thaigene2

Samuian

I agree, far too many posters don't know or don't care about the truth - they just want to push their own narrow minded views.

The brainstorming session on the ideas for new politics will kick - Now Is Time for New Politics

TOC

Chamlong said he’s confident that the so called “clapping hands army” will be the people that bring about phenomenal changes to Thai politics.

Almost every PAD protesters have equipped themselves with a plastic toy in the shape of hands in bright colorful colors. When jiggled, the plastic hands will, in effect, clap and make appropriate clapping noises. The PAD protesters who have been protesting for over 100 days would instead jiggle the hands to clap when they agree with what is being said on the stage instead of using their hands to clap, thus earning them the title the 'clapping hands army.'

...Since they've been conditioned since birth to clap on demand..

Col has always been very pro-TRT/PPP, no-matter what he claims.

His lack of understanding that one cannot treat two bad sides equal, if one is in power, is especially noticeable. It's not a balanced equation.

And he likes to paint anyone that doesn't like TRT/PPP as pro-PAD (as so many others, like YH, PD), without realizing that during the second world war many different groups of ideology was part of the overall underground resistance network against the nazi occupation of France. It doesn't mean the liberals liked the communist groups, it just means one had to co-operate to get the current evil out of power. Deal with each other afterwards.

Spellbinding stuff Mr. Utah. You remember them good ol' days in 'Nam? No way you gonna vote for that pinko McCain, huh? Sounds like one of them froggy 'french fry' names to me. Yessir, it does. Uh huh.

what exactly is unsafe about bkk?

Human security - maybe not for you. But how about a Burmese maid, or a child beggar from Cambodia? This isn't just about 'tourists'

Man gets death for killing police officer

The man who assaulted a junior traffic policeman and battered him to death during a street brawl was yesterday condemned to death, while his five companions were each given a six-year sentence.

The Criminal Court judges presiding over the case said they found the police investigation report convincing and believed that Krissada Nawong had killed Pol Sgt-Major Weera Sri-ood of Sutthisarn police station with a baseball bat on the night of July 21. The victim was trying to break up a scuffle and arrest Krissada and the other five defendants on Vibhavadi Rangsit road.

The five defendants are Somchai, Joe, Arthit, Too and Kittiphong, who all carry the Nawong surname. Somchai's sentence was extended by two months and Joe by a year because they both have previous criminal records. Kittiphong's six-year term was reduced to four because he is not 20 yet.

The case said the six defendants were at the scene to get a mobile phone back from Phiman Sennok, the man attacking when Weera arrived. He tried to stop the scuffle and make arrests, but ended up having to chase the defendants on his motorcycle with Phiman, armed a baseball bat, riding pillion.

Weera managed to grab a hold of Krissada before the other five started assaulting him. Three people, including Phiman, witnessed Krissada batter Weera with the baseball bat striking his head many times - injuries that led to his death according to the autopsy report. The other defendants were also seen hitting and stomping on Weera while he was down.

-- The Nation 2008-09-30

So this murder happened in July, and the trial has been held and sentences passed already.

Seemingly justice can move quickly in Thailand when those in charge require it

Anyone hear what is happening in Pai?

Exactly what I was thinking. If these guys in BKK are guilty then good riddance.

But as you say what about Pai?? Where's Andrew Drummond when you need him?

Here's another blatant example of how ThaiVisa picks and chooses who can post 'News' articles in this Topic.

While no individual offence directed to GungaDen, this is a poster who has been a member only around a year or so, has less than 500 posts, but is allowed to post in the 'Thailand News Articles" thread, which by now - if you haven't noticed - is very pro PAD/Establishment and very anti-democracy.

Only Mods and 'some' other members are allowed to post News Articles in this Topic Area. Kind of funny/scary isn't it??

I've asked Admin why this is the case a couple of times - no response.

Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Prakan etc, are places where big industry exploits workers - especially foreign migrants and their families.

Nearly 110 responses George.

While I do agree this is a super-news story of interest to the whole world.....What is the direct relevancy to Thailand News Reports?? Other threads get closed for less - for being non-specific to Thailand.

The original post was about Thailand's repsonse...but now we're into the Uncle Sam stuff...that could go on and on and on..

Issan is big and you have to eat Issan food ! "Farang restaurants" are Pizza Hut or Mc Donald... Beurk ! I'm not sure you'll meet farangs there !

Geroc has some other good points in his post - but I would just differ slightly by saying I think you WILL meet farangs and their wives/kids in McDonalds and Pizza Hut, as well as the other places mentioned like Carrefour and Tesco-Lotus or Big C.

If you make a friendly approach, I'm sure they'd be happy to speak with you - maybe they'll even invite you home for a stay or a meal as it can get lonely in those places for a farang (my wife is from Issan - but we don't live there - and I always feel it's a bit of a 'sentence' to go there even for a week or so, but I do love her family and friends...they are good people). It gets boring real fast..

As for the other places, if you're thinking about 'entertainment' there are places for that in the bigger cities like Khon Kaen - Korat's a bit of a pokey/market town in my opinion. Ubon is a nice place, again a bit slow.

Very interesting thread. The OP and Mobi have it summed it up. And I think the others who say 2006 are correct too.

To my mind, the negatives outweigh the positives. (establishment/PAD types would make it tougher for us, not easier, from visas to business operations, and restricted visa issues mean much more risk to buying here in general for foreigners). The fact you can't own land, etc, means only the really desparate or determined will go that route (via the wife, or 30 year leases going for the same as an outright purchase price).

So that goes for most of us..But I do agree with others who say the those with lots of money (just 'another' discretionary purchase at the top end) will continune to buy. In fact they may even start buying more if the markets collapse and the US and Europe go down a sink hole - better to get out of there (if you are not really affected by it).

It's simply a matter of showing your respect for the family. It's a matter of face for the family - you need to understand this. I agree with Astral and the others. After the marriage, that's the end of it, but not the end of the money saga. Bear in mind this isn't just farangs - but the richer Thai families who get this as well.

Showing compassion and understanding - but not an open wallet - will raise your 'face' a lot too. Show you are a leader, or you will be seen as a loser. It's a middle of the road thing..but you'll earn their respect and you should help when needed. There's no clear answer...but do not be a 'kwai'.

Sriracha John

Thanks for the photos (constinuously, it would seem) of the hot babes. How many hands are you using to type? What's next yellow tops, no bottoms? Whatever, keep it comin....

I am so very happy that a Chinese-Thai woman (i'm guessing by her name) has had the guts to go against the grain.

You PAD supporters kept talking about the 'brave' PAD people demonstrating, which was always so laugable since we all knew then and still know that powerful sakdina families back the PAD - so there was no bravery involved, and that's why the so-called 'polcie and army' won;t make a move. A PAD oppenet was beated to death - and carried away and beaten some more- all in the view of cameras with the perps faces hanging out for all to see. Any arrests? Nope. Why? You know why.

This woman is the real hero - and maybe one day, in the real brave thailand, she'll be given a medal. I'd cheer that. Good for her. This is what real legends are made of. You can side with big brother...but the rest of us are keeping score. Shaved heads one day?

What bitter and twisted views here - instead of arguing the report some posters seemingly only have to resort to character assassination - the analyst's young age and her Thai nationality - because the criticism of PAD tactics does not conform to their opinions.

Yet not one reasonable and topical argument why these posters do not agree with the conclusion and recommendations of this report.

This is intellectual bankruptcy of the worst order.

Yep. The utter and complete hatred for Thaksin has let these guys bring Thailand to the state it's in. The PAD supporters/backers (and the ones pulling their strings) are playing that Thaksin card for all its worth to re-establish the sakdina dominancy of the economy and society - anyone who dares to point that the connection and its consequences for freedom and democracy gets tarred and feathered.

I'm glad to hear it was a Thai analysis..maybe there is still some hope? Maybe Thais are waking up to this?

Yes, funny how "Indian Food Supplies" has had 13 views, 1 reply, and it is way up there on page one. Yet this post with 330+ views and a dozen replies is struggling to maintain page one. I'm sure most will simply nod in agreement with the content if they read it all - before the msot important parts were cut out.

Anyway, thanks to Jai Dee, who I believe is a pretty good guy - I have no doubt about his reasons for editing. Though does this mean that all Bangkok Post articles go through that editing on the News Article thread?

Here's another news report in the Post - I guess the Thai Visa News Editors have been missing some of these, so I'll keep posting the ones they've 'missed' - by the way, this group ICG is one of the biggest in its field..contracted by big players to assess risks for teir companies and oragnizations

TG2

ICG: Instability may bring coup

Protests, instability could bring new Thai coup: think tank

Ongoing anti-government protests and political instability threaten peace and democracy in Thailand and could usher in another military coup, according to a leading European think-tank.

''The replacement of Samak Sundaravej with Somchai Wongsawat as prime minister is unlikely to defuse tensions,'' the Brussels-based International Crisis Group (ICG) said in its latest assessment.

''Every day the [political] standoff continues, political divisions become more intractable _ and another coup becomes more likely,'' the statement said. ''Overthrowing the elected government _ either by a coup or by street demonstrations _ would be a severe blow to Thailand's democracy'', Rungrawee Chalermsripinyorat, ICG's Thailand analyst, said. ''It will do nothing to resolve the deep political polarisation that is tearing Thailand apart.''

More from the Bangkok Post here.

Ah yes...the selective photos of the cute chinese thai girls vs the overweight and unflatettering photos of the DAAD women. How 'clever'.

Also, anyone notice how this 'unsubstantiated' thread runs and runs (that the PPP gov plans to sell Phuket to Singapore - I mean how ludicrous). Still, contrast that to the guy's post that was closed within a couple of days when he reported his wife's certainty that an ASTV broadcast called for the removal of foreigners out of Thailand in retaliation for their "negative" media coverage about the end to one person one vote? WOW - now there's action for ya! Sell Phuket by the bad guys ok - but don't tell them they're going to get kicked out of their expensive Phuket Condos BEFORE that sale to S'pore happens! What a joke. The reason for closure of the other thread was 'no one could confirm it' - has anyone confirmed this thread?

Nope - no bias on the Thai Visa site. Ever wonder why some 'members' (aside from the Mods) are allowed to post 'news' articles, but not the rest of us? I've asked why but received no reply. I've also complained about some mod actions before (as per the forum rules- to Admin as is the only course of action) - again no replies.

OK - it's just my humble suggestion..so flame away at it, pick it apart, whatever..

I am asking you to put aside the emotive issue of Thaksin for a moment (just for a moment ok?)

My Theory:

I am of the view that Thaksin and his populist policies have shaken the elite/fuedalist old-rich families, call them what you like -- right to their core. But it wasn't Thaksin or corruption that scared them - it was one-person-one-vote - an awakeing majority. And that's why we're seeing the 'untouchable' minority getting away with their occupation of Governments House etc. These rich people who run this closed-shop country (I don't know how many - 1,000 families? Just a guess) are terrified that populist one-person-one-vote politics will be their doom, if not this year then next, or the year after. They PAD demonstrators are their proxies - and Thaksin is the easy target given his obvious excesses.

So since we see that the Sakdinas can command the military and the other established elements in the country to ignore the wishes of the majority, and since they are threatening to bring democracy to an end, there clearly needs to be a compromise between the Sakdina and Democracy to avoid the unthinkable.

My suggestion, as unworkable as you may think..

A British style bi-cameral Parliament. This means abolishing the Senate but continuing one-person-one-vote lower house (as there is now). The Senate is replaced with a British-style House of Lords, House of Sakdina, whatever you want to call it, appointed by a combination of Government recommendations to the Palace and Privy Council recommendations. Maybe 50/50? 70/30? 30/70?

In this theory, and as in the UK, the House of Lords does not have the power to bring down an elected Govt, but they can make it difficult for a tainted parliament to pass laws - send them back for another go, etc.

This is the logical and noble way forward. It allows the aristocrats to maintain their place in society (as was the compromise reached in Britain all those years ago) whilst allowing the majority of voters (the Commoners) to decide who Governs their country.

It's a compromise. Better than one side winning over the other..

What I still don't understand about this 'foreigner doing real estate business' thing is this...

Does this mean that a foreigner who runs a business but uses the business to buy property in a company name -- does that make him a 'foreigner doing real estate business' ?

Or...do they mean they want to shut down real estate development companies who are trying to buy up land to develop then sell? E.G. Developers?

Anyone know?

And it's why that yellow-T-shirt brigade is camping out in an all-or-nothing fight to ensure this old-family system isn't damaged by those like Thaksin who started to bypass the old fuedal system of "family connections" (though he played both ends of the hosue of course).

Welcome to the patronage system! You should actually consider yourself lucky you didn't lose out in the end! Never trust anyone here to look after your best interests.

Can you TRT fan club members PLEASE stop polluting every frigging thread with your deranged ramblings and thinly veiled attacks on the highest power in Thailand?

Back to subject, I would contact K Alissawa at CBRE Thailand? CBRE Thailand is a name licensed from CBRE worldwide so it is not a subsidiary, it is more like a franchise.

In general my dealings with them have always been good.

Funny how you chose to single out the last two lines in my post - which very clearly dealt with the OP's concerns. It's about the way business is conducted here in Thailand - rarely transparent - and his story is a warning to all.

As for your suggestions that my response is a "deranged rambling - thinly veiled attacks on the highest power" is a real stretch too - yet once again it is what the aristocrats - and their apologists, apparently including you, are trying to claim - that disapproval and resistance to sakdina (feudalism and the familes that profit and whom are clearly backing the PAD) somehow amounts to 'disloyalty' - sorry pal -or pad - or whomever you are - but disavowing the PAD and Sakidina is not the same as disavowing the 'highest power in the land' - a power that all thais - and foreigners respect here including me. So to use your own words 'frig' you.

Well yes, it might have instilled a work ethic and the idea that one should think for him/herself - individualism - rather than finding and then depending on a pooyai patron. Feudalism would have been challenged to some degree at least..

It doesn't surprise me actually. A big international name doesn't mean squat here. You have little or no legal protection and most would never be in a financial position to take on a company in civil court for breach of contract or suspicious dealings by its staff.

The newspapers here quite regularly have adverts from medium to large companies with the photo of a 'former' employer that states something like:

"Ms. Supaporn Suabchangmuangsuawong no longer represents Krungthep Pruuchngchivit Co. Ltd. The Company will not recognize any transactions or promises made by Ms. Supaporn to clients or others....etc, etc.

This is Thailand - Where family-friends connections are the way business is conducted - legally or otherwise. Foreign customers and landing jobs in big-name companies and organizations simply provide another source of revenue for the dirty little guanxi-dealing and trade in rip-offs. This is why extended Thai middle-class families try to ensure that all the cousins and nephews/nieces are spread around in business and the civil service/police/military. To make that point a bit furtyher, consider why families would pay up to 50,000 USD to land a senior civil Service or Police job?

And it's why that yellow-T-shirt brigade is camping out in an all-or-nothing fight to ensure this old-family system isn't damaged by those like Thaksin who started to bypass the old fuedal system of "family connections" (though he played both ends of the hosue of course).

Welcome to the patronage system! You should actually consider yourself lucky you didn't lose out in the end! Never trust anyone here to look after your best interests.

price of the flight is the concern, not if they serve me a meal. If I am that concerned with eating I can always brings smth with me.

I agree. That's why I'll be having another look at Air Asia, Tiger, etc. Although I don't really like Air Asia, if THAI can't give me a meal or a gate at departure/arrival (instead of 10 minute bus ride to/from the plane), then I may as well save myself some money - and spend it on a meal before/after the flight (..if I can find a place that's open) or buy something hot and bring it on the plane..

What kind of cold food is on the menu? The problem is not that you'll go hungry, it's that you won't eat it.

No I'll eat it - but it's either an 'ice-cream' scoop of tuna and two sliced tomato or 3 mini shrimps/prawns and three small pieces of chicken and some green beans - a light snack at best. But if your flight is during any standard meal time like Noon or 8pm (with travel and all the other hassles either side of the flight itself) there's little time to have a meal and little choice at most airports prior to departure or on arrival anyway (except BKK - good selection on that ground-side mezanine level). My point is if you have an early or late evening flight and want a meal, you'll have to do so before you leave your hotel at like 4pm or whatever, or 10 or 11pm at the airport or your new hotel/home on arrival - and only if you can find any (again BKK airport is an exception to most other than HKG and Changi).

Useless little airline anyway, from a country that pretends it matters. Arivaderci.

Why so angry about Italy?

What wrong with spaghetti?

Why don't you write the country you are from? Shy??

Arrivederci

I meant the country pretends its airline matters - but it doesn't. But now that you mention it...he, he..

Useless little airline anyway, from a country that pretends it matters. Arivaderci.