TheGhostWithin

As I was reading 'as two officers on either side of the road opened fire', I was thinking jeez, lucky they didn't shoot each other, but sure enough (reading on) one shot the other.

Yep, I don't think Thailand will be claiming

"The hub of intelligence"

anytime soon.

Judging by the current cabinet and headlines associated with them, the country has had their "crack down" on intelligence already. The police were simply finishing the job by "cracking down" on the not so smart foreigner who forgot he was a visitor and should respond accordingly to requests of the authorities, regardless of his perceptions of them.

I know in the states and uk a cop is not allowed to shoot out tires. This here is exactly the reason it's not allowed.

But in London they're allowed to shoot Jean Charles de Menezes, a Brazilian man running from a subway station because he had black hair, which meant he could have been an Islamic terrorist?

Come on. Police everywhere do foolish,embarrassing, deadly things. This constant view of life in farang-ville as Utopia compared to Thailand is naive and childish.

Suradit you have some great posts, but I have to disagree with you on this one.

The cops in this case knew three things:

1. Exactly why they were stopping the vehicle: it matched the description of a vehicle involved in a recent hit and run.

2. Exactly where they were: In a highly populated metropolitan zone, with a high likelihood of drunks around, who may not react as expected in a live fire situation.

3. Presumably, attempting to halt the same vehicle, exactly where each other was in relation to the vehicle, understanding the natural single trajectory of a bullet until hitting a solid surface to deflect the bullet, and the risks involved in this.

These are three basic things that you would undergo training in as a police officer armed with a firearm.

The shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, was a case of mistaken intent, as the officers feared he was involved in an act of terror at a time of very high tensions in relation to acts of terror in the UK. The Police in the Charles de Menezes case had to make an on the spot decision about what was happening, the Police in this case knew exactly what was happening.

Each case warranted different actions by the officers involved. I do not think this was a case where a live fire situation was necessary. More so the driver to be persued until the next traffic jam, which was undoubtedly only meters away, knowing Pattaya.

Heads before triggers would have gone a long way in this situation.

Another day on the island of crime and death.

Of course, this happens at every top holiday destination in the world.

(Had to say that or this may turn into another Phuket bashing thread).

RIP poor lady.

Could be worse - you could live in New Orleans, with the highest murder rate of any city outside Latin America - with 58 murders per 100,000 population. I bet Phuket seems pretty safe compared to that.

Why aren't the US authorities doing more to clean up the murder rate? And why aren't Embassies around the world warning tourists about the high murder rate in the USA? Shocking.

New Orleans has a terrible murder rate, but most of it tied to local gangs and wars over drug turf. It has one of the highest poverty rates and lowest average income rates in the USA too, this being in one of the most historical places in the US. Very sad indeed. BUT, how many of those murders are against tourists?

In Phuket, a very high number of murders, and other serious crimes, as well as minor swindling and scamming, is against foreigners. Foreigners are openly targeted in Phuket, and the underworld criminal elements have lost respect for tourism and the additional income it provides. If the crime continues in Phuket, the days of anyone caring about taxi mafias, who is having a party on the beach, and who is killing each other over prime position real estate are over - families and other wealthy people who come to Phuket WILL go elsewhere. Nothing is worth risking your life for. Especially not a holiday in Phuket when many other fine places exist both in and outside of Thailand.

So what's the hidden real agenda?

The friend of your enemy is not your friend. Japan does not want China playing an increased role in the area. This is a growth area (Burmese/Thai trade) and gives Thailand access to other rapidly developing markets, such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Mongolia. Japan is trying to minimise China's impact on the area as the more intrenched they become and the more influential they become, the less friends Japan will have in the area, and the more money China will have to fire rockets at Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia should the time ever come.

Japan and China are playing chess in SE Asia. Abe is already 5 years behind China, sadly.

Is it my imagination, or have I seen the same story about piracy crack downs year after year after year........

Smash up a bit of stuff, and hope those western countries stop whining. Then this story quietly fades away...

Nattawut has a reminder programmed into his outlook, which is the same computer that his predecessor used (same login name even, just change the senders name on the email!), which reminds him at respective times of the year which crack down it will be, and when. Do you not know how to use computer, Farang?

I even programmed my outlook to automatically send the reminder of our annual crack down to The Nation and Bangkok Post automatically via email, so that I do not have to be at work and I can still do my job!

Now, just as important(ly)!

"BANGKOK, Jan 18 – Thailand will set up a special centre to crack down on intellectual property infringement with tough government action against violators, according to Deputy Commerce Minister Nattawut Saikua."

You will find this "Centre" beside the VAT refund at Suvarnabhumi, which consequently 90% of tourists can not use, because although they buy many items, they are below the threshold of total price per item to claim anything! The piracy center works opposite, Farang! If you spend more than 3000 baht on pirated goods, we will turn the other way because you are helping the Thai people, we won't bust you with (y)our crack down!

An interesting article with little substance so far. Maybe there was little information at the time of publishing.

What was the condition of Mr. Nebles body? How long had Mr. Neble been in Thailand?

Obviously the title is a little misleading, however unintended, and he died in the water, rather than dying AFTER being pulled from the water.

Was Mr. Neble alone at the beach? I always travel alone, but I would not travel on the beaches of the south alone, it is too much of a beautiful place to experience by yourself.

This is (as previously touched on by Smutcakes) economic desperation by impoverished people, whom are easily manipulated by sympathising "brothers and sisters" of Islam - terrorists throughout the Islamic wars against the rest of the world have used the poor and desperate as cheap cannon fodder, and this may very well take place here.

This is where the DSI should be involved with undercover surveillance, to track the movement of these people, and ensuring that local police or army checkpoints locate these people "by chance", and have them deported, or use their presence as an indication of final stages of planning an attack.

You let them in, you let them call themselves "refugees", not understanding that any immigrant taking things from locals, when they are less qualified and skilled than locals. You call them refugees, I like to think of this as immigration invasion and harassment of the population. China and India are also doing this very well around the world, it is not only the countries of Islam.

Everybody's belief systems and ways of life are at threat - smart countries with large populations no longer bomb countries, they just breed the locals out. The next step would likely see this sect, rejected by Burma, resident in Bangkok and providing a harder to detect platform for attacks closer than the red gumboot queen would like to call "home".

with the political uncertainties, riots, southern problems, rice scheme, raising the daily salary, floods etc.

how come one of the Thai funds paid 80% over the last 12 months

just doesnt make sense does it

Read the pdf file contained in the link above, you will see documented proof of a larger group of people (Thais), making less money, and a smaller group of foreigners, being approved since 2011, investing a smaller total amount of money.

Burning the candle at both ends will allow the candle to still burn fast, but it will eventually peter out.

I hope that Mr. Lai gets well soon, so that he can enjoy the remainder of his years. Thailand should get him back into shape free of charge until proven that it was Mr. Lais' fault of which took place, any tourist appreciates a good medical system when considering future/return holiday destinations, especially families.

On a shorter note, I now know how to claim my life insurance, or my insurance for which I can claim after being hospitalized for more than 48 hours without diagnosis - enough trips to Thailand and something is bound to come up eventually! Hopefully I just get a bug or something, rather than some of the other gruesome things that happen, or high level falls from balconies.

Two singers that sing about unity, fun and enjoyment of life. And the university students seem to think that this is the place to lay it down and drop a few rivals?

These are probably my two favorite Thai bands.. OK, I am a little old fashioned.. really quite sad. I would pay good money to go to a concert with these two playing together.

Targeting teachers to keep the population ignorant is part of the extremist Islamist mind set and all about control. The ongoing threat of terrorism also part of they psyche. The respective Thai Govt's continue to prove they have no solution to the issue thus the solution must really come from the Muslim community itself as no Buddhist will have a chance for implementing any form of peace issue. If Islam continues to claim it is such a peaceful religion then prove it by controlling the factions who continually disprove this claim.

I agree in part with your statement, however:

1. Muslims, while making up MOST of the population, do not make up the entire population, and are only one party to the conflict. No conflict is ever resolved until:

- One of the warring parties are weakened to the point in which they can no longer fight, and choose either to be enslaved or merge and become part of the winning side. Examples of this echo through time, particularly in conquests of southern Europe (Spain, which was once Muslim) and China (with the Mongols).

* The flow of troops will be endless, it provides three functions: to train troops in live fire/ambush situations for a potential conflict against any of its' neighbors, to protect Thai face by ensuring land is not lost to any aggressor, and to protect the innocent lives which are affected in the area. It is debatable the effect that the presence of troops in the south provides on each of these to various degrees. The Military is providing a peace keeping role, and not actively fighting an insurgency, but providing a reactionary Military response, killing radicals after they have committed acts of aggression.

- All parties come together, reach an agreement, and have strong enough leaders and systems in place for all parties in which control can be kept to prevent major flare ups to breach the agreement.

* The three southern states have four factions fighting for control, two of which are allied. These being, Central and Southern Thai Buddhists, The Thai government itself, Muslim separatist/anti-Thai Government groups, and drug traffickers. At this stage, it is my opinion that at least the government, Buddhist population, and Muslim population must come together in agreement. The drug traffickers should not be included in any talks, and if true Muslims are strong enough, should be able to work with the army to shut down the trafficking activity of weapons and drugs backwards and forwards over the border. The question is how to replace the money which the drug trade currently provides to the economy to the south.

As it stands, until the Thai government decides to cede the south to the Muslims, the Muslims decide to side with the government in a joint cause to remove the scourge of smuggling and drug trafficking along the border, or the Military takes an all out offensive, searching entire villages for weapons and burning villages in which weapons are found (a terrible thought to do this to any human), the insurgency will continue, the beheadings will continue, and the shooting of innocents, teachers, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters will continue.

This will be an interesting test of the current Thai mindset. Which will win out?

- Thai greed and hunger for Japanese investment to prove Thailand really is a global financial "hub", OR

- Loyalty to the "homeland" (in an ancestral sense) of China to prove Thailand is an "honorable" friend.

Either choice has its' individual pros and cons, and either decision will have repercussions. A siding with the Japanese would no doubt see Thailand used again as a "hub" of new allied attack weapons (maybe even prior to confirmed aggression by China) to further surround the threat, a siding with the Chinese would see the obvious financial souring with the Japanese and perhaps a less friendly immigration approach to Thais in Japan.

As usual, we can say "this is Thailand, she spends less than $1 a day - but she makes much more. Sponsor her now.. a little lady with red gumboots (Wellingtons for those of the other English) waits".

He would not live 50 years in a Thai Prison. Sex offenders are the bottom of the barrel and hierarchy in a Thai prison. He would either commit suicide or succumb to the elements.

"Moody's review is not focused on current affairs, but forward-looking aspects."

- Thailand just lost its' rating as the number 1 rice exporter. Unless prices increased by the same percentage of sales decreased, Thailand has lost out financially on this, and the long term picture is not looking positive with its' competitors now holding top dog status and progressing whilst Thailands' rice industry is not.

- As the above states, a BT2 trillion loan is being taken out to finance infrastructure projects. Ratings agencies may question why some of their foreign currency reserves are not being used to finance this rather than a loan, even with global credit at historically low rates.

- The annual minimum wage increase has now kicked in and inflation is sure to follow. It has not yet kicked in, it will take at least 6 months - it is typically longer in slower growing western economies.

- Thailand has one of the slowest growth rates of South East Asia. If an economic shock from China were to occur, Thailand would have one of the thinnest cushions to sit on with regards to growth reduction before going into the black.

Just my take on why Thailand will not get a ratings upgrade at this point in time.

Thats okay, now there are 76 locations which can have soldiers posted.All vehicles approaching the camera area must stop 50m before the area, the license plate radioed in to central command.

Rolling checks on vehicles approaching these areas, and vehicles searched.

Extra attention to vehicles not carrying women and children, the perpetrators tend to be male, and do travel together but are rarely (there have been in on a few occasions e.g. the bombers that blew themselves up in their apartment a few years back) Females, and never carry children.

No search. No entry.

Where's righteous? Where's hugo6? Where's g'kid?

One is also inclined to ask where that other very prominent supporter of the rice pledging scam scheme 473geo is as well Perhaps blown away with the rice chaff?

.

He has probably drowned in the surplus supply. I do not know him personally but it appears he has succumbed to "not being able to cover up the situation any longer", and in true Thai style, has probably been transferred to another district.

You know, sometimes when I read stories like the OP and the post above, I feel glad that living here I can choose to pull my ace out of my sleeve, and that is not to turn the news on TV, don't buy a paper, turn off the computer and live in the happy ignorant bliss that I do.

Jim,

I think quite a few Thais spend a lot of their life in that same mode. Unfortunately it is the same reason the country is the way it is: lack of practical understanding of ensuring things are done in the best interests of the country.

Sadly for us, your practical knowledge does not count: you were born speaking the wrong tongue and without a master.

Im glad this has been published, I have been going to Udon since 2004 and have noticed big changes. I enjoy a bit of a quiet place, so have not enjoyed the changes as much, but the locals love all the nice coffee shops, food shops etc. A really big mall there, comparable to the Central mall in Khon Kaen, or Central World (with a few less brand names) in Bangkok. Just as shiny, just as beautiful, and a little more friendly as the Isaan culture goes.

A lot of ladies marry foreign men here, who tend to be 45+, and have a good stash of money to find a home here. Properties have been steadily rising, if they double that would be crazy, I already consider the prices too high, especially around Posri Road.

I have considered buying here, but like many places outside of the South and Bangkok, there is no real "drawcard" attractions. It is a lovely place, with lovely people, and I enjoy going back each year to share a week or two with my old friends.

Not really, I think that originally this was aimed at Europeans/US companies with higher efficiency and therefore would out compete the Locals. However these companies that went to set up operation outside are probably using the neighbouring countries, and therefore would possibly be more efficient than the locals. Myanmar for example, has just open up, a ripe target there I would think.

I realise that you do not work for the Thai government, but are we in agreement here that the Thai government is therefore applying protectionist anti-competitive policies whilst expecting foreign governments to allow Thai companies to operate freely without penalty in their own countries? The same could be said for the purchase of assets of non-profit making nature.

No more Thai rice in any of my local Asian supermarkets anymore, it is all Vietnamese rice. Thai rice was all there was (except the "yuck stuff" for the Bangladeshis) up until 2-3 months ago. Shows you that such titles as "worlds biggest rice exporter" are given for skill and effort, not prowess and reputation.

And the Amart will not sell their rice to Thaksin, they will sell their assets internally, as they have in the Kingdom for as long as it has stood. A smart man never sells a gun to his enemy, nor his last bowl of rice to his enemies child, for that enemy will use the gun to shoot you, and that bowl of rice to ensure his child will live whilst our blood line fades into the pages of the past.

Interesting article I found in the NZ Herald today, NZ's most circulated newspaper. Gives everyone a clear look at what one western country views and their ideas about the success behind some policies to encourage spending and growth..

Government tax rebate for first-time owners boosts vehicle sales in a city where rush-hour traffic can last all day.

They still call it rush hour, only now it lasts most of the day. As car sales soar, there's a noticeable drop in the number of places you can get them out of second gear.

Bangkok, long-standing poster-child for urban gridlock, is driving itself to a standstill.

And Thailand's Government has been doing its bit to accelerate the process.

Last year, over seven million vehicles fought for space in an area supposed to accommodate just 1.5 million. Then new Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra fulfilled a popular election promise to give first-time car buyers a generous tax rebate.

The scheme was supposed to end at the New Year, but has been so successful it's been extended to March, by which time Bangkok will be home to a further 500,000 cars.

"The congestion is very bad and next year it's only going to get worse," says Dr Thongchai Panswad, a sustainable transport activist who founded the Thailand Cycling Club to promote travel on two wheels. We need to do a lot of things, but most of all we need to reduce the number of cars."

That is a tough ask in a country where car ownership has exploded alongside the emergence of an affluent middle class. For many, nothing cements their new-found status like a shiny set of wheels.

It's arguably worse than the early-1990s, when Bangkok first became the world's undisputed champion in vehicle congestion, and drivers bought portable urinals called "Ezee-Pee" to avoid getting caught short.

Since then public transport has slowly improved but the number of vehicles has more than doubled. Beleaguered government officials who process registrations are reportedly so inundated with applications they often run out of number plates.

The applications come from people who have pushed the region's population towards 15 million, and its boundaries further afield.

Bangkok's vast urban sprawl now stretches over 2300sq km, with newly built suburbs on the outskirts dominated by another symbol of middle-class affluence - the detached family home.

Most families own at least one car, but usually have no access to public transport.

"We have all these housing estates but no mass transit system to service them," says Panswad. "People have no choice but to get into their car and drive."

Panswad, an emeritus professor in environmental engineering at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, is well-versed in the drawbacks to Thailand's love affair with the car.

More than 12,000 lives are lost on the roads annually, including a record 365 over the New Year holiday.

In Bangkok he worries about air quality and the dangers of walking or cycling on the crowded and chaotic streets.

Officially, traffic moves along the city's roads at an average of 18km/h during the morning rush hour, which lasts from 7am until 11am. But most drivers in downtown Bangkok dream of speeds that reach double figures. Their experience involves streets packed with cars, motorcycles, trucks, taxis, tuk-tuks, buses - and even the odd elephant - inching their way around a crippled network. Jams are the norm during the day, and not unusual in the middle of the night either. A typical Bangkok driver is said to spend almost two months of the year in traffic.

Some of the city's 4000 traffic cops have taken part in "laughter therapy" to deal with the pressures of the job. One potential stress is assisting pregnant women in labour stuck in traffic and unable to get to hospital.

To ease peak-hour jams, authorities are reportedly considering proposals to stagger work and school hours.

Against this clogged backdrop, the Government introduced the scheme that gives first-time car buyers a tax rebate of up to 100,000 baht ($3900).

It was particularly popular with young city voters, and the resulting record car sales provided a huge shot in the arm to the local vehicle industry, which suffered losses in the city's devastating floods in 2011.

Ironically, cars contributed to the severity of the floods, as many of the city's once ubiquitous canals - which once helped drain torrential wet season downpours - have been paved over to create roads.

It's a symptom of haphazard infrastructure development that has struggled to keep pace with Bangkok's boom.

Roads still account for just 8 per cent of the city's surface area; compared with up to 30 per cent in Western counterparts.

Despite extending the first-car rebate, the Government insists it wants to reduce the number of private vehicles in Bangkok.

Last week Transport Minister Chadchat Sittipunt gave the green light for construction to start on four extensions to the existing rail network. By 2017, he says, 10 new rail lines will bring mass transit to large areas of the city.

However, the building work would create five years of "extraordinary" traffic snarls and, he said, the Government was also considering the previously unthinkable - charging motorists for using roads in inner Bangkok.

Population overload Bangkok

• Capital: of Thailand

• Population: 8.2m people in the city area. 14.5m in the wider metropolitan region.

• History: Began as a village on the Chao Phraya River in the 15th century. The present city was founded in 1782.

Thailand

• Population: 67m

• People: Thai 75 per cent, Chinese 14 per cent

• Religion: Buddhist 94.6 per cent, Muslim 4.6 per cent

• History: Known as Siam until 1939

By Billy Adams

Iranians are NOT arabs ......................

On the contrary, they are Persians, the original Arabs. Their shared empire with Iraq colonised most of the middle east we know today.

The Iranian couple should not have been driving. Tourists are supposed to use tuk-tuks.

I believe you are correct! You should be a politician! Afterall, you have reminded me that under Thai law:

- No foreigner can undertake paid or unpaid work without a work permit within the kingdom, and:

- If the job as such can be filled by a Thai person, it should be.

So, either, the driver should have been on a work visa, or we are admitting here that Thai's cannot drive - this we know is wrong, Thais are fast and amazing drivers! Mohammed was simply saving the Iranian couple from Chalerm!

It's time to that shit has been stopped.The shit soaps are starting much of the family problems in Thailand.

Ken, I agree with some of the others. But we have to acknowledge that Thais, and particularly Thai women, have an affection for local Soaps. Nua Mek is different from other soaps, because it is used to educate. it is used to teach Thais how Politics in Thailand is at the moment, in its' sad, sorry and corrupt state, taking care of individual interests.

Maybe more soaps could be created, to educate Thais on other things, such as how to react in emergency flood/earth quake situations? Don't kill the messenger, just take off his hippie clothes, and put him in a suit.

Slightly off topic (OT) here, but the PAD might want to take a look at the current situation in Thailand:

1: The current government is under heavy criticism (even from some Red supporters) due to its' heavy censorship of Nua Mek 2 beautiful Thai Soapy story.

2: The current Thai government is attempting to disband the high court and reduce the miltary authority within the Kingdom (being careful not to reduce Royal Authority).

3: The Thai government is being run by a puppet master, Thaksin Shinawatra (otherwise known as Takky Shengra according to his Moroccan passport), who is a wanted fugitive in Thailand. Depending on whose side you are on, as to why he is wanted and how badly.

4: An array of court cases on both Yellow/PAD/PTP/Red sides are clouding and limiting the abilities of any politican with the will to provide better to the country and its' people.

If the PAD were very serious, the would stop putting the PV Temple in the news, and begin proper global politics and start shooting down the oppoositions activities and faults. They may even win some supporters from the other side if they are diligent and show non-bias approaches to reaching TRUE reconsiliation - meaning that anyone from either side be tried by a court which is non-bias, and that the government be made up of supporters of both parties, on an even playing field. A serious attempt to tackle corruption (e.g. no Politician shall own ANY business interests outside of his/her role as a minster) within Political and civil circles must be made, for Thailand to reconciliate and progress.

It is about time that Thai's actually realised that a short term gain guarantees long term loss - only when this is realised will the gun pointing, road blocking and mall burning end.