Smiley Face

The bright side is that the Brit fellow is better off. Maybe now he will learn it is better to rent than to marry.

I like the idea. Reduces the likelihood of repeat offenders to zero, acts as a strong deterrent, and, especially here in Thailand, will have a significant impact on population control!

Gotta love this country! Now even hostage situations have happy endings! Thailand, the hub of happy endings.

Looks as if Thailand certainly has its priorities in good order. Is there any wonder that slave labor and worker abuses continue in the Land of Smiles. I guess the only question left is, What is there to smile about in this pathetic land?

The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), Region 3, in Lopburi province has developed tools made of zinc to prevent monkeys from electric shock.

Now I understand why the wires atop of Thailand's power poles always look like bowls of spaghetti. They have monkeys doing all the work! What an amazing country!

Foreign visitors would like lower fares, more domestic flights, improved local transport, as well as alternative modes of travel like passenger boats, in addition to better quality destinations and a higher standard of service.

Translation: They don't want to get killed in the tourist bus death traps or on the Thai roads and they also want something else to do besides getting soapy massages! Go figure!

The rest of the band is very happy to be playing with their noodle!

is urging its officials to promote good values among children and the youth through the establishment of provincial education committees chaired by governors.

But, most definitely NOT by example!

However, for cycling tourism to properly take off in Thailand, Vinterberg urges the Thai authorities to improve road safety levels in the country.

Thailand stands a better chance of hosting the Winter Olympics then they do of improving road safety levels.

That should give the rich, fat-cats enough time to get out of the country. Always nice to have a little advance notice of one's pending arrest. The old saying applies, "Money talks".

No law breaking was discovered at all. The license was in order, there were no underage girls and all were Thai citizens.

So the entire charade went according to plan as the raid had probably been rehearsed well in advance. And most surprising was that no police were implicated in any wrong-doing at this establishment. Police corruption found at Natalee Massage certainly must have been an anomaly. What a surprise! ! !

Responding to the success of the recent efforts of the Thong Lor traffic cop to boost customer service to its traffic violators, Bangkok police have taken the initiative and have made issued new decals that will be displayed prominently on their helmets and jackets. The new decal proudly informs violators that for their convenience the individual Thai police will now accept . . .

Of course, police officials will be clamouring for reenactments of the heinous crimes committed by the sex workers. It's expected that the reenactments could take months to complete.

In other words, there are more palms that need to be greased. Naturally, the new committee members will all experience a higher standard of living and will be obliged to show their appreciation to the Ayutthaya Governor. Making films in Ayutthaya just got more expensive. What a country ! ! !

The Koh Samui Marine Department has launched a safety awareness campaign . . .

. . . Department of Land Transport has been advised to tackle problems related to public transportation.

Wow those are certainly stringent measures! ! ! I did not see where they once used the word "please" so obviously these measures will be taken seriously.

Have to love these ministry officials.

Nothing will take your money quicker than a religion (yes, all religions. Even the 'farang' ones)

I would argue that it is the "people" that are at fault, not the religion. But if we blame the religion then we don't have to take responsibility for our individual actions. Certainly, these people were good, law-abiding, trustworthy and caring people before they got mixed up in that "religion". RIGHT! And to prove my point, is everyone not mixed up in a religion ALL are standup citizens who only make the world a better place? Hallelujah!

Not a pretty picture i would dare say. It appears these monks are acting like . . . like . . . well, like Thai! ! ! !

I'm sure there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for this that does not have anything to do with corruption, theft, greed, or misappropriation. . . but for the life of me I can not think of one!!!!

"The Ministry of Education has appointed OVEC to upgrade English courses at vocational colleges to ensure that all students can use the English language effectively."

That would put them way ahead of the present day English teachers.

So, who are they going to get to teach these courses? Right now, in order of who is best qualified to teach English::

1) Native English speakers

2) Europeans who speak English as a second language

3) Non-Thai Asians

4) Thai Bar Girls

5) Thai English teachers.

Something has to change in the Land That Resists Change For The Sake Of Saving Face..

Judging by the quality of the grammar and spelling I've seen here on TV I think your idea of "Native English speakers" should be qualified a bit more. Perhaps "Trained, Native English speakers".

When it's time to disburse the funds you'll hear the familiar song of the officials . . .

"One for them, two for me, one for them, two for me . . . "

What?!?!?!? A Thai travel agency ripping people off! Who would have thought such a thing was possible? Oh yeah, most people!

Once the tourists see clean toilets at Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market, it will be impossible to keep the tourists from flocking to Thailand. Soon tourists will forget about such petty inconveniences as being beaten by gangs of hoodlums, being raped and murdered, being ripped off by tour companies, or being massacred on the Thai highways. All they will remember is the clean toilets they saw at this single tourist attraction. This is a stroke of genius!! Soon Thailand will be claiming the title of Clean Toilet Hub of Asia.

So braintrust at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports got together and THIS is what the geniuses came up with??? Next, they will be offering incentives to entice visits to and from Somalia!

And the good news keeps on coming!

After reading this thread, it seems that the expat American fruitcake may have some company. He should try promoting his crusade here on TV. Sounds like he can get some supporters.