Sherlocke

"EATON" - ?????

Well I suppose this means all the other criminal elements - the vast majority - can relax as the police will be letting them do what they like and simply concentrating on saving the US navy from getting embarrassed by their own homophobia.

"Over the last 2000 years Britain has been completely bastardized. Thailand has a very similar history squeezed into the last 900 years - before then, Thai history is vague."

i think this shows a difference here - the history that in general Thai people are aware o is vague and inaccurate - the UK is one of the few countries that student s encouraged to examine their history and be critical of it - many other "western countries" Oz and US in particular are very fond of heroic story-telling rather than proper history.

(Dates and Kings are not history)

In the UK we have Roman, Viking, French, Norma + + + influences in our buildings (look at our great Noman buidings), language (Roman numerals) and religion (French and Spanish influences), all on a Celtic (German) background... Thailand is exactly the same.

i like the broader view you are suggesting. putting the things in a much wider historical context.

but try doing long division with Roman numerals and than say thanks to the Hindu–Arabic numeral system and a Persian mathematician.

I agree 100%, which is the point I always make to Thais: why deny the strengths in your make-up??? Harking back to a 'culture' which never actually existed while rubbishing the elements that make up your identity is insanity...

The UK became strong because we took in, often were forced to, different words, numbers, phrases, ideas, concepts and everything else. The sooner Thais accept their great heritage as a mix from many different cultures and people, the better they will become and the more they will achieve in the future.

roman numerals: I V X L C D M

'arab' numerals: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 and one of the greatest idea evar, the "0"

nation states and claims of long and strong historical backgrounds, consistency and dating back the origin of 'the nation' ancient as possible and so on - Nationalism itself - that is an invention, ideology in the 18/19 century europe. it's a myth, developed by historian of that time, that became also a political concept.

you are right, if we look more thorough at the past we will find a true polycultural mixture, cultural exchange even in pre modern times, in the mediaeval times, in the ancient world. like you said, evidence we can find in architecture, rite, religion and languages. origin of words.

nationalism can be a plague. nationalistic mindset and stupidity you will found displayed by many people and it start with little things. just like the one who complained that at his return to america the first language he heard was spanish. or the ones that are afraid of a muslim takeover in the UK. the Christianisation wasn't that long time ago, the Windsors are actually of 'german' origin and so on.

if you say that you always make a point to Thais, its kinda a little bit stepping into the trap of nationalistic insanity. the accusation that Thais are übernationalistic is in some extent a projection, an eurocentric viewpoint. partly a supriority opinion and look down on thais with 'how they can dare' in mind and partly a wrong assumption that forms of nationalism in east and west are exactly the same.

never been colonised is still a different thing then not being free of any 'foreign' influence.

relatively speaking it is all a question of perspective.

if an extraterrestrial intelligence would analyse the sytem earth, they could came to the conclusion that in terms of expansion, spread and conquer new living space, sucessful evolutionary strategies and so on - the most prosperous species are nightshade plants like tomato, potato and tobacco plants and Capsicum with its fruit chili pepper. humans their dispersal vector.

i just want to point out another indicator of 'foreign' influence to what many seen as a typical feature of a region or nation - the local cuisine. before 1492 no potatos for europeans and no chili in SEA. but again a different thing and no answer to the question of colonised or not.

good post - one of the few that shows any real comprehension on (cultural) history.

It is sad that people especially on thaivisa believe the myths and constructions that are fed us as history are "facts" or "truths"

I believe the consensus of opinion is that it was the Portuguese who were largely responsible for the distribution of the chili, but if it is proved to that the Chinese had them before this, one will have to review the accepted history of the colonisation of the Americas....funny how a little red seed pod could completely overturn centuries of so-called "history"

Sadly, picking rubbish off thebeach, although it makes a teporary repite, does not address the problem.

where does the rubbish come from?

Maybe they're finally coming to their senses on drugs?

more likely there are behind the scenes activities that would be totally unacceptable in a stable well run legal system.

I'm so glad I plumped for the LX3!

THr British demands for reparations were severely curtailed by the Americans.

on the surface the topic and the question asked would appear to be a non starter.BUT.......................

Our history books tell us what happened in germany in the 1930's also to a smaller degree in england too(moseley's black shirts)and many english people including our royalty sypathised with the nazi's.So nothing is impossible in the future too.

The price of peace is eternal vigilence against these type of people IMHO.

I believe multiculturalism in this world is a no boner,unfortunately.people are scared of differences,of skin colour,religion,etc,anything that stands out as being different,sad really,as that what can make life interesting,accepting the differences.

THe type of "politics" used by these groups is not restricted to the extremes of politics - many govts u8se the concept of "scapegoats" to pull the wool over thegeneral public - the inane comments on immigration expressed by both posters and mods on theis site show how the myths and untruths expressed by the BNP and their ilk are swallowed by more than just the street fodder of these people .

If you walk in the town centre I live (in the UK) every other person you walk past is a foreign EU national, I work for a Company who employes over 250 people and I would say 90% are from other countries, The town is becoming more and more racist and BNP are getting a much larger following, people think that they are talking our job etc... and I can tell you they have all soon clicked on to the benefits game!! They are given vouchers for food clothes, a council house and what ever else is available.

I don't understand politcs or economy but I sometimes wonder if this is a factor why our country is in such a mess? The population in UK is growing rapidly but this is due to foreign nationals.

But back to the orginal post by the op the BNP will never get into number 10, not if the greedy Company directors have anything to do with it because they are getting skilled workers at a knocked down price by employing foreign nationals.

I would just like to point out I am not a racist I have alot of friends who are foreign and I love learing about the culture and back grounds they have come from.

So if I read you correctly - 90% of your work force are EU citizens?

yet they are claiming benefit too?

If the OP was referring to colonisation by Western nations - it wasn't because they didn't "want" to" so much as they didn't need to.As said earlier Thailand was a "buffer" state - this is not uncommon - Afghanistan and Poland have both had the dubious honour of this status at various times in Histroy - they were not as lucky as Thailand though.

The "King and I" is a story (that I believe was banned in Thailand) that originates in an era when many European Countries were sending various delegates to S.E. Asia to try an establish their own domination or at least look after their own interests in that area.

As for colonisation by other regional countries - well just try an define what "Thai" actually is (or is that Siamese?) - mainly the result of repeated invasions and combination of remnants of many cultures as a result. certainly not - as the Thai film and Propaganda industry would have you believe in, some mono-cultural nation unsullied by invasion or colonisation.

A friend and I are planning a road trip around the North Thailand and the Loas/Burmese borders starting mid November

we were wondering if we could make our trip useful.

The that end does anyone know of any orgaisations there that could do with any help at all maybe with transportation or delivery of goods - e.g. medical/educational supplies, books toys etc.

We have only a 4-dr pick up but are willing to avail our services of there is a need.

ASEAN – has aspirations to become the EU of asia – .essentially free movement of goods and labour with a sprinkling of civil rights.

Here's some reasons why that can't happen.........

“ASEAN will be a region where goods and peoples, as well as investments and initiatives can move across the borders without obstacles” - not withBurma involved

“We therefore need to, first and foremost, make ASEAN work for the peoples.”

Not without free mobility of labour – and whatever the problems with other members, with Burma included that can't happen.

“The purposes and the principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, including the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, should be translated into concrete action.” - not with Burma involved.

At present you can't even drive a vehicle across most borders without hassle, bureaucratic corruption and incompetence..........so when do they think this will happen? When will Thailand let alone the other countries get rid of the pervading culture of corruption and nepotism?

They an't even begin to get this off the ground – it will in the end simply be a series of trade deals to make the fat cats in power fatter and more powerful.

everything looked ok to me earlier this year when i visited

interesting - in light of the CWI report and now the place is aofficially a zoo, could you twell us a little more how you came to this conclusion.

how long were you there?

what parts of the place did you study?

what are your conclusions on the breeding program?

It is fairly clear that the flooding in Pattaya is the result of man-made environmental problems.

Streets and buildings erected with little forethought and the drainage infrastructure inserted as a bandaid-like afterthought.

It was not the rain in central Pattaya itself that was the problem, it was the run-off from the hinterland.

I haven't got the figure but I'm pretty sure Singapore has a much higher annual rainfall than Pattaya.

whether the weather is "getting worse" or not is a red-herring as far as Pattaya is concerned

I was referring to " in common with most traders"

However PowerBuy - I understand are part of the"Central" group of retailers - this includes TOPS - so in a way YES - they sell tins of fish.

THe same mentality pervades the entire company - the PoweBuy part would also apply the same tactic to electronic goods - I'm sure you can get my point?

Power Buy - in common with most traders in Thailand tend to put the word "sale" on all sorts of things - it can mean "sell" or "for sale".

Sometimes they put a fallacious higher price on the label too - but you will never find the item for sale at the higher price.

My favorite is the "2 for !" deal on tins of fish - you get two tins for 22 baht....only problem is the previous price of a tin was 12 baht........

What pisses me off about Powerbuy is that regardless of price the staff know nothing about the product and are not able to offer any deals on the purchase.....i.e free cables, discount price...anything....

I beg your pardon but this was a genuine enquiry - you don't seem to have the faintest idea of what I was commenting on so do you mind not making baseless derogatory comments and taking your misplaced sense of humour elsewhere?

I'm sorry but I didn't notice your name on this thread until you made a rather silly comment presumably because you hadn't read my post - I then merely continued your own "sherlocke" joke - I'm sorry if pointing this out has upset you.

The reason for this post is that the laws and the ways they are handled change on practically a month by month basis - as you say there is a TON of stuff on this subject mostly old and largely conflicting - this post was aimed at getting some up to date ideas - which it has v- I don't notice anything new from you though - only a miss-aimed snipe.

"Since you are not married defiantly get an attorney"

Some of us are happily not married, you know!

You're definitely no Sherlock Holmes coz that one whizzed over your head. Perhaps you'd be well advised to spend a few hours reading previous threads in this forum to bring yourself up to speed a bit. That comment was made in reference to the fact that most means of occupying land/house require partnering-up with a Thai national (who will be the actual owner of the property). Of course normally this is a Thai spouse, which reduces the risk somewhat. If you aren't married (and want to pursue these avenues) then that means cozying up to an un-related Thai (at probably greater risk ... hence greater need for a lawyer).

Your only other avenue is buying leasehold (30 years) ... or just renting ... neither of which are necessarily bad choices. But even with the leasehold purchase the services of a lawyer might not be a bad idea to ensure you have the right clauses in place - and that it gets registered ok.

Duh???

DEFIANTLY - ??????

It's elementary! - you obviously are no Watson!

Unfortunately the sales staff at Power Buy have the combined intellect of a demented slug....trying to get any info out of them is pointless as they just don't know - unless they have a real bargain I'd sooner buy elsewhere - I've also had dreadful experiences with their customer service dept.........

One would come to think that after so many years and after the billions of baht that are made and spent in that city that this problem would have been tackled years ago.....

Maybe this is their way of going after the 'high-end tourists' by make it the Venice of the Orient......

exactly my thoughts too ....

while it must be difficult to avoid any flooding, it never ceases to amaze me that the money they make here

(given the number of police checkpoints that check for helmets, driving licenses and insurance for example)

doesn't suffice to finally finish the work on Thappraya Road (where still accidents happen on a daily basis due

to people losing control over their motorbikes on the sand or falling in one of the huge potholes covering it)

or to at least fill up these HUGE potholes on 2nd road between Pratumnak and Pattaya Tai.

I am just waiting until the first victim who run into an accident caused by these obstacles files a lawsuit

against the authorities ... since it seems no one of them gives a sh*t about it.

"file a lawsuit against the authorites...." Did you get off the plane yesterday or the day before yesterday? Hey by the way do you wannt to buy a beer bar? -

Why? you didn't buy one did you?

OR.....

"BANGKOK 11 October, 2009 (NNT) - Public Health Ministry Spokesperson Suphan Srithamma has warned people dwelling in flooded areas to wear clothes that cover all areas of the body to prevent giant leeches.

Mr. Supan said such leech is known to locals as wild water buffalo leech. She cited bio-facts that leeches are normally found in swamps and streams. In time of inundations, they possibly come with flood water. As blood suckers, they can harm locals by worming their way into human bodies.

The spokesperson said that if walking in floods is unavoidable, people are suggested to wear proper clothes with underpants and trousers with full-length legs fastened at both end and also to wrap feet and ankles with plastic bags."

News ID: 255210110034

Reporter : Boonsong Lipimas

News Date : 11 October 2009

a bit more.....

"Leeches pose the greatest threat to health in Thailand during flooding in towns and cities. The flood water brings sewage to the surface from drains. Leeches swept in from country areas cause wounds which become infected. During a series of recent floods across Thailand, many thousands of people became ill in this way. The government recommended wearing jeans and tying plastic bags around the feet to keep the leeches at bay- a low tech solution that would probably help."

THis warning was dug up and a similar one put on the news yesterday...........says more about the politician than the risk I think... (apt name?)

"Permanent Secretary for Public Health Prat Boonyawongvirot (ปราชญ์ บุณยวงศ์วิโรจน์) warns residents living in flooded areas, especially children, of leeches penetrating anus, vagina, and urine tube.

A male in Sing Buri had a leech penetrating his anus and was later saved by a doctor. It is suggested that people should dress properly by wearing underwear and pants with elastic ankle cuffs to prevent leeches, if they have to wade through flood water.

Doctor Prat Boonyawongvirot, who today visited mobile medical units aiding affected villagers in Sing Buri, said the man was recovering. He warned children not to play in flood water due to leeches.

Dr Prat said further that leeches are bloodsucking animals. They live in still water such as swamps or streams. There are two kinds of leeches which are hirudinaria manillensis and the limnatis species. The latter type of leeches can get into eyes, noses, and mouths if victims drink or use water to wash their face in streams where leeches inhabit. The animal can enter throat, alimentary canal or windpipe quickly. The symptoms expected are nose bleeding and coughing or vomiting with blood which make patients lose much blood. A leech in nasal cavity causes a long period of headache and short of air to breathe. In addition, leeches can get through vagina, anus, or urine tube of those bathing in a stream.

News ID: 254910080020

Reporter : Chindarat Bovonboriharn

News Date : 08 October 2006