bumpkin

" It seems .......... " what sort of an introduction is that, where is the support for this?

It seems many would question your bold assertion.

 

I'm not supporting the Shinawatras but as long as you guys and the Upper-Middle class continue to to show that level of contempt against the vast majority of Thailand's population we're all going to be in trouble. How do you know the reds are thick skulls thugs? Did you speak with some of them? Have you tried to understand their motivations? Do you have the slightest idea of the lives they live? They're just "lao", uneducated, greedy, they smell of naampla, they are so black 555! A class war is going on to bring some level of social justice in this country between the rich and the poor and you side with the oppressor. I hope Thaksin gets replaced by someone who will really defend these people interests. But it's not going to be the Dem's that's for dam_n sure.

You are so full of contempt! Thick skulled? Thugs? Yeah you guys are so smart and educated, right? You have it all figured out. You want to be associated with the well-off Bangkokian society so bad. Be quality expats not like these losers in the provinces with their red shirt bar-girl girlfriends! Our girlfriends are half-Chinese! So you're on strike? Gonna go to the people-court?

Take a 'chill pill' !

That the red shirts are "thick-skulled thugs" is not in doubt. Remember, there are few families more well-off than the Shinawatras so your crusade against Hi-so's is futile and inappropriate.

 

How can someone have it so backwords? The shins are the Chinese elite. I don't think anyone here has contempt for the uneducated, black, nampla, smelling,Thais. In fact most of us are married to one. The upper middle class are the ones paying the taxes and running businesses. Why are they your enemy?? I would think the corrupt rice scamming middle men land owners are the enemies of the poor.

The biggest enemy of the poor is corruption by whoever. The effects of corruption filter through society and the poorest end up with the bill. They cannot pass it on to anyone.

This is the longest post I have ever made here. If you have the time to read it, you will understand why I was am suddenly so wordy.

Tonight there is a fundraiser on Thai TV at 8:30. I commented on it at the Bangkok Post, but the moderators never posted it. You can also donate directly to the manila chapter of the red cross, which I recommend (all things considered). I sent 6000 baht yesterday.

It is cheap to be a hero today. For 1000 baht, the cost of a couple bottles of Pipers, a family of four will have rice and medicine in 2-3 days, instead of the 1-2 weeks it will take for the Western cavalry to arrive and take action. If you read the article above, that means those without food for the last five days will die before the Big Guys can arrive. This is not prediction, it is fact. Human beings cannot live without food for 19 days. There is, therefore; the real prospect of cannibalism.

It is cheap to be a hero today. If I asked you in person, and showed how there was no scam involved, I know half of you would do it.

The help incoming is many days away, a funeral away for these people, and limited. The Red Cross is coordinating, meaning they are also going where the Cavalry ships and planes are not going. Amazingly, the logistics are well-coordinated. Probably good old UK and US process flow theory in action altogether.

The area of destruction rivals 40% of the total area of the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Philippine population is more than double of the Thai population. Please consider it. It is equivalent to 30 of 77 provinces being annihilated here.

Please. If this happened in your home country I would write a letter like this, if I knew the channels I recommended were not extortion artists.

Just so you know, the American Red Cross runs the Philippine branches. They are audited by the IRS (called the Infernal Revenue Service), and have a tight rein on incoming funds. The Red Cross has 24% operating costs, but the food ration I stated was after the 'admin cost reduction'. In the Philippines, 760 baht buys a LOT of rice and medicine, enough to feed and care for four people for two weeks or more.

The link takes you to a secured page, and if you scroll to the bottom you can use PayPal, Internet ATM cards, and internet active Visa/Mastercards (all processed by American Banks, who are real b_astards about IRS audits, because the IRS is the only federal agency that can body slam them).

It is cheap to be a hero today. Be a hero. Lead by example. Show that ten men and women of the West have more combined heart than all the millions of corrupt politicians here put together, and I am meaning all of Asia.

The link is at http://www.redcross.org.ph/donatenow

If you can help, please help. Please. Who knows who you might save? Maybe some child who grows up and cures leukemia, or invents cheap solar energy, or gets a job in Bangkok in a few years and inadvertantly meets one of your family in a zebra crossing (and you never recognize each other as you smile and go on)...

Sincerely, hopefully, and with respect and civility,

Me

PS: Please forgive the longest post I have ever sent to Thai Visa Forum. This is important to me, and I don't even know anyone there that is in the scrum.

Wholeheartedly endorse your appeal for Charitable donations through reliable agencies.

The USA and UK Navies' vessels should arrive by Friday morning, with their helicopter capabilities and communication facilities, they will undoubtedly be able to access the remote areas, currently isolated by destroyed infrastructure.

Many countries have already sent 'first response' medical personel, but getting to the disaster areas is proving difficult.

(BTW, Philippine population is about 150% that of Thailand, but the population density is about double)

Was the child legally adopted by the step-father ?

Live here for several years and then tell me you "dont" enjoy the break to colder climates, the ability to walk for an hour with the wind in your face and a slight chill in the air. Live Hot escape to cooler and the majoity do vice - versa.

Its all about finding a change and escaping from the norm.

+1

I went back to the UK several years back, flew out from Bangkok on 15 May, as the plane landed at Heathrow the pilot informed us that

ground temp was 7 degrees C. I then had to travel to Cornwall, bloody perishing. So it went on throughout my 7 month stay,I actually developed chil blaines (sp) never had them in my life. My old body does not cope well with cold weather any more. This was in an English summer, Winter! no thanks.

But, northern winters are getting warmer, just listen to all the "Oh-so-credible" climate change fanatics . .

Maybe not.

For now, the protests are serious, but good natured. What is striking is the wide mix of people from all walks of life who feel this is a worthwhile cause.

Keep an eye on the News, only problem might be if the opposition join the fray, and then the Army want a piece of the action ( unlikley).

But, when you come, leave your yellow or red shirts at home. Choose a neutral color

Come and enjoy.

My god. For a country that does very little to acknowledge or at least protect tourists (aka foreigners), you can't see ANY discussion of Thailand's macro economy without significant mention of tourism.

Surely tourism accounts for a larger percentage than they would have us believe?

Tourism only represents 6% of GDP in Thailand. It is highly visible and probably has a larger effect on the poor than industries such as manufacturing (44% approx of the economy) because of its labor intensity and fluidity.

There are reasons why tourism seems to appear in economic discussions a lot more than other sectors, such as manufacturing. It is because some of the features of tourism (sensitivity to security, unrest, exchange rates, transport) are precisely those that also affect foreign direct investment.

Given that tourism only represents 6% of the economy, we should be thankful that the country has a police force devoted to tourists (few other countries have bothered to do that).

Maybe few other countries need a tourist police force, because their regular Police have adequate training, and are capable of handling "tourist" situations.

after a 100,000 years of human life on earth, we are grateful to the German nation for coming to the rescue of mankind and setting us in the right direction.

Camel through the needle. I understand that the needle is the arch type opening in the wall to enter a fortified town. Think a fully laden camel trying to get the ought the narrow passageway

a narrow gateway for pedestrians, not wide enough for heavily loaded pack animals ( hence "riches" ). Such gates existed in Jerusalem and Damascus city walls.

Judging by his name, it sound like he's a 'new' Australian, not that it makes any

different, a pedophile is a pedophile under any name, and he be found guilty,

I hope they throw the book at him.. literally..

you are right, it doesn't look like an Aborigine name.

The old advice is still the best.

Depends on your circumstances, but get involed in something serious. Get a job..or... Start a business...even if you dont "need" too.

There are charities requiring just about any skill you have (certainly in Thailand).

Commit yourself to something where other people rely on you. Most people have more to offer than they realise.

It sounds corney, but there is real satisfaction from giving, not just taking from life.

What ever your level of health, there is some sporting activity you should be doing. Exercise stimulates the brain.

If you drink, do it with true friends, never alone.

End of lecture.

Do it friend, the world needs your skills and abilities.

And very important, don't procrastinate, do it now !

(BTW, I followed this advice some years back, and I surprised myself with the beneficial effect on my life and lifestyle)

Good Luck !

Racism is so difficult or so easy to define. As Lewis Caroll's character HD said "'When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.'

Paler skin colour preference in the UK (if not other countries) goes back a long way in history, and it's origin had little to do with racial differences. It was a social difference.

Richer women spent most of their days inside out of the sunlight (and many may have been anaemic through dietary custom), with the effect of keeping their skin fair and pale, whereas poorer people were labouring outside in all weathers, giving them a tanned and coarse appearance.

The darker skin was associated with the labouring people in society and therefore, not something that the richer women aspired to.

This situation changed in the 20th centuary, when travel opportunities opened up for the richer european families, and the tanned skin colour then became associated with a richer elite.

So, the darker skin colour groups were the very rich and those who laboured outside. The aspiring middle grouping chose to ape the richer elite, and the "snake oil" purveyers were only too happy to oblige with their lotions and treatments.

In countries, such as China and,maybe Thailand, this 20th century phase never happened, so it remained that only those who laboured outside had the darker skin tone. And what aspiring young lady would choose that appearance?

" I raised them like my own children " . . . what sort of parent raises children to lead them into prostitution ? Did she allow / encourage her own natural children to follow that path ? Obesity is no excuse for bad parenting.

Move on. Don't take old problems into your new life.

Next time, take good photos before you move in. Have a co-signed inventory + pics !

Don't look back,

Someone making sense. Now will the government listen?

A strong case for primary legislation.

This should be the easiest of all of Phuket's problems to eradicate. A continuation of this type of touting is just an indicator as to how useless or corrupt the local police and officials are.

That might actually be very handy tool.

Somewhat like the Big Mac index but than for corruption statistics.

Not sure what this has to do with Ronald McDonald or Lizards but...........

There have been attempts to build a comparative "corruption index" for most countries. Few surprises in this ranking ..........

http://www.heritage.org/index/explore

The Japanese are generally a lot more worldly, they have been travelling a lot more, usually more educated and from what i have seen - quite polite in comparison to the loud, pushing in front of you in lines and travelling in herds and following a stick with a flag on it Chinese. But hey!

A trip to kanchanaburi a few years back made me change my tune about the Japanese, as a walked over the Death Railway respectful and remorseful at how many humans had lost their lives there, and had to endure a pack of Japanese with cameras, laughing, posing, shouting and blocking my way as they were - Very Proud! of the history that they were a part of making.... Meh!

Same attitude when they visit the Arizona Memorial at Pear Harbor.

Few countries choose to face all of the harsher realities in their recent history. Many countries choose to ignore or minimise certain parts of their history as part of formal education. Politics and History are uncomfortable bedfellows.

Is my memory better than that of Mr Gates ? I am so old, I can remember using desktop computers before the IBM-pc was introduced. These early desk-top microcomputers ( as they were called, to differentiate from the "under the desk" minis in use at that time) gave the option of using either MS-DOS or CPM as operating systems. I am fairly sure this early MS-DOS included CTRL ALT DEL. It was a Gates invention, before IBM became involved. I still have a 5¼" boot disk somewhere, but no microcomputer to run it. Can any of our mature readers confirm if any part of my memory is correct ? Oh ! nostalgia,,,,,,,

How has the introduction of tablet computers helped or hindered literacy ?

All very nice and we can all play the card of innocense meanwhile sometimes the laws are not as clear as they can be. Besides, which foreigner in the UK or the rest

of Europe needs to show either 800.000B or has to get married to stay longer than a little while. I still feel a lot for the eye for an eye policy: If you can't own a house here. Thais should not be able to own one in your country until they change the law. If you can't stay here for a prolonged holiday unless you pay through your nose for it, do the same to the Thais abroad. If you can't own a car on a tourist visa, do the same abroad to the Thais. If you need to report every three months to police....etc etc. See how that feels. We all know that lots of Thais own numerous houses (read: Villas) and cars in our countries of origin. But that all seems to be ok and fine.

Thai Law is Thai Law? Why should it be indentical to that in all other countries? Or, do we think all other countries should adopt Thai Laws ?

Where is the lack of clarity in Visa requirements for visitors to Thailand ? I would be very surprised if all the guys caught in this incident were not fully aware of their overstay situation. How many countries never follow up on illegal activity by foreigners in their countries ?

Are these "gangsters" wanted for crimes inside Thailand. Are they subject of some international arrest warrant? Or, they just have the wrong sort of tattoos and not carry enough spare cash when they go through Immigration ?

as Oscar Wilde said " I wish I was young enough to know everything "

Presumably, "passengers" use these vehicles because they are cheaper than the alternative. I would guess, the majority of "passengers" are fully aware they are not licenced, but accept the risk. The Laws of Economics often trump the Laws of Discretion and Better Judgement. The Laws of the Road feature nowhere in this decision, either by driver or passenger.

is death by gas any worse than death by bullets or bombs? Why should there be military retribution for chemical death, but not other deaths ? Better to spend the millions on caring for the refugees. Help some people, rather than killing a few more ? So, Assad is dead, what happens after ?