Meridian007

I see alot of criticism on this board for it, but don't you feel that as a sovereign nation its their choice who they give passports to? Or do you feel that this kind of thing should not be allowed?

I don't believe this is a case of sovereignty, I think people are speculating on what was done to obtain the passport, and whether that should be allowed. If someone can buy their way into a passport, is it then okay that people can buy a degree or TEFL in Khao San? Which crosses the line into illegality? Which should?

I think this says novels about the priorities that certain countries have (understandably in many cases), but assisting a criminal in an obvious manner makes them look bad on the world stage.

Chonburi Provincial Police Chief Bandit Khunjak

Given his chosen profession, an ill-advised baby-naming situation.

Really? Considering the circumstances, I think it's perfect!

I like to watch it, but participating has lost its luster for me.

I find that if I dress like a Farang Puu Yai, look really serious, and take a car (or taxi) everywhere, I stay dry. The only ones I need to watch out for are the drunk farangs here on holiday, the Thais respect image.

It is amusing to watch though, find a place with a second floor balcony near any of the crazy spots in BKK, and watch everyone go bonkers.

This should be a warning to all, even if you live here. Always keep a copy of your passport, and the phone numbers of your banks/cards/embassy/phone company with you IN A DIFFERENT PLACE FROM YOUR WALLET. I keep a copy in the sole of my shoe, and in a small plastic sleeve in another pocket.

I've lived here for over 2 years and I still do this. Overcautious? Maybe, but I don't want to be "that guy", begging in the streets.

I also would call scam, as the first thing I would do if I didn't have all of that documentation, is call family or friends to figure things out for me. If they don't have family or friends, they shouldn't be in a different part of the world. It may be a cold sentiment, but you are only as safe as your wits and your support network when you travel or live outside your home country.

So, call your mom and tell her you love her!!!!

We are in Spain just now, told the wife what was going on in Thailand she said ''what can I do,'' then '' what we eat tonight'' what can I say.

To put a more positive spin on this thread, this is what I love about many Thai people. A simple pragmatism that cuts to what is immediately important.

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Another poster made a really good point as well, the OP's issue can be solved the same way many things can be here, always ask yourself "Would I do this at home?". If you wouldn't, why are you doing it here?

Therefore, aside from comments of where you met your wife or GF, I think the more important point is whether you would date/marry someone at home that:

-Has a polar opposite political opinion to yours (if you are politically minded)

-Is a (redneck/country bumpkin/person of low socio-economic status -- you choose the term), when you are more urbane and metropolitan, or the opposite

-Comes from a line of employment that you would never consider dating in the west

-Has family that you strongly dislike/don't understand

-Makes unreasonable demands that you would never agree to at home

-Has personality traits you would never accept at home

I could go on, but you get the idea. I often wonder why so many people overlook basic things like these here, especially when dealing with something as serious and life-altering as marriage? Some say that it is impossible to find girls like that here, I disagree, but if you think this, why are you still here putting up with them?

I'm not a big fan of Sondhi, but Thaksin's methods show more and more of how much he is just a lo-so street gangster with too much money.

Police who rushed to the attack scene in front of Iamworanut Temple found Sondhi's car riddled with bullets. Police reportedly collected about 100 cartridges of AK-16 and rifles.

This is the saddest thing for me, they obviously have no respect for Buddhism.

Do the reds (and Thaksin) really hate their country so much? They have clearly shown their feelings toward the Monarchy and Buddhism, and it saddens me to see people give those things up just for money.

If you're looking on Mocy.com, you can search for ads that list the bike as having the Tabien Tae (real green book), this may save you some time in finding something that has a greater chance of being legal.

Where is this search option? Not on the main classifieds search section is it?

I assume you are going to http://www.mocyc.com/store/alltopic.php?CAT=3

the search is just above the bike listings, on the right. Tabien Tae is ทะเบียนแท้ in Thai script.

Yawn, what?

As others said before, now we'll see the paid posters spin this in a completely different direction from 99% of their posts, while still demonizing Abhisit. If nothing else has shown that he is the man for the job, these past few days have.

A grass-roots movement that sees an erudite, educated group that has risen from the fields of Issan, and is not Chinese in any way, would I think, create more social equality in this country.

Fat chance.

The only reasonable way is for the "elites" to take more progressive stance, and in fact, they ARE the most progressive sectors of society anyway - they gave as 1997 consitution and all the rights and freedoms Thaksin tried to take away.

I know, that's what I said in the next sentence. We have to make something work with what we have.

At least it looks like there might be a chance of removing the Thaksin element now, that is the best we can hope for.

Here here! Cut the head off and the body will die. Thais and those who love Thailand want progress and reconciliation. That will never be possible as long as self serving megalomaniac Toxin continues to stir the pot from his suite in Dubai.

Exactly! I wish he had spoken truly to his poor, misinformed followers, and came back to "lead" them. Then we'd have the hat-trick of squashing the mob, and bringing that slime to justice!

On a side note, Happy extended Songkran everyone! Maybe the capital can relax and have some fun now...

Operation centre seeks extension of Songkran holiday

EDIT: THIS has just now been confirmed by Govt. Spokesman.

Cool, thanks for the update George! Do you have a link to the Nation that shows the update? I want to send it to my boss so I can leave town!

***Edit***

Yay! Thanks for the pointers to Bangkok Post! I've sent them off, now to wait on an answer...

What the Nation missed was any kind of socialist movement, trade unionism or workers representation. If this is not constructed and allowed from grass roots the cycle will continue.

This may be true, but Thailand has a knee-jerk reaction to anything resembling Communism or even Socialism. Its history forces it to be this way.

A grass-roots movement that sees an erudite, educated group that has risen from the fields of Issan, and is not Chinese in any way, would I think, create more social equality in this country. That would break the stronghold of the rich Chinese families that control this country, but sadly, I don't see that happening in a LONG time.

Idealism is great, but realism is what is needed to truly see the country move forward. A solution must be sought that will work with the variables that are entrenched here. At least it looks like there might be a chance of removing the Thaksin element now, that is the best we can hope for.

Outstanding Op/Ed from K. Thanong:

HAPPY SONGKRAN DAY

Wow! Some of the best writing I've seen! I know that what we say here really has no meaning in the larger picture of Thai politics, but I hope Abhisit reads this article. It is clear, supported by strong reasoning, and gives good advice to the PM.

The Government House just isn't *any* type of office building. I would like to think of the GH as the Thai equivalent of the White House in DC. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm not sure of details as I'm not American. Maybe it's closer to a parliament building?

But I understand what you're saying. The symbolic meaning of the building supersedes it as an object.

There was damage done, and the PAD needs to answer for that, but the damage done to property, people, and lives over the past couple of days is MUCH more severe.

A lot of news organizations seem to be pointing their finger at the pro-Thaksin demonstrators. I'm not saying these people are innocent of any wrong-doing, but I think a lot of what we're hearing is over-exaggerated. Apart from Thaksin interviews on CNN and the BBC, I have not seen a single interview with protesters who have been directly involved in the clashes. Since the Government has been feeding the news media information all day, I think the protesters should be offered a chance to tell their side of the story. Anyone with half a brain will know this is the right and fair thing to do. As of 11pm, most UDD websites have been either blocked or shutdown. Seems to me like the powers that be are trying to hide something...

Excellent post! It's vary hard to find one like this in this news section. Cheer mate!

It's a shame to see lots of posts with siding comments, flamings and personal attacks. But, once you have been in ThaiVisa for some times, you will know what/who to skip and it'll be really fast to read a topic with over 80 pages.

BRAVO for Supernova...THAT'S exactlly what all of us should to do. Open minds, try to get WHOLE pictures and read between the lines.

Congratulation and thanks colling talks of asided people here(including Thais of both sides here)

Funally the right thing here!!!!

Yes, see the whole picture and use some critical thought to proceed to your conclusions. As I said above, this rabbit hole goes deeply on both sides, but the burden of fault and conspiracy falls upon Thaksin and his cronies more than the dems or even (dare I say it) the military.

Has it been decided? Anyone have info on this? Anything on Thai TV? I'd really like to go to the beach and try to forget the past couple of days.

I don't think Thaksin will be accused, much less convicted of 'high treason'. If any moves to convict him of treason were made, the Government would be perceived as having double standards; a reputation they're being accused of to this day. Let's face it, the PAD occupied the Government House for months. This alone, by Thai Law, is an act of treason. During their occupation of the GH, The PAD leaders were accused of committing high treason and had warrants issued for their arrest. Unfortunately, the court order was quickly revoked by order of the invisible hand and/or the powers that be. Sad but true.

While I agree with most of what you said, I think that what was caused by Thaksin and the leaders of the UDD (I know they said they had no control, but they have been recorded urging the reds to do exactly what the reds did) qualifies as treason much more clearly than the occupation of an office building. I agree that the PAD needs to be charged with offences as well, but the big crimes were committed by the big boys in red over the past couple of days.

A lot of news organizations seem to be pointing their finger at the pro-Thaksin demonstrators. I'm not saying these people are innocent of any wrong-doing, but I think a lot of what we're hearing is over-exaggerated. Apart from Thaksin interviews on CNN and the BBC, I have not seen a single interview with protesters who have been directly involved in the clashes. Since the Government has been feeding the news media information all day, I think the protesters should be offered a chance to tell their side of the story. Anyone with half a brain will know this is the right and fair thing to do.

Honestly, I think many of the people who were brought in to protest probably couldn't answer why they are there more than the usual parroting of Thaksin's rhetoric. I think that is the most criminal thing about all of this. Thaksin played upon the emotions of these Issan farmers and low wage earners to forward his agenda to recover the 76 million that he stole from the Thai people in the first place. Add some Lao Khao (and possibly Yabaa), and the follies of the mob rule began.

Of course it got out of hand, how could it not? These poor people just get used by Pu Yai like Thaksin, without really knowing what they are fighting for. I hope this has opened some eyes in Issan.

Oh, and as to the conspiracy theories? Have you heard of Occam's razor? The complicated stories you are coming up with would require much more control and resources than what the Thai government is actually capable of.

**Edited for spelling***

I see that there is still one group left on Phitsanulok near Nang Lerng. http://traffic.thai.net/

Anyone know what is going on there?

Now that the current crisis is over, Abhisit and his government should concentrate their efforts on cooling down the current political climate further by taking the following actions:

(1) Remove Kasit and all other PAD members from office;

(2) Bring the PAD leaders to justice - not simply a "slap on the wrist", but reasonable prison terms for their crimes

Now if they can actually do this, rest assured, they'll receive nothing but commendation and recognition from the Thai people. The Democrat Party have a lot to gain and not much to lose here. So why not take advantage of the situation?

As for the Thaksin question, well, I'd say leave him alone (for now). Give him time to ponder about what went wrong in his most recent quest for glory...

Thank you for reading.

I agree with all of that except the bit about Thaksin. Laws should be put in place that he is now persona non grata, and mention of him or use of his image, video, or audio will amount to treason charges. If we can't get him back here so that he can be thrown in jail, we need some way of cutting his access. Influence from an outside criminal entity (that has proven that their influence is destructive to the nation) should be illegal.

***EDIT***

Are you naive or what?

Mark wins = PAD wins.

Kosit stays, and PAD walks free for GH & Airports seizure.

I hope that is shown to be a little too simplistic. I don't equate Abhisit or the democrats with the PAD, the PAD are merely a very vocal faction that is connected more to the military than the democrats. There are court proceedings going on against the PAD, but I think their crimes are minor in comparison to what we've seen from the UDD over the past couple of days. Hopefully everyone will be charged according to their crimes.

Why all the moans and groans about this - TIT things change instantly - So go with the flow and enjoy an extra couple of days holidays, beer, sun, cute girls in wet T-shirts, what more could you ask for.

Speak to your friends back home ask them what they'd prefer beer and sun or work !!

Right I'm off the protesters are going home, I'm gonna go get wet

Enjoy

Yes, hopefully now everyone can use their waterguns instead of the other type!... Enjoy the last bits of your Songkran Bangkok!

I doubt the reds will rally in Bangkok anytime soon again. The mood there will open them to vigilante action as we saw last night where only the troops saved some from being lynched. It may be worth red sympathisers being a bit careful what colour they wear now. In fact maybe everyone in BKK should think twice before accidently putting their ManU shirt on

I know! I have a bunch of shirts with red in them that I bought months ago, now I can't wear them!

Next time I hope everyone chooses other colours, like pink, orange, puce, etc... Please don't choose black or dark blue, or I'll have nothing to wear!

Any update to this? I want to know if I have to go to work or not!

Go ahead and go, take a red yellow blue *AND* your work shirt, you're bound to get paid by someone

LOL. Actually, I want to know if I can leave the city early for the weekend, it would be nice to get some kind of holiday out of all this.

Any update to this? I want to know if I have to go to work or not!

Guys the woman I know who smsed me yesterday about the fact that they are not allowed to go home today is not picking up the phone my other thai pro-red who went there also don't pick up the phone, actually the phones are plain dead.... EVERYTHING you have seen on TV about the REDs here and there probably was staged to discredit reds, and I can say people that I know NEVER GOT PAID for being there it was their own decision, to stand up for their rights, they were all standing near the goverment house.

Don't you think it was so easy to discredit reds by dressing up other people as reds and allow them to do whatever for a day or 2, to then have rights to wipe the real reds away????

Justy think about it...

Pattaya was waaaay too staged up ( IMHO ) it was made to that ALL who attend the summit would see how BAD are the reds. For this the security allowed reds inside, and if you look at it all from a different angle you will see that all looks strange and really fishy.

Sorry too late for the conspiracy theory angle. There is video proof of the protest leaders and Thaksin urging the reds to cause mayhem and disregard the law. This is all on the UDD and Thaksin's head now. They are all just trying to find a way to save some face from this defeat, and deflect blame onto the government. Pathetic.

Local TV reporting clashes between reds and locals near govt house.

Ministry of Public Health warns Thais not to watch the new's too much, as you might go crazy.

I think that is quite apropos for a lot of us here as well...