retsdon

And off they go again, sprouting never to happen things.

Fine the companies?......cancel contracts?......there's been a lot of money changed hands no doubt....somehow all this has to be to disappear soon......

Information on there usefulness has been pretty sketchy. Has any one had experience with them? All I have heard is negative.

A tablet is just a hand-held computer so it's only as good as what's loaded onto it or the network it's connected to. I work at a pretty hi-tech university in the Middle East and most of our teaching is done the old-fashioned way with books - simply because it's easier and more effective most of the time. Anyway, whatever the benefits, computers are no substitute for properly motivated teachers, a decent curriculum and manageable class sizes. But to fix the basics would require hard work and long-term commitment.

My own view of the tablet scheme is that it's gimmicky nonsense, but it sounds good and no doubt somebody somewhere is trousering a lot of money from it.

I'm bored with this nonsense already.

Easy solution. Don't read about it.

It's just getting interesting as we move towards the end game.

I have business in Bangkok next week. That's why I read about it. Anyway, I'm jealous that you would find a bunch of simpletons inconveniencing millions of people trying to go about their lives so interesting. Entertainment must never be too hard to find.

In the long run, Providence tends to favour the majority. The people fighting to overthrow universal suffrage should be aware of that. They should be especially mindful that if they push the pendulum too far, when it swings back it might do so with such force as to sweep them and everything they stand for straight into the history books. Down the ages, that's how it has usually worked.

You are right about having teeth on the grounds of enforcing the law. I think Thais need to care for democracy. I think people don't care that much because they adopted a system that did not come out of necessity. They probably adopted, because the world was moving away from monarchy rule. I don't have all the facts though. I don't think Thailand ever wants to loose its monarchy. But in US, everyone is taught about the Revolution and freedom from tyranny. And how the founding father fought for independence. So they all understand what is at stake. But in Thailand....no.

But I think lifetime ban, is not on the book and it will be the first step in real reform. It will make people think about corruption. Have to make them accountable for their actions. They will go through a lot of growing pains for sure. And hopefully it will be a bloodless one. Lets pray!

I don't really think it's about caring for democracy per se. It's about demanding adherence to the law. Of course, the law is often inconvenient, so everybody wants to bend laws that don't suit them. That's not a Thai phenomenon btw, it's everywhere. But in what I would call stable countries, you can't get away with it (at least not much) because breaking the law is socially unacceptable. People simply won't stand for it. That's not the case in Thailand. In Thailand, everybody is happy to give the traffic cop 100baht rather than appear in court. Everybody is happy to slip a couple of notes in an envelope to ease transfer documents or whatever at the government office. And nobody is going to shun you for it, or report you for malfeasance. I remember having a conversation with some Thai people about civil service pay (police especially), and saying that they should be paid more - and was told that if they were too well paid, you wouldn't be able to bribe them!

Of course, on the face of it - where's the harm? The problem though is that you end up with a culture of immunity for people who have enough influence and money to buy everyone they want to. And because everyone at every level of society is accepting of law-breaking on a greater or lesser scale, there is no social opprobrium attached to it. So people like Chalerm can hold political office when, in any law abiding society, his very presence on a party list would make that party completely unelectable even if he'd managed to avoid prison. Decent supporters of his party would be outraged by his candidacy would vote against their own party.

Which brings me to our posts about unity. All societies have things in common which give them social cohesion. I think what unites successful democracies isn't unity of political ideas, or unity of any particular social system, it's a common acceptance that the laws of the land must be applied equally to everyone - even themselves. Of course, at times that's inconvenient, but it's the only way to run a just and harmonious society.

Chalerm and his devilish brood typify all that's wrong with Thailand.

You might want to look up 'hubris' in a dictionary.

You right opposing views are a great idea. But that has nothing to do with unity. Actually the founding father of US, did not want political party as it will create this sort of social tension divide and self interest group. May I ask how laws are made? Democracy is not an off the shelf product. You have certain principles, and when the laws allows the government to abuse its power, then the law must be amended. I think you are the one that needs to understand unity. It's not a popularity contest. Maybe it is like that where you come from. Thailand don't need that kind of democracy. People in Thailand genuinely care more about people. A nation that pits citizens against citizens is not what democracy is to build. Remember, representative are elected by the majority that believes that the person can do the best for the nation and move the nation forward as one.

That is why when visitor comes here, they can feel the kindness of Thais.

It's hopeless.

Just when you thought it couldn't get worse, eh?

Between Chinese re-balancing, US tapering, creeping worldwide interest rate rises and PTP's reckless mismanagement, there's something of a perfect storm developing for the Thai economy.

It's pretty obvious that they're just making it up as they go along. But they never did have a plan. When the original protests against the amnesty bill were successful and Yingluk blinked, the democrat party decided to throw caution to the winds and go for broke to try and seize power back from PTP by whatever means possible - lawful or otherwise. So here we are - in uncharted waters.

Its obviously mistaken usage by a non native speaker or a not so clever NES.

My guess too. The writer probably used a thesaurus because they wanted a more interesting word than 'fight' and alighted on 'scuffle' - which from a dictionary definition viewpoint is probably not too bad, but from a usage perspective is pretty wide of the mark. Not something to get excited about though. that's for sure.

You're not supposed to have 'unity' in a democracy. The whole point of a multiparty democracy is to give people the means to express opposing views without having to resort to arms. That both Yingluk and her opponents emphasize 'unity' is living proof of how hazy is Thailand's understanding of how democracy is supposed to work. No, what underpins democracy is adherence to the rule of law. And when that is missing, what's left is the comic puppet show that's Thai politics.

No pain, no gain. I hope the PDRC have worked out how to implement a strategy for exit counseling for a couple of million people from the cult of Shinawat.

I am curious why so many people feel that those who support Thakisn represent a cult? Thaksin, at the very least, threw a few crumbs towards the rural poor populace to garner their votes. Some of those crumbs were indeed counter-productive to the macro-economic picture. Some, such as providing some rural school children with bicycles so that they would not have to walk in the mud to school, were rather trivial. But at least he acknowldeged the rual populace and their needs as he exploited political power for personal gain. There is nothing to prevent the "old guard" from doing the same thing, throwing a few crumbs to the rural population. But to call the "Reds" a cult forces one to also call the "Yellows" a cult which could possibly bring us into conflict with Thai law, not to mention some of the more stringently followed posting rules here on ThaiVisa.

This is the problem with understanding this movement. It is to call accountability for all government official. It's not directed at any political parties. Only the PTP is trying to divide the country instead of uniting it by expressing majority. And YS is calling for unity? I wonder did anyone explain to her what unity is? It is not ignoring the rest of Thailand and only listening to the majority. It's not running around in the North and only caring for the north and northeast, while ignoring the rest of Thailand there by creating animosity. It's not trying to clear a criminal of his charges.

Unity is what you see at Ratchadamneon and at rallies around Bangkok and in other provinces(i.e. Chiang Mai).

With the rice scheme debacle coming to a head and all the other government own goals, if the Democrats had stayed within the law, waited for the next election and fought the issues with a vigorous and imaginative campaign, they could have won a proper democratic election. Instead, they have led a campaign to plunge the country into anarchy in the hope of inducing a military coup following which the military will gift them the reins of power again.

What does that say about their commitment a) to the rule of law, and to democracy?

Please let it be the 13th. That will give a few days from when I arrive to get clear of BKK before the nonsense starts in earnest.

I just read the report. It's the old story. An argument leads to a fight. The losing side goes away and gets reinforcements. Another fight. What makes this story newsworthy is that more than 30 gunshots were fired and five people are dead.

But you can't help thinking that when people in high places encourage or connive in political lawlessness - people attacking police with machetes and slingshots, or beating people going about their business - that sense of impunity is bound to spill over into other circumstances. It stands to reason.

For a few years there it appeared as if Thailand might be pulling itself socially and politically into the 21st century. Well, the mask is slipping badly now, and you have to think that it's going to have a negative effect on future inward investment. Who in their right mind would choose to invest in a feudal lunatic asylum when there is pretty much a free flow of capital around the world?

Quite. It's actually startling that one would need to spell it out to people who can put sentences together.

So many of the wannabe yellow shirts on here itching for military intervention don`t seem to grasp that the military isn`t the single bonded unit they`d like to think it is.

@tullynagardy

Yes, I have inlaws in the military. They were conscripted out of Isaan and chose to stay on. One is now a long term veteran and middle ranking officer in some specialist unit down South fighting the insurgency there. Let me tell you, he's not on the side of Suthep!

Gee, I bet the generals never thought about that! So if there is a coup in BKK, some 1000km from where he is stationed, what do you expect him to do about it? Abandon his career, fly home and join Thaksin's militia? Run outside and shoot somebody/anybody?

Or do what the serving Thaksin followers did in 2006 - SFA?

What he is saying is: Most of the rank and file soldiers are" Watermelons". They appear green on the outside but are red inside. The generals know that but they, of course, are yellow.

well just go away along with rest of your evil clan hardly wanting peace when they put up all clan members as MP's in party list and stuff every important post with their own family members and cronies

I just hope whole rotten evil lot would sink into slime they came from

Wow, that was a really constructive and useful comment.

Let's see, Puea Thai won the last elections, meaning that most Thais still wanted this government.

Just because a minority who has lost elections for the past 23 years, well before Thaksin ever came to power, wants to overthrow an elected government, doesn't mean that the whole country has to follow it.

My suggestion, go to the polls if you want to change something. It's what grown ups in civilized countries do.

yes lets have another 4 years of this vile corrupt government who's only care is one mans megalomaniac desire to turn Thailand into his own one party dictatorship. When will people like you understand their is no democracy when elections are bought and when just because Taksin manages to buy most votes its fine to do whatever he wants irrespective of human rights. laws and anyone who dares oppose they better watch out or hell let loose again his red thugs.

Hitler was voted in so was Idi Amin and Poll pot and Mugabwie so I rest my case. Further ask 99% of thais how MP's are lected and they don't have a clue about party lists and anyway only care for next 500 baht.

Thank you ill take my chances with the inevitable coup and thank goodness theirs one body able to stop Taksin and his evil clan.

All peace needs is fork ne man to withdraw and take his clones and clan with him to exile wherever and at last Thailand would be rid of this curse and then many would be content with letting a new non Taksin government of whatever persuasion or colour have a chance. I also think although Abahist is by far IMO best PM he should withdraw to help heal wounds and Suphet. If that happened and Taksin went with rest then Thailand would have a chance.

As it is are you Naive enough to think an election is going to stop those totally opposed to Taksin who loathe and hate him. SO a coup for 2-3 years is best and most likely outcome which many would as before welcome.

You really think Thialand is anyway on par with Uk for instance in being able to have a proper free election. Well go back to your bubble world.

Supposing TS and his clan did retire, and lets just say 'Suthep' although it could be any of the old guard's parties are voted into power and a particular group, much like the current anti Government protesters take a dislike to this person for whatever reason and come out to 'claim' Bangkok like currently, what happens then?

Do you not think large scale protests (lets say 200K) resulting in the PM stepping down is a rather dangerous precedent to set? New party comes in, lets say Red Shirts dont like, then we have 500K protesters on the street? what then?The precedent has been set that this is what you need to do, how many people need to show up etc. Much the same way as the mass and prolonged demonstrations by the PAD set the guideline for the Red shirts to follow a few years later. It works for one party, so why not everyone else do the same thing.

The precedent has already been set. Thailand is governed by the mob and has been since 2008. It always was a gangster country. Now it's a lawless gangster country.

Is it really 14 years since I saw in the millennium on Lanta, watching the waves breaking on Long Beach with a head full of acid? It feels like yesterday. Ha! - the mysterious accelerating years....

Given that he is using government policy to blatantly benefit himself, do you not see the need for reform to correct this situation?

Sure - absolutely. But what's being proposed isn't reform. It's the dismantling of the Thai constitution and the shelving of one man one vote democracy. And the tactics being used to pursue these goals are deliberately designed to plunge the whole country into ungovernable anarchy. Sorry, that's nonsense. If Suthep believes that there are grounds for criminal charges to be brought against the government then he should be petitioning the courts to do their job. But he's not. He's looking to instigate a coup d'etat against an elected government.

And that so many posters on these boards apparently support him in his endeavour would suggest that it's not just Thailand that has a problem with its education system.

So many of the wannabe yellow shirts on here itching for military intervention don`t seem to grasp that the military isn`t the single bonded unit they`d like to think it is.

@tullynagardy

Yes, I have inlaws in the military. They were conscripted out of Isaan and chose to stay on. One is now a long term veteran and middle ranking officer in some specialist unit down South fighting the insurgency there. Let me tell you, he's not on the side of Suthep!