grandpops

The meanest most miseable people on this planet. The small hearted, tight fisted moaning minnies with bloated bodies and bloated partnerst all have one thing in common.

THEY ARE RICH!

The richer they are the more screwed up they get, the more narcisistic, paranoid and delusional.

You ever go out in the west end restraurants in London and see anybody smile or joke... other than if some poor soul doesn't know which spoon to use first.

Their misery has nothing to do with being rich, it's from being married.

My wife and I were happy for 20 years, and then we met.

Thats right.

I lost my home, money and job when I split with the wife.

That was the start of the happiest period of my life by a long way. I learned the value of money (useful for food and getting around etc.) and the importance of friends and simple fun and the enjoyment of life itself.

With the wife and money still in place I would never have found Asia or the happiniess I have had for ten years with my Thai family living in our cheap rented bungalow blowing our pittiful allowance (my dwindling pension) on parties and merrymaking.

Before I go, just let me get back to the central point of the discussion. Having lost that debate, you turned the discussion into an assault on me and my profession.

Just for the record, journalists have done more to give you the freedom of speech you have on thai visa and in daily life that any other group in society. They take generalised, ill-informed slagging from ill-informed slaggers every day, and mostly get on with their job. But the freedoms you take for granted today have mostly been won by journalists and journalism, good and bad, throughout history.

For the record, they are the biggest abusers of freedom of speech.

Did the stingray attack the woman? Yes, of course it did. While I go along with some of the principles espoused by Peter Singer and Animal Liberation, it's a big, big mistake to attribute human characteristics to animals. ''Self-defence'' is best left to the courts of law. It's a human thing, not an animal thing.

Many animals defend themselves without inflicting harm on whatever confronts them. If the stingray rolled up into a ball, that would be defence. No, that would be a hedgehog.

Putting a painful barb into a swimmer's foot or Steve Irwin's chest is not defensive in any shape or form: it's an all-out counter-attack, an attempt to cause injury. No. An all out counter attack is what journos do when the bar shuts.

Only people who have seen too many Disney movies, and a few marine biologists who grow too close to their subjects, could see it any other way.

Thanks, guys. Happy to have you criticise anything on phuketwan to your heart's content.

Never heard of it mate. Thats why you are on here plugging it and not debating it with the hordes of visitors to your website.

Cherish your hard-won freedom.

Wow, beer o'clock has come early today hasn't it.

This is all about the word ''attack,'' which I say is applicable whether the action is in self-defence, reflexive, aggressive, or not. A barb through the skin, injecting toxin, constitutes an attack. The victim did not impale herself on the barb. The stingray attacked her, according to the dictionary definition of ''attack.''

Yes, the Phuket tabloids (who has the Phuket alien baby anyway?) will sensationalize and deem the word "attack" the same as "defense".

As I posted earlier, we all can come to our own conclusions regarding this phuketwan article, but as myself and a few others have mentioned, this is just complete B.S. AND as mentioned by another poster not helping the tourism business here.

Phuketwan spoke to three people who were at the beach, and a fourth who was at the hospital, so I consider the account of the stingray attack to be fair and reasonable. Others clearly have a different take on the use of the word ''attack.'' We also quoted a Ministry of Tourism and Sport official who said it was a rare event that it was unlikly to affect tourism. My view is that informed travellers will hesitate to visit a destination that fails to be honest and upfront about these kinds of incidents. Greater harm is done by not reporting them.

The amount of people that will read this pap on your site mate will amount to the same as not reporting them!

The meanest most miseable people on this planet. The small hearted, tight fisted moaning minnies with bloated bodies and bloated partnerst all have one thing in common.

THEY ARE RICH!

The richer they are the more screwed up they get, the more narcisistic, paranoid and delusional.

You ever go out in the west end restraurants in London and see anybody smile or joke... other than if some poor soul doesn't know which spoon to use first.

Which nicely balances the Pro-goverrnment STATIONS

that also deliver much wrong information.

ying-yang, left-right, up-down, good-bad.

Can't have one without the other.

I prefer the NBT. They tell the truth with evidence in a calm manner, unlike the ASTV.

NBT are so unbaised they bend over and take it while trying not to make PAD seem like idiots (very ahrd to do). But this is not enough for the PAD crazies, by their bizaree outlook if you are not advcoating the overthrow of the government you must be evil.

If NBT put things as truthfully as the world;s media they would be condemned by the bulk of the press in Thailand:

here are some quotes from world media:

CNN

http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/tag/dan-rivers/

they[PAD] want nothing less than the overthrow of the entire political system. Their argument goes something like this: the vast majority of voters are poor, uneducated farmers who are susceptible to corruption by Thaksin and his allies, therefore we should abandon democracy to prevent this corruption

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/democracy/news/a...jectid=10531139

But the PAD has nothing to do with democracy. In fact, it claims that the ballot box gives too much weight to the ill-educated rural poor, whose votes can easily be "bought" (that is, won) with promises of government largesse.

The so-called People's Alliance for Democracy proposes an audaciously undemocratic "new politics" whereby most members of parliament would be appointed. Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Geneva

The insurgents still style themselves as the "People's Alliance for Democracy," but this time some of their leaders are explicit in calling for just the opposite: the restoration of a full monarchy or a military-backed autocracy. Washington Post

What his [samak's] opponents, who come under the misleading banner of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), want is a mandate on demand, by theft. Straits Times

Even though the PAD's very name includes the word democracy, many of its supporters are skeptical of electoral politics. Time

The rebel groups are trying to roll back the results of last December's general elections and reinstall rule by an urban elite traditionally backed by the Thai armed forces. Irish Times

An alliance of street protesters and a reactionary elite. Financial Times

The latest ideologue [sondhi] who promises to fix their country's democracy by -- once again -- breaking it. Wall Street Journal

What the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) did on August 26 … was a putsch. La Stampa

Authoritarian rabble … the woefully misnamed People's Alliance for Democracy … a gruesome bunch of reactionary businessmen, generals and aristocrats. Economist

The PAD leadership is no collection of spotless democrats. The Independent (London)

The group's name appears to be a misnomer as it is neither populist nor does it want representative democracy. Al-Jazeera

That is pretty unanimous.

Are you suggesting we should be taking note of these comic rags and their ill thought out opinions?

Until everybody realises that ASTV is the only organ of truth and righteousness on the planet there will never be peace.

Why should we listen when we can clap our little clappers to drown out anything we don't like to hear.

Has anyone realised that this topic is nearly 5 years old?

It was brought up because it shows a long term pattern in Thaksin's though processes.

And it certainly is relevant to todays message.

To say he is the defender of Democracy today,

when he said it was only a means to an end while in office,

puts the lie to the current defense of his crimes and malfeasance.

Whenever the democracy fetishists champion Thaksin or the PPP for their democratic ideals, they might be reminded of this public statement.

So, he doesn't believe in democracy. Puts him in good company with many on this site. Does that now make him ok, now that he and Sondhi have common ground?

Its just different snouts fighting to get in and stay in the trough. No change there, and calling us Thaksin supporters because we distrust the PAD is childish in the extreme.

BTW should we be using playground terms such as Sondi fetishists, PADistas, clappists, smuggists etc?

As for the hilarious pro-thakisinistas from JD, you should really curtail the bile and think about it. Toxin will somebody die reading this wit?

BEGS? Where did Taksin get on his knees and beg? Beg for forgiveness? I do not see it in the news.

Exactly....was it really necessary to give the thread this title.??

I think we should let that lay. We don't want to have to prefix Thaksin with "The vile criminal despot robber barron country selling.." every time we utter his name do we? Nor the PAD supporters prefix Sonthi with "The devine righteous representative on earth of God, Buddha, Allah, Jehova .."

This is a sign of how polaised this debacle has become.

I can say for certain that Thailand is no more or less corrupt this past 8 years than in the 10 years prior to Thaksin's emergence on the scent.

The trouble with loyal Thaksin supporters like you is your only defence for all the illegal activity and corruption that occured during Thaksin's reign is that it was no more or less corrupt than other periods - and that he is no more or less corrupt than other politicians.

Rather than supporting someone who you seem to be saying is the lesser of two evils, why don't you raise the bar out of the gutter and find someone to support who actually has a shread of honour, decency and integrity?

You don't have to be a supporter of Thaksin to dislike the PAD. Please raise your bar when you are posting on here!

Many of us didn't like Maggie Thatcher in the 80's but we accepted the result of the election. Britain voted the wrong way and put her and John Major in power for 17 odd years in many peoples opinion, but that's democracy. They also (IMHO) voted the wrong way in the USA with Regan and Bush (both of em) but thats democracy.

If the Democrat leader had a personality and didn't just sit around expecting to be elected, he could have nailed that last election. He is the wettest blanket of a leader I have ever seen in any country, but I would prefer him over Thaksin if it's all the same to you. Not that us falangs will be getting the vote this side of the Andaman Sea freezing over.

I would much prefer a Democrat Government to a TRT/PPP one. But I would prefer a PPP one to a coup or the proposed appointed governemt that the PAD propose.

An appointed government or army coup will not allow the sort of dissent and protests that the PAD/DADD have put on in recent months. They only enshrined this right to protest to hedge agains Thaksin getting elected. They therefore then had the right to immediately undermine his government. They didn't, however, allow for the DADD getting up a monster of an event like this and these rights will go if the Army get back in.

BEGS? Where did Taksin get on his knees and beg? Beg for forgiveness? I do not see it in the news.

I agree 100% with you peace blondie.

Can we now change the name of this thread to something more appropriate?

Doesn't really matter much how few there were - it was a p!ss poor turn-out any way as a show of support for the Kengsington kid and the pretend goverment he is running from afar. For one who believes he has the majority of the country on his side it now seems he is badly mistaken considering you can get more attending a sporting event -- and for that you have to pay your own way.

It would be interesting to know how many of his lackies would still be round after after a continuous 160 or so days seeing as how most couldn't stay past their bed time last night.

Be interesting to see that if after 2 years of whining and protesting by the non elected, non-electable PAD if they could give the PPP/TRT/democrat/army party a run for their money in an ELECTION.

I can say for certain that Thailand is no more or less corrupt this past 8 years than in the 10 years prior to Thaksin's emergence on the scent. Certainly, more has been done for health care and education for the population as a whole.

This, from the Bangkok Post I can entirely agree with. How dare anybody from anyside claim the patriotic high ground. Thais of all persuasion are very patriotic love HM devotedly. Who is Sondhi to suggets otherwise?

Somyos Chainukul, 47, from Nonthaburi, said he wanted to tell the PAD that they are not the only patriotic force in the country.

"I can't stand it when they act as if they are more patriotic than everyone else," Mr Somyos said.

Quite right.

I'm so happy seeing I'm not the only one who loves Khun Thaksin and Thai Rak Thai / PPP.

90,000 people is not minority.

i assume that your post is a send up

I agree.

If you want a real demonstration of the word minority try;

"The PAD are a minority. A non elected one at that"

One way or another this country needs reconcilliation, forgiveness and to move on. The PAD and another coup are not going to achieve this.

It's not impossible to remove Thaksin from Thailand...

PAD success as temple statue is changed following protest at Banglamung Temple

Yesterday we reported on a PAD demonstration at the Banglamung Temple over a new Buddhist statue base which featured a sculpture of the former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The base was intended to celebrate the role of influential government figures and the PAD demonstrators were angry that the former Prime Minister, who is now in exile in UK, was featured.

They demanded that he be removed from the base within 7 days or further action would be taken. We can now report that on Thursday morning he was removed from the base to the delight of the local PAD supporters who thanked the temple and architect for their prompt action.

- Pattaya One News / 2008-10-30

Can soon be put back up to curry favour with him should he return.

Maybe they can force PAD members or supporters to re-instate and bless it!

Yes well the farang pro-PAD right-wingers on this forum can keep dreaming up excuses and trot out the tired old suggestion that the pro-Thaksin-pro-democracy supporters were paid to attend, blah, blah..

But just have a look at all the responses in the Forum section of the new Bangkok Post on Sunday (I'm regaining some faith in the Post) from what appears to be Thais and NOT farangs (I'm assuming Thais from their writing styles). They want democracy - they want Thaksin - they will NOT accept an elite appointed government or another right-wing coup.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=131755 (the comments are below the sidebar story at the top)

Have some sympathy for the Peoples Alliance for Dictatorship supporting farangs on here.

If they don't get their dream of a dictatorship here, they are going to have to re-locate to Burma or some such place to live in their kind of country. Thats Burma, where you do your visa runs from Phuket and Samui. Any takers?

Media and people have no problem switching sides back to Thaksin if it looks like he is making a comeback.

I just put some flash cards for learning Thai characters on my site. Check it out and let me know what you think:

http://bangkokmac.com/thai/Consonants.html

--DP

Nice. And although I'm now a Byki user, yours are handy so I've added your flash cards to my Thai resources...

(edited: and if anyone has resources to add, or believe some of mine are not up to scratch, please let me know)

Nice site and the 10000 sentence bit although in Japanese is a great idea.

Could we put together a thread like the "let's learn one word a day" thread but with sentences.

Anybody seen a chat room i could join in and watch? In thai script for us learners.

I once wanted to start a party for the glottaly aware Understanding those principles will take you a long way in languages like Chinese (especially southern dialects), Thai, Vietnamese, Burmese, Cambodian and more.

Great posts Jay Jay. Makes a change for me to be able to add something to one of yours.

Tha party as left out one of 't biggest users of 't glottal stop. Us yorkies! We goh a geh a invite ant we?

Certianly it was, but technically qualified, like in a newspaper with "seriously suspect".

So it actual is only potentially insulting supposition, and not put forward as fact.

But I remember what it was responding to was none to nice either.

Two wrongs don't etc....

Well It got argued out, and I thought it was erased.

Continuously attempting to play the hypocracy card wins no converts.

Comes across as more sour grapes than anything else.

How bout back on topic,

or are the no facts or theories to debate anymore?

Has the SUDDEN war on the border erased all Oct 7th contentions?

Been light on facts throughout has this debate. Not light on TOC propaganda though I notice. Are they sponsoring the forum these days?

Hammered's post and Samuians reply should be pinned and essential reading before posting. IMHO cmsally also made some great posts but is in a minority. Many others however have mindlessly pumped hatred and propaganda. What or who are behind this, from both sides is most unlikely to become the subject for purile debate on this site. It is certainly being played out at a higher level than people waving plastic hands and feet at each other.

One thing for sure, they are paying supporters and financing these mass demonstrations. The winners in the battle for the trough are going to eat long and full before there is any movement of money to the population.

I think the propagandists are finally realising they havn't made a blind bit of difference ON BOTH SIDES! before you start shrieking again.

I have been introduced to the art of posting by a member of my staff. I am no newby though and have spent many years on the language forum wondering why it so under used.

My view. If we spent more time learning and reading the wonderful Thai Language thread, we would have fewer problems with visas, Wives, work permits, neighbours, staff and Officialdom!

We would also learn the great patience and tolerance that this country is renowned for. Patience and tolerance that appear to be in decline, not only in current political leaders but also amongst ourselves.

Grand sounding blogging names are just that. Grand sounding, - I've just seen one called webninja, and contrary to what he/she thinks, the image is of a spotty nerd in a dingy room with no friends.

Bloggers. Get out more and discover what this great country and people have to offer. None of you have made the slightes difference to what people think, you just made the debates on here more and more purile.

Repetition and rote learning is a very important part of drilling these tones.

If some of the words are jibberish and you approach it purely from a tonal excercise it is easier. There is then not the distraction of trying to think or remember the meaning of the words themselves nor the meaning of the passage.

Its a vital part of learning Thai and all school books use it. Grab a few books off your children if you have any.

Nice to make my first post on here today. I read this thread a lot but only just started posting when my staff showed me how to use it!

The point is JD, the debate hasn't moved on. It's polarised.

It was from a propagande source and I would expect a long time poster such as yourself to regonise propaganda from any source.

I've lived in Thailand for more than two years, and have NO intention of returning home (U.K.).

I love the country, the people etc., etc.

BUT!!

What are the equivalent descriptions for cuts of beef (In England) to those used in Thailand?

I made a BIG mistake, purchasing something (in Tesco) that was described as "Beef Bottom Round", which looked like a Sirloin steak but was not!

Any help that will allow me to regain my self esteem would be MUCH appreciated!

My second post now sir.

You are certainly not an idiot. I hope you have as much fun as I did down the years learning the new words for things.

Makro have a picture of a cow in the butchers shop part and it has lables of all the cuts etc.

Sirloin isเนื้อสันนอก néua-sǎn-nôk

As an old hand here, could I recommend the following to you. And.... learn to read and write as well. It adds to the fun and opens doors for you.

Its english-thai-dictionary dot com very useful