phaw-boon-tham

I've been boycotting all US businesses for the past 18 months in protest over their illegal invasion of Iraq on false pretences and subsequent killing of over 100,000 civilians, including may women and children. 

So why are you not boycotting Muslim business, they killed +3000 on 9/11 and they show savagery to innocents.

IamMaiC sounds like you dont buy from the Muslims traders either.

I just asked the question, what would happen if this caught on in all of the civilised world ?. If some of these vendors are supporting terrorist groups as you pointed out in Florida, if they had no income they could not send money the these organisations.

If the Thais have stared to do this in small numbers (as of yet) will it catch on ?

So do we boycott all businesses that are Muslim owned, YES or NO,

Muslim's are good people??? sir I live in the states actually live in florida and their is one muslim business man here being investigated by the FBI actually going to court soon, he had illegal aliens working in his souvenier store's and also being accused of sending money to muslim charities. That are suspected in giving the money to terrorist's organizations. Well to make a long story short he was being release from jail not too long ago He put his house up for bond Well leaving the jail his friend's were waiting for him. outside of the courthouse. Well a lone woman came to voice her opinion against this, she was holding up a sign. His friends grabbed the sign and tore it to bits. Mere moment's before the media was taking film of him leaving the jail and HIS friend's were saying their outrage at the american goverment. Why is it then it is OK for them to do this, But this lone woman was not allowed too!!!

Muslim's are <deleted> All of them!!! 

I stated there are good and bad in all races etc, I for one can not believe that every Muslim is bad, BUT I DO HAVE THE A SLIGHT DISTRUST OF THEM WHEN BOARDING AN AIRCRAFT ETC.

And perhaps, just perhaps, the process of not buying anything from them has extended to myself, but if this caught on big time in Thailand and the Western world, I just wonder what the result would be. Hatred of another race or religion is not good and will only make matters worse. But I the world has changed and everyone must join the civilised world or always be a social outcast.

( No Indian curry for me tonight )

Thai / Muslim Issues

Thais Vote With Their Wallet

I was amazed with a comment and action that I was faced with yesterday.

Walking around the lower BKK the other day with my Thai GF, when I needed to buy a packet of cigarettes. I was in the process when she reached out and took my arm and said, “You not buy here” and sort of pulled we away from finishing the purchase. When we were out of earshot of the vendor, she said that she and all her friends have had been talking about the Muslim issues in Thailand It would appear that the general consensus between them was that it was agreed they would boycott any Muslim trader(s).

I said you have to try to understand that Muslims are generally good people and there is good and bad in every race, colour, breed and country the actions you are taking are no good and everybody has the right to try to make a decent living.

Then she got on her high-horse ranting on about South Thailand and even mentioned the Middle East and 9/11. It would appear from her statement that she and her friends felt that it was the only way they could show how they feel about the situation that Thailand faces, she retaliated to any of my explanations I made, with comments about the killing of Monks at alms and innocents in Southern Thailand, “If these people are good how can they let their religion kill our Monks who are only doing good and show true help to Buddhist people.”

She also pointed out about the be-heading if innocents in Iraq, and asked me about what I felt about these murderers and savages. Of course I had to reply that what they are doing is wrong and they should be killed if caught. Then I heard the famous Thai saying “Same – Same”. It would also appear that the majority of Thais think that the Army / Government did the right thing.

As the debate went on it appeared to me that no matter what I said was not going to be listened too, and when I asked her what good do you think you and your friends are doing, I was totally astonished by this statement from her,. “ IF THEY CAN NOT MAKE A LIVING AND HAVE BUSINESS IN THAILAND THEY WILL GO HOME TO THIER OWN COUNTRY.”

I think this thought process comes from the fact that Thais very nationalistic to extent that Buddhism and their love of their country is more of away of life than religion. The fact I explained that any religion ca be adopted by any person in any country seemed to fall on deaf ears, other than she said, If they want to be a Muslim, why don’t they live in a Muslim country after all if a non Muslim goes to Iraq they get killed.

(I just cant wait until she wants something for herself and the nearest vendor looks like a Muslim and she has to walk another 100mtrs to get the same thing. )

ELITE CARD PROMOTION: Golf-course plan lands in bunker

Published on Oct 5, 2004

Lack of funds forces operator to focus on club management

Thailand Privilege Card Co has further dented its already battered reputation by admitting that it cannot afford to proceed with a Bt2.5-billion investment to develop golf courses.

The company, which operates the Thailand Elite Card scheme, said it does not have the money to invest in projects in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Phuket, and Ranong, and now plans to concentrate on golf course management rather than direct investment.

The latest setback comes hot on the heels of other blunders in the past year that have damaged the firm’s credibility.

The company became embroiled in a scandal when it recently emerged that it owed the CNN television network Bt140 billion for a television advertising campaign.

The company’s budget spending has been probed, and Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Juthamas Siriwan is also the subject of a related probe that will take another two months to complete.

The firm has lost six directors in the past year, making it impossible to hold board meetings with the remaining five directors.

The government’s ambitious Elite Card scheme has encountered numerous stumbling blocks, resulting in heavy financial losses and internal management conflicts.

A 620-rai site in Chiang Mai and a 480-rai plot in Hua Hin were selected to be transformed into golf courses, scheduled for completion by the end of next year. The company also signed contracts with the Royal Thai Army to invest Bt1 billion in golf course developments on two Army-owned estates.

Three additional sites in Bangkok, Phuket and Ranong are owned by the Army, the Navy and Treasury Department, respectively. The combined investment for the three courses was estimated at Bt1.25 billion. However, the projects were scrapped when six board members resigned en masse.

The company has so far sold only 303 membership cards for Bt1 million each, which promise hotel, spa, restaurant, golf course privileges and other benefits.

Choksiri said the company is now going into golf course management, rather than investment and will cooperate with private golf course operators to provide services to its card members.

Meanwhile, company executives held a meeting yesterday to discuss plans for next year.

TAT deputy governor Santichai Euechongprasit said the Thailand Elite Card should be able to garner more members in the future. However, the company needs to recruit new directors first, a process that will take about two weeks.

Sources said the company’s board might be joined by Suthep Seubsantiwong, senior executive of Thai Airways International, Saksith Krairiskh, permanent secretary of the Sports and Tourism Ministry, and Pornsiri Manoharn, deputy governor of the TAT.

After the appointment of Choksiri Rodboonpha as managing director earlier this year, the company branched into golf course development in an effort to make Elite Card membership more attractive.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation

Elite Card board calls debt-crisis meeting

Published on Sep 22, 2004

Thailand Privilege Card Co’s board will convene today to tackle Thailand Elite Card’s massive debt problems, which are putting the project at risk.

The agenda will be how the company will pay a Bt149-million debt to Cable News Network (CNN) which is responsible for world-wide advertisement of the card project through the network and two sister international publications – Time and Fortune magazines.

According to Thailand Privilege Card Co president Choksiri Rodboonpha, the board will also discuss 20 other spending items, though he declined to specify the firm’s total liabilities.

“We really want to clear things up, but in doing so, we have to listen to a number of agencies involved with the company,” Choksiri said.

Finance Ministry permanent secretary Somchainuk Engtrakul will chair the meeting and representatives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways International will attend.

Thailand Privilege Card is responsible for marketing the Thailand Elite Card – the world’s first country-membership club for “friends” of Thailand. Members are entitled to benefits and privileges throughout the Kingdom, but some of these privileges have been rescinded.

The company was originally expected to sell 100,000 cards at a Bt1 million each, but so far, Choksiri said, it has found only 660 customers.

Despite financial problems, the project continues, and yesterday the company embarked on a market network expansion project, signing contracts to appoint representatives for Benelux, Russia and Germany, as the first step toward marketing in Europe.

The company appointed Intimex Holding Ltd, and Elite Card International Fund Management BOVI and Thai Elite CIS as country representatives in the Benelux countries and Russia.

The company also signed a memorandum of understanding with Intimex Holding Ltd, Penning CS to market the programme in Germany.

“Benelux is a gateway to Europe and the main target area [includes] the Netherlands and Belgium, while Russia is a very interesting market not only for Elite Card, but for general tourists,” Choksiri said.

He said the company planned to expand its network to other countries, such as the US and Britain. It has appointed marketing representatives in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Macao.

The company expects to secure 2,000 to 3,000 members in each of the countries during the next two to three years, he said.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation

Had to Laugh, Farangs getting looked after, I don't see it some how do you ?

http://203.150.224.53/page.news.php3?clid=...ess=1&id=121159

TOURIST SCAMS: Govt gets tough on rip-off merchants

Published on Sep 20, 2004

OCPB plans crackdown after Belgian pays Bt40,000 for fake cashmere suit

The Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) is threatening to take action against gangsters who rip off foreign tourists following the latest complaint from the Belgian embassy that a Belgian tourist was duped into paying between Bt40,000 and Bt50,000 for fake cashmere

suits.

It’s fraud, and it damages our country’s image. Offenders will face both civil and criminal action,” an OCPB official said yesterday.

The official revealed that many jewellery shops caught overcharging tourists have become tailor shops instead and continue their rip-off schemes. Some place advertisements in Kinnaree, the domestic in-flight magazine of Thai Airways, he added.

They pay a 5-per-cent commission to tuk tuk drivers who bring in tourists looking for suits. They’ll quote Bt7,000 for four suits at first, but finally charge as much as Bt50,000,” he said.

He said the tourists get their suits only when they are about to leave the country and have almost no time to inspect them.

Even if they try them on and they don’t fit, the shops won’t offer to remake them or refund the money,” the official said.

He said the OCPB normally takes immediate action upon receiving tourist complaints, knowing that the victims have a limited time in country.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop yesterday established a committee to crack down on individuals or gangs detrimental to Thailand’s tourism.

Pol General Noppadol Som-boonsap, former head of the Department of Special Investi-gations, was appointed committee chairman. Senior officials from relevant agencies, such as the Metropolitan Police, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Immigration Bureau and Customs and Revenue departments, also sit on the committee.

We will protect the tourists,” Noppadol said.

TAT Governor Juthamas Siriwan, who also sits on the

committee, said the move would expedite interagency coordination in a bid to help tourists more efficiently.

She said the TAT does not have a mandate to enforce the law, and when it requests assistance from other agencies, sometimes there is no response.

พ่อบุญธรรมสามารถรักลูกเลี้ยงเหมือนลูกตนเอง

Anyone got any ideas where to buy a SOIL TESTER in BKK want to test PH level of ground in a village in Korat ?

On the subject of fruit & veg.

Has anyone had any success in growing potatoes in the hotter climate ?

I bought some small spuds over from the UK and have managed to get them to grow (well the plant anyway.) Planted them in a barrel about 5 weeks ago and now the plant is about 30 cm - 1 ft high. Dont know if they will make any tuba's because of the heat. Will be interesting to see if they flower, NO FLOWERS NO SPUDS.

Can a Thai reader please check my sig, make sure I have got it right . thanks very much.