Purdey

Thanks for pointing this out, but I believe a decentralized militia are only helpful for local disturbances rather than international conflict. Defending village by village is not the same as a concerted defense at the enemy entry point. Regarding Thaksin, sending the Thai army overseas to assist allies is more of a political move rather than military strategy. Yes, local militia defending their homes/villages/towns sounds good, but the fact that not enough people volunteer even today implies the militia will find it difficult to meet appropriate numbers. The Village Scouts, which are a type of militia, have a poor reputation to date. I would not compare with firefighters, who are saving lives, not ending them (as soldiers are supposed to do). Plus, of course, this is a Buddhist country and a large military seems to conflict with its religious teachings.

Wonder what Arabs see in Thailand? You don't see them in bikinis at the beach. Not filling up the go-go bars. During the Gulf Wars, pubs put sarcastic signs outside their doors barring Arabs as they respect their religion. Goodness knows how welcome they will be.

As a pacifist, compulsory military training is not always appropriate. You're basically teaching people how to kill - oops, sorry, I meant defend the country. Many examples of people who are ex-military or ex-cops shooting others. I don't mean they are all bad, but it requires thinking about. A smaller but professional army would demand better salaries and skill training but defend the nation better than conscripts.

It still amazes me that people don't realize there are CC cameras everywhere these days but people think they won't get caught. These guys are idiots who don't think, just react. Charged with assault, they deserve prison time and blacklisting. Mind you, The Daily Mail will have a screaming headline, "British Boot Boys Brutally Blacklisted."

Sounds romantic. Presumably, renting a room while a peeping Tom filmed it is no different. Why can't people mind their own business?

Any reason you think that is what Biden is doing? Just thinking that is how America has always worked. "Give me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Really? I looked at presidential holidays and found this. Seems lazy Republicans are in the lead there. Order President Days 46 Joe Biden 311 45 Donald Trump 381 44 Barack Obama 328 43 George W. Bush 1,020 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_vacations

The amount of bickering going on here makes will he won't he a moot point if you aren't Thai. If Prayut is elected again then it isn't worth the breath.

The 2nd amendment mentions the right to bear arms. Nowhere are bullets mentioned. Seems like a mistake. As Chris Rock once said, make the bullets $5,000 each. As they say, guns don't kill people, people kill people. But I think guns have something to do with it. Item Primary Use Car Transportation Knife Cooking Gun Killing, killing and only killing

These motorcycle deaths are getting to be rather thoughts and prayers events.

Thailand has no NHS like in the UK so no free medical help here for visitors. More similar to the USA, you will pay through the nose after an accident unless you have insurance that covers you completely. The fact that insurers aren't your friend means they won't pay if they aren't liable. No use crying over the cost. Why do these guys come and get on a motorbike with no experience and no helmet i don't know. They think they're indestructible.

While Europeans may be shocked and horrified, the north Americans may be saying ho-hum, so what's new? This is to be expected when a health service is primed to turn away patients who may not be able to pay bills.

Interesting that no one has released the HB mails to the public. Interesting that the Republicans haven’t launched an official inquiry. Interesting that HB didn’t get a job working for daddy in the White House. This story has been dragged out to the point that I would be surprised it ever appears in court.

Just waiting to see which parties are dissolved before or after the election. Prayut sees himself as building the country. He isn’t done yet.

It appears the revered monk forgot the Lord Buddha banned all forms of “magic” and superstitious nonsense. It isn’t a prediction if everyone knows.

No surprise here. Move along now.

Well, I guess if 89-year-old Senator Grassley is in a good position to accuse 80-year-old whippersnapper Biden of anything, then he should take it to court before he forgets.

Do you mean the baying crowd yelling at the police officers that they were killing the guy on the ground? I doubt the crowd would have shouted quite as much if these guys weren't in the process of murdering someone in cold blood. Should they have stood back quietly and let it happen? Guilty as charged.

Still need it for all jobs. I have two.

Seems you know exactly how loonies think. Now I am more worried.

Horrible attitude by people who think it's a joke - until it happens to them then words like scum will be used. Hopefully, this will put paid to Pataya as a family attraction.

That's my heartwarming story of the day! Now back to the ladyboy thieves.

A lot of guitar makers must be ecstatic now.

Any financial assistance to the public just before an election is suspect. However, the current government may be punished in the polls for not reading this problem beforehand. I don't see other parties worrying if they win. The next government will have to take action.

AI taking away jobs isn't quite as scary if you are from centralist countries as the owners will pay tax to be used in social security, healthcare etc. I doubt that would happen in highly capitalist countries where companies tend to keep their profits for shareholders. AI can be a great tool, but it can also guide weapons, which is where if gets iffy.