People you have great admiration for.

[fang37]

As an Aussie, I automatically think of Kerry Packer (dec'd).

His father was a newspaper publisher & treated Kerry very tough as a kid.

Kerry had an older brother - the chosen heir - but he relocated to USA.

Kerry reformed Consolidated Press in many ways - television, weekly magazines focused at women. He went against his desires & permitted publications such as Cleo. Ita Buttrose - he treated her terribly but at the same time respected her judgement.

Cricket had always been an amateur game. No $$$ for the players but a bundle for the ABC (the govt telecaster). Kerry transformed the face of cricket into a world game.

BTW, Kerry loved cricket. Poured mega millions into it.

People admired & detested Kerry at the same time.

Kerry didn't mind a "modest" punt. He backed horses off-course (SP) often but when he went on-course the public was ecstatic. He had bets where he won about AUD30m.

Occasionally, he went to USA to play at the casino. One gambler took a disliking to Kerry's brashness & quantity of a bet. Kerry asked him how much he was worth. The gambler advised him. Kerry responded by saying I'll bet you that! The gambler crept away.

One of his biggies. He had a heart attack - technically died. He came back to life. His comment was to the effect that there was nothing there. A loyal employee donated an organ to Kerry. Kerry very much appreciated this gesture & rewarded him handsomely.

Further, some medical device was donated to all hospitals in NSW.

Kerry had a son James - casino owner - to be continued.

[simon43]

Perhaps to keep this topic relevant to Thailand, is there a Thai person that you admire greatly - and why?

I'm still trying to think of a Thai person that fits this description, perhaps my accountant

[fang37]

Another - Margaret Thatcher (a bloody Pom).

Margaret had a humble upbringing - Daddy owned a grocery store.

She became the longest serving UK PM of the 20th Century.

Someone referred to her as the "Iron Lady".

She was tough - she had to be. She introduced policies to reduce unemployment.

Enough from this bloody Aussie.

Over to the Poms to expand on the above.

Time for tea & scones.

[kannot]

ANY Thai who stands up to the bullying crap dished out by the govt or its workers

[Orac]

Guess it would have to be Mechai Viravaidya for his social concience and help for the poor.

Also Supinya Klangnarong for never being afraid of standing up for what she believes in no matter who is opposing her.

Not Thai but worth an honorable mention and Thai related would be Andy Hall.

[stoneyboy]

Jonathan Head for his unbiased,factual journalistic skills used within the Kingdom.

[MaeJoMTB]

Thaksin Shinawata,

Almost dragged a third world country into the 20th century.

[nikmar]

My Mother in law. Simply, because Ive never seen her without a smile, a sense of humour that verges on bad taste and for being the most altruistic person Ive ever met.

[weegee]

In Thailand?......ME...

[fang37]

In Thailand, the only person who ticks all the boxes in my opinion is Thaksin Shinawatra.

Although he was a billionaire & purportedly milked the system, he did do some good things for the common people -

Telephone availability & internet

THB30 hospital system - it is definitely WIP - riddled with inefficiencies. These things take time.

Love him or hate him, I think he has done the best job for LOS during his political career.

[seabear]

Luang Phor Koon.

[Crazy chef 1]

Perhaps to keep this topic relevant to Thailand, is there a Thai person that you admire greatly - and why?

I'm still trying to think of a Thai person that fits this description, perhaps my accountant

My wife...

[nidieunimaitre]

A Thai farmer's daughter, who said:

- Buddha is not in the wat, he must be in the heart

- I believe only what I can see

- Thailand has everything, more than Europe, but Thailand does not have good governments

That farmer's daughter happens to be my wife.

[fang37]

Perhaps to keep this topic relevant to Thailand, is there a Thai person that you admire greatly - and why?

I'm still trying to think of a Thai person that fits this description, perhaps my accountant

My wife...

Same same!

[xen]

In Thailand, the only person who ticks all the boxes in my opinion is Thaksin Shinawatra.

Although he was a billionaire & purportedly milked the system, he did do some good things for the common people -

Telephone availability & internet

THB30 hospital system - it is definitely WIP - riddled with inefficiencies. These things take time.

Love him or hate him, I think he has done the best job for LOS during his political career.

Mate, the only reason Khun T expanded telephone and internet was to expand his telephone and internet business . I reluctantly agree he did some other things that did benefit the average Thai but the cynicism about politicians i have screams that it was his own self interest and self promotion that motivated him more. No different to most other politicians.

[fang37]

xen

I do not disagree with you.

My knowledge in this area is quite basic.

[bannork]

xen

I do not disagree with you.

My knowledge in this area is quite basic.

That's an èxcellent last sentence fang37.

[nidieunimaitre]

xen

I do not disagree with you.

My knowledge in this area is quite basic.

Personally, I certainly do not admire Thaksin.

He is a crook.

But he is the crook that opened Pandora's box.

I think that this is how history will remember him.

In the end Thailand will be grateful for that.

[fang37]

So, who in Thailand is a national hero?

[nikmar]

So, who in Thailand is a national hero?

Hitler seems very popular

[fang37]

So, who in Thailand is a national hero?

Hitler seems very popular

Does Kuhn Hitler have a fan club & website? Details required urgently.

[nikmar]

So, who in Thailand is a national hero?

Hitler seems very popular

Does Kuhn Hitler have a fan club & website? Details required urgently.

dont know about a website but his face appears on a few things. .... t-shirts, university muriels, advertisments promoting Thai values and even a fast food shop if I remember correctly.

[nidieunimaitre]

So, who in Thailand is a national hero?

Hitler seems very popular

Does Kuhn Hitler have a fan club & website? Details required urgently.

dont know about a website but his face appears on a few things. .... t-shirts, university muriels, advertisments promoting Thai values and even a fast food shop if I remember correctly.

I think you confuse him with Suthep.

[xen]

So, who in Thailand is a national hero?

There are national heroes to the Thais - i would suggest the Royals and their lineage for a start.

Also as you travel around Thailand you will run across statues of great Thai warriors who defeated the foreign invaders like the Burmese and against overwhelming odds .

And then there are people like Tiger Woods , until he got caught out , and is half Thai. And Vanessa Mae who is also half Thai and Tony Jaa who makes rip-snorting movies and has not been caught out yet and maybe some of the up coming Thai tennis players.

Give me a bit more time and i will think about heroes in the field of arts and science. Can't think of any at the moment .

[fang37]

I do admire Tiger a lot.

[stoneyboy]

So, who in Thailand is a national hero?

This guys well respected.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pha_Mueang

[fang37]

So, who in Thailand is a national hero?

This guys well respected.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pha_Mueang

Isn't he a little too old?

[nithisa78]

Thaksin Shinawata,

Almost dragged a third world country into the 20th century.

A developing nation Sir. He might have even dragged you too. This is the 21st Century, just to get you up to speed.

[ThaiPauly]

Winston Churchill...the greatest man to ever walk the earth..(not Thai related I know , but what is on this thread except Taksin), but he was voted the greatest Britain of all time.

I was honored to live not 3 miles away from where he was born at Blenheim Palace and where he is buried in Bladon, Oxfordshire

RIP Winston, what a great man, the world as we know it today may not be the same if it was not for him

[stoneyboy]

So, who in Thailand is a national hero?

This guys well respected.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pha_Mueang

Isn't he a little too old?

You will find most revered Thai people were around many moons ago hence public holidays such as Chakri day and Chulalongkorn day.