jamesbrock

5 hours ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

There's a few that will never admit to being duped and not really knowing what has been going on since the beginning. They are just too deep in now to get back out. 

 

I find it quite fascinating that educated Westerners actually believe that this junta is a better option for Thailand. 

 

Yesterday was the 40th anniversary of the Thammasat University massacre, and subsequent cover-up that has never been fully investigated. I didn't see a single article on here while it was extensively covered by BBC, Reuters and even CNN.

Mustn't upset the overlords. Why else must we not accurately describe Thailand's current system of government on the forum?

1 minute ago, Eligius said:

Sadly, there are still such people around. I've had rich Westerners tell me to my face that things are much better now in Thailand (for their business), and that democracy here in Thailand does not matter - it  is 'just a word'. What can one say?! The phrase, 'I'm all right, Jack', springs to mind.

 

Utterly disgusting!

They're almost as bad, in my books, as those posters who bleat "Thai-bashers!!!1!" whenever one dares criticise the government, military, police, elite, because their overtly corrupt incompetence isn't affecting them personally.

I'm not sure whether the NCB should be blamed or thanked?

• Malaysia, Thailand, China have biggest rise in household debt - http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/869869-thailand-malaysia-and-china-have-biggest-rise-in-household-debt/#comment-10064876
• Education staff sinking in debt seek a lifeline - http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/874024-thai-education-staff-sinking-in-debt-seek-a-lifeline/#comment-10124822

• Effect of rising debt on Gen Y worrying: Thai NCB - http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880271-effect-of-rising-debt-on-gen-y-worrying-thai-ncb/#comment-10215186

• Bangkok Bank's first-quarter profit drops nearly 12 pct as bad debt surges - http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/911392-bangkok-banks-first-quarter-profit-drops-nearly-12-pct-as-bad-debt-surges/#comment-10656364

• Debt fills Thailand's rice bowl - http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904385-debt-fills-thailands-rice-bowl/#comment-10548998

• Report spotlights effects of Thailand’s rising household debt - http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/946022-report-spotlights-effects-of-thailand’s-rising-household-debt/#comment-11198693

• Household debts jump to the highest level in nine years - http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/943113-thailands-household-debts-jump-to-the-highest-level-in-nine-years/#comment-11151644

Sure, if one is a property developer, or receives money from property developers and development, it's not a good thing, but if your business model is built around driving people already crushed with debt further into the ground, then I have no sympathy for you.

17 minutes ago, NongKhaiKid said:

Coming from the PM's Office that really is rich.

These people are most certainly living in their own little world.

You see, he is urging executives to work with transparency, not ministers who—as the overfed defence minister is currently demonstrating—can continue to rort, lie and obfuscate to their black hearts' content.

18 minutes ago, gdgbb said:

The word you are looking for to describe my reaction to many bizarre posts, criticisms and questions is "accurate".  

Accurate in your own opinion only. I bet you're a hoot at parties.

18 minutes ago, gdgbb said:

If you care to take the time to re-read what I said you will see that I did not specifically refer to your post as derisive

"just an accurate observation in response to typical Thaivisa posters unjustified derision" sure looks like you specifically referred to my post as derisive!

21 minutes ago, gdgbb said:

I really don't care whether you approve of my posts or not.

If you care to take the time to re-read what I said you will see that I did not specifically approve nor disapprove of your post, just made an accurate observation of your hypocrisy.

31 minutes ago, gdgbb said:

No, not unnecessary vitriol, just an accurate observation in response to typical Thaivisa posters unjustified derision.

"Derision"?? Can you point out exactly which part of my curious question was derisive?

38 minutes ago, gdgbb said:

"'He can do whatever he likes with it'". 

No one said it was a good idea.

35 minutes ago, gdgbb said:

No, not unnecessary vitriol, just an accurate observation in response to typical Thaivisa posters unjustified derision.

27 minutes ago, gdgbb said:

Since when does the subcontinent called Arabia have an Ambassador?

20 minutes ago, gdgbb said:

Not that familiar with Thai businesses, are you?  Cheques are widely accepted, and given, here as are interbank transfers.

9 minutes ago, gdgbb said:

A yarn with no witnesses?  His wife, the bank he withdrew the cash from and the bank that he used to change the 1000s could probably verify his story as could the evidence of the smashed window, as could the CCTV coverage of his being followed.   Are robbery victims not allowed to wear caps?

 

And, yes, you're last question is just as fatuous as all the other variations of it posted so far, what has the reason for his wanting smaller notes got to do with anyone else?

3 minutes ago, gdgbb said:

You've lost it, with a flicker of dimness.  One thousand 100 baht notes is 100,000 baht oddly enough.

1 minute ago, gdgbb said:

With nothing indicating otherwise the only rational and reasonable assumption is that the money was his.

For someone who's accused others of being an "over-critical Thaivisa poster" you sure are one overly-critical ThaiVisa poster!

Look out folks, someone's called the post-police - must not exercise curiosity, sarcasm or any other forms of mirth. 

Yet another 'do as I say, not as I do' edict by the junta...

35 minutes ago, webfact said:

The Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) is closely monitoring the situation in the flood-prone district of Don Mueang as run-off from the upper provinces is on its way to the capital city. 

OMG!! Who would ever have predicted this???

It must have come as a massive shock for the powers that be! No wonder they're so utterly unprepared.

30 minutes ago, Wilsonandson said:

Found this on the interweb :-
http://www.thaiday.com/Entertainment/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9590000100401

Interesting !!!

hahahahahaha good score! 

20 minutes ago, webfact said:

Passengers who travel in the same vehicle as a driver who is found to be under the influence of alcohol could also be charged with offences related to drunk driving, if new proposals get the go ahead.

"Could" is the operative term here. For the passenger to be charged the RTP would have to actually get out of their checkpoints, pull over erratic or even random vehicles, properly test the driver and passenger, and do all this without requesting or accepting a bribe to turn a blind eye.... In other words...

21 minutes ago, gdgbb said:

Because it's his money and he can do whatever he likes with it without having to justify it to anyone, let alone an over-critical Thaivisa poster.

Over-critical, or curious - it's seems they both deserve your unnesecary vitriol. 

9 minutes ago, baboon said:

Not a businessman. Over to Wikipedia:

 

After the 2006 Thai coup d'état, Prayut was appointed to the National Legislative Assembly. In this capacity, he joined the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. Prayut sits on the executive boards of a number of companies including a state electricity utility company, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA). From 2007 to 2010 he was independent director at Thai Oil Public Co, Ltd. Since 7 October 2010 he has been a director of Thai Military Bank[20] and chairman of the Army United Football Club.

Hahaha, good one.

For military officers—who aren't businessmen—sitting on executive boards of state enterprises is just one of the many avenues for self-enrichment.

6 minutes ago, halloween said:

Why does anyone need 1,000 hundred baht notes?

Why wouldn't a person who needed 1,000 hundred baht notes just withdraw that denomination from the bank in the first place, instead of withdrawing thousands from one bank and changing to hundreds at another?

13 minutes ago, webfact said:

They are believed to be Arab nationals.

16 minutes ago, NongKhaiKid said:

Right on cue the official looking passenger list that made its way into the public domain has been delared false and the proper list has to be withheld as a matter of security.

Where's the need for security now ? The trip's now a badly kept secret and embarrassing because of the expense and the ridiculous statements made by junta members and THAI airways to insist all was above board.

The only security I can see is the need for the passenger list to be kept secret because of the names on it, names of those for whom there'd be little or no justification for them making the trip.

Apart from the total arrogance of using public money as their own there's the absolute disdain for the public in believing everything they say MUST be accepted without question.

Well said. It reminds me of his "I don't know. I don't remember, I am not a businessman. Please don't ask me about this" line after being asked about his 600,000,000 baht land sale. 

For someone who's stated reason for the coup was to tackle corruption, his constant whitewashing of the junta's constant scandals reeks to high heaven.

55 minutes ago, webfact said:

NACC denies claims of bias against Pheu Thai

Once again, officials denying the glaringly obvious...

Quote

Among cases still pending against [Yingluck] are those of alleged mismanagement during the massive 2011 floods...

So is the current PM going to be held accountable for the mismanagement of this year's floods?

Quote

...the controversy adds to a growing current of public dissatisfaction and frustration against Prayut and the National Council for Peace and Order. Faith in their authority is being undermined by actions within the government, which could have serious repercussions for the road ahead.

And they couldn't care less, because they answer to a higher authority.

Two questions spring to mind:

1. They need to be told to do this?
2. They're being told to do this now?

3 minutes ago, tbthailand said:

The military is a giant money-factory for the generals.... nothing more.

Or, as one banned writer, stated,

Quote

The second purpose of the Thai military is to satisfy the sheer greed of the officer corps. Even when not in political power, the military provides rich and corrupt pickings for those in the top ranks. Corruption from weapons purchases, excess state funds for military activities and the chance to sit on the executive boards of state enterprises, all go to lining their pockets. Add to this the illegal trade in narcotics, human trafficking and other mafia type activities. And when they are in political power like now, the opportunities for enrichment are unlimited.

 

The effect of this nasty parasitic organisation is to act as a barrier to political progress and to divert important resources from the health, education and general well-being of most citizens.

Heroes. 

I wonder if he remembers insisting "the water situation in the Central Plains was not worrying," after a cabinet meeting on Aug 16, promising that flood water flowing from the North would not overflow downstream provinces in the Central Plains...

1 hour ago, webfact said:

In addition, over half the members of the selection committee were private professionals with no experience in academic management and posed irrelevant questions to the candidates. 

I'm sure the government, which all the members were career soldiers with no experience in government management and posed irrelevant answers to journalists, can see absolutely nothing wrong with this...

20.95 million baht for 38 people for 3 days = 183,772 baht per person per day.

In May, Prayuth spent 16.2 million baht to take 40 people to St Petersburg for 4 days = 101,250 baht per person per day

In 2013, Yingluck spent 21.8 million baht to take 81 people to Switzerland, Italy, and Montenegro for 7 days = 38,448 baht per person per day. Pfft. Amateur.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The Thai government "does not prohibit the expression of personal opinions on the political situation in Thailand,”

Looking forward to the time ThaiVisa joins the government in this new era of openness.   

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The prime minister wanted the public to receive correct information on flooding caused by water discharged either  from dams or from water diverted to their farmlands so that more compensation could be given to them to relieve the trouble.

 

The prime minister said he has ordered authorities concerned to urgently clarify the public to understand that the flood was caused by the heavy downpour.

Wait, does he want the public to receive the correct information on flooding caused by water discharged either from dams or from water diverted to their farmlands or be told that the flood was caused by the heavy downpour?