Pierrot

Keep us posted. Myself and others are angered by shakedowns like this and are tired of it. So tired in fact that if necessary, it may be time for a protest and demonstrations of our own. I have a few other choice things to say, but I will refrain.

No need. Actually what does usually happen ?

First don't flee the scene, the police doesn't like it and you will be in big trouble. Call your insurance and let them handle the matter.

Then it's the family of the "victim" that goes after you, not the police. Don't go after the wrong target. Let them go, they see it as the chance of their life to get big. It will take a couple of years to understand they are wrong. I know it's annoying but it will make great stories to tell your mates around a beer.

Now, always remember, you're not Tony Soprano, violence is not the solution and you're not ready to face the consequences if things turn really nasty. The police is not against you, actually most of the time they don't give a sh_t. You have poor, uneducated people who see the incident at the chance of their life to hit big. Trust the system and more often than not, they will be proved wrong

Your agenda is clearly against Thaksin.

It's not as if your agenda is hidden.

Unfortunately (for you), a huge number of people in Thailand still see Thaksin as the democratically elected leader of this country.

And unfortunately for you that's not a matter of fact but a matter of your perception. Other people have a different perception of the current situation. We'll only know for certain when there had been an election, which needs to happen sooner rather than later, once things have stabilized.

Agree, different people, different perception.

The funny thing is you never hear a dictator talking against democracy. They just say it's not the right time, they will return power to the people once things have stabilized ..

You're right, I've no hidden agenda. Power should be returned to the people and to the government they have democratically elected before the coup. And if it's too difficult (??), let's have election right now.

Scary ? I don't know. They just want Thailand to be part of the world, in the 21st century, not a fairytale kingdom. For a 20 something young graduate I think it's quite understandable.

And for business people already involved in global trade, it makes even more sense.

What future do you want for Thailand, Plus ? Some kind of zoo, where people from the 21st century can visit and see "indigenous" people in their "natural habitat"? We already have Burma for that. You know what happened to Indians in the reservation that was supposed to preserve their life style, do you Plus ? That's the future you want for Thailand ?

The internet is breaking down the total control over the flow of information that the ruling elite now maintains........that scares them.

At some point in the future, the masses will wake up...........what will happen then? The status quo will finally change.....hopefully.

It's not only the internet. Back to Thailand, in the "old" time, the sons and daughters of rich traders used to join Bangkok top universities where they were integrated in the "society". Nowadays it doesn't work this way anymore, first they are too many and second they don't even join Thailand universities, they study in England, USA, Australia ... and when they come back they have great expectation but little understanding of (and honestly little time for) the "Thai way".

Actually, I talked to a number of PAD supporters and that's what scare them the most. Thailand is changing. They can't cope with it.

Your agenda is clearly against Thaksin. Unfortunately (for you), a huge number of people in Thailand still see Thaksin as the democratically elected leader of this country. So whatever solution that may be found, it has to include Thaksin.

Huge - well, lets see how many of that "Huge number" show up today for the last rally before planting season. Should bolster or discredit your comments more than my poor powers to add or detract.

As I'm not a supporter of mob power, I don't really care about the number of people turning to a demonstration. Actually I don't think demonstration is the proper way to express one's political opinion, election is. And so far election have always bring the same people to power.

I would hardly consider anything stable in the US when we pump money into bankrupt corporations that have raped the environment and extorted the people so they can slap each other on the back and give out big bonuses for driving their respective companies into the ground, government bailouts are not democratic nor are they capitalistic.

No, it's just realistic. Something had to be done to alleviate the pain of average people.

I did indeed read your post twice as a matter of fact and in no way is this a personal attack but when we have to borrow trillions from China to get out of the "red" (no pun intended) something is amok.

Maybe it's time to realize that anglo-saxon capitalism is not the best system in the world. I mean, if I were a supporter of this theory, it would be a could time to ask myself some question ...

When I was in university one of my professors told me what makes a third world country is when a country strips itself of its natural resources and exports them in turn the importing country turns those raw materials into things like computers, cars, TV's, etc. and the country that exported the raw materials buys the finished product at a much higher price than they sold for, I don't necessarily agree with that in the real world but it looks good on paper. We no longer own an automobile manufacture, a TV or radio manufacture, computer manufacture (only assemblers) we import a large quantity of our food, hel_l we even sold off Budweiser (that's not breaking my heart). If you want to see democracy in action I would suggest we take a look at England or Australia it is a much closer model of what Thailand wants to be. Granted no form of government is perfect but we have really screwed things up in a big way. I would like to mention in closing I am a patriot and I love my country although I have lived in Asia for half of my life I have never considered my self an "expat" I'm just living abroad even if it turns out to be permanent.

The USA are a democratic country. Actually it's a great model in action. When you see the excess of the Bush administration and the way a democratic process corrected these excess, democracy is definitively the way to go.

My suggestion was sincere and in no way coming from an attitude of superiority. If you think that, you didn't even read it. Another point, Siam may be old, but its modern democracy stage has hardly begun. Compare to the mature stable system in the US that has functioned for hundreds of years, well, there is no comparison. I did not propose the US system here or suggest a change from a parliamentary system, but now that you mention it, of course constitutional reform would be a necessary part of any major change here. They are of course already talking about that. I am sorry I mentioned the American part, it only enrages/confuses people. Of course I agree any leader of such a major change movement would be at serious risk for his life. He would have to be a real selfless patriot and hero. One reason I figured a charismatic leader is a necessary ingredient for Thailand to make this sea change is the phenom of Thaksin. He was that, but he was a very corrupt, selfish, flawed one. Thai people really went for that, so the idea is that same energy that went for Thaksin if directed to a leader that was sincerely for positive change would be powerful.

Your agenda is clearly against Thaksin. Unfortunately (for you), a huge number of people in Thailand still see Thaksin as the democratically elected leader of this country. So whatever solution that may be found, it has to include Thaksin.

If you own the house and car etc then C$5,000 a month should afford you a very enjoyable lifestyle most anywhere in Thailand. That is enough to have a housekeeper, gardener and a lot of time on the golf course.

Good luck and enjoy LOS

With to kids at international school, I doubt that you would be able to make it without some serious lifestyle sacrifices.

Agree, with the kids, it's going to be a bit tight.For the lifestyle you're looking for, add a minimum (real minimum) of 50%, around C$7,500. Education is not cheap in Asia. Actually nothing is cheap when you want a high standard European life style.

Anyway. mathematics aside.

I find it funny when someone assumes Bangkok was better in the past. I came in the 80's as well and the pollution and traffic were so bad that Bangkok was almost unnavigable and unlivable.

My husband went to University in Bangkok, lived with his brother, and had to take the bus to school for 3 hours one way every day. So, 6 hours on the bus every day. And the school wasn't that far (Ramkamhaeng, he was living near The Mall BangKapi) He got up and left the house at 4 am.

Koh Phangan, of course, was an entirely different story but probably one most people wouldn't be interested in hearing about Small island, no amenities, no mod cons, just local people living their normal lives.

I went to Koh Phangan around 5 years before your time. We went there because Samui was too crowded . When I was there, we were no more than 20 foreigners on the island. Life was great because it was so peaceful If I wanted a full moon party, Ibiza is closer to my home country.

But my best memories are from Koh Samet. The place was very quiet too during the week. Then on Friday night, they were boat full of Bangkok students who came on the island for the week end. It was BBQ, music, ... until Sunday 5:00 pm when they were all gone and we had the island for us until the next week end. And there was this Thai family living on the beach. People said they own the island, the lady was from a very rich Bangkok family (we didn't know the word "hiso" at that time ) but she was kind of an outcast, a hippie, and chose to live on the island. The husband was a bit hopeless, actually completely hopeless. He used to disappear in the early morning, he had bong hidden in the forest, and the highlight of the day used to be when he come back home late in the afternoon and he was chased around by his wife .

Also this guesthouse in Bangkok, KSR, they had a monkey on the roof, the daughter of the owner was torn between an English and a French boyfriend, I still don't know who she chose.

The new airport was supposed to fall apart, the runways had cracks everywhere. What happened ? Nothing !

What happened? The country had to spend about hundreds of million to fix them. (This is just a ballpark number. I'm not so sure about the exact figure.)

You're not so sure about the exact figure ...

Actually what do you know ?

Nothing much ...

You have strong opinion but little knowledge.

I rest my case

I can't because I don't see the source of these numbers. For all I know, you could have just pulled these numbers out of a certain part of your body (which, I may add, many reds love to do). Besides, I bet those land deals were done without any politicians SIGNED their names to put the deals through which would have viloated a law that had been in place since 1997, i.e., nothing to do with the Junta or the coup.

I told you to read the link I've given about the full details of the case. If you had tried to comprehend it, you wouldn't have asked this "who got jail sentences in these sales?" question.

Please give us a break. Who cares ?

The new airport was supposed to fall apart, the runways had cracks everywhere. What happened ? Nothing !

20 years ago, they were already talking about a new airport. Khun Thaksin made it a reality.

Thank you Khun Thaksin !

Give peace a chance ...

We tried that in the 70's.

Obviously it didn't work.

Obviously you have too much time on your hand.

A friendly advise, maybe it doesn't sound that way but actually it's friendly,

Get a life !

The economical situation is so bad that most girls would do it for a bowl of soup noodle

On the down side they will do it with anybody ...

Good luck guys !

There is a pretty good topic on it started 3 years ago > What was Thailand like years ago if you need a nostalgia fix.

I take it you're not really familiar with what a forum is about. It's about talking with people, sharing experiences, not watching old pictures.

Now thank you for the thread. Unfortunately nobody post there since August last year. It's a bit of a shame. My idea was a forum (meeting point) where people, not so interested in current events, can meet and talk of the old time.

Anyway, it was just an idea. Now back to the sinsod question …

OOOPS Sorry.

Would you like me to remove the photos I posted Pierrot ?

No. Actually thank you for the pictures.

But pictures are only part of the story. What I was looking for was a meeting point for people who were there when the pictures were taken and are willing to talk about what was life then

There is a pretty good topic on it started 3 years ago > What was Thailand like years ago if you need a nostalgia fix.

I take it you're not really familiar with what a forum is about. It’s about talking with people, sharing experiences, not watching old pictures.

Now thank you for the thread. Unfortunately nobody post there since August last year. It’s a bit of a shame. My idea was a forum (meeting point) where people, not so interested in current events, can meet and talk of the old time.

Anyway, it was just an idea. Now back to the sinsod question …

Yes, that is a big difference in this poll. It is not a I love him or hate him question, it is about any change in attitudes as a result of the recent events.

There is no change. People who didn't like him at the first place now vote they dislike him more (same % with your other polls). But they didn't like him at the first place so what difference does it make ? They never voted for him anyway, so only the twisted mind can deduct Thaksin is losing ground.

But I want to thank you for keeping Thaksin's flame alive. I'm honestly a bit bored with the same arguments over and over again. Luckily, with guys like you, we are sure Thaksin will never be forgotten.

I came here for the first time in 1984. Bangkok, and more generally speaking Thailand, was a different place at that time. And a very different place from what other people enjoyed in the 70's and earlier

Would people be interested to discuss what was life in Thailand for expat/backpacker 10, 20, 30 years ago, talk about old places, old friends ? or am I just an old nostalgic fool ?

I heard these gaz mosquito killers are the most efficient machine for big outdoor area.

I live near a lake where a few of those machine are installed, we have almost no mosquitoes.

Pierrot, the gaz thing looks interesting, do myou have any more details on source and price ? Thanks.

Sorry, can't really help. I saw this stuff first time on TV, they were saying it’s the most efficient way to deal with mosquitoes on a large area like a big garden or a park …

Then I noticed these machines around the lake where I’m living and it’s true we almost have no mosquitoes.

But I’ve no idea where to buy in Thailand. I saw sometime ago similar models in Home Pro but they were not selling for cheap. Sorry, I can’t help more.

A lot really depends on what social class you are playing around in.

For lower income families, your concerns may hold true,

but middle class and higher, you shouldn't have any worries.

Why ? What's the difference ?

I heard these gaz mosquito killers are the most efficient machine for big outdoor area.

I live near a lake where a few of those machine are installed, we have almost no mosquitoes.

Some people live on the ragged edge and others the luxury end. Don't forget about health insurance if you want to be safe. A good policy will cost 30,000 baht or more per year. Do you want first class car insurance or 3rd class. Do you get regular medical check-ups or go to the doctor only when you are sick. It just depends on how YOU want to live. I play golf 2 or 3 times a week, go out to eat with the wife 2 or 3 times a week, buy expensive expat foods at the Mall (in Korat), have health insurance, own my own home and car and spend around 50,000 baht/month. Each to his own.

Do you play golf near Korat ? Where exactly? How is it ?

Anything south of Korat, general direction of Pak Thong Chai / WNK ?

Could someone please tell me what is a "hiso" ?. How can I recognize a "hiso" person if I meet one ?

One interesting piece from the Economist before this thread degenerates in the usual rant against the local police :

http://www.economist.com/world/britain/dis...ory_id=13497460

The article ends by "no policeman has ever been convicted of murder or manslaughter for a death following police contact, though there have been more than 400 such deaths in the past ten years alone."

And for people to lazy to follow the link, it's in the UK !

It's not my point to single out the UK in this matter, I'm sure you can find the same about the police in France, the USA, Germany and most other "democratic and civilized" countries.

By the same token, I hope people will realize that the way the police handled the protests by both the yellows and the reds was very restrained by any international standard.

To whom should I PM my bank account number ?

I never got anything during the previous election, maybe now is my chance