Emster23

As long as they are going to be turned down (duh) why not ask for true freedom of press and speech? Get rid of that bs defamation law etc? But information is power, and they want all the power they can grab. And it does corrupt absolutely.

9 am, nothing back on local crap cable. 4 1/2 hrs to Aussie football..... "Pleeze massah, kin I hab my footy back? I be good boy"

If the group for "maintaining peace and order" actually meant what they profess to be, first place you'd think they would start have to be PDRC and all those who vowed to shut down Bangkok, have final showdowns, etc. THEY were the ones disturbing peace and order. The reds showed remarkable restraint (as pointed out in international news before that was cut off) but it still didn't stop PDRC sympathizers (the army) from having coup. What kind of reform will be required so that Dems can win election? Each of their votes counts for 3?

Junta wants sweeping reforms before election

This is the good news. Sidewalks and beaches would make a pig blush. Get real trash off the public areas.

Firstly they could offer drink specials like the The Thaskin One drink you become a megalomanic and go into hiding, or then Yingluck get drunk with power and deny anything. Or maybe the Charlem's favorite the Paratooper you jump from building's in search of Suthep. Then they could offer 2 for 1 on bargirls at short time price but keep all night. Or they could use this time to spruce up the dives maybe by cleaning up the bars is a good place to start. Then when curfew is lifted allow bars to be open 24 hours on 6 month trial to help recoup loss money. That alone would increase tourism Brit's and Aussie would be queing up at the bars. Also to solve this rice scam payoff and increase tourism they might want to think about allowing casino's to open in LOS the cash generated from that alone could pay off the farmers in 3 months plus could cover free healthcare and upgrade the school system in Thailand. Besides would piss off Thaskin cause he couldn't get a piece of it. So Win win all around and thats not mentionig jobs and tourist's it would bring in.

You left off the "PDRC backers special" in your drink list. Send the servant out to bring home some single malt. Drink in your mansion. You call the shots. Do not drink in public. Out of sight, out of mind. Strings are being pulled. But if ignorant audience can't see the hands, hey guess the puppets are making their own choices.......

I live in Jomtien. I rarely have a drink, only drugs I regularly use are caffine and nicotine, and don't use the women for hire. And if someone else wants to whore around, drink at 8 in the morning, etc etc that is their choice as long as it doesn't impact me (like running me over, for example). Don't like those people? Fine. Don't be around them. One of the most basic rights is the right to be left alone, especially from those who "know what's good for you" and try to impose that. I would guess that the money sent home by bar girls exceeds that from NGOs and governments, and with no middle men sucking up a good percentage of that cash (thinking of UN lifestyle here...).

Early to bed, early to rise. Easier time doing the ladies for all the old guys.

"When I leave she heads straight to her village.. I know, coz when I call her I can hear chickens in the background.

Also, she looks after hearself very well, coz when I call her middle of the night, she's usually in the bathroom. I love her I do."

Go to Thai markets. Look for "chicken noise making toy", about 300 baht, good investment for the girls. Red flag is "she's usually in the bathroom". Bladder problem? Or privacy from "sleep over"?

OP, as others have said, don't panic. I, too, was here for the 2006 coup and it was business as usual. As Roosevelt said, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." Very true here, now.

I figure "fear itself" can be enough for most people.... haha... Wonder if net will be shut down? That could crash businesses pretty fast....

Gosh I love to hear from the blue nose holier than thou crowd. They get so upset with the idea that somewhere someone may be having fun. I'd like to see the bar girls go after the coup leaders.... then they would have a problem on their hands! Don't want to piss off the lot of their ilk! In for a world of trouble.

Look closely and think out of the box. Why no mention about catching PDRC members? They were the ones pushing for revolution, breaking laws, had warrants? Is all forgiven now Suthep got what his masters wanted? Clearly shows who owns the army here. Hint: it isn't the majority of people here, it is the "bags of cash Paragon types" behind the scenes.

If military were smart they would show the European championship game on all channels tomorrow night, get people on their side. As long as I get to see my footy.... and seems Aussie tv back this morning.

My cable just got shut down (7:30) in Jomtien. How are things in your town?

Well, trying to look on the bright side of this, when TV gets shut down I won't have to read any more posts about how PDRC and friends the army are going to be democratic saviors of this fine land. See you on the other side, if there is one.

Seems only in Thailand that it is news that police are going to enforce the laws. Those of you who slam cops for not protecting protestors (or arresting them either) perhaps can recall that in no uncertain terms Suthep et al told the police to stay away. And then cried because they weren'td being protected....

For all those who supposedly wish to reform Thai government, let us hope that they include freedom of speech and the press in the package. Dear Abby.... the "rational" one in demo camp.... could have dropped the case, but didn't. The press is gagged, debate is stifled. Get rid of ALL those laws related to making public one's viewpoint on whatever subject. Oh, btw, the Colorado item that somehow equates USA laws with Thailand: there is a big difference between being charged (as in that situation) and being sentenced (here and Peru for example). The ACLU would be keen to help defend against those "19th century" laws.

So many warrants out, so many corrupt politicians taking orders from masters on both sides.... almost seems if you arrested all the malfeasors there would be none left out of jail to negotiate.... come to think of it, not a bad idea. Let them "work out their differences" in the prison yard. Thailand would be better off with all the major actors in the monkey house.

Was watching ChannelnewsAsia other day and they said numbers in Thailand down 18%, which still seems to underestimate what I've seen (or haven't seen). Back when younger I used to like to go to places under martial law. Was in Sri Lanka at height of their dust up. Went to some beach hotel, asked how much a room was: "Whatever you want to pay".

I had a prof back when who said something that stuck with me: "Boredom is the legacy of fear". Fear of change? Trying something new? Who cares if you are good at it, pick up a hobby that entails some creativity (drinking isn't one of those for me, btw!). For me it is guitar. Been playing for decades, but always room for improvement. Now that I have new computer just starting getting into recording. That has broad vistas of potential combos of noise. Exercise of some sort is essential. I walk twice a day, about an hour each time. See a group of friends at end of walk (not at a bar.... bars just give me saddness). Read. Write. I enjoy the cyber community of Thai Visa. Try to be not tooo judgemental of others, just accept people and just figure it is part of the parade of life. All this too shall pass.

Anybody want to get back to the subject? He is going to be in deep doo doo if he has no work permit. Taking money from farangs is reserved Thai occupation!

Brings to mind person who drown here in Jomtien after falling off floats to separate maniacs on jet skis from maniacs not on. There are a number of life guard towers up and down the beach. Never seen one with guard inside, or outside for that matter. Must have been built for the kickback.Safety and looking out after guests/customers not the Thai way. Good to see nanny state whingers are alive and kicking. May you have "freedom feeling" when unmaintained or inspected lift takes a fast dive.

Burma railway was built mainly by Asians, contrary to claptrap fantasy flick "Bridge on the River Kwai". More than 100,000 Asians died on that project, only 6 in marked graves. Workers came from all over Asia to be worked to death. Bridge was taken out with early smart bomb, not blown up as per flick (Shot in Sri Lanka, btw).

"My wife is a staunch Red Shirt, and not a picture of Dr. T around. She doesn't like him".

But she does know who finances the Red shirts and is their big boss and they act on his instructions. ?

Ergo she is supporting someone she doesn't like..

And do you know who finances Suthep and yellow shirts? They are not allowed to do what they do because they are such upstanding citizens. They are beholding to those with power too. Stupid to assume if you are red shirt that you are against HRH. Just because yellows make a big deal of their love for monarchy does not mean that red shirts hold 180 degree view from that. The fight purports to be about shape the democratic part of government takes in Thailand. Nothing to do with beloved Royal institutions. Similar to gambit Fox Noos uses of overdoing flag and patriotism to cover fascist viewpoint.

Sad news. Brought to mind Brit phrase "Mind the gap"......

I too lived at inexpensive place in Phra Kanong (2500 a month, maybe 8 years ago). Loved it. Not that difficult to get used to cold showers and no aircon. Real people in real environment. Never a problem with neighbors or roaches. Great food on the street because no one had a kitchen. I looked with dismay when PK started on road to "gentrification". BTW I could afford to rent a much more spendy place, but saw no reason to.