Phuket Stan

being very well connected to the government and being owned by the government are two different things...the owners of King Power are friends big time with Newin Chidbob who in turn was Thaksin's best buddy until about 18 months ago when he split his party away from Phuea Thai (Thaksin's party) and joined the democrats in the current coaliton government

He will still make one up.....

KingPower is a particularly nasty company. Owned by the government that sets import duties for luxury goods at an impossible 200%.

To then set-up its own company selling designer goods cheaper than any one else can legally afford to.

While I certainly do not condone any act of terrorism one can understand the resentment.

The import duties in this country are painful. I would love to not have to drive a Japanese $hit box. However government officials are the only ones permitted to flaunt these laws.

This could be seen as stance against corruption.

Thailand is not a free market democracy but when the Government go into business and get special treatment it does take the wee wee a bit.

if governments back home did this non of you would stand for it. Perhaps certain people here have had enough.

King Power is not government owned...

Crazy old bat - go make some som tum

You have knowledge of what's going on here. The Thaksinites "red shirts" want her out. They don't want her snooping in all their past dealings! The lady's an honest and respectable bureaucrat a rarity in Thailand!

I have always had a lot of respect for her as you do....I just wondered about the result of that inquiry into the building of her house ...or was it another red herring

I dont think she is crazy....she is one very smart women with a lot of cajones....but somewhere amongst the wood work there is something not quite kosher....does anyone know about the outcome to the investigation into the house she was building by the river ...bit of a stench from there about 12 months ago

The only Finacial Times I see in Thailand is the pink Sunday Edition

mine goes into my pottery piggy bank, anything except 10 baht coins

when its full, the kids count it out, i take it to the bank and i put the proceeds in their bank accounts

usually makes about 3000 over 3 -4 months

I do the same

Hey, if you don't like it, don't use it! Continue to take your taxis and leave more room for those of us who believe in public transportation.........it will be a much more comfortable and relaxing ride without your grumbling!

I will use it because I do believe in public transportation.

But sure, each time, I will think about all the wasted money , where it went , and what could have been done if used efficiently

I agree with what u say

However I used it yesterday at 5pm to come in from the airport hauling 15kg bag...then got into BTS and was in Siam Square much quicker than any taxi at that time of day...it will work....some fine tuning to do but will get there and be a great asset to those who travel further than a bar stool

1% Withholding Tax

2% Transfer Fee

3.3% Specific Business Tax

Then you get into tax on capital gain

15% on first million

25% 1-3 million

30% thereafter

Does he qualify for redundancy

George Hoolahan before going on the run

Rape case fugitive George Hoolahan in Thailand

Looks well for 60 in that pic

The first pic is when he ran off, he would have been around 49 in it.

The second pic is 2010, and IMHO doesn't necessary look well for 60, but rather, has a typical appearance for that age.

He has great hair though

Dont send the bastard back here.Send him to New Zealand.

no, he's a convict. they've got it right.

A rather witless observation.

New Zealand was a penal colony too.

Could u please provide me the info that New Zealand was a penal colony......

Try googling "Gary McKinnon" to see how America works in its extradition procedure, please come back and tell me if you still support America!

America supplies weapons to all sorts of despicable depots as do the French, British and other major sellers of arms.

Complete hypocrisy i hope he walks.

Gary McKinnon info:

McKinnon has admitted in many public statements that he obtained unauthorised access to computer systems in the United States including those mentioned in the United States indictment.

Dang crazy Americans! Trying to arrest somebody how has admitted hacking into federal sites! Shame on them....oh...maybe it was the anti-american messages he left on those sites?

Sure, America supported many opposition groups...and still does. But as mentioned above, so do many, many, many other countries. Above and below the radar. But at least it is the governments doing it...not some loose cannon selling to the highest bidder and just trying to get rich. He obviously didn't care who got killed...and many did...

If you want to have fun, let's look into every countries past! The Dutch in Indonesia (I visited the Bali site where they massacred 100s of locals), the Spanish in South America (I visited the site where millions died mining silver), most European countries forays into Africa (with devastating results), etc, etc, etc. America is just the latest "easy" target....and people from all over seem to jump on that bandwagon...but for sure, there are some good reasons. Iraq being the latest.

Craig with all respect but I think there is a difference between supporting opposition groups and providing them with weapons,which is what America does in many cases.

I also think it is not appropriate to compare the actions from other country's 100 years ago with the current actions of a nation.

It would be foolish to blame it's citizens but the American government is in my eyes the most evil creature in history.And that counts on many aspects.They are the reason for the unrest in most part of the world and for the economic situation in which we are currently just to name a few.And still they think they can rule the world,shame on them.

What part of thee world do u come from Gary

Dont send the bastard back here.Send him to New Zealand.

Not a chance of him being allowed into New Zealand...they have smarter people in immigration

Maybe the Australians will have a look at his status and send him back to Ireland

It might be possible that he is responsible. But it is proven that coup taker Sondhi was in charge when numerous teenagers were killed in a mosque raid. One will appear in a criminal court that is for sale, the other will ultimately end up in the International Criminal Court, that is quite something to think about. Any press article need to be taken with a view that i the government's spin doctors have created. There is no press freedom and even wikileaks is blocked probably because the government expect to figure "Balloon" Anupong in it and maybe a couple of documents about the army that is constantly involved in massacres.

Can u give the date when Sonhi was in charge when a massace took place

You're talking to a propaganda machine.

"it is proven... army constantly involved in massacres... there is no press freedom..."

Check other posts for more balanced statement of this kind.

I was just trying to another rise from him... sort of trying to make his day again...his blurbs have never contained a smidgen of fact

It might be possible that he is responsible. But it is proven that coup taker Sondhi was in charge when numerous teenagers were killed in a mosque raid. One will appear in a criminal court that is for sale, the other will ultimately end up in the International Criminal Court, that is quite something to think about. Any press article need to be taken with a view that i the government's spin doctors have created. There is no press freedom and even wikileaks is blocked probably because the government expect to figure "Balloon" Anupong in it and maybe a couple of documents about the army that is constantly involved in massacres.

Can u give the date when Sonhi was in charge when a massace took place

I agree with the first to comments, the double standards here are unreal they need to shake all this up a bit. start by firing the Police commisioners and start again

Strange how there is no comment from the Fat Red Shirt Loudmouth.....I thought that was what the protest was all about....getting some justice for the poor...I originally thought it was a misprint when I saw the fine....Unbelievable

fuedal system keep the peasants in their place

same in uk up to about 70 years ago

The other English language paper also reported on this story. You should read the comments that this paper chooses to put against the story. The 'other' newspaper is blatantly a Pua Thai supporting publication. Try and add a comment against the story saying anything negative against Peua Thai; you will find you comment is not listed.

I thought I was the only one picking up that vibe from that publication....strange how the worm turns....remember all the hoo haa when someone who we wont mention tried to take it over a few years ago

And a lot of the trucking companies will oppose any upgrade to the rail.....and of coarse the roading companies who are contantly repairing the roads from the damage of the buses and trucks...it just goes on adinfinitum

And does anything happen to the former TAT governer ?

All in good time

Thai time that is

There was something in the press a couple of weeks ago that the charges against her were almost ready to present to the court...when that is who knows??? Pretty much an open and shut case against after what went down in the USA court trial

He said that as long as the government can ensure safety and order in the country despite political tensions, foreign tourists will continue to come.

They can't ensure safety though. Thailand is the most dangerous tourism destination for Britons (and I believe Australians now) by some margin.

I would like to see some actual reliable figures on that statement...particuarly about Australians

Does anyone really buy anything at King Power....u r better to buy at arrival destination....KP are always much more expensive than elsewhere

Chula University own them....dont know if they actually manage them....ask a shop keeper there

Funny how everything stresses Dems and PTP while the BJT are building a head of steam. Even some Isaan based PTP MPs are conceding that BJT is making inroads there and that the PTP has no plan of how to fund anything up that way.

It seems likely from what is being said that the Dems and BJT will try to form the next government in alliance again although the relative balance of power in that scenario would change. Pravit is reportedly already promising certain army commanders who reprotedly havent done so well this time around what they will get next year and there are rumours he will be offered the leadership of BJT which could bring a PMship with it.

If BJT splits a large minority of the Isaan away from pro-Thaksin parties thereby removing their ability to form a government the BJT will be naming conditions for government while being well represented in the military hierarchy. This will likely also send the PAD insane.

You have got the right grip on this power game....Newin will be the big winner