Old Man River

Another step away from the USA and a bigger step closer to Russia and China . . . not so sure that's such a great idea . . .

What strategic value does Thailand have that Russia wants?

It's all just talk, as many have said numerous times, Thailand will never be open enough to be an international player of any kind. The engrained xenophobia here against all non Thais means that companies will never be free to set up here and employ who they want, the way they want. There is not the smallest sliver of trust for non Thais, and when trying to set yourself up as an international hub of anything, there needs to be an element of open engagement and trust of foreigners that they will get back more than they will have to give away. Just look at Singapore to understand how this works.

Singapore and to a lesser extent Jakarta are wholly more suitable to this than Thailand will ever be.

I think this is spot on.

They have been successful in the auto industry, but the current suggested amendments to the FBA, driven by the reasons you mention, will kill any regional hub chances for Thailand. Just the fact the amendments are already being discussed will probably be enough to back investors off.

Has the Thai police submitted the DNA match to the prosecutor?

If yes, doesn't matter how many times they reopen the case the outcome will be the same.

Now, if the DNA is genuine or not it's another matter, that may be we will never find out.

How they obtained the confessions will have a little standing in the court.

This is Thailand not the USA or Britain.

Allegations and accusations will carry on for a long time to come.

Unfortunately we already have the verdict and may be we will never find out the truth.

A lie detector test, while not admissible, would be very interesting.

There is a difference between citizenship in a given country and genetic origin ^

I have to agree, but how important is the difference? My ancestors come from 6 different countries. I only waive one flag.

Kinda funny some of the remarks. Here is a quick take from me. About 6 years ago I hooked up with a very rich Chinese gal in KK. They owned so much property and employed so many Thais it was unreal. 7-11's. University campus housing. Huge rice storage and wholesale. Rice scheme comes to mind. It was a huge multi company holding.

She was ok, but I will never forget how she talked about the Thais. They were dirt under the Chinese feet. From religion right on down. And I am not exagerating. I was a little taken back by her remarks and actions. But, they did run a huge part of the city.

Out of curiosity, as a Malaysian, what did she think of Malaysians?

It's a good move from government as many rich overseas investment companies are using puppet as directors but the actual decision fall on them, in many land in Phuket and Samui already bought but rich investment company it ends up in future Thai young generation lost their land to farang companies and end up thier only able to work as employee in thier motherland.

I just read that Chinese investors are being allowed to buy land in the new economic zone in the Chiang Rai area. Please comment on how this is different.

I suppose the difference is two fold. First, there appears to be an objection to a certain colour of skin...white. Second, if it's the Thai Chinese who rule Thailand that are calling the shots then it's no surprise they give themselves permission to do anything they like.

While my comment was meant for someone else, the relationship between the Chinese and Thai Chinese is much different from what you think. Thai Chinese are Thai, just like Singaporan Chinese are Singaporan, Canadian Chinese are Canadian, American Chinese are American etc.

I think the FBA should be amended to directly allow foreign control when foreign ownership is the majority (stop the loopholes and allow it directly). The EU and USA are huge markets for Thai products. Pushing the west out and thinking China is the replacement is a mistake. Sadly, Thailand really doesn't have anything that Mainland needs. However, if Thailand is going to give them things (allowing them to buy land when other nationalities can't), they will take it, gladly. Just don't expect a whole lot in return.

And when the thais, as opposed to the thai chinese, have realized they've become third class citizens, locked into poverty, and the Thai chinese and their mainland Chinese friends have bought up everything worth buying in the country, what then?

And additionally, if Chinese growth vanishes as many suspect, and the U.S and the West in general recovers from its malaise and it turns out not to be the Chinese century after all, and thailand has lost its Western and Japanese friends, then maybe thailand will find itself in real trouble.

1) The Thai Chinese are Thai. I guess you have to be in the Thai Chinese community to understand this. It is a dual culture.

2) The Chinese are, by far, not the biggest foreign investors in Thailand. Since the Chinese haven't shown the inclination in the past to be, I don't think it matters whether China remains prosperous or not. They will invest in other countries just as quick if the terms are right.

3) Thailand should be trying to attract FDI. Within reason, it should not be too choosy where it comes from, especially since it is the investors that really get to pick and choose.

Bottom line, on amendments to the FBA, we agree.

It's a good move from government as many rich overseas investment companies are using puppet as directors but the actual decision fall on them, in many land in Phuket and Samui already bought but rich investment company it ends up in future Thai young generation lost their land to farang companies and end up thier only able to work as employee in thier motherland.

I just read that Chinese investors are being allowed to buy land in the new economic zone in the Chiang Rai area. Please comment on how this is different.

I suppose the difference is two fold. First, there appears to be an objection to a certain colour of skin...white. Second, if it's the Thai Chinese who rule Thailand that are calling the shots then it's no surprise they give themselves permission to do anything they like.

While my comment was meant for someone else, the relationship between the Chinese and Thai Chinese is much different from what you think. Thai Chinese are Thai, just like Singaporan Chinese are Singaporan, Canadian Chinese are Canadian, American Chinese are American etc.

I think the FBA should be amended to directly allow foreign control when foreign ownership is the majority (stop the loopholes and allow it directly). The EU and USA are huge markets for Thai products. Pushing the west out and thinking China is the replacement is a mistake. Sadly, Thailand really doesn't have anything that Mainland needs. However, if Thailand is going to give them things (allowing them to buy land when other nationalities can't), they will take it, gladly. Just don't expect a whole lot in return.

It's a good move from government as many rich overseas investment companies are using puppet as directors but the actual decision fall on them, in many land in Phuket and Samui already bought but rich investment company it ends up in future Thai young generation lost their land to farang companies and end up thier only able to work as employee in thier motherland.

At present, the central bank predicts the economy will grow by 1.5 per cent this year and 4.8 per cent next year.

Based on?

A naive belief that if you face the facts, then you lose face! Everybody with common sense can see with their own eyes, that Thailand economy is heading only one way.... DOWN!

I believe, that we within the next 3-5 years will see a complete meltdown in Thai-economy, which will hopefully force the leaders (whoever they are) to put on an international out-look and understand that Thailand is not what they thought it was.

At current moment Thailand is driving itself directly into a wall and its biggest enemy is Thai-ness. Right now they are planning a new law to place even more restrictions on foreign owned Joint Venture companies, which basically mean that they are scaring away even more foreigners and investors.

This country is making and enforcing laws like its economy is booming, while the fact is that tourists and investors are running away. Add to that a housing bubble and you got the perfect receipt for an economic meltdown. Look around and you will see, it has already started but because of Thai-ness, it will take just a bit longer for people to realize what is actually going on.

A big wake up call is when ASEAN investors such as Singapore and Indonesia focus on VN and Myanmar, and not Thailand.

That must be added to the list of "benefits of permanent residency" - have a trip to CW if you want to go buy onions in Laos..

I don't want to think what happens if one leaves without...

Permit is also 8000 baht.

Single re-entry? Let me guess, annual ?

Single is THB 1,900. Multi within one year is THB 3,800 (according to the Immigration website).

I got a one year multi entry permit about 6 months ago at Chiang Mai (where I live and where my PR and police records are held), 3,900Baht.

Has it been recently bumped a hundred for a multi?

I didn't know this was even a possibility, and maybe the more they get inquiries from us the more they will think about it.

Out of curiosity, does anyone else have a white permanent resident book? I needed more pages a few years ago and this is what they gave me.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

First Resident Certificate Book is dark blue, when full it's replaced by a white covered book (same internal details), and when that's full replaced by another white covered book. That's my experience.

That is indeed correct.

I needed a replacement last year. necessitated 2 visits to bangkok - they said it took 4 days. When i returned 4 days my papers were still lying on the officers desk, and she had to start from scratch Took 2 hours. They showed no concern that my 2 visits each required an overnight stay.

The new white book has very flimsy paper, and the immigration stamps show through the other side causing Immigration Officers at borders to think the page has already been used.

I hadn't noticed on the white cover until a friend brought it up that it says "Duplicate." He said he has been asked where the other one is. Of course, they don't give it back, but apparently not all in Immigration are aware until you explain.

That must be added to the list of "benefits of permanent residency" - have a trip to CW if you want to go buy onions in Laos..

I don't want to think what happens if one leaves without...

Permit is also 8000 baht.

Single re-entry? Let me guess, annual ?

Single is THB 1,900. Multi within one year is THB 3,800 (according to the Immigration website).

Great. Stop using meters and then tell us a price and then we pay what we deem fair at destination. bet the bkk taxi scum wont like that. And to all the farang on here saying " a fare hike is fair". it's the Bangkok and Thai people who will decide that and with their income static and cost of living going up I know what their view is.

A fare hike is fair.

Email from True:

The NFL games have been scheduled to televise via True Sport HD (666), True Sport HD3 (668), True Sport 3 (683)

The schedule of this week is as follows:

NFL 2014/15 Week 3

Fri 19 Tampa Bay @ Atlanta (L) 0730-1100 TS3/TS HD1

Mon 22 Green Bay @ Detroit (L) 0000-0315 TS HD3

Mon 22 Washington @ Philadelphia (L) 0000-0315 TS HD1

Mon 22 San Francisco @ Arizona (L) 0300-0630 TS HD4

Mon 22 Denver @ Seattle (L) 0330-0700 TS HD1/TS3 (JIP 0400-0700)

Mon 22 Pittsburgh @ Carolina (L) 0730-1100 TS3/TS HD1

Tue 23 Chicago @ NY Jets (L) 0730-1100 TS3/TS HD1

No mention of ASN2 (maybe it is going) and no highlights.

How do you arrange for these emails?

ASN 2 is being discontinued Oct. 5th

The victims were not American, the crimes were not committed in America, and no suspects as of yet are American, so why should the US get involved?

Extensive databases. Not just from the US.

To get these guys, the more help from experienced police, the better.

A quote from Surat Thani police chief Kiattipong Khaosam-ang:

The semen DNA matched DNA found on the butt of an LM cigarette found beside a rock 30-50 metres from the crime scene .

Well, let's see here chief you're publicizing the brand of cigarettes that might have been discarded at the scene by the perpetrators. Now they can be sure to switch brands.

Face is the only driving force in Thailand, and it rears it ugly head here again.

This is not about solving the murders, it's all about saving face. They think they are showing us they know something. Instead, they are jeopardizing the case, and, before those of us who do know crime scene investigative procedures, making fools of themselves and therefore in fact losing face.

And if the police provided no details then you would say the lack of transparency is proof there is a cover-up.

The police are doing what police the world do--they are investigating a crime. Its a slow tedious process.

Why can't the members of this forum just let them do their job.

News flash folks. This is the real world. Its not CSI:Miami.

The case doesn't get closed in 50 minutes in real life.

.

Giving out info such as what brand of cigarettes were found at the scene, could reduce the evidence, circumstantial or otherwise, used to make a case after the arrest.

Don't worry about things like that. When they find them a full confession won't be a problem.

If Thaksin and his cronies never existed, why exactly did we have the coup?

Kind of wondering th same thing. Is he now innocent because he didn't exist?

What part of this Democrat MP/PDRC member ethics doesn't quite compute with some of you? He was in a position, and not just a lowly pencil pusher, but a senior position within the GOVERNMENT of the time to actually do something about this, but he sent self confessed MIB's away as their asking price was too much?

So someone confesses to commiting a murder to you, but you decide it's not worth reporting as you didn't know the victim? Is this the sort of same logic that you're seeing here?

That MP was in a position to do something, but instead decided to dismiss potential killers ????

There's a very prominent poster who keeps harping on an on about PTP Logic, well what is seen here beggers belief , maybe this is just DEMS Logic ??

Well I certainly can appreciate your reasoning and logic. Unfortunately I am one of those who likes to know the whole story.

Was their sufficient reason to believe the informers would be honest?

On the face of it I would think it was a great time to run a scam. Also who were these informers why were they not apprehended? Was there a third party go-between. If not why has the Democrat not come out with the names of the one's offering the information? To many loose threads here.

While we are on about it. What ever happened to that commission that was set up to follow the money? Was it still in affect when Yingluck took over? Or had Abhist shut it down?

Are you referring to AMLO? Although Thaksin used it to go after members of the media, it's primary use is to track funds being used by those laundering money.

Can you seriously believe all the BS. Kritsuda was arrested on May 28 which the military authority denied at first. Then out of the blue on June 23 she appeared on TV, expressed happiness and said she go volunteer for protection. She was released the next day and within a short two months, Pol Gen Somyot said they have all the incriminating evidence. Super efficient sleuth that could conclude all strong evidence within 2 months after they release her.

If people are rolling over on her, two months is a lot of time.

The General has said he has the names of all the people responsible for all the unrest and corruption in Thailand, and people would be surprised.

Did you make that up?

What he said (BP) is that he knows who is behind the acquisition of and financing for the weapons used by the "men in black" and people would be surprised.

There is a difference.

Since at least in here, most people would certainly not be surprised to hear him say Mr T - I wonder who he's referring to?

Perhaps someone in Bangkok that has been very quiet lately.

The General has said he has the names of all the people responsible for all the unrest and corruption in Thailand, and people would be surprised.

Did you make that up?

What he said (BP) is that he knows who is behind the acquisition of and financing for the weapons used by the "men in black" and people would be surprised.

There is a difference.

Instead of the PM bragging about knowing the names, how about he does something about it and have them arrested, and exposed, instead of saying you'd be surprised whos on the list!! ??

Or is there names on that list that are known to him, and that they could very well have been RTA soldiers working for the other side, and that by exposing these names, it calls into question the RTA?

Put up, or Shut up Mr. PM, where's the transparency on this one sir?

Did you ask the same thing when Chalerm was quoting how much he knew about the MiB?

Strange how the Army backing the police in 3 months can find them, but the Police and DSI under the PTP, Yingluck (nobody told me anything) and Chalerm were in charge and couldn't find them in oner 3 years, even though it seems that the DSI knew who they were anyway.

Yeah I probably did, but my comment is about what's going on now, right now, today, you know, the present, and if the PM wants to prove to the country he's the right man for the job, then making such statements as little tidbits makes him NO BETTER than Chalerm when he was doing the same..

It's exactly the same old Thailand if he does that, and he's supposed to be putting Thailands interests first, well instead of making such statements, how about one that states "We have in CUSTODY those accountable and responsible for the actions of the MIB" and will be making a full press statement in the next 24-48 hours"

It's like a 12 year old telling his friends " I have a secret, but I'm not telling you what it is" , it's designed to peak curiosity, either he's taking action right now, and apprehending those responsible, or there's names that are untouchable on that alleged list and he's no bette than Chalerm.. it's really that simple..

Same same but different???

Not the same, IMHO. Hypothetically, if you know one person who hires a local group, that doesn't mean you have the whole picture. If you release all that you have, you could end up with some disbelieving if/when you make the connections later.

Hence why it's better to wait till you have them all in the bag, before making these statements, that way, there's no way someone gets a spidey sense/warning that he's about to be nabbed and does a runner, you hit them all at the same time on the same day, without warning minimising the risk of "runners"

Its a gamble. The downside is some escape, the upside is in the scramble they are able to make connections they haven't already been able to make. My view is this isn't just about getting some bad guys off the street.

Instead of the PM bragging about knowing the names, how about he does something about it and have them arrested, and exposed, instead of saying you'd be surprised whos on the list!! ??

Or is there names on that list that are known to him, and that they could very well have been RTA soldiers working for the other side, and that by exposing these names, it calls into question the RTA?

Put up, or Shut up Mr. PM, where's the transparency on this one sir?

Did you ask the same thing when Chalerm was quoting how much he knew about the MiB?

Strange how the Army backing the police in 3 months can find them, but the Police and DSI under the PTP, Yingluck (nobody told me anything) and Chalerm were in charge and couldn't find them in oner 3 years, even though it seems that the DSI knew who they were anyway.

Yeah I probably did, but my comment is about what's going on now, right now, today, you know, the present, and if the PM wants to prove to the country he's the right man for the job, then making such statements as little tidbits makes him NO BETTER than Chalerm when he was doing the same..

It's exactly the same old Thailand if he does that, and he's supposed to be putting Thailands interests first, well instead of making such statements, how about one that states "We have in CUSTODY those accountable and responsible for the actions of the MIB" and will be making a full press statement in the next 24-48 hours"

It's like a 12 year old telling his friends " I have a secret, but I'm not telling you what it is" , it's designed to peak curiosity, either he's taking action right now, and apprehending those responsible, or there's names that are untouchable on that alleged list and he's no bette than Chalerm.. it's really that simple..

Same same but different???

Not the same, IMHO. Hypothetically, if you know one person who hires a local group, that doesn't mean you have the whole picture. If you release all that you have, you could end up with some disbelieving if/when you make the connections later.

That's a terrific suggestion, of course you have been throwing out your opinions for years, the only difference being that nobody accepts them as facts. Most of us dismiss them as fiction.

Perhaps that's where you're going wrong then.

I have been posting opinions backed by facts, a large percentage of those posts providing links to those facts. You can dismiss facts as being fiction but they still remain facts.

On the other hand opinions with nothing to back them up..................

We will know soon what the facts on this one really are.

"PM Prayuths visit to Flood Hit Sukothai" key points:

He was warmly welcomed by locals.

The PM was taken aback by the crowd that greeted him like a pop singer with screams coming from both young and old residents when they caught their first glimpse of him.

When the PM arrived at Wat Krailat, he was also greeted with a screaming crowd

He smiled shyly at the pop singer treatment he received and told residents that he was surprised by the wonderful welcome.

Reporters accompanying him to the flood area said the prime minister displayed his charisma and charm when talking to the crowd dropping witty lines and comments which led to bursts of laughter every so often.

He also sought residents’ permission to visit them again in the near future where he promised to sing the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s song to “Bring Happiness Back to the People”.

His down to earth demeanor impressed everyone and members of the press were surprised that he patiently answered all questions and posed for photographs.

The premier’s good nature and sincerity puts people at ease.

Besides, his easy mannerism and light heartedness has impressed locals, a reporter joining the trip described.

All that in just one article, impressive.

Oh and there were some floods there apparently.

I'm surprised no one asked him about the 50 million Baht the government was going to allocate for flood damage repairs, as talked about in January 2013.

I don't know about THB 50 million, but according to the article below in May 2012, most of the THB 50 billion was already spent.

http://www.dredgingtoday.com/2012/05/07/thailand-water-projects-completion-set-for-august-minister-says/