pisico

For a country so concerned about face, they are just about to lose a massive amount of it. That is the ultimate nightmare for Thai tourism, for this to be broadcast on 60 Minutes. This incident is Thailand at it's worst. Cover things up, and wait for it to go away. This in not mai pen rai, this is bordering on criminal stupidity. For deaths to keep occurring, do nothing, and then have government officials make statements that this is all coincidental is an insult to the intelligence. They had a chance to clean house themselves with the first death and they did not. Now time for broken face........

What not to expect from this experience:

1-Formulating safety standards for hotels to be licensed regarding their cleanliness and pest control.

2- Regular inspections to ensure compliance and enforcement of those standards.

3- Severe penalties including closure of the establishment until compliance is achieved in addition to steep fines.

4- A special investigation into the causes of the so called "coincidental deaths" at the Down town Inn hotel. etc.

Expect a typical Thai solution to such a problem: free tourist visas for one more year.

That ought to wipe out the specter of so many coincidental deaths at the same hotel.

"Tourists will continue coming to Thailand because we are so unique in the world that a few Farang deaths will not change anything".

That seems to be how those running TAT reflect on this matter. Mai bpen rai!

why should they learn english? this is Thailand for god's sake. How hard is it for a tourist to have the name of their hotel or wherever written down in thai for the taxi driver?

I think that ideology and principles cloud the reality of the situation. Reality, not ideology is what matters. Over simplifying the issue by reducing it to writing the name of a hotel on a piece of paper does not address in full the problem.

Thai is a very difficult tonal language rooted to a large degree in Sanskrit. The reason names and places comprise sometimes 60 or more characters. All of the characters have nothing to do with any other language, not even Khmer, which is the closest language on the planet. Any country in the world that wants to be competitive and attracts more tourists will promote English as a second language. This is the first time after the fall of the Roman Empire that the world has a common language to do business and exchange ideas and culture. Tourism is a business that enables visitors to experience a culture. If Thailand wants to continue enjoying a 10% of the GDP from tourism, it had better promote learning English by Thais. Otherwise they risk to gradually fall into the same isolationism that kept China backwards for many years: that is a distinct possibility. If Thais want their country to remain a popular destination in the world, English is a must have.

The fact that the current government is the result of a coup d'etat by the military is not a good beginning to reform a country that has such a turbulent history. The Burmese raiding the Thai capital and making Thais move it two times after the Sukhothai period. Thailand raiding of Angkor Wat and annexing territories in Cambodia resulting in 13 new Thai provinces. Opening the doors of Thailand to the Japanese to setup concentration camps and army bases on Thai soil. From the times of Suriyothai Thailand has been at war within itself or the neighbors. That creates a special mentality favoring intrigue, corruption and military might as viable means of governing. Today's Thailand is a consequence of its history. Why then is common knowledge that positions in the military can be purchased? Why at the lowest level we know that bogus traffic violations are easily fixed with the right brand of "tea money"? Why is the charge of Lesse Majeste used as a way to silence the voice of the people? Why no one is clamoring for a true in depth investigation into the assassination of Se Dang? It would be a dangerous assertion by the elitist minds to dismiss it as non important and/or sweep it under the rug. Why a 16 year old, without a driver license, drives her car in to a mini van causing and accident that kills 8 people and walks free and the parents are not held accountable? These are merely the symptoms of a corrupt and dysfunctional state. Why the elites governing the country care more about Bangkok than the rest of the country? Because in this megalopolis live about 1/6 of the country's population. Rome understood this equation very well and gave the citizens bread and circus to keep the city-state happy. But the provinces rebelled and eventually the hegemony of the metropolis crumbled and in time the total demise of the Empire followed. This parallel illustrates the lack of balance between the ruling class favoring the city in which they live and govern and the rest of a country that feels forsaken. For as long as the status quo continues, there will always be another Taksin taking his place and the same dynamics will remain extant. It is only too easy to blame a fugitive ex PM as the root of all the ills that affect this lovely country. The causes that produced a Taksin and an Abhisit existed for centuries before them. One thing is for sure: the masses, the majority of the population is feeling increasingly restless. The writing is on the wall. I only hope and pray that the powers that be read it.

No law to punish the person who violates the rights of others, but laws to punish anyone who makes the information public. Insanity.

Perfectly sane, in a land where Face outweighs Fact.

Kill the messenger! We cannot lose face!

Thank you Mario, Lite beer and Keetsha!

They certainly will appreciate your guidance in this matter. They both are hard working, caring and all around good people. I could not stand by idly and see this shyster (who calls himself a lawyer) to rip them off of nearly 100,000 THB.

The sad part is that this ambulance chaser has several amulets hanging from his neck.

Apparently the teachings of Theravada Buddhism have not made it all the way through his heart.

Thanks again for your caring and support in this and all matters you address with your wisdom and kindness.

:jap:

I honestly do not think its time to continue cracking jokes. I am sure locals and expats living in the areas do not find it amusing at all.

I do not see any surprise here and would not expect anything else from Cambodia.

In all fairness, Cambodia has called for the ceasefire and Thailand refused, because a trip to China is apparently more important

Cambodia has repeatedly asked for observers and mediators to help solve the conflict, yet Thailand refused

Lets hope NOW Thailand will take Cambodia little more serious, or at least will get some attention of the International community and perhaps they might be able to put some pressure on Thailand to come to its senses.

Frivolous and simple minds will repeatedly make light of human tragedy. Using that dark side of the human mind is how regimes in Germany, Cuba, Venezuela and North Korea riled up the less gifted citizenry to support their authoritarian agendas.

Notice also that the writer of that piece of "ostensible news" on The Nation "is" probably a Thai national. There is a clear bias in the text. It is also flawed as it has several inaccuracies already pointed out by other posters. The article in The Nation is tainted with opinions. Hardly a news report.

Shame on those who need to trivialize the life and fate of other humans be it Thai or Cambodian. When it happens to one of your family: will you feel and crack the same jokes all the same?

The question pertains exclusively to a Cambodian female marrying a Thai man.

Neither one are aware of what is needed to legalize their status.

They prefer a civil marriage as their religions are different.

She is legally in the country; therefore, the visa is not an issue. They are both in Thailand.

I am trying to help them out because they seem to be about to fall in the hands of attorneys with very questionable intentions.

Only what is necessary for them to marry (in a do it yourself fashion) is the specific question.

Thank you!

:jap:

When asked to divide 66.6 by one third and give the answer to the nearest whole number the usual response of candidates was to reach for a calculator or to ask if using one was permitted. The second most popular response was a reply of 22. I would guess that about 5% came up with the correct answer.

I'm hoping the answer's 200!

He also emphasised that universities should instil morality and wisdom in their students.

....and whose chosen morality would that be?

This all reminds me of a motivated friend here in CM who was in a dept teaching English which had and extraordinary good result a 100% success rate over their first year with their first batch of students. The dept was assessed from higher up and they were themselves given 61% (I think it was). My friend was aghast and checked into it. The detail of the report gave the sole reason as minus 39% because they hadn't given enough emphasis to ceremony, rites and rituals etc !

A simple Arithmetic problem cannot be solved successfully. Simple standard English sentences cannot be composed but the emphasis on "ceremonies, ritual and rites" is more than one third of grading? No wonder Thais scores are dismal.

Does Abhisit actually live in Thailand and interact with people there? If so this should come as no surprise.

Of course he doesn't. He lives in the same bubble as all the other members of the ruling class that is reactive to crisis and when they react it is done in a half-assed way at best.

A few examples:

1- In the classroom teachers and professors do not welcome questions or interaction. From the cradle Thais are indoctrinated in the idea that it is not polite to complain or ask many questions. Thai students in the classroom follow those cues through life. Even in a higher learning place such as universities, professors use microphones and PA systems not because of the size of the classroom but to overwhelm and drown questions. Apparently, an authoritarian mind interprets a question to elucidate a subject as a challenge to authority. Now the shortcomings are so appalling that cannot be ignored: a crisis in the making.

2- Swampy was number 10 on last years international airport ratings. The government vowed to make it one of the top 5 ones. This year Swampy hit number 13. The solution: the city link, the other rail link and, also keep the taxi scammers undisturbed, etc., until it becomes another crisis and someone dies.

3- The sidewalks are used mainly by unsupervised, uninspected, unregulated food stalls, vendors and motorcycles and marginally by pedestrians. But, in their infinite wisdom the city planners came up with another billion Baht idea: the Skywalk!

Wouldn't it be better, cheaper and civilized to respect the public thoroughfares, protect pedestrians and enforce municipal ordinances and rules? No, that would not be the Thai way. A rational approach such as that presupposes acceptance of errors in a land where saving face is the law by which all live.

That being said, it is refreshing to hear the statements from Abhisit about the failings of the Thai school system. I hope and believe that he is sincere and that his voice will make an impact in the educational Thai system. But in a country where the tail wags the dog, is that remotely possible hic et nunc?

I know that there will be nitpickers who will dissect and parse my post. For their information, no, I am not a Thai basher nor do I defend Thailand out of compulsion. What I enumerated is something current that we all can see if we are aware of this reality.

Very convenient the fighting between Thailand and Cambodia.

How can we dissolve the Parliament with the ongoing war effort?

More of the status quo, more time on the side of the powers that be to show that they care and are ready to defend the etc., etc.,etc...

I have seen this same ploy so many times in by politicos in South American banana republics!

The Third World is alive and well in Siam.

It saddens me to see such waste of talent, beauty, resources and lives on both sides.

Given that the government and Army's responses last year was to shoot people in the street and take no responsibility, the assertion for "proper regulation" rings pretty hollow. Shooting people is not a solution. Thailand still doesn't have have an elected government, and the Army is out of control and acting on its own. To say now that large crowds protesting such a situation is a threat in of need control is a ridiculous and backward assertion. It could only come from those who benefit somehow from the status quo.

For christ sake, when are the citizens and civilian government going to put an end to the Army acting on its own? Or, is Thailand now run and controlled by the military establishment as a matter of record? Anyone who thinks the current situation is the way a democracy is supposed to operate is completely and utterly wrong. This legislation only makes the situation worse by legalizing the types of criminal acts the Army engaged in last year, and in through Thailand's history.

I still don't see the parties: reds, yellows, government, and, yes, Army, sitting down to work out democratic institutions and mechanism for conflict resolution. Now, the only way they communicate is by media, mass street protest, idiotic censure "debates", Lese Majeste complaints, and threats. That's not government, not by a long shot. So, this legislation limits the Thai people, the people to whom the country belongs. That's what is backward: Thailand doesn't belong to the Army or the politicians.

The excessively large public assemblies that spin out of control because of lack of proper and adequate legislation are a serious problem. This can't be minimized by saying 'SOME of the reasons purported to be behind the public gatherings need to be addressed more'. All issues need to be addressed and neither takes greater precedence. But the lack of proper regulation for public gatherings is causing grave problems for the country, and rules are in place in most modern nations for crowd control that balances human rights also.

When groups refuse to take responsibility for their group actions, that's when laws must come into effect.

And that is what is lacking here, both protest group responsibilities and laws to control them when they show no responsibility.

One of the main reasons it spun out of control and the army had to come in was BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF CLEAR LAWS to make the police act on it early. Instead of clear and logical manners to deal legally with large bellicose groups in the streets, it has been a haphazard hodge podge of inappropriate or useless laws, leaving a vacuum, that void that only the army was able to fill.

I agree.

The other problem is that if there is such a law: will it will respected and applied?

To delineate city ordinances that regulate and issue permits for gatherings of the population for religious, political or other purposes is one thing. Permits, location and length of time that such assembly will involve regulating such gatherings is one thing.

To suppress or limit freedom of assembly under the guise of protecting the country, economy etc. is quite a different matter.

Any unlawful gathering (one that has not secured the proper permits and adheres to city standards, etc.) should not take place. But, if there is a law that gives the judiciary the power to say no, when it is contrary to their political bearing that is a different matter that should make us worry.

It follows that the bill, should it ever come into fruition, can be used to detain two or more people at the enforcing officer's whim. No need for reasonable cause necessary. That is precisely one the concerns of this academic, Anusorn Unno.

I have witnessed first hand the results of like legislation in countries such as Cuba and Nicaragua under Daniel Ortega's first administration.

History teaches us that countries that passed such decrees to control the individual and stifle opposition will foster insurgency and eventual civil unrest.

The country does not have an elected government.

The project of law is obviously the prelude to more of the same, ostensibly, to control the outcome of elections.

When freedom of assembly is repressed, inhibited or outlawed Democracy and civil liberties are seriously impacted.

If that bill is approved, it will be an acknowledgment by the members of this administration that Thailand is in fact just one more banana republic.

I find that Thai financial institutions have a lot to learn from the Americans and particularly the Chinese. Inflation is already hitting from what I hear from my partner (she said the price of food is going up) - expect price rises on other things such as that BTS fare to go up. The last thing to go up will be salaries.

China is rapidly increasing its' interest rates to curb inflation, and Thailand is gradually increasing. This is not to help the consumers out, but rather to stop inflation - the side effect will be profit downgrades on businesses nationwide - meaning foreigners will withdraw investments in Thailand, which have higher risk and lower risk return.

This may have some effect on the Thai condominium market, which is a bubble waiting to burst from my studies.- price affordability and rental returns vs. purchase price ratios are way off in this market.

When the bubble bursts, the Chinese will come in droves to buy most of those condo-buildings as they have done in Vancouver and Western USA.

Do not think for a second that they will pay top THB. They will always drive a hard bargain. It's in their blood.

Just keep on scooping the water out of the boat!

"People should not be afraid. We will find out exactly what has caused this, but it is most likely a result of climate change," said Mr Prajuab.

Inclined to agree with that comment above. Mother nature is ringing her warning bell concerning the fouling of our nest, problems are growing as time passes.

A tsunami ? I think not.

There is of course the possibility that the Krill were being pursued by marine creatures that like to feed upon them and in their escape pattern they may have (the Krill) beached themselves due to blind panic.

Well that my two theories anyway..

Climate change. Maybe. Not man made, for sure.

The 10 magnitude earthquake that hit Japan recently not only that moved the entire nation 8 inches, but also shifted the planet's axis to a measurable degree. That change in the axis certainly has an effect on the oceans' currents, the magnetic poles and the jet stream.

Volcanoes when they erupt have a similar effect: Saint Helens, Pinatubo, etc. Species dependent on their environmental habitat are sensitive to those abrupt changes and cannot adapt rapidly. The highly specialized species are the ones affected first.

Do not trade your SUVs anytime soon. They jury still out on whether we, the most intelligent of mammals, are responsible for Global Warming, er!... Climate Change, as the new and improved mantra reformulated by the inventor of the internet: Al Gore.

""If the investigation shows local policemen have taken bribes, they will face harsh punishments," he said.""

So no more policeman in Thailand !

In Khon Khaen shall all bars pay 1000 Baht a month for nothing !

When one had a problem and called the police, they was told to pay 4000 Baht if the police had to come !

That is what police are in THialand, corrupt people with no brain at all.

Shooting people for money they can find out, but police work NEVER !

As long as the syste is like this, the country will never become very rich, and low income people will stay down there !

People have to lean to sy NO ! Not just take a police mans word for the law, the police man not know the law anyway !

Stand up and complain ! That is the only way forward, stay together agains the corrupt idiots !

Your intentions are good... remember the old saying about what place is paved with good intentions?

People in Thailand are drilled at home and school from an early age that: "It is not polite to complain."

Every time I complain about something (business or government) and I am in the company of a Thai national, the Thai feels uncomfortable and starts fidgeting away. The intention is to put physical distance from me to convey to others this: "I am not with this guy, nor do I agree with what he is doing."

I can only hope that this excellent piece of writing will be published in Thai and that politicians and all members of the Powers that Be can start to see the light this article is shining on the subject.

George Orwell's "1984" comes to mind

... and North Korea, Cuba and China...

He who owns the chicken owns the eggs.

Guess it's more important how popular somebody was being good in sports, than knowing much about politics.

Reminds me of "Arnie" who suddenly became the governor of California and then 'terminated' some guys already sitting in the death cell for 30 years.

Like a research has shown in the States, the most powerful people in Wall street are not those with the best qualifications, they're just filthy rich. :jap:

Why do you think they are filthy rich?

1) they robbed a bank?

2)like John Kerry, they married the heiress to the Heinz fortune?

3) they all inherited a zillion dollars at birth?

4) all of the above

After observing Songkran in Bangkok for a couple days (and I was at Silom) I couldn't help but think this is a Thai tradition that has gone out of control...totally missing the theme of its original purpose. At one time, the sprinkling (NOTE: I said sprinkling, not spraying) of water was to mean good luck and a new beginnning for the new year; now, it is three days of wasting and demeaning a precious natural resource, water. Next, the buckets and buckets of white paste leaves its mark (when thrown) on the street, stores, signs, Skytrain steps.... an ughly mess. And all the plastic containers that are not recycled. Instead of the city authorities thinking topless female dancers is not following the Thai tradition of Songkran, they better ask themselves about the waste of water, the filth it generates, and the cost it takes to clean the Songkran areas up. (Heck, most local BKK Thais leave the city. The wild Songkran celebration certainly doesn't bring in revenue for the city.... oh, maybe for the vendors selling the plastic water guns made in China or the buckets of white paste.

Where is Mary Poppins when we need her?

P.S: If you think this Songkran was bad, never go to Brazil during Carnival time. I know, I lived there for over 5 years.

:jap:

In my experience, exposed breasts on public streets is unconventional even in the sex-for-sale venues. To me, what is even more alarming is this:

Culture Watch Centre director Ladda Tangsupachai yesterday disclosed that Nipit also instructed her to officially ask the National Police Office and the ICT Ministry to ban the video clips on the Internet.

I would say that this is a slippery slope, except that Thailand has already raced to the bottom of the slope w/r internet censorship.

Any similarity with Sharia Law Police is purely coincidental.

Do not ingest! This comment is to be applied locally.

I watched the uncensored video and it is still out there.

This is extremely bad for the country's image around the world.

It has the semblance of the Brits loutish behaviour in the Spanish holiday resorts.

It is simply done in bad taste and should be kept in the bars. In fact these girls have brought the bar culture out onto the streets in full view of children and for the world to see.

A 500 baht fine is a joke for lowering Thailand's image to rock bottom.

I guess that the pillocks who uploaded the video onto the Internet are shiteing their pants right now and the girls claim to fame has backfired on them.

Rip Van Winkle woke up in the middle of 2011 Songkran. What a shock!

Two days ago when it was first reported on Thai Visa, there were some "bright minds" praising the 5 bullets to the head of the carjacker criminal as "pretty good shooting by the police".

This was my posting that day:

"I hope I am never a hostage to a criminal. I would hate to be shot in the stomach by the police.

Does this say anything about the training (if any) and/or procedures of the Police in such cases?

Anyone with a sane answer, please, post it for the benefit of all.

Thanks! :jap:"

After watching the video of the policeman being rammed by the commandeered car it was obvious that good intentions need good judgement. Good judgement to a large degree, is the result of adequate and consistent training.

But, if most of the police are in the force as a result of purchasing the position or political favors, this is sadly the result of such situations.

Expect more of the same, or worse, until there is a 180 degree change in direction of the country that calls itself the Land of Smiles.

editing text

Aloha

Like Pattaya, The small things that are dangers to our sea life usually get thrown, swept or washed into the storm drains, "Our Life's Blood"

And become non-digestible contaminating killers to our seafood, water and seabirds, things like bottle caps, toxic cigarette filters, plastic bags, disposable lighters, camera batteries to mention just a few.

Sure would be nice if storm drains were stenciled in Thai, English and Russian with a picture and fines were imposed on the unknowing or uncaring humans that are destroying Mother Earth.

We are all in this neighborhood together and it is (Time) and up to us, to make a difference. Don't wait for it to happen (It won't) make it happen, reach out and be part of the Solution, Set Examples, Walk the Walk, try Giving Back, Waster-Size, Bend at the Waist to pick up the Waste and work on getting rid of both.

If we "all" would take just 10 minutes 3 times a week out of our ever so busy lives and removed dangers from the voiceless, Children, Wildlife and Waterways, we could make a tremendous difference in our Neighborhoods and also how we Think about Ourselves.

Hey just a thought! Wishing all Inner-Wealth, Health, Happiness and Peace.

NOW is the only time we have.

Now is the only time we have.... But tomorrow is another day. We will do it better when we come back..., or not.

If you think that is bad in Pattaya, that situation in Bangkok makes me cry. Come to Pinklao and you will see gray and black waters being dumped directly into the canals with waste that end up into the Mother River Chao Praya.

I visited a Thai acquaintance who lives in one of those buildings full of 4 by 4 meter rooms and I noticed the foul odor immediately. He said: "I forgot to cover the shower's drain." He went to the bathroom and placed an empty yogurt plastic cup on the drain and the odor subsided.

We both went to see the manager (he was too shy to complain because as we all know "it is not polite to complain") under the pretenses that I was interested in renting a room. I asked about the foul odor. The manager said that the septic tanks were full and that the owner had no money to have them emptied. I argued that it was unsanitary and could lead to illnesses of the tenants. He looked at me with eyes that showed pity and contempt at the same time. Finally he said: "I will tell the owner when I see him." He added that he did not know if he would be able to see or talk to the owner of the building. "He goes to China a lot, you know." Was his final reply. I mentioned that perhaps complaining to the authorities would make the owner take notice. He replied: Ala goday; whatever.

I did this for the benefit of this guy who is a hardworking fellow but Thai to the core. I wasted my time and efforts and in the end he said with a grin on his face: "I told you, mai pen rai!"