MEL1

I like a lot of what CalgaryII says, I just don't understand any of his accent when he talks.

-mel.

TV reporter to sue a red shirt for intimidation

I'm not sure what the actual 'news' is supposed to be here.

Is it that the red-shirts have been collared for intimidation? And obviously not, according to;

"On Thursday, Dusit Police, in charge of the complaint, notified her of the prosecution decision to drop the case.

In the prosecution review, the alleged intimidation in question fell under Article 392 of the Criminal Code. Under the provision, an offence happens after the intimidating message has been conveyed to the victim.

But in this case, Pornthip circulated her message among "friends" on her contacts list and did not intend for the victim to read it. By chance Somjit came across the message which led her to idenify the sender Pornthip.

The discovery of the message can be construed as a preparation stage and not the actual act of intimidation as per Article 392, therefore there is no merit to try the case, the prosecution review said."

------------

Or is it the audacity that a red-shirt may actually be tried to be sued?

Never could it be that a red-shirt may be sued, surely? What's the actual meaning of this article, as I for sure can't grasp the message... - Somebody?

-mel.

"unveiling the 15-point strategy "

Seems like everybody in parliament could do with learning the "12 steps" first....

-mel.

And in a bid to replicate the enourmous success in the UK of organizing tourist tours around the Cadbury's Chocolate factory Thailand will be launching the pseudoephedrine Mystery tour, where tourists can guess the location of up to 10 million tablets used to bolster salaries of some Government officials.

Now that's funny!!!

-mel.

I don't think their 151 baht budget is going to get them very far.

Come on chaps? Give the guys a chance. Karma. Karma.

As Boy George said:

There's a love in your eyes all the way

If I listened to your lies, would you say?

I'm a man without conviction

I'm a man who doesn't know

How to sell a contradiction

You come and go

you come and go

Karma Karma Karma Karma Karma Chameleon

You come and go

You come and go

Loving would be easy

if your colours were like my dreams

Red, gold and green

Red, gold and green

---- he got he uniform correct.... as well as the sentiment.

-mel.

"Two Democrats, Korn Chatikavanij and Wiratana Kalayasiri, filed a complaint naming Yingluck, Thaksin's two children, Panthongtae and Pinthongta, and his brother-in-law Bannapot Damapong, as suspects for in a scam to cover up Thaksin's equity stakes in Shin Corp.

The complaint cited violations of the stock market law as well as Article 267 of the Criminal Code as the basis for the DSI investigation."

I wonder how much it costs to shut up the DSI investigators, who are now in control of drug and hospital admin abnormalities, police corruption, building and contract land investigation, and general Thai safety investigations in hotels and so forth?

Does anybody know the list of names that comprises this DSI team?

-mel.

Tell us about it,Share your info...may be someone in future would not suffer if you share

ok, I am a Hedge Fund manager but I don't need new clients

IF I said I currently have 1M baht to fund with you what would you do?

1. Transfer it via WU to Siam Paragon?

2, Invest it wisely, in somewhere you know?

Genuine Q.

-mel

Look at the way what looks like a metal pole has bent at the bottom. Sub-standard steel most like and as for the concrete poles, well probably not into the ground deep enough, and without enough concrete on a sloping footing next to what looks like a Klong. Marvelous bit of survey work by some unqualified twerp to allow them to be erected there.

Not metal poles but standard concrete with stel cable support who is the unqualified twerp now?

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

In essence, it's all bi-polar. That's TiT for us.

-mel.

Given that the new Toyota Hilux you buy in Australia is made in Thailand, and Australia has very strict vehicle safety standards, I am not sure what to make of MEL1's posts in this thread.

Exactly my though. Thailand doesn't design and engineer vehicles for Thailand, so all vehicles sold here have the same safety standards as the major markets. The difference is in the road conditions, the poor design of exit/entrances, the poor design of drainage, the poor design of traffic lights, the lack of laws regarding occupants in the rear of pickup trucks, the bad training drivers receive here. Just to name a few problems the contribute to the safety hazards on Thai roads.

Regarding the vehicles sheet metal being crumpled like paper, this isn't because they are using cheaper or thinner metal, it is by design. One reason is weight savings equates to fuel savings. The other reason is because new vehicles are designed to collapse during an impact to absorb the energy of the impact and mitigate transferring this energy to the passengers. In theory this will save the passengers, but of course if you are not wearing a seat belt your just going to be slammed into something hard or thrown out of the vehicle and impact something hard.

What?

To quote you, "The other reason is because new vehicles are designed to collapse during an impact to absorb the energy of the impact and mitigate transferring this energy to the passengers."

.

Let's get this everybody. Cars are now designed to dissipate load into the occupants...... well that's certainly news to me after 20 years at the top.

Vehicles are not designed to collapse. Let's get that straight for a start.

The longitudinal struts at the front and rear ends of chassis, upon impact, are designed to dissipate loads, prior to the buckets at the pillars, not the ruddy passengers.

Which boat did you get on? 'Cos if you didn't, I'd be booking a ticket right now with your knowledge!

-mel.

Maybe anyone wanting to learn about Thai politics first hand and also needing to do a visa run should sign-up for this package. Be sure to dress red.

I might go and wear yellow, but second thoughts... um... no.

Ever stood at the Kop end, wearing a Man U vest?

Me neither, cos we pis**d all over the git, and filled his wellies.

The reds wouldn't pi** on a yellow, they'd kill him.

-mel.

The Department of Special Investigation has dropped its investigation against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, charged for helping her brother Thaksin to conceal his true wealth, on the grounds for lack of cause to suspect a family member.

.

I'm going for a hair-cut. They might not recognise me...

-mel.

Chief Ombudsman Panit Nitithanprapas announced that for the past 12 years, nearly 25,000 cases out of over 26,000 reported to the Office have already been completed.

They would have collected a fortune ensuring that most of the 25,000 cases went nowhere.

I wonder who investigates complaints against the ombudsman.

Thai ombudsman plan B, of course!

-mel. (Yeah, I had a great dinner! )

What is the position of the Forestry Department?

I wonder how many posters on here have added to it through bribing police with cash in order to not be given a driving tickets....

Be honest please.

Soorreeee. I paid him only 150 baht, after he initially asked for 1600. I said I wanted to take my ticket to the station to pay the bill!

-mel.

And one sad day, looong ago, he used to pay for these adventures for his cronies...

And now look. UK Banks & Swiss Banks. amongst others, have frozen his balls..... it's heart breaking.

Wey hey! Let's party!

-mel.

"One resident was reported to be seriously injured and was identified as the owner of a dynamo repair shop,"

I wonder if he was generating interest in his local business?....

-mel.

Wow what a load of rubbish Thai Vehicles are made of inferior steel Just in case you have not been out of Thailand for 30 years You will see these vehicles all over the world including USA,UK,Europe Australia just to mention a few And you really think the Japanese would be allowed to export them No way.I think you will find that most deaths and injuries in Thailand are caused by not wearing seatbelts , high speed and lack of driving skills and not maintaining the vehicles properly nothing to do with the vehicles,Drive Safely....

Oh! I see! The Ford Mondeo and Fiesta are not manufactured in China? They are not made of substandard steels, where I have been and witnessed it?

Believe you me, Mondeo and Fiesta are manuf in China, sold in Asia purporting to meet the same crash standards of the original western design. The Chinese certainly copy and manufacture the same design...... but do you believe for one minute there is no cost cutting in material standards?

No matter driving skills and lack of seat-belt wearing, which I completely agree with you, the vehicles themselves are not crash-worthy as their specifics claim.

Do you get any of my drift?

-mel.

As for the Hilux, enjoy the shocking news: http://paultan.org/2...ck-crash-tests/

-mel.

I'm shocked. They didn't test it.

It gets the sane sort of fmvss ratings as the ranger?

The Ranger was tested. Why do you think the Hilux wasn't available for testing?

-mel.

I am going to give mel the benifiet as I do not think the trolls we see, would have put in the effort to enlighten others with this info, in a false manner. Thanks for the input and info/sources.

My only disappointment is, I was not surprised at 'mels' input.

Thank you! When it comes to matters of heart, and things I have a great deal of experience about, then I certainly spout out.

It's a shame it's just on passing comments on a website, and isn't presented to those who have real influence.

-mel.

It is sad, of course. But when is Thailand going to grow up regarding passenger and car safety.

I worked in the car industry for 20 years, as a chief designer and safety consultant.

I will advise that these Isuzu pick up trucks, we all know them, are incredibly unsafe in crash situations. The front cab, and rear stowage space are two separate entities, not linked in any structural format way, apart from being seated on a long chassis which will twist and crumple unaccordingly to any impact; front, rear or side impact, and the cab has no strengthening struts whatsoever.

The Toyota vans are made of inferior steels, as are the Isuzus, and have no chance of sustaining impact which pertains to console safety.

Added to that, and until these matters of construction are made illegal, when will Thai authorities realise that 264 people in the back of a truck is a huge safety issue? Would it be seen in the west? - NO WAY! You'd be stopped 100m down the road!

The manufacturers put a big 3.0Ltr engine in these fatal traps, and away you go - no problems..... so they think!

I saw a scrape in a garage, filling station, where at 5mph a Nissan was scraped by an Isuzu 4x4. The Nissan was untouched, but the Isuzu was crumpled to pieces all along one side. It made me shudder, as once the paperwork had been exchanged, 10 got into the Isuzu and off he went, like a cheetah chasing a gazelle.

Until Thailand realises that FMVSS and Euro-Ncap are standards for specific reasons, i.e. passenger safety, we will continue to read about these sad losses.

Thailand needs to create its own crash, safety, and occupant laws to reduce or eliminate such crashes as these. However, they just don't have the knowledge, nor seem to want it - as in most other areas of safety.

How sad!

-mel.

MEL1

Epic post! What are your thoughts on the safety of other trucks out here? Are there any that do match Euro safety standards? What of the Fortuna? I have always thought them safe, but then again until your post I thought a Toyota truck was safe. What is the safest 4x4 for a family out here? Really interested to get your advice thanks.

Take a little peak at the sources I deal with:

http://www.euroncap....r/2012/450.aspx

A Ford, compared to these results:

http://www.euroncap....tlaunchmobile=1

The D-Max.

I'd safely say go with a western brand, and I am only a designer and safety engineer..... not a salesman.

These results speak for themselves. The Ford Ranger is a 5* Euro Ncap car - meaning you as an occupant are fully covered, as best can be of course in all circumstances. against frontal, rear and side impact. Ford, and the likes, haven't been doing what they have been doing for years for nothing.

Isuzu became a buyer and controller of Thai Rung Union car, which was my first port of call to Thailand in the mid-90s, as they needed a decelleration expert when doors were flying open (they didn't know about door latch balance vs release handle G forces).

Thai Rung cars are incredibly unsafe, but with the joint venture with Japan had financial input to create Isuzu, safety regardless.

It's a long history, but based upon the Euro crash test results I have provided in my area of expertise I would hope that, and for the same price, persons would seriously consider investing in western designed vehicles, such as for a pick up the Ford Ranger - which will save you legs and chest in any comparable circumstance to an Isuzu or Toyota 4x4.

-mel.

The last Hilux tested by ancap gave it 4 stars and that was the 2005 model. What are you basing your Toyota comment on?

Ancap is Asian crash standard safety, it is in no comparison to FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard) nor EuroNcap (European New car Assessment program). Ancap creates its own laws, according to back handers from China and so on. I need say no further.

Of course the rules will be bent in Ancap, to accommodate production and incomes and positions for the politically bent, overseeing the real safety issues.

As for the Hilux, enjoy the shocking news: http://paultan.org/2008/02/29/shocking-euroncap-pick-up-truck-crash-tests/

You're in my area of expertise now, so keep'em flying. Asian vehicles are a safety disgrace, and you only have to see the OP to see the resultants.

-mel.

"If the allegations are proven to be true, then there must be a remedy to the state from the damages that are occurred from these unusual practices."

Yup, let the guys keep the tea-money and move them aside to quiet pastures, and open space for the next partakers.

-mel.

Given that the new Toyota Hilux you buy in Australia is made in Thailand, and Australia has very strict vehicle safety standards, I am not sure what to make of MEL1's posts in this thread.

Depends upon where it was crash tested, the model supplied, the level of materials in that particular vehicle and so on. It does go on that vehicles are not called off-line for testing, but initial prototypes are tested abroad to international standards. An offline car called for test will be modified, I've seen it done.

I have nothing to gain from this. I am simply giving you an inside view of what can, and does indeed, go on with regard to Asian manufactured vehicles.

-mel.

It is sad, of course. But when is Thailand going to grow up regarding passenger and car safety.

I worked in the car industry for 20 years, as a chief designer and safety consultant.

I will advise that these Isuzu pick up trucks, we all know them, are incredibly unsafe in crash situations. The front cab, and rear stowage space are two separate entities, not linked in any structural format way, apart from being seated on a long chassis which will twist and crumple unaccordingly to any impact; front, rear or side impact, and the cab has no strengthening struts whatsoever.

The Toyota vans are made of inferior steels, as are the Isuzus, and have no chance of sustaining impact which pertains to console safety.

Added to that, and until these matters of construction are made illegal, when will Thai authorities realise that 264 people in the back of a truck is a huge safety issue? Would it be seen in the west? - NO WAY! You'd be stopped 100m down the road!

The manufacturers put a big 3.0Ltr engine in these fatal traps, and away you go - no problems..... so they think!

I saw a scrape in a garage, filling station, where at 5mph a Nissan was scraped by an Isuzu 4x4. The Nissan was untouched, but the Isuzu was crumpled to pieces all along one side. It made me shudder, as once the paperwork had been exchanged, 10 got into the Isuzu and off he went, like a cheetah chasing a gazelle.

Until Thailand realises that FMVSS and Euro-Ncap are standards for specific reasons, i.e. passenger safety, we will continue to read about these sad losses.

Thailand needs to create its own crash, safety, and occupant laws to reduce or eliminate such crashes as these. However, they just don't have the knowledge, nor seem to want it - as in most other areas of safety.

How sad!

-mel.

MEL1

Epic post! What are your thoughts on the safety of other trucks out here? Are there any that do match Euro safety standards? What of the Fortuna? I have always thought them safe, but then again until your post I thought a Toyota truck was safe. What is the safest 4x4 for a family out here? Really interested to get your advice thanks.

Take a little peak at the sources I deal with:

http://www.euroncap.com/results/ford/ranger/2012/450.aspx

A Ford, compared to these results:

http://www.euroncap.com/results/isuzu/d-max/rodeo.aspx?class=b9daf426-e95a-43af-bea9-c5d2e7388aef&dontlaunchmobile=1

The D-Max.

I'd safely say go with a western brand, and I am only a designer and safety engineer..... not a salesman.

These results speak for themselves. The Ford Ranger is a 5* Euro Ncap car - meaning you as an occupant are fully covered, as best can be of course in all circumstances. against frontal, rear and side impact. Ford, and the likes, haven't been doing what they have been doing for years for nothing.

Isuzu became a buyer and controller of Thai Rung Union car, which was my first port of call to Thailand in the mid-90s, as they needed a decelleration expert when doors were flying open (they didn't know about door latch balance vs release handle G forces).

Thai Rung cars are incredibly unsafe, but with the joint venture with Japan had financial input to create Isuzu, safety regardless.

It's a long history, but based upon the Euro crash test results I have provided in my area of expertise I would hope that, and for the same price, persons would seriously consider investing in western designed vehicles, such as for a pick up the Ford Ranger - which will save you legs and chest in any comparable circumstance to an Isuzu or Toyota 4x4.

-mel.

It is sad, of course. But when is Thailand going to grow up regarding passenger and car safety.

I worked in the car industry for 20 years, as a chief designer and safety consultant.

I will advise that these Isuzu pick up trucks, we all know them, are incredibly unsafe in crash situations. The front cab, and rear stowage space are two separate entities, not linked in any structural format way, apart from being seated on a long chassis which will twist and crumple unaccordingly to any impact; front, rear or side impact, and the cab has no strengthening struts whatsoever.

The Toyota vans are made of inferior steels, as are the Isuzus, and have no chance of sustaining impact which pertains to console safety.

Added to that, and until these matters of construction are made illegal, when will Thai authorities realise that 264 people in the back of a truck is a huge safety issue? Would it be seen in the west? - NO WAY! You'd be stopped 100m down the road!

The manufacturers put a big 3.0Ltr engine in these fatal traps, and away you go - no problems..... so they think!

I saw a scrape in a garage, filling station, where at 5mph a Nissan was scraped by an Isuzu 4x4. The Nissan was untouched, but the Isuzu was crumpled to pieces all along one side. It made me shudder, as once the paperwork had been exchanged, 10 got into the Isuzu and off he went, like a cheetah chasing a gazelle.

Until Thailand realises that FMVSS and Euro-Ncap are standards for specific reasons, i.e. passenger safety, we will continue to read about these sad losses.

Thailand needs to create its own crash, safety, and occupant laws to reduce or eliminate such crashes as these. However, they just don't have the knowledge, nor seem to want it - as in most other areas of safety.

How sad!

-mel.

I quite agree with you Mel concerning the less than adequate safety standards on cars & trucks in Thailand.

Just need to look at the photo of this accident in the first post to see that the body is similar to tin foil. The older trucks, especially Isuzu & Toyota, have thicker body steel and although I know the big car companies have redesigned the steel much thinner, in the west it's been improved with other alloys that are proven to make the thinner body stronger.

Is it the greed for profits without concern for physical life that allows these wheeled coffins to be sold in this country? Cars, trucks, etc., are much more expensive in Thailand than in the states, especially used vehicles.. I've thought about selling my 20 year-old-Isuzu truck and getting a newer one but after 2000/2001 the body steel is noticeably thinner.

To go into some minor detail, it isn't the body shell that saves lives, that's just aesthetics. It is the chassis, construction, most importantly weld points and so on, as a whole structure that integrates safety.

Take a look at the Isuzu, for example. The chassis has bent upwards, the rear wheels are raised, and the supposedly side-impact bar in the door is attached to nothing. The impact bar is always interlinked with A and B pillar, but in this case not. As for the doors on the Toyota, forget it; and the cab has slid forward and left its chassis fixation point. The chassis has been made of yielding steel, neither hardened or tempered, and is a disgrace.

These are just minor observations, but incredibly important ones at that. The design, build quality and overall standard of these vehicles if crashed in Europe or US would barely get 1 star - and the 1 star would be for speed! .............

-mel.