Emdog

The US Civil war started due to the confederate states firing on Fort Sumter: "they started it" which solved the problem the union faced of "what do we do about it?". A similar problem occurred after Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor: do we declare war only on Japan? Hitler solved that by declaring war on USA. Anyone who thinks Taiwan would peacefully slip into CCP is nuts. They've had their experiences with dictators, and don't want to go down that path again. Would probably agree to reunification IF mainland agreed to be under Taiwanese goverence.

Musings: I wonder if tourists are more likely to buy some bauble due to the charging of admission: "Well, I already paid so I should get SOMETHING to make it seem worthwhile..." Never been there, never will unless Mrs decides it's a good place to dump my ashes.

when you guys talk about this and removing price tags, I thought you were talking about the cops! or maybe you were?

I like it better back in the days when it was simply a nightmare...

"...a wellness tourism model revolving around physical and mental fitness, incorporating spirituality." Dang they can ladle that on thick. People want to get high, one way or another, since humans found out some things would get them high. This great little tune sums it up nicely

The ruling class somehow notices that half the population not so well off... duh. Explain why Takshin, just by acknowledging they exist, became wildly popular. The rulers don't give a damn about anyone outside of Bangkok, and even less for agriculture workers (farmers or "harvesters".. as if that isn't part of farming!)

They need to start giving out fruit cakes: unlimited shelf life. Seriously. "Life after people" covered them and due to ingredients, can last decades on decades

Just the other day some minister was spouting off about building lots of new roads to relieve traffic congestion, like more brothels will reduce number of hookers per sq km or some such logic. I suggested more light rail.... higher gas taxes won't bother the rich, and they are the only class that seems to be considered when making policy.... the middle and working class... big ouch

How much of that production goes through Thailand to the world? How much "trickle down" economic benefit do the rich and powerful accrue here?

Parks. Green spaces. Concrete jungles don't cut it

There is treatment for mental illness in Thailand? Really? Since when?

However, I wouldn't blame the workers. It takes top flight management and government officials to really screw things up

I have a condo in Jomtien and am glad so many condos are empty, sold or not. Always see those signs at constructions "EIA approved" & wonder how much the payoff was. Thousands more condos since I moved in 15 yrs ago and no real improvement in transportation... bad enough just with weekend crowds. Water needs? Plenty of water trucks around filling up tanks around town. Was it 10 yrs ago when all those articles posted about nowhere near enough water resources available I can walk away from my condo and still come out ahead compared to paying rent over the decades, so sales levels don't bother me.

send the owners into feed the tigers. Should get a meal or two from each of those *&%&&%$...

Agreed, and as someone once said "there's no disputing taste" but we do anyway (Signed) "the world's shortest giant"

dare not go against the income flow to the Thai tobacco monopoly

"If you build it, they will come"? in my hometown of Portland, Oregon, back in the 60's-70's many wanted to build a Mt Hood freeway, which would have divided/destroyed many neighborhoods (that outcome well documented across USA) AND increase traffic and thus pollution. Citizen protests etc led to building of light rail system: far far less pollution (electic), enhanced neighborhoods, very little destruction... a win win. What connection do these decision makers have with firms that would build all these roads?

you posted at 6:46; I posted at 10:30

Where did they pull the PM2.5 number of 65.9 from? I'd consider that a relatively healthy day. Checked IQ air a few minutes ago: 160 in Bangkok; 152 in Pattaya. Which might lead one to assume the majority of pollutants are not from vehicles... I'd hazard the guess it is field burning

Would that the Thai police pursued son of Red Bull with half as much bull dog determination as they do this man. But I suppose that was just vehicular homicide of police officer, not something as serious as teenage prostitution

I thought the reason that stores no longer uphold the "bring your own bag, we won't give you one" law/direction is that Thailand had won the battle against massive plastic pollution. Or like so many efforts, they easily tire and go back to business as usual

Did anyone not on life support actually think Trump would testify? No way, no how. Just another one of his red meat lies to his zombies

Police ruled it as a "sewer-side"

I disagree. I believe in such concepts as "jurisdiction": Germany has no jurisdiction in Thailand and vice versa. For example, let's say you are from a country which has law against homosexuality... maybe Iran . You come here, find a boyfriend and have a good time. You return home and are charged, tried and given the death penalty. They do kill gays in Iran. But you are fine with this as "due process" and don't mind lack of jurisdiction? I think it is Texas that wants to charge women with abortion murder EVEN if they leave the state and go to another where it is perfectly legal. Borders are there for reasons: you laws end at the borders and ours begin

I love seeing Thai police all clotted together like some rugby scrum rather than spread out so they actually cover a "beat"... "...the attention-grabbing attire of a Chinese female tourist might attract interest.." nowhere in the article does it spell out just what the problem is, but my guess has to do with drunken foreigners (non Asian) figuring all Asian women down there are "in the game" and bothering them. And so we have the cops photographed with groups of Western white women and friends... Maybe the Thai cop thinks they are Chinese? Not the sharpest pencils in the box