BusyB

Oh we're on the same sheet there. My point is that it goes far deeper than Thaksin. The last election and what happened to the MF party broke my heart yet again. But it's all of a piece with a deeply entrenched, military backed power structure which also bred Thaksin. He's not in jail because of the people in those structures who colluded to let him back and let him out. He's been forgiven by them because it's in their interests now. Especially with MF lurking in new clothes and not going away. They shifted the goalposts previously because he threatened the establishment power structures as a whole, both by his supervillain wealth, his popularity, and his relationship with he who shall not be named. Now they've been shifted back. And he has been pardoned or reduced sentence or whatever. Focusing on Thaksin is all of a part with the establishment's 'divide and rule' policy. And it works. Every time. Yet he's a symptom not the problem. He is just as much an expression of the country's culture as green curry or Khon dancing. Or Chinese submarines ... or tuktuk scams .... TIT

Sad as I am to have to say it it actually smells of Thailand. It's been like this since way back into the 20th century and way beyond that as well. Thaksin was no different to all the others who've taken/usurped/been elected to power here. He was arguably better than most in what he did for the people in general for the first time. His War on Drugs death toll may well have provided a blueprint for Duterte. But was it worse than Thamassat University in '76? Or Democracy Square in 1992? Or the odd 'disappearances' today? True, his corruption was staggeringly giganormous even by Thai standards. Selling Shincorp and the country's entire satellite assets to Singapore's Temasek, after getting laws passed to exempt him from the CGT is real James Bond supervillain grade corruption. But is it really worse or different to everyday Thai political corruption or even street life? Was it worse than the perfidy that led to the Tom Yum collapse? He was just the biggest, the smartest. He cultivated it to a high art form. Actually impressive seen in that context. Then the military shifted the goalposts to shaft him and the country has struggled with incompetent and corrupt military juntas pretty much ever since. Since like 1932. TIT

Well, most of the international community ... or maybe some of them. Apparently the US is sanctioning the ICC because it dares to investigate Netanyahu. I believe the US is not even signed up to the ICC.

I carry one all the time where I can access it quickly and unseen ... not only to write with. Be prepared.

Oh they'd get it for free off the social security ... they're just too far gone to even see how bad they are or feel too ashamed or don't trust even hospitals .... Sooner or later they end up in hospital for some reason or other (usually alc) and then they get treated. Rinse and repeat. Die early.

They'll all be queueing up and fighting to use the toilet ('bathroom').

We'll have to print them out from our phones.

Obviously over the years I've had the odd difficult issue - most in the early years based on my misreading of a situation or person and my insecurity as a newby. But I always managed to defend my position effectively and mutually resolve it without going ''full throttle up'' on confrontation. Thais will u s u a l l y want to compromise and tend to abhor confrontation. Nearly every Thai, private and business, I've ever met or dealt with has been exceedingly accommodating and helpful. I've been given loads of space for mistakes as a farang as long as I remain respectful without being a douchebag. It IS their country ... (Perhaps also because I never hung around on Beach Road after 9pm, or pushed bouncers around on Walking Street 555) And yes I rent, finished with a couple of Thai girls when it got too silly for me, and would never invest anything I couldn't walk away from. But I say that without the slightest bad feeling. It is what it is and I love the people, the place, the way of life, the food and the way it's been so far - despite the occasional (rare) knot that's needed untying.

This quip gets the Golden Gallows award ...

Frequently see it with homeless people back home in Europe as well.

There were times with the TM6 card I had no idea where I'd be spending the first night. The first ever entry I told the immigration officer that I was heading for Ayuthaya - that was no problem. Other times I just wrote any old hotel I'd stayed in the past. The TM6 was useless bog paper. There must be billions rotting in warehouses if they haven't already been recycled. This can only really be to filter out tourists for the 300 baht entry fee. And even that assumes everyone answers honestly. The ETA is supposed to flag up 'undesirables' of whatever ilk.

That's the only reasonable explanation. All that gobbledygook about keeping tabs on tourists and 'security landscape' is garbage. Noone checks the addresses - the old cards were never checked anyway and noone ever followed up on changes of address. The resurrected TM 30 is supposed to do that job. It really can only be a way of exacting the 300 baht fee from actual tourists. As I recall the TM6 asked for reason for travel: leisure/business etc. The upcoming ETA will cover the claimed 'scrutiny' of travellers for 'security' type stuff.

The case of the Swiss cheese whose dogs have been terrifying the people in Bang Saphan for ages now gives the lie to this uniquely resentful post. So sorry you've had such awful experiences. I've been coming to Thailand for over 20 years, for periods of 3 to 8 months at a time almost every year and I've never had to 'pick battles'. (And don't imagine I'm a shrinking violet either ...) I've also known (through the years) and know quite a few dozens of expat retirees who've had and have a wonderful time in Thailand. Yes what happened here is sad and should be sorted. But it is the exception which of course sells column space.

All due respect for your experience. Fact is though that most (tens of thousands) retirees never have anything remotely like this kind of experience. It's either horrifically bad luck or they ramped up a confrontation - perhaps without realizing what they were doing. I'm sure with the video evidence they'll be OK - the cops went for the assailants in the first instance. This counter claim'll get tossed I'm sure.

Yeah and Churchill should have arranged a state visit for Hitler too. Your comment, like Trump's shameful and negligently homicidal actions, is pathetic and craven.

I'm sure this perspicacious analysis will go down in the annals of political science.

Sounds like they only had a 1-way ticket into Thailand. Anyway they don't seem to be very savvy. They didn't know the onward tkt would lapse after 48 hours. They also wasted time and money obtaining an unnecessary eVisa in the first place.

Aren't there some with a clasp or quick release? Maybe a market gap there.

In the junior infantry they taught us to right a capsized kayak with the paddle. I hated it to begin with but it was fun once I'd mastered it.

All the best in paradise to ya ... 😉. For a punter passing through like me the place is intolerable.

Speaking as someone who was jailed for resisting and refusing, and later risked his career by taking part in serious civil protests (for issues I obviously thought were more important than my little self) I agree. Or every Tom, Dick and Harry would be at it because they didn't feel well that day. That element of risk is essential. Suppression, torture and tyranny towards protest however is not acceptable. Fact is that no government or authority takes real notice until they realize they've gone too far and start to get scared. I also support Al Green. The only real spine in the entire house that evening.

This is by no means unusual in the world. It has been like that for most of humanity for most of history.

The Dead Kennedys 'Holiday in Cambodia' springs to mind.

I crossed the place off my list in 2008. I suspect even those who live in a nice place there long term, who know the places where tourists never get to are now suffering from what's happened over the last couple of years.

The world still waits for a cure for stupid ... 🤣