473geo

I join the many voices who are crying out for various improvements to move Thailand forward.......which come from all sides.....

I think also there are a few people on this forum who are getting a bit stale and losing sight of the fact that you do not have to be on one side or the other to acknowledge that change is necessary to move Thailand forward.

I disagree, as things stand now you have to be on neither side to see changes that bring improvements to the quality of most people's lives. That change is all coming from the middle, where the Abhisit government resides. The red/yellow factions are impediments to change. Many people here have made the mistaken assumption that because Abhisit is currently clashing with this PTP/UDD/Red Shirt machine that he is pro yellow faction, and that just isn't the case

People wishing to give their children an opportunity for an educated more rewarding life than they may have experienced.......come from all sides........my statement was not about colours......

Indeed JD, contrary to his statement, Geo seems to have swallowed a very definite party line, and is desperately flogging it like a low grade street girl.

But not so self delusional to think he is half as attractive.......

I am always willing to learn - my search for education and depth of knowledge rarely ceases

You have enlightened me on two fronts and your education is much appreciated........I am lazy when it comes to back ground political research because until I identify tangible results I do not tend to swallow any 'party line'.....you see I have nothing I want to sell, and as stated only in the market to buy when tangible evidence is presented.......so you are correct I maybe better avoiding the complex issues........ ........any figures on how much real revenue this 'land tax' will flush from the wealthy? Would the cost not reduce their tax payments on profits......is the tax more than the annual increase in the land value?

Nice Geo ---- You sell the Red party -line but claim not to sell anything. You admit that you don't know the complicated issues but feel free to challenge the government's plans and accomplishments. What do you base those challenges on? Research? No, not by your admission.

So tell me Geo ---

What has PPP/PTP done for the poor? If you decide they did in fact, accomplish something. How did that manifest itself across the ENTIRE country in a sustainable way? You may feel free to answer for TRT as well but please remember the sustainable portion of the question!

If you want to see results it would behoove the reds to go home and see the results. They have, after all, been offered elections a whole year early!

It would also be good if you spoke up about the behaviour of the reds .. and what you think the consequences of said behaviour should be. Or would that require information that you don't possess?

I find it very interesting that you wish comment from a person who is accused of not knowing what they are talking about..........

Perhaps looking for an easy platform to allow you further comment along such lines.......

Maybe you could care to do some research on my previous posts........where I have......

Declared that I find violence by either side unacceptable.

That Abhisit is a capable man and I applaud his patient stance, (in the face of pressure from many) to avoid a bloody 'crack down'

I feel, irrespective of the pathetic 'tit for tat' debates (that are circulating on TV) an election is the fair solution. I do not see what Abhisit has to fear......his opposition on the street appears to have no manifesto.......

I join the many voices who are crying out for various improvements to move Thailand forward.......which come from all sides.....

I think also there are a few people on this forum who are getting a bit stale and losing sight of the fact that you do not have to be on one side or the other to acknowledge that change is necessary to move Thailand forward.

Why post on something you know nothing about?

Just following the crowd I guess....

sorry Geo -- you should do some of the background work before responding to complicated issues since not all posters will spell out the specifics for you in every post.

The "land tax" is for undeveloped land. If the land is being used in agriculture or business then the land will not get the extra tax. If, however, you own 20,000 rai of land that is not being used or developed then that land would be taxed.

How much more education do you want?

I am always willing to learn - my search for education and depth of knowledge rarely ceases

You have enlightened me on two fronts and your education is much appreciated........I am lazy when it comes to back ground political research because until I identify tangible results I do not tend to swallow any 'party line'.....you see I have nothing I want to sell, and as stated only in the market to buy when tangible evidence is presented.......so you are correct I maybe better avoiding the complex issues........ ........any figures on how much real revenue this 'land tax' will flush from the wealthy? Would the cost not reduce their tax payments on profits......is the tax more than the annual increase in the land value?

The strategy of the PM to wait out the reds seems pretty ridiculous. Maybe he knows they've run out of money or something we don't, maybe he thinks the rain will wash them away. The problem is that thousands of Bangkok residents have been left without jobs. Thousands of people are prevented from using the downtown to get to work, school, hospitals and embassies. How long should they have to suffer so that the reds can continue to harass and annoy everyone? Put some real pressure on these clowns to negotiate and vacate. Days go by with no progress except that the reds get more infuriating. Is there really a reason to wait until more innocent people are injured, killed, or forced to flee from places they have every right to be? Face it reds you have lost the war for public support, you have worn out your welcome, and this is not the appropriate way to get what you claim you want.

And the tens of thousounds of rural people consigned to poverty for decades - are not to be given serious consideration?

Rural people the world over are consigned to poverty mostly because they lack education and opportunities, not because they lack Toyota's and credit cards.

Which recent PM has extended free schooling to all Thais throughout the whole curriculum?

Answer: Abhisit

Which recent PM has proposed a tax on landowners over 5 rai, and an inheritance tax on the rich?

Answer: Abhisit

Which recent PM is not much liked by wealthy local gang lords who own large tracts of rural land and have large amounts of wealth to pass on to their kids being educated in private schools in Bangkok, and who would not much like an educated rural poor demanding higher wages for working in local mafia-owned businesses?

Answer: Abhisit

Now you tell me, who is fighting for the poor?

I would suggest free schooling is not the major requirement, although beneficial, rather a blind for the fact that the education system is not being radically developed and advanced at a respectable speed. Never the less free schooling for all is a start. Could you let me know if the university education system has followed this action with free university education or a program to develop education standards and allow free places to the eager but poorer applicants...........I am prepared to be impressed......please go ahead......

Land tax on owning land over 5 rai.....who do you think will pay this......most rural Thai......and in case you are unsure of the facts you make a only very basic existence on 10 rai of average rural land.

Inheritance tax on the rich......do you really believe there is no legal way around this........perhaps by tranferring the property before you die?........except for the poorer element who struggle to afford the proper legal advice.....and worry of course that if they hand over their property they may be left with no income!!!

I do not think the land track rich will be greatly affected by Abhisit and probably go about their business as usual.

Please continue to educate me......thank you....

The strategy of the PM to wait out the reds seems pretty ridiculous. Maybe he knows they've run out of money or something we don't, maybe he thinks the rain will wash them away. The problem is that thousands of Bangkok residents have been left without jobs. Thousands of people are prevented from using the downtown to get to work, school, hospitals and embassies. How long should they have to suffer so that the reds can continue to harass and annoy everyone? Put some real pressure on these clowns to negotiate and vacate. Days go by with no progress except that the reds get more infuriating. Is there really a reason to wait until more innocent people are injured, killed, or forced to flee from places they have every right to be? Face it reds you have lost the war for public support, you have worn out your welcome, and this is not the appropriate way to get what you claim you want.

And the tens of thousounds of rural people consigned to poverty for decades - are not to be given serious consideration?

I'm glad you were not my dad.

Why - I would have trained you to look past the obvious and be gracious in defeat..... .

Sadly, 'engineered relationships' are a recipe for disaster.

I guess that depends on the quality and experience of the engineer....

I wasn't aware of this 'you are now in a relationship' line, from which the return is disastrous. Can you please define this level of committment?

Between any two people, there is an understanding of 'in' or 'not in' a 'relationship'. The word 'relationship' means different things for everybody.

How are you potentially involved? - you are in a relationship therefore you are involved - or not in a relationship so not involved!

The perceived depth of involvement is unique & thus 'clear & truthful' communication is very sensible.

There is always an opportunity to say 'no' to something. The sooner this is done, the better.

Unless you have engineered a position where you would be pleased to say yes.....

You're not very smart. The word 'opportunity' quite clearly distinguishes between being involved & 'potentially' being involved.

How are you potentially involved? - you are in a relationship therefore you are involved - or not in a relationship so not involved!

You have the 'opportunity' to be in a relationship - until you enter into a relationship - you are not involved

If you require further clarification please do not hesitate to ask.....

Please can you explain why any person would not be 'involved' in a relationship.....I'm lost here...

Would you be involved in the first opportunity of a relationship presented to you...without question?

My point exactly - it is not a relationship unless you are 'involved'..!!

Not smug myself- can say I've made a fair share of mistakes. But they were my mistakes, and not anyone else's. Also not implying anything is true about any other particular person, so 473geo, if the shoe fits, wear it- but I'm not really talking in particular about you (except for that one bit where you refer to being 'chosen'). I've let myself be 'chosen' before- sometimes it worked out well, sometimes not- but I still acknowledge that I was involved!

Don't ever be a cobbler - your fitting is all wrong...

Please can you explain why any person would not be 'involved' in a relationship.....I'm lost here...

I think smug is more likely to refer to people who deride others for their choices, preferring to concentrate on the failures, thus ignoring the fact that some of the more successful may well have experienced the full sphere of Thai society before making their choice. But still made the same choice!!

To me, 'smug' is all about those who say they have 'followed the rules' & yet, things have still 'fallen apart'.

The only 'rules' to any relationship on the planet 'earth', have nothing to do with an indoctrinated culture but have everything to do with self respect & thence respect toward one's 'fellow man' (or woman). Strangely, 'self respect' & 'respect for one's fellow man' are not rules.

Thank you for your example supporting my statement......I notice 'fallen apart'

And for those who did not 'follow the rules' but were successful, and those that did 'follow the rules' and were successful......and those that were just quite simply successful?.......

'Rules' to me are for guidance - written or unwritten - I think you confuse them with laws.

One may accept and respect the right to free speech by a fellow man/woman......respect for his/her words is not a necessity for a successful life. In fact if you give the words too much respect you may well be inadvertantly led off on a tangent......

Thanks, ElK... I think that a lot of people here have used the 'culture' excuse to give up on normal relationships. Because they hang out with the tourist crowd and never broke away to meet real people, they just assume that 'all' Thais are 'like that' and normalise their behaviour- quite funny at first and then sad to see them deny that any other kind of relationship is possible. I have friends who think that I'm some sort of anomaly because I expect my dates to pull their weight, be taking care of themselves, working, contributing to our shared time together, etc. and then big surprise- I find people who do that. They don't have to be rich or anything, just normal, and it works.

But lack of self-esteem becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy- people don't take care of themselves, don't choose good friends and good places to be, etc.- eventually their negative self-beliefs are a reality!

Not taking responsibility for choosing people means that when the people are bad to them- it's not their fault- so they can be smug about the moral high ground (though quite lonely up there sometimes).

First you must have the confidence to know if you are oil or water.......they both find their own level but do not mix well. To have the confidence to go with the flow is not a sign of inability, perhaps more a sign of the ability to realise the correct outcome in any given situation. Those who are incapable of such confidence use 'guidlines' and parameters to justify their caution. Why not? what works for one......but I repeat myself......oil and water again!!!

I think smug is more likely to refer to people who deride others for their choices, prefering to concentrate on the failures, thus ignoring the fact that some of the more successful may well have experienced the full sphere of Thai society before making their choice. But still made the same choice!!

Thank you fellas......for your advice

I will take it on board......just in case my beautiful charming wife changes beyond all recognition into 'something out there' that you guys appear to have in your minds......for which I carry no fear.....

Possible problem with stopping the money.......she may hang in there for 6 months or more until an alternative situation is located........no real hardship for her and potential for the relationship to become 'angry'.

In my opinion, as has been suggested, best bet has got to be to create an alternative, without her knowledge......then be honest.....tell her it is not working.....one of you will have to leave.....ask her if she can keep on the accomodation without you and offer to go.......react and act according to her response.

Let's NOT have this thread derailed with a discussion of comparative ages of consent.

....

Back on topic-

Water tends to seek its own level. If you don't feel like you deserve a good, independent, self-actualised partner, then you probably won't look for one (or find one, natch). Thailand gives some people a cultural excuse to look for the 'wrong' kinds of people and then blame it on 'culture.' It's the old thing about the blind men describing an elephant, except that many of them are fixated- some of them ALWAYS get the trunk, the leg, etc. and then they think 'that's all there is to elephants' instead of changing the way they are looking for things. It's more comfortable for them than changing, because change and its uncertainty would seem too scary.

There's nothing in terms of people you can't find in Thailand; just depends if you're looking for it or not.

Agreed........but what of those that are not looking, but are 'found', because water also makes it's own route, once in the flow it is enjoyable fun to go with the current than fight against it........until at times it is too late and you are in too deep!!

Train up the tracks , Max

Got to be right......many on TV have the same attitude.......over 30 you are past it..........

C'mon Eek as a relatively new mod.......is it more demanding than you expected??

I was down there today, red shirts stalls selling pepper spray and catapults....peaceful protesting my ass !

Well that is it then..... they are here to stay........nobody will be prepared to go up against such massive firepower as catapults and pepper spray... ...unthinkable!!!

My gal pays her way with her platinum card everywhere we go. I met her by chance whilst looking to buy some Gold in China Town. Her family are very affluent and of Chinese origin. She drives a Benz has skin whiter then an albino's backside and speaks proper English fluently. Guess we all not as lucky as me, oh well such is life, chin chin.

Please sit down.....your trousers are flapping as you speak.......

Thai girls don't take money.........how many times do you need to be told??

They only ask

If men choose to give that is entirely up to them...........so men choose to give.......I don't see the problem....

thai girls know whats up. guys who come here arent exactly the cream of the crop. they can take advantage of them and do!

Word!

If that is what personal example leads you to believe - fine by me

Needless to say my opinion differs - citing my own personal experience only of course.....