phetaroi

In re: "Vichien Chavalit, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, said it was difficult to handle human trafficking because Thailand shared borderlines with neighboring countries over a distance of thousands of kilometers."

If Thailand could ever say something like, "The human trafficking issue is a problem in Thailand because some Thais participate it, and it's our responsibility to clean it up", I think the whole world would have a collective heart attack.

I keep wondering when Thailand will wake up.

Daily murders and bombings in the South for years now? No.

Riots and the burning of 30 major buildings 4 years ago? No.

The current political crisis with hand grenades and bombs being thrown around Bangkok? No.

A recession? I doubt it.

In terms of politics, mai pben rai is dead.

In terms of solving issues and problems, mai pben rai is alive and well.

It wasn't what was predicted in the 1960s and 1970s that will lead to the demise of a vibrant Thailand -- external dominoes. It's the internal dominoes that will do the deed. The party is almost over.

The military have no right to meddle in politics. Who the hell does Prayuth think he is? By rights, this monster should be stripped of his rank for his continued threats to launch a coup.

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First, this is Thailand, not which ever Western country you are from.

Second, he has not once threatened a coup.

It's a sad day when I find myself -- a moderate American Democrat -- standing up for FOX News. But that day has come.

I doubt very much that Fox gives a shit what Thailand thinks in this case.

As Nat King Cole said to the Thai government, straighten up and fly right...for a change.

When will the Thai people get smart and reject the throw it up against the wall and she what sticks philosophy of governing?

So, who's planning to leave Thailand. I already have a Plan B. Will probably leave for a while anyway, as it's just getting worse and worse and could explode at any time. I don't want to be around when that happens.

If you left, where would you go. My next choice has always been Phnom Penh, but that seems to be going the same way.

Malaysia maybe or Europe for a while. Oh, hang on, there's a civil war about to start there as well.

I left 4 years ago.

I remember my Thai friends laughing that it was just a temporary thing, wouldn't happen again, everything is okay, Thais love Thais, yada yada yada.

Now, as I chat with them online they are worried and afraid.

Criticize these protestors all you like, but the violence (just like 3.5 years ago) appears to be almost exclusive to the Red Shirt side of things.

1. Read the last paragraph of the original article. That's pretty close to a definition of civil war.

2. Have you noticed who is leaving the country before the big event next week?

I could understand how it was difficult to capture/kill Osama Bin Laden. It seemed as if we never quite knew where he was.

Suthep is in plain sight every day and makes fairly long speeches.

So what exactly is the problem in capturing him...if they want to?

Are the Thai police and the army that inept that they can't catch someone standing still in plain sight?

While I still don't think there will be a civil war, I imagine that back in 1931 no one really believed the monarchy would be overthrown.

In 1940, no one really believe the Japanese would attack coastal Thailand.

10 years ago no one imagined the riots of 3.5 years ago would result in 30 major buildings burned down.

5 years ago virtually no one imagined a group calling themselves the Red Shirts would essentially be in control of the current government.

And after the riots of 3.5 years ago, just about everyone said it was over...no more problems.

The possibility of a civil war has crossed my mind, but I think a coup is far, far, far more likely, and is actually a safety valve probably preventing civil war.

I did leave after visiting there for 20 months (over 20 years) and then living there for 2 years full time.

What I do miss:

The weather which allowed me to be out and about every day.

Thai food (although I have had to cut back on sodium now, and that would be difficult in Thailand).

Great malls in Bangkok...surpass anything I've found back in the States.

Fresh fruits and veggies, although finding American food items often was a challenge.

The general feeling of safety almost anywhere I went.

The Skytrain and subway system.

Hiring people (maids, for example) at low prices.

I can't think of a day when I didn't find something interesting during my walks around Bangkok or travels around the country. Almost every day was an adventure.

Being surrounded with Buddhism.

What I don't miss:

Scams, bribery, and corruption; it didn't often affect me, but it was always there lurking for the unsuspecting, and sometimes I just got tired of always having to have my antenae up.

Senseless bureaucracy.

Soi dogs and cat urine at so many temples.

Cable t.v. that was so not-high def, though advertised as.

Police and the military and their attitude.

Traffic.

Salespople that would tell any lie to sell a product...or were too dumb about what they were selling.

The attitude that everything in Thailand is the best in the world.

Creepy sex climate is pervasive.

Not everything is "mai pben rai".

Poor customer service.

Gee, I just noticed that Reuters has reported that, "The Thai baht plumbed its lowest in almost four years on Monday as a political crisis grew more intractable". Htat's almost back to what it was when the baht was devalued in 1997. So just how healthy is the Thai economy?

Very healthy. In fact it's what's needed in an export and tourism based economy.

So we should hope that it plummets even further...perhaps down to 10 baht/US$?

That wouldn't be a plummet in the baht. It would be a surge.

Th

If the baht was at 10 to the dollar Thailand can buy New Jersey. If the baht is at 60 to the dollar New Jersey can buy Thailand. One would think one should know the difference before posting that Thailand is a failed state. Just saying.....

If it was 10 to the dollar one would expect to see a significant decrease in the number of farang retiree's and a significant increase in the number of farangs participating in thailands unique sport of balcony diving

First of all, I didn't say Thailand was a failed state. I suggested things that might lead one to believe that it is and asked for other people's opinion.

But you bring up the very point that, in my view, is your myopic viewpoint. I really don't give a crap about how the lower baht helps expats. I care about how the lower baht affects Thai people.

Gee, I just noticed that Reuters has reported that, "The Thai baht plumbed its lowest in almost four years on Monday as a political crisis grew more intractable". Htat's almost back to what it was when the baht was devalued in 1997. So just how healthy is the Thai economy?

Very healthy. In fact it's what's needed in an export and tourism based economy.

So we should hope that it plummets even further...perhaps down to 10 baht/US$?

Gee, I just noticed that Reuters has reported that, "The Thai baht plumbed its lowest in almost four years on Monday as a political crisis grew more intractable". Htat's almost back to what it was when the baht was devalued in 1997. So just how healthy is the Thai economy?

No, I am not admin. I was not aware that something posted by admin could not be noted by a regular poster.

31) Bangkok Post do not allow quotes from their news articles or other material to appear on Thaivisa.com. Neither do they allow links to their publications. Posts from members containing quotes from or links to Bangkok Post publications will be deleted from the forum. I guess you can say good bye to your post.

That's fine. I actually reported myself. I'm a rule follower. :-)

No, I am not admin. I was not aware that something posted by admin could not be noted by a regular poster.

@thailiketoo -- the quote you questioned was posted by "admin" in the daily news summary for today. Post # 41.

Given that Thailand is frequently the first or second largest exporter of rice in the world and about number 4 in rubber, its hard to see that failed state applies. You could even argue that the 52 or so parties that will contest the next election is a better representation of the country than the 2 or three that usually compete in Australia, US, UK, and many other places. Is the baht doing badly at present ? surprisingly - no.

Actually, this just came over the wire: "BPbreakingnews: Baht drops to lowest since June 2010", and before the 1997 devaluation it was 25B/US$, now it is back down to 30B/US$

31) Bangkok Post do not allow quotes from their news articles or other material to appear on Thaivisa.com.

Has that changed?

All I can tell you is that this is posted from a moderators post from this website.

Given that Thailand is frequently the first or second largest exporter of rice in the world and about number 4 in rubber, its hard to see that failed state applies. You could even argue that the 52 or so parties that will contest the next election is a better representation of the country than the 2 or three that usually compete in Australia, US, UK, and many other places. Is the baht doing badly at present ? surprisingly - no.

Actually, this just came over the wire: "BPbreakingnews: Baht drops to lowest since June 2010", and before the 1997 devaluation it was 25B/US$, now it is back down to 30B/US$

Thailand a failed state...economically no. But due to the new mind set of chasing money and material things the Thai people are loosing their sweet loving culture. In this sense they are truly in decline.

Yes, I used to chuckle at these poor young working guys on the Sky Train huddled over their Blackberries...probably perfume clerks in a department store and living in a shack. But they had to have that Blackberry.

A couple of more responses I failed to address:

@Thaight: No state is perfect. As far as states that are generally in a much better place...just in Southeast Asia...I would say Singapore and Malyasia.

@Thailiketoo: Rich versus porr. Muslim versus Buddhist. And as you say, "unsolvable"?

As the original poster, I wanted to wait at least 24 hours before responding to any of the posts.

First of all, some of you are jumping to the conclusion that I feel Thailand is a failed state. That's not my position. It is what I am questioning, and why I wanted to see the viewpoints of others. And, @Thaatheart, when I visited Thailand for a month each year, and then lived in Thailand for two years, I didn't discuss Thai politics. Now being back in the States, I have the luxury of being able to do so.

@Costas2008, here's my question for you. What is it you think the Thais are learning? To free themselves from corruption? Definitely not. If anything corruption gets a stronger and stronger hold on the country as each year passes. To desire democracy (whatever that is)? I would suggest that the only concept most Thais have about democracy is that it's only democracy when their side wins...which of course, is not democracy at all.

@Neversure: Good point about Thais seeing the Thai-way as the only good thing. Of course, that means there is little incentive for change.

@ABCer: How can you say that coups are "a normal state of affairs" if you also say that your country is a democracy? You can't have it both ways. (And I remind you, that I think coups in Thailand have often brought better governments than elections). And, you believe that "nobody obeys any laws anyways". It would seem to me that a relatively lawless society is one thing that defines a failed state. You say that, "Corruption is ingrained" and that virtually nothing will "weed it out". So it's hopeless to have an honest government that rules for the good of the people. Again, that would seem to me to be an ingredient of a failed state. And finally you said that, "Thailand has been failing so long that there is no visible end in sight", yet you say that Thailand is not a failed state. I just don't understand the ABC's of your post.

@Briggsy, yes, I know about all the many industrial estates...that primarily rely on foreign companies. This is a rediculous thread? Okay, I guess it's not as deep as so many of the threads that want to discuss things like bar girls and bar boys. Sorry to be so predestrian.

@Thaibeachlovers: Well, with that moniker I would guess you're living the good life in Thailand...one you could leave at anytime and return to your country...something Thai people cannot do. Having lived in Thailand myself, I would guess that right now you are living with a higher standard of living than the vast majority of Thais outside of major cities.

Again, I'm not saying Thailand is a failed state, but I am sincerely worried for its future. There are other countries that have virtually disintegrated...including right in Southeast Asia. It didn't take much to push over the facade of stability.