HannahD

I think it's hilarious that no-one on this site realises what Russia might do in retaliation.

What exactly do you think Russia can do in retaliation?

I suspect this will be a Pyrrhic victory. Mr. Bout has powerful friends in very high places. His friends will quite probably retaliate by flooding Afghanistan with large quantities of very modern weapons.

Viktor Bout extradited. US wins.

I suspect this will be a Pyrrhic victory. Mr. Bout has powerful friends in very high places. His friends will quite probably retaliate by flooding Afghanistan with large quantities of very modern weapons.

The Viktor Bout affair is really little more than a commercial dispute. A state which exports arms wishes to eliminate a competitor. As Viktor and others before him have learned it is very difficult to succeed against a competitor whose agents wear badges and carry guns.

Oh sure, the US will probably manage to get custody of Viktor Bout and he will be duly convicted of a variety of horrendous offenses but the "enemy" in Afghanistan will suddenly and mysteriously be equipped with a large number of very modern weapons particularly anti-helicopter missiles which will change the entire complexion of the war in Afghanistan.

No one but the Afghans ever wins in Afghanistan. Alexander the Great once, the British twice, the Soviets once, and now the US almost interminably, have all fallen victim to imperial hubris only to suffer humiliating defeat at the hands of ragtag tribesmen who know the territory and are fighting to defend their homeland against invaders.

Those in the US who are pushing so hard for extradition ought be reminded of the old adage, “Be careful what you wish for; you might get it.”

Can someone give a simple definition of "well insulated house" in Thailand. All I have ever seen are concrete post and beam structures with concrete-stuccoed brick infill. What is used to insulate and where is it applied?

Sure seems to me that the logical choice is Nakhon Ratchasima. Plenty of elevation, relatively centrally located, and lots of room for development. Alternatively agencies could be decentralized as was done in the UK. Who would expect the Royal Navy to be so big in Bath? Of course to get anyone to move out of Bangkok for the hinterlands may be asking too much. Remember a few years ago when the Provincial Electric Authority built its new HQ in greater Bangkok rather than truly moving out to the provinces?

Perhaps we should all be back in the West where sanity prevails? War against Iraq; war against Afghanistan; war against Pakistan; war against Yemen; and war against Iran on the not too distant horizon. That's sanity? At least in LOS we have some control over the hazards we must deal with. The electrocutions are a genuine tragedy and Condolences to the families. Yet Thailand is not engaged in wars against anyone and blowback is not a hazard here.

Well Guys,

The few times I have been to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Center on Chaeng Wattana Road I have found it to be an exceptionally well run facility. There is an information desk upon entering that will direct you to the proper section. At each section you take a ticket and you are called in order.There is no queue jumping. For Thai citizens getting a passport is so simple now. For foreigners who need translations certified, express service is available for a small extra charge-certainly cheaper than going back out there. The officials are exceptionally knowledgeable and very courteous. There is a nice food center, a convenience store and a plethora of copying facilities. There is a taxi queue right outside the building. Definitely a world-class facility.

If Immigration follows the same management standards in a facility large enough to deal with the number of applicants then it will much easier for everyone though a bit outside the downtown area. If travel expense is a consideration then take a train to Laksi then bus or motorcycle.