Lannig

Disclaimer: I've only seen episode 1.

Well, the general tonality certainly is nice. It tends to show the Thais as nice people doing their best trying to help tourists who might now all be worth the effort, but I have felt somewhat uncomfortable watching this.

First, it really reveals how helpless many people whose jobs are to help can be in Thailand, due to their poor language skills and lack of tools do do their jobs (can you imagine their office in Suwa without a fax?).

Second, nice and easy-going doesn't have to mean showing them as childish, up to plain laughable. At some point I really wondered if the point of this documentary was not to ridicule them. A female security officer whose claimed main purpose is to find a farang husband? and of course, Jack sharing the incredibly lame pictures and videos with so much insistence...

I would not underestimate the capacity of the Thai authorities to actually enforce this regulation if they chose to do so and if this regulation's not just for the sake of "doing something", as written previously.

After all, history has shown that when they really want to stamp out something, they can do so.

The fact that's is not enforced now for most "Mom and Pop" shops around the country doesn't mean that'll always be the case IMHO.

Anyway, contrary to some people here, I think that this will hurt Thais more than farangs if it is actually enforced. The well-know fact that it's a challenge for most Thais to think forward means that based on my own observation of people around me, they start thinking of going to buy their booze right when they're about to party. Not half a day before, not the previous evening.

And (repeating myself here) this might seriously piss them off and in the end seriously harm Prayuth's popularity (well, since they are no elections in sight, that might not be regarded as significant to him...)

The idea that it would also apply to deliveries made to shops reselling goods just does make no sense to me. It's not that hard to differentiate sales made to the final consumers from these, or is it?

Airbus claims 629 deliveries, significantly behind Boeing indeed^(*), but 1,456 orders, which is a tiny bit ahead of them.

Source: http://www.airbus.com/company/market/orders-deliveries/

I predict a better 2015 year for Airbus, with A350 deliveries ramping up and the first A320neo deliveries.

(*) I haven't found money figures, but although the A380 deliveries are small quantity, each one accounts for quite a few 737/A320...

No matter what the man is like or his reputation, he deserves to have his complaint investigated. How many times have we all been "ripped off"? I had a taxi driver drive off with my laptop and the police reply, when I had given the number of the dab driver was "Give me 3,000 Baht and we will look into it. Its about time we all stood up to these criminals who pretend to be police, but we have no recourse because we are not "The chosen race", Thai.

Do you think that Thais themselves have more luck? they don't. Unless they are rich and powerful.

This is typically the kind of reply the average Thai guy on the street when he reports his stolen bike and wants the police to investigate.

"When you say "Thailand" to anyone overseas, whether tourist or investor, the immediate reaction is usually positive."

The reaction I encounter is 'hookers, kiddy fiddlers and drugs'

Don't know who "The Nation" is asking, not anyone I've ever met.

It really depends on who you're asking. Obviously business people and the next Joe on the street have a different perception.

Until recent years, Thailand was considered very positively by investors: stable, good infrastructure for a developing country, decent and relatively cheap workforce. The political instability has mudded this nice picture, the coup even further. This come with increased competition from neighbours (Vietnam comes to mind). However, I think it still has an overall positive image in the business world.

Of course "hookers, kiddy fiddlers and drugs" come to the mind of quite a few people when Thailand is mentioned, but less than it was 10 years ago IMHO. In my own experience, "wonderful lanscapes, nice and easy going people, incredible food" (hey, I'm French, this matters for us) as well as "rich and spectacular cultural heritage" come up just as often.

As for Thailand facing a grim future, we all know when things might well start falling apart, but I won't elaborate for obvious reasons. Some 20 years ago, an old wise man, a defrocked missionary who had been living in Thailand for 40 years and was teaching Thai language to me (and much Thai culture too) already had told me: "so you plan to go live there? go for it, you'll be happy. But the day 'this' happens, make sure you have your suitcase ready to leave. Just anything could and probably will happen then, especially the very worst"

What a great idea to spark a real, full-blown civil war in the south...

Give guns to people who can't handle them. Things will undoubtedly turn quite messy but that ought to keep them busy while we military keep playing play golf and the move will be applauded by the ignorant masses as us eventually doing something.

Is this their vision of fixing the southern insurgency in one year? That's got to work, for sure.

A simple and frequent cause for failure to communicate with SSL web sites is having the device's clock wrong: in the past or in the future.

This makes the certificates presented by the web sites invalid (either expired or not valid yet) since they have validity start and end dates.

Check that the clock (time, date and year) is correct on your tablet.

Hello people,

Is it me or neither of the various RSS news feeds advertised on the Bangkok Post web site have been updated in quite a while?

I've tried reporting this by emailing to various supposedly relevant addresses found on their contact page ("Digital Contents Editor" etc.), not quite suprisingly some of these addresses have bounced. I shall see whether my mail gets any kind of attention.

I noticed this when my old Bangkok Post news widget Android app (which isn't available on the Play Store anymore as it seems) stopped updating a week or so ago.

Oh yeah, look how effective the scary pictures on cigarette packs are. Have you seen a single smoker here paying any kind of attention to them except for joking about them? Scaring people about their future in 20-30 years might work in western countries (stress on "might") but it's sooooooo unfit to the Thai culture... not forgetting that they're so fond of gorish pictures that these really have little shocking effect.

I mean, I have a medical background so I've tried describing precisely what is on these pictures to some teen and young adult smokers around me, trying to explain what the people on the pictures have been going through. It's a total waste of time.

By the way, they've made these pictures larger recently haven't they?

Welcome to Realpolitik

I quite enjoy this slap on the wrist received by El Leader Maximo (and kind of loss of face too) although I have no illusion on the fact that being elected is to be considered as an endorsment of human rights respect.

After all, Lybia was voted in in 2011... what kind of credibility does it leave to the institution?

It's all about not being taken for complete idiots, I guess. Voting in a country where power was just seized by a coup and that still is under martial law would really make them look like clowns.

Not sure this applies to the OP but a word of caution: if you intend to bring in foreign currency and deposit it to your Thai bank account, avoid Kasikorn (KBANK) at all cost. My account lies there and that would be too much of a hassle to switch, but they're a real pain in the back when it comes to accepting foreign banknotes. (...)

The whole point, at least for me, of having the Thai account was so I could make wire transfers, and NOT HAVE TO carry lots of cash with me while traveling. And Kasikorn has worked just fine for this. They may be picky about exchanging currency, I wouldn't know, but I have no problems whatsoever with the international transfers.

Well, don't know how it works for you, but last time I've checked fees charged for int'l money transfers from my bank in France to the KBANK were plain and simple inacceptable for me. As much as the time it takes for the money to be there. So carrying cash over is my preferred option unless I can arrange something with another French expat.

I actually pay no fees at all. I used to pay a small fee to an "intermediary" bank in NY, but even that's no longer the case. But I understand that if yours are that high, then I guess it's not a practical option. Is that true of all French banks? (Typical wire xfr fee for U.S. banks is in the $10-25 range which isn't all that unreasonable unless you're trying to transfer very small amounts of money.) Anyway, you could always do your money changing elsewhere and then bring the baht to a Kasikorn branch to deposit it. Exchange booths all over that won't hassle you at all.

Well, French banks suck, I have to agree on this wholeheartedly.

We don't even get any interest on our check accounts balance, you know.

Last time I've checked, for a €2,000 transfer, fees where in the 30++€ range and the transfer could take well over 10 days.

As for your suggestion: that's what I end up doing, thanks, as written previously. BKK Bank and Krung Sri branches at least seem to be trouble free (no dedicated exchange booth where I am) and I got my Thai cash in less than 10 minutes. Thing is, last time I couldn't do it the same day because time was lacking. Had to wait over the week-end and by monday the bloody Euro had dropped significantly (seems that banks have different exchange rates too -- came as a surprise to me, I thought that they had to stick to an official rate). The thing costed me about 800THB... Kob khun krub Kasikorn... still less than the int'l transfer charges, though.

Not sure this applies to the OP but a word of caution: if you intend to bring in foreign currency and deposit it to your Thai bank account, avoid Kasikorn (KBANK) at all cost. My account lies there and that would be too much of a hassle to switch, but they're a real pain in the back when it comes to accepting foreign banknotes. Any note that is not perfectly spotless and without the tiniest tear will be rejected. And they insist on photocopying every single note and have you sign each sheet of the copies. It takes me over an hour to do this every time I bring in a couple of thousand euros over here.

I

Last time they've rejected almost half of the banknotes because of defects I could hardly see. Had to go to the nearest BKK Bank where they were exchanged within 10 minutes, hassle-free, and come back to deposit the bahts.

I've complained (politely) several times about this being such a pain and they've told me that's a company policy and I should switch banks if I'm not happy with it (can you believe this?).

I would do so if I still had a work permit. But I don't anymore.

The whole point, at least for me, of having the Thai account was so I could make wire transfers, and NOT HAVE TO carry lots of cash with me while traveling. And Kasikorn has worked just fine for this. They may be picky about exchanging currency, I wouldn't know, but I have no problems whatsoever with the international transfers.

Well, don't know how it works for you, but last time I've checked fees charged for int'l money transfers from my bank in France to the KBANK were plain and simple inacceptable for me. As much as the time it takes for the money to be there. So carrying cash over is my preferred option unless I can arrange something with another French expat.

Not sure this applies to the OP but a word of caution: if you intend to bring in foreign currency and deposit it to your Thai bank account, avoid Kasikorn (KBANK) at all cost. My account lies there and that would be too much of a hassle to switch, but they're a real pain in the back when it comes to accepting foreign banknotes. Any note that is not perfectly spotless and without the tiniest tear will be rejected. And they insist on photocopying every single note and have you sign each sheet of the copies. It takes me over an hour to do this every time I bring in a couple of thousand euros over here.

Last time they've rejected almost half of the banknotes because of defects I could hardly see. Had to go to the nearest BKK Bank where they were exchanged within 10 minutes, hassle-free, and come back to deposit the bahts.

I've complained (politely) several times about this being such a pain and they've told me that's a company policy and I should switch banks if I'm not happy with it (can you believe this?).

I would do so if I still had a work permit. But I don't anymore.

OMG... that's a new low really, these people have no shame indeed.

Yeah, not many Africans travel to Thailand, possibly because this is one of the most prejudiced societies against them in the world, bar apartheid-times South Africa.

I mean, there are many things I love about Thais and Thailand but the outspoken racism against black people is something I really hate.

Only African Americans seem to be (hardly) tolerated here, provided they come with a thick dollar-filled wallet.

It won't take that long until they have their first case anyway, like any country in this world except the completely closed ones.

How about this miracle cure anyway? no news of this since it was trumpeted on the media here. Just another burst of BS?

Have you ever been to Soi Africa? Lots of Africans in Bangkok.

Well, actually no I haven't and I didn't know about this place. I don't spend much time in BKK when I'm here. I haven't seen a single African anywhere upcountry. Last time I've seen any would probably be during one of my few occasions staying in Pattaya...

From what you're saying, it would seem they're in kind of a ghetto anyway, which tends go comfort my opinion on how Thais consider Africans. Well, just hearing what I've heard over my years here is enough to forge it anyway.

OMG... that's a new low really, these people have no shame indeed.

Yeah, not many Africans travel to Thailand, possibly because this is one of the most prejudiced societies against them in the world, bar apartheid-times South Africa.

I mean, there are many things I love about Thais and Thailand but the outspoken racism against black people is something I really hate.

Only African Americans seem to be (hardly) tolerated here, provided they come with a thick dollar-filled wallet.

It won't take that long until they have their first case anyway, like any country in this world except the completely closed ones.

How about this miracle cure anyway? no news of this since it was trumpeted on the media here. Just another burst of BS?

Not sure Thailand is that far behind actually. It's a mix of "behind" and "ahead", really. Homosexuality cannot be lived as openly as in some of the western societies but transsexuals are rather well accepted in the society IMO.

Just went to see that movie about these gangs of students in BKK (can't recall its name) and I was amazed to be shown a gay relationship between two of these testosterone-filled youngsters develop quite explicitly and without the usual mockery found in most Thai movies when such a story arises. It went quite far as to what was shown on the screen. Can't recall having seen anything like this in a Thai movie.

Wouldn't recommend the movie, though. It's extremely violent, the scenario fits on a single Post-it and its extremely predictable ending seems like it's been written by the military (can't elaborate without spoiling).

Do "quality tourists" wear helmets?

Sorry if this has been said before, but... where has he seen Thais eating bread during meals? I know that el Leader Maximo and I don't live in the same Thai people's circles but where I live it's certainly not the case. Well, I can see the occasional pack of slice bread been eaten with spread jam at home and kids sometimes ask for toasted bread with condensed milk when we go to the local swimming pool but that's what? once or twice a week? and never during meals.

Well, a touch of sanity I'd say.

They might have realized that having to shell out 10K for every bribing attempt would soon throw the country into deep budget deficit

They could have figured it out before attempting this lame PR stunt, though.

"Qui se ressemble s'assemble" : French saying for "whatever looks the same, goes together well" (sorry if my translation is broken).

I'm certain that confidence will be running high between the rulers of both countries.

I don't quite get your last sentence. Alcohol sales are not restricted pretty much anywhere in the world. It is individual responsibility to consume measures one can handle WHEN NOT DRIVING, and not consume when one does drive, or how much one consumes with a meal and does not, etc. You would condone going back to black-market sales, because of lessened legal sales? FFSs you must be 90 years old, and from Chicago??

Sorry if my sentence was unclear. By the way I'm in my 50s and I'm French (which qualifies me for heavy drinking and rule breaking, I guess). I don't condone drunk driving. My mention of alcohol was unrelated to the previous topic (driving offenses) but just an example about e.g. the selling hours. Where I am now (small upcountry place) it's only enforced at the 7/11 and the nearest Lotus. And people are quite happy with this. I can only assume that if this, among other things, was to be strictly enforced, that would piss off many of the locals here.

Furthermore, I'm not judging with my morals in any way. Not my country, not my culture so who I am to tell? I'm only saying that I see a trend towards making Thailand a "righteous" country with extremely strict rules (not new) strictly enforced (that would be new) for all kinds of good morality. Based on what I witness every day when I'm here in this place, I think it's going to be quite a shock for most of my friendly neighbors. I see all the people taking much advantage of the lax enforcement of all kinds of rules on a daily basis. Even petty corruption from your local cop seems to come handy in many cases.

Turning Thailand into something like Singapore isn't going to happen in a day and without a lot of frustration for many, many average Thais who might not be willing to go that far into the Great Leader's planned cultural revolution and will start wondering whether he is the right man after all. I'm not even talking about democracy here.

Oh, and about this anti-bribing thing: I've also been told by one of my Thai pals here here that bribing would still take place, but behind closed doors at the police station. And because this would presumably involve somewhat higher-ranked cops, the prices are going to skyrocket.

I wonder how long it will take for many Thais to wonder if they really want to live in a country that's a mix of Singapore as for society rules and Burma for the political regime. Clearly that's what the junta is heading towards and I'm not sure that the average Thai person is ready for this.

For sure this anti-bribery scheme does not raise hurras from some road warriors I've spoken to (like clothes sellers who make the trip from they jangwat to Pratunam at least once a week). Sure, that might clamp down on the number of imaginary offenses they are charged for, but it also means that whenever they get pulled over by a cop, they might waste the rest of the day going to to a distant police station they can't find, doing a likely time-consuming paperwork and eventually pay way much more than the cop would have asked for,

I'm waiting until restrictions on alcohol selling and consumption are strictly enforced country-wide (not only in Bangkok) and other similar measures likely to be immensely popular to see whether the current ruler's aura starts fading or not.

Hadn't Thaksin made almost exactly the same promise with the outcome we know? this sentence sounds familiar to me...

Apart from granting them some kind of autonomy (something I highly doubt he would even consider) or applying some kind of state terror, like Tak Bai on a larger scale, I can see no way of reaching this extraordinarily ambitious and irrealistic goal within a year.

Time will tell.