kimamey

For those of you who bleated about wasting money on the rice pledging are now starting to be proved wrong. Thaksin this and Thaksin that but now you are starting to see the big picture. Its all about dismantling the monopoly that has kept the poor poor. The rice exporters who you would have to believe are part of the infamous amart will slowly but surely become one of Thailands relics of a bygone era. This government will maybe lose a few bob on the deal but the long term impact of the poor will be profound.

Presently there is no alternative employment but investment is on the cards and ASEAN is just around the corner. Thailand does not need to export millions of tonnes of rice to keep a few families filthy rich. As for the senate being incompetent, well what do you expect. A bunch of geriatric generals hand picked to hold sway in that institution. Very soon a coup is the only option left to the few who currently control. Thaksin is way to clever for the competition and he'll keep buying rice until they have no more to export. One smart cookie..(puts on tin hat waiting for the orchestrated naysayers to respond)

Thaksin had these G2G contracts sown up while he was gallavanting around as a fugitive. Id give anything to see the faces now

So Thaksin is buying the rice? Or am I reading this incorrectly.

Is the daughter willing to come back to testify or is this a matter of they want justice done magically. Regretfully but unavoidably, you need to have victims relive their experience through testimony if you want prosecution ... even in his country.

From what I've seen it would probably be re-enacted with the alleged rapist taking part with a stupid grin.

It seems like it's the loss of income that's the main reason for this statement.

I hope more Americans will come here. Hopefully all the anti-American Europeans will shut up finally about how much they "hate" Americans(translation--bitter jealousy). Just like in Germany, they will smile and pretend to be friendly until the Americans have their backs turned, but at least I won't have so many Eurobigots to contend with.

I wouldn't be so optimistic. Even after electing Obama twice, those Europeans with anti-American attitudes will continue to hate America. That sort of jealously and childish nit-picking by the anti-American Euros was one of many motivating factors for me to vote for Romney this time around (I voted Obama in 2008).

Regardless, we're stuck with him for another 4 years. I seriously doubt that this visit will do anything for the US. Then again, Obama doesn't care about the US anyway.

BTW, I wonder where Obama got the Obamaphone idea from? It sure worked well for him in Ohio....

so your idea of making the world a better place is to make europe more anti-american ? , ever thought of patching things up , righting the wrongs, or straightening out any differences ? ........very romney !

There was nothing to "patch up". The anti-American attitudes by a handful of lower-class Europeans was there loooooong before Dubya. It's always been there and always will. I've traveled throughout Europe many times throughout the 1980s & 90s. Even during the Clinton era, there was a lot of anti-American attitudes throughout Europe.

Sorry but Americans can't control European's jealously that's been passed down from generations before you. It's foolish for Americans to elect a President with the hopes of gaining shallow & superficial approval of people in nations that will always have a jealous streak.

I don't care what other countries think of the US and most Americans (including Obama supporters) don't care who other countries elect as their leaders. Why is it only the Europeans that care so much about who the US elects? Last I checked, Europe is in a s--tload of trouble too. Asia, Africa and South America doesn't seem to be so obsessed with US politics. With the exception of Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro's endorsement of Obama, I haven't seen Latin America obsessed with US politics.

BTW, I had to specify; "handful of lower-class Europeans" because I know not all Europeans act like this and I don't like to generalize. The Europeans that have a better understanding of the US and don't reduce themselves to America-bashing tend to be higher-class and professionals. In other words, those who have real jobs here in Thailand.

It's almost always the lower-class ones you see drinking Singha at noon on Khaosan rd, NGO 'volunteer', backpacker, those who think they're artist and of course the drunken soccer hooligans that likes to get in to these anti-American pissing matches. All of whom are young, college educated, some female, some gay, predominately White and come off as angry and bitter because they realize they can't change the world.

The election of a US president is important to other nations because it has so much influence politically and economically. Remember also that when the US decides to go to war many other nations including my own go with you following your lead. We may go with the intention of seeing the job through but if the US president decides for domestic reasons to withdraw it effects our promise as well. I haven't bothered to look but I bet you'll find that the Asia Africa and South American nations aren't so well represented militarily in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.

The liberal dusting of racism cast along this thread is most unwelcome. Obama is a fine American and a worthy President. If Thailand is of any strategic value to the USA I'm sure that it will be clear to Obama. In any event his recognition of the Thai Government is be most welcome. In the matter of contributor's opinions in respect to Khun Yingluck's suitability to serve as Prime Minister it is suffice to say that she was democratically elected by an electorate that appear most satisfied with their choice.

I still find Thai politics hard to understand but if by "electorate" you mean Thai voters surely they didn't vote for her even though they may have wanted her as PM. Wasn't she put in that position firstly by her brother and then by a vote of MPs in parliament.

As for her suitability I think the problem is that unlike Obama and other western leaders who have worked their way up the political ladder she was placed there with no experience as far as I know. When you consider that she is now in charge of many MPs and party members who have spent years getting to where they are even if the means maybe somewhat dubious and that Thailand is still a fairly male dominated society I think it's fair to ponder on the reasoning behind her position. I don't know if it's her idea but she does seem to avoid anything that might go against her, leaving that to others. Whoever is responsible for that it's a very astute decision as the voters will tend not to associate her with anything negative so maintaining her standing.

I agree with you on Obama's election.

For once, maybe there is justification in Thailand calling itself the "hub" of something. Thailand is the longtime US ally, friend, military pal, etc...Big changes are happening in Burma and China. Thailand makes an excellent base for the US for its SE Asia relations "HQ" so to speak. Keeping China's influence in check at the south, taking advantage of economic opportunities and political opportunities in newly opening Burma, and for other reasons it makes perfect sense.

Look soon for more Americans swarming the streets...

er..., especially men in black with sunglasses:

I hope more Americans will come here. Hopefully all the anti-American Europeans will shut up finally about how much they "hate" Americans(translation--bitter jealousy). Just like in Germany, they will smile and pretend to be friendly until the Americans have their backs turned, but at least I won't have so many Eurobigots to contend with.

If more Americans arrive how do you know they won't be bigoted or is it OK if they're American? I know there are some Europeans and others who criticise the USA. Sometimes it may be justified and sometimes not but this also applies to anti European Americans. How do you know they are bitterly jealous, they may just have a point of view that's different to yours? I'm not anti American but I realise that they are not perfect anymore than we Europeans are.

One of the problems with backing free speech is that sometimes people disagree with you.

Glad to see Obama re-elected.

One hopes that to prove impartiality they will also ask the ICC to investigate the thousands killed during Taksins war on drugs.

I think until they ratify the Rome Treaty it will only apply to Abhisit due to his dual nationality. He's not as British as Queen Elizabeth as claimed by Robert Amsterdam who must be one crap laywer.

Now what are they going to do with them? I wouldn't be surprised if they vast majority of them are put-down in the end anyway.

So long as it's done humanely then at least it's better than the cruelty they may have been subjected to.

Didn't the EU bosses at Goldman Sachs sack and then appoint governments in Greece before and Italy at the moment? Isn't the EU run by unelected bureaucrats? Yes, can see they know a thing or two about Democracy, must have really loved the appointed Senate. Guess Thailand certainly does have a lot in common, governments of the world, one big happy theiving family.

No the EU isn't run by unelected bureaucrats. It's run by several bodies made up of people from the member states. The legislature is in two parts. The European Parliament is voted for by EU citizens (if they can be bothered) and the Council of the European Union or Council of Ministers which consists of a government minister from each member state.

Obviously not everyone working in EU system is voted for any more than any civil servant in any country is voted for but the control is from elected members. It has to be said however that the efficiency of the system does need looking at urgently.

I was wondering if anyone could help me with some information or a link to any thread that deals with this as I haven't been able to find anything.

I'm 58 and I've only ever ridden a push bike and that was years ago. I also have a problem in that I've had an operation a few years back to remove a acoustic neuroma http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Acoustic-neuroma/Pages/Introduction.aspx. This has had an effect on my balance which of course could be a problem. I was thinking of getting a licence in the UK where I am at the moment but if it's not possible then I was wondering if there's any type of training available in Thailand. Unfortunately I'm in Mahasarakham which is a bit out of the way. I'm guessing this isn't going to be very easy.

I don't intend riding the length of the kingdom but just in the local area if I need to. I've tried just going slowly round our yard on a Scoopy i which I managed OK. The slow speed meant I could see how my balance was and I was surprised how good it was. I could probably manage to pass a test in Thailand fairly easily but I would like to have some idea what to do when something goes wrong. It's OK pottering along at 40 km/hr but if some idiot pulls in front of you it helps if you know what to do. I would think it's very similar to driving a car only a lot more painful if you get it wrong. I've been on the back of my gf's bike and to be honest there are times when she scares the crap out of me.

I'm sure I'm wasting my time writing this and I apologise for the time you've wasted reading it but I just thought I'd ask in case my favoured choice of learning in the UK before I return isn't possible. I've found my driving skills acquired whilst living in the UK have enabled me to avoid several accidents by driving defensively. Well most of the time.

You wonder how all these people can live in Thailand surrounded by a boom unprecedented in the past 10 years and not notice it. The Nation sooner or later will run out of bad things to say about the economy as the GNP keeps going up and unemployment keeps going down.

On a purely personal level, if things are going so well why didn't my gf, who works in local government, get her pay rise this year?

I don't think the Nation is saying bad things about the economy. They're merely reporting what has been said by others which is generally good but with the possibility of problems later. I wouldn't put too much faith in the unemployment figures as I often see wildly different numbers quoted and they're not going to be as accurate as those from countries where it's worth telling the government you're out of work as you will get money whilst you're unemployed. The figures I've seen would count as full employment in most developed nations as there are always some people not in work not least because there is often a small period of unemployment between jobs. It would be very difficult to start a new business if there were no unemployed workers able to join your company.

I do wonder sometimes about the upbeat messages coming from the Thai government. I won't be surprised to see the following.

Massive asteroid on course to destroy the Earth tomorrow.

Thai PM assures Thai people that it won't affect the kingdom as measures have been put in place to deal with it.

Thai tourist minister predicts 50% increase in tourists next year.

You don't have to be unemployed to get a new job. You steal employees from another business and pay them more money.

Tell the GF that private industry like Ford and GM are hiring and pay a lot more than the government for good workers.

If you steal employees from another business that business shrinks and so the overall economy stagnates. The other thing that happens is that wages increase rapidly as companies struggle to keep and attract workers which fuels inflation. Not everyone leaves a job one day and starts another the next. This is particularly true in times of high employment when workers have more bargaining power and savings to allow them to wait a while for the job and terms they want.

I'm no economics expert and there are different measures of unemployment but I believe a figure of around 3% is considered good. I seem to remember one set of figures I saw for Thailand was around this level. This isn't a bad thing and if it's true then the government have got it about right. However for various reasons including the issue of accurate recording as I mentioned as well as my lack of confidence in the truthfulness of the government makes me unsure if it's true. Maybe it is.

As for my gf she has worked around the country including in Bangkok but she''s got a daughter and mother to look after and I'm not sure what opportunities there are in Mahasarakham. Besides which my comment was merely to question the strong financial position that you mentioned based on the fact that the salary increase she was supposed to receive in April didn't happen. I'm assuming this is due to the government trying to cut back. This would seem logical given that keeping the sort of promises the PTP made will have cost considerable sums. The rice pledging which I admit I don't understand is the obvious one but I know there are government funded training schemes to help increase productivity ahead of the rise in the minimum wage. It all costs.

8 drops per gallon is usually enough but stupid adding it manually as how does one know if all the previously treated water has been already used.

Where do you get this number from?

I would have thought there were a few other variables to factor in before being able to calculate how many drops would be required, cleanliness / purity of the water to begin with, type of bacteria / organism trying to eradicate, type of bleach being used and it's strength, length of time the water is expected to be held, end result aimed for as in cleanliness / purity, etc.

Also, as a gallon (UK or US) is a measurement, how much, as a measurement, is a, "drop"?

You can find that common knowledge anywhere. Hiker/camper/explorers have been using common household bleach to purify water for ages. 3-4 drops per litre used to be the norm.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q...c.html&l=1

If one uses a glass or plastic "dropper" from a pharmacy or medial supply store then the size of the drops are uniform.

How big is a drop that can easily be found by surfing although the math is quite complicated to display.

but the key element missing here is the required concentration.

Household bleach is nominally 6% Sodium hypochlorite

I'm sure the two posts quoted about are a "wind-up" but hey, I've got a few minutes to kill.

Maybe a wind-up as you say. Who knows? The point about the difference between US and UK gallons is a good though one as many people don't realise there's a difference. The same difference applies to pints as well. Which is worth remembering when you're in a bar.

You wonder how all these people can live in Thailand surrounded by a boom unprecedented in the past 10 years and not notice it. The Nation sooner or later will run out of bad things to say about the economy as the GNP keeps going up and unemployment keeps going down.

On a purely personal level, if things are going so well why didn't my gf, who works in local government, get her pay rise this year?

I don't think the Nation is saying bad things about the economy. They're merely reporting what has been said by others which is generally good but with the possibility of problems later. I wouldn't put too much faith in the unemployment figures as I often see wildly different numbers quoted and they're not going to be as accurate as those from countries where it's worth telling the government you're out of work as you will get money whilst you're unemployed. The figures I've seen would count as full employment in most developed nations as there are always some people not in work not least because there is often a small period of unemployment between jobs. It would be very difficult to start a new business if there were no unemployed workers able to join your company.

I do wonder sometimes about the upbeat messages coming from the Thai government. I won't be surprised to see the following.

Massive asteroid on course to destroy the Earth tomorrow.

Thai PM assures Thai people that it won't affect the kingdom as measures have been put in place to deal with it.

Thai tourist minister predicts 50% increase in tourists next year.

The newspaper is aggrandizing Thaksin as someone the red shirts "need." While for the past two years they were berating him as a "criminal" in exhile. I guess the newspaper know which side to play on. The newspaper is a travesty for the ideas of truth , commitment, and the public good. How can they shift around on support like this?

There's nothing wrong with a newspaper publishing different views and in fact the Nation is usually criticised for just attacking the PTP government. Anyway what's contradictory about saying Thaksin is a criminal in exile, which he is but noting that the red shirts need him which I think they do.

It would be interesting to see what would happen if Thaksin removed himself from the situation in Thailand. The government seems unable to work without him but who knows, without him to divert all the energies of the government and opposition things might actually work better.

27 posts from people who must be so happy to be amongst Thai people and living here.

She is the Prime minister, adjust.

Her comments also make sense,by the way.

You're right that her comments make sense it's just that they don't seem to applied very well in Thailand.

Can you explain this comment?

"She is the prime minister, adjust"

Adjust to what? Adjust to the fact that she's the prime minister? I must admit that I'm having trouble adjusting to a PM who seems to never be in parliament to answer questions.

I'm sure there must be a straightforward meaning in that phrase but I can't work out what it is, in the context of the article.

So they are saying only 60 people in Thailand will be truly qualified and instructed how to ride a motorbike.

http://gothailand.about.com/b/2009/08/28/motorbike-accidents-killed-hundreds-of-tourists-in-thailand-last-year.htm

And the Brits are obviously not very good at riding motorbikes in Thailand going by the hundreds of death every year

60? Yes sounds about right.

Why is everyone bashing the rice scheme?

bias.

I agree there is some bias but then again I wouldn't describe you as even-handed either. That aside there do seem to be a lot of problems with this scheme which although it sounds good to give more money to poor farmers appears to work better for the better off within supply chain.

If the red shirts were truly a prodemocracy group they would be supporting any side that wins an election by democratic means, with no strings attached, and certainly without trying to become part of that government.

why, what party are they supporting now?

We know who they support which is fine, it's the expectation of having a go at being in the cabinet that's the problem.

The easiest solution is to appoint a cabinet based on ability and change it when needed due to lack of performance or the member leaving the cabinet or parliament for example. It's the idea of giving lots of people a chance at being in the cabinet, a bit like kids letting their friends have a ride on their new bike that's causing the problem. Yingluck should be left to choose based on ability.

Do the Dems have this sort of problem as well?

How big has a room to be,to store 16 billion baht cash?

Any answers please,I have some space left.

Isaanpaul

Bht 16bn, is 24m3'ish....

Maybe time to move that rice out then?

The real news in this story is that the PM's motorcade was near Government House, a rare event in the last year and more.

I wait in suspense for further revelations - did the PM actually attend parliament?

The cab-driver is obviously misguided and ill-informed. Has nobody told him that only red shirts are entitled to compensation arising from the 2010 red shirt riots?

I've gone past Government House myself so I wouldn't criticise the PM. Maybe she was sightseeing like myself.

On a more serious note, it's normal that some people are upset with what they have and get in life. This only becomes serious if there are many who feel the way he does. I don't if that's the case but perhaps someone else does.

No argument rice farmers really like the scheme as its putting more income in their pockets,

I'm a rice farmer and I'm arguing.

This has given us no extra cash at all, zero, zip, zilch in our pocket or anywhere else.

The reason is probably in your earlier post. 5 rai probably isn't enough to make it work for you. From what I've heard it's the big boys who are making the money.

Thank god he got immunity, I was worried Thailand may decend into a democratic country that abides by the rule of law. The good news is that there is no chance of that, fugitive criminal leader thinks and the PTP government acts.

When will you lot learn to read... he didn't get immunity, his colleagues in the Senate merely voted to not allow the police to question him whilst the house was still in session. That is a priviledge all members have, by law , whether ThaiVisa contributors like it or not. The time to get indignant will be after the session ends if he is not questioned then.

I think you'll find that means he HAS got immunity until the session ends. Don't worry we'll be back to discuss the next bit of farce when the session ends and some other reason is found to avoid justice as I'm sure it will.

Option 1 : Too ill to be questioned due to stroke and/or grief.

Option 2: Paid compensation and is very sorry so no need for punishment.

I'm sure others will suggest some more.

Anyone who has had basic training with small arms would never let this happen. Perhaps the guy thought he was above basic training.

BUT, most LOS drivers are above basic training eh.

Anyone with half a brain wouldn't let this happen. Maybe that's what you need to be a senator or to fall for all the excuses.

Bio Cycle systems were put into affect in Australia during the late 1980's (sounds better if I say last century), and have been far more effective than a simple septic tank system. Every village in Thailand could have a system such as the old tech of a Bio Cycle to drain to and assist their land plots with grey water.

Cities are another kettle of fish. The dysfunctional antiquated systems here that as already stated were subject to corruption (can this country do anything without corruption?) is simply in need of upgrade, replacement and extension to be able to handle and treat waste, but the chances of such importance is far outweighed by scams worth billions such as the rice.

You could say last millennium of course. Sounds even more impressive.

Saw a sign on a taxi a while back - "Driver Speaks English"

I thought to myself what a great idea. They should do that in Oz, UK, USA, Canada,.........................

I could be wrong but I think someone did that in the UK. It caused a few arguments and I think it was dropped although it probably made the point it was trying to get across.

The Police(red shirts) are actually going to do their job and stick this kid(yellow shirt) in the slammer.

This family can't keep their kid out of jail? That will be a serious loss of face.

They won't be able to show their face again at the country club.

I hope you're right and I also hope they do the same in other cases involving the rich and well connected. I just wonder if this is just personal or will they be as keen in the future if the victim or victims aren't police.

I will also remember that you've told me that either the police are red shirts or they're closely connected.