Srikcir

So conscription the entire nation and eliminate income inequality instantly. But somehow military wages that may or may not actual go to conscripts may by themselves increase income inequality. Whatever. There's simply no academic proof that conscription reduces income inequality. But there is evidence that eight years under the military political coalition has increased the nation's income inequality.

Will some Royalist claim US forced this export as some claim the US forces Thailand to buy US weapons?

EC is responsible to approve candidates for office. It did not disapprove Pitha from running for office with (I think) with a conditional caveat to wait to see if he becomes a leading candidate AFTER the election before making a final decision. Presumably, if he (as party leader) didn't place well in the election, then EC would have no issue. That after-the-fact caveot is rigging the election and disenfranching millions of votes. Where is the EC held responsible for performing its duty which it seems to have failed by not disqualifying Pitha PRIOR to the election.

Maybe it's too late, but why not just reverse your order of travel, ie., Kenya last?

Obviously not in the US. Thailand has many economic advantages and travel options, thus far.

Thailand buys from whoever offers advanced weapon systems. How exactly does US make Thailand buy weapons from them? Frankly, the problem for Thailand is that it's weapons inventory is a "Mish Mash" of foreign weapons (Soviet, Chinese, NATO, EU, etc.) that has to make maintenance a nightmare, not to mention having competent military to do maintenance.

There is an alternative to the minimum $80k USD. Something like, minimum $40k USD plus securities. Check LTR web site for exact requirements.

Perfect description of Thailand as for decades it has conducted military operations against the Muslim Kingdom of Patani to subjugate, absorb and deculturize and delanguage the indigenious peaceful Malay Muslims in that caliphate. The same Thailand that terrorizes its own citizens into subjugation of their rightful freedoms.

If the right call - Then don't buy foreign weapons, air/naval/ground offensive/defensive systems, don't participate with foreign military in deployment exercises.

Don't bother going to Russia - they keep getting their jets shot down over Ukraine.

India has developed its own military industrial complex to research, design and manufacture its own innovative advanced military products. Recently India aims to triple defense exports of $5 billion. This is lacking in Thailand that seems to want to buy its way into advanced military products, perhaps because there is better opportunity for corruption than keeping procurements "in house," ie., self-development that may require more accountability for legislative funding. Especially if an anti-military opposition coalition controls the House. And by buying its way into military imports, Thailand loses initiative for self-military development.

If you question the legitimacy of senators, why would anyone urge them to any action? Short of resigning their illigimate positions? Attempting a political negotiation just reinforces the unelected senators' power.

"outdated" or "corrupt?"

A political activist who condemns a winning political majority in a fair and open election but does not challenge with equal fevor a seizure of power in a 2014 military coup that retained practically an unelected coup assisted prime minister before the last alleged election in 2019 might better fit the title fascist activist who can't tolerate opposition.

The MFP democratic coalition must not be sacrifice the ideals of the majority for the imprisonment of the minority. If the government (whose-caretaker?) collapses, Thailand becomes only half of a State. Surely not an international position to be in for the minority. The highest voice of the land needs to be heard.

Greater - nice government pension. But I don't throw money away.

F-15's or F-16's for Thailand when US denies aircraft to Ukraine engaged in a war with Russia (US is allowing Allies with both aircraft to train Ukrainian pilots with possible transfer) Thailand at peace with its neighbors should consider it lucky to be offered the two aircraft types.

Thaksin does not control the PP.

May 1st I got my 5th vaccination - bivalent XBB.1.5 while in the US. Last I heard Thailand has not ordered the vaccine to cover that bivalent.

Consider EVA Airways next time. 3hr layover in Taipei.

They may want to get guidance from the Supreme Commander of the military aka Head of State who is necessay for endorsement of the new PM and Cabinet.

Police-military persons have been known to join anti- military protests in civilian clothes with intent to break laws so as to discredit the protest.

There is another issue regarding replacement of Senators - at least to me. The current Senate is 100% selected. The junta eliminated the prior Senate that required 50% be elected. Obvious inappropriate to Thai-styled democracy. So who would now select any retired (current term was five years - seems overlooked or reinstated by the junta?) or discharged Senators? Analysis appreciated. I'm thinking the PM and Cabinet but until a new PM and Cabinet is installed as our Royal endorsement, any caretaker government cannot. So it's possible the Senate temporarily loses a Senatorial seat?

Not a lie please. There are 4 LTR visa types - I have the pensioner annual income must exceed $80k USD. Obviously, one's financial situation may change after 5 years and it's is reasonable for Immigration to review that the visa holder's income is still at the minimum required by the LTR visa. Like with any visa an applicant needs to understand how they are maintained. In my own situation my pension will only increase, based on US inflation rate regardless where I live; recent US COLA was 8.7% vs Thailand 3.5%. In terms of paying an additional 400k baht for the subject 20 year visa that bypasses predictable terms of review seems more frivolous than practical.

Regardless of Pita's guilt or innocence, there is a greater flaw to EC's review for candidate "suitability" that is corrosive to FREE and OPEN elections. EC traditionally seems to wait until elections after results are known to it (sometimes the election results being withheld from the public as was the case of Yingluck's elections in February 2014) before it concludes whether a candidate qualifies for public office. So a party and its PM candidate can be essentially held "political hostage" after an election that gives (in two actual cases) opposing political parties advantage in formulation of a new government despite of electorate votes to the contrary. In essence one might label such EC review as a coup (remember EC members did not resign subsequent to the 2014 coup that withheld public elections until 2018 nor was there any protest by EC to the NCPO's self appointed House ministers and unilateral selection of coup leader Prayut as PM), and the NCPO allowed EC members to continue in their positions with pay despite "timing out" their service terms in accordance to the Constitution. If the EC truly plays an necessary role in candidate qualifications (apart from issues of what, if any, these qualifications are), it must make any adverse conclusion PRIOR to the election. Not to do so disenfranchises people's vote (ie., a stolen election). As both the EC and the current PM must agree on an election date ( albeit within a constitutional time frame, ie., 60 days), there should be adequate review during that time. Even if not sufficient time, the accused should be given adequate time to go to the Courts regarding any EC adverse ruling prior to the election that would disqualify the candidat.