dttk0009

This USA embassy temporary closure is a neutrality move designed to show that the USA is deliberately taking a neutral position and not becoming publicly involved because they, like all of Thailand's best allies have a strong interest in a stable, democratic Thai society. It would be wise for both sides to ask for and use (perhaps privately so Thailand can save face as an independent nation) the assistance of USA mediation -- after all, a country like the USA which has 250+ years of experience in democracy may have some good experience and ideas; whereas Thailand has less than 80 years, and all of it fraught with coups, tension, and conflict. Thailand should realize it is in the infancy of democracy and needs to understand how to deal with it.

If Thailand is ever to be respected by the international community, it must show STABILITY, CONSISTENCY, PEACE and the ability to quickly and peacefully resolve internal conflicts. There must never be any more violence between Thais vs. Thais ever, or else poor Thailand will be forever ridiculed and distrusted by worldwide investors, tourists, and even its own citizens who could otherwise build Thailand into first world country. If Thai people could ever look at the big picture and consider that, perhaps privately, they could take advantage of the wise consul of elder statesmen from democracies oldest bastions they could much more effectively resolve these current issues.

The 250+ year period did have a little issue between about 1865 and 1869 called the "American Civil War", due to the northern states,with the governmental center, over-controlling the southern, rural/agricultural states. (Monetarily, of course. Which is what it always comes down to. "Slavery" was not the actual big reason. And, of course, after the north won, with GIGANTIC loss of life on both sides, it ground the south into the dirt with it's heal. Hence the term "Carpetbaggers", where representatives of the north came to the south, stuffed illicit war reparations into a carpet-bag (figuratively speaking), and went back north.) Here also could be a lesson from a distinguished democracy. Which is: "Civil War=BAD, Peaceful Discussions=GOOD!"

Fantastic post. I totally agree.

How exactly does a thread with this title turn into a US bashing effort? Unreal.

I jjust show some picture to contrast Tallforeigners quit pictures of old people and small children. and that the reds are not so friendly as it looks on his pictures.

On the picture with the injured soldier, I don´t think the one at the right looks so friendly.

True, and I agree that there is a very dangerous element to the red shirts, no need to look further than a few posts back. Those robes are probably pretty good at concealing a firearm. Wouldn't be shocked to find out that the gun was used sometime in the last 2 months. I'm also afraid that a good number of people at the rally are totally unaware of this element. The women and children in those photos are as real as the mob in your photo and they're wearing the same colors. The red shirts are a political movement with an armed wing, and they've set up camp smack in the middle of an urban city. It's a very tricky situation.

Monks as protesters,

this is NOT buddha's teaching,

what are they thinking?

They aren't real monks as typified by this red monk at the rally:

this ''monk' is actually Prasit Sawasdee, a 41 year-old man who was later identified as a red-shirt security guard, was arrested for possession of a .38 pistol with laser grip and 35 bullets. Apart from the weapon, police found 50,000 bath in cash, brass knuckles and a membership card for the red-shirt security guards

TAN NETWORK

3rd MAY 2010

Holy crap, that's scary.

The "peaceful" reds:

http://sun2surf.com/images/sun2surf/articl...010-inter03.jpg

What exactly is happening in that photo? I see both military and red shirts there.

Also, for other people:

graphic image, look at your own risk.

Old Wolf, you have just revealed your intelligence level for all to see.

This is a Red medic assisting a soldier to take care of one of their own. There are many examples of such conduct in photos. If more people had this attitude of loving others, there would be no fight. The murderous comments by the farang warmongers on these forums demanding military action indicate an entirely different sentiment...

SIGH!!!!

We don't know if the red shirt is there to treat the wounds or to confiscate the body. My point is that photo proves nothing without eye witness accounts describing the scene we see.

The "peaceful" reds:

http://sun2surf.com/images/sun2surf/articl...010-inter03.jpg

What exactly is happening in that photo? I see both military and red shirts there.

Also, for other people:

graphic image, look at your own risk.

Of course the army guy just fell on the street and hurt himself

One more picture with reds and army:

http://www.presstv.ir/photo/20100414/Mirva...14085655140.jpg

I'm just asking what's happening. Why are the red shirts there? Why isn't the military stopping them? Your second photo is much more explanatory. The first one doesn't show much except an unfortunate soul who looks badly injured.

The "peaceful" reds:

http://sun2surf.com/images/sun2surf/articl...010-inter03.jpg

What exactly is happening in that photo? I see both military and red shirts there.

Also, for other people:

graphic image, look at your own risk.

I suppose if you are in the area try to stay inside today and away from windows. We've already had an injury from a fallen bullet.

Stay safe, guys.

Wow great post! That spamaddon thing.. will try it, but it sounds like just what I need to stay connected because the spammier the fight (lots of adds and aoe etc) the more likely i get dc'd.. marrowgar i have no problem staying connected but sindragosa almost impossible to stay connected

i will apply for jasnet 5120 sme connection (4200 baht a month i think), they say there is maximum 10 other users sharing the bandwidth so I think for international bandwidth this package should be much better than true 16mbit which I was on before. its not quite as expensive as the 11k i was going to pay for csloxinfo's 8mbit, but should be good enough i think

Should be ok. What the add-on does is basically block hidden whispers that are being sent to you from other players, the biggest offenders being Gearscore, pally power and healing add-ons. I found myself with True before I switched to 3bb 6Mbit fixed line, because on a True line they limit single connection download speeds to 12 kb/s or something which is why I had massive packet loss on basically any raid fight. I'm sure you know how it goes:

boss engaged

boss does first aoe move

everyone stuck in place

everyone speeds up and you cast one spell

boss does second aoe move

freezes for 50 seconds

disconnected

I went through great measures to ail this problem, including getting a state of the art router and modem, but what helped in the end was ultimately the add-on, which I only discovered after switching the internet. There's a better version of that add-on somewhere in the thread that automatically turns on when in raid and in combat instead of having to make a macro, so just read through the whole thing if you have time.

I do notice much better latency in general though, never more than 400, and it's more consistent. Download speeds are always 300+ without any download accelerator and youtube loads instantly. Can't say that I'll be going back to True crap anytime soon. Nothing but years of lies and swindle.

Anyhow, good luck with Cindy and LK. I'm taking a break from WoW at the moment and just waiting out Cata because my schedule became jam packed recently and my guild had a falling out shortly before.

I feel lucky when I get 500ms. it goes up to 10kms - I once saw 26k ms lag.

I am using Buddy Broadband - in Pinklao Bangkok - what are my other options?

Never get disconnected here not using Thailand proxy on US servers with csloxinfo ISP.

If I use wowtunnels although not necessary as it really makes no difference the ping is 180ms.

I would think the problem lies with your choice of ISP rather than the need for a Proxy or ping lowering service.

WOW is perfectly playable without these service wit a ping under 300ms.

The guy you're quoting is exaggerating, as it's technically impossible to get anything under 200ms to the US from Thailand. If you're using a SSH tunneling service and in a heavy fight it'll most likely jump around to 250-260ms. 230ish when idle (not in dal obviously). Check these out and pick one that suits you:

www.gamepath.net

www.lowerping.com

www.smoothping.com

www.wowtunnels.com

As for the OP, do not buy your super expensive internet connection just yet. I had pretty much the exact same problem as you up until recently. Read this thread and let me know if it helps, as it seems to have remedied many people's issues with lagging out in 25 man fights, including mine:

Solution to dc'ing in 25 mans

Oh boy.

Wow, it sure is easy to get Americans all worked up, and then it's back to WW2.

What is wrong with some of you? All the USA did was express a wish for peace? Is it a crime to ask for calm and for peace?

There was no statement of public interference. The Americans couldn't be anymore clear when they stated; This is something that has ultimately to be resolved in Thailand," said Crowley.

I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings but the EU did send a delegation in addition to the individual messages delivered by various Ambassadors expressing the same sentiment.

As was pointed out earlier in the thread, the Volcano fallout has pushed alot of things to the side as European governments had todeal with tens of thousands of stranded nationals. Besides, the Iranian situation is foreign affairs issue number 1 right now. Maybe if Thailand was threatening to incinerate 1/2 the world, people would pay more attention, I dunno.

Well said, no harm in making a call for a peace, I wish for a peaceful resolution to this issue too. Not that I think its very likely.

I think some of us just find it comical when the most war driven nation on the planet this last century, which is also currently engaged in 2 wars, calls for peace in a conflict that looks similar to the grassroots of its own foundation. I love the US, but the double dealing is entertaining sometimes.

By the way...I am looking for HORDE base server.

Currently..i am stuck with ALLIANCE population base that control WG every 3 out of 4 times.

in battleground..we lose about 70%......

So any oceanic server that at least have 50%-50% chance?

Frostmourne is good as well..

We win WG even with Allys having Tenacity...ROFL..

Same with Jubei'Thos. Horde wins around 5/6 times. Eventually they overrun us though as they start off with tons of heavy siege vehicles and basically storm the fortress in under 5 minutes. Then it's back to consecutive wins for horde again.

I'd also recommend Jubei'Thos as a guild if you live in Thailand. There is a very large Malaysian and Singaporean population on our server so there's lots of choices for guilds that raid at our times. I'm in an SG guild at the moment that raids 8pm my time 3 days a week, so it's perfect. Players from Perth are in these guilds frequently as well.

1)dragon age origons ( game play is great and good story too best value for money )

2)Metal gear solid 4 (great story/graphics and cut scenes)

3)deadspace 1 (one of the best horror shootemups and cheap to buy )

4)oblivion (cheap to buy, really good game lasts a long time and never get bored!)

5)bioshock 1 (really get immersed in this world its wicked!)

6)uncharted 1 (cheap to buy and great fun)

im playing on god of war 3 at the min, its really good and very challenging!

imo final fantasy 13 is way too repetitive, and linear exploration is not good.. awsome graphics though.

I just beat God of War 3 last night at a friend's place. I don't think a game has ever felt that epic to me. The scale of the fights and the plot are, in my opinion, unmatched by any other game so far. Just wow. Looks incredible as well.

From the New York Times a real newspaper of record.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/11/world/asia/11thai.html

Not hard to guess why this guy didn't want a picture taken,

doesn't fit in well with the peaceful reds image,

nor with blaming the army for all deaths.

Change your Rhetoric even Abhisit and Anupong are not accusing the Reds!!!

THE NATION: PM: "Our task is separate the terrorists from the innocent protesters."

Fantastic statement. I think this should be the first and foremost priority. I personally think there are numerous agent provocateur involved in this conflict that lead to a lot of the snowballing violence. The person pictured above has the word "ARMY" on a small pouch of some sort near his waistline, yet he's using non-standard military equipment. There's speculation that separatists from the south have made their way up here. Who knows which faction this guy belongs to. A third party even? I'm holding my breath on any opinions until all the smoke clears and some real data, autopsies, arrests and inquiries have been made about the incident.

You pick a girl up in a night club/bar/dance (back in your home land) you pay for her drinks,a meal at the end of the night, you go back to a room have sex.What is the difference between that girl or the girl from Pattaya who you say are prostitutes????

Because in one instance you're paying for dinner and getting laid for free while in the other you're paying for dinner and then paying for sex.

I wrote 'need to wait' because crack down implies an extremely forceful response with good probability of fatalities. Why not actually start deploying riot police? Crowds like these can be managed.

Some pretty funny replies in this thread

In my eyes:

Pros

1) Nightlife and access to social interaction with people from all over the world

2) Fantastic getaways throughout the country while traveling there itself costs close to nothing

3) Food. Food everywhere. And cheap. If you have an eating disorder this country is the place for you.

Cons

1) Local alcohol and laws related to alcohol consumption. Tastes like distilled urine, for the most part. 1 or 2 brands are ok at best.

2) Traffic. Probably the worst thing about this country. 20 minute red lights and such.

3) Always too hot. Except for maybe one week in a year.

Why not? 3 years is short, and when someone is successful and gets re-elected, then why not? This doesn't sound very democratic to me.

Seems perfectly democratic, just not American. You don't need to have the 2 term rule to be fair. Would you be opposed to 3 terms? 5? Why is 2 such a magic number? A single term appears to be perfectly fine, and many presidents and prime ministers throughout the world serve single terms.

From what I've played with friends:

1)Uncharted 2 (Most likely replaced by God of War 3 this weekend )

2)Little Big Planet

3)Dragon Age: Origins

4)MGS4

5)Dunno

ive got 2million in my bank, but i use 10,000 a month, which includes rent,power, internet as well. ya feel me?

i live in the city aswell. ya feel me?

ive got moped but do not wish to own a car. ya feel me?

ya i feel you, 10,000 a month how do you live on that?

By not drinking or smoking. Easily.

I'm pretty much just drinking import beer at this point. Why drink Chang when I can drink Beer Lao? Why drink Leo when I can drink Blanche de Namur? There's so many better options in Thailand than just the local swill. When it comes to tap beer though, Tawandaeng still has my strong support. Absolutely fantastic wheat beer for the price.

Well, I would take this as a pretty harmless question, with many Thai people genuinely interested what outsiders think of the whole situation.

Therefore my response would not be different compared to the dozens of others who have asked me this.

It would be an observational answer more than an opiniated one. I'm getting very good at that, with all the practice I get on this forum. Instead of saying things like "Abhisit is XXXX" or "Thaksin is XXXX", you poor it into an observational format. "The Red people want to be heard and respected. They like what Mr. Thaksin did for them." "Most people I talk to want things to remain peaceful and respectful first and foremost, it's the Thai way."

That's the way to phrase it here as well, and probably in political conversations generally. Nobody can fault you for stating what you've heard. Then you find out soon enough which way they lean.

Winnie, IMHO I think this is generally really bad advice. In my long experience here I have found that to have an open, honest, objective and reasonable conversation with your average Thai is impossible especially, especially, on matters relating to anything remotely negative to Thailand or anything Thai . which means politics , for example, is an off limit topic and is guaranteed to cause you grief. Yes I said impossible as your average Thai just does not possess the ability and skills and knowledge to debate rationally and accept that other people may have an opinion that is not 1,000% pro-Thai.

These kinds of questions are aimed at baiting the unsuspecting westener who thinks that he has been invited into an even-handed, level-headed, common sense, rational and fair discussion where his views, both negative and positive are taken on board and considered.

If you feel the need to have a rational and reasonable, objective and enjoyable discussion on matters Thailand with a Thai then you are advised, ney, urged to carefully selet only the extremely well educated who just might not want to seek revenge for anything you said that can remotely be construed as anti-Thai.

Strong suggestion: keep your conversations with almost all Thais related to how great and wonderful Thais and Thailand is.

As much as I hate to admit it, this is the best advice in the thread so far. It's so common for people to bark up the wrong tree here and not realize it until it's too late, especially when it comes to opinions.

Lots of comment about the effects of weed but when considering what company you would like to keep ...

This is a very old and wrong argument used by drug addicts to justify their addiction. We are so much better than people who drink alcohol, that my friend, is druggie bullsh*t. You are participating in an illegal activity with a drug that causes all sorts of problems with the addicts such as insomnia and depression to name just 2.If this drug is so good for people why hasnt it been legalized? Are countries all over the world wrong? and why are my friends so addicted to this unsociable drug if its non addictive?

No offence intended but just curious. Why do you have so many druggie friends if they are so degenerate from their drug use?

Many of the people posting here live in places where nene tenths of a gram won't get you a ticket much less a trip to the jail. Even here in Texas, that once sentenced a man to life in prison for two seeds, anything 28.4 grams or less will only get you a summons to appear in court. The police in Thailand sometimes use laws to get 'tea' money.

I think the Australian had the bad luck to be stopped by volunteer, brown-noser looking to make points with his department. Still, anyone who takes chances should be ready to face the consequences.

To address the person you're quoting, marijuana causes insomnia and depression but alcohol doesn't? I think you may have your drugs confused. Marijuana is even used to treat insomnia in states and countries that prescribe medical marijuana and is not even classified as a depressant (while alcohol is). And as a counter question, if alcohol is so bad for you (and addictive) why haven't we had a real prohibition world wide?

The answer has a lot more to do with profit and political influence than it does with logic and medical science.