Baerboxer

I've seen a lot more families destroyed by alcohol abuse then by heroin. Most junkies when they get high just tend to nod out and not bother anyone, but there is nothing uglier than a drunk with a bad temper. Unfortunately these guys will probably get the death penalty while "Mr. Big"

goes free.

Every time there's a drug bust someone brings alcohol into it.

Alcohol is legal. Being drunk and disorderly is an offence in most countries, as is driving under its influence. Most countries also place age restrictions on its purchase and consumption. However it is legal and therefore widely available and more readily open to abuse. Heroin is illegal in most countries for a good reason. The supply chain creates violence as well as profits and those addicted resort to crime to fund their illegal habit, whilst it destroys their lives

Tobacco still probably kills more people than alcohol or heroin, but no one bothers to mention that. Tobacco is also legal.

Get real - the laws are the laws. Stop trying to dilute the effects of illegal drugs by slagging off alcohol. There are vastly more responsible users of alcohol than aggressive drunks or alcoholics. Anyone supplying or using heroin is breaking the law and therefore a criminal.

Were any intelligence agencies involved in this comforting assessment, or did he and the Governor simply decide it?

(Bali didn't see it coming either)

How dare you question him FARANG!

He has power, FACE & lots of shiny badges - if he says it then it must be true!

But why is his hat too small then?

As you are in Phuket why not go to Immigration in Phuket Town and ask !

There is a building, separate from the main office which is where all Laos, Cambodian and Burmese people go to deal with their visa issues.

It will be your g/f responsibility. I do not believe that "you" will be able to "get" anything on her behalf.

I thought Lao, Cambodian and Burmese workers can only get these permits if they work in jobs as low skilled laborers. Pretty sure that more highly skilled workers from these three countries would be eligible for the same visas, including a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship (although it takes a long time) as foreigners from other countries receive. However, very, very few people from these three countries work in positions requiring a high skills set - although there are a few Burmese professors and lecturers working at Assumption University of Thailand.

Also, all foreigners in Thailand must present themselves in person to get visa extensions etc. this is not unique to Cambodians or to other foreigners but applies to everyone.

I know a Burmese doctor (medical) who works for a Thai government agency. Her visa and work permit requirements are the same as any Western professionals would be if they were accepted to work here. If her WP ends, so does visa extension. Your gf sounds like she is a professional not a low skilled laborer or maid. So, she should go and talk to immigration and get their advice.

All in the eye of the beholder. I blow my nose with a tissue, my wife tells me to go and do it in private. She picks her nose to the knuckle in public no problem.

I've lived and worked in a few countries - Europe, Middle East and Asia. For me the Indians just manage to edge out the East Europeans for rudeness, but pretty close, although rude in different ways.

Newark NJ airport seems to specialize in recruiting rude people and most service sectors I've experienced in the US really don't understand the concept of service - despite all the Tom Peters videos! They just can't speak politely to customers.

Chinese are like animals at any kind of buffet, and in my experience so are the Israelis.

My wife, ranked the politeness of the Europeans she's encountered as (i.e. least rude first) : Dutch, Scots, Germans, English, Italians, East Europeans, British Asians.

She hasn't met many Dutch people then. They can be very abrupt and blunt. They remind me of Yorkshiremen, among whom I grew up.

She met plenty of Dutch - Maastricht, Roermond, and that area, over several months. Often she would be out alone with our young, at the time, son whilst I was at work. Maybe she would have a different opinion in a different area of the Netherlands, but in this area, always found people friendly, helpful and polite. She also asked me why the Federal German Border Police were always so much more polite than the British Immigration staff. Different perceptions and world views.

Interesting use of words.

"Least Rude" does not mean polite.

IMHO Thais seem indifferent to other people. When following a Thai who is not known to you through the doors of a mall for example, I can't recall one ever holding the door they have just opened for a fraction of a second longer than they have to to pass through themselves.

I suggest the rudest people tend to be drunks from any nation, Thailand included.

Good point. I was once voted the least disliked senior manager ................................... here hang on a minute

Skyscanner is an Edinburgh based website, we Glasgwegian's think people from Edinburgh are rude. I bet you can think of example's of people in your own country that have a reputation for being rude.

Some people take delight in being rude, like Yorkshiremen. They will tell you straight how it is, even if they haven't got a clue what they are talking about. Then they'll beam with pride when they tell you that Yorkshiremen are straight talkers.

Payboy makes a valid point, you can only be truly rude if you know what manners are.

Part of international travel, to gain exposure to more culture's, to learn how to get along with people. Too

many people only export ignorance and bigotry.

It's embarrassing to behold.

How right you are about Yorkshiremen Blether, I have known two here in Thailand, and ruder people you

would never meet, not even in Edinburgh.

And this from two skirt wearers. theblether mentions Yorkshire folk not knowing what they are talking about, this is the same tourist who is always lecturing ex-pats about how much more, he knows about Thailand than the people who actually live here. OK point taken.

I would say the Blethers posts are very interesting, you don't need to live in Thailand to know a lot about the country, also. I would not be seen dead in a skirt (kilt).

True - but you would expect people who have lived here a long time to know more than a regular tourist. Good to hear you're not a wee jessie running around in a skirt.

Yorkshire people are straight talking, to the point and not short on their opinions. Much like Glaswegians. But, IME, some Yorkies take it to far and border on rudeness and bloody mindedness.

No men in black involved? What a surprise

I look forward to read the (renewed) theories of the most obsessed anti-government TV members about this matter

The court was bought Thaksin himself?

The judges were pressured by red shirts?

The men in black stole military uniforms before to shoot their own people?

A secret red underground service photoshopped all pictures taken that day and made the men in black disappear from the court's evidences?

I am curious to read, really. There is a lot of creativity among TV members.

On my side I am among the ones who would like AV and Suthep take responsibility for this massacre.

Reconciliation for all... Except these two.

And, of course amnesty for the person who orchestrated and funded it all. Some would say, even provoked the violence in order to further his own political designs.

No responsibility for him or his stooges who were urging arson and violence.

Might as well whitewash his criminal conviction and outstanding criminal charges too. After all, good for reconciliation.

The only way to achieve reconciliation is for justice and the rule of law to prevail. What chance of that with a government that won't even answer questions about the illegal issuing of a passport to a convicted fugitive and a police force that choose which laws they want to enforce and against whom.

AV and Suthep are at least willing to stand trial - unlike others.

All in the eye of the beholder. I blow my nose with a tissue, my wife tells me to go and do it in private. She picks her nose to the knuckle in public no problem.

I've lived and worked in a few countries - Europe, Middle East and Asia. For me the Indians just manage to edge out the East Europeans for rudeness, but pretty close, although rude in different ways.

Newark NJ airport seems to specialize in recruiting rude people and most service sectors I've experienced in the US really don't understand the concept of service - despite all the Tom Peters videos! They just can't speak politely to customers.

Chinese are like animals at any kind of buffet, and in my experience so are the Israelis.

My wife, ranked the politeness of the Europeans she's encountered as (i.e. least rude first) : Dutch, Scots, Germans, English, Italians, East Europeans, British Asians.

Let's see - a democratically elected government using the police to supress free speech and peoples' constitutional right to protest. Didn't PTP do the same last time someone wanted to protest against their policies and actions?

Of course, supporters of the government can openly travel in large groups and intimidate judges etc without hinderance from the police. The same police who avoided doing their duty in 2010.

It's always amazing how the dictators and wannabee dictators are so frightend of even the smallest protests.

Oh come on, it would save a lot of aggravation if PT reformed it. The new rules are,

TS is prime minister for life, and he nominates which family member will be his successor.

It's a good system, it's led to political stability in North Korea hasn't it.

Many a true word spoken in jest Blether.

"If it is necessary to amend any laws, including the Constitution, the government will do it."

But, they won't want to abide by the rules on referendums to change the constitution - might loose those.

What's the betting TS is back soon, whitewashed and formally in control, changing laws to suit himself and make sure it almost impossible to get him out. He's learned a lot from his previous experience. Didn't get the military on board last time. The grip this time is wider, and tightening now,

Yep North Korea and Zimbabwe - the ruling elite and their cronies have fantastic wealth, complete power and are untouchable. Everyone else screwed.

Is it possible that the fugitive ex PM, feels it is not safe to be living in Dubai. Could it be that he fears the Al Qaeda threats, and Dubai is a Muslim country, which follows the law of the Shariah. He knows that if he was back in Thailand that the police would protect him from anything.

I would imagine that Thaksin would feel relatively safe in Dubai as the UAE rigorously and successfully suppresses Al Qaeda on its territory.

Shariah is not the law of the UAE or its only legal system. Different Emirates follow different laws and some adhere to the Federal laws. Dubai doesn't follow the federal system but Shariah is mainly the law used for family and family related issues.

The UAE does not support the extreme terrorist groups that try to hijack the Moslem religion. The UAE is an active ally of the West, whilst still respecting its traditions and religion.

If extreme Moslem factions has intended to harm Thaksin they would have done so by now. I doubt anyone in Dubai cares whether he's there or not.

Many of us commenting on the alledged questionable behaviours and corruptions of the Redshirts and Royalists yet have no access to definitive evidence of immoral behavior of corruption of Thai politians.

Accordingly we are in no position to make judgemental statements about the supposed criminality of any Poliical leader or MP.

What we do percieve is that Thai on Thai often conspire in the pursuit of their victims with little or no justification or knowledge of the vitims competance or integrity.

Those of us that Defame or Slander officers and leaders of Thai Governments, civil institutions and businesses whilst being guests in their beautiful county and without a shred of evidence are trying to engage the Thai at their own game. We can never play by their rules and therefor can never truly understand their ways.

As Rudyard Kippling said; "Beware of the Asian Brown" or might have added; 'Take them on and you may well loose'

That's a fair point. It's easy to allow your own political bias to affect your judgement and more readily accept media influences that supports your views, whether in your home country or as a guest in another.

I'm sure you're right in that you can never really fully understand the poitical machinations and subtleties of another country.

However, we do know that Dr. Thaksin has been convicted by a court of law and chose to flee from the sentence rather than fight an appeal. We also know he faces more serious charges should he return; and the explanations of some of his earlier activities were creative to say the least.

Is he as bad as or any worse than many other politicians - Mugabe, Hun Set, Belersconi, etc etc. Who really knows. Does Thailand have a monopoly on corruption and corrupt politicians - not by a long chalk. Look at how many countries have issues with governments or civil servants at the moment.

Lies and silly statments get exposed easier and communicted more quickly and widely now - and that's a global phenomenon.

I read that Thaksin was convicted by a court stacked with Thaksins enemies, during an illegal coup.

Is this correct?

Go to the top of the class sir........this is completely true.

True based on what? Your red written "version" of the facts as they would like to see them? It wasn't a Kangaroo court convicting a poor politician. It was a legal court of law which tried and convicted a criminal who had abused the power of his office to enrich his ex-wife. He also faces additional criminal charges should he return unless his sister's governemt which he undoubtedly controls manages to get an annesty and whitewash for him. He chose to run from justice rather and appeal the conviction and face the more serious outstanding charges. Why do you think that is?

Try to read all the facts rather than the fairy stories that support your view on reality.

Abisit making a speech now.

Why does he need 5 minders flanking him whenever he makes a speech?

AQ might get him and Thaksin mixed up - honest mistakes happen.

I read that Thaksin was convicted by a court stacked with Thaksins enemies, during an illegal coup.

Is this correct?

No - not even close. Try researching who was in government at the time, and the actual facts of the crime he was convicted of. Also read the comments from a judge in a previous "honest mistakes" trial who having voted "not guilty" later admitted he thought he was guilty but "gave him a chance because he was the PM".

Also, try researching the details of the more serious outstanding criminal charges he faces.

He is a convicted criminal who chose to break his word and run, thus becomoming a criminal fugitve, who faces more serious charges should he return. He chose to run, not appeal the conviction or defend the more serious charges. Have a think why?

You probably need to research a wider source base than reading the PTP Red re-write of history.

Kudos to the guy in the white cap for preventing it from getting worse, and to be fair at a real risk to himself.

It's a salutary lesson in what to expect of you get charged up on drink and decide to take on Thai bouncers. It's got to the point that every time I go out even in a relatively quiet place like Chiang Mai I'm sure to see someone being as aggressive as that.

More fool them.

I don't think the Thai guys were bouncers were they? They looked like customers. Taking on bouncers anywhere isn't a smart idea unless you're sober and very handy.

Old out of condition foreigners need to learn that provoking Thais in a bar is going to get you a kicking. They won't care you're old, out of condition or drunk. "Security staff" and police aren't likely yo intervene as they would in the West.

What the Democrats said at the last election was that it was effectively a referendum on whether Thaksin should get an amnesty for his crimes - as yet that hasn't happenned and the current proposals do not include it.

I am not sure to what extend he is running the country and wish he would just go away but it seems that he is just as big a prop to the opposition and they have far more interest in keeping him in the limelight.

If it was "effectively a referendum", Thaksin effectively lost 48 to 52.

I am sure Thaksin would love to continue his skype calls in to the cabinet without it being highlighted by the Democrats.

It was the Dems that were trying to make it a referendum about Thaksin,not PT, so it could be argued that with only 35% voting for them that they lost. The problem is that they are still using the same failed strategy with the same failed leader promoting it rather than coming up with something new that they can get people to vote for.

Yes - PT tried to pretend for a short time that their non-experienced, non-political, non-voted for party list PM (now PM/DM) was actually running the governemt.

Thaksin thinks, PT does - how very true. They all do as they are told by their employer. The pretending has stopped now - open trips by minisiters to meet the boss and get instructions, Yingluck denying things for them to happen a few days later; the boss meeitng with a key major wannabe contractor - hmmm wonder what was discussed there.

Anyone who believes that PT is a party that acts and is run democratically is naieve to say the least. It's a one man party dictatorship who would love to have the same control on the country has he does his own poltitical party. That's why the Dems continue to refer regularly to him. They know he is running the government and what his end game is.

The video is another farce, just like all the previous "leaked" assination attempts. Show the "sheeple" what a brave great leader they have - flaunts all this danger to do his best for the country. Yeah, right. So brave he won't return until all his crimes have been whitewashed and he's sure the military, police and red thugs are behind or at least not against him.

Why on earth would and terrorist organization bother with an ex-pm who is a convicted fugitive criminal? Perhaps they think he's the real PM too -the government security people certainly do.

It will all work out. PM/DM Yingluck will bring back large orders from her African trip. The Iranians will place massive orders. There is still 5 months of the year left - plenty of time for the roving PM to make more trips and secure valuable deals.

Of course, the details of all the deals have to be kept secret at the request of the customer countries. Their wishes for secrecy must be respected.

By the end of the year, the inventory discrepancy will have been resolved, the unfounded rumours of contamination dispersed, and the scheme will be showing a profit based on social accounting rather than just normal mathematical accounting. Although the finer details can't be released due to other countries' wishes and security reasons, the FM will be able to assure Moody's that all is well and that there are absolutley no problems with this scheme, which will have more than exceeded its objectives.

It's great to see a democratically elected government with a cabinet of hand picked experts proving all the so called experts wrong - in everything they do. Just wait till Thailand has multicrops thanks to a superior water management system and a superb logistics infrastructure based on a high speed rail network and deep see port facility.

Totally visionary.

"Mr Thaksin said he wanted to return to his homeland despite knowing that it would not be easy." (MCOT online news)

Load of crap. He has a Thai passport, albeit illegally iissued, and is extraorinary wealth with which to by a plane ticket. He can return home any time he wants.

What is not easy is trying to find a way to quash the criminal conviction and imprisonment sentence that he is a fugitive from, and to avoid the other more serious outstanding charges against him.

He is trying to find a political solution to a legal problem.

Just heard part of an IN Channel report so my comment is based on what I heard not the full story but what was said was that the red shirts don't get what they want they will have " no alternative " but to take to the streets.

I suppose the government will have no alternative than to let them.

The Red Shirts eventually got what they wanted from the 2010 riots - a Thaksin PTP government in power. This government has not delivered as promised and at some point even the dumbest red thug is going to realize the true nature and agenda of PTP and then it will really hit the fan.

How would PTP handle mass Red anti-government protests one wonders.

OMG! Just another reminder of everything is not always has it seems! And, the need to be soooooooooo careful in Thailand

Good to see that they have actually asked for outside assistance when needed. Expensive tho for a guy (Thaksin)) who is not even a politician but just a criminal on the run.

Divert people attention to gain some credit.

Else, political game is going on.

Great move. Let's see if this strategy works out for him to return back as this will create some sympathy in public heart.

Ah, more of the conspiracy theories! This is why TV is one of the most entertaining sites on the Net.

So let me get this straight... Darth Thaksin paid some Pakistanis to do a threat video so he could win the stubborn hearts of the Thai people and find his way back home. Is that a tear in my eye?

Would make for a great novel. Please tell me when the movie comes out... p.s. you may want to 'up' the medication

Of course, Khun Dr. Thaksin has never been involved in faked leaked details of assinations and threats to kill before. And, indeed is noted for his honesty, ethics and inability to tell lies. And is known for his ability to create smoke and mirrors politcal deflections.

Can't understand why anyone would think the poor man, clearly in dire danger, would be involved in faking such a deed. Just lucky his sister happens to be the country's PM and DM and his cousin the FM so he can be well looked after whilst on the run from justice. There must be some irony there somewhere.

but... but... Thailand said .... never mind.

No, no, no! It's not 'Thailand said, just a minor figure in the National Security Council

Posted 2013-07-28 07:44:26

"Lt.Gen. Paradorn Pattanatabutr, secretary-general of the National Security Council, told Khaosod that the "amateurish" video is clearly not a work of Al-Qaeda or any other Islamist organization.

"The people who made this clip are no other than the same group who want to overthrow Mr. Thaksin," Lt.Gen. Paradorn declared.

"

Oh dear, not more contracdictory statements. Where is Chalerm? He'll know what's going on. Bugga those farang intelligence agencies. Dr. Pol Capt. C solved that guys murder almost before it happened. He knew it was the driver. Then he was able to show the innocence of a young actress betrayed by the baying media and her confused father. Surely sorting this is a piece of piss for someone with his "copper's snout and gut feeling". He probably knows, but doesn't want to say. Meantime, has anyone checked with Oak? Might have been a silly birthday prank for dad that went wrong.

I find it ridiculous how so many posters in this forum routinely take something like this and turn it into a 'Thai vs. farang' thing. This is a case of drunk people (note: people, not Thai or farang) getting involved in a stupid bar fight that escelated to a point where someone was tragically killed. I worked in the bar business for 10 years and have seen similar incidents happen many times; 99% of the time they have nothing to do with race and everything to do with boozy aggression. They usually don't end up with someone getting killed but they very well can - and do - anywhere in the world. Incredible: a bar fight breaks out and someone gets killed - let's blame it all on Thai society!

mmmmm . . . can't speak about the USA or other countries, but I don't remember that many people getting stabbed, beaten or killed in any bar fights in the UK.

And as we are in Thailand, and it involved Thai + foreigners, surely it is indeed a Thai vs Farang thing? Yes, it's stupid, yes, it involved alcohol, but do you not think that (in most instances) it's the Thai's generally that take things too far and overreact to most things with violence in these situations?

(and before you say it, yes I'm generalising and oversimplifying things, but I think it's appropriate here)

What part of the UK were you living in? Drinking in Claridges or something. Do a bit of research and you'll see the extent of the Thursday, Friday and Saturday night alcohol fuelled violence in most UK city and town centers. Why do you think UK bars and pubs employ "bouncers". Nottingham and Gloucester were very dangerous places on those nights to name but two. As for Blackpool, Gt Yarmouth and Bournemouth - ever been out in one of these on a weekend night?

I feel vastly safer in Thailand than I do in most UK city and town centres.