MarcelV

It's over with the cheap flights. Not just now, but forever. Flight prices will only increase and flying will only be affordable for the upper middle class and above. Last year I managed to fly BKK-AMS v.v. directly for only 710 euros with EVA. This year I can only dream about such a price. That's why I have decided not to fly home to see my family this month. Such a shame, but I simply cannot afford it on my Thai salary.

Border towns all have more than enough booze and babes for the thirsty Malaysians. In the provincial capitals you find karaoke bars for the policemen and soldiers, which also sell alcohol. In smaller towns and villages in the countryside, it is more difficult, but if you really wanna get drunk (or high), there are always ways to do so. Fyi, I don't drink or do drugs, or monger, so I'm not missing out anyway.

Thaksin is NOT welcome in the southern border provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala and eastern Songkhla Province. We will never forget the Tak Bai Massacre, which happened under his watch and he did nothing to prevent it. Stay away, Mr. Thaksin! People better vote for the MFP or Mr. Wan Noor of Prachachart Party, which do value Muslim lives and the Malay culture of the deep south. Any other party is better than Thaksin or the military-aligned UNdemocrats.

Guess you've never been to the deep south, meaning Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, and the easternmost four districts of Songkhla. Very few Malay Muslims drink alcohol here. In fact, most people are REALLY conservative and 90 percent of Muslim women and girls wear only long-sleeved clothes. The hijab is worn by virtually all females, even many little girls or newborns, with some women opting for niqab. During this current month of Ramadan all Muslims are fasting. It really is another world here compared to other regions.

I live in the restive province of Narathiwat in the Malay Muslim deep south region, next to the Malaysian border. Some 7/11s sell alcoholic beverages, but certainly not all. Even in the main residential areas, if a convenience store is owned and operated by Muslims, which most are, there will not be alcohol, or pork for that matter, on the shelves. No matter the location (near schools etc.) of the branch. It never bothers me as I don't drink alcohol myself, and pork can be bought at Buddhist-owned establishments, but it may be something to keep in mind.

Any info about pricing?

Both for the fasting and for Eid festival at the end of the month.

From my hometown of Narathiwat, I wish the Muslims of Pattaya a blessed and peaceful Ramadan. Ameen.

I'm hoping for a departure from the status quo and a third, more progressive party like MFP to step in and lead the government. It's time the bickering between the yellow and red shirts ends and a fresh new start is made.

You know very little about Islam and its people.

They don't visit Panare District though. Only locals go there.

I have been to Panare Beach a few times, but have never seen more than a few people around there and I found the beach less than appealing anyway. Some people profited off of this for sure.

Nonsense. If you just stay out of trouble and don't mingle with questionable types, you will be fine. I have lived in the area for nearly 7 years and have done just that. No problem.

They can not be voted out, only overthrown. Democratic forces alone will never be able to get rid of the junta-appointed senators.

To answer this question: yes, if I could, I definitely would.

Okay, I admit those statements seemingly contradict each other. I should have said "stable" in quotes. With the military pulling all the strings, the Thais are too afraid to stand up and fight. So the military rule by force, as any dissenting voice is simply squashed, by jailing the culprit. I call that tyranny.

Since I came to Thailand for the first time (and the country appeared on my radar) back in 2014, the situation has been stable and the Thais seem too tired to fight. But I keep hoping for a revolution during my lifetime, even a massacre of unknown proportions on the streets of Bangkok, when young people rise up against the military tyranny and elites and change Thailand for good. Even though it may costs tens of thousands of lives, it is what Thailand desperately needs to open people's eyes and strive for a better tomorrow.

I had a procedure like that in Narathiwat, down south. There were three Muslim girls wearing headscarves present. I felt rather uncomfortable in that state.????

No insurance, no license, no helmet, on his phone, with a few drinks behind him and way too many kids. Nah, no sympathy from me.

Good initiative, but let's wait and see if the money ends up in the right hands AND is spent on education instead of iPhones or down payment of a car.

Never heard of her. Can't imagine she's any good. Have fun, Dutchies.

If a Muslim kills anyone it's always jihad, right? ???? What you need to do is study the history of the conflict, going back all the way until at least 1909. You would see that Islam is only part of the Malay struggle for self-determination. That's not exactly what trans-national jihadis are going for, innit?

Since I moved to the deep south myself, I have prayed everyday for the insurgency to end and for the amazing, resilient people of the south to put away their differences and work on a new, common future. By the grace of God (insha'Allah), the negotiations will be successful and peace will return. I don't want to live in fear anymore and neither does anyone else.

Who's gonna ensure them that it's safe?

Shopee any day for me. I live in the restive deep south, where Lazada charges 200 baht delivery fees minimum. Shopee doesn't charge those "hazard" fees and is thus cheaper. The products are mostly the same anyway.