JemJem

I am not sure if Prayuth was better, but you are right in what you wrote in your first 2 sentences. Do you think the Shins will be in power for many many more years to come (I mean, even after the next election) ?

On a bit of a side note, Mechai was the one who started the chain (restaurant/cafe) named 'Cabbages and Condoms' 🙂

I think that sadly it is a matter of time before the visa exempt period will be reduced back to 30 days. We know that they have been thinking about this for some time. And, with incidents like this one, it will probably happen. I still hope it won't. I am puzzled and saddened that some posters have praised the beating of the men. Those tourists may have behaved terribly, but you don't kick the head of someone, man. It could result in death or serious injury. Such incidents also cause an increase in nationalist feelings and attitudes, which is never a good thing. I am saying this regardless of the origin country of nationalism.

Good decision, but it doesn't say for how long he has been blacklisted. And, how about other troublemakers ? We don't know if they have been blacklisted. The Swiss guy who assaulted a Thai woman (near a beach ?) and a Russian guy who was punching people at random in Pattaya have come to my mind now. Of course, there have been many other cases involving foreigners at fault.

Sadly, this is major bad news for the remaining hostages and their loved ones. But, the thing is, it was obvious that the negotiations were getting nowhere, and that Bibi felt he had to take action again. But, we cannot say Bibi has handled the whole deal thing well. In fact, he handled it badly, I feel. Too much was given to Hamas in return for the freed hostages, and this most probably emboldened Hamas. Not to mention, they got the time they needed to regroup. When and how will this whole thing end ? Well, your guess is as good as mine.

The very first thing that comes to my mind when I watch such a video is that it will likely reflect badly on all of us foreigners. And, might result in something negative for us eventually. For example, the ease of getting a visa.

Still early days, folks. There are 3 possibilities : 1. They might not go ahead with this at all. 2. They will go ahead with it, and make it 30 days again. 3. They might change it back to 30 days for some nationalities only. Anyway, if they make it 30 days again, it is best to apply for a tourist visa. Especially if one plans to stay for 3 months. So, first, one can use the 2 month-stay that the tourist visa enables them, and then get a 1-month extension within Thailand. Of course, the requirements and the difficulty to get the tourist visa changes from Thai embassy/consulate to Thai embassy/consulate. Sadly, if they do plan to go ahead with this, it is also worth noting that the chances are high that they will also get more strict with the border runs too. Not just border runs of course. I mean, also with folks who try to get consecutive visa exempt stays via air travel. Times are changing,folks. And, looking like, for worse.

Hmmm, why do I get the feeling that the chances are 99 percent that we won't get to see that list ? 🙂 At least, not the real list.

I think that in many parts of the globe, the coming years (sadly possibly many many years) will see the continuing of terror incidents and threats coming from Islamofascist groups/lone wolves, as well as the increasing terror incidents and threats coming from ethnofascist/nationalistfascist groups/lone wolves like the one described here. I wish these two would fight it out heavily against each other, but, as we know, it sadly does not work that way.

Check out the photo where the guy is smiling, and the policewoman is across from him, with her gun drawn. I wonder, if at that point, she had shot him dead, what would the consequences be for her ? I mean, for example, could she get away with minimal or no punishment, by saying that she killed him due to concern that he may have had a bomb/suicide vest ?!

An overstay of 603 days? Wow. Lol.

So true. And, it is no way guaranteed that the whole story will come out. Well, we will just have to wait and see.

Those are nasty punches. What the heck was that all about? Possibly drug-related. There seems to be a barrage of bad news in recent days.

Is this the very first time such a decision has been made for Bangkok? I mean, this 'free public transport due to air pollution'. I cannot recall one from before, but, of course it may have happened.

Holy gee. Just look at the amounts of money mentioned in the original post. Sex really DOES sell 🙂 And, in this case, it is not even necessarily sex itself, but X and R rated stuff 🙂

Yes. And, it sounds like the victim will most probably carry a major scar on his face for the rest of his life. I think that there should be an extra, heavy punishment (on top of the regular 'causing injury' charge) for such an attack. I mean, one that causes permanent or long-term damage to the body.

Wow. I didn't know that. And, possibly a very lengthy flying ban? I doubt very much that the punishment for these 3 will be half as strict as that. Just a guess.

Of all the countries he could have gone to, him choosing Cambodia, the country of the victim, is really weird. Also, he was able to be brought back to Thailand almost immediately after his arrest. Wow. Interesting.

Well, I had actually thought that Trump would say some real harsh words after this terror attack, maybe also including a pledge for a 'Muslim ban'. I am still quite sure there is a high chance he is planning something like that soon after he comes to power (Would it be able to overcome legal obstacles to it, no idea, I am no expert), but his staying relatively quiet on this issue now is interesting. I wonder why.

Hey. Bar conversations can be very fun and enlightening at the same time. Do you know how many Vietnam war veterans, ex special op guys etc I have met this way and learned about their fascinating experiences?! Also, sometimes, at bars, you get to meet some guys who have been unfortunate enough to get into financial trouble, and you get to help them a little and get the satisfaction of doing a good deed! On a serious note, I prefer sitting at bars, drinking and listening to and telling past experiences, to basejumping or skydiving. I have recently quit drinking but it was almost all fun while it lasted; nearly 4 decades 🙂 Anyway, to each, his/her own.

I think there is 99.999 percent chance that she will be in Thailand by 2025 Songkran the latest, and 99.999 percent chance she won't spend a day in jail.

Times have changed. I think that nowadays in this age of social media, MOST parents have at least a certain amount of knowledge as to what is or might be going on at such parties etc.

In many countries, he would have been lynched within minutes. I am not saying that is the way it should be. Just saying how it is in some places.

Liar liar, pants on fire. Actually, Syrian situation poses a very serious risk, not just to many ordinary Syrians, in terms of democracy, secularism and human rights (especially women's rights) but also to people in some neighboring countries too. Also, of course, there is every chance it poses a security risk to the world overall. I have read someone remarking something like 'Syria will be like Afghanistan light'. I see what he means, but the dynamics are very different. Probably, it will be more like a mixture of Afghanistan and maybe for example Libya. Now, the jihadis basically control most parts of Syria. No one knows how long other groups who control the remaining parts of Syria can hold on against the jihadis, who will become more organised and weaponised soon gradually. There are also foreign intruding armies present which have no intention of leaving anytime soon. What can go wrong?! Gees. A LOT can and possibly will go wrong.

Wow. Nice decoration. I like it.