Emster23

Seems to me that the only ones who aren't armed (or at least say they aren't) at protest sites are the police. And they are the only ones who should be armed. The world turned upside down here.

A few weeks ago a couple of student's were arrested for similar crime. Did we ever find out what the punishment was? I would guess if 500 baht fine the word got around, as it does in schools. Low risk/punishment cost, high potential payoff. Example that Thai students can learn and apply economics to business situations.

Thai Any culture's musical instruments promote the development of children with intellectual disabilities of all intellectual levels.

Brilliant job. I booked ticket out of country other day. Going to Taliban controlled area of Pakistan, but still will be safer. (Kidding) Going to USA. 7 years ago had to come back from BKK to Jomtien, took 7 hours. We had weekend bags, Thais were cool about realising we were not part of the show, but the farangs were total jerks, as usual. It reminds me of old Star Trek episode where residents of some town went totally nuts one day a year. This of course is much beyond that... Beam me out, Scotty.

"royalist establishment -- supported by the judiciary and the military --"

"now lets see if the reds do the same, maybe they will want to keep going as long as the independant courts...."

Pretty clear that the courts are not independent and that the emphasis now is on a "judicial coup", which may be an improvement over a military coup, but the outcome is the same. Good Ol' Boys back in the drivers seat. Forget democracy.

If toss in luggage, you want small I assume. Lots of good suggestions, esp like extension cords. One thing very difficult to find is wax donuts for seating toilets. They just glue the suckers down and toss wax away, since takes awhile for toilet to 'drift". Ditto for anchor bolts. loctite super glue gel is handy. a small voltage converter can be used for charging and a coffee grinder is about 1/3 or less price here. Cheese slicer? I'll have to think about these... I know I will be bringing back a decent soldering iron, flux and solder. Stuff here is crap.

How about the Nation being sincere about reporting the news, rather than being a mouthpiece. They seem to have forgotten the attack on red shirt gathering at that stadium that got this whole "tit for tat" insanity going. And just where is the proof that Thaksin is pulling all the strings? I admit if he did return he could sue Nation et al for defamation, even if it were true (gotta love that Thai legal system, eh?).

Sad to say that sincerity is much like the smiles we see in LOS. Done for appearances only, nothing real behind it.

Suthep just loves to grandstand. Get Jerry Springer for moderator? If he actually wanted to end the conflict, the meetings should be private. Are the negotiations regarding Syria being broadcast live? No. Why not? They are trying to somehow resolve that mess, not earn popularity points. Suthep has been honing his skills for playing a crowd for several months, and this is just one more op to get ratings.

If she does somehow decide to join this circus, I would advise her to keep pressing him on "What are the details of your plan to reform democracy?", "Would you be in favor of all senators being elected and not appointed, since you say you are for absolute democracy", "Since your side won't trust the voters and elections, having refused to participate in the recent election, how can you say you are for democracy", and "Name your major financial backers"

Oh my head hurts! Where to start? Hmmm ancestors used to fish these waters... really? but they got too polluted. Did you organize, pressure government to clean up waste water? No."It would be difficult" might be the answer. Let me clue you in on something: we in the west faced vested interests that didn't want to clean up, pay fair wages, extend the vote etc. MANY people gave their lives to get those changes. You think those in power give it up willingly? Waste problem didn't happen overnight, but the mai pen rai and never think of tomorrow view ended that fishing.

The argument about rich people getting richer is bogus. Article said people could walk across property for free. And they can't seem to comprehend that many of us prefer to walk over riding, be it motorcycle, taxi or boat. If they charge too much, the boats are floating disasters waiting to happen, etc, then maybe they should change their business model or FIND a New Job!!!!

Extortion, although modeled from the top on down, only works for very short time. As many of us note, people will stop coming to be extorted. The amount doesn't matter for many of us: we just tell ourselves "never again, scratch that place off the list".

I don't why I continue to be amazed by the depth of stupidity shown by some of those in the "service sector" of Thailand.

I'd like to see her counter offer of 1. you present a detailed step by step plan of how you want to reform the government at least 3 days before the meeting 2.You surrender yourself for the warrant for your arrest 3.You release financial details on who is backing your bid for power and how much they have contributed 4.You and your party agree to participate in elections

I wonder how much the graft, er anti-graft panel was paid to fast track this. He who is without sin in this government must be really thick in the head. Like being surprised their are no virgins in a brothel.

Let's see... protestors told police to stay away, under threat of being beaten or worse. Police caved and stayed away. Shootings and grenade attacks and police are blamed for not protecting, told they should be doing their job (like arresting Suthep who has a warrant? Oh, not that part of the job....). Then various posters said cops should be at some unspecified safe distance and screening who can get near protest sites for those who are armed etc. Seems police did that. And now those same posters are again livid because police arrested man carrying some Glocks. Cops for once did their job, and now being defamed for what? Preventing armed trained (I assume) individuals from reaching protest sites. Are the cops supposed to say "Oh, you're navy and on protest side, so okay for you to go in armed to the gills"? Navy seals have no legitimate reason to be allowed to go to protests armed and dangerous.

"Caretaker Premier Yingluck steps down in exchange for an end to the three-month-long protest. That's the easy part. The more challenging next step would be the demand by the Thaksin camp for an amnesty for the former prime minister and a lifting of orders against his assets. PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban has insisted all along that investigations into the Shinawatra family's wealth would be one of the main aims once "people power" had ousted the government."

Easy part? Amnesty bill is long dead. YL is now caretaker, having stepped down.

Note that there is NO mention of any kind of democratic reforms, it all has to do with elites on both sides, but nothing in there about shape of new government. All these "first steps" are about seems to be is how those in power will protect their backsides.

The Nation once more shows they have not the slightest interest in what the common people of Thailand may want.

Suthep's unwillingness to negotiate is a clear unmistakeable signal that he does not have a clue about what democracy is about, and how it works. His fear of letting voters decide by blocking election sites and not running candidates should have been a clue he is just using word "democracy", but by no means wants it. Drop the words "democratic" and "absolute democracy". Both sides have legit grievances, concerns, and valid points of view. Negotiations are the peaceful way to bring those into something resembling reality.

""Let me stress that all Navy servicemen ... are neutral and not involved in politics," the spokesman said in an interview.
The Royal Thai Navy had been previously accused of having a hand in political violence in Bangkok when a group of Navy officers were arrested last month with firearms and ammunition at a checkpoint in Bangkok, along with ID cards for anti-government protest security guards."

And people accepted lame excuse it had something to do with busting drug dealers? How dumb can people get? (I think we will find out soon enough...). Or at least a new benchmark.

The real navy kidnap team is in the officer's clubhouse rehearsing with special playstation I hear...

How about seeing if they can bring back Son of Red Bull while they have the extradition round file open? He seems to have fallen off the radar. I imagine his flu case that so urgently required him to go to Singapore has run it's course by now.......

Some of you more astute trackers can find the article, but when this shut down BKK movement started rolling the police were specifically told to stay away by Suthep et al, and this was underscored by the army. So now crying for the police to come save them, yet were sent them away with threats, well... you made your bed, now sleep in it. I in no way condone this cowardly bs that is going down, btw.

Almost refreshing to see them returning to the usual senseless violence and loss of life, not the recent political mayhem. Return to normalcy I reckon. Those grenades are a hot item on the card tables set up to sell instruments of violence, and to block sidewalks. What's next: RPGs?

I must say I was shocked and surprised by this release. I thought they would project an increase in tourism due to a couple of factors: hotels dropping rates and so many empty rooms. "Come visit Thailand: Plenty of room at the inn!" sort of promotion.

How many of these senators were elected and how many are from the 50% "special appointed" category? Can some of you more into this sort of thing help us out? Remember the terrible reds wanted all the senators to be elected, which would be so undemocratic.... right?

The level of moral development often seen is Kohlberg's level 1, appropriate for around age 3: avoid punishment. No concept of right or wrong.....

He is a disgraceful monk because he is not living by the vows he took for how a monk is to conduct himself. Being a monk is not a part time job. If he wants to go protest, trespass and all that sort of political action, the proper thing for him to do is to resign from the monkhood. As simple as that. But he won't and that is what brings disgrace, both to himself and for honest monks who have taken the vows of monkhood seriously.

So you all think that the women of Phuket are so amazingly strong that they can hurl their boyfriends over the balcony. Most Thai women I've come across just wouldn't have the strength to do that.

The naivety of many of you make me laugh though.

It's all about leverage and surprise. Maybe you haven't been here long? They play hardball here, in case you haven't noticed.

Clearly a notable distinction. "girlfriend for hire" with or without kids to also pay for.

Truly mind boggling the nonchalant attitudes about "compensated girlfriends"

Any thoughts about the gf's that like you because they simply like you, enjoy time together, without being on your payroll ??????

not in thailand when you are 50 plus.

Not true, a weak rationalization for being taken. Find one in her thirties, at least. They usually have a bit of maturity, not so into consumer overdosing, and can see the value of a decent guy. If you are not a decent guy, I would go with the one night stands option: cheaper by far, they don't get to know the full depth of your jerkishness, variety, etc. Do you need a woman 24/7? Physical disability or something?