The week that was in Thailand news: Justice: A commodity sorely lacking in Thailand

[rooster59]

The week that was in Thailand news: Justice: A commodity sorely lacking in Thailand

 

 

Whenever Rooster rides past the astonishing new building that now houses the Thai Ministry of Justice on Chaeng Wattana road in the northern outskirts of Bangkok, I am always most impressed. Unfortunately, the positive feeling is fleeting.
 
It is imposing to say the least. With massive granite columns and huge, ornate masonry, here is a building where no expense has been spared. What appears to be gold leaf on the seals outside shows the Scales of Justice in all their omnipotent glory.
 
A vast and equally formidable set of signs proclaims “Krasuang Yuthitham” in bold and striking letters a meter high. It should inspire confidence. Instead it is little more than a sham.
 
This beautifully constructed agricultural masterpiece is nothing more than a façade. The omnipotence is impotence.
 
For only a fool would argue with the claim that there is justice in Thailand. The rich and the powerful may receive their share of it but for the common man or woman it is but a pipe dream occasionally dispensed at the whim of a distrusted constabulary.
 
Rampant corruption for decades has seen to that. And assertions by the man in charge of Thailand’s current government that he would preside over the beginning of the end of corruption in a mere 20 years are just like the air swirling around those awe-inspiring columns thrusting majestically skywards.
 
Hot air.
 
Rooster has generally lived a peaceful, perhaps charmed life over four decades in the kingdom, a place I love despite its foibles and inadequacies. Thankfully, I have had little reason to rely on the state for justice. If I have been wronged, I have managed to seek redress by taking matters into my own hands.
 
A combination of well-honed Thai language skills, a reasonable intellect that is at least as capable of figuring out the Thai people and their culture as any native and some street smarts gleaned from mixing with the good, the bad and the ugly from all levels of society, has seen to that.
 
Only once have I appeared in court on behalf of an American friend who was shafted by a hotel in Ao Nang, Krabi. We were running a school trip that was on its way from Bangkok when the hotel told me (I had gone ahead to the south) that they had double booked and would put us up in a building next door that was better! Yeh, right.
 
The swimming pool was green and workers were doing oxyacetylene welding in the corridors. I was in charge of expeditions and I immediately decided to seek alternative and safer accommodation in Krabi town.
 
My friend who was helping organize the trip found himself seriously out of pocket and sued the hotel. I appeared in Krabi court around a year later.
 
I made one mistake. When they asked me about my religion for the swearing in I was honest in announcing my devout atheism. This put the presiding judge into a judicial tailspin and eventually it was decided to write something out that was appropriate for my oath.
 
In Thai, I promised to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth and if I didn’t my wife and two children would be boiled in oil and condemned to an eternity of misery in the bowels of hell.
 
My efforts in presenting a timeline that convinced the judge of the hotel’s culpability were not in vain. But true justice was elusive. We won the case but with no damages and my friend’s legal costs meant it was all a waste of time as monumental as the ministry’s frontage.
 
The story most in the news recently that needs some justice is that of Red Bull Boss. But no one will be holding their breath. For even if the runt of the Yoovidhya litter ever returns or is dragged back to Thailand – dream on – there will be no justice. Like a thousand privileged and wealthy before him he will get bail after bail, appeal upon appeal until time miraculously runs out.
 
If he is ever convicted, he would be aided in fleeing like so many others.
 
At least the government panel looking into the case has shown its independence in recommending the indictment of the best part of two dozen policemen and other officials in the disgraceful case.
 
The trouble is, who is now investigating plod? The RTP themselves of course. It really is time for the PM to show some cajones and follow up by establishing another truly independent body to unearth the details of the wrongdoing and bring cases to court.
 
The public demands this but, as always, the ever-present specter of corruption looms large rendering action pointless. Until the systemic roots of this insidious and overbearing disease are excised from Thai society all attempts at real justice are doomed to failure.
 
Prayut, now in charge of the police after relieving DPM Prawit from that unenviable task, barks his anti-corruption orders from Government House but is in reality like one of Ital Thai poacher Premchai Karnasuta’s black panthers.
 
Toothless and as much use as a dog’s dinner.
 
Prayut has accepted there was a conspiracy. So don’t just transfer the police, jail them all. The government investigator has even said there is evidence that Boss showed an “intent to kill”. Okay, so charge him. And then contact foreign governments at the diplomatic level and get him arrested. Get him extradited. Put him on trial.
 
Jail him and send a message – at least one small one – that Thailand means business when it comes to seeking justice.
 
Smaller, and much lower hanging fruit were dealt a version of justice over the last week. But many of the public see it as merely a diversionary tactic. Smoke and mirrors designed to shield the rich and the famous from scrutiny.
 
In Sisaket, army captain Neng, the murderer of the education department’s “Director Oi” had his death sentence upheld after an appeal. It is now three years and counting since poor Juthaporn Oun-On was dumped in the woods. In Chiang Mai eight members of a meth gang were sentenced to lethal injection despite seven admitting their crimes.
 
In prison they will join the countless thousands of others jailed in the most futile war since the decades long battle against communism last century. The pathetic so-called War on Drugs.
 
Only a cretin would deny the damage that Ya Ba and crystal meth is doing in Thailand and other parts of Asia. But this is a war with no victor only suffering. It should immediately be stopped and manpower and financial resources diverted to social programs designed to limit the demand for drugs and rehabilitate the addicted.
 
Just as the education system needs Thai administrators to visit Finland to see how the other half lives, so the drug agencies and the government reps that oversee them need to take a trip to Portugal. Check out Michael Moore's "Where to Invade Next" for some great background on why.
 
The problem is that such trips would turn into face saving junkets with little desire or muscle to implement the required changes. Teachers will continue with rote leading to exams and the police will press on with the unwinnable war stopping only to get the probation department (under the Justice Ministry) to build more prisons to house the mules and the occasional Mr Big who tumble into their lap.
 
The transferring of police and corrupt officials is a face-saving device reported frequently on Thaivisa. This week the chief of the Hua Hin station was recalled to HQ for allowing gambling at a rodeo style event for cowboys that saw the shooting murder of a Cha-Am ‘tessakit’ official.
 
Do you detect the whiff of smoke and reflections in those mirrors? The absurd preoccupation with gambling misdemeanors when the entire country is betting mad beggar’s belief. Legalize it. Regulate it. Help those who can’t help themselves who fall victim to it. Stop the punishment and show some imagination for once!
 
Doing his best to legalize at least a small part of the drug trade is health minister Anutin. Unfortunately, his manifesto promises to make ganja growing available to all are likely to be watered down to favor the big players in what is already a multi-billion baht industry in Thailand never mind the rest of the world.
 
At which point I would like to register my amazement at the sheer number of forum curmudgeons who still condemn this wonderful plant. Their “Reefer Madness” rants to lock up marijuana smokers can't be based on personal experience. Their views are based on nothing more than prejudice invariably couched in the absurd notion that tobacco and alcohol are angels in comparison. Some even debunk the idea that cannabis products are good for treating medical complaints. Please educate yourselves.
 
In virus news one view was expressed in the morning followed by the opposite come the afternoon. This has been continuing on Thaivisa for weeks and is not the fault of the site. At least it shows balance and is no different to the chopping and changing seen throughout the world. One moment the “snowbirds” of Europe were welcome, in another there was a pushback against the “Phuket Model”.
 
It did get me reminiscing about a model Rooster met in the south, but I digress.
 
The PM said tourists were not yet welcome while the insurers were only too happy to sell them deals for the repatriation of their bodies should they cark it in Thailand. Only a 40K premium if you come from a high risk country!
 
Then a convict and former DJ tested positive, the first local transmission recorded in more than 100 days. Maybe time to put the hordes of tourists off visiting the prisons as well as the clubs.
 
Grisliest crime of the week involved the abjectly poor so justice can be expected to be swift and merciless. In one case an elder brother shot then cut off the head of his younger sibling. A jealous husband killed his wife – whom he had married only two months prior – with an axe to the head in bed.
 
This crime occurred in Thung Song that is part of the most lawless province in Thailand, the murder and violence capital of the realm that makes Pattaya look like a wimpy place for deckchair mafia, namely Nakhon Sri Thammarat.
 
The denizens of NST have been slaughtering each other since before the year dot.com but it was amusing to see one comment describe the locals as “ruthless”. Nice word rarely used in the positive as who has heard of “ruth” (compassion) except for us Scrabble players.
 
To wit, I was greatly relieved on Friday when face to face tournaments of the world’s favorite word game resumed in Bangkok. It was the first event since early February and Rooster’s first day off since then!
 
You could say I was gruntled.
 
Less gruntled than two more unneeded days off school for the children but hey, at least they could watch dad shuffling his tiles rather than his mortal coil.
 
In international news the US passed six million coronavirus cases and 183,000 deaths, a quarter of the world tally, and India had the worst day of any country yet. Critics of “Big Brother” China in Hong Kong condemned the mass testing of the island’s seven million residents fearing DNA collection.
 
In the Middle east El Al flew from Israel to the Emirates. In Europe the nerve agent “Novichok” is believed to have been administered to the Russian opposition leader who fell gravely ill at an airport. He won’t be the first and won’t be the last, will he Mr Putin?
 
Porn star Ron Jeremy – listed in the Guinness book as appearing in the most adult films – was slapped with thirteen more charges of rape some against minors aged only 15. 
 
Back in Thailand, Pattaya once again featured prominently. There were two fires in one night in a hotel near Walking Street and a furniture yard, old restaurant and luxury home complex in North Pattaya. The latter erupted again 12 hours after they’d extinguished it.
 
Tourist police were taken to task for “damaging the image of Pattaya” by driving the wrong way down one-way Walking Street and setting a poor example. Forgive me, but whenever did the Pattaya police set a good one?
 
Then a banned deckchair guy in Jomtien was reduced to tears saying he was as innocent as the driven sand after being found guilty by City Hall of asking a tourist to park elsewhere.
 
Where is the justice, he demanded. The Court of Social Media (a largely unregulated bunch of keyboard warriors) dispensed that.
 
Biggest drama of the week on Thaivisa involved a Hungarian called Attila and an Italian by the name of Francesco who filmed themselves handling marine life off Koh Phangan. Unfortunately for the divers the environment minister in Bangkok demanded action and respected environmentalist Dr Thon at Kaset Uni entered the fray of condemnation.
 
What might normally be just a fine, looks as though it could lead to the pair’s deportation, as Attila the Hun told me from his prison cell in Phangan. The videographer admitted to being married to a Thai, loving Thailand, respecting the culture.....and being as daft as a brush for posting on YouTube.
 
The case could well hinge on whether they were in protected waters. Attila told me they were not. The chief of the department of marine and coastal resources begged to differ. Mind you he had the minister breathing down his neck, never a good sign for justice.
 
Statistics show that Chiang Mai is aging fast and the young are abandoning their old and infirm parents who are increasingly living alone and relying on government handouts.
 
I guess there are less and less people like Mrs R who calls her mum in Loei every day and would give her last satang to her parents. But I like to believe she is not alone and many Thais do still care for their folks. I am also lucky in having a great deal of respect for my hardworking in-laws who have always stood up for and appreciated their son-in-law.
 
Despite the lack of justice, the country still has more than enough redeeming features and good people to keep this columnist happy!
 
In quirky news a thief was caught on CCTV stealing a sink and carrying it away on his motorcycle. Witnesses thought he was moving house. Several people won big when the extraordinary number 999997 came up in Tuesday’s national lottery. Scooping 12 million baht was a lottery seller in Loei whose wife had noticed the auspicious number on his display and encouraged him to keep several tickets. A 60 million baht winner was a stationmaster at Hat Yai junction.
 
I say WAS!
 
And in what was a truly bad week for Uncle Too, his finance minister Predee Daochai resigned after only 26 days at the helm. Conflicting reasons were given, as is their wont.
 
Finally, Rooster actually escaped around Bangkok this week after the best part of seven months of enforced and voluntary lockdown. My circumnavigation was inspired by the “Ejan” correspondent who claimed, with the help of the local TAT rep, that Hua Hin was almost back to normal following the pandemic.
 
Claims widely ridiculed by posters on both the forum and Thaivisa’s Facebook arm.
 
I don’t know about Hua Hin, but my whistle stop tour of many old haunts around the capital quite shocked me. It was absolutely deserted.
 
Real traffic only existed when the schools were turning out their masked hordes. Khao San Road had a couple of henna vendors and a lone noodle stand. Pantip Plaza was a ghost town and the upper reaches of Sukhumvit were like they are at Songkran, only quieter. Shops had signs offering discounts but there were no customers.
 
Fancying a beer and popping my head around the entrance to a beer garden was like staring into a darkened abyss. After some half-hearted exaltations to sit down from a handful of harridans, I turned on my heels to the safety of the CBR and got the hell out of Dodge.
 
Fortunately, I found the Peng Lee store in Asoke wet market was open so the trip was not a total washout. Armed with fresh paneer, curry powder and ‘dosa’ flour, I quickly raced back to Ratchayothin for a home cooked dinner.
 
My Indian treats aside, if Bangkok had been like this when I first came in 1982…….
 
I’d have tried Japan.
 
Rooster
 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-09-06

 

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[Samui Bodoh]

An interesting read as always.

 

16 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

In virus news one view was expressed in the morning followed by the opposite come the afternoon. This has been continuing on Thaivisa for weeks and is not the fault of the site. At least it shows balance and is no different to the chopping and changing seen throughout the world. One moment the “snowbirds” of Europe were welcome, in another there was a pushback against the “Phuket Model”.

 

In this TWTW, we saw the continuing 'back and forth' of the Thai Government regarding the issue of whether to open Thailand to outsiders or not; it is beginning to look like 'Buridán's Donkey'. Buridán theorized that a donkey, placed midway between food and water, would die from both thirst and hunger as it would be unable to make a rational decision to consume either. 

 

The argument against re-opening limited tourism centered around the idea of keeping the borders shut and thus keeping the virus out, but this notion has been discredited; can anyone argue that Thailand will continue to keep the virus out after the events in NZ, Vietnam and the case in the Thai prison system? To date, I think the Thai government has done a good job in fighting the virus, but the purpose of closing the borders was to buy time to prepare and implement virus-fighting measures, and it has done so quite well. Keeping the borders closed now is akin to hiding behind a chain-link fence to protect against flood; the virus is almost certainly already in-country, somewhere. And, we are going to see it more often.

 

The Kingdom needs to re-open; will the "Phuket Model" work? I don't think it will in its current incarnation, but I also think it is a 'work in progress' that will be adjusted and re-adjusted many times before a final version (hopefully) emerges, soon. 

 

There are a couple of things that the 'PTB' will need to address. Currently, it seems like decisions are being made by the Cabinet, the Bureaucracy, and other public sector figures and they don't "get it". Until Business people have a loud and listened to voice in these matters, nothing will work; tourism is a business and you need business perspective(s) to help structure things correctly. Secondly, there needs to be some pretty rapid decision-making, and the current people deciding aren't 'picking up the ball and running'; that will also need to change. Third, while I love and adore Thailand and the Thai people, I don't love and adore them as much as they love and adore themselves; decision-makers are going to have to accept the idea that Thailand needs to attract people, not simply permit the (fantastical) hordes awaiting entry. Finally, the government will need to convince the general populace that this is worth doing, especially after their successful 'fear' campaign to ensure that people followed the rules previously. 

 

Does the current government have the credibility to make the argument? Does the current government have the legitimacy to make the argument? Does the current government have the nerve to implement this policy in the face of opposition? All three questions have... er... ahem... interesting answers. What happens when (not if) the first case/cases of the virus emerge after outsiders begin re-entering? What will the government do? How will the Thai people react? Will the health system rise to the challenge (Hint: yes)? And, will people continue to visit in the face of certain global headlines when (not if) the first case of foreign transmission occurs?

 

This is one of those (relatively) rare public policy occasions where we know that actions taken by a State in the immediate term will have direct causal effect on the short/medium term. There seems to be three possible outcomes; Thailand will slowly begin the process of re-opening itself to outsiders with likely small-scale outbreaks of the virus, Thailand will keep its borders closed and suffer crippling economic damage to its citizenry or, Thailand will vacillate madly and spend its time ineffectively pacing while braying "Hee Haw! Hee Haw! Hee Haw!"

 

Strap in, everyone! It is going to be a fascinating few months and we've got front row seats. 

 

Hee Haw! Hee Haw! Hee Haw! Hee Haw! Hee Haw! Hee Haw!

 

 

[Samui Bodoh]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

At least the government panel looking into the case has shown its independence in recommending the indictment of the best part of two dozen policemen and other officials in the disgraceful case.  

The trouble is, who is now investigating plod? The RTP themselves of course. It really is time for the PM to show some cajones and follow up by establishing another truly independent body to unearth the details of the wrongdoing and bring cases to court.  

The public demands this but, as always, the ever-present specter of corruption looms large rendering action pointless. Until the systemic roots of this insidious and overbearing disease are excised from Thai society all attempts at real justice are doomed to failure.

"The public demands this..."

 

This may be an odd thing to ask, but does it really? Does the public really demand that the bribery (the word 'corruption' as it has been so over-used that it has lost its meaning) end?

 

Way, way back in the day I found myself in Bangkok with a few months to kill, so I took a temp job as a conversational English teacher. My favourite thing to do in my class was to pose an ethical dilemma and ask the students to discuss it; it was great for them, always had new and useful vocabulary, and I got to learn a great deal about Thai culture by listening to them talk.

 

One class was particularly instructive. I posited that a guy ran a red light, hit a pedestrian, broke the pedestrian's leg and then asked what the punishment should be. The students all agreed on a large fine and some jail time, then the discussion revolved around how much of each. I then changed the parameters slightly and made the driver of the car their little brother. Well, well, well, what a change! All of a sudden jail wasn't really needed (Your Honour; He's a Good Boy!) and they didn't want too much of a fine. This was my first exposure to the Thai concept that 'Everyone Else Should Obey the Law, Darn It!'.

 

Which brings me back to the Red Bull case. Yes, of course, everyone wants to see him behind bars and 'Justice Served', but as Thais ignore the law(s) on a daily basis, do they really care? Seriously? Has any Thai person changed their vote based on 'corruption'? How many thousands of Thais marched in protest against the Red Bull verdict/case? Lots of discussion? Sure. Lots of media outrage? Sure. Lots of 'clicks'? Sure.

 

Any actual action on the part of the citizenry? Well, no.

 

If the Thai people actually want to see changes in the behaviour of their public officials, then they have to make 'corruption' a social ill along the lines of the way drunk-driving was made into a social ill in Western countries, and I don't see evidence of that occurring. Anyone? 

 

And, by the way, why is there not equal outrage at the actions of the Red Bull guy's family? In any case of bribery, there must be both a briber and a bribee; why only the focus on the person receiving the bribe? Is it because Thais still want the option of bribing people for themselves, and are only outraged when it doesn't work? Food for thought...

 

I would like to see corruption in general and bribery of government officials in particular come to an end in Thailand (it is a cancer), but the only way that occurs is if the Thai populace turns BOTH offering AND receiving a bribe into a social faux pas on the level of pedophilia.

 

I ain't holding my breath.

 

(Apologies; two long posts today. I got too much time on my hands.)

 

[Matzzon]

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Unfortunately, the positive feeling is fleeting.

But of course. Never ever forget this weeks negativity.

[Puchaiyank]

Rampant corruption for decades!  More like centuries!  It is an acceptable way of life for most Thais...supplements government employees income...an expected perk in many official offices. ????

[Chassa]

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

This crime occurred in Thung Song that is part of the most lawless province in Thailand, the murder and violence capital of the realm that makes Pattaya look like a wimpy place for deckchair mafia, namely Nakhon Sri Thammarat.

My ex-wife told me that Nakhon Sri Thammarat is a 'bad place' about 20 years ago.

[swifty5x5]

<deleted>

[rumak]

Did he steal that "Attila the Hun"  joke from my post ?   Ok,  might just be a case of two great minds think alike.     555  Who am i kidding.   R would never admit to that.

Sure as heck he would proclaim that my insinuation is just a   Cock and Bull   story

[Flying Saucage]

Great read again Rooster!

 

In general, Thai justice is a very simple thing. Forget all the Thai legal codes, especially the criminal code with its laws similar to rubber bands. They are not worth the paper they are written on. The real law in Thailand is the unwritten law of Sakdina! The courts always decide in favor of the more powerful and more rich people. Very simple concept of law indeed.

 

However, it becomes more interesting when not only Sakdina is involved, which I call the "vertical dimension". One should be aware that the elite is only unified against all those they locate in a lower position of the Sakdina pyramide. Then they all speak the very same language.

 

But there is a "horizontal dimension" as well! The elite itself is not unified. There are different factions, opposing each other, fighting harshly against each other for the pole position.

 

Till a few years ago, 2 or 3 years, the most powerful faction was the one in which Prawit and his adjudants PM Prayut and Anupong are members. Looking how the red bull brat was protected during the last 8 years, his family might (might!) also be a member of this faction.

 

In the meantime, another faction became the most powerful, in which the generals Apirat and Narongphan (who very likely will become the new army chief soon), but also Anutin and his family (Sinothai), Thamanat (the convicted drug dealer), and the King Power-family are members.

 

Now as an interesting observation, if you look at the hassles which Premchai (Italthai) has been facing after he shot the black panther, one can assume that he is neither member of the first nor of the second of the factions mentioned above. Remember how outraged the Prayut government was about Premchai, beginning of 2018? It was so convenient for Prayut and Prawit at this time, to distract the attention of the populace from the other big scandal at this time, which was related to expensive watches. But, also keep in mind that Italthai and Sinothai are competitors. So, not sure about the final sentence for Premchai.

 

It will not be as severe as for mushroom picking by commoners, however.

 

So, what will happen now to the Red Bull brat might (might!) depend also how the most powerful faction estimates the public outrage resulting from the different options of a verdict. At least it seems (seems!) that someone else than before took over the steering wheel a few weeks ago.

 

Interesting to observe this and its outcome from an alien perspective.

 

 

[khunjeff]

8 hours ago, rooster59 said:

After some half-hearted exaltations to sit down from a handful of harridans, I turned on my heels to the safety of the CBR and got the hell out of Dodge.

Did they try exhortations first, or jump right into exaltations?

[TPI]

Ah rooster, you know that the role of the police is to protect the higher institutions property and the role of the judges is to reach an acceptable compromise whether or not it is in line with the law! That the Nai cannot be judged by the peasants and in any case the patriarchy must be maintained! 

There are a number of very good books written by authors who have tapped into the Thai culture. Their explanations of the "who" and "why" things go around should be required reading for residents of the Land of Smiles!

 

Thanks again for the honest opinions .

[TPI]

21 minutes ago, Flying Saucage said:

Great read again Rooster!

 

In general, Thai justice is a very simple thing. Forget all the Thai legal codes, especially the criminal code with its laws similar to rubber bands. They are not worth the paper they are written on. The real law in Thailand is the unwritten law of Sakdina! The courts always decide in favor of the more powerful and more rich people. Very simple concept of law indeed.

 

However, it becomes more interesting when not only Sakdina is involved, which I call the "vertical dimension". One should be aware that the elite is only unified against all those they locate in a lower position of the Sakdina pyramide. Then they all speak the very same language.

 

But there is a "horizontal dimension" as well! The elite itself is not unified. There are different factions, opposing each other, fighting harshly against each other for the pole position.

 

Till a few years ago, 2 or 3 years, the most powerful faction was the one in which Prawit and his adjudants PM Prayut and Anupong are members. Looking how the red bull brat was protected during the last 8 years, his family might (might!) also be a member of this faction.

 

In the meantime, another faction became the most powerful, in which the generals Apirat and Narongphan (who very likely will become the new army chief soon), but also Anutin and his family (Sinothai), Thamanat (the convicted drug dealer), and the King Power-family are members.

 

Now as an interesting observation, if you look at the hassles which Premchai (Italthai) has beed facing after he shot the black panther, one can assume that he is neither member of the first nor of the second of the factions mentioned above. Remember how outraged the Prayut government was about Premchai, beginning of 2018? It was so convenient for Prayut and Prawit at this time, to distract the attention of the populace from the other big scandal at this time, which was related to expensive watches. But, also keep in mind that Italthai and Sinothai are competitors. So, not sure about the final sentence for Premchai.

 

It will not be as severe as for mushroom picking by commoners, however.

 

So, what will happen now to the Red Bull brat might (might!) depend also how the most powerful faction estimates the public outrage resulting from the different options of a verdict. At least it seems (seems!) that someone else than before took over the steering wheel a few weeks ago.

 

Interesting to observe this and its outcome from an alien perspective.

 

 

Many thanks Mr Saucage for your expansion of my thoughts! You're just smarter I guess!

 

[Flying Saucage]

8 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

 

(Apologies; two long posts today. I got too much time on my hands.)

 

Great posts again Samui Bodoh, as always! Both of 'em!

 

No reason to apologize for long posts! Words are needed to explain complex coherencies and to give experciences of life to others. Often my posts are long also due to this. I enjoy reading Roosters very long TWTW every Sunday, and your well arcticulated and always intelligent replies.

 

Thanks to you and to Rooster, for providing the joy of a longer reading experience. I don't like quickies anyway 

[Baggy]

An excellent overview/ insight into the power plays of Thailand, thank you.

[Mark mark]

It's all Just REALLY Tragic I think Realy. And with no escape, like CV 19 IS pretty hard to argue with. A Huge Death tole that is NOT going to slow down any time soon Internationally I think ... and it also REALLY <Deleted>'s up a marge proportion of Middle aged and some young people. ...   Like, you Do NOT want to get it !!! ....  Protests, and just horrible Border closures or Not .... 

[Stevemercer]

While all the Red Bull hit/run inquiries show promise, nobody seems to be asking the real question: 'Who paid who?'

 

I would have thought that the then Chief of Police would have some culpability as it happened on his watch. Either he was incompetent (by letting such a high profile investigation be delayed or bungled) or he well knew what was going on.

 

On another corruption matter, remember Big Joke, the former immigration boss who was forced out of the job. It appears he had a disagreement with his superior. Was it the same Chief of Police? And what about the promised investigation when someone fired 3 shots into Big Joke's car? Was that ever solved?

 

Oh, for some decent investigative journalism and follow-up in the Thai press.

[Dap]

12 hours ago, rooster59 said:

At which point I would like to register my amazement at the sheer number of forum curmudgeons who still condemn this wonderful plant. Their “Reefer Madness” rants to lock up marijuana smokers can't be based on personal experience. Their views are based on nothing more than prejudice invariably couched in the absurd notion that tobacco and alcohol are angels in comparison. Some even debunk the idea that cannabis products are good for treating medical complaints. Please educate yourselves.

Spot-on!

[Stargeezr]

Another good read for my Sunday morning in Canada. Thanks for the weekly update.

   Its is a shame how the very Rich in Thailand, seem to get away with their crimes,

except for maybe the Italian Thai company fellow.   I just feel better when I think

of where most of the very rich people will go after they die, and it is not Heaven.

  I do not believe that every soul gets reincarnated, some go to either Heaven or Hell

depending on how the persons lives were lead. Just my opinion of course.

   Geezer

[Edwin Cameron]

I live in N.S.W. Australia and we have had a Special Court to deal with corruption for some time now,referred to as I.C.A.C. (Independent Court Against Corruption) it has served well for over a couple of decades with more than a few winding up in the 'Monkey House' and causing quite a deal of consternation among the 'Pollies' and Constabulary primarily for which this Court was designed for,maybe,just maybe Thailand is ready for this to happen as well. Good Luck 

[mikebell]

I like the Hamlet ref;

 

To die, to sleep,
To sleep, perchance to Dream; aye, there's the rub,
For in that sleep of death, what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause.

[GarryP]

On 9/6/2020 at 1:07 PM, rumak said:

Did he steal that "Attila the Hun"  joke from my post ?   Ok,  might just be a case of two great minds think alike.     555  Who am i kidding.   R would never admit to that.

Sure as heck he would proclaim that my insinuation is just a   Cock and Bull   story

You must have stolen it from my twitter post. A chain reaction. ????????

[GarryP]

A great read. One of your best.

 

"This beautifully constructed agricultural masterpiece.. "  Is there an implied reference I am missing?

 

And now GarryP the pedant:

"I guess there are less and less people like...."

Shouldn't that be fewer and fewer. I know people are getting fatter and fatter, but they are still countable I believe. ????

 

 

[rumak]

29 minutes ago, GarryP said:

You must have stolen it from my twitter post. A chain reaction. ????????

are you a homosapien?    and good call on the  "fewer and fewer" .    Jeez, i hope you don't read

my posts.   few capital letters.... lots of dot dot dots..... 

and according to many they don't make any sense.      

i "don't do" twitter,   so post more on tv  ( though tough censors here   ????????)