samgrowth

I hope they hold on a bit arrive Swampy Sunday Night told the wife do not wear Red or Yellow

How about orange - good compromise!! .

Orange is worst. You get beaten up by both sides.

I think the media knows more about Thaksin money than he himself does.

I hide money from my wife, all over the place and forgot about some of them. It is amazing that my wife know exactly where they all are and how much they are.

Wow, that is at least 10 times more than they use to control the protesters at Swampy & Don Muang. Or is it 100 times?

It is about time that UDD start to dress in Yellow. LOL.

Financially it is pretty small hit for the telecoms.

A very minor fraction of the bandwith that is allocated.

And we get sent all sorts of unsolicited crap via SMS anyway, that you can't stop,

so the privacy issue is a red herring too.

Same argument here. I went to the airport to catch a flight to London. I know that jumbo the flight is only 90% full, with a few seats left. The flight is leaving with those empty seats anyway. So I approach the sales counter and buy a standby seat, and the airline say 40,000 Baht. WHAT I shouted. It should only cost the airline no more than 2,000 Baht to have my incremental weight on that plane. Even with 100% margin, the airline should not charged me more than 4,000 Baht. 40,000 Baht is extortion. The airline explained that they rather fly empty seats than filling it up at deep discount to normal price. Else many will not buy ticket in advance and queue up for left over seat, which will be a lose of potential revenue fare.

You are quite right that there is almost no cost to the phone companies. SMS are queue and only transmitted when the spare bandwidth is available, which is going to be idle anyway, if the message is not being sent (like airline empty seats). But what about the lost revenue to the phone companies, 15 miilion Bahts of lose revenue, which they would have to answer to their shareholders.

Not all the message receivers get the message free. My guess is that there is at least 10,000 Thai phone roaming overseas like mine. I spend 50% of my time travelling overseas on business. I have to pay for every message I received while overseas. I have instructed the phone companies to stop spam, and they did. However, this SMS got through, and I AM PAYING FOR IT. Should I send Mark V the bill to recover mt losses.

I know it sound stuip. If Mark break the law, however minor (even UK Queen Mother gets speeding tickets http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page4899.asp), he should be accounted for it. This is a case of abusing power by govt on private sector. According to the LAW, govt can only received free gifts of upto a limited value. I am sure the value is not 15 million Baht.

Samak has broken the law (moonlight as a cook), and the law keeper stick to the book; which become a big joke to the world press. Why should mark V be above the law, however small the offence might be?

In most countries the head of government can demand that

ALL communications channels be used to communicate with the people.

As PM presumptive, with nothing more than a caretaker Cabinet, he is effectively head of government.

Agreed. If the message is of national security, at a time of national desaster, or to congratulate the King on his birthday.

I have no problem with Mark V (or Korn on Mark's behalf) send out the message AND PAID FOR IT (may it be tax payer money). However, why should Mark V (or the govt) send a 15 million worth of personal SMS for FREE? Please read the message, and tell me it is not a personal message. How could the govt ask such a big (financially) favour from the phone companies. What if the phone companies don't comply, will their license be removed. What will the phone companies ask for a return of favours?

If this thing is not stop or regulated, what would happen next? Govt twist the arm of phone companies to send out more and more propaganda messages, to make sure that the people receives one sided opinions.

http://blog.4amexpat.com/2007/06/sms-used-as-propaganda.html

http://www.textually.org/textually/archive...olitics.htm?p=7

Thankfully, very capable Finance Minister Korn will oversee the Commerce Minister and take the larger economic helm along with Abhisit. Ultimately, the Govt realises it must get up and functioning to take on some daunting tasks asap and will have to pick a better time to tackle the long-standing and ever-damaging quota system.

Isn't it Korn that force the phone companies to sent out those stupid SMS. It is getting Mark V in trouble, sending out 10 million baht worth of free SMS.

And what was the problem with this? How is it illegal? It would have been illegal had it been part of a campaign during a national election, but this wasn't a national election now was it? It is just the PTP crying of foul play because someone took there football away.

If the govt pays for it, it would be fine. However, as far as I learned from the media, the govt gets the message sent out for free. Now the govt owe the phone companies a favour. I guess govt may now announance lowing of concession fee in returns.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/12/23...cs_30091636.php

I am very aware of the PTP complaint, hence my comment above that "it is just the PTP crying foul play because someone took their football away."

It was sent for free, but it was not illegal because it was not in violation of any written laws (codified law is the basis for Thai law). This was not a national election. From your side, you are assuming that the government owes a certain telecom company a favor, but someone else could just as easily assume that this telecom company, with a large client base in Bangkok (the Democrats stronghold), viewed it as good publicity for them.

I know it doesn't sound right, but a lot of what happens in politics doesn't sound right. Some would say it was good politics and others would say it stinks. Either way, it isn't against the law. The PTP's complaint is more politics at its best (or worst).

I see where you are coming from. Weighing the arguments, it would sound (to me at least) like it is in the grey area. If the complain by PTP ever goes to court, I am confident that the verdict will be 5 vs 4. Who get the 5 and who get the 4 will depend on the heat of the politics at the time of the judgement. Example, the side that squeeze the country's balls (like seize Swamply) will have a one vote advantage.

Correct. In his interview with Al Jazeera yesterday- Abhisit said that a constitution rewrite might be in the cards- to- and I believe these were his exact words- "make it more democratic'- not to enhance the perogatives of the legislature- not to remove the political parties from the vulnerability to dissolution that the current Constitution provides- but to be more 'democratic'.

Given that the PAD apparantly sincerely believes that devising a system that minimizes the legislative power of elected representatives equates to "more Democratic"- don't be surprised if the Dems do end up rewriting the constitution in such a way as to ensure their tenure in office.

Every government will want to amend the constitution so that they can shield themselves from wrong, financially gain themselves as much as possible, and stay as government as long as possible. That's why constitution amendment is the first thing all governments wants to do when they are in power. The worst is that some govt just burn a perfectly old one and start fresh (usually, not always, by the military). That's why Thailand has lots and lots of contitutions. I wonder why the citizens are not sick and tired of the government rewriting their own rules.

PAD has always accusing PPP for wanting to do that (amend the constitution) to save Thaksin A55, and PPP. In fact that is part of the excuse they close down the airports. Now the Democrats (I believe it is proxy of PAD) wants to do exactly the same. Shield themselves (& PAD) from wrong, financially gain themselves as much as possible, and stay as government as long as possible. IRONIC ISN'T IT?

I am sure the RED will use the same argument, and campaign of NO change in the constitution (just like PAD did before Mark V came to power).

This only benefit the urban people in Bangkok and other big cities. I am sure PAD will be very happy.

Most farmers don't buy house. They build their on their land. They don't benefits.

Yes, but do you see them asking for any help with education or efficiency? They block the roads if they can't get good prices, that's all.

None of the "populist" policies addressed education/efficiency issues either, that's why they are called populist, I suppose, not because they are aimed at farmers per se.

True, they are usually screwed up by the middlemen, but those middlemen are their local creatures, yet they put all the blame squarely on Bangkokians and central government, and they always demand money, not a change in the distribution system.

I'm not saying they are stealing from the country, but when the large chunk of government budget goes directly on subsidising farm goods, it's hard to look at it in any other way, even if there's a difference between those who need this assistance and those who actually get most of it.

And the system of subsidy is so massively corrupted that a year later, exporters are grabbing product at knock down prices for export. Middlemen are part of a long chain that feed all the way to the export gate, some locally based others not.

It would however, be interesting to see for example however, the value of agricultural subsidy versus investment in schools, or the army for example. There are a myriad of trade offs and priorities that governments have to decide and many decide to subsidise farming. If spending 100bn on farmer subsidies is required, so be it no more or less than people should be exploiting the pricing loophole to run their Mercedes on lpg or the trucking lobby has managed to depress diesel prices forever, meanwhile governments have been reluctant to invest in rail.

I am just wondering why the western world heavily subsidise their farmers. EU, US for an example. Surely their govts are not stupid, they do it for a good reason. They do it because it is good for their countries. I suppose if Thailand were to keep up with the West, we should also follow their footsteps and do the same.

Thankfully, very capable Finance Minister Korn will oversee the Commerce Minister and take the larger economic helm along with Abhisit. Ultimately, the Govt realises it must get up and functioning to take on some daunting tasks asap and will have to pick a better time to tackle the long-standing and ever-damaging quota system.

Isn't it Korn that force the phone companies to sent out those stupid SMS. It is getting Mark V in trouble, sending out 10 million baht worth of free SMS.

And what was the problem with this? How is it illegal? It would have been illegal had it been part of a campaign during a national election, but this wasn't a national election now was it? It is just the PTP crying of foul play because someone took there football away.

If the govt pays for it, it would be fine. However, as far as I learned from the media, the govt gets the message sent out for free. Now the govt owe the phone companies a favour. I guess govt may now announance lowing of concession fee in returns.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/12/23...cs_30091636.php

At least she knows how to run a business with a low cost, high profit formula.

and when things get tough she can give the other minister a massage,maybe thats where greasing the palms comes in handy too.

Perhaps she might have been better placed in a Public Health role, given her expertise in promoting bathing amongst the general public in her establishment, does anyone have any relevant pictures to illustrate her prior career ? Gods forbid that they might post such images here !

Guess where the net cabinate meeting will be held? Maybe Poseidon.

Just my guessing. Due to budget cut, the Public Health Ministry did not get their usual annual boxes of the said calendar. Hence they are upset.

But, French President Françoise Mitterand had a mistress for 25 years,

with a grown child, commonly known, but NEVER mentioned in the press,

till she came to his funeral openly.

When it came out in the press the first time, Mitterand answered "Et Alors" and that was the end of it;

The present French president is divorced while he became president an re-married Carla Bruni a singer and foto model who even posed naked.

The French and European press never made an scandal about it

The Danish crown prince even married an divorced women who had a child.

Maybe thats why they call it an developted continent in the broad sense of the word.

Luckily in Continental Europe we judge politicians on there political work and not on there privat life.

So judge the new minister of comerce on her political merrits and not on her previous proffesional life.

That is all very well, but running an institution of ill repute and gaining financial benefit from prostitution would in Europe also be classed as an illegal activity.

It is the laws in Thailand that create a massively grey area about running these types of places which go a long way to allowing them to proliferate in such massive quantity. Moral sets change people's perception, but many Thai's would judge running an establishment as this to be morally wrong.

Prostitution? That is a very strong word. Is there sex going on behind closed doors? All I know is that Poseidon is a Thai Massage place where you go to have your body massage.

I heard that legal sex service is not allowed by law in Thailand. Hence in all massage place in Thailand, a peep hole is installed in all massage room, so that police can have free peep show. However, no one breaks the law in Thailand, not even PAD, so the Thai police will have to pay for peep show in Soho if they wanted one. Anyway, pawn the Rolax (gifts from Chuwit) should be enough for the weekend London trip plus tips, and a bottle of Glen Ord or Bowmore Islay duty free on the way home.

Link for educational use only http://poseidon2000.com bangkok2night.com/massage/poseidon.shtml

That is true, but, on the other hand, they produce only 10% of GDP.

It is nice to pour money in Isan for political purposes, but with core industries and tourism and exports all facing downturn it sounds like a case of misplaced priorities.

These two angles can be reconciled if the govt helps agricultural sector to absorb laid off workers from the cities, but simply subsidising crop prices is suicidal for the economy.

Basically, the country can't afford any wasteful giveaways.

I take it that your GDP sub-division is correct, or at least close to the actual. It would be shocking that the poor only play a small part in the Thai ecomony. Something should be done, hopfully by Mark V to raise this number.

From my guessing, Thaksin policies is to please the majority of the voters (regardless of their contribution to the GDP), so that they will continume to vote for him (or his destinates). How very smart.

If Thaksin is so bad, why is Mark V copying it?

Thankfully, very capable Finance Minister Korn will oversee the Commerce Minister and take the larger economic helm along with Abhisit. Ultimately, the Govt realises it must get up and functioning to take on some daunting tasks asap and will have to pick a better time to tackle the long-standing and ever-damaging quota system.

Isn't it Korn that force the phone companies to sent out those stupid SMS. It is getting Mark V in trouble, sending out 10 million baht worth of free SMS.

OK

22.15 baht

charged to every living Thai person to finance this

tree program that was not giving out good trees.

Who got most of the money???

Seems like they stole the lunch of every Thai person on the same day.

The tree was bought from CP (ring a bell? non MP minister?)

The project was headed by Newin (ring a bell? TRT banned #x and Apbisit allies)

So, anyone know what "Alcoholic Beverage Control Act of 2007" is about? No drink and drive? No beating while drinking?

Prorn-what-ever her name is. The new Commerce Minister. Does anyone have her number? I wonder she also do delivery service? Or do I have to go to Poseidon to visit her babes?

They accused police of unfair treatment for failing to get tough with the yellow-shirts, referring to followers of the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy.

Presumably he missed the events of October 6th, then ?

Good luck to the red-shirts, for a peaceful demonstration to exercise their right, to disagree. Hope none of them bring their bags of sh*t or breeze-blocks with them.

And if they have evidence of wrong-doing by any of the new Cabinet, perhaps they should publicise it, as the PAD used to in their early days. That would be a useful service to the country.

Perhaps Khun Thaksin might send a recorded-message, to broadcast to the meeting, urging reconciliation & respect for the law, then again perhaps he's not that big a hypocrite.

A red shirt is arrested for throwing rocks, and yet not one PAD member is languishing in jail for their endless list of crimes. I note that the red leader has also been convicted, what corrupt officials from other parties have been?

As long as the police and judiciary show such blatant favoritism, there is no rule of law. And regardless of your political bent, this is a good thing how?

PAD attacked who? When?

H90, just a reminder. http://video.aol.com/video-detail/bangkok-...vals/4088437818

I wonder how many people in Thailand is educated enought to know that Poseidon is the name of a Greek God. Most people think that it is a place that one pay for sex.

stoffel Today, 2008-12-23 14:11:51 (http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Commerce-Min...33#entry2424933)

Chuvit Kamolvisit is an former Owner (mamasan) of an Massage Parlour Business as well and even an MP!

Wasn't you guys against everything and everyone but special against PAD that guys whos was telling many times that you had to be convicted to first? And now telling opposit?!

Nor Chuvit or Porntiwa were convicted of any crime in the past! They're innocent people until now!

And special Chuvit was investigated a lot and the officialos haven't found anything wrongdoing by him. Same is and would be happen by Porntiwa!

Even you guy's would noty accepting to be named a crime suspect because you're not convicted. How you can take the right to tell that about other people, about people yopu know from Media only and what's reported?!

According to the letter and book of law, all of you who're telling such story and naming people to be suspect of crime, are the one who breaked the law with that speaks already, openly on an open forum.

Luckly all of you having an Cyber-Name!

Have a nice day and do n ot forget that tyhere ia a cyber crime police as well!

Isn't that something you guy's should think about?

Cheers

What part? the part that one MP is also a PIMP? or the part that we are breaking the law expressing our opinions on an internet forum? or both?

I guess we will have to start breaking the law to alter our IP before breaking the law posting our opinions.

It is not about breaking the law. It is about ethic. Clinton did the break the law getting a free BJ in his office. He only break his wedding vow. Many MP in the UK quit after the people found out their they have mistress. Being a public figure, one cannot go without ethic. PORNtiwa made her money through grey business. She did not break the law, but what about ethic? The law says Thaksin don't have to pay tax on his share transection; but the PAD is accuse him of not having ethic, and should be sporting and pay tax of his share valuation gains.

I never give a <deleted>, not even in cinema. No one even dare to remind me. Perhaps it is because I am a 8 feet 4 well build black from West African ancestors. Very intimidating to the average Thais. However sometime I hear some gossiping behind my back. Obviously I just don’t give a shlt as I don’t understand them anyway.

National police chief reinstated

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker prime minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul Sunday signed an order to reinstate Pol Gen Phatcharawat Wongsuwan as the police commissioner-general.

The order cancelled an earlier order dated November 28 that seconded Phatcharawat to an inactive post at the PM's Office.

Phatcharawat is a brother of Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan.

-- The Nation 2008-12-22

From some of the previous replies, it appears necessary to point out to the some of the clueless that the outgoing government's caretaker PM Chaovarat signed the order before leaving office and prior to new PM Abhisit assuming office.

You could also have noted that Former Caretaker Prime Minister Chaovarat left office and became the Interior Minister...

Wouldn't that be giving out one clue too many?

There is only one place in the world that such thing can happen. Thailand.

Mods, Can we have a new thread for this.

Looks like the PAD are going to love this more and more.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081219/wl_as...MTjs9k72yZvaA8F

BANGKOK (AFP) – Thailand's new prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Friday protesters who occupied government offices and blockaded Bangkok's airports should be held legally accountable for their actions.

Supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) first took to the streets in May in their bid to unseat the previous government.

One of the leaders of the PAD is Somkiat Pongpaiboon, a member of Abhisit's Democrat Party.

"With every incident that has happened we must uphold the rule of law," Abhisit told reporters at Government House, the site besieged by protesters for two-and-a-half months, causing about one million dollars' worth of damage.

"My party member is also under the same law. I have told him not to use immunity," Abhisit added.

Democrat Party member Somkiat was among a group of PAD leaders who led thousands of protesters to occupy the compound in late August, demanding allies of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra leave government.

The PAD campaign culminated in an eight-day blockade of Bangkok's airports late November that left about 350,000 travellers stranded.

The demonstrators left their protest sites only on December 3, when a court ruling forced premier Somchai Wongsawat from office and disbanded his People Power Party, paving the way for a new coalition led by the former opposition Democrat Party.

The Democrats were forced to woo former allies of Thaksin in order to gain enough votes to form a coalition, but Abhisit told the BBC he had not "sold his soul."

"I have made very clear in my talks with all the groups that are joining me why we are putting this coalition together. We just want Thailand to move on," Abhisit said.

Abhisit is now preparing a list of cabinet members to be submitted to Thailand's king by midday Friday for approval.

Thai media speculated that the foreign minister's post could go to 64-year-old Kasit Piromya -- a controversial choice because of the former diplomat's vocal support for the PAD.

Biting the hand that feed him. Any action on PAD will provoke Sondhi and his mob to close the airport again. This time they will shout " Mark Ook Bai".