Tropicalevo

Thousands of innocent people? A tad exaggerated methinks. A more realistic number. Like Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya and most other rich folk and politicians. Politicians are only subjected to the laws when their political opponents want them out of the way. At the moment, Thaksin is flavour of the month.

Totally agree. Mental arithmetic was my favourite subject at school. And as you say, figuring stuff out in my head is fun, a challenge, and hopefully helps to slow down the dementia. I do a lot of work on spreadsheets, and as my spreadsheet skills are only average, I check that I have done them correct by totalling in my head.

As many have said, it is not only Thais, but they do seem to be more common in the 'lack of arithmetic' skills. My Thai manager- lovely girl, intelligent but uneducated. (Left school at 14 - pregnant.) We have to calculate electricity charges for guests. Simple maths. Subtract meter reading one from meter reading two and multiply by unit cost. 12470 - 12119 = 351 x 10 = ??? and my manager went for the calculator. I showed her how to add a zero. When we do the calculation for customers, 95% foreigners, I have usually worked out the answer before they have found the calculator buttons on their phones. They look at me in disbelief when they have found that my answer is correct. It is most certainly a generational thing.

You're gonna need more prisons boss.

So how about releasing the four Thai fisherman that you shot at and arrested. Goodwill only flows one way when it comes to the illegal Burmese junta.

As an aside, here on Samui, motorbikes are at the bottom of the food chain on the roads. Most folk ignore them, assuming that they will stop or get out of the way. Every week, I see vehicles about to pull out onto the road in front of me. They hesitate and then pull out anyway. ie the biggest vehicle has the right of way! The truck driver mentioned in the story, maybe saw the bike but.......

I suspect that the regulations are not more strict, they have always been there. It's just that in Thailand, the regulations are rarely enforced.

It was a red plated vehicle (new truck). Probably purchased some time this year.

I suggest that she gets a bigger dog.

Well spotted. It is the only response to a dumb statement.

That has to be the most dumb excuse ever. Rape is also illegal but people do it. Would you therefore make rape legal?

And you know this how?

Land mines are relatively cheap and quite effective..

And your point is? Are you suggesting that she have just left the kids alone whilst she worked two shifts to earn enough money to hopefully bring the kids up properly? RIP lady - you did your best.

Electric vehicles/bikes are dangerous especially at speed. One cannot hear them. As kids, we were taught to Stop, Look and Listen. I have problems walking around where I live - no footpaths and electric bikes and vehicles and speeding along the narrow roads. No one seems to use their horns either. Mind you, walking for exercise seems to only be a foreigner's thing.

Quite right too. The dinosaurs do not like the idea of young people having a bit of fun.

At first, it was reported that they were released on December 5th. Then it was no - on Dec 6th. We suggested back then that you could not trust what an illegal military government says. Why should be now believe 'soon after the New Year'.

Normal driving in Samui is for cars, trucks, lorries whatever to pull out from side roads onto a main road and expect motorbikes to give way. I am not suggesting that is what happened here, but rear ending or hitting the side of a vehicle is one of the more common accidents here. Not usually at high speeds though.

I am not sure that it was a she. The articles suggests a customer/patron.

WTF? I did some dodgy stuff now and again at 14, but this kid makes me look like a saint.

And Truckers are not called drivers either . Please stop feeling fragile.

I cannot believe that I fell for it and came here. I usually check the 'joined' date. Time to learn the 'ignore button'

The times when I used them, there was no choice. Seatran wasn't around then. I have not been on Raja since they arrived.

Here you go

Bathams bitter