mfd101

Um, the last time I tried to carry my boy was on our wedding night in 2013 but it turned out he had to carry me as he's about 3 times stronger than me.

Death by firing squad would be appropriate.

Thailand's security threats are entirely internal, created by its own military forces used for internal security and 'nation building'. This is unlikely to change any time in the future that anyone can foresee. The Chinese threat issue that exercises the Japanese, Taiwanese, Philippines, Usofans and Australians relates to (1) Chinese attempts at a takeover of the South China Sea & the East China Sea - areas vital to all trade in SEA, East Asia & Oceania (2) Chinese threats to Taiwan's defacto independence as a modern democratic nation (3) China's ceaseless search for more energy sources worldwide, leading to massive 'investment' in Africa and (4) Chinese leaning heavily via illegal economic sanctions on anyone who dares to stand up to them (eg Oz). None of which is of much concern to Thailand as a security threat (as opposed to an economic one).

Age 74. Life is full of good intentions. I do 80 legs-in-the-air cycling before hopping out of bed in the morning. I then do 5 minutes of stretching for neck, shoulders & trunk. I also have a small gym beside the carport. My intention is to visit there 5 times a week for 5 minutes of weights, 30 sit-ups and 30 minutes fast walking on the walking machine thingy. BUT my (carefully-maintained) record shows that my weekly average over the last 3 years is 2.13 times a week. We do live in a large mansion however and I race up & down the stairs 2 at a time about 20 times a day ... Always room for improvement.

If you're serious about diabetes and your health in general, then cooking at home is the solution. Lots of vegies (especially the 4 cruciferous greens), nuts, eggs, berries, apples. Some red meat, lots of fatty fish (salmon). Avoid all dairy products. No alcohol, no 'sports' drinks. Black coffee & green tea are fine. Make eating-out a once-a-fortnight change.

How many days after Sunday till they announce the result? There'll have to be a recount then a rerecount ...

Well at least he made it out again.

New government to Military: See! We're trying. Germany: You've gotta be joking! New government to Military: Oh dear! No go, I'm afraid. We'll just have to cancel the sub.

What do the crossed arms mean? Cross my heart and wish to die?

On the other hand ... After a decade of the dinosaurs, this new mob - and particularly the PM - has a feeling of being open to new ideas, trying new things, looking for new ways forward for all Thais. Which I find refreshing. Of course it may be just window-dressing and come to nothing. But I find the never-ending cynicism of the all-knowing ANals a bit tiresome. Let's try a little optimism for a change.

Workers of Thailand, Unite! You have nothing to lose except your lethargy.

Funny how all this comes out just after the Government of Dinosaurs has finally disappeared in to the history books ... So the issue for the new Government of Hopefuls is to pursue the matter with great energy, changing the relevant time-limiting laws as necessary so that Boss and the others can receive the justice they all yearn for.

Tourism is the lazy country's way of running an economy. Over-reliance on tourism leads to nothing good. Ecological devastation among other ills, and low skill levels. Confirming Thailand's longterm Second/Third World status.

I think they've got a fair idea. It's called MFP.

I think they've got a fair idea. It's called MFP.

Making decisions and anything changing in the real world are 2 different things. If nothing changes when the Minister issues an order, where does the responsibility lie? With the Minister who's ignored? or with those who ignore him?

Such confidence as was shakeable has already been shaken, I think. Full pardon for T in, say, 3 or 4 months won't surprise any Thais and won't change attitudes towards the government one way or another. The pardon will come from on high in any case and people will be waiting for real-world performance from the government.

Seeing is believing. Trust depends on performance but too much cynicism leads to nothing other than corruption and passivity. Condemning them before they've even found where the loo is is a bit silly. Doesn't serve any useful purpose.

As in most Third World countries, the basic mission of the Thai military is (whether explicitly or not) something called 'nation building'. Which is not surprising given that it is often - at least in theory - the only national institution with the resources, capability & discipline to carry out 101 tasks that noone else can do. If you live near the border (as I do) just about every government employee - including school teachers - is a military officer wearing a uniform. Does this improve the lives of the natives? No but it certainly improves the lives of the government employees ... So it becomes integrated into daily life, both for the citizens and the government, and the inevitable slide in to politics & graft gets under way. Nothing will change in terms of overbearing military presence at all levels of national life until this is fixed. It will take decades.

Potentially the situation sets up an interesting power tussle down the track between S & T once T's on home leave ... At the moment though S is wearing the pants and making the most of it. If he's clever enough, he can take over the reins permanently by asserting his power as PM while privately keeping T happy by frequent private consultations with him (Student/Master relationship). T is never going to have an official role ever again.

From one extreme to the other! Political skill consists in (1) NOT promising what cannot be done for good reasons or bad (2) delivering what you reasonably can and making the most of it. Which means you have a pedagogical role, teaching The People what's doable and what isn't and why.

The new government could do with all of this, and including the bureaucrats (at every level).

Clearly my daily reading of FAZ is getting out of hand.

Mask cheap or free. Helmut expensive.

PM's bags under the eyes getting bigger'n bigger.