yardrunner

Went to the department of land transpore in Khon Kaen today to renew my five year licence, took photocopies of passport pages and yellow book as well as original documents, thought I had everything covered.

then she asked me for my Thai ID card which luckily I had obtaied 18 months ago, had to get a photocopy of that and after taking the tests I got my new licence.

But what I dont know is if they would have issued a licence if I had not had my Thai ID card

6 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

The whole world is laughing at Americans ? I don't think so.

No most of the world is crying apart from Russia and their allies and North Korea who are laughing

12 hours ago, thesetat said:

I did not read that into the OP at all... You are trying to make it so, but in reality they did not say that Trump and Musk lied. As i read it and listened. They actually stated they believe Trump and Musk do not lie and trust them 100%. So you are just twisting words again to make your quirk against Trump true. 

and if they believe that they must also believe in the tooth fairy

1 hour ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Exactly! Blacks need to get back in the kitchen as cooks. You CAN'T have them sitting as equals next to White Christian Nationalists (or Nat-C's for short) in the chow halls.

Sarcasm I hope

2 hours ago, Rinato said:

Would the ICC be able to pursue as well Netanyahu, Putin, Kim Jong and alike?

Hope so and Trump for blackmail

On 2/20/2025 at 11:50 AM, Harrisfan said:

So you don't know the Soviets killed the most Nazis. Enough said.

And the most Polish fighters 

Just now, yardrunner said:

Perhaps now is the time for the UK and the commonwealth to send peacekeeping troops to the Canadian border and if Trump tries to do a Putin they can send the S A S to burn the White House again. I am sure that Trump is senile enough to try and invade Canada and Greenland

12 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

The Pentagon has announced plans to deploy as many as 1,500 active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in the coming days. This move follows executive orders issued by President Donald Trump shortly after taking office, signaling his administration’s intent to take stronger measures to combat illegal immigration.  

 

According to U.S. officials, Acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses was expected to approve the deployment on Wednesday. While the specific units and total number of troops are still uncertain, the deployment aims to support existing border enforcement efforts. Approximately 2,500 National Guard and Reserve personnel are already stationed at the southern border, but no active-duty troops are currently involved.  

 

 

The role of the newly deployed forces is expected to include logistics, transportation, and construction of barriers, assisting border patrol agents. Similar tasks have been assigned to military personnel in the past under both the Trump and Biden administrations. However, these deployments could take a different turn, as there is ongoing discussion about whether the troops might engage in law enforcement, a departure from their traditional duties.  

 

By law, the Posse Comitatus Act prohibits U.S. military forces from performing domestic law enforcement functions. However, President Trump has directed officials to explore the possibility of invoking the 1807 Insurrection Act, which would allow troops to engage in civilian law enforcement on U.S. soil. The last time this act was invoked was in 1992 during the Los Angeles riots following the acquittal of police officers involved in the Rodney King case.  

 

President Trump has emphasized the importance of using military resources to address border security concerns. In his inaugural address, he declared, “I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places in which they came.”  

 

The current deployment echoes similar actions taken during Trump’s first term. In 2018, the president ordered more than 7,000 active-duty troops to the border to respond to a migrant caravan traveling through Mexico. The troops, including military police, combat engineers, and medical units, provided logistical support to border patrol agents by transporting personnel, erecting vehicle barriers, and setting up fencing.  

 

Additionally, military involvement has extended to assisting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with detention facilities. In 2021, the Biden administration utilized Fort Bliss in Texas as a temporary detention site for unaccompanied migrant children. However, the facility faced significant challenges, including overcrowding, exposure to harsh weather conditions, and insufficient staffing.  

 

Previous attempts to use military bases for detention have also faced logistical difficulties. For instance, in 2018, then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis prepared Goodfellow Air Force Base in Texas to house up to 20,000 unaccompanied migrant children, but the plan was scrapped due to inadequate infrastructure.  

 

The decision to deploy additional troops marks another step in a long history of using military resources to address challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border. As this latest effort unfolds, it remains to be seen how the administration will navigate the legal and operational complexities of military involvement in border security.

 

Based on a report by NYP 2025-01-23

 

 

12 hours ago, Briggsy said:

What would be the incentive to file?

 

Let me give you some completely hypothetical examples.

 

1. They refuse to extend your permission to stay unless you provide proof you have filed a tax return.

2. They issue an estimated assessment for a year you did not file.

3. They issue a fine for a year you did not file.

4. The Thai bank freezes your bank account unless you provide proof you have filed a tax return.

 

Currently these all seem very unlikely.

 

So I am back to my original question, what would be the incentive to file a Thai tax return.

! would imagine that 1, is possible 2, is probable 3, is  possible especially if linked to 1 and 4 seems unlikely

Israel should be judged on their actions and not on their statements

12 hours ago, Social Media said:

UN Faces Backlash Over Dismissal of Genocide Advisor Alice Nderitu  

 

The United Nations, once a symbol of moral accountability, has faced growing criticism over its handling of sensitive global issues. Its recent decision to terminate Alice Wairimu Nderitu, Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide, has sparked significant debate. A Kenyan mediator and expert in peacebuilding, Ms. Nderitu’s removal stems from her refusal to label Israel’s military actions in Gaza as genocide.

 

Ms. Nderitu has held her position since 2020, bringing a thoughtful approach to what she has called humanity's gravest crime. Her work emphasized precision in applying the term "genocide," a word first coined in 1944 by Raphael Lemkin to describe the systematic extermination of entire ethnic groups, such as the Holocaust, the Rwandan genocide, and the Bosnian massacres. Her office’s 2022 guidance stressed the importance of adhering to this strict definition, cautioning against its misuse due to the political and legal sensitivities it carries.

 

 

In assessing Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas, Ms. Nderitu argued that it did not meet the definition of genocide. She acknowledged the tragic civilian toll but pointed to Israel's stated intent: dismantling a terrorist organization rather than eradicating an ethnic group. Israel, she noted, has taken significant steps to minimize civilian casualties, even as Hamas reportedly uses Palestinian civilians as shields, exploiting their deaths for propaganda.

 

However, these views clashed with the narrative pushed by a faction within the UN. On November 14, the UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices issued a report alleging potential genocide in Gaza and apartheid in the West Bank. This report aligns with the stance of Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who has consistently criticized Israel. Critics argue that these accusations are influenced by political bias, as evidenced by the committee's composition, which includes member states Malaysia and Senegal, countries with a history of hostility toward Israel.

 

Ms. Nderitu’s dismissal has been framed as a contractual expiration, with a UN spokesperson asserting that genocide determinations fall under judicial bodies, not advisors. Yet, observers note that UN contracts are frequently renewed, and the Secretary-General holds the authority to extend her tenure. Her removal is widely seen as a political decision, signaling the influence of anti-Israel factions within the organization.

 

Beyond the controversy surrounding Ms. Nderitu, the situation highlights broader concerns about the politicization of genocide accusations. As the term becomes a tool for propaganda, its moral weight diminishes, threatening its power to describe true atrocities. Ms. Nderitu’s unwavering commitment to truth, even at the cost of her position, is a testament to her integrity. Her case raises a critical question: can principled leadership survive in an increasingly polarized UN?

 

Based on a report by WSJ 2024-11-27

 

 

 

7 hours ago, jippytum said:

I think Joe is stating the obvious.

No one should be in any doubt  that Israeli retaliation against terrorist aggression wil be swift and strong. 

 whilst agreeing that hezbolla and hamas are terrorist organisations and that Iran is supporting terrorism it would appear to me that the present Israeli government is suppoting terrorism in Gaza and that it and parts of the IDF should be named and treated as terrorist organisations. The way the Jewish peoples were treated in Europe during the holocaust should not be an excuse for the behaviour of the Israeli government and some of the people in the Illegal settlements 80 years on. if their is ever to be peace in the middle east terrorism by all sides needs to be reined in.

13 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Maldives is in good company:

Why would you  want additional countries to join is such a blatant act of Jew hatred? 

and again you cannot show disaproval of the Israils goverment without being accused of antisemitism. what Hamas did was terrible and an act of terrorism, what the Israelis are doing in Gaza is also an act of terorism. Until such time as a two state solution is found for Palestine and Israel and as long as Hamas and the far right Israili coalition stay in power their is little hope of peace in the middle east

Am in Khonkaen, have had my tax refund by cheque already without any problem

On 1/20/2024 at 7:16 AM, Bkk Brian said:

Well I guess this topic is obviously about Netanyahu and his goals or rather solutions for the end of the war. I also don't agree with him nor do I agree with many of his statements. Its clear that if there was an election today he would be ousted pretty quickly as without looking I think his popularity is down to around 20% or so, maybe a little more. He should obviously step down when this is over or before simply because he was at the helm when this massive security blunder allowed the attack to take place. That said, there is overwhelming support in Israel from the population to carry on the war until it is finished, with Netanyahu there or not. 

 

Whatever happens the 2 state solution remains elusive and if it happens which I hope it does, it will not be for a long time yet and only after the current phase of the hostilities are over.

 

The two-state solution is presented publicly by the world's diplomats and politicians as a silver bullet to end a conflict which has raged - one way or another - for decades.

But, despite taking part in this dance, most privately know it is dead, or is at best on life support.

https://news.sky.com/story/israel-hamas-war-leaders-love-to-talk-of-a-two-state-solution-but-middle-east-silver-bullet-feels-further-away-than-ever-13051510

 

I also agree with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas who says there can be “no security and stability in the region” without a Palestinian state.

 

Dismantling Hamas and returning hostages are still the goals however and as the new EU Parliament resolution released just a couple of days ago stated:

 

In a resolution that showed significant support for Israel, the European Parliament calls for a permanent ceasefire after all hostages are “immediately and unconditionally released” and “the terrorist organization Hamas is dismantled.”

The resolution was adopted by 312 votes in favor, 131 against and 72 abstentions.

At the same time, the MEPs denounce “the disproportionate Israeli military response, which has caused a civilian death toll on an unprecedented scale.”

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/european-parliament-backs-ceasefire-resolution-contingent-on-hostages-release-hamass-ouster/

 

I am with the above resolution at the moment, everything else at this stage to me is noise. The resolution seems fair and is also hard hitting for Israel with not just the above conditions, those are for the ceasefire, here is a little more detail, that includes demands for 2 state solution etc.

 

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240112IPR16776/israel-hamas-war-meps-call-for-a-permanent-ceasefire-under-two-conditions

Perhaps it is time that the IDF is designated a terrorist operation. Why should a modern state be allowed to attack a population of different ethnicity without sanctions, this is not now a case of self defense but of naked aggression. The events of the 1930,s and 1940,s during the holocaust were terrible but they should not be used as an excuse by Israel to behave as they are in Gaza

11 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

Well there appears to be a minister for everything else  so why not?  They could start by giving the embassy staff a shake up , and then address the injustice of frozen pensions

yes and if you get your vote you can lobby your MP to support pensions for all, one expat might not count but enough expats voting may make politicians think again

34 minutes ago, terryofcrete said:

We're all gonna die ! 

Yes but not right away 

2 hours ago, wombat said:

the owner received no rent for 2 years before he had look?

more holes in that story than Swiss cheeses

Read the storey again, the rent was paid every month

21 hours ago, phetphet said:

Light cars for not only being cooler in the daytime, but more visible at night.

And more visible at night is definitely a great safety feature here with the number of people who drive without lights. The only thing is that you have to get other people to get white cars and reduce the strength of the tint on their car windscreen