kimamey

I would never condone the death penalty. The idea that they should be able to take there own life if they wish has some merit. The one problem I can see is that you're then giving them a way out of a long prison sentence and giving them the choice. There may be some who think that is unacceptable. Prison in general isn't a simple option, particularly with shorter sentences. For some it's a wakeup call which leads them to avoid offending again whilst for others it's just something they go through before carrying on as before. If you've got a family and /or a lot of friends and you enjoy going out, then even a short stay in prison won't be fun. If you're on your own, lonely, possibly homeless and sleeping in a shop doorway every night then it's probably not that bad and may be preferable. For longer sentences, such as in this case you may well just get used to it, as how and where you live. People are different and come from different environments. A 3 bedroom house with a small garden and a 3 week holiday a year with social events for the rest is fine for many people. A multibillionaire or a keen mountain climber, explorer, ect might consider it a prison. Many people who are famous find the same problem. It's not a simple issue and I don't think money should be the main consideration.

I did the online Thai driving test and it taught me one thing. The rules here are pretty much the same as in the UK where I passed my test 52 years ago. The police just don't enforce them here.

I'll be blowed if I know.

That's all very interesting but what were the transfer fees?

Off topic, but that's what I would have thought. I've seen suggestions from some with more knowledge on the subject that split infinitives aren't necessarily a bad thing. Either way I agree with their point of view and hope they can all stick together to create a better future.

I can't say I've seen any police in the last 2 days. I assumed they were working from home. I can't say I blame them, it's very dangerous out there with all the poor driving skills that go unchecked. I wonder who's responsible?

After the Red Shirt protests in 2010 Thaksin promised justice for those killed by the army. After PT took power under Yingluck he decided to back the army instead so he could pursue charges against Abhisit and Suthep. I believe the phrase is 'politically motivated charges'. PT didn't get the landslide they expected this time but I don't know if that can be attributed to his collusion with the army. Somehow I don't think most of his supporters even realised or cared at the time, or now.

Does he still lead PT? If he does and, as has been suggested asks for a royal pardon, doesn't that risk bringing the king into politics, given the issues dividing the political parties at the moment? I can't say I'd trust him not to be totally focused on what best for him. He says the charges against him are politically motivated but not that he'd innocent. There's bound to be some political motivation by his opponents, that's just to be expected from all sides. He doesn't mention his politically motivated charges against Abhisit and Suthep when PT were in power.

The squatters

Can the newly elected MPs take up their seats, either without a PM, or under a caretaker one? What power and duties does the PM have?

A good idea although I think we've already been shown PT/ Thaksin's colours during their last period of power and to some extent more recently.

Just watched and yes he did. One thing I would say is that there needs to be institutions, separate from government and impartial, to oversee the government. I've no idea how you'd do that in a country like this. Under the last PT government it was clear that Thaksin was acting as PM which is not allowed. There should be bodies that can stop that, otherwise the military are the only ones that can act. Had the military done just that but kept the basics of the democratically elected government in place then they could have won some praise. However power was too tempting for them

Presumably the bank couldn't lend you the money directly so they allow you as guarantor to get round the rules knowing you would be posting the loan anyway. Your first point is absolutely right.

There are many problems with that idea. There's the ones who turn out to be innocent. It's rarely the case in Western jurisdictions that a judge can order an execution and its done. I think I saw somewhere that in the USA, depending on how old a prisoner is and how long they live, it costs more to keep someone in prison and pay for all the legal procedures required before an execution takes place than just handing out a life sentence. How many children does a defendant have to abuse before the death sentence kicks in? If it's one, and there's no physical harm or murder, then how do you compare the mental damage done to one child by abuse against that done to children of other murder victims. Or victims of rape, assault, bullying, burglary ect? What causes the outrage in cases of non violent child abuse when the most likely affect is trauma rather than injury, where its largely absent if that trauma is caused by any other crime. There's no doubting the seriousness of this crime and he needs to be imprisoned to keep him away from further offending. As for the money. Justice costs.

I doubt isolation is that much fun either.

To be fair some can be quite long. Not necessarily in this case.

Hopefully he was dealt with in a way that teaches him to behave next time.

You may well be right. I think there was something on here where somebody, possibly in government, suggesting people take a day's holiday on the Monday to make a longer holiday. A representative of the banks said they will be open. Businesses need far more time to organise than a few old men in government sat chatting around a table. It's quite possible my wife's office will be closed but she's arranged something with a factory so that will have to go ahead.

That's good news, but how long will that last? He's already worked with the army last time they were in power.

A quick update. I just checked with my wife and she's already got something arranged at work so she'll still be working. She works in part of one of the government .ministries.

That the first thing I thought of. We've already booked out trip based on my wife needing to be art work on Monday. Mind you lack of organisation seems to be pretty normal here.

Maybe they'll lose some support but they've backed the military before over promises to the victims of shooting by the army because it suited Thaksin's agenda. I doubt it'll make a huge difference, at least not for some time. Many will have forgotten by the next election.

This shop should be able to help. From what I've seen it's pretty big and confirmed by KhunBENQ

There's a lot of sense in that, however it relies on the senate being unbiased, and basing it's oversight on facts and ensuring that the government acts in the interests of the Thai public. It also needs to act in the same manner. It would have worked well if they had demonstrated an ethical stance. I'm not sure they've risen to that challenge unfortunately.

Ok I've found it. I don't think there's a problem with sharing this link but I'll check back. My apologies if I've inadvertently broken any rules. Marathon Music Center 80/12 Thaeparak Road, Nai-maung Sub-district Mueang Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen 40000 https://goo.gl/maps/jiJmKW8JcSMdSMZf7