WinnieTheKhwai

Calling Thai soldiers "cowards" is daring them to take action. Who can defend PAD and Sondhi's position today?

Apparently you haven't read the past 12 pages? Even allegedly educated foreigners are defending PAD and SOndhi's position!!

Here is something to keep firmly in mind about PAD:

Despite the name, the People's Alliance for Democracy is actually campaigning for an end to democracy, arguing that in Thailand Western-style elections have only led to corrupt and ineffective governments.

Instead, it wants a largely appointed parliament, and a legalised role for the military as a kind of referee in Thai politics, our correspondent adds.

I find it appalling that several Thaivisa members, some of whom I know to be pretty highly educated, are still content at being apologists for PAD.

Really, there is only one way forward for Thailand and that is through a slow and tedious and sometimes inefficient process of maturing its democracy, which means through elections, which means respecting ALL Thai people. Sadly through the most recent military coup the clock was turned back 15 years or so.

There is only one word for the PAD. SCUM.

Will people on this forum in general, and on this thread in particular, desist from using that word. It is deeply offensive and rude in the extreme coming from someone who doesn't speak a word of the local language attempting to describe civilians of the country in which they are a guest. Ignorant in the extreme.

Okay.

There's actually two words for PAD: Worthless, and Trash.

Strange that this has been going on for nearly 3 hours now, but no mention yet on BBC, Sky, CNN, etc. I suppose they are all still fast asleep?

The BBC has always reported very pro-Thaksin. This will only help his bid for political asylum back in the UK. They are probably awaiting some comment from him before putting the story up.

Let me guess: You read The Nation?? Compared to that, anything is pro Thaksin!! I think you should listen to the BBC more, frankly.

Of course non-violent protests work, far better than warfare works. Roughly one third of all people on the planet now live in countries that were liberated through non-violent protest, since 1945. But it takes good planning, excellent execution, and good luck - which PAD may not have.

It also takes good sense, and enough popular support, which PAD definitely don't have!!!

Last weekend I met a girl in a bar who I hadn't seen in a long time. She's tiny, but now sports an iron grip at massage. She learnt it at Wat Chomphoo she said. She's not a reliable source I hasten to add, for all I know it could be Wat Sayuri where she learnt the stuff. I'm just throwing the name out there to check further. If true it's probably a cheap place to learn.

Good to see that things finally begin to go Thaksin's way again. AND City had a decent victory today.

I really hope a big cleaning can be had in the courts and all the other institutions and commissions set up or sponsored by the military or by the constitution they drew up.. Then hopefully Thaksin (or someone like him) can be PM again and move Thailand forward again.

If a person brings in Thai girls to work in brothels in the UK, and pays for their way there, how does he know that the girls will work in his brothel long enough to make up the money he paid to bring them to the UK? Seems like holding their passport would really be the only way.

Or even better, make sure the women themselves are happy and making money. Sure the odd case will take off, but many more will give it a good go. Don't forget the costs to get someone to Europe aren't THAT high. 50K baht should do it. An experienced sex worker will make that back the first week on the job. The main income really has to come from the brothel, not from taking some insane amount from the woman herself. I mean seriously, if you need to make a living doing sex work then you don't have 500K baht in the bank. I'd say trying to get any serious amounts from women is a non-starter.

For these reasons (and those posted by others in this topic) i have a hard time believing every paragraph of these types of reports.

Look at the facts, and how incredibly insignificant these whipped up charges against Thaksin are, even if they are true! It's disgraceful, I think Thailand desperately needs a proper government back. Time to mature from the power structures that keep the beginnings of popular democracy down, and Thailand stuck at a third world level.

Personally I think it's only a matter of time before the next brilliant, business minded and populist politician stands up.. There will be a storm then.

The incident was most unfortunate and the baby was very lucky, but it was also an accident and could have happened anywhere in the world where guns are even somewhat commonly available. I can't see it as any reason to leave Chiang Mai.

Such as Medellin in Colombia, a Big Fat Kazakh Wedding, and most of the rural USA. I think it won't be that hard avoiding all of those.

And of course, in YOUR situation I would not leave Thailand; from what you write it seems you're reasonably single most of the time without having to worry about kids or a family.

I have a question. Are we the OP's only friends?

Errm.. speak for yourself. All my friends manage to be liked by food vendors, taxi drivers and Thais in general alike. It's not that hard youknow, it takes effort NOT to be liked.

Is there a part of the year there when it is smokey? That's what I want to avoid, but I would like to visit.

It's more smoggy than smokey (think Beijing on a good day; it's not like you smell smoke but visibility is crap) This happens for a couple weeks around March, i.e. the height of the dry season. It's very dry indeed that time, and hot, so you really don't want to visit that time.

Best time to visit is December-February, which is also dry but temperatures are not too hot, with good sunny weather. The rainy season is also very good, say May-August. September and early October can be too wet (though I still greatly prefer it to March!), then November is a good month as well, no rain but can be still on the hot side.

This explains it pretty well: http://nachang.com/dryseason/

I agree with that overall. Even if miraculously this case was solved then it doesn't change the fact that there's tons more lunatics out there, possibly not even lunatics with handguns but lunatics who drink and drive, lunatics who say 'mai pen rai' to very unsafe situations with fire or electricity, or basic barriers that prevent kids from falling to their deaths in department stores or other public places, or nursery staff who leave dangerous medications or chemicals within reach of children, or hospitals where insane mistakes are made without any accountability, ... the list goes on.

I have a Skype hand phone and it's useless. Not because of call quality which is fine, but whoever made this thing doesn't understand the way people use Skype, and that usually before making the actual call, people tend to Skype-chat you to check if you're available, then make the call. Well guess what, the phone doesn't do Skype chat, doesn't even show it.

So before you buy, make sure the thing does Skype chat or else people will not call you if you don't (can't) reply to a 'Hi, good morning, do you have time for a call?"

Secondly, a lot of mobile phones offer Skype, so then you don't need a separate piece of hardware anyway. This includes Windows Mobile phones as well as Nokia phones though apps like Fring or Nimbuzz. (There's a native Skype beta out for Nokia but it's business model is confused, I hope someone at Skype sees the light before it's too late)

I used the BKK-JFK direct route a couple times and it was great. This now stopped, but as I needed only one such trip to secure Gold status I really did my best to fly Thai to New York... Well, forget it. The options included a United flight through Tokio (Star Alliance miles) but NO WAY am I flying any US based carriers as service is completely horrific; elderly FA's just oozing vibes that they really don't want to be there and be serving you.

So the other alternative was flying to LAX and then on to NY.. Never mind the LAX-JFK flight, just flying BKK-LAX was already a lot more expensive than Cathay all the way to New York through Hong Kong.. And needless to say, Cathay is a far better airline than TG. So for less money I got a flight that was not only better but also far more convenient.

TG truly lost the plot over the last 6 months or so.

I think no other Thaivisa post has hit me harder than this one; what a nightmare.

Probably the best thing to do is treat it as such (a nightmare) and out of this whole thing focus on the very last picture you posted of your girl with the excellent staff of McCormick.

Pursuing anything will get you nowhere. The only other option besides sighing a deep sigh or relief, counting your blessings and getting on with things is facing the truth that Thailand is a fun country if you're young (at heart) and like fun, but no place to raise a family. Because if it's not a bullet then it's some other completely backward lack of the most basic safety considerations in just about everything.

Really, those are your choices. I don't know what I would do. (I have a young daughter as well) I'm basically in the same situation.

Ok, I won't go.

I'd still like to visit some place else than that has horses. What can I say, my kid likes them. I know there's some of the very tired Lampang-pony variety around Wiang Khum Kham and the Oriental Tarry Taffy hotel, as well as the zoo, but they're small and tired old beasts, the equestrian equivalent to Loi Kroh road as it were.

Does anyone have better ideas?

Hi, I wouldn't worry too much.. Chiang Mai is super easy, it's been a major tourist destination for decades.. It's a really good place to start in Thailand as it's so much smaller/easier/cheaper compared to Bangkok.

Just book a connecting flight to Chiang Mai, from there there's airport taxis into town, as well as buses.

Not sure what budget you're on, but I guess your friend can book or recommend something.

Honestly I wouldn't worry; little old ladies travel to Chiang Mai by themselves. (As well as loads of backpackers, package tourists, etc., etc.)

Let me know if you have a any questions or concerns..

Come on, it's a (very) minor-change facelift update.. I think 50K is quite generous actually; unlike the West, you don't really see a minor change update reflected in the resale price much. More importantly though, wait until January with getting the blue book!

I went back to regular batteries that you check/refill with some distilled water every month or so, after finding out that the more expensive 'no maintenance' batteries really don't last any longer and quite possibly shorter.

There's a nice little battery shop around the corner that checks and refills for free. Good service, went with their recommendation (price/value) and a Yuasa battery.

If you consider the sex trade acceptible - in any of its forms, how could you possibly argue against your daughter earning a living that way?

I consider working a factory job or construction site perfectly acceptable professions too, but not for my own daughter. I hope this answers the question! Regardless, the direction of her life it will be her choice, ultimately. (I hope that extends the first answer)

But as for hopes, I would hope for a good education and good career in the field of her choice.

Erm...... A certain poster that managed the phrase 'Isan wh***'' was left, but a post that politely, but strongly, criticized this phrase did not remain? You can focus on removing any kind of strong discussion / opposing viewpoints / arguing, but to me that's secondary to maintaining a modicum of respect and politeness on a forum.

I think bigoted slurs simply don't belong. Again IMHO.

I'm planning a trip to Pattaya next week for a few days from BKK. I'm planning to jump on the bus from Ekamai-does that sound like a good idea? Also, can anyone recommend a small reasonably priced hotel, well run and fairly central? What about decent pubs and bars?

Yes, great idea. Indeed the bus from Ekamai is a good and cheap way to get there, unless of course you're closer to Mo Chit; buses every 20-30 minutes from there as well.

For a hotel, try to book the Nautical Inn.. could be one of the oldest hotels in Pattaya. Make sure to book the low-rise motel style building (they call that the garden building or pool building).. It's a very popular spot but this being low season especially for Western visitors you could have a chance.

You can explore a lot around Pattaya, many beaches nearby all the way down the coast to Sattahip, many of them inside Navy facilities.

Pattaya has loads of pubs and bars, but I'm no expert on the decent ones, though I know they're there.

Peace Blondie, this thread has not got anything to do with bar girls whatsoever; I don't know why you made that association?? The post is about cheating. And the purpose of the post was to find out if someone knows a way of hiding caller Id when phoning the UK. The only person who has mentioned 'bar girls' in this entire thread is yourself in your last reply.

Note that he's done that before in other forums; something in the Pattaya forum about the attractions of the place. Topic was going just fine until he brings up the-topic-that-cannot-be-discussed. Then had to be closed not long after. I think he still needs to mature in his overly quick assumptions on Thailand and the people there and the people who travel there.

On the topic at hand.. I think a major danger is that something happens to him which could then easily cause his whole life to fall apart. For example being in a (traffic) accident, getting hospitalized, etc. For this reason I would recommend to NOT lie about the location where he's supposed to be; if it's plausible that he has to travel in Europe for business then I'm sure he can manage making it plausible to have to be in Asia.

Using Skype is indeed the answer; it's actually quite common to have phone calls routed through other networks which typically results in the caller ID being a local UK number, no number at all, or some variation. My main issue with using Skype is finding a place that's quiet enough to have a conversation, this is especially important if his wife is Thai and could understand Thai being spoken in the background.

International Roaming would also work, but that'll be more expensive, and all kinds of stuff could show up on the phone bill; not sure about that but he wants to make sure he has this covered.

I have to agree that this law is absolutely some of the most stupid I have heard in a long time. I am fairly sure what they request are connection logs, which every decent router can provide easily. It is not a big deal to store these. [...] But once they got the internal log from a company where all the clients are assigned IPs from the DHCP server what are they going to do? The leaches will most likely have expired or been overwritten, so all they can conclude is that some ip xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx established this connection at a specific date/time, but that is all.

Every really decent router also stores the MAC address of the network card. Those don't change. Or alternatively, an internet cafe could decide to not use DHCP anymore and assign every station a fixed IP.

Elsewhere someone said that GPRS can't be tracked: I don't see why not, unless you use it on a pre-paid cell phone without having registered with your actual name/address. But even then it can be tracked to the phone, and your mobile phone operator knows where that one is located pretty accurately.