asiawatcher

"... majority (63.4 per cent) of Thai people hold the view that corruption in government is acceptable as long as they also benefit"

No point reasoning with stupidity... what possible benefit do they think they can get? Som Num Na. They deserve to have their country run into the ground by these corrupt people.

There is a huge over supply of hotels already in the higher brackets. The budget hotels - according to the article - make up the majority. To keep them as budget they must a) get referrals and have a sufficient standard to keep travellers happy. It seems to me creating more rules (within reason) other than safety etc, is just another way to skim more money to the coffers or the BiB or inspectors to gain more tea money to have them go away. The intention is good for media 'trumpet blowing' but hardly practical in execution and in achieving the 'stated' end result.

Or worse, driving the small hotels out of business or using inferior chemicals, to clean rooms, bad food on the cheap, lack of service, cleaning, and really bad safety in general.

People wanting to pay around THB500 per night for a hotel usually are not connoisseurs, particularly backpackers or 'short-timers'. They don't eat in the hotels and by and large prefer street food, or fast outlets. I agree totally on the point of (cheap) chemicals in keeping with 'value for money', viz the cheaper hotels are forced to use inferior products to remain competitive (read profitable) and of course my pet hate, safety. Having worked with electricity and seeing results of electrocution, I find it amazing earth leakage circuit breakers (ELCB's), earth straps and ground wire is not used in Thailand within buildings and does not form part of the building code. But I also know there are actually quite a few budget places with good service, good food and these mostly are the family run businesses.

There is a huge over supply of hotels already in the higher brackets. The budget hotels - according to the article - make up the majority. To keep them as budget they must a) get referrals and have a sufficient standard to keep travellers happy. It seems to me creating more rules (within reason) other than safety etc, is just another way to skim more money to the coffers or the BiB or inspectors to gain more tea money to have them go away. The intention is good for media 'trumpet blowing' but hardly practical in execution and in achieving the 'stated' end result.

"We cannot allow ignorance or arrogance to dictate our economic future."

Too late...

With the unbacked USD holding up despite enormous debt the US Govt at this point, has no chance of retiring, the THB seems to (artificially) ride with it. Hovering between 30-31 unless the US starts fielding the massive reserves in oil it has already identified as larger than the Saudi and Middle East deposits to strengthen its economy, the THB will stay with the USD at this exchange rate. The THB however is remaining high due to the weakness of offshore currencies, not by its own strength. If Euro and US turn around the THB will drop and money will again flow into Thailand as a more cost effective country. We live in hope as it affects my industry, the sooner the Baht drops the happier I will be. Getting the USD back to 37+ as when I arrived will put a smile on a lot of peoples faces I know of.

Anyone watching the TV coverage on Channel 3 would have seen the hundreds in tears on seeing His Majesty being wheeled past them at the hospital, a sense of fear of impending loss due to his frailty. Certainly our family were included in shedding tears and a lump in the throat at seeing Thai's in huge crowds, paying homage to this man. If all Thai's could just come together as one nation and put aside their political prejudices, what a wonderful country this could really become. Long live His Majesty.

Arrogant French - instant asshol_e - just add alcohol. That will be the most costly 50 Baht he has ever spent. Give him the 84 days without bail in a Thai cell to sober him up.

Politics has proven itself inept in the hands of those who abuse it, caring nothing about the populace it is supposed to support, guide and manage. Government by the people for the people? Not in this country. The only people being looked after are those who have endorsed themselves and filled their pockets at the expense of the community. Remove the corruption and take away the protection to keep them immune to persecution and you may start getting some results and the community more embracing each other.

Send down some of the 50,000 police - the ones in blue beret's with coloured scarves - and set about house by house searches, establish and record ID's and registration details of all vehicles and match both up. This continued killing of teachers (and monks) by mindless imbeciles is tantamount to condoning the act by doing bugger all and following the continued 'path to reconcilliation' which is getting more people and property destroyed. These 'separatists' (a.k.a. insurgents) are the scum of the earth and need to be taken out with extreme prejudice ASAP. By removing teachers and schools - removing education - clearly shows the path of control they wish to impose on the community.

This is sheer stupidity. A bunch of corrupt people rewriting the rules of the country for all to follow henceforth. Insanity.

It's all a bit of a storm in a coffee cup.

Let's get back to ... Pol Maj Gen Manit Wongsomboon has vowed to bring the shooters to justice.

Well?? What's holding you up Major General? Surely the bikes were all over security cameras in (as stated multiple locations), number plates and also within the hospital or is this just another headline grab for your ego...