penzman

As I see it there are two levels of exploitation available re the 20% law.

1. A party may pull their candidate in a very secure seat in an effort to prevent their opposition from forming a legitimate government.

Probably nothing really illegal about this as as some posters here have pointed out, its a parties legal right to choose to run a candidate or not.

2. A major party can seek to influence smaller parties, through collusion, to withdraw candidates in certain electorates with INTENT to ensure an opposition candidate with less than 20% of the vote is not entitled to represent the electorate. AND, such collusion is carried out with INTENT to prevent the formation of government by an opposition party that would otherwise have that entitlement.

Such a situation is obviously a little more serious than that outlined in example 1 of simply not running a candidate. It amounts to a conspiracy to derail the democratic process through collusion between parties.

I believe it is a situation as outlined in example 2 above that the Democrats are charges with.

I see nothing wrong with a party pulling out a candidate IF he is replaced with another or IF all of the party's candidates are removed as happened with the last boycott. I also see nothing wrong with parties consulting each other when the idea of a boycott is present amongst a few parties. Even if it was prohibited, they would still be abloe to exchange their views via the media, a slower process but with the same end result, and, I can't see the media being gagged on this subject in order to prevent parties exchanging views and ideas, unless the said media is run by the ruling government

From The Nation's main page My mistake, from Bangkok Post's main page.

For the second time in less than a week, caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra mentioned a “charismatic individual”, who he branded as “extra-constitutional” and said was interfering with or manipulating agencies set up under the constitution. Mr Thaksin also alleged that this “charismatic individual” was behind the successive resignation of two government legal experts, Borwornsak Uwanno and Visanu Krue-ngarm.

I'm not sure about the charismatic part but you'd swear Thaksin is talking about himself.

Egads!

Technical glitch!

I am not even that interested in Columia. Though too bad it really is rather dangerous.

Fixed, deleted duplicate posts.

Lets say i was transferring large data files (10-20meg) across the network back to servers in the US using FTP.

Would i be waiting for days? Is it feasible to do such a thing in a regular basis without going insane on the wait time?

I've transfered a 695 MB file to Texas a few days ago in about 3 and 1/2 hours.

TOT ADSL GoldCyber 1024/512

TOT 1mb down / 512k up. No problems downloading from US based servers at 110kb/sec.

The secret is to use multiple threads for downloading in Thailand - if I change to a single thread speed is 40 kb/sec. Change that to 10 threads on the same file 110kb/sec works consistently like that.

Depends if you are able to download using something like Newsleecher or Download Accelerator Plus.

Oh and the price is good as well: 1000 baht.

Cheers

I have the same package and can't complain.

Some smaller downloads actually start at well over 250kb/s and gradually set to 110kb/s about halfay through.

Unbelievable.

Happy Birthday The Nation! Congrats on updating their website frequently.

This evening, Sondhi was showing clips of Thaksin's last meeting on Thursday with government officials. He sure was making some strange gestures, putting on his glasses and taking them off right away, excessive eye blinking etc, desperately trying to convince what looked like a partly deceived and "I've been forced to come here" crowd, give or take a few worshipers.

Looks like he's about to crack, grating that last piece of cheese left up his skull.

And, some 20 foreign countries have asked REAL explanations on the political crisis by metting Democrat leader Abhisit.

DEMOCRAZY foreigners.

Has emperor T lost all credibility abroad?

Abhisit briefs political attaches from 20 countries

Political attaches from 20 countries met Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday for a briefing on political situation, the party spokesman said.

Democrat spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon said Abhisit met the envoys and foreign reporters at the party for about one and a half hours.

They included political attaches of China, Japan, France, Sweden, Italy, United Kingdom, Malaysia and India.

Ong-art said the meeting was held because political attaches of some countries asked the party to brief them on the charges against the Democrat.

He said Abhisit explained to the envoys and foreign journalists as to why the Democrat faced the chares and how the party got involved and told that the current political crisis happened from the unrighteous dissolution of the House.

Ong-art said the envoys also asked Abhisit how the Democrat would deal with the situation in the deep South if it became the leader of the next government. Abhisit replied that the Democrat would make the problems in the deep South a public agenda.

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30007710

TRT members jumping ship and now job offers from Thaksin turned down

Chavalit says no to offer for him to lead poverty fight

Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said Friday that he had rejected his appointment as head the Centre for the government's Fight Against Poverty because he wanted to focus on a non-political job.

Chavalit said he decided not to accept the job because he was working for the General Prem Tinsulanonda Foundation.

Chavalit, who served as a deputy prime minister in an early administration led by Thaksin Shinawatra, was recently appointed as chairman of the centre.

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30007723

A very interesting article from The Nation

Name names,premier is told

Prem not target of charge, say Sudarat, Chavalit

Pressure grew yesterday for caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to name the alleged mastermind behind what he termed as a plot to topple him by unconstitutional means.

Thai Rak Thai Party deputy leader Sudarat Keyuraphan and former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh dismissed widespread speculation that Thaksin was referring to Privy Council president General Prem Tinsulanonda.

Sudarat said she believed the speculation was aimed at tarnishing the ruling party.

Meanwhile, security has been stepped up for the premier because of fears that certain elements angry with him might resort to violence, a security source said yesterday.

Thaksin has drawn flak rather than sympathy after revealing the alleged plot to overthrow him unconstitutionally. He made the remarks while addressing a gathering of top bureaucrats at Government House on Thursday.

He spent yesterday keeping tight-lipped on a burning question - who is the charismatic individual who wants to replace him by pushing for a royal intervention under Article 7 of the Constitution?

"I will one day sing for you guys," he said, dodging reporters pestering him with questions surrounding the mysterious man out to get his job.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thaksin risked driving a wedge in society if he failed to reveal the identity of his charismatic rival.

"In making such an inflammatory statement, Thaksin may aim at flaunting his power but ends up fanning the climate of distrust which is not conducive to ending the political crisis," he said.

Abhisit said Thaksin was trying to distract the public from the root cause of the political turmoil - the tampering with the system of checks and balances, and not the usurping of power from an elected government as he alleged.

Continued here on The Nation's website

Thaksin urged to name foe

'Charismatic' enemy claim draws flak

POST REPORTERS

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's remarks about a mysterious ''charismatic individual'' have landed him in trouble, amid increasing demands that he identify who he means.The remarks set off speculation that he was referring to Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, chief of the Privy Council, who is well regarded by the public. Mr Thaksin, who has made similar allegations twice in less than a week, dodged questions about the individual. On Thursday he said the unnamed person was at work to oust him from office. He made the comment during a meeting with top government officials, provincial governors, and military leaders at Government House.

A source close to Gen Prem said the general was taken by surprise by the remarks. According to the source, the Privy Council chairman, who was former army chief and former prime minister, did not think he was the one meant by Mr Thaksin, for he was neither charismatic nor involved in politics.

''Gen Prem is puzzled and wonders why Mr Thaksin would say something like that,'' said the source, who added the prime minister was wrong to assume he did not have Gen Prem's support.

The source said, however, that Mr Thaksin's remarks would add fuel to the political fire and undermine himself.

Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was among critics who demanded Mr Thaksin clear the air.

He said the prime minister should say who he meant so the allegations could be tested.

At the same time, Democrat deputy secretary-general Thavorn Senniem urged the prime minister to say if he was referring to ''a prominent figure widely respected by people of Songkhla''. Although Mr Thavorn did not name names, it was understood he referred to Gen Prem who is a Songkhla native.

Government sources were saying that two top legal experts, Borwornsak Uwanno and Visanu Krue-ngarm, resigned from the government after being lobbied by this charismatic figure, he said.

''If he [Mr Thaksin] has the courage, he should say what the organisation or who the individual is,'' said Mr Thavorn.

''If we look back, we'll see constant attacks on the Privy Council chief. The government has never found the people responsible for the bomb explosion (at Gen Prem's residence).

''He is the target of constant attacks because it is believed that he stands in the government's way,'' said Mr Thavorn, an ex-MP for Songkhla, referring to the explosion at Gen Prem's Sisao Theves residence in March this year.

Outgoing Bangkok Senator Sophon Supapong said Mr Thaksin's comments sowed hatred and enmity in society, and warned the caretaker prime minister to watch his mouth.

Nipon Boonyamanee, a former MP for Songkhla, said Mr Thaksin was causing disunity and division in society, despite saying he wanted the opposite.

''People in Songkhla have started questioning if he means the very person they respect and admire. He'd better make it clear,'' said Mr Nipon.

Outgoing Senator Chirmsak Pinthong said Mr Thaksin meant ''outside parliament'' rather than outside the constitution.

In his Thursday comments, Mr Thaksin said certain individuals and entities which he branded as ''extra-constitutional'' were interfering with agencies set up under the constitution.

Meanwhile, Gen Pongthep Thesprateep, a close aide to Gen Prem, dismissed reports that Mr Thaksin was referring to Gen Prem.

''It's not something a prime minister would say or do. With his political maturity, I don't think he means Gen Prem,'' he said.

Armed forces leaders, however, declined to comment.

A group of senators yesterday sent a letter to Mr Thaksin, urging him to take responsibility for his words by identifying the person he believed wanted to topple him.

Deputy Thai Rak Thai leader Sudarat Keyuraphan questioned the Democrat party's motive in involving Gen Prem in the debate.

''The Democrat party must say what has led it to identify the person as Gen Prem. But I think the Democrats have nothing in mind other than to discredit Thai Rak Thai,'' she said.

Meanwhile, the People's Alliance for Democracy, which recently resumed its campaign against Mr Thaksin, will next week lodge a complaint with police against Mr Thaksin for malfeasance in connection with his remarks.

Media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul said Mr Thaksin claimed an individual was trying to topple democracy and the constitution and yet did nothing.

He also called on Mr Thaksin to make it clear who, or what institutions he meant.

''Does he mean Gen Prem or the courts which are resolving the political crisis,'' Mr Sondhi told last night's Muang Thai Rai Sapda forum at Lumpini Park which drew about 500 people.

Bangkok Post

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/01Jul2006_news01.php

Reservoirs can be full and there wno't be any water running. Lame water management that never ends and construction that keeps going at a crazy pace.

Nothing beats a pump and watyer tank. I've never noticed a water shortage in 2 years.

Please try and use the quote function, some posts get quite confusing.

Click on QUOTE below the post you want to quote, then ADD REPLY. You can also quote many posts and then ADD REPLY.

Also ADD REPLY allows you to change your font color in order to make it easier to differentiate your comments from the quoted text. FAST REPLY does not allow this.

Try it, quite easy.

Thanks

Penz

You can also quote posts this way from pages you have previously viewed and QUOTED in the same or different windows.

Please try and use the quote function, some posts get quite confusing.

Click on QUOTE below the post you want to quote, then ADD REPLY. You can also quote many posts and then ADD REPLY.

Also ADD REPLY allows you to change your font color in order to make it easier to differentiate your comments from the quoted text. FAST REPLY does not allow this.

Thanks

Penz

I think it has become painfully clear to everyone Thaksin views Thailand as a parasite views a host. When all that can be extracted is extracted, then move on.

Maybe it was you, someone refered to him before as a "well embeded tick you just can't get rid of"

Ticksin

Thanks everyone for keeping this thread on topic, a pleasant and informative read.

Couldn't say the same a week ago.

The "influential people who are trying to create social disunity" mentioned by Thaksin and the charges against the democrats are simply a tactic, smoke and mudslinging to confuse everyone, trying to blame others along for the loss of face they brought on themselves. People are about the see the real face of Thaksin now that he's been cornered like never before.

Chirmsak says Thaksin's Thursday is his swan song

Caretaker Bangkok senator Chirmsak Pinthong said Friday that Thaksin's defiant speech on Thursday was apparently his swan song as he realised that his days were over.

On Thursday, Thaksin called a meeting of top bureaucrats and vowed to fight to protect democracy and blamed someone with charisma but without sanction by the Constitution for a plot to try to remove him from the premiership.

Chirmsak said he knew whom Thaksin was referring to in particular.

"It has been discussed in the Thai Rak Thai and they have been spreading rumours for a while that someone would like to be the prime minister and would like to have Article 7 of the Constitution invoked so that he could be prime minister. That person is believed to be outside parliament, but Thakisn happened to say 'outside Constituotn'," Chirmsak said.

"What happened yesterday [Thursday] was the last moment of his days so he had to rally for support," Chirmsak said.

The Nation

He sure has a way of casting doubt over himself with comments like "Do not worry" and meeting OAG members the evening before they submit their case to the court... and then goes on saying he'll go on with his radio show.

My wife couldn't believe his speech to TRT party members yesterday. He spoke as if they were poor victims of a plot while whining that other people were responsible for interfering with Thailand's democratic process Some TRT members were actullay looking at the ceiling when he made more strange comments while others looked like they had just been slapped in the face. He may see a few more jump ship this week.

He's acting stranger than usual.

POLITICAL CRISIS

PM fears 'plot to throw me out'

Thaksin warns top officials to avoid illegal moves to oust him; set to restart radio show

Embattled Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday convened a meeting of top bureaucrats to expose what he termed a plot to depose him, and also announced a plan to restart his controversial weekly radio programme.

The well-timed manoeuvres came amid rumours of a possible coup.

"Confusion persists because charismatic people and some organisations outside of those sanctioned by the Constitution are trying to impose changes, even though they do not have any mandate to do so," Thaksin said.

In his hour-long speech, the caretaker PM portrayed himself as a defender of democratic rule and lashed out at his opponents for trying to dethrone him by undemocratic means.

"Do not confuse democracy with 'democrazy'. Everything will work out in accordance with the established rules," he said, remaining upbeat he can emerge unscathed from the political crisis.

more here on The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/06/30...es_30007674.php

Salvador Dali couldn't paint a more surreal picture.

BAN FIREARMS, there's nothing left to hunt anyway. SEVERE PUNISHMENT to those caught in possession of firearms. That's all.

Hmmmm, I received my first rifle when I was 9 years old (an old bolt action .22 calibre Cooey. Still have it in fact, 36 years later !)

I now own a number of rifles, shotguns and handguns (not here in Thailand though). In all those years, I've never shot at anyone, or used a firearm in any illegal manner.

I was fairly successful at the couple of civilian shooting competitions I entered, and usually scored near the top in every military qualification I did over 22 years of service.

When home, I often have to carry a firearm due to my work and location. Thus far I'm never had to use it, mostly due to good pre-planning, knowledge and experience.

Should I be subject to "SEVERE PUNISHMENT" ?

Of course not.... Unless you're a hitman, or part of some criminal organisation...

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Hm.. Euhum...Euhum....

Okay, now that I´ve cleared my throat of vehemencies... Khall said it best just there, when she said,

TROLL!

To the other dude dildo newfoundland beat that dude....

Dig this and bite your shovel. In austria there is a place called FUC.K:

Don´t censor that internet robots, it is a place name and is being used as such.

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On top of having Dildo, Newfoundland, Canada... Beat this!

City : Climax

Province/State : Saskatchewan

Country : Canada

I didn't do it : Thaksin

Confusion reigns as Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Thursday dismissed statement from a Kenyan minister of tourism that he plans to build a hotel in the West African nation.

Speaking to reporters, Thaksin, who is under pressure to halt his planned importation of wild animals and birds from Kenya, said he had merely plan to make suggestions to the Thai private sector to invest in the African country because of its attractions.

Thaksin said he has not have the time to discuss the matter with the Thai hotel chain but mentioned Dusit Thani and Plaza Athene' as sound candidates with capacity to do so.

Kenyan tourism and Wildlife Minister Morris Dzoro said yesterday authorities were scrutinising Thaksin's application.

"Thaksin has asked us about putting up a hotel here in Kenya and we are considering his application just like any other investor," Dzoro told a press conference in Nairobi yesterday.

Last November, Kenya signed an agreement to give Thailand 175 wild animals and birds for the Chiang Mai's Night Safari Park. The move sparked angry protests from wildlife activists and conservationists.

The plan was halted by a Nairobi high court pending conclusion of a suit challenging its legality.

Making matter worse, Vice Minister for the Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment, Plodpasop Suratsawadee, had announced a plan to open a restaurant in the safari that sells wildlife meat.

The ministry was planning to propose to the Cabinet for debate but, amid a growing public pressure, the government decided to backed down.

The Nation

Did I forget to mention he is also shifty?

Dr. Thaksin told TRT members not to be worried about the resolution on dissolving TRT Party

The Thai Rak Thai Party Leader, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has told his party members not to be worried about the resolution of the Office of the Attorney-General, following the proposal to dissolve five political parties yesterday. He has instructed them to perform their duties under the constitutional law. He has assigned them to visit different areas to solicit votes for the next general election on October 15th.

Mr. Yongyut Tiyapairat (ยงยุทธ ติยะไพรัช), the Thai Rak Thai Administrator, said that the current political rift has caused negative impacts on people. However, Dr. Thaksin has reinstructed his party members to continue their roles, adding that the October 15th election will not be cancelled.

Mr. Yongyut has declined to criticize the decision of the Office of the Attorney-General as he said that the process goes in line with the law. However, he is confident that this matter will not lessen his party’s popularity.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 28 June 2006

Thaksin says election date may be changed

Thaksin said Thursday that he is not certain whether the next election will be held on October 15 as scheduled by the Election Commission.

"An election will be definitely held but I am not sure that it will be held on October 15 or not," Thaksin said

The Nation Thu, June 29, 2006

The man loses face more often than you could observe in one of Bangkok's most popular plastic surgery clinics.

You may try Bobay Tower as well. All garment there. (not sure about the spelling)

This year there have been quite a few storms even before the rainy season started but now that it's here, I find there are less than on previous years where they were almost happening like clockwork, usually afternoon storms.

PM refused news saying that he has investein hotel business in Kenya

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra refuses to reveal to the news that he has invested his money in a hotel business in Kenya.

He explained that the leader of Kenya used to induce Thailand’s business sector to invest in its hotel business launder money. The leader said that there are many tourist attractions in Kenya, but the country is lacking the number of five-star hotels. He informed that some entrepreneurs of Thailand have the capability to investare desperate to launder money in foreign countries . He, however, said that he has never had a thoughtafter the controversial Themasek deal, will never reveal that he will invest in a business in other countries. He said that he has no time to reflect on this matter at this moment as he has to consider on the verdict of the Office of the Attorney-General in proposing the matter of dissolving the Thai Rak Thai Party. fleeing the country

Besides, he said that he will resume “Caretaker Propaganda Prime Minister Thaksin Talks Lies to the People” radio program. He said that the program will restart on this Saturday and shut down soon once again.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 June 2006

Spiced up by Penzman