amarka

Rather than taking the opportunity to take a swipe at the Thai approach to the problem of the Rohingya people can anyone suggest an alternative? These are an Islamic people. They were heading for an Islamic nation. Send them to Malaysia or Indonesia? Do they want them?

Do you want them going to the UK, Australia, US etc?

No I thought not. So, what to do? Send them on? Send them to the Muslem insurgents in the south of Thailand? Send them back?

How many Brits would like to send teh Muslems in the UK back to Arabic states?

See, it isn't as clear cut as you think.

hi..

no it is not clear cut, i think you are right.

the UN has failed in so many conflicts and is at least incompetent, if not worse. why should the thai government have to take orders or advise from them...

The UN has been "working" on the palestinian problem now for some 50 years... never mind Dafur... the day of the massacre in srebinicia was the final day of any beleif i had in the UN

the UN has nothing to offer here and the thai's know what they do not want.

amarka

THAI cut domestic, international prices

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) is cutting domestic airfare in between 45-55 percent from market price while dipping ticket price for international routes up to 50 percent, aims to stimulate traveling in first quarter this year.

"This is the first time the airline offers such extra lower airfare," Chris Chantalitanon, director area for Thailand, Indochina and Myanmar , said Wednesday.

-- The Nation 2009-01-21

Book your air tickets here::

http://travel.thaivisa.com

Still waiting for the so-called discounts to show on the Thai web page or here in my local travel agent in Crete. Haven't shown up yet (22 January 2009).

Finally went ahead and booked an economy return ticket Athens to Bangkok on Turkish airlines. Cost was 1,160 Euro including a 50 Euro local ticket on Aegean airlines from here in Crete to Athens and return (all taxes included). 3 hour layover in both directions. Cheaper fares available Athens to Bangkok but with 12 hour layovers in middle east. Direct flight on Thai international Athens to BKK, but about 400 Euro more. Will be may first trip back to BKK in almost a year.

Just for info: the 3 choices I have here from Athens to BKK are Olympic airlies (Greece), Thai International, or Turkish Airlines. Gulf air and Emirates run through Dubai or Bahrain, will long layovers there.

Will make notes on how Turkish air service/food/etc. is and post on forum when I get to BKK. leaving here 16 Feb.

hi...

Outbound Flights (Athens, Greece - Bangkok, Thailand / Thursday, February, 12, 2009)

Airline carrier From To Flight No. Depart Arrive

Thai Airways International Ltd Athens Bangkok 947 16:00 February 13, 06:30

Return Flights (Bangkok, Thailand - Athens, Greece / Monday, February, 16, 2009)

Airline carrier From To Flight No. Depart Arrive

Thai Airways International Ltd Bangkok Athens 946 00:25 06:35

Ticket type: Electronic

Base price per 1 passenger excluding taxes : Adult - 295.00 EUR

Total ticket price for all passengers including taxes and service fee 510.54 EUR

Return via athens 510.54Euros - same day you want to fly. direct flight from athens with Thai.

amarka

If he wants to fight the case, he should return to TH and do it in person

....... and face a corrupt legal system that has already made up its mind......

….. just read the recent articles written by the economist newspaper and you can see what is really going in thailand… and why Thaksin is being persecuted….. unfortunately these comments are not allowed to be published in thailand or on this forum... but a quick google will help!

If he wants to fight the case, he should return to TH and do it in person

....... and face a corrupt legal system that has already made up its mind......

//snipped

hi...

"Immigration Police Commissioner Lt Gen Chatchawal Suksomjit confirmed Friday that Pojaman Shinawatra will return to Bangkok at about 10 pm Friday night.

Chatchawal said immigration police had no arrest warrant against Pojaman so she would pass through normal immigration procedure."The Nation

so if there was no arrest warrant, then there was no need to arrest her. the court is doing its job her sentence is pending appeal. where are the surprises? the current case against her is already in the court.

she never jumped bail in thailand she was already out of the country, so her bail conditions obviously included allowing her to travel, now she is back. so what did she do wrong?

amarka

As a seeker of truth and justice it is clear to me that the international community will defend democracy in Thailand by taking their money and investment elsewhere.

Capitalist nations, under the guise of "Global Economy", will take their money whereever they get the most bang for their buck, no matter what the political climate is. They will keep trying to keep their sweatshops open in poor countries like Thailand and will continue to take advantage of the people of this Nation :-(

Western Sex tourists and Pedophiles will continue to come to Thailand by the millions, unless there is a government to start protecting it's people against exploitations.

While Auto workers sit on welfare in the US, wondering what happened to their jobs, the Thai Auto industry will thrive

As for the few disgruntled foreigners, who do nothing but complain, if they want to go back to their countries, good riddance!

Some of us here love Thailand, Love HM and support the PAD in their struggle to wipe out corruption. Even though this may be a long struggle, since corruption is so widespread and largely tolerated in this country. We can win against it, one Court case at at time, one ousted government at at time.

Things won't change all at once, overnight. There is no magic pill. These are growing pains. Shutting down an airport for a few days to get rid of a violent, corrupt government, is not the end of the world. My boss used to say.."any news is good news" and I believe that. This conflict has put Thailand on the map. People who have never thought of Thailand as a place to invest in or to go to on holidays, may consider it, after this conflict is over.

Kurt Gruen

http://www.chiangdao.org

oh my god!!!!. please visit the webpage for brainwash at its best.

By the way, before people flame me, i do not agree with thaksin and i do not want him back running the country, but .........not allowed to say more on this forum.

unbelievable

regards

Sorry Kurt,

But Thailand used to be known as the land of smiles.....

It does not need to be known as the land of thugs, villains and lawlessness...

Blame is only a poor excuse

The business leaders of Thailand will be expected to absorb the financial problems from the seizure of Thailand’s main airport.

After suffering losses over the years, from problems relating to bird flu, SARS, then the horrific tsunami, businesses large and small are now reeling from this latest unnecessary financial loss

People like me, both foreign and Thai will be expected to pay wages and costs, even though our income is drying up. Furthermore we shall be expected to compensate our clients, even though we are not at fault.

My Thai staff will expect to be paid and also expect to keep their jobs – it’s also not their fault!

What should we business people do?

I love Thailand and its people and do my best to respect the country and its culture, I have also offered significant personal financial support ( especially after the tsunami ) and investment over the years and more planned...... now for the first time I am beginning to think if I have made a mistake over the last 10 years....

I am not the only person wondering about Thailand in this way …..

Yes I know this will pass – and I realize we have to be patient, but this is a man made disaster and not a natural disaster and therefore, could have been avoided

There is no longer any rule of law in Thailand, the Government is being ignored, and this does not furnish foreign investors with any confidence at all, indeed we are on the brink of a coup, military or de-facto – it’s the same

Never mind the reasons for the occupation of the airports, there are courts who should decide who is at fault, and once groups and thugs start taking things into their own hands, from whichever side, then we all lose – but Thailand loses most.

The occupation of the main airports is illegal and has ruined Thailand in many peoples eyes and the damage to the economy and the reputation of Thailand is staggering ………… and to top all of this off with a coup, Military or otherwise, will just bury us all 10 feet lower than we are already

"Two MPs from Lop Buri, Suchart Lainamngern and Amnuay Klangpha, predicted that more than 100,000 redshirt crowds would turn out to rally by Tuesday in order to counter the PADl ed protests.

Somchai remains uncertain whether he can attend ceremonies ..............

He insisted that the government refused to step down either by resigning or by House dissolution because this would tantamount to allowing the victory to the PAD"

source: The Nation

i hope this is all over by tuesday.... looks like tuesday is going to be a very bad day if it isnt...

PAD - People Against Democracy

I think the following statement from the Asian Human Rights Commission is calling a spade a spade. (I apologize if this statement has been posted before.)

THAILAND: Watershed moment for democracy and rule of law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AHRC-STM-298-2008

November 26, 2008

A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission

THAILAND: Watershed moment for democracy and rule of law

The takeover of the main international airport in Bangkok by protestors going under the banner of the People's Alliance for Democracy is a watershed moment for democracy and the rule of law in Thailand. It follows some months of increasingly aggressive strategies to get the current government to resign and to block it from making amendments to the 2008 Constitution, which was prepared under the watch of the 2006 military coup leaders and their supporters and pushed through via a deeply flawed referendum.

Alliance members have since August gone from merely occupying spaces like roads and parks to occupying public buildings, in particular, the Government House. Organised armed "guards" have defended their positions both from opponents and from state security personnel. They have also illegally obtained and openly carried an array of manufactured and homemade weapons, including guns from caches that had reportedly been kept in the government premises. They have illegally detained other citizens. They have vandalised, destroyed and stolen public and private property. In the last day or two it has been reported that in addition to occupying the Suvarnabumi airport they have seized busses, and have refused to allow police into the airport to investigate explosions there during the night. They are now reportedly preparing for the latest phase in the "final battle", which is supposedly being instigated under codenames like Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the cities on which the United States military dropped nuclear bombs at the close of World War Two.

The alliance has exhibited a number of features that from past lessons of Thailand and other countries around the world pose grave dangers to the future of the country's imperilled democracy. Of these, the following can be said.

1. They spring from a far-right ideology that has for decades driven successive military-bureaucratic administrations in Thailand, which dramatic changes to political and social life of the last two decades have increasingly threatened.

2. Their coordinated attacks and actions on the pretext of self-defence and national interest are designed to cause a widespread feeling of insecurity and uncertainty and allow reactionary elite forces to push Thailand back to a 1980s model of "half-sail" semi-elected government.

3. The alliance leaders have occupied the public space and forced people throughout Thailand to either take sides for or against them, or to opt out completely, thus alienating millions of people and denying them the opportunity to have a say on the key political and social questions of their time.

Some commentators and opponents of the alliance have described its agenda as fascist. This is not an exaggeration. Experience shows that the types of systemic changes and regimes that follow such movements, although they may not describe themselves as fascist, have fascist qualities. Indeed, successive dictatorships in Thailand's modern history appreciated, expressed and used many fascist symbols and policies, and the residue of these can be found in the language and behaviour of the alliance leaders today.

If these events are allowed to continue, and it is self-evident that they are being allowed, they will effectively undo everything that was done to build a culture of democratic rights and participation in public life in Thailand during the 1990s. The damage that they are now in a position to effect will surpass anything of that caused by the ousted government of Thaksin Shinawatra, and could even provoke a greater disaster than the 2006 coup and scrapping of the 1997 Constitution. Whatever institutional and legal gains were made in the last decade or two will be undone.

Already, the criminal justice system of Thailand has been reduced to an utter joke, its agencies and personnel either unable or unwilling to intervene effectively to protect public property and people's lives, or even prosecute wrongdoers. That the security forces can carry out coups on the whimsy of generals and engage in battles over trifles with those of neighbouring countries but not responsibly protect the Government House or international airport is sheer farce. That government agencies have been forced to negotiate and cut their losses rather than insist that the law be enforced is dangerous folly. And that the senior judiciary, which through a succession of highly politicised judgments has played a major part in contributing to the current mess has nothing useful to contribute when lives are at stake and the country is in greatest need of intelligent guidance is altogether shameful.

Peaceful protest is not only a part of democratic process; it is integral to it. But the rallies and blockades in Bangkok of recent days, weeks and months have not been peaceful. Nor can they properly be called protests at all, as they are not merely demonstrations of a wish, but acts aimed at achieving goals at all costs. And the costs to Thailand have already been very high. They will get higher, and be felt in terms of the lives and liberties of all people in the country if they are not brought to an end. All people in Thailand have a right to oppose this ultra-conservative project for state dominance at their expense.

The Asian Human Rights Commission especially takes this opportunity to call for far greater global attention on events in Thailand, which have passed for these few months without any discernible reaction from international bodies, especially the United Nations. Having vacillated on the 2006 coup the world community cannot afford to this time let things just go on without some meaningful intervention. If Thailand slips further backwards it will be to the detriment not only of its own millions but the entire region. At a time that repressive anti-democratic forces are either making comebacks or strengthening their positions almost everywhere, Thailand cannot afford to be lost.

# # #

About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation monitoring and lobbying human rights issues in Asia. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.

Posted on 2008-11-26

I'm not allowed to post the URL, so you have to paste it yourself:

www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2008statements/1779/

yes - a good post and underlines the vast majority of the international and thai opinion.

like i have said 100 times already the military is behind PAD

PAD is only a front

Folks .. these BOMB attacks are terrorism ... sitting in at an airport are not! Sitting in at an airport is civil disobedience!

They're not just sitting at the airport, you know. They have taken it over, rendered it unoperational and attacked the police. They even took one hostage.

Think about it, would people just "sitting in at an airport" be armed with wooden stakes, sling shots, iron bar etc. By their own words, they're staging the "final battle".

It's far more than civil disobedience. It's an act of terrorism. It's an act of treason. Yes, treason because that's exactly what trying to overthrow you're own government is called.

yes this is treason.. you are right.

they are disregarding the police, the government and the courts...

so in the end there can only be one outcome

You don't seem to see what's coming the OTHER direction.... Watch out.

oh i can see it alright

there is only one way all this is going

Folks .. these BOMB attacks are terrorism ... sitting in at an airport are not! Sitting in at an airport is civil disobedience!

They're not just sitting at the airport, you know. They have taken it over, rendered it unoperational and attacked the police. They even took one hostage.

Think about it, would people just "sitting in at an airport" be armed with wooden stakes, sling shots, iron bar etc. By their own words, they're staging the "final battle".

It's far more than civil disobedience. It's an act of terrorism. It's an act of treason. Yes, treason because that's exactly what trying to overthrow you're own government is called.

yes this is treason.. you are right.

they are disregarding the police, the government and the courts...

so in the end there can only be one outcome

most of the military are behind PAD and that is why PAD dare do this

the last military coup was ended by the generals and they agreed to new elections only because they thought the democrats would win

the PPP in fact won the last elections and are currently the elected government of thailand

the army refuses to support PPP and even threatens another coup

now the army is behind proceedings to ban and dissolve PPP via the courts

there is also talk of changing the constitution so that future elections will be tilted towards the democrats

the police are afraid to use force because of the military

the PPP and its supporters will react violently if there is an attempted military coup

most of the military detest thaksin

if the PPP come through this they will surely purge the military and many generals fear this

it seems to me that the military are the real problem in thailand and they in fact want to install their very own puppet government

the PPP in fact won the last elections and are currently the elected government of thailand

Yes and that is why next week they will all be looking for new jobs after being found guilty of corruption.

now the army is behind proceedings to ban and dissolve PPP via the courts

Not True...The military does not control the courts....it was HRM that reminded the courts some months ago that they are the last hope of the citizens, and they must do what is right, and withing the law. It was unheard of prior to this time, when Pojamans cousin (and attorney) along with 3 other of his staff were summarily put in prison for "Contempt of Court" for trying to pass off a candy box containing 2,000,000b just prior to Pojamans trial. They will be out on Dec 25.

there is also talk of changing the constitution so that future elections will be tilted towards the democrats

To the contrary, this whole protest that is currently disrupting the airports came about because the PPP trying to change the constitution to allow the TRT party back into play and get rid of the 5 year penalty for being found guilty of political corruption.

the police are afraid to use force because of the military

Until the courts have finished with the PPP no side is going to risk being on the wrong side. Both will sit this out.

the PPP and its supporters will react violently if there is an attempted military coup

The PAD protest peacefully, the PPP react violently

Nice try at spin....and I am sure who ever you work for appreciates your efforts, but your "facts" just do not pass the smell test.

i don’t work for anyone and i have my own point of view

you are obviously a PAD and have your own point of view

the military is supposed to be accountable to the elected government and they are not because they want to control the country - its just plain obvious

Corruption and so forth can be dealt with via courts, there are procedures already in place

yes the courts should support the citizens and the courts have decreed that the PAD occupation of the airports is illigal and they should move out immediately

the protest now is because the PAD want power and the military support them

PAD are not peaceful

call it spin if you like, i call it opinion and its not just mine, most thais and the vast majority of the international community are sick of you guys

most of the military are behind PAD and that is why PAD dare do this

the last military coup was ended by the generals and they agreed to new elections only because they thought the democrats would win

the PPP in fact won the last elections and are currently the elected government of thailand

the army refuses to support PPP and even threatens another coup

now the army is behind proceedings to ban and dissolve PPP via the courts

there is also talk of changing the constitution so that future elections will be tilted towards the democrats

the police are afraid to use force because of the military

the PPP and its supporters will react violently if there is an attempted military coup

most of the military detest thaksin

if the PPP come through this they will surely purge the military and many generals fear this

it seems to me that the military are the real problem in thailand and they in fact want to install their very own puppet government

the whole world is watching india right now.....

very soon the whole world will be watching thailand, and that includes the good guys and the bad guys, i wonder how many bad guys are choosing their next terror location right now.

looking for an easy target where the police have no power and the military refuse to follow orders from their political leaders....

plenty of soft targets in BKK and plenty of very willing helpers close by.... plenty of westerners here too.....

the inaction of the thai police and the refusal of the military to aid the governmemt is sending exactly the wrong message to the wrong people at the wrong time.....

the sooner this mess is cleared up the better - for thailand...... this is not just simply a national issue any more!

PAD are holding the ace card

Send in the police and we will cause enough damage to keep this Airport closed for weeks.

thats a great idea..... wonder who thought of that...

unfortunately there is only one way out of this terrible situation now and those people who took the airports illegally are going to pay a very heavy price!

amarka

Just felt that I had to add something after reading the 13 pages of this thread.

The other day I was on the sky train in Bangkok passing some factories at lunchtime.

One of them had a game of football with one team wearing red red shirts and the other team wearing yellow shirts.

If only this could be settled with a game of football.

hi -

nice idea..... or even over a cold beer....

my round!

amarka

why is there no TV feed? just ads? has it kicked off?

http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/

LOL, love the elevator musack!

we interupt this seige for a word from our sponsors...

hi -

"The emergency decree orders the police to restore order and gives the military the right to help to "restore order, allow the suspension of civil liberties, ban public gatherings of more than five people and bar the media from reporting news that causes panic."

amarka

I doubt they clear the airport any time soon.

Does anyone here think the army or police will do this?

Meltdown continues

I think they will, possibly around 2am or 3am, when most of the PAD are sleeping.

what you think they are going to surprise them?

amarka

hi - the current government has no power....

we can all see that - they have no power because the military ( most of it ) supports PAD and will not move against them. PAD dissobeys the law and the court rulings. the police do not carry out the orders of the ruling government.

the police are afraid to move because they fear the military - a bloody confrontation between PAD and the police will give the military a perfect excuse to step in....

even worse not all the military support PAD and not all the police are against them either....

so when voilence does break out - and unfortunately it will, sooner rather than later, then this will be one big bloody mess and i doubt very much that there is any chance at all for a bloodless coup this time.........

just watch the taxi drivers attack the PAD as soon as the police move in.....

i hope i am wrong!

amarka

Well looks like he is not so intelligent after all and will just cow tow to his Brother in Law after all. With the apparent refusal to follow the "suggestion" by the general to disolve parliment he shows his apparent indifferance to the good of the country. Guess his personal security rating has increased by 10 fold.

Anyway as the saying goes " come today coup tomorrow". Hopefully when that happens convicts and their families, banned MP's and their families and relatives will not be allowed to stand for parliment for their lifetimes.

Given the censorship being displayed on this forum I wonder how long my comments will be allowed to remain - it makes you wonder what self interest groups are involved here also !

What censorship are you talking about? You are free to write your opinion like everyone else...

To favour a coup really shows your view on democracy. To think the Sondhi and PAD are saints shows you dont understand just how much the latest airport protest is effecting many sectors of Thais economy which is already starting to suffer because of the global downturn. Not to mention businesses that are dependant on airport links for their operations. A few thousand people are doing a lot of financial damage for 60 million people.

hi...

yes the tail is wagging the dog here and setting a very bad example.

all thugs - bullies and anti democratic.

in the eyes of the world thailand is now not a good place to be and that can only mean very bad news for ordinary thais trying to earn a living.

amarka

The Nation: 18 Nov 2008

Fugitive ex-PM Thaksin to declare his return to politics

Convicted ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra will declare his return to politic and his eye-for-an-eye fight with his enemies next month in a controversial mobile TV talk show, People Power Party's MP Jatuporn Promphan said Tuesday.

"Khun Thaksin will announce on December 14 that he will return to politic to fight to defend his name. He will no longer stand still. He decided to come out to fight as he did not want to be attacked and cornered any more," Jatuporn said in an exclusive interview with The Nation.

"Thaksin will no longer wait to be attacked, he will fight back by all means, particularly by eye-for-an-eye strategy, from now on. Khun Thaksin now believes that the only way for him Thaksin to survive and to live is to fight for his name," Jatuporn said.

The announcement will be made in the Kwamjing Wannee Sanjon (Mobile Truth Today) to be held in Supachalasai National Stadium on December 14. The programme has been rescheduled from December 10 after the organisers learnt that the stadium is scheduled to host an Asean football competition on December 9-10.

Jatuporn also said the main reason Thaksin divorced his wife, Khunying Pojamarn, was because he decided to return to politics.

"Khun Thaksin and his wife had decided earlier, after the coup d'etat in 2006, that they would divorce if he decided to return to politic. It is a promise between them. So they decided to divorce now that Khun Thaksin will return to politics," he said.

"However their divorce does not mean that they are no longer in love," Jatuporn said.

amarka

if the foreigners making these comments are really dedicated to living in thailand, then they should remember that they are guests in thailand and whilst making comments is everyone’s right, they should use a little bit more judgment and respect and keep the pub talk in the pub.

amarka

Think you need a reality check there amarka - considering the context of the thread has turned to debating free speech in Thailand, what you are advocating is en-mass censorship and gagging of a portion of the resident population who in general are far more highly educated and globally aware than their hosts. By suppressing the voices of the resident "guests" you are also suppressing the opportunity for Thais to learn from those they are so envious of at so many different levels.

You also need to revisit the dictionary regarding the definition of guests (and how their treatment defines the difference between guests and mere visitors). Guests are invited, welcomed, and taken care of. Visitors may be invited and welcomed (not always) but are otherwise left to their own devices - much like I would suggest, the vast majority of expats on this forum. Thailand is fantastic at inviting, welcoming, and entertaining guests while they are cash-rich, know-nothing, only-interested-in-sanook, tourists, or while they are cash-injecting, job-creating, company forming, investors. Once they become know-too-much, think-too-much, earn-too-much, too-valuable-to-their local-Thai-economy, successful expats, then they are less welcome and indigenous jealousies and prejudices emerge, and the "guests should know their place" line you spouted gets trotted out.

In other words, Thailand wants you as long as you play dumb, throw money around like water at Songkran, and do not attempt to understand what happens around you. For educated cognitive westerners, that last point is near impossible, just as it is nigh impossible for them to remain silent when witnessing injustice, nepotism, corruption, and an obvious failing of duty. If Thailand wants to invite guests into the country, then the least courtesy Thailand could offer is to learn to understand the culture and nature of those guests - do you invite a lion to play with your children without first knowing if the lion has fed recently?

Note that in the above I referred to Thailand, not to Thai people. Generally, away from the elevated-beyond-their-ability hi-so's and policy makers, the Thai people are very warm and welcoming, but strictured by laws and national prejudice thumped out constantly by the vested interests who control the kingdom's purse strings. If you doubt that, consider the very simple example of property ownership - countries like the UK welcome foreigners and allow them to buy LAND and property anywhere in that kingdom, for any purpose, whereas Thailand allows what?

Perversely, in 2001, one of Thaksin's earliest attempts at legislation was to gain permission for foreigners to own land within Thailand. He got shouted down by the xenophobic traditionalists and old guard, and from that attempt came the law regarding the 30+30 year renewable land leases, and eased ability for foreign funded companies to buy land via the BOI system - why do you think the junta (post 2006) tried to amend and squeeze those concessions out of the foreign business act? Who exactly do YOU think pulls the strings in legislation forming today? When that legislation involves Khon Farang, it isn't Thaksin, nor is it any of the sitting cabinet.

---------------------------------------

Who was it (above) proposed merging the yellow shirts and the red shirts to create orange shirts of national unity?

I guess they skipped the first page of the thread, where it was discussed whether or not Thai hi-so's displayed Buddhist qualities, and I guess the proposer forgot that a large number of Thais also wear orange on a daily basis? Whilst those have the supposed ability to bring national harmony and peace, remember it was a monk who schemed for the replacement of King Taksin with General Chakri, and you should not remember recent saffron-led attempts at national harmony measures - occupying Government House in a call for the total banning of alcohol and tobacco - I guess the learned ones did not study early 20th Century American history (and the facilitating legislation for the rise of organised crime)? Ah - forgot, that doesn't apply here as organised crime governs the country already. Eh?

Gaz

Edit - corrected 1st line of last paragraph to "first page" instead of "first post", and inserted a few commas further up

hi Gaz....

what i said was "and whilst making comments is everyone’s right, they should use a little bit more judgment and respect and keep the pub talk in the pub"

i never said foreigners never had the right to speak - in any country - and i am not advocating censorship or gagging...

i am saying try and keep it a bit more honorable and not so much cheap trash - thats all..

amarka

hi...

yes this is amazing.

thailand is split down the middle about 50/50 for and against thaksin, so there will be no easy resolution - no matter what the courts decide...

this is a politial problem and can only be solved by political means,

all the stupid commens from the farang thaksin haters are just pouring petrol on the fire and will achieve nothing but hate and contempt. what do you want to achieve? a civil war? thailand split into 2 nations?

this is a thai problem and a very serious one indeed... the problem is not even close to being resolved and in the meantime thailand suffers...thaksin has an agenda and he is far from finished - and what does that mean for thailand, only more problems i am afraid.

i dont know what the solution is, but i do know hate talk and stupid comments will not solve any problem.

amarka

Foreigners who post their points of view on a forum dedicated to foreigners living in Thailand will cause Thailand to split into two and achieve a civil war? Yes, it's a Thai problem. No, people posting their views is just that. Even if anyone here had the solution, it wouldn't matter anyway.

no the comments will have no affect at all........... but its the style - or lack of it and the unnecessary sadistic tones to the remarks....

if the foreigners making these comments are really dedicated to living in thailand, then they should remember that they are guests in thailand and whilst making comments is everyone’s right, they should use a little bit more judgment and respect and keep the pub talk in the pub.

amarka

hi...

yes this is amazing.

thailand is split down the middle about 50/50 for and against thaksin, so there will be no easy resolution - no matter what the courts decide...

this is a politial problem and can only be solved by political means,

all the stupid commens from the farang thaksin haters are just pouring petrol on the fire and will achieve nothing but hate and contempt. what do you want to achieve? a civil war? thailand split into 2 nations?

this is a thai problem and a very serious one indeed... the problem is not even close to being resolved and in the meantime thailand suffers...thaksin has an agenda and he is far from finished - and what does that mean for thailand, only more problems i am afraid.

i dont know what the solution is, but i do know hate talk and stupid comments will not solve any problem.

amarka

This is a pretty amazing thread. I do love Thai Visa because it brings out the best in people. The haters remind me of the witch burnings in Salem, Massachusetts combined with modern conspiracy theorists. I smell the blood but I have to wonder where is all the hate going to be focused when Thaksin goes down? These people should look at the big picture and focus some of this energy on helping the Thai people in some way. One should realize that Thaksin is on the run and will eventually get his due. Do any of the haters realize that if Thaksin is brought back or surrenders to serve jail time that event will be more divisive, polarizing the common Thai, more than anything else possibly could?

hi

if you add up the cost to the average income (U.E ) of the increase in the oil price we have the following;

fuel price = 100 euros a month

food prices = 100 euros month - higher raw materials and transport costs

other costs = 100 euros month - basically anything else you buy.....especially if you have a home to maintain...

take this money out of each persons pocket each month and you have the following scenario

take home pay 2,000 euros

rent/mortgage 600 euros

food /other 600 euros

utility bills 400 euros

car 200 euros

credit cards 200 euros

increases as above 300 euros

balance per month -300 euros = mortage not paid...... means banks not paid,means insurance companies pay defaults and banks run out of cash = credit crisis = higher % loan rates and so on.....

now the oil price has sunk the financial situation will cure faster than central bank intervention...

oil price decrease puts money in everyones pockets fast....

sorry for the simplicity of the equation.... but sometimes simple things are responsible for large movements in liquidity.

cash is king

amarka

The dollar may be down, but it is not out. Right now demand for U.S. treasuries is strengthening the USD. The European economy is in far worse shape than the American economy. Believe or not many investors are dumping their euros. I am not saying this out of patriotism. It's just reality

Your right, the dollar is still a rock in the currancy world !!!

The £pound to the $USD has collapsed, along with the Euro and a host of other currancies! And that is the problem with the £, and the $AUS for instance, to Thai Baht -- because the Thai's are holding the Baht to the $USD, hence the $USD still converts at 34 B

before this upheaval. when the £ was equal to $2 - the exchange rate was around 68 B = £1

However the Thai financial systems are not to blame for the weak £, it's has been caused by a whole raft of problems such as:- The soaring price of oil, that scared 50% of British industry into pulling back from any investments.

The credit crunch - that scuppered the investment plans of the other 50%.

The frightening sounds made by crashing financial institutions in Britain and around the world.

But I blame the greed of the oil producers that sat back smirking whilst the price of oil soared. they kicked off the whole lack of trust scene that escalated into the crisis that we now have.

Oil prices affect much more than the price of petrol. It affects most plastics (a by- product of oil). it affects Mineral oil - prices were raised to double, and more, to maintain parity as an alternative fuel for transport and heating. and basically everything else that is transported from "A" to "B" became more expensive because fuel costs and therefore transport costs rocketed.

Will Thailand be affected by this world crisis?? --- Without a single doubt.

Are Thailands banks safe?? -- Safe as the bank of England mate!