bunuel

Very well put.

To the BBC, you can add editorials in the Wall Street Journal, The NY TIMES, THE ECONOMIST, and features on Bloomberg and Al Jazeera. Ir would be fair to say that most were very critical of the decision by the Thai courts to depose the democratically elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra. Thus far, the government has won the international public relations war by a wide margin.

Does this matter? Well, international image certainly matters to the corporations and companies that spend billions of dollars on public relations and advertising. And it would also seem to matter in Thailand, judgiibg by the defamation laws in the books.

Whether or not this will lead to active meddling in Thai affaiirs is uncertain, but corporations and companies generally like to protect their investments, and there are many major foreign investments in Thailand. The US, in particular, has been a very good friend to Thailand ever since the end of World War Ii, when the Americans talked the Brits out of occupying Thailand as an ally of Japan.

Some may have forgotten these things, but many have not. Like all countries, Thailand does not live ib a vacuum.

Well it's been on BBC headline news every day since the courts decision but it should be said you can't really compare CNN and Fox with such an illustrious news station. There is so much going on in the world to-day of more importance than what is happening here; but all the same when a sovreign country starts descending into chaos and anarchy it would be considered imprudent for the worlds superpowers to ignore it as these things have a terribly nasty habit of spreading like wildfire -witness the north african crisis, the middle east etc. America will be monitoring the Thai situation very closely for this very reason. I would also suggest the comment made insinuating that America does not have friends is not correct; Great Britain and the USA have stood side by side as friends for many decades holding the same cultural values to protect democracy, defend the sick and the poor and uphold human rights. There are many of us whose parents fought along side each other in many wars and those bonds are not easily forgotten!

This could be a brilliant tactical move. Appealing to AV's ego, by making him the peacemaker who puts the troublesome Suthep out to pasture for good. If AV and Suthep were playing good cop -bad cop,it might be different, but they do not seem to be on the same page.

A relatively peaceful resolution is suddenly at least a possibility!

uote name="DirtFarmer" post="7749124" timestamp="1398685166"]

Actually she is countering his thrust with a parry... and smart to do it ...if indeed there ever is an election the politicking has already begun. She also said she would meet with him,,, so she certainly cannot faulted for that..she is giving him more credence than Suthep for which she had no reason whatsoever to mediate with as he is only an insurrectionist not a possible counterpart in politics in the future...or is he...LOL.. who knows...if Abhisit's efforts result in something substantial.. and something do-able she'd be foolish to have closed the door in advance..it is to everyone's benefit... I have this feeling that deals are already in the works and will undoubtedly be surprised again over the next few months...a more moderate landing may yet come to pass.. though so far I have yet to see Abhisit's plan so will have to wait a few more days for that... but this press release is no more toxic that Abhisit's claim that he has the support of the SC who agrees with him that all sides need to work together... wonder what the headlines will be tomorrow.. Suthep's cat had kitten's...?

Yingluck is not in a position to do any deals, she is crawling-trying to be a sweet mouth.

Had 3 years -new exactly what her party were up to, got into big time Dung, now in mega trouble and losing support every day.

Yingluck is trying to save as much face as possible. Wish I could believe her good intentions, her history she gave to me doesn't sway me.

It even looks like --"I'm sorry" time, so do what you can.

Well until the ruling she is still there... no matter what you think will happen or are convinced will happen or have knowledge of that I don't...she is still there she did not capitulate within any of the deadlines or declarations by Suthep ... she did not fold, she did not topple with all that Suthep and his mob threw at her and you can be as happy as a pig in a poke when and if she is finally toppled by the judiciary coup,,, or an actual military coup but until then... all parties are now in a face save mode... so we will still have to wait a bit longer... i still believe a lot of us will be surprised with the final outcome.. some maybe even delighted...

Are you trying to tell me she is still there ?? she did not fold you said---she did not topple---she was toppled -it was self inflicted and well you know it --do not give me this Suthep tripe. I don't give a fig for her or the PTP as it happened they were the party that was not democratic, I would have given any party hell if they abused the same as they did. I do not feel sorry for her one bit, she and PTP abused power and are paying for it.

So who is the caretaker Pm now...?

Who Is the caretaker defense Minister now...? and all the other caretaker cabinet members continuing to keep this whole thing running...?

The ones getting the decrees? the ones attempting to get people paid... the ones committed to doing what they are mandated to do until a new election or other occurrences that may change the game...?You...? You are now the caretaker everything..? Darn..I missed that one! Sorry to have disrespected you omnipotent one... Go on rant your rants ... you keep repeating them over and over... that is fine... but no matter how much you spit into the wind the fact remains she is still at this moment the caretaker PM despite of the millions and millions of baht and hundreds and hundreds of demands thrown at her... by the un democratic _Democrat Party, Suthep and all his cronies... and anybody with a sober.. look at all of this can see that every Pm here as far back as there have been PM's probably have had things go badly or flat out been exposed for corruption... including the party that you may cheer for now so at this point self- righteousness is ill spent... and I care not who you pity, or you "feel sorry" for..it has nothing to do with the OP

A Somali journalist named Cleophus Trees Thomas III sounds as unlikely as a " crown prince from the Republic of Puntland.

My leg feels like it is getting a good yank!

"The Somalian VIP identified in media reports as the "King of Somalia" likely was not a scam or impostor, just a victim of poor translation and fact-checking.

The man shown in photographs meeting with Thai officials at a Chonburi province park was the leader of a particular clan in the Puntland, according to a Somalian journalist.

"Beeldaje Maxamed literally means 'Community leader' Mohamed," replied Cleophus "Tres" Thomas, III., to an inquiry from Coconuts. "His full title/name is Beeldaaje Mohamed Beeldaaje Ismaciil, and he's basically the clan 'leader' of Puntland's Ali Saleban sub-clan, which is under the Darod-Majerteen clan family."

http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2014/04/24/somali-vip-identified-important-not-king

Umm yeah - just spent the last couple hours reading up on the Ali Saleban sub-clan. Nothing outrageous of course. Just ties to pirates, Al-Shabaab terrorists and such. Various articles in the

Somalia Report (http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/3528/The_New_Structure_of_Al-Shabaab)

Scribd. (http://www.scribd.com/doc/194041698/Somalia-Puntlands-Punted-Polls)

Maritime Security Asia (http://maritimesecurity.asia/free-2/piracy-2/renewed-clashes-in-puntland/)

Most of the news is a couple years old now. Of course, not everyone in the Ali Saleban sub-clan is a pirate and/or terrorist the same as not everyone from Bangkok is a Yellow Shirt, or everyone from Pattaya is a bar worker.

555 you are really ignorant my friend... You are leaving the pot for the frying pan... Oh yeah, the Chinese are friendly and love foreigners, and if you are white they kneel in from of you. Stop dreaming. The attributes you mention are a constant all throughout Asia. The disdain of foreigners is a constant no matter where you go, even more in Northern Asia. The only ones who will respect you are the rice eaters in the villages where they have never seen the white man. You must be proud of that! Other than Philippines or Indonesia, Asians tend to be cold and unfriendly. And In Philippines and Indonesia friendliness is not gratuitous either. Maybe Singapore has the most evolved culture, but that makes them respectful, not necessarily friendly. If you want to escape all those things you mention just go to Central or South America. Spanish will be easier for you to learn than Chinese!

Some very good points here. Assimilation into any Asian society is virtually impossible for a Caucasian foreigner, while South and Central American countries generally welcome gringos - with the welcome

increasing the farther away you get from the American border. Personally, Japan is far and away my

favorite Asian country, but I have no illusions about ever being other than a gaijin. That much said, I have developed friendships over the years with fellow Japanese practitioners of the martial art of aikido, and

they have taught me a great deal about Japanese culture, which I find fascinating. I have no problem

being a foreigner anywhere, provided there are some cultural rewards. Regrettably, I have found very

little cultural life here in Thailand worth mentioning, aside from world class gastronomy, horticulture and

massage techniques. The arts scene and intellectual life in Bangkok are pretty grim, to say the least,

I agree with some posters about the traditional rural idyll of Thailand, but I have never been a country

boy, so I get cabin fever up there. Bottom line is that Thailand is like the sex industry anywhere - ultimately pretty boring - the kind of place that makes me want to do a Paul Theroux and hide away with a good book or watch great old movies ( nb: readily available in LOS, if you know where to look!). I stopped going to bars decades ago - long before I came to Thailand.

The issue of language is huge. I speak several European languages, but I found Thai very difficult,

and since my wife and I speak in English, had no incentive to learn. Attempted to work for a Thai

boss, but quit after a few months when I realized it was impossible for me to accept Thai managerial

style, which I found both autocratic and incompetent to the extreme. ( Japanese are often autocratic,

but they are also usually competent!)

In South America, on the other hand, as poster notes, both Spanish and Portuguese are relatively easy

to pick up, and people are usually very tolerant as you destroy their grammar - unlike Thailand.

And since OP seems fixated on female companionship, he might find a few months in Brasil

in the Sir Richard Francis Burton School of languages would make Bangkok a distant memory!

Good luck in China!

Have been happily married to my Thai wife for more than 10 years, and we have lived in North America, Africa and Asia due to my work. Thailand was great to come back to when I was working in war zones in Africa and Asia, and I would recommend LOS to anyone on the mend or wanting a break with creature comforts galore. I have had no problems dealing with Thai people and my wife's family has been great - in both cases., thanks to my wife. However, now my work in Africa is over, and we are moving back to Nprth America, where we have most of our friends. My wife does not want to stay here, and now that I know how this country works, neither do I. Nevrr had illusions about LOS, since I knew it was a corupt kleptocracy long before I ever came here two decades ago. However, I love Thai people, Thai food, Thai horticulture, and I love Buddhism. so being here has been a very pleasant experience. But I cannot say I have ever heen in love with Thai geography or culture - when I compare this country to my favorite country - Brazil - there is no comparison. Brazil is more difticult for the foreigner at first, but complete assimilation is very possible, and is even encouraged - as it is in Costa Rica, Belize, Ecuador or Chile - alll of which I would recommend ahead of Thailand. Bad things can happen anywhere , but the Thaitanic ship pf state is currently in an ice field, and is an sccident waiting to happen, regrettably !

I accept that there is nothing wrong with it's mandate and aims but it will change nothing in this case, so why bother.

Explain to me what differences you think there will be. Suthep is on a mission and some nobody from the UN is going to change the direction of that, plus Chalerm is an out of control violence freak and lives for it so telling him to stop is akin to telling him not to breathe (not a bad idea actually).

They may achieve some things and serve a purpose when they act as peace keepers to stop atrocities from taking place but these statements regarding the situation in Thailand are meaningless and will be ignored by all and sunder.

We have a few Muslim children in our school aged from between 2 - 6 years old but I don't think that it can be described as a Muslim fundamentalist training ground as we only teach them Thai, English and basic maths and do not carry out weapons training or teach them the Koran.

This is what I mean when I say that this statement is irrelevant!!

It is not upto the UN to dictate only advise it can however cajole and warn and sanction too and in the end if required in extreme circumstances use force to ensure peace. The door is always open to help and with mediation, some countries step through it others ignore it. The job of the UN is to always keep that door open and make it clear it is.

Some patients when sick seek help others refuse to seek it, personally I think Thailand could do with the help preferably by a UN representative of Asian persuasion,

That the UN has even made a statement means things have got peoples attn there, enough to open dialogue in a gentle advisory fashion, it has to begin that way, I can see the government asking before Suthep does and almost certainly they will have to be willing to compromise likely that would include the Shins bowing out, it would need both sides to agree though to at least talks.

Not all conflicts are amenable to mediation. There are some indicators that suggest the potential for effective mediation. First and most importantly, the main conflict parties must be open to trying to negotiate a settlement; second, a mediator must be accepted, credible and well supported; and third, there must be general consensus at the regional and international levels to support the process. When an effective mediation process is hampered, other efforts may be required to contain the conflict or to mitigate the human suffering, but there should be constant efforts to remain engaged so as to identify and seize possible windows of opportunity for mediation in the future.

The situation here is either going to blow up or blow over, it looks increasingly like its not going to blow over without more bloodshed, the question remains does the Thailand need for help or not ? Only Thailand can answer that and at what point does it have to get to before it asks ? if at all.

The UN has just advised at the moment but later if it does deteriorate we will no doubt see it offering mediation or other something similar by other international leaders who are members.Japan perhaps or another ASEAN member of the UN.

it wouldnt be much of a UN if it didnt take any interest and people like to sound off when it says anything but as things turn worse then its a whole different attitude. no one cares to be told they have a problem but once they realise they do most seek help for it if its not possible to deal with alone.

We are a way off from that but are getting closer all the time.

Excellent post! As a retired UN peacekeeper who has served in the Congo and East Timor, I am sorry that

so many people do not understand the role the UN plays in the world. First,of all, it iS a world body, but the

power is with the Security Council,which makes all the big decisions. Since the Security Council consists of all the major powers, there is often diagreement which makes it impossible to reach a consensus, making it impossiible for the org to take action. Syria and CAR are two of the most recent examples.

As a result, I think the UN PKF should be regarded as global firefighters with a mandate to minimze or prevent conflict; the UN was never intended to be the World Police. In the case of Thailand, the UN

also has offices in Bangkok, and both the UN and many member states have a mandate to try to

prevenr Thailand from sliding into a violent internal conflict which would be a tragedy both for Thailand and the region.

As other posts have stated, the UN can offer services of mediation in any country. Relevant to Thailand would be former SG Kofi Annan's mediation after electoral violence in Kenya, which resulted in ICC indictment of

Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta. However, for mediation to succeed, both parties must agree to submit to outside mediation, and my understanding is that the PRDC is still opposed to any mediation.

Come what may, rest assured that the international community has many representatives on the ground in Thailand, and is well aware of what has been going on.

BANGKOK: -- The Civil Court on Wednesday ruled the state of emergency cannot be used as a reason for clamping down on the anti-government demonstrators.

whose demonstrations have so far been conducted peacefully.

BUT, what about the peoples rights of freedom to travel and work in some areas. This was and has been STOPPED by the anti-government demonstrators.

What about the freedom to travel and to VOTE in some areas, this was also STOPPED by the anti-government demonstrators.

You, The Civil Court are the Joke of the Year 2014. and do not know anything about the RULE OF CIVIL LAW. Do you? As we all have the Civil right of movement etc......this was also STOPPED by the anti-government demonstrators.

What you, The Civil Court should have mentioned was the Civil disobedience by the anti-government demonstrators taking over and ransacking government offices, and to leave right now all government properties and park your demonstrators in the DEEP SOUTH of Thailand where they came from.

The only good thing came out was, the street food vendors are making funds for their families which helps the poor folks.

I rest my case, me lord/s.

Win

Very opaque ruling indeed! Please note ruling refers to " non-violent protesters" and not " any protesters",

The issue then becomes a definition of " violence" reminiscent of Bill Clinton's definition of "sex",

The problem is that there are a lot of people in this country who are not interested in such semantic

nuances, and who will take the law into their own hands if they see their democratically elected

government further undermined.

Let us hope cooler heads prevail.

Sai tam ya, nah..

This situation is looking more and more like Mussolini's March on Rome. Wonder if Suthep has been reading modern European history for inspiration:

Mussolini said: "Either the government will be given to us or will shall seize it by marching on Rome."

Mussolini, with the partys hierarchy, drew up a blueprint on how to do this.

1. Fascists would be brought into Rome from all over Italy.

2. All-important public buildings would be taken over including those outside of Rome in the important cities in the north.

3. Mussolini would demand the resignation of the government and that a new Fascist government be allowed to take over.

4. Armed Fascists would be near Rome. If the government failed to meet these demands, they would march into Rome and take over by the use of force.

The plan was grandiose if naïve. The military in Rome far out-numbered the Fascists who were poorly armed. Many Fascists only had tools brought with them from farms. Many had the wrong clothing for a party that was trying to seize power.

However, Mussolini gambled on one thing. He believed that the Italian government lead by Facta and the king, Victor Emmanuel, did not want any form of conflict especially as Italy had suffered so much in World War One. Mussolini miscalculated with Facta he wanted to make a firm stand against Mussolini. But Mussolini was correct with regards to the king. Victor Emmanuel was convinced that any form of conflict would lead to a civil war and he was not willing to contemplate that.

And the king basically installed Musso as Prime Minister to avoid further conflict ... and you know where things went from there.

Excellent and thought -provoking post, Not sure the TVF supporters of the PRDC can spell Mussolini, but it would be refreshing if they climbed outside of the suffocating Thai media bubble to find out what the rest of the world thinks of what is going on here. Do they seriously helieve their bete noir Mr. T has bought up the BBC, CNN, The Economist, the Australian, etc etc ???? They refuse to see they are backing a losing horse,

Flee? As usual TVF with another red meat posting title. There's no shame in avoiding an angry mob which should be put at a distance in the first place, but this is Thailand. The angry rice farmers ironically standing alongside and in hand with the very reason for their current difficulties in being paid, the PDRC.

Continues to amaze how the media generally and the haters here on TVF manage to invert a seditious insurrection by illegal actors of a democratically elected government acting in a responsible and genuine manner to maintain the law and the democracy into a cause juste for a gang of criminals and witless advocates of bringing down the entire Thai state down on their own jingoist heads.

Inspired post!!! Well done!

If you are a Japanese investor, and the Chairman of the Board of a Japanese company is attacked, would you want to invest more in Thailand. This will not help the Board of Investment attract more foreign investors.

In addition, official Japanese government position has been very pro-demcracy in Thailand. Cannot imagine Zaibatsu of Toyota heing pleased with this kind of political activity, because its bad for business . Former Japanese Defence Minister Yuriko Koike on Thai crisis:

Who lost Thailand? Yuriko Koike - The Malay Mail Online

www.themalaymailonline.com/what-you.../who-lost-thailand-yuriko-koike

Jan 18, 2014 - JAN 18 Thailand, South-east Asia's most developed and sophisticated economy, is teetering on the edge of the political abyss. Yet, most of ...

These historical hypotheticals can be entertaining, but require some historical plausibility to be truly provocative. The premise here is a bit far-fetched, unfortunately - as the posts would indicate, and the thread is in danger of disintegrating into a barrage of French bashing, which is a bit off-topic. Having lived and worked in a few former French colonies in Africa and the West Indies, I can only say the French legacy of fine gastronomy and romance should not be forgotten.

However, if one wants to discuss a more plausible historical hypothetical: what would have happened if the allies had occupied Thailand after World War Ii? I have heard the Brits wanted to, but the Americans over-ruled them. Does anyone know more abour this?

This post is the most sensible answer I could find on the thread. I have been living here for 7 years, and I have been preparing to move for the past year. I have been working for a large

international organization in Africa trying to patch up what is commonly known as a "failed state", and, while I hardly think Thailand qualifies as one, I think serious efforts at mediation are

required to get both parties to work together for the good of the country. The problem is that I don't see anyone on the Thai scene who could serve as a mediator. While I am no fan

of Mr. Thaksin, anyone with an open mind can see how he managed to win elections; he was offering a large number of people what seemed to be a better deal through improvement

of infrastructure, medical insurance, etc. In this respect, I don't see him as very different from any populist Third World leader, such as Lula da Silva in Brazil.

In most Third World countries, there is a problem of income disparity, with an established elite and an impoverished majority. The difference lies in how the countries handle the income disparity.

In South America, people saw what happened in Cuba and Chile, and went through a long and winding road of dictatorships and new liberal economic policies before the power elite

began to se that the emergence of democratic populism of the Lula brand was a better deal for them than the Fidel or Hugo Chavez brand. As a result, in the 1990'S , a few of the dominant families

began to support Lula, and he was suddenly able to become president. Whether or not this was because Lula " sold out", or because the elite realized change was necessary, is another

discussion. The bottom line was that conditions improved for the great majority of people, there was social stability, and Brazil became an economic powerhouse.

Of course, Brazil still has huge problems and demonstrations , but it is progressing, simply because the opposing parties realized they had to work together and find compromise.

I see one of the big problems here in Thailand is the resistance of some members of the elite to even consider change, and I have been dismayed by the hate speech coming from

the PDRC, as well as their lack of respect for the democratic process. The notion that corruption began with the Shinawatra clan is ludicrous - corruption exists everywhere in the world,

Thailand is hardly exempt from this universal phenomenon. If one wants to have a serious discussion about eliminating corruption, the first step would be to eliminate impunity

and establish a rule of law. And then one would have to decided if the Singapore or the Chinese model was preferable for dealing with the guilty parties.

Unfortunately, I have not seen any plan from te PRDC for reform; instead, it seems they want to create what amounts to a fascist state, without any regard for the views of the majority;

fortunately, the army has widely avoided getting dragged into this conflict, and it was heartening to see General Prayuth voting on election day. He, above all, may be the man to

mediate this conflict before it destroys the country. By the way, Thailand does not live in a geopolitical bubble, and if things disintegrate here, you can be sure outside players

like China will be quick to pounce. Thus far, all countries and international media have supported democracy and the rule of law in Thailand, because there is a lot at stake.

Hopefully, wiser heads will heed this advice and work together to find a solution for the good of the country, There is no alternative.

I've been here for 11 years, and have never seen the people so fragmented. So I believe that things will, indeed, get worse before they get better.

Seajae and others blame all the problems on Preu Thai (Thaksin & Co.) Do I believe they are corrupt? Sure, I think so. Do I believe the Democrats or any other party are clean? Not in a million years! Corruption was a way of life in Thailand for hundreds of years, long before Thaksin came to power. He just figured out how to be more efficient at it, in my opinion.

The Democrats haven't been able to win an election for about 19 years. They were in power from about 2009 to 2011 due to the coup and its outcome. So why didn't they eliminate corruption?? They had their chance, but didn't even try. Was it because they were benefiting as the party in power?

Personally, I think this struggle is simply between the old elite and the new elite over who will have political power, and the benefits that go with it. In my opinion, when Suthep says he wants "reforms" before elections, he means gerrymandering the parliamentary districts so the Democrats will win and Preu Thai is sure to lose. Is Suthep in favor of real reforms? Well, check his past history, and you decide.

In the long run, Thailand has a history of muddling along politically and doing pretty well economically. By doing pretty well, I mean fabulously well for the 20 or so families that reportedly control about 80% of the wealth in Thailand. The rest of the folks are thrown just enough crumbs to get by, some as working poor and the lucky ones as middle class.

I'm settled, have a job, own a home and a couple of vehicles, so I'll just hunker down and try to wait it out while smelling the roses whenever I can. Day to day life is still generally pleasant.

Excellent post - this is the heart of the matter. Conservative and nationalist parties around the world have campaigned hard and some have even won elections. What the Thai " Democrats" are doing is both childish and completely irresponsible, and sill effectively destroy their party's credibility for future elections. If PT are a gang of crooks, make your case to the Thai people and let them be the judge.

What is becoming painfully clear to the worls is that PCRD et consortes have no time for democracy and no respect for the millions of people they claim to represent. As result, PT, in spite of its many obvious problems, will win my default in the court of public opinion and in the eyes of the world.

I would ask all those followers of Thaivisa - shouldn't the Thai Democrats be standing in this election like a respectable political parrty, and shouldn't they try to negotiate with the government - if only for tactical reasons? Their refusal fo do both has been a major political blunder, in my view.

I pray for Thailans!

A decade ago a small but unassuming party started in the UK with only a few seats, today it is contesting most is the 3rd largest has rocked the establishment and is changing the face of British political discussion and policy of the other 2 parties has been forced to change and even to give the people a referendum on Europe could possibly decide if the UK leaves the EU.

THAT is how you affect change on a system, it takes time thats all.

Dont tell me its not worth voting for another smaller party because they cant win, winning is not always the point or goal. PTP is not the only option.

This writer is what he says, an idiot and needs a guide.

Can happily report that down here in Pattaya, business is booming, and there have been no signs of strife. Can also add that you can find some excellent dentists at Bangkok Pattaya, and you can do quite a bit of serious shopping down here as well.

As for Bangkok - well, as other posters have noted, the conflicts are localized, and easily avoided if one takes the time to research the hot spots. Tourism is way down, so you can get good deals at hotels . However, in accordance with the basic travel rule of avoiding ANY country during elections, i would hold off on going to Bangkok until after February 2, when the elections will officially be over! ( hopefully!!!

You have money & an Australian passport, yes i would agree you are a very reckless person

I had 200 baht left when I got on my flight home, so I wasn't going to be bailing myself out of any trouble should some have arisen. I did find Thailand seemingly much safer and friendlier than Sydney though...

the protest have affected me very little.

and if you MUST see a protest site, check out Asoke, seems to be the most tame of the bunch.

Oh haha no I don't want to see a protest - I got caught up in enough terrible traffic last time and made a few poor choices as to where I stayed in Bangkok in Nov/Dec.

I only meant, should I go straight from the airport to Hua Hin or am I ok to go into Bangkok to do a few things i.e. see a dentist, do some shopping.

Thanks for all your responses...sorry to have asked such a silly question.

In addition, Thai police reported today that somehow Mr. Slym managed to ' climb through a small window," which

seems to make an accident less likely. There clearly are major questions here, and one presumes Tata and the insurance companies will be all over this one. Yet another embarrassment for Thailand, since this is one of the best hotels in Bangkok. If I were with the insurance company, I would send in a private investigator immediately, since

Thai police have a track record...

To be continued.

Continued for what? Read the new, it was suicide, possibly of the impulse type one. It does not seem like his widow is out saying it wasn't.

Given the track record of the Thai police in such matters, a rush to judgement in this case would be a bit premature, don't you think?

In addition, Thai police reported today that somehow Mr. Slym managed to ' climb through a small window," which

seems to make an accident less likely. There clearly are major questions here, and one presumes Tata and the insurance companies will be all over this one. Yet another embarrassment for Thailand, since this is one of the best hotels in Bangkok. If I were with the insurance company, I would send in a private investigator immediately, since

Thai police have a track record...

To be continued.

He "fell" from the 22nd floor of the Shangri-La hotel in Bangkok as reported in Bloomberg business news. Tata will be checking details and have the Thai DSI on their toes checking if he had insurance policies, cause of death..etc. The "fall" in a five star supposedly secure top hotel raises issues about safety and security in Thai five stars.

Technically speaking, the attitudes described are xenophobic, rather than racist. Xenophobia simply means hatred of all things foreign, and xenophobia can be found around the world, particularly in insular, poorly educated societies like Thailand. Personally, I don't find Thai attitudes any worse than the xenophobia in Africa towards muzungus in South America towards gringos. Indeed, I find most Thais to be fairly open and friendly - and, of course, very polite, which makes life a lot easier.

The confusion between xenophobia and racism is very common, and can turn minor problems into big ones, because saying someone is racist is a serious accusation. If you are in a European country, and you don't like being surrounded by Moslem immigrants, this does not make you a racist. Racism is an ideology which makes one race superior to another, and is generally associated with 19th century Europe and the big push for colonies around the world was justified on racial grounds. Racism is hardly limited to Europe, however; the Jaoanese have always had a tradition of racism, for example, and I know they have no respect for the Thais, in particular.

Might be interesting to ask your teacher what she thinks of her fellow Asians - you might get an inferesting response!

This puerile style of conversation is fun now because she is attractive, you are tripping to be bantering in a foreign language, enjoying the socialising but it will get stale or possibly even ugly. You need to go beyond this or the relationship will stall.

She is not attractive. Its already become uglyI just have the decency not to respond to her likewise. There is no relationship.

Why didn't you do that back in 2010 when you were PM instead of sending them in to kill the protesters.

Small inaccuracy. Abhisit didn't send the army in to kill the protestors. Also different in that a sizeable portion of the protestors were violent and armed (and dangerous). They also liked playing with fires a lot. I still don't understand their need to burn tires and buildings.

Any time in history, in any country when the gap between the governed and those in pose grows too great you will find social stress to differing degrees being evidenced. Could be in the election of a Thaksin or an Obama in reaction to the feeling of being disenfranchised. Or could be more serious as in the revolutions of 1848 in Europe, the Russian Revolution, etc. dam_n those poor, they just will not stay under the thumb forever! Too bad the Thais don't have the Greek use of ostracism, which broke the political power of those perceived as too dangerous to wield power.

Yes, indeed. Contrary to popular belief, Thailand does not exist in a geopolitical time warp. Here is lucid Japanese perspective about what is currently at stake in Thailand from former Japanese Defense Minister Yuriko Koiike, who clearly knows Thailand very well. By the way, Japan has long historical ties to Thailand,

and has always apprecuated Thailand's support in World War Ii !

http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/yuriko-koike-criticizes-democratic-countries--indifference-to-the-threat-posed-by-the-thai-opposition-s-strategy-of-protest

Excellent post with very constructive suggestions.

As long time friends and allies of Thailand, Japan has a lot at stake here, and a Japanese mediator - or , better yet, arbitrator - would be a good choice,

For a prominent Japanese perspective on the Thai conflict, here is an interesting article by Yuriko Koike, former Defense Minister of Japan, on the geopolitical ramifications

of a divided Thailand:

http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/yuriko-koike-criticizes-democratic-countries--indifference-to-the-threat-posed-by-the-thai-opposition-s-strategy-of-protest

The army and military need to keep their noses clean in this civil dispute and conflict.

With the PDRC losing serious steam and the government more than willing to talk and work out a solution, the current slowdown of confrontation provides an opening to the mainstream leaders of all sides to sit, talk, moderate and find some common peaceful ground.

Abhisit needs today to clearly and publically state his support of discussions by each side while himself stepping aside.

As no Thai appears acceptable to any side or involved group, the Thais are just going to have to accept a cool head outside mediator, perhaps from Japan but certainly not from China. The United States is not acceptable because it has stated repeatedly that it supports the legitimate democratically elected government, which is a strange basis to exclude Washington, but the fact is the US is excluded.

Perhaps the Secretary General of Asean, Le Luong Minh might be someone to consider.

Hmmm... This adds a new dimension to the bunker skit..

stupid move if he does, this is a peaceful protest, nothing more, this will turn it around to suit the ptp very well. He needs to re think this entirely or he will ruin what has been started, this is about the people, not his ego.

It is a stupid move. It is a stupid suggestion, but it has never been about the people.

He is becoming increasingly desperate - threats to close down the SET, blockade Aerothai's air traffic control centre (guarded by the army) to close Thai airspace, and now kidnapping members of the caretaker government. Each is a step closer to anarchy. I only hope that those who are backing him have the sense to see where this is going and stop it now, before he gets his Reichskristallnacht, but I will not wait with bated breath.

FYI, as a retired UN peacekeeper who has served on peacekeeping missions around the world, I think you need to understand UN can only get involved after invitation by government of host country.- be it Timor Leste, Congo, Mali , to name a few. UN has no power, per se - but SG can use his good offices to try to encourage negotiation between opposing parties if he sees a conflict that might get out of hand. By mentioning it in his press conference on Friday , he is letting the players know that the world is watching them. By the way, UN has a big investment in Thailand, and is not a disinterested party. He talks to PM and AV because they have official status, whike Suthep has none, and therefore is not worth talking to, in terms of UN Protocol.

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Good luck asking the stubborn boneheads Abhisit and Suthep to the negotiating table.

Instead the UN should just go ahead and send peace keeping troops.

Can they do that? I mean without asking permission from the Thai military or the caretaker P.M.