ABCer

Next stage. For those who cannot or refuse to piss there will be a used cow milking device provided. Complete with a target volume of not less than 10 liters. Than you may come and complain.

Yingluck Shinawatra, granddaughter of Princess Jantip na Chiangmai, born into incredible riches and power, one of the world's richest women without ever having done a days work in her life. Leading a grassroots revolt against the rich and privileged? For real?

well let me answer this became it IS a fair point...

please do not assume that those who are sympathetic to the 'red' cause are necessarily supporters of the Shins! personally I don't want Khun Thaksin back although I do believe he has been demonized for political purposes.

many of us support the present government BECAUSE it was democratically elected and the bullies who can't win at the polls want to disrupt them BECAUSE they lost - if this is not true WHY did Suthep not push for reforms when in power? WHY did Abhisit not say all these things back when he was PM? they had plenty of opportunity to push reform - they did not? WHY?

Only when they realised they could not win did they start their 'reform whinge' and let's 'destroy Bangkok' if we can't win an election

The clever part is they 'manipulated' the genuine feelings of people against corruption and so let's demonize this figure, throw out his family, an have an 'unelected elite' in power - I mean why bother with that silly thing called democracy?

and so it's not about supporting the rich Shins rather it's about supporting the poor, disenfranchised in Thailand and supporting DEMOCRACY - if Dems had won I would support them too (but probably not like them very much)

surely we MUST safeguard the basic human rights of Free Speech (no censorship/les majeste) and Free Elections (no blocking voting) and, of course, put pressure from ALL quarters against corruption (number ONE priority)

Some of what you write actually makes sense. The problematic side of it is that by supporting the Shinawatras, you are supporting corruption and supporting theft from the farmers. Now, the red shirts are preventing farmers to demonstrate and speak their opinion. That's not very democratic, is it? Most agree, even most of the demonstrators, that Suthep should never become prime minister of Thailand. He's one of the crooks as well.

Abhisit's big failure is that he didn't understand that he had to handle the problems in Isan before anything else. It's an unforgivable mistake, and one he and the nation has had to suffer for. He's not a good communicator and struggles trying to reach the masses. He, and his finance minister, do come across as reasonably honest though, at least compared to most other Thai politicians, but they also have a busload full of greedy dinosaurs with them, who are only looking for more money to grab.

I even think Yingluck is a relatively honest person. Unfortunately, she has no political experience and she probably has no influence whatsoever on the decisions. It must be a very frustrating position.

zakk9, you are thinking as a benevolent child.

Do you really believe that with any changes in high places the Thai system will change? Don't be delusional. It never will!

Not being a Thai I'm not sure giving my opinion here.

But I was ridiculed and criticized when about 2 months ago I was praying for a military coup.

I still am.

In this well written article a discourse is put forward on 'class nature' of the struggle continuing before our eyes.

Its only weak point is - too long, too academic and piss weak.

2 months ago than 1 month ago I categorically claimed that this 'struggle' is nothing but a pigs fight around the feeding trough.

I still am.

The fighting pigs will never stop fighting. They will not even stop at the unleashing a real civil war onto this long suffering nation.

Because the best fishing is in muddy waters. Or should I say bloody waters?

Now, let us look at the various types and forms of dislike of 'different people'.

Because whether you call it antisemitism, racism, nationalism, xenophobia, chauvinism or any other term it boils down to just this - dislike of a difference. Without condoning any of the above IMHO it can be found anywhere and everywhere on different levels.

E.g.

Black is beautiful.

Blacks are trouble.

Whites are supreme.

Jews are rich.

Jews are in conspiracy against the world.

Arabs are Muslims.

Muslims are terrorists.

Please continue...

All such forms of dislikes are rooted in the syndrome collectively referred to as 'birds of feather flock together'.

Positive forms of the same attitudes might be called nationalism or even patriotism. In any case I believe some are quite harmless and, what is more important, natural.

There is a catch there. Whether we like it or not there are visible racial differences.

E.g.

Color

Characteristic facial features

Please continue...

Regrettably I must point out that slavery as such was known long before black Africans were brought to Americas. And it was not only known in Africa and Middle East.

The only case when 'dislike of differences' becomes really dangerous is when it is used by politicians, from above, by Gov'ts.

Than and only than you have Slavery, Inquisition, Holocaust, Racism, Antisemitism, all kinds of Holy Wars or life long Aliens.

Ronin6, basically I agree with almost all wym's advice's.

1- your 10-12 K per month will allow a trouble free life for a long time.

2- try to avoid commitments to any place (by purchasing RE) at least for a few years.

3- before you make a move here decide for yourself what are you going to do; being 41??? ... getting bored to death??? On the other hand the fact that 'you have made it' in the West does not guaranty you will make it in the East. You will have to consider your Visa status in Thailand.

4- consider alternatives to Thailand: Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Burma, Vietnam,... so far as you are free.

5- and finally - 'I'm not coming here for a woman' - whatever it means might be a a pitfall unless you adopt and strictly stick to PAYG system. Remember that the strongest and smartest are undone be the dumbest and weakest all around the world.

Good luck.

Far too many express posts leaving no time for posters to think.

So, now Woody Allen isn't as great an actor/director, - according to some. Utter bullshit!

.

So what you are saying here is that your opinion is the only correct opinion?

Is it my imagination or do you try to catch me being opinionated?

Just it happens so that my opinion is reinforced by millions of similar personal opinions AND a few official ones.

Opinionated, Naaaaaa.

I guess you got me there, the opinions of many individuals means any opponent view must be "utter bullshit" ?

You should run a dictatorship, there's a few around that have been recently vacated, get your application in

Be logical, neverdie. If I share the opinion of many individuals - this makes me a democrat, not a dictator.

Can we English people have a referendum to vote on if we want Scotland to remain in the United Kingdom? It seems to be all one way traffic. All these people getting referendums. English people never get referendums for anything.

Silly boy, English people need no such thing as referendum. Not for anything.

Because they are United!

On a more serious note, not being English, British or a Scott, I really do not see much advantages in this latest tendency to go independent or bust.

I may be wrong but somehow it never happens. And to me an independent Scotland makes as much sense as independent Kosovo, or independent Palestine or independent South Sudan, or ... the list goes on. Culturally and politically they may be different but Economically all these are not viable.

Far too many express posts leaving no time for posters to think.

So, now Woody Allen isn't as great an actor/director, - according to some. Utter bullshit!

.

So what you are saying here is that your opinion is the only correct opinion?

Is it my imagination or do you try to catch me being opinionated?

Just it happens so that my opinion is reinforced by millions of similar personal opinions AND a few official ones.

Too many names here to mention. Hope you will sort it out. Not from Russia and without love...

Only a fool will get frustrated by number of fools here on TV.

Forgiveness is on. But God save us from forgetfulness.

Japanese as a country have been walking this road for a very long time. Despite many of them being different.

When talking about antisemitism do not mention French, Germans, Russians, Poles, Ukrainians, Spaniards - it hurts.

Vandalized book or pages torn out of it are worthless. But the motive, the idea and the courage behind the act are priceless! x 250!

Do not single out any Nation. Germans had a 'thing' for Jews, Japanese for Chinese and Koreans, and what about Thais?...

I hope nobody here on TV is personally responsible. It is funny to see the reaction to the issues being so deeply personal

Didn't you mention that you got married in Aus? If so and you are separated for over a year your divorce is a cinch.

Come here, take possession of your apt. There is no way he can get it from you. Just keep evidence that you bought it before marriage.

Sorry for your woes, but 9 out of 10 it is the other way around.

Anyway, when you find a honest, ethical lawyer that would be something to write about.

Hope you have proof (evidence) that this lawyer took instructions and money from you with purpose to act on your behalf against you hubby. Than it is illegal. In any country.

All the above posts are by naive virgin minds.

Just look at their vocabulary: weapon pylons, fuselage, wings underside, tails...

Donosuchwords.

The fact is its Thaksin co-opted chin planes to spy on BKK mob and personally Suthep trying to safeguard his sis.

This is why there are no markings and no tails.

Thanks, guys.

I will get a re-entry. Not a big deal. And not worth the complications for me.

I am here for nearly 7 years.

My yearly retiree visa expires on 7 April 2014.

Going to Cambodia for a short trip to see Angkor and PP. This is not a visa run.

Returning back on 6 March 2014.

Any pro/cons paying for a re-entry about 1000 Bt. ???

I think if I am admitted free (Australian Passport) and get free 1 month visitor stay there are no incentive.

But I may be wrong? Or are the freebies not on anymore?

Thanks for a definite knowledgeable advice.

She is the best if you put all other skiers to the test of playing violin.

Bravo, kid!

Reply to Simple 1

My husband was a British citizen but French background. He took the last boat out of Shanghai to get to England in 1940 (I think). It took - I believe - 3 months round the Cape.Because his MOTHER tongue was French (he was quite bilingual) they told him about some chap called De G....and that he had better go to be with him. He was 997 on the FFF. I actually met No 1 once. He had come down from Norway with his CO. The CO let his men have the honour of signing first. All in all they were only 2000 - the rest waited 3 years to see who was going to win the war before choosing their side.

True that many wanted repatriation to France, but does not detract to the overall contribution during WW11. It is estimated more than 230,000 Free French Forces were killed or wounded in action; hardly equates to sitting on their hands. By the end of the war were the fourth largest army in Europe with a million plus members.

Gillyflower and simple1, my knowledge of French resistance, 'maquis'(?) and their readiness to fight is minimal. Just some general information comes to mind.

If we leave GB and USA aside because none of them were invaded by German troops we could compare the numbers of 230,000 and over 20,000,000 on FFF and Russians respectively.

Or we could compare 3 weeks with about 4 years of actual fighting for French and Russians respectively.

Bringing the discussion closer to OP it was Japanese construction works on Kwai in Thailand and they were German not French allies during WWII.

As to sitting on their hands or on some foreign knees for 3 years many (not all) French were busy collaborating with German effort cleansing Europe from unwanted elements.

But let's better not go into this.

Please, do not get me wrong. I am not having a go at French. Just feel annoyed by the uncalled for and unjustified posture of pride.

Gentlemen, remember that under the multicolored tail display of a peacock there is a prosaic chicken bum.

I often wonder if Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam had become one unified (not in a communist group) group, what would the country be like.

er ? that's like uniting germany with spain... me thinks u don't understand the differences between thai, khmer and vietnamese...

I'm not sure about the differences but do they boil down to

Viets can fight anybody;

Khmers can fight only their own unarmed population;

Thais can fight nobody;

???????? Was it all?

Oh, yeasss, Thais don't eat dogs!

Thais deficiency in English would be reinforced by deficiency in French.

On the other hand the Viets, Laos and Cams would be looking at Thais the way Thais look at their own 'lower' ethnicity people.

Maybe Thais would stop overcooking their beautiful food.

There are always at least two sides to every story:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/01/27/the-woody-allen-allegations-not-so-fast.html

Two sides? I suppose some could view it as the side of a lying POS pervert pedophile and the side of victimized child. Don't know what happened, but I would err on the side of a victimized child rather than revictimize the child.

Far too many express posts leaving no time for posters to think.

So, now Woody Allen isn't as great an actor/director, - according to some. Utter bullshit!

So, now a man is a POS (?) pervert pedophile - according to some. Utter bullshit!

So, now a bitter, angry, non-event entity of about 30 all of a sudden becomes a 'victimized child'. Utter bullshit!

My way of thinking is - should have cried out her complaints next hour - if the offence had been there.

But 'remembering' all this after 20 years?.. How much does she want in settlement?

Oh, yes! - there are many more than two sides to every story today, especially in US, especially at Hollywood and especially when millions of $$$ can be potentially involved.

One problem is these girls are so desperate to have a boyfriends, which is a big social status symbol for them that they will do anything the boy ask just to please him.

You make it sound like it is boys fault. Allow me to disagree.

It is tropics. Sex maturity comes early. Especially for girls.

To address the problem of unplanned pregnancies education is the only option.

And I mean education for all involved - Parents, Girls, Boys.

What you teach is another matter. Just remember: condoms are not 100% safe, pills are not 100% safe, IUD's are not 100% safe.

The only 100% safe thing is a glass of icy cold water taken not before, not after, but instead of sex!.

A very sad piece of news.

But it was clearly in the coming. Shouldn't come as a shock.

Objectively speaking three major factors brought this to an end.

Economics. Trade Unions. Government.

But Australians are very resilient, practical and crafty people.

Building (assembling) cars for foreign companies is not the way to go.

I hope and wish to see they find better ways to build a good life on.

Just watch out for the above three.

Any Thai Gov't cannot afford transparency, unless the cookie jar is empty.

I said any. Leave Yingluck, Abhisit, Thaksin etc. out of this discussion.

This country is inherently corrupt therefore talk of transparency is just this - talk.

The same applies to Democracy.

Educationally, politically, historically, culturally and religiously Thais are not ready. (never said genetically!)

Add academics to the above.

Great thanks to all contributors.

Will take USD cash + Visa.

Think better go by tourist van to the border.

Might use the taxi guy you recommend. Thanks for the phone.

Can only go after March 2, as my wife is working at her stupid Uni.

Any visa problems? Australian and Thai passports respectively.

Being half cast or half breed can not be changed.

We can start using a more neutral language that does not legitimise discrimination, by insinuating these are improper people.

I agree with you completely.

Only used this terminology to emphasize the Thai problem.

It is not mine and not OP family problem, but it is here and very real.

Good! By creating awareness people can make a difference.

So for example the headmaster should have immediately been told that the child is Thai, that it is like other children growing up this country, and that the colour of its skin and the nationality of its dad is not really important.

Dear Morakot, I agree with what you say. But I am a skeptic. You cannot re-educate existing Headmasters. Sorry.

So if this is the attitude with those who are half-Thai and bilingual (and it most certainly is, especially amongst the lesser educated Thai) isn't it stupefying how certain members who regularly post here claim, and truly believe, they are embraced as "one of us" by their neighbors and other Thais?

Chiang Mai is on target. The other parents will not like a "half breed" far outperforming their precious ones. Think of the disruption in English class, when, after twelve years of lessons, the other kids are saying, "Where you go?" while little Luke is saying, "Where are you going?"

Confusion!

Being genuinely accepted takes a very very long time. And then at the end, don't be surprised at what you learn even having been friends for decades.

Nationalism is a horrible thing.

Agreed. But there are 3 different levels of nationalism.

Street level.

Gov't level.

'Face' level. (by this I mean appearance)

Unfortunately Thais have symptoms of all three and 'loving' it. One of their 'culture' things.

Being half cast or half breed can not be changed.

We can start using a more neutral language that does not legitimise discrimination, by insinuating these are improper people.

I agree with you completely.

Only used this terminology to emphasize the Thai problem.

It is not mine and not OP family problem, but it is here and very real.