empireboy

BBC announces.... "We're back to 'First Gear' now!"

The fix? - It's all about education!

I'm all for freedom of speech but I wouldn't let my 5 year old say whatever she wants without consequences!

Just because you're 55 and a reporter for the press doesn't mean you have learned to weigh your words any better than my 5 year old and equally importantly..... that there should not be (negative) consequences for any inappropriate use of your "freedom of speech"!!

Too many in the press don't want to report just the truth... they want to create scandal and sensation and they couch their reportage in whatever manner they please to do so! Good on the PM for warning them! It's better than shutting them down with no warning at all!

So he's no diplomat... not the end of the world for Thailand is it?

If he can learn to laugh at himself and accept that others will too.... he might become one of Thailand's better leaders in the past 1/2 century, even with his flaws.

Sweeta music to my ears!

Ripped any more phones off the wall and thrown them at someone becasue you're too out-of-control ignorant to find the appropriate words to communicate them with Russell?

Having faith in the sun coming up tomorrow is easy because as long as I've been alive it always has... in fact I don't have to "believe" in it, I KNOW it! Of course, if it was random in it's action I might need to be encouraged to "have faith".

With millions of topless Sawadee statues around Thailand is this some kind of stupid joke! Seriously! Get a grip of reality.... please!!

https://www.google.co.th/search?q=Sawadee+statues&espv=2&biw=1190&bih=707&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=7XQSVY-nLoKAuwS43oHwBA&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#imgdii=_&imgrc=hjpUErwKUDo_GM%253A%3B0_ijwW44PNcj1M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.clue-blue.com%252Fbuddha%252FBilder6%252Fholzskulpturen%252F11225.6.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.massiv-moebel-lounge.de%252FWohn-Accessoires-Sawadee--Lady--Statue--Holz--Knieend--Willkommensgeste--Thailand%252Fa26787893_u5387%252F%3B400%3B600

A bit of Thai interogation and then off to Sing Sing.... Salute to a job well done!

Good work. I would have thought an Aussie rather than a Brit would be better suited for this type of job.

Ummmm....aren't Aussies British??? or are they just Brits without a loaf of bread???

Nah.... they're the Brits that Brits rejected and now they're often seen whoopin' ass (in sports at least) against the Brits!

Good job boys. Make them talk and tell all then throw 'em in Sing Sing for a few years!

You can't compare the two. Lee Kuan Yen and Taksin, they are like chalk and cheese.

No not really. Both ran countries like business men focused on results.

I believe the general is getting unfairly slammed for his diplomatic speak. The man has a sense of humour in respect to his comment about not sitting next to Thaksin at the funeral.

Whether some foreigners want to believe it or not, Thaksin still carries weight in the region and is still held in high regard. He was the PM during Thailand's most successive economic growth and he took on the narco terrorists who destabilized the region, much to the chagrin of some westerners who did not live in the regions afflicted by the state within a state conditions.

Yes agree. And, there's more than one way to structure democracy. Benevolent dictatorship in the guise of democracy isn't necessarily bad for the country (as Lee proved and even the Chinese with their hybrid communism).

Is the 'System' seeming to be fair and impartially guided by the rule of law so that when the more weighty cases are on they can convict with impunity? Just wondering...

Does it occur to fix the problem that happens at this time every year for decades?

Dumb and Dumber III

here is a chart....

basically, in a normal year, the second half has more arrivals than the first half.

This difference in 2014 mirrors, actually, a 'normal' year.

Since the first half and totals for the year were down Y-on-Y, these guys are just blowing smoke. The numbers are down due to the political disruptions and the 'intervention' and martial law had no discernible, positive impact...

but no one said these guys are sharp with numbers, either...

The numerical stats don't lie.... but politicians do!

It might seem like over-kill but it certainly sends a message to the offenders that there is serious force available...

A bit of posturing maybe but not all bad!

It might hardly make page 4 in California newspapers when it happens in their backyard and their tourism-train seems to keep steaming on!

Todays news is tomorrow's fish and chip paper!

10 years in jail seems a bit light-on to me for a potential terrorist supporter and human trafficker!

The essence of education hinges first and foremost on the traditional values of Buddhism, respect for the king, the monkhood, the teachers, and the family (in that order) through the rote method. Whilst indisputably very noble, these features are the main hurdle to the implementation of modern educational methodology and the development of a more engaging approach to communication while also retaining Thai cultural values.

Students are not encouraged to develop analytical and critical thinking skills. Teachers will avoid introducing dialogue into the classroom or eliciting response from the students; to give a wrong answer would be to lose face in the presence of one's peers, a situation that in Thai culture must always be avoided.

The General also wants the "12 Values" implemented into the Thai syllabus. State agencies have also produced a poem, song, and 12-part film based on the teachings.

The Super-board is to take over the role of the Education Ministry?

Sounds like some dangerous reforms for students in Thailand.

Critical thinking and developing not only the minds but also the challenging of moral application of students is very important in a child’s development. A good education system will also challenge the political process. These areas may be missed with the new regime' education model.

I don't know the model or what is in it, but one can only think of what the regime' plans may be.

Just a side thought to this is how will they implement a new education model down south? The current model has caused a lot of problems in that area.

Yes I agree.

Critical thinking is one of the basics of the scientific method so on so many levels how can they truly progress with out it?

Teaching ethics and respect need to come from the basis of logic.

There's plenty of logical argument for respect and ethics but not nuch on the basis they propose!

I am who I an irrespective of what you call me.... But, even many poeple who know your name still refer to you amongst themselves when talking in their own language as "Falang" and if that's not disrespectful, what exactly is it?

Tremendous progress. Kia ora!

New Zealand only has one Religion, and it is a code they obey, it's their God.

Rugby.

Speaking as a Kiwi, I can confirm absolutely that this is NOT the case. I'm most definitely a cricket, tennis and soccer man myself.... Not sure where you get your information but check the source!

Can anyone name one business invention of even 50 years ago that has not been eclipsed today by a more improved/evolved version.. Of course Google can be knocked off!