herfiehandbag

The major imperative is probably to hang on, somehow, to appoint the next Senate. I'm not sure how they can do that. Perhaps annulling the election meaning fresh elections, themselves delayed by a long period of mourning for a significant person, topped up possibly by a suitable state of emergency. As I said, I'm not sure how they can do that, but I am sure great minds (Wissanu?) are working on it.

I flew into Kai Tak half a dozen times. It was always in RAF VC10s, which made for an even more mind boggling experience, as the RAF had the seats fitted facing the rear of the aircraft. They reckoned it was safer - although I suspect that if you flew into a mountain at whatever the cruising speed of a VC10 was, it really made little difference! Anyway, the whole dodging skyscrapers Kai Tak experience, but backwards!

Many moons ago there used to be an establishment on the upper reaches of Sukhumvit Road, staffed by young ladies who gave a memorable haircut! Or so I am told.

Cash potential (B500,000)! One can surmise, now it appears that he was a fairly wide ranging operator ( Koh Samui, Phuket, Pattaya) that the authorities were aware of him, and aware of how much he could be squeezed for...

I regard myself as reasonably well educated, with good written and verbal English Language skills. Quite erudite really; and with might I add, considerable enthusiasm and a keen appreciation of the proper place and roles of punctuation in the written language. I have never heard of the word "externality"; I looked it up and discovered it applied to concepts ascribed to philosophy and economics. I think you should face it, the "waning" you describe is a manifestation of age.

If I remember, any opposition or debate on the offered constitution was stifled, no alternative was on offer and it was not exactly enthusiastically endorsed. In known " opposition supporting areas" (cue, perhaps, hysterical comments about "red villages") it was made very difficult to vote. The constitutional referendum was actually little more than a smoke and mirrors trick.

The inclusion of McMurdo Station in Antarctica (!) and Kai Tak which has been closed for 25 years rather reduces this reports credibility!

Dismantling such an ingrained monopoly, with all the laws and regulations designed to prevent an effective challenge will take time. I wouldn't imagine that the situation on the ground will change for at least six months, maybe more. The monopolies contacts run deep. Do you remember the Police General who was so concerned by the crowd he observed at a pub and craft brewery in Bangkok, seen from the back seat of his staff car, and assessed by him to constitute a risk to the structure of the building, that he very public spiritedly ordered it closed with immediate effect! Nothing to do with him being on a handsome retainer from one of the big two brewers of course - perish the thought, it was unworthy of me!

Oh how ironic, showing off to a woman (in his universe "pussy grabbing") could well be his downfall!

"Do you know who I am" doesn't work half as well with a private, non-public airline!

Were the defendants discharged, or returned to custody pending trial for something, anything, else?

Who decides fitness to govern? You? Or the electorate? It really is very simple. Once you qualify any election result in that way, then you destroy democracy!

Parking planes up is one thing. They need continuous maintenance, especially in a hot and humid climate. Have they had that maintenance?

Opening shots in negotiations, or an absolute demand? Interesting how the smiling face of glamorous Paetongtarn has been replaced by a more conventional "bulldog chewing a wasp" image! It would be interesting to know how much Paetongtarn was worth to their electoral success. In a society as image conscious as this I rather imagine it played a significant part!

Since the database is probably run on pirated copies of Windows 98, albeit in the process of being updated to Windows 7 by the resident IT consultant, a Police Generals 17 year old nephew, it probably doesn't work anyway! The backup paper files will be printed on the reverse of old passport photocopies, and occupy a massive wharehouse just outside Bangkok. In the words of Flanders and Swan: "it all makes work for the working man to do!"

I think it was leaked by Straw. The more damning evidence that they can make public, the greater the pressure on Mr Trump to plead. This will reduce the impact of the blatantly partisan judge who has been landed with conducting the trial, and likely remove the problem of how to send a former President, standing for re-election, to gaol. If he pleads he will still be a convicted felon, disgraced although never in his alternate reality of course, but still a felon. Several years of home detention in that absolute epitome of garish bad taste that is Mar a Lago could of course be regarded as a cruel and unusual punishment, especially as it would probably be accompanied by a diet of cold courier delivered McDonalds burgers, and being forced to evacuate his bowels in "restrooms" crammed with cardboard boxes of documents might just be punishment enough!

Something smells here ...

Your "principles" come cheap don't they!

Scouts and guides is part of the National Curriculum up to and including Mathayom (secondary) 3. All Thai children, at Private or State schools are in it.

Agreed, however we are talking about Bhumjaithai and ultimately Newin Chidchob!

I will be quite honest, and I doubt that you will like it so! However, taking a quick look at your profile and some of your posts, it strikes me that you come across as fairly aggressive in your outlook. Thais generally are not, and do not react well to an aggressive demeanor. That may well be why you find they react in this way?

Most weeks what is conventionally thought of as "School Uniform" ( white shirt with shorts or skirt) is only worn two days a week. The other outfits are sports kit, scout/guides and Friday " national dress. From M4 up Army Cadets takes over from scouts, although it is optional not mandatory. I have no particular gripe about wearing uniforms, the arguments for and against are well rehearsed and have roughly equal merit; although I agree that the polyester materials are not that well suited to the climate. Scouts and guides are a reasonable concept, although they could do with losing the emphasis on foot drill - apart from anything else it is a pointless exercise if done badly, and most of the teachers are, as a Guardsman would say, "idle". Camping, hiking, living in the field, adventurous training and first aid are all good subjects for teenagers. Learning how to "present arms" with white painted hiking sticks not so much!

If you are really serious about the Internal Security game, and up against equally serious protestors and/or insurrectionists, 7 of Lt Gruber's little tanks would probably be enough to secure 1 intersection such as Asok/Sukhumvit. These vehicles were bought for the "kickbacks" and possibly ( their only real tactical use) for a one time use escorting a move to the airport. In the event of a serious protest/insurrection you can expect the routes to the airport to be blocked. You may need to clear them.

Well they are wheeled vehicles, quite well protected and capable of a good turn of speed on a metalled road. Quite handy if you have to fight your way to the airport...

A shade under $2 million for each wheeled armoured personnel carrier! That's an expensive set of military wheels!