wotchit

Despite howls of outrage this comment might create, Thailand has developed economically extremely rapidly over the last few decades, particularly in relation to other countries in the region. A stronger currency is an inevitable part of this and Thailand will continue to get more expensive as it more closely approaches "Developed World" (hate that term) standards.

Can't afford it? There's always Cambodia (or maybe Burma soon).

I would think Southern Thailand is more dangerous than of this situation.

I would think it's far more dangerous being on the road during Songkran.

In fact that'll probably be the case even if the NK's do start something

Foreign Minister confirms no clash or casualties at Thai-Myanmar border in Ranong; only a misunderstanding /MCOT

I guess I "misunderstood" the 13 dead!

Also guess that the Burmese Army is a pretty bad mob to work for.

13 guys go missing for a morning and they're commanders immediately write them off by the sound of it.

No "Leave no man behind" with the Tatmadaw.

Govt offering cash for photos of forest fires

Hooray for Photoshop!

LOL genius idea.

Quick, everyone google images from "Apocalypse Now"

BUGGER IT!

Why couldn't they have done this a couple of weeks ago? Went from CM to Mae Sot, saw dozens of the sods all sparking up. Could've paid for the year...

Actually, the air in CM doesn't seem too bad now, guessing they've stopped setting fires now. Ahhhh...hence the offer of a reward now. No good offering when someone might claim it, is it?

"Don't kid yourself. The ceasefires with the ethnic groups (who generally live on the borders of Burma) is barely holding and the Burmese military is actively kicking people off their ancestoral lands as they please. Know for a fact that the Karen's (who I'm pretty sure live in that part of the world) are getting mighty pissed off with the Burmese. Wouldn't surprise me if one of local commanders had enough and decided to take action."

Ranong is not a Karen region. The Karen leadership is in shambles at the moment. And even when it was more united, the KNLA rarely attacked Burmese military units in such a manner, rarely took the offensive as they prefered autonomy to independence. Apart from the Kachin, the minority groups have capitulated and the military is taking advantage of the various ceasefires by entrenching itself in the minority areas.

Aha, I stand corrected. Yep, know the KNU are in a right mess, also know that elements of the KNLA are getting fed up with what's going on.

Still, all irrelevant, because it was all a mistake. Quite how you make such a mistake is a bit confusing - but that's Burma for you.

Soooooo.....we have a story where named Burmese military commanders are quoted and a specific figure on dead and "several missing" is cited and.......it's a misunderstanding?

That's some misunderstanding.

"<deleted>?" seems appropriate.

OMG and I thought that area was safe?! Just as the Myanmar authorities were about to open up overland access from Kawthoung to Dawei...

Hopefully the authorities can get the situation under control and make sure it never happens again (at least not anywhere along the Thai border, due to the huge tourism potential on the Myanmar side).

Don't kid yourself. The ceasefires with the ethnic groups (who generally live on the borders of Burma) is barely holding and the Burmese military is actively kicking people off their ancestoral lands as they please. Know for a fact that the Karen's (who I'm pretty sure live in that part of the world) are getting mighty pissed off with the Burmese. Wouldn't surprise me if one of local commanders had enough and decided to take action.

Burmese military launched another attack on the Kachin's yesterday, despite promises that it was all "peace and love" now.

If you think the fightings over in Burma, you're kidding yourself I'm afraid.

Hey roberterik,

Try googling "Thai Garden Design", they're a landscaping firm with English staff that I've heard good things about. Think they're based in BKK.

Yeah the Chinese are the masters. Once trying to get on a moving (like 7mph) bus in Beijing, grabbed the handrails and in the half second it took me to pull myself up two old dears had leapt on under my arm! Have to see it to believe it.

In Thailand? Push straight in. After all, I'm just the big, dumb farang, everyone expects you to be an ignorant <deleted>. Railing against reality will just get you blowing a gasket.

These guys are English and run a landscaping company:

www.thaigardendesign

Their office is at Hua Hin Soi 112.

Don't know if they do the sort of maintenance work you're talking about, give them a shout I reckon.

Thai Garden Design are doing online ordering of plants, dunno about what sort of prices they charge though. You can find them on Google.