Britannia

I wonder how this will affect married couples. The authorities know that when a foreigner marries a poor Thai woman, and they buy a house together, which is put in her name, that the money came from the foreigner. I suppose we all have to find ways to make it look like the money came from her. The silly consequence is that if the land is confiscated, the Thai wife will lose both her home and husband. Then the rich can buy the land at a bargain basement price. Have the officials been on a study trip to Zimbabwe, by any chance?

They could not give a s---t about the Thai wife, she's a peasent, How dare she try to improve herself, Farang, well they are inferior beings you know, Thailand from the dark ages to the dark ages, on a different planet from the rest of us

"The party has a clear policy to reduce living costs by terminating the fuel fund," - won't that increase costs ... of everything?

No, because the fund is basically empty now. It is an acceptance of the fact that a continuation of the fuel fund is a waste of limited funds.

"by next January all grade one students would get tablet PCs" - and ensure the infrastructure is there so that they can use the internet? And have a teaching program so that the children actually use them for learning? Are you aware that India is launching a similar program? 2200rupee tablets (1500 baht) India and Thailand have a similar situation, and yet India is lauded for the program.

"basic salaries for bureaucrats adjusted to Bt15,000" - I thought it was basic salaries for graduates?

15,000 baht is basically a subsistence income in some areas of the country. Are you opposed to people earning a liveable wage?

"maximum personal income tax would be reduced from 30 to 23 per cent." - that will help the poor farmers!

It will encourage people to pay their taxes if the system is fair and will not punish those that earn more from hard work. It does not refer to corporate taxes. Nor does it refer to the elimination of tax loopholes. That too will be included in such a plan. It is a cornerstone of belief of conservatives to lower personal income taxes. So much for PTP being a bunch of commies.

"They might not complete 100 per cent of their policies" - I'm expecting 100% of their "Vision 2020" policies to be incomplete.

So? Would you rather they didn't have a vision or some stated goals like the Democrats? Without goals how can there be a direction? I take it you prefer the rudderless Democrat led government that is drifting in a lazy circle?

Traffic on Ramkhamhaeng Road was jammed from 4.30pm onwards." - It was Friday afternoon. It's always jammed from 4:30pn onwards..

Ok. The report did state; Supporters took the initiative of distributing party leaflets or setting up stalls selling Yingluck and Pheu Thai T-shirts". Are you complaining just for the sake of complaining?

"15,000 baht is basically a subsistence income in some areas of the country."

Where exactly is that? In a Sukhumvit Rd. penthouse? Does subsistence in your book include the running costs of the BMW?

15,000 baht - US$ 500 - GBP 300 PER MONTH!!! can you point me in the direction of the BMW garage , you sound like you want to keep people in poverty, is that to make you feel better about your income?

Don’t you know, the poor of Thailand are uneducated, Idiots and easily lead. And Taksin is a Terrorist, Hitler, Sadham, a Bin Laden.

All those that use these names as evil, also want to condemn the poor of Thailand to a similar fate that the aforementioned names bestowed upon humanity.

It’s the rich that condemns their own its evil that points the finger at others

It’s not about you or me it’s about them, Thai people, Thailand.

Speak for yourself. When you say "them", you are talking about my wife and my children. Probably my grandchildren as well someday. You will forgive me for wanting them to have the absolute best possible environment to live their lives. I may not have the right to vote here, but I have a big stake in what turns out, and take a very personal interest in the state of affairs in this country. It most certainly is about me. If you have no ties here, then you are correct. It is not about you.

It can take 2 or maybe 3 generations to change the fate of a sector of society but there has to be a starting point

Yes, and this starting point needs to be bringing terrorism charges against the demagogue and despot who started this crisis and is currently hiding out in Montenegro and Dubai. Only after he has been brought to justice and any fear of his return has gone can we start on the other cretins who also need to be punished. You are correct though. Thoroughly routing out the poison Thaksin has infected Thai society with will take generations if it is possible to remove it at all.

The only thing that is absolutely certain is that the demagogue's sister does not stand for any type of reconciliation. The only thing she will bring is more division and civil war. Reconciliation would mean seeing her brother at the end of a rope after being convicted of terrorism.

Sir. Respectfully, you are concerned about your wife and Children and so you should be. Yes Sir I also have a wife here have been together many years but as you say it is not about me, though you think it’s about you; does your wife share your anger?

Also it’s never about the individual, it’s about the majority The whole society

You talk about a civil war almost as if you are wishing it

Is this a case of I don’t get what I want then nobody plays?

Sir reading your response would seem like your in favor of a demagogue leader, but from the opposite side

It is time to stop all the bickering and just let the chips fall where they will. PTP or Dems, it's just the same song on a different record. My only reservation about Yingluck is this. To use an analogy: You wouldn't give a man the job of driving a school bus if he had never driven before. Yet here we stand on the cusp of an election and the prospect of a women, who has never been in parliament, with no political experience about to take the reins of the country. If fear she will be torn to shreds in the lions dens and a crash maybe imminent. It's all well and good on the election trail with prepared notes and choreograph routines, i feel she will be in for a harsh and brutal shock and she may rue the day she was chosen for this.

But on a more positive note its great for women to actually have a high profile public figure to aspire to.

Third World countries have quite often been led by people that have never been in Government before, Sometimes very successfully (for the majority) of the people of that country.

It’s not about you or me it’s about them, Thai people, Thailand.

It can take 2 or maybe 3 generations to change the fate of a sector of society but there has to be a starting point

Thais could be assured that the country would go forward and his new government would serve all groups of people fairly - like being "under the same sky"

How many skies are there?

Lots of uneducated people answering in this thread, it seems. Wake up, Thailand isn't a poor country.

That's why so many of them are living in Thailand. You probably noticed as I have done that it's pretty much only the Thaksin bashers that are posting any comments recently. The others have realised that it's no point discussing anything with such blinkered people. Much more fun to just sit on the sidelines and listen to the others shout themselves hoarse.

because they have no reply,and blinkered you lead the pack,sitting and waiting for the thai way live for today.

more fool you.

sit on the fence all year long look and learn.

good job oxygens free waste it all you want,ts basher noway.open mind and living in the real world yes.

No I agree, You don’t have to be a Red supporter, to be accused that you are, they just can not debate with anyone who has opinion that differs from theirs.

It is best to stay off the forum.

For Educated people; they can be very rude indeed. Let them dwindle in their own misguided superiority

Taking on board opinion you agree with and dismissing opinion you don't agree with, This is called Ignorance.

Perhaps you should look for a self help book. maybe you need it, or maybe you should write one for the less educated, you can then advise them all 100,000 because they all must be evil, to buy a gun and shoot themselves, there problem solved

In this statement I believe they've transposed the subject and object, shouldn't it more accurately read;

Phuket Customs warns of Thai ladies cheating foreigners...

Foreigners, that covers a lot of Nationalities, there are some that could teach the Thai ladies a trick or two, were not all from Aus, USA. West Europe

The article was fair and unbiased, I think so many miss the point, Biased is what decides how people vote, not reasoning. It is bigotry to say they are all wrong we are all right,

Arrogance and Bigotry, The article points out that all participating parties are far from squeaky clean, those that can not see it are indeed dinosaurs, small brain big action and eventually extinct so that the rest can move on. Sad so Sad

"....fair and unbiased...." Think you need to do some further research.

Research is for academics, research is studying reports, taking on board opinion you agree with and dismissing opinion you dont agree with,

If you want knowledge and not belief, you have to have the experience yourself, so unless you were in many places at the same time and witnessing for yourself, then you only have belief and not knowledge

Belief is subject to change, knowledge can not be changed.

The article was unbiased, that means not taking side.

The article was fair and unbiased, I think so many miss the point, Biased is what decides how people vote, not reasoning. It is bigotry to say they are all wrong we are all right,

Arrogance and Bigotry, The article points out that all participating parties are far from squeaky clean, those that can not see it are indeed dinosaurs, small brain big action and eventually extinct so that the rest can move on. Sad so Sad

Clever! We're all dinosaurs in this election. Except that dinosaurs were probably brighter than a lot of the voters, though they didn't get to vote for their leaders back in their time, they just ate anything lesser than them, perhaps we should regress to that position, it would be far more reliable.

I understand what you are saying, They (the voters) are lesser than you, You are superior (perhaps a Demi God or more) They should be eaten up, but you should be doing the eating, Be aware of evolution, things change you may be eating your own words, now there is a thought

Well boys, the game is upon us. Time to put on your best hair shirt, stock up on essentials, turn on the telly and root for your team, be it red, yellow, blue, etc.

Quite amusing how farang with no skin in the game pick sides in the ongoing political train wreck known as Thai politics, as if their opinion actually matters. que rico!

Speak for yourself about having no skin in the game. Many of us are heavily invested here, in various ways.

So money is your motif? people come next but first take care of my money, for sure I do not want to become one of those poor I loath so much

Get a grip, dude. Read it again. VARIOUS WAYS. Did I say money only?

Get a grip dude. Thats my sense of humour, but with all truth its about people, not investment, I wish you well, I wish Thailand peace, I wish us all peace, Get a grip dude, great stuff

Well boys, the game is upon us. Time to put on your best hair shirt, stock up on essentials, turn on the telly and root for your team, be it red, yellow, blue, etc.

Quite amusing how farang with no skin in the game pick sides in the ongoing political train wreck known as Thai politics, as if their opinion actually matters. que rico!

Speak for yourself about having no skin in the game. Many of us are heavily invested here, in various ways.

So money is your motif? people come next but first take care of my money, for sure I do not want to become one of those poor I loath so much

Yes no violence from either sector, peace be on all men, regardless of opinion, lets hope and pray for a peaceful in Thailand and that it really can become again The Land of Smiles. My sincere good wishes to all Thailand and all its people and to all those we/I debate with on this Forum

Well here is another lot of opinion, who started the violence, if you were not standing next to the person who gave the order or next to the person who made a shot, then it is all your opinion who started it, that makes it bigoted opinion and that is the worst kind, for it is not open to debate. I wasn’t there I do not know, even though I followed it on T.V and seen the U-Tube, but I was not there

As I stated I have no political stance at all in Thailand, its not my country, but I have noted as an impartial observer, that Farang supporters of the Yellow (camp may we say) far accede the supporters of the (red camp) But the supporters of the red (camp) seem to be a lot more open minded and less prejudice.

Before you make your comment: read what I have written as your comment will probably show I am right.

Why does ignorance prevail more in the educated, than the uneducated?

Chiang mai tourism has been abysmal for 3 years now. What happened 3 years ago?

What happened about 3 years ago? Hmmmmmmmm the Global Financial Crisis?

http://www.globaliss...inancial-crisis

Global Financial Crisis

Author and Page information

* by Anup Shah

* This Page Last Updated Saturday, December 11, 2010

* This page: http://www.globaliss...nancial-crisis.

* To print all information e.g. expanded side notes, shows alternative links, use the print version:

o http://www.globaliss...int/article/768

The global financial crisis, brewing for a while, really started to show its effects in the middle of 2007 and into 2008. Around the world stock markets have fallen, large financial institutions have collapsed or been bought out, and governments in even the wealthiest nations have had to come up with rescue packages to bail out their financial systems.

I could give you scads more links showing that it started in 2007 but was really felt in the latter 1/2 of 2008 ....

I do not dispute, the World financial crash had an enormous effect on tourism, But others would dispute that the Airport seizure had any contribution towards failing tourism or in fact that there is any decline in tourism, You can not go on Government figures, that is just believing what someone wants you to believe.

If you are or were in the tourist sector industry, you will know without published figures that tourism is down considerably from 3 years ago. Yes agree 2 factors. Financial crash and Airport seizure..

I have no political stand in Thailand, I do not favor any against any other party, I just try to see things as they are and not how I wished they were

Why does ignorance prevail more in the educated, than the uneducated?

Chiang mai tourism has been abysmal for 3 years now. What happened 3 years ago?

"New applicants for work permits will now be required to provide proof of their Education Certificate (BA, BS, MA, MS, PhD) and a reference letter from the previous employer confirming employment."

As far as I know a degree has always been a requirement. At my old company there was a guy from NZ applying and being hired (this was about 3 years ago). He had to show a degree in order to get he work permit. He didnt have one so didnt get a work permit and couldnt take the job.

All jobs I have been working in in Thailand (3 different companies already) have required me to show my degree to get he work permit.

And finally, last time I got my work permit was the first time they didn't even accept my university transcript (which they have always accepted in the past), this was a couple months back (this year). They wanted to see the original degree (the real graduation paper document). This was a problem because I never picked this up when I finished university So I had to call to my university right inside the immigration and had somebody talk to the person at immigration to proof I have studied there. It worked out in the end but was quite scary. I was afraid it will not work. In the meantime I went back to my university and had the degree issued to me again. They were all laughing at me when they saw it took me over 7 years to pick it up since graduation

Anyway, just o share mu experience as I don't think the degree requirement is anything new.

I take it, it wasn't a degree in English

It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful

too often bend the acts of government to

their own selfish purposes.

-Andrew Jackson

Justice and power must be brought together,

so that whatever is just may be powerful,

and whatever is powerful may be just.

- Blaise Pascal

We are no longer puppets being manipulated

by outside powerful forces:

we become the powerful force ourselves.

-Leo Buscagalia

Who is wise? He that learns from everyone.

Who is powerful? He that governs his passions.

Who is rich? He that is content.

Who is that?

Nobody.

- Benjamin Franklin

He who controls others may be powerful,

but he who has mastered himself

is mightier still.

- Lao Tzu

AND HERE IS ONE MORE

Openning words of Woodstock

So everyone wants to change the World

So it becomes a better place

Well lets start today by changing the world

Everyone change yourself

Swami Satchidananda

I have never been to the centre of the Earth, though I have seen it in movies but that is Hollywood You know Bull****

Has anyone actually been to the centre of the Earh? the Earths core NO!!!

So maybe it is just filled with jam, not sure if I would believe anyone who told me they had been there and it was so (filled with Jam)

But how could I argue? never actually ever being there myself?

Of course if someone is

• Paid for many years to convince all people in a given area that the Earths core is filled with Red Jam

• Thesis 1 and 2 are banned from being heard

• And taught that Thesis 1 & 2 be arguments of bad people.

of course people can be 'made to believe',

'the earth is flat' and 'filled with red jam'.

And if those people are sent to discuss with those who:

• Have seen many other hypothesis and arguments for and against them,

• Seen relevant, substantiated info about them

• Were trained to make judgments between many different sources and their probable validities,

You naturally get those who have seen, and know,

unsuccessfully trying to convince those who

'only know what they have been repeatedly told,

is wrong and coming from untrustworthy sources'.

No wonder it is circular in direction.

So if I understand it correctly What you are saying is:

If you are not poor, never been poor, not lived amoung the poor, not lived a poor life

Then you can not comment on the poor or poverty, is that right?

Otherwise it would only be academmic (Theory without practical experience) is that right?

I must say I totally agree with you

Reading the posts in many of the forums, it seems to me that pro-Thaksin supporters would merely like Thaksin to be back in power but do not vehemently attack Abhisit and co. However, the anti-Thaksin camp continuously attack him, his family and his siblings, bringing everything down to a very personal level.

So a question to the anti-Thaksin camp - what will you do IF Thaksin comes back to power? As a matter of principle, will you then be leaving the country in disgust (and returning to your respective countries of cleaner than white politicians with fair and democratic elections) rather than contribute further to Thailand's economy, which after all, will merely find it's way to Thaksin's pockets again?

I like It. I Like it. I like it!!!!

Never read so much biased rubbish in all my life

Yes, Taksin back! are you all leaving now?

Ho and I am not a Taksin supporter, or anyone’s supporter

But talking biased will always be talking ignorance

Anger. Frustrations, insults, Self Help? commenting about something without knowledge, blind belief, letting the mind rule the ego. GAME SET AND MATCH

I am bemused as to why someone believed Buddhas teachings as crap, would decide to live in Thialand

I. unlike other posters would not proclaim to have never been the bad guy.

Not a religiouse convert at all, just study my own mind, see what is driven by emotion and what is driven by clear thinking.

Anger greed revenge, they are in side all of us, some give in to them others conquer them

Read how to have a beautiful mind by Edward De Borna, nothing religiouse there

I think the poster trisailer thinks without emotional intervention, which is positive thinking There are two things that govern the Universe and we are a part of the Univers, positive and negative and before anyone comments I fully understand that there needs to be negative to balance the positive. Actions are what count not words not reading not knowledge but actions. Academics will never make a Ghandi, Good actions generate good actions, and bad generate bad. Like it or not Taksin is venerated in much of thailand and many would prostrate before him, As the Taksin we are all talking about, he will be loved and hated, but with the heart of Ghandi, he would be immortalised and do great things, nothing is not reversable one only needs the heart and will. He was blessed as a leader, he should lead with heart not greed