I Like Thai

Consider Jomtien, it's away from the craziness and is only 10 Bht to and from. The Baht buses run 24/7 and is a very efficient service, no matter what some posters may say about it.

Maybe Thailand should ban the EU trash from this wonderful country

You originate from where? The fact that you choose to live in Pattaya speaks volumes

If you had never visited Thailand or lived in Thailand, you would be expressing the exact same sentiments about anyone that lived in Thailand.

Does your family and friends look down on you because of your visits ?

Attempting to visit your low self esteem issues on others will never solve your problems nor the problems your friends and family have.

That's one helluva cookie run bill for his parents.

What part of the below statement do you have difficulty understanding

"Pitak Veangsima, the president of a U.S.-based multi-level marketing company,"

Saudi Arabia has been Tier 3 since at least 2007, yet there is nothing I can find in the media about this country and sanctions that have been placed against it. Why have sanctions not been placed ? maybe they have, but I just can't find them. Anyone have any info on this ?

OK found the report, How can Ireland and USA remain as Tier 1

Why are they not being downgraded

USA segment

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/226849.pdf

Are you as fixated about your own country?

I wouldn't use the word fixated, but I would be very interested in locating the TIP report to find out what this is about. If true it is shocking and I would condemn it unreservedly without question.

Where is the report, does anyone know where I can download the actual report. ?

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/US-state-department-names-Ireland-as-the-worlds-sex-trafficking-center.html

US state department names Ireland as the world’s sex trafficking center

A new US State Department report has named Ireland the top destination and transit country for sex trafficking.

The Trafficking in Persons Report 2014, which was published on Friday, highlighted serious gaps in Ireland’s anti-trafficking laws, the Irish Mirror reports.

“Foreign trafficking victims identified in Ireland are from Nigeria, Cameroon, the Philippines, Poland, Brazil, Pakistan, South Africa, Lithuania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Kuwait, and other countries in Asia, and Eastern Europe,” said the report.

It's the video of truth again, watch all the Americans go running from the thread and reappear on the next thread open on the topic, with their self righteous sanctimonious pontification.

And where are you from sweetie? How did those big, bad Americans hurt you?

Maybe you're just too kinky for them. Have you tried the Iranians?

I'm from Ireland. I have never been hurt by Americans or America. I don't understand why some Americans always feel the need to defend the system that controls the USA, no matter what it does. It's a misguided loyalty that is ingrained into them through lifelong conditioning.

I have many friends who are American and a nice bunch of people they are. My comments are aimed at America, not at Americans. Try to see the difference sweetie

" Real " Americans have a blue passport in a drawer at home, and come in many colors. Do you think these kids have a passport ? Get out much ?

But this is comparing apples and oranges.

These children are brought by their families from Mexico, and work to produce money for

their families. The concept of trafficking is about children that are bought and basically enslaved

in Thailand. To compare the horror of children that are trafficked, to Hispanic children in

America that are picking cucumbers with their parents working nearby, is an insult to

children that are sold here and actually enslaved....

Only 30% of Americans have a passport. If you actually watched the video, rather than ignore it's content, because it wouldn't suit your mindset, you would learn that these children and their parents are actual American Citizens born in the US, I could also post another video link about how the US police and judicial system ignore Human trafficking in it's most hideous forms, but you wouldn't watch that either.

Eyes wide open, mind snapped shut.

Are you on crack ? I just watched the video, and there is NOTHING to indicate these children

are Americans citizens, and I seriously doubt they are. I just wasted 5 :41 minutes of my life.

And for the last time, these children in the video are NOT TRAFFICKED. Do you understand English ?? This is child labor with the parents as willing participants in the work situation. So the parents are doing the actual exploiting. And I agree, end it tomorrow. But to compare that to a Burmese child who is sold for 50$ and forced to sell flowers in tourist areas in Thailand is pathetic.

3.02 : These kids are from Texas where school started three days ago

Trying to blame the parents for laws allowing this kind of practice is reprehensible.

If you want to split hairs, then below is a video which is Human trafficking specific.

If you try to blame the Mexicans for this, then you should also blame the Rohingya rather than the Thais, both of which are also reprehensible viewpoints.

Open you mind and stop defending the US just because you are American

Why don't you have access to your passports. It's illegal for the ships captain to keep your passport

I wonder if they'll consider where the demand is for sex workers.

They only tackle the suppliers, ie poor countries, but forget that many of these women and children are exported to America itself.

But then that would put US on their own list, which wouldn't work for them.

Except that "they" do not forget, and the US has put the US on its own list.

Please have a read of the report. It really is a gold standard. It really does tell things the way they are, including in the United States. As someone said in this or another thread, if someone finds a case of trafficking or slavery in the United States (as happens very, very frequently), the one reaction that does not and will NOT occur from Washington or other state/local authorities is, "Well it's worse in Thailand." In this specific case, there is absolutely no hypocrisy.

I suggest you also drop that particular defence. The moral equivalence thing is usually silly but in this case it simply doesn't work. If you must defend slavery and human rights abuses in Thailand, do that, instead of comparing it to other places.

.

Can you advise where the report is available for download, I have been looking for it but can only find media reports about the report, but not the actual report itself.

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Looks like the Cambodian slaves are voting with their feet. Not like this event has any effect whatsoever on individule Thais or will change the culture of slavery in Asia. Perhaps America needs to look at its own use of slaves in their foreign enterprises as well as domestic?

The U.S. continues to monitor this and American companies understand full well that the American public will turn away from products shown to be produced with slave labor. If not out of moral outrage the companies will respond to economic pressure.

Here are some examples of American child labour, where is the moral outrage from the American public on these clips from Human Rights Watch ?. The Hypocrisy of the US and US citizens in relation to this is despicable. When is the USA going to downgrade itself. ?

I would appreciate your views on these videos, or the views of other Americans. But I know that you will not reply, you and other Americans will stick your heads in the sand.

First of all, I am highly insulted by your personal attack on me, "But I know that you will not reply, you and other Americans will stick your heads in the sand". If I chose not to reply it would be as a result of your lack of personal social skills. I am affronted at your tone when you are ignorant of knowing anything about me. A very broad brush you are using. Have a personal issue with Americans in particular or were you just not brought up with any manners?

The issue here is Thailand not the U.S. Are you saying there is no Thai issues here? That being said, I have gone to the HRW website and viewed the video. I am left of center and a Democrat politically so I do not have any problem with denouncing wrongdoing in business or government spheres. Having lived and worked 45 years in W. Kentucky I am aware of tobacco farming. Most that I am familar with used family members in "child labor". There was, without question, migrant adult labor employed. These were migrant laborers that moved across the U.S. following the crop work through harvest. While the presentation focused on children, the issue of unsafe working conditions in agriculture was the focus of Caesar Chavez's lifelong work. There are several important issues to be addressed without question. I have and continue to be opposed to child labor and reduced minimum wages in the agriculture and restaurant work fields. We are now pushing for a higher minimum wage in the U.S. and increased working condition protections but are being blocked by the Republican mind set.

No one is saying the U.S. does not have its own work cut out to be addressed. I fear for my country with all the pressures now evidenced internally and internationally. Do your own study and draw the world's attention to the problems but do not condemn the U.S., on one hand for taking action, or condemn it yet again for not speaking out on international issues.

Why is is perfectly acceptable for the US to condemn any one or any country it wishes, but not acceptable for anyone to condemn the US. The US hasn't taken any action, even if they blacklist Thailand, they will simply import from another part of the world where abuses of other workers take place.

I believe these statements from the US are just more talk. I have become suspicious of the latest announcement from the US

"Ambassador-at-Large to Combating Human Trafficking in Asia Luis CdeBaca said whether the U.S. would impose sanctions on Thailand depended on U.S. President Barack Obama. "

This statement leads me to believe that this is just another exercise in hanging Obama out to dry, he will not be permitted by Corporate interests to lay sanctions against 23 countries, it is too much profit to lose. But it will once again make him look weak.

Why should something of this nature need Presidential approval ?

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Looks like the Cambodian slaves are voting with their feet. Not like this event has any effect whatsoever on individule Thais or will change the culture of slavery in Asia. Perhaps America needs to look at its own use of slaves in their foreign enterprises as well as domestic?

The U.S. continues to monitor this and American companies understand full well that the American public will turn away from products shown to be produced with slave labor. If not out of moral outrage the companies will respond to economic pressure.

Here are some examples of American child labour, where is the moral outrage from the American public on these clips from Human Rights Watch ?. The Hypocrisy of the US and US citizens in relation to this is despicable. When is the USA going to downgrade itself. ?

I would appreciate your views on these videos, or the views of other Americans. But I know that you will not reply, you and other Americans will stick your heads in the sand.

For some reason your links would not work, so I went to HRW and watched on their website. Having worked 45 years in Western Kentucky, I am well aware of tobacco farming. But most of the farms I am aware of were privately owned family farms and the child labor were primarily family members. Migrant labor certainly was used on some of the larger farms. The migrant labor in the U.S. moves around different states as the the different crops come in. I think, worldwide, the base issue is poverty and the growing wealth gap.

As an educated American and a Democrat, I have not and do not agree with paying lower wages in agriculture and restaurant work. Agriculture work conditions is also not limited to children, that is what Caesar Chavez spent his life fighting. Nor do I agree with child labor. Do not paint me with your broad brush. To have the U.S. make a statement that more needs to be done in Thailand does not mean there is not more to do in the U.S. HOWEVER, to equate the overall U.S. labor picture with the issues here in S.E. Asia is really pushing it. If you wish to get as incensed as I do about things in the U.S. take more time and investigate the human trafficking taking place. The U.S. is, I am afraid, beset with many critical issues currently, I fear for my country's near term future. The point is not the U.S. Vs. (fill in the blank). The issue is WE all have a problem, what are WE to do about it? You accuse me of turning a blind eye, of burying my head, and then condemn we Americans for not turning a blind eye in S.E. Asia and elsewhere? You condemn us for taking an action, you condemn us when we do not take action. Puts me in a bind in listening to you in your accusatory manner. As you addressed me as an individual, and you are ignorant of anything about me, this is highly insulting.

You stated that the American public will turn away from products, that they have a deep sense of outrage to such things. This is completely false. They point fingers at other places in the world whilst ignoring what goes on in their own back yard. Apologies for singling you out as an Individual, but it is common practice for Americans and others to vanish from topics when they don't like what they hear. Just count the number of threads started on this topic and then abandoned to reappear on new thread a few days later

The video I posted was not about migrant workers that move from town to town and farm to farm. It was about children who are American citizens, who work longer hours than it is legal for adults to work during school hours. It also was not about children working on family farms.

This practice of child abuse is legal in American agricultural laws, the only reason is continues to remain legal is that the American public, who don't get outraged by it want cheap vegetables.

I wonder if they'll consider where the demand is for sex workers.

They only tackle the suppliers, ie poor countries, but forget that many of these women and children are exported to America itself.

But then that would put US on their own list, which wouldn't work for them.

Except that "they" do not forget, and the US has put the US on its own list.

Please have a read of the report. It really is a gold standard. It really does tell things the way they are, including in the United States. As someone said in this or another thread, if someone finds a case of trafficking or slavery in the United States (as happens very, very frequently), the one reaction that does not and will NOT occur from Washington or other state/local authorities is, "Well it's worse in Thailand." In this specific case, there is absolutely no hypocrisy.

I suggest you also drop that particular defence. The moral equivalence thing is usually silly but in this case it simply doesn't work. If you must defend slavery and human rights abuses in Thailand, do that, instead of comparing it to other places.

.

It's ignored, they stick their heads in the sand and ignore it

I was going for Netherlands, and still will, but Costa Rica, as no-hopers at the start, have captured my attention. Of course, being a Scot, I'm always for the underdog! Fingers crossed they beat England!

I thought you said you are always for the underdog!

There are limitations to every rule

It's the video of truth again, watch all the Americans go running from the thread and reappear on the next thread open on the topic, with their self righteous sanctimonious pontification.

You are right !!! Send them all back to Mexico in order to avoid exploitation by

evil Americans......

They are Americans, or do only White Anglo Saxons count as "Real" Americans in your mindset.

" Real " Americans have a blue passport in a drawer at home, and come in many colors. Do you think these kids have a passport ? Get out much ?

But this is comparing apples and oranges.

These children are brought by their families from Mexico, and work to produce money for

their families. The concept of trafficking is about children that are bought and basically enslaved

in Thailand. To compare the horror of children that are trafficked, to Hispanic children in

America that are picking cucumbers with their parents working nearby, is an insult to

children that are sold here and actually enslaved....

Only 30% of Americans have a passport. If you actually watched the video, rather than ignore it's content, because it wouldn't suit your mindset, you would learn that these children and their parents are actual American Citizens born in the US, I could also post another video link about how the US police and judicial system ignore Human trafficking in it's most hideous forms, but you wouldn't watch that either.

Eyes wide open, mind snapped shut.

I find there is a general disdain for Thailand by many .. I am guessing Westerners ...that have such a low opinion of Thailand.

That Thailand should object to the rating given by the US government on Human Trafficking...I can guess that most people don't want their country criticized by any foreigner..so that's a natural reaction not just a Thai perspective.

Since over 22 years coming to Thailand & now living here I have never seen or experienced this problem but if others are more a expert on the subject I'd be more interesting in listening.

Since it was the US making the claim it's as if there is no human trafficking done in the US? or in their farming industry done by Latinos?

Just because the US makes standards..and they can because they are the ones linked to any loans etc given by the World Bank & IMF that is affected by the Tier system they can say what they want.

My initial reaction would be the US has destroyed 7 countries in the last 10 years or so & now leading the charge towards World War & Nuclear attacks against Russia & China.

Most of the other Western Countries... including my own are basically Puppets and to me have no right to say anything on any moral high ground.

Is Thailand perfect?.. of course not but where is?..Your home country?

There is no such disdain concerning Thailand, in general, from Westerners as you suggest, and especially those of us who have lived here for a long time.

There is, however, disdain for the continued corruption, lack of effort to overcome it, and continued selective blindness to many atrocities. That is a very different agenda.

Thailand purports to being a member of the UN, and it also receives huge benefits from the World Bank, which you ascertain. In doing so, Thailand itself must recognise international standards and make every effort to adhere to such. The US does not make the standards... the international community does, whereby standards of life considered to include freedom, freedom of speeh and action, within the limits of acceptable laws, are adhered to.

It is those standards that Thailand agreed to when signing agreements with exactly the likes of the UN and the World Bank, and thus should adhere to, yet chooses not to ad hoc.

Each individual home country is irrelevant, when taking into account 192 member countries of the UN which all counter measures which impede rules agreed upon.

As a result, Thailand is more than far from perfect in its agreements to adhere, and yet we do not carry disdain for Thailnd, but its lack of efficiency in attempts to counter what is mentioned in line 2.

AMEN !

But yet the USA refuses to ratify The Geneva Convention on Human Rights. Why is that ?

It's the video of truth again, watch all the Americans go running from the thread and reappear on the next thread open on the topic, with their self righteous sanctimonious pontification.

You are right !!! Send them all back to Mexico in order to avoid exploitation by

evil Americans......

They are Americans, or do only White Anglo Saxons count as "Real" Americans in your mindset.

It's the video of truth again, watch all the Americans go running from the thread and reappear on the next thread open on the topic, with their self righteous sanctimonious pontification.

And how much did the first hooker you slept with, when you arrived here, cost?

Narrated and filmed by the Ramos family, is what you displayed. Mexican by birth, or coincidental?

If they stayed in Mexico and gave to their own country, would they be complaining?

No. They ventured to what they knew was hard graft, but better pay.

That was not forced labour, but choice. Tremendously large difference!

And no, I am not American, but keep things in perspective I LIKE THAI. Bet you do!

Could exactly the same argument not be used with the Rohingya etc, if they stayed in their own countries, then they would not have a problem. This argument is used to justify exploitation of children and adults, the laws in the USA permit the use of child labour for unregulated lengths of time. Adults have more rights in the US agricultural system than children. The children in the clip are US citizens and not illegal immigrants.

Neither what is happening in the Thailand scenario or the US scenario is correct, but pointing fingers for the benefit of media popularity and the feeling of "We're better than them" achieves nothing.

If people are truly concerned about the situations in both scenarios and also in most of the world where a segment of society is easily victimised, then the answer is for each individual to stop buying cheap food products and to have full traceability on where their products come from. But this will not happen, the biggest condemners on this issue will continue to buy food and goods where it is cheapest and ignore where it came from and the circumstances around how it was produced.

I can't remember how much she cost, it was a long time ago. How about you ?

If you didn't come here for hookers, then why did you come. What failures or flaws did you have in life that you weren't able to make a successful and happy life for yourself in your 1st world country.

It's the video of truth again, watch all the Americans go running from the thread and reappear on the next thread open on the topic, with their self righteous sanctimonious pontification.

From the other TVF thread in this mystery.

A new development in the MH370 investigation has placed further speculation on the plane's captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah.

Read more at http://news.ninemsn....B5iFoAJPMjqK.99

( Moderators: should we consider consolidating rather than having 2 parallel threads? It's tough solving this thing already.)

Yes, it's shameful that the threads can't be merged. If they could be merged, the TV sleuths would have it solved in no time

What is the most Intelligent animal in Australia.

For me it just had to be Skippy

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I once tried to immigrate to Australia because it looks like a country i can love.

First question immigration asked me was if I had a criminal record.

I didn't even know that was still required.

They're getting a bit choose these days. One could say, getting a little bit above their station.

Australia bound convict song

oops sorry, I thought this topic was about history, just realised ye don't have any

What do you have to offer her ?

How successful have you been in locating her ?

I though Alf in Home and Away used to say "flaming Galah" ?

Drongo was another one of his