Ex-thai, So What Do You Think Of Thailand Now?

[Garden]

I'm an ex-Thai, have been living in the US since I was young. But I've always think of Thailand though, since there's lots of good growing up memories. Now I'm in my 30's and looking at Thailand from the outside.

So I'm just wondering about what do ex-Thais or other Thais living abroad all over the world think of Thailand now. We don't have the same social pressure and group metality like living there. We must be able to say things freer (well maybe not on this website) but in general. We must have stronger opinions don't we? Or are we still instinctively watching our tounges and not saying something insulting.

I'm sort of sad at what's going on. Although I don't know much of the details and what led up to what, but what's wrong with an election? A good ol' election to elect an official. It just seems fair.

This is my opionion of my young cousins in Thailand when I ask: so what color are you? The answer is always: first starts off with a laugh, then

"Oh, P'...., I don't have a color, I'm green or purple"

To me, it meant that they are afraid to speak their minds, since what they thinking doesn't jive with what's out there. So, it's always a laugh. And opinions on current situations are not a topic of discussion.

[TheItaliann]

Many Thais just don't care at all about what is going on and hate both sides. Not like either side is desirable.

But yeah, not Thai, but when I go overseas and come back a lot of the "developing country aspects" of Thailand are more obvious. It always takes some readjusting.

[BLUEEYEDTHAI]

Hello Garden,Great to see your opinions.This was to funny,and true(well maybe not on this website)BIG LOL!!! Please lets hear more.

With very few exceptions I find what you say about Thais expressing political opinions to be true. What country do you now reside in?

[scrotiem249]

Unfortunately the outside view of Thailand depends on what news source it's gathered from!...

I have lived in Thailand for 16 years and have never missed home and think it's a lovely place to live. All the Thai's I've met and dealt with have been very nice people.

[Garden]

I'm in the US. I'm glad you've found some humor.

Want to hear more? Well, I kinda wish the Red Movement is more substantial and have more balls. Seems like their opponent is not taking them seriously enough, and maybe they're not taking themselves seriously. You can tell by that meeting the two group leaders had. The picture at the end when they're shaking hands were aweful. There they were, demanding dissolution of the government, but in the end they shooks hands with the enemy like they were

star struck and salivating. And of course, the one sided media capitalizes on this by showing this photo over and over. It's a vicious cycle.

It seems like the Reds need help from the outside. They should show their signs in BIG ENGLISH LANGUAGE. Maybe that will get CNN or BCC on their side. They really need something.

[scottbrown]

he he thailand has the worst reputation in the world did you ever see the ali g film with miss thailand and the ping pong ball?

[Garden]

Oh oh, another technicality issue.

[anon345535]

personally i thought they were good sign suggestions....

maybe in small print under the second one you could write (yes, we know it grows in fields) to satisfy the tv intellectuals

[Garden]

Roblok,

Ur right, ur right. Farmers harvest...but how about the farmers' wives and daughters who come into town to be khon chite for the city folks.

are they the ones that cook the rice. and are the children of these protesters.....

just playing with ya.

[Loz]

So. let me get this right? You are a red supporter?

I am glad you've learned to express yourself. I wonder how long though before you have something constructive to express...

[robblok]

personally i thought they were good sign suggestions....

maybe in small print under the second one you could write (yes, we know it grows in fields) to satisfy the tv intellectuals

Thank you this is the first time i have ever been called an intellectual, i will take great pride in it knowing this is not even my native tongue.

[robblok]

I also don't understand why they would need signs in English as this is a Thai issue and it is all legal and unlikely any foreign power will interfere.

Just my 2 cents

[GungaDin]

So. let me get this right? You are a red supporter?

I am glad you've learned to express yourself. I wonder how long though before you have something constructive to express...

Yes, and while you're at the keyboard enlighten us why a well known conman should not serve his time in jail.

[Garden]

I also don't understand why they would need signs in English as this is a Thai issue and it is all legal and unlikely any foreign power will interfere.

Just my 2 cents

I guess you're serious and that's an honest question. Well, I'll try to be serious back. World has no old boudaries like it used to be before the internet. I think they called that 'globalization'. And clearly, if you're interested in Thailand and are looking from the outside, you'll see that the fight is an unfair fight. Everything is controlled, staged, lopsided, internalized.... To get things broadcasted in English would actually get outsiders to read and understand the fight. If you read those signs in Thai, there are some pretty strong cries, but it does nothing when only your opponent is reading them and the neutral group cannot understand the fight.

All the Western world gets is "Strange stories from around the world" -- "Thai Black Magic Pours Blood at the Gates of Parliament"

[Garden]

Since I'm on the roll here....

As far as I can see, he is not scared at all at this point. He's still going around riding sky high on the same old I went to Oxford crap. This is so typical of Thai Hi So. Talk about oxford, talk about their classic 190e, talk about boarding school and cricket, talk about having fun at bayswater....

Care to elaborate on why you like the red side?, Garden...

Apart from the Oxford/Hi-So headman factor...

Aren't you worried by the whole 'communist' image of the redshirts?

Ok. I may actually be a good redshirt example here. I'm not too deep into the details, complexites or the why's. I'm very shallowed and all I know is the murtha didn't get elected. There might be ulterior motives behind the red or the yellow for matter, but I aint going there yet. It gets jumbled up.

[Loz]

Apisit came to power through the democratic process. to not know this is to begin on a false premis.

[Garden]

So. let me get this right? You are a red supporter?

I am glad you've learned to express yourself. I wonder how long though before you have something constructive to express...

Yes, and while you're at the keyboard enlighten us why a well known conman should not serve his time in jail.

If you mean Taksin, I actually agree with you. Just thinking out of the box here and it's not a diplomatically neutral statement that Thais make..."I'm not red or yellow" but I just thought that IF Taksin should actually now consider himself the sacrificial lamb, turn himself in.

And this will mark the beginning of the end. Now the reds will really have something to cry about. They will get a lot strong if this happens.

[GungaDin]

I think you need to read some of the topics here about your hero, and some outside sources of information.

You sound like a red shirt farmer who doesn't know why someone gave him 2000bt. to go to Bangkok.

I've no time for either red or yellow, but a convicted ex-pm should serve his time in jail.

Hopefully, the courts will sort out sentences to both groups of morons.

[sabaijai]

Several inflammatory posts have been deleted or cleaned up. Keep the discussion civil. Everyone's entitled to an opinion, no flames please.

[rixalex]

Although I don't know much of the details and what led up to what, but what's wrong with an election?

There's nothing wrong with an election. What gave you the impression that there was? Have you heard Abhisit say "no more elections in Thailand"? Of course not. Elections are due by the end of next year at the latest, but the reds want elections immediately because they aren't in power right now, and they feel it their right to demand they get granted their wish, irregardless of what the rest of the country feels.

[Rimmer]

One post and some replies deleted.

If you do not want your post deleted please use politicians correct names.

[Farang0tang]

I'm in the US. I'm glad you've found some humor.

Want to hear more? Well, I kinda wish the Red Movement is more substantial and have more balls. Seems like their opponent is not taking them seriously enough, and maybe they're not taking themselves seriously. You can tell by that meeting the two group leaders had. The picture at the end when they're shaking hands were aweful. There they were, demanding dissolution of the government, but in the end they shooks hands with the enemy like they were

star struck and salivating. And of course, the one sided media capitalizes on this by showing this photo over and over. It's a vicious cycle.

It seems like the Reds need help from the outside. They should show their signs in BIG ENGLISH LANGUAGE. Maybe that will get CNN or BCC on their side. They really need something.

OK, but only if i get my 2,000THB first!

[IMA_FARANG]

What do I think? Or more importantly, what does my Thai family who lives in Bangkok think?

Having talked to them by phone, I'll tell you what they are thinking.

All of them have some way of making a living in Bangkok. One daughter sells jewelry and hair ornaments in a market stall. One son is a Songthiew driver. One son works for a company that sets up displays for firms trying to promote and market Thai goods in Thailand (usually exhibits in tourist hotels or apartment stores and malls).

All of them don't have much love for any politicians in Thailand, because from their viewpoint all Thai politicians are corrupt and only out for the money. And that's ALL THAI POLITICAL PARTIES. Government, Reds, or Yellows it makes no difference to them.

What my family wants is to be able to get back to their jobs again, so they can contribute their part to the family, and earn their own living.

The granddaughter just wants to go to school again (she's about 13 now).

It's no great secret....and I bet a lot of Thais in Bangkok feel just the same way.

[anon345535]

personally i thought they were good sign suggestions....

maybe in small print under the second one you could write (yes, we know it grows in fields) to satisfy the tv intellectuals

Thank you this is the first time i have ever been called an intellectual, i will take great pride in it knowing this is not even my native tongue.

my pleasure

[Garden]

I think you need to read some of the topics here about your hero, and some outside sources of information.

You sound like a red shirt farmer who doesn't know why someone gave him 2000bt. to go to Bangkok.

I've no time for either red or yellow, but a convicted ex-pm should serve his time in jail.

Hopefully, the courts will sort out sentences to both groups of morons.

You sound really intelligent and well informed. And more importantly, you sound like a leader who

really has something inspiring to say. Your thinking is so unique. Please hurry and find people to applaud.

[Garden]

What do I think? Or more importantly, what does my Thai family who lives in Bangkok think?

Having talked to them by phone, I'll tell you what they are thinking.

All of them have some way of making a living in Bangkok. One daughter sells jewelry and hair ornaments in a market stall. One son is a Songthiew driver. One son works for a company that sets up displays for firms trying to promote and market Thai goods in Thailand (usually exhibits in tourist hotels or apartment stores and malls).

All of them don't have much love for any politicians in Thailand, because from their viewpoint all Thai politicians are corrupt and only out for the money. And that's ALL THAI POLITICAL PARTIES. Government, Reds, or Yellows it makes no difference to them.

What my family wants is to be able to get back to their jobs again, so they can contribute their part to the family, and earn their own living.

The granddaughter just wants to go to school again (she's about 13 now).

It's no great secret....and I bet a lot of Thais in Bangkok feel just the same way.

I see your point. BUT, it just seems wrong for the people that don't have that lifestyle and are struggling to stay alive.

So for the pink shirts or the Bangkok people who are indifferent until they are annoyed because they can't get back to their life just sound selfish and blinded. In a bigger picture, "if I aint struggling, then screw the rest" is an ignorant stance.

[GungaDin]

I think you need to read some of the topics here about your hero, and some outside sources of information.

You sound like a red shirt farmer who doesn't know why someone gave him 2000bt. to go to Bangkok.

I've no time for either red or yellow, but a convicted ex-pm should serve his time in jail.

Hopefully, the courts will sort out sentences to both groups of morons.

You sound really intelligent and well informed. And more importantly, you sound like a leader who

really has something inspiring to say. Your thinking is so unique. Please hurry and find people to applaud.

What a pity I can't say the same about you!

[wayfarer108]

What do I think? Or more importantly, what does my Thai family who lives in Bangkok think?

Having talked to them by phone, I'll tell you what they are thinking.

All of them have some way of making a living in Bangkok. One daughter sells jewelry and hair ornaments in a market stall. One son is a Songthiew driver. One son works for a company that sets up displays for firms trying to promote and market Thai goods in Thailand (usually exhibits in tourist hotels or apartment stores and malls).

All of them don't have much love for any politicians in Thailand, because from their viewpoint all Thai politicians are corrupt and only out for the money. And that's ALL THAI POLITICAL PARTIES. Government, Reds, or Yellows it makes no difference to them.

What my family wants is to be able to get back to their jobs again, so they can contribute their part to the family, and earn their own living.

The granddaughter just wants to go to school again (she's about 13 now).

It's no great secret....and I bet a lot of Thais in Bangkok feel just the same way.

I see your point. BUT, it just seems wrong for the people that don't have that lifestyle and are struggling to stay alive.

So for the pink shirts or the Bangkok people who are indifferent until they are annoyed because they can't get back to their life just sound selfish and blinded. In a bigger picture, "if I aint struggling, then screw the rest" is an ignorant stance.

There are haves and have-nots in every country, but the Reds who occupied my street in central Bangkok today all look pretty well off, driving their own cars and motorcycles. The landlady of my apt building pointed out that many of the Red leaders were driving BMWs and gold-trimmed Toyota Camry. There is a party atmosphere, no one seems to be doing much more than enjoying a Bangkok holiday.

This is not about have vs have-not, but even if it were, toppling the current government would bring the Red have-nots nothing but further instability and reduced livelihood. The current government is doing a fine job of restoring stability and helping the economy recover - better than two previous administrations (Somchai and Somsak), who the Reds supported.

If you really think that Jatuporn, Chalerm, Jakrapop and company now how to run this nation better, please point out how. I can't see it, and I don't think the majority of Thais see it either.

In my mind the taking over of neighbourhoods is *far* more selfish than wanting to go to work and make a living.

If you don't believe me, come on down to the Chidlom area and see for yourself. It's a total charade.

Oh I forgot, you don't live here. Well we, the majority of Thailand residents who support the Abhisit government, will be happy for you to remain 'ex-Thai.'

[Garden]

Point well taken.

Then let the majority decide through majority rules.

Have no fear since the majority supports this govy.

[rixalex]

Then let the majority decide through majority rules.

Nobody is arguing if there should be elections, people are arguing if there should be elections immediately at the demand of a minority on the streets.

Perhaps you'd like to tell us why you think there should be elections immediately.