samurai

And it (IMHO) point to the likelihood that this really was just a political conviction - not that Thaskin is an angel, but this could have simply been the easiest way for his opponents to convict him of *something*...

Precisely true in saying that it was the easiest of all the cases against him (of which there are many) to get a conviction, as his name was signed on the paper. Pretty much as open and shut as they get. Not sure why all that means he shouldn't have been found guilty, which is what you seem to imply.

Did he actually signed any paper on the sale?

Easy was it because as PM one is de facto responsible for almost everything what the state does because the PM is the dude on top.

There is no excuse for the former government, accepted...BUT that does NOT excuse this tin pot lot, or your feeble excuses for them. I do note most of the time your argument seems always to refer Back to the previous governments faults. always skipping the valid points made on the present P.M.s set up.

The weather ???????????? it's been bucketing it down in Issan for a month now. Issan rules O.K. so it must be their fault

So what the new government has to do with it and for what they are to blame in this topic "(No) Gambling In Bangkok: Police Commissioner"

What are the valid points?

If he says there is no gambling in BKK then there isn't-if you believe him

All Thais are aware of the gambling problems =it's rife throughout - my valid point being whoever is in power it is their DUTY to stamp it out, simple as that.

I am not sure what the policemen said in ful l text. probably just that on this two named locations are no illegal casino dens as alleged.

And what has it to do with the new government? Need a official crack down statement by the PM on the "social vice" to enjoy playing card games? Should the PM become the investigator, policemen?

Since how many days the new government is in office? Already time to blame them for something no previous government could not solve?

I often wonder why those in power dont demonstrate some common sense and simply legalise gambling on a regulated basis it would be a good source of income for the government, possibly even a new toiurist attraction.

The truth of the matter is that gambling takes place in every single soi in every single province throughout Thailand, whether its betting on cock fighting, fish fighting, TV football, unofficial lottery and numerous other things. Tell me one location in this country that it doesnt.

Gambling is a way of life for Thais, its pointlessd trying to stamp it out or deny that it exists. I also doubt that legalising gambling will cause any more casualties of addiction then there are now.

I heard that a previous government wanted to legalize gambling and also turn it into a tourist attraction. But the "odds" were against them.

Have most of these dens/casinos got Chinese -Thai connections ????? Macao -Hong-Kong-Cambodia-Burma..........It was a known fact over the years many Hi So-VIP-MPs were frequent visitors

Chinese -Thai ... Hi So-VIP-MPs?

And? I see nothing wrong with it if adult enjoy to play card games. No matter what is their ethnic background or socioeconomic status.

Could you go more in detail with your known facts?

If you are an English foreign minister you should be able to speak English. But lot of his foreign non-English colleagues are terrible in it.

Agree, would be good if foreign ministers were polyglots, but then how many of them actually can speak more then at least three languages?

If the position was an equivalent position, but in a private company, you wouldn't be considered for even a second if you didn't have basic decent English skills. For politicians, the bar is clearly set much lower. Carry on your defence.

Run a government like a private company, the PM as a CEO??? Heaven forbid!

That is Thaksinceonomacxsy. The most evil thing on earth. Almost like capitalism. It's bad, dude. Don't you know?

With media revolution that came with the TV and the teleprompters in the white house politicians in the west turned to become show masters.

Actually not an essential skill to be a good politician but useful when you want to fool the masses.

Communicating with the public is not an essential skill of being a public leader? OK. Fair enough.

In the same way i guess as being able to speak English it seems is not an essential skill of being foreign minister.

Some might say, less skills the better.

If you are an English foreign minister you should be able to speak English. But lot of his foreign non-English colleagues are terrible in it.

Agree, would be good if foreign ministers were polyglots, but then how many of them actually can speak more then at least three languages?

Btw. Saw the question?: If the Thaksin visit is "Japan's" "Big Mistake" what are the serious consequences then?

No answer, right?

Serious consequences should be in terms of the Thai government seemingly aiding and abetting a convicted criminal.

But it says Japan's Big Mistake, not Thai government's Big Mistake. Understand the difference?

I often wonder why those in power dont demonstrate some common sense and simply legalise gambling on a regulated basis it would be a good source of income for the government, possibly even a new toiurist attraction.

The truth of the matter is that gambling takes place in every single soi in every single province throughout Thailand, whether its betting on cock fighting, fish fighting, TV football, unofficial lottery and numerous other things. Tell me one location in this country that it doesnt.

Gambling is a way of life for Thais, its pointlessd trying to stamp it out or deny that it exists. I also doubt that legalising gambling will cause any more casualties of addiction then there are now.

I heard that a previous government wanted to legalize gambling and also turn it into a tourist attraction. But the "odds" were against them.

Makes me think of the old saying " You can keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool or open it and prove it"

Yingluck keeps her mouth closed, well Aphisit opens his often.

Abhisit has an IQ of over 146 which is pretty high, thats a statistic from his Oxford University days, and from Kentucky Uni , Yinluck had an IQ level of 102..... Thats the reason Abhisit feels at ease opening his mouth, he was also chairman of the Oxford debating team, which is no mean feat... he went to the best school in the world and to one of the worlds top Universities, as a matter of fact, Oxford is the bench mark for the worlds top universities, where he also went back to teach. Do you really think he wanted to win this election..? Sometimes as history has taught us, its better to retreat and bide our time... He swept to victory in Bangkok and thats where it matters..!

Dont think you'll find any takers for that theory in the democrat establishment or the other estbalishment that Abhisit told he would win the election. IQ may be high but abuility to read people is low. And PTPers were almost orgasmic when the dems reselected him. He is utrerly hated in swathes of the country where the Dems need to make inroads to get close to a majority. He is even more unpopular than local democrats who arent hated but just know they cant win with his name attached.

By the way most of the Dem majorities in BKK were reduced to a few thousand. Not enough of a swing for PTP but a swing to PTP nevertheless.

You know if Yingluck proves ot be a drag on PTP popualarity they can unlike the Dems just change leader or they can ust say it doesnt work because Thaksin isnt here, which would play well with huge numbers. I would guess the Dems just havent got a clue what to do right now after all they just chose a sec-gen who brings nothing to the party except defending some close to BKK turf they already controkl at the moment albeit with reduced majorities

So true.

In the real world outside the Antithaksinista camp nobody cares. That doesn't mean the are red shirts.

Calling people "antithaksin", as by way of an insult, is akin to calling someone "antiscabies", and speaks a lot about the person who says it and the way that they think.

An insult? How it comes?

Once it was a proud thing to say to be Anti-Thaksin.

Btw. Saw the question?: If the Thaksin visit is "Japan's" "Big Mistake" what are the serious consequences then?

No answer, right?

A few more need to be jailed, it seems:

Red shirts attack 2 men in front of Parliament

Red-shirt demonstrators attacked two men in front of Parliament Thursday after the men laid a black wreath to protest against Parliament President Somsak Kiartusranon.

The two men arrived in a taxi at 12:10 pm and they carried with them a black wreath with words of "To Parliament President Somsak Kiartsuranon, who sits in the heart of Thaksin".

When the two men walked to lay the wreath in front of Parliament, red-shirt people, who demonstrated there in support of the government, alerted their guards.

The guards captured the two men and were seen hitting them with a roll of hard paper.

Later on, some red-shirt people led the two men away.

-- The Nation 2011-08-25

Yay for Red Democracy.

The guards captured the two men and were seen hitting them with a roll of hard paper.

Reminds of the story with the paper bullets.

Good luck to all involved.

Outspoken opposition MP Chuwit Kamonwisit has unveiled a gambling den in Bangkok that offered police a two-million-baht bribery per day.

Assuming that he has knowledge about this for a little bit longer than since yesterday makes me wonder why he didn't come forward earlier with it, outspoken like he is.

K. Chuwit has spoken on police involvement in gambling and other recreational activities many times. Don't remember if he was really specific on each and every location he knew of. Mind you, maybe he was waiting for parliamentary immunity

Yes, not the first time that Chuwit talks all the little secrets he knows, hinting what he could reveal if he wanted too.

Not to come straightforward with it makes him more to a blackmailer or at least just a big mouth but not to a decent citizen or how politician should be or these people who got normally called "outspoken".

parliamentary immunity? Will that cover fist fights with journalists live on TV?

Outspoken opposition MP Chuwit Kamonwisit has unveiled a gambling den in Bangkok that offered police a two-million-baht bribery per day.

Assuming that he has knowledge about this for a little bit longer than since yesterday makes me wonder why he didn't come forward earlier with it, outspoken like he is.

You mean to say the Pheu Thai may have swept to victory because of more limited intelligence and a beautifully smiling Thai woman who is at her best saying nothing?

No.

Was wondering if there is anything in the coincidence? that he is in the same place and at the same tome as Joe B from the USA.

Could he already be some sort of an ambassador, unofficial of course and looking for new encyclopedia entries?

coincidence

Makes me think of the old saying " You can keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool or open it and prove it"

Yingluck keeps her mouth closed, well Aphisit opens his often.

Abhisit has an IQ of over 146 which is pretty high, thats a statistic from his Oxford University days, and from Kentucky Uni , Yinluck had an IQ level of 102..... Thats the reason Abhisit feels at ease opening his mouth, he was also chairman of the Oxford debating team, which is no mean feat... he went to the best school in the world and to one of the worlds top Universities, as a matter of fact, Oxford is the bench mark for the worlds top universities, where he also went back to teach. Do you really think he wanted to win this election..? Sometimes as history has taught us, its better to retreat and bide our time... He swept to victory in Bangkok and thats where it matters..!

not just 146 but over 146?

And he didn't intent to win this election, according to you, because he is so smart?

He swept to victory?

There is no excuse for the former government, accepted...BUT that does NOT excuse this tin pot lot, or your feeble excuses for them. I do note most of the time your argument seems always to refer Back to the previous governments faults. always skipping the valid points made on the present P.M.s set up.

The weather ???????????? it's been bucketing it down in Issan for a month now. Issan rules O.K. so it must be their fault

So what the new government has to do with it and for what they are to blame in this topic "(No) Gambling In Bangkok: Police Commissioner"

What are the valid points?

Apirak has tried to explain that he was legally bound to open the letter of credit by the purchase contract signed by his predecessor as governor, Samak Sundaravej.

legally bounded and following the law ...

Corrupt are always the others

There cannot be any gambling in Thailand, it is against the law and i'm sure the police would would sniff out any sign of a den. Fancy suggesting such a thing and the new government very quick to put everything --(their way) ooops= right. The corruption threat is not there anymore now, 3 cheers for the family being back.:bah:

cannot wait for Issan farmers to get the 300 bht min wage as they will spend more time at my bar.:lol:

What this has to do with the new government?

dude c'mon, I wonder what 300 baht a day salary increase has to do with the gov't!?!

Okay, and what this has to do with the topic about "(No) Gambling in Bangkok"?

There cannot be any gambling in Thailand, it is against the law and i'm sure the police would would sniff out any sign of a den. Fancy suggesting such a thing and the new government very quick to put everything --(their way) ooops= right. The corruption threat is not there anymore now, 3 cheers for the family being back.:bah:

cannot wait for Issan farmers to get the 300 bht min wage as they will spend more time at my bar.:lol:

What this has to do with the new government?

Well arn't you...sorrry, the new government responsible to uphold the law??? so gambling is not the governments responsibility ??.................. or fair play ??? ........... Do all institutions run a separate enterprise as the police appear to do. I've yet to see any post that you wrote that says anything wrong with the new government and it's antics-not forgetting the pre election run up. I see something wrong with that, as an honest person it would be nice if once in a while you spoke about the wrongs going on.

Were illegal gambling dens and police does or says they know nothing about it non existent under the previous government?

There is much to much sun since the last two days (too hot, IMHO). Are you going to blame the new government for it too?

No gambling in Bangkok: Jakthip

Who would place a bet on this statement?

There cannot be any gambling in Thailand, it is against the law and i'm sure the police would would sniff out any sign of a den. Fancy suggesting such a thing and the new government very quick to put everything --(their way) ooops= right. The corruption threat is not there anymore now, 3 cheers for the family being back.:bah:

cannot wait for Issan farmers to get the 300 bht min wage as they will spend more time at my bar.:lol:

What this has to do with the new government?

Well they can't blame "Farangs" that is generalising. Pizza Hut, KFC, McDonalds, Burger King, Krispy Creme, Coca Cola, Sizzler and Mister Donut just to name a few are "AMERICAN" Thais are consuming to much American food. Our son is forbiden from consuming American food as it is well known world wide that it is extreemly fattening and totaly unhealthy.

There is a man and his daughter that set up a Thai dessert table every night with a choice of 30 different Thai desserts. I love the egg custards and the coconut custards. They resemble a crème brulee for 7 baht each wrapped in banana leaves. Everything on the guys table is made fresh, looks great and is fattening. How can you walk by and not get at least one, gosh it is only 7 baht. Rice and sugar and oil, hardly American although America does have a lot of salad bars hardly fattening.

Hope you tell the kid that you are just anti American and there is a lot of healthy American food available.

Not anti American at all in fact the opposite. Australia was attacked in the WWII and if the yanks had not have assisted us who knows what may have happened. Just do not like the American food they are promoting around the world ie, Macca's KFC etc as I stated. 99% of the multi national fast food companies they refer to would have to American. I can't think of a chain like McDonalds and the like operating in Thailand from another country. Thailand has a couple of chicken franchises modeled on American but again that is the American influence on foods.

P.S he is not "The Kid" (baby goat) he is the son or child.

For really fat food you might want to check out YAMAZAKI BAKING Co., Ltd and the other successful fast food chains run in Thailand by the Japanese and add Japanese fast food chains to the list of foods your children are forbidden. I can think of 5 fat food Japanese fast food chains. Even worse they promote gluttony by being all you can eat.

I hope you don't be just just anti Japanese,...

In case you don't know there is a lot of healthy Japanese food available. Japan does have a lot of salad bars hardly fattening.

I wouldn't go so far to forbid my children to eat any of this "American" food. Whats wrong with a sweet donut from time to time or even a burger with freeeench fries? Just make sure it isn't every day or the only kind of food.

Don't need international chains to make people fat. In the village I live in, which is as far away from the city as one could probably get, not an international in sight, yet quite a few fatties. Shops full of junk food and sugar snacks/ drinks.

More worrying is that the locals feed their children a lot of junk food. Always see them with potato crisp type snacks.

And how these potato crisp type snacks are called in Thai language? ...

See, circle is closed.

q.e.d.

Prakob also attacked Worawat for ordering a change of carpets leading to his working room at the Education Ministry.

"At his order, the pink carpet has been removed and replaced with a red one," he said.

Prakob claimed the carpet change cost a few millions of baht. "I think the money could have been better spent elsewhere. The amount is enough to build one new school or give free milk/lunch to students," he said.

Edu minister clarifies office renovation allegation

As for the new carpet at his office, the minister explained that it cost 168,525 baht and was made to order at the instruction of the ministry made on 3 February 2011 when Mr Chinnaworn Boonyakiat from the Democrat Party was the education minister.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255408250004

Very frugal of the outgoing Dem's Minister. Pity his other Dem's collegues didn't know The carpet was probably ordered because of parts of the ceiling leaking.

I must admit the new minister is even more frugal, barely in office and already renovated it using his own money.

BTW have you seen any pigs fly by lately

Thats the way to get it done in just a few days or what is your guess how long it would take to repair a leaking ceiling in the building of the education ministry if its done the official bureaucratic way. Probably longer then the current renovation will last to be efficient to hold the water back.

Prakob also attacked Worawat for ordering a change of carpets leading to his working room at the Education Ministry.

"At his order, the pink carpet has been removed and replaced with a red one," he said.

Prakob claimed the carpet change cost a few millions of baht. "I think the money could have been better spent elsewhere. The amount is enough to build one new school or give free milk/lunch to students," he said.

Edu minister clarifies office renovation allegation

As for the new carpet at his office, the minister explained that it cost 168,525 baht and was made to order at the instruction of the ministry made on 3 February 2011 when Mr Chinnaworn Boonyakiat from the Democrat Party was the education minister.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255408250004