Samak Found Guilty By Court, Must Resign

[robee]

Both BBC and CNN are reporting the news as the top story.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/...d.pm/index.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7605838.stm

[Crushdepth]

I bet Mr Taksin is peeing himself at this very moment. Nothing better than having you brother in law, as acting Prime Minister.

What a classic. And some people wonder why the country is in a state of outrage. Sheesh!

[robee]

Just wonder how the Bhat will respond to this one now ??

Unchanged @ 34.54 - Bloomberg analyst reckons its a THB +ve (uncertainty over).

not sure if the news is better or the humor in this thread

[robee]

Both BBC and CNN are reporting the news as the top story.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/...d.pm/index.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7605838.stm

[robee]

And the trains have still remained stopped at the Hat Yai Rail Station...

Southern Rail Strike to Continue

The southern rail strike continues with the state enterprise labor union's resolution to oust the government and to oppose the People Power Party voting for party leader Samak Sundaravej to return to the prime minister post after the Constitution Court forced him to step down yesterday.

The southern rail service strike continues after the state enterprise labor union agreed to continue its move to oust the government.

The State Railway of Thailand or SRT labor union chief to the Hat Yai Office, Saroj Rakjan, said the ongoing strike follows the SRT labor union's resolution to show support for the People's Alliance for Democracy and to call for the government and the SRT to consider solving the organization's problems for workers.

Despite the Constitution Court ruling unanimously yesterday to terminate Samak Sundaravej's premiership due to his hosting of two TV programs, the SRT labor union believes the court's verdict is merely one success in the struggle against the government. The group will continue its movement until the government resigns.

As revealed by Saroj, the southern train line is the only rail that has stopped its services at this time, after a 13-day rail strike from August 28th to September 9th.

He says that as long as the government is still holding tight to its power without moral concern, especially in its attempt to vote Samak back into the premiership, the state enterprises labor union strike will continue.

The SRT labor union will keep a close eye on the government's movements and expects the political situation will become clear by the end of the week.

- TOC

===========================================

ok, ok...That's not really the Hat Yai Rail Station, but as a train lover, can't one dream?

Actually, it's:

Japan's Hybrid Trains

Japan is making plans to introduce hybrid trains into their transportation systems. Today they are introducing a two-car diesel-electric hybrid train. It has a diesel engine, two electric motors underneath each car and lithium ion batteries on the roof. The train runs on its batteries until it encounters a hill or the batteries begin to run out and then the diesel engine kicks in.

http://keetsa.com/blog/green/green-transpo...-hybrid-trains/

i love trains, and thanks for the link to japans highbryd train

[oli008]

Just wonder how the Bhat will respond to this one now ??

Unchanged @ 34.54 - Bloomberg analyst reckons its a THB +ve (uncertainty over).

And the SET will probably open very strong tomorrow morning.

[robee]

And the trains have still remained stopped at the Hat Yai Rail Station...

Southern Rail Strike to Continue

The southern rail strike continues with the state enterprise labor union's resolution to oust the government and to oppose the People Power Party voting for party leader Samak Sundaravej to return to the prime minister post after the Constitution Court forced him to step down yesterday.

The southern rail service strike continues after the state enterprise labor union agreed to continue its move to oust the government.

The State Railway of Thailand or SRT labor union chief to the Hat Yai Office, Saroj Rakjan, said the ongoing strike follows the SRT labor union's resolution to show support for the People's Alliance for Democracy and to call for the government and the SRT to consider solving the organization's problems for workers.

Despite the Constitution Court ruling unanimously yesterday to terminate Samak Sundaravej's premiership due to his hosting of two TV programs, the SRT labor union believes the court's verdict is merely one success in the struggle against the government. The group will continue its movement until the government resigns.

As revealed by Saroj, the southern train line is the only rail that has stopped its services at this time, after a 13-day rail strike from August 28th to September 9th.

He says that as long as the government is still holding tight to its power without moral concern, especially in its attempt to vote Samak back into the premiership, the state enterprises labor union strike will continue.

The SRT labor union will keep a close eye on the government's movements and expects the political situation will become clear by the end of the week.

- TOC

===========================================

ok, ok...That's not really the Hat Yai Rail Station, but as a train lover, can't one dream?

Actually, it's:

Japan's Hybrid Trains

Japan is making plans to introduce hybrid trains into their transportation systems. Today they are introducing a two-car diesel-electric hybrid train. It has a diesel engine, two electric motors underneath each car and lithium ion batteries on the roof. The train runs on its batteries until it encounters a hill or the batteries begin to run out and then the diesel engine kicks in.

http://keetsa.com/blog/green/green-transpo...-hybrid-trains/

i love trains, and thanks for the link to japans highbryd train

meant hybrid. have one so better get spelling down

[kurtgruen]

We should start posting pictures of what we think the "Escape" Plane will look like, when all the crooks lift off from Don Muang Airport. At least they won't have far to run now

Or maybe somebody can take a picture next time one of Thaksin's henchmen lands at Don Muang to drop of a suitcase full of cash? After all, Thai Style democracy is very expensive

[kurtgruen]

Just wonder how the Bhat will respond to this one now ??

Unchanged @ 34.54 - Bloomberg analyst reckons its a THB +ve (uncertainty over).

And the SET will probably open very strong tomorrow morning.

They just raised interest rates, so I wouldn't get my hopes up for a good foreign exchange rate against the Baht. Plus, even during and after the last military coup, the Baht didn't seem to weaken.

Auto workers are getting laid off left and right in North America, while the producers are opening plants in Thailand, so I expect a strong Thai economy.

As far as tourism goes, there are starting to be more and more pictures floating around internationally, of tourists visiting the demonstration site at Government house and buying clapping hands and T-shirts as souveniers, so my guess is, along with getting a good laugh about a Prime Minister getting tossed for cooking (since foreigners abroad don't know, and don't want to know, the full story), the tourists will be arriving as usual, in high season, as long as theState of Emergeny gets cancelled tomorrow or soon afterwards.

Sort of like, when people around the world seen flowers put in the guns of tanks during the last coup.

A Thai smile does a lot, to make people feel at ease.

A lot will depend on how the government handles the situation. If they keep things peaceful and from errupting into violence again, people around the world will forget fast.

Have a good night everyone

Kurt

[LaoPo]

WALDO'S BEEN FOUND !! :D

but it's at a crematorium :D

Samak chairs cremation of Government House official

Disqualified prime minister Samak Sundaravej chaired the cremation of a late Government House official at a Bangkok temple Wednesday evening.

He chaired the cremation of Somsak Boonkrob at Wat Bueng Thonglang at 5 pm.

He declined to reply when reporters asked him whether he would accept the post of prime minister again.

- The Nation

You have made it pretty clear in hundreds of posts that you dislike Samak.

But, to post a kind of cheering message that you have 'found' him, attending the cremation of a person who just died is absolutely tasteless.

It's 'not done'..... No class, no style, no dignity and no respect for someone who's attending a funeral/cremation, WHATEVER he has done or not.

It's a golden rule, all over the world: show respect for/to people attending a funeral/cremation.

LaoPo

[ando]

WALDO'S BEEN FOUND !! :D

but it's at a crematorium :D

Samak chairs cremation of Government House official

Disqualified prime minister Samak Sundaravej chaired the cremation of a late Government House official at a Bangkok temple Wednesday evening.

He chaired the cremation of Somsak Boonkrob at Wat Bueng Thonglang at 5 pm.

He declined to reply when reporters asked him whether he would accept the post of prime minister again.

- The Nation

You have made it pretty clear in hundreds of posts that you dislike Samak.

But, to post a kind of cheering message that you have 'found' him, attending the cremation of a person who just died is absolutely tasteless.

It's 'not done'..... No class, no style, no dignity and no respect for someone who's attending a funeral/cremation, WHATEVER he has done or not.

It's a golden rule, all over the world: show respect for/to people attending a funeral/cremation.

LaoPo

I think a handful of posters here have become obsessive about their hatred for Thai political figures they would like to see gone.

The post you refer to above is an example of common sense and common courtesy gone out the window.

[AlKing]

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who was appointed as acting Prime Minister by the caretaker government, arrives at the Supreme Command Headquarters in Bangkok September 10, 2008. The parties in Thailand's ruling coalition met behind closed doors on Wednesday to agree a replacement prime minister for Samak Sundaravej, who was removed by the courts for hosting TV cooking shows while in office.

REUTERS

I bet Mr Taksin is peeing himself at this very moment. Nothing better than having you brother in law, as acting Prime Minister.

The mind boggles so much for new politics.

Cheers, Rick

I cannot stop laughing. PAD has shot themselves in the foot. Now they should start shouting "Somchai (Thaksin brother in-law) Ook Bai"

[sriracha john]

PPP stakes its right to form government

The People Power Party (PPP) has lobbied the current coalition parties to continue to support PPP to form the government. However, the parties have not agreed on the new prime minister.

A PPP source said that while the PPP would nominate outgoing prime minister Samak Sundaravej to keep the premiership, the party anticipated a House dissolution after the 2009 Budget Bill is passed through the parliamentary process.

The Chat Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties have agreed to let PPP decide on the nominee for prime minister. However, Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thienthong said nominating Samak, who was disqualified, back to office would only increase political problems. PPP should avoid choosing people who would be targets of protests again, he said.

PPP secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee and deputy leaders Somchai Wongsawat and Sompong Amornwiwat yesterday met Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa at the Chat Thai headquarters, and also met Snoh at his house.

Snoh proposed that the PPP and Democrat parties form the government and talk to the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy to end the political conflicts.

He said people are not likely to support Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as the new prime minister because the majority had voted for the PPP to form government.

Moreover, the PPP must clear people's perception of a connection with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. It should stop promoting support of Thaksin, such as red T-shirts, to prevent provocative feelings.

Snoh said if his suggestions were ignored, he might not vote to select the prime minister in a House meeting on Friday.

Meanwhile, Banharn said he would stick to the party's principle of letting the party with the most seats in the House form the government. If it cannot succeed then the job belongs to the party with the second-most seats.

Banharn said the new prime minister should be able to connect to all groups to prevent more rifts in society and in the PPP. Moreover, the new government should avoid any large projects that could be questioned or criticised.

Chat Thai will meet this morning to get the party's resolution again, he said.

PPP deputy leader Somchai Wongsawat said he was confident the coalition parties would continue to stick together. Although Banharn would let PPP decide, it would have to listen to coalition parties before deciding to nominate a prime minister.

Matchima Thipataya Party leader Anongwan Thepsuthin, the caretaker natural resources and environment minister, said all parties should follow laws and stick to the principles that the coalition parties had agreed to.

"Now I want people to focus on organisations and principles, not on persons who might not be 100-per-cent satisfactory to all, but the principle says we have to agree on whoever is nominated by the party with the most seats in the House," she said.

Puea Pandin Narathiwat MP Waemahadee Waedao said he would not follow the party's resolution if Samak was nominated back to office, as it is an MP's right to do so.

Puea Pandin Party leader Suwit Khunkitti said he had not been contacted by other parties. However, he would focus on reconciliation.

- The Nation / September 11, 2008

[sriracha john]

THAI TALK

Samak could return but his troubles have just begun

By Suthichai Yoon

The Nation

Published on September 11, 2008

JUST as the country sighed with relief when the Constitution Court ruled unanimously that Samak Sundaravej must quit over the issue of conflict of interest, the ruling People Power Party decided to plunge the country into a new crisis.

The ruling clique apparently wants, as one local pundit put it, to exhume "that decomposing dead body from a rotten coffin" and parade it for a stunned and disbelieving public.

The bewildering argument from the PPP's core leadership is that the court's ruling simply disqualifies Samak on a technicality - that he was "employed" by a private firm to host a television cooking show after he became premier. But he legally remains an MP and is thus entitled to be voted back in the House as the prime minister.

That, of course, is the misguided and selfish interpretation of the court ruling by the PPP.

The court, in fact, based its verdict on one very serious violation committed by the country's chief executive: he had blatantly violated the Constitution clause that prohibits "conflict of interest" by those wielding political power.

In other words, the PPP leadership has, for no other reason except its own political survival, chosen to gloss over the all-important ethical aspect of Samak's conduct in this regard and wants to exploit a legal loophole simply to keep itself in power.

Apparently they don't give a second thought to whether this despicable display of greed for power could stoke the fire of another major crisis.

The fact is that the court ruling indicated Samak had fabricated back-dated documents to fight his case, a serious violation of the law and public trust for any political leader in any country. Apparently this didn't stop the PPP's leaders from claiming, without any semblance of shame, that their leader was still "eligible" to return as premier.

And the September 9 verdict isn't the last of Samak's legal troubles. In fact, his slide into the political abyss has only just begun.

Just around the corner is the September 25 appointment that Samak has with the Court of Appeals, when the verdict is supposed to come down on his appeal against a Criminal Court decision to jail him for two years over a defamation case.

This is arguably more ominous for Samak than the Constitution Court's ruling to disqualify him as premier on Tuesday.

If the Appeals Court rules to uphold the first verdict, Samak could immediately be put behind bars. Although he claims he could still resort to a Supreme Court ruling, most legal experts say that's not a legitimate option for Samak.

In the infamous defamation case, Samak and his close friend Dusit Siriwan were sued for libel by former deputy Bangkok governor Samart Rajpolasidhi. The first court ruling came as a shock to Samak because the two-year jail term was not accompanied, as he had expected, by a probation period.

His cantankerous, crude and abrasive manner against anyone not on his side has come back to haunt him.

The list of potentially damaging cases against Samak doesn't end there. He also faces another high-profile corruption case involving the purchase of a fleet of fire engines while he was Bangkok governor. That's being handled by the National Counter Corruption Commission, which is also investigating allegations that Samak and his Cabinet violated the Constitution by signing a joint communiqu้ with the Cambodian government over the listing of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage Site without having obtained Parliament's endorsement.

That's not all. Samak is also the target of another NCCC probe, this one related to charges that he was implicated in the questionable construction of a garbage disposal plant - also while he held the post of Bangkok governor.

As if the list of legal cases against him isn't long enough, there is also the accusation that Samak, as prime minister, should be held legally responsible for failing to revoke the diplomatic passport of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, despite the fact that the latter jumped bail and fled to England over a major corruption case.

Now, with this string of legal time-bombs threatening Samak's future at every turn, how does one explain the PPP's preposterous, disastrous attempt to drag the whole country along on one man's dirty and messy journey to political hel_l?

The PPP's only excuse for committing such a blatant political crime against the country is the number of hands they have in the House.

The tyranny of the majority, it seems, has gone beyond all imaginable limits.

[sriracha john]

Academics decry PPP move to vote for Samak to return as PM

University scholars have joined a chorus of protest against a move to bring back Samak Sundaravej as PM, saying it would only result in endless political tensions. The business sector and labour unions are also against Samak making a comeback. A number of parties in society yesterday came out to explain their views to House members, especially those from the PPP. Some PPP lawmakers want to nominate Samak as PM again despite the fact that the Constitution Court disqualified him as premier for hosting cooking shows while in office. Thammasat University rector Surapol Nitikraipoj issued a statement listing the reasons why such a move would cause more damage to Thai society which he said is already reeling. "It would not only be a slap in the face of the Constitution Court, but also reject the existence of ethics," he said. Mr Surapol said if Samak returned as PM, political conflicts and social divisions would widen while there would be a high risk of violence. Samak is known to have an aggressive and uncompromising personality. He is confident in his ideas and often rejects those that are opposite to his own, said Mr Surapol. Law lecturers from Thammasat, Chulalongkorn, and Naresuan universities, along with Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University have signed their names in a petition to call for the House not to vote for his return.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/110908_News/11Sep2008_news11.php

[sriracha john]

Pressure mounts on PPP not to nominate Samak

Democrats propose a government of unity

The reinstatement of Samak Sundaravej as prime minister is in doubt as growing pressure inside the PPP and its coalition partners yesterday forced a search for a new candidate. The momentum shifted from Samak to Deputy PPP Leader Somchai Wongsawat, who is caretaker PM and Education Minister. He is a brother-in-law of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. The twist comes a day after PPP MPs pledged to nominate Samak, the Party Leader, to again lead the government after the Constitution Court removed him from office for receiving money for hosting two cooking shows on commercial television. Signs of withdrawal of support appeared at a meeting of about 100 PPP MPs at a Bangkok hotel led by former Deputy Party Leader and former House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat. He declined to discuss details, saying only that the MPs' pledge to support Samak shortly after the court's verdict did not constitute a party resolution.

Although the meeting praised Samak as a ''good and straightforward man'' committed to the party, ''the country's problem is too big and we cannot make it a personal matter'', said Yongyuth, who was to convey what the MPs had discussed to Samak. ''We are discussing how we can help restore his honour and dignity, which have been trampled on,'' he added. Samak's nomination for reappointment was opposed by the Isan Pattana faction, which supports Somchai. The group will definitely not support the return of Samak because the country had been damaged in the seven months he was in charge, said Preecha Rengsomboon, PPP MP for Loei. The choice of Somchai was also supported by PPP members in the faction led by Sudarat Keyuraphan.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/110908_News/11Sep2008_news01.php

[sriracha john]

The current PM (front row, 2nd from left) and the former PM (foreground)

Thai Cabinet chooses acting PM

The Thai Cabinet has chosen a brother-in-law of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as the country's acting Prime Minister, following the judicial sacking of Samak Sundaravej.

Somchai Wongsawat will be in charge until an emergency meeting of the Parliament elects a permanent leader on Friday.

The ruling coalition will name its candidate for the post at a news conference today.

On Tuesday a court ruled Samak had violated the consitution by accepting payment for hosting television cooking shows while in office. Samak's People Power Party, the biggest in the six-member coalition, initially pledged to re-nominate him as prime minister.

It has now backed off, saying instead that the next prime minister must be one of its members.

There's speculation the second largest party in the coalition, Chart Thai would want its leader Banharn Silpa-archa to replace Samak.

Smaller partners have not made their stance clear.

- AFP / September 11, 2008

[Artisi]

I bet Mr Taksin is peeing himself at this very moment. Nothing better than having you brother in law, as acting Prime Minister.

What a classic. And some people wonder why the country is in a state of outrage. Sheesh!

If this were to happen you can kiss the idea of toxins diplomatic passport ever being cancelled now or any extradition request being made in the UK.

Edited September 11, 2008 by Artisi

[madi]

Thailand is not now nor has it ever been a democratic nation. Thailand has done a good show of trying to act as if it has elections but the elections are meaningless. There is No majority rule here.

When the world understands this clearly, might there be severe trade tariffs against Thailand as in the case of Burma?

I love Thailand but they need to get their acts together or this place will implode.

I think so.

[ando]

I cannot stop laughing. PAD has shot themselves in the foot. Now they should start shouting "Somchai (Thaksin brother in-law) Ook Bai"

Oh yes. The PAD agenda runs a lot deeper than just getting rid of the sitting government. They wont rest until they have been lawfully confronted and dispersed with their leaders imprisoned or they have managed to implement a pseudo democratic dictatorship of their liking. The PADS demands will just keep ramping up as time goes on if they are allowed to continue running amuck.

[brahmburgers]

I wonder; how is this is playing out in regards to teachers and their students?

Is there much impetus for teachers (and parents) to encourage youngsters to buck the trends of their seniors? In other words, are teachers and parents encouraging youngsters be aspire to do the right things when they (the kids) grow up? ....or simply follow in the footsteps of their elders?

Do the teachers and parents even know what ethical behavior is? After all, they too have had poor examples to emulate in their formative years.

Some of the current flock of youngsters will be getting in to positions of authority and power in later years. Most will slide in via privilege - while others will have to claw their way to top positions. Either way, will they embrace the tarnished ethics of their predecessors, or will they somehow buck the trend and embrace decent ways of doing things. Perhaps those questions are altogether too naïve.

[sriracha john]

I wonder; how is this is playing out in regards to teachers and their students?

Is there much impetus for teachers (and parents) to encourage youngsters to buck the trends of their seniors?

I wouldn't exactly characterize it as "encouraging"...

Student protesters caned by teacher

Pupils marched against their school's eviction

A teacher at a school facing relocation to make way for the new parliamentary site has been accused of caning eight students, including a girl who was allegedly struck 18 consecutive times. They were accused of skipping classes to attend a protest against the relocation of Yothinburana school in Dusit district, Bangkok, to clear the land for construction of the new parliament. They were allegedly caned by a teacher identified as Suwattana Permpool as punishment for the apparent truancy, but their parents complained the punishment was too harsh. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the aunt of a Mathayom 2 (grade 8) student said her niece was caned 18 times by Ms Suwattana on Monday for attending Friday's protest. More than 500 students from the school had joined the protest march to Government House. But the student who was allegedly caned 18 times said she had not even joined the protest march. She said the teacher struck her 18 consecutive times in full view of other students in the classroom, but the other alleged truants _ who she said had joined the protest _ were caned only a few times each. They would apparently receive the remainder of their canings at a later date, in ''installments''. The girl's parents took her to Vichaiyut hospital in Phaya Thai for a physical examination and presented the results to police at Tao Poon station yesterday as evidence of their complaint. The mother backed up the girl's claims that she had not participated in Friday's protest. On that day, lessons were proceeding as usual, but the school later dismissed classes because hundreds of its students were planning to join the march.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/200808_News/20Aug2008_news01.php

[cymruambyth1]

I find it a bit disgusting reading the threads from supposedly mature farang male flies eating off a plate of yesterdays news. What we have seen today is an honest attempt to follow the rules. Yes, it is almost laughable that while they never got square-face Thaksin cooking the books, Samak the went down for mere cooking food. But they got him for breaking a basic rule

Samak as PM did engage in a another enterprise as an employee, so says the verdict. Stop laughing, stop making jokes and kow-tow to a verdict that shows that the judiciary of Thailand finally can stand independent and proud!

Stop laughing, stop making a joke of everything happening here. Most of us here on visa.com are farang, lliving in Thailand, let us all cheer what is finally happening within the legal system, let us applaud the efforts being made!

Some of the threads disgust me! We are guests in a beatiful country, there are ways of behaviour we do not not understand, - can not understand. So what?

If you want what you're used to, go back home! Now. I suggest Thai Economy Premium, 2nd floor.

People like you really PI$$ ME OFF!

We are guests, but high paying ones! I run a business here that costs a fortune in time and money to operate FAIRLY and LEGALLY (soon to be 2x businesses) and this whole "guest" thing really fcuks me off. Especially when one Khun Squarehead is a "guest" in my home country.

<deleted>...both of you!

Edited September 11, 2008 by cymruambyth1

[clausewitz]

This helps explain why voting and democracy is seen as such an anethama and especially why the judiciary feel they can decide cases on teh basis of political expediency.

http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/27/pol...cs_30032854.php

Drafters (OF THE CONSTITUITION THAT THE MILITARY PUSHED THROUGH) defended the move to appoint senators. In a public hearing, former judge Wicha Mahakhun claimed that,

We all know elections are evil, but [why do] many people still want to see history repeated? People, especially academics, who want to see the constitution lead to genuine democracy, are naive. Electing senators is a problem, as seen in the past, so why don't people want judges to help select senators?

The former judge further claimed that the King placed his trust in the judiciary's proposed role in appointing the Senate, noting that "On April 9 [2006], His Majesty told the judges to perform their duties firmly and without caring what others might say. His Majesty said if the courts did not support good people, society could not survive. His Majesty said it was most imperative [for judges] to ensure justice. Even HM the King places trust in the judges; would you condemn them? The country collapsed because politicians played politics without principle, but these people [who want elected senators] have never learned from the [country's] crisis.

Direct CNS appointees

BTW The constitution drafting commitee included anti-Thaksin activists such as Prasong Soonsiri

and even new supreme court judges were chosen from known PAD supporters or anti-thaksin, pro military cadidates.

[geriatrickid]

Auto workers are getting laid off left and right in North America, while the producers are opening plants in Thailand, so I expect a strong Thai economy.

Only layoffs in North America are at the unionized plants. Non unionized Toyota, Nissan & Honda manufacturers are doing fine. Toyota, despite a closure of its lines in Texas & Indiana did not layoff employees. Although approx. 1/3 of vehicles assembled in Thailand are exported (Middle east, Australia and ASEAN countries) the presence of automobile plants in Thailand was intended to serve the local market. Parts are still manufactured in countries like Malaysia and China and then sent to Thailand for asembly, so the opening of a couple assembly centers isn't that big an influence on the local economy.

The increased investment in the Thailand auto industryover the past five years owes much to the efforts of the former Thaksin government since the largest projects were negotiated when he was PM.

[Thanh-BKK]

People like you really PI$$ ME OFF!

We are guests, but high paying ones! I run a business here that costs a fortune in time and money to operate FAIRLY and LEGALLY (soon to be 2x businesses) and this whole "guest" thing really fcuks me off. Especially when one Khun Squarehead is a "guest" in my home country.

<deleted>...both of you!

but he was right, no?

You can pay as high as you want and run as many businesses as you want - Khun Squarehead has British citizenship before YOU are allowed to own the piece of land your house stands on, that is a fact. And even if you pump millions of Euros/Dollars into the Thai economy, if they (government) don't like us foreigners anymore, you're on a plane "home" tomorrow, and NO chance to fight against it.

Still this place is a web forum with the purpose of having discussions around topics, so everyone is free (within the rules of the forum) to state their opinion. If that "pisses you off" then go to some other website, i recommend "www.google.co.th/en" where you can look for topics you like to read about.

No need for name calling ok? And i'm no moderator, just stating MY opinion.

Best regards......

Thanh

[Crushdepth]

Anyone that thinks appointing Thaksin's brother-in-law as Prime Minister is a good idea is just plain crazy.

[cymruambyth1]

People like you really PI$ ME OFF!

We are guests, but high paying ones! I run a business here that costs a fortune in time and money to operate FAIRLY and LEGALLY (soon to be 2x businesses) and this whole "guest" thing really fcuks me off. Especially when one Khun Squarehead is a "guest" in my home country.

<deleted>...both of you!

but he was right, no?

You can pay as high as you want and run as many businesses as you want - Khun Squarehead has British citizenship before YOU are allowed to own the piece of land your house stands on, that is a fact. And even if you pump millions of Euros/Dollars into the Thai economy, if they (government) don't like us foreigners anymore, you're on a plane "home" tomorrow, and NO chance to fight against it.

Still this place is a web forum with the purpose of having discussions around topics, so everyone is free (within the rules of the forum) to state their opinion. If that "pisses you off" then go to some other website, i recommend "www.google.co.th/en" where you can look for topics you like to read about.

No need for name calling ok? And i'm no moderator, just stating MY opinion.

Best regards......

Thanh

Wouldn't that pi$ you off as well?

Or are you just a sycophant like all the other losers that keep crapping on about being "guests" in this "beautiful country".

[ando]

I wonder; how is this is playing out in regards to teachers and their students?

Is there much impetus for teachers (and parents) to encourage youngsters to buck the trends of their seniors? In other words, are teachers and parents encouraging youngsters be aspire to do the right things when they (the kids) grow up? ....or simply follow in the footsteps of their elders?

Do the teachers and parents even know what ethical behavior is? After all, they too have had poor examples to emulate in their formative years.

Some of the current flock of youngsters will be getting in to positions of authority and power in later years. Most will slide in via privilege - while others will have to claw their way to top positions. Either way, will they embrace the tarnished ethics of their predecessors, or will they somehow buck the trend and embrace decent ways of doing things. Perhaps those questions are altogether too naïve.

Unfortunately Thai culture is extremely corrupt compared to most developed countries and kids learn to adopt this culture from their parents, peers and mentors in their developing years. When the kids see the most corrupt people in their community and within their country prospering at the expense of honest folk, is it any wonder what set of values they will adopt in life.

Thailand doesn't only need political change but also cultural change re corruption at all levels of society. And the only way to start the ball rolling in that direction is through the justice system in a democratic society. Its so sad to see those kids being sent off by their parents to protest with PAD when in fact, for most, they are supporting a political agenda for a much diminished quality of life for their own future.

[Thanh-BKK]

Wouldn't that pi$ you off as well?

Or are you just a sycophant like all the other losers that keep crapping on about being "guests" in this "beautiful country".

Hi.

It sure would, however i wouldn't take it as a reason to call someone else names. I myself am fully aware that my only right in this country is to leave my money here, still i like being here for a number of reasons and, compared to my home country (which is Germany) Thailand is certainly beautiful.

If you follow my posts you will see that i DO engage in this political spectacle thread as well, as i, too, am certainly not happy with the way things go - still i also know that i personally have no chance of doing anything about it so posting my opinion is all i can do.

And please excuse my lack of knowledge, but what is a "sycophant"?

Regards.....

Thanh