TorquayFan

The latest figures I saw showed that 83% of the deaths are motorcyclists and their passengers. It frightens me to ponder how many of those might be the babies and tiny tots tucked under arms and perched on shoulders etc.

It's not a 'bar stool' myth Empty. The figures are released on a daily basis, so how can they include future deaths in Hospitals which may not have occured yet ? It's deaths at the scenes which are collected and reported.

Moving on. I did read that a curfew had been lifted. Also a Friend who lives on the very South of Kho Chang told me. However, it's hard to be sure in this changing situation. However, it does seem more relaxed in that area now. ATB

From sublime hope to ludicrous reality - the journey with Trump !

Yes M8, I just did ! I find my picture is there with a Link'dIn' contact - but ttbomk, I have never joined. Just quotes my last position in a Company. 20 years ago maybe 😄

Even the headline of this thread doesn't compute . . . . Thailand's road deaths are lower than 10 years ago but evenso, at about 18,000 p.a. that's an average of 50 deaths daily. To quote 40 in this context makes no sense. The 'Seven Dangerous Days' is a misnomer i.e. unless this figure exceeds 350, (heaven forbid), it is clearly NOT above average. However, figures proferred at these times may include only deaths at the scene and exclude later deaths at the Hospitals . . . . I suspect that because of heavy traffic/congestion and slow moving traffic, the rate may not actually be higher over these holiday periods. Use the right figures FGS. And it's an EVERY DAY problem, deaths are mainly motorbikers and their Passengers, (frequently unhelmeted, (83%)). Obviously, the focus should be on the motorbikes !

Heartbreaking news - I loved Chris Rea's laid back authority and his fabulous voice and great music. He guested on the 'Mortimer and Whitehouse' program some years ago (and I felt, he really didn't look too well). R.I.P. - what a great Guy ! Also https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/dec/22/chris-rea-rock-and-blues-singer-songwriter-dies-aged-74

A typical and farcical move from the idiot President. What a pain Trump is ! The sooner the USA can legally rid the Nation of the curse of Trump, the better for the whole World. Farcical !

Thank you GA. I copied this para, as IMO it illustrates the frivolous/self aggrandising nature of the earlier Trump 'Peace' intervention :- "The renewed fighting has undermined a ceasefire agreement first reached in October, which Sihasak said was rushed so it could be witnessed by U.S. President Donald Trump and lacked sufficient detail to ensure it would hold. He said Thailand never received a direct proposal from Cambodia despite Phnom Penh’s public statements about being ready for an unconditional ceasefire. Bangkok believes those statements were intended to internationalise the dispute rather than resolve it." No surprise, no real substance to the intervention. 'Nobel Prize for Peace' - I don't think so. Let's hope the coming talks are successful - any international pressure exerted must recognise Kampuchea's provocations, (it is noted above that ASEAN observers recognised that the land mines laid in Thailand were new). A scholarly look at the origins in a 'Deep Dive' if you look inside this BKK Post link https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3161489/thaicambodian-ceasefire-possibility-to-be-discussed-on-wednesday Let's hope the Thai and Cambodia people can soon get back to normal.

Yagoda - but you are "In a Peaceful World thanks to Donald Trump". Says it all for the quality of your posting . . . . .

300 - read the posts - I spent 2 hours chatting to a Jewish Pal this very morning . . . .

Tai your reply is over the top for Posters who are taking an honest enough look at this. I get the pain and the fear you feel - I was talking to a Friend who happens to be Jewish this morning - (I would treat him the same, whatever his Religion). It is fair to observe that many Israelis are uncomfortable with Netanyahu's policies. Take it easy - these rumblings in the UK will pass hopefully . . .

I'd be surprised if there is actually a 'surge' of anti-semitism in the UK. Myself I don't know anyone who feels that way. There may be virulent anti-Israel feelings due to Israel's last 2 years of action in Gaza and the West Bank - (that's NOT to excuse Oct 7th in ANY way). It's easy to confuse anti-semitism with an anti-Israel position . . . . .

Rather than being intrinsically 'evil', I think Trump is just not 'wired' normally. But his gross stupidity results in a lot of evil. He seems to live in a manic and constant cry for approval but he isn't bright enough to act in a way that People might approve of and he often just doesn't know right from wrong. He suffers self obsession and delusions in spadeloads and is really to be pitied as a deeply unhappy Guy, who craves love. Simon Heffer in the DT today, puts it better :- "There are several possible explanations for Trump’s behaviour, which is even more erratic and extreme than in his first administration. He may simply be a power-crazed megalomaniac; he could be a form of fascist, with the totalitarian’s desire to eliminate the trappings of democratic governance and the rule of law that tyrants find inconvenient; or he may be literally mad (some psychiatrists have suggested that his rambling speech, lack of self-awareness and wildly capricious acts indicate early-onset dementia: he will be 80 next June)." And earlier in that article, he observes - "How could such an uncouth, ill-disciplined braggart have acquired a position of such power?" I think that last conundrum will be pondered through History !

Bally - yes the Soldiers and Citizens involved are just ordinary People. It's the gung ho Commanders and Politicians, who are not at risk so much. The burden of the destruction of infrastructure and homes will be borne mainly by the humble Citizens. It's a horrible mess and it's up to Cambodia to relent and motivate a peace process. Attacking Thailand's tourist spots would lead to Thailand exercising it's vast aerial supremacy giving horrible repurcussions in Cambodia's main centres. I'm hoping Cambodia is not stupid enough to escalate this War any further !

Many nice things happen. Recently, being 20 Baht short at a till, the Lady behind me in the queue proffered the note !! How sweet ! I tried to refuse as I had more money in the car. All smiles . . . I think if you try to be friendly in Thailand you'll find kindness comes back often enough. Boorish people form bad opinions of Thais but maybe, that reflects their own behaviour . . .

Some Posters earlier should watch the 'Deep Dive' video which can be found inside this BKK Post article. It's only 30 mnutes and a scholarly look at the development of this conflict during this year. For me, it's clear, Cambodia is to blame. If Cambodia want to stop hostilities now, they have to offer a comprehensive ceasefire and withdraw their border forces to their normal locations. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3159670/thai-marines-repel-cambodian-forces-attempt-to-retake-trat-border-area

Cambodia seems to have triggered this conflict. If Cambodia ceased fire, I'm sure that Thailand would respond.

Sunny - "all the progress and positive outcomes🤣 Very funny ! Dream on , , , ,

I guess you will be flying from Suvanabhumi ? I park at the VISMAYA Hotel on Soi 43 the north moving side of King Keaw Rd, which is 5 mins from the airport by courtesy bus. I usually stay there the night before and after travel. They have covered parking for which they charge B100 per night and I'd say it's a secure spot, overlooked by Reception and Security. ATB

Sunny why do you 'LOVE' this nonsense ? Why would anyone ? I'm afraid it says something about you that's not good ! Your brave claim that Trump 'thrives' on people 'venting and raging' is notable baloney. Trump clearly resents and hates criticism of any kind and he is reputed to have the very 'thinnest of skins'. What a sad Poster you are ! IMO.

Dinsdale - don't you realise how bizarre Trump's behaviour is ? This action is both sad and ridiculous . . . !

Dave I agree - it can't be easy to defend these rigs at sea. Drone warfare seems to have changed the nature of conflicts around the World.

Today the curfew at Kho Chang has been lifted. The Ferry is still running but coming off the last ferry you are/were given a pass but must leave Trat province inside 1 hour.. A friend just returned from the very south of the island reports that explosions could be heard in the distance most days but that's all. The Hotels are affected by absence of Cambodian Staff. I'm reassured that the curfew has been lifted. An underbelly of the border must have been made secure - earlier a major bridge was blown away by the Air Force which would have been crucial to move heavy weapons this far south. I feel sad for the Folks on the Northern border still being attacked. Take care all and well done to Thai forces . . . .

Good advice from the Vikings ! Arrived at a hotel in Chanthaburi yesterday for a swim and an aged (even compared to me) Falang Couple were just joining a Taxi for Kho Chang. I said nothing. Perhaps I should have . . . . A Friend has just returned from the very South of Kho Chang where he's been sailing around the Isles - dodgy IMO. Surely the most dangerous area is the Northern border along the Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket, Buriram, Sa Keaw regions. Thailand is also watchful of the Trat underbelly and have been successfully bombing bridges and infrastructure in Cambodia there. It's troublesome and maybe not going away soon ! Inside this link there's a 30 minute BKK Post "Deep Dive", "Roots of the Thai-Cambodian border conflict" - https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3156884/cambodian-rockets-strike-surins-ta-kwai-area-border-fighting-continues?utm_campaign=Article&utm_source=article_suggestion_thailand&utm_medium=reccommended&utm_content=suggestion-article I thought it was scholarly and well worth the watch . . .