McMagus

I'm back in Oz at the moment, but got an hysterical phone call from the wife on Sat night. Our house in Chaiyaphum is up in flames, everything gone...she only has the clothes she was wearing. Thank God she is OK. She thinks it was a 'rocket' (fireworks) set off by a neighbour. *#^#...flying back tomorrow....

Well I guess it was only a matter of time. I have lived here for yonks and visited Tv heaps of times without posting however this year I thought I would post for a bit of fun. Such a disappointment. One reason I never used to post was the Thai bashing .. it still goes on but other issues are forcing my hand. In a country where the censorship laws are extreme to say the least it is often hard to find reasoned public debate. As a consequence Tv will never be able to respond to anything newsworthy without having its hands tied so to speak. To be fair it is a forum, not a news agency. Farming and travel forums etc. are fine but general topics really have become just another opportunity for rants and bile. Moderators, to you I understand you have a difficult job but in my opinion I don't see an even handed approach. With power comes responsibility, perhaps you need to reflect a little deeper on what you are about.

Chok dii

Mac.

Villa ... Aree

Ok ... a friend of a friend told me he overheard a guy telling his mate that he just rocked up to a tiny little pharmacy in Nana and bought 2 packets of 100 mg for 400B. Apparently the guy on the phone said they were the best thing since sliced bread. Another chap said he read somewhere that if you Google 'Viagra grapefruit juice' there is some interesting data out there,

But me ... hell I wouldn't know....I have enough finding it when I go to the loo

I here what you are saying and believe you are genuine about caring for your son. Thailand is a DEVELOPING country, don't let anybody tell you differently. Some parts of Thailand have all the trappings of a modern civilised society but when you scratch beneath the surface sometimes you will discover it is but a veneer. Other parts of Thailand are not much better than subsistence farming and scratching for survival whilst the rest is somewhere between the two. From what you have written it would seem the GF's village is at one end of the spectrum ..... the crappy end. But just last week in Pakistan a young 15 year old girl had her throat slit by her family because she refused to be a prostitute. In Manilla children live off the pickings from the rubbish dump. I'm from Oz too and not long ago a mother in Hobart was jailed because she was selling her 14 yr old out to the local men. What you are witnessing is just one part of human nature, but there are other more uplifting parts to see if you look; here as well as other places. It is very easy to look around you here and get drawn into the drama that is Thai living, but if you do get drawn in then it is by your choice. Luckily your son has a dad that wants more for him... by all means return to Oz... but it will be more difficult financially there than here. There are better places to live than what you have described. For me, I will return to Oz when I am ready, partly due to some of the reasons you mentioned but until I do, it is my job to find the best here and make the most of what there is. I still cycle through a hate Thailand phase... but I just wait until it passes then get on with my life.

Good luck

How can Politicians and Civil Servants learn to reject corruption? when the Multi Billionaire from Dubai (among others) has long ago set the precedent in Corrupt dealings,as a way of life.

Honest Politicians wouldn't get nominated by their Party,in the first place.

Jeez, you are making it sound as though he invented corruption in Thailand. I don't think it was squeaky clean here before he arrived on the scene. It all goes back to the historical way of showing gratitude and favours... gift giving. It may have worked a couple of hundred years ago but the Thais have morphed it into a different beast.

Not such a stupid question...pavement or road. It is bad enough when they are on the pavement just poodling along...but I've seen them going waaay too fast, laughing at the farang who had to jump out of their way. I would dearly love to just pull them off their bikes but knowing the Thais..... one day when I least expect it ...baam !

This could well be a watershed in Thai politics if successful, because it would mean the removal of a PM by legal means and mechanisms rather than a coup. I wish this guy all the luck in the world .... he will need it. My gut reaction is..

He will be moved to an inactive post

He will be sued

The report will stop at the next highest level in the bureaucracy

A prosecution may ensue which takes a zillion years to come to trial

The reconciliation bill is passed and brother comes back and 'fixes' everything

All of the above

For cretins like this guy there really is only one answer ....

retrospective abortion.

Ooops something is amiss .. that post was in reply to .....

Now we are getting to hub (pun intended) of the issue. Thailand is not a democracy but a feudal society with some trappings of democratic look a likes. People do vote for their historical 'bosses'. Maybe in time policies will come into play but from what rural Thais tell me .... they liked the populist policies of the current govt....who just happened to be their historical 'boss'. Now ..if the democrats can buy the support of these rural power brokers.....

No it isn't. Thailand is a capitalist society with the constraint of uneven development, large non-urban population and a divided ruling class (Thaksin vs the Establishment)

In a country where the education system stresses obedience to the hierarchical structure of society and political alliances can be clearly defined along historical power relationships, I would term it feudal. For me it is characterised by people owing allegiance primarily to their 'boss' as opposed to their country and its welfare. Don't think for a moment that Thaksin is not one of the elite, he is, but not part of 'old guard'.

A good editorial pointing to the hypocrisy of many commenters who are prepared to support anything so long as it is going their way.

Thailand lacks political parties which are based on some sort of elucidated ideology...like conservatism or socialism...the choice on offer is between two corrupt conservative parties whose aim is to get their snouts in the trough in order to enrich themselves and their clans. The prevalence of other smaller parties who can get their noses in the trough by way of supporting whoever is the larger party shows that everybody is for sale. Thailand shows up the weaknesses of representative democracy especially when it involves parties.

The basic problem as I see it is that the stated aims of education are to teach respect for the hierarchy, thus preserving the feudal client system. Until this feudal system breaks down frankly, there is no hope of real progress in the country. The recent economic performance and growth hasn't been driven by Thais but by foreigners building factories here seeking lower labour costs. That advantage is slipping away as Viet Nam and then Laos, Cambodia and Burma come fully on stream. Thailand will be in a right pickle then.

Clearly I am not the only sane person in the street.

A perfect summary, couldn't have done better myself.

Sorry ... but I am sooo #*&@&%^ angry. ... all good Buddhists I expect.

It is apt that this topic has raised its ugly head. On the subject of personal insurance, I watched the missus' friend trying to read her life insurance policy. Bad enough in English but it was painful watching her trying to read, as clearly she was not as literate as we would wish. I can't read Thai but was able to get enough info to show her that... her 'death benefit' of 100,000 B had already been surpassed by her premiums in just the first 5 years of the policy. She is supposed to pay for 25 years which would mean her shelling out 1,200,000 B all for a return of 100,000 B I'm off to the company tomorrow with ladies in tow. I want someone to explain the morality of selling this crap to a farmer who can hardly read.

I think the issue is being realised that a government will only be as good as the opposition allows them to be. By that I mean that the democrats have never been able to come up with policies which would get them elected. Furthermore, as an opposition they are useless and as a consequence the govt. can get away with anything. Meanwhile the Thai population sits on its asre and does nothing to demand transparency in govt. and end to corruption. In a society which has on record agreed that corruption is OK... what chance has this country got? I lay the blame squarely at the feet of the Thai nation... as I said in a similar post ...time for them to grow a spine !

Actually, prior to the last election a blind survey put many of the Democrat policies ahead of PTP policies.

What the Democrats have failed to do is to get a foothold in the North and North East where large portion of the population is.

Thaksin identified this before he became PM, and then used populist policies to "buy" the loyalties (as all governments do). Thaksin also used his wealth to buy many of the regional families into his TRT fold ... the families that the people vote for regardless of which party they are part of. The same happens in the south, but there isn't as big a population there.

This is my point exactly, the Democrats have consistently failed to provide policies which would garner support from the vast majority of Thais;..rural Thais.

That wasn't my point. My point was that the policies are irrelevant to a lot of people. They will generally vote for the people that they have always voted for, regardless of which party they are or were in.

The Democrats provided policies that would garner support, as shown by the poll. There is a lot more to it than just having policies that people like. People in the North and North East vote against the Democrats because they are the Democrats. They don't even take any notice of their policies when they know they are Democrat policies.

Now we are getting to hub (pun intended) of the issue. Thailand is not a democracy but a feudal society with some trappings of democratic look a likes. People do vote for their historical 'bosses'. Maybe in time policies will come into play but from what rural Thais tell me .... they liked the populist policies of the current govt....who just happened to be their historical 'boss'. Now ..if the democrats can buy the support of these rural power brokers.....

'A certain white haired man'..... 'a lady whose name starts with D'........

Like a scene from the Goon show...

Seagoon: Now, which one of you two is Mr. Crun?

Minnie: I'm Miss Bannister.

Seagoon: Never mind who you are. Which one is Henry Crun?

Minnie: Don't tell him, Henry!

Henry: No! I'm not going to tell him, Min. In any case... in any case, why do you want to know my name?

Seagoon: Mr. Crun! You make cardboard models and scenery.

Henry: If I was Mr. Crun... which I'm not admitting... yes, I do.

I think the issue is being realised that a government will only be as good as the opposition allows them to be. By that I mean that the democrats have never been able to come up with policies which would get them elected. Furthermore, as an opposition they are useless and as a consequence the govt. can get away with anything. Meanwhile the Thai population sits on its asre and does nothing to demand transparency in govt. and end to corruption. In a society which has on record agreed that corruption is OK... what chance has this country got? I lay the blame squarely at the feet of the Thai nation... as I said in a similar post ...time for them to grow a spine !

Actually, prior to the last election a blind survey put many of the Democrat policies ahead of PTP policies.

What the Democrats have failed to do is to get a foothold in the North and North East where large portion of the population is.

Thaksin identified this before he became PM, and then used populist policies to "buy" the loyalties (as all governments do). Thaksin also used his wealth to buy many of the regional families into his TRT fold ... the families that the people vote for regardless of which party they are part of. The same happens in the south, but there isn't as big a population there.

This is my point exactly, the Democrats have consistently failed to provide policies which would garner support from the vast majority of Thais;..rural Thais.

Paragon

Back when just lad ..... I was told by an old codger that the size of the moon's halo will forecast how far away rain is. A halo tight around the moon..rain will be soon..etc. Now this seemed pretty sage advice for those of us living in temperate climes .. not sure about the tropics.

Zatoichi and Yunla

...you guys sure you have used enough adjectives ... I haven't quite got your message ... you don't like Thaksin and Yinluck? right ?

If you'd been here during Mr T's reign, you'd hate him too. A wannabe despot with the bucks to buy anything, anyone.

What makes you guys think ...

a) I like Thaksin

I Like anything to do with Thai politics

c) I have not live here in Thailand for yonks

d) I give a rat's asre who is in power here

It just amuses me that most posters here are guests in Thailand irrespective of whether you have been here since pussy was a kitten. Unless you are Thai, are a resident with a Thai passport and voting rights you are a guest here.... it is up to the Thais to walk their own path. Sure you are entitled to your OPINION as much as I am.

Meanwhile, for any body who has half a brain they would see that corruption is entrenched in Thai politics....all colours. As for mass murder let me remind you of Thammasat Uni on 6th October 1976. I don't believe any red shirt thugs were involved in that one.

Samak?

Thanks stand corrected ..forgot about the leopard never changing spots !

Hub: 'The centre part of a wheel, fan, or propeller.'

Zatoichi and Yunla

...you guys sure you have used enough adjectives ... I haven't quite got your message ... you don't like Thaksin and Yinluck? right ?

If you'd been here during Mr T's reign, you'd hate him too. A wannabe despot with the bucks to buy anything, anyone.

What makes you guys think ...

a) I like Thaksin

I Like anything to do with Thai politics

c) I have not live here in Thailand for yonks

d) I give a rat's asre who is in power here

It just amuses me that most posters here are guests in Thailand irrespective of whether you have been here since pussy was a kitten. Unless you are Thai, are a resident with a Thai passport and voting rights you are a guest here.... it is up to the Thais to walk their own path. Sure you are entitled to your OPINION as much as I am.

Meanwhile, for any body who has half a brain they would see that corruption is entrenched in Thai politics....all colours. As for mass murder let me remind you of Thammasat Uni on 6th October 1976. I don't believe any red shirt thugs were involved in that one.

Zatoichi and Yunla

...you guys sure you have used enough adjectives ... I haven't quite got your message ... you don't like Thaksin and Yinluck? right ?