phomsanuk

There are many words used to describe the PAD actions at Subvanabumi airport flying around now, occupation, terrorism etc.

My question is, this occurs to me to be something similar to what is happening quite frequently in other countries too, but as an example I chose France as I have frequently heard of similar actions there; blockades on roads, highways, borders, ports.

The reasons are sometimes - in relation to PAD's - much more trivial, such as oil prices, the price of strawberries, salaries etc.

So how does the current blockade/occupation/terrorism compare to that?

Someone with some real insight into such matters, please educate me.

/bbp

References: Google "France Blockade" or "French farmers block" for example

[/quote

I have lived in Paris as long as here and don't recall any fatalities. There is also less camping out and holiday atmosphere. No airport closures either?

This will attract some feedback I suspect but here I go,

Why are English tourists such bad representatives of an otherwise sensible and friendly race of people. Why does it seem that when an Anglo tourist travels abroad he feels that he has to prove that he is of a superior (angry, disillusioned and aggressive) genetic pool?

Why does the Englishman thrive on pack mentality and enjoy the advantage of majority rules (threatens) alpha male/female status?

These questions came to mind whilst touring Pucket and Pattaya...they were also evident in Khon Kaen but really hit home in Perth , Australia where my wife and I have been for the last week. We have an apartment in inner Perth...the "entertainment" area and I have had the double misfortune of living next door to a large and well run packpacker hostel. The occupents seem to be a 50/50 split of bonofide backpackers and English tradesmaen and women here to work and earn a buck.

The second misfortune has been in simply walking around during the day listening and observing the attitude from a casual point of view...unfortunately this is still full of aggression and "attitude".

What a bunch of foul mouthed, aggresive and basically anti-social misfits they are, they are loud and obnoxious, overheard conversations are crass and raciest.

Happy , loud and angry in a group...ashamed and lonely whilst solo!

WHAT HAPPENED?

Nobody wants to touch this one!

You are looking at the wrong country for Foriegners to make good money in IMHO, even if you had a breaktrough

Dave

Get a multinational company there to hire you and send you here..... .....Big $$$$

October 7, 2008

Global Fears of a Recession Grow Stronger

By MARK LANDLER

WASHINGTON — When the White House brought out its $700 billion rescue plan two weeks ago, its sheer size was meant to soothe the global financial system, restoring trust and confidence. Three days after the plan was approved, it looks like a pebble tossed into a churning sea.

The crisis that began as a made-in-America subprime lending problem and radiated across the world is now circling back home, where it pummeled stock and credit markets on Monday.

While the Bush administration's bailout package offers help to foreign banks, it seems to have done little to reassure investors, particularly in Europe, where banks are failing and countries are racing to stave off panicky withdrawals after first playing down the depth of the crisis.

Far from being the cure for the world's ills, economists said, the rescue plan might end up being a stopgap for the United States alone. With Europe showing few signs of developing a coordinated response to the crisis, there is very little on the horizon to calm rattled investors.

The vertiginous drop in stock markets on both sides of the Atlantic on Monday reflected not only those fears, experts said, but also a growing belief that the crisis could tip the world into a global recession.

Indeed, the ripple effects from Europe and the United States were amplified as they spread to stock markets in Russia, Brazil, Indonesia and the Middle East.

These countries had little to do with the subprime crisis but were vulnerable to a sudden halt in the flow of money. They lack even the veneer of national or regional cooperation that protects Europe and the United States. Stock markets in emerging economies recorded their worst one-day decline in 21 years on Monday, with trading in Russia and Brazil halted to stem an investor panic.

"It looks pretty ugly down the road," said Simon Johnson, an economist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund who specializes in financial crises. "Everybody is going to get caught up in this."

The global nature of the crisis and its growing collateral damage ought to galvanize countries to work together to fashion a concerted response, Mr. Johnson said. There is a chance to do that this week, with dozens of finance ministers and central bankers converging on Washington for the annual meetings of the I.M.F. and the World Bank.

The trouble is, these institutions no longer have the resources or authority to lead such an effort. The I.M.F., which played a central role in the Asian crisis, has been relegated to the sidelines this time — its credibility tarnished by that episode and its skills ill-suited to a crisis in advanced economies. These days, it mainly issues lonely warnings about the impact on developing countries.

The Group of 7, which once functioned as a sort of command center for the global economy, is similarly depleted, according to critics. It no longer represents the world's economic drivers, they said, and badly needs to be expanded to include rising powers like China and India.

"The globalization of the crisis means we need a globalization of responses," said C. Fred Bergsten, the director of the Peterson Institute for International Economics. "But most of the responses will be national. For all the institutions we have, we don't have the right institutions to do this."

That is particularly true in Europe, which has an effective central bank but lacks a unified legislature or treasury to coordinate or finance a rescue of the banking system. So far, economists say, Europe's response to the crisis in its banks has been mostly marked by denial and dissension.

From London to Berlin, governments are clinging to a piecemeal approach. The British and the Germans have resisted a broader solution, because they fear they will end up rescuing their neighbors.

A weekend meeting of European leaders in Paris, called by President Nicolas Sarkozy, ended with a pledge that Europe would not countenance a bank failure like that of Lehman Brothers, but little else.

Part of the problem, experts said, is the nature of this crisis: bailouts of banks are costly and unpopular with taxpayers — even more so, as in Europe, where burden sharing is a perennial sore point.

"Taxpayers won't agree to bail out the banking system of other countries," said Thomas Mayer, the chief European economist at Deutsche Bank in London. "Not even in Europe, where you have a neutral framework, could you get people to cooperate on a joint effort."

As the problems in Europe have worsened, the crisis has taken on an "every country for itself" quality. When Ireland placed a guarantee on all bank deposits and debt last week, it angered neighbors, who feared capital would flee their banks to the safer haven of Dublin. Now, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Austria have all pledged to guarantee deposits.

"If you do this one by one, it destabilizes people's deposits in other countries," Mr. Johnson said. "It's mind-boggling that the Europeans have coordinated so little up until this point."

With Europe and the United States deep in crisis, economists said, the rest of the world could not help but suffer. Robert B. Zoellick, the president of the World Bank, warned that the crisis could be a "tipping point" for the developing world.

"A drop in exports, as well as capital inflow, will trigger a falloff in investments," Mr. Zoellick said in a speech on Monday. "Deceleration of growth and deteriorating financial conditions, combined with monetary tightening, will trigger business failures and possibly banking emergencies."

The immediate danger, economists say, are countries in Eastern and Central Europe, like Bulgaria and Estonia, which run steep trade deficits and are vulnerable to a sudden flight of foreign capital.

Iceland, with an overheated economy and suffocating foreign debt, may prove to be the first national casualty of the crisis. On Monday, threatened by a wholesale financial collapse, the government in Reykjavik assumed sweeping powers to intervene in its banking industry.

"We were faced with the real possibility that the national economy would be sucked into the global banking swell and end in national bankruptcy," Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde said on Monday.

But with global growth slowing sharply, the problems could spread to larger emerging markets, even China, which has a hefty current account surplus and immense foreign reserves.

"Where is China going to sell its exports?" Mr. Johnson of M.I.T. said. "Everyone is going into recession at the same time."

This week, the focus will be on the Group of 7, whose finance ministers and central bankers are scheduled to meet on Friday at the Treasury Department. The group issued a perfunctory statement of support for the United States, after the Treasury secretary, Henry M. Paulson Jr., briefed members about the rescue plan in a conference call two weeks ago.

But European finance ministers, notably Peer Steinbrück of Germany, noted that the crisis began in the United States, and played down the need for a systemic European response.

Mr. Zoellick, in his speech, said flatly that the Group of 7 "is not working." He advocates expanding the group — which includes the United States, Canada, Britain, Italy, France, Germany and Japan — to include emerging economies like Brazil, China, India and Saudi Arabia.

The urgency of the moment, experts said, demands a bolder response from the Group of 7. Mr. Bergsten said the group should commit to a coordinated stimulus plan to stave off a recession.

"Just as the U.S. rescue plan may not be enough," he said, "a U.S. stimulus plan by itself will not be enough."

--The New York Times

LaoPo

Only major inflation might work.... ....not bad if it's global and equal.

Logic (?) would dictate that a similar situation will soon prevail along Beach road, and possibly even Walking street...

Either these closure orders will be applied rigourously, or increased demands for local cash based unnoficial taxation will follow soon.

Experience would suggest that after a short period of the former, the latter will come into effect.

However, it's undeniable that a lot of money has been sunk into some very large luxury hotels and shopping complexes in the center of Pattaya, and big money talks very loudly in Thailand. The owners of these large concerns have been agitating for a change of image in central Pattaya so as to attract more "Straight Family based tourism".

This deplorable situation may be designed to force many bars who are currently struggling with a very dry season to the brink of bankruptcy. Watch out for some very parsimonious offers being made for failing businesses soon by well connected local entrepreneurs

The Thai seem to be hel_l bent on destroying the "Goose............................"

Excellent idea! now you should do the right thing and lead by example. Make your next post from Phnom Penh.

Funny you should say that , of late , the number of foreigners seen walking around Phnom Penh have increased dramatically and no , i have no 'Statistics ' for the nitpickers . There are even Thais moving here to work , even though 'Statistics ' say they are all going home .

I like Phnom Penh very much [more bang for the bucks.. ] except for the lousy health care and almost bought a place there but the laws are even less structured than Thailand. Probably worth 3 or 4 times what it was 3 yrs. ago..... ...

I met a G-Club girl 10 months ago and have since fallen in love with her, going back as often as 5 times over the last 10 months just to see her and spend time with her. When we're together we behave exactly like a normal couple would - holding hands, hugging, plenty of kissing and even the occasional sex, but whenever I brought up the topic of being together "officially" she would have (in my opinion) a ton of excuses, from not being able to maintain a relationship based on trust because of where she works (in a G-Club) to not deserving of me (I'm a Senior Manager earning considerable wages in The World). That apparantly has never stopped her before - she also met her last boyfriend in the club where she works and maintained a relationship for about a year. She may work in the nght scene but has values and principles, treasures her body and is insightful and mature. I find myself thinking about her all the time (even after so long) and she has only bothered to contact me once every few days. She's done plenty of sweet things for me and when we're together it feels like bliss but she just wouldn't consider the idea of being together. I even sugegsted before my last visit to her that I'd be happy if she would just recognise me as a boyfriend even if it's only for a few days, but was greeted with a cold "This isn't a game. We're not in the movies." Lest any of you start generalising or stereotyping G-Club girls, let me come out and say now that she's thinking of quitting all the time and even bought a restaurant recently with the aim of getting out. She keeps her feelings to herself most of the time, doesn't splash out sweet nothings like your regular gogo girl and would seldom even acknowledge that she misses me (if she does at all). She's extremely shy about verbal declarations which I find strange. Do Thai girls all behave like that?

Am I the childish one? Should I move on? Or is she worth the pursuit?

Are you suggesting that you understand women who are not Thai?.....

Can't for the life of me imagine why anybody would want to live amonst a group of old & dying people.

I would much prefer to live in a moo baan where there is the sound of children's laughter, pretty girls walking around & the general hustle & bustle of life.

Must be bloody depressing watching all the neighbours drop like flies.

I think the only people in denial are those that live in these places, maybe they don't feel so old if there are surrounded by geriatrics.

I'm a 70 cancer surviver and I agree with your sentiments. I keep as many happy,young, pretty etc. so that I feel younger and forget that my time is short......

I'm glad somebody posted this. The common sight of overweight farangs in long baggy shorts and short socks is major irritant. Much worse than the rare sight of farang usually Swiss wearing Lycra long johns.

Are you gay? I'm too busy looking at the tight short minis of my female prey....

Can someone explain to me all about Hi So? Is it a class thing?

Thanks

Even if your are not here you should figure out it means high society. The Thai that run/rule the Kingdom.....

I really try not to complain and actually I have a very cozy life here....

BUT...

...one thing that makes me throw the said article across the room is....

The pens in Thailand!!!

OMG...the waste of plastic, labour, ozone etc. in making the humble pen....which doesn't work.

It drives me crazy! It there a campaign to erradicate Thailand (or Asia) of the the utter B*stards who continue to make these pens that last for approx. 5 mins.

If it is to make you buy news ones or to infruiate you...I just don't know!

Invest in a cross or shaefer pen and don't let out of your sight...

Even the expensive ones are extremely dodgy.

I now concur to invest in a good old fashioned fountain pen...I think it was Parker 25 when I was a kid.

Anyone else spare this view? I imagine it's everyone.

Can anyone advise please? I have an elderly friend arriving from Australia next month, he will arrive at around 10pm and will go to Pattaya, what is the approximate cost of a taxi to Pattaya (Not an AOT limo they charge 3000 baht). Has anyone used a metered taxi? if so what was the fare? I assume you can negotiate a fixed rate with a metered taxi.

Any advice will be appreciated

Thank you

I had a friend who lived in Pattaya and he recomended a private beautiful Toyota new sedan driven by a very nice lady who speaks english and tell you all about Pattaya. Not sure but she charged about 1000 baht. E-mail: [email protected].

Accusing foreigners of destroying Thailand is streatching it a bit, the evidence on the ground is that the Thais are doing a pretty good job by themselves.

However, I think a case can be made that Thailand destroys more than a few foreigners.

Agreed Guesthouse.

It's the greedy Thais who are destroying their own country.

The greed, as we know, comes from the top, down.

Right down to the bottom, where the greedy parents send their barely eligible daughters to the bars to hook a 'farang' so they don't have to work anymore.

Unfortunately you're spot on but it is their county, custom and culture so we can take it or lump it. I still don't want to go home. Got tro be a little strret wise to survive and enjoy. Don't get IBS over it.

i spent a few days in BKK with my new and beautiful Japanese wife. I was told about the soapyies but did not participate, The hotels were small and run by European managers. I don't recall much traffic but many more klongs as well as a beautiful floating mkt, a Siamese dancing show in a "viking restaurant".

Some sanitation was open drains in the streets. I was in love and not impressed by the ladies as I am now. Had a very nice visit if not a thrilling one. That was about 1975. Never expected to come here to spend my waning hears...... ....Aloha

I guarantee the crap you get in Thailand is shit quality like the beer

Guarantee it do you? I'd be quite happy to take you up on this. There are some prize-winning wines produced from good vineyards over here.

It's a pity that forum rules prohibit me from making personal comments about your intelligence level . .

Simon

Love it

Have one on me - or several

I've heard that this is the most expensive place to buy wine mostly due to the 2/300% taxes, however the places I can get cheap wine don't have women etc. except for the french indochina excolonies...

The British have a long history of making drinkable wines from a kit in thier home. Anyone here know how to do it?

Yup, I'm all for this, I can never find enough up-to-date info on Cambo

Me tooooooooooooo....

I wonder how many of Thai visa members can touch their toes. I used to be able to do it a few years back but can't do it now with straight legs,

How can I touch them? Can't see them...

wasnt it originally to stop rotten food tasting bad ----food, particularly meat goes off quicker in a hot county

Of course. Eat rotten food, die. Eat rotten food with chillies, like the taste, die. Brilliant!

Hmmm, I also heard that the spicy Indian curries were to cover smelly but not poisonous foods.

Also spicy food tends to increase your metabolism and makes you perspire cooling in a hot damp climate.

Generally speaking spicy food is very healthy if you can handle the taste. Start young.

Throw the book away and come and visit Thailand for a few week and then decide if you would like to stay longer!

Always best to enter the pool from the shallow end.... ......

Wish I'd bought a few Million bahts worth of Gold 12 - 15 years ago, would have made a very nice profit selling it at todays price in Thailand.

I bought gold as it rose 25 or so yrars age, sold it after 15 years and lost my ass...... ...

Do you think Thaksin Shinawatra will be remembered as a man of great courage and vision, or a man who abused his power for self gain and wealth ?

Both depending on who's doing the remembering.....