Fatty123

When members of the American far right say that the Junta are OTT, then anyone with any common sense would see the problem. Apart from on here, it seems. I get the Thaksin hate, I dislike him too.

However, to blindly agree with Junta doing far worse is ridiculous. 90 dead, many. many more since the 30s, putting their cronies in the courtrooms, rubber stamp parliaments/committees, martial law, little freedom of speech. An upsurge in LM prosecutions, ridiculous North Korean style 'approval' polls, banning of anti 'government' polls...only good ones allowed in other words, the rounding up of electable politicians (as far as Thailand is concerned, not me), the banning (again) of politicians/parties standing for office. The severe lack of reconciliation and instead, persecution, no gatherings of more than 5 people, no calling the General a 'D' , this is a government-not a Junta, intervention not coup, the world doesn't understand Thainess, Hitler? So what? Only a painting!, no eating sandwiches in public, no reading Orwell,12 values, indoctrination.

Welcome to Thailand..land of smiles out of place, If you look closer, it's easy to trace...

Don't worry Abhisit if you get banned from Thai politics come back to Blighty & take over the Liberal's here, there will be a Clegg shaped vacancy after May.

Nah. He'll be looking for a movement that suits him.

EDL?

George Orwells "Animal Farm" springs to mind on so many levels with regard to Thailand and their citizens.

JAF

...and people said that the reds were 'too stupid' to understand democracy.

The UK doesn't even have one

I had to check that, as I found it unbelievable. Well, well well. It's true.

They are building 2 new ones though after selling off their previous carriers for scrap. Below is news from the official gov source on the new carriers. As always, the UK takes forever to complete a project (remember the New Wembley?). I'm no expert, but that carrier looks almost ready to me but is gonna take another 5 years or so to be used by the Navy.

Hope it's not like a notorious 'International' school in Thailand. You know, the one (no names so don't ask) with the huge impressive buidling that looks like an old style British public school, but that is actually an empty shell (the real school is a tiny buidling next to it).

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defence-secretary-gets-update-on-aircraft-carrier-project

Reconciliation is just a buzzword. Democracy is what is needed, without military/elitist interference. If the yellows don't like losing elections, suck it up. The Democrats then just need to make policies that help all Thais, not just a few. Personally, I feel they've blown any chance of ever winning any election fairly. If they had any dignity, they would disband in shame. Democrats? Haven't they boycotted over 50% of general elections in Thailand (because they can't win)? What a joke!

Thaksin? If he's a criminal then he deserves locking up. I'm not sucking up to the reds here. But the military will obviously give themselves amnesty from prosecution, but will go after any of the most popular politicians that changes the membership of that 0.1% (trough feeders).

Thailand is now on the road to becoming Burma circa 2006. Anyone thinking that this is a good thing, is, quite frankly, insane.

Oh, and a jury system would helpThailand. However, I'm not convinced that selction of jurors wouid ever be 'random' if it was brought in to Thailand (red or yellow governments).

BTW, what's the "Thai Researchers in Community Happiness Association"?

Jobs for the boys.

I'm sure old 'Zeus' is delighted you grassed him up accidentally outed him as having no WP. Let's hope he doesn't find you, as he looks like he could upper cut a horse and make a giraffe.

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The country needs to have a legal system that those in power are answerable to. It needs a legal system that makes it clear to those in power that abuse if power and criminality has consequences. It needs a legal system that applies to all, not just those outside the elite. It needs a legal system that cannot be bribed, corrupted, side stepped, manipulated and avoided.

It doesn't need a reconciliation commission, it needs law and order.

Gaol the guilty.

No amnesties.

No pardons because you admit to being a craven criminal scumbag.

Simply, a justice system that applies to all.

This whole reconciliation committee and its power to pardon appears to be little more than a stealth amnesty.

AND it needs a legal system that cannot be subverted by military coups who immediately grant themselves exemptions from the legal system. There was no basis for NCPO to abolish the 2007 Constitution, even for the sake of "national security," other than to impose its own sense of a rule of law and avoid legal responsibility for its own crimes against the sovereignty of the Thai Peoples.

If Thailand ever gets a legit government, then it needs to put something in the Constitution outlawing military coups (I know, I know) and say that any amnesty/pardon the army/courts may give the military after taking power is illegal and punishable by death.

Cat in hell's chance though.

Eh to be fair on the syphilis thing, it is something they test for here in order to get a work permit. Not really suitable to ask someone during an interview but yeah...

Well, since it is on the health check then there would be no reason to ask a clean, healthy, well dressed person by my mind.

I bet he did not get the job lol.

Yes, you can tell if someone has aids or syphillis by looking at them (did you have a health check before you processed your first work permit then, as in before a job offer?) What planet are you on? Perhaps the 'schools' you've worked at didn't follow the correct procedures, as all they got coming in were the dregs of society.

And, yes I got the job. That's why they were checking my passport and then copying it

Loser. You seem obsessed with pedos too. Interesting...those that claim to hate gay people tend to have homosexual fantasies but are ashamed of them. You meanwhile...

how serious is this resentment of foreigners

On a day to day basis the vast, vast majority of Thais don't give us a second thought. They're too busy getting on with their own lives.

On occasion I've met some foreigners who say stuff like "Thais hate us" etc. and after 5 minutes in their company I have to commend the locals for their astuteness. They don't hate us mate. They hate you.

Over the course of my long time here naturally I've encountered Thais who obviously don't like westerners but on the whole they've either treated me pretty well or with complete indifference.

Spot on. There is a 'nob head' factor in every country. Most Thais I've met have been good people. Polite, helpful etc. A few don't even notice you're there (and why should they) and a very small number are nasty pieces of work who can't stand foreigners .

My own country (UK) has a higher percantage of 'nob heads' in my opinion than Thailand. Although the comments about 'it ain't what it used to be' ring true. It's more built up in the resorts and visa abuse and right wing policies have made staying in Thailand for lengthy periods a little more unpredictable than it used to be.

The politcal situation is still the same as it's always been. An election gets won and the army null and void it.

I'm not sure if I'll get an answer here, but I paid the initial 15,000 tuition fee for Thongsook, but sent mails to cancel soon after before any ed visa or application was made.

Not sure of their refund policy, can't find it on their site and I've sent multiple emails but nobody replies.

I even got a mail the other day saying I've missed payments, but I'm not even enrolled!

15k is no small amount, but even if it's non-refundable it'd be nice to get a reply stating this instead of nothing. Kinda feels like I've been ripped off.

I got my refund after getting accepted on a degree course back home in the UK at the last minute (Thongsook deduct 3,000 baht for admin) so you should get 12,000 back. Although it took over a month (about 5 weeks I think).

I would put everything in an email and then call to check they've got it etc. I don't think they are con men though, I got my cash back.

Cheers, been mailing for weeks, most just get ignored or I'd get replies asking me to register for classes (<deleted>) although Bruce finally said he'd sort it out after I sent him a few.

Then suddenly I get a mail saying I'm 18,000 baht behind in fees. :/

Not sure how since I've never attended, nor got an ed visa, not registered for any term or class etc.., literally just paid the initial fee/paperwork.

Sent mails back to Bruce but haven't got replies for a week.

Absolute nighthere, I'll give them a ring later and see if that helps, do I ask to speak to anyone in particular?

A guy on Facebook said he knows a lot of people tryna chase up refunds and stuff but to no avail, but if you managed it then I guess it just takes perseverance.

If I gotta go down to Bangkok in person I'll chase it up.

What pisses me off is they were all super helpful and replying to enquiries then as soon as I let them know I couldn't take the course.. silence. No answers. Like if they don't reply it doesn't count or something.

I dunno mate. Sorry to hear your having problems. I just emailed him and although it did take about a month, I got my money in the end.

In three years of teaching, I have encountered drunks, jr drunks, party monsters and at least one creeper at each school I taught or am teaching. I very much think that questions about who you are quite valid. If you go to websites featuring efl teachers, many of the resumes (jobs) complete bs. Many teachers here carry dual passposts.

Unfortunately the ones most dangerous and/or burned out having been at this game for a ling time and creepers are far from stupid despite their compulsion.

I think all single men above 32 suspect. Who are you and why are you in Thailand and not your home country seens an excellent question. The weather is nice does not seem to be a sufficient answer.

There are a lot of bad people in this country and many agebcies have no qualms abiut placing them in front of a classroom.

Whether these were standard questions or they did not like the looks of you, eho knows. Take stock in it.

I'm not slagging you, just that in my exoerience there is frightening concern.

I've never met a larger more unprofessional group of people in my life. They will.say and do anything to get and stay hired - except the job and attendant responsibilities thsy were hired for.

Its like working in a call center wuth a bunch of immature hugh school drop outs.

This isn't your home country - they have no access to references and all sorts of checks snd balances. Sixty percent of teachers could move to China, agencies close. The kids would be all the safer.

Drunks are not harmless. They are lazy, sloppy and waste time. Creepers, just goes without saying. At least one of these in each school I've been in - and two people that drink to excess.

Its their country, they can ask what they want, but moreover children are involved.

The thought of someone with your attitude towards others teaching kids fills me with dread.

Sorry to hear that you had to put up with nonsense at an interview. It was sexist, yes. What can you do about it? Nothing. Thais can be as subtle as a sledgehammer. I've been asked if I've got HIV or syphillis. Just straight out and casually after asking to see my passport. I've seen a black guy called ''Mr Black'' and laughed and pointed at by Thai staff.

It happens, sadly. Perhaps this isn't the country for you.

Reported this morning on ABC news (Aust) that this is politically motivated and aimed solely at removing her and her party from politics for good.

But she weighs the same as a duck, which means....

Effectively a criminal organisation filing criminal charges against a person perceived as a criminal.

What a farce. If I were YS I would challenge it under the fact that the current gov has no legitimacy under international law and therefore it is them who should be facing criminal charges for treason.

That would be the brave and honourable thing to do. However, she's too elitist to do that. Much more likely to run and stash her cash. Aung San Suu Kyi she ain't, more's the pity.

Thailand under the rule of the general with all his medals for military heroism frightens me just as much as England under Cromwell.

I am on neither side but it is now clear what the coup was really all about it.

lets fix the rules so we win because we cannot win in a straight fight.

Cromwells result was Civil war. We should learn from history.

I thought the reason for the coup was to bring peace to the streets? This is really going to do that.

Yingluck charged with corruption.Mmm

People who live in glass houses shouldnt throw stones.

And so it begins.......

Thailand under the rule of the general with all his medals for military heroism frightens me just as much as England under Cromwell.

I misread youir post. I thought you wrote the General may have all these medals for military heroism, but has fought as many battles as you have for Oliver Cromwell.

Also true.

Isn't the internet wonderful.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2014/01/11/Beer-heiress-comments-prompt-boycott/79831389480811/

Is she not an ex heiress now,i thought her father disowned her after her contraversial speech.

Not quite ex. It was her uncle, the real power, who was so angry over the damage she did to the brand when she announced that the poor were uneducated and should not have a vote.

I expect that there were some NAZI uniforms at the party , in keeping with her political philosophy.

These are the types that own Singha? They own Leo too, don't they? Well, I'll be on the Tiger beer when in Thailand from now on. When my pals and I have a sesh on the Singha, it probably increases their share price by 5%, but I'll be letting them know not to touch the stuff as it's owned by Nazis.

Fatty, I'm sure the Bhirombhakdi family and Boon Rawd have made announcements to the shareholders on the pending change of beer by you and your little buddies and are prepared for a market share drop. Chok dee

Fair enough etc. However, if her comments regarding the poor and then mocking them became common knowledge for western tourists, I think it might cause Boon Rawd a few quid. I've heard (not sure if true, but heard it a few times now) quite a few of those Korat and beyond already boycott the company.

I am surrounded by idiots. Bye for now.

An army's job is to protect its population against aggressive invaders. Not to kill more of its own population than enemy combatants and deny them the right to vote for whom they wish. And then expect the nation to make them rich for doing so,

Until Thailand can control its military (to support the people rather than oppress) it will get nowhere. One of two things will happen. Thailand will become more oppressive than it is now. Much more. Or, it will do what Panama did and get rid of the military altogther and ask another nation to protect its borders for favourable trade agreements (with the USA in Panama's case).

Only the Aussies seem a viable 'local-ish' option though for Thailand. Or China

I wish they'd extend the vest ban to all public places.

During the flood I had to live in Pattaya for a bit. This meant doing my 90 day report at Pattaya imm as a one off. I always wore a shirt and trousers to Imm (just common sense) but that morning I was the only white guy not in my late 50s+, not full of tatoos, not with a girl in a mini skirt and not wearing a vest. One guy had to be told to leave his can of Chang outside...at about 10am (!).

Bit emarrassed to be a honkey that day if I'm honest. Is that place still the same?

Maybe its just me. How ironic that a guy who commits treason and grabs power, and then absolves himself of the crime can say that somebody must face a justice system that convicted a Thai citizen whilst under military rule.

Can't stand Toxin myself, but many on here can't see that elephant in the room. In fact, it's not even an elephant. It's a singing, dancing mammoth covered with flashing disco lights.

Before you start, the military had already 'fixed' the courts by the time PT got in. PT just wanted whatever power they could have, even the watered down version offered by the military. They could still feed at the trough to some extent. Which is why I dislike PT. Yingluck tried to 'fix it' with a suicidal amnesty bill and what 'power' they had went away altogether.

The Yingluck administration had little power. Probably the most toothless administration Thailand has ever had. They couldn't even get the security forces to help them hold elections. Or clear government buildings. Or give amnesty to its most powerful member, overthrown during an illegal (at the time) coup. Or tell the governor of Bangkok to open the gates during the floods.If you think nothing changed after 2006, then...

Please use the correct name of the gentleman. It's Thaksin.

The rest is nonsense.

Thanks,

uncle rubl

Nonsense is it?

So, PT managed to clear all the voting booths and hold elections without any hiccups? And the courts weren't filled with patsies post 2006? And Yingluck managed to get the forces to help her clear the government buildings? She also managed to stop people just north of Bangkok from putting up with toxic water for 3 months, depsite her asking/telling the governor of BKK to start to open some of the gates bit by bit? She got her brother home to Thailand under her successful amnesty bill, too?

Yes, it was all a dream.

And I'm not your nephew. That part is nonsense.