Srikcir

3 hours ago, webfact said:

conducting regular air patrols over Thai territory across the border from the war-torn Myanmar.

That's all very well but maybe not so efficient use of expensive high performance F-16s.

In 1992 the US sold to Thailand three E-2C AWACS having detection and tracking range of up to about 370 km or 230 miles - that would be sufficient for monitoring surroundering Thailand border airspaces.  But likely retired by now.

What AWACS does the RTAF have today if any?

I did find an article dated 2009* that Thailand would buy as part of an acquisition package of Swedish fighters, one turboprop S-1000 AEW by Saab, spread over a 5-year budgetary commitment from 2008-2012. Purchase of another Saab AEW was planned over another 5-year budgetary commitment from 2013-2017 but was "delayed." Perhaps by the RTA coup in 2014 that might have competing military needs? 

But today TRAF is using F-16s (apart from just accumulating flight time) for monitoring nearby Mynamar airspace suggests Thailand now has no AWACS.

* https://defenceforumindia.com "Thailand Buying JAS-39 Gripens, AWACS," dated Dec. 20, 2009

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The Cabinet will acknowledge the government’s stance on a triple referendum as a part of the process to amend the entire charter next week

Sounds like an insurrection to me. Arrest the whole Thavisin government.

8 hours ago, webfact said:

the China-Thailand Railway will seamlessly merge

China with Thailand. 

What about fax? 

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

enhancing the experience for all our forum members and readers.

Great. Remove full page ads as one reads an article or responds, especially video ads and other ads placed not to disrupt reading and "Submit." 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

creating hydrogen fuel on a commercial scale for the automotive industry is a challenging task. He noted that Japanese automakers have spent years researching this fuel.

Technology has been around for years (decades?). Not commercially viable, adaptable, distributive, and dangerous to the environment. 

"Why hydrogen cars are not the answer," by Russell Hayes

January 27, 2023 thecarexpert.co.uk

• Infrastructure - Hydrogen storage demands purpose-built facilities, which can’t simply be pluged into the national grid like a battery charging point. 
• Car makers (ie., Japan) who have already built production hydrogen fuel cell cars have tended to be those who want to showcase their technical expertise rather than make a profit from them. 

5 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

1. Nothing will change ever in Thailand... another example of conservatism

No, conservatism is not synonymous with authoriatarism.

3 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Okay Thailand! Buckle up, and get ready for the next coup.

Maybe you missed it but some called the 2023 election a coup, ie., a minority party with the aid of military appointees threw out what was to be a majority populist government. Seat belts of democracy no longer necessary.

Where was this court when coup leader Gen. Prayut abolished the entire 2007 Constitution in 2014 after unconstitutionally overthrowing the elected Parliament and government? Silence. But oddly retained their positions. Not even a polite protest.

• Generally under the Rule of Law, a person coming to court with a lawsuit or petition must have "clean hands," be free from unfair conduct. But what would it mean when the court itself has unclean hands in a matter it is to ajudicate? 

The Thavisin government should ethically and morally support MFP in its defense if the PTP government allegedly represents the Thai electorate majority - for it's the Thai People's sovereignty that is at stake. Or will there be just more silence?

17 hours ago, rexpotter said:

I am not sure that's the issue.

It's a multiple issue. There's no "one size fits all solution to the labor gap.

• Lack of Thai skilled labor having technological know-how, (ie., shortage of vocational degrees) such as recognized by the EEC Office in S-Curve industries.
• Number of qualified Thai workers is falling due in part to population aging and low birth rate.

Quotes and paraphrased excerpts from SCB Economic Intelligence Center "Bridging Thailand's Labor Gap," Insight published 2015Q1:

• "Impractical" schooling where even "professional-level candidates lack many skills required by employees, ie., in creativity, IT skills, English and mathematical proficiency."
• Thai schools and universities emphasize general education instead of vocational training, engineering and science.
• Thai schools focus more on studies for social sciences, business and law versus science, engineering and manufacturing, and science. 
• The Hospitality and Food & Beverage sectors are least likely to experience labor shortage. Guess where the previous and new governments have been focused?

17 hours ago, Denim said:

sitting outside some branch

The 7/11 near my house project 2 years ago remodeled to 2x size, adding a 15 seat eating window area inside. So eat in cool ac.

Trump gave the world MAGA. Liz gives the world MEGA - Make England Great Again.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand hopes to catch up by 'liberalising' the sector.

From 90-member Civil Society Organizations (CSO), October 14, 2023 (very lengthy, detailed and ominous - just paraphrasing a couple key parts)

"Joint Civil Society Statement Concerning Thailand's Fishing Sector at a Critical Crossroads," https://www.hrw.org/news/

• the new Thai government should follow a clear precautionary approach that follows scientific principles, rather than prioritizing short-term industry gains over long-term stability, sustainability, and respect for human and labor rights.
• proposals that challenge the electronic payment system's overall effectiveness for ensuring that workers are paid and that they are paid the proper amount should be rejected
• all existing IUU directives and transparency mechanisms currently contained in both law and regulations to be preserved and strengthened, rather than diminished or dissolved.
• protection for the rights of migrant worker crews should be expanded, not reduced, and reform made to the Labor Relations Act of 1975 to permit foreign migrants to organize, officially register, and lead labor unions of their own making. 

The only catch up by the new government is Backing Away from the Future. They say liberalising, I say Ketchup to the 21st Century.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce has issued directives to state bodies to devise strategies to mitigate potential surges in energy costs in the event of an escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict.

Regardless of the Iran-Israel conflict, Thailand appears to have already "trapped" itself with higher energy costs. (Note that unless Iran begins sinking oil tankers from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emerites and Libya in the Middle East. Otherwise imports from the USA and Malaysia should be secure.)

• First by relying more on Russian oil exports given an advantageous currency conversion caused by UN sanctions against Russia and from pricing for what appears to remain neutral in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• Second Thailand has begun actively purchasing spot crude shipments to feed anticipated higher domestic fuel demand driven by Thailand's strategy to turbocharge its tourism industry. www.spglobal.com Spot prices can be artificially affected significantly by public perception.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Pheu Thai’s coalition government, during its policy announcement, introduced a CEO-governor model aiming to give provincial governors the same authority as a company CEO.

A strange analogy if one intends to uphold a publicly elected governor consistent with a democratic process.

Typically, it is the Board of Directors who nominates the CEO and company shareholders who vote for the appointment. Anyone outside of the company, ie., the public-at-large like consumers, has no vote. In this CEO elected analogy, the "consumers" are the public electorate (registered voters within the province) tgat will continue to have no vote.

Who are these BOD and shareholders who have the vote?

Not identified. Might as well be analogous to the current "elected" Senate.

Thus, this "division" appears to be a false democratic disguise by an otherwise exiting authoritarian political control of the truly entitled voting electorate. Neither should be considered.

(added edit - using the CEO analogy means shareholders buy their vote with exchange of money for shares. Isn't that illegal in Thailand?)

6 hours ago, hotchilli said:

I hope they don't send the 10-year old aged rice?

Apparently not an issue.

"Phumtham taste-tests rice held in Surin since rice-pledging scheme", March 15, 2024, nationthailand.com

• "Phumtham said that after inspecting the rice, which included cooking and eating it, officials ruled that the stored rice is still of good quality.
• “We need to release this rice to the market as soon as possible, as the rice price is currently decent,” he said. “It will help secure the government’s profit and solve everyone’s problems.”

Likely with Vietnam mixed out its rice exports, India recent ban on rice exports and interference of Myanmar civil war, Thailand is in perfect rice export position to Philippines.

Remember, it's not about the taste of rice but the taste of money that's important.

Replica available in Lazada for less than 350 baht (not brass). Maybe the mall can work something out for the guy.

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Thachanon now faces charges of theft during nighttime hours

So if he stole it during daytime hours no charges?

7 hours ago, webfact said:

In related news

Completely unrelated. Was there a word length required for the article?

7 hours ago, webfact said:

he was driven by the vessel's then-stable condition, which later deteriorated as weather conditions worsened.

The cause for the sinking was reported as not having batoned down all the ship's hatches and ports, specifically to the engine room that lost all power. The ship should have otherwise survived worsened weather conditions. A ship captain is responsible for survival of the ship and its crew in all conditions for which the ship was designed.  

1 hour ago, IAMHERE said:

 

who is it that decided no civil litigation?

Who is really in charge of the Thai government?

9 hours ago, webfact said:

The Thai-Cambodian Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on joint development in the Gulf of Thailand, signed in 2001, is now under scrutiny for potential violation of the Thai constitution.

An MOU is not a treaty. An MOU is a preliminary agreement as to a resolution or goal between foreign States and essentially in legal parlance serves as a "Letter of Intent." It has no legal binding and thus, not in violation of the Thai Constitution.

An MOU between foreign States demonstrates to their respective citizens the progress being made towards resolution.

A treaty typically requires a ratification by each State party as determined by their respective legislative processes that legally binds the States to the terms of a Treaty. A legislative body can remain silent to an MOU but that does not default it yo legal status.

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Despite acknowledging the absence of parliamentary approval for the MoU, Paiboon stated that both departments continue to use the MoU as a reference for agreements between the two nations.

Yes, both States can follow an MOU informally and either can at any time cease its terms without violating international law. 

Which takes Thailand to the question: What's Paiboon's problem?

7 hours ago, webfact said:

the MPC made a 5-2 decision yesterday to maintain the policy rate at 2.5%,

Surprise - not.

Vote consistent with the three last MPC meetings while the government kept insisting on a cut. Brings into question the government's ability to even understand how national and international economics function.