mfd101
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Thailand house of representatives approves same-sex marriage bill
mfd101 replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
I/we don't expect it's the sole answer to - as it were - a maiden's prayer, but it certainly ought to strengthen one's standing when the marriage ends through death of the Thai partner. But the devil will be as always in the detail. The current mixed status of Thai/Falang & Falang/Thai partnerships doesn't augur well, but the current government is certainly making the right noises about equality generally ... -
Thai labour unions criticise new daily minimum wage
mfd101 replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
Nice to see that (1) unions exist in this country (not noticeable in Isaan I think) (2) they are trying to contribute to government policy. Good for them. Unfortunately, a large part of Thailand's workforce (30%? 50%? 60%? ...) is in the 'informal' part of the economy ie workers who have no officially-recognized employment in a company, no officially-recognized employer, no officially-recognized income, and no due income tax ... They are - as it were, by definition - unable to be helped, at least by the unions. -
Thailand house of representatives approves same-sex marriage bill
mfd101 replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
Typical hypocrisy in this country, as with prostitution: Let's have lots of it but let's pretend it's not there, and certainly not officially recognized (Buddha forbid!). -
Thailand house of representatives approves same-sex marriage bill
mfd101 replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
We shall see. There are always further hoops to be negotiated ... Legislation passed & royally approved is one thing, visiting your local friendly amphur is another. -
Thai millionaire loses over 63 million baht to romance scammers
mfd101 replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
Some people are beyond help. -
Thailand house of representatives approves same-sex marriage bill
mfd101 replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
So let's not get too excited too soon. I wouldn't put it past the Senate dinosaurs to nullify the legislation as their last act before they disappear. Assuming the best happens by the end of the year, my b/f and I are certainly looking forward to it: Our Oz partnership in Canberra in 2013 (pre-gay marriage) gave protection to my b/f when (as I expect) I predecease him (he's 40 years younger than me). It means he has entitlement to 2/3 of my Federal Government superannuation for the rest of his life, plus any other Oz assets. In the same year we had a Buddhist wedding ceremony in our village here in south Surin, which gave us social/family recognition even in the absence of officialdom. When I queried the situation as we began planning the ceremony, the response from the village elders was a very firm: "Marriage is for two people who love each other." Can't get clearer than that. What the formally-recognized marriage now in prospect will do is give ME protection here in Thailand in the event that my b/f predeceases me. He owns all the assets here - house, land, car. (I just own the money-flow.) -
Thailand Condemns Moscow Terrorist Attack and Offers Condolences
mfd101 replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
Clearly the Ukrainians are responsible for many of the bomb attacks and assassinations in Thailand's deep south. -
The Senate will find reasons to say No!
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Thaksin Shinawatra’s secretive meet-up sparks political uproar
mfd101 replied to snoop1130's topic in Thailand News
If it were me who had the job of cleaning up the place, I think I would want to start with the military and the wunnerful medals-bedecked generals before I got around to Thaksin. Thaksin is small fry compared to them. -
Defence Minister, Navy Chief Leave For China To Wrap Up Submarine Deal
mfd101 replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
I don't imagine that'll be an issue for the Thais, once the sub reaches its home wharf ... -
Saab swoops to supply Gripen jets to RTAF in 19-billion-baht deal
mfd101 replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
As long as someone somewhere in the Thai government and RTAF understands that, whichever of the 2 on offer they decide on, it's a multi-decade commitment ... and not just militarywise. The decision will have - or should have - major & ongoing economic and industrial implications for Thailand. -
Thaksin Shinawatra’s secretive meet-up sparks political uproar
mfd101 replied to snoop1130's topic in Thailand News
Sounds like just about all of us really. -
Selective minimum wage increases in 10 provinces
mfd101 replied to snoop1130's topic in Thailand News
Endless complexity. Thailand's answer to everything, resulting in endless confusion, injustice, inequality and backtracking. No concept that you could have a decent minimum wage across the whole country and all areas of employment, and what employers pay ABOVE that is up to them and whatever the market can tolerate. And no concept of collective bargaining ... One day Thailand will enter the late C20th, but I don't expect to see it. -
Defence Minister, Navy Chief Leave For China To Wrap Up Submarine Deal
mfd101 replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
Classic mix of Thai incompetence & Chinese ruthlessness. No good outcome for the Thai Navy or - more importantly - for Thailand. -
Thailand Ranks 2nd Most Attractive Investment Location in Asia
mfd101 replied to snoop1130's topic in Thailand News
Funny that. Can't work it out ... -
Thaksin warmly welcomed at Pheu Thai party headquarters
mfd101 replied to snoop1130's topic in Thailand News
Filling his lungs with all that Thai fresh air. -
Thailand Ranks 2nd Most Attractive Investment Location in Asia
mfd101 replied to snoop1130's topic in Thailand News
Mmmm, plenty of opportunities ... Whether they'll be worth anything down the track is the question. -
PM responds to senators’ criticism during general debate
mfd101 replied to snoop1130's topic in Thailand News
And good on him for mentioning this small fact. Hypocrisy should always be called out. -
My only encounter ever with Russians was in late 2011 and then again several years later, staying both times at the Avalon on the beach at Pattaya. Lovely big swimming pool and each morning, as my b/f (Khmer - darkish skin in the sun) & I issued forth for a swim, Russians had 'occupied' (towel only) every deckchair round the pool. But as we appeared and dived in, every Russian in the pool immediately got out of the pool and sat there glowering at us. So we had the pool entirely to ourselves. This happened every day, on both occasions 3 or 4 years apart that we were there. You can draw your own conclusions.
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In other words, Putin's 'cock-up' could well have been his conscious decision not to act on the US warning ...
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Hard to think otherwise.
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Never heard of irony?
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Quite. I'm guessing that Thaksin's & Yingluck's appointments to the Privy Council are still in the (Thai) mail.