JAG

5 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

Judging from crowd at the election rallies, the junta’s PPRP seem to attract very small crowd. Most polls except the pro junta NIda indicate PPRP at 7-9% party preference. If we extrapolate, that will translate to not more than 45 seats; way off the 125 seats needed to be decisive to get Prayut across the line with the 250 senate votes. Maybe that path seem ensure now unless they dig into their dirty bag of tricks and get the major parties dissolve before election. Let’s hope this will not happen and we can see the people”s mandate triumph over military authoritarianism. 

Hope, yes let us hope. I am pretty certain that the bag of surprises is ready on the prime ministerial desk...

Party dissolutions, or a national emergency which causes cancellation of the election?

2 hours ago, Eligius said:

So instead I'll wring my hands and whisper behind my fingers and say: 'There is nothing the Thais can do. Absolutely nothing. It's not their fault. The military have got guns, you see? Nothing to be done. Nothing, nothing, nothing. Oh- let's go and play Facebook now and send some photos of our latest meal. After all, there is NOTHING that the nearly 70 million Thais can do about ANY of what is happening in Thailand. No - they have no responsibility for any of it at all. They cannot do a thing. Don't blame them. They have no part in any of it .... .....!'

 

I know that you (and many of us) wish for change, but I really do think that you should, before criticising the Thai people for not moving against the junta, despite the laughably obvious election rigging process currently underway, (and of which I am certain the Thai people are fully aware), consider a very simple fact.

As you point out, the military have guns. What is more, they have often shown themselves prepared to use them. The current crop of military leaders (on both sides of any current faction struggle within the military) have demonstrated a willingness to use those guns. The events in Bangkok in 2010 are seared into the memories of a whole generation, the generation which would have to move if the junta is to be turned out. It is one thing to urge action, it is quite another to stand in the front ranks of a crowd, 50 metres from ranks of soldiers aiming automatic weapons at you, knowing that they have snipers (they used them) and are prepared to shoot wounded and medical staff (they did).

It will have to be something major to spark off such a revolt. Thaksin's money is not enough, stealing the government is not enough, stealing the election does not, on its own, look to be enough. I suspect it will be a "crackdown" on protests, (in themselves not particularly significant). which leads to shootings and killing of protestors. I also suspect that the military's eventual undoing will be as the result of a vote - not a ballot - the conscript soldiers, who make up the vast majority of the army, and are predominantly called from the very population, demographic and geographically, which will oppose the junta, will vote - with their feet.

There is another, totally different, perspective which may bear examination. What if, the general population, aware that the most likely conflict, perhaps leading to open fighting, is between certain factions, and have decided to keep out of the way - to sit this one out. My point about the conscripts voting with their feet still applies.

2 hours ago, Grafting Ken said:

Yes that's what I said this country is more under control than it has been in the last 20 years....... Do you understand that?

My life has not changed in 13 years of living here. Do you understand that?

Now can I ask a question? are you over 60? Old dog and new tricks and all that!!!

Once again if you don't like it go home you silly old man!

I, (and several others) completely understand what you are saying. We just think you are wrong; starting with your anecdotal "evidence" about voting intentions, which is contradicted by many published sources, and continuing to your predictions of the longevity of the present regime.

My age is immaterial. I take exception to being described as an "old dog and all that", but there again I do understand that I am obviously dealing with someone who is clearly unable to realise how silly the comments he made are. Perhaps I made a mistake in calling them remarkable, plain daft may have been more appropriate.

Finally, this is my home, and has been for some years.

On 2/13/2019 at 9:31 AM, villagefarang said:

Gotta love the way people start topics and then disappear.  If the OP is not interested in the answers, why should we be bothered to respond?????

Sorry, I thought I had alerts set to follow the topic, but I had turned them off by mistake.

Thanks for the Tel no. 

As I left for school today my wife was negotiating with a chap she had sniffed out...

4 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

You have an audible computer? 

 

Ah, should have realized. You can't even see through the Shins let alone Barmy Boris, Farage and jolly empire boys! ????

A very typical response in what has become an entirely debased debate. Not addressing any arguments, but reverting to name calling which does nothing but reveal your prejudices. Remarkable also that you have managed to link the whole business with your well-established obsession with howling at anyone, who your fevered imagination somehow connects with the Shinawatra faction in current Thai politics - a connection, which even if it existed could not be less relevant!

Quite extraordinary!

1 hour ago, Grouse said:

"No sensible person listens to this idiot"

 

We're not listening to you.

At times it is difficult to listen to one's self, let alone anyone else, with all the squawking coming from the little game bird ...

30 minutes ago, smedly said:

Said it many times on TVF - I believe this is the No1 cause of accidents on Thai roads, all accidents I have witnessed as a pedestrian the driver had his face buried in a mobile phone, all bad driving I have witnessed while driving - the drivers have had their face buried in a mobile phone.

 

About town many drivers have their phone on a dashboard holder of some sort right in front of them.

 

It is impossible to be in full control of a vehicle and fully aware and concentrating on driving if you have your face buried in a mobile phone are surfing facebook, it is at epidemic proportions in Thailand - take a look around as you go about the place and count how many people you see "with their face buried in a mobile phone" you will give up counting very quickly

 

PS - I bet the person/idiot in the OP is wearing reading glasses

I witnessed an accident the other week. A brand new Fortuna came round the curve towards me, well across the centre line of the road. Jammed on his brakes, back end slid out and he went off the road at right angles into a wall. (Tyre pressures stupidly high I expect). I got to the wreck less than a minute after impact, wrenched the driver's door open. He was sitting there, shocked but uninjured, holding his mobile phone in his right hand. It was displaying a Facebook messenger chat sequence...

2 minutes ago, whitemouse said:

Thailand may be affordable, but if Thailand  is actively pushing out expats, especially retirees, country may be affordable, yet impossible to live in.

Are they actively pushing out foreigners, or just enforcing the longstanding rules?

Incidentally, for how many of us would a 7 course lunch (with wine) for $44 be the clincher?

12 minutes ago, Bkkthebest said:

I am surprise that they didn't even mention about bargirls. 

Presumably cheaper in Cambodia?