Stevemercer

Well, the 'good old boys' win again.

I think Surachate is being set up. Now the Prime Minister has shown his complicity by siding with the {suspended) police chief. For those not convinced, please see the transcript below taken after Surachate's car was shot up when he was suspended for criticising the previous police chief and his endorsement of the biometrics contract. Would a guilty man risk his career by going against tw police chiefs? From news reported in 2022 when Surachate’s Lexus was shot up. A reporter asked "Big Joke", who is currently working as an adviser at the Prime Minister's Office, to clarify the incident. Police and people suspect you are behind the shooting. Is that true? There's no reason to stage it. Whether I'll be transferred back to the police agency depends on the prime minister. It has nothing to do with their claim that I want to have the incumbent police chief replaced by his deputy so that I can make a return. Today I'm forced into a corner. They bullied me and shot my car. As a former police officer, I know for sure who ordered it. If he had not been an influential figure, he would have not done it. I've seen my image marred a lot because "people in power" have often thrown controversial issues at me. Joke caused troubles in the biometric system. Joke was involved in the electric BMW car plan. This is not to mention the boat and building construction projects of the IB [Immigration Bureau] which are also linked with Joke. I've done nothing and was never involved in these evil issues. We have to check who spent IB budgets on the procurements. Should we buy those boats though there's no mission for them? How will IB officers pilot the boats? Will the purchase be done in favour of certain companies? Why are you confident the shooting involves the biometrics controversy? How come they bought biometrics at more than 2 billion baht? If I had overseen the project, it would have cost the IB less than 500 million baht. Do you see the huge price gap? The IB spent over 300 million baht apiece though they are actually 36 million baht each. The prices are different though the system is of the same brand and even same model. That's very bad. As former IB chief, I wrote a memo to scrap the procurement. My senior officer at the Royal Thai Police [RTP] asked me to settle this issue, but I rejected his request. I just want it to proceed according to the law. Later I learned someone checked my car registration number and followed me. I was warned against driving to a traditional Thai massage venue. They wanted to shoot the car. It's 100% intimidation. How do you respond to some police claims you wanted to have your associates sell biometrics to the IB? That's not true. I also don't know how to do it. The person who spent IB money buying the system is in the RTP. If I had let my friends do it, I should have been able to sign the procurement. Other former and incumbent IB chiefs should also feel uncomfortable about this issue, but it's only me who dares speak out. I can't let it go; otherwise, I'll be probed by the NACC [National Anti-Corruption Commission]. Are you at odds with Pol Gen Chakthip? (The national police chief who decided to push ahead with the procurement.) So far there's been only the conflict over biometrics, but I've never mentioned Phi Pae [nickname of Pol Gen Chakthip]. I only said it's a conflict with a "powerful figure". If Deputy Prime Minister Prawit arranges a talk between you and Pol Gen Chakthip, will you join it? (Pol Lt Gen Surachate is said to have been a close associate of Gen Prawit while he was in charge of police affairs.) I'll be glad to join the talk. However, I insist everything must be done under the rule of law. I don't want to commit any wrongdoing. The truth of the biometrics issue will be unveiled to the public sooner or later. Thailand is protected by the guardian deity Phra Siam Devadhiraj. Corrupt people will eventually bear the results of what they did.

My wife fell for (another) scam a few weeks ago. She had booked and paid for a flight for me from Khon Kaen to Bangkok on Thai Smile. This was a connection for a Thai Airway flight I had booked myself. My wife got a call inviting her to join Royal Orchid (Thai Airway frequent flyer) and they said she had to pay a small fee. They appeared to already have her essential details. She gave them her credit/debit card details and emptied her bank account (6,000 Baht). I had to tell her it is free to join the frequent flyer program. She thought membership would allow entry into Thai's airport lounges, but, of course, it does not unless you reach a certain level.

I reckon Surachate is among the least corrupt in the current Thai police higher echelons. He is the only one who might have a go at much needed reform if he wins the top job. Appointees to the top job are usually just sitting out their time until retirement,and to boost their potential post-retirement income, and will not rock the boat. Surachate has 6 years left and might try to rock the boat.

I'm pretty sure Israel has givem plenty of thought to strategic first strike scenarios as raised in the original post. I'm equally sure they have measures in place to ensure a retailatory nuclear strike. Iran launched drones and missiles against Isreal, but gave 3 days warning and didn't target any cities. It was meant as a show of strength. Hopefully Israel will not get sucked in and will continue their current mission until finished. A full scale war between Iran and Israel would draw America and its allies into the mix. As a consequence, Russia will quickly prevail in Ukraine and force a 'peace'. China is likely to seize the opportunity to blockade Taiwan under the imminent threat of war. North Korea will seriously consider a first strike on South Korea. Thailand will want to stay nuetral, but will probably have to cede to China. Hopefully us expats will have a few years warning to leave the country before being forceably expelled or taken hostage. I guees this will probably be like doomsday for most of us.

I regularly cal Australia using FacebookMessenger, Facetime or other social media. If I can't get through, I might use my normal mobile provider for short calls (it is about 5 Baht per minute). For longer calls to government organisations etc I normally try to find their 'free' overseas line. However, it doesn't always work out 'free'.

Sorry, I was thinking of other countries where appeal of Ministerial decisions is typically allowable. I remember the farce around the deportation of the famous tennis star, Novac Djokovic, from Australia during the Covid years.

I've helped a few Thai widows trying to retrieve money from a deceased farang estate. It can be difficult even with the death certificate, will leaving everything to the widow and proof of death. If there is the slightest irregularity, the banks will jack up and it can take years to finally access the money. One bank insisted that the widow get a death certificate from Australia for their partner who died in Thailand. Another bank defied an order from a Thai court that executed the estate (the husband died without a valid will) and ordered the money released to the widow. I would suggest that the widow has the necessary access and knowledge to transfer enough funds to handle the immediate funeral and 12 months living costs

What's really sad is that Minister Anutin probably doesn't even realise he is subverting the course of justice by advocating an outcome yet to be determined by the Court. Interesting time for farangs (and western countries) if Anutin ever becomes Prime Minister. Expect a sharp swing to China and tougher rules for expats.

That's the price of progress, I guess. On the other hand, Thais are generally richer and better off.

I never even thought about money and living costs until I married a Thai woman. Now it's a bit of a worry.

A 160 cc bike will do 100 km/hr, but is more comfortable at 80 km/hr. Motorway/Tollway traffic tends to be 100 - 120 km/hr and you would be stuck over in the shoulder and left lane along with the trucks and slow traffic. Setting aside the legalities, you'd be better off taking the slower Sukhumvit Road where you can keep pace with the traffic and stop for a break whenever you want.

On a side note, I find that Thai doctors often seem reluctant to do procedures that involve touching or manipulating the body. I recently saw 4 or 5 doctors for a hernia-like pain and only one actually felt around my lower abdomen. The rest just took my word for it (that I had a hernia like pain, but couldn't feel any bulges or protusions) and passed me onto the next doctor in the diagnostic chain.

Did the original poster say they were diabetic? I assume this would be relevant?

I would stick to the married extension if you qualify. The retirement extension is more likely to be subject to future changes and tougher requirements during Thailand's periodic crack downs on foreigners.