drronnie

As far as Yingluck, I give her at a maximum of 6 month and then she will disappear from the political arena...but PLEASE, let us all enjoy at least one interview of her on BBC Hard Talk or similar before she is gone, will you! ;-)

I agree. Abhisit got absolutely owned on Hard Talk last week, I doubt she'll fare any better.

She'll never go on Hard Talk! She isn't qualified for that. She's more like a "twitter" leader. And Abhisit handled that very well, much have watched different interviews. Apparently, Thai voters don't watch Hard Talk.

Most Thai voters would not even understand Abhisit if he talks in Thai. They only understand free handouts. I agree with Animatic. Democrarcy is dead in Thailand

Shows how out of touch the Thai Visa news section regulars are with the opinions of the majority of Thai people IMO.

Great day for Thailand - putting the military and elite firmly in their places once and for all.

Thaksin is the elite. And now expect Thailand to be under his one family rule for decades. North Korea, Thai style. Be afraid.

Right. The Thai have just chosen a new master same but worse than the old master.

They may not realize it now, but they will eventually.

It is a sad day for Thailand.

They wont care as long as they receive the handouts. And when Thailand turns in a Thaksin autocraty they will cheer and clap,

I see PT's reconcilation plan already. They will probably lock up all their opponents and the will be nobody to oppose them anymore.

Free speech will be a thing of the past.

The majority of the population will back them as the votes will show.

Not without a fight.

Did you see the exit polls? terrible indeed. Yingtluck got 313 seats

Polls vary from PTP 299 - 313, Dem's 132 - 152. Wait for more official guestimates

Anyway the winner is already decided

I see PT's reconcilation plan already. They will probably lock up all their opponents and the will be nobody to oppose them anymore.

Free speech will be a thing of the past.

The majority of the population will back them as the votes will show.

Not without a fight.

Did you see the exit polls? terrible indeed. Yingtluck got 313 seats

I see PT's reconcilation plan already. They will probably lock up all their opponents and the will be nobody to oppose them anymore.

Free speech will be a thing of the past.

The majority of the population will back them as the votes will show.

Why? Not one pro-Democrat has made a convincing case for "returning" (note the inverted commas) the incumbent PM. Instead, they have resorted to bad-mouthing the opposition. Anyway, it's midnight here in Paris and by the time I wake up, the elections will be well and truly underway.

Just because the Dems haven't come out with outrageous promises, doesn't mean people have not been mentioning that there is a case for their return. (and it is "return", seeing as they are there at the moment.)

They came out with *plenty* of outrageous promises

And they starting to refrain from their own promises as well. No ipads for every family but only some shitty 4000 Baht PC

But you got to understand the Thais. They like to jump on to the bandwagon of the "winner". If Phue Thai everything which makes this country wonderful will go down the drains. Yes, we may have a blooming economy and be a bigger version of Singapore. But do I like Singaporean style. No thanks!

I wouldn't worry. Thaksin won't bring a booming economy. He will bring misery. Thailand's economy OK during his regime because it was a time of GLOBAL boom. Abhisit has delivered a strong economy (and currency) during a time of global meltdown. Thaksin was lucky. Abhisit was skilled. Don't expect that Thaksin's bizarre economic policies will deliver under the current global conditions. Massively raise the wages here for unskilled labor? All of a sudden, Thailand can't compete globally and will lose many millions of jobs. To raise the wages, you need to raise the educational levels and skills. Its not magic but yes I concede the Thais may today elect magic. Black magic that is.

I am also not a fan of the oppressive government style in Singapore. But, yes, now Singapore is one the most successful countries in the world. It's not a big secret why. They focused on actual fundamentals and planned and developed their people to make that success happen. They did not promise every Singaporean that their wages would be increased five times without them developing their skills and education at least five times. Also, let's face it, they are mostly Chinese and Chinese culture on educational development is nothing like the Thai. Singapore, one the best educational systems in the world, Thailand one of the worse. "Free" ipads won't cut it. (And you know Thaksin must have a plan to profit on that deal.)

The intersting thing is that PT was also renouncing their promises. For example now it turns out that they are only going to hand out 4000 Baht coumputers to each household and that the minimum wage of 15,000 for bachelors will only be guaranteed if the applicant meets certain conditions. I am so sad that most Thais do not see through these scams.

Abhisit had good plans for the future of the country and I think he would have done a good job, but it takes time. Only the average Thai does not understand his intentions and perceives him as weak and sluggish. Thai people want the cash and success and now.

Havent been following, can someone please tell me how many seats are needed to form a government in Thai parliament and how many seats PT is estimated to hold after the election?

251 seats to form government. Estimates have been from 200 - 300 seats for PTP. Just wait a 5-6 hours and you'll get an unofficial result.

At this moment I would be surprised if they dont win outright

I'd be surprised if they did. I think the Yingluck support has been majorly HYPED.

But you got to understand the Thais. They like to jump on to the bandwagon of the "winner". If Phue Thai everything which makes this country wonderful will go down the drains. Yes, we may have a blooming economy and be a bigger version of Singapore. But do I like Singaporean style. No thanks!

I want to hear from some TV red shirts, I need some levity!

A Western diplomat in Bangkok suggested the campaign gathering was designed to woo wavering voters in the capital, where polls suggest the party's traditional strong voter base is ebbing.

He said there was "a real fear that middle-class Bangkok might be thinking about (Puea Thai) not being so bad after all."

Do we need to say more ?

I can confirm, all the democrats I know are now in full panic mode. I witnessed really hilarious situation, the good people of Bangkok are now bribing their servants to deliver the right vote. The enemies are at the gates

You did witness that ? I know a lot of democrats, and they are certainly not in "panic mode", and certainly do not bribe their employees. I know a lot of undecided, and they are not to reveal who they are going to vote for. But I can not feel any panic....

Panic? Probably wishful thinking of some redshirt farangs!

I want to hear from some TV red shirts, I need some levity!

A Western diplomat in Bangkok suggested the campaign gathering was designed to woo wavering voters in the capital, where polls suggest the party's traditional strong voter base is ebbing.

He said there was "a real fear that middle-class Bangkok might be thinking about (Puea Thai) not being so bad after all."

Do we need to say more ?

I can confirm, all the democrats I know are now in full panic mode. I witnessed really hilarious situation, the good people of Bangkok are now bribing their servants to deliver the right vote. The enemies are at the gates

Same like the middle class German were thinking that Hitler was not so bad after all

Panorama Shot at 5:15pm from Ratchaprasong Intersection looking towards Central World http://twitpic.com/5fkpkc/full /via@RichardBarrow

Why nobody there yet?

Rather then rating the democrats new promises they should be rating the democrats on their successes - the Democrats policy of stifling news to Thais via wholesale blockage of internet sites, the Democrats abject failure to resolve 3G, Thailand' slippage in different international ratings for corruption, level of democracy, friendliness to international business, and don't forget they're turning a blind eye to allowing Generals to interfere in internal politics. I am no friend of Mr. Thaksin, but I think Ms. Yingluck will be a breath of fresh air.

Do not forget that many of the websites that were blocked were inciting violence and hate. I read them before they were blocked. I do not see any sense to not block these kinds of websites.

Seconded.

The block of radio stations conforms to this. But the problem is the overreaction: No difference between critical but acceptable expression of "free speech" and Al-Quaida style transmissions.

The radio station of my brother in law (cultural and Buddhist programme, some advertisement to finance) has been blocked too for short time.

He complained. No answer. But the block stopped.

It is easy to point the finger at the government and cry foul no freedom of speech.

This is a very ill uninformed opinion.

Thailand is not a Banana republic it is a player on the world stage and like any other country it does not allow hate mongering on public radio shows. Perhaps it would be different if the station's in question were to report facts not half facts taken out of context. With the truth they could then urge there believers if they did not like what was happening vote differently. Much better than justifying civil disobedience and killing people because they will not follow you on your ill thought out program.

Correct in my native Germany, radio programs are blocked which promote racism, violence and radical leftist or rightist ideas. Thailand has the right to do this to to protect national security.

Rather then rating the democrats new promises they should be rating the democrats on their successes - the Democrats policy of stifling news to Thais via wholesale blockage of internet sites, the Democrats abject failure to resolve 3G, Thailand' slippage in different international ratings for corruption, level of democracy, friendliness to international business, and don't forget they're turning a blind eye to allowing Generals to interfere in internal politics. I am no friend of Mr. Thaksin, but I think Ms. Yingluck will be a breath of fresh air.

Do not forget that many of the websites that were blocked were inciting violence and hate. I read them before they were blocked. I do not see any sense to not block these kinds of websites.

Rather then rating the democrats new promises they should be rating the democrats on their successes - the Democrats policy of stifling news to Thais via wholesale blockage of internet sites, the Democrats abject failure to resolve 3G, Thailand' slippage in different international ratings for corruption, level of democracy, friendliness to international business, and don't forget they're turning a blind eye to allowing Generals to interfere in internal politics. I am no friend of Mr. Thaksin, but I think Ms. Yingluck will be a breath of fresh air.

If you no friend of Thaskin why would you even consider his sister a "breath of fresh air". She is the only person he can fully trust in his absentia. She is in fact one and the same. Her policies and words are her brothers thoughts and desires. No such thing as coincidences in this day and age.

No wonder they say she is his clone

People don't listen to economists.

Another disappointing factoid.

Does not one think where the money comes from to pay the credit card fee for the farmers and taxi drivers. offering credit cards to people with low income is insane. In germany there was already a scandal because credit cards were issued to university students and most of them could not pay it back and were in serious debt problems. Same is going to happen here. But the general greed to too high to think logically.

Nonsense or not we little people will probably never find out

Ahh, what we are witnessing here is the last death throes of a spectacularly pathetic political career.

Abhisit himself is a national threat.

You are entitled to your view, but how do you back it up, words are cheap... where are your facts..? I personally think under the circumstance Mr Abhisit did Very well.. very hard in that coalition to keep everyone happy and move Thailand forward.. PTP do have some very good politicians in their ranks, Such a pity they need those commie Red Shirts in their midst, and their distant leader still pulling their strings... Thailand is moving in a backward direction.. Lets hope whoever wins, gets an absolute majority, and someone gets a real chance to move this country forward... but you do wonder if Thailand as a nation is ready to move into the real world... and do they deserve it.. ? not in my book.. The corruption is endemic..

Just wait. On election day you will see what the electorate thinks about.

re-phrase: "you will see WHETHER the electorate think". Yet again, you only post rhetoric with no backup for your claims. Will you elaborate on your stance, which you have so far failed to do? On past record so far, my guess is that you won't and can't.

Yah right the electorate does not think thy only listen to stories of free wifi and laptops. And then we have the new dynast of the Shinawatra dicatorship for the next hundred years.

Ahh, what we are witnessing here is the last death throes of a spectacularly pathetic political career.

Abhisit himself is a national threat.

How ridiculous. You clearly do not understand the international aspect of the politics here. The forces behind the reds and Thaksin are far greater than most people realise.

what forces? I heard that Thaksin was a member of the CFR like Bush and Cheney. Could you mean that?

Ahh, what we are witnessing here is the last death throes of a spectacularly pathetic political career.

Abhisit himself is a national threat.

Thank you for your insights Khun Yingluck

I am asking this question because the majority of Westerners who come here love it here and do not want to go back at all. However some do not like it here and pack their bags and go back. Some are frustrated because of failed relationships with a Thai woman, some did business and went bankrupt, some cannot find good medical treatment here etc

Always remember in Thailand, you donot lose your girlfriend just your place in line.

Go back to Thailand and live life your to young to be getting hung up on one girl. look around and you will find another nice girl, look for one with a good job, not a hooker.

these girls have a lot of pressure to help the family and it can be very stressful on them. On one trip my girlfriend is talking on the phone and I can tell she is pissed after she hangs up I ask whats up. All she says is money, money don't these people realize I have a family to take care of. It was her kid sister asking for money when she had been given a couple of thousand baht a week earlier.

It's hard to get the full story, they will not talk about it that much.

Go back have a good time life is to short wondering why, who knows and who cares.

'you donot lose your girlfriend just your place in line' - what a sad puppy you must be and what a slur on the majority of Thai women. Stop swimming in the sewer and you might meet some decent women or maybe you are just a misogynist

What does the psoter mean by "'you donot lose your girlfriend just your place in line'"

Thailand has many advantages which overweigh the bad

That's your opinion, which of course you are perfectly entitled to. Just keep in mind that everyone's opinion might not be like yours, and for some people, the advantages of Thailand might not outweigh the negatives.

Believe there are many things in Thailand which I despise as well, but it still not make we want to go back to Europe where it is cold and the food sucks and people not so friendly. But are the Thais really friendly?

Having been living hear and happy as hell, I am surprised why some people are complaining that Thailand sucks and want to go back to their Western homelands. Thailand has many advantages which overweigh the bad and I have no intentions of going back to Germany. But I would like to know why some people are unhappy here and want to go back.

Probably Paradorn is running out of cash and celeb status that is why she is moving on.