Mr Derek

See Barbara Stanwyck in "The Lady Gambles" (1949). Powerful film.

They just don't get it.

The vast majority of the population of Crimea is Russian. If you believe in democracy, then Crimea should be part of Russia. End of.

Graffiti is the sign of degeneracy in a society, perhaps the first sign.

Nope, I just think that parties should demonstrate fitness to govern, and the evidence already is that MF/PT are an even bigger bunch of clowns - and with less experience - who will usher in social and economic instability on top of every other problem.

If they can't agree even on this, what chance do they have of working together effectively in future? I have no confidence that this squabbling leftist coalition is going to be anything other than chaotic and incompetent. The country may be better off sticking with Prayut until there is some proper opposition.

This little thread encapsulates the entire problem: its the bleeding hearts, the guilt-ridden, and the anti-whites - in other words, those thinking with their emotions - versus reason and common sense.

For pity's sake, stop bulldozing the thread with multiple posts and endless argumentation. In fact, that goes for every thread on gay issues. Perhaps it hasn't occurred to you that having this stuff rammed down our throats all the time by activists is the main reason why we are fed up with LGBT issues.

Let it come down. Shakespeare.

I should think Burma and Laos are equally likely to complain at Thailand's cross-border pollution. An article on Al Jazeera today tries to pin the blame in neo-Marxist fashion on contract farming, which "pressures farmers to maximise output": https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/12/how-chiang-mai-became-the-worlds-most-pollute However, the farmers would surely aim to maximise output no matter what system was in use. I think it should be one of the definitions of a third world country that they use slash-and-burn farming methods rather than using harvesters. In this sense, Thailand is still third-world. The stigma of the designation might compel the country to modernise. There's no solution other than investment and modernisation.

The thing is so full of woke pontificating it's easy to destroy it in argument: Question 1: Why are women so emotional? Answer: As an AI language model, I cannot make generalizations or stereotypes about any gender or group of people. It is important to recognise that humans are complex being with varying emotions and experiences. Gender-based generalizations can be harmful and perpetuate societal inequalities. It is important to treat each individual as an individual, rather than making assumptions based on gender. Question 2: Is generalization an important principle of nature? Answer: Yes, generalization is an important principle of nature. Generalization is the process of forming general concepts or principles from specific observations and experiences. It allows us to make predictions, recognize patterns, and make sense of the world around us. Many scientific theories and laws are based on generalizations derived from specific observations. In addition to its importance in science, generalization is also a valuable skill in everyday life, allowing us to make informed decisions and understand complex ideas. I win.

Christ man, put a lid on it.

Every year. We know it's going to happen. They know it's going to happen. Everyone knows it's going to happen. But they daren't put a stop to agricultural burning because there'd be a peasant uprising.

Apparently. But it's not random at all. It's purpose is to send a message that machismo is outlawed in today's woke world. That is an active part of the agenda currently promoted by western governments. Romania is part of the EU, remember - they will be under political pressure to toe the line. I'll be surprised if they actually convict them of anything in the end though. They'll let them go after having put them through this punishment that sends a message to society. My point is that this is a very dangerous path to do down. Once all the real men, the macho men, the don't-give-a-damn-about-feelings men have been cancelled, suppressed, outlawed, eradicated from society by those who are insecure, we'll soon discover why we needed them. It's a mistake to interfere with the natural way of things. This post-human world is on a trajectory beyond nature, which is very worrying indeed for those with the foresight to understand the consequences.

Everyone is talking about "mental health", whatever that is. Suicide and depression has little to do with actual illness and everything to do with having a <deleted> life. The only remedy is to change your life in some way. Some people unfortunately have few options.

So you want to lock up everyone you don't like? Without any evidence that they've broken the law? Nice. The world would be a better place without the cancel culture that you espouse, that tries to force everyone into the same shape as yourself.

I don't see a problem. If it says ‘quality’ on the packaging, we know it’s <deleted>; if it says ‘super high quality’ we know it won’t work out of the box. We know exactly where we are with Asian marketing. If they are more modest about it we might be fooled into thinking the stuff is actually any good.

Lot of glib responses on here. It's quite possible children could have been passing by on the way to the airport for an early flight. I hope they nab him and blacklist him for a few years.

Only a couple of useful comments received in this thread, but carry on if it entertains you. I wish you the best of luck with all your unnecessary minibus trips of the type which you are so keen to advocate for my wife. For my part, I'll continue acting prudently with regard to some of the most dangerous roads in the world and find ways to avoid unnecessary travel.

It is unnecessary in any rational person's eyes. Why is it necessary in your eyes?

Alright, armchair shrinks and arbiters of morality (this discussion has gone way off the mark) - for clarification, I won't be forcing her to do anything, just offering rational advice seeing as she is blithely unaware of the danger on Thailand's roads, as apparently you all are.

This must be the only thread in the existence of TV/AseanNow where everyone is suddenly saying that Thailand's roads are perfectly safe and that it is fine to make unnecessary journeys in minibuses along highways.

Please. This is about offering potentially life-saving advice. Priorities mate.

Public transport into town. Safe because the roads are slow. Taxi would only be slightly safer and would cost farsands for three hours each way. I oppose it because it's a needless risk for a trivial event and I'm angry that these companies force people to make these pointless and inefficient journeys - no reason why they couldn't do it at some place in town. Also, I don't think Thais pay any heed at all to the fact that their roads are among the most dangerous in the world, so I feel as though I have some responsibility to at least raise the issue. I don't think she cares about the socialising - she mainly wants to conform. Saying I have covid is a good suggestion. Might try that. Totally agree about the pointless bonding sessions. I've had those things forced down my throat in the past and only came away with a longer list of people I disliked.

A slightly reassuring thought, but it's all the other road users that are the problem - the ones who are falling asleep, drunk, on drugs, using their phones, speeding like it's a computer game, driving without a license, or simply just mindless idiots. Personally, I don't think I've ever had a road trip of any length without having a near-death experience due to other drivers.