jesimps

It may be legal but it's stupid. A lot of people die from that. I think it excludes oxygen from the system.

If you want to talk about legal but stupid, how about sorting out the Thai roads. Makes people inhaling laughing gas seem so trivial.

I don't know that that is true. Teenagers of any color can be pretty poorly behaved. Black teenagers don't have a monopoly on stupid, that's for sure.

True, but they do have the benefit of PC. I back the officer 100%.

Phra Buddha Issara submits petition to extend reform timeframe

BANGKOK, 9 June 2015 (NNT) - Activist monk Phra Buddha Issara has gathered 50,000 signatures to petition the extension of the reform roadmap timeframe and for the Prime Minister to remain in office for another two years.

The abbot handed the petition to First Vice President of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) Surachai Liengboonlertchai. The petition calls for an amendment to the 2014 interim constitution which would extend the reform timeframe for another two years, in order to further introduce reforms to various to the country before holding general elections.

Mr Surachai ensured the abbot he would forward the petition to the general NLA assembly for consideration.

-- NNT 2015-06-09

I can suggest a very good use for the paper used by this despicable object to collect signatures and it's got nothing to do with forwarding it to the NLA.

A sad situation, but hopefully not yet another opportunity for mindless Thai bashing.

Jeez man, please just bog off.

we get them here as we live one street back from the lake, there was a gathering organized by the owner of the shop that fitted all the cars with the speakers etc and was given the green light by the local head man that lives no where near us, Music went to 3 am, we had to yell at each other to hear what we were saying, Grand mum was on her death bed and was in agony from the bass rattling her bones but they refused to turn it down, I was in a heavy rock band in my younger years and enjoy loud music but these idiots do not know how to use the bass/treble to get a decent tone, they go full bass and it is sh*t, if they had half a brain and knew what the music should sound like it might help but they dont and they dont care about the sh*t they are causing, babies screaming, old people in agony. all the house windows rattling that hard they sound like they will shatter and people not able to do anything other than sit there. There is a limit, unfortunately in Thailand these idiots have never been taught to consider others. Just the other week we had a worker at the lake starting at 5am and turning the music up as loud as he could till I confronted him, luckily he turned it down, they are morons, age has nothing to do with it, its called consideration for those that live there, I am sure these idiots would be screaming if we did it outside their houses at these times..

This is the first time I've ever agreed with one of your posts. Well said.

We had exactly the same post a few weeks back.

I will say exactly the same.

1. If you wish to live in total peace and quiet- move to Nakhon Nowhere and really nowhere to avoid dogs, parties, temples , funerals, weddings etc or some fabulous village in Europe.

2. We do NOT live in the West- there is no point whatsoever applying any Western values in regards to noise etc.

3 . Don't whinge- were you not young once and tearing up the neighbourhood occasionally ?

4. Why does it matter? Bop along and smile when you drive past- just love the effort some guys have put into their pick ups

5. We live in a sea side tourist resort- it's lively and fun.

6. Don't get old before you time and spend your life complaining .

Nonsense post. Has nothing to do with age. Wouldn't mind if you could hear the music but all you get is the boom boom boom. You can't hide from it, low freqs pass through concrete and earplugs whereas the higher freqs are attenuated. It's a mega problem and should be dealt with.

Now they are super active...where were they all when no one paid?

When Thaksin killed 3000 people, when Thaksin threaten the media.....When the demonstrators got shot and bombed.....

That's more like it, only 5 posts for Thaksin to get a mention. Was starting to think the junta apologists had forgotten him.

Brave words for a country that is totally dependant on foreigners in more ways than one.

ok so I couldn't thing of one......not being funny but I just couldn't

1. Credibility

2. Exports

3. Face

4. Tourism

5. Investments

etc etc etc

If Thailand is serious about ending the last 10 years+ of political chaos, they must completely purge the knuckle-dragging savages that have embedded themselves in the political framework of the country...America has even supported some of those knuckle draggers and ignored their bypassing of democracy to push lucrative foreign business deals through.

Popular sentiment separated from the rule of law is simply another form of dangerous tyranny and thaksin's 7% hardcore followers prove daily that the country is far from ready for elections by continuing to call for them merely to take advantage of the fact that there are major flaws in the system easily exploited by criminal elements and foreign interests.

The majority (not the 7% majority) are sick and tired of coups ergo reform is desperately needed before elections so that democracy is never bypassed again by a certain group after elections or if it is the group is held to account by strong checks and balances.

If you hate coups you too would want reform before elections.

Should read "If you hate coups you too would want the army to refrain from staging them and let the democratic process continue unhindered".

Could it be that Chinese tourist groups have seen very little else?

I would have thought Nong Nooch would have been voted higher, if they had been to see it..........

I think someone is trying to boost business.

Voting is easy to manipulate... Just ask Sepp & Thaksin

How in God's name did Thaksin get the blame for floating market getting an award? I suppose he gets the blame for everything else so why not this.

When riding my bike I always look out for these vans as I'm pretty sure they are out to kill me. The army needs to try to correct this also. You're doing a fine job, military, step up.

Also? Fine job?? Codswallop! Its a disgrace that road accident prevention wasn't their first priority.

One wonders where what direction this article actually heads, the less said the better when it comes to the Shinawatra family or so the junta would like you all to believe, so what have we here, just another dreary drab nothing new article on the Shinawatra family or the two most prominent ones, boring boring , nothing new and as to fighting a lonely battle, are they, how do you know what is happening behind closed doors.

Without Thaksin the Junta would lose its excuse for holding power. Things are not looking good as far as the economy is going and there are more on more ppl voicing discontent especially with the debacle that is the draft constitution so, since the cupboard is looking bare for 'us' things to talk about they need to expand on how bad 'them' is to deflect from their own shortcomings.

For the Junta to get away with extending its stay in power it needs to ramp up the 'threat' hence all the pointless articles such as this one and his trip to Macedonia appearing at the moment.

........................"Without Thaksin the Junta would lose its excuse for holding power."........................

If it was not for Thaksin the military coup would not have happened. If Thaksin had half a brain he would still be PM and would never have been forced into "self imposed exile".....

Every poster who has ever ridiculed the Military Junta on this forum has Thaksin to thank, which is why I find their comments ludicrous.

Even when Yingluck was in power Thaksin was in control of the PTP government and all it's stupid schemes and scams. I am still amazed at the way he abused the people of Issan with the Rice Scheme, the very people he used all those years as a way to get into power and stay there.

All that madman had to do was keep flicking the crumbs to the farmers and act like their savior and all would have been fine. Just don't give the Military an excuse to launch a coup, but what happened ? His greed and hunger for power stuffed everything up and now he is blaming everyone but himself for it.

I hope he never steps foot on Thai soil again in his miserable lifetime.

And pre-Thaksin, what was the excuse for the juntas then? Thaksin is just the convenient bogeyman of the moment. After they annihilate him and his clan they'll just nominate another poor so and so as an excuse to take power for themselves and their cronies.

I live in a small town south of Bangkok and have been asking Thai friends, relatives and associates their views on some of the big issues facing the country a year after the military coup.

While many were understandably reluctant to venture their opinions, others were more forthcoming. Here are some of the conclusions.

1 Most people are not concerned about what happens to the Thaksins and don't want them back in power.

2 They are far less worried about concepts such as democracy and personal freedom than are many of the regime's critics in the West, whom they say simply don't understand Thai mentality.

3 A majority feel the coup was necessary and are prepared to allow the military-led junta to run the show for however long it takes to bring lasting peace, security and stability to the Kingdom.

4 Voters, particularly those living in Bangkok where the army's intervention ended six months of destructive violence and bloodshed, are in no particular hurry for a general election.

5 Most would rather spend years ruled by an" iron fist in a velvet glove" administration rather than return to a political democracy characterised by systemic corruption and political and social unrest.

6 A relatively small number will bother to wade through the fine print of the draft new Constitution, if and when one arrives in the mail box.

7 Many less concerned about the restoration of human rights than the return of the Friday TV soap opera displaced by the PM's weekly paternal chats.

I am not suggesting this small, random sample represents the attitudes of most Thai people. However, it may go some way to explain the apparent ease with which the military-led administration has entrenched itself in the public psyche as a power for good - or at the very worst, a necessary evil.

You need go no further than "I live in a small town south of Bangkok....." to know that there's going to be a load of pro-junta drivel to follow.

Most probably they aren't Pro Democracy.....They are Pro Thaksin.

Same same. Thaksin = elected. Junta = unelected.

No! Who'd have guessed it? Such a big-hearted chappy.

Wow more hate against someone you know nothing about other than he emerged as a leader of the people who were protesting against the amnesty bill and helped to rid the country of your beloved Yingluck and her corrupt Govt.

He is one of the good monks who does good works like looking after poor terminal cancer patients who have nowhere to go. He and his temple were attacked many times by the reds, bombs planted, shots fired and monks quarters burnt to the ground.

He has come out strongly against corrupt monks and suggested audits of all temples.

Most don't realize it has been the traditional role of respected monks to come out as leaders both in battle and in support of the people.

If you want to complain about bad and corrupt monks there are plenty to chose from, including one who at present refuses to answer questions regarding donations of billions to him and his temple.

Good monk my rear end! Anyone thinking of taking up the religion take a good look at this abomination and think again. I know which direction this evil goit's going when he snuffs it and it ain't upwards.

"He said that if an election was to be held now without any reforms the country would eventually slide back to violent political conflicts"

He would do his level best to ensure that it does!

Still he is right. Thaksin group will buy the election....Yellow will demonstrate. Red one will shoot.

In the unlikely case that the Democrats win the Reds will demonstrate.

So like him or hate him. If there will be elections just now, everything will start again in 1-3 years.

You know as well as anyone that PTP will win by a landslide, no need to 'buy election', never has been.

I get referred to as "farang" regularly is that racist? No matter, it doesn't offend me.

I'm pretty sure the Pheu-Thai/Red-Shirt plan is to keep quiet and be good boys until the Army are out then go back to business as usual.

They don't own the police right now so they can't get away with their dirty business of threats/intimidation etc. etc. etc.

It's almost painful to watch it all happen when you know they have no intention of changing. You can't develop ethics or morals overnight.

What chance reconciliation when you get yellow cheerleaders spewing bile like this character. Never seen him write one pleasant word. Unfortunately there are plenty more like him on that side of the political divide.

Let me get this right. They are university students?

They're Jehovah's witnesses, they're all wearing ties. Case explained.

A balanced and sound argument from Tulsathit - didn't expect to be saying that, given his track record. The bottom line is that Thaksin genuinely believes in democracy. His democracy. You are not permitted to argue with him.

A bit like you know who!

But But didn't the army, the very top of the army assure that no military officers were involved.

However this seems to be a police generated investigation which might explain a lot. Seems the children will never be likely to play nicely.

so you would rather they just cover it up then you wouldn't be posting this garbage

I personally would prefer they arrest this person and charge him and that you remain silent as you really have never had anything constructive to say on here, my evidence is the above post

and by the way - children were playing nicely and happy at a local market in Trat until red terrorist low life thugs decided to present them with a grenade and murder them - can you honestly live with that

What's children playing in Trat got to do with two of the country's major institutions hardly being on the best of terms ?

No I don't want things like this covered up but as is so often the case there's more to things than meet the eye and there's always a potential for fallout including the gap between BIB and RTA widening. Is that too much to comprehend ?

As for garbage I'll happily defer to your superior ability to produce that, including your trademark personal attacks.

It's the stock junta apologist's reply "But but Thaksin and the Redshirts...." You could be talking about the weather forecast and they'd come at you with "But Thaksin etc".

Now we can really understand what a farce these polls are......a complete fiction devised in someone's small, immature mind!!

Yep, I fully agree, these polls are a crock of s##T.

But..............................I bet if the poll went the other way and PTP were the most popular there would be lots of red/PTP supporters with small, immature minds all over it like a cheap suit, agreeing with the results.

You people are so fickle.

Well, we don't know there is anything wrong with the poll. It may be perfect. But what we do know is that there was a very high non-response rate. High enough to mean the data presented is meaningless in determining actual public preference. I might think that PT supporters would be more likely to self-censor, but the real point it that I cannot know that from this poll. It could be that 75% support the Democrats, or it could be that 70% support PT, or it could be anything in between. We just cannot know.

This is one of the problems with polling in Thailand, as this data is presented as meaningful, whereas anyone with the faintest familiarity with statistics knows this cannot be.

Most polls are plus or minus a few percent but I have a feeling in this one the swing could be in the double digits.

And I would like to take a large bet with you that there would be no swing at all, in fact a bigger majority for PTP. Alas, I can see the Juntacrats impeaching the entire party so the yellows will only be facing the odds and sods.

Two pieces of advice I would give to any visitor

1). Don't use the "mini van" transport

2). Don't use these ferries to the Islands. Or for that matter. "anywhere"

General ThaiVisa member advice appears to be don't come to Thailand at all.

Though those that give such advice with their continual moaning and whining and still choose to live here by choice ( Those that actually do live in Thailand that is, I suspect most don't), shows that Thailand has faults the same as everywhere else, but it ain't as bad as forums like this one make it out to be, else they wouldn't be here themselves would they.

My goodness, 16 posts for the rose-coloured specs brigade to chime in. Must be something of a record.

I've lived in Pattaya for a good many years now, love the place and wouldn't live anywhere else, but c'mon, criticism where it's due. Two ferry sinkings in a short space of time, doesn't it deserve just a little whinge? Throw in the speedboat crashes as well and that's a fair bit of shipping headed for the bottom of the bay. Don't even get me started on the bus crashes.

democracy is about elections dude but never mind

Wrong. Elections are a part of democracy, as much as fair judicial system, due process of law, freedom of information, freedom to vote however you choose without threats and intimidation. Elections on their own do not equal democracy, North Korea runs elections and the present govt won a 100% of the vote - so in your opinion NK must be about the most democratic utopia on earth?

Would you like to explain how democracy is helped when one party created and/or buys smaller parties to pretend to run against it in an election in order to gain 40% of the vote, to stop the election being voided?

I agree... you think we have that now? a Military State where students were arrested last week? an interesting take on 'democracy' but let's get back ON TOPIC?

PS why say 'one party'? your 'facts' are all over the place but you don't care about facts do you? we veer off topic please save your Junta support for a different thread?

I wish you would stop going on about the current government not being a democracy - we are all fully aware of what it is, we are also fully aware that it is a process that just might conclude with a stable and fair system of democracy in Thailand that might just stop the rot once and for all, The Shin abuse could not be allowed to continue

You poor deluded person, I look forward to seeing your comments 2-3 years down the line.