dinsdale

You're dead right about the hit and miss aspect. Cars certainly vary but if you're patient or have enough time you can wait for a newer model. As for drivers that's another matter but I would say this is the same globally. I've been in taxis with absolute madmen behind the wheel to an old fella actually falling asleep at the lights in heavy traffic to really good drivers. Taxis are always luck of the draw.

I think most of these are quite reasonable. Tipping isn't. Stopping at ATM? Well I've been in taxis that need to fuel up. They do stop the meter and it's just a bit of bad luck for me but it happens so stopping at an ATM I can't see a problem as the driver will leave the meter ticking over. Telling the driver where you want to go before you get in? I always do this as it's the Thai way. Not a problem. Turning up the air conditioning? Well sometimes I have to ask them to turn it on nevermind turn it up. Other times I've asked to have it turned down because it's freezing. (I'm Australian so I sit in the front). Charging your phone? IMHO this is not good form and personally I have never and will never ask for this. Loudspeaker on phone? I agree but how often do the drivers do this? Driving when on the phone is rife in this country taxi drivers included. Stopping to pick up friends? Can't see a problem as long as the meter is running. Stopping to pick up items? I think most drivers wouldn't have a problem as long as the meters ticking over. Asking for songs or borrowing money from the driver? Both seem somewhat a bit of a stretch from reality. So, yes I agree with some of this but a lot isn't the reality of how things go BUT not tipping. NO WAY.

Nup. It's because they are now seen as traitors. Simple as. They jumped into bed with their enemies and will pay the price.

The puppeteer has filled many pockets. You say "There are plenty Salim who are too rich to bribe who still hate him." They are corrupt. They will take money from anywhere and anyone. This is why we are we are now. Complete and utter corruption. 3rd world politics.

This is terrible. The man is sick and should be sent to home detention. It would be interesting of course to know the death rate of prisoners in jail every year, month, week or day and how many have been helicoptered to hospital. It's all part of the deal.

Fantastic piece of 'journalism' full of essential details about the qualities of the new PM of Thailand. Please keep up the good work.

The PM may have changed but the judges haven't. The right to protest and the right to free speach (the latter isn't exactly the case anymore) are two major underpinnings of democracy. Thailand is in no way a democracy.

Extremely well put. If I could give you multiple thumbs up emojis I would have.

You can bet your bottom baht that PT and it's allegiance with the military/elites will do everthing it in can to get MFP dissolved. MFP are now not only the enemy of the military elite but also the enemy of PT. PT knows that come the next election they will lose votes to MFP.

The majority of "Thai person" voted for Pita but you most definately can thank the junta non elected senators because without them you woudn't be PM. Pita would.

PT is against it. They are not a progressive party. They are a populist party.

We'll see at the next election. I would say MFP if it's still in existence will get the PT youth vote. More than what they got this time.

PT voters wanted the military out. Be in no doubt about that. Thaksin: Coupt. Yingluck: Coup. (I was here for both). Now PT is in bed with the coup makers. Not what PT voters voted for.

No it was a minority that voted against change hence the election result. The majority voted for change and won. It was a very, very, very, very miniscule minority (250 senators) that stopped what the people voted for. No system in the west has unelected senators that can do what was done here.

He's a billionaire not a general. He's also not in government. Little fatty is and he's protected.

You seem to have a short term memory. MFP coalition had almost 67% just between MFP and PT so not inluding the other smaller parties. MFP won the popular vote. 38.01% which is NOT 30%. MFP has the most seats (151) of any single party so with your logic Pita should be PM. I agree. As for the current coalition are you saying they got 70% of the election votes? PT got 28.86%, MFP as I say 38.01% so I'm having a bit of trouble with where you get current coalition having 70% of the vote. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Thai_general_election

I'm astounded anyone can use the word democracy in this utter farce. Maybe you can explain the democracy behind 250 senators overruling the large majority vote of the people who elected Pita and MFP with 151 seats and 38% of the votes. There is no democracy in Thailand and PT have joined with the elite/junta who have absolutely no interest in democracy only maintaing power. This has happened. The people were denied a democratically elected government.

Move to dissole MFP.

People voted for reform and ousting the military elites. The military elites are still there. By the way MFP won 38.01% of the votes and PT 28.86%. That's 66.87% combined (a huge majority in anyones language) for the ousting of the military elite. As I say the military elites are still there and the people's voice has been usurped. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Thai_general_election It seems it's you who has the lack of understanding.

A traitor to the people who voted for refom and the ousting of the military. The junta still have their snouts in the trough only now must share with PT.

People didn't forget the Democrats and the were decimated at next election.

Thais buy lots of stuff off of FB.

Maybe or maybe this is deflection. Either way PT is finished.

This aint about FB. This is about information control. As for it being a caretaker govt the next govt will be pretty much the same. A junta govt. PT are not seperate from the junta. They are now part of it.

I doubt very, very much the treachery will be forgotten or forgiven. "You make your bed" as they say and PT's bed is now full of their sworn enemies.