jumnien

Good news, indeed! Thanks for posting.

A happy day for democracy in Thailand!

I am hoping everyday that my 77 year old mother will come to live with us in Thailand and get to know her grandchildren on a daily basis. I've been running from my family for many years, but 12 years living in Thailand has changed me tremendously, or is it just getting older myself? I write this as my Thai mother-in-law sits playing with my children in the other room. We are all truly blessed.

I know from personal experience that one can escape the prison of panic attacks. For me, the path to freedom included accepting an alcohol and drug free lifestyle, meeting a Thai monk in California and following his basic teachings (and ultimatley him back to Thailand twelve years ago), connecting deeply with like-minded new friends, and the adoption of a committed dedication to enjoy each day.

Unfortunately, the poor Thais that stumble into the mental health model will be offered a variety of tranquilizers, anti-depressants, and mood elevators and little else.

Still no confirmation whether the shoelace came from a dress shoe or an athletic shoe?

Tried Google search for Sun and Moon Resort, nothing, anyone offer more info, website, fax, phone?

Sun & Moon Resort, telephone 038 374-866, 454/25 Soi Khopai 9, South Pattaya

TLC; downtown.

We are all at the edge of our seat to see the Thai Gay Divorce reality shows. Should be a hoot and a half!

I've witnessed a pleasant calm amongst the general expat population in the present economic conditions as opposed to a few years ago when many expats were caught up in a spiral of buying bigger properties, upgrading lifestyles, immersed in construction and investment fiascos. Call it more of a "sufficiency happiness quotient" that has increased as we accept with humility and gratitude a less materialistic endeavor.

Thanks for that, all I can say is that if those are the things you have truly witnessed over time, you have perhaps been hanging out with the wrong crowd, most people I know came to Thailand to escape those things!

Cheers! I was really commenting about the general expat population rather than specifically those I hang out with. I'd say on the whole, my friends are as happy now as they were before. With a strong spiritual discipline in one's daily life comes an uncanny ability to enjoy adapting to the viscitudes of modern life. That said, it is much easier to avoid suffering the pains of materialism now that we are not all drowning in cash. Moderation is the key, sufficiency is the goal. Sustenance is bliss.

I've never heard of any violence in this peaceful buddhist paradise.

I've been clean and sober over 14 years in AA and always found support to stay clean as well as sober. Go to different meetings and don't dwell on the drugs in meetings. Get a sponsor that can deal with it. You'll find most alcoholics were also addicted to other drugs as well.

Tourists do not go en masse to places for 90 days or six months anyway.

That is wrong. Snowbirds do!

You've hit the nail on the head! The tourism industry in Thailand benefits from tourist arrivals of people interested in exploring Thai culture and enjoying what Thailand has to offer. It does not benefit from low-balling foreigners who are merely interested in escaping the intolerable environmental conditions in their home countries. These refugees of adverse meteorologically inhuman conditions inevitably settle down and quickly become whiners and complainers and general annoyances. They get caught in a mental death spiral wondering why things in Thailand aren't like they are back home where they can't afford to live and can't stand the weather.

Tourists do not go en masse to places for 90 days or six months anyway.

I've witnessed a pleasant calm amongst the general expat population in the present economic conditions as opposed to a few years ago when many expats were caught up in a spiral of buying bigger properties, upgrading lifestyles, immersed in construction and investment fiascos. Call it more of a "sufficiency happiness quotient" that has increased as we accept with humility and gratitude a less materialistic endeavor.

At present there is not a frantic property development market, the massive problems associated with rampant construction have eased, tourist arrivals and their concurrent negatives have eased, etc.

They have the right to voice their demands and the society has the right to ignore them.

I believe we live in the age where no particular group can dictate the rest of the country how to live.

Don't kid yourself, they are dictating right now! Who do you think "elects" the government or calls the coups?

The current economic conditions create a pleasant situation for expat life in Thailand. We haven't seen times this good since 1998. The boom years of Thaksin's administration, while positive on the whole, created a hysteria in the property market and the many problems that come with that. Let's all enjoy these times as these perfect conditions cannot be expected to come but once a decade.

Sun and Moon Resort is impeccable new rooms and swimming pool and fitness center for 600/night.

With the world's best value taxi system it is going to be difficult for travellers to switch to rail.

The other day Nattakon Devakula, the potential PTP MP in the next elecitons, described them as communists. Or are they far-right? Or is any label will do, as long as it's derogatory enough?

That's pretty much the feeling amongst most Thai people. As long as it's derogatory any description of this mob that has caused so much destruction and elicited so much hatred will do.

Their far-right, ultra-nationalistic, royalist leanings.

I would suggest they change it, but I am afraid the 2nd choice might be a middle finger.

Choosing the swastika symbol is probably the most honest thing that PAD has done since its founding. I commend them for acknowledging their roots and intent. Now if they would just quickly implode and go away, we could all rest...

There are some similarities. However, the average Thai still sees, quite correctly, their political choices as being between several mafias. In the US, the majority of folks never saw that they were choosing between political mafias or gangs and instead, incorrectly, saw their choice as between good and evil. The US electorate will one day progress to the level of sophistication found in the Thai populace. Until then they will vote consistently for the Demo-Republican mafia and elect candidates like Bush-Obama where the choice is very very subtle. Do you vote to bomb innocent Iraqis or would you prefer to bomb Afghani wedding parties.

All work and no play makes Somchai a dull boy!

Hey, no one chose to live in Thailand because of its high GDP! If that's what turned us on, we'd all be in Stockholm, n'est pas?