halloween

Ill break the silence.

If the Thais wish to have controlled immigration, that is up to them.

If they wish for priority for jobs to go to Thai citizens, that is up to them.

Neither case justifies a particular group of people being required to wear identifying symbols based on their race or nationality. That is a precedent which should not be repeated, for fear of what it led to in the past.

The trouble is that they are not based on race, religion or nationality. They are indications of being a registered non-citizen worker.

What a consignment of geriatric shoemakers. The wristband is not an attempt at oppression because of race or religion, it is a valid attempt at reducing the number of illegal immigrants. Under the previously existing laws, immigrant workers (and most of you) could be required to carry their passports and visas at all times. If they get damaged while you are working, that is a personal problem for you to resolve at your own expense.

Issuing of a relatively durable means of identification seems far preferable than enforcing the existing laws. Yes, they could be copied - so could passports and other forms of ID.

What an apologist for abuses you are, actually. You're the type of person in history who makes excuses step by step, and people later look back on and wonder how they could have.

As you are such a student of the nazi atrocities, please point out where an attempt to control illegal immigration has parallels with forced dispossession, internment, forced labour and genocide.

or are you making a mountain out of a molehill for a cheap shot at the current government?

over ninety deaths documented

5 soldiers, one from friendly fire

2 police officers

the rest were protestors, journalists, aid workers and civilians.

Everyone can look at the numbers and decide for themselves if the government & military's response was appropriate or not...

Yeah, makes you wonder who those black shirts with assault rifles, supposedly there to defend the red shirts, were actually shooting. We do know the guy with the RPGs was having a shot or two at a hotel used by journos, and a fuel tank farm, and a temple - all legitimate military targets in red world.

you never disappoint with your thoughtful, objective commentary.

So you don't know either. The claim was that they were there to defend the red shirts, but that was obviously crap.

No comment about those RPGs?

What a consignment of geriatric shoemakers. The wristband is not an attempt at oppression because of race or religion, it is a valid attempt at reducing the number of illegal immigrants. Under the previously existing laws, immigrant workers (and most of you) could be required to carry their passports and visas at all times. If they get damaged while you are working, that is a personal problem for you to resolve at your own expense.

Issuing of a relatively durable means of identification seems far preferable than enforcing the existing laws. Yes, they could be copied - so could passports and other forms of ID.

Although you are correct in that this is an attempt at oppression. You are not having to wear one of those YET. I stress YET because Most things Thais do is use the extremes. There is no middle ground or grey area when it comes to dealing with foreigners. All or nothing. Perhaps that grey area has been swayed in the past with money but these are different times now. This may only be the beginning. If it succeeds, all non-asians may be next. Then GPS tracking may be installed in a chip that you are unaware of. Then they may require different colors determined by your type of visa in Thailand with a link to track your travel, spending, EVERYTHING.

What they are trying to do here starts with good intentions but has too many possibilities to make being in Thailand a prison.

So don't jump the gun in thinking this is a good thing. It has the potential to be very very bad for any foreigner in this country.

You are extrapolating without any reason to do so. I am not working (in Thailand), but were I doing so I could be asked to present my work permit and other ID at any time. As I have an E passport, I could be tracked if it had GPS capability under existing law, or by my mobile phone which does and is registered.

If legal immigrant workers object to wearing a wrist band but have legitimate documentation on their person, do you think the punishment will be draconian? But what they might be is inconvenienced by document checks on a regular basis, making it easier for both sides if they comply.

I was forced to wear a wristband while in hospital, and the first time I came out circumcised. The parallels between this and the Nazi/Jews situation is incredible.

over ninety deaths documented

5 soldiers, one from friendly fire

2 police officers

the rest were protestors, journalists, aid workers and civilians.

Everyone can look at the numbers and decide for themselves if the government & military's response was appropriate or not...

Yeah, makes you wonder who those black shirts with assault rifles, supposedly there to defend the red shirts, were actually shooting. We do know the guy with the RPGs was having a shot or two at a hotel used by journos, and a fuel tank farm, and a temple - all legitimate military targets in red world.

I would suggest that lessons/history ignored after so many issues that an elected government be left to govern as the law provides, and stop this merry go round of throwing out governments and coup's, and the problem with the argument, Butt, but they got what they asked for (elections within a year), well why didn't mark see the volatile nature of these murdering MIB and do what a smart politician would do if he cared for the peoples safety and the country and dissolve government and elections with in 60 days as provided by the law.

The situation should not have been let to escalate to that stage, and there is incompetence and accountability for that also, ie dereliction of duty.

as far as people saying the police did nothing to stop them coz mr,T gave orders, what a steaming load that is, Simple if the chief of police refused to do his job, remove him and put in another who will, and the former Chief Of Police would be in gaol for dereliction of duty, would he not? that what a smart PM would do yeah.

It's a very simple Q&A, Did the PM and his deputy give the green light to the military to use live rounds and as a result people died.

So if the muslims in Oz start turning it on because we are fighting their mates and generally disrespecting and oppressing them. start stabbing coppers on Anzac Day and going after anyone in uniform, the right thing for our Tony to do would be to resign and have elections in 60 days?

Well, if anyone can edit it, why don't you fix it so we will all know the truth?

Goebbels would probably prefer people who defend the use of the military to control civilian populations rather than those that oppose it.

The Nazis didn't use the military to control the civilian population. Before and after they were elected, they used their armed militias and co-opted police and secret police to do that. Now who does that remind you of?

My question is: With all this photographic and video "evidence", why is it that not one single MIB has ever been identified or arrested?

There are several answers to this. Firstly, with the change in government, all the investigation of red and black shirt criminal activities were ceased immediately.

Secondly, although their identity is known to their employer/s, it would not be in their interest to reveal it lest the relationship cause embarrassment.

Thirdly, although their identities are likely known by some of the red shirts with whom they camped, red shirts are reluctant to reveal this because they don't see that having armed men as part of their protest, using military weapons against the security forces, was the cause of the resulting lethal response, a lack of insight shared by some on TVF. Remember the red mantra (aka the big lie) "We dun nuffink rong!"

Yu'p men in black, they were there absolutely no question.

The question is, were they the ones that started the shooting? if so where they provoked or were they defending themselves?

Were they all there for the redshirts or is it possible SOME were planted there to cause trouble therefor justifying the deadly response? A tactic commonly used!

And after several court rulings that the military were responsible for many deaths.

Was any video evidence of military firing at unarmed protectors shown to the commission? or was it only selected videos shown? We all know the answer to that one.

Any video evidence of the emergency volunteer's in the temple being targeted?

How about the shooting of journalist's? and a certain general shot in the head by a sniper, was that shown?

Australia has had some big protests before but has a habit of NOT calling in the military to shoot and kill people.

So just how is the government of the day NOT responsible for the deaths?

And finally for the record yet again, I have NO support RED or YELLOW for those that use violence on innocent protesters and volunteers to achieve their political will.

But isn't that exactly what was sanctioned by the government on the day? use deadly force.

"Were they all there for the redshirts or is it possible SOME were planted there to cause trouble therefor justifying the deadly response?"

In answereing this question, you should ask yourself who benefited from provoking the military into deadly response.

"Australia has had some big protests before but has a habit of NOT calling in the military to shoot and kill people."{

I can think of only one instance where protesters had armed men conspicuous in their ranks, in all other cases it was understood that "peaceful protest" excludes weaponry. Do you remember what happened at the Eureka Stockade?

Do you get to select the reason your withdrawal is rejected, or do you have to take the one they give you?

He says himself that difficulties have been faced due to the Justice system being influenced by politicians. The judicial system is one of the first areas that needed to be reformed, you could have the strongest police force in the world, but if actual judicial system can be influenced it is useless the authorities even trying to bring people to book for wrong doing.

I thought Prayut said the other day to have trust in the judicial system....

"...you could have the strongest police force in the world..."

Well it's bloody obvious that Thailand's is far from that, allowing themselves to be bought and influenced. Seems a lot of people are now being brought to book that previously were untouchable; do you attribute that to influenced judiciary or police doing their job now that their paymasters are out of power?

Do you have comprehension difficulties?

I said they COULD HAVE, which they obviously don't, but even if they did, it would be useless if the justice system was shonky, hence the need to reform the justice system even before police reform or at least alongside it.

I would like you to show me the "Seems a lot of people are now being brought to book that previously were untouchable". As far as I am aware, only the CIB chief has been bought to book, not one other 'untouchable' has been charged and prosecuted with anything.

No, but it seems that you have problems with present and past tense. "Being brought to brook" indicates cases being investigated and proceeding, not just those completed.

Bonanza, Tarit, Boonsong, and many others are prime examples.

Hoss: "Paw, Paw, Bonanza is shrinking!"

Paw: "Don't worry son, we can steal it back when the Big Boss gets us re-elected."

He says himself that difficulties have been faced due to the Justice system being influenced by politicians. The judicial system is one of the first areas that needed to be reformed, you could have the strongest police force in the world, but if actual judicial system can be influenced it is useless the authorities even trying to bring people to book for wrong doing.

I thought Prayut said the other day to have trust in the judicial system....

"...you could have the strongest police force in the world..."

Well it's bloody obvious that Thailand's is far from that, allowing themselves to be bought and influenced. Seems a lot of people are now being brought to book that previously were untouchable; do you attribute that to influenced judiciary or police doing their job now that their paymasters are out of power?

Would it be a shame if the return to democracy was delayed until those who abused it were prosecuted?

All those girls are in their child bearing years.....except one. Renu Nakhon maybe a good place for a young lad to visit if he is looking for a fine wife.

It might be advisable to wait until those child-bearing age girls reach the age of consent. Not that it bothers the locals.

If she ever goes to jail, I want to see how many Pheu Thai members will be visiting her.

I was in a good mood up to when I read the article about her.

I wish her and her brother disappear from this earth.

I don't expect she cares much for you either!

Looking good though isn't she?

A billionaire, thanks to big brother, whose never had to worry about where money comes from or do a day's work in her life. Amply rich and can afford every beauty treatment, lotion, potion, cream etc on the planet. Dresses in designer outfits and has beautiful finest jewelry.

Under those conditions, you'd expect her to be looking good.

How do you explain the Whopper?

Tharit seems to not have the right friends... as I recall, he was basically 'fired' right after the 'NCPO' took over.

In the current atmosphere of vengeance, it was only a matter of time before his number came up.

He doesn't seem to have any friends, something he has/had in common with Benedict Arnold and Aaron Burr (selected for your American narrow grasp of history) or Judas, if you prefer fiction.

Can you recall ANY instance of a bent copper, willing to abuse his office to the whims of those in power, who has prospered after the change of leadership? What do think happened to Boss Tweed's police commissioner?

BTW Boss Tweed and Thaksin - some accurate parallels there!

Little red man running to the little red press. Boo hoo. Someone throw him a hankie.

that is a remarkably inaccurate & uninformed statement...

Tharit was part of the CRES during the 201 crackdown... I doubt that any red shirt would consider him a 'little red man'...

Correct, he is not one of them (and probably detests them), he one of their paid stooges bought after they were elected. It should have been written as "The red's little man running to the red's little press".

Never put down to accident that which can be explained by stupidity.