jasreeve17

My first was a double bill of The Selector and Bad Manners, it was one of the best nights I have had and some may say that I was ska'd for life.

I would love to see either of them The Specials or even Madness come here. I know that the specials are still performing but I am not sure about Madness

I used to drink with a bloke in London who was a psychiatric nurse; the kinda bouncer type. One night he came into the pub looking battered and bruised; he'd dealt with Buster Bloodvessel that evening...

Stones - in The Park, 1969.

Saw them at Wembley in 92 (?), they were still great.

First: ZZ Top at Wembley.

Most memorable: Skunk Anansie at Brixton Acadamy (where else).

To come here: Pixies or Nymphs (if she hasn't killed herself yet).

It looked to me that you took Tomahaws's idea of a coup being the vehicle of an equally corrupt Thai group, and spun it into an anti-Thaksin rant. His line that you used contained the word Thaksin, though his key point was not about Taksin, but the corrupt nature of Thai politics generally.

This spinning is a boring and non-stop vocation of some members, if this was not your intention then please accept my appology...

With regard to Thai / Western comparisons, it's a really tough area isn't it? Thailand is a developing nation, they use British law as a basis for their legal system, and they big-up a British bred and educated PM as a huge political leap forward. The top lawyers, teachers and businessmen have mostly been educated in Western countries. The army are based on the British / French models where the Rama kings studied and brought back the ideas - the Sorbonne is a favourite.

It is impossible not to mix Western and Thai ideas and ideals when that is exactly what the Thais do themselves.

I'm not saying that your point is right or wrong, I don't know, but it's a very grey area and an area that the Thais in power abuse; one minute they are Western and spohisticated the next minute they are Thai and traditional - all depending on how they will most benefit at any given moment...

Several airports are high on both lists which kinda negates their findings, doesn't it?

London Heathrow is the worst and the 5th best.

Frankfurt is the 10th best and 5th worst...

Both are very very busy airports (the two busiest in the world?), so maybe that's why they're on both lists; many people with many different experiences.

If I was involved with this survey then I wouldn't be happy to put out these results; makes the company look silly and the survey pointless, IMHO...

Kan Win is clearly winding us up again. I'm surprised he didn't lob Kanchanaburi airport into the top 10 list...

If the OP is talking about the 'Bangkok period' then it is answered above - good deplomacy, chance, location, ceding territory...

Go back a couple of centuries and you have a land made up of different kingdoms that controlled different areas at different times, and were influenced / controlled / colonized by different people at different times. Obviously the Burmese and the Khymers were the main 'invaders', though often they didn't invade at all, their territories just overlapped into present day Thailand.

Check out the history of the main periods and you will see that they are not a long line of Thai kings as many would like you to believe. Study the buildings, religions and language in more detail to see the heavy influences. For example you might ask yourself why a certain type of building is sometimes called a Chedi, sometimes a Prang and sometimes a Stupa? What are the differences and who might have influenced them?

In the UK we have Roman, Viking, French, Norma + + + influences in our buildings (look at our great Noman buidings), language (Roman numerals) and religion (French and Spanish influences), all on a Celtic (German) background... Thailand is exactly the same.

If you studied; Sukhothai, Lopburi, Ayudthaya and Nakhon Pathom you'd get a good basic idea. The problem is it's not nicely collated for you (as far as I'm aware), and since the 1930's the establishment has heavily pushed a unifom and inaccurate histroy as a nationalistic control mechanism, so you need to do a bit of independant study. It's very interesting and well worth the effort. Thai history has much more variety and depth to offer than the propaganda pushed by the Ministry of Culture offers up...

For Heng: During the 12th century there was a lot of Chinese earthernware coming into Thailand, but the indeginous population didn't show any Chinese qualities in their religion, buildings or traits. Thus, you could presume that the Chinese traders started to come here around the 12th century (perhaps a little before?) and stayed on in dribs and drabs, gradually heading further and further south. Perhaps making their first settlements in Nakhon Sawan as an easy base to trade with various major kingdoms of the time?

Thaksin was not removed from office following a criminal trial. If he were , then I would have no objection.

If you don't mind me saying, it's very naive of you to think that Thaksin could have been tried and convicted whilst he was actually in power. That was never going to happen. He wouldn't have let it.

There is nothing naive about Tomahawk's comments IMO. Taking a line out of context and spinning it doesn't help your argument either...

Thais have a a deeply complex set of social rules, regulations and ideas; appologizing is in there somewhere.

It inherantly involves social hierarchy (tee tum tee soong) and social smoothing values. Nam Jai, Kreng Jai, Jai Yen, Boon Kun, Yaat, and Na are all very important. I know, cause I read it, but it's very difficult to fully understand... In fact, I can't say that I even partially understand, but Thais do say sorry if it fits in with their social values.

I was lucky enough to spend the last few days in Sukhothai on an archaeological field trip.

It was very interesting comparing the Tai / Lanna style Buddhas with the Khymer influenced Buddhas from Lopburi and Ayudthaya. Even going back as far as the 12th century the beauty and simplicity of the Sukhothai art was in stark contrast to the fussier Hindu (funnily enough...) inspired art from the South East kingdoms.

It also struck me that the Sukhothai art was about Buddhism. Whereas the Lopburi / Ayudthaya art was, even at that early stage, linking Buddhism with; power, offerings (i.e. money), the symbol of one man's power to rule, etc... Luckily for me, a history lecturer from Thammasart was also on the trip, so I had a couple of interesting discussions.

It was abit wierd because Hindu influences were present in some of the Sukhothai temples, but it's highly possible that these elements were added later during the early Rama period after the Khymer influences had taken very strong roots across most of present day Thailand.

The notion that the Sukhothai period was superceded by the Ayudthaya period is, of course, false - they were seperate kingdoms that mostly overlapped with regards to time, and neighboured with regards to land.

IMO, Sukhothai is very much more impressive with regards to the Buddhist images and art. I'd be interested in other people's thoughts:

You could print similar pictures of Chawang 20 years ago.

Or, Kata 15 years ago.

Or Koh Chang 10 years ago.

Or Koh Lanta 5 years ago...

Look at these places now...

I've helped you with a random picture below:

untitled.bmp

Army coups and their implanted governments decrease press freedom... No great shock there.

I suspect this thread will be rather quiet, or we'll see some very 'imaginative' refutes...

SteveR wrote: "I would not quite agree...

My own opinion: the red shirts do not have the support of the middle class which is why PPP gets its votes from rural N and NE Thailand and not the cities as was the case for TRT in 2005; just as many Dems hate the yellow shirts a large number of the Puea Thai voters are pro Thaksin but may not really care much about democracy other than what it is now that they get to vote - reducing everything down to 2 categories of people is nonsensical which is why politicians love to do it."

I agree.

More thoughts would be, the middle class in Thailand is very small. That's the way the army and Prem want to keep it. MrT really doesn't care how big or small the middle classes are, as long as he can steal as much money as possible for himself. Ideologically speaking, or, if you like, for the sake of the nation's and individual Thais' development, MrT (or any freely elected politician who acts outside the control of the army and Prem) is a far better option.

Basically MrT was elected by going around and paying for all the politicians likely to get elected in each region to join his party; hey presto, a few months later he has a huge majority. At that time (probably less so now, but still true to a large degree) Thais voted for people, not parties, hence MrT's ploy worked well.

I don't like MrT, I don't like the red shirt leaders, I don't fundamentally dislike the Dems, PAD or anyone else.'

The fact remains that MrT is just another corrupt Thai politician - that's not good! The army lot and Prem are a very much worse alternative of nationalistc, 'moralistic' so and so's who work outside of the law are are able to do so because of a subject we cannot discuss - very convenient for them... As we know, that will soon change...

Pretty good summation although I try to stay away from the moral realtivity of who is worse than who. Bad is bad. Unfortunatley one upshot of everything is that the short to medium term choices will be bad as the bad remain bad and the good if there were any are all tainted by silly side taking stuff.

The middle class is growing by the way particulclalry outside Bangkok. That cannot be stopped by anyone now.

I like your last line: hope for the future. Not sure I'll be around to see it flip the balance, but the sooner the better.

Bangkok cenralization (of everything) is another massive problem for the nation.

Hammered said: "I think you misunderstand me. the Head of the privvy council has a very important role during the transition. No more no less. It is laid out in the constitution and even reversion to 1997 leaves the role the same. Thaksin would much rather a different person was head. However, it looks like this end is not achievable and even if it were to be the assumed next would not be to Thaksin's favour either.

The army leaders may be split on whether it should be overseen by a favoured elected government or a coup one. Other things they may be split on...well thankfully I dont know and doubt we could discuss them, but there is time for a cemeted position to be worked out. I doubt they will want Thaksin or the reds around while this all takes place. However, when things are settled I am sure there will be opportunity for all.

By the way, all the manouvers of the past month and particularly PTP ones in the last week or so were gambling on something

All imho"

That's true and fine. But, what difference does it make if Prem is involved or not? We know who comes next and we know what this entails. Why should MrT care less? The actual transition is clear. Prem may have some ceremonial input, so what?

The mystery is what thappens afterwards. Nobody knows. With regard to MrT, wouldn't his lot get better rather than worse, bearing in mind the personal relationships involved?

I think the reds just want to keep Abhisit unbalanced. It's the general way they all play; when not in power try to stop the government from doing anything and cemmenting their position. My feeling is that after the transition MrT will be in a much stronger position; Prem, on the other hand, will not.

Again, IMHO, we're speculating aren't we...

If Prem lives on for a good few years longer, he's in very big trouble... History, and the Thai people will demonize this man.

In a while Prem is going to have a very very important job and one that will mean his work is over. PTP/Thaksin want him out of the way now so he cant do that job. After he has his position will be cemented although he may change roles. Hope this aint too blunt.

It's speculation Hammered. Nobody knows what will happen, but we have all heard that the senior army leaders are pretty much split down the middle...

And, if I understand you correctly, it's 100% illegal under Thai law too.

The role of the privy council is very clear under Thai law. If we were outside of Thailand we could discuss how they work in reality and how this conflicts, or not, allegedly, or not, with Thai law... Thais know this, and are sick of it. One man stands head and shoulders above. Only one, not two...

SteveR wrote: "I would not quite agree...

My own opinion: the red shirts do not have the support of the middle class which is why PPP gets its votes from rural N and NE Thailand and not the cities as was the case for TRT in 2005; just as many Dems hate the yellow shirts a large number of the Puea Thai voters are pro Thaksin but may not really care much about democracy other than what it is now that they get to vote - reducing everything down to 2 categories of people is nonsensical which is why politicians love to do it."

I agree.

More thoughts would be, the middle class in Thailand is very small. That's the way the army and Prem want to keep it. MrT really doesn't care how big or small the middle classes are, as long as he can steal as much money as possible for himself. Ideologically speaking, or, if you like, for the sake of the nation's and individual Thais' development, MrT (or any freely elected politician who acts outside the control of the army and Prem) is a far better option.

Basically MrT was elected by going around and paying for all the politicians likely to get elected in each region to join his party; hey presto, a few months later he has a huge majority. At that time (probably less so now, but still true to a large degree) Thais voted for people, not parties, hence MrT's ploy worked well.

I don't like MrT, I don't like the red shirt leaders, I don't fundamentally dislike the Dems, PAD or anyone else.'

The fact remains that MrT is just another corrupt Thai politician - that's not good! The army lot and Prem are a very much worse alternative of nationalistc, 'moralistic' so and so's who work outside of the law are are able to do so because of a subject we cannot discuss - very convenient for them... As we know, that will soon change...

If Prem lives on for a good few years longer, he's in very big trouble... History, and the Thai people will demonize this man.

Frankly, I think you're completely off your rocker on this one. I don't know anybody who doesn't think think going after Prem is the last stroke of political suicide for Thaksin. The words "he's gone too far now" have been heard from several people.

But that's just my blinkered, uninformed based on the opinion of the people I work and socialise with.

I like your last line, but you're entitled to your views and differences of opinion are fine...

I've never met a Thai person (of any class group or educational background) who believes Prem is not involved in politics at a very high level. Is this illegal or legal under Thai law?

It's a thin line to clearly state the truth here for obvious reasons... Suffice to say Prem acts, 'allegedly', outside of the boundaries of Thai law, and at a higher level than elected governments. He symbolizes a group of people who are a rich minority, and who run the country for themeleves... The idea that they uphold a higher set of morals for the good of the Thai people, who are otherwise to stupid to run their own affairs, is an argument that history left behind hundreds of years ago...

Personally, I have a much higher respect for the Economist than I do the army controlled Thai media.

I don't like MrT, but he WAS voted in, several times.

The yellows are a pathetic puppet of the army and elites, but their greed will shake each other apart (as they are currently doing).

The Dems have never given anything to the Thai people which is why they have never won an election in their history. Abhisit appears to be a decent bloke, but how many decent blokes go to Eton and work with army coups to get power... Sounds a bit like Mugabe, Pol Polt and Idi Amin to me...

Those of you who think MrT will not be back are fooling yourselves. EDIT the yellows elites have two options:

1) Move away from politics, and let the majority decide (i.e. the reds).

2) Start slaughtering the Thai masses.

Both have problems:

1) The reds are very corrupt too, but they allow the middle classes to grow which is the most important aspect of enabling democracy.

2) The elites can never win in the end, democracy is out of the bottle and will come no matter how many tens (or hundreds) of thousands they masacre; again...

If Prem lives on for a good few years longer, he's in very big trouble... History, and the Thai people will demonize this man.

A VIC-20. It's 'facilities' consisted of an external tape drive. You could type in games from code printed in books. They sucked, but it's amazing that people could make a playable game in a few hundred lines of code.

TRS-80 with 4K

That's wasn't a computer, it was a shoe box with wires in it.

Me too, which means we're quite young compared to most of the folk on here...

Hurry up Monita, I'm getting hungry reading all this...

Don't forget the Corona. Sunrise did a buy 2 get 1 free prommotion which made me very happy; stayed longer and ate more. My Thai colleagues all drank Margaritas for some strange reason?

I agree with the 'plenty of beef' comments, and good quality too, at a higher price if need by. Remember, quality is key if you're gonna be the number 1 Mexican in Bangkok and bring in the crowds.

Good luck, I look forward to trying your food.

I agree with the above two comments.

This release is as funny as usual...

Paragraph 1: the governer says that the quality of life for people living in this area has improved.

Paragraph 2: the governer states that it has improved primarily because healthcare has improved, no other examples given...

Paragraph 3: says that they have many plans; nothing done yet...

Paragraph 4: talks about starting up a uni.

Paragraph 5: talks about more planned projects.

So, what has improved? How has the quality of life improved? Well, it hasn't, but now the facilities to treat the sick people are better. Hardly dealing with the cause of the problem is it?

Thanks for the help.

I took a trip to Central World. The furniture shops are on the 5th floor. Most of the chairs were above my budget. Most were about 10,000 - 20,000 baht and ranged up to 65,000 baht. "Perfect Match" had a pretty nice chair for about 2,500 baht, but a touch small for a big bloke like me and only to order and not available for a week. I then found a shop called "Access" which seems to be a division of S.B. Furniture. They had a pretty good chair for about 4,500 baht, not unlike a Steelcase chair I used and loved years ago. Then they told me they had an ex-display one of the same at 1,950 baht. I'm sitting on it now and it rocks (both literally and metaphorically... the whole thing rocks back... great for a mini-break without leaving the chair. It can be locked upright too and gives reasonable lumbar support).

I also read on another thread that there are some small Chinese-owned shops heading west along Rama 1 from MBK, but I didn't need to get that far as I got fixed up at Central World.

Cheers

Your last paragraph would have been the place - a fair few shops next to each other selling, just, office chairs. Same as the department stores but very much cheaper...

I think the house is in the kids names Maizefarmer - 30 year lease to the husband - that's how I read it.

The condo is in her name, with an 'informal agreement' to sell it 50 / 50 if and when - you can see what's coming can't you... She owned it before he turned up , but he helped her out by 'paying off some debt'. There is no way that she will not see that property as hers.

As stated above, she'll know the ins and outs of the business, and possibly cause problems there too.

If it gets nasty, he's in trouble ain all areas. Let's hope it stays amicable. Just saying the words 50 / 50 (re the condo) is likely to pisz her off.

I'd agree with the above posters, probably best to get the lawyers in a.s.a.p. I feel his position is weaker than he thinks, judging by the tone of the OP. Good luck.

Heskey is crap; but for England he always plays well - links up the play, flicks on, creates space for other, falls over like a ballerina...

I voted yes, but we'll have to see closer to the time how he is playing. This is an excellent manager and he'll make the correct choice when it needs to be made.

Some really disgusting comments in this release...

As usual, blame the Burmese for all the problems. 99% of crimes and social problems in the UK are committed by British passpor holders. 99% of crimes and social problems in Thailand are committed by Thais.

I can understand that they need to check work permit holders, and illegal workers, especially in such hard economic times when Thais need jobs. But, the racism in this release is far too common and betrays an unpleasant attitude towards their neighbours that is just out of place...