Dag Ekeberg

There are an increasing number of rubber farmers in Isan. Who the heck are they going to vote for? Time for a Libertarian Party in Thailand.

Thailand's political conflict is not one of liberals versus conservatives, but a struggle between two reactionary conservative ideologies. One seeks to preserve the privileges of a traditional elite. The other seeks to reassign those privileges to a new moneyed elite. In practice, both reject the basic ideas of a liberal viewpoint: the rule of law, freedom of thought and expression, good governance, and a serious public commitment to improving the welfare of the common man.

Thailand does have many liberals, but they choose not to enter into politics or government, but rather into civil society, academia, and business. Without a functioning democracy, their voices are seldom heard.

You might be thinking of libertarians, who don't endorse the police state...

Could there be something to these Hitler stories reported lately? Do bad habits die hard? Thailand had a less-than-stellar record in WW2

It generates 1mn hits for thaivisa over the weekend until the political circus kicks off again on Monday.

Don’t write this off so easily. Every expat can agree on this: Thais work on a cash basis. Which country has the most visitors to Thailand? China. Any country on the decline? USA. In a conflict between USA and China (very unlikely, right?) which side would Thailand take?

The next Hitler might be speaking a language with no alphabet.

Hey, if Thaivisa wants to be a leader in news, you ignore the number one English language news source in the country at your own peril…

Read post 143 again, slowly.

It's Bangkok post that asks Thaivisa not to publish quotes or links to them.

Sorry, Thaddeus, of course journalists must always do as they’re told. My mistake, I'm a bit of a slow reader.

This story seems to have originated in the Bangkok Post. Why not cite the original source?

Forum Rule 31.

So Thailand is the only place in the world where you cannot write about something that has been published in a newspaper. Very funny, this Rule 31. Anybody complete Journalism 101?

It's Bangkok post that asks Thaivisa not to publish quotes or links to them.

Write a short summary – in your own words – and link to Bangkok Post. That’s what journalists everywhere do. Nothing illegal in that. It should even be a win-win for both Thaivisa and BP, according to common gospel.

Hey, if Thaivisa wants to be a leader in news, you ignore the number one English language news source in the country at your own peril…

Okay, I'll shut up now.

This story seems to have originated in the Bangkok Post. Why not cite the original source?

Forum Rule 31.

So Thailand is the only place in the world where you cannot write about something that has been published in a newspaper. Very funny, this Rule 31. Anybody complete Journalism 101?

So a common practise used by journalist all over the world doesn't apply in Thailand? That's very funny.

This story seems to have originated in the Bangkok Post. Why not cite the original source?

It's ไม่ต้องทอนเงิน stick with that!

Swedes do the same thing when they pronounce English words. Is that interesting or what?

ให้เกียรติ (Hai Giad) is a fairly general term for showing respect. ไม่ได้ให้เกียรติเขา

I’m curious to learn how เกรงใจ or นับถือ would apply in this situation.

bad karma for charging foreigners ten times as much as Thais?

could you post up your new lyrics, cant here the video

I'll see if I can locate them. The sound is a bit low. Turning up your volume should help.

turned up full - no hear

I’ve uploaded a new version with amplified sound. Just waiting for the moderator to change the link…

could you post up your new lyrics, cant here the video

I'll see if I can locate them. The sound is a bit low. Turning up your volume should help.

Next year, it's half a century since Allan Sherman released his hit song, “Letter from Camp,” based on his son’s despondent letters from Camp Champlain in New York.

Because of some eerie similarities, this has now become “Message from Village” -- a message from your Thai girlfriend, who's miserable and penniless in her Isan village while you’re trying to earn a living back home.

(We’re looking for a Thai girl to sing in the next version..)

Shameless Commerce: New mystery novel from Isan and Pattaya. Read the first chapters free on Amazon: “Missing in Thailand”

Original lyrics:

Hello muddah, hello faddah,

Here I am at Camp Granada.

Camp is very entertaining,

And they say we'll have some fun if it stops raining!

I went hiking with Joe Spivey,

He developed poison ivy.

You remember Lennard Skinard,

He got ptomain poisoning last night after dinner!

All the counselors hate the waiters,

And the lake has alligators!

And the head coach wants no sissies,

So he reads to us from something called 'Ulysses'.

No, I don't want this should scare ya,

But my bunkmate has malaria!

You remember Jeffrey Hardy,

They're about to organize a searching party!

Take me home, oh muddah, faddah.

Take me home, I hate Granada.

Don't leave me out in the forest,

Where I might get eaten by a bear!

Take me home, I promise I will not make noise,

Or mess the house with all my toys.

Oh please don't make me stay;

I've been here one whole day!

Dearest faddah, darling muddah,

How's my precious little bruddah?

Let me come home if you miss me;

I would even let Aunt Bertha hug and kiss me!

Wait a minute; it stopped hailing.

Guys are swimming, guys are sailing.

Playing baseball, gee that's better.

Muddah, faddah, kindly disregard this letter!

This should make Chang extremely happy after their break up!!....not...

Let's hope their marriage to Singha is more harmonious than that with Thai Bev (Chang)

How can they return after what (they claim) happened last time? Have they no sense of lost face?

Thank you so much, it was very illuminating to hear from a real Thai. Keep posting!

Here are a couple of more terms, in case some of the posters ever tire of going around saying Top Salop Salai to people.

If somebody is สามสลึง, then they’re only three quarters operational… Or, simply ไม่เต็มบาท

Different words, but still potentially rude. Beware...

I see your point. Some of the dishes mentioned here, I'd call Thai fast-food...

Try to befriend some Isan people and see what they eat, or go to a local farmers market. Get fresh vegetables and fruit. Buy cured or fermented fish that keeps in the fridge. …and tons of other stuff they hide from us farangs…

It seems people expect to be fed objective news stories but don’t want to pay for it. I say, lower your expectations.

Thailand and journalism is not a perfect match anyhow. In Thai society, you’re not supposed to question your elders or your superiors. Unfortunately, that’s pretty much the definition of journalism…

Thanks for the pictures, Paggamb. Pork blood and intestines for breakfast... not so sure... Otherwise, I guess porridge is a safe start of the day.

I think some fruit would be in order here. For years now, we’ve been told to eat grapefruit for breakfast. That used to be cruel punishment, but in Thailand the grapefruit is sweet... Pomelo (ส้มโอ)

Yes, they are very tasty. A bit too rich fare perhaps in the morning, but as dessert, sure.

It’s funny, I don’t see much difference between breakfast, lunch and dinner in Thailand. Whatever is available or takes ones fancy at the moment.

Thais who hate to leave the house before breakfast (and hate to cook), keep their fridges stocked with chili paste, fermented fish and fresh vegetables. Then, all you have to do is reheat the rice that was left in the cooker from last night…

Crepes are called Roti.

When did เอ become a diphthong?

Try this: Say “Best” but skip the “st” and make the “e” long..

it's not a diphthong, just an "e"

Confusion probably stems from the Thai name May..