eliotness

Pensions and early retirement benefits are the "elephant in the room" for most western countries, it's not going to go down well !

The 2014 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP20) was actually held in Lima, Peru, on 1-12 December, 2014. COP21 is the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Despite what may come from COP21, we did archive a significant climate milestone this year - for the first time since record keeping began, carbon dioxide levels have surpassed 400 parts per million (ppm) globally!

Thats quite an achievement, considering that we have so many Climate Change sceptics.

The article actually states that accurate records began in 1984. That's not too long ago and before the 80s the West was burning huge amounts of coal, which most no longer do and car engines were not as efficient as they are now.

Has anyone worked out the "carbon footprint" of all these meeting ? I'd bet Peru in 2014 was huge, but probably not as massive as Rio and I also bet many delegates have brought their spouses with them so they can do a bit of Xmas shopping in gay Paris !

If man-made global warming is a fact and that warming is indeed a serious threat to life on earth , then our Leaders should, on moral grounds, set an example. Unfortunately it will just, yet again, be a case of "do as we say, not as we do". These politicians have no shame and a total lack of morals, but they will force us all to pay more "green taxes" so THEY can "save the planet".

There will be lots of words, lots of pledges and promises (lots of fancy dinners too), but how many real actions will result ???

It's not restricted to Thailand. Even in the UKs Lake District National Park, there are numerous waste collection points, fines imposed for those caught littering, but still there is litter, even on top of some of the mountains. It's the mindset of some people, it's just in Thailand those sort of people seem to be quite numerous.

Environmental awareness needs to be taught hard in the schools. Make the kids put pressure on their parents. It will take some time, maybe more than a generation, but the long term effects will make a difference. If the present government wants to earn some brownie points here is a simple task to undertake.

An interesting concept, reducing the litter by reducing the number of tourists allowed to visit the parks. Not making people responsible for their own litter - "take your litter home" would be a better approach, but then again they'd probably throw it out of the window as soon as they get out of the park area. Thailand needs a concerted campaign with strict enforcement, but sadly not liable to happen. Another approach could be to ban all vendors within the park using plastic bags, cups, mugs and trays.

There have been so many comments by farangs on what the government needs to do to improve the economy. OK some are pure Thai bashing, but there have been some real practical suggestions which would make a big difference if followed. So for those who fear the government is reading all our posts, well maybe, but obviously they don't understand what is being written.

No one can deny that past governments failed to adequately address drought in Thailand.

However, the junta runs the show now (have done for 18 months). In this time they have done SFA about water conservation, significantly throughout this year (when plenty of alarm bells were ringing about the severity of the el Niño).

Only now, does Prayut seem to show any interest. So, it should come as no surprise that farmers refuse to play his game.

If, as we are being told, the situation is an imminent drought crisis, then why has the junta not introduced strict water restrictions across the affected river catchments (especially those supplying water to Bangkok).

Denying farmers water for their livelihood, while continuing to allow city dwellers and industry unrestricted use only rubs salt into (farmers) wounds.

You should see the difference in water use between 1 city dweller and 1 farmer doing rice farming. [

On average, the worlds rice fields use some 1,400 liters of water by evaporation and transpiration to produce 1 kilogram of paddy ricewhich is on the same order of magnitude as what wheat uses (see Rice Today, Vol. 8 (1), p 28-29).

That is many times more as what a normal city dweller uses. So the farmers as usual are stealing from normal (and often also poor) city dwellers. The water machines wont work with salty water in BKK and the poor who use them will be forced to buy water costing them up to 10x more as the water machines.

If you think this was the first warming the government gave over water management then you must have been sleeping this has been going on for months now. If anyone is to blame its El Nino and the previous governments who let out too much water from the dams and of course the rice scheme that encouraged even more water usage on rice and at 1.400 liters of water per KG that adds up too.

Farmers should be forced and the army should be deployed to police them, at the same time compensation should be given (just this time). Farmers should switch crops in future (too late now so compensation, later give them money to diversify) make sure farmers are not always waiting for handout.

So what are you basing the consumption of a city dweller on ? If it's their domestic consumption then you are very wide of the mark as you need to consider what their workplace uses too. So a city dweller working for a brewery will per person use vastly more than a small farmer, likewise the metal processing industry, the electric generating industry, the meat processing industry etc etc. It's a very complicated comparison.

The water shortage has been building for the last 2 years,and 2016

is going to be when there will be a very serious water shortage,and

the government is only now thinking of doing something,too late

The farmers are taking no notice of the governments warnings not

to grow rice,because they know if the crops fail through lack of water,

the government will give in and help them.

In the future ,wars will be fought over water,not oil,

regards Worgeordie

There is a news report saying that this is the worst drought in 10 years. If that is correct your "last 2 years" is misleading because it seems Thailand has had a water management problem for decades and every type of government there has been have failed totally to address the problem.

The government is doing, or rather is proposing to do what most governments would love to be able to do, i.e. cut short the EIA & EHIA processes. But in most countries, where there is an elected government, politicians are afraid of the public reaction, they might lose their seat at the next election ! This government has no such concerns and so life becomes much easier for the developers and industrialists and I'm sure they will show their appreciation in the usual manner.

So do EIAs with a lot of thainess ! Not sure how that would look on the world stage and I guess that might also put into question any future ISO 14001 certification (bit of a misty link I know, but there is in ISO 14001 a clause that the company/factory must be aware of and have records of its environmental impact, so no EIA, no ISO 14001 for new operations). Probably no effect at all for industries supplying only the Thai market, but if they want to export to the 1st world then ISO 14001 and 9001 are very important.

The reason is I believe that Thailand is extremely short of Thai nationals who know how to conduct an EIA efficiently and, heaven forbid, they need to hire in some farangs to do an EIA. So cut them short, make them quick and simple !!!!!!! but forget that an EIA is an internationally recognised process, the rest of the world will understand, NOT.

The amount of fish exported by Chile is rising fast. I guess they don't have a problem with the EU. Their biggest export trade appears to be with China, but I guess that will be mainly minerals such as copper. They import electronics, machinery and trucks/cars, so I guess the trade won't be all one way, but I suspect that Chile will come out of it much better than Thailand.

I know Tesco in the UK sells a lot of reasonably priced Chilean wines, so it would be great if Thai Tesco would do the same.

Some good wines come out of Chile. I suppose it's hoping too much to expect them to be sold at zero duty tariff. Some good beef also, oh dreaming again !!!

I am missing the following words:

Mathematics

Physics

Geography

Foreign languages

Chemistry

.....

Despite what the government says, I still see no mention of teaching the kids environmental protection/science/awareness. Sad really.

When one shopping mall in BKK can use as much electric as a whole rural province, when burning rubbish in the fields and outside the house, with the huge consumption of plastic bags etc etc, they are not even scratching the surface, unfortunately.

A government listening to the local people ! quite a novel idea in most countries of the world

Indeed. The meek may very well inherit the earth, but the bastards will get the mineral rights

I could have just "liked" your comment, but it is so so true. Sometimes I think that's why the powerful invented religion, so the poor oppressed peasants would think that they would get their reward in heaven. But what if there isn't a heaven ?'

Then you create "heaven on earth".

As religious faith has declined in the west, so has been propogated the belief that a "consumer heaven", of material well-being for all, can be achieved.

A "mechanical paradise". A "techno-eden".

How do you think that's working out?

Any "consumer heaven" is built on debt. Just another way to control the masses. The ability to rise above ones birth status was good in the 60s and 70s but has gradually been eroded. The rich/poor gap is now bigger than in living memory.

How do I think it's working out ? It's not, period !

A government listening to the local people ! quite a novel idea in most countries of the world ??

Indeed. The meek may very well inherit the earth, but the bastards will get the mineral rights

I could have just "liked" your comment, but it is so so true. Sometimes I think that's why the powerful invented religion, so the poor oppressed peasants would think that they would get their reward in heaven. But what if there isn't a heaven ?'

A full EIA, one that's transparent, certified by a competent independent body and enforced by the courts would make a big difference, but I doubt if that will ever happen. So sad !

A government listening to the local people ! quite a novel idea in most countries of the world ??

I guess the 14th Nov will be the crunch date. Let's see if these big boys have teeth or just huff and puff.

Should keep a few monks off the roads!

Actually, come to think of it I've never seen a monk driving a car or motorcycle. Is it something they're not allowed to do?

The monks at my local temple have a car and a pickup, see them driving every day.

20 year plan ? So I guess no change in government until 2035.

ISIS certainly needs more pick-ups.

As Iran is actively involved in the fight against isis, a group that regards Shias as heretics (Iran is overwhelmingly Shia), can you explain to me why trading with Iran will help isis?

Apologies for the cynical remark, but the favourite mode of transport for ISIS is a Toyota Hilux, which they seem to have many. The obvious route is via Saudi, but hey ho the other sides (there seems to be several groups fighting each other) seem to have no shortage of pick-ups, so there is obviously a big trade going on and I would expect Iran to have a hand in there somewhere.

Other than fuel and ore I don't see much of Iranian imports to Thailand, especially in areas that would compete against Chinese imports. In terms of exports to Iran, they will be the usual fair of Thai agricultural and seafood products - most of which suffer from low world market prices.

One silver lining in trade between Thailand and Iran is that Iran could care less about the Junta's roadmap to democracy. But then Iran also would care less about Thailand's buddhist culture. However, Iran might take notice of the Junta's suppression of Thailand's muslim population in the South and find a lucrative arms export market as it did in Yemen.

All depends on what type of muslims, Sunni or t'other.

ISIS certainly needs more pick-ups.

It is worth mentioning that you should look closely at the UK.GOV website for the supporting documents that are required.

Notably, you need to photocopy every page of your current passport (including blank pages) and address verification documentation is quite specific.

Appointment first - email Vfs with 3 dates/times (never usually a problem getting what you want).

And, the passport photocopies need to be in colour too!

I tried to use my Thai driving license as proof of address, they will not accept it without a translation - which you can get in the lobby for a pricey 400 Baht. 100 Baht per line of text, seems a bit of a scam as the translation offices are hardly what you would describe as "Official".

That does sound a bit of a scam. At the British Embassy I've yet to see a Brit, they all seem to be Thais working there, so that being the case, why on earth do they require a translation ?