who flee and later get remorseful. There is no underlying philosophy of "if you can't do the time, don't do the crime." Compensation based retribution alone downgrades the value of human life and the sincerity of apology and degrades moral sense of right and wrong.

"Plea deals" in the west generally seek a "conviction" of a serious crime as a method of emphasizing severity of offense and inhibiting repetition among others as well as minimizing government court costs and taxpayer money. Wealthy individuals in most judicial and rule of law societies are rarely if ever able to avoid serious penalty for driving without a license and causing harm, drunk driving, vehicular homicide, etc...and lastly for sure, fleeing the scene of a crime.

Remove the ability for police to settle cases on their own, as another poster already summed up very simply.Establish a criminal law that applies to everyone. Stand behind it. Take responsibility and be accountable. Very tall orders for Thailand in order to be recognized as an adult country that plays well with others.

What's shocking is that the Thais acted on this charge to "arrest" her rather than defer it to a civil process. Amazing at risk Thailand.

This Thai complaint is a striking example of Thai hypocrisy.

Thailand, the anabolic steroid "hub" of the world! What a boost to tourism a concentrated ad budget to lure steroid users to Thailand would be. Not only is it tremendous prestige for Thailand to become yet another hub, but the economic benefit of steroid visitor's spending is phenomenal. This is sensational news! It's win, win, win all around according to this news story which contains no downside or negative view on it.

Many witnesses said that they saw him kill the bus driver, yet he was booked and charged with only possession of a weapon and illegal drugs. What gives in Thailand?

One would have to wonder where Lady Gaga got the notion that fake Rolex's and other fakes were readily available in Thailand? Actually, one would also have to wonder why the Thais are complaining to the US embassy and not the Swiss embassy, the country of origin of Rolex?

16 "batches of counterfeit $100 dollar notes? And why aren't the Thai police and authorities notifying the US embassy and Treasury Department immediately?

It's a certainty that the Thais would be hyper alarmed if a citizen of Liberia or Nigeria or wherever was found to have 16 "batches" of counterfeit Thai 1,000 baht notes in their possession in , let's say, Las Vegas, and the US authorities were merely deporting him to Liberia without notifying the Thais until after the fact if/when they returned the counterfeit currency to the Thais.

Why notify the U.S Embassy and treasury department? What has the U.S got to do with this and what juristiction does the U.S authorities have over Liberians comitting offences in Thailand? They are not the worlds police...............

Your question illustrates an incredible lack of knowledge and naivete about world currency issues and procedures. Try starting out with some basic knowledge on the Interpol site. - http://www.interpol.int/Crime-areas/Financial-crime/Counterfeit-currency-and-security-documents

Corruption is not possible because they have taken an oath. It seems that this contradicts the basic premise that corruption is the root of the problem.

Thai law = oxymoron.

The actual World Bank summary didn't state "populist schemes" or anything like it - it listed 4 points - http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/2012/05/23/east-asia-pacific-economic-update-may-2012-key-findings-on-thailand - Its point about investment in recovery was very positive and that it should boost confidence. Another which was "inflation " of 3.5% and another was rice exports would slow as the result of high rice prices.

No where was it evident that the World Bank referred to "populist schemes" spending should be curtailed, but yet The Nation chose to word its editorial as such and distort the World Bank statement.

As another poster pointed out, the The Nation's characterization of this as a "Black" money scam is very racist and embassies of all African nations and black citizens of UK, Canada, USA and other countries should voice their fervent concern about this bigoted Thai attitude. It has no place in a global world.

16 "batches of counterfeit $100 dollar notes? And why aren't the Thai police and authorities notifying the US embassy and Treasury Department immediately?

It's a certainty that the Thais would be hyper alarmed if a citizen of Liberia or Nigeria or wherever was found to have 16 "batches" of counterfeit Thai 1,000 baht notes in their possession in , let's say, Las Vegas, and the US authorities were merely deporting him to Liberia without notifying the Thais until after the fact if/when they returned the counterfeit currency to the Thais.

This editorial is preposterous tripe. The headline is noteworthy. However it falls flat and inconsequential talking about tax rebates. The only other time that education is even mentioned in one obscure sentence in the last paragraph.

Creativity does begin with education in a broad sense but it starts with environment and parenting that fosters curiosity and sponsoring development, encouraging interest, and inspiration. Creativity is not about corruption masquerading as tax rebates to bring in business. Creativity is about invention, pioneering, and accomplishment. Being willing to go up against accepted ways and sticking to one's beliefs in spite of recognized ways. It is about a free society unencumbered by censorship and tradition of deceit and celebration of manipulation. It is about artwork on the walls and books on the shelves. Overcoming obstacles by understanding the universe as others see it. It's about reading, and art, writing, and discussion. Creativity dies in environments where it can't incubate. It needs sponsors of incubation.

Issuing monthly payments is not a bad idea. Notice in the story that the recipients were"confused" with lack of information. Unfortunately, that's intended. Here Somchai quick sign the release if you want some money. If you don't sign it now, you won't get any money.