jackted

I agree, BKK is much safer now since the coup.

and the bombing at the Erawan shrine?

Thailand is not just about Bangkok. Yes the awful indiscriminate shootings have stopped, so to an extent that is a good thing.But if you get yourself around the country you will find a simmering discontent in many parts. Whilst the army hold the rifles it may `seem` safe but if long standing issues are not addressed there may well be a return to violence.

Oh and before the coup there were no bombings? Is that what you're trying to say? (No)

At least the political groups don't kill eachother anymore on the streets of BKK.(True) Corruption is being stopped (It isn`t) international rules are being applied (They aren`t - E.g fishing industry), there's investment in public transport and watermanagement (still too slow buy allright)(true). The farmers are all paid now (they`re not) (on cost of the normal taxpayers), things like the lottery are organised better (no it isn`t), police is being reformed (no they are not...and never will), human trafficking and slavery is stopped (no it hasn`t).

Outside BKK they suffer from the drought, that's the risk of all farmers around the world (true). Also all fishermen around the world have to obey rules (True- but for too long Thailand hasn`t & still isn`t). Yes every kid starts crying when it isn't allowed to do something for the first time of it's life.

Since the coup the police never demanded a bribe from me, i like that. (Ah if only that fairy tale applied to all - the police continue to take bribes and are still corrupt - one of my examples? Being scammed, assaulted, robbed & kidnapped by mafia & police - true story. Check out my post in February about it)

I`d accept someone else doing his talking.........if only he was doing the walking. And so far he has not returned happiness to the people, the economy is sinking, the International image of Thailand is not worsening, deservedly so & the road map to a better future shows no light at the end of a tunnel.

OMG....Thais shown drinking? Or didn`t you know this is only the advertising tip of an ice berg...the country has a drink problem.FACT. Hauling in a few celebs won`t change the drink culture.

Why on earth would the rich, mainly western educated, ruling class want to educate the mass populass? Answer .....they don`t, never have , never will. As usual all talk.

I agree, BKK is much safer now since the coup.

and the bombing at the Erawan shrine?

Thailand is not just about Bangkok. Yes the awful indiscriminate shootings have stopped, so to an extent that is a good thing.But if you get yourself around the country you will find a simmering discontent in many parts. Whilst the army hold the rifles it may `seem` safe but if long standing issues are not addressed there may well be a return to violence.

"It's good that the military will not have to solve the problem the way they did before," the PM said.

Since when has any military coup including this one solved any of Thailands` problems. You, the military, coups are a big part of the problem and prevent the country from moving forward.

I really do wish my business and livelihood wasn`t dependent on tourism. But it is, which is why these `words` to me are meaningless in the real world. Actions speak louder than words. And,though I`m no expert, I see tourism has plummeted, the economy declining, long term International investment going elsewhere and general International unhappiness with the direction Thailand is heading.

Worst still there is no light at the end of the tunnel for all these issues. Talk of how rosy things will be are just empty words. There won`t be elections soon, tourism won`t pick up soon, nor will the economy or investment from overseas. The rich, powerful, elite, royalist will still control Thailand after an election anyway and none of the fundamental flaws with the country will change either - an army accountable to the government of the day, an independent & fair legal system, corrupt free police, politicians, army etc and accountable. And when the said rich, powerful, elite royalists don`t like the government they`ll be yet another coup.

"Another success is the government-funded "One Tambon One Million Baht" project"

I thought Uncle was against Taksinesque populist policies? Not a single baht has reached my wife`s poor village but then it would only increase household debt further.

What`s more important buying 3 submarines or providing adequate water for the population?

Mr Sek insisted that Thailand and the European Union remain good friends and partners and share close political, economic, social and cultural relationships. He called on the EU to cooperate with Thailand constructively.

Thailand, he said, is ready to heed proposals which are constructive, balanced and based on accurate information and to cooperate with the EU in all aspects and at all levels.

The full 5 page transcript from the EU doesn`t sound one bit like they are being `friendly` nor would it appear they `share` anything in common. As for `constructive proposals` they`re all there in the document. Not that Thailand will take heed of any of them.

If the BIB lose their money from roadblocks they`ll look to take it from other areas or increase their fees for things they already get money for like protection. Let`s see if this actually happens. Time will tell

But they CAN still do roadblocks: Quote

"From now on, he said that if a roadblock is to be set up, it has to be manned by a police inspector and there must be a clearly visible sign to show the existence of the roadblock. Also, their superiors must be informed about the whereabouts of the roadblocks and what kind of roadblocks they are."

Just watched it for the 1st time. Not bad. Repeats many of the posts already on TV but it gives an alternative way to catch up on several issues without having to go back and forth on different posts.

Does this mean we`re on a slow path to getting my 60,000 baht back from a joint police/mafia CTH scam?..........probably not

On a more positive note, I was stopped recently for being in the wrong lane in Khon Kaen (due to crazy roadworks it was hard to find any lane). Policeman didn`t want any money...how refreshing! But he did insist, in Thai, to my wife, that I go immediately to the police station.Upon pointing out to him that on my wifes lap was a newly born baby and that he`d have to shoot me first..... a thunderbolt of lightening struck...he discovered how to speak English, couldn`t apologize enough and bid us farewell. Image restored :-)

Thanks Lite Beer

Anybody know if you can get Bundesliga football live on GMM - Z / CTH?

If so which channel?

I agree with you Zurgos in that Mannys best chance is getting through Mayweathers great defense to really hurt him. Unless that happens I see a comfortable Mayweather win. Check the bookies odds, they`re not often wrong.

This will sound offensive, but it`s not meant to be. You don`t come out for 10 years and that`s your guide on whether tourism is down or not? I mean what an idiotic post. I have many friends, along with myself, with tourist dependent businesses across many parts of Thailand and let me tell you for a FACT...tourism is down. But `down` compared to what? well certainly last year for a start.....massively.

Like I said, I really don`t mean to sound rude, but unless you have a business relying on tourists you just aren`t going to understand.

They have no problems granting themselves amnesty. But God forbid that anyone else gets its. Where is Suthep now. Why isn't he protesting this amnesty. Oh, I forgot he hiding behind a orange robe.

Bob... get a life..! I have lived here almost 13 years and have Never seen Thai people so happy.... open your eyes... Thaksin has gone... get over it..!!! And as you and I are Farang, it has absolutely NOTHING to do with us... Next !

You`re right that as a farang it has absolutely nothing to do with us......but you`ve `never seen Thai people so happy`? Really? Are you serious? What planet are you from? i`m curious to know where in Thailand you live? You may have been here 13 years but playing that card....`I`ve been here a long time` don`t wash with me. How can you possibly know Thais are so happy now?

....didn`t quite finish.....I was going to say, as a country could implode.

These are desperate times for anyone with a business dependent on tourism in Thailand, whether they rely on Chinese, Russian or any other tourist. The fact is ALL tourist numbers are down compared with previous years. It`s unfair to tarnish all Russians or Chinese with the same brush. But again, as other members have said, the majority of Chinese tourist are controlled where they stay, go and eat And if you aren`t part of that you won`t see their money. Most Russians are ignorant, rude etc etc. But their currency has crashed and they just aren`t here in their numbers.

Expat friends of mine who`ve been here for years say `teflon thailand`. It`s bounced back from coups, tsunamis, floods etc etc. But this time IS different. the military have been in power longer and tourism has been hit for well over a year now. And there is now light on the horizon that things will change.

If I didn`t have a business here i would say Thailand deserves everything it gets as far as tourism is concerned. But I do. And it`s a massive worry. Where is the light at the end of this dark tourism tunnel? As some of you know I have a business on Koh Chang. I haven`t spoken to one person who isn`t suffering. With clever minds thailand `could` recover.....but I fear Thailand as a horspot dsetination is and maybe finished....and as `coulda country

....words fail me!

Google The Mirror or The Sun, infact any UK tabloid newspaper they have contact telephone numbers for anyone with a story that would be publishable in their paper.

You could try AFP and Reuters as they have reporters living in Thailand.

You will also get a pay cheque for it and get your story published worldwide to millions.

If you do though you will probably have to leave Thailand for your own safety.

Thanks for suggestions. My wife and all her family are Thai. After living here the gloss has definitely gone off but I still prefer here much more than home. So it wouldn`t be worth the risk if I had to leave thailand.

So here we have a place where the Thai army has no power and influence, that's interesting.

I met with the top Army guy on the island. He rang the police and told them to come down to see him......they said "No". And that`s that. How the hell is that sorting out corruption?