rogera

As a Thai, I am totally fed up with all the red shirt rubbish on this forum, particularly those comments posted by those farangs who are sympathetic to the redshirt cause.

Who are the protesters? They are certainly not the bulk of the redshirt supporters, the majority of whom do not pay taxes, farmers for example. Some might do but the majority do not. The protesters under the PRDC are in the main Thai taxpayers of Thailand whose funds are being ripped off by this putrid government. As a taxpayer myself, I have absolutely had enough. Corruption has gone too far. In 1999, the rate of corruption in public works was between 5 to 7%. It has now become unsustainable. Since the start of the Thaksin regimes in 2001, the corruption rate in public works rose in 2001 to 15-20% while now it is between 35 to 40 %. No wonder we, the taxpayers of Thailand, are up in arms.

In addition, the Thai police have become an arm of the Thaksin family rather than a proper law enforcement agency. The are a joke and a disgrace to their profession. I understand from some friends who are participating in the protests that the PDRC do not trust the RTP and it is no wonder. They are totally incompetent.

While I do not agree with Khun Sutep's methods, I do believe that he might, just might, be the catalyst for change with the end result that my country may be able to return to some kind of normalcy. Most of us taxpayers really hope so.

Hi all,

I have set up a MacMini server at my home and am having difficulty if finding how to point my mail.domainname.org to my external IP address. Can anyone help with this problem?

Many thanks is advance for any help that you can give.

Cheers

I see where Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra asked the American Embassy to lift its terrorist threat warning for Bangkok. Their answer is it will remain as long as there is a Terrorist threat. Yingluck is worried that it will damage Thailand’s image.

Is tourism and Thailand’s image more important than the possible death of Thai and other nationalities? Is this a save face thing.

This is Thailand so the 'face' part will play a big part in this. The confrontational approach does not go down well here and it has created a diplomatic incident which could have far reaching consequences.

Why? Thailand needs the US much more than the US needs Thailand. It will be a storm in a teacup.

I have no objection to the US embassy issuing a warning to its citizens here as that is their job, however, such a warning must be coordinated with the host country which is what seems to have failed here - the Thai authorities look like they were working on breaking a terrorist cell and the US embassy went public on it before they wanted them to. I doubt we will ever know the 'truth' about what happenned here or what is really going on much the same as I am pretty confident that what we hear about terrorism plots and incidents in the UK/USA is the tip of the iceberg and there is a lot of detail kept from us.

It was pretty obvious to the US Embassy that the Thais we not, ever, going to announce the terror threat. That is why they issued it themselves.

I would guess that Thai authorities are worried about the effect this will have on tourism from their key markets in asia - the Chinese are notoriously risk averse when it comes to threats such as this - especially when they are trying to rehabilitate Bangkok following previous problems. Lets not forget that in the last few years this 'soft target' has been underwater, burnt down, a 'life' fire zone, swarming with green mambas not to mention frequently bombed by its own home grown terrorists - it was only a few weeks ago that several bombs were found.

Of course. The Thais are only worried about three things

1. Saving face

2. Protecting the tourist trade

3. Protecting their economic interests

The last two I fully understand but saving face is no excuse for not issuing an alert themselves. They don't care a whit for the safety of their own people, much less the foreigners who live here and who pay taxes, bring in FI etc etc

One has to wonder how the government is going to react to this diplomatic breakdown between them and the US embassy - for the embassy to effectively say no to the Thai PM when she has asked them to remove the warning is a huge embarrassment - especially when one bears in mind that, unlike previous incidents in the recent past for Bangkok, this will not be seen as a home grown problem but is instead a threat by foreign terrorists to foreigners in Thailand about foreign problems.

I can see why Thailand wants no part in this but I cannot see how they can stay out of it though I can see them making a knee jerk reaction against the western foreigners that they will point the finger at possibly tightening up on immigration controls which would effect most of us - don't forget these were technically swedish men as far as immigration would be concerned targetting Israelis.

So can everyone else. The Thai government (and all others before this one) are like ostriches with their head in the sand. They also treat their own people like idiots. That's why we have the social divide that will tear the Kingdom apart is a few years. It will be like Cambodia was during the Khmer Rouge time but hopefully not quite as bad. With regard to tightening up on immigration controls, they are already doing that so whats new?

WOW...and now the Democrats are trying to out PT the PT.... Amazing....

He also said that if it were in power, the Democrat Party would have deported the suspects without giving the foreign embassies time to release the warnings, which has affected the international community's confidence in Thailand.

Chavanond also pointed out that the government has also provoked Hezbollah, a Muslim militant group, by accusing it of being behind a possible terror plot.

Oh, yes, make no mistake, they are all loons when it comes to 'protecting face' of the nation.

Agreed. All Thais are tarred with the same brush. It is a cultural problem. Face is everything but the problem is that the facts, when they become public, cause their "faces" to become red with embarrassment. They cannot seem to see this. They are simply unable to see that it is much better to admit that there is a problem than be caught out hiding it.

My riposte is as follows:

#1... I don't see an issue. The Embassy can issue a warning. Why do keep re-stating it? It's not a point of contention.

You obviously have not been reading the posts on this thread. Many. many posters have been complaining that the US Embassy was wrong to issue its threat warning. My point was in response to these posters.

#2.... Wait? So you think that the Thai government acted only after the US Embassy issued the warning? Just because the Thai government publicly responded to the issue doesn't mean that they weren't doing anything before the warning. They produced info about the guy within a couple hours of the US warning... the Thai government obviously had been working on this for a long time but felt the need to be more public about it because of image issues.

Yeah, nothing happened. No deaths, no bombing. An arrest was made... plenty of arrests are made for all sorts of things without our knowledge. I'm sure not every single "terror"-related arrest in the US is made public, either. No harm, no foul... the only thing different is that you/we know about the event. Events in the world don't only start to happen once you are aware of them.

And saving lives/saving face is the same issue... the Thai government doesn't want an event here. There hasn't been any major international terrorist event in Thailand in almost 40 years. I doubt that this was the first attempt or operation that the Thai government has been involved with.

Have I ever said that the Thai government was not taking any action? No, I have not. However, the fact that the Thai government only complained about the US Embassy alert and not providing an alert itself, does indicate that it was only concerned about the issuance of the alert by the embassy. It is patently obvious to the US Embassy that the Thais were not going to issue an alert so that did it themselves. That us why they tool the action they did. I do not know how long you have been here so I am unsure of how much you know of the Thai propensity to hide the facts and not admit there is a problem.

#3... I don't understand. Why would I or anyone have complained to the US embassy if there was a terrorist event in Thailand?

I was only using the US Embassy as an illustration. If you have another nationality, then I would expect that you would complain to that embassy had no warning been issued and you had been caught in the blast - assuming that you survived. If not, then your surviving relatives would certainly have.

#4... You asked why no answers to you post, so I answered.

Are you not aware that rhetorical answers do not require an answer? The question speaks for itself.

#1 We can skip this one... I'm only going to answer for what I think.

#2 Yes, the Thai government won't always be open. But in this case, there is no problem. No bombs, no deaths, nothing. Nothing to talk about. I'm sure there have been other arrests and supposed plots broken up in Thailand and elsewhere that never get reported.

#3 I'm American. But I still wouldn't complain to the US Embassy about an attack in Thailand. Are they planting the bombs?

#4 I took your question about "mobs" to be some sort of statement or commentary about the Thai government but not sure exactly who.

Well, I am not an American but I can see why the US Embassy did what it did. The fact that there was no bomb could well have been due to the fact that the Thais were forced to get off their rear ends and be seen to do something about it. Furthermore, had you been caught in the blast and not survived, your American relatives in the US, if you have any, would be complaining to the US Government about the lack or warning.

I rest my case.

Perhaps if the terrorist were threatening Thai people in Bangkok they would see things differently.

Let off a bomb potentially as big as they describe, and the victims would be predominantly Thai.

Probably not hiso.

Pretty harsh statement, but its obvious that the warnings tipped the Thai's hand and they had to react, which isn't very inspiring when they then magically find 4 tonnes of fertiliser at the drop of a hat. This obsession with sitting on stories like this does have a recent and longer history with this bunch.

Bird flu and fresh chicken exports anyone?

Hi Thai at Heart.

You have just confirmed what I had said in my last post above regarding the propensity for the Thai government to hide the facts from, not only the Thai people, but from anyone who happens to live or be here.

Thank you.

Thank you for your reply.

1.1. Do you not believe that every embassy in Thailand has the right and responsibly to notify its citizens of any threat to their safety? If not, why not? SURE, THEY CAN. WHY NOT?

Then you agree with the fact that the American Embassy should, irrespective of what the Thai government think, to warn its citizens of an possible impending terrorist threat.

2. Do you not think that, had the US embassy not issued its warning, that the Thai authorities would have informed the Thai public of this threat? NO, THERE WOULD BE NO REASON TO INFORM... NOTHING MUCH HAPPENED.

You say that despite nearly 400 lbs of explosive making material being found in Sakhon Nakhon (on the information provided by the alleged terrorist). Nothing much happened because the US Embassy blew the whistle on the Thai intelligence agencies. Had they not done so, it is highly likely that the Thai government would be scrambling to explain why a terrorist attack had occurred and they had not warned their citizens. As I have stated before, the Thai government, such as it is, prefers to save face rather than lives,

3. Do you trust that Thai Government will act for the benefit of its citizens, or for that matter, any foreigner living here. NO, THEY ACT FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT, JUST LIKE THE GOVERNMENTS OF MOST COUNTRIES.

You live here. I would therefore expect you to be among the loudest complainers to your embassy and on this forum, had the terrorists been successful in achieving their objective.

4. Would any of you buy a used car from this mob? NOT SURE WHO YOU ARE REFERRING TO AS "THIS MOB", BUT I DON'T NEED A USED CAR ANYWAY.

That was a rhetorical question. I am surprised that you answered it. Obviously you miss that.

Follow-ups...

#1... I don't see an issue. The Embassy can issue a warning. Why do keep re-stating it? It's not a point of contention.

#2.... Wait? So you think that the Thai government acted only after the US Embassy issued the warning? Just because the Thai government publicly responded to the issue doesn't mean that they weren't doing anything before the warning. They produced info about the guy within a couple hours of the US warning... the Thai government obviously had been working on this for a long time but felt the need to be more public about it because of image issues.

Yeah, nothing happened. No deaths, no bombing. An arrest was made... plenty of arrests are made for all sorts of things without our knowledge. I'm sure not every single "terror"-related arrest in the US is made public, either. No harm, no foul... the only thing different is that you/we know about the event. Events in the world don't only start to happen once you are aware of them.

And saving lives/saving face is the same issue... the Thai government doesn't want an event here. There hasn't been any major international terrorist event in Thailand in almost 40 years. I doubt that this was the first attempt or operation that the Thai government has been involved with.

#3... I don't understand. Why would I or anyone have complained to the US embassy if there was a terrorist event in Thailand?

#4... You asked why no answers to you post, so I answered.

Follow-ups...

#1... I don't see an issue. The Embassy can issue a warning. Why do keep re-stating it? It's not a point of contention.

#2.... Wait? So you think that the Thai government acted only after the US Embassy issued the warning? Just because the Thai government publicly responded to the issue doesn't mean that they weren't doing anything before the warning. They produced info about the guy within a couple hours of the US warning... the Thai government obviously had been working on this for a long time but felt the need to be more public about it because of image issues.

Yeah, nothing happened. No deaths, no bombing. An arrest was made... plenty of arrests are made for all sorts of things without our knowledge. I'm sure not every single "terror"-related arrest in the US is made public, either. No harm, no foul... the only thing different is that you/we know about the event. Events in the world don't only start to happen once you are aware of them.

And saving lives/saving face is the same issue... the Thai government doesn't want an event here. There hasn't been any major international terrorist event in Thailand in almost 40 years. I doubt that this was the first attempt or operation that the Thai government has been involved with.

#3... I don't understand. Why would I or anyone have complained to the US embassy if there was a terrorist event in Thailand?

#4... You asked why no answers to you post, so I answered.

My riposte is as follows:

#1... I don't see an issue. The Embassy can issue a warning. Why do keep re-stating it? It's not a point of contention.

You obviously have not been reading the posts on this thread. Many. many posters have been complaining that the US Embassy was wrong to issue its threat warning. My point was in response to these posters.

#2.... Wait? So you think that the Thai government acted only after the US Embassy issued the warning? Just because the Thai government publicly responded to the issue doesn't mean that they weren't doing anything before the warning. They produced info about the guy within a couple hours of the US warning... the Thai government obviously had been working on this for a long time but felt the need to be more public about it because of image issues.

Yeah, nothing happened. No deaths, no bombing. An arrest was made... plenty of arrests are made for all sorts of things without our knowledge. I'm sure not every single "terror"-related arrest in the US is made public, either. No harm, no foul... the only thing different is that you/we know about the event. Events in the world don't only start to happen once you are aware of them.

And saving lives/saving face is the same issue... the Thai government doesn't want an event here. There hasn't been any major international terrorist event in Thailand in almost 40 years. I doubt that this was the first attempt or operation that the Thai government has been involved with.

Have I ever said that the Thai government was not taking any action? No, I have not. However, the fact that the Thai government only complained about the US Embassy alert and not providing an alert itself, does indicate that it was only concerned about the issuance of the alert by the embassy. It is patently obvious to the US Embassy that the Thais were not going to issue an alert so that did it themselves. That us why they tool the action they did. I do not know how long you have been here so I am unsure of how much you know of the Thai propensity to hide the facts and not admit there is a problem.

#3... I don't understand. Why would I or anyone have complained to the US embassy if there was a terrorist event in Thailand?

I was only using the US Embassy as an illustration. If you have another nationality, then I would expect that you would complain to that embassy had no warning been issued and you had been caught in the blast - assuming that you survived. If not, then your surviving relatives would certainly have.

#4... You asked why no answers to you post, so I answered.

Are you not aware that rhetorical answers do not require an answer? The question speaks for itself.

I should not have posted on this board. I realized I wasted my time posting after I wasted my time reading the posts. Every single post on this board is simply silly and not worth reading. Also, the news articles that spawn the discussion are, 9 times out of 10, misinformed and contain no real info. I guess I will have to stick with janes.com.

Chadfm, You are quite right, of course. The futility of this debate is that too many posters allow their, sometimes, extreme prejudices to color their arguments with the result that they leave their credibility in the dust. Additionally, some people become angry in their responses and also lose their objectivity in their arguments. This completely destroys the debate and renders it completely pointless.

Yes you're right this was/is a real threat!

However the USA get this always on itself for lie and dirty games all the time. It is perfectly normal people get angry besides what they say or write. They get angry on the big picture.

In other words, they were right but still they are in the wrong.

I'm afraid ther is some basic evil in every country yes. If those have the power the country is lost.

What people here attribute to Americans goes far beyond basic evil.

There are many things wrong with American government policy and legislature, (as there are with many of the world's governments) but the one thing that the US Embassy is mandated by law to do is to warn their citizens abroad of an impending terrorist threat. The fact that the Thai government prefers to save face rather than lives would indicate that the Embassy was absolutely correct in issuing the threat alert.

Many posters on this thread have introduced extraneous topics that have nothing to do with the subject of this thread and have indicated a total lack of tolerance for other peoples' views. I would prefer a rational debate that sticks to the topic and without all the extraneous subjects and the lack of tolerance that many posters have inflicted upon each other during this discourse. A civil debate is something that this forum should strive for as it would greatly enhance the rather poor quality of many of the posts that I have read here.

I note that not one of the anti-American posters have even bothered to answer any of my questions posed in my post #148. Why not? Are they too difficult for any of you to answer?

Hmmm... probably no answers due to the loaded term "anti-American."

Most people probably don't identify themselves as such just because they disagree with some of its foreign policy.

But your questions are easy and I don't see what they have to do with the US or its foreign policy. My answers in CAPS...

1. Do you not believe that every embassy in Thailand has the right and responsibly to notify its citizens of any threat to their safety? If not, why not? SURE, THEY CAN. WHY NOT?

2. Do you not think that, had the US embassy not issued its warning, that the Thai authorities would have informed the Thai public of this threat? NO, THERE WOULD BE NO REASON TO INFORM... NOTHING MUCH HAPPENED.

3. Do you trust that Thai Government will act for the benefit of its citizens, or for that matter, any foreigner living here. NO, THEY ACT FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT, JUST LIKE THE GOVERNMENTS OF MOST COUNTRIES.

4. Would any of you buy a used car from this mob? NOT SURE WHO YOU ARE REFERRING TO AS "THIS MOB", BUT I DON'T NEED A USED CAR ANYWAY.

Thank you for your reply.

1.1. Do you not believe that every embassy in Thailand has the right and responsibly to notify its citizens of any threat to their safety? If not, why not? SURE, THEY CAN. WHY NOT?

Then you agree with the fact that the American Embassy should, irrespective of what the Thai government think, to warn its citizens of an possible impending terrorist threat.

2. Do you not think that, had the US embassy not issued its warning, that the Thai authorities would have informed the Thai public of this threat? NO, THERE WOULD BE NO REASON TO INFORM... NOTHING MUCH HAPPENED.

You say that despite nearly 400 lbs of explosive making material being found in Sakhon Nakhon (on the information provided by the alleged terrorist). Nothing much happened because the US Embassy blew the whistle on the Thai intelligence agencies. Had they not done so, it is highly likely that the Thai government would be scrambling to explain why a terrorist attack had occurred and they had not warned their citizens. As I have stated before, the Thai government, such as it is, prefers to save face rather than lives,

3. Do you trust that Thai Government will act for the benefit of its citizens, or for that matter, any foreigner living here. NO, THEY ACT FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT, JUST LIKE THE GOVERNMENTS OF MOST COUNTRIES.

You live here. I would therefore expect you to be among the loudest complainers to your embassy and on this forum, had the terrorists been successful in achieving their objective.

4. Would any of you buy a used car from this mob? NOT SURE WHO YOU ARE REFERRING TO AS "THIS MOB", BUT I DON'T NEED A USED CAR ANYWAY.

That was a rhetorical question. I am surprised that you answered it. Obviously you miss that.

I note that not one of the anti-American posters have even bothered to answer any of my questions posed in my post #148. Why not? Are they too difficult for any of you to answer?

I not see them but was looking for it. can you copy them inhere im bored anyway and will try to answer them lol

They are on my post # 148 on page 7 of this thread.

I note that not one of the anti-American posters have even bothered to answer any of my questions posed in my post #148. Why not? Are they too difficult for any of you to answer?

Just come in

"TANN is reporting that a Dusit Poll finds that the majority of respondents panic about terrorist warning and aren't confident in their safety"

Even the Thais don't believe their government!!! How wise of them.

Further to my post above, it would seem from the reports of what the Thai FM, Chalerm, Kovit and others that they only care about saving face rather than saving the lives of not even their own citizens. They do not give a dam_n about the foreigners living here. We are the last thing that they care about and they don't really want us here. All they want is the FI and foreign currency we bring in. And don't foul mouth me by telling me that if I feel this way, I should get out. I have been here for over thirty years because of my Thai wife (who, incidentally feels the same way that I do) and the Thai people generally. It's the arrogance of the Thai phuyai that sickens me.

I would just like to ask those anti-American posters the following:

1. Do you not believe that every embassy in Thailand has the right and responsibly to notify its citizens of any threat to their safety? If not, why not?

2. Do you not think that, had the US embassy not issued its warning, that the Thai authorities would have informed the Thai public of this threat?

3. Do you trust that Thai Government will act for the benefit of its citizens, or for that matter, any foreigner living here.

4. Would any of you buy a used car from this mob?

I am not an American but I do believe in fair play.

Does anyone know the situation in Charansanitwong 75, specifically all the way to the road to Bang Kruay?

Thanks

Yes you can but make sure that you bring the dogs as accompanied baggage, not as cargo as you will have a real hassle getting them out of customs. I speak from experience. Took me five hours to get my dog out plus a large duty payment. If they come as baggage, no duty is payable and release is comparatively easy. Ask the ground staff in Bangkok for help when you arrive.

Also, go to the following web site and ask Thai Customs what forms you need to import the dogs. There is a box there for asking such questions. You may even be able to download the Notice to Quarantine form there.

<http://thailand.visahq.com/customs/> - without the brackets

They will need a current rabies vaccination certificate and a certificate of health issued no more than 1 week prior to departure. You will have to advise the animal quarantine section of Customs at Suvarnabhumi Airport of the flight details on which you and the dogs will arrive. Also, when you check in for your flight ask the airline (suggest that you arrive on Thai International) to telex ahead to arrange a quick transfer from the aircraft to the baggage belt on arrival. TG ground staff in Bangkok are very helpful.

Hope this helps.

Hah ! I flew Business-Class on TG CNX-BKK, as a treat to myself, a couple of years back, before cattle-class on Qatar.

On-arrival at Swampy we parked at the gate, where it was then discovered that the gate-equipment was faulty & inoperable, so some stairs were found & hitched-up at-the-back of the plane. Business-Class PAX were the last to exit the aircraft, no apology to those of us who were on a tight-connection, or had paid extra for upgraded-service. That's the last time I fly Bus-Class with TG.

The idea of parking at a working-gate in the first place, or putting the stairs at the right-hand front-exit (so we could get off first), was clearly way-over Thai Airways' staff's heads. Shades of 'more than my job's worth', or 'I'm not authorised to think for myself', or indeed to deliver good-service ! How do they expect to attract people paying 3-4 times the competition's economy-fares ?

Please please please let someone decent take over this formerly-proud airline, and bring it into the current century.

Ricardo,

Firstly, the positioning of the aircraft on any particular gate and ensuring that it is operational is the responsibility of the Airports Authority of Thailand, not TG. I would imaging that TG was not aware of the malfunctioning of the aerobridge until the arrival and was not expecting to have to supply mobile stairs. Secondly, I would anticipate that since the aircraft was already at the gate, access to the forward doors was impractical due to them being blocked by the aerobridge. Hence the only access would have been via the rear exit. In these circumstances, it is common sense to evacuate the rear-most passengers first so that those passengers at the front of the plane would have easier egress than having to fight their way through a mass of economy class passengers.

It really amazes me how some people do not think things through before complaining about something that is totally beyond the control of the airline. I am sure that the poster from Emirates would agree with me.

I have been flying with TG for three or four times per year for some thirty years, both internationally and domestic in economy and business class and have never had a bad flight in all that time, even on full flights. In addition, only once have my bags been lost and even then it was only for 24 hours. Perhaps the difference in our experiences is that one of us is a pessimist and the other is an optimist.

I fail to see where pessimisim and optimisim fit into this picture.

A pessimist is one who looks for the bad things in a situation while an optimist looks at the good ones. In this instance, I consider my initial response to be rather pertinent.

I have been flying with TG for three or four times per year for some thirty years, both internationally and domestic in economy and business class and have never had a bad flight in all that time, even on full flights. In addition, only once have my bags been lost and even then it was only for 24 hours. Perhaps the difference in our experiences is that one of us is a pessimist and the other is an optimist.

Sorry guys. I misspelled the name of the tailor. It should be Ordermark Tailors. They were located in Narayand Pavilion in Rajprasong before the pavilion was torn down. I am looking for this for an American friend who is a regular visitor to Bangkok and usually has his clothes made there. He is coming back next month so I want to be able to help him. Does anyone have any idea where they might have gone? I have tried asking the staff at Arnoma Hotel but they do not know here they have moved to. I have also searched the internet for some information to no avail.

I am looking Overmark Tailors who used to be located in Narayand Plaza on Rajprasong before it was pulled down. Does anyone know where they are now? Their old phone number has been disconnected. Many thanks.

Let's make sure we stick to commenting on the topic and the posts about it; NOT the poster making it.

I am curious about the target. As I understand it, Big C's in general appeal to the lower economic portion of society. Buses are also used by the poorer segment of society, so the people who get injured are more likely to be red shirts, I would think.

I was in in my car this early evening on Rajdamri about 100 meters from Big C when the explosion occurred. I was outside the Arnoma Hotel when this almighty bang went off and I said to my wife "That's a bomb". Traffic was already at a standstill due to the red light at Pratumwan intersection so, after the explosion I was worried that there might be more explosions to come so, being in the outside lane nearest to Big C, I managed to do a U-turn into the Gaysorn Plaza access to Ploenchit and went home via the expressway. Had I been about 100 metres further on, I would probably have copped the full blast. In the nearly 30 years that I have been living here, this is the closest I have ever come to danger in any shape or form. Thailand certainly has changed for the worse.

For what it's worth and while I have no proof that this is going to happen, I have heard through contacts (from people close to Jakrophob, actually) that the reds are regrouping and are planning more rallies and "activities" (whatever that may mean) in the months following the lifting of the Emergency Rule in Bangkok. Perhaps Abhisit is right in prolonging the decree, for the immediate future, particularly in Bangkok. If this is true, it does not bode well for the months following the lifting of the ED.

Incidentally, Big C has been closed since the advent of the red shirt occupation of Rajdamri with a corrugated fence around the entire complex so it makes you wonder who the actual target was. Perhaps it was a reminder from the red shirts that this is where, so to speak, Custer had his last stand.

The CNN/Dan Rivers video kinda kills all the pro-red arguments ... not to mention the Brit that says he was with the reds when they were burning down Channel 3 (to try and escape the charge of burning down Central World!)

This Brit is will probably also make a deal with government especially for his own safety , he is a very important witness and needs to watch his back I would think.

For what it's worth, Dan Rivers is an Australian. As far as I am concerned he has been proved to be totally unprofessional and should be fired from CNN. If Tom Minter had been the reporter, the reporting would have been much more balanced and professional. Pity that he has left CNN. He in now retired living up in Chiangmai or thereabouts. Rivers is a clown. Minter a real pro.

As a matter of interest, I have cancelled my subscription to CNN in protest and any emails I get from them automatically go into my junk mail

With regard to the invasion of Chulalongkorn Hospital by the res shirts, attached are some photos of the temporary accommodation that the hospital had to use, along with some commentary in Thai and in English.