Purdey

Doesn't anyone wonder why, with all the foreigners being condescending towards Thais here, they all prefer living here than living in their safe, developed nations? It wasn't until the Vietnam war that Thailand's economy started to pick up and poor Thais began to make some money besides in agriculture. They found shortcuts to making money and people still want that laissez faire freedom to get rich like the American soldiers they saw based here. The difference is the soldiers have been replaced by tourists. The police also want to be rich and ethics don't come into it. Every time a foreigner says that dangerous sentence "where I come from..." Thais think "why can't I have some of that?." Every country has laws, so why do we have prisons if everyone respects the law?

Not disagreeing but find Thailand far better for a holiday than Singapore. Bali is a place I love due to its culture and atmosphere.

As an adult who has been perhaps 20 times now on business, I find it fake, lacking history and culture. All the old buildings have been knocked down and there is no charm about the place. Maybe good for kids but I never enjoyed it. Just my experience of course.

When front seatbelts became mandatory I remember there was an interim period where officers would give a warning (please correct me if I have misremembered). Like all things Thai, people need to be made aware and many simply don't know when new laws are introduced. It says something that not everyone reads newspapers. No doubt rear seatbelts will catch on as they are fitted on new cars already. Expect Bangkok to wear seatbelts, then word will spread

Good news. Good luck to the boy. Hope he can avoid the people who will offer to manage his career, tell him which races to throw etc. There’s a reason we don’t have many famous, international athletes.

Thais really have better things to worry about so this is unlikely to cause a fuss. What’s the point of submarines with no engines? Get some cheap and at least look glorious before the fuel price rises to the level that they can’t refill them.

I noticed that Singapore is the only country that doesn’t care what you want, in terms of visa length, but gives what they think you deserve. Clearly they are not dependent on tourists as one of the region’s most boring destinations (never understand why people go there except for business). They have developed their business without much heavy manufacturing. If Thailand could get its act together, investing in education and business, perhaps this would not make the length of stay such an issue.

No one could reject wearing seatbelts if they are fitted. No excuse.

I once understood that Thai Airways was to be dissolved as for decades it has proven to be inefficient. This cycle of bailouts by the public just extends the problem but doesn't solve it. Not sure how many remember the disappeance of an airplane engine and the parts being sold back to the airline by their own staff? Better to sell it to the private sector and end the idea of a national airline.

The trial may bring up some witnesses to her abuse, or not. No one should guess at this stage as she can say what she likes to defend herself.

Clearly an accident so not surprised the police are hesitant to add to the family's grief. The boy will have to live with this.

Usually an allegation must be prosecuted if there is evidence. That may take up to the next election.

While the country needs to defend its borders against Burma, Cambodia and Malaysia, for who else is likely to invade, if these vehicles are based in Bangkok it does give the wrong messaging. The USA must know the Thai military may use them against students so it is also accountable should civilians be injured by these beasts of war.

Why does the RTP focus on victimless crime? So many murders and robberies you'd think they already have their hands full (pun intended).

The FBI is the last agency that I would want to receive advice from. The FBI is a total failure at preventing shooting deaths. They are not the first responders to mass shootings anyway. That would be local police and the local SWAT team. Like in Texas. Thailand shouldn't be taking any advice from The Mild Bunch.

Wondering if the manager escaped unhurt.

Quite surprised that some are against the US showing China that Taiwan is a friend and that the US supports it. I suppose she could have kowtowed to Xi, gushed about Putin or saluted Kim Jong-un. But that would have been cowardly.

Who on earth gives ganja brownies to kids? Must have been a relative. While it isn't poisonous, it is highly irresponsible to give a child even mild drugs even as a joke.

By chance, I was in a meeting yesterday with the deputy minister for public health and he spent a couple of minutes explaining that Monkeypox was mainly spread by MSM (men who have sex with men). This is roughly what I had heard when the first outbreaks began in Africa. The medical council person has basically tarred everyone who is here or who was planning to visit Thailand with a big brush. Shooting oneself in the foot seems to be a popular Thai game.

Killing in self defense is usually the verdict where police still have to have a reason for shooting someone, or not in Thailand?

It is sad that the government is not in the least embarrassed. A huge loss of face.

I remember surveys where the Thais said they didn't want foreigners to own land. Londoners have expressed similar thoughts about Russian and Saudi billionaires. Obviously the economic situation today remains dire so we can say "nice try, boys". Surely one house per retired expat or permanent resident at market rates would not be too much to ask?

It seems a bit late to change the leopard's spots now. More arrests and imprisonment of corrupt police would make the public feel there is action more than PR. I am sure the public was impressed by the police attempt recently to give free plastic bags to cover suspects heads. And their kind assistance to serve the young Red Bull chap in his time of need. This is all the PR the RTP seems to need these days.

A pity we don't know the type of business. Looks like education doesn't play a role. Money is good but Thais without education aren't looking for a career. This sounds like "just another job" and the market is awash with vacancies. There are educated Thais in my company who resign, but a year or two later they apply again as they realize this is a better company than the one they went to. People really don't think of a job as a career. Thais who go to visit the family and don't return is a common occurrence. I remember when some Thai football players were sent to the UK to train with a major club. After a year, they were begging to go home: "I miss my mother." (Literally what they said) "I cannot eat the food here." "It is too cold." In other words, Thais will give up a well-paid job for the comforts of home. Try looking for experience at the interview stage. Try not to hire people who worked a year here and six months there. Interview more that 5-6 people. I have found that the third interviewee was the best but persevered in order to avoid missing someone better.

Governments that have good business advisors realize that when the going gets tough the regulations are withdrawn to be in line with or easier than competitors. The military led government imagines richer tourists want to jump hurdles. Clearly they don't. The tourism industry would like tourists of all financial shapes and sizes of course and don't expect only billionaires. Time for a shakeup in thinking by those at the top.