Media Banned From Publishing Opinion Polls

[usatrader]

Yo, Dickie,

With all due respect, I couldn’t help but take note of some of your commentary regarding the views of others here on this thread.

I also noted the body of your inputs, with exception of a few notable expressions of advice and opinion where, for the most part, regurgitations of a more cynical and refuting nature as to the views and commentary of others.

As you are entitled as they say, I just wondered if instead of one or two line sentences full of cynicism you might actually try enlightening us, as the reverse, being by your own rare commentary a noted impossibility.

I think you have something to say but somehow, like a minority in these forums, chose this peripheral snipping approach instead. Why not enlighten us in alternative.

I personally believe we all have something to say beyond these kick them in the nuts quips many have chosen. How about some meaningful argument and dialogue in agreement or disagreement.

It is quite easy to throw rocks at others views but another thing all together putting oneself on the firing line of public ridicule by taking a few incoming about ones own commentary and points of view don’t you think?

It is, as you perceive about enlightenment not individual perfection or sh** as I have been so elegantly described as spouting. But what the hay, I can take the heat.

Try it you might find that a dialogue of disagreeable tolerance is a lot more astute than this one of snipping low some cynicism on the periphery where it is safe.

Yes, thanks in advance for any platitudes about me and or my ancestry this opinion has, I expect, forthcoming.

I wear them as a badge of courage and pride in self proclaimed understanding that my opinion stinks as much as the next guys.

That is all

PS, George, I have asked around and have not gotten any feed back that this ban is a big deal among Thai voters I am acquainted with. Do you think this is accurate?

You did say it was constitutional and in accordance with Thai election law didn’t you? So why do you think so many westerns seem to be so critical of it if in large the Thai’s don’t?

Not to put you on the spot as not matter what you say someone out there will surely snip at it I’m afraid.

[astral]

PS, George, I have asked around and have not gotten any feed back that this ban is a big deal among Thai voters I am acquainted with. Do you think this is accurate?

You did say it was constitutional and in accordance with Thai election law didn’t you? So why do you think so many westerns seem to be so critical of it if in large the Thai’s don’t?

Back to my point.

Thai's accept what they are told without question.

Soon Thailand will be "one Party State" if the present government has its way,

and very few will see any danger in that either.

[Dickie]

Yo, Dickie?!?

Enlightenment? Hmmm...

nor of the possibly they would have the intelligence to not want to even attempt to share their opinions with such a rude, condescending, arrogantly egotistical, apparently inbreed and judgmental person that thinks so aristocratically of themselves.

What's the point of sharing opinions only with people of the same mindset?

fair minded, tolerant equality oriented people

Where's this place, then? Doesn't sound like UK, Thailand nor, from what I've been told, USA. Everyone wants to go better than the next man, hence the purchase of status symbols and vicious office politics.

When in fact, if we are honest here, we all know a common encounter with our Fahrang counter parts here, in Thailand, Asia and throughout the 3rd world, allowing, of course, for individual exception, are, for the most part, encounters with an ill breed lot who are just keeping their heads above the sewer line but who have this Astral expressed I am at least better than "them" attitude.

You've accurately described a lot of US workers in the UK. I know, I had the misfortune of working with them in the nineties in The City. It happens everywhere, that sort of thing. It sounds like your six months in LoS has superglued some rose-coloured specs in front of your eyes. The Thais ain't all wonderful and WE aren't so crap.

[Foggy Bottom]

Staying with the OP topis and George's latest news clipping

The question springs to mind as to why the non-poll policy is being so aggressively imposed. Cynics could ask what is being hidden from public view and will actual result from the ballot be the publicly announced final result?

The "influencing decision" excuse may have some validity, but in a transparent election sytem, the exit polls and opinion polls are useful is confirming the ground level desire for the candidate finally elected.

Worth thinking a bit deeper?

[lopburi3]

Staying with the OP topis and George's latest news clipping

The question springs to mind as to why the non-poll policy is being so aggressively imposed. Cynics could ask what is being hidden from public view and will actual result from the ballot be the publicly announced final result?

The "influencing decision" excuse may have some validity, but in a transparent election sytem, the exit polls and opinion polls are useful is confirming the ground level desire for the candidate finally elected.

Worth thinking a bit deeper?

This quote from George's latest clip is key IMHO:

"Gambling on the election has also been made illegal, said Pol. Maj. Gen. Ekachai, adding that the EC has asked police to crack down on election gamblers."

I believe this is and has been the prime concern for banning polls. And why most voters are in agreement with not having them. Elections are normally huge gambling events.

[usatrader]

Yo Dickie, I knew you had something to say. Thanks.

I just knew you where a "chain puller", a lover of the stir and commotion How British. Good job!

See even the disageeable can agree. I agree that people are not that different after all.

Good people are good people and bad people are bad people no matter their race, religion or national origins, except, as you and I secretly know, those gastly yanks.!

Hmmm, 6 months times 26 years, would that be appropriate enough time that one would consider long enough to be more than a johnny come lately, Patty Beach debacherous oriented tourist? quip quip!

Not that debaschery is a bad thing. I've spun a view oats in my time as well. Different strokes you know

Astral, I have no doubt you are a sincere respectful person of the Thai's and their culture. My apologies if it appeared I implied otherwise. But I did respectfully disagree with what you said.

I would also say that the Governors election and its results are clear evidence that the Thai's, no matter their lack of cultural clues to the contrary, can and do think for themsleves when given opportunity (i.e free unencumbered elections good education and economic opportunity).

(Commentary ) They, like others in this world, yes, even the Iraqi's, must be the best they can be in their own way and on their own time table is my view.

As to the topic, dirty politics, sneaky legal manevers, untruths and spin doctors doesn't it make an expat homesick

Hey you guys, some persepective, Thailand 26 years ago, hmmm, now that was a complainer's paradise was it not?

Let's not even mention the field days they would have had in yankee land and Europe in those days.

Man-o-man the good old days, when it was really messed up. Sure wish we could go back don't you all!

H**l we have here in the US. I feel like I have been time warped back to 1968 and my old stomping grounds in Quang Tri Province, The Republic of South Vietnam, man-o-man, now that was a real complainers era.

That is all!

[samran]

PS, George, I have asked around and have not gotten any feed back that this ban is a big deal among Thai voters I am acquainted with. Do you think this is accurate?

You did say it was constitutional and in accordance with Thai election law didn’t you? So why do you think so many westerns seem to be so critical of it if in large the Thai’s don’t?

Back to my point.

Thai's accept what they are told without question.

Soon Thailand will be "one Party State" if the present government has its way,

and very few will see any danger in that either.

A Thai will appear to accept what they are told. Doesn't mean they swallow it. Take some of the PR for certain members of a certain royal family. People see straight through it even though it is constant and pervasive, when it comes to some members.

They will in the main do what they are told, up to a point, for the sake of harmony and not causing a loss of face. There are always ways in Thailand to change someones mind even though all along you make out you are agreeing with them. Anyone with a bit of a clue would know that.

Take it too far though, they will march on the streets and over turn a government, even with soldiers pointing guns at them. You'd never see that happen in a western country.

[astral]

They will in the main do what they are told, up to a point, for the sake of harmony and not causing a loss of face. There are always ways in Thailand to change someones mind even though all along you make out you are agreeing with them. Anyone with a bit of a clue would know that.

Take it too far though, they will march on the streets and over turn a government, even with soldiers pointing guns at them. You'd never see that happen in a western country.

Good point.

I had forgotten that, and I have been around long enoght to have seen it happen 3 times.

Given the result, which is real slap in the face to Toxin, perhaps I should rescind my comments.

Well done to the voters of Bangkok!!

[ovenman]

Given the result, which is real slap in the face to Toxin, perhaps I should rescind my comments.

No doubt the election result is something of a wakeup call for Mr. Big. On the other hand though, if he really had any confidence in Thai Rak Thai's ability to score a win in Bangkok, the party would have fielded its own candidate for the election rather than support Pavena from the sidelines. As I mentioned in another election-related thread, Mr. Big can still hold his head high after this result since an actual TRT candidate did not lose.

[Foggy Bottom]

Of course with a Democrat now being Governor of the capitol, they could try some dirty tricks by playing with the bye-laws - here's a few for a laugh ....

BANGKOK TRAFFIC SOLUTIONS

Members of Parliament and Government employees are not allowed to drive any vehicle over 3 metres in length within the BMA area (i.e. no Merc's or BMW 7's)

FUEL & ENERGY MEASURES

At any time the price of crude oil is above $35, MP's will show leadership to the people by using public mass transport, bicycles, or motobikes not wexceeding 100cc engine size, and they will ensure all their "retail" type businesses are closed by 5pm each day.

LAND PRESSURES & EMPLOYMENT DISTRIBUTION

To conserve land use within the capitol, MP's will relocate their business headquarters and other operations to the provincial capitol of the province within which they were elected, and must emphasise to transferred employees that they may only occupy previously built and unoccupied residential units for the first 5 years after the transfer

Each political party must buy an existing condo tower within Bangkok, and all MP's for respective parties must reside within that tower if they wish to have a residence within Bangkok (Al Quaeda will love that one hehehe). These tower blocks must be within walking distance of the parliament building.

OK gang - add to the list - have some fun with it.

[DaveYo]

USA Trader--------> Your statement above----> ( Ghastly Yanks, ) if so why use the USA emblem on your name. Hence your totally british and guess who saved your countries tushie when in need caused you people cried like a baby.

Daveyo

[usatrader]

Yo Davieyo!

USMC- Vietnam Class of 1968 -69,

Vote 68 Johnson, 72 Mcgovern, 1976 Carter, 1980 Reagan, 1984 Mondale, 1988 Bush, 1992 Perot, 1996 Clinton 2000 Gore and 2004 on Oct 8th GW BUSH.

A Brit, though a good lot from which one of my dalmation spots ancerstors once came, along with some Scot, Irish and Greek genes but, yank from head to toe that's for sure my surface reading friend.

Why else would I have so many opinions

oops retraction!

I would not want to offend our EU friends you know.. their forte and all.

pug! pug!

That is all!

[usatrader]

Yo samran,

Good observation and commentary.

The Thai student demonstations of 1975 where indeed a profile in courage and most assurdedly the reason why the Juanta of that era have drifted underground in modern Thailand. Freedom is a bell that the Thai's will toll I think.

Not to start any controversey but in my humble opinion, a bell, I pray the Iraqi's will also be willing to ring in their own time and way.

I would remind you that others have faced equally the power of the oppressors bayonet.

For example the American, the French and the Russian Revolutions and in Britian the Battle of Hastings of times gone by.

God knows how one would recall these incidence in countless 3rd world countries spread across Africa and S. & Central America not to forget more recent badges of courage paid for at Tianman Square China and even now today by students in Iran.

That is all!

[usatrader]

Yo Gaz chiangmai,

Though I have a large number of my family that are Thai Citizens, I am not, and as such, hopefully, would never presume to tell the Thai’s what they should or should not do with and for their own society and or government.

Of course, as we all know, I am not without opinion on what you have said.

It seems to me ideas like these, if tried in the Halls of Congress in the US or even in halls of Parliament in the UK and much of the EU would meet with the same fate you obviously envision will come from the Thai MPs.

As we have seen in the Halls of capitalism, communism and socialism no matter its state or many evolutions over time, power gotten is power reluctantly relinquished, no matter the utopian or evil intent or motivation that inspired it.

That is all!

[Foggy Bottom]

Power corrupts huh?

Maybe that's why so many expats profess having flat batteries?

[usatrader]

Gaz, if I may,

Incurably so! I afraid