hellodolly

To the families who have lost their children my heart goes out to you.

I lost my son 26 years ago and still feel the lose.

I may not feel the lose the same as you but I have felt the pain the same as you.

It is not a crippling feeling now just a sense of what might have been.

It just increases my joy in his brothers.

Very sad. One thing The Nation will not focus on: the funeral yesterday of the second police officer to die in the Phan Fag Bridge incident. It is reported in the Bangkok Post. 28 years old, finishing a degree , didn't take sides in the conflict but according to his wife , just wanted to do his duty. Leaves a 4 year old son, Atom, who is said to be confused about the loss of his Dad. Also very sad.

Sad true.. but can't compare to what (in my opinion) was a terrorist attack in trad done by the reds. Pickups driving to a peaceful protest throwing in grenades and spraying the protesters with heavy automatic weapons.

And supported by some red leaders (fact)

The police officer was there in a line of duty and trying to evict protesters.

Both sad but of a different scale.

completely agree with your comments, but remember Prbkk has an red agenda which is his prerogative, however I also agree with his comment re the police officer who died and shouldn't be forgotten, especially the reason why he was there, which was solely at the behest of his useless boss and his handler.

It is indeed sad that he died and left a child with out a father?

I guess now we will get another heart felt announcement of condolences for the senseless killing of the latest child from Yingluck on her Facebook.

That is the kind of people that are the cause of the many deaths and injuries in this confrontation. Heartless money and power seeking people with no remorse what so ever.

The only fact here is

That a group of violent thugs are causing trouble and death to innocents in BKK

The protestors are saying it the government and the government are saying it the protestors wanting a Coup

My Thai wife has said to me on many times that Taskin knows he can not win so will do anything to make sure that his followers are the innocent party

A coup would give them the proof they when thrown out by a military force and give them evidence they need to show the world this was undemocratic

The protestors want the government to loose because they corrupt they want the army only to help safety, this is no win if there is a coup

That would be winning by default and that is not a win

This is not about winning and becoming the next Government

This is about for once and for all, cutting the ropes that hold Thailand in to the corrupt past and start a new Thailand

This can not be achieved by a Coup

It can only be achieved if the corrupt are stopped from closing all the books so no one can see the truth

As this is her country I guess this is what really matters

My only question is why are there so many farang who do not want the Thai people to see the books and have them audited

to have a new start for Thailand the financial books must be made available for accountability before any reform can take place

If Yingluck is innocent let her face the people

I would like to see 10 people chosen from both sides

and a public debate on TV where both side must answer the questions from the people

Very well said.

I to have wondered

My only question is why are there so many farang who do not want the Thai people to see the books and have them audited

to have a new start for Thailand the financial books must be made available for accountability before any reform can take place

I am not going to accuse any one and people may draw their own conclusions. But i would bet those are people against exposing the whole sordid affair are people with a work permit.

The Nation can take their "stoppage time" opinions and shove them up their a**. Its getting extremely tedious listening to their obfuscation and one sided reporting from their journalists.

Leave Thai Visa then.

Read the Bangkok post.

Thai Visa has no other real source of articles. Occasional they will find one but for the most part they subscribe to the Nation.

I get the Bangkok post headlines on my hotmail about 5 times a day. Believe it or not there has been more people murdered by terrorists in the southern provinces in the last three months than by Government supporters against the

anti government supporters. Do we hear about that on Thai Visa from the Nation?

Haven't got through all the articles here on Thai Visa but I know Yingluck Chalerm and others are going to be charged with murder by relatives of the deceased. Rightly so.

another silly article from the elite mouthpiece

same pattern as in many other countries only difference in Thailand is that the mob is struggling AGAINST democracy whereas in every other country they fight FOR democracy TIT

the people will win through in the end but it's a long paradigm shift *sigh*

expect the elite to whine and struggle as it clings to power - the one clever thing they have done is convince some Thais and many TVF posters is that THEY (the un-democrats) are for democratic change, against corruption and want reform

clever that!!! but you can't fool all the people all of the time etc. and that is their problem (NO agenda, NO ideas, NO roadmap, NO timeline, NO suggestions of WHO these unelected 'rulers' will be)

Well you can fool some of the people all of the time.

No suggestions who these unelected rulers will be is true. But it is not true that there is no time line. The time line mentioned was a year to a year and a half. Also it is said what their purpose would be.

Now there is a lot of unknowns in here. But I for one would rather see them tried out than the continuation of what we do have as a known.

Some times you have to just say enough is enough. I don't have the answer but what I do have is no longer acceptable and must be changed.

To say that Thailand has no people capable of doing the job is ridicules. To say that they must meet with my approval is also ridicules. There should be guide lines laid out as to who they are and one of the guide lines should be people willing to work for the good of all not just the good of a certain party which as has been pointed out a certain set of elite support. Each party has there own elite supporters as they have upper class middle class and the poor supporters. It is not my belief that all the elite have political goals that they are willing to fight for and cause death and destruction. That is a myth.

Yes there is one clan and we know who there core leader is and there reason for controlling the Government. They need want the money in the treasury to be in their pocket and that of there close friends.

We can easily see what will happen down the line if we look at some of the African countries. We do how ever have a chance to change that now.

The choice is clear no mystery let it continue to slide down hill or make an attempt at changing it.

Of course just my opinion.

On the one hand you can describe it as a battle between the old elites versus a new elites. On the other you can describe it as a battle between an old feudal system at the ballot box and a new determination for modern democratic principals of one independent-mind, one vote.

Is that one vote a freely given one or one paid for?

Mimi

Hello

15,000bht/ £300 ish seems a pretty good deal for an amputation operation. I've no idea what it would cost privately in UK or US but a good deal more I bet. Why does your husband feel it's a rip off? People travel from across the region and the Middle East, even the whole world, come to Thailand for the keenly priced and quality service private medical treatment here.

For a 3 days in a private room in SD and needed Caesarian for birth of my son, doctor and several nurses, clean and comfortable, good service, and it all cost 40k bht; which seems like a great deal to me. UK privately would have been £5to8000.

I pay thousands in UK taxes every year and don't receive any benefit or services. My wife would not have been able to go for the birth there anyway but despite the thousands in taxes we all must pay the NHS is still a lottery of poor standards, even though most of the staff are in on the cheap from 3rd world countries.

The NHS doctor did a good job stitching up my face after an 8hour wait bleeding in A&E on Christmas morning (after getting attatcked on my way home by some Somali street rats the night before; sure it's a real slide for west to come down to Thai social standards, what a joke, it's not just the cities but every small town is full of drunken fuelled violence every weekend, just the cities it's everyday, kids stabbing each other on the bus on the way to school, such a civilised wonderful place.

NHS Hammersmith did a good job delivering me, apparently things were a little bit better then. Huge increases in budgets/ spending since then but a worsening service? Can you tell me why in your ages of wisdom?

Spending figures here:

http://www.ukpublicspending.co.uk/numbers

Look at that; how much of all spending goes on pensions and NHS? Maybe a bit more on education might be a good idea? It's the kids that will be the ones paying off all the debts your generation have run up on "free" services and pensions for yourselves; (national debt over a trillion £s or so) ! Don't be bleeding "but I paid taxes all my life so fair enough" it doesn't cut it because the debt is so huge your taxes clearly didn't go anywhere near paying for all the services the past generations voted for and ?enjoyed? Seems like no one in the, / from the, west receiving all these "freebies" even appreciates how lucky they are. Everybody always moaning and so hard done by.

Look at the numbers; It's not the education or even defence budgets that are ballooning and bankrupting the nation, is it?! This is not youthful wisdom or ageist attacks, it's a cold hard look at the facts, the numbers.

In my view cutting taxes and benefits and encourage people to work and take care of themselves would be beneficial economically, socially and culturally as well.

.

Since you asked- When I say emergency & bare bones as what should be covered and what will be left after inflation and other needed cuts take effect over the next few decades to bring down our western debts; I expect basics like A&E treatment, child birth- although maybe this could/ should have some contribution aspect, like eye tests, glasses, false teeth, new hips, tests, x-rays etc etc etc, only vaccinations and disease control should be free and mandatory.

------

In conclusion I say Thailand would do well to avoid the populist path and the mistakes the west made of spending wildly beyond means. Better if they can grow and increase development sustainably while keeping the cost of living down.

-----

A bit of opinion and some interesting charts for you here:

http://flipchartfairytales.wordpress.com/2013/08/12/can-the-nhs-survive/

Well I don't come from England and am not sure what all that has to do with the Thai government stopping the health care plan for foreigners who come from the western countries.

How ever I was talking with a friend yesterday and she said she had a friend in a motor bike accidence that was fully covered by the insurance she had bought at Nakornping Hospital. I had seen her friend Saturday so the accident must have been on Sunday or Monday. I asked if she was sure that her friend had not gone to Hong Dang and she said yes she was sure she had gone to Nakornping Hospital.

I think it is as the moderator said it takes a while fo0r all the government to understand what they are supposed to be doing. Kind of like the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.

I think Suthep the butcher actually enjoys seeing division, chaos and people die.

Any leader with any brains and sense of maturity and responsibility would have been at the negotiating table weeks ago.

Well, he said he admires the popcorn shooters that shoot at civilians. And he also said he "enjoys their work".

In other words, he admires killers and enjoys murder.

I believe that your employers are not adverse to a spot of baby killing, arson and intimidation. The Red Thug gathering with fat boy Jatuporn, and The Wicked Witch of The East Thilda was a good example of that. No need to go back in time, but your Red lot don't have a good history when it comes to the rule of law and democracy.

If you have a year to spare I think you could get them to understand it. Not sure maybe two years.

Yingluck will no longer be caretaker on 3rd March.

I think that is when negotiations start.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

She may be dense but eventually the message gets through to her that their will be no negotiations. Suthep wants her and the rest of her clan gone. Then I am sure he would be willing to talk with any one.

Then Thailand can move into the future with there head held high. If she wasn't good looking she would probably not be in office today.

I see the supporters of corruption are out in force here. Talking about a legally elected government and what not. I have often wondered why a foreigner would come to a foreign country and openly support corruption. I bet most of them are working here.

Would there be a chance for the people who talk about a legally elected government to point out in the law where vote buying is legal and mishandling of ballots along with village head men standing there to make sure you vote the way they tell you.

Just a little thing should be no problem for you legal beagals who are on and on and on and on and on about a legally elected government. Won't even get into the rice scam or the missing money for Water Management the mishandling of the floods. The lack of cheap useless pads that were promised. Lets not talk about all the time the government wasted trying to white wash a criminal just because he was paying them big money and calling into the cabinet meetings to give them instructions.

Lets not talk about that just where does it say that elections are legal the way they are run.

Protest Leader? He's not the protest leader, he's the front for his bosses.

And one who clearly doesn't care how many innocents die as long as he gets his way.

Actually who pissed on your cereal. Five years a relative quite member and all of a sudden the Thai grass roots people step forth and say they want an end to corruption and you become a posting tiger defending the corrupter's.

Everyone syas they know who the mastermind is that is doing this. Well I say where is your proof. SHOW ME!!!!!!

Don't worry, our head CMPO Pol. Captain Chalerm knows all and will tell soon, really soon now. Someone suggested maybe in an all revealing press conference on the 29th this month.

Well murder charges are being brought against him so it might be from behind bars. I wonder if his son can fix this for him?

Whoopee do! A landslide minority.

The first female PM to be elected PM of Thailand with a landslide minority.

Get the facts right.

Can't see what facts he got wrong there? It was a plurality btw.

265 seats compared to 159 over their only plausible rivals...hmmm.

Fun fact: most people besides 'democrat' party supporters or anti-Thakins called it a landslide.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2011/07/20117403417753927.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/04/world/asia/04thailand.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

http://news.yahoo.com/thaksin-party-wins-landslide-thai-election-victory-193908245.html

http://metro.co.uk/2011/07/03/thai-general-election-results-in-landslide-victory-for-shinawatra-party-63752/

http://thediplomat.com/2011/07/a-new-era-for-thailand/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14009184

http://www.aseanipa.org/index.php/members/thailand1/561-general-introduction?limitstart=0/

The attitude of "The whole world is wrong except for me" springs to mind.

Care to tell us how they reported that 52% of the voters didn't want her.

If you are going to post nonsense know what you are talking about.

What?

You do understand the simplicity of the fact that a vote not for PTP does not equal a vote against them, don't you? People vote for, not against.

Care to show me any article that reported that 52% of the voters decided that they particularly didn't want her, rather than how they just voted for different parties? I mean I know you wouldn't be foolishly suggesting that every other party in Thailand is anti-Yingluck/PTP. I'll even take the nation as a source btw.

I'll leave your second sentence for yourself to have a think about.

If they wanted PTP they would have voted for them.

Simple

Care to show me where 48% wanted Yingluck? A vote for PTP was a vote for Thaksin in the mind of many of you poor red shirts.

Care to show me where 48% is a vote for not against.

Who knows who is responsible...this could quite easily be a 'statement' from the private sector. Unsurprising that the police are able to do little....a combination of constraints by the courts and the bashing/interrogation they get from the buddhist monk, very difficult for them to function effectively

You know darn well who is doing it.

Steer it around to monks 'bashing and interrogating' when demonstrators and the whole CBD is under red violence???

Pathetic and disgraceful your poor arguments are reduced to deflected, broken shards of absolute rubbish.

You are being to nice.

Not to belittle any one but if you search through a pile of rubbish all you will find is rubbish.

very difficult for them to function effectively

Incredibly hard for a whole police department to function under the truth being told by a monk.

Who knows who is responsible...this could quite easily be a 'statement' from the private sector. Unsurprising that the police are able to do little....a combination of constraints by the courts and the bashing/interrogation they get from the buddhist monk, very difficult for them to function effectively

You have got to be joking. Normal laws are still in place & should be enforced. Shootings & bombings don't just come under emergency decree rules.

If you are a red shirt backed up by the government they do. You may shoot any one you wish and throw bombs at any one you wish.

Sound harsh well what has the police done about it. They are directly under the control of the government. The red shirts receive there pay from Thaksin . Thaksin thinks PTP does.

So far that is exactly how it has been working out. Not looking forward to it but it is a given that the red shirts will kill and injure more until the government can stop therm and let them out on bail to carry on.

Now who says the government does not need reform?

Bad news. Better to avoid the area altogether; though this is hard for those of us who have to conduct business around these key areas. If their opposition weren't hellbent on violence, at least we could get through an otherwise peaceful demonstration.

Thai news also stated the devices appeared to have been planted from outside the site. ** Hope the posts of how this was done by PDRC don't ensue. One can see the obvious connection between the escalation of more numerous attacks corresponding with the clear intentions of recent red rallies and leaders.

Also, they attempted to hit them democrat headquarters too on Setthasiri Rd... pretty frickin' obvious who is doing this....

OK Army: PTP and police are both useless and this will con't. Time to step in, toss them out and restart.

The red shirt scum knows nothing but violence. Three leaders two out of jail on bail and an ex communist leader.

Red shirts the party for Thaksin and his special friends. I see where today they beat the farmers into the site they were going to protest to try and shut them up. No Soap the farmers are smarter than the red shirts. They moved to another site.

Nice bunch of backers Yingluck has. For that alone she should be thrown out of office. But that is the kind of backing all dictators have.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

The headline references a "Poll failure"....What "poll failure"...States a thing as if it is fact...More accurately would be to reference it as "an attempted poll failure" at the present time by you-know-who.

The PTP/RS/UDD and the electoral majority whose votes the Elites are trying to both nullify with their coup-mongering on the streets of BKK, and now to obstruct by not completing the election and tabulating the results, are up against many elements of that Oligarchy, if you will.

The Elitist rooted elements posing as independent entities, be they this EC or their user-friendly judiciary, are arrayed against the electoral majority.

So for the PTP to threaten to take the EC to court is like asking one group of Opposition sympathizers to rule on another one.

Good luck with that.

If one thinks this is disrespectful of lily-white Independent Agencies and non-politicized courts, one isn't aware of the history of these things which have led the Voters to charge them as noted above.

Finish the blankety-blank election and count the ballots for heavens sake........Refusal by one political entity or another to avoid this by lofty sounding rationale trying not to sound political, doesn't fly...Everyone knows the game and the players....

With the exception of agenized beholden individuals, who desperately want to believe the non-politicization as noted, and try straight-facedly to convince others of it.

The electoral majority and electables, aren't buying it for one minute. They see it as nothing else but an electoral minority trying to muscle its' way into unelected governance, no different than 2006.

For crying out loud when are people going to learn. Thailand is a divided nation and no election under the present circumstances is going to bring it together.

The education system being what it is I can understand the red shirts believing that. How ever any one with a real education knows it will just continue if not intensify the situation. Reform is needed and not by a self serving clan. All levels of society must be let in on it.

Most nations are politically divided, just most respectable people accept that the vote of the people decides who is in office for periods of time.

Find me a reform commitee that won't serve one side more than the other and I'll find you a live dodo.

Not so many nations that are politically divided have problems similar to Thailand's and worse. Some of them have dictators who ruthlessly step on any opposition. You really should get out more.

Reread my7 post I said I did not know them but out of 66,000,000 people I am sure they could come up with them. Also they would perhaps have political leanings but be open minded enough to listen to other people. As it is in one ear and out the other. For most politicians.

that was then this is now. She is the caretaker PM she dissolved parliament. So she is no longer the rightful elected leader. Those elections are inconclusive, and may prove that she no longer has the peoples vote.

She is the only elected PM Thailand has, now as a care taker government does not take her landslide victory away, her victory really bruised some Democrat male egos with so much painful lost of face, losing to an intelligent female in a male dominated country!

Cheers

Whoopee do! A landslide minority.

The first female PM to be elected PM of Thailand with a landslide minority.

Get the facts right.

Can't see what facts he got wrong there? It was a plurality btw.

265 seats compared to 159 over their only plausible rivals...hmmm.

Fun fact: most people besides 'democrat' party supporters or anti-Thakins called it a landslide.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2011/07/20117403417753927.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/04/world/asia/04thailand.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

http://news.yahoo.com/thaksin-party-wins-landslide-thai-election-victory-193908245.html

http://metro.co.uk/2011/07/03/thai-general-election-results-in-landslide-victory-for-shinawatra-party-63752/

http://thediplomat.com/2011/07/a-new-era-for-thailand/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14009184

http://www.aseanipa.org/index.php/members/thailand1/561-general-introduction?limitstart=0/

The attitude of "The whole world is wrong except for me" springs to mind.

Care to tell us how they reported that 52% of the voters didn't want her.

If you are going to post nonsense know what you are talking about.

So Yingluck is posting *in english* on her facebook page addressing the protesters...?

First off, she should do it in Thai, not english... this is just a gimmick for the Foreign press.

Secondly she should do it face-to-face, not via her Facebook page...

Mind you, when she takes her instruction via Skype, its understandable why she might think Facebook is an acceptable communication media for Policy and Negotiations.

Thanks for pointing that out about posting in English. Also agree it was a cowardly way to do it should have been in front of a camera.

She said in her article

"She called the attacks terrorist attacks for political gains without any regard for human lives. The government will not tolerate terrorism and has ordered a full investigation by authorities to find the culprits and bring them to justice without exception.

I wonder if she has considered that the culprits are on her brothers payroll. He does seem to have a history of murder.

She said she would like to ask all sides of the political divide that “we may see things differently and there are many ways to express those differences. But the use of violence that lead to deaths are not the civilized way of the living. It is not the way of life of Thais who are naturally considerate and empathetic to fellow citizens, rather than resort to senseless killings. I would like to again call on all sides that it is best to use peaceful means to resolve the political conflict through the democratic process.”

I wonder how she sees stealing billions of baht OK most of us see it as thievery and the only way to solve it is lock up the guilty parties. Also she is overlooking the fact that her boss has an army of goons on hand to perform violence at a mere word from him.

I see where the last moment is rapidly approaching. When she posted her spineless spiel she was probably unaware that relatives of some of the slain people were bringing murder charges against her and others. They got the idea from the PTP when they charged Abhist and Suthep. I can just see the new revised amnesty bill after the 180 days are up. Her name will be on it also.

The question is will she be in Thailand or posting on Facebook from Dubai? Seems to run in the family.

Facebook? What percentage of the Thai population look at Yingluk's facebook page each day, or any day for that matter? Is television address out of fashion?

Errr, the internet media is nothing new to politics for Thai's or other western politicians, get off your high horse mate.

Yes there should be a TV address also.

Did you fined anything she said that you disagree with? or you support her comments?

BTW, I guess you haven't seen on facebook the Photoshop work of YL's son with bullet holes in his head? Disgusting....

You are correct the internet is nothing new to Thai politics. I just wonder if even half the people that would be 33,000,000 people have one. and out of the ones that do how many really follow face book other than kids on a regular basis. I have been in villages where they don't even have a TV.

Irregardless even if every single Thai had a computer and religiously followed face book it would be a crude and heartless thing to use it rather than stand in front of a camera with out a prewritten speech and tell the people how she really feels about it.

I know I know Thaksin wouldn't allow it.

UDD, PDRC, Suthep, Thaksin, Monks, Police, Army ... old uncle Tom Cobley and all. What we all seem to be forgetting is there is a democratic process here in Thailand and the Government is trying to follow that process but there is opposition to it because Suthep and the cronies that are his money-backers won't allow that to happen because they know what the outcome will be. Thaksin pulling the strings ... maybe (there is no evidence of that) but the fact that the guy still musters so much support is surely an indication of that fact that he was doing something right (I am not a supporter of either camps btw). At the end of the day elections are held to see who can muster most support for a new Government ... PT has demonstrated they can. I think someone said in this thread the people of Thailand just want to get on with their daily lives ... I echo that so let the democratic wheels churn on and let's get back to some sort of equalibrium shall we please.

I don't know who you were in your last incarnation but I am sure that you know the truth. The people of Thailand were the ones who started this current situation by their dislike of the Democratic system of thievery going on at the National level. They were just grass roots people who had remained silent long enough and started to voice their dislike of the thieving being done.

Not sure if you are just a new comer to Thailand or a recycled TV user but you now know who started this. It was not Suthep he came along later and then some businesses that appreciate Thailand and want the best for it followed him.

If you are a new comer to Thailand stay out of red shirt bars. They are completely clueless as to the reality of what the government is doing.

Thailand is unique they have a large part of the population calling for reform and they have no canadates to run for the government. They just want to see it made honest. As I said they were just grass roots people who actually work for a living coming together with money out of their own pocket and saying enough is enough. to date it would seem they don't care what party it is just that it be an honest one. The charges against Thaksin and the conviction go to show his influence is not honorable and as long as he and his stooges are in power Thailand will continue to slide down hill. Remove them and you will have a party acceptable to Thailand.

What a shameless attempt to divert the argument.

It's not diverting the argument. Shannon suggested he supports murder? Where is Suthep supporting murder?

One could argue that he was doing that when he signed the orders authorising the use of live ammunition, the ROE and authorized the use of snipers in 2010, but I wouldn't want to divert the post like you......

Since when is defending Thailand from a coup a crime?

That has nothing to do with being anti-democrat. It has something to do with the fact that most politicians in Thailand became politicians to serve their own needs and fill their pockets, not to serve the people. These politicians would have been banned from being elected in most "civilised" countries, and although politicians in other parts of the world don't stand up to too much scrutiny either, most of those in Thailand have shown a stunning disregard for the well-being of the nation and its citizens.

While I don't think Suthep's ideas would work, I have no problem understanding the frustrations of his followers. The only way out of this is to develop the country in a way that increases the awareness of the people and their possibilities to make their own choices. That is happening already, although slowly, and the slow speed will continue as long as Thai politicians continue to throw money and resources out of the window, and as long as the education system isn't reformed. It's an interesting paradox that many of those protesting in Bangkok under Suthep's leadership are children of farmers in the provinces, children who managed to get an education, a well paid job in Bangkok and have become a part of the Bangkok middle class.

With a better education system, and better infrastructure nationwide, particularly in Isan, this effect will spread to provincial cities as well, increasing the standard of living for all, and most importantly: give people real choice and not just the option of receiving cash handouts from whoever is in charge of the country for the time being.

While I don't think Suthep's ideas would work,

Have you another idea that will help to solve the problem today or let it work it's self out over the next 20 30 years.

There will be a big problem setting up an intern government that is non political and bent only on fairly running the government while at the same time reforming it. But I for one believe Thailand has the people to do the job.

There of course would have to be a time limit for them to do the job and then call an election. One of the things and most important along with reforming the election process would be reforming the education process.

I agree that Thailand probably have the people to do the job, but most of them stay away from politics because they don't want to involve themselves in a system totally damaged by corruption, greed and incompetence. The biggest challenge is probably to find one uniting, unpolitical leader for such a process. What is very certain is that, as long as the current situation persists, any election will only lead back to square one: Whoever the winner is, the loser will take to the streets. This has been a recurring pattern for the last decade, and there's no indication whatsoever that the next election will break the rhythm.

You say that

"most of them stay away from politics because they don't want to involve themselves in a system totally damaged by corruption, greed and incompetence"

That may be and probably is true. How ever it will not take most of them to do the job. As for returning to the same nonsense system we have now. I think not that is what they would be coming together to make it so that Thailand does not get in this position again.

My idea would be that all sectors of society be represented. They would be people with an open mind willing to change their plans for the betterment of all. I have no idea who they are as I do not get out that much or understand legalese languages but I feel confident that there are enough people willing to help better Thailand to do the job. Not calling any one a Tyrant but I am quite sure there are PTP members as well as members from other parties who are qualified and would be willing to participate if there leaders would let them. Academics , big business , small business, legal ,labor, white collar all fields would be involved.

It goes with out saying that no matter how good their intentions are Yingluck, Abhist and Suthep would not be a part of it.

They couldn't make it any worse than it is. The present government has been a big help they have shown us some of the loop holes that need plugging up. So you see it is not like they were starting off blind.

Big dreams but small compared to the benefits.

A united Thailand with a rule of law that does not protect the wrong doer just because they have money or they know some one.

The seed of a real education system and a real law enforcement. The benefits would change Thailand and the way people feel about it. They could all be proud.

The one tough nut to crack and maybe they couldn't would be the southern provinces but they would surely be represented on the committee and a reasonable start made at it.

Edit

The one thing they could never do is teach me to spell or remember to check my spell checker.

I refused to buy a flower from a flower vendor. She called me a "Cheap Charlie". I called her a "Dirty Diana". It went straight over her head.

Is that like an Easy Ester?

Whatever.

I'd much rather be called a Cheap Charlie than a walking ATM.

Makes no difference what they call me. I am happy with my self and don't need their approval. That being said when I was growing up and working to get to my golden years I didn't care because it was what I had to do to get where I am now. I most assuredly am not a walking ATM machine all though I do have resources at hand that I can use if I so desire. Also I defiantly am not a Cheap Charlie most of the time.

When you get to be my age comfort counts more than saving for the future. Or impressing the Jones.

Clearly a notable distinction. "girlfriend for hire" with or without kids to also pay for.

Truly mind boggling the nonchalant attitudes about "compensated girlfriends"

Any thoughts about the gf's that like you because they simply like you, enjoy time together, without being on your payroll ??????

not in thailand when you are 50 plus.

Not true, a weak rationalization for being taken. Find one in her thirties, at least. They usually have a bit of maturity, not so into consumer overdosing, and can see the value of a decent guy. If you are not a decent guy, I would go with the one night stands option: cheaper by far, they don't get to know the full depth of your jerkishness, variety, etc. Do you need a woman 24/7? Physical disability or something?

I give my wife money every month. She was working full time and not making enough to be worth my while. I told her to quit and I would give her double plus as she was worth more to me being free to go any where at the drop of a hat. Money being there. She was working full time six days a week. It did not fit into my life style so I changed it. I do not pay her a ridicules amount but it takes care of her mother and helps with the other family members. None of my business what she does with it. In 8 years I have given her a raise three times and will do so again as costs are rising. If money is the basis of a relationship run.