Classic Ray

Why were the fees set at 50% higher for foreigners? Do they need extra supervision and equipment? I, for one, will not be visiting, as I am not confident that sufficient safety measures will be implemented to mitigate the risks, having seen what passes for H and S in Thailand.

Justice delayed is justice denied. Whatever the rights and wrongs it cannot be fair to put people in jeopardy for this period. Rivalling Indian courts for glacial progress.

That was Damian Hirst. I don’t understand this art myself but I applaud people pushing the boundaries. Google Sam Stefan, whom I know. His work is gaining some traction.

It’s normal, not compulsory!

I was knocked off my motorcycle in Chiang Mai ten years ago, plated wrist, overnight in ICU, private hospital would not release me until offender’s insurance had paid the 160,000 baht bill 24 hrs later, but pretty nurses! I now am registered at Sirintorn Govt Hospital Bangkok due to my wife’s Govt job. Nothing but praise for standard of care and drugs provision at 50 baht per visit. Only downside is the waiting to see doctor can take all day. They will also see private patients much cheaper than private hospitals.

Many officers have their subordinate (or dominant) business in the entertainment industry to run and family celebrations over Christmas/New Year so are regrettably unable to do much patrol or even tent-sitting at this time. Happy holidays to all.

Why does the article mention Bobby Charlton’s funeral? Too much cut and paste?

Some UK police forces, without Drug Squads, used to say there was no drug problem in their area. When they were pressured to form them, amazingly large problems were found. Unless dedicated squads are set up to eliminate child exploitation, with powers and funding to deal with the problem, nothing will change here due to corruption and collusion.

In today’s headline news, man eats dinner.

Nothing will be done for two reasons: 1. Coaches/buses are owned by rich people who don’t want to spend money/reduce profit on safety features. 2. Passengers are poor people with no political clout and no alternative transport.

I don’t remember the Thai government objecting when the US forces started coming to Thailand and spending money on drugs and hookers during R and R from the Vietnam war? This was also the foundation of the sex industry in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and other parts of SE and South Asia. Also look at who owns the bars and brothels in these resorts. No effective law enforcement if the local government, police and military have financial investments there.

As I have pointed out before, UK police refer to RTCs, Road Traffic Collisions, now not Accidents, which imply no preventable cause. There is always a fault be it driver, maintainer, or road. Reduction or prevention depend on effective education and training improving behaviour, legislation allowing punishment and setting standards, and enforcement catching offenders and creating a need for care, which are sadly lacking here.

The problem is the lack of a safety culture backed up by a policy of not enforcing the law regarding neglect accompanied by large damages awards and prison sentences. Whilst I would not like to see Thailand become a litigation crazed society, there is certainly too much protection of large companies and rich individuals at the expense of the generally poor victims.

It always amazes me how these political trips always coincide with the start of a weekend, so that after the hard business of looking at someone putting on a performance, the politicians are already in a place they can enjoy a relaxing weekend, having already travelled by official transport during work time so there is no delay to the R and R period.

I am not sure promoting health and group tourism within an industrial area is appropriate. A good idea to promote import/export would be a free port area. Also I hope the Government will promote investment by giving tax breaks to investors as well as cracking down on corruption in the award of contracts and syphoning off of funds by officials. Without these incentives, who would want to invest there?

No previous history check before enlisting? Or just need to pay the entry fee?

For many police officers the job is simply an additional income stream to be able to fine people or share in the fines imposed by other officers. It also enables them to own businesses such as bars and brothels or conduct illegal activities without fear of interference by other police. As long as a share of the money is being passed up the chain, all is ok. This is mainly due to deliberately poor salaries forcing them to have other incomes. Corruption in Hong Kong and Singapore police was only controlled by the carrot of living wage salaries coupled with the stick of vigorous anti-corruption investigation by outside bodies such as ICAC. The drive for this must come from non-corrupt Government, which could be difficult to find here.

Hard to believe they were taking in over $2 billion PER DAY?

Will MRTA also have to take on the debt owed by BMA to BTSC in respect of the Green Line extensions?

No mention of any action against the sellers or manufacturers of the weapons?

Why are any politicians involved in the promotion process for any police officer? The police should be independent of any political control and promotion should be governed by merit managed within the hierarchy and HR dept. Anything else makes the process corrupt.

What about authorised hunting or pest control? Will that be restricted as well, as it usually involves gun possession in a public place? They could also include a competency test for everyone, including the police, applying for or holding a firearms licence. With a bit more rigour than the vehicle driving licence procedure.

Judging by the number of 20 - 40 year old ICE cars still happily driving the roads of Thailand, cheap and easy to maintain and repair, I don’t see the incentive for this position to change. The level of poverty and indebtedness, and lack of corrosive salt, means that people will eke out their vehicles until the last possible moment. This could be 20 - 40 years in the future for those with newish vehicles now. I can’t see any Thai government willing to subsidise replacement by EVs or even to invest in a comprehensive charging station network. The power network is nowhere near ready to supply the extra load anyway. it’s petrol and diesel continuing for me, I’m not impressed with the quality of the Chinese EVs I’ve seen here, let alone all the hazards of exploding Lithium Ion batteries.

If she was taken away with the intent to sexually assault her, kidnapping is a correct charge. A child of that age is deemed not capable of consent, at least in UK law.

Remove the beam from your own eye, before worrying about the mote in someone else’s!