Baerboxer

1 minute ago, MRToMRT said:

I find it interesting to look back on the Taksin era with hindsight.

 

I was a fan at first and then came to detest him. I preferred the yellow cause over the red one. I was actually pleased when the coup took place.

 

Many expats shared my views. But these years past have shown us that there has been no improvement. There has been no change. The old cronies, be they "yellow" or "red" still command business, government and power. Corruption and incompetence still pervades. The media, who play a huge roll in everything here, has actually gotten worse (maybe thats a worldwide thing as well).

 

The one thing I wish is that the red movement got its act together and dumped the taksins and their clan, dumped their thug element, and stood on the democracy ideal that many of their rank and file truly supported. It was a mad time but the reds really opened up Thais to dialogue (even if some was vitriol) and change. Sadly that narrative of change seems to have been drowned. For now.

 

 

 

Spot on mate. Totally agree. I too thought Thaksin would be different - and of course he soon showed us he wasn't. Little sister was a mere puppet.

I too preferred the Yellows and welcomed the coup - the wipe the slate for Thaksin and let them get their hands on 2,2 trillion baht loan unchecked was the ball breaker for most former supporters I know,

But, as you say, nothing has really changed, except the politicians. Some win some loose and then it swaps

PTP, the Red Shirts, can't loose the Shin clan because they're owned by them. Lock, stock and barrel. 

The only way for change to happen is with exciting, new, fresh, people forming political parties and driving change. But we see how easily any who try get derailed. 

7 hours ago, naryan said:

I was coming to Thailand when he was the prime minister, Thai people were free & happy they had more money. Foreigners were welcome visa's were easy to get, no charges at the ATM the the baht was at a good rate of exchange, the police only stopped people for not wearing helmets.

He could speak English and he new Thailand needed help from the west & Foreigners were respected!

Seems like you've been imbibing and looking back through rose tinted glasses. 

He was an ex copper. Nuff said.

11 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

Thaskin was the first person make it harder for visa hoop jumping for us. But before him it was soooo easy to stay here. After that it got a bit more complicated and then coming to now this regime has moved the goal posts literally letting us know that they do not like us. It is hard to tell where Thaksin would have moved the goal posts to, but he started the whole mess.

He never liked foreigners. Wasn't it him who mandated that foreigners wouldn't be paid interest on their bank accounts in Thailand? I remember someone posting the comment that he didn't like foreigners because most could see straight through him! 

7 hours ago, rtco said:

And this Government don't?

But, but, but,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Doesn't change that the Shins were greedy corrupt thieves does it? 

1 hour ago, n00dle said:

this is compounded by the fact that at 93, any punishment is essentially death sentence.

i also question what is achieved by trying a 93 year old man for the action of his 17 year old self.

 

is justice served in this instance, or is it just an attempt at as many convictions as possible given that in a few years time everyone who could possibly be held accountable will be dead?

 

thats kinda what fascism is all about, outright opposition was not an option.

my grandfather was a soldier (thankfully in hindsight not luftwaffe), was conscripted, and not a nazi per se . he spent his time on the Russian front and suffered the consequences of that environment for the rest of his life, missing fingers due to frostbite among them. I truly cannot imagine who he might have become has he been assigned elsewhere. He always said neither could he and that his fingers were a small price to pay.

This is not to say that any particular part of the german army was "clean" but given the environment im sure many individuals crossed lines they would rather not have in the interests of survival.

My father went into the British Army mid 1940 and was demobbed late 1949. Once the tied of war changed, and large numbers of POW's were being taken he was involved in POW camps. This meant literally building and establishing a camp and then managing and running it. He had several camps under his command. 

First prisoners were Italians captured in North Africa, followed by Wehrmact and then separate camps established specifically for the SS.

Like many veterans he never spoke much about all his experiences. But he did think that the German army soldiers were, in the main, very similar to British ones. Doing their duty for their country and family. Not fanatics or brainwashed politically. Most simply wanted to return home safely and the war to stop. He had German orderlies and clerks who he regarded highly. However, not a good word for the SS prisoners. They wouldn't work or do anything other than chant and sing political songs. Spat at guards, fought like tigers to keep their insignia and were all totally committed to Nazism. 

It's important to recognize not everyone was a committed Nazi fanatic. But they still loved their country and many laid down their lives for it. 

Younger people, teenagers and early 20's were often the most likely to be radicalized by the Nazis with their Hitler Youth, propaganda, films etc etc. 

1 hour ago, Pesche said:

So, the "new chromosome heredity technique" can trace nationality?!

Come on, give me a break!

There are companies that offer to analyse your DNA and will confirm where your ancestors most likely originated from.

No idea of cost, but I see regular adverts for it.

1 hour ago, fvw53 said:

In contrast how many Japanese war criminals were prosecuted ...except the few who were punished and hanged during US presence after the surrender in 1945?

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/japanese-war-crimes-trial-begins

Not many because the US thought they'd be useful in helping stop the spread of communism.

How many Soviet war criminals have ever been prosecuted? A very round small number.

48 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The ‘Holocaust’ was a systematic, organized genocide machine.

 

Every Nazi in it played their part.

 

Every part had its place in the killings.

Only the claim after the war by many was ignorance of what was going on and that they themselves weren't really Nazis.

Rather like the butchery carried out by the NKVD and other Soviet agencies against the Ukrainians and others. Systematic, organized deliberate genocide. Every communist played their part.

2 hours ago, micmichd said:

They were volunteers in the SS.  

So he did have a choice. 

At 17 he'd have had years of indoctrination by the Hitler Youth and educators in the party propaganda and ideology.

"Volunteering" may have been suggested to him, by peer pressure or by those he perceived his mentors. 

Once in, he'd do as told or face dire consequences should he ever question that.

You can file a police report in Thailand and then ask the police not to take any action yet. They will keep the report on file and you can activate it at any time in the future. 

Take a good lawyer with you. 

Just now, Neeranam said:

3 million baht was the official amount.

For the life of a husband and father. From a family worth billions. 

Sorry they've been so inconvenienced and had to pay pocket change.

31 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

I'm sure they are very happy that their loved one died at at the hands of a billionaire rather than a \poor rice farmer. They have been handsomely compensated. 

Do you have any evidence to support your assertion on compensation?

IIRC, the amount quoted as being offered/paid at the time of the funeral was paltry.

Just now, Neeranam said:

Who should be ashamed?

Maybe all those complicit in the ongoing attempts to brush this under the carpet; and the ones who seem to have finally accomplished that. 

4 minutes ago, billybog said:

This was the correct decision.. if you looked back at all the facts, you would see that he would be found NOT GUILTY. people think they know everything and just make comments without knowing all the facts.

It seems you know sweet f a about the facts in this case. Or just trolling?

I don't think WHO speak on behalf of countries, research labs, pharmaceuticals companies or industry.

Just edge their bets with vague comments or stating the obvious.

Proving to be about as useful as the rest of the UN and it's offshoots.

Issuing new passports got into a mess when terrible Theresa was Home Secretary. She made a feast of sorting it out. Hopefully the new regime will be less inept. Somehow, I wouldn't advice holding one's breath!

4 hours ago, Tug said:

Yea I was really impressed when they tear gassed all those mommies last night this is trump pandering and distracting from the pandemic and economy and many condem unidenifyed troops in unmarked vans grabbing Americans practicing their first amendment rights off the streets and rightfully so 

Lie down with dogs and you might get fleas!

Now, why were a group of "moms" wanting to protect violent protesters who vandalize government buildings and assault police?