rickirs

If you carry towing equipment in your car, you better get rid of it fast.

It is not only criminals who have fingerprints on record.

Military service in Thailand is mandatory to all males who have turned 21. Fingerprints would have been part of the registration process. The police should also check Thai military records, assuming they actually have the suspects fingerprints. Of course the police have no authority to review military records and would need to convince Gen. Prayuth to access the records.

It is also possible that universities and the government civil service have fingerprints to be checked. Police need to INVESTIGATE.

For the police just to declare that because they have no match with felons means the suspects are foreigners is a "cop-out."

I would have thought from all the NIDA and TRICHA surveys that 95%+ of Thais agree that the PM is doing a good job and are pleased with continued martial law. So shouldn't he have had a motorcade through Chiang Mai to let his admirers greet and shower him with flowers? Maybe he could have stopped to give them words of his wisdom and hope. Being the Head of Government in the second largest city in Thailand, I'd think he would be more receptive to the public.

I am sure the public would have been very receptive of Gen. Prayuth. But it's not very practical for the army general to pass through town in a tank. So he should be excused for his oversight.

The only real issue is the 100-meter proximity of villagers to the plant. But without seeing the plant layout, the 100 meters might be the distance to the plant property boundary and not to the actual physical plant location. If there was to be say a 200-meter setback of the plant from the boundary, the proximity may not be a real issue.

Otherwise, LNG in gas form is lighter than air, easily dispersed with breezes. It is difficult to ignite in an open atmosphere, and it is environmentally friendly. Its vehicular transportation is as safe and dependable as gasoline-fueled cars, if not more so. Otherwise it might be transmitted through a buried pipeline. The government should focus on educating the public.

"Armstrong argued his original settlement could not be overturned under state law."

I tend to agree but it depends on the language of the settlement. Usually settlements are final and not subject to post-agreement reviews. If Armstrong had good attorneys, they would insure that language to the effect that whatever motivated either side to a settlement was irrelevant and unarguable. Therefore, any subsequent discovered misrepresentation by either side could not negate the settlement.

In fact it seems that the arbitration decision wasn't a reversal of the original settlement, but a penalty imposed on Armstrong for achieving a settlement, albeit through deception. Such a decision does seem to go beyond the authority of an arbitrator and denies Armstrong due process of law. Under a judicial proceeding plaintiffs might have difficulty establishing legal standing, again depending on the language of the settlement, to get a court to accept a lawsuit.

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Now if Gaddafi hadn't wanted gold for his oil he wouldn't have had to have been removed and he it seems was the only one who could keep the country together.

Didn't I read somewhere that in Gaddafi's time it was the country in Africa with the highest per capita income, the best education and health care.

Could it just be that democracy forced by bombs and bullets isn't the best way for every country ?

Don't you have to have democracy first before you judge it a failure?

The Court of Appeals will not uphold the lower court decision. The primary reason may be that the subject immigrants are entitled to humantarium treatment and the plaintiffs offer no alternative except for unworkable mass deportation. Also, the immigrants are entitiled to due process of law under the US Constitution that does not distinguish people for their nationality.

For a state that has a large hispanic electorate, Texas Republicans may pay for their anti-immigration antics in the 2016 General Election that includes election of a new US President. For potential Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush who favors immigration amnesty, this lawsuit will keep him out of mainstream Republican ideology.

The "new" Greek government will become after Friday the "former" Greek government if it does not accept the bailout extension. Reality bites and the Greeks are due for a nip.

At least there will be no concern about any fighters displaying three fingers.

The Chinese government as well as other foreign governments seems more interested in investing in Thailand than the Thai government. Of course China's investment helps China's GDP growth and does nothing for Thailand's GDP growth.

The Thai government's investment in Thailand would require it to issue treasury bonds which are debt instruments. From that perspective the government refuses such an approach to investment because Prayuth says he does not want to create debt during his tenure as PM. His viewpoint is reinforced by his NCPO advisor Somkid Jatusripitak who believes that "gross domestic product should grow on its fundamentals, not from an injection of capital."

Some might call their viewpoint "kitchen economics." While that is sufficient for one's personal economy, it is completely inappropriate for a nation's economy.

The penny hasn't dropped with Khun Thaksin, not a good look trying to get something back that he was instrumental in causing, a divided nation , it still is divided, although under the radar as the Junta strives to sort out the mish mash the legacy of Thaksin and his political parties, PM Prayuth is correct , come home Thaksin and face your peers or will you wait another 3 years till statute of limitations expires. width=32 alt=coffee1.gif>

What is the satute of limitations for a military coup? The answer has been NONE because juntas always give themselves amensty.

How about juntas also face their peers, the Thai People, in THEIR court of justice. Some people seem only to want one-sided justice and not justice for ALL.

Let's be honest on how to end this conflict - BAN tourists from the beaches!

They don't spend much money on the beach and only complain about the waterside scams. Better they stay quietely in the center of town and spend their day shopping and eating in the markets. Maybe TAT will think of a novel scheme to get tourist money without any tourist issuees.

I suggest that tourists be encouraged to visit any other country than Thailand but that their country of origin must send to Thailand a stipend (ie., 15%?) for every lost baht by each tourist. Or maybe tourists can be "invited" to have working vacations on Thailand's fishing boats. Would would pass up free room and board?

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'Meanwhile members of the judiciary have been taking sides for a long time, so they would seem unsuitable as neutrals whose decisions could be trusted by both sides.

In reality, it's not worth wasting time on this quest. Amid our longstanding polarised conflict, there is no non-partisan figure left that might help resolve the dispute."

AMEN! Nothing more to say here.

Correct and whoever is in power will always use it to go after his enemies. So we can only hope that whoever we support gets into power. No matter what way as this conflict will never end.

So far my side is neutering the PTP and with some luck puts them out of the game for a long time. I have seen that both sides go after each-other.. both sides want full control and both sides use means that are not legal. I just support the side that I think is least bad of them.

" I just support the side that I think is least bad of them."

Would you support the government if it was elected by the side that you didn't support? Or would you agree that illegal means would be justified for regime change once again? That was the approach used by the Democrats and the PDRC, while the PTP attempted to work within the constitutional framework imposed on it.

In a democracy not everyone gets their way, sometimes even when they are the majority. Witness the Court's denial of the legality of the PTP amnesty bill. But all Thai People should be guaranteed their constitutional rights and liberties. When that is taken away, there is no good side and bad side. There is only a losing side.

"With no bidding process being used, the conditions of the contract are being are being negotiated behind closed doors by experts handpicked by the junta."

No transparency. No accountability. Just absolutely no details at all on the scope and cost. The deal is being negotiated by a closed organization who controls ALL of government. There will be no questioning or scrutiny by any opposition government officials.

The news media can only sit and be handfed news from the Junta. Investigative jouralism is not allowed. Yet, not a word of criticism by The Nation. Surely, the public can trust there is no corruption in a government-to-government deal that is made behind "closed doors"? NACC was going to review that deal but now it seems more focused on past alleged government official corruption rather than heading off current potential government corruption.

This project will not boost Thailand's lagging economy as 80% of the cost will be financed by the Chinese. And for the next 20 years Thailand will hand the Chinese rail revenues so that Thailand can payoff the Chinese loan plus a 2-4% return on Chinese investment. Good for China's GDP growth, almost useless for Thailand's GDP growth.

One might speculate (again no details) that adjunct commercial development along the railway will boost the Thai business sector. But who knows what side deals may be offered as part of the whole railway package? Who knows who really stands to gain from this railway? All that can be said with certainty is that the Thai taxpayer is once again hostage to Thailand's elite class.

"the new constitution will be in effect for only five years."

That timespan is about right. Five years has been about how long the military can restrain itself from another coup and another "new" constitution.

"He said he hoped Human Right Watch better understood the issue after receiving an Army explanation"

HRW needs to understand that the Thai military:

- can be trusted, never to deceive or lie

- has always respected the Thai constitution(s)

- respects the election of government officials

- respects the civil liberties and rights of the Thai people

- accepts legal accountability for all its actions

How many times does the Chief of NCPO General Prayuth must tell people that he will not abuse his self-granted absolute power over the Thais people? Howmany times must he plead that he is not a dictator and cannot just order people around.

Yes, I do hope the HRW does understand what is happening in Thailand.

This law is raw protectionism and reinforces xenophobia in the Thai culture. More importantly, it encourages government corruption and dishonest business practices. Such issues are in the short-term minor in an emerging "banana" economy, and maybe excusable in a poor economy. Foreign investors might be satisfied as "silent" partners.

However, if and when the Thai economy once again demonstrates healthy and consistent GDP growth, foreign investors will want more access to business opportunities and investment returns. Then these issues will substantially hinder foreign investment in Thailand while Thais enjoy full equity control in other countries. Before foreign investors start to pressure their respective nations to retaliate against Thailand's business discrimination, the government needs to revoke this law.

Well that's Egypt firmly in the fray now, not a good move by ISIS as they are the 3rd largest force in the area.

Do you really think the muslim Egyptian army is going to risk spilling a drop of blood for some dead Chrsitians?

That has been a certainty. The Egyptian military has been spilling the blood of the Muslim Brotherhood for decades under Mubarack when it was outlawed and now the MB is once again outlawed. And if you noticed, the Egyptian military has almost daily military engagements with Al Qaeda in the Sinai Peninsula and with Hamas in the Gaza Strip border.

Just a comparison . . . to show what 500 Megawatts in Thailand stand for . . . the equivalence constructed in solar panel power looks like this project finished in California last month :

Late last month, the Topaz Solar project achieved full commercial operation with the completion of its final 40-megawatt (AC) phase. This is the first 500-megawatt plus solar farm to come on-line in the U.S. and the largest solar plant on-line in the world.

Two years ago, the millionth First Solar (FSLR) solar module was installed at the power plant owned by MidAmerican Solar. As of today, the project has installed 9 million solar panels across 9.5 square miles in San Luis Obispo County on California's Carrizo Plain. Construction began in 2012

500 Megawatts in 20 years by constantly building new biomass power plants seems to be a wasrte of resources. There might never be enough biomass to feed the plants, regarding how Thai farmers treat the soil and how little is done to incorporate animal feces into a biomass collecting system.

One example, Thai farmers rather burn the stiples on rice fields instead of plowing them under. They save nothing by dismissing a ploughing round by tractors . . at the start of the rainy season, they order tractors to plough the fields. If they would plough under and mulch right after the rice harvest, they could plant right away after the first rains 6 months later . . . .

What I am asking is, where would the biomass come from that is supposed to create 500 Megawatts . . . from pineapple, corn leaves and palmoil residues ? It can be done but it needs a throughout and concile planning . . .

Your question of where the biomass will come from is a critical issue.

To sustain a large plant requires virtually 100% wood related fiberous waste due to flow, corrosion, burn, and pollution design considerations. Biomass is more expensive than coal. Where would this wood material come from? Likely a large part of it would have to be imported into Thailand which would require a sea or river dock and/or commercial rail transport. An inland plant would be uneconomical.

Case in point is the 740 MW biomass plant in Tilbury, England that was converted from a 1,062 MW coal-fired plant. About 80% of its biomass comes from the USA and Canada as debarked wood pellets, and 20% comes from Europe. EXPENSIVE.

Small 25-50 MW biomass plants in association with farming and manufacturing industries where source fuels are relatively closeby are doable in Thailand. But other than providing low interest loans to help finance the building of the plants, the government should not subsidize energy sales. And if plants prove uneconomical in relation to grid provided power, then they should be abandoned. Obviously, careful economic studies are needed to assure that they can run profitably.

"Mr Arkhom said the Thai economy was likely to expand by 3.5-4.5 per cent this year"

Consider this prediction:

Economic growth is expected to increase 2-3% in the first quarter of 2015 - thaivisa.com 2015-02-15

If the 2015Q1 GDP growth is 3%, each of the remaining three quarters must have growth rates of 5% to achieve an annual growth of 4.5%!

No one in or out of government is forecasting any quarter in 2015 hitting 5% GDP growth. In fact Thailand experienced negative inflation rate in January 2015. - Finance Minister Sommai Phasi, 2015-02-02.

The Inspector-general of the Ministry of Commerce Somkiat Triratpan, 2015-02-02, forecasted the CPI would range from 1.8 to 2.5% throughout 2015. That means the GDP growth for January 2015 was less that 2.5%. So if the 2015Q1 GDP growth is (say) 2%, each of the remaining three quarters must have growth rates of 5.3% to achieve an annual growth of 4.5!

Recently, the Junta announced it will make no further substantial capital investments in the Thai infrastructure. That's apart from the fact it never has. The Junta and the nation will be fortunate that the 2015 GDP keeps even with inflation.

While the Junta holds power over democracy, it holds no power to overturn the principles of economics.

Seems reasonable provided Thaksin comes back to fulfill his obligations to the courts, country and the people then talks can be held, with him on the other side of a stout set of bars.

Reconciliation is not about accommodating one mans lust for power, particularly a man who has never admitted any wrongdoing regardless of the evidence.

Until he and his minions come to the table in contrition there can be no reconciliation for those they have wronged.

Let's see the Junta retract its amnesty for the coup and place itself at the court's mercy for crimes against the sovereignty of the Thai people.

Let the man who appointed himself to prime minister reject his thirst for absolute power and retract Article 44 of the Interim Charter and reinstate the 2007 Constitution. Then maybe reconciliation can be meaningful.

F$&@ Thaksin. One man holding the country to ransom with his little red sheep.

When will they wake up?

It looks like the little multi-colored Thai sheep have wakened the Junta up when the Junta thought it held them hostage to its power.

EU and Ukraine have German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French leader Francois Hollande to thank for "convincing" Hero Putin to a cease fire. The conflict is a direct concern to the national security of the EU and it's nice to see the EU effectively confront Russia without the US/NATO acting as the area's policeman.

Putin has miscalculated his contrived "civil war" in the Ukraine by driving the EU, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe closer together for mutual military and economic security. If he had been satisfied with his annexation of the Crimea, the subsequent deaths of 5,000 Ukrainian civilians and neo-Russian insurgents would have been avoided. But he let his ego get ahead of himself. Unfortunately, only his ego is bruised. Hardly a fair tradeoff.