kimamey

It seems to differ depending on the area. In some cases there seems to be 4 days of visits by monks, which is for the deceased according to my wife, and then 4 more after the funeral for those left behind.

It's the same or worse when a guy becomes a monk. I've driven past in my car and all the doors rattle, and even my stomach. I'm not sure why it has to be that loud as it can't be a centuries long tradition.

They put up a sign with a white cross on a green background with 'Safety First' underneath it. Isn't that enough?

I'm not certain but I think he had.

They might be relying on the comment of a neighbour saying they'd never seen a man entering the premises. That might suggest the possibility she was a single mother but that may well not be the case. If she is a single mother, and depending on how long she's been here, that must be a difficult position to find herself in. I would imagine it's bad enough for anyone, let alone her.

I don't know for sure, but since there seems to be a desire to find proof one way or the other by various groups in and outside of parliament it seems odd to me that nothing can be done to set the record straight given that there are regulations regarding someone staying in an outside medical establishment over 120 days. If he wanted to provide proof, and was prevented from doing so, I'm sure he could find a way of getting his views known. Who would want to stop him providing proof that his hospital stay is legitimate? I read an article yesterday claiming he was seriously ill, which may be true. It's just that I can see why he wouldn't want to be in prison and be in a comfortable hospital or his own home instead so I can see the incentive for him and there seem to be credible questions about the current information.

Your posts are normally ones that make some sense but I'm not so sure on this. Let's be clear, I've never met the man, so apart from what I've read, and pictures I've seen. I have no proof of anything, so I don't know if he's in hospital or even if he's in Thailand. He could still be in Dubai or anywhere else for that matter. He might be dead or the pictures might be of someone else and we've no idea who he really is. But that could be said of anyone before I was born and most people since, so I'll have to just go by what I've seen and read. I've already pointed out that he apparently claimed he couldn't fly to Thailand before a medical check up, but was able to go to Cambodia. Maybe that was because he wasn't going to prison in Cambodia, but then he hasn't here either. This thread was the first time I'd heard the suggestion that he might be at home and not the hospital. I actually mixed up 'home' and 'hospital' in my post. It should have read: We also don't know that he's in the hospital and not at home because there's no evidence through pictures, video or a visit by a trusted person. Having said that you've mentioned his privacy, which I acknowledged as well, but he has, unless the reports are incorrect, released details of his admission to hospital and medical conditions of which there were a few if I remember correctly and we've been told which floor he's on. It seems strange to me that after releasing those details he doesn't want to prove he's actually in hospital. As for other prisoners that might have received the same level of treatment, that information could easily be released without identification thereby maintaining privacy. I might have seen a picture of him in hospital early on but I've seen nothing recently. Maybe I missed it Around the time he returned there was a report that he was anticipating only days in prison rather than months or years. This was from 'a source close to Thaksin' so may or may not have been true, but given the subsequent events, it might have been true. There are plausible reasons for all of these mysteries but when I look at all that has happened I'm left thinking that I can't say I'd necessarily believe him.

It was actually not meant seriously. Yes I brought over money, and still do but my wife has a masters degree, unlike me, and she is a government employee.

That's true but I think all the facts that we've been told, and what we know of him suggests that he isn't that ill, unless it's a coincidence that this all came on after seeming to be perfectly ok in Cambodia and during a medical examination in Dubai shortly before returning to Thailand. We also don't know that he's at home and not in the hospital because there's no evidence through pictures, video or a visit by a trusted person. That could be because he doesn't want to be seen whilst he's so ill, or it could be because he's not there. Are there now, or has there ever been another non elite prisoner who was given medical treatment in this way? If not,is he the most seriously ill prisoner they've ever had in the prison?

'they could be immediately arrested' Who by for goodness sake? From my experience you're very unlikely to see a policeman on a rural road, unless he's going to or from his very large property. They might be given the opportunity to make a 'charitable donation' but I doubt they'd be arrested. It's probably been illegal for years but nobody bothered about it. Having said that, a couple of nights ago I was driving back from the market with a bike close behind me, either with a very bright headlight or his main beam on, so I slowed and pulled to the left to let him pass. This was with a straight piece of road in front of me, not on a bend as some Thais seem to favour. As he went by I noticed he was a policeman.

My wife is Isaan and I wasn't poor when I met her OK!! Nice to see the UK getting more deserved recognition for having the best looking flag.

Is there an alternative that would work? Not as serious but there were a couple of tablets I used to take in the UK for high blood pressure but they didn't have them here so they gave me alternatives which my UK doctor said were fine. It would be terrible if your plans were ruined by not being able to secure, what seems to be a common treatment, or alternative.

I've heard they can gain access just with the tip of a pen pushed into the zip. My son used to travel to the US for work a lot and he had a TSA lock which was cut by customs in the US

You could try snuff for that.

Let's hope he is found and then we can hear his side of the story, although it does appear that he might have trouble explaining himself. Then he should be taken to court and after any sentence, deported. One thing that puzzles me, if i was reporting a crime I'd go to a police station, not the police sports club. Is that where they all hang out whilst working?

there is that but I'm not sure you need a TSA approved one. As far as I know, and honestly I'm no expert, they usually break in through the zip, although more expensive luggage may be more difficult, but then expensive luggage suggests there might be something worth stealing. I put a cheap lock on mine just to stop the zip coming open. It doesn't say why she had to put these items in checked baggage. Maybe she had a lot of other stuff to carry on. The size of some of the carry on I see in economy is amazing, so assuming she was in business she must have a lot of other stuff.

Well that's not me. I go to Café Amazon so that means I must be .. umm .. uhh.. damn I wish I'd thought this through. On a more serious note, this happens whenever Starbucks or other large, often multinational companies get mentioned. Lots of derogatory comments regarding the taste. I think I've only been in Starbucks once in my life. In Khon Kaen I believe, about 10 years ago but I suspect coffee in Starbucks tastes very similar to Café Amazon. What people don't seem to understand is that Starbucks isn't, primarily a supplier of coffee, and the same would go for Café Amazon etc. They are businesses whose main function is to make money, in this case from supplying coffee. It doesn't matter what it tastes like, it matters if people want to buy it. Clearly they do and the companies make a lot of money. Describing it as tasting like dishwater or paddy water and all the other ridiculous comparisons I've seen make no sense. If you don't like it don't drink it. I doubt it will cause Starbucks to post a profit warning. What I drink seems to be mainly ice, water in frozen form, more water in liquid form, sugar, and in small quantities a coffee taste. If it's Iced Thai Tea, just substitute the slight coffee flavouring with a little tea

As far as I remember, the criminal case against Abhisit and Suthep into the deaths during the protests, started whilst Pheu Thai were still in government. If that's incorrect let me know. I believe it was Chalerm Yubamrung who, when asked why no one in the military was being charged said that it was because the military were just following the orders of Abhisit and Suthep under their rules of engagement. This was completely untrue and would have been well known. Including by Abhisit and Suthep who gave up their immunity that came unasked for as part of the implementation of the emergency measures pushed through with little parliamentary scrutiny by Thaksin. Maybe Thaksin thought there was little chance of the military allowing a case against them, if so why give false hope to the families of victims by promising justice? Why also then try to implicate those that had signed of rules of engagement that, if followed, would have prevented those deaths. If found guilty then I think there would be a lengthy sentence or the death penalty. Now it could be argued that the military would never allow that due to the perceived closeness of the Democrats with the military, but it still doesn't explain why the case was started in the first place. You then have to ask, who is supporting the military in government now? Another broken promise. Also where does Thaksin's return fit into all this. The stress of leaving the luxury he was used to and ending up about to be locked in prison, and at his age might well cause some temporary ill health. Something as serious as he is said to have, I would have thought might have shown up during his check up in Dubai before coming to Thailand. Something he oddly didn't need to go to Cambodia. Yes I agree that the military have done bad things, and in fact that's the reason I mentioned the killings in the first place. I think the killings were terrible and I assume you and most others in Thailand do as well. Would any of us get involved with them as Thaksin has done though.

Well I was going to say his wife should turn the volume up instead of him, but it seems it might be more complicated.

And who made sure that the military weren't held to account for those killings despite promising justice for the victims? Who was more interested in trying to falsely convict his political opponents? I'll give you a clue, his name begins with 'T'.

I think it's the same reason a lot of dictatorships have Democratic in their name. Maybe also, a bit like the Prada Gucci ect names on fake goods. The name is there but there's little substance behind it.

I might have missed it but I don't think they've found it yet so is not possible to dive yet. If the depth estimate is correct then I think that's something that needs to be taken into account. Then there's the issue of bringing a probable non diver up from that depth and sadly it may be too late for that.

It's a bit weird but why not if that's what you want to do. The walk will do you good. I've been to Udon many times but never been out at that time although I was out in Bangkok around 4am one morning a few years back. Very quiet in the side roads apart from early morning deliveries to a vegetable shop and a bit more on the main road. I've never felt unsafe to be honest, even at night . I live in a village in Mahasarakham and we do lock the house at night but I don't think it would matter if we didn't. I often forget to lock the car. Although they wouldn't do anything our dogs would bark a lot so that might scare them off. Having said that if they bark it's due to other dogs or people with torches in the rice field looking for crabs or frogs, and we used to have howling sessions with distant dogs at one time. I would guess it's going to be worse for a woman than a male in general especially with drunks if any are still around. Maybe if you could find someone else who wants to do the same thing to go along for support. If I was in the area I would certainly be up for it.

Don't be stupid, of course they have. How else do you pay off people if you don't have a well paid job to give them. I don't know if they actually have to do anything, but I'm sure a committee and some subcommittees could find out if needed.

One lesson to be learned from this that doesn't seem to be mentioned is, don't trust medical facilities in Dubai. If someone as rich as Thaksin can have a check up and they still don't notice his serious medical issues, then I don't think us lesser mortals should risk our health. Unless you're just going to visit a dictator in Cambodia for a birthday celebration. If you're invited you should be fine.