sambum

"Whats the big deal its not public money" You obviously don't understand what corruption is, so let me try to explain:- You want to secure a contract for building a new hotel. You put in a quote that is much cheaper than your competitors, and your specs are to a far higher standard, and you include penalty clauses etc if you do not complete on time etc etc etc, but you don't get the contract, and you wonder why? Maybe it's all down to "Chinese tradition" to hand out envelopes with money in to "people" including the police? In much the same way as a billionaire who is heir to a major construction company fortune becomes Minister of Public Health, and Deputy Prime Minister? Anything to do with his work in promoting the values of Health and Safety in the workplace? Hmmm? Doubtful! And in the same way as one of the other Deputy Prime Ministers of Thailand (They have 6 - SIX apparently) was not charged for not declaring certain assets before taking up office, viz 18 "luxury watches" to the value of 22 million baht, which upon further investigaton revealed a further 9 watches making a total value of more than 40 million baht. Apparently, these watches were "borrowed from a friend", and he could not return them because his friend had died - and anyway, he had "forgotten about them"! Who borrows watches from a friend anyway, and to the value of 40 million baht, and then "forgets about them"? Doubtful! So, just remind me - you think that because it's not "Public Money" it's OK?

Not exactly right at all! In a proper Democracy, if you are not happy with the Government/PM then you have an election, and the "majority rules" - right? ???? In this "Democracy", the government is pre loaded with 250 "senators/generals" of the PM's choosing, which gives him/them a healthy (?) advantage in any forthcoming election, which is "what they deserve - no more no less"? So the alternative is what? You obviously can't change things with the ballot box, any protests are outlawed under the "State of Emergency" (which can be extended for as long as the PM/Government sees fit) and physical confrontation is doomed to failure (scythes versus tanks?) so what would you suggest as a solution to having a Government that is loaded with millionaires/billionaires that have no one's interests at heart except their own? A serious question, by the way! How would you suggest that the good people of Thailand get a change of Government, if they are not happy with the one that they have?

"We'll always be there with the Thai public every step of the way for the good of everyone's health". Reminds me of Tonto's reply when they are surrounded by hostile Indians, and the Lone Ranger asks "What are we going to do, Tonto?" And Tonto replies, "Who's this WE, kemosabay?" (Which by the way apparently means "idiot" in Apache! )

Seriously?

Due to the fact that "The hot winds of Songkran" were going to blow it away?

Yes, the poor old zebras are finding it difficult to cross the road due to the absence of "plod" to assist them due to them all being in a queue elsewhere "waiting for something"! ????

Be philosophical about it - lucky there wasn't 10K baht in your wallet - a few of my friends got "fined" 30K each recently for having a drink in a bar that shouldn't have been open!

"ahh, you do the meth..." Maybe that's why some of them got sacked? ????

Probably something to do with money! Pensions, wages in lieu etc etc etc!

SACKED!!! Unheard of severity in punishment - what is wrong with the good old "transferred to an inactive post"? And the PM goes on to show his concern and dismay in falling standards by asking them to enforce the law regarding zebra crossings! ????

In how many languages?

Why not take it to the local temple where it can say "Sorry!"? (Unbelievably, it's happened before, but in that case the owner died as a result of his injuries.) It's all very well saying there is no such thing as a bad dog - the owners are to blame etc etc, but these Pit Bulls are VERY dangerous dogs, and in some cases even their owners can't control them (See above) In my opinion they should be banned - as in the UK and other countries.

From the Headline of the "Top Post":- Thailand ranked 5th best worldwide for retirees The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to report that Thailand has been ranked the best place in Asia and the fifth best place in the world for retirees by French magazine Capital. How come I am not surprised that TAT are "pleased to report ............" etc etc etc! I am sure that if I bought the reporter from my local newspaper a few drinks or gave him a suitably filled brown envelope he would make sure that my choice of destination would appear near the top of the rankings! And I am sure that the world of tourism will be agog at the news that a French magazine has given Thailand the "heads up" despite the fact that so few French visitors choose to holiday here!

???? He he! And U2! I wish I could say you have brightened my horizons, but with all the smoke I am afraid you have clouded them!

Then your literary effort means that you have seriously "underestimated mated" the long term effects of good ol' Mary Jane! Or do upper or lower case letters mean not a jot to you? ????

Phew! I think I know what you've been smoking! Probably every "Mourning"!

"Maybe he’ll write a touching song about it with catchy lyrics and call it “Bye, Bye Corona, Bye, Bye” and get Prawit to link arms and lead the chorus." I honestly can not think of a more vomit inducing "footline" to finish off your column this week - you should have omitted the bit about the fat lady singing, and let people's imagionation run riot with that motley crew basking in the "footlights"!

"Still, I am sure immigration or the TAT will arrive with a nice bunch of flowers for a photo opportunity !" Or arrest him for being on overstay - nothing would surprise me here! I heard last week of someone being fined for overstay because they "self quarantined" due to having a positive Covid test but no symptoms, therefore no hospital/medical records to back up their story. (Maybe false news because I "heard it through the grapevine" but as I say - nothing would surprise me here!)

"i don't buy the spirits beer thing drunk is drunk." I did say I knew a couple of "Jekkyl and Hyde" type characters that were fine if they stuck to beer, but they changed completely once they drank spirits. One of them in particular would fight with his own shadow if he had a couple of gins, but if he stuck to beer he was one of the most affable people you could meet, but you'll just have to take my word for it!

You are sure on your soap box today Rob! Somebody jumps a red light and it's the other person's fault for not getting out of the way quickly enough? Sheesh!

Most people that drink alcohol are sensible people, but obviously there are exceptions. Some people that drink beer are fine, but let them loose on the spirits and it's like Jekkyl and Hyde - I personally know of a couple like that. On the other hand, lots of people that take yabba are at best unpredictable, and how many end up in court bleating "It wasn't my fault, I was on drugs and need help". You do hear it occasionally from a drunk/alcoholic, but not often.

Just stoking the fire, massa!

It was only the police who said he "appeared to be heavily intoxicated" - they probably don't know the difference!

A person doesn't have to be dead to be the victim of somebody's disregard for human life - and your sarcastic comment about "paying attention" would imply that the same has been said to you by your teachers many times, probably explains why you are easily confused!

"Thai rarely attack unless provoked" How do you define "provoked"? If talking loudly at 4 am is provocation, then you're probably right. (Because none of the othet neighbours interviewed said anything about loud music being played) And we also know that Thais are often the masters of over reaction due to the importance attached to "losing face". I have read many times of people being severely injured or even killed for the most trivial of reasons - i.e. getting shot for parking in somebody else's "regular" parking space, as I mentioned yesterday. However, I think (without knowing the details) that the answers to your questions are yes, yes, and yes in that order!