Three senior Bang Na police officers axed after a casino raid by troops

[thesetat2013]

Good job! I am glad the military caught these 3 police officers.

Maybe Inactive post in Thailand means the same as fired in other countries!

Did any of you think of that?, and think of the loss of face these people are facing,

that is a big deal in Thailand. It may be only the tip of the iceberg, but none the less

it is a start.

Just saying!

If you think about it. These men being transferred is not making for them to have any loss of face. They can simply say it was a transfer. Only those that are close to what happened will know and nobody would know at the place he got transferred to. Being fired and disgraced would be the way to make him feel the loss of face. I think these inactive posts are like transferring them to another district for a desk job only. I don't think many would harbor a loss of face to others. Maybe self guilt only at being caught and probably not even that when they are counting all the money they made profit. As for their mail no is. They will find new ones where there are transfered to. Easily done.

[balo]

And people are saying we did not need a coup..... Seems the military is the only one who can keep the police in check.

How exactly has the military kept the police in check? Let's look at the facts as stated in the article;

- 3 senior police officials were transferred to INACTIVE posts.

- A local politician was alleged to have been the operator

- Complaints were made by local residents to the military

If the military was intent on dealing with this matter, the police officers and politician would have been ARRESTED and CHARGED.

Local politicians tend to be tied up in the local power structure of Bangkok. The Bangkok political class were /are supporters of the current military regime. Citizens with complaints against the police go to the DSI. However, the DSI is for all intents and purposes, disbanded and replaced by the military. Do you think it is possible that the local politician ran afoul of someone higher up in the food chain and suffered the consequences? The casino operation would not have been a new operation and most likely would have been in place for some time as the local gambling is well entrenched and protected.

Yes. it is a good thing that there was a raid. However, until there are actual charges and convictions, nothing much has changed. Someone else will move in to provide the casino services, and people in the long line of corrupt officials and police will move up to replace these peons who have been indisposed. There are hundreds if not thousands of illegal gambling dens in Bangkok. I will be impressed when large raids are carried out to close them and multiple officials who have profited from these exploitive operations are charged and convicted. One isolated event, which is most likely a settling of local political accounts does not make a break through event.

But then they would lose face , which is not accepted in Thailand. Thats why corruption and crime are allowed to carry on.

Edited February 14, 2015 by balo

[SoFarAndNear]

And people are saying we did not need a coup..... Seems the military is the only one who can keep the police in check.

But executing wrong and stupid laws instead of making a framework of laws that make sense isn't the big step ahead.

Gambling will always exist so make laws for legal gambling. I fail to see the big leap forward if some corrupt Thais that own casinos at the border to Cambodia (Police and Military people) make the profit with gambling and not paying any tax instead of some corrupt Thais in Bangkok. No change beside bigger CO2 footprint.

Legalize casinos and than public tell that after a grace period of 3 month there will be a crack down on the illegal casinos with real punishment (not inactive post) would be the right thing to do.

If they really do elections 2016 than we can tell 2019 that the coup was complete pointless because nothing really changed (non of the changes are visible anymore).

Some one told me they banned pin ball machines here long back because the Thais where addicted to them. Can you imagine a casino. If they did have a casino i think they should have minimum 50 baht chips so the young poor and vulnerable people would not afford to get hooked. Plus some serious vetting for entry.

I have to agree. Even ifngambling is forbidden still this country and culture is connected to gambling in so many ways. If they really open casinos in bangkok we will probably see a highly increasing of poverty and suicides. And no high speed train can fix this.

[bernd1616]

And people are saying we did not need a coup..... Seems the military is the only one who can keep the police in check.

you should come to phuket to see how the military takes money to from all kind of mafia, specialy tuk tuk, taxi, jetski mafia and the owners of night live places open till 6 or 7 am day for day :-D

[apetley]

Prayut is like a knight in shining armour

Prayut has come to save Thailand

Prayut is taking out all these corrupt police and cleaning Thailand like a real super hero

Prayut is the man

And please tell us how he has become a billionaire on a soldiers wages. I know that he says its none of our business, but the question needs to be asked.

Is he a billionaire??? Is it to much to ask you to put forward some proof of that???

Skywalker69 don't hold your breath for an answer.

https://johnib.wordpress.com/2014/11/01/thai-prime-minister-others-in-government-show-their-wealth-to-anti-corruption-commission/

Only just over half a billionaire by his own asset declaration.

[yellowboat]

And people are saying we did not need a coup..... Seems the military is the only one who can keep the police in check.

Who keeps the military in check ? Is this reform or just rival gangs fighting over turf ? A coup to take down piddly gambling den seems excessive. Wonder if the loot will go into education or something worthy.

[off road pat]

Rome was not build in a day....litle by little....first the head...Superintendent...!!...it's a good start....although they started a while ago....it's a good continuation....!!!

Nor did Rome collapse in a day. Your reference is apt as it parallels what we are now observing in Thailand, although that wasn't your intent.

The Roman Emperors built coliseums and temples to occupy the citizens of Rome. With each and every crisis the response was to impose more control over the people while building a new temple and offering more idols for the citizens to worship. The coliseum games grew grander and more violent with displays of cruelty more perverted than the previous events. Can you see the parallels to what is occurring now? In parts of Thailand, the grip over local communities is more forceful than before. My friend's region up north is still under a 9pm curfew and the locals are still subject to random searches without a warrant. We now see a more pronounced effort to target the former legally elected representatives of the electorate who are affiliated with groups who do not share the military's views. More people are being sent for "attitude adjustment", all done without due process or a respect for the most basic of human rights. And yet, you are distracted by an isolated event in which a casino was visited by the army. You celebrate the event much as the ancient Romans cheered when a prisoner was hacked to pieces by a gladiator in the coliseum, despite the country rotting slowly from within because the core issues have yet to be addressed. The only thing missing from the scenario is a leader playing his fiddle while the country burns.

Nice display of history knowledge,....But I also live in the North (Chiang Mai) (for the moment I am in Mae Sai ) and have no problems with the so called curfew never noticed it. I go out as long as i want and where I want, never had a problem. been searched or harassed by the military...all I know is sins the coup there are no more killings and bombings....and this is important to me. And to get all those super corrupt Politicians and Police to justice....

Democracy is not a magic word, and it don't mean the people in power can do everything they want, like they did in the previous government. under the cover of democracy.

You just don't want to see....there is a word for that COGNITIVE DISSONANCE...

I have good friends on both sides of the colour divide. but I have to say those with a penchant for they yellow are a lot more educated.

I know every thing you going to say to defend the red from now on....heard it so many times before.

Adolf Hitler was democraticly elected...for your history..and we all know were that brought us....

[geriatrickid]

Nice display of history knowledge,....But I also live in the North (Chiang Mai) (for the moment I am in Mae Sai ) and have no problems with the so called curfew never noticed it. I go out as long as i want and where I want, never had a problem. been searched or harassed by the military...all I know is sins the coup there are no more killings and bombings....and this is important to me. And to get all those super corrupt Politicians and Police to justice....

Democracy is not a magic word, and it don't mean the people in power can do everything they want, like they did in the previous government. under the cover of democracy.

You just don't want to see....there is a word for that COGNITIVE DISSONANCE...

I have good friends on both sides of the colour divide. but I have to say those with a penchant for they yellow are a lot more educated.

I know every thing you going to say to defend the red from now on....heard it so many times before.

Adolf Hitler was democraticly elected...for your history..and we all know were that brought us....

You are a Caucasian foreigner are you not? I do not believe it is an accurate reflection of the current situation to compare the treatment of an elderly Caucasian foreigner with that of the treatment of Thais under the age of 40 in the Ubon/Udon/Surin/Kon Kaen region(s). It is not a slap at you, but merely an honest observation. Although you may not be aware of killings or bombings, sadly, the violence continues in the South and it is as flagrant in the yellow triangle of corruption (Phuket/Surat Thani/Nahkon Si Thammarat) as before. Please note that the military administration now has great influence on what stories are allowed to be broadcast or published in Thailand. The absence of reporting of events does not mean the events are not occurring.

I do not disagree with your comment on Democracy, but it unfair to say that the previous government did everything it wanted. NO civilian government has ever had that option. If they did, there would have been real reforms that would have clipped the wings of the army and its to meddling in civilian affairs. We would have seen an end to the military business conglomerate that sees the Army as one of the major established operators of leisure facilities in the country with its golf courses, country clubs and resort facilities. The number of generals would have been halved with the cost savings that would have accompanied such a move.

It is a myth that the yellow leadership is more educated. Have a look at the thugs who run amok in Phuket with their jetski, and transport businesses.

The folks who have been destroying and encroaching on protected lands in the south aren't Rhodes Scholars. Much of the opposition leadership are well educated by Thai standards. Even those two former communist husband and wife leaders were intellectual superiors of their opponents with one a trained physician and the other a microbiologist. many of the social planners in the Yingluck administration obtained their graduate educations in foreign countries such as Germany, the UK, the USA and Australia. I know from my own experience that some in the health ministry wanted to adopt policies that were modeled in part on the German and French concepts. Even if you wish to believe that all of the opposition leadership are uneducated idiots, they seem to have had enough smarts to win a few elections and to be able to maintain their electoral base, which is no small feat in Thailand.

In respect to your reference to Hitler, I suggest you read up on the NSDP ascension to power. The only comparable period in Thailand's government was the rise of the Abhisit led Democrats and the similar approach to rewriting the constitution and the laws to ensure that the "approved" political party would be guaranteed control of the nation. (As a side note, I am not comparing Abhisit to Hitler because he is not comparable nor anything like that sociopath, just the period inclusive of the two military coups.)

There is a reason why peaceful countries such as Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Australia, Norway, and Canada have adopted similar positions in respect to the current administration.

[Rimmer]

An attack on another poster has been removed

[ianf]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

And people are saying we did not need a coup..... Seems the military is the only one who can keep the police in check.

Yes but this is really only the tip of the corrupt iceberg. Too many othere are escaping the spotlight

The army themselves are knee deep in illegal casinos & prostitution in the deep south .,betcha these places are never raided etc

Do you have evidence or a reference for this bold statement?

[Nemesis7]

Bravo to the troops.

So commom where police are the real God father to most of the crime racketeers all over thailand .

[ianf]

Nice display of history knowledge,....But I also live in the North (Chiang Mai) (for the moment I am in Mae Sai ) and have no problems with the so called curfew never noticed it. I go out as long as i want and where I want, never had a problem. been searched or harassed by the military...all I know is sins the coup there are no more killings and bombings....and this is important to me. And to get all those super corrupt Politicians and Police to justice....

Democracy is not a magic word, and it don't mean the people in power can do everything they want, like they did in the previous government. under the cover of democracy.

You just don't want to see....there is a word for that COGNITIVE DISSONANCE...

I have good friends on both sides of the colour divide. but I have to say those with a penchant for they yellow are a lot more educated.

I know every thing you going to say to defend the red from now on....heard it so many times before.

Adolf Hitler was democraticly elected...for your history..and we all know were that brought us....

You are a Caucasian foreigner are you not? I do not believe it is an accurate reflection of the current situation to compare the treatment of an elderly Caucasian foreigner with that of the treatment of Thais under the age of 40 in the Ubon/Udon/Surin/Kon Kaen region(s). It is not a slap at you, but merely an honest observation. Although you may not be aware of killings or bombings, sadly, the violence continues in the South and it is as flagrant in the yellow triangle of corruption (Phuket/Surat Thani/Nahkon Si Thammarat) as before. Please note that the military administration now has great influence on what stories are allowed to be broadcast or published in Thailand. The absence of reporting of events does not mean the events are not occurring.

I do not disagree with your comment on Democracy, but it unfair to say that the previous government did everything it wanted. NO civilian government has ever had that option. If they did, there would have been real reforms that would have clipped the wings of the army and its to meddling in civilian affairs. We would have seen an end to the military business conglomerate that sees the Army as one of the major established operators of leisure facilities in the country with its golf courses, country clubs and resort facilities. The number of generals would have been halved with the cost savings that would have accompanied such a move.

It is a myth that the yellow leadership is more educated. Have a look at the thugs who run amok in Phuket with their jetski, and transport businesses.

The folks who have been destroying and encroaching on protected lands in the south aren't Rhodes Scholars. Much of the opposition leadership are well educated by Thai standards. Even those two former communist husband and wife leaders were intellectual superiors of their opponents with one a trained physician and the other a microbiologist. many of the social planners in the Yingluck administration obtained their graduate educations in foreign countries such as Germany, the UK, the USA and Australia. I know from my own experience that some in the health ministry wanted to adopt policies that were modeled in part on the German and French concepts. Even if you wish to believe that all of the opposition leadership are uneducated idiots, they seem to have had enough smarts to win a few elections and to be able to maintain their electoral base, which is no small feat in Thailand.

In respect to your reference to Hitler, I suggest you read up on the NSDP ascension to power. The only comparable period in Thailand's government was the rise of the Abhisit led Democrats and the similar approach to rewriting the constitution and the laws to ensure that the "approved" political party would be guaranteed control of the nation. (As a side note, I am not comparing Abhisit to Hitler because he is not comparable nor anything like that sociopath, just the period inclusive of the two military coups.)

There is a reason why peaceful countries such as Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Australia, Norway, and Canada have adopted similar positions in respect to the current administration.

GeriatricKid has always posted strong messages in support of Thaksin regimes without understanding the nature of Thaksin's bid for total control. I have referred him in the past to Reich's Mass Psychology of Facism - a technique which in my estimation Thaksin and his western supporters have used to their advantage. At the moment Thaksin is building up his opposition forces worldwide with his black propaganda and utilising dubious 'human rights' organisations such as Freedom House and Human Rights Watch. These orgs all have board members who could be described as extremely right wing and some of whom are connected to Thaksin either directly or indirectly. I think we also have to understand the cultural differences between the western approach to life in general and the prevailing cultures in Thailand. It is easy for Thai people, for example, to blast on about democracy but it is a word that has little meaning here. So when world bodies or other governments call for a 'return to democracy' they are severely mistaken. There was never democracy here in the first place so how can we return to it? Certainly Thaksin's idea is to return to his one-man version of democracy, a nation that he can control and plunder at will. Whatever side of this debate you take, whether you are pro- or anti-army, there is one unmistakable truth. That is, the influence that Thaksin has had over this country has been at best unhealthy and at worst one step away from complete anti-democratic dictatorship. Any balanced view of the events over the past few years would take on board the negative affects, the extra judicial killings, the ramp-up in corruption and the detabilising of this society that we have seen. I don't ask people to support the military but please understand the nature of the Thaksin regimes, the lies and corruption that he was involved in an so on. To support Thaksin for me is tantamount to supporting many of the other dictators we have seen worldwide over the past 100 years. Abhisit was a good and measured voice against the Thaksin politic. Sadly, Abhisit has had to suffer gross misunderstanding, his words manipulated, his life threatened, blatant lies told about him (oft repeated here by TV posters) and so on. So sad when one good voice against the anti-democratic Thaksin regimes is silenced and ridiculed in this way. Sadly, I personally think that Thaksin will come back and seize unfettered power. Dangerous times are ahead in my view. I wonder what GeriaticKid and his ilk will say then?

[AleG]

And will we ever learn the name of the "Local Politician"

The name is Khamron Bamrungrak.

[hawker9000]

And people are saying we did not need a coup..... Seems the military is the only one who can keep the police in check.

But executing wrong and stupid laws instead of making a framework of laws that make sense isn't the big step ahead.

Gambling will always exist so make laws for legal gambling. I fail to see the big leap forward if some corrupt Thais that own casinos at the border to Cambodia (Police and Military people) make the profit with gambling and not paying any tax instead of some corrupt Thais in Bangkok. No change beside bigger CO2 footprint.

Legalize casinos and than public tell that after a grace period of 3 month there will be a crack down on the illegal casinos with real punishment (not inactive post) would be the right thing to do.

If they really do elections 2016 than we can tell 2019 that the coup was complete pointless because nothing really changed (non of the changes are visible anymore).

B-b-b-b-but... Ahhh - ex- ah, executing, umm, wrong laws...emmm...instead of.....errrr.... Quick, somebody! SAY something! 'Can't let something the current government is doing to clean up corruption STAND uncriticized here! I know! Let's criticize them for taking steps to clean up existing corruption connected with gambling BEFORE they legalize it. (Oh, and don't forget the mandatory talking point thing about elections...)

Edited February 15, 2015 by hawker9000

[geriatrickid]

GeriatricKid has always posted strong messages in support of Thaksin regimes without understanding the nature of Thaksin's bid for total control. I have referred him in the past to Reich's Mass Psychology of Facism - a technique which in my estimation Thaksin and his western supporters have used to their advantage. At the moment Thaksin is building up his opposition forces worldwide with his black propaganda and utilising dubious 'human rights' organisations such as Freedom House and Human Rights Watch. These orgs all have board members who could be described as extremely right wing and some of whom are connected to Thaksin either directly or indirectly. I think we also have to understand the cultural differences between the western approach to life in general and the prevailing cultures in Thailand. It is easy for Thai people, for example, to blast on about democracy but it is a word that has little meaning here. So when world bodies or other governments call for a 'return to democracy' they are severely mistaken. There was never democracy here in the first place so how can we return to it? Certainly Thaksin's idea is to return to his one-man version of democracy, a nation that he can control and plunder at will. Whatever side of this debate you take, whether you are pro- or anti-army, there is one unmistakable truth. That is, the influence that Thaksin has had over this country has been at best unhealthy and at worst one step away from complete anti-democratic dictatorship. Any balanced view of the events over the past few years would take on board the negative affects, the extra judicial killings, the ramp-up in corruption and the detabilising of this society that we have seen. I don't ask people to support the military but please understand the nature of the Thaksin regimes, the lies and corruption that he was involved in an so on. To support Thaksin for me is tantamount to supporting many of the other dictators we have seen worldwide over the past 100 years. Abhisit was a good and measured voice against the Thaksin politic. Sadly, Abhisit has had to suffer gross misunderstanding, his words manipulated, his life threatened, blatant lies told about him (oft repeated here by TV posters) and so on. So sad when one good voice against the anti-democratic Thaksin regimes is silenced and ridiculed in this way. Sadly, I personally think that Thaksin will come back and seize unfettered power. Dangerous times are ahead in my view. I wonder what GeriaticKid and his ilk will say then?

LOL.

At the moment Thaksin is building up his opposition forces worldwide with his black propaganda and utilising dubious 'human rights' organisations such as Freedom House and Human Rights Watch.

With those words you have demonstrated a profound ignorance that relegates your comments to the receptacle which holds the rantings of what polite society refers to as the "nonsensical". You have attacked two reputable organizations who have in the past locked horns with the Thaksin administration. I suggest you read up on Freedom House. https://freedomhouse.org/content/our-history#.VOBPvTdTHX4

It beggers belief that you would disparage Freedom House, as it is a middle of the road organization leaning to a conservative approach on the subject of human rights. As for HRW, much as I personally dislike them, they have never been "supporters" of Thaksin.

If you believe that all of the countries who have issued similar statements on the current situation in Thailand are under the magical spell of the bogey man Thaksin, then there is no reasoning with you.

As a reminder, it was the previous military rulers who redrafted the constitution and it is the current military government that again wishes to redraft the constitution with provisions to allow the military to maintain its control. There is no civilian oversight of the military. No checks, no balances. That is an undisputed fact.

I live in the real world. Thaksin isn't coming back any time soon unless its for temple rites. I can also read election results. Your hero Abhisit never won a mandate to govern at the ballot box. Why are you so afraid of allowing an election now? Do Thai people scare you? If so, you should consider a change of venues.

Edited February 15, 2015 by geriatrickid

[mango66]

And people are saying we did not need a coup..... Seems the military is the only one who can keep the police in check.

Yes but this is really only the tip of the corrupt iceberg. Too many othere are escaping the spotlight

correct !!

But they will never reach the iceberg, like in Pattaya,

as there, the seniors are not from the police,

no,

they are homed in Utapao !

And they are pretected under lease majestee !!

[Baerboxer]

Legalize and regulate gambling and these dens would be obsolete. Thailand would gain so much by having some casino's and all those that like gambling would not have to leave Thailand to enrich other countries.

That would be a tremendous opportunity for Thailand especially with more and more Chinese and ethnic Chinese foreigners coming here. They love gambling and Macau is a good example of strictly controlled casinos.

Problem is those who control all things illegal here don't want that. Legalizing any activity that makes them billions is the last thing they want.

[Baerboxer]

Axed or transfered?

Transferred to that wonderful inactive post division. Probably the largest division of the RTP.

When you look at just how active the RTP are it makes you wonder.

[ianf]

GeriatricKid has always posted strong messages in support of Thaksin regimes without understanding the nature of Thaksin's bid for total control. I have referred him in the past to Reich's Mass Psychology of Facism - a technique which in my estimation Thaksin and his western supporters have used to their advantage. At the moment Thaksin is building up his opposition forces worldwide with his black propaganda and utilising dubious 'human rights' organisations such as Freedom House and Human Rights Watch. These orgs all have board members who could be described as extremely right wing and some of whom are connected to Thaksin either directly or indirectly. I think we also have to understand the cultural differences between the western approach to life in general and the prevailing cultures in Thailand. It is easy for Thai people, for example, to blast on about democracy but it is a word that has little meaning here. So when world bodies or other governments call for a 'return to democracy' they are severely mistaken. There was never democracy here in the first place so how can we return to it? Certainly Thaksin's idea is to return to his one-man version of democracy, a nation that he can control and plunder at will. Whatever side of this debate you take, whether you are pro- or anti-army, there is one unmistakable truth. That is, the influence that Thaksin has had over this country has been at best unhealthy and at worst one step away from complete anti-democratic dictatorship. Any balanced view of the events over the past few years would take on board the negative affects, the extra judicial killings, the ramp-up in corruption and the detabilising of this society that we have seen. I don't ask people to support the military but please understand the nature of the Thaksin regimes, the lies and corruption that he was involved in an so on. To support Thaksin for me is tantamount to supporting many of the other dictators we have seen worldwide over the past 100 years. Abhisit was a good and measured voice against the Thaksin politic. Sadly, Abhisit has had to suffer gross misunderstanding, his words manipulated, his life threatened, blatant lies told about him (oft repeated here by TV posters) and so on. So sad when one good voice against the anti-democratic Thaksin regimes is silenced and ridiculed in this way. Sadly, I personally think that Thaksin will come back and seize unfettered power. Dangerous times are ahead in my view. I wonder what GeriaticKid and his ilk will say then?

LOL.

At the moment Thaksin is building up his opposition forces worldwide with his black propaganda and utilising dubious 'human rights' organisations such as Freedom House and Human Rights Watch.

With those words you have demonstrated a profound ignorance that relegates your comments to the receptacle which holds the rantings of what polite society refers to as the "nonsensical". You have attacked two reputable organizations who have in the past locked horns with the Thaksin administration. I suggest you read up on Freedom House. https://freedomhouse.org/content/our-history#.VOBPvTdTHX4

It beggers belief that you would disparage Freedom House, as it is a middle of the road organization leaning to a conservative approach on the subject of human rights. As for HRW, much as I personally dislike them, they have never been "supporters" of Thaksin.

If you believe that all of the countries who have issued similar statements on the current situation in Thailand are under the magical spell of the bogey man Thaksin, then there is no reasoning with you.

As a reminder, it was the previous military rulers who redrafted the constitution and it is the current military government that again wishes to redraft the constitution with provisions to allow the military to maintain its control. There is no civilian oversight of the military. No checks, no balances. That is an undisputed fact.

I live in the real world. Thaksin isn't coming back any time soon unless its for temple rites. I can also read election results. Your hero Abhisit never won a mandate to govern at the ballot box. Why are you so afraid of allowing an election now? Do Thai people scare you? If so, you should consider a change of venues.

Quite an aggressive response GK! Let's start off by looking at Freedom House. Reputable? Not at all. Not linked to Thaksin? Yes, through the private equity Carlyle Group and their directors. Indeed you could also bring in the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) into this discussion and then understand that there are shared directors between all three organisations and some of these people are closely linked to Thaksin. Off course when you have organisations like these you have to look under the covers and ask who are the people funding them. When you find that out you have to ask 'why?'. Because a lot of the funders across these organisations are linked to people like Robert Amsterdam, Kenneth Adelman and Robert Blackwill all of whom have had close links to Thaksin. Do your research! Interesting that George Soros has been closely linked to Human Rights Watch and has also been closely linked to Thaksin and they have had financial and other dealings together.

An interesting point about the checks and balances that you mention is that there were none in any of Thaksin's administrations or his latest proxy administration. 'Thaksin Thinks, Phuea Thai' does is hardly a model for open democracy, is it? I am sorry GK but your response is an aggressive one designed to detract from the core issues. The major points that I have made in my previous posts as well as numerous others over the years have never been responded to by you with any degree of intelligence or insight. It is much as Reich described in that some people have a psychological need to support strong dictators because they find their own psychological release in so doing. But facts are facts. Thaksin is not and never has been a democrat. Nor have his acolytes. Thaksin has been used by influential and powerful people whom he dealt with during his meetings with Chatham House, the Carlyle Group and so on. Thaksin only has self interest - his apparent interest in the poor masses is self-serving and not at all genuine. His many scams have come into the open. He has been indicted by Amnesty International on 18 x human rights abuse claims. His 'war on drugs' succeeded in silencing many political and social opponents. We can go on and list his crimes ad infinitum but one thing I do know: If people have entrenched opinions it is very hard for them to let go of their own monopoly of truth. One poster above states that amongst the people he knows those that are more educated oppose the red shirts. Perhaps the clue lies therein. You haven't answered my points at all and I therefore rest my case: Ex-police colonel Thaksin has bought new meaning to the term 'corruption' and will not stop at anything to gain absolute power in Thailand. How can any decent person support a man like this?

[Jonmarleesco]

'... army troops raided an illegal casino in Sukhumvit Soi 107 Friday night and arrested 46 gamblers together with several gambling equipments.' I wonder whether the gambling equipment(s) made a break for freedom?

And will they pursue the politician?

[Larry001]

Good job. And to all Thai Visa members who wish to be negative about every post, l offer my condolences. You obviously have extremely boring lives

[off road pat]

Nice display of history knowledge,....But I also live in the North (Chiang Mai) (for the moment I am in Mae Sai ) and have no problems with the so called curfew never noticed it. I go out as long as i want and where I want, never had a problem. been searched or harassed by the military...all I know is sins the coup there are no more killings and bombings....and this is important to me. And to get all those super corrupt Politicians and Police to justice....

Democracy is not a magic word, and it don't mean the people in power can do everything they want, like they did in the previous government. under the cover of democracy.

You just don't want to see....there is a word for that COGNITIVE DISSONANCE...

I have good friends on both sides of the colour divide. but I have to say those with a penchant for they yellow are a lot more educated.

I know every thing you going to say to defend the red from now on....heard it so many times before.

Adolf Hitler was democraticly elected...for your history..and we all know were that brought us....

You are a Caucasian foreigner are you not? I do not believe it is an accurate reflection of the current situation to compare the treatment of an elderly Caucasian foreigner with that of the treatment of Thais under the age of 40 in the Ubon/Udon/Surin/Kon Kaen region(s). It is not a slap at you, but merely an honest observation. Although you may not be aware of killings or bombings, sadly, the violence continues in the South and it is as flagrant in the yellow triangle of corruption (Phuket/Surat Thani/Nahkon Si Thammarat) as before. Please note that the military administration now has great influence on what stories are allowed to be broadcast or published in Thailand. The absence of reporting of events does not mean the events are not occurring.

I do not disagree with your comment on Democracy, but it unfair to say that the previous government did everything it wanted. NO civilian government has ever had that option. If they did, there would have been real reforms that would have clipped the wings of the army and its to meddling in civilian affairs. We would have seen an end to the military business conglomerate that sees the Army as one of the major established operators of leisure facilities in the country with its golf courses, country clubs and resort facilities. The number of generals would have been halved with the cost savings that would have accompanied such a move.

It is a myth that the yellow leadership is more educated. Have a look at the thugs who run amok in Phuket with their jetski, and transport businesses.

The folks who have been destroying and encroaching on protected lands in the south aren't Rhodes Scholars. Much of the opposition leadership are well educated by Thai standards. Even those two former communist husband and wife leaders were intellectual superiors of their opponents with one a trained physician and the other a microbiologist. many of the social planners in the Yingluck administration obtained their graduate educations in foreign countries such as Germany, the UK, the USA and Australia. I know from my own experience that some in the health ministry wanted to adopt policies that were modeled in part on the German and French concepts. Even if you wish to believe that all of the opposition leadership are uneducated idiots, they seem to have had enough smarts to win a few elections and to be able to maintain their electoral base, which is no small feat in Thailand.

In respect to your reference to Hitler, I suggest you read up on the NSDP ascension to power. The only comparable period in Thailand's government was the rise of the Abhisit led Democrats and the similar approach to rewriting the constitution and the laws to ensure that the "approved" political party would be guaranteed control of the nation. (As a side note, I am not comparing Abhisit to Hitler because he is not comparable nor anything like that sociopath, just the period inclusive of the two military coups.)

There is a reason why peaceful countries such as Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Australia, Norway, and Canada have adopted similar positions in respect to the current administration.

GeriatricKid has always posted strong messages in support of Thaksin regimes without understanding the nature of Thaksin's bid for total control. I have referred him in the past to Reich's Mass Psychology of Facism - a technique which in my estimation Thaksin and his western supporters have used to their advantage. At the moment Thaksin is building up his opposition forces worldwide with his black propaganda and utilising dubious 'human rights' organisations such as Freedom House and Human Rights Watch. These orgs all have board members who could be described as extremely right wing and some of whom are connected to Thaksin either directly or indirectly. I think we also have to understand the cultural differences between the western approach to life in general and the prevailing cultures in Thailand. It is easy for Thai people, for example, to blast on about democracy but it is a word that has little meaning here. So when world bodies or other governments call for a 'return to democracy' they are severely mistaken. There was never democracy here in the first place so how can we return to it? Certainly Thaksin's idea is to return to his one-man version of democracy, a nation that he can control and plunder at will. Whatever side of this debate you take, whether you are pro- or anti-army, there is one unmistakable truth. That is, the influence that Thaksin has had over this country has been at best unhealthy and at worst one step away from complete anti-democratic dictatorship. Any balanced view of the events over the past few years would take on board the negative affects, the extra judicial killings, the ramp-up in corruption and the detabilising of this society that we have seen. I don't ask people to support the military but please understand the nature of the Thaksin regimes, the lies and corruption that he was involved in an so on. To support Thaksin for me is tantamount to supporting many of the other dictators we have seen worldwide over the past 100 years. Abhisit was a good and measured voice against the Thaksin politic. Sadly, Abhisit has had to suffer gross misunderstanding, his words manipulated, his life threatened, blatant lies told about him (oft repeated here by TV posters) and so on. So sad when one good voice against the anti-democratic Thaksin regimes is silenced and ridiculed in this way. Sadly, I personally think that Thaksin will come back and seize unfettered power. Dangerous times are ahead in my view. I wonder what GeriaticKid and his ilk will say then?

I don't want to answer to Geriatrickid,....Iam tired to talk to people that don't want to see. it's like talking to a brick wall...I have a lot more interesting things to do.....as someone said there is no more blind man than the one that don't want to see....!!!

Mr. ianf, I agree the full with your view....It is wonderfully well explained....so much better than I could or would...

There is so mutch more to say about the Thaksin's government's, and there unlimited corruption....there could be books written about the more than 2500 innocent people murdered in the Drug war. Yes, Innocent !!! untill proven guilty before a court of law.........there are so many story's about people been shot and drugs and guns were planted with the body.....people who never had anything to do with drugs or never possessed a gun....!!! there possesions were confiscated and sold to friends of the government at the cheep...

The thing is, I don't want to spend all my time writing about this, there is so much to talk about....this conversation would never end....

To understand a little bit of the powers behind Thaksin. Check this..... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Carlyle_Group

Thaksin can never come back on it's own but with the backing of Carlyle group...???..first check who is on that Carlyle Group....!!!

there is a lot more info to find.....

Best regards, Mr ianf.

Off Road.

[watcharacters]

Axed means fired, no longer employed, out of a job....not moved to an inactive post!

In this Land of Face - being moved to an inactive post is just as bad as being fired.

Maybe not if they visited the slammer as long term guests?

[Si Thea01]

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And people are saying we did not need a coup..... Seems the military is the only one who can keep the police in check.

Yes but this is really only the tip of the corrupt iceberg. Too many othere are escaping the spotlight

The army themselves are knee deep in illegal casinos & prostitution in the deep south .,betcha these places are never raided etc

Along with extorting legitimate business, they are up to their necks in those ventures in Bangkok as well.

I have witnessed it many times.

Reform my <marshmallow>.

Just what have you witnessed? Police/military extorting legitimate businesses? Where? how? Obviously you don't live in Bangkok, as you tell us that they are doing this there as well. So what have you seen in BKK during your visits?

Am I but one of a few who can see change occurring and that the wheels are turning, albeit, slowly? Surely, no one thinks reform can happen overnight.

Why is there always criticism, never any praise and why does it appear that many seem to get their kicks out of trying to outdo each other in their criticisms of anything and everything that occurs in this country. Many even appear to seek enjoyment out of how personal they can get with others whose opinions differ to theirs.

[Si Thea01]

Prayut is like a knight in shining armour

Prayut has come to save Thailand

Prayut is taking out all these corrupt police and cleaning Thailand like a real super hero

Prayut is the man

And please tell us how he has become a billionaire on a soldiers wages. I know that he says its none of our business, but the question needs to be asked.

And please tell us where you obtained the information that he is a billionaire? He and his wife's declared assets in 2014 was 128 million baht, with debts of about 660,000 baht. Why does the question need to be asked, what business is it of yours? I can tell you how I made my money, I worked bloody hard for thirty years in law enforcement and owned two businesses so to save you having to ask the question, I'll give you an insight.

10,000 shares in the Commonwealth bank, same in the ANZ, Westpac and NAB, as well as Telstra, that's 50,000 shares, all bought for less than $5.00 a share 20 years ago. Check out what they're worth today, and don't forget, every year, one receives dividends, which I used to purchase more shares. I also have other investments but we need not go there. I do not have the money the PM has but it is possible to gain wealth through astute investments, one does not ask how to become wealthy, if you do you, then you never will be.