Godolphin

Can't be there myself mate, back in Oz for the moment.

Good luck though mate.

You'll do us all proud.

When it all explodes, the foreigners wandering around like morons will get injured, and then start bleating about how their embassies won't take care of them and pay the hospital bills that their insurance companies won't cover because of civil unrest. If anyone lacks common sense they deserve what's coming.

They deserve what's coming eh?

How sensitive and compassionate of you.

Lop off their heads I say, naughty bloody blighters.

No, better still, slowly roast them over a barbecue while tearing their limbs apart.

Whatever makes you feel good mate.

Those sharpened bamboo stakes look menacing but it seems unlikely they will get close enought to troops to use them, if there is another clash. Running towards a soldier holding one now will likely earn 100,000 bt compensation from The Boss for their families.

I really feel sorry for you mate.

You seem to be almost entirely cynical and negative.

Sorry to rain on the nation bashing, but in this situation it's actually more a reflection of the disarray amongst the multiple red leaders with Jaran and Kwanchai saying they are open to discussion (in some form) on that Reuters article and Jatuporn et al saying no discussions under any situation in a bunch of other non-Nation media.

The conflicting news reports reflect conflicting messages given out by the different red leaders.

Too many chiefs for their dwindling numbers of their tribe.

One can only sympathise with the government, trying hard to keep things peaceful & negotiate with the Red-Shirt leadership, when they seem to number someone with every opinion under-the-sun, and no apparent centralised decision-making authority !

Of course in reality that authority does exist, and was last heard-of in Fiji (?), but he seems only to want to sow dissent and encourage disorder in the country he once held high-authority in, so it suits him just fine, to have his subordinates in-country to look like a bunch of headless-chickens.

But this does sometimes have unfortunate-consequences, for both his loyal/paid rural-supporters, and the country as-a-whole. Perhaps the tribe of chiefs may eventually realise, just how ridiculous they look, and decide to sit down again soon, with the elected 'Big Chief', for a 'pow-wow' ?

Yes, of course, you've hit it on the head.

Now all that needs to happen is for the nice, law-abiding Yellow Shirts, who obviously don't look ridiculous and are governed by a different 'tribe of chiefs,' to take over and maybe occupy the airports again and really get rid of the 'headless chickens.'

Do you really think all of the protesters are just paid dumb puppets?

Do you not acknowledge that many of them are sick of the outdated, corrupt, and rotten system that has for so long kept a privileged minority in power and kept them under the thumb?

Thaksin will be noted in history, IMHO, apart from being corrupt, for letting the proverbial cat out of the bag: giving hope and expectation to the labouring masses of Thailand. Once these historical forces are unleashed only savage repression will quell them.

The history of western societies is dominated by struggles of the poor against the privileged, rich minorities. This is just a nativity play compared to the French Revolution or the American Civil War or the Cuban revolution.

It's easy to ridicule the poor, however badly-led, for fighting for a better deal.

^I'ts great to hear from fellow butter lovers.

What a wonderful natural substance, which many have been taught to fear by the food-nazi 'experts.'

Better than that awful industrial margarine.

Lightly grilled or steamed asparagus, a big nob of butter on top and some salt and pepper ... heaven!

In my opinion, the ruling elite are crapping themselves in the belief that the Red Shirt movement is gaining momentum, influence and morale. What started as a peaceful demonstration has developed into a rebellion, deeply scaring the ring of corruption which has so dominated Thai society.

Add to this divisions in the military and police and you can see why the Election Commission move offers a respite from the ever-burgeoning movement for democracy and social justice.

Had breakfast today at O'Garas inside the Tara Court on Soi 5 Pratunmak...great food, very comfortable room and very inexpensive...ham and cheese omlette with home fries,toast,oj and all the fresh brewed coffee you care for...115 baht

I'll go along with you on O'Garas mate. Nice atmosphere too.

They do a nice steak too but I'm not enamoured of their weekend roasts.

I know that in Australia acupuncture is taught in university schools and practiced all over.

Acupuncture treatment is also claimable on most private health funds.

Maybe it's western medicine that doesn't have the tools to understand another perspective, rather than the other way around.

Soi 16 Walking St, where one of Tony's gyms is, has several.

I have bought take away from several of them and have not been disappointed.

Being a falang I raised a few eyebrows once or twice but I have always been treated respectfully.

I think it's about a lot of Thai people who are sick of a terminally corrupt system where the masses of workers and peasants are labouring for a pittance while plenty of the well-connected elite are raking in the baht in huge quantities.

Admittedly, they are wrong to extol a greedy power merchant like Thaksin but at least they can see that there is an alternative to the old regime of miltary/power-elite dominated governments.

They are badly led, naive and laughed at by the elite and its hangers-on. At least they are having a go and saying, 'what about a democracy where all people really get a say in their society like we observe in Falang countries?'

They understand enough about their society to know that change is in the air and why shouldn't it benefit all Thais and not just a lazy, privileged, military-protected and corrupt minority?

They have been systematically repressed, with civil murder on a number of occasions, and have had one military-dominated government after another, punctuated by a series of coups devised and carried out by a social caste they were once taught to obey and now are justifiably sick of.

Good luck to the poor of the Northeast and elsewhere who must have made big sacrifices to get to Bangkok. I don't condone anything violent or counter-productive but my heart is with them more than it is with the panicked, privileged elite which is so terrified of change and progress.

I don't think my wife really supports either side...

"Ignorant savages"? Was that poster awhile back from a different century? Who says that kind of stuff anymore? hahaha

Mine is from Isaan but does not support the red shirts. I don't think her family is very enamoured of Thaksin.

When I express an opinion about the situation she tells me I am a Falang and don't really know.

We both agree that at least the red shirts haven't entertained taking over the airport.

We both agree that Thailand should aim for more democracy.

I am trying to convince her that the yellow shirts do not support this. They have publicly stated that a majority of Thai citizens are too stupid (poor?) to have the right to vote.

Just watch the mighty Bulldogs with big Bazza down forward.

They are super fit, have bulked up, some of the new recruits are real quality players.

Don't forget they only lost to St Kilda in last year's prelim by seven points with some very questionable umpiring decisions.

There is a real air of excitement around the club at the moment. Granted, there is at most clubs but Bulldog fans are justifiably looking forward to a great year.

Is anyone on the board organising a tipping comp this season?

Maybe they developed some hope from a government that was democratically elected twice and started to see that they don't have to be the hapless victims of a corrupt power elite, that they could make a difference with their votes and actually bring in change.

Maybe their red loyalties were also inspired by listening to the yellow shirts, who actually don't want the majority of Thais to vote.

I am no Thaksin supporter, I think the man is an egomaniac but social forces have been unleashed in Thai society which are far more powerful than mere hero-worship or dumbness.

Fascinating post Winston.

I think it's a subject with a lot of taboo around it because not many people want to die even if they realise it is inevitable.

The part of the article about the mind/brain was particularly interesting.

I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination but do note that modern science is getting closer to saying what ancient eastern philosophies have been saying for centuries: that the body is a manifestation of the mind, brain included, and, that all minds are connected to a universal mind/energy.

You can get a Thai friend to give you time off their 1-2 Call subscription if they have credit. There is a number to ring and it's done easily. All the donor needs is your number.

No wonder most people hate the police in Thailand.

Wow kikoman, the food looks great.

Would you be able to describe how you created these culinary delights please?

Is it difficult to do and what resources do you need?

3rd Road North Pattaya, opposite golf driving range, according to Pattaya Xpat magazine.

I'd be interested to know if it is the same dentist. Forget his name.

He has done seven crowns on my Hampstead Heath and I need a little more work.

Any update appreciated.

Yes mate, 038 488 677.

email: [email protected].

I have had lots of work done by this dentist and have been very happy with the results.

Hope this helps.

You guys were right.

I just got back from the Thai Consulate and, indeed, got my 60-day visa free of charge.

The reason why I thought they would be charging was a big price list right near the customer window.

I'm glad this little saga is over and that I can get over there without any hassles.

Thanks again for all your advice posters.

Yes JusMe, $45au for a 60-day visa, about $120au for a 90-day one, and more for a multi-entry visa.

Only the month ones are free on arrival I believe.

^Thanks for that Thaipoon. I will certianly let them know about this at the Consulate tomorrow.

Thanks for your advice guys.

I took it. I drove to the Thai Consulate and applied for a 60 visa.

I pick it up tomorrow. Cost: about 1400 baht.

Well worth it for peace of mind.

I would have gone ahead and risked it if it hadn't been for your posts above.

Cheers.

Thanks for your reply LB.

I'm flying Thai and if I want to get a visa I have to drive through busy city traffic and get to the consulate by 2pm, having to take time off work, then pick it up again the next day or later, more time off work and I am leaving Saturday.

Surely they're not going to bar me when I get to Swampi.

Sorry to bother with a request for advice but my situation is this:

I'm flying in from Melbourne this Saturday, December 18 and am booked to fly back to Melbourne on January 21 - 35 days.

I rang the Thai consulate in Melbourne today and asked if this would be a problem. (I have been to Thailand many times and have lived there for stretches).

The (Aussie) guy said I need a visa from them because my stay exceeds 28 days.

He also said, and this is the clincher, that I will not be allowed into Thailand because my stay is over the limit for an automatic visa.

This has got to be crap hasn't it? I told the guy I could go to Thai Immigration and get a 15 day extension or else do a trip to Laos or Cambodia but he said, no, you will not be allowed in.

Advice anyone?

Great story deejah.

Aren't dogs amazing animals?

We often forget how long humans and dogs have been interacting and how much we still have to learn about them and from them.

Love nice dog stories.