TheGhostWithin

The area you are referring to is called a "sidewalk". Some cities keep these "zones" clear of all the hazards you mention. You should check one out some time. They are great.

And I find those same cities boring, uninteresting and sanitized nanny states. The clutter, street food and domestic free market attitude are what makes Thailand special for me in comparison to other places. I do not want to eat at food courts, or restaurants. I love "cart food", because it makes me feel free to eat what I want where I want. I appreciate your opinion and hope you can appreciate mine, as well as the huge numbers of tourists which I am sure have also appreciated the street stalls over the years. This is the time for organised market zones, but not the time to completely shut them down. This is not Paris, Sydney or Washington.

Have you looked in a mirror lately?

Only people with Thai blood are Thai. That leaves out 99.999% of visitors/expats here.

We are entitled to our opinions, and most would share yours. I have mine and it has served me well. Try mine some time, smile, share kindness, compassion and happiness with those that show it to you and see if it makes your day better and if you can find a sense of belonging. I live part of my year in the south of Thailand in one of the three southern provinces, probably the last place you would expect to feel part of anything.

I have learnt some Yawi and speak Thai reasonably well as a sign of respect that it is my duty to fit in here, not the duty of Thai people to fit in with me. I am not a great fan of what my home country (New Zealand) is turning into anyhow. Thailand suits my needs and wants much better

Hopefully, they'll start clearing out all the vendors on lower Suk. What a mess...

+1 On Lower Sukumvit I usually walked on the street to avoid the single file side walk "gauntlet."

During the day the vendors sell tacky trinkets, ED drugs. mace and brass knuckles. At night the Nigerian drug dealers infest the area, also cluttered with after hour beer bars.

Decent Thais must surely shutter during early morning commutes to work as they observe drunken tourists/expats brawling with ladyboys...

Lancelot agree with you on this one - I also normally always walk on the road also - but I know the stalls are there when I spill dinner on my shirt, need shorts to wear when I swim, or have a craving for som tam (yes, it is something special to me and great for my body).

I would really love to see them put a "stall free" zone behind the stalls on the road (fenced off if necessary from traffic) where people can walk free of pickpockets, beggars and be able to flag down taxis after an blast of a night out. It is about compromise, don't you think?

This is the first situation I have heard of in which Islamic officers and an Imam were targetted, This is very different from the attacks further north in Yala. This is the second attack in the area in as many days - yesterday it was two nursing students in a market which I pass by often.

I would suspect that this is a group from outside acting with a targetted purpose - specifically to further the interests of a select group of people. When furthering the interests of a target group, you can do this firstl by intimidating and finally through following on with threats.

The first attack appears to be a follow through, in which it has been threatened several times that Buddhist medical staff would be targeted. The two medical students in the markets were much softer targets than hospital staff which have armed guards in many places.

The second attack (my own speculation) may be a case in which the local population resisted the intentions of a nearby group, and as such are now being "killed out" as is common in Buddhist villages - slowly working through the most senior people in the village the population is whittled down and land sold at rock bottom rates to the attacking parties as they are the only ones willing to buy the land - and the sellers willing to sell at rock bottom prices. Due to the fact that the officers and the Imam (obviously) were Muslim and traditionally these groups do not attack each other, I would suspect there has been a difference in opinions of direction somewhere.

A worrying and terrifying thing for the people of Ban Krong Penang, but perhaps a wake up call that not only the lives of Buddhists are at risk, and that Muslims can also be designated "infidels", and that Muslims too must stand up for their moderate way of life if they wish to avoid the oppression of Shariah.

If you are a Muslim from the south and reading this, understand that some of us want to work with you, and that sometimes your biggest threat comes from within. The only way to defeat a Jin is through a unified stance of resistance.

One of my very close friends is a member of the British club, which has experienced change as we all have over the years. When she first came to Bangkok the club would not accept Thais nor Women within the club.. well she being a female and her husband being Thai, made membership a challenge. But time changed things for the best.. it really is a lovely spot, great place to relax.

I do not know about the membership rates etc... proper people do not discuss money together unless discussing business, as the old saying goes

If you want to meet people generally always in Thailand for the right reason this is one place you could look.. certainly beats bar time banter if you want to take your family our for dinner, or take the wife for some tennis.

To any members reading this, thank you for your hospitality and kindness in hosting me a few years back

OP .. reflects a disgustingly unfriendly, ungrateful attitude.

Much better would be to go on the offensive to rid Thailand of sex tourism.

They want so-called high end tourists?

1. Rebuild the toilets at Hua Lamphon railway station.

2. Start banging heads of the bus and van companies. Road transport in Thailand utterly is shameful.

I too have found the Chinese tour groups very discouraging, especially in huge groups waving flags, touting cameras and phones with videos running, especially in shops or locales which are sensitive (we have a friend that works in one of the red light areas of Bangkok, and go to meet her after work sometimes for a late night snack from the street vendors). Their lack of consideration for privacy is very frustrating.

Why do you feel that you have the right to remove a part of Thailand which enables visitors to experience a world free of rude, ignorant, arrogant, large pale skinned narcissist women which many of us have become accustomed to at home. These women exist here too, but they are easy to cast aside and/or ignore. They are also easily quickly identifiable because for the most part Thai women are generally such happy people, narcissists are only happy when they are the center of attention.

Just because the world you live in is not the world you so badly loathe, does not give you the right to pass judgement on others. You speak of sex tourists as if they are rapists, pedophiles, murderers, or worse.

Perhaps it is time you researched the "anti sex tourism movement" and the hard core feminist movement which propels it, and then re-consider if sex tourism is a bad thing because it is hurting people, or if it is a bad thing because it is dis-empowering a group of people who have stripped another group of people of their needs, wants, rights and desires for too long.

Sex tourism and/or finding a partner abroad is not about suppressing women, it is about having hope as a man of a world free of the bonds of feminism - and it is easily found in Asia, where many women are happy to have a truly equal and truly loving relationship with a little hard work over time.

I found my partner in Thailand through a friend when she was in university after a long search, I have never and would never consider dating a western woman... I'm not an "old shovenist pig" either.. I'm a 28 year old Male from a family that consider me an oddball because my partner is not "western" - but I am happier than they will ever be, and so is she.

This is getting more surreal by the day. All the things that are wrong with Thailand are

being cleaned up..... There are still a few bigger fish to fry like the jewelry scam that

has brought shame to Thailand for many years. But at this rate of repair Thailand will

be a paradise in a year.

Funny isn't it, in a way.. they are doing all the things Chalerm promised to do.. without telling people they have done it until afterwards. That is called planning, execution of a plan, and then communication of results.

Was weary of a junta initially, but so far these guys are doing a stellar job which IMO exceeds what any politician has ever done in the same time period for the country - with a clear and impartial mind.

I met my GF on a website Thailandfriends.com many moons ago - well through it. A friend of hers was trying to screw me over, financially, a the "lets meet and get close and cuddly" stage. She was good enough to give me a heads up and we have stuck with each other ever since. Most of the time it is hell, but we both live for the good times together. Her family hate me, but she sticks with me and is fine with me making sure "whats fair is fair" if and when we ever broke up by making arrangements with my lawyer.

Not all stories are bad stories, we love each other

I have heard of a set up where they had 5 girls "employed" to talk to guys, each girl with many identities, and the whole thing was run by a Canadian guy ! Who also offerred from a different website "meet your bride" trips.

Its all a "business" its all about making money, one way ir another.

I am not saying this is what the company you mention does, its just what I have heard can happen.

IMHO.

There are also "independants" Where one older woman, good with English, acts as a kind of agent, she posts the girls details and runs "chats" where you see the actual girl on camera, but its not her thats doing the talking its the agent doing the typing. When things progress and if a relationship develops ths girl pays the agent.

One of the girls that works(ed?) there is an old fling from when I was on my first few trips to Thailand. They work out of the tower across the road from Robinsons Department store on Sukhumvit I used to pick her up after work and went in there a few times.. I saw her talking to the guys but was too young and naive to realise what her "job" was.

She told me she would arrange for meetings that would never happen etc to string guys along. There weren't 5 girls from what I could remember, more like 25-30...

Copying the russians

Not at all a surprise to see China as a country and as an industrial machine copying anything.

But if history is anything to go by, China does not have a record of winning direct conflicts and Vietnam does. I doubt Japan as the other nearest-neighbor would stand by and allow a potential ally to be attacked in any form - they would not directly attack but increase pressure on the US to preemptively protect Japan by supporting Vietnam and create a buffer or at least potentially tire China before they focused their cruel attitudes towards other neighbors. The true strength of Japanese capabilities is that because of their treaty with the US they do have very strong defensive capabilities and may be able to take advantage of these type of attacks by offering protection within Vietnamese waters using their advanced assets - which generally do exceed Chinese technical capabilities.

In saying that China has modernized considerably and Vietnam has not. I suspect this may be the point where countries around China must make a stand on one side of the fence or the other and attempt to create a united front against Chinese aggression similar to NATO in the fact that actions against one would be deemed actions against all.

My concern is that countries such as Thailand who have deep roots with the Chinese may not be as resistant to modern-day occupation (economic and interbreeding) as their neighbors Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore and Vietnam.

China, if you do attack, leave Elly Tran Ha for me, please.

I think YingLuck needs to start relations with President of Nigeria, who is fortunate to hold the legal title "Goodluck Jonathan" - it is the only way Lady (Ying) Luck will escape immense scrutiny at any level for every step she takes in the Kingdom whilst the military are in Control.

In respect to setting up a "government in exile", with one member of the family fleeing the country and hiding from the law and having other cases which were pending at the time he fled, I do not think anyone serious about having corrupt politicians will allow anyone from the previous regime, nor pending persons associated with cases against high ranking Democrat and Anti-Government groups leave the country anytime soon.

Let's hope that their passports are taken, they are kept on a very tight leash, and that any group voted into power does not use loopholes in the law to allow "favorable" members to leave the country through corrupt and questionable means.

In times like now, I wonder if a split MMP approach, however dysfunctional and unproductive, may be more productive than a one sided single party free-for-all that either party might provide to facilitate themselves and their friends "above the law and above the land".

To put your feet above the land, and above Buddha, even not in physical form but through conceptual approaches and treatment of persons you have sworn to protect is against the principles of the land and of those who fought and resisted foreign enemies long before the Shin Clan had even set foot in Thailand - and that goes for the North, South, Central and Isaan. It is time that Thai people took their country back and resisted corruption from all sides and especially corruption from entities using borders as barriers from punishment for their ongoing crimes against the people.

This statement is rather confusing:

"He said he would like to thank the Army chief for issuing a statement Thursday to warn political opponents to behave or the Army might have to deploy a full force of troops to keep security."

This statement issued by a man who was removed from his appointed position for abuse of position, stating that he is happy that the army will act against (unspecified) political opponents to maintain security. Yet daily I read about violence against one of the main opposition movements (which is not a political party but tied to several).

Why is it that this persona non-grata feels that the army should only act against political opponents in order to maintain security? Is he denying that supporters of the current party are partially (if not totally) to blame for nearly every act of violence involving shootings, bombings, grenade attacks etc for months now?

I find it hard to imagine that anyone within the present movement is so actively attacking their own people that they would willingly cause this much hurt and pain with no clear goal or motivation in doing so. The words spoken by Surapong are words of a totalitarian government with little understanding of the true concept of a free and fair democratic system.

After some serious thought, and realizing that nobody will care, or listen. I believe that the very first reform should be a requirement for all Thais to vote, don't vote pay a fine. No more worries about who's getting paid for their vote, no more problems with political parties boycotting elections unless of course they want to pay everyone's fines. I think most Thais would find somebody to vote for if it was going to cost them money not to.

I can just see the outcome of this.. "PTP offers to drive to you to collect your votes poor people, saving you the money required to travel the 2-3 hours into town to vote - do it with us for free and we will show you love, and even give you a free dinner voucher for your family".

This would be a recipe to incite further corruption and voting which does not truly reflect the view of a people free of voting post manipulation. The problem is that until people want to vote with their own free will, those willing to pay the most for the vote are the ones that get it - forcing someone to vote through threat of imprisonment or fines will only further distort true public perception.

Dada, who has a large dragon tattoo on her left upper arm, was carrying 4.22 grams of crystal methamphetamine (ya ice), enough, in the eyes of the law, to qualify her as a drug dealer.

Is it just me, or is that her right arm?

Nothing is as it seems in the Land of Smiles - everything runs parallel to the rest of the world.. same same but different.. you know

I was very amused looking at the desk, seeing the remote control and dinner plate in close proximity.. I can only imagine the effort that Karon Police put into keeping their work and their dinner breaks separate.

No wonder she escaped when you have people with such dedication protecting the community from drug dealers.

This is so disgusting, considering who the mainstay of visitors are to ALL temples in the kingdom.

The people responsible for this are no less cold than those to behead monks in the south. A religion of peace and the Watt being the house of learning regardless of who the Jaew Awatt (head monk) is for the temple. I would be very disappointed (and shocked) if the temple was being used as a place of "political planning". No temple I have ever been to that I am aware of has had such connotations associated with it. I should mention that most visitors I have seen at the temple are also not people looking to aggressively force change through violence either - mostly old women, or young couples trying to find their happy place together.

To bomb a protest site or rally is one thing, but a house of thought and learning is another; and a truly shameful act. This act puts politics above higher understanding and should be responded to with absolute force against the perpetrators by the Royal Thai Police - though we know it will not; because the Police being a political group will not be able to look beyond politics to see that the actions of the few are destroying the thought and belief systems of a nation.

The topic is the judicial system, and why one side seems to receive swift and certain trial and punishment and the other doesn't. For example, Yingluck was deemed prosecutable while serving in a caretaker administration but the same court ruled that Abhisit, in the same situation, was not. Or the fact that red shirt demonstrators go to jail, but yellow shirts do not. Or the fact that Suthep and Abhisit have been charged with murder but are still free, while Yingluck, accused of transferring a civil servant, is removed from office. It is on topic, you just haven't read back enough to realise that.

In Town thanks for taking part in the debate. Wondering if the reason for the faster prosecution could have been the facts behind cases, as well as the considered penalties (therefore the courts allowing more time for prosecutions and defenses to form their arguments). This is common in western law but not too sure on Thai law.

This would also explain why Yingluck was tried on this case first, as the facts seem fairly straight forward and hard to disprove. It also is a topic of debate that perhaps Yingluck chose to fall on her own blade as such as the penalty would meet her own wishes which were apparently to get out of politics. I recall her stating this on the news.

The rice pledging scheme is much harder to prove - big money is involved with a lot of influential families, including those on both sides of the "divide". All have interests in not only covering up acts already committed, but ensuring the investigative process is slowed to ensure prolonged profits. It is potentially one of the largest cases of theft and corruption against the government in modern Thai history. The stakes for this not only for YL but for other cases which may arise from it are considerably higher.

Abhisit and Suthep are being charged with murder for actions which are alleged to have taken place on their approval in 2010. The punishment for this is not simply to be taken out of their roles in politics, or even barred - but serious jail time or at maximum the death penalty (we all know this will not happen).

Perhaps the courts are weighing rather not the percieved personal interest in the case, but the time allowed to prepare a fair prosecution and defence for the actions? It seems unfair but could be the justification behind it. We can only speculate as the court has not commented publicly.

Well, I get from this that you disagree with me politically, or on the facts, and that you are upset that I disagree with you. Okay.

Please don't get me wrong - disagreeing is great, the fact that we disagree is great. The best ideas, the best concepts, and the best systems are borne through disagreement and painful negotiation.

Somewhere between what the Amart, Thaksin, Yellow supporters, Suthep, the Red Shirt movement and the Army want is what is best for Thailand - a system free of corruption designed to promote the success of the upper class whilst providing more opportunities for the lower class through improved learning opportunities with the ability for those charged with overseeing a system which cannot reasonably oversee itself (this is proven on both sides now) to intervene and hit the "reset" button to start over.

Thailand, weither you like it or not is a melting pot of needs, cultures, dialects, expectations and concepts on what is "right". All parties need to be prepared to lose 90% of what they want in order to gain the 10% of what they need - otherwise everyone loses every time.

We need more gentleman on TV like you

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Ha! We need more gentle ladies like you on TV to remind us. Its appreciated.

Not to instigate but intelegent debate is what makes this forum a great tool for those new (and old but with minor cases of tunnel vision in the past) open up and begin to understand others world views. Trolling and abusing other members is not only against the rules, but destroys the level of trust some have here in sharing their opinions, experiences and ideas. I would have to say your comments on this thread have for the first time led me to wonder why we do not have "dislike" and "do not show posts from this member" buttons within the threads. In the Queens English you have demonstrated yourself to be rude, unproductive and generally unhelpful in defining the OP or related issues which stem from it.

This will probably get deleted, but I feel it is important to take a stand against people like you who disrupt those who look for constructive and intelegent ideas through this forum.

It's not really corruption per say.

It's misuse of power.

It happens all the time in the UK Only thing is the brits have perfected it.

Tony Blair s mates from Eton all get the government contracts.

It's so buried. It's hard to find. Especially behind a cheesy grin

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Thank you for the clarification. I have run out of likes due to the amusement of this thread but thank you.

My confusion arose due to the fact that in Thailand the concept of working from someone does not need to involve any form of compensation. Therefore it may have been possible that the courts could implcate involved parties in corruption charges also if they could link the transfers to the concept of "working" in the interests of an exiled party against the good judgement of normal standard procedures and systems.

She wasn't found guilty of corruption .

Miss use of power. I believe

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Please explain the difference to me in both this circumstance and also the definition under Thai law.

As I understand there is a fine line between both under Thai law and in this particular circumstance the two have merged into a single event.

She used her position to remove th political ally of the opposition (miuse of power) to replace him with the ally of her parties leader one would speculate to gain greater leverage within the Policing system (corruption of the legal system).