aries27

Not kidding about the events happening fast. But I will sleep of course.

Exactly what I meant, Grandpops..

Watch out, events like these can unfold very fast. Better not sleep tonight...

If the PAD has a leader who is credible and acceptable to most (the Thais - civilians and the military), this whole thing would be a done deal, sooner than later.

It looks more like a hollyhock to me.

If it is, the stems should be thorny. Flowers last for a day?

Take it on Me - AHA

Long Ago and FarAway - James Taylor

rain makes boring

The old looking nail polish

Mr. Bean's Holiday

Sorry, I mixed up the names. It says Klong Toey Market. Is this the same as Jatujak/Chatuchak?

Clarification please: Why does it say Loy Krathong is the largest open air market in the capital? Isn't Jatujak is?

My condolences.

Well, for some time now, Malaysia has been playing referee among ASEAN nations with domestic troubles like the Mindanao's Muslim in PH. So this is not so surprising a move from Malaysia. And Malaysians are not very noisy and complaining people and media is quieter too so the administration will not have a problem on that regard.

Or else, it will be luxury resort arrest for ex PM Thaksin? Hmm, that won't be too bad, especially if there is a mini golf course in it (no sarcasm there). Mefeels Mr. Thaksin won't be severely punished as it happens to erring leaders in the West. The lost face syndrome of Asians won't allow humiliation for the exPM.

Just a thought hmm?

Mefeels (and I don't really know Thai politics at all) that it is going to be worse before it gets better. Crossing my fingers for you Thai people that the damage is least, if ever.

I admire your courage Branko. No need to apologize. But have someone help you so it is easier to express your thoughts.

But are you sure you are not barking at the wrong tree (oops, I bark ? The people to convince are your own, maybe the current leaders. The people here do not run the affairs of your government. But yes, they could influence their home governments in treating your government so maybe you have a point in coming here.

Good luck but listen to the clamor of the majority of the people.

I do not know about your politics, just talking in general or from a similar experience we had in our country.

I empathize.

They say curiosity once killed a cat. I hope it doesn't kill me.

Not a cat, I checked at the mirror. Puppy likely.

I also don't know much about Thai politics but am always a curious lil gal, and I try to learn. What is happening in LOS interests me enough. The internet is a good source of info and it will be helpful to the democracy loving Thais. That is a benefit we did not have in 1986 or the fight would have been quicker.

Is it dangerous to be critical or just give an honest comment (but might not be so pleasant to the current government) about Thailand if you are not a Thai citizen, or is it anything goes in this forum?

In my country, it is ok if you are a citizen. You can praise or you can bitch. But when you are a foreigner commenting, the reaction is not always welcomed.

Just asking...

Anything goes is called freedom of speech

Is it dangerous to be critical or just give an honest comment (but might not be so pleasant to the current government) about Thailand if you are not a Thai citizen, or is it anything goes in this forum?

In my country, it is ok if you are a citizen. You can praise or you can bitch. But when you are a foreigner commenting, the reaction is not always welcomed.

Just asking...

just have to keep in mind that something like free speech is not existing in Thailand, and is not allowed. their are just too many taboos in LOS.

Being an ex-pat American I always have to listen to comments, opinions, complaints about the U.S., foriegn policy, etc. etc. etc. from non-Americans. Most of the time it's okay as long the people have some idea of what they are talking about... which is not always the case. I bet the OP blogged his opinions about the US although he has never been there........ Natch.

You betcha!

Sleepy now.. nighty night folks!

Having trouble sleeping. Hopefully the glass of milk will help.

Philippine officials say Thaksin did not ask for asylum.

FYI....In 1986, when Marcos was ousted, he fled to Hawai.. he died in exile, a sad and broken man. It was said he wished he stayed home and faced the music.

In 2001, Estrada was ousted. It was said that he was offered by the Arroyo government an exit to Australia. Estrada refused. He was detained at his own rest house for years until he was freed last year. Mistress visit was allowed, it was widely believed.

Forgot to say, sweet dreams to all!

Is it dangerous to be critical or just give an honest comment (but might not be so pleasant to the current government) about Thailand if you are not a Thai citizen, or is it anything goes in this forum?

In my country, it is ok if you are a citizen. You can praise or you can bitch. But when you are a foreigner commenting, the reaction is not always welcomed.

Just asking...

Yesterday, November 10, a Manila newspaper (Philippine Star) had this news article:

Thai prime minister arrives today for bilateral talks with GMA

By Paolo Romero

Monday, November 10, 2008

Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat will arrive this afternoon for brief talks with President Arroyo on bilateral and regional concerns on the global economic crisis.

Somchai is scheduled to arrive in Manila for a seven-hour visit. The two leaders will meet at Malacañang prior to the state dinner to be tendered in honor of the visiting head of state.

Somchai's visit will come on the eve of the crucial meeting of the ASEAN+3 (member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus China, Japan and South Korea) high-level technical working group in Manila that would finalize the amount and the mechanics of disbursement of the proposed multi-billion dollar standby facility for distressed financial institutions in the region.

The final decision on the standby facility that finance officials in the region earlier said could be anywhere between $80 billion to $350 billion would be reached when ASEAN heads of state meet in Chiang Mai, Thailand next month.

"The visit, though brief, is very significant especially that Thailand is now chair of the ASEAN and there are many developments in the region," Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said.

"It is also expected that the two ASEAN leaders will discuss the current financial crisis and its impact on the region during the bilateral meeting," a Palace statement said.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the new Thai prime minister is coming to Manila "to introduce himself to the President."

Somchai took over Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and went into exile in Britain.

The British government later revoked Thaksin's visa and confirmed last Saturday that they have slapped an entry ban on the former Thai premier and his wife Pojaman.

Thaksin last month was sentenced in absentia to two years in jail for conflict of interest after helping his wife buy state-owned land when he was prime minister.

The reasons for the British government's decision remain unclear, but there appear to be a number of countries willing to take Thaksin.

"We don't have to be concerned about Thaksin and his family," the Thai-language Matichon newspaper quoted Pracha Prosobdee, a member of the ruling pro-Thaksin People Power Party (PPP), as saying.

"There are the Bahamas and several countries in Africa and around the world that will gladly welcome high-quality people like him."

The Nation newspaper quoted an unnamed source from the PPP saying Thaksin was building a 300-million-baht ($8.5-million) mansion in China, where he and his wife might take up residence if Britain is indeed off the cards.

The English-language paper also mentioned the Bahamas, and said the couple had been offered honorary citizenship there.

The Bangkok Post's Sunday edition quoted an unnamed source as saying that the couple were currently in China. Last week, the paper reported that Bolivia was considering offering Thaksin a post as an economic advisor.

Somchai, Thaksin's brother-in-law, however remained tight-lipped about his relative's plans.

"The revoking of the visas is the decision by the government of Great Britain – we cannot criticize," he said, but refused to say whether he planned to meet up with Thaksin on his trip today to Manila.

The Public Relations Department of Thailand said Somchai has planned to officially visit the Philippines "in response to the invitation sent by the Philippines's President, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, in order to tighten up relations between both countries."

-------------------------------------------

Later in the afternoon, an update was posted that the PH government is not granting asylum to Thaksin as it fears being criticized by the foes of Pres. Arroyo.

Inspite of the proximity of the Philippines to Thailand, many Filipinos are not aware of what is happening to Thailand.

Today, the same newspaper published this news:

-------------------------------------

GMA, Thai PM hold bilateral talks; no mention of Thaksin asylum

By Paolo Romero

Tuesday, November 11, 2008 <a name="p0">President Arroyo and Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat held talks yesterday at Malacañang on pursuing greater regional cooperation to address the global economic crisis.

There was no mention in the meeting of the reported bid of ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra to seek political asylum in the Philippines, but Malacañang said he would be turned away if he makes such a request.

Somchai’s seven-hour visit came on the eve of the crucial meeting of the ASEAN+3 where the regional bloc would try to finalize the amount and the mechanics of disbursing the proposed multi-billion dollar standby facility for distressed financial institutions in the region.

ASEAN+3 comprises the 10 member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus dialogue partners China, Japan and South Korea.

Somchai arrived in Manila at 3 p.m. and was met by Vice President Noli de Castro at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. He laid a wreath at the Rizal Monument in Luneta Park. The Thai delegation then proceeded to the Manila Hotel.

Somchai arrived at the Palace grounds at 5:45 p.m. and was accorded honors by members of the Presidential Security Group.

The two leaders met for about 40 minutes at the Music Room and were later joined by Cabinet officials from both sides.

In her speech at the state dinner tendered in honor of Somchai, Mrs. Arroyo said ASEAN members are counting on the leadership of Thailand, which currently chairs the regional alliance, in pursuing a cooperative financial program to address the crisis.

She pointed out that Somchai called on the ASEAN leaders during the Asia-Europe Summit in Beijing, China last month “to come together to seek a common ground on ways to coordinate assistance for our economies just as our countries have done so on so many other important issues.”

“All eyes are on the global stock market but under your leadership, ASEAN does not lose sight of the often unseen impact of global economic crisis on the long-term needs of the poor,” the President said.

She noted that ASEAN wants to insulate the region from the global economic crisis “in a way that puts the poor ahead of the rich and powerful.”

“And we’re doing this in a way that offers a global solution to a global challenge,” she said.

“We all agree that we must instill confidence in our market economies. But we must also take action to provide hope to those who need it most,” Mrs. Arroyo said.

She said it was clear to ASEAN economies, under Thailand’s leadership, “that coordinated action among nations is the better path than going it alone.”

“We count on Thailand to champion the cry of the poor as we work together to counter the global financial crisis,” she said.

Mrs. Arroyo said past “mistakes” have strengthened the Philippine financial system although measures have to be put in place to make it weather the present crisis.

Somchai was expected to leave at 10 last night.

Presidential spokesman Jesus Dureza told ANC that Thaksin “will be courteously informed that he will not be received here.”

The Foreign Affairs department has not officially received any request from the multi-millionaire Thaksin, who is now in search of a refuge after the British government revoked his entry visa.

Speculation over Thaksin’s possible move to the Philippines has heightened because of Somchai’s scheduled meeting with Mrs. Arroyo. Somchai is Thaksin’s brother-in-law.

Last month, Thaksin was sentenced in absentia to two years in jail for conflict of interest after helping his wife buy state-owned land when he was prime minister.

The Philippines and Thailand established diplomatic relations in 1949.

Thailand is hosting the annual ASEAN summit in Chiang Mai in December.

----------------------------------------------

It is up to you to read between the lines of diplomat-speak what actually was discussed or the real purpose of the visit, if there was. The visit seems unscheduled or at least Pres. Arroyo had to delay her US trip yesterday to be here for Somchai's quick visit. The front page has a picture of the two heads of state.

FYI

I think this should be another thread...

Regarding sea mishaps in the Philippines, you have to understand that...

1. the Philippines is an archipelago, 7.100 islands on high tide eh? No, not all those islands are habitable, but many are.

2. the Philippines is a country of 80 million or even more.

3. the most popular means of transporting between islands is by sea (by economy, tradition and ease...)

4. many people depend on the sea for their livelihood (fishermen, boatmen, etc).

finally

5. accidents happen

there are times when a typhoon changes course or strengthens speed without warning.

many of these fishermen and sea travelers know and understand the nature of the sea, or of the climate we are in. they were born in it. but some people just have to go home (maybe the reasons far outweigh the risks) or some people just have to earn a living.

usually what happens is that the weather conditions are good when a fishing boat or a big ship or ferry goes out to sea, but in the deep of the night, nature takes its course.

people who do not live in the islands cannot often empathize what these island people go through. and please don't feel defensive, even filipinos who live most of their lives in the biggest island of luzon who have never ventured out or the few wealthy who only travel by air, also don't understand and just shoot from the hips, criticizing this and that when a navigation accident happens.

sometimes, even at the height of the typhoon, people insist on traveling and even quarrel with the ferry company if the latter refuses to sail. sometimes the reasons are valid (e.g. urgent medical needs, financial like one has to get money, can't be stranded in an island for work or school, sometimes, it is a case of overseas workers going home after a year or so, so excited to see their families like many of the victims of last june's ferry accident). you get the picture.

but this morning, some good news. 11 fishermen who were caught in typhoon when they went out to sea last nov. 6 were rescued, fit and healthy (they ate raw fish to survive) from the island of occidental mindoro. they were rescued by a philippine ship after almost a week floating in the waters. in fairness, they didn't look too bad after those days at sea.

this typhoon (filipino name is quinta made an about face after nearly exiting the country and is again back in the country today). fortunately it is not a strong one (unlike hurricane ike).

in conclusion, while a lot can be done to reduce sea accidents like installing state-of-the-art weather facilities and high tech communication between the weather station and the sea going vessels, proper monitoring of the coast guard, etc., the philippines as pointed out being an archipelago, and because of its huge population, would naturally have, per capita, more accidents than other countries. not trying to give excuses but more of explaining why these things happen here.

i hope this has given you a fresh perspective on the country.

thanks! have a good day all!

I think the reason why some would prefer to fly CPA or Philippine Airlines than the other budget airlines is because of time saved as well as money too.

Manila-Bangkok is only 2 hours, cross China Sea and Vietnam and you're there.

If you fly Air Asia, not only are you landing in Clark (1.5 hours away from Metro Manila) but you are also going to take a long route, Mnl-Klu is 4 hours and 1.5 hours to Bangkok so you will be a flying long.

Well, I did not know it is difficult to book with an international card on CPA. Maybe it is a preferential treatment to Philippine nationals?