Samui Bodoh

My question is simply this;

Given that the Junta has repeatedly lied about an election date, when they again (Again!!!) changed the dates, why didn't the politicians walk out?

Message to the non-Junta parties; if you don't begin to question the legitimacy of the process soon (very soon), loudly and publicly, then you will have, in a de facto manner, accepted the process as legitimate. And you will have done a terrible, terrible thing to Thailand by endowing the Junta with electoral legitimacy.

Better no election than one that falsely gives legitimacy to the Junta.

If (I haven't decided if I think they will or not) the Junta bans the PTP, would anyone believe that it was done for any reason other than to ban the largest opposition party and the Junta's main opponent? 

Anyone?

And if (again, if) it happens, would the election have any meaning or legitimacy?

Anyone?

4 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Criminals who are poor should not have the get out of jail card paid up by the government, now the wannabe perpetrator will not have the fear and deterrent of staying in jail now that the government bail people out...

Er...What??????

These are people who are charged, but not convicted, of a crime. Do the words "innocent until proven guilty" ring a bell?

Why should the rich be allowed to remain outside of jail until their case is heard and the poor required to stay inside jail for theirs? 

It does not make sense, it is not fair, and it penalizes the poor for being poor.

Assisting people to stay out of jail is a good thing, especially when they haven't been convicted of anything.

I don't have many compliments for the Thai government, but this is a case where they are doing the right thing.

Interesting article exploring the 'ins' and 'outs' of the practice; it is unfamiliar to me, so it is nice to learn about it.

I think the convenience of AirBnB is wonderful and it is almost certainly the way of the future. Further, given the explosion of the App and the company, it is very clear that it has been meeting customer's demands. Finally, it often provides the service and price that people want; if it didn't work effectively, then no one would use it.

The downside to me is that the owners don't pay the tax that is used (in theory at least) to fund the roads, the traffic lights, the electricity grid, and all the required infrastructure required to make an area function; why shouldn't the property owners pay their share for that? They directly benefit from it financially. Further, while eventually there would be feedback on a bad place, the first couple of users in a bad rental would likely not have any method of complaining and/or getting refunds for bad service, unlike a hotel where a complaint can be easily made. Finally, it seems to be a 'wild-west' business and I am always wary of that as the potential for abuse is strong in a completely unregulated industry; do the rentals meet basic safety standards for example? And if not, how would you know in advance?

As much as I dislike government interference in the marketplace, especially here in Thailand, it seems to me that there is a need for regulation in general and for safety measures in particular. I guess that I would simply hope that any regulations are done well and fairly (yes, I know, but...). 

Clean up the App and the business so that it is done fairly, safely and properly, however that may be.

While I understand the desire on the part of some to see the death penalty used, especially for the most heinous of crimes, I do not believe it is rational to use it in Thailand because of the Police, the Legal System and the Judiciary.

The Police. Is there anyone here who will express high confidence in the abilities, honesty and professionalism of the police? Anyone?

The legal system. Inside the legal system, there are clerks who handle evidence, there are CSI technicians, there are administrators, there are court clerks and translators (as required), etc. Is there anyone here who will express high confidence in the abilities, honesty and professionalism of all these people? We all deal with Thai bureaucrats on a regular basis; anyone want to express that confidence?

The Judiciary. We have all seen several... dubious decisions by the Judiciary over the years, especially where there are High-Sos and/or money involved. Is there anyone here who will express high confidence in the abilities, honesty and professionalism of the Judiciary? Anyone?

If a society wants to have the Death Penalty, then it must have an incredibly effective, honest, professional and competent Police Force, Support People in the Justice System, and Judiciary. Can anyone argue that these things exist in Thailand?

Utilizing the Death Penalty in Thailand is madness. Unfortunately, the entire Justice system does not yet rise to the level of competence required to be able to assert that an innocent person would not be executed. And, until you can confidently assert that an innocent person will not be executed, you should not and must not use the Death Penalty.

"...Police from Muang police station on Friday went to the Somdet Phra Srinakarin 95 public park in the Trang Municipality where Danudet was murdered six years ago to re-enact the crime and look for more evidence to hunt for another murder suspect who was still at large.

Pol Lt Col Prasert said the re-enactment of crime had nothing to do with the execution of Thirasak because the death sentence on him was handed down by the court of the first instance and upheld by the two higher courts..."

Police went to the park SIX YEARS later to 'look for more evidence"? What precisely do they think they will find after SIX YEARS?

There is another murder suspect "still at large"? How can you execute someone for murder when there is another suspect "still at large"?

To those who believe in the Death Penalty; do you still think it was proper to execute the young man based on what we have learned within ONE WEEK of him being killed? Do you still believe that the case was decided 'beyond a reasonable doubt'? 

Madness!

Pure madness!

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

On the death penalty on people who commit murders with cruelty, a huge majority, 93.4%, said they agree with the death penalty while 6.6% disagree.

Hmm...

Do the 93.4% also agree that the Thai police are honest, efficient, trustworthy and professional?

Do the 93.4% also agree that the bureaucracy surrounding the legal system (administration clerks, evidence handlers, CSI people, etc) are honest, efficient, trustworthy and professional?

Do the 93.4% also agree that the Judiciary is honest, efficient, trustworthy and professional?

Unless the answer to all the above is "Yes", then it is irrational to think that the Death Penalty should be used.

BTW, if you look at the papers today, there are already questions being asked about the person put to death last week. LAST WEEK!

Utilizing the Death Penalty in Thailand is madness; there are too many things that can and will go wrong, and the likelihood of executing innocent people is simply too high. MUCH too high.

This would have to be the easiest case in the world to prosecute...

"Your Honour, the fact that we were able to arrest them demonstrates that they didn't see us coming."

"Good point."

"Guilty!" 

"Next."

"...Take your pick!..."

That's easy!

I'll have one of each, please.

Is it just me or does he look like a gay French Film Director from the 1960's?

24 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

THAILAND’S National Education Bill continues to lack a clear organising principle for much-awaited education reform, Thailand Development Research Institute’s president Somkiat Tangkitvanich said on Thursday.

 

Speaking at a consultation session on the bill, Somkiat said that while many parts of the draft law apparently embraced Finland’s renowned class-based education approach, it placed an emphasis on “accountability” – the key element in the United States’ (US) educational framework. 

 

“So, I can’t help feeling that the key essence in the bill is not yet clear,” Somkiat said. 

“So, I can’t help feeling that the key essence in the bill is not yet clear,” Somkiat said. 

It is hard to argue with this sentiment.

Nowhere in the debate have I ever heard the most important element of education reform; what precisely is occurring in the classroom. Unless and until Thailand's Education system moves to a student-centered methodology where 'how to learn' supersedes 'what you learn', then there is little hope for the future. 

If Thailand wants to have a good education system, there are several steps that it can take almost immediately.

• Fire most, if not all, of the Bangkok-based Ministry of Education head office. These are the people who created the current, ineffective monstrosity and thus these are the people unable to reform it. Out the door, today.
• As the article notes, either get rid of, or at least severely downgrade, the Provincial Education bodies. It seems that they are simply another layer of unneeded bureaucracy.
• Push decision-making power down as low as it can go; either to the equivalent of a 'municipality' level or down to the Principal of the school level. Global experience dictates that when education decision-making is pushed down, good results occur.
• Implement a reasonable testing regimen. Too much testing means that teachers only 'teach the test' and too little means that it does not provide useful results and/or indicators for future reforms.
• Reform the teacher's training regimen to include new models and methodologies. Further, and equally important, mandate their implementation as 'old-timers' at schools will not allow the introduction of new methods unless forced.
• Empower and provide incentives for the school Principal to improve his/her school. They are the proverbial "executive on the spot" and they need to have the power to solve problems.
• Mandate a HUGE auditing system to try to catch the thieves. The budget for the Ministry of Education is a ripe target for thieves as it is a huge, sprawling entity which covers huge swathes of land. It's unique properties means that a unique, VERY, VERY strong auditing system is required.
• Seek outside help. I know Thailand believes that 'if it wasn't invented here it is no good', but that is mistaken. Seek outsiders to come in and suggest reforms.

 I could go on, but...

I have said it before and I will say it again; the single greatest threat to Thailand's future is the Thai Ministry of Education.

Reform or slowly fade into insignificance.

100 or so dead, thousands injured...

Wasn't me! I didn't do anything! I'm not responsible! I was only PM! I didn't do anything! Not my fault!

It is waaaaaaaay beyond shame...

33 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

 Bit of a non-event I'm told if one comes from BC or at least Vancouver. They've had medical dispensaries for roughly 3 years and the Vancouver Police had a civic mandate not to enforce federal pot laws.

 

I think Washington State has a similar idea. 

 

But yes huge for small town everywhere. Canada now twinned with Uruguay. Expect an influx of Arab tourists?

 

Shares in 7-Eleven will soar? Pizza Hut?

You are essentially correct about Vancouver. That said, you have pretty much missed the main point.

No longer will people be given a criminal record for partaking in a relatively harmless pastime. 

And, that is a good, good thing.

55 minutes ago, PoorSucker said:

I think the late Benedict Anderson describes Thai politics pretty well in this piece. 

https://newleftreview.org/II/97/benedict-anderson-riddles-of-yellow-and-red

Interesting article; thanks for posting it.

I think anyone who has studied Ben Anderson's work would agree that he was a brilliant guy, but would also understand that brilliant guys aren't always 100% correct, 100% of the time. 

My exposure to his work was greater than most; my thesis advisor had Ben Anderson as her thesis advisor, so needless to say his work featured prominently on my reading list! While I greatly respect his work, I often questioned his tendency to always see a community, everywhere. In fact, I used to say to my advisor that, despite BA, sometimes when two people went for a walk in a village it was because they simply wanted to stretch their legs rather than because they wanted to form a new community.

Are the Chinese-Thai roots a contributing factor in the 'Red' VS. 'Yellow' divide? Sure. Is it the overwhelming factor? I would agree that it is one of the factors, but to discount the long list of other contributing factors would be foolish. And, I am certain BA would agree...

5 minutes ago, webfact said:

President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies on Thursday to begin reuniting immigrant families recently separated at the U.S.-Mexico border, but his efforts to roll back a policy that drew global condemnation were beset by confusion.

It isn't 'confusion', it is an indefensible policy.

And, you can't defend the indefensible.

You can only scrap it.

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

High-profile political scientist Anek Laothamatas, who has served on several reform committees under the junta, said he saw Thailand as an exception when it came to democracy.

What a load of BS from Suthep's paid mouth-piece.

There is no "Thai exception" to Democracy. The reason that Thailand has not seen Democracy take hold, develop and evolve here is that the ,military and the Elites prevent that from occurring in order to maintain their own set of privileges; am I the only one who notices that coups always seem to occur just when an election is about to happen that the Elites don't like?

8 minutes ago, webfact said:

Democracy was a grey zone because it was too rigid to follow the book written by westerners, Anek said. 

“It doesn’t fit us,” he said. “And I think it’s too ideological. And when we hold on too much to the ideology, it becomes a trap.”

Anek said that there was nothing wrong about reality not fitting the book. The book actually had to be written according to the reality, he said.

“So, I want us to be pragmatic in politics,” he said.

Again, more self-serving BS from Suthep's paid mouth-piece.

"...I want us to be pragmatic in politics..." is merely a way to say that he wants he and his fellow party members to maintain power without the bother of obtaining genuine consent from the general population as they would not receive that consent in a free and fair contest.

So, when in doubt, blame the Westerners; it is classic politics 101 to blame that which is different. 'Those white-skinned devils' are leading us on a dangerous path. We need to follow the 'Thai way' with ME and MY FRIENDS in charge to protect ourselves'.

In 2018, one would hope that the people would see through this kind of nonsense.

But, will they?

36 minutes ago, theguyfromanotherforum said:

 

Yes, can't wait for all the liberal snowflakes getting arrested at the Swampy arrival gates because they have weed in their system.

Wow!

Someone needs a few tokes and a hug!

29 minutes ago, theguyfromanotherforum said:

Yes, adjustments like if I smell this liberal crap you are smoking in my condo, I'll punch you in the face.

And you will be tossed in jail for assault; how do you like that, 'Law and Order' man?

The people have spoken and the people say that you are wrong.

Suck it up.