Jackbenimble

They did that in the lead up to the financial crisis in'97 and then when the storm hit they literally overnight closed scores of banks and lending institutions effectively shafting the IMF. That's the prime reason why the Thai banking sector is ring-fenced from the wests. They dont behave properly or professionally even in business and is why they only really do business with other Thais. Very few are up to doing business internationally.

mine tend to be chinese looking singaporeans - they get blocked without a response.

so true...........i still clealry recall paying cash for car hire and all manner of things. I also recall being asked by the same companies "can you pay by card?" and then being told paying by card was the only payment method accepted. The problem here in Thailand is the whole society lives for today.......lending to people like that by definition means they haven't planned how (or even if) they can make the repayments in the future. The banks are their own worst enemy as well as the enemy of the average Thai but what other options do they have? Lend and be damned I suppose...........responsible lending surely isn't the answer..............at least not without educating the masses (which isn't going to happen anyrime soon)

Take over? if you mean win an election and take their seat then yes. The last time Thailand enjoyed a bouyant economy and good relations with the the leaders of other countries was under Thaksin. If anyone can set this country straight, get the economy moving again and sort out these dinosaurs on the senate it's him. And they know it!

I think you might be a chip short of a butty.

not with Burmese. Its a sfer bet that someone has been working her like a dog and she was exhausted and trying to get home to her family.

was glib really necessary? this girl had died..........she might have a husband here and kids, she'll have parents.........maybe has siblings.....................but you thought trying to be witty was the appropriate retort. Sums up too many of the members here unfortunately.

you're mistaken or uninformed. Almost 10 years of military rule has ruined what was a buoyant economy...............you think that has nothing to do with OI that was previously earmarked for here going elsewhere? Or the former PM not being a politician and used to giving orders not making compromises? Or the former PM going back on his word to other countries so often nobdy wants to do business with Thailand any more? The Army needs to step aside and the Senate must be shown sense.

Thailand has a knack of shooting itself in the foot - to such a degree we have come to expect it and even make jokes about it. This situation is far from a joking matter though. The army coarried out the Coup on the premise that they would only be in power for 6 months and would address the widespread corruption. here we are almost 10 years later and they're still clinging to power with every last ounce of grip. This despite a rigged election, a doctored constitution and the threat of life to anyone who disagreed with them. If Thailands Senate doesn't do the right thing at this juncture and respect the result of the elction - as it promised it would pre-election - it will have far more things to worry about than 250 senate members keeping their jobs and their lavish lifestyles. This is a sliding doors moment for Thailand and how it is (and will be) perceived by the rest of the watching world. They can show the world that they are serious players or that they are archaic and untrustworthy. The outgoing PM has already tarnished the reputation of Thailand from a global perspective, I genuinely worry that they dont care one iota what the rest of the world thinks. And as history has shown time and time again, that usually ends badly for the regime in power. I hope someone can talk some sense into them otherwise it could be a case of "last one out turn the lights off".

Dear me. YouTube views and "very moving memorials"............as opposed to not moving memorials? Some of us dont get our information from the media or from the bar.........but you carry on. Its a wonder the press go anywhere else for their stories with you around. Chin up!!

you sound like a Man Utd fan.......living in the past

this is much closer to whats actually going on. His request to reform the Lese Majeste is a smoke screen - the senate dont want to remove their noses from the gravy train "without good reason".......and why would they if we're being honest? The lifestyle it affords them is coveted, they want to be assured they wont suddenly be left high & dry. Banning Pita isn't a long term solution to the more pressing issue of how to allow the winners of the election taking up their rightful position without losing everything. There is also the spectre of a certain former PM lurking in the background, they fear him and with just cause. He has some scores to settle.

she needs to take her meds

Cheers, I was taken aback too when he told me. I think you're right, there's some other reason for his 5 year ban.

I know two people who missed their 90 day report and were banned? One of them for 5 years (just recently for less than a month late) and the other for 12 months for over 3 months late. Is it the jargon being used that's throwing me here?

Is that even possible? Wouldn't you be in 270 days overstay if you only reported once/year? More than 90 days overstay is a 12 month ban......isn't it?

........and s-lightly less violent towards its' own.

Penang used to be a popular jaunt for visa runs, is the consultate there still as popular as it was or have they tightened up there?

do you live in Thailand or not? If you do then stop being silly.

the fruit seller wasn't described as "a threat to the security and safety to Thai nationals and foreign tourist". The Bit Coin scamming Russian was afforded that pleasure.

Lowlife? U sound like such a nice guy. And some people wonder why we're not welcome here.

another lowlife scum bag? Another fully paid up Cheap Charlie more like. 44 baht!!

all for 44 baht..........just pay. I'd have tipped him the change anyway if he'd have asked me for the 56thb. So if he had asked me for 100thb its not a problem. certainly not worth causing a stink about.

I'd adjust that to say it attracts people from all over the world..........and in doing so a proportion of those will be criminals. The previously lax immigration laws are partly to blame but these are now being tightened up. Oddly though it isn't to discourage criminals but visa overstayers. Still, one step at a time eh?

been her through 3 coups so best not go there. I was living in an area that American news said was a war zone..........it wasn't.