mark131v

UK's rank is not surprising to me:....They are driving on the wrong side of the street

Clearly you do not know the reason behind driving on the left. it is historical and dates back to knights in armour riding horseback. Oops, some countries don't have that much history.

My country has a history of killing the Brits butt not only once but twice.

Hey Bob, I wrote out a long reply and then thought why should I bother feeding the trolls, so I wont!

Great. Another thread for ill-informed Thai bashing!

Yes terrible isn't it...

Did you even bother to read the report before offering your opinion on 'ill informed'....

'It was a verbal altercation which appears to have annoyed a group of Thai youths who had gathered nearby. They approached the couple and proceeded to attack the Cambodian man using beer bottles'

Thai bashing at it's worst......mmmh, really... nothing at all to do with a group of gobshite bullying Thai yoofs attacking somebody mobhanded for having an argument with his missus, I think people like you need to remove the rose tinted specs and open your eyes a bit more

You could also just buy a cheap nokia lumia phone as they come with free offline mapping from 'here' which is very good, thinking about it I may have read that you can now download onto android as well, fix a cheap power socket to the bike and you are laughing

edited to say I tried to be cheap and use my garmin from the car but it does not work due to the screen reflection making it pretty much unusable but the phone in a RAM mount across the handlebars works great and with a power socket you cant go wrong and as previously mentioned the mapping is very good now

I've got an R3 it feels more like a bigger bike, than the Hondas. I'm a big lad and it still feels like I'm sat in it, rather than sat on it. But it is very light and nimble.

I'm 6ft and 100kg and I ride it at a steady 120km/h with the wife on the back. And she's not so petite. I can get 155km/h out of it with two of us on it and with the spring adjusted a bit harder it's fine on corners... but then I don't get my knee down in Thailand, even without the wife on the back.

Pulls well over 6000 rpm and ok for overtaking, but I'm tempted to change the rear sprocket to drop the revs a bit at 120km/h

Does get a bit of vibration through the bars riding 50km at 120km/hr... you feel it start at around 5500 rpm. Not so bad when riding, but you certainly feel it when you get off.

It's a long way from my VFR800, but it's great little bike.

Good to hear from another happy R3 owner, agree with everything you say it is a really nice nippy little bike that is easy powerful enough for most of what you can do in Thailand and has more than enough to keep you interested and put a smile on your face

If you want to make the bike even better you could put an R6 throttle body on, really transforms the power delivery and makes the throttle much shorter and more responsive

A lot of people are commenting on chop stick forks on the MT03, I don't know it could just be the photo as the R3/MT03 have bigger forks than the Honda and the Ninja/Z and the R3 certainly don't look narrow so might be different in the flesh, I think only the Benneli has bigger forks but at the end of the day I don't know what some people expect from a budget bike

Warn him about criticising the charter. So must also warn those that are for the charter to stop commenting

Its not a warning about criticizing the charter.

Its a warning about inciting real trouble because of they don't like the charter.

Anyone is welcome to say they don't like the charter. They aren't allowed to call people to arms over it.

Its 2 very different things.

I add; did natawut, jatuporn, arisman etc., stand up on the previous red stages and provide logical detailed discussion, did they outline specific long-term policies to build a balanced and fair civil society for all Thais? NO, NO, and NO. Not one word.

They did stand up on stage and scream very nasty hate messages over and over again, they play doctored tapes again and again, they threatened to burn down Bangkok (with their absconded convicted criminal leader backing them up with messages from abroad). And their ilk later publicized the addresses and phone numbers of judges etc.

Beware.

Reasoned argument is not in their skill set.

"give us what we want or we'll fight to the death for it' is the only logic.

An its plain for all to see. Its not democracy they want just a change in leadership and a return to cronyism.

'Its not democracy they want just a change in leadership and a return to cronyism'

Are you seriously trying to tell us the present lot is not absolutely riddled with cronyism??? Jaysus you really need to open your eyes or take off the rose tinted glasses, your heroes the junta are as bent as a nine bob note...

Which part of me really not caring one way or the other is confusing you?

You did not answer the question, do YOU really believe that this is an important way to spend time and resources? is it really that important?

We all know the bogeyman and the RTP and many/most Thai institutions are corrupt and ineffective yet the present leaders have not concentrated on sorting out the corruption but have instead deflected attention by grabbing on to this need to completely erase the past

It matters not at all in the grand scheme if some on the run villain has an honoury rank from a well known corrupt joke of an organization but the fact the great leaders are so paranoid and scared about this none issue when the rest of the world are looking at them says a great deal about them

ps I think it was one of the Junta polls that said 97% of the population are behind them, could have been 93% cant really remember but seeing as the Junta said it is so it must be true...ttfn

For someone saying that they don't care one way or another, you are making some considerable effort discussing the issue. Actually the rank does matter, matters very much. Why? Because it is a flag-bearer, signifier of the government's progress/success in stripping out the power and control Thaksin had/has over the Thai police force which was the primary state institution in Thaksin's pocket. Not so long ago Thaksin's forum cheerleaders (welcome back!) were using similar arguments about Thaksin being stripped of his passport (it doesn't matter!, there are more important thing to think about! and so on). They all add up to a fresh attempt to wheel out that old warhorse 'Its not about Thaksin'. Been going on for years. No sale.

Read it again, how can I say this any clearer, I don not give a flying fork about whether Thaksin keeps or loses his rank..I really truly do not care, I think it is a complete none issue

Now the fact the present junta (your right I cannot stand them! hate hypocrites) seem to believe this is of major importance makes me wonder why

Is it deflection of more pressing issues?

Is it paranoia, perhaps they believe their time at the trough might be ending?

Fear, as above really?

Even the great leader himself is pussy footing around the issue, I thought he was all powerful after he seized power and awarded himself with judge jury and executioner powers with article 44, but still lacks the balls

The government polls sponsored by the Junta keep coming back with over whelming support so why the fear, why the paranoia...have they got guilty consciences??

Why do I care, well basically I don't I realize I cannot change what goes on here but I have got a bit of time on my hands so why not, if it annoys a few hypocrites along the way then that's a bonus...

Why, esp. if you really don't care (yeah, right), do you keep yammering on about it being a major issue to the junta? Who says so? Newsflash. It's actually not. Thaksinistas are the ones keeping it alive. They're either defending him outright (gotta' give this faction at least little bit of credit for being forthright with their footdragging & obstruction tactics), or hiding like little girls behind this big fiction that it's the junta that's preoccupied with it. Just because it's finally being seen through despite the best efforts of its opponents to drag things out and exact as much pain as they possibly can doesn't mean it's at the top of the government's to-do list. (It just helps the apologists more if they keep insisting that it is.)

And once again for the Hawker chap

'Why do I care, well basically I don't I realize I cannot change what goes on here but I have got a bit of time on my hands so why not, if it annoys a few hypocrites along the way then that's a bonus...

I have to keep putting it up as some of you obviously have comprehension problems

Thaksinistas, like that did you think of it yourself?

I personally (I know, opinions and stuff..) think it is the Junta keeping this alive, not because they intend to but because they are too stupid not to. You only need to look at all the news reports from the great leader and his cohorts to see in Thailand News to see this is true

Would you like to show us where?

Been through the first 6 pages in Thailand news and nothing, no link to new breaking stuff in regard to KT just a locked thread I put into General topics and a link to the first page of a 92 page bitchfest

Hi I was wondering why the report I have just put in about the new torture allegations regarding the Koh Tao trial has been locked by mod Charlie H

I can see the sense of not cluttering with loads of separate reports for the same subject bur having looked usually most of these are direct linked to the subject but in this case there is just a shortcut to a 92 page thread

Personally I feel this new report from the trial should be placed in the news section and I am struggling to see why it has not been put there as I think it is something a large number of BM' s are interested in so putting it in a little used sub forum at page 92 seems a bit strange

Obviously you are in charge but like I said I do not understand the logic with this so any enlightenment would be welcome

Other are now picking it up, surprised it is not in the news section as I think a lot of people are interested in this

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/11838501/Suspect-in-British-backpacker-murder-trial-describes-police-torture.html

sky news

http://news.sky.com/story/1545513/backpacker-murder-suspect-tells-of-torture

The Daily Mail though I don't know if you can open this

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3219592/Bar-worker-claims-admitted-murdering-two-British-backpackers-tortured-police-tied-plastic-bags-head-collapsed.html

In the news for all the wrong reasons again

I have just watched a Sky News report from the trial of the B2 and the Koh Tao murder. The report was about the testimony about one of the B2 ?Zaw Lin and it was concerning his treatment whilst in RTP custody

I am paraphrasing but basically he is alleging he was taken from his cell late at night by 10 men in plain clothes then taken to an house (not a police station) where he was beaten and kicked about

The crux of the report was quite detailed and stated he had a plastic bag put over his head was questioned and beaten, he managed to bite a hole in the first bag to breath at which point they put another bag over the first and continued to beat and kick whilst the interpreter kept asking him to admit he had killed the 2 British

It also mentioned that he was told that if he admitted it then he would only serve 5 or 6 years but that if he didn't then he would be put on a boat taken out to sea and thrown overboard, whether true or not it looks like Thailand is back in the news for all the wrong reasons

Don't know if any other news agencies have picked up on it.

I have just watched a Sky News report from the trial of the B2 and the Koh Tao murder. The report was about the testimony about one of the B2 ?Zaw Lin and it was concerning his treatment whilst in RTP custody

I am paraphrasing but basically he is alleging he was taken from his cell late at night by 10 men in plain clothes then taken to an house (not a police station) where he was beaten and kicked about

The crux of the report was quite detailed and stated he had a plastic bag put over his head was questioned and beaten, he managed to bite a hole in the first bag to breath at which point they put another bag over the first and continued to beat and kick whilst the interpreter kept asking him to admit he had killed the 2 British

It also mentioned that he was told that if he admitted it then he would only serve 5 or 6 years but that if he didn't then he would be put on a boat taken out to sea and thrown overboard, whether true or not it looks like Thailand is back in the news for all the wrong reasons

Don't know if any other news agencies have picked up on it and I have had to put it in General topics as I cannot start a thread in news

Red Flag is one of the best training exercises for combat aircraft. Probably the best in the world.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Flag__Alaska

It's serious stuff. With many nations around the world participating. The one at Nellis is the premier event. I've met the pilots and they are top notch. No messing around. Highly trained.

Indeed. I understand that it is the pinnacle of training for the fast jet community - with a highly skilled "opforce" who mimic Russian sorry "Fantasian" tactics. Wall to wall brylcream and Kelly McGillis lookalikes prancing all over the place on white stallions. (sorry about that - as a lowly infantryman I get carried away by the Gods of Thunder).

This does rather raise the question as to what part in the proceedings was played by an early model C130 stooging about filled to the brim with RTAF officers?

I am sure with your excellent knowledge base you could do a little research and tell us all about the trip instead of just making a guess to try to score points. Do you know what model Hercules it was and what its purpose is?

The RTAF use them for basic needs and also for air-sea rescue and surprisingly enough part of the Red Flag Alaska exercise was about air-sea rescue. This year in many Red Flag Alaska exercises the USAF, RAAF, RNZAF, the Korean Air Force, the RAF as well as the RTAF so did all those countries waste their time and money also?

The RTAF operates 12 C130H, a variant which ceased to be built over 20 years ago - so it could certainly be described as an early model.

They use them for a wide variety of roles, yes including air - sea rescue, although that use would probably be more accurately described as maritime searching.

They have a crew of 5, so even allowing for spare crew(s) 45 does seem rather a lot to keep one aircraft in the exercise, but then I will accept I am not an aviator, and it might have required a lot of mending, so I may be wrong.

Quite what it was doing in San Francisco I do not understand, The logical route to and from Alaska is via Japan/South Korea, and goes nowhere near California. San Francisco to Thailand involves crossing the Pacific Ocean at its widest point - which seems strange - but then again I am not an aviator. San Francisco is almost certainly a better place for a spot of R&R than Alaska, as long as you don't get shot. Perhaps he should have worn some flowers in his hair?

They managed to deploy one of their 12 C130s to Alaska, with a "little detour" to San Fransisco. But as someone remarked earlier, "Couldn't get a C130 in the air in the early days of the MH370 search."

​I hope that makes you feel better.

Sounds a lot like the RAF better known to the rest of UK Forces as crab air, you want to go from A-B for your RnR, possible but crab air like their beach living brethren are incapable of traveling in a straight line so usually you have to go via X and Y and squeeze a couple of delays in as well. Strange though where ever they are in the world they seem to find a 5 star hotel while the rest of us are living in a hole in the ground, thinking about it I should probably have tried harder at school....

'one day, he and the junta will be out of the picture permanently - - oops, hope that's not wishful thinking'

One thing we can both agree on but I fear your wishful thinking bit is probably correct.....

Why is it important? Because Thaksin is a dab hand at playing the sympathy card (I wonder how many times he's cried "Woe is me!"?). Since scuttling off overseas like the rat he is, the villainous one has often sobbed into his handkerchief in front of the world about how hard done-by he is, and many world leaders have bought his snakey lies. By stripping him of his plastic police rank, it denies him just that one little extra degree of legitimacy, while telling the world, "hey! this guy is a felon." - and by doing it the long, tortured way, they can legitimately claim they gave it maximum consideration and did not take the issue lightly. Thus, negating part of Thaksin's ability to market of himself as a victim. Well played by the junta, in my opinion.

For those who are trying to introduce the "erasing of history" element into the Thaksin equation - please explain how this is occurring? If you really believe that this is happening in this day and age, then I pity you your grasp of history. I doubt very few will forget Thaksin - OR, the stripping of his rank.

You seriously think anything this Junta say's or does on the world stage is taken seriously? wow....

Which part of me really not caring one way or the other is confusing you?

You did not answer the question, do YOU really believe that this is an important way to spend time and resources? is it really that important?

We all know the bogeyman and the RTP and many/most Thai institutions are corrupt and ineffective yet the present leaders have not concentrated on sorting out the corruption but have instead deflected attention by grabbing on to this need to completely erase the past

It matters not at all in the grand scheme if some on the run villain has an honoury rank from a well known corrupt joke of an organization but the fact the great leaders are so paranoid and scared about this none issue when the rest of the world are looking at them says a great deal about them

ps I think it was one of the Junta polls that said 97% of the population are behind them, could have been 93% cant really remember but seeing as the Junta said it is so it must be true...ttfn

For someone saying that they don't care one way or another, you are making some considerable effort discussing the issue. Actually the rank does matter, matters very much. Why? Because it is a flag-bearer, signifier of the government's progress/success in stripping out the power and control Thaksin had/has over the Thai police force which was the primary state institution in Thaksin's pocket. Not so long ago Thaksin's forum cheerleaders (welcome back!) were using similar arguments about Thaksin being stripped of his passport (it doesn't matter!, there are more important thing to think about! and so on). They all add up to a fresh attempt to wheel out that old warhorse 'Its not about Thaksin'. Been going on for years. No sale.

Read it again, how can I say this any clearer, I don not give a flying fork about whether Thaksin keeps or loses his rank..I really truly do not care, I think it is a complete none issue

Now the fact the present junta (your right I cannot stand them! hate hypocrites) seem to believe this is of major importance makes me wonder why

Is it deflection of more pressing issues?

Is it paranoia, perhaps they believe their time at the trough might be ending?

Fear, as above really?

Even the great leader himself is pussy footing around the issue, I thought he was all powerful after he seized power and awarded himself with judge jury and executioner powers with article 44, but still lacks the balls

The government polls sponsored by the Junta keep coming back with over whelming support so why the fear, why the paranoia...have they got guilty consciences??

Why do I care, well basically I don't I realize I cannot change what goes on here but I have got a bit of time on my hands so why not, if it annoys a few hypocrites along the way then that's a bonus...

She has all the qualifications, being the a wife of a general!

Spooky that...

Who would have thought it

Like this government hasnt got many more important issues to deal with in which they are a total failure but focus their time on this farce.

Soooo lame. Yeah, like this is monopolizing the entire government's resources and everyone's attention, is keeping it from doing absolutely anything else, and is totally paralyzing the government. Get real. If you want to see the man keep his rank, just man up and say so - instead of mindlessly parroting this rubbish about "the many more important issues to deal with"...

Do YOU think it is important that a wanted fugitive who left the country years ago still holding a rank in what is probably one of the most corrupt institutions in the world keeps or loses his rank??

Don't know if you noticed but there have been one or two quite important things going on in this country, trafficking, airports, dead slaves, fishing, bombs, corruption etc etc...

Personally I really don't care one way or another but the way the present Junta have been getting this back into the news at every opportunity makes me think that they are completely and utterly paranoid

You have to ask yourself why the paranoia? why the fear? don't they sleep easy knowing 97% of the population are on their side...

ROFL. 95% of the level of effort involved was the dredging for tactics to forestall the stripping of rank. Never in the history of the world has so much energy gone into mere foot-dragging. Hardly worth mentioning the minimal effort involved in actually DOING it! No paranoia. No fear. Certainly no 97%! Just a matter of having to deal with the nattering naysayers and nabobs. These twits love to go on about how obsessed some people are with seeing justice through to the end, and don't realize how they paint themselves as addicted cultists in the process.

Which part of me really not caring one way or the other is confusing you?

You did not answer the question, do YOU really believe that this is an important way to spend time and resources? is it really that important?

We all know the bogeyman and the RTP and many/most Thai institutions are corrupt and ineffective yet the present leaders have not concentrated on sorting out the corruption but have instead deflected attention by grabbing on to this need to completely erase the past

It matters not at all in the grand scheme if some on the run villain has an honoury rank from a well known corrupt joke of an organization but the fact the great leaders are so paranoid and scared about this none issue when the rest of the world are looking at them says a great deal about them

ps I think it was one of the Junta polls that said 97% of the population are behind them, could have been 93% cant really remember but seeing as the Junta said it is so it must be true...ttfn

They hate him because he is an existential threat to their primacy and wealth.

They hate him because of the people he has enlisted in support of his bid for power. In doing so he is the first politician who has considered the previously ignored rural poor, and delivered even a proportion of campaign promises to them. He has let that particular genie out of the bottle, and although much of the effort of the current junta is concentrated on trying to stuff it back into the bottle that is a hopeless cause.

I don't think that they give a monkeys about his corruption. To them it is a way of life, and he is probably no more corrupt than many of them are.

But in actually letting the people have a say, and believe that what they said mattered, he committed the unforgivable sin. They hate him because they are terrified, and know that sooner or later, their rule is going to be over.

And there you have it bang on!!!

Why do you think the great leader and his mindless cohorts are showing their complete paranoia about the bogeyman?? why all this absolute drivel about stripping old ranks and passports, they are terrified of him and they are terrified that their time at the trough may be getting short

It's great watching this bunch of hypocrites squirm but unfortunately I think the damage they have done to the country is going to take a long time to heal and I think there is going to be plenty pain coming, I hope I am wrong but I think it is inevitable

Like this government hasnt got many more important issues to deal with in which they are a total failure but focus their time on this farce.

Soooo lame. Yeah, like this is monopolizing the entire government's resources and everyone's attention, is keeping it from doing absolutely anything else, and is totally paralyzing the government. Get real. If you want to see the man keep his rank, just man up and say so - instead of mindlessly parroting this rubbish about "the many more important issues to deal with"...

Do YOU think it is important that a wanted fugitive who left the country years ago still holding a rank in what is probably one of the most corrupt institutions in the world keeps or loses his rank??

Don't know if you noticed but there have been one or two quite important things going on in this country, trafficking, airports, dead slaves, fishing, bombs, corruption etc etc...

Personally I really don't care one way or another but the way the present Junta have been getting this back into the news at every opportunity makes me think that they are completely and utterly paranoid

You have to ask yourself why the paranoia? why the fear? don't they sleep easy knowing 97% of the population are on their side...

I can think of one or two people in uniform here with the the iq of orangutans I would like to see boxing, second thoughts that is insulting to orangutans and the rest of our primate cousins their much smarter...

Bombing solved and back to the important stuff...

'Asked why he put his faith to the NSRRC, he said that the draft made it clear the council would be made up of high-ranking officers, for example the ex-premier and the president of the Supreme Court, which would guarantee its efficiency. Moreover, the NSRRC would have to consult with MPs and senators prior to exercising its special authority'

Oh goody that's alright then no chance of any corruption, nepotism or cronyism there then, that's a relief and I am so glad he left the monkhood to give us these insights.....

Remember that the better the information the bigger the reward to your local police, go on make a policeman happy today! maybe there will be reduction on the normal shakedowns, win win ehh!!....

The world is watching and sniggering, you could not make it up....

http://news.yahoo.com/thai-police-award-themselves-84k-arrest-bomb-suspect-101511355.html

one from the neighbor's

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/World/2015/08/31/Thai-police-chief-rewards-officers-after-mysterious-bomb-suspect-nabbed/

And another this one asking a few awkward questions

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/bangkok-bombing-thailand-police-claim-84000-own-investigators-pictures-new-suspects-released-1517817

New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/08/31/world/asia/ap-as-thailand-explosion-reward.html?_r=0

I think this may not be the PR coup the chief rozzer was hoping for, they say all publicity is good publicity but with this one I aint so sure....

Ohh that's alright then perfectly normal, nothing hypocritical about the present leaders of this country openly indulging in what might reasonably be construed as a blatant disregard for their much vaunted policy of stamping out corruption, something they have been quite vocal about and actually cited as one of the main reasons for the coup and overthrow of the legitimate government...

Frankly, it is ok n my opinion as it happen everywhere.

Take the USA for example, where you probably think has no corruption and it is a real pain in the arse for Thailand with all its moaning.

Jeb Bush v Hilary Clinton is just a coincidence?

George W was the most talented guy for the job?

As for the Uk and the cronyism going on there!

I know jack shit about US corruption and care even less, what I do care about is blatant hypocrisy and the fact you think it is ok is neither here nor there, it does however say a lot about you, maybe you have gone native....

What is absolutely glaringly obvious is the Junta are preaching one thing then doing another, problem is they are not even intelligent enough to be subtle about it

How long have you been living in Pattaya? it aint the real in Thailand

What has that got to do with the price of eggs, bit random innit, have I hit a raw nerve??

Does living in Nakhon Nowhere rather than Pattaya affect your ability to work out what is acceptable and what isn't, perhaps leads to a less developed sense of right and wrong or maybe a propensity for believing bullshite so long as it is from a pooyai or high ranking Thai??

ps. you might want to do a bit more editing as you comment don't make too much sense but probably better to wait till you are sober..