Fed Up With Pheu Thai, Activists Form Alternative Party

[SICHONSTEVE]

Brilliant! Just what Thailand needs: one more party. That will most certainly stop the circus.

One thing that it could/would do is split the PTP vote if they become a force and allow the Dems in where they have some significant support. Some provinces in the central planes and East might be good examples and now, with the disasters that have beholden the rice scam maybe even some in the North and North East!!!

Chiang Mai maybe out of reach as they are fools that blindly follow their 'bimbo' idol and would still vote PTP whatever they do.

[somjitr]

After they get a few MPs, I'm sure Thaksin will make them a generous offer to abdicate to his latest party. Thaksin had only one accurate political insight, that most Thai politicians are bought cheaply and easily.

I don't see them as being that far removed from the PTP, particularly with their desire to resurrect the Amnesty Bill, albeit watered down somewhat in order to gain wider appeal. Nevertheless, their stance demonstrates that they are closely aligned with the Red Shirts.

What's missing from Thai politics is a 'centre' party with some political clout. If some important (and squeaky clean) political figures were to come out on a platform of reforms and condemnation of the worst aspects of both the PTP and the Democrats, I have no doubt that they would command a very wide audience.

We don't need a "center" between the autocratic traditional elites and Thaksin's cronyism. We need progressives. This new party wants to change the lese majeste law and calls for gender equality. I'm in.

[Bakseeda]

This lot sound even more stupid than the PTP.

This is no more than a red shirt splinter group.

There will never be an elimination of disparity between the poor and the normal.

social polarization will always produce political polarization and the very fact that there will never be a Thailand that is fully educated to a suitable standard, then this will never be cured. The northerners have proved that they adapt to education and mental stability a human adapting to life on Mars.

Thaksin wants to keep the northern masses uneducated and ignorant.

Even if a government came to power that forced everyone in the north to take on board a free and high quality education, they would waste it with their ignorant northern 'Thainess' ways.... Thainess and intelligent row different boats in different directions.... period.

It would take about 100 years to educate the Thainess out of the people so that intelligence and logic can reign in this country and only then there will still be political polarization.... same as the UK.

It is what it is.

Sounds like yet another BKK Elitist Rant. Maybe you're one of those Suthepistas who believe the people in the north shouldn't be allowed to vote because they are "too stupid" and just a bunch of buffalo. You ever actually been north and east of BKK, or just regurgitate what you read and others like you tell you? Got news for you, I'll take the northern and northeastern "Lanna" and "Lao" Thai over the BKK "Siam" Thai any day of the week. And as for their "lack of education", that falls squarely on the shoulders of the BKK elite who DON'T WANT an educated north and north east so they can keep the "buffalo" in the rice paddies and under BKK Elitist control.

who believe the people in the north shouldn't be allowed to vote because they are "too stupid" and just a bunch of buffalo.

I would say that you probably live "up-country" and probably married to one of those "Lanna" girls. Good luck to you... you deserve it... what do they say... In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is King..

[WoopyDoo]

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This lot sound even more stupid than the PTP.

This is no more than a red shirt splinter group.

There will never be an elimination of disparity between the poor and the normal.

social polarization will always produce political polarization and the very fact that there will never be a Thailand that is fully educated to a suitable standard, then this will never be cured. The northerners have proved that they adapt to education and mental stability a human adapting to life on Mars.

Thaksin wants to keep the northern masses uneducated and ignorant.

Even if a government came to power that forced everyone in the north to take on board a free and high quality education, they would waste it with their ignorant northern 'Thainess' ways.... Thainess and intelligent row different boats in different directions.... period.

It would take about 100 years to educate the Thainess out of the people so that intelligence and logic can reign in this country and only then there will still be political polarization.... same as the UK.

It is what it is.

Sounds like yet another BKK Elitist Rant. Maybe you're one of those Suthepistas who believe the people in the north shouldn't be allowed to vote because they are "too stupid" and just a bunch of buffalo. You ever actually been north and east of BKK, or just regurgitate what you read and others like you tell you? Got news for you, I'll take the northern and northeastern "Lanna" and "Lao" Thai over the BKK "Siam" Thai any day of the week. And as for their "lack of education", that falls squarely on the shoulders of the BKK elite who DON'T WANT an educated north and north east so they can keep the "buffalo" in the rice paddies and under BKK Elitist control.

This lot sound even more stupid than the PTP.

This is no more than a red shirt splinter group.

There will never be an elimination of disparity between the poor and the normal.

social polarization will always produce political polarization and the very fact that there will never be a Thailand that is fully educated to a suitable standard, then this will never be cured. The northerners have proved that they adapt to education and mental stability a human adapting to life on Mars.

Thaksin wants to keep the northern masses uneducated and ignorant.

Even if a government came to power that forced everyone in the north to take on board a free and high quality education, they would waste it with their ignorant northern 'Thainess' ways.... Thainess and intelligent row different boats in different directions.... period.

It would take about 100 years to educate the Thainess out of the people so that intelligence and logic can reign in this country and only then there will still be political polarization.... same as the UK.

It is what it is.

Wow, your ignorance and prejudice are beyond words! I'm curious, have you spent much time in the north of Thailand? If not, what makes you so certain of your arrogant opinions that you have the confidence to post them?

Well.... to the both of you.

I am living up in Isaan now for 5 years, and I have all the credentials to stand by my words. I also own farmland (in wifey's name), and constantly rub shoulders with the 'common clay'.

Most of them don't even want an education here... they view themselves as totally different from town folk... There are ways to get an education for your kids here whether it is the free government schooling that barely covers the reading, writing and basic maths, or the temples even run education programs... But the majority shun it after a few years and just let their kids run ragged around the villages catching bugs and frogs to eat.

But as I was pointing out... even if a proper education was forced on them at the point of a gun, it would be wasted..... Thainess gets in the way of logic and education, when any intelligent decision is required, I constantly see the wrong path being taken... Because you just can't break down Thainess, it is too ingrained. It would take a hundred years to educate it out of them, and even then you will still have polarization.... Just look at the UK where everyone has a very good education on offer compared with Thailand, and that country is still politically polarized and has been for centuries.

So stick that in your pipe and smoke it..... and stop being shallow minded apologists.

[Thakkar]

-snip-

Even if a government came to power that forced everyone in the north to take on board a free and high quality education, they would waste it with their ignorant northern 'Thainess' ways.... Thainess and intelligent row different boats in different directions.... period.

-snip-

This is akin to what the Chinese were saying about the Europeans in the time of Marco Polo, or what slave owners were saying about the blacks in 1800's America. Or what cats say about dogs, though I suspect that the cats may actually have a point.

There's nothing intrinsic in "Thainess" that precludes educability. Just as there never was in "blackness" or Europeaness"

T

[GuestHouse]

"The CPT also advocates passing an amnesty bill that will dissolve legal cases against Redshirt demonstrators (excluding their leaders) in connection with the political unrest in 2010.

"The motto of our party is Equality Across Thailand," Mr. Thanapon said."

Say no more....

They do so because they understand that there is cross party support for an amnesty for both Red and Yellow 'political prisoners' - The ONLY reason that amnesty is not enacted is because the PTP insist that Thaksin Shinawatra is included.

So the Red Shirts understand that Red Shirt Supporters who are in prison, remain there as Pawns to be played in Thaksin's game of "I shall not be accountable to the law of the land".

[semester]

And as for their "lack of education", that falls squarely on the shoulders of the BKK elite who DON'T WANT an educated north and north east so they can keep the "buffalo" in the rice paddies and under BKK Elitist control.

One might wonder why the Chiang Mai Elite, whose administrations have been in charge of things for 11 of the past 15 years, have done nothing to improve the education of their fellow Northerners that are "buffaloes."

I agree that the reason is that they DON'T WANT them to be educated.

.

Edited April 22, 2014 by semester

[tingtongteesood]

Red shirt party. Heeeeell NO ! We need parties that want to what is best for everyone - not just their little group of boot lickers. Amnesty for reds ! F$%^ OFF ! What a joke ! Hope they crash and burn as they deserve too. NEXT !

[Thaddeus]

Some good 'could' come from this, if they disassociate themselves from PTP completely.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit nevertheless attended the press conference and presented Mr. Thanapon with a flower bouquet to show his courteous support.

And tell obvious boot-lickers like this to just jog on.

Amnesty for the red shirt foot soldiers who were just used, abused and discarded I don't have a problem with either.

The cynic in me however sees this new party splitting the vote, but forming a coalition with PTP anyway, in which case, no change for the larger portion of the population.

[heybruce]

This lot sound even more stupid than the PTP.

This is no more than a red shirt splinter group.

There will never be an elimination of disparity between the poor and the normal.

social polarization will always produce political polarization and the very fact that there will never be a Thailand that is fully educated to a suitable standard, then this will never be cured. The northerners have proved that they adapt to education and mental stability a human adapting to life on Mars.

Thaksin wants to keep the northern masses uneducated and ignorant.

Even if a government came to power that forced everyone in the north to take on board a free and high quality education, they would waste it with their ignorant northern 'Thainess' ways.... Thainess and intelligent row different boats in different directions.... period.

It would take about 100 years to educate the Thainess out of the people so that intelligence and logic can reign in this country and only then there will still be political polarization.... same as the UK.

It is what it is.

Sounds like yet another BKK Elitist Rant. Maybe you're one of those Suthepistas who believe the people in the north shouldn't be allowed to vote because they are "too stupid" and just a bunch of buffalo. You ever actually been north and east of BKK, or just regurgitate what you read and others like you tell you? Got news for you, I'll take the northern and northeastern "Lanna" and "Lao" Thai over the BKK "Siam" Thai any day of the week. And as for their "lack of education", that falls squarely on the shoulders of the BKK elite who DON'T WANT an educated north and north east so they can keep the "buffalo" in the rice paddies and under BKK Elitist control.

You can't blame Bkk or Thai elite for un educated north or n/e Thais.

I spend most of my time in Issan and they really are quite hopeless out in the villages. Hopefully the next generations will live for tomorrow, not just day by day living, desire an education, and not follow in their parents and grand parents footsteps. From what I see it is quite sad.

Btw... no where did Woopydoo mention bunch of buffalo.

I agree, it is what it is.

And what kind of schools did they have in those villages? Decent facilities, qualified teachers, reasonable student to teacher ratios?

Education is one of the areas where the government has seriously under-invested in the north and northeast. See post #13.

[heybruce]

This lot sound even more stupid than the PTP.

This is no more than a red shirt splinter group.

There will never be an elimination of disparity between the poor and the normal.

social polarization will always produce political polarization and the very fact that there will never be a Thailand that is fully educated to a suitable standard, then this will never be cured. The northerners have proved that they adapt to education and mental stability a human adapting to life on Mars.

Thaksin wants to keep the northern masses uneducated and ignorant.

Even if a government came to power that forced everyone in the north to take on board a free and high quality education, they would waste it with their ignorant northern 'Thainess' ways.... Thainess and intelligent row different boats in different directions.... period.

It would take about 100 years to educate the Thainess out of the people so that intelligence and logic can reign in this country and only then there will still be political polarization.... same as the UK.

It is what it is.

Sounds like yet another BKK Elitist Rant. Maybe you're one of those Suthepistas who believe the people in the north shouldn't be allowed to vote because they are "too stupid" and just a bunch of buffalo. You ever actually been north and east of BKK, or just regurgitate what you read and others like you tell you? Got news for you, I'll take the northern and northeastern "Lanna" and "Lao" Thai over the BKK "Siam" Thai any day of the week. And as for their "lack of education", that falls squarely on the shoulders of the BKK elite who DON'T WANT an educated north and north east so they can keep the "buffalo" in the rice paddies and under BKK Elitist control.

Well this is news to me. The BKK people and Suthepistas don't want the northern people to vote. I think you are making this up. If this is part of their platform I haven't seen it published anywhere else. Please mark future postings as fantasy. The previous poster is also a little lacking in logic and respect.

From "The Economist" http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2013/12/thailand-s-protests:

"Mr Suthep’s motley crew of acolytes and cheerleaders try to argue that somehow all of Mr Thaksin’s victories (in the various party guises) have been “bought” and that voters have been “bribed” by the promise of lavish public spending, to help poor rice farmers for instance. But there is almost no evidence that any of these elections were systematically bought or rigged in anyway. Indeed, the last election, certainly, was very well conducted by comparison with other recent elections in the South-East Asian region. Indeed, when pressed, one of Mr Suthep’s main advisers admitted to me that despite all the alleged vote-buying (which he produced no evidence for) the result was still “legitimate”."

It seems Suthep wants to "reform" a process that gives legitimate results. What do you think that means?

[heybruce]

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Sounds like yet another BKK Elitist Rant. Maybe you're one of those Suthepistas who believe the people in the north shouldn't be allowed to vote because they are "too stupid" and just a bunch of buffalo. You ever actually been north and east of BKK, or just regurgitate what you read and others like you tell you? Got news for you, I'll take the northern and northeastern "Lanna" and "Lao" Thai over the BKK "Siam" Thai any day of the week. And as for their "lack of education", that falls squarely on the shoulders of the BKK elite who DON'T WANT an educated north and north east so they can keep the "buffalo" in the rice paddies and under BKK Elitist control.

This lot sound even more stupid than the PTP.

This is no more than a red shirt splinter group.

There will never be an elimination of disparity between the poor and the normal.

social polarization will always produce political polarization and the very fact that there will never be a Thailand that is fully educated to a suitable standard, then this will never be cured. The northerners have proved that they adapt to education and mental stability a human adapting to life on Mars.

Thaksin wants to keep the northern masses uneducated and ignorant.

Even if a government came to power that forced everyone in the north to take on board a free and high quality education, they would waste it with their ignorant northern 'Thainess' ways.... Thainess and intelligent row different boats in different directions.... period.

It would take about 100 years to educate the Thainess out of the people so that intelligence and logic can reign in this country and only then there will still be political polarization.... same as the UK.

It is what it is.

Wow, your ignorance and prejudice are beyond words! I'm curious, have you spent much time in the north of Thailand? If not, what makes you so certain of your arrogant opinions that you have the confidence to post them?

Well.... to the both of you.

I am living up in Isaan now for 5 years, and I have all the credentials to stand by my words. I also own farmland (in wifey's name), and constantly rub shoulders with the 'common clay'.

Most of them don't even want an education here... they view themselves as totally different from town folk... There are ways to get an education for your kids here whether it is the free government schooling that barely covers the reading, writing and basic maths, or the temples even run education programs... But the majority shun it after a few years and just let their kids run ragged around the villages catching bugs and frogs to eat.

But as I was pointing out... even if a proper education was forced on them at the point of a gun, it would be wasted..... Thainess gets in the way of logic and education, when any intelligent decision is required, I constantly see the wrong path being taken... Because you just can't break down Thainess, it is too ingrained. It would take a hundred years to educate it out of them, and even then you will still have polarization.... Just look at the UK where everyone has a very good education on offer compared with Thailand, and that country is still politically polarized and has been for centuries.

So stick that in your pipe and smoke it..... and stop being shallow minded apologists.

You're either not telling the whole story (perhaps you don't know it) or your keeping company with the wrong sort.

I've lived in Chiang Mai for eight years, teaching English, Math, and Science. Schools outside the cities are so bad that students sometimes drop out or find some way to live in a city and get a semi-decent education. Even in the cities the under-investment http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2012/05/09/000333037_20120509003158/Rendered/PDF/685510ESW00PUB0y0Note0master0120501.pdf shows in the overcrowded classrooms. What do you expect when the government spends twelve times as much on Bangkok residents as in the rest of the country? http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2012/05/10/thailand-public-finance-management-review-report.

In spite of this the ambition and hard work of many of the students prevails. Your anecdotal evidence is of parents not requiring their children to attend the pathetically bad schools available. My experience with Thais include:

A young woman raised by a hard working, barely literate mother who put all her children through college. This young woman is finishing her Masters in Chemistry, while teaching as many free-lance classes she can find, and considering a scholarship for a PhD program in Australia.

Two young sisters from a small town north of Chiang Mai who's family makes coffins. These two ladies have both have engineering degrees and are working full time while studying for their Masters.

A young man from Isaan who is working full time while finishing his Masters in Economics and looking for work in Singapore.

A high school senior who took the SAT Math and Physics subject tests and scored 790 and 780 respectively. If you don't know what that means, look it up. This young man could have been accepted in any university in the U.S. and been offered generous financial aid to attend, but chose Chiang Mai University instead.

I could go on, but the point is that there are many northern Thais striking a successful balance between tradition and the modern world, working hard, and getting an excellent start in life. "Thainess" is not holding them back. I don't know what kind of company you keep in Isaan but you really should expand your horizons.

[heybruce]

And as for their "lack of education", that falls squarely on the shoulders of the BKK elite who DON'T WANT an educated north and north east so they can keep the "buffalo" in the rice paddies and under BKK Elitist control.

One might wonder why the Chiang Mai Elite, whose administrations have been in charge of things for 11 of the past 15 years, have done nothing to improve the education of their fellow Northerners that are "buffaloes."

I agree that the reason is that they DON'T WANT them to be educated.

.

They have been making slow progress--check post #13. However entrenched Bangkok interests make government investment in the parts of Thailand that need it most a difficult challenge.

[SICHONSTEVE]

Some good 'could' come from this, if they disassociate themselves from PTP completely.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit nevertheless attended the press conference and presented Mr. Thanapon with a flower bouquet to show his courteous support.

And tell obvious boot-lickers like this to just jog on.

Amnesty for the red shirt foot soldiers who were just used, abused and discarded I don't have a problem with either.

The cynic in me however sees this new party splitting the vote, but forming a coalition with PTP anyway, in which case, no change for the larger portion of the population.

Not necessarily so!!

If, in a relatively strong PTP province where they get, for example, 50% of the vote with the Democrats 30% and others collectively got 20% between them and this new party took half their votes and the Dems held on to or increased their votes then the Dems would take the seat.

Nationalist party UKIP (or even the liberals) have been known to split the tory vote aiding Labour to win the seat. On occasions, the Lib's have allowed the tories to take seats off of Labour so it goes to show how these middle-of-the -road parties can be divisive and affect the results by producing some highly unexpected and unlikely outcomes.

[louse1953]

This lot sound even more stupid than the PTP.

This is no more than a red shirt splinter group.

There will never be an elimination of disparity between the poor and the normal.

social polarization will always produce political polarization and the very fact that there will never be a Thailand that is fully educated to a suitable standard, then this will never be cured. The northerners have proved that they adapt to education and mental stability a human adapting to life on Mars.

Thaksin wants to keep the northern masses uneducated and ignorant.

Even if a government came to power that forced everyone in the north to take on board a free and high quality education, they would waste it with their ignorant northern 'Thainess' ways.... Thainess and intelligent row different boats in different directions.... period.

It would take about 100 years to educate the Thainess out of the people so that intelligence and logic can reign in this country and only then there will still be political polarization.... same as the UK.

It is what it is.

I am married to a Thai from the north and she is an exception to the rule, but as I have lived in Kalasin for 2 years not, I can sadly say this poster os totaly correct

Even my Thai wife with her strict Issan culture can not longer stand to stupidity of her relativea and their kids, and we have purchased property in Hua Hin

They are all buffaloes,but my wife is different and didn't work in a bar.Got help me from arragant,ignorant posters.

[Melyn]

In order for this to succeed they will need to do a few things:

Garner support from all farmers/rural people. Not just in the north.

Set themselves up nationally. Maybe ask for delays in elections

Publish a comprehensive manifesto

Distance themselves from other groups

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[tingtongteesood]

Coalition governments should not be allowed,then Taksin can never win again. You have one party and that is your party, not yours and 20 others that are under your thumb and do as instructed for the right sums of money...

[issanaus]

Coalition governments should not be allowed,then Taksin can never win again. You have one party and that is your party, not yours and 20 others that are under your thumb and do as instructed for the right sums of money...

That only works in a two party state, or at least where there are some civilised parties who will assist to pass bills in the interest of the nation.

I would call neither of the two existing parties civilised

[tim armstrong]

Thailand already has 50+ political parties why does it need another one ? I guess its the same logic that says - if you don't know what to do - then form a committee. It would be good if even a few of the other 50 players did something constructive for a change.

[tingtongteesood]

But this is the point, a great many of the smaller parties are just boot lickers of the bigger parties to try and help them gain influence. For example the '30 parties call for quick election' yesterday - what are the bets that all 30 of those either work for or are good friends of those who want a fast election ? They are just offshoots of the PT clowns, so they shouldn't count. They should join the main party or just go away and stop trying to pull the red wool over people's eyes...It's all the lies, misdirection and bs I hate the most.

As for the new party, they are just PT mark 2 and yet another Taksin party. I wish the fugitive detritus would let Thailand move on but as long as he is alive he won't let that happen. I shan't make further comment here as what I want to say could get me in trouble,,,,

Edited April 22, 2014 by tingtongteesood

[issanaus]

But this is the point, a great many of the smaller parties are just boot lickers of the bigger parties to try and help them gain influence. For example the '30 parties call for quick election' yesterday - what are the bets that all 30 of those either work for or are good friends of those who want a fast election ? They are just offshoots of the PT clowns, so they shouldn't count. They should join the main party or just go away and stop trying to pull the red wool over people's eyes...It's all the lies, misdirection and bs I hate the most.

As for the new party, they are just PT mark 2 and yet another Taksin party. I wish the fugitive detritus would let Thailand move on but as long as he is alive he won't let that happen. I shan't make further comment here as what I want to say could get me in trouble,,,,

The other side to that argument is that (as far as I can see) there is no mechanism within the 2 major parties for those outside the management policy group to participate in the decision making process for those parties. If you have democratic processes within the major parties then the motivation to have minor parties declines,

From my perspective PTP is Thanksin and Thanksin is PTP, that is not what I would consider to be a political party for democratic purposes. Given what he has done to the Thai people and the ongoing damage that he is doing to the social, political, religious and economic life of Thailand and its people there is a need to disempower him.

PTP without the Shins will splinter but the grievances, wants and needs that he was able to harness for his own gain still remain. If people have the perception that there is no mechanism to air their grievances or have representation in the political system then they will go out side the political system. You will consider them to be terrorists and they will call themselves freedom fighter. The emergence of a political voice to the real and perceived injustices for the people of the N-N/E is necessary to disempower Thanksin and have a functioning democracy.

One of (the many justifiable) complaints about PTP is that in a democracy the government should work for all the people not just those who happened to vote for them. Attacking a group within society as being stupid and therefor not eligible to vote is something that would be more consistent with a non democratic party than a democratic party. The attacks on the character and intelligence of Isaan people that has occurred on this thread is not white on Asian racism because it is the same rhetoric that the many Isaan people who work in BKK and other places experience daily.

The Democratic Party justifiably wants to campaign in Isaan in the elections - the problem is that they already campaign in BKK on a daily basis by the comments that they make to Isaan people working there. My Isaan wife lived in BKK for 10 years. She got her degree while pulling nightshifts in a factory, she speak 5 languages fluently but she was subject to the same comments that are on this thread. She hates Thanksin/PTP but will never vote Democrat because of her experience - good campaigning Democratic Party!!!!! Don't listen to the customers who tell you your business is great - listen to the customers who tell you your business suck and then think about what they have said,

Edited April 22, 2014 by issanaus

[harada]

CTP sounds very much like a party formed in the early 1960's by those fed up with the inept and corrupt politicians and military leaders, the COMMUNIST PARTY OF THAILAND, is history about to repeat itself ?, if so I would suggest that the leaders invest in some armoured clothing.

[Nickymaster]

This lot sound even more stupid than the PTP.

This is no more than a red shirt splinter group.

There will never be an elimination of disparity between the poor and the normal.

social polarization will always produce political polarization and the very fact that there will never be a Thailand that is fully educated to a suitable standard, then this will never be cured. The northerners have proved that they adapt to education and mental stability a human adapting to life on Mars.

Thaksin wants to keep the northern masses uneducated and ignorant.

Even if a government came to power that forced everyone in the north to take on board a free and high quality education, they would waste it with their ignorant northern 'Thainess' ways.... Thainess and intelligent row different boats in different directions.... period.

It would take about 100 years to educate the Thainess out of the people so that intelligence and logic can reign in this country and only then there will still be political polarization.... same as the UK.

It is what it is.

Sounds like yet another BKK Elitist Rant. Maybe you're one of those Suthepistas who believe the people in the north shouldn't be allowed to vote because they are "too stupid" and just a bunch of buffalo. You ever actually been north and east of BKK, or just regurgitate what you read and others like you tell you? Got news for you, I'll take the northern and northeastern "Lanna" and "Lao" Thai over the BKK "Siam" Thai any day of the week. And as for their "lack of education", that falls squarely on the shoulders of the BKK elite who DON'T WANT an educated north and north east so they can keep the "buffalo" in the rice paddies and under BKK Elitist control.

Words of wisdom from a brainwashed red mind. I guess.