JCauto

So it sounded ominous, but in fact was actually just sensible regulation ensuring whomever is producing the booze doesn't just dump effluent in the local stream and pays tax on what they sell. That doesn't sound unfair to me. Was he hoping for a land of Lao Khao stills producing who knows what quality hooch and even more carnage on the roads? So weird when this government does something sensible, just put it down to random luck I suppose.

Thanks. Nasty stuff, meth. I note however that there are more than a few "weasel words" in that synopsis, such that the authors avoided any such "conclusive" statements. The article itself was not research but an examination of other research with the intention of providing cautionary evidence against use of the drug to young people. It also did not discuss any other drug use, only methamphetamine. I agree it is terrible, awful stuff (as a lifelong user of various recreational drugs) but making hyperbolic statements does not support the cause of weaning people off them.

You got a link to that "conclusive evidence"?

Best I can do is Ben Dover and Phil McCracken.

If there were ever a poster here unable to spot a cheat...

Well, get this - there are people who believe that Prayut is doing a good job as PM and deserves to remain in power indefinitely!

What is the "red shirt take protest"?

What are you going on about? Can you not see the poster? There are three White guys there, Michael aged 49, Jen aged 55 and something German that looks like "Kaedger" or something like that aged 60? Kepler? EDIT: I see now that the "Mr. Tacker" is the third guy, who is apparently British so perhaps "Tucker"?

What? Are they implying that the spotless Thai judiciary is open to influence? Well, I never!

A lack of respect for the lives of low-level drug dealers...where have I seen that before? The hypocrisy just never ends with some people.

Oh, the excitement and tension before the pre-determined decision to extend his reign! Just tantalizing! What a boring dystopia.

Hey! I got an exclusive inside photo of the Thai Court determining whether you are allowed to protest against the government...

If you have bothered to study Thai history, you'd likely be of the opinion that no history is better than way too much. We already know what the dinosaurs will do, over and over and over again. How could what the youth choose be any worse than this corrupt mob of unelected military men? As to your contention that "foreigners should butt-out of Thai politics", what exactly are you referring to? It's clear you will be in trouble if as a foreigner you become directly involved in Thai politics. It's your opinion that foreigners shouldn't even be so bold as to express an opinion about it? This tendency to leave those who have wielded power for their own benefit for years in place over any possible change is pitiful. Be men, not mice.

What happens when your bright and shiny pro-democracy party gets co-opted by the Military and loses their principles in favour of straight lust for power? They go authoritarian as that's the only path left for them to get their snouts back in the trough. Remember why Abhisit is no longer the leader - his statement that he wouldn't support Prayuth for PM led to his ouster.

And what do you reckon the consiglieres report on their taxes (hint: what you see here) versus what they actually receive for their dirty work?

So, uh, you ever hear about ecology and the symbiotic relationship between predators, prey, habitat, etc.? Where you find disproportionate targeting of predators, there are always multiple negative impacts on the other animal populations and flora. Nature tends to strike a balance, and when we artificially remove one of or some of those aspects by allowing predators to be over-hunted, there will be major negative impacts on the "harmless" animals. Research about reintroduction of wolves into the Yellowstone National Park for example, fascinating story... https://www.yellowstonepark.com/things-to-do/wildlife/wolf-reintroduction-changes-ecosystem/

While most posters have identified the need for improving swimming skills (something that surely needs to be done), I think many are still missing the point. You CAN'T swim out from being trapped under a weir in some flow conditions no matter what your skill level may be. These structures are inherently dangerous in this respect because the backwater flow is an integral and necessary part of the structure in order to dissipate energy from the water flows that would otherwise erode and undermine the structure from downstream. More consideration needs to be given to preventing access to and warning about these important and necessary water control structures to prevent unplanned and unnecessary deaths.

This serial coup-enabler and cover-upper is a disgusting manifestation of the Thai Amaart and their relentless lust for perpetual power. If you're looking for someone behind the scenes of practically every anti-democratic action and constitution in this country, here's your man.

There's Asian Black Bears which almost certainly would have been the ones attacking this unfortunate farmer, and Malayan Sun Bears the small and cute forest bears with the big white patch under their chins.

Probably what is required is a PSA from the government teaching the population about the serious danger that exists from weirs. The government has had several programs over the last 5 decades to construct many low-cost weirs around Thailand, particularly in the Northeast. These are appropriate structures and help with supplementary irrigation and water supply. However I have never seen any indications or standard signage or other provisions within the design to warn local people about the dangers of the backwash area at the downstream end of the weir. As per this article (https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Weir): "Weirs are particularly dangerous to humans - and are thus commonly called "drowning machines".[8] Particularly, the circulating "backwash" of water behind the weir is easy to get trapped within, and if a swimmer or boater is caught within this cycle escape and rescue is incredibly difficult. Additionally, debris that can be trapped within this cycle of water can pose harm to anyone trapped behind the weir." "Weir safety: fact sheet", Seqwater.com.au, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.seqwater.com.au/sites/default/files/2019-09/Seqwater%20fact%20sheet%20-%20What%20is%20a%20weir.pdf.

Unfortunately, in Thailand this means "find a local powerless scapegoat and pin it on them". It just compounds the tragedy. The police here have no stops to pull, just rackets to run.

I enjoy all three countries (I've included Laos as per the suggestions of the other posters) so it will come down to what you are looking for specifically and enjoy most. Cambodia - people are the best and make the experience great regardless of location, bit of its Wild West character remains so not for tenderfeet, Angkor is the #1 single tourist attraction in Southeast Asia. Beaches are okay, not great. Party scene #1 from lowest of the low to high-end glitter, girls galore if that's your thang, great seafood, good smoke but becoming expensive though. Vietnam - people are generally unfriendly and aggressive although hard-working and literate, easy to stay and keep out of trouble, lots to see and do but relentless hustle and bustle, and hustlers, great beaches, mediocre food, okay smoke that's difficult to find. Laos - nice people who are friendly, language more similar to Thai so if you have that easy to get around, cheap and great food and beer, spectacular nature, great smoke that is the cheapest around. At the end of the day, you can't really go too far wrong in any of these places.

Kabuki theatre, Thai style.

Rich? He rides a motorcycle and carries a knife. Rich people in Thailand have chauffeurs, high-end luxury cars worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and bodyguards who take care of peasants who annoy them. This guy is just an ordinary fella who casually murdered two dissatisfied customers over a complaint.

What have the Romans ever done for us?