mfd101

I notice - in comments on AN about the political processes and the impossibility of moving forward etc - that people are obsessed with the military as the be-all and the end-all of power in this country. I think that's a misperception. My perception (maybe I'm wrong) is that the military - including the junta chiefs recently retired - are mostly the instruments of the rich elites or oligarchs and their family connections, who actually pull the strings behind the curtain in league with the highest elements of the feudal state. It is they who 'man' the posts that matter eg EC and Constitutional Court, it is they who 'man' the key posts of government decision-making and administration.

Right before. To do it AFTER an election where MFP could well end with over 50% of the vote is too risky. Heavens! The plebs might rise up and overthrow their feudal masters! Goodness me! That would never do.

All eggs in one basket.

You've obviously navigated your way through life successfully (you even write literate English!) so why bother now at age 76? Just keep enjoying the life you have.

Precisely.

What I have read so far on the official 'voting' process - who gets to be a candidate and who gets to vote - is practically incomprehensible, and certainly has nothing to do with any concept of 'The People of Thailand' voting for members of the Upper House.

You wonder what world some of these 'experts' live in.

In Thailand excessive good fortune - splendidly announced across all news channels - is bound to attract fortune hunters of all kinds: family, 'advisers' some legit & some criminal, common criminals ... There's no end of negative possibilities. A poor person, probably ill-educated to handle the situation, is in a dangerous place.

I suspect the maid's life expectancy just got a whole lot shorter.

In my (extremely limited) experience of 'Thai massage' in Thailand (twice) it's not my idea of a pleasant experience. Painful. Never again.

The stupidity of the woman is almost beyond belief. If she had been a non-Thai speaking tourist, one might have some sympathy ...

You haven't seen mine.

Mmmm, wonder how he achieved promotion to this prestigious position in the first place ... Wunnerful Thai Civil Service.

Yes, here in Surin we prefer steady rain for several hours each day, but no storms thank you.

Yes, being both nasty and clever could be tricky.

All the hallmarks of a Prime Ministerial election campaign ...

For all too many Thais the outside world is hermetically sealed off.

Neither do Americans.

The US will never be defeated by China or Russia. Just by its own democratic & ideological incompetence.

But but but ... This golf course is VITAL for national security. Without it we would have nowhere to park our F16s for lunch and dinner.

The wunnerful Thai concept of morality: Nothing to do with the substance of good behaviour, just the mechanics and the appearance are enough. Good ol' Buddha, can always depend on him.

??? The dry season isn't 'impending'! It's been here in Surin since November ...

Most of the 700 or 800 'generals' have the military competence of the average AN reader. The government could make a start on fixing its budget worries by removing them from the Army list, stopping their pensions and taxing their business earnings.

That's obviously the first place to start. Do you have a version or a summary in English?

Ah yes, the modus operandi of everyone who's anyone in Thailand.