mfd101

But coming down, I think, the black African countries and the Muslim countries. Still some way to go till they're below reproduction rate (which for poor countries in Africa is 2.3, not 2.2 as in rich countries). The important point is that the turn downwards has already taken place and can only strengthen from now on. As the Chinese have discovered, once the turn is made, it's almost impossible to reverse it. Which doesn't mean that the total world population won't reach 9 billion in the meantime ... before it too starts downward late in the century.

Yes, the obsession with 'economic growth' continues worldwide, despite the apparent concern about environmental devastation and despite the well-known fact that the whole world is entering a century or more of population decline which makes ever-larger economic goals both stupid and unachievable.

Europeans taking a LONG time to start adjusting to current nasty realities ... The good times are over, at least for the time being.

Once you've had the first lot prescribed by your doctor, you can usually just get the identical thing (or its equivalent by another manufacturer) at your local pharmacy at half the price.

Well she's at least right in saying that Thailand could do with a new charter. The notion of building a real democracy under the fascist-written constitution run by the fascists' flunky judges is too ridiculous for words. The democrats, the people, the true reformers have to get the balls to defy the CC and the EC and the generals. And noone should assume that the entire Army is against democracy. Far from it. The main problem is the general passivity of the people, well inculcated with Buddhist despair.

Hope the Hungarian and Slovak and Serbian governments are paying attention ...

If that's the US Embassy in the top photo, it should have to pay a huge fine for ugliness. Completely unsuited to its built environment.

Well, certainly optimism helps us get through the day.

The voting system has 2 cultural aspects that Thais love: complexity beyond imagining and endless possibilities for intrigue and disputation. Fun for all the family.

So how do 31000 people - MOST of whom don't know each other - know who to vote for (other than for themselves)? Probable answer: Organised - non-political of course - groups get together quietly in advance and agree to vote for each other in the various categories. The other 30000-odd are left with 1 vote each.

As everywhere in the world, it's the cross-breeds between different ethnic groups that produce the (physically) most attractive - and healthiest - individuals.

The villagers here are out all night when it rains, catching frogs for supper or brekkie. So they would suffer, as would the snakes.

Out here in the boondocks, the peasants grow their own, mix the leaves in their cooking for all the family. At least that's how it is in (some of) my family.

Still? Hasn't started here in south Surin - a few light showers & a couple of 'steady rains' for 1 hour is all we've had in the last 2 weeks, and nothing before that since November.

Different culture - Buddhist passivity, hierarchy, poverty. Macho-man swagger isn't part of the deal.

Lots of money to be made via corruption. Not so much viable outcomes, I suspect. All the usual questions about practicality (loading & offloading), quite apart from the environment and the local peoples (none of which will be taken into account).

We've been regulars there whenever we're in BKK since 2013. Splendid for morning or late afternoon walk. Some of you will laugh but I always loved it when they played the national anthem at 0800 and 1600: Everyone stops, hops off their bikes ... I found it quite moving. Haven't yet had the opportunity for a full exploration of the greatly increased parkland connected to Lumpini Park. Looking forward to it in November when we'll be in BKK with Aussie friends.

Just a reminder for those who get a bit carried away ... It's not strictly true that 'MFP won the election'. They won the most votes but far from a majority. So it didn't take much for the fascists & reactionaries to form a temporary alliance with PT to squeeze them out of government. And here we are.

And Thai government unab;e to say No.

Or further down.

Power is a great healer.

The 2 statements aren't necessarily contradictory of course ... What strikes me most about the AI products which seem to be taking over the news-delivery function on AN is the propensity for ridiculous levels of exaggeration & pomposity. The merest slip of a little happening is presented as though the future of humanity depended on it.

Yes, judging by the results to date the AI machine has had a poor education suitable for an IQ of about 90.

Rubbish. Do all - any? - homosexuals ponce around in women's clothes? No. I don't. Neither does my b/f. Life is complex, the world is gray. Get used to it.

That about sums it up, at least in many cases. All about perceptions.