WinnieTheKhwai

Never thought I'd see the day.. some balanced opinion in an English language Thai newspaper.

(BTW, this is an example why I rate the Bangkok post slightly higher than the abysmally biased Nation; someone asked me this a couple weeks back why the BK Post merits a better view)

Red shirts need restraint and the way forward

Even before their massive showdown with the Establishment in Bangkok today, the red-shirted protesters under the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship have demonstrated through sheer numbers that they are a force to be reckoned with. Each night since their current campaign began on March 26, their ranks have swelled into the several tens of thousands through all the roads and alleys surrounding Government House, the focus of their protest.

Their opponents and sceptics still would not respect and recognise them. The pro-Establishment bias in Thai society runs deep. Most movers and shakers have an incentive to see the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva succeed and to see Thailand move forward in a direction consistent with Establishment preferences and prerogatives. They may hear the reds' noises but they discount them on various grounds, from gullibility and stupidity to financial opportunism, unwilling to listen to the reds' messages.

Full article is here: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion...the-way-forward

The word SAFETY is not in the Thai dictionary

ความปลอดภัย (noun) - Safety

It happens.. kids can and do bump their heads badly, even at swimming pools. Twelve years old is old enough to be out playing with friends. Loads more get killed on the road. It's a tragedy when it happens, a tragedy any parent dreads. Sad to see some knowitalls rush out to blame the parents or even tourist police volunteers for not standing watch around the moat 24/7. Bunch of sad gits.

Aw come on. Just join the fun. 3 days is just fine. I will try to join for 4 if the Mrs lets me..

You may take the prize this year for the most self centered, ego maniacal Thai Visa "Person of the Year Award". I guess that's something.

Aw shucks.. Come on, it's only April.. That's not fair for me and all the other contenders.

Personally I don't really see the problem. Good that you're not married to any one of them at this time. So, best approach:

1. Check you're the father. (I'll assume you are)

2a. Fade the main relationship OR

2b. Fess up and see where the dice fall.

3a. Assuming you are the father you can take care of the kid financially in some capacity until she gets a new relationship, OR

3b. Keep relationships with everyone involved and be honest about it. If you can support multiple households and everyone is comfortable with it then that makes it a typical case of only the worst Jesus freaks having an issue with your arrangement, and you can safely tell those to go to hel_l.

Alternatively, just convert to Islam.

Become a monk.

Alternatively, maybe you're just turning gay.

Same way the yellows got away with it? Same way you and I get away with drunk driving or other offenses? Same way as .... TIT!

What an awesome, sexy, amazing looking trout you got there..

I usually catch them at the Doi Kham store..

Man, you make people jealous both when you're in Thailand *as well as* when you're back home.. (There's a big compliment in there)

Getting some pop corn....

Also, are you sure that they actually carried full payload?

Um, Swampy was closed by the yellow mob at the time with no China Airlines (or any) flights going out for days.. YES they were absolutely full!

All I'm going to say is, if you get on the road to Chiang Rai make sure you stop at Charin Resort at kilometer # 142. They have the best Pies you will ever have in Thailand:)

You've never been at the bakery at the Oriental Dhara Dhevi right? Time for a visit!! (Discounts apply after 7pm)

I always wonder why so many falang in TV are so reactionary and blind.

Agreed! While I wouldn't want to donate really as I don't have the money piled up behind the house, I do support some of the red shirt groups. They're desperately needed in the current political climate.

Once you've come down from the Doi Saket road to the Superhighway, you turn left on the Superhighway, u-turn back to the Arcade bus station entrance and then take the small soi to the left which leads down to Thung Hotel Road - on Thung Hotel Road there may be some spots with hoses but probably not too many. Follow Thung Hotel up to Charoen Muang Road, and in the intersection Thung Hotel/Charoen Muang turn right down onto Charoen Muang. Turn left again into Rotfai Road, passing the railway station on your left and continuing until the railway crossing next to one of the Kawila barracks entrances (soldier posted out front marks the spot), pass the intersection and continue parallel to the railway tracks, the road turns right. Keep driving west in towards the city. You will pass a temple on your right hand side and then the Gymkhana Club on your left, before you hit the street just east of the Ping river. Turn right towards Huan Boran restaurant and Rim Ping Supermarket, then turn left on the iron bridge heading down towards Charoen Prathet Road. Follow Charoen Prathet Road til it hits Thaphae Road, turn left into the Night Bazaar (Chang Khlan Road) and keep going past the Loi Kroh/Chang Khlan intersection, down towards the Chang Khlan Road/Sri Donchai Road intersection, turn right down Sri Donchai, turn right at the road behind the Panthip Plaza parking lot, follow it and you will eventually hit the entrance to the Duang Tawan car park on your left.

I think I would avoid Thung Hotel Rd and Charoen Muang. For maximum safety I think I'd take the long way around:

So Super Highway all the way to Big C where you go on the flyover towards the Airport (Aom Muang) Road. Then cross the Ping River and turn left and left again immediately after, going under the bridge on to Chang Klan Road. Then Chang Klan all the way to the Night Bazar area, left on Sridonchai and then right just after Pantip Plaza.

Note that anyone doing this route by car will see the added benefit of the least possible congestion, also even later in the day.

Overall the night bazar area becomes very hard to reach due to the traffic and the mostly one way streets. If you do approach it then best from the South.

Yup, especially in the Thapae area there's the occasional idiot Farang. It only takes one idiot with a bucket, but by and large if you go out after 8pm you're fine. (Again this is speaking as someone with a car)

Yeah, on second thought sia naa is correct.

Not all soakers are alike.. In fact most are complete crap, just toys really. ( )

I'll take a picture of mine soon, that's the one you should be looking out for. They go for around 500 baht. (Pretty much double of the crap ones, even though some of the crap ones are bigger physical size)

I'd write that 'Naa Taek' but there's no standard so either way of spelling that is valid.

thai-language.com probably has the audio, have a look.

(หน้าแตก or search it separate หน้า and แตก )

Ah, here you go: http://thai-language.com/id/197538

Edit: correction of 'naa'..

Dudes.. the difference in count is most likely due to your standard of living.. If you only have a moped or use the red buses then chances are some stray kid will get you on an additional day. If you live in a suburb and drive a car then it's very unlikely that you'd even notice any water throwing on any day outside of 12, 13, 14, 15. (And 11 April only if you happen to pass the Thapae area)

bait & switch

Please ask them for their cell number; have some dogs nearby that I'd love them to come clean up.

Usual blabbering..

You see some legally registered tuk tuks ('3 wheeled motor vehicle) around. Not many but you see some. They have white plates with red lettering. They are NOT taxis but used for advertising, promotional events, moving info booths, etc . They are registered just like any vehicle, NOT a taxi so no trouble with any tuktuk 'mafia'. Even the tuk tuk mafia is not as stupid as some TV Farangs.

That said, they cost WAY more than 8000 baht.. There is no such thing as one in bad condition because for limited money you can get 2 guys to work on it for a week and have it in excellent condition..

If this is for the Songkran celebrations then just rent one for a couple hours from a tuk tuk driver.

BTW, riding one will make you think twice about owning one.. they're really terrible to drive.

Well, I'm a card carrying Red Shirt and no fan of the "Democrat" party, but this is BS. Again courts meddling with election results because of utter trivialities.. The woman won more votes than anyone else so unless she committed a horrific crime she should be mayor. Votes should decide, not courts.

My understanding is that the law requires a mayoral candidate to be a resident of the city he or she is standing in. The mayor in fact lived elsewhere before the election. Her evidence that she lived in CM was inadequate, as determined both by the election commission and by the courts. This is not about a piece of paper, but is about following a reasonable law that requires a candidate to be a resident before running for office. I am pleased to see the courts enforcing the laws---it is all too common in Thailand for elite families (such as she belongs to) to be above the law. How is failing to follow a reasonable law an "utter triviality"?

Because the people knew that and wanted her for mayor. Same as with Thaksin; people knew he was a shrewd (bordering dodgy) business man who showed he was willing to circumvent tax laws, and they still voted for him in successive landslides.. Therefore he was legitimate in my view, and he showed he indeed could deliver and get Thailand's economy on the road in a big way and do all the other things that some dismiss as populist. Ultimately I think people's votes should decide. So while I'm no fan of the mayor's political background, I must respect the will of the people more than courts because courts have shown time and again to be corrupt and or under the influence of the powers-that-be.

Note that in other countries this doesn't work this way.. If the USA did things in the Thai way then mr. Obama would still be in courts trying to proof he was born in the USA (Hawaii), just because some nutters and influential people want to cause him grief.. That puts disproportionate power in the hands of the courts.

Good news.. and the 89 Plaza is becoming a very interesting little center I have to say. (Good cheap Thai food for lunch as well at several small restaurants)

Of course Pai is just as crazy. In fact the whole North and North East.

Well, there's not much water throwing going on in the morning other than perhaps some kids, and then also the evenings tend to be civilized.

And you can do indoor things like see movies or shopping at airport plaza, or visit a hotel with a good pool, spa, massage..

Just bring some dry clothes just in case.

There's one raft operation where the boat people tend to take all Farangs.. And it's actually a good one, with good food. So in this case, just go with the flow and go to Phae Farang.