newtronbom

Use any good quality epoxy 2 pot paint mix - eg ICI pool paint. Make sure your concrete is dry and dust free. Roll it on or use a brush for the tight spots. It will outlast us all.....

Transcript of U.S. President Obama's remarks on the death of Bin Laden

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on early Monday morning delivered the following remarks from the White House to announce the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

"The American people did not choose this fight. It came to our shores, and started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens."

Have to disagree with this bit. America and all the people who choose to live there, will always attract protests and violent acts by terrorists, radicals, psychos, losers and countries that can't make the grade, because it is the most held up, in your face example of freedom and success in the world. Any group, country or person easily uses the US as an excuse for their failings and to funnel the peoples hate at their situation, away from its corrupt and/or inadequate leaders. America also tends to upset many people/nations by throwing its weight around the world more than any other country(along with the UK - though more quietly)mainly cause it can afford it(and as a nice spinoff, line the pockets of the 'elite' in doing so)and because they are right in defending freedom and they know it. They get up my nose often too, but what can I say? They are wrong? No. They are right, even if they go about it badly at times and break too many egos, their intention is good. Every one should have the freedom and knowledge available to them to decide which religion they want to follow or not and not be afraid to live their lives how they wish - not have both these things forced on them by their leaders. As for "Bin Laden" and all like him, they do need weeding out - terminally - as good free people don't go around killing innocents to make their point. They are the point. Lastly. If the "Bin Ladens" around the world are so right, then why aren't most/or more of us not following them?

Good post and thanks for the tip. I too am impressed. Very fast and easy. Cheers.

Post #12 Just PM me and let me know your needs... Needs = Visa ... some way shape or form.

Good one, but we don't all have to study just to qualify for a visa. Some people just like to learn for the sake of it. I know I do. Can still remember your side of though, even if it was a long time ago for me. Wish I could help. Cheers and good luck.

Anyone wants to learn to speak "Thai" by Skype, I'm up for that. Just PM me and let me know your needs and the time you are available to study. I will have you speaking everyday useful Thai conversation in no time. When you are comfortable with that, we can start on the more correct, technical side if needed. I am told that on the phone, people think I am a Thai. I can't be bothered teaching at schools any more, but Skype is a great idea and should be a lot faster way to learn, as it is literally one to one.

Personally, I don't think that those of us that are living here, whether comfortably or otherwise for many years, should feel obligated to, or be asked to pay for or subsidize in any way, the bad luck or poor decisions of someone they have never met. Having said that, misfortune can strike any of us at any time, so we must never forget that we are all human beings and as such, we should maintain the ability to feel sympathy or at least some understanding, towards anyone who is in obvious need of help. Possibly many of these aging or disadvantaged people, do have the financial assets or income to enable them to live here, but for many various different reasons, they are unable to take care of themselves properly or lack the ability to do so. I personally think, that as these very same people in need here, would be a financial burden on the Government or medical institutions of their home country, were they living there, and that as the cost of living and medical expenses here are so much cheaper than it would be back home, it would not hurt the major embassies here too much and may cost whichever government less in the long run in fact, to set aside funds - perhaps all donate to a common pool - to assist anyone in dire need of assistance. One of the many things I love about Thai culture, is the way Thai families tend to take care and responsibility for the elderly. Unlike us, who in most cases, toss our elderly at some "rest home" or "Palliative care center" and try to forget them. I don't say we all do this, but do some research, the facts will shock you/or not. How hard would it be, to employ someone or some group, to keep track of these needy disadvantaged people, make sure that they are getting medical treatment, inform their families back home if any, of their situation, make sure they have made a will, liaise with the Thai family if there are any and find out any special needs the person may have, that the Thai family can not deal with. I personally know of a couple of cases where the Thai family is happily and lovingly caring for an elderly Westerner at their own expense. The mans wife in another case I know of, is still selling jewelery at a local market, to take care of her Falang husband, when she could have gotten rid of him ages ago. This guy has no income from home so is a total burden! Though I am in no position financially to help anyone else, I do speak fluent Thai(married for 8 years to Thai wife), know the medical system well and have the spare time, so I would happily take on a position like this, to give something back to the system which supported me, if it would genuinely help and make a difference to the quality of life, or especially save the life of someone like this in need.That there is obviously a need, is without a doubt if you look around most major cities.

It's called "Pla Lin Ma" in Thai. You make it sound delicious. Been a while since I last tried it. Sure you can't spare me a bit? Cheers.

Poor old Taksin. Even for him, this amount of money must really hurt. This lawyer trying to rip him off - the old story of biting the hand that feeds you - seems this lawyer guy tried to bite and swallow Taksins whole dam arm! Tacky is pretty sharp when it comes to a business deal, a fact that I am sure this lawyer now realizes - in strictly an advisory role with no hope of a position at all, perhaps as part of his probation or some such thing, to help out this besieged, flagging government - Taksin would be an asset here in combating and solving this economic crisis, along with several other issues and the many "wanke_rs" now in the government that seem to be trying to ruin this country to the financial benefit of themselves and to heck with the poor ordinary folk who just try to survive. I do understand that Tacky had a "power problem" to say the least and when his police couldn't catch the "drug dealers" he just said save ourselves some money and shoot them (to kill), as they were "all obviously guilty anyway" but the man was a brilliant businessman and if anyone could pull something off to save us now, it would be him. He would certainly need restraining though, as his exile seems to be unhinging him more and more as time goes by. I too, can not see him giving up or writing off this case to "just bad luck" and I fully expect a lot more action before the flag goes down for good. As to him seeing parallels with his own behavior, people like him don't, as they are too far into the "big game" to admit to any doubts let alone remorse. I hope he can hold on to his money, so that on the day of reckoning, when he is bought forward to face the music here, he will at least have the funds to make it worth this countries while in putting him down!

I like spending holidays in Chiang mai. We cannot generalize..I mean, we cannot say it is unsafe to travel or stay in Chiang Mai considering over 100,000 are living in that province and there is no epidemic.

As a traveler, we need to be careful with new or unfamiliar food and place. It is also better to see the reviews of the hotels before we book.

Do you work for TAT by any chance ?....

How would you know there has been "no epidemic" as you call it, if deaths of Thais are not factored in, it may well be much larger than we know......sorry.

As every foreigner uses air con in Thailand, I am surprised they have not investigated the old Downtown Inn for Legionnaires Disease.

Symptoms are headaches, muscle pains, chills, fevers over 104 during the first few days then it compounds to heavy coughs with mucus, creating shortness of breath as the lungs are now not fully functioning, which leads to chest pain and fatigue, loss of appetite, further weakening the body, confusion and mental retardation apart from nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Quite simply they can die when their lungs collapse as they do not have the capacity of reasoning to help themselves.

If anyone is a reasonably frail or their immune system even semi 'low' they cannot fight this and it seems the only plausible cause as bacteria enters the lungs and the disease compounds from there often leading to death - which of course, looks like natural causes as all symptoms are 'expected' and not out of the ordinary.

The continuing 'ignorant' response by Thai authorities of co-incidence is simply "buck-passing" as the odds of multiple deaths in the same building of unexplained causes is simply inexcusable. If NZ and other countries continue a "country" health warning over one building in Chiang Mai, you would think the Health Administration would get off their butts or at least the Govt would send a directive to investigate... oh never mind. T.i.T.

I did read an article or post where they looked at legionnaires as a possible cause, but it was ruled out because of the rapid onset of symptoms with these deaths. Legionnaires takes a lot longer to "manifest" itself. Symptoms are I agree very similar though, apart from these being so severe and rapid. Still. I just can't accept this as a coincidence. I am sure there may be other deaths from the same cause that have not been connected with this yet. It would be interesting to find out the numbers of similar deaths that went unnoticed or misdiagnosed , if it was looked at within a year prior to this. If the Thai deaths (a lot easier for the police and doctors write off) from these symptoms were added from the same period, I bet this would look horrible. Thais do have a much higher resistance to food poisoning and such than us westerners though, so many may have just got very sick. Something just doesn't feel right about all this though. Not knowing what the cause of it all is - or isn't - however, to my way of thinking, seems very dangerous. Maybe fatal for more good people in the future. One can only hope that the cause has gone - or has been removed quietly - so that no more need die. How this has been kind of brushed over is simply amazing to me.

Here is a link to a site where a guy has similar probs to you. There are some experts on the forum, who give him some very good advice and tips, along with links to some handy tools to fix his problem. His probs seem to be memory related and there are similarities to your headache. As one post states, a faulty memory module will cause data corruption (have suffered in past from this myself) which could explain your corrupted "backup file" and several other issues you have. There is a link on the forum below that gives you a tool to test your memory. I too had start up troubles once, because like you, I deleted some .exe files and programs I no longer used, but which one startup program I didn't take into account did rely on. Give the 2 pages on the forum I have linked below a read and I hope it will help you. The help instructions are quite easy to follow too. You could even register with their forum and ask for help. It seems to be a good site. Good luck.

PS: The windows memory check tool is not that good. When I used it, it said there were no memory issues, but when I ran a different tool that I downed from the web, I found I did have a faulty memory module. I am running the 64 bit vers of Win 7 Ultimate now. It is so much better than anything I have tried before. It also handles properly and efficiently, the 8 GBs of DDR3 I have installed. Start up is much faster than before too.

Help forum link

"The Royal Thai Police have demonstrated an unerring commitment to making Thailand a hostile environment for UK offenders and CEOP will continue to proactively support that commitment."

But in fact 'Boy Lover' member Horsman was released after the CEOP officers left "

Says it all, really, doesn't it?

Maybe I am too tired to understand but the next paragraph says:

But in fact 'Boy Lover' member Horsman was released after the CEOP officers left and was finally arrested in July 2009 on new sex charges involving a 14-yr-old boy.

What does "finally" mean? Did it take more than a decade for sentencing.... and how are we going back in time when the insinuation was he was just let go in this current raid.

because it t also says; One of the men highlighted was Robert Alexander Horsman who was jailed for 14 years in Thailand last year for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy.

Are they using this guy as an example of previous arrests or did he somehow serve his 14 years in jail this past year

If he was out on bail then I think they would have mentioned this but the story seems to jump around in terms of time frames as well as starting off rather strangely saying of the 70,000 members dozens were in Thailand or visit Thailand ... dozens out of 70k doesn't really sound like this is a Thai based issue.

I would expect a more clear article from an English speaking reporter. This rates below translated articles from The Nation.

I agree. The "time frames" are doing my head in too! Was trying to remember just how many drinks I had last night when I read your post and realized I'm not the only one who is confused. How can any "writer" publish an article like this? Tends to deflect from what is a very serious issue. I don't understand too, how all these well known repeat sex offenders and criminals are still able to enter Thailand and stay here so easily, when the the rest of us normal folks with no "ulterior motives" have trouble just getting a visa let alone stay here..............

My experience here, is that you generally get what you pay for.......generally. For my wife of 8 years and I, after trying many other hospitals, both private and government, Bangkok Hospital - she the heart division, me the International wing - have proven to be without fault. They have doctors from many different countries working with them too, so that you can be diagnosed and treated by one who if not from your country, will be close enough to make little difference. All doctors and staff, speak comprehensive and fluent English. They also have translation staff to cover all major spoken languages. I have spoken to many other patients during my/our visits and all agree with me, that the level of professionalism, competence, courtesy and high quality service there, along with the latest "high tech" medical equipment that they use, are as good as or better than any international hospital around the globe. My wife's heart surgeon also does surgery in Australia from time to time and he is Thai! This high quality does not come cheap, but from experience, there are other hospitals here in Bangkok anyway, that are far more expensive but who do not even come close to the standards of Bangkok Hospital. Had we had her heart operation done at one of the better Government hospitals we checked out, not only would my wife had to have gone back in less than 10 years to replace the heart valves that were put in for life at Bangkok hospital, but she would have had to risk infection and possibly low standard work, as well as massive scar on her chest instead of the small 2" one she has now. Recovery was quoted at 2 & a half to 3 weeks. At Bangkok hospital she was home and well in only 9 days. Follow up has been excellent too. I was allowed to stay with her during her recovery and the food we ate was better than offered at many good restaurants. A wide choice of food along with delicious deserts were offered too. Well over half the patients at Bangkok hospital, have traveled here from other countries to have their operation/treatment, as (in their words) this hospital offered more professional, better quality treatment, at a much lower cost than a hospital in their own country. My wife and I both have Thai doctors and we are completely satisfied with their professionalism and service. I believe that high quality doctors and treatment is available at hospitals here in Thailand, but the quality of treatment offered by an over worked surgeon/doctor and nursing staff at a public hospital or small private hospital, operating under a limited budget , having to use outdated and old equipment, is not a good foundation to your good health and safety. As another poster pointed out too, there are a lot of people who have suffered "horror and accidents" at many so called good establishments in "the west" and elsewhere. Anyway. Congratulations and best of luck with your new baby.

Dam this site at times. Why is it I get a "double post" so often when doing a simple edit???

Double post deleted AGAIN!!

Hi Robert. I used to pay "True" the big bucks for the fast connection. Learned that where my village is just outside Bangkok, it's just not possible to get more than 500kb on average, so I now pay just 600 baht a month for the same speed that used to cost me near 2000 baht. I've heard 6mb and even 10 mb, just depends where you are. The post suggesting you do a speed test with a test link, is a good idea to start. Over a week, you will know what you can do or not. If you average over 1 mb go for it. I have found early morning speeds here(overseas sites) are fastest. If like many of us, you will most likely stream lower quality, or if saving not watching live, you will get by. Again. All depends on where you are. Your deal which is uncertain as to quality and speed, sounds expensive to me too. Can get most of what you want for free, apart from the internet connection and hardware, the latter not expensive at Phanthip etc. Good luck.

I do not think I want to put any monies into this airline plan. 10,000 flew into the wrong airport? The are probably really going to be happy when notified that for the small fee of 7980 baht (more than the ticket they purchased to get to the wrong airport) This man should be selling time shares, in Siberia.

Didn't say "flew" said "went".

No one else has mentioned this, so I guess I have to. Incest, diet, etc. apart. Just look at the number of teen abortions reported - ie. the tip of the iceberg - then try to imagine how many unreported "failed abortions" there must be, that have failed because the young mother took "remedies" that don't work, didn't eat enough pills to cause a miscarriage , chemicals and so on. Can anyone can tell me that a significant % of those babies born would not be affected/disabled by their pre-birth treatment???? Many of the women/girls I have heard about were very lucky to have survived the attempt themselves. Or shouldn't I talk openly about this side of it too...

What about the poor ol Brits in Pattaya? Or are the ones in Phuket more worthy of representation?

I don't think any of the "'Brits in Pattaya" are poor, one way or another, as to those in Phuket, they - and Phuket - seem to keep a lower profile than Pattaya...............As to Indians in Thailand, they own banks, hospitals and multi National corporations. They are among the most "Premiere" Doctors in the private hospitals, both here and in many other parts of the world - the list goes on. They have been here for generations, as they are in most major cities around the world and you rarely if ever, see them befoul the law. I think it was a good choice made by Britain.

If the Thai military can't even secure a personal weapons how on gods earth will they ever protect the country?

I don't think it fair or even logical, to make your comment above based on this one incident. I find it amazing that given the state of this economy and the current cost of food and living now, along with the "many issues" faced by all the hundreds of thousands of low paid military personnel throughout Thailand along with the rest of the general population, that many more such thefts/disappearances are not even more common. From long discussions with a few of my friends here who are now in the Thai military, of whom 2 are very well educated officers from good families who are in their late 40s, I think the Thai armed forces, are in general, apart from the traditional inter-branch rivalry found in most armed forces of any country, to be a very well co-ordinated, organized and maintained force who are protecting this country quite well - even so far a field away as Somalia, where they did a very good job of ridding us of some "

" that our "great Western Navies" had not been able to catch - despite and especially given the "by western standards" restricted budget they have to operate under - they seem to be well trained and staffed and all have in general, a good high level of morale and preparedness, despite the political uncertainty present at the moment, that must be felt by all Thais and especially those in the Armed Forces. I have no love for the "Red Shirts" or any of the groups of whingers, rabble rouses etc. these days, who are doing their best for their political backers, to bring down this - or any Government not led by Taksin - along with any "good people" who may work for the Government for the good of their country. Does anyone here actually know, what the total approximate 'financial' cost(how to calculate stress and suffering?) to the country in the last year has been because of these groups? I also include in this "cost" the loss of 1000s of tourists and businessmen that those "yellow people" who closed down the airport caused, or who were frightened away to other countries because of them. Despite what I have just written though, I still fully believe, that in any country, if an issue or problem that affects the lives and living conditions of the people can't be given to, or isn't being addressed by a government, that all people should have the right to peacefully protest, so as to bring their issue to the greater Public's notice, there by putting pressure on that Government, regime etc. to implement change for the better for all. Such action should not though, interrupt (blocking of roads etc.) or interfere with the lives of other people , nor cause hardship to any not in the protest (like burning down shopping centers), nor should that action ever be the cause for loss of innocent life ever. One exiled businessman who has been found guilty of a crime here and who has arrest warrants out for him on criminal charges, terrorism and human rights abuses, does not justify the single loss of life of any person. Even his/the reds "blackshirt gunmen" were killed themselves and murdered people because of a deception/political ploy - too because a few were simply just "killers". Until we have proof. I don't think that this"theft of guns" should be put on any "red-shirts" or whatever color. It is more likely because of greed or even necessity.

Do not forget that many ex senior military are red shirts and still have a lot of clout, even in retirement.

Good point....

If the Thai military can't even secure a personal weapons how on gods earth will they ever protect the country?

I don't think it fair or even logical, to make your comment above based on this one incident. I find it amazing that given the state of this economy and the current cost of food and living now, along with the "many issues" faced by all the hundreds of thousands of low paid military personnel throughout Thailand along with the rest of the general population, that many more such thefts/disappearances are not even more common. From long discussions with a few of my friends here who are now in the Thai military, of whom 2 are very well educated officers from good families who are in their late 40s, I think the Thai armed forces, are in general, apart from the traditional inter-branch rivalry found in most armed forces of any country, to be a very well co-ordinated, organized and maintained force who are protecting this country quite well - even so far a field away as Somalia, where they did a very good job of ridding us of some "

" that our "great Western Navies" had not been able to catch - despite and especially given the "by western standards" restricted budget they have to operate under - they seem to be well trained and staffed and all have in general, a good high level of morale and preparedness, despite the political uncertainty present at the moment, that must be felt by all Thais and especially those in the Armed Forces. I have no love for the "Red Shirts" or any of the groups of whingers, rabble rouses etc. these days, who are doing their best for their political backers, to bring down this - or any Government not led by Taksin - along with any "good people" who may work for the Government for the good of their country. Does anyone here actually know, what the total approximate 'financial' cost(how to calculate stress and suffering?) to the country in the last year has been because of these groups? I also include in this "cost" the loss of 1000s of tourists and businessmen that those "yellow people" who closed down the airport caused, or who were frightened away to other countries because of them. Despite what I have just written though, I still fully believe, that in any country, if an issue or problem that affects the lives and living conditions of the people can't be given to, or isn't being addressed by a government, that all people should have the right to peacefully protest, so as to bring their issue to the greater Public's notice, there by putting pressure on that Government, regime etc. to implement change for the better for all. Such action should not though, interrupt (blocking of roads etc.) or interfere with the lives of other people , nor cause hardship to any not in the protest (like burning down shopping centers), nor should that action ever be the cause for loss of innocent life ever. One exiled businessman who has been found guilty of a crime here and who has arrest warrants out for him on criminal charges, terrorism and human rights abuses, does not justify the single loss of life of any person. Even his/the reds "blackshirt gunmen" were killed themselves and murdered people because of a deception/political ploy - too because a few were simply just "killers". Until we have proof. I don't think that this"theft of guns" should be put on any "red-shirts" or whatever color. It is more likely because of greed or even necessity.

Why there is picture of FN Minimi when M16 were stolen?

Read the 1st post the comment when you've woken up properly.....

<br>Just arrived home in chiang mai from another trip to bangkok.Seems that the taxis at the airport CHIANG MAI are getting worse then those in BKK ! I was asked if i wanted a taxi meter and when i asked how much to hillside 3 i was told 200 baht.They thought i was a tourist and when i told them i lived here for three year's now,two of the driver's just looked at each other and smiled.They knew they were caught especially when there were three newly arrived tourists sitting nearby and listening to the conversation.They quoted another price of 150 baht and i walked away and took a red taxi for 80 baht.Wonder why the tourist number's are declining.<br><br>I n regards to quality tourists,i see TAT stated they will focus on the middle east tourist well,those are mainly the people i see now in BKK as tourists and,they do nothing but try and bargain.Gripe and do not want to pay 50 baht for a pair of sandals.These are the quality tourists they want to attract wow.Also,they are very rude in their actions and speaking.Quality ?I don't think so.<br>I<br>

<br><br>

Hear, hear. You have summed up nicely, my experiences to date, with nearly all thepeople that I have met or seen from that part of the world. There must be exceptions - in fact I have met 2 so far in the last 30 years, who I do not hesitate to call "salt of the earth" and terrific friends -, though I have yet to meet or see any others. This sector also tries to stay very much around people of their own culture/religion rather than try to integrate and mix and I have yet to see any of them - even my 2 friends- try to make any concessions to Thai culture or any other for that matter. I am unfortunately a regular visitor to Bangkok Hospital too, where 80%++ of the patients are from the middle east, so I get to observe their behavior and "culture" more than I would like. Please don't say that I am "racist/bigoted" etc. cause I am not and I believe in free choice and any religion that advocates peace and tolerance, help your neighbor or any that need help and who try to improve society without jamming their beliefs down your throat, is fine with me. It also seems to me too, from watching/listening to the News and my own experiences to date, that most those same countries in the middle east, seem to have a much higher incidence of "fanatics/lunatics" and human rights abuse than they have any right to. I don't say that they are lower quality people, just that in my opinion as well as yours it seems, they don't seem to be the "ideal type/sector" to try and attract to increase the income from tourists, to this country I call home. As for taxis having a 2 tier price system, I can't say as I really blame them. Think on this. If you were back in your own country and a taxi overcharged some apparently wealthy tourist , then charged you the

"normal rate" to the same destination, would you go out of your way to "haul him/her" over the coals just to get some stranger the "local rate"? I doubt it. I also doubt, that the Prime Minister here, with his fancy education and apparent smarts, really believed or supported the statement he made/was asked to make on this "new direction/policy" to

improve the income from tourism. I too think that this policy, statement or whatever, will only damage the industry, not help it, let alone improve it. I hope it gets swept under the nearest rug. Also. I strongly disagree with those who say there is "no quality tourism or entertainment" here. The many friends who come here to visit us, both from the UK and NZ, have all gone back home saying that they had an excellent holiday, that Thailand is wonderful and they can't wait to come back. Even the few who did come here for "girls, sex, booze and rock an roll" and whom I took to decent places on the outskirts of Bangkok that don't see many foreigners, said they had the "time of their lives" and it didn't cost them "an arm or a leg - or anything else......" OK. So the language was a bit of a problem, but the moves were pretty much international in that situation and I translated where required. They couldn't believe their luck, that these stunning ladies actually wanted to be with them and have a good time. Other friends, some elderly, whom we took "up country or to the beach" were just as impressed with the terrific service, genuine warmth and friendliness, along with top class beautiful scenery in a seemingly endless variety. Though again I must admit, that there were no crowds of other tourists to ruin the good time that we had where we stayed. There is a huge range and variety of wonderful places here in T/L, from the mountains to the sea to visit and stay at, if you take the time to find them and show some respect to the people and culture that you find there. Maybe it isn't dirt cheap, but it is certainly not very expensive and the "value for money" I have personally found here are unbeatable!

PS: Sorry about the double post. Tried to edit my first, as by accident I posted it before it was finished. This is the result............""

Just arrived home in chiang mai from another trip to bangkok.Seems that the taxis at the airport CHIANG MAI are getting worse then those in BKK ! I was asked if i wanted a taxi meter and when i asked how much to hillside 3 i was told 200 baht.They thought i was a tourist and when i told them i lived here for three year's now,two of the driver's just looked at each other and smiled.They knew they were caught especially when there were three newly arrived tourists sitting nearby and listening to the conversation.They quoted another price of 150 baht and i walked away and took a red taxi for 80 baht.Wonder why the tourist number's are declining.

I n regards to quality tourists,i see TAT stated they will focus on the middle east tourist well,those are mainly the people i see now in BKK as tourists and,they do nothing but try and bargain.Gripe and do not want to pay 50 baht for a pair of sandals.These are the quality tourists they want to attract wow.Also,they are very rude in their actions and speaking.Quality ?I don't think so.

I

Hear, hear. You have summed up nicely, my experiences to date, with nearly all the people that I have met or seen from that part of the world. There must be exceptions - in fact I have met 2 so far in the last 30 years, who I do not hesitate to call "salt of the earth" and terrific friends -, though I have yet to meet or see any others. This sector also tries to stay very much around people of their own culture/religion rather than try to integrate and mix and I have yet to see any of them - even my 2 friends- try to make any concessions to Thai culture or any other for that matter. I am unfortunately a regular visitor to Bangkok Hospital too, where 80%++ of the patients are from the middle east, so I get to observe their behavior and "culture" more than I would like. Please don't say that I am "racist/bigoted" etc. cause I am not and I believe in free choice and any religion that advocates peace and tolerance, help your neighbor or any that need help and who try to improve society without jamming their beliefs down your throat, is fine with me. It also seems to me too, from watching/listening to the News and my own experiences to date, that most those same countries in the middle east, seem to have a much higher incidence of "fanatics/lunatics" and human rights abuse than they have any right to. I don't say that they are lower quality people, just that in my opinion as well as yours it seems, they don't seem to be the "ideal type/sector" to try and attract to increase the income from tourists, to this country I call home. As for taxis having a 2 tier price system, I can't say as I really blame them. Think on this. If you were back in your own country and a taxi overcharged some apparently wealthy tourist , then charged you the "normal rate" to the same destination, would you go out of your way to "haul him/her" over the coals just to get some stranger the "local rate"? I doubt it. I also doubt, that the Prime Minister here, with his fancy education and apparent smarts, really believed or supported the statement he made/was asked to make on this "new direction/policy" to improve the income from tourism. I too think that this policy, statement or whatever, will only damage the industry, not help it, let alone improve it. I hope it gets swept under the nearest rug.

I have to agree with many of the posts I read on this thread, that point out that this new policy of "targeting" a better/richer class of tourists is a mistake. Those of us who live here, or those who spend any amount of time here, know there are many problems here, both socially and in business/government, which to our way of thinking and experience, should not be too hard to solve and put right, but which for "some reason" seem to Thai people insurmountable to the Thai system and or "way of doing things". As so many here have said though, due to the inherent corruption from Govmnt down all the way to the basic tour operator, nothing can change fast. In my opinion, the reference to going for or targeting of "higher quality tourists" seems to me, to be that they will try to filter the foreign "scam artists", mafia, small to medium drug dealers(big boys with connections not included), the people with "no obvious legal income" along with the so called cheap "back-packers", who some have rightly pointed out as a lower, but good steady income and try to attract the families and singles with money to spend in a short time. As many have stated, unfortunately, it will mean that the money will go to the "already rich" sector of society and the real basis of the tour market income - ie. the medium range to many good quality low cost hotels and guest houses, medium or smaller tour operators and all the VIP busses and vans that depend on them, along with the many food outlets and "normal Thai people" that offer services that rely on the "normal tourist" etc. along the way that service them, will suffer from this new policy if implemented. I disagree with those that say, that there is little or no quality tour options available. I have experienced many places all around T/L, both by the beach, or in the "rural areas" offering a very "high quality" stay and service ranging from a reasonable price, to the exorbitant. Many people have stated that the obvious corruption inherent in T/L needs to be solved and I agree, but some of the (to us) draconian rules applying to land ownership and such, I fully agree with. I come from New Zealand. Our Gvrmnt made a very bad decision when it allowed pretty much unrestricted foreign ownership of land and businesses. Today, due to the world recession along with bad management and debts, I see huge diary farms, that have been kept in the same family for generations, belonging to a Chinese or Japanese company, that sends most of its profits out of the country and in a large way contributes to the high cost of those "traditional or staple" food items that many Kiwis now have trouble affording. Going for the "quality" tourists was another big policy mistake, as it allowed "foreign companies" to easily get in huge "package tours" where the tourists were given coupons in their home countries in exchange for cash, to pay for most daily items not included in the cost of their hotel, as well as souvenirs etc., which meant that the many NZ firms and people reliant on the "tourist trade" for an income, lost business or missed out altogether, as the money never left where they came from. In more than a few instances, the quality of the produce from these "foreign-owned" concerns, dropped from the usually high standards practiced by the former local owners, along with the many normal high health standards, which gave many former impeccable companies, several of which were internationally known brands, a bad name that reflects very badly on NZ as a country. We all see the crimes committed by tourists and foreign residents that appear on the news, but when the number of these crimes, is looked at as a percentage of the total foreigners staying, living here, or touring the country, the numbers are reasonable and inline or better than the statistics of many other countries. I just hope that this "new policy" is only another "statement" and not an actual shift of intent. I know how much I spend each month living here and the cost of living to me is quite high, so I think that it would be instructive at the least, to know some "accurate figures" on just how much those of us that call Thailand home, really do contribute to the economy from the cash we bring in from overseas - either from a business or from our savings "back home"!. I have not left here for some time, so as to Suvarnabhumi Airport, I can only go on the many comments made by friends who use it regularly. These range from disgusting to really good, but some things seem to be constant, such as the high cost of food and goods sold there, to often long waiting times at immigration, depending on who you fly with and how, to time of arrival, which is a factor at any large airport. I fail to see too, how the political unrest and uncertainty present here now, can not adversely affect tourism.

Well as I see it the teal issue is that the planet can't support 6-10 billion people with high meat and energy consumption. So two choices

1. The west rapidly adopts renewable energy and invests tens of billions developing such technology. Part if this would include lower meat consumption as beef consumes 6 times the calories to feed us as the grain the cattle eat. And the methane they produce is a major global warmer

2. The west keeps consuming and 3-7 billion third world people die of starvation.

Considering the west is using the third world as effective slaves, like the slaves of the roman empire that did most if the productive work, to make one dollar t shorts etc, I'm guessing option 2 will be the one that happens.

It is no coincidence that revolutions in the middle east have occurred when food prices had risen so fast recently. Poor people facing starvation don't mind during anymore! In the west the raw material input cost is significantly lower % than in the third world. We in the west can afford to keep buying. So the poor will starve and revolt

Not a pretty future

"The power of population is so superior to the power of the earth to produce subsistence for man, that premature death must in some shape or other visit the human race. The vices of mankind are active and able ministers of depopulation. They are the precursors in the great army of destruction, and often finish the dreadful work themselves. But should they fail in this war of extermination, sickly seasons, epidemics, pestilence, and plague advance in terrific array, and sweep off their thousands and tens of thousands. Should success be still incomplete, gigantic inevitable famine stalks in the rear, and with one mighty blow levels the population with the food of the world".

T. R. Malthus, 1798 A.D.

Back in those days, they didn't have vaccines and modern medicine. Nature used to keep the levels pretty well, but now we can get around nature and we now face severe overpopulation. "Nemo" said the world can't support 6 to 10 billion people. He's right. What he didn't or wouldn't say, was that strict birth control in those countries who can't sustain their populations and rely on "aid" should have been imposed long ago. I don't need to name them. This would have done far more good than just pumping in more food and medicine. I agree that modern medicine can improve the quality of life so much and this is good, but only for a realistically sustainable population. Also healthy people suffer less disease anyway. Some here, maybe many, will say that what I propose is inhuman. Those are the people whose attitudes have caused this problem on earth today. I say get the population levels down, then spend the money that is now spent on food aid(and corruption), on education and giving them self worth and sustainable industry. After that it is up to them. With the rise in food prices now and the many shortages, food aid is going to suffer soon anyway.