virtualtraveller

Given number of American here riding bikes, 3 per month isn't exceptional.The number of Thais would be far higher, even per 1,000. I've been riding a bike for 10 years in Chiang Mai, I've never had any accidents, even close shaves are negligible, I always where a helmet, always pay attention, never ride more than 70km usually.

IN the post 9/11 era 'terrorism' is used very loosely and one mention of it and you're sure to get the sympathy of CNN and BBC. Neither the siege of an airport or a commercial district is acceptable. There are plenty of perfectly practical places to protest. The main planners of both were pretty aggressive, the Reds had a tendency to terrorise the public, but the PAD weren't innocent hand clappers either. Important thing is that both lots be put on trial simultaneously and their cases proceed without delay and that any amnesty is only granted AFTER the trial is concluded. Try them on the damages done and abuse of protest privilege, mentioning 'terrorism' is simply politically motivated nonsense. That way we can be sure future events like this don't happen again.

Voters in the Northeast do not care if a party is well structured or poorly organised and controlled by people outside the executive board. "Personnel" and "culture" don't matter much to them, either. The poor think differently, or at least they do not see the Democrats' problems the way the others seem them.

This says it all really. It's the voter mentality that needs reform. Dems are doing fine they just need to outlive the current era of populism and it will die, once Thaksin has been removed permanently.

You don't get it. It's supposed to have loopholes for corruption, that's the whole point, otherwise why bother.

Gotta love their sense of humour, these Thais! It's a good idea, set up a facebook too for reporting foreigners who; bribe officials, cheat their tax, buy votes, inside trade on the stock market, drive their cars recklessly, make 'hit and runs', employ illegal immigrants and underpay them...

More proof that the Red mentality has little place in the future direction of this country. They are mostly all far too ignorant to be lending an opinion, and I say that not based on a stereotype of being uneducated but on what is actually said from the stage in support of their cause and actions.

You can never have enough cynicism when dealing with Peua Thai. Law makers can legislate away, but anything self serving should expect to be resisted. They may have been vested by the public to serve the country as the majority group in parliament but despite that, laws that are cynical and not likely to achieve any benefit other than for the law makers and their cronies will be resisted at every step, from the press, the opposition, the streets, other pressure groups, that's how democracy works, everyone gets involved, there are watchdogs, even for those who can sail things through parliament.

First publicised case I've heard of from DSI that doesn't seem politically motivated, or maybe it is? Montford is Thaksin's old school, it's full of crony wannabes. Friend of ours went to see them about admitting 6 year old and their first question was; so, how much are you going to donate as key money. Friend stop up and said, I'm looking for decent school, not a charity, and walked out.

A show down is looming between Peua Thai parliament and the CC, the courts have actually been fairly quiet in tolerating this farce of a govt. Me thinks sooner or later they are going to rule on something significant to take Thaksin down a few measures. Threatening courts is totally out of order, he did a measure of this in 2001 ahead of his assets case that eventually did the trick for him, but they won't let it happen this time. Trouble is, what exactly can Thaksin do, call his reds on to the streets to protest, but his lot are in govt. So then what? I'm guessing they are going to let the amnesty get passed then accept a petition on the 15 law and take it down on a technicality. Waste time and annoy Thaksin, force him to do something outrageous. If you're going to legislate the CC into irrelevance by controlling the gate keeper of course the CC are going to rule it invalid one way or another. Thaksin is a really tricky number, read his biography, as far as he is concerned a judiciary that isn't voted (indirectly) by the people is invalid and that is nonsense!

Not to mention the poor safety standards, but of course that's not their fault either, it's the municipality for failing to make inspections (probably due to backhanders!), usual shameless justice. When these things happens it's almost predictable.

Cambodians are tricky, the ICJ should not overlook this. Just look at their conduct in the past few years vis-à-vis the starting of border spats, the hosting of a fugitive criminal to stoke political tension, Hun Sen's remarks about Abhisit, and of course let's not forget the burning down of the Thai embassy in 2003.

He will get his amnesty in the end, one way or the other, and doesn't give a damn if the govt does survive. My guess, keep banging away with multiple attempts to get an amnesty bill through, by the time it's all signed and sealed Yingluck will be into her third year, when the protestors hit the streets she will dissolve the house, call and election and win again. The protestors will end up going home, there will be no govt to take out their anger on. Personally, I think the 'invisible' hand is probably going along with an amnesty in order to get Thaksin home. That way it will be easier to set their telescopic sights on him. (that's code for....)

Yes, but what's the country's stance on amnesty? All those who did nothing wrong, didn't instigate, didn't abuse the law to achieve their political ends, all those who want to see justice served so tat it doesn't happen again.

This lady's NOT for changing.

Slap in the face for Thammasat! Thailand' best ranking university doesn't even rank in the top 350 worldwide. Also noted that no Arabic Universities, bar 1, were in the top 50, and no Southeast Asian countries other than Singapore and Thailand.

Yar, we've laid on the Beijing smog especially for them

The whole idea of this complex, to my mind, is to show North Korea that capitalism has benefits. How significant the foreign revenue is and the change of prosperity to the 50,000 workers is unclear but it's certainly a blow to the strategy to gently persuade the North's leaders that opening up will help them. Obviously a wasted effort no doubt heavily subsidised by the South Korean govt. Regrettable.

Following same pattern that lead to the coup, a party blithely following one very determined man who is unwilling to listen to anyone else that gets in his way for total dominance. So he pushes his luck, gets away with it once, gets bolder, pushes his luck some more, suddenly there's a political accident. And then he throws his toys and points to the spoil sport opposition and blames it all on people thwarting democracy. Sometimes the Shinwatras are their own worst enemies, they don't know when to stop pushing their luck. I doubt this govt will see out its full term without something traumatic happening, the establishment have been suffering them patiently despite this govt being an utter farce.

Excellent idea, pity the results won't be out before next election!

Bit late, and what if I photograph all my neighbours burning piles of leaves, you're going to give me 500 baht reward but fat chance you'll arrest anyone! What are the chances of spotting someone deep in a forest setting fire. Such a moronic offer!