Eric Loh

2 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

Evidently Rudy (now derisevely referred to as Fruity G)

I prefer his other derisive moniker Rudy Colludey. 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Nobody pays my expenses," Giuliani said in an interview with Reuters on Friday. "What does it matter if I'm getting paid for it.

Not familiar with Giuliani. Is he a comedian that come out with funny line like 'truth is not truth' and now this gem of contradicting himself in one sentence. 

29 minutes ago, samsensam said:

 

indeed, it's the US envoy's job to say nice things

Really based on reciprocity; aka Trump philosophy. Buy our military junks and in return we will say nice things.

6 minutes ago, Muhendis said:

Trees remove carbon from the air and give us oxygen so how about oxygen as a farming product paid for with government funds.

I think it is a good idea that the scheme should include a form of carbon credit whereby carbon market can be created to allow carbon credit to be sold to companies that need to offset their emission. This should also extend to the farmers as a way for them to earn some extra money. They are doing a lot for the environment but not financially appreciated. 

Mighty loss of face for Prayut who had boasted about these flagship projects that will spearhead Thailand 4.0. Also a mighty loss of side income.  

16 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

Not sure who plays John Dean here

Would be fun if the whistleblower turn up to be Mike Pence. He know his days as VP is numbered.  ????

He will probably come as a private citizen. 

No doubt that Parliament can't afford delay and must reached a consensus and approved the budget in this dire economic times but I hope that all parties will engage in a robust but orderly debate on budget allocations and the government must prepare to explain and provide proper answers especially the allocations for high defense and interior ministries. This lower house budget debate will be critical to see if the coalition and opposition parties break ranks or stay in line. The upper house of paid goons can only watch. 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

ADB drops Thai growth forecast to 3%

Not that the military government care even a bit as long so long as the military budget gets higher and untouchable.  

They may not speak Thai or know where is Thailand but they sure know that Prayut is not democratically elected and Thailand has serious human right abuses. 

18 minutes ago, MAGA 2020 said:

In all actually it's all about how much money can be stuffed into corrupt so-called Climate Change advocates.

Not as much as the fossil fuel producers stuffed the deniers. 

Let's hope that this unnecessary animosity and jealousy of USA towards China will blow over. China is America biggest banker. Owning the largest amount of US treasury help China to grow and allow FED to pay for spending that allow US to grow and keep interest rate low and dollar for not collapsing. If US want to pressure China to level the playing field, better for Trump to not alienate the allies but work towards a united coalition to confront China. Only pride and arrogance stand in the way of Trump. 

Can we go back 3 years ago when world GDP growth was 3.4% and trade growth was strong. US companies invested in China and agreed on technology transfers and profit from low wages and a huge domestic market. Cheaper products were brought back to USA and fueled the domestic economy and kept inflation low. Now the world GDP is half and global trade weak because of a xenophobic President. 

Add one more risk. Durian can be grown is just about every tropical country in the world even in China. Just like rubber trees were native in Brazil and brought to SEA. 

7 minutes ago, robblok said:

Its far better to spend money on a smaller professional well trained army then on some conscripts. 

A rather debatable point. Israel with mostly conscripted personnel fought and won wars. South Korea conscripts have fought their northern neighbors gallantly. All depend on how well trained and the efficiency and effectiveness of your conscription overall policies and plan. 

7 minutes ago, scorecard said:

That's also my understanding re national service in singapore (it's commonly referred to as national service NS in Singapore, not the word conscription) but from the comments I've heard over the years (including from S'pore employees of my company), it's a whole different ballgame compared to Thai conscription, and I've heard many positive comments re S'pore NS especially the professional knowledge gained which is very often useful in terms of career after NS (my understanding is that many young men leave S'pore NS with a degree or some form of well accepted and valuable diploma or similar. It seems to be very well planned and organized and young Singaporean men see NS as their duty not so much as a waste of time. A whole different ballgame to the Thai set up.

 

Somehow, unfortunately I rather doubt that Thailand could easily / quickly adopt the S'pore NS model (if they wanted to), too much old baggage and old process in the picture, and old attitudes and behaviors.

 

What might work is for a complete overhaul of the whole Thai military structure in Thailand including a massive reduction in officer numbers and removal of automatic promotions and focus on 'class no:' stuff. IMHO Thailand could approach this by a well known goal and actions to build but highly professional military and attractive for young men to volunteer (because they would leave with something valuable).

 

But of course I'm not holding my breath.

 

Roll on FF. 

 

Yes I have been in the military, I saw action in the Vietnam war (entered through compulsory conscription but on the ground duties same as 'regular' soldiers).

You right that we don't use the word conscription but rather use 'National Service' which has a better connotation. It was instituted in 1967 when we have only about 1,000 full time military force after the British decided to withdraw its troops and bases in Singapore.

National Service registration begins when you reach the age of 16 and 6 months which seem ideal as most leave secondary school and likely to be not employed. Thailand conscription begins at 20 which I think is not rational and most at that age will be working, university and even have families. 

You are required to serve to 40 in the reserve force and each year you undergo fitness test and you have to pass or you do repeats. Every one is assigned to a regular unit and involved in training and military exercises. You can be called up at any time. This again is missing in Thailand conscription. 

I can go on and state the inadequacies of the Thai's conscription which to me is a big letdown and really should be overhauled or terminated. Like you, I am not holding my breathe.

You have one over me on seeing action in the Vietnam war. Good on you mate.

26 minutes ago, robblok said:

I just hate it when people are conscripted. It almost happened to me what a waste of time and money that would be. Its just stupid to want to conscript people. You get unmotivated people that way. Just my opinion an professional smaller army is always the best way.

Perhaps a personal think. I was highly motivated to be conscripted and to be able to serve my country. In my 3 years as National Serviceman, I learn skills and discipline that I find valuable to me in my career. In a small country like mine, we need a deterrent to ward of troubling intention of surrounding bigger countries that have much larger and powerful military force. The peace and prosperity that we enjoy now is a testimony of the success of the conscription policy. 

10 hours ago, MRToMRT said:

Richest? true

Connected better? true

 

But just because he went into a bar, drank and spoke to a few people is not fact of anything. He is just another super rich guy trying to get into Thai politics for some reason. Maybe (sincere question) 5.6 billion is not enough for him?

He may be a rich dude trying to get into politics and he is obeying all election laws to subject himself and win the approval of the electorate. Thats different from this current one that seize political power by coup and twisting the law to remain in power to become a rich dude. 

31 minutes ago, essox essox said:

definition of conscription is:-

 

compulsory enrollment of persons for military or naval service; draft.
a compulsory contribution of money to a government during a time of war.

so how can this become voluntary by Prayutt??

You are right that conscription meant compulsory enrollment. However methods may different in various countries. 

Thailand, South Korea use a draft process to select the enrollment. Singapore, Israel require all eligible citizens to be in the national service; no selection. 

FFP suggest another method of voluntary conscription which I think meant no more draft selection but base on voluntary enlistment with the incentive of a military career. I hope that FFP proposal also widen the conscription age group so more youths can decide on a military career. 

Just my my thoughts. 

2 hours ago, bheard said:

No different to any 'democracy' where you might come from. Govt ministers come from many walks of life and are usually spectacularly unqualified to run their portfolio.

 

Sent from my G8441 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

 

Most times they failed miserably in their job at expense of tax payers. Example plentiful in Trump administration like Betsy Devos and Ben Carson. Crony comes to mind rather than qualification. Ditto Prayut’s cabinet.