monkeycountry

15.000 police on the streets guarantees that the shutdown will be at least a partial success, as even if the protesters do not manage to block the streets, that amount of police is guaranteed to block them

"After the House dissolution, the government cant do much to solve economic woes."

Actually by dissolving the house Ms Yingluck has unknowingly solved the main economic problems, as she has thereby prevented the PTP from borrowing a lot of money to throw away on useless policies and steal through corruption.

Kick out the expats. See if that makes a difference in "new arrivals".

As I understand it a large proportion of bars girls get pregnant in their teens to their Thai boyfriend/husbands. When the relationship goes sour, as teenage relationships tend to, then the bars of Pattaya and Bangkok become the best way to provide for their kid(s).

Better education, clear opportunities for young girls to aspire to other than finding a husband or prostituting themselves for quick cash and expansion of a true educated middle class that will bring around the needed cultural changes are the only way to bring down teenage pregnancy rates.

Partykiller :-)

what is truly "Amazing" is some Thais (and some TVF posters) really think democracy is not 'worth it' and should not be given to those 'poor farmers'

let's reiterate - the only way for us to know how many Thais support Dear Leader Suthep is to have an... wait for it.... drum roll... ELECTION

but he doesn't want that - i mean why rely on democracy when you can just take over?

The reason we do not let children decide on most issues, is because they do not yet know what is best for them - and others. This is also the case for many adults.

Everyone should of course have the opportunity to vote, but perhaps people should meet some criteria other than being over 18 in order to vote. Perhaps a national test on some general knowledge would be the answer. Everyone can then study a bit in order to pass the test, and then vote.

As it is, any idiot could win a Thai election simply by promising to borrow a ton of money and distribute the money evenly to all Thais, therefore traditional democracy is not a good solution for Thailand.

Further, I am no fan of Suthep, and don't want him as either MP or PM. However I do support his attempt at getting rid of the Shinawatras. The PTP can stay, they can even stay in power for all I care, just without the Shinawatras.

I think She is playing exactly the hand shes advised to, I also think that whatever people like to think about the Shins they are not stupid and are very well educated compared to a lot of the handmedown ammarts the contrast is striking.

Do you have an example of these less educated handmedown ammart to compare the Shins with?

My opinion based on the feudal system in Thailand the impact made and the rapid change in power demographics that the Shin business model had on Thailand. Love it or hate it it changed the country in a few years and took the ammart by surprise. International business use of outside policy and knowledge completely rewrote the way popularity and politics could be done.

In contrast with the ammart an education in the US or UK with a piece of paper impressed, after Thaksin you had to deliver as well. Education isnt just about a degree it is knowledge and business acumen. Thaksin treated Thailand like a business. and for some time and not in a minor way put Thailand back on the map. Right or wrong it worked.... for a time

I don't think you realise that Thaksin actually used the feudal system to gain his power. He bought off the power players in the North and North East. The people didn't change their vote when Thaksin came along. They voted for the same people / the same families. It's just that Thaksin now had control of these families.

And as part of the Democrat Govt, Newin was given an open cheque book to buy these votes back for them, but he failed because as per the crux of this whole issue. PEOPLE PREFER THAKSIN, so they vote for him regardless of the money.

Not saying that you are wrong, but is there any evidence to this - other than red shirt radio?

The solution is very simple! Resign!!

She did resign, but it solved nothing, nadda, niente !

Well, she was the boss, she is still the boss, and she will still be the boss after the election. Most people do not consider that resigning :-)

I cringe when this idiot of a puppet uses the word "reconciliation". It's just another word for bringing big brother back. Doesn't matter how many votes you win, you're not there working for the people, you're just there to enrich your family and whitewash your brother's crimes.

Thailand is a democracy if you do not like it try not to slam the door

Zimbabwe and North Korea have general elections too, so I suppose they too are democratic? :-)

When the government does not listen, what can any one do. It is a desprate attempt, but these are desperate times. The government has not been forth coming with any information about the rice scheme. It is an option for them to provide it or not. Seems like that YS thinks that if the majority don't care about the abuse of power with the rice scheme, then it must not be important. Wrong....in a democracy everyones voice is as important as many. An election is a process which majority of the people believe that the elected offcial is best to lead and unite the country in the best interest of all its citizens. It does not mean that the leader will only care or put a major budget towards the majority. They must balance for the greater good of the nation. No one had any gripes or protest when she won. But the things that she has done with the Rice scheme, 1st car scheme, tablet for every child, illegal admendment to the constitution, passage of the amnesty bill...all of this happen under her leadership. She has not taken any accountability for anything. Always passing on the buck. Citizens have the rights to demand an answer. But no answer. Even the rice scheme, the first year they couldn't produce any information. For the benefit of the doubt, let's assume that it is complicated and take time to gather information. Doesn't that mean that it is being mismanaged. In that case, let temporarily stop the program. As everyone know, the farmer got angry. So they continue. Because it was ill concieved and would loose support of the North and reveal the truth that it was used to buy votes at the expense of the taxpayers. Yes I said it. Vote buying. Things like this that is causing Thailand to go in to financial dire. Project like this is one of the reforms that must happen. So parties can not promise impossible projects. All project must have fisical discipline. All the project is just spend and spend without any regard for balancing the budget. And then the 2 Trillon with as much transparency as the Rice Scheme that has passed. That was the last draw. The govt that can't even manage the rice scheme is quality to manage a 2Trillion budget. I think not. I can talk about the massive rice scheme corruption going. But that is not for this thread. Thai democracy is still evolving. This is part of it of its evolution. Remember, YS may have come by a legitmate way of the election through the democractic way. But her action is far from the democratic way, which makes her illegitament. One can not choose which gear of democracy to turn they all must turn in order for it to run.

And can you name one western democracy that doesn't indulge in 'vote buying' by political parties, beggaring the public finances with promises of largesse? I can't. It's standard procedure in UK, and that's why borrowing is out of control there.

If the Thai people don't like what Yingluk's government have done, then they can vote her out, same as they do everywhere else that runs with a parliamentary democracy. What Suthip is doing is born of petulance because he can't have it all his own way. Well tough shit. That's how democracy works. You want power, then go to the people with policies that will make them want to vote for you. That's how democracy is done. What Suthip is trying to achieve is mob rule and is totally illegitimate.

If you insist on voting on everything, should the people of Bangkok and the south then not be allowed to vote if they want to split from the north and Isaan and create their own state?

If I join some form of club, then obviously I have to play by the rules and pay membership fees etc. But should I also not be allowed to stop my membership when I want to? Especially if all the other members vote that from now on I am to pay the membership fee for everyone else?

Isaan has its own separate culture, its own belief system, its own language almost and even its own music.

Isaan is almost a culture away from the southern Thais.

Yes some of my best friends here in Bangkok are from Isaan, they work in Bangkok and like the city a lot, but they always travel home to see their families in Isaan whenever they can. They are also very patriotic, considering themselves to be Thai above anything, and they have great adoration for HMTK. I don't see how splitting Isaan away from the nation would somehow go alongside the things I just listed. They don't want seperation, they want equality for all Thais.

My problem with Suthep is that I don't feel he represents those people at all.

Maybe Isaan don't want to split from the rest of Thailand, but have you considered the option that the rest of Thailand might want to split from Isaan?

Secondly, you are probably right that Suthep does not represent the people of Isaan at all. Just like most of Bangkok and all of the south do not think Thaksin/yingluck represent them at all. Thaksin has even confirmed this with his infamous comment that he would not do anything for the provinces that did not vote for him.

With him as a future leader Zimbabwe, North Korea and Sudan are going to look like democracies!!

BTW, I don't know about Sudan, but Zimbabwe and North Korea are democracies. They have elections - just like Thailand, and the people always elect the same person/family no matter what they do - just like Thailand.

Go on, I dares ye. Shut down the airports and the ports and the industrial estates. No? Suthep, you're just chicken.

The Goal is not the airport, ports and industrial estates! It is the government offices and private house of the PM and other Ministers!

Bingo, why is that?

Maybe my answer is to obvious and you are looking for something more sophisticated, but because him and his followers are opposing the government, not the industry?

What's the problem?

The voters will have choices, up to 53 in some cases. Why not let them choose?

North Korea has elections too. Wikipedia has all the details.

Most rental companies have insurance, the real issue is the deductible. Most insurance policies have a deductible of around 10k baht that has to be paid for any claim. Large rental companies like Hertz allow for this by taking a credit card number as a deposit and charging it if you damage the vehicle. Smaller operators often do not have credit card processing capabilities, so need some other form of guarantee.

I do not recall it being that much, but even if it is, then a cash deposit of 10k at any motorbike rental shop should solve the problem, and no passport deposit is needed.

So what is acceptable deposit for a motorbike ? Copy of a passport ? What if the person crashes and just clears off, they could be gone before you know it. The Police are not going to actively go around looking for the person are they ? Claim on the Insurance ?

Most bikes start around the 50,000 baht mark nowadays, so that is a lot of money to entrust to a stranger. I fully understand somebody requiring proper security from me, as I would have their motorbike. As I understand a lot of Russians leave their Russian passport as security, it is just trying to find a mutually acceptable deposit, whether financial or documents.

I have always wondered, what if somebody rented a bike, no deposit (passport) and killed somebody by running them over. Then promptly left the Island/Thailand, would the owner of the bike(person who rented out the bike) be liable ? Surely somebody would have to pay compensation somewhere down the line.

Yes, 50k is a,lot to entrust a stranger, yet all the major car rental companies such as Hertz, Budget, Avis etc. have no problem renting you a car worth a million baht or more, and they don't ask you to leave your passport, drivers licence or similar. If I recall correct, they do ask for a small deposit though, something like a couple of thousand baht, probably to cover own risk on the insurance.

The reason is probably that they have proper insurance that covers the various events you mentioned, so they do not worry if the car is damaged, stolen, involved in an accident or similar.

As for liability in case the driver flees, it is covered by the insurance company, not by the driver nor the car owner. In case of a criminal act such as a drunk driving accident, obviously the driver is liable, and if he/she flees, no compensation is payable by anyone. (Yes, the damaged party may try to intimidate the car rental company or the insurance company, but this is illegal, and usually does not work against big companies.

I am guessing most stand alone motorbike rental places are small time amateurs, and for that reason alone I would stay away. To the OP, most hotels have motorbike rental service, and they do not require any documents, at least not if you are staying at the hotel as in that case they already have a copy of your passport, which is apparently sufficient for them.

Most bikes I have seen from Hotels are the worst, they have business from rentals as the guests hire from them due to ease. They don't usually require original passport, as they often have a holding amount on a credit card and would see you trying to check out (do a runner ) if something did happen. Wonder what the attitude would be if you moved to another hotel but wanted to continue the rental? They would almost certainly need some kind of deposit/guarantee. One LARGE rental company in Lamai offers a choice, passport or 10,000 baht deposit for motorbike. Now if I rented the bike and it got stolen, by their contract I have to replace the bike, say 40k, or would I just leave the 10k deposit and clear off? My friend (English) has a rental shop, no passport no vehicle policy. Honest and straight, people don't seem to have a problem with leaving their passport with him. If customers don't want to they are free to go elsewhere, which 90% of the time they don't.

Large Car rentals can hold a deposit electronically on you Credit Card and have Insurance, so comparing motorbike rental shops with these is not a fair comparison.

Honest and straight people and everyone else for that matter do not know if your english friend is also honest and straight, which is why it is not smart to give him their passport.

Yes the car companies may get a deposit by credit card, but then that deposit is usually limited when the deposit is made. They can't just empty the card. Deposit by cash is usually also an option, which eliminates the credit card issue. Further, even if they could empty the credit card, most peoples credit line is usually much less than the value of a car.

Yes, obviously the major car rental companies have full insurance, does anything prevent the motorbike rental shops from having insurance?

Therefore the comparison between care and bike rental is completely reasonable.

So what is acceptable deposit for a motorbike ? Copy of a passport ? What if the person crashes and just clears off, they could be gone before you know it. The Police are not going to actively go around looking for the person are they ? Claim on the Insurance ?

Most bikes start around the 50,000 baht mark nowadays, so that is a lot of money to entrust to a stranger. I fully understand somebody requiring proper security from me, as I would have their motorbike. As I understand a lot of Russians leave their Russian passport as security, it is just trying to find a mutually acceptable deposit, whether financial or documents.

I have always wondered, what if somebody rented a bike, no deposit (passport) and killed somebody by running them over. Then promptly left the Island/Thailand, would the owner of the bike(person who rented out the bike) be liable ? Surely somebody would have to pay compensation somewhere down the line.

Yes, 50k is a,lot to entrust a stranger, yet all the major car rental companies such as Hertz, Budget, Avis etc. have no problem renting you a car worth a million baht or more, and they don't ask you to leave your passport, drivers licence or similar. If I recall correct, they do ask for a small deposit though, something like a couple of thousand baht, probably to cover own risk on the insurance.

The reason is probably that they have proper insurance that covers the various events you mentioned, so they do not worry if the car is damaged, stolen, involved in an accident or similar.

As for liability in case the driver flees, it is covered by the insurance company, not by the driver nor the car owner. In case of a criminal act such as a drunk driving accident, obviously the driver is liable, and if he/she flees, no compensation is payable by anyone. (Yes, the damaged party may try to intimidate the car rental company or the insurance company, but this is illegal, and usually does not work against big companies.

I am guessing most stand alone motorbike rental places are small time amateurs, and for that reason alone I would stay away. To the OP, most hotels have motorbike rental service, and they do not require any documents, at least not if you are staying at the hotel as in that case they already have a copy of your passport, which is apparently sufficient for them.

My experience is that hotel owned motorbikes very rarely get maintenance or servicing, whereas your so called "small time amateurs probably take much greater care of their bikes because its "their business" rather than hotels playing at being "amateurs in "sometime else's line of business"

I meant amateurs in terms of running a business, setting things up legally, having proper insurance, permits etc. I have no doubt that they are good at repairing/maintaining bikes. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

So what is acceptable deposit for a motorbike ? Copy of a passport ? What if the person crashes and just clears off, they could be gone before you know it. The Police are not going to actively go around looking for the person are they ? Claim on the Insurance ?

Most bikes start around the 50,000 baht mark nowadays, so that is a lot of money to entrust to a stranger. I fully understand somebody requiring proper security from me, as I would have their motorbike. As I understand a lot of Russians leave their Russian passport as security, it is just trying to find a mutually acceptable deposit, whether financial or documents.

I have always wondered, what if somebody rented a bike, no deposit (passport) and killed somebody by running them over. Then promptly left the Island/Thailand, would the owner of the bike(person who rented out the bike) be liable ? Surely somebody would have to pay compensation somewhere down the line.

Yes, 50k is a,lot to entrust a stranger, yet all the major car rental companies such as Hertz, Budget, Avis etc. have no problem renting you a car worth a million baht or more, and they don't ask you to leave your passport, drivers licence or similar. If I recall correct, they do ask for a small deposit though, something like a couple of thousand baht, probably to cover own risk on the insurance.

The reason is probably that they have proper insurance that covers the various events you mentioned, so they do not worry if the car is damaged, stolen, involved in an accident or similar.

As for liability in case the driver flees, it is covered by the insurance company, not by the driver nor the car owner. In case of a criminal act such as a drunk driving accident, obviously the driver is liable, and if he/she flees, no compensation is payable by anyone. (Yes, the damaged party may try to intimidate the car rental company or the insurance company, but this is illegal, and usually does not work against big companies.

I am guessing most stand alone motorbike rental places are small time amateurs, and for that reason alone I would stay away. To the OP, most hotels have motorbike rental service, and they do not require any documents, at least not if you are staying at the hotel as in that case they already have a copy of your passport, which is apparently sufficient for them.

Maybe I misunderstood the OP, but it seems to me the OP dislikes thai women because a man cheated on her? Would it not make more sense to be upset with the man who cheated or (cheating) men in general?

Sorry, I get it now. The OP does not understand why men are attracted to thai women as the OP believes thai women are only interested in money. Well, lets just say men are from mars and women from venus, or something like that. Unfortunately I cannot delete my original post.

It depends on how the cheque is written.

If the cheque is issued to your name or "cash" then you can simply cash it at any branch of the issuing bank using your passport or similar ID. there is often no fee, but in case there is, it will be negligible.

If the cheque is issued to a company name, then you will have to provide proof of ownership of that company if you do not want to clear it through a company account with that same name. This can be a bit tricky depending on the bank and your papers, so best to avoid that option if possible.

If the cheque is stamped "account payable only", then you have to open an account to clear it. Some cheques have two parallel pencil lines at the top left corner of it instead of the account payable stamp - it means the same, and therefore needs an account to clear it.

Maybe I misunderstood the OP, but it seems to me the OP dislikes thai women because a man cheated on her? Would it not make more sense to be upset with the man who cheated or (cheating) men in general?

OH NO?.... Tarit.... freeze his bank accounts immediately.

Dont worry. Tarit has already issued warrants for the whole film crew as well as everyone who has ever heard of Owen Wilson

Just to be clear, CNG and LPG is subsidised by PTT shareholders, not the government, although the Thai tax payers do own about half of the shares. The rest is owned by private investors. The subsidies cost the shareholders something like 20 billion baht per year.