Maggusoil

There were three children taken from a rice field they were playing in together last year up my way.

I had wondered why there was a police car stationary on the road because we never see that in the area.

Part of the reason the car was stationary, was the cop was asleep. .

So much for enthusiasm

or was it resignation?

I am consistently harping on about this re our children and relatives

At least it has worked on the children. They are more careful than the adults

As many posters have pointed out. We can all be very careful, but its difficult to keep tabs on a mobile child all of the time.

It only takes a second for an opportunist in a van to whisk a child off the street. . . Its a terrible thought

I have the greatest sympathy for anyone that has had this happen

It must be terrible

Do you ever look at the rent crowds that stand behind American presidents?

Looks familiar.

Your avatar is well named. Too many people don't read everything. You see a tiny piece of the picture and rave off your loosebrained

head.

Its OK. You'll learn.

I'm not replying to this topic. Its getting a bit LOOSE

sorry but this topic is linked to alcohol not Australia.

The guy could have been Russian, Thai, a Brit teen, a Finnish, etc.

Could have, but wasn't.

This is alcoholism, coupled with the mores of a country that does not have a tangible, identified "culture", outside sport, barbecues, self importance, arrogance, alcoholism and insensitivity. Sport is most important in Australia because it has little else, other than an indigenous population who are on the nose, as we call it. They had culture. We did everything we could to destroy it.

I know fantastic people in Australia, but I am talking here about the media fed self image for the masses.

A country that is easy on crime. Easy on disgusting behaviour and easy on alcohol and violence on the streets.

Loud and obnoxious, all too often the voices you hear raised in Asian countries are Australian. The capital of the "king hit" killing.

Walk up to someone you don't know in Australia, kill them with a hit to the head and you get some community service penalty, because

you were drunk. This is a fact.

Its a joke.

My Indonesian ex-wife, knowing I had two passports, British and Australian, never introduced me as an Australian in her own country.

Guess why? Here you see it, in its pristine glory. This tolerance is brought about by an obsession with political correctness, from which unrealistic tolerance breeds this sort of socially acceptable behaviour in Australia. They find it amusing.

Easy solution. Hand back your Aussie passport and go live somewhere else if the place upsets you so much. No need to keep putting yourself through so much stress living amongst them all the time.

I do, I am and I have the world is a big place

It's a sad state of affairs, when Thailand has to consider an 81 year old politician as an option.

Is this ageist ridiculousness? His age would suggest a proven track record of good behaviour and vast experience of life.

If he is in good health and mentally alert, what is your problem?

I know of an 80 year old that climes Mr Everest for something to break the boredom. Can you do that?

Nothing ageist, you plumb.

It proves quite clearly how democracy and political ideology and ethics have not developed in this country. Nothing about Anand.

What it clearly shows is how naive your average Thai is. Politically and intellectually. I have the greatest respect for Thai people, however

they are born to follow. . . and hence end up following anyone with a reasonably good story.

They are hard working, incredibly tough, highly creative, but quite suddenly in their history of repelling all and every invader, have been

confronted by what is for most of us the unthinkable.

That our carers. Our government, are not really our carers at all.

It is like being betrayed by our parents.

I suggest they need something yet more substantial than ethics or ideology. Mainly an accountable judiciary and real freedom of the press.

Then the facts of what is going on can really be aired. As it is nobody will ever know.

Voting for a different head to put on the same monster, is not democracy.

It's a sad state of affairs, when Thailand has to consider an 81 year old politician as an option.

Is this ageist ridiculousness? His age would suggest a proven track record of good behaviour and vast experience of life.

If he is in good health and mentally alert, what is your problem?

I know of an 80 year old that climes Mr Everest for something to break the boredom. Can you do that?

sorry but this topic is linked to alcohol not Australia.

The guy could have been Russian, Thai, a Brit teen, a Finnish, etc.

Could have, but wasn't.

This is alcoholism, coupled with the mores of a country that does not have a tangible, identified "culture", outside sport, barbecues, self importance, arrogance, alcoholism and insensitivity. Sport is most important in Australia because it has little else, other than an indigenous population who are on the nose, as we call it. They had culture. We did everything we could to destroy it.

I know fantastic people in Australia, but I am talking here about the media fed self image for the masses.

A country that is easy on crime. Easy on disgusting behaviour and easy on alcohol and violence on the streets.

Loud and obnoxious, all too often the voices you hear raised in Asian countries are Australian. The capital of the "king hit" killing.

Walk up to someone you don't know in Australia, kill them with a hit to the head and you get some community service penalty, because

you were drunk. This is a fact.

Its a joke.

My Indonesian ex-wife, knowing I had two passports, British and Australian, never introduced me as an Australian in her own country.

Guess why? Here you see it, in its pristine glory. This tolerance is brought about by an obsession with political correctness, from which unrealistic tolerance breeds this sort of socially acceptable behaviour in Australia. They find it amusing.

Ok. I don't know what is worse, death penalty or the rest or your life in a Thai prison. Inmates tend not to like children killers and abusers.

Not only that, but the poorer the inmate, the less favour he can buy. This guy looks set to nothing, its pretty well the bottom of

the can for him.. . .

I have a heavy dose of this, dislocated feeling. In Australia, its beer, cricket, football. When you've had your fill of that, there's not much left but the luxury of everything perfect and politicians who would get away with what they do here if they could. There its the Catholic Club.

The vacuous emptiness of no culture, for a vulture culture. They're so banged up about it they're re-introducing Lords and Ladies, to beef up the social scene a bit. Poor dears. Pretty desperate.

Out in the village in Isaan, it disappears in the heat, the beer the vodka, the rice whiskey the chille mangoes and the rolling laughter of the peasants, of which I become part.

And after the extension is granted, the money can be used up during the next 9 months, then a "refill" from abroad (if you prefer).

Generally it is also possible to convert/send back the money (if you have proof of transfer from abroad).

Yes, I do worry somewhat about the economical future of Thailand.

Big crash of the Baht? Not likely if civil war can be avoided.

Don't forget that if you dont have a Thai will& anything happens then the Thais keep whatever is in their banks in your name. It dont matter if you have a will in your own country. Personally think that is really the reason for this rule on long term stay visa's & extentions

If you have some funds of reasonable substance, don't put your eggs in one basket. Have a bit in INdo, Thailand and Australia, transfer them around a

bit as the exgchange rates change. Citibank in Australia are now fee free and free accounts. All fees gone. Going to open one tomorrow.

and with nowhere left to return to .. . . That's when life gets interesting

Absolutely can relate to you. You sound a lot like me. Like a nomad.

I felt pretty bruised most of my life not fitting in anywhere nor with anyone. I always thought it was I who was rejected by everyone. But now I realize that it was always the other way around. I never wanted to stick around in anyone place for too long, because I knew I would get an anchor placed around my neck and end up stuck there.

I wouldn't allow anyone to accept me even if I could. I love my experimental, adventurous lifestyle. I go where I want with whomever I want and do whatever I want whenever I want. I wouldn't trade any of that for anything in the world.

I love being a nomad. Proud to be a nomad.

Sooner or later, I'll be leaving Thailand, too.

The world is my home.

When you think about it, we're all nomads, really. No one, no matter how hard they try, will be sticking around here for too bloody long. We're here, then we're gone. And that's that.

Nomads, one and all.

The expression for it was. i guote. . . lonley as a rhinoceros (anon). . with the highway curling up like smoke, behind his shoulder (b dylan)

Its OK, I'm off soon myself. Gona thave a little wander. Somehwere warm, edgy and interesting.....

Complete and utter drivel.

Requested by foreigners, and they write something like this? It makes me wonder who the dummies are.... the readers or the writers.

Without true freedom of the press, the third cornerstone of true democracy, they have to come up with drivel.

As for explaining anything !!!

Oh give us a break. That really is the pits.

Must admit that I am confused by the picture accompanying this story. What does it have to do with a drug bust at the airport?

Shouldn't the Chinese woman be sitting at a table, hiding her face, with the drugs in front of her and a bunch of smug looking cops pointing their fingers for the photo-op?

Yes many of us noticed the absence of the finger.. . . quite concerning, this lack of protocol

Copy the Singaporean model, government owned taxis that cabbies can rent. If they break the rules, refuse passengers, etc. they will lose their licence and can not get their hands on a taxi anymore. Simple and effective, just a touch more expensive!

What? No mafias? Hell boy what you been drinking?

This ain't no hub for nothing!

Sounds good but, it couldn't happen could it? All sorts of things might start up like the caning thing.

Then, like Singapore it could become a hub for law and order, or something equally outrageous,

like political correctness.

Then, none of us would want to live here.

Would we?

The toilet is over flowing and needs to be flushed.

Right no need for meetings to discuss things and posit theories about professions in conflict.

Call a plumber.

Nong Khai is very nice. A bit old worldy. Not too many bars when I last looked. I have a Thai/ Australian friend who has resettled their with his own hotel. It is well located with an Immigration office and a Friendship bridge for visas and "used" to have an international airport.

I am not sure why they ended that, but there is a reasonably good hospital there too. Only about an hour to the airport in Udon Thani.

Curious?? Where was this airport?

That's why I used ". . . . . ". I am not sure.

Likewise to other posters, it did have a reputation as a great place to die, or at least to get ready for it. That's retirement isn't it?

Only joking. I wouldn't be in the area at all if it wasn't for the family.

I have not asked my friend how his hotel is going lately and haven't been there for a couple of years.

Nong Khai is very nice. A bit old worldy. Not too many bars when I last looked. I have a Thai/ Australian friend who has resettled their with his own hotel. It is well located with an Immigration office and a Friendship bridge for visas and "used" to have an international airport.

I am not sure why they ended that, but there is a reasonably good hospital there too. Only about an hour to the airport in Udon Thani.

IF, this guy really did kill this young lady, what does their age matter?

It is a terrible, senseless, horrific crime. I hope whoever committed it gets the justice they deserve.

I hope we hear he gets caught.

My wife is young and attractive.

I usually cheat on her with the older, fatter hookers.

Now as you probably know I'm ALL for a bit of kink, but that's just twisted!

It takes all types.. . what a wonderful world of variety. . ditto that

Only you can decide this. Really at the end of the day, the attraction you have to this lady sounds like its worth being with her from your point of view.. .and problems worth solving.

I could not possibly overlay this with my own experiences. My partner of 7 years is much much much younger and will do anything I say. It seems from the generosity of her heart. I have always satisfied women first. However many partnerships can exist where sex is not the criteria of everything. If she is willing to satisfy you, I would let her. Even if you get it somewhere else if you have to.

As a therapist, I would find it a challenge to say the least and you never know, it could be karmic, it could be physical or even a childhood experience she has hidden in her psyche.

Gently is as gently does. If you are serious in your caring and must have your needs met, then talk to her about it.

Life is not necessarily a problem. It can be an adventure.

Try de-sexualising the erotic and or spiritual and or sensual experience. That is, start with getting in touch with her sensually, instead of sexually.

My kind of therapist - where do you practice?

And do you really believe in karma?

Karma is not a belief. More of an observation.

I have also witnessed unconscious or sub-conscious karmic debts or links sometimes needing to be recognised before they are dissolved, at least on command.

I gave up professional full time therapeutics years ago, so I practice, wherever I am.

Where, as the lovely Lord Buddha would say, there is no beginning and no ending, only the journey.

My tendency to road rage, and other indulgences has my attention at present. . .

Only you can decide this. Really at the end of the day, the attraction you have to this lady sounds like its worth being with her from your point of view.. .and problems worth solving.

I could not possibly overlay this with my own experiences. My partner of 7 years is much much much younger and will do anything I say. It seems from the generosity of her heart. I have always satisfied women first. However many partnerships can exist where sex is not the criteria of everything. If she is willing to satisfy you, I would let her. Even if you get it somewhere else if you have to.

As a therapist, I would find it a challenge to say the least and you never know, it could be karmic, it could be physical or even a childhood experience she has hidden in her psyche.

Gently is as gently does. If you are serious in your caring and must have your needs met, then talk to her about it.

Life is not necessarily a problem. It can be an adventure.

Try de-sexualising the erotic and or spiritual and or sensual experience. That is, start with getting in touch with her sensually, instead of sexually.

. . . yes or the father of a Thai citizen, who has provided at least four other Thai citizens with financial support for 7 years

These are hoops?

I'd hate to see the ladders

"Guns are an inanimate object and cannot shoot anyone. If they would had been hit on the head with a steel pole would you say that there were too many steel poles in Thailand?" This argument is used so often, sounds almost reasonable until you think about it. Guns were invented and developed to kill living things: first and foremost, people. Steel poles were invented and refined usually to support something. The analogy is absurd. Yes, people kill people, and it is much easier to do so with a gun. Just move finger about half an inch while pointing at entity you wish to kill. Not so messy or difficult as strangling a person. And once bullet is on the way, no way to stop it on shooters part.

When you are going to meet your end, you are going to meet your end. .

In Thailand 'the banners' would have to ban a lot of objects to achieve safety for the citizens.

Like hammers for instance, knives, rope, steel poles, yes, anything made of steel, any object hard enough to bash someone's head in.

Two of the nicest people I have known were both killed by guns. One, in a low end cocaine deal, who was shot in the arm and the bullet ricocheted into his brain and one getting through a fence with a hunting rifle.

The banners could have saved two lives but I doubt it. Banning things by the State, has never gotten rid of anything if people want them enough.

Good grief the scumbag was a high school student at the time. I hope he rots in jail and dies there.. preferably sooner rather than later, so that the American tax payers aren't funding the extension of this mongrels life one second longer than it has to be.

If he lives until 70 and bearing in mind the average annual cost to keep a person locked up in USA is $30,600 per inmate that's just short of $1 million which could be far better spent in so many other ways

Legal costs for carrying out the death sentence are a lot more than $1 million dollars, in fact in the multi millions

This is needless.

Hand him over to the families of the slain. I am sure they could do it for free.