sultan

"He said his group just wanted to warn Kanok that many red shirts were dissatisfied with his alleged lack of neutrality and that he could end up becoming a victim of assault"

So nothing that could be construed as threats or intimidation then....

The minivan was one of many there waiting for people coming over on that train. Just bunch up with a group of people to make it as cheap as you can for yourself. I read someone on here say to ignore these guys and walk past to cheaper tuk tuk possibilities. I would have liked to have done that, but I didn't see anyone else around the day I arrived.

The price for the visa is 1000 baht/single and 2000 baht/double and you must pay for it in baht.

Yes the train over is easy. After you get off the BKK to NK train, just go to the ticket window for a 20 baht ticket for the Friendship Bridge train. Then go through passport control (departures) and sit on the old train a while until it takes off.

Thanks Man

Thanks for the info heatwaving - I'm off on the train tomorrow myself. Never used the train from Nong Khai to Laos but I hear that it's no challenge.

A question if I may - What are the costs for a double-entry tourist visa now in the vientiane embassy please? I seem to remember it was 1K/2K thb for single/double tourist visas prior to the spell of free tourist visas - what's the current policy?

Cheers!

Shirt tucked in or useable rear seat belts. I know which I would prefer.

when a driver who has gone to the trouble of removing the clasp mechanism from the chassis and leaving the belt section intact tries to convince me that it qualifies as a seatbelt (for a baby's car seat) - I forget my manners altogether.

This is the logic of a remedial. but at least he's well turned out in working hours

Rape is about control and telling women what they can and cannot wear is also about control. Control yourself or get help or get in jail where you can be the victim.

"When people think of rape, they might think of a stranger jumping out of a shadowy place and sexually attacking someone. But it's not only strangers who rape. In fact, about half of all people who are raped know the person who attacked them."

http://kidshealth.or.../date_rape.html

I always thought it was a crime more like theft.

In that you have something I want, and I'm not going to have it without paying for it.

I beg your pardon? care to elaborate? I hope I misunderstood at this late hour...

And you've a double-negative in there unless your wit is beyond me. you logic suggests a thief insists on paying for everything. Not a significant observation given that your post suggests to me, either an admirable deadpan delivery of some 'grey area' satire I'm not yet aware of, or a serious moral short-circuit. Classifying rape as theft would make my 3-yr old kid double-up with laughter. Check yourself in for goodness sake.

This would (or could) dovetail nicely with the supposed drive to learn english, if they were to provide a range of english-speaking channels for kids, news, natural history etc.

Unfortunately I can't really see that happening....

Wake up ! If you put 100 channels on Thai TV; 98 of them in English and 2 in Thai, which channels do you think the Thai's will be watching?

Morning SIr!

I think, having 2 young kids of my own here, that young kids will watch what they like. My kids watch a broad mix of thai (mostly dubbed) and english stuff like peppa pig, wiggles etc. the average adult doesn't factor in my arguement here - a healthy exposure to english/chinese/japanese programmes geared at infants/toddlers via free-to-air tv does wonders for a childs ear for any language. throw in some structured, fun use of language like simple songs and you have kids with the confidence to learn, but more importantly they will want to - who on earth wouldn't?

When I go to my local Jusco we have a dvd outlet there (not scorpion, but similar) - they offer dubbed disney etc dvd/vcds for less than 100 baht, but the source disks that they must have been copied from and dubbed, which are english language..... 450baht. I'm no genius but obviously there is an infectious agenda coming from somewhere, with an objective brazenly opposed to the 'English is a priority' discharge we get from this weeks education minister.

The open world of social media must terrify the powerbrokers of this country after the recent protests and other problems. Oh yeah - I can see exactly why these old boys want to empower the next generation with unrestricted information. Perfect sense that

Geeeezzz people give them a break for gods sake.

It's funny how people think that Governments should become magicians when it comes to nature. How could anyone have possibly predicted the latest floods and prepare for that?

It's like saying that Alberta Canada should prepare for a volcanic eruption for god sakes. Yes maybe it could happen but do you think they should start actually preparing for one?

Let's not forget the Big Guy here in Thailand when he invented a machine that could create rain and helped Australia with its drought. There are some smart people involved here don't kid your self. Also did they not already say that they are working with some countries that have exp. with floods to get advice etc?

I'm not sure what half of you people think they should do? Or maybe you have a better laid plan?

Ok a country who was not prone to mass flooding incurred it after years and years of years being populated and now they are dealing with it the best they can I think.

Scientists, Engineers, Governments etc. have all made progress in one way or another and mostly due to trial and error.

Yes maybe the people could have been warned but then again maybe they were. Do you know for sure?

The only people I saw during the mass floods really complaining heavily were the farangs. Us. Most Thai's I saw were laughing and going about their business in their make shift boats etc and still enjoying their life. Yes for sure the ones that suffered the most (fatalities, crops) etc. were suffering but they dealt with it.

After it was over they just wanted compensation for their loss but did not blame anyone for an act of nature.

I for one am glad that the government is trying to deal with preventive maintenance.

notthenation might've paid you for that if you hadn't published it already. It is so full of nonsense, I just don't know where to begin

Unlike an erupting volcano, this water built up in dams to volatile levels, months before the media got onto this. Despite mass flooding in the central regions, it became news to the world only when bangkok was threatened

This happens every year - it is a balancing act and a risky but necessary strategy given the current (obsolete and ill-maintained) irrigation and drainage systems.

Yes - I know for sure that people were not warned or helped - remove you head from the sand please.

If you only saw farangs complaining then you were not seeing clearly. I can't be bothered to react to your drivel about thais laughing and getting on with it other than to acknowledge that ignorance really is bliss - enjoy every minute sir, I for one, am laughing at you every step of the way - so thanks very much for the boost

All the best

There is a simpler way to get this idea started

Why not go after the factories that produce fake / copied goods?

Would be simple to find out which factories are manufaturing these items.

A lot of these places are back-yard setups, not factories as such. Not easy.

True. When you go into any shopping mall, Panthip, tukcom etc. you want a copy the kid simply runs down the floor to the guy who has a burner and that's it.

The copy watches, shoes etc ate mostly imported from China.

Actually - not quite:

Granted - I'd agree on watches, but generally - imported counterfeit/over-run/2nds goods from china, such as clothing, bags etc, are sold at a premium vs the counterfeit/over-runs made in country ( transport will account for a slice of that. Import 'overheads' are inevitable whatever the legal status of the cargo too, right?). It is specific to the particular brand and, for the most part, it is down to where the genuine item is produced (though not necessarily ready-for-market) as to whether a local 'copy' is on the shelf at ~500THB vs a chinese import at ~700-800THB. The two do not compete, but rather; co-exist in parellel at slightly different pricepoints. Connect the dots and it is quite clear who is manufacturing these 'counterfeit' goods.

This is not a cottage industry - this is industrial levels of cost-effective production by large corporations. The sources would be no harder to find nearest toilet, if you really needed a wee.

Thailand, apparently, desire US support for a ridiculous claim to a monopoly on anything 'thai', and have offered the usual believable convictions which never quite bear fruit, will get the job done.... I"m guessing this was on the agenda during the recent Clinton Visit. The backdrop of SOPA/PIPA proposals could also be a factor.

As an aside - the notion of a law to combat dvd copying for sale in the country, not yet having been enacted, is as priceless as the 'we cant get a warrant for the illegal casino - it's private property' gem. More front than Brighton - makes me laugh regardless

At first glance I considered this a gross misappropriation of funds. Then I saw this for what it obviously is - a necessary attempt at damage limitation. Loss of overseas investor confidence is surely the biggest threat to the people of thailand right now.

As much as I feel for the people who will likely never receive compensation for losing everything they own - the somewhat unpalatable reality is that cash is king - without the toyotas et al, many families here would starve (whilst a fortunate few continued to get mad rich, regardless).

Ebay and Paypal have not had a consistent policy on anything for as long as I can remember, and I've been dealing with them for nearly 10years now... Apply logic with caution.....

Web Design Thailand

This would (or could) dovetail nicely with the supposed drive to learn english, if they were to provide a range of english-speaking channels for kids, news, natural history etc.

Unfortunately I can't really see that happening....

20 people in a 13 seater does not surprise me in a land where it is not unusual to see seven or more on a moped and where school busses are converted lorries with roof racks so the kids can ride on top.

Please do let me know where I can see seven, or more, people formation-riding on a moped. I thought that was reserved for the circus.

The case is clear enough mate - gross exaggeration is unnecessary

He probably just didn't know. The schools and Universities today, are in most cases, staffed by professors with their own political ax to grind. The fact that the United States liberated Europe doesn't exactly fix squarely with their agenda so they don't teach it. He hates America out of his own ignorance.

If you read a proper history book, rather than the Hollywood one you got that from, you will find the war was won by the combined ally services, not Ben Afleck alone.

It will also tell you that the Americans wouldn't fight for 3 years, until the Japan talked you into it and as someone else said that was 70 years ago. Perhaps we should bring up the Romans who invaded my country 2000 years ago, I guess it was the US that liberated us then, probably Charlton Heston though.

Get real, this is 2012.

Seriously. I tried to respond to him (I'm a fellow American) with this, but it would not post for some reason:

You may want to give credit for that liberation also to the thousands of Brits,Russians, Canadiens, Aussies, Yugoslavians, and countless underground insurgents from nearly every occcupied country who fought and died in greater numbers than our American grandparents and parents did. I start off attacking the Dutch guy for bashing America but then I end up embarrased by posts like this that say the "US liberated Europe" as if we did it alone. Really, it's embarrassing.

As a Brit - I will certainly say that you didn't do it alone! I grew up being told that Monty and the Brits fought back the Nazis with a little late help from the Yanks. Have read the history, this is, frankly, spurious (with a 'u'!). Without the US personnel (not just the weaponry etc), Normandie landings would never have been possible. Without their leadership and competence, we would not have made it over the beachheads.

BTW - You forgot all those Poles... Hard as coffin nails those chaps.

they should not panic. It's preparation,

What could have she done differently to prevent this?

She is the party leader - she was elected and is payed a salary to assume the responsibilities of high office. If she cannot control her ministers, then she can reasonably expect to have her leadership credentials scrutinized (and for the record, I am apolitical on this one).

that said - (IMO,) her biggest error by a mile was the initial poor decision-making in taking the position of party leader.

Good luck to all with the water

Today I traveled on Bus 6 from Khlong Ton Sai, Klongsan (near the Hilton Hotel) which is alongside the Chao Praya River. I got off at Sanam Luang and took bus 203 over the Chao Praya River, past Pinklao to Bang Kruai, back over the Chao Praya and ended up in Wong Sawat. From there I took Bus 97 to Bang Sue, Saphan Khwai and onto Thanon Phahon Yothin to Arai and then took the BTS back to the BTS Taksin station after making a few stops. Every place I went was dry. I saw three different areas of the Chao Praya and noticed that the waters were high, but not spilling over. I saw a few military trucks, here and there, but no major movements. I did not observe a lot of sandbags, but I did see a major fortress of sandbags at Central Silom. I stopped at several stores, The Villa in Arai; Tops in Silom and Tops in Sapan Taksin. There of course were a lot of goods being purchased, but only Tops in Silom had a lot of empty shelves. Robinsons at Taksin had a lot of flashlights for sale on the top floor and no one had any Sterno, which was something I was personally hoping to find. I did notice a few restaurants that could not operate because they did not receive their food deliveries. When I took the boat ferry across the Chao Praya from Taksin, I did notice that the water had risen to the top and was just slightly overflowing into the immediate area, but that was the worst thing I saw all day. Well, that was my little trip around the city and I thought it might be nice to share!

Passon - Thanks for some on-the-spot info city-wide mate! Good post

Objective and coherent on the whole - and well-penned, a good article/editorial.

If only the on-the-spot reporting would/could follow this example

I was having the same problem talking to family in the UK and Ireland - I could see them fine but our video feed to them was always suffering.

I have had no such problems since I upgraded my TRUE package to include the guaranteed 1Mbs UPLOAD.

Hope this helps - the difference in call quality for us (namely at the UK receiving end) is pronounced since we upgraded.

Hello All,

I rarely use these forums, so please do let me know if I have posted this into the wrong category.

We are 2 bangkok-based families who are looking for a relaxing retreat for a couple of weeks over the xmas period; preferably in the Hua Hin (/Cha-Am) area. We are committed to xmas in Bangkok but are planning to head down to hua hin for a 10-14days on boxing day or the 27th.

We are 4 adults and 2 newborns (5-8months), and we're looking for a 3-4 bedroom property, with pool, available for short term rental at that time. Proximity to amenities etc may not be such an issue as we are planning to have our own transport.

If anyone has any suggestions/advice etc - it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance folks,

S

Brilliantly simple Idea - well delivered. Keep 'em coming chaps

QUESTION:

Can anyone give an explanation of how any organisation can quote a number of infected people 'who dont know it?'

I am a qualified pharmacologist and am frankly at a loss as to how anyone can arrive at a number of unknown infections - i.e. how do they know?

The risk is real but massively overblown - condoms and the lubricants etc is a billion dollar industry. The red cross, UN etc are funded by somebody.

SEE PAST THE SPIN

For the record - the micropores in latex are actually larger than the HIV retrovirus particles - bet you don't hear that kind of information too often.

Furthermore - google recent reports re the UN being slammed for their massively manipulated stats on % infections per country.

Dont be negligent, but dont be fooled....

Got to wonder what the powers that be were trying to achieve with their immediate statements

1. Whistles - as previously pointed out by another poster, are pretty dam_n useless in this country - there would be several rapes a day in every car park in town if you applied that logic. (also, hating to sound so pesamistic, but I wonder who would pay for the whistles which are being issued "free" to female tourists?) - Mace is a most effective deterrant - sold on most street stalls in that area I believe

2. I dont know the beach itself but from my exp of phuket, most beaches attract an onlooker or 2, especially during late morning - is this one particularly secluded or were there a load of witnesses(this happened in broad daylight, right?)? If so, wheres the photofit? Further deduction of movements before/after, some kind of bloody profile? ANY COMMENTS?

3. Whats the latest on the suspect? Surely the cops can tell if they're dealing with more than one perpetrator by the defence wounds? And a mugger who ply's their trade in broad daylight? Sounds odd? More like the work of a genuine radio rentalist to me. And surely, being on the run from phuket should not be enough to derail a search for this guy? I've seen no TV bulletins or National press alerts like we did for that child molester Interpol were after not long ago - so how seriously is this really being treated by local brass? Is there a better solution than whistles?

4. Fortunately for some, the 'war on drugs' will no doubt create more than enough press to overshadow this unforgiveable & vicious act. I just hope the international press are responsible enough to prioritize and report with some dignity.

Heartfelt Condolences to this womans friends and family