Expats Views Sought On Bangkok's Restoration

[SomTumTiger]

First, develop the waterways and canals for tourism..........use positive models like San Antonio, Texas.

Second, increase (greatly) the number of parks.

Third, plant trees, trees, trees...........all over.

Fourth, do something positive about the traffic problem...........again, use positive models.

Agree in principle - although Texas would not be considered a positive model of much of anything .

[kaengk]

Many of us believe that Central World should not be rebuilt. Instead a People's Park should be built with a large memorial to the citizens slaughtered by the military in the 1976, 1992 and 2010 pro-democracy demonstrations.

Why would you build a memorial at a location that was burnt down by criminals? Maybe there could be a plaque for the people that died in the building (unless they were actually looting), but that's about it.

I don't have any sympathy for people violating the law. They all were, just by gathering in large groups. When you started tossing grenades, shooting jounalists, and burning buildings - they became something other than 'peaceful protesters'.

I agree that the military who shot the protesters, journalists and rescue workers and turned off the water to buildings rendering their sophisticated fire suppression systems defenceless against international law should be prosecuted, though it is unlikely under the current oppressive regime. A small number of third hand off-duty military workers also caused some complications though this does not reflect on the greater struggle for democracy embodied in the Red movement.

Anyway, back to the OP, let's have a big Peace Park, where you can eat som tum and gai yang amidst the rice fields and buffaloes and authentic Isaan music. Tourists would love this bit of cultural Thailand and the tribute to those slaughtered in the May massacre of 2010 would help to restore humanity to an urban population who is all to upset at the thought of walking 300 meters in either direction to another massive shopping mall.

[Robby nz]

When I go into BKK I come from the north and it seems to me that it would be a good idea to complete the partly built sky train to Don Muang and use the vacent parts of the old airport as a cheap parking area.

This would keep a lot of traffic out of the city easing congestion and would also provide a direct connection between the buses from the north and speedy way to travel into the city centre.

A similar thing could be considered from the east with the out of town busses connecting with the new airport sky train and a parking area built close to the station.

[kaengk]

When I go into BKK I come from the north and it seems to me that it would be a good idea to complete the partly built sky train to Don Muang and use the vacent parts of the old airport as a cheap parking area.

This would keep a lot of traffic out of the city easing congestion and would also provide a direct connection between the buses from the north and speedy way to travel into the city centre.

A similar thing could be considered from the east with the out of town busses connecting with the new airport sky train and a parking area built close to the station.

That's a fantastic idea. Thanks for the creative input.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Many of us believe that Central World should not be rebuilt. Instead a People's Park should be built with a large memorial to the citizens slaughtered by the military in the 1976, 1992 and 2010 pro-democracy demonstrations.

You and your friends believe the red terrorists who burnt down Central World. Fire comes out of your mouth.

That is correct.

Those who supported the burnings have no say in the rebuilding.

They would like to support more burnings.

The red cheerleaders, only support destruction.

No say? Oh, boo-hoo.

Support more burnings? Hmm, only your PC.

Only support destruction? Dear, oh dear. Your generalisations, stereotyping and bias make your posts quite humorous.

You still read his posts? It's very predictable anti-democratic hate-speech. Skipping is really much better.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Anyway, back to the OP, let's have a big Peace Park, where you can eat som tum and gai yang amidst the rice fields and buffaloes and authentic Isaan music. Tourists would love this bit of cultural Thailand and the tribute to those slaughtered in the May massacre of 2010 would help to restore humanity to an urban population who is all to upset at the thought of walking 300 meters in either direction to another massive shopping mall.

Again, this is a BRILLIANT idea!! Sad that the words 'memorial' set so many of the hate mongers off on this topic, very predictable.

But the idea itself is solid as can be.

And besides, it's not like we heard anything constructive from resident establishment-fanboys.

Edited May 29, 2010 by WinnieTheKhwai

[brahmburgers]

Posts here are so politically laden - a testament to the deep gashes that come forth from the Red occupation of downtown. Will the rifts heal? Not for those who are determined to exacerbate such rifts. Will scars cover the wounds? Yes.

This topic brings to mind a mention by the then-new governor of Bkk who announced, about ten weeks ago, his plans to make Bkk a better city. Less gridlock, more park space and such. Bkk is still a few decades away from rooftop gardens / solar/wind power generation - which some more forward-looking cities like Chicago are implementing.

Considering the real possibility that most of Bangkok could have standing water of one to three meters within coming decades, why not construct a building with a boat docking facility at each of the first four floors.

[buddy]

build decent pavements for once .... surely you so called educated Thais can organise this, or is it beyond you!

Pavements, yes improvement needed. Even Bangkok governors have managed to fall in holes here

Still the latter part of your remark a bit abusive.

The people who plan BKK infrastructure need abusing theyre worse then useless ... and its not for lack of money.

Actually you are wrong because corruption whittles down the final amount of cash thats left to actually spend on the project or pavement.

Target corruption first and no matter what the project is you should see an improvement...what you have here in Thailand is public money crumbs being spent after the robbers have taken thier share!

Try the Singapore model where the politicians and high ranking officials are handsomely paid, checks and integrity balances are in place and make it not worthwile to lose there job or pension.

Although not perfect in itself Singapore is surrounded by a sea of corrupt Asian countries so they must have got something right, controversial maybe but an Asian answer to a (not wholly) Asian affliction?

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I think Bangkok should have less parking, not more. Especially in downtown areas that are well covered by the BTS and MRT. If parking is to be built, it should be as far away as possible, near those MRT or BTS stations. Parking attracts cars, and Bangkok roads really cannot handle any more of those.

Public transport and covered walkways are the way to go. Take Hong Kong as an example.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Another idea for Bangkok: If you own a building and don't paint it like once every 10 years, you lose it. Seeing all these grime & fungus infested shophouses is disgusting and unnecessary. they're in very affluent parts of town, yet people can't bother to spend a couple thousand baht on a few buckets of TOA?

[rixalex]

When I go into BKK I come from the north and it seems to me that it would be a good idea to complete the partly built sky train to Don Muang and use the vacent parts of the old airport as a cheap parking area.

It's not a partly built skytrain extension. Its construction began and prematurely ended long before the skytrain ever existed.

[hammered]

Have those schoolchildren exchanges (one semester or even one month or week) between Isaan/North and Bangkok with traditional host families. And cover em on TV 30 mins a week or something. Not reality TV but just exchanges and see how everyone finds the differing lives

[somtampet]

Not that interested to read all the bs on here,but i would think that the expats,especialy from Bangkok,should be the LAST ones to get advise from

[Roadman]

Anyway, back to the OP, let's have a big Peace Park, where you can eat som tum and gai yang amidst the rice fields and buffaloes and authentic Isaan music. Tourists would love this bit of cultural Thailand and the tribute to those slaughtered in the May massacre of 2010 would help to restore humanity to an urban population who is all to upset at the thought of walking 300 meters in either direction to another massive shopping mall.

Again, this is a BRILLIANT idea!! Sad that the words 'memorial' set so many of the hate mongers off on this topic, very predictable.

But the idea itself is solid as can be.

And besides, it's not like we heard anything constructive from resident establishment-fanboys.

Agree the idea is excellent Khwai it is just the bull crap presentation. "Memorial" but then "the May Massacre of 2010" ... lets nots also forget the murders carried out on Black Saturday in April. I digress! Are we allowed to ride the Kh...sorry buffaloe and use whips?

[rixalex]

Not that interested to read all the bs on here,but i would think that the expats,especialy from Bangkok,should be the LAST ones to get advise from

*yawn*

Still with the inverted snobbery...

[Bottlerocket]

Bulldoze the lot of it. Use the rubble to build up the land higher than sea-level. Redesign the city with wider streets (no oxcart width sois) and more green areas, like something from a Buckminster Fuller concept drawing, except with the world's largest golden Buddha right in the city center.

[somtampet]

Not that interested to read all the bs on here,but i would think that the expats,especialy from Bangkok,should be the LAST ones to get advise from

*yawn*

Still with the inverted snobbery...

NO

I have based my view on all the posts from all the bm and find the Bangkok farangs have a very twisted angle of certain political situations.

Prove me wrong or keep quiet

[MCos]

Why are non-Thais living here referred to as ex-pats? The name infers a temporary status, whereas some people from other countries live here most of their lives. Why is it so difficult to remain here permanently? I have a retirement visa, but must renew it yearly plus report every 90 days to immigration. My Thai wife was given permanent resident status to live in New Zealand years ago, unemcumbered by any of this redtape. She could obtain an NZ passport and call herself a Kiwi if she wanted - as many many Asians, Europeans, Pacific Islanders etc do already - and walk around in All Black jerseys.

If we were more accepted here there would be no need for the Gov to catogorize who the opinions come from.

[rixalex]

Not that interested to read all the bs on here,but i would think that the expats,especialy from Bangkok,should be the LAST ones to get advise from

*yawn*

Still with the inverted snobbery...

NO

I have based my view on all the posts from all the bm and find the Bangkok farangs have a very twisted angle of certain political situations.

Prove me wrong or keep quiet

Prove you wrong? About what? Your opinion that Bangkok farangs have a very twisted angle of certain political situations?

It's an opinion, not a fact - as such, can't be proven either way. Much like my opinion that many of the farang red sympathisers here haven't lived in Thailand long enough (ie since before Thaksin came to power), don't speak the language well enough, and whose views have been defined by their young red wives and in-laws, can not be proven. Doesn't stop me believing it, but does stop me challenging others to prove me wrong.

[nakachalet]

kaengk....

is that you again....?

posting unsubstantiable accusations that soldiers were at fault again....

you really should perhaps join jatuporn and his followers.... and the whole bunch of senators and representatives from tuksin's past regime.... who always wanted the govt to stop killing the innocents....

but the senators and representatives in the house funded and fueled by male prisoner tuksin.... never once dared to forbid the reds to stop the unlawful demonstrations and worse of all.... they never never once advised the reds to stop the illegal gathering.... to stop roaming the cities.... to stop inconveniencing local activities and life styles....

but for you, kaengk.... open your eyes wider.... every time there was a shooting, a grenad tossed, a soldier shot....

your outsmarted jatuporn, the red leader, would always deny that it could not be the reds.... the reds were peaceful demonstrators.... it must be those unnamed third party trying to protect the minority reds....who shot.... in order to protect....

and it could not be reds, it was the unknown third party who torched up the city buildings and such....

kaengk.... weren't it you whom i saw at the backstage of the red podium huddling with those innocent protestors....?

wake up kaengk.... and start experiencing the change of life space and style in bkk.... without illegal and accusatory leaders and activities....

really now, and i do not wish to be rude here.... but if you can not adjust your life to the life style here.... even if you are a thai....

really there is no string to attach your good self to this land and this giant house of the king and queen of thailand....

you and many others who are of the same opinions.... are welcome to bid farewell to so many of us in thailand.....

why spend another minute, another day.... cheating your own lilfe out of a possible exuberant existence in other better countries of our choice....

rather than spitting on your own self pitifully day in and day out.... by choosing to be in thailand by your very own free will and choice....

you would really really do a great majority of thais as well as farangs a huge favor.... by just dusting off your shoes on your way out....

and we all would owe you all a really big favor, indeed....

cheers....

Many of us believe that Central World should not be rebuilt. Instead a People's Park should be built with a large memorial to the citizens slaughtered by the military in the 1976, 1992 and 2010 pro-democracy demonstrations.

Why would you build a memorial at a location that was burnt down by criminals? Maybe there could be a plaque for the people that died in the building (unless they were actually looting), but that's about it.

I don't have any sympathy for people violating the law. They all were, just by gathering in large groups. When you started tossing grenades, shooting jounalists, and burning buildings - they became something other than 'peaceful protesters'.

I agree that the military who shot the protesters, journalists and rescue workers and turned off the water to buildings rendering their sophisticated fire suppression systems defenceless against international law should be prosecuted, though it is unlikely under the current oppressive regime. A small number of third hand off-duty military workers also caused some complications though this does not reflect on the greater struggle for democracy embodied in the Red movement.

Anyway, back to the OP, let's have a big Peace Park, where you can eat som tum and gai yang amidst the rice fields and buffaloes and authentic Isaan music. Tourists would love this bit of cultural Thailand and the tribute to those slaughtered in the May massacre of 2010 would help to restore humanity to an urban population who is all to upset at the thought of walking 300 meters in either direction to another massive shopping mall.

[Skywalker69]

Many of us believe that Central World should not be rebuilt. Instead a People's Park should be built with a large memorial to the citizens slaughtered by the military in the 1976, 1992 and 2010 pro-democracy demonstrations.

This is not America. Build it bigger and better and fast. The tourist industry needs shopping center like Central world.

The tourist industry also need a devaluated THB, would also boost export.

Edited May 29, 2010 by Skywalker69

[Skywalker69]

Many of us believe that Central World should not be rebuilt. Instead a People's Park should be built with a large memorial to the citizens slaughtered by the military in the 1976, 1992 and 2010 pro-democracy demonstrations.

well, a good idea. but i doubt that the ultra right wing extremists and their fan team at this board will agree with it.

You like to think of the reds as left-wing, but they are thoroughly anti-working class.

They attacked working class jobs and livelihoods.

Thaksin forces left-wing?

What a joke.

Your right, strange that the left-wings support a billionare. I don´t get it.

[beejoir]

Can't they just start by fixing the one most corrupt agency in Thailand...... the Police Force.

Its the root of most problems and will change Thailand as a whole, very quickly.

[Thai at Heart]

If they want a memorial to the PEOPLE of Bangkok.

Pedestrianise the entire protest site. Now that would make for a beautiful experience in the centre of the city, where people can interact with each other instead of looking at each other through car windows.

[beejoir]

A tossy little park with fountains won't fix a thing, it'll just be over run by vendors and con men trying to take tourists on 10 baht tours.

Deep rifts in society can't simply be mended by a bit of turf and a few roses.

[beejoir]

If they want a memorial to the PEOPLE of Bangkok.

Pedestrianise the entire protest site. Now that would make for a beautiful experience in the centre of the city, where people can interact with each other instead of looking at each other through car windows.

Traffic is a big enough mess already without removing one of the biggest cross roads in the center of the city.

[SanSaiExPat]

Many of us believe that Central World should not be rebuilt. Instead a People's Park should be built with a large memorial to the citizens slaughtered by the military in the 1976, 1992 and 2010 pro-democracy demonstrations.

Some, inappropriately, emotive words there.

No doubt you would like to call "Thaksin Park" ?

Not our business, let the Thais decide for themselves

Why inappropriate? Please explain.

[Skywalker69]

@Peaceful Warrior

Did you live here under Thaksin and his cult of personality style iron fisted rule ? That was far closer to a chinese style of dictatorship than life under Abhisit ever has been.

The red shirt leaders speeches bear remarkable similarities to the khmer rouge in Kampuchea and the maoists during the cultural revolution. Full of vitriolic lies and exhortations to violence and destruction.

Good post,thanks!!

[Skywalker69]

That you can get:

1. Stop fooling the people playing this fake left-right paradigm, it's not football but a country!

2. Tell the NWO to F themselves and stop the 'war of terror' Agenda they present to the public

3. Get Abhisit out, the liar Nr.1 : one day "We don't use live ammunition" people die; next day "Now we use live ammo" !?!

4. Let the elites pay more than 150 Baht for their maids a day or better tax them!

5. Being G20 state obviously you have to play stuff like that on the road to more surveillance, ppl know that

6. Commemorate the death of the 88 people, mostly unarmed! and not the death of a fkn shopping mall

7. Get the rich ones and their 150 Baht ice-cram eating, iPhone twittering brats some education that teaches real values, like the life of others and not just how to wring out the next bunch of slave laborers and illegal immigrants which built BKK!

8. Get rid of the military rulers which actually via commands of their rich friends hold the country in their grip.

9. Tell the cyber-police to go and think a moment if they really want China style ruler-ship and 1984 happen to THEM.

10. Ask the real questions, like why are the Democrats not yet dissolved for their illegal party contributions? 236m Bt.?!?

11. Stop media censorship and so called ISA, curfew B$, this is not North Korea or China.

Get a life and move out of those control grid Moloch's like Bangkok. City of Angels and Demons...

Start thinking for yourselves.

All the best,

may Thailand reconcile and the people live in peace together, sharing the wealth of this beautiful, rich country!

Mr. Amsterdam has the son of Pol Pot on his payroll. He is very really busy now.

it takes a thief to know a thief.

[Skywalker69]

Many of us believe that Central World should not be rebuilt. Instead a People's Park should be built with a large memorial to the citizens slaughtered by the military in the 1976, 1992 and 2010 pro-democracy demonstrations.

Memorial? Are you completely serious? Comparing 1976 and 1992 to 2010?! How I wish Thaksin had been in charge for these "demonstrations", he would have murdered Thousands...AGAIN. Then you would have CAUSE for a memorial. But no they have a reasonable and responsible government who kept loss of life to a minimum against all odds and efforts by Thaksin to create as much anarchy as possible hoping to force the government to kill more so he can get the government to step down.

Pro-democrazy? Do you mean pro-Thaksin anti democrazy?