jonclark

However, a source at the Government House disclosed that the government demanded the station remove Somjit.

Navakruasunthorn, a political reporter who was intimidated by the red shirt group for posing tough questions to the premier, from the list of correspondents who are to travel to Phnom Penh to cover the summit.

This litle lady has a lot of baggage. She wrote two books worshipping and idolizing Mr. Abhisit, and then attacked Ms. Y to the point of raising the ire of Ms. Y. supporters......... Trying to characterize an attack as 'tough questions' has been the media mantra of her supporters......... Most of you know this history.....But I understand there is one additional 'peel to this onion' not disclosed in the above article. That being Cambodia refused her and her team. Apparently reporters go as an advance team, and the quota was filled previously....But never mind. Considering the history noted above, one could expect 'tough sledding' for this little lady in covering Ms. Y. Best to re-assign her to cover Bangkok sewer development issues.

Do you know you've used the word 'mantra' 13 times in your last 5 posts? Seems like you're the one repeating a mantra (not the opposition).

17.6% Think a coup should be staged to end the conflict - Wow

"During the party seminar "Join forces to restructure Thailand", Abhisit said to achieve the goal, the Democrat Party proposed building four social pillars: reconciliation society, knowledge society, welfare state, and fair society."

How cute! Blah blah blah ad infinitum...I want the two minutes of my life back that it took to read this nonsense.

So true, everytime I read of a new policy irresepctive of it being Dem, PTP ot any of the others....I just think <deleted> if that will ever happen. Sadly in Thai politics the term polcy is only a word, not a means to improve peoples lives. Or is that too cynical for a Sunday??

This wantabe looser .......

So logically if abhisit wants to lose that must mean he is a winner??

" help cured users and addicts..."

I hope that the word cured was lost in translation as I never knew drug use was a disease. Reminds me of the old Stallone film Cobra - which had the slogan 'crime is the disease he's the cure' - Except now it's 'Drugs are the disease, Chalerms the cure.' lol

Once again,

Here is the danger of losing your temper in Thailand.

Now this family is being intimidated. All because this man created a confrontation. It's stupidity on his part. Who, with any knowledge of Thailand, would seriously consider causing a confrontation over a bunch of balloons?

Yes the assault was over the top, but let it be a lesson to everybody.

Don't fight in Thailand, don't be aggressive in Thailand, don't look for confrontation.

You will pay a price like you cannot believe, just as this guy has done.

Like the last line just because from a social perspecitive it underscores the disappointing levels of protection minority groups can expect in Thailand. You wouldn't think we were living in the 21st Century would you?

This whole saga has turned into a minor race war with the dividing lines being drawn on the basis of skin colour and ethnicity, as opposed to right and wrong, and TV news coverage has passively encouraged this.

This event and subsequent media coverage of it just makes me pity Thailand and Thai people so much more.

In the video above, I don't see the security guard hitting the foreignor with a baton. However, if the guard did hit him with a baton, that guard should be fired and even possibly charged with assault. There is no reason for violence over a few balloons, especially when the foreigner is with his little daughter. Geeez, what is it with some of these security guards who are on some type of power trip!

And you believe he may have hit him "because of balloons" for what reason? If you are told you cannot enter the BTS because you have balloons (which is the rules) and you refuse to obey these rules and lawful demands to not enter .. do you really believe security doesn't have the right to use force to prevent entry and defend themselves from physical aggression by someone trying to force their way onto the BTS illegally?

Nisa your post smack of arrogance and racism.The tone of your post clearly indocters that you think Thais are right - even when clealy the guard is at fault. The only ones who have the legal right to physically assault people are the police. Unless the BTS training manual has a special section on using a metal detector as a weapon???

I know the people involved, heard about it when it happened & they have seen the CCTV footage which shows the whole episode, started by the guard hitting him with his metal detector, hence the cut eye at the start of the youtube clip.

The person who took the video also does explain that her clip is only the final 2 minutes of the whole episode, which she started to record because she thought the foreigners were being treated unfairly. This is stated on the Andrew Drummond website I beleive.

Far too many posts implying & suggesting things that are very wide of the mark.

Policeman they spoke to at the time said he wasn't going to arrest any Thais, so the farangs had better go home!

The people involved wish it hadn't got this far, but that is the power of video media online these days!

It "started" with the guard hitting him with his metal detector??

Surely there was something before that.

Poor choice of words "started'. I think exacerbated, or multiplied might be more appropriate.

It saddens me to see so many people making a mountain out of a molehill. What is clear is that many of the posts here reflect a high level of racial dislike. Rather then making this a 'them vs us' or 'us vs them' thread fest, how about a bit of common sense and reflection so we stop de-humanizing each other with petty, nasty comments Both parties were probably in hindsight equally to blame and I'm sure they could both have handled the situation better. The fact they were both born in different countries is irrelevent

"Listen to the issues and take the right action", #1^

"Cabinet meetings held in the provinces will remain nothing but a publicity stunt unless the govt acts upon the grievances of local people"

• Being a communication technique, such provincial liaizons by the Govt. ought to be applauded. If I recall Mr. Abhisit and Co. did the same thing. Not to do so, would invite a much more serious accusations of being Bangkok centric.
  
• Perhaps this opinion piece is suggesting that the Govt. will not act upon input from locals. I see no evidence of that being the case.
  

"One protester was waiting to tell Yingluck of the environmental damage to his community as a result of a new mining project"

• To call those who met with Ms. Y. as protesters is perhaps Opposition agenda.
  

"If the government does not take heed, this mobile Cabinet meeting in Phuket will simply be another publicity stunt"

• Again, this opinion piece is suggesting lack of Cabinet attention, and trying to paint this thing as a publicity stunt.
  
• I wonder of Mr. Abhisit's past efforts were similarly characterized.
  

Yesterday you loved the opinion piece as it was Pro Yingluck, today you slate it!! Come on lets have some consistency !!!

Thailand's economy is highly centralized, with most of the wealth and power focused in Bangkok. By increasing the wages disproportionally in Bangkok the government is making this problem even worse. Instead of luring even more workers to Bangkok and the nearby provinces, they need to develop industries and businesses upcountry, so that workers can earn a decent living near their homes, instead of breaking families apart, with working age people all in BKK and the grandparents and kids staying upcountry.

I am not opposed to this increase in principal, but the execution is flawed.

PS: Mr. Amsterdam, you're barking up the wrong tree this time, this suit wasn't brought to the courts by the Democrats, but by some big corporations, but don't let the facts get in the way of a good soundbite.

If this is Mr. Amsterdams interpretation of the article - god help his clients, if he is unable to see that it clearly says "23 firms" and yet he reads it as the opposition, he needs glasses

Two instances where she excelled IMHO, and which weren't mentioned in the article were:

1. Her empathetic and hard working leadership during the flood crisis. No other national leader I have seen, matched her genuine and sincere compassionate approach, all the while managing some powerfull influences pulling her in disparate directions.
   
2. Her muscular Cabinet reshuffle. It shocked the PT Party. Apparently she had been dogged by some Cabinet members seeking second opinions, when receiving her directives. The changes she wrought has insured current cabinet members don't make the same mistake. She has also made it crystal clear, she will not be above doing it all over again when the 111 return. Current Cabinet guys are working very hard as a result.
   

Regarding #1 above, and to pre-empt any unsubstantiated, agenized claims about flood mismanagement, most don't believe a word of that oppositional mantra, unless one can prove other nation-states did better, in similar circumstances of a similar magnitude.

Oppositional mantra..... you're a fine one to be talking about a mantra!!! We get your double spaced mantra everyday. Hang on......the last post wasn't double spaced!!! Miracle Thailand !!!

"PM Yingluck finds firmer footing since the flood crisis", #1^

"Yingluck Shinawatra has come of age in thye position of prime minister. Government critics need to rethink if they still believe Yingluck is a stopgap leader keeping the seat warm for the man from Dubai"

• The only slippage I saw involving opinionating from her support base, was just prior to the New Year.
  
• This concerned what they perceived as foot-dragging, regarding Constitutional reforms.
  
• The initiatives since the New Year have put those grumblings aside.
  
• The UDD/Red Shirts have as one of their primary objectives, to protect this Govt. They strongly believe that the current Coup-rooted Constitution is an existential threat to this Govt., and accordingly lamented what they saw as inaction.
  

" As long as PM Yingluck can pass on the blame with few detecting or complaining about her cunning, she is safe in her job"

• All-in-all, an excellent summation of Ms. Y's continued strength amongst her electoral base.
  
• This thoughtfull approach puts into perspective the agenized, unsubstantiated negativity I have seen coming from the Opposition.
  
• No Prime Minister could be safer in their job than Ms. Y, as long as a bright light continues to be shone on Coupist machinations. Mr. Jatuporn is looking after that little matter.
  
• I get a chuckle out of the "good cop - bad cop" game Ms. Y. and Chalerm are engaged in.
  

LMAO - Yesterday you were all guns blazing stating how opinion pieces aren't factually correct and here is an editorial opinion piece and you lap it up like truth; brilliant contradiction - LMAO

I think some posters should visit their home countries before they moan about the rising costs of living. The increases in Thailand are nothing compared to Europe. I can remember when petrol was 5 shillings a gallon. (25p for 4.5 litres in modern terms).

Fair comment, but the context of the OP is one based on the average Thai person, for whom the cost of living is increasing dramatically.

Two years ago, i decided to do an experiment here in Naklua during Songkran. My goal was to hang out at my condo and the next door Long Beach Hotel., go only to nearby restaurants and bars and to see if I could stay dry until the very last day of Songkran, then go out, get totally wasted and wet but only on the last day. I made it until two days before the last day. A friend of mine and I went up an alley that's between my condo and Long Beach to get to the Family Mart for a pack of cigarettes. We only had about forty meters of potential exposure to out of control holiday makers. While walking into the Family Mart we noticed a pickup truck had parked right in front of it and people in the truck were squirting everyone they could see walking into the Family Mart and the ATM machine just outside. We actually got through that gauntet but when we got inside the Family Mart and were standing at the cashier's counter several Thais came in and completely drenched us. That did it. I made a vow from then on. And that is during the entire week of Songkran here in Pattaya I'll be gone. It doesn't matter where as long as I do not contributed one baht to the local economy. This is my protest, not that it's going to change things here one iota. So last year I went to Krabi and divided my time between a remote beach on Phi PHi Don and at Ao Nang Beach. Didn't have one person try to get me wet. This year it's going to be somewhere else. Right now I'm thinking, Hong Kong.

I totally understand your frustration and agree that songkrans are getting more 'aggressive'. IIMHO i think it is a time of year where people just let of steam and usually people get more worked up over the thought of getting wet, than they should. Put yoru mobile in a plastic bag and just go with the flow. I remember years and years ago returning from work on the bus just as songkran was ending and the folks at the side of the street get everybody in the bus wet as the driver forgot to close the doors as he left. At the time annoyed (but slightly cooler), in retrospect it was a bloody good shot (Thais can chuck water better than Iranians can chuck granades that's for sure) And despite getting a soaking it added some spice to an otherwise dull and boring day.

Get drunk, have some fun and stay safe. Or stay in side and hide. I know what i prefer!

_{WHAT !!!!......TAT actually actually suggesting everything is not rosey in Thailand, from a tourism point of view must be a first for sure}

_{And another first....they havent published any BS statisic's along with the article only saying they are "hopeful"}

That's Amazing, in fact it's a bloody Miracle.

Amazing it maybe ...but they are still expecting an increase in numbers of 2%. Even when its raining it still sunny. Aw well at least those poor over worked immigration officials can breath a sigh of relief now.

I think inflation is worse than anyone is letting on.

An easily monitored example is where I get my ground coffee for 250 g

this time last year exactly it was 95 baht, then it increased to 105 baht about six months ago

and now they just increased it to 115. So 10 baht increase every six months.

I totally agree - consumer inflation is skyrocketing. It will be an interesting (possibly unpleasant ) experience to see what happens when the 300 Baht minimum wage comes into effect.

Anyone who buys one of these cars is not only rich, but stupid. Seriously A Merc, BMW,Aston Marin here costs three times what it would in the UK. You would have to be a serious jackass to waste your money in such a way.

Yes, BUT if you are living here you really have no choice when you like that kind of cars is it! It's either pay the high price or move to another country.

But IF you can afford an Aston Martin (not Marin, I think you are clearly not a car-lover:)), you can assure that you don't need to worry about a penny (or baht in this case) more or less. Even in any of your home-country ordinary people cannot afford an Aston Martin!

Apologies for the typo - Just cause I'm a crap typist doesn't mean i don't like cars. In the UK far more people can afford to buy an Aston ( a second hand one)

for example - 2005 Aston Martin DB9 V12 2005 = 40'000 GBP (1.93 Million - for the same money you can get top of the range Toyota Camry (2.5 HV navigator).

It's only the outrageous tax that takes cars like these out of the price range of the middle classes in Thailand.

If you think you have no choice but to pay the prices cause you like the cars, well that's your prerogative. Personally I think and Aston Martin in Bangkok is about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike.

Hi jonclark,

no problem for the typo:) Wow, that's a quite interesting price for a 2nd hand Aiston Martin DB9 in the UK! Would love to see those prices here in Thailand. Also the 2nd hand carprices are outrageous here! I sold my old MX5 in Holland for about 150 kbaht and live here 7 years now and still the same building year of the MX5 will cost me here about 500 kbaht 2nd hand. That it's 20 year old car we are talking about then! Just insane. Actually if the 2nd prices were like in Holland or Germany I was looking for a nice 5 year old Boxter!

Yes, you are correct that an Aston Martin in BKK is not very usefull:) However I would love to buy a new MX5 for nice upcountry trips. Even an MX5 is not usefull in BKK (and now that I have 2 kids the MX5 is also not that usefull:)).

I drive a Fortuner already about 6 years now. Seems one of the best values for a car in Thailand and suitable for BKK (a bit more protection than a small car) and is even usefull with the floods. Oh, and the family fits in nicely as well:)

Totally, the second hand car prices are just nuts - I'd love to invite the BBC Top Gear team out here for a consumer show. I'm sure they would be leave Thailand shaking their heads in numb disbelief ( or piss themselves laughing) at the price consumers pay for second hand cars. Depreciation just doesn't happen in Thailand!!!

Anyone who buys one of these cars is not only rich, but stupid. Seriously A Merc, BMW,Aston Marin here costs three times what it would in the UK. You would have to be a serious jackass to waste your money in such a way.

Yes, BUT if you are living here you really have no choice when you like that kind of cars is it! It's either pay the high price or move to another country.

But IF you can afford an Aston Martin (not Marin, I think you are clearly not a car-lover:)), you can assure that you don't need to worry about a penny (or baht in this case) more or less. Even in any of your home-country ordinary people cannot afford an Aston Martin!

Apologies for the typo - Just cause I'm a crap typist doesn't mean i don't like cars. In the UK far more people can afford to buy an Aston ( a second hand one)

for example - 2005 Aston Martin DB9 V12 2005 = 40'000 GBP (1.93 Million - for the same money you can get top of the range Toyota Camry (2.5 HV navigator).

It's only the outrageous tax that takes cars like these out of the price range of the middle classes in Thailand.

If you think you have no choice but to pay the prices cause you like the cars, well that's your prerogative. Personally I think and Aston Martin in Bangkok is about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike.