PanzerJohn

When I see the garbage printed in national newspaper, when I read the defamatory (and mostly dumb) comments posted in well known forums, it actually makes me happy.

Why ? Because it proves we have freedom of expression in Thailand.

I really look forward to have July 3 declared National Holiday, Back to Freedom Day, and maybe, who knows, one day land at Thaksin airport

I would love to see all 3..............in Moldova. You being there would be the cream on the cake.

Whats poor Moldova done to deserve that...

Spot on.All Thaksin needs is a silly little mostache.

Thida's supporter Worawut Wichaidit said the red shirts should act as shield for the Pheu Thai-led government which will, in turn, help them to overcome the legal issues.

The 'Brown shirts' comes to mind...

Obviously a far more pompous and heavily cultural reason than most of us.Certainly not the girlies.

And so what is your reason for being here exactly?

All you people who are cheering this are absolute scum, you know that? At least people who use ED visa's are trying to do something to stay here legitimately.

Some of you lot forget that we are essentially all here for similar reasons, it's just that not all of us are lucky enough to have a job or be over a certain age so that we can get the visa we need...

You might laugh now while you have your comfortable retirement visa or whatever it is, but one day they'll clamp down on those as well - then perhaps you'll wish you weren't quite so gleeful about the struggles of the rest of us to stay here. Morons. Shameful

Thank you nice complement. Thank god I am not here for the same reason as you.

I managed to take 20 minutes of watching this airhead wai-ing and thanking anyone she could find.OK, so wages aren't high but this is a third world country, plenty more a lot worse than Thailand, PI for instance.

A mate sent me this, made me chuckle.....

"Like a pratt, I thought it would be a good idea to go to the zoo. So, up early and got stuck in traffic all the way, slight rain but never mind, so far so good.

Taxi driver has no change, that old chestnut.

Upon arrival where entry is 50 baht, I get charged 100 baht as I am a white man. Slight annoyance at this point. Oh well, it's only a quid...(it's the principle actually).

Rain has stopped, so now a rather unpleasant steam, coming up from the grubby tarmac and concrete road. My interest in animals a beginning to diminish somewhat.

Upon entry, Thai style chaos. Everything in English is totally misspelled, animals are all labelled wrongly and building works going on everywhere, reminiscent of the Commonwealth Games. Some Thais were banging loudly on the windows trying to "wake up" the nocturnal animals, despite copious signs telling them not to. One idiot had cut a hole in the chimpanzee enclosure so he could throw chips and burgers ( copious signs say "don't...) to his close relatives within, sitting near enough to climb through the holes and make good their escape.

I'm back now with beer in the fridge, ready to have an easy afternoon. Now I know why it is 9 years since I last went to the bloody Dusit Zoo!"

She was left red faced by the incident.

I am a keen biker in the UK, but I will not ride in Thailand exept on the islands where there is not much option, and then only a scooter and not at night (when I am drinking).My insurance covers me for bikes up 100cc. I have seen more dead bodies after bike crashes in Thailand than in England, 7 versus nil) and I have been riding nearly every day for over 30 years.I broke a collarbone after a crash in China 20 years ago,lucky we had support trucks or I would have been in big trouble, I learnt from that. The guy had insurance but it ran out after he extended his trip, how many of have done that?. Not many judging by the usual self righteous TV posters....so many perfect people here. I hope the poor sod gets home, not that it sounds like he's got a lot to look forward to.

Thats good news, the right man for the job.

Great, so we get the moron back in blighty, no doubt straight down the social to sign on, prob be able to claim sick for mental probs.

Does this mean that any tourist insurance is invalid? Not good for the tourism trade.

I think the elephant in the room is the most important factor. Depending on who gets the job you could see attempts to rehabilitate Taksin which could lead to a very high level power struggle. Could you end up with a police/military face off, or even factions of the military opposed? I for one will not be making any non portable investments in Thailand for the foreseeable future.

I guess the next thing will for them to have a mass dump in front of govt house.

I find this quite repulsive,,it does nothing for Thailands image around the world.

He'e everywhere.....

http://www.catsthatlooklikehitler.com/cgi-bin/seigmiaow.pl

Trawling around the international press there have been several instances of tourists having similar problems in this bar. There are many conflicting elements to this story but my gut feeling is that something is going on in this bar which is not good.

Don't hold your breath that the pound will rise.....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8061019.stm

On a side note, I believe Thailand is the leader for penis reattachment surgery.

And removal!!.

Just watched the live BBC Taxin interview, not much enlightenment there. A fairly weak line of questioning from the BBC chap and the usual answers ,I want to help the poor, they ask me to help, I don't care if I return to Thailand or not, I am happy outside. I could clear my name straight away etc etc.

Just said on BBC thats truckloads of troops are heading for government house.

For the Brits amongst us, think of the possible consequences if Thaksin should regain power. He has said he will be avenged for having his UK visa revoked. Long term stayers may find things get (even more) difficult.

I just had a text that Thaksin is on Koh Chang....red shirts there are stopping access to the island.

Just had mine, Big Mac and chips! Too hot for big meal for me, I'll go and have a festive pint somewhere. Happy Xmas all. ps the exchange rate is painfulll!

I have got a 60 day tourist visa, can I opt to have a VoA when I arrive and then go onto the 60 day visa when the VoA runs out? What do I have to do to activate the 60 dayer? Will have to leave and re enter? Thanks in advance.

This brings upsomething that has had me wondering for some time. Whilst the arrests and charges get plenty of publicity I very rarely see any coverage of the actual court proceedings, verdicts and punishments (if any). Is this because the proceedings take a very long time to come to court, settlements are made before reaching court,(as seems to be the case here, at least in the case of one of the victims.

It seems to me to be appalling that the father of the scumbag father seems to be able to buy his scumbag sons freedom with the aquiessance of the Thai judiciary. Just more proof that the whole Thai legal/political machine is a joke, all that is needed is large amounts of cash and you can buy anything you want. From a a bargirl or a traffic cop, to the highest positions in Goverment, its all up for sale to the highest bidder. Still, theres plenty of countries nearby that are worse, the Phils for one.

Are these the quality tourists that ToT wants to attract!.