Ga-gai

"...is suspected to have fallen from a train in unknown circumstances"

Sounds like when my wife's cousin were stabbed to death by a neighbor and who's brother in law happened to be a local policeman:

"He were running with a knife and fell in an unfortunate way and got pierced by his own knife."

I find it convenient that all these weapons of mass destruction were found.

Has anyone wondered why they were not used?

Smells a bit fishy.

None of these are weapons of mass destruction.

The reds and their followers are probably suffering from mass stupidity!

Seems like they still won't accept the truth, even if it were were told.

Thaksin and his henchemen really know how to use stupidity as weapons of mass destruction!

Unarmed Reds, Amnesty International decrying the treatment of the poor innocents - BS, pure BS. Armed militants who should be treated as enemy combatants, if shown to have participated in a violent way.

The following are two excerpts form an article in the AsiaTimesonlone.com

Quote

Fog of war

The government has said it aims to separate ''terrorists'' from the ordinary protesters, while some red shirts have thanked the anonymous black-clad assailants for coming to their defense against state security forces. Therdpoum, a former member of parliament under Thaksin's original Thai Rak Thai party, says there has been obfuscation and propaganda on both sides of the conflict.

"The people who are the real planners, not the people up on stage making protest speeches, these people probably keep a very low profile, but they must calculate that aggression is vital," he said. "Aggression paralyzes and divides opponents. This is what we were taught, this is how a smaller force can defeat overwhelming power. The message was: divide and conquer."

Whether the UDD's shadowy armed wing consists of mafia thugs, unemployed irregulars or disaffected regular soldiers, they must be capable of ruthless and focused violence, he said.

Therdpoum, born in humble circumstances in northeastern Thailand, was a hotel union organizer who fled to the communist underground in 1975 to oppose a brutal right wing government. Many hundreds of the country's most energetic students and intellectuals did the same. Most, like Therdpoum, later renounced the ideology.

His five-year odyssey with the Communist Party of Thailand (CPT) included a three-month period in Hanoi in the heady period following the unification of Vietnam under communist rule. There, Therdpoum and a handful of hand-picked Thai activists, like prominent student leader Seksan Prasertkun, as well as current UDD leaders Weng Tochirakan and Jaran Dittapichai, were drilled in Maoist revolutionary theory.

The five tactics they learned for unseating a government included: divide your enemies; form a united front; use provocative violence; secure the loyalty of people inside the ruling regime; and, finally, win over the army.

"That is what we have seen. The government people have been quarrelling about what to do. Some senior figures have a divided loyalty. The army and the police cannot move. Provocative violence has been very successful," said Therdpoum, referring to the UDD's campaign to topple Abhisit's government.

"The tactic is to keep saying that you are a peace-loving people. The many factions folded into the united front [uDD] organization are not told what the real strategy is because they might not agree and they might not act their part convincingly," he added.

A generation ago, the eager young communists in Thailand's underground movement, many of whom now play major roles on Thailand's political stage, were told that propaganda should be blunt, simple and repeated incessantly to be effective. The UDD has similarly shunned hard policy debates in favor of simple credos of justice denied and the hypocrisy of elites.

"The red shirt people have been told over and over that greedy people in authority have denied them justice and their fair share. They have been pumped full of toy-town leftism and told to hate every institution that has held this country together. I worry that the bitterness and hatred produced by this propaganda now runs so deep it will cause tension and problems for a long time," Therdpoum said.

"Many of them are now absolutely convinced that Thaksin was the best leader in Thai history, that he was a kind and generous man who holds the solution to all their problems. They don't need a program - they just need a new Thai state with Thaksin in charge. It has become very emotional - as it was designed to be," he added.

Unquote

Quote

Ignorance over knowledge

Other observers believe that the anti-Thaksin, yellow-garbed People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protest group that occupied Government House for several weeks and closed down Bangkok's airports for 10 days in 2008 helped to show the UDD how effective determined and prolonged protests could be. To be sure, there were violent moments during the PAD's many protests, launched first to remove Thaksin and later his proxy governments, but not to the extent of the current shadowy campaign of bombings and shootings.

The red shirts consist of many passive supporters, many active ones and, now, a hand-picked core of "professional revolutionaries" chosen for their loyalty and street smarts, according to Therdpoum. Behind them are many "deep secrets and hidden messages" that are revealed to only a privileged few in the movement, while an even smaller number know the entire strategy, he claimed.

"Old communists know that when it comes to revolution, ignorance is much more powerful than knowledge," Therdpoum said.

It is thus ironic that more former communists are currently on side with the royalist PAD than the supposedly pro-poor UDD, which is simultaneously striving to restore the billionaire Thaksin's wealth and power. So, too, is the fact that while the UDD has called with revolutionary zeal for a new political order, the Thaksin-aligned Puea Thai party that will contest the next elections is packed with old-style and corruption-tainted patronage politicians.

Therdpoum believes that the UDD's sincere left-wing members are using Thaksin and anticipate the opportunity to eventually dump his personal agenda in favor of the establishment of a more socialist society. Some of the former communists who took up arms and fled into the jungle in the 1970s and 1980s and were once in Thaksin's inner circle include Prommin Lertsuridej, Phumtham Wechayachai, Sutham Saengprathum, Phinit Jarusombat, Adisorn Piangket and Kriangkamon Laohapairot.

Its unclear how many of those former communists are now active from behind-the-scenes in the UDD's planning and strategy. Some media have recently published photographs of the UDD's three main stage leaders, Veera Musigapong, Natthawut Saikua and Jatuporn Prompan, with the exiled Thaksin in what appear to be planning sessions leading up to the current protests. It is debatable, however, how much real power they wield over broad strategy and tactics; Therdpoum, for one, discounts them as "showmen".

UDD organizer Jaran Dittapichai told this correspondent that the protest group had adopted "Mao Zedong's method of thinking" and some of his techniques, including the establishment of a united front. "I was a communist and several leaders were former communists ... but the red shirt people don't like communism or socialism. We use his principles to build up our front and to work with people who are not red shirts, but who are fighting for democracy like us."

He, like other UDD leaders, has consistently denied that the group is behind the mysterious bombing campaign that has coincided with its protest activities. "There is no third hand. There is only the first hand and the second hand ... the government side and our people," Jaran said.

"Before we started we discussed the [potential] problem of the third hand and who they might be. We were worried that someone might throw a bomb at us or shoot at us. We still have good luck - no one comes to throw a bomb [at us]."

Unquote

This says it all really. Thaksin was basically financing a communist-led revolution. Now we know why the red shirts chose red as their colour.

I think the news coming out now provides overwhelming evidence of a very serious communist plot to overthrow the monarchy and the state as it is today and to turn Thailand into a communist state. Thaksin and his baggage would probably have been dumped.

Given the mounting evidence, Thaksin and the red shirt leaders should deserve the death sentence for their actions. The probable outcome is very likely to be life sentences, given the current government's ideas on capital punishment.

Let the flames from pro-red contributors begin!!! Your responses will be seen for what they are. Given all the evidence to the contrary, they will seem to be defending the indefensible.

Do tell us why you believe a single word of a publication founded by Sondhi Limtongul?

Why should anyone believe what you say then?

Abhisit is such an idiot.

He knew exactly what would result if he used force. Congratulations Abhisit, now you have it

He should have stuck to negotiations.

Abhisit is a disgusting excuse for a human being.

there you go again.

It appears to be an opinion shared by many posters here at TV, agord. Anyway, people like this just make the rest of us look good.

Instead of constantly criticising my posts, cheering flamers, and making cringe worthy sleazy come-ons to the female members of this forum, why don't you post something intelligent for a change ?

Well Russell... Here's something for you:

Besides Thaksin's economic support, my speculation is that there are many high ranked red-shirts that have invested a lot of money in this as well. Invested on the hope they will win a new election and get a position where thay can pilfer money from the government.

They want to get rid of Abhisit and call for new elections. But I can't find any valid points on why there is a really need for it. People can't just overthrow leaders just because they don't like them or "their man" wasn't elected. All this talk about the poor. What is it with the poor that needs to be so urgent adressed? Do they wanna open the government casbox and sprinkle over the Issanies? Do they hope that Thaksin will come give everyone at fat bonus? I find no valid ponits for the current situation...

And the pale skin thai-wannabies here on Thaivisa are just ignorant in their belief that they doing something honorable for their current geographic settlement in the corner of the world. This clash is not about good things to come. It's not a Pandora rebellion uprise. It's all about greed. Just like when the local elections are held and opponents are killing each other in the villigages in order just to lessen the competition. Greed, greed and greed!

And besides... There's nothing we aliens could or should get involved with. It can only lead to problems, as our understanding of this complicated culture isn't any deeper than we get from watching and socializing with our indigenous wife or girlfriend.

There you have it! Another example of what marry-for-money will end up like.

Marrying bar-girls to whom you could be their father or even grandfather, always comes at a price. That fact that this is very common, is not a surprise. But the amazing thing is how surprised they get, when they realize that their beloved wife doesn't love him. As long as the oldies really understand this fact, they wouldn't get any surprises.

Interesting generalization. I knew a young guy early 20's who was dating a girl in his office. Unknown to him was she was somebody's mia noi. Walked out of his apartment one night and was hit in the back of the head by a guy with a metal bar.

Died a few weeks later in hospital. Did he deserve it?

Yepp! That's how it works. Even if there would be 2 females on every 1 male in town, you can be sure that there aren't any single women available. 1 Thai male could have 1-2-3 or more Mea Noi's and he wouldn't hesitate to kill that guy who dare to try to steal any of his chick's. The only reason the Mea Noi's stay with that guy, is purely for the economy. Not for the love. Who's to blame for this Mea Noi culture? The male or his flock of chicks? Both of course. So, it's purely about the money. Marrying a 20-30 year younger woman, doesn't make the love more genuine.

There you have it! Another example of what marry-for-money will end up like.

Marrying bar-girls to whom you could be their father or even grandfather, always comes at a price. That fact that this is very common, is not a surprise. But the amazing thing is how surprised they get, when they realize that their beloved wife doesn't love him. As long as the oldies really understand this fact, they wouldn't get any surprises.

I've seen local government office computers and local public schools using pirated versions of Windows and the Office suite. Why don't they start cleaning up in their own backyard first?

One thing that strikes me, watching the documentary videos, is how bad the western (mainly Anglo-Saxon) alcohol and drug culture really is. People getting to a holiday destination. Instead of having a few drinks, pleasant time and chat with others, it's more like; How drunk can I get in one evening? Then stumbling around like pirates in the area and upsetting the locals. I must say, from my own experience, that worst of worsts when it comes to drunken behavior, are the Britons. They are also the people who "invented" the football hooliganism. People from other countries could also have a "bad drink day". But the Brits and it's descendants (like Australians) are the worst. How come...?

It really does depend on who you talk to. Funnily enough, nearly all Thais that I talk to consider the English to be the best behaved and most polite of all farang. The same Thais tell me that one of the worst behaved, impolite race are the Germans, but tops for badly behaved, impolite, drunken aggression are the Norwegians. Considering that there are probably much fewer Norwegians here compared to Brits, that surprises me.

I think that the Turks take the top prize for football hooliganism - not the Brits.

When Brits are sober, they are really polite. When they get drunk, they really can become the opposite. It's like they always carry this facade of being a gentleman. But as soon as the alcohol sets in, they pretty easily get derailed. Especially the young ones. And once again... It was the Brits who invented the football Hooliganism. Yes, the Germans can became quite big Messerschmidts under alcohol. But they are quite in the same league as the Brits. I'm talking from own experience.

What is too bad is it will make it very difficult for independent filmmakers to shoot in Thailand after this fiasco. Mainstream Hollywood should be okay because they actually show the script in advance.

Not to mention having local Thais (like JJ) to get interviewed and talk about their business. Thanks to these documentaries, he and others alike are now forced to sing up for insurances. Personally, I like that new rule. But JJ more or less did bite on his own tail. But in the long run, I think it's good that changes comes around.

One thing that strikes me, watching the documentary videos, is how bad the western (mainly Anglo-Saxon) alcohol and drug culture really is. People getting to a holiday destination. Instead of having a few drinks, pleasant time and chat with others, it's more like; How drunk can I get in one evening? Then stumbling around like pirates in the area and upsetting the locals. I must say, from my own experience, that worst of worsts when it comes to drunken behavior, are the Britons. They are also the people who "invented" the football hooliganism. People from other countries could also have a "bad drink day". But the Brits and it's descendants (like Australians) are the worst. How come...?

Wow, I am surprised! Some common sense at last!! And as we all know, if the Vice Governor says it's a go, it's a go.

Phuket jet-skis: agreement reached on insurance scheme

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President of Phuket Jet-ski Association Anusorn Sahreh agreed insurance for jet-skis would be a good thing “in an ideal world”, but said in the current economic climate, his members just couldn’t afford it.

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How can Mr. "Anushole Sahreh" talk about a perfect world? What kind of idiots think they can run a rental service without insurance? Accidents do always occur. Either they sign up for an insurance contract, or they leave / are forbidden to make business. The authorities should already long ago demanded the rental services of every kind, especially at tourist areas, be forced to have insurance coverage.

Too many people think it is all perfect in Thailand when the common reality is that they love our money but hate us.

It's the same in any busy tourist area of the world. I am from Florida and we have a saying there, "We got your money Yankee, now go home."

It usually were the same in Spain as well, when I went there as a teenager. Never felt secure or couldn't trust the police. I don't know about haw Spain is nowadays. But for Thailand as a tourist country, it is really bad when the 2nd biggest income is risked. As a country where corruption is built into the society since long before the tourists came here, there is very little the authorities can do, since stepping on another one's toe could bring nasty backlashes. Not even the highest governmental position can do anything against it. No matter how bad it will hit back on the Thais themselves one day.

It's a new media law in french called:

Les Media Jeste

You mean "Le Media J'este"...? The Media Wrongdoers?

But France is west European democracy that is runned like an east European communist state.

Would be great if the same production company could make a documentary of the King Power scams at the airport. I agreed with the rest here that it is wrong to prosecute someone who reveals crimes and bad behavior. But that is the Thai mentality.

Just try walk in to a small village and tell someone that he or she had been doing something wrong. You could get killed for that. It's all about keeping the face. I had an issue myself with a relative to my wife. The relative had made something bad and I then went to talk to his mother about the issue. Instead of having an understanding talk about the issue, she went just mad and start shouting at me saying that I was telling lies. She even started this behavior before I was finished telling her what exactly had happened. No matter what I were about to say, that boy haven't done anything wrong and I was just a big liar. So I left before I risked getting stabbed with a knife or worse.

But that is just the way it is. I even have problems om confronting my wife with things that doesn't work or is not so good. I could easily bring up almost the same kind of drama between me and her, if I'm not careful. This is quite the opposite of what I've been learned from childhood, on how to handle these kind of situations. I've learned that I just can't confront these people like I would to a sound and healthy westerner. It doesn't work that way. This whole society is founded on people keeping the face against each other, in order to keep their positions in the society. You can easily notice that the most bitching or unfriendly people you meet here, are those who have no or a very low position in the society but want others to believe the opposite. Also add a big amount jealousy to it all, and you get the picture.

In Japan, prostitution and sexual services are totally legal. In fact, prostitution in Japan is more or less considered as a normal work. No shame in that. A lot of Japanese housewives also expect their husband to use services from prostitutes occasionally, since he works a lot and doesn't have time to relax etc. That almost sounds to good to be true.

Humm... Why didn't I marry a Japanese woman instead?

Yeah...And Thaksin never interfered with police or army promotions right...

If it's not in Thaksin's favor, then it's severely bad!

http://www.tech-faq.com/long-range-acoustic-device.shtml

I don't think the Thai police should be let loose with one of these...

Seems like a pair of good earplugs, will do the job:

"The loud sounds the LRAD emits may cause permanent hearing damage to those within its range. The LRAD sound wave can be cancelled altogether through the use of common earplugs. The better the earplugs are at blocking sound waves, the less effective the LRAD is. Sounds emitted from the LRAD can be reflected back to the source by using a flat solid object."

That's bad news for those on US Dollar retirement. Really boring, actually.

Are we gonna see more farangs doing bank robbery in the time to come?

At first. I thought it was about the guy who recently tried to rob a bank at Future Park, Rangsit. Seem like bank robbery is becoming popular these days. The only good thing with all these attempts, is that it will be less idiots around after they've been caught.

Only feel sorry for Metcalfe's Thai family here. But then again, would it be of any difference? He couldn't support them while he was here. Now he definitely can't. And yes... All this easy going life with plenty of available poor women that offer instant pleasure or instant marriage, does have a devastating effect on the mind. Instead of leading a normal secure life back home, many fall short by choosing to waste everything they've got for just having the fast-food pleasure experience over here. It's really incredible how the seek for sex do affect the male brain and behavior, which can turn us into stupid monkeys.

Gulp. What a splatter cruel way to kill somebody.

Thailand is always, more, a violent country

Interesting that this is the second post blaming Thailand. Seems to me that neither the victim or the alleged killers are Thai.......there aren't many Thai developers where I live, just a bunch of scumbags trying to make a quick buck at everyone else's expense.

Yes! Its all about foreign wrongdoers, taking advantage of the generous Thai visa laws.

Thailand doesn't have a FBI or CIA equivalent authority. It's a third world country. And all the expats here is complaining about, is how troublesome it is to get a long term visa in this country. Now you know why this is the case.

It wasn't that long ago that a young guy was shot in Pattaya beside his car,he had dealings in property too.

Been to Pattaya twice,god knows why people want to set up house there,there's lots of other places to go to in Thailand.

Why not set up shop just past Hua Hin? There's lots of nice beaches.

You are totally right! Pattaya is way to much infected with bad people. Can't see the charm of living at that area. During my 11 years here, I've been there 6-7 times at most. Every time I get back home to where I live (3 hours drive from Pattaya), I feel much better. Hua Hin is nice. Bangsean is also nice. Pattaya is the shit-hole on earth! I can see only one reason to go there for some; -The bar girls!

"In an attempt to speed up the case, Pol Maj-Gen Bandid Kunachak, regional police chief, said investigators were seeking clues from foreigners and foreign mafia gangs in the tourist seaside tourist town of Pattaya as the circumstances surrounding Mr Keienburt’s death bore the hallmark of a mafia-related attack. (TNA)"

So they admit that there are foreign mafia gangs in this country. Why don't they just kill those bugs?

Seems like an demonstration of power and scare tactics. If they only wanted him dead, they could just have shot him or cut his throat. But this is to warn others what will happen if someone mess with the wrong guys. Looks really like foreign handling to me. If it was the Thai mafia, he would have been shot in his car by a guy on a motorbike. Could be a Russian job, since those guys probably have a taste for the spectacular and loves the movies. They probably took pictures of him before they blow as well, just for later laughter and show others.

R.I.P. Uwe.

It could have been any of us, trying to make a business and a living here but crossed the path of the wrong people.

Many may have signed because the local village headman told them to, I noticed many of those arriving on the buses on Monday were housewives, undoubtedly paid for a day trip.

Yes, that's how it's done during the normal elections. Give the village headman a couple of thousand baht and he will tell all the villagers to whom they should vote on. Then they do exactly that. That's a big democracy problem.

Getting the road accidents down, could be a very difficult task. It is far to easy to get a drivers license here. I believe a majority of the drivers don't the actual traffic rules, judging on examples where those who already are inside a circulation crossing stops and gives way to those who is enters it. Even though there are signs telling that the vehicles outside the circulation must stop and give way for the ones inside. The task is even more difficult since even the police aren't following the traffic rules on ordinary patrolling or travel.