[Thaksin tells Pheu Thai, red-shirt leaders not to join birthday party]

Actually this could have been a deal brokered between the Junta and thaksin.... Don't invite PTP or any Reds Shirts and we will let your sister leave the country.

Also, had they all got together, the media would have been all over it, and the Junta would have likely rejected all applications to travel seeing as almost everyone in that clan need to seek permission from the Junta to leave.

[Thaksin tells Pheu Thai, red-shirt leaders not to join birthday party]

Well, I think something completely obvious might happen. Yingluck will come back, face the music she orchestrated, and become the Thai Aung San Suu Kyi in prison...you can't kill a martyr....and if she died in prison -- WORSE.

The fat lady is not singing yet.

No kidding. Expect it.

and if she died in prison -- WORSE.

I think many are prepared to take that risk.

What's the worst thing can happen?... they write a song about her.

[Nida Poll shows 41 percent doubt Ms Yingluck will return within schedule]

I think she may do so, but I think the Junta really want her to go into exile obscurity with her brother and the rest of the clan.

I think the Junta are taking a big risk.

While in Thailand, she can be controlled, but now that they have allowed her to leave, I wonder how long it will be before the criticisms of the Junta start.

One thing I can guarantee you all, if she starts getting snarly and throwing the accusations around.... Then we know she was leaving with absolutely no intention of ever coming back.

Then the Junta's headaches will start.

Thaksin and Yingluck will start detribalising Thailand once again, and doing everything they can to disrupt reunification.

While they are in self exile, they are going to do everything in their power to return as free people. We have all seen the lengths they were prepared go to get Thaksin back, now there is Yingluck and her son too.

Watch this space.

[Longer visa exemption extensions begin August 29, 2014]

This is still going to be a major inconvenience to many.

You can only really stay for 60 days on exemption and have a ticket out of the country.

After that 60 days is up, then 'maybe' you can get a tourist visa from outside the country, but a 60 day double entry isn't going to be helpful, because after 60 days plus 30 day extension (90 days) your tourist status is going to look very iffy to a border officer.

However, most people will already have a large amount of out/ins in their passport before these rules kick in.

I would say by Christmas, a lot of people will be feeling uncomfortable. Before then we will all have read many horror stories.

I don't think this changes anything much at all.

They said they are not targeting people on tourist visas, so why have plenty of people been stranded at the border holding tourist visas then.

[Calls mount for justice over MH17]

Ukraine has much more to gain from this than anyone and seems as though everyone is playing into their plans like clockwork.

Not conspiracy theory.... Just logic, the same logic being used by all those nations against Russia.

[Assassination Attempt Wounds Northern Red Activist]

Strange how HIS appeal process is taking so far over 4 years and counting.

 

Normally it is 1 year at the most.... Looks like strings are being pulled to keep these thugs free.

 

That is the second time there has been an assassination attempt on his life.

 

Third time lucky?

[Rice probe snares two top officials]

What a crazy situation. Surely they are guilty of something but obviously not enough to warrant legal proceedings.

Perhaps the ministry of inactive posts is there for the stupid and intellectually challenged.

The main problem I see is that there are so many persons being replaced then how can the junta be sure that they are not replacing incompetence/corruption with incompetence/corruption plus? Or simply replace and hope?

I think the first thing is to remove them from their position so they can do no further harm.

Once the inspections are over and they sift through all the figures and facts, they will be pulling people for deep questioning.

If these people can't provide satisfactory answers, they will likely be prosecuted and have all their assets seized.

The courts recently handed down a 20 year prison sentence for rice fraud and he lost all his assets also. So expect this to be replicated across the board.

This is Thailand's chance to send a huge message out that if you are corrupt, you play with fire, and they should take that chance with both hands.

[Huge amount of rice missing in Phichit]

No'p I don't think (jail)(American) gaol is for the poor not the rich, It's for the proven guilty not assumed guilty be they rich or poor red or yellow. But I guess you think Suthep is innocent and should never be held accountable for his little bit of corrupt dealings huh? be consistent not selective.

But isn't your argument purely based on the fact that you feel they shouldn't even be accused and are nothing more than scapegoats and victims?

Plenty of posters including myself have pointed out in numerous ways all the things that have occurred are IN FACT provable of gross neglect and incompetence and almost certainly INVOLVEMENT.

Yet you think they shouldn't even be culpable of any blame whatsoever?

So they are above the law in your estimation?

For your information..... The facts are such that it is pretty almost proven that they are guilty as charged.

One question.... are you in love with the Shin regime or are you motivated just by hatred of Suthep (who without his actions hundreds of billions more will be exiting the country).?????

Ahh there is the answer... It is your hatred of Suthep.... I suppose you blame him for bringing this scam to an end.

[Huge amount of rice missing in Phichit]

Are all these warehouses "government" or privately owned?

If privately owned then surely any responsibility for discrepancies must lay with the warehouse owner?

If "government" owned the responsibility would surely lay with the warehouse managers and their superiors in the govt department responsible for warehousing rice?

Ahhh the voice of reason, exactly what I was saying, but the haters will continue to hate regardless.

It was the man in Dubai, and all the red's, and Yingluk, and anyone else I don't like, because uncle Suthep is coated in Teflon, nothing ever sticks, and he's the messiah don't you know.

Like I said the person in charge of what goes in and out is where you need to start people, then follow the money, and if it goes' to Mr. T then cool you can say I told you so.

In a word...... Pathetic.

Really,,, How so? You don't agree that the managers of the rice storage facility are responsible? you don't agree that the money trail needs to be followed?

Just because I don't point the finger at Thaksin every time there is a problem unlike you, (" In a word...... Pathetic)".

Waah waahh waahh, My ice-cream is to cold THAKSIN'S FAULT HE DID IT!!!

any and all government ministers that are proven to have taken money for this rice needs to be fully prosecuted regardless who they are.

If you think a PM should be held accountable for the deeds of others then be consistent and not selective, ie, MARK's 3 years in the gig, and Suthep's many years in the trough, any sly business deals, money gone missing from projects? or has their time has been perfect, squeaky clean,,,,,,, Delusional.

I already said that everyone connected with the warehouses, millers and farmers etc are all going to be rounded up and punished and that all their assets should be seized.

I also make the point that it should not stop there, it should go right to the top for those who not only put this scam in place but REFUSED to police it and make false claims all was good backed up by so called inspections.

A bit different from what you are saying.... The Shins and PTP officials involved should be above punishment.

I suppose you agree with the unbalanced judicial system then?..... Jail is for the poor, not the rich.

And by the way, I think your style of posting is beyond childishness.... how old are you?... 14????.... Like I said.... Pathetic. But hang around and entertain us.

[Huge amount of rice missing in Phichit]

Are all these warehouses "government" or privately owned?

If privately owned then surely any responsibility for discrepancies must lay with the warehouse owner?

If "government" owned the responsibility would surely lay with the warehouse managers and their superiors in the govt department responsible for warehousing rice?

Ahhh the voice of reason, exactly what I was saying, but the haters will continue to hate regardless.

It was the man in Dubai, and all the red's, and Yingluk, and anyone else I don't like, because uncle Suthep is coated in Teflon, nothing ever sticks, and he's the messiah don't you know.

Like I said the person in charge of what goes in and out is where you need to start people, then follow the money, and if it goes' to Mr. T then cool you can say I told you so.

In a word...... Pathetic.

[Huge amount of rice missing in Phichit]

Are all these warehouses "government" or privately owned?

If privately owned then surely any responsibility for discrepancies must lay with the warehouse owner?

If "government" owned the responsibility would surely lay with the warehouse managers and their superiors in the govt department responsible for warehousing rice?

Nope.... The ultimate responsibility rests with those charged with

Putting the scam in place,

Ignoring warnings that widespread corruption was happening end to end. Even international concerns.

Policing the system.

Claiming all was checked and in order.

Claiming no loss of money when 500 Bn is actually still unaccounted for.

Faking G2G deals to bolster public support for the scheme.

Discrediting and removing whistle blowers working within the system.

This is just a few things that our red Thaksin child killer supporters love to totally ignore.

The list is actually a lot more extensive if other members who are not purely red shirt supporters would like to add to.

Of course the warehouse personnel and likely some farmer too should be singled out, and that is all going to happen. Also have all their assets seized and their extended family's wealth checked out and all found profiting to lose everything but their clothes and thrown into a dungeon for a very long time.

That may go some way to recoup a fraction of the money.

But ultimately, I would seize EVERY asset of the Shin clan and EVERY PTP government minister involved with this scheme and do the exact same to them.

The Shins must have massive investments worth billions, with their stake in Shin Corp, and all their other shares in Thai companies such as AIS, PTT etc etc must be seized and sold off to pay this money back.

If you can't nab them or allow them to escape justice... You MUST go and grab everything they have here in Thailand.

The people need that money back.

[Rebels 'destroying evidence']

My personal opinion is that Russia and the rebels are in coverup mode. They wouldn't be acting this way if they didn't have something to hide.

What way is Russia acting?

Russia has been accused of something they did not do without any evidence at all.

Did you think Russia will just bow down to great us of a?

So... The Ukrainians blame Russia.. the Dutch, Australians, and Malaysians are demanding justice.. and every member of the EU is asking Russia to provide some answers.

Yet somehow, you are trying to blame this all on American policy?

Are you serious, or brainwashed, or just trolling?

Unbelievable.

Nope... not unbelievable.. In fact very much believable.

You seem to think that American foreign police is squeaky clean... I have some news for you.

But that aside, The other countries are demanding Russia 'to provide answers'????

So if you were being accused of doing something you didn't do.... would YOU be able to provide answers?

They are probably as much in the dark as you are and also probably correct by saying it was probably the Ukrainians.... But of course this is being rejected by the ANTI-RUSSIAN west... so what's the point?

[Huge amount of rice missing in Phichit]

1. Thats a hell of a lot of rice to disappear

No it's not that much. It would only have taken about 47,000 pickup trucks(which trunk to bonnet would stretch from Phichit to somewhere near Songkla) to come and taken it away. Easily missed, perhaps the warehouse manager was having a little siesta?

As has been said many times by the forum neutrals. The rice scheme was designed to win Thaksin an election, and enable him, his clan and his cronies to steal unprecedented amounts of money. That it would be totally ruinous for the farmers it was trumpeted to benefit was known from the first, check back on ThaiVisa to when the scam started and you will see the results were obvious to nearly all TVF members. Anybody that raises an eyebrow to the growing list of evidence of the thieving should be ashamed of themselves. You were warned.

Hmmm, not bad only post #6 and post #13 to have Thaksin, Thaksin, Thaksin, Yingluk, you make me laugh,

your first port of call should be the head honcho of the storage facility, he is responsible for what go's in and what comes out, end of story, and then do you really think the rice ever existed? AAAHHhhhhhh,,, Thaksin, did it ,Thaksin's guilty, Thaksin paid someone to take the rice, and it's on the moon with Elvis.

If you truly believe what you are saying... I suggest you sit in the corner with the pointy hat.

Are people so naive in Australia????................. Surely not.

[Huge amount of rice missing in Phichit]

No doubt there will be some fool along shortly to claim Yingluck is innocent and none of this is her fault.

Hurry up, I need a good Sunday morning laugh to blow the cobwebs away.

Edited to add:

Lol... It came in as I was originally typing this post.

[Rebels 'destroying evidence']

My personal opinion is that Russia and the rebels are in coverup mode. They wouldn't be acting this way if they didn't have something to hide.

You see.... You are believing everything that you are being fed by western influenced press agencies who get most of their information from the Ukrainians.

Separatist towns and villages were being indiscriminately bombed daily, and the pro-Russians shoot down a few military aircraft. So what is the best way to stop separatists from shooting down your military planes??????

By shooting down a civilian aircraft and start a propaganda war with the west behind you.

[Rebels 'destroying evidence']

You have to understand that the Ukrainian officials are just as capable of tampering with evidence and suspicion and mistrust exists on both sides of the fence.

You also need to remember that this Ukrainian neo nazi fascist government are doing everything in their power to ignite a world war against Russia.

I do NOT trust that man, and I think this Ukraine administration who started all this by toppling an elected government because they were more pro-Russia than they were pro-EU, and who have for years under Svoboda Party creed promised to eradicate all Russians and Jews from Ukraine.

These are very dangerous people indeed and they may well be instrumental in causing world war 3.

That is why I am pretty certain they had a very big hand in all of this.

The propaganda machine is working overtime.... Whatever it all looks like, you just need to look in the opposite direction and you will more likely see the truth right there. But the US is never going to allow facts get in the way of Russia bashing. Let's just hope for the sake of humanity, that the US goes down the tubes and collapses economically before this all really gets out of hand.

Russia are a formidable adversary if they get help from China and the entire middle east.

[Huge amount of rice missing in Phichit]

I think you will find that there will be well in excess of over a million tonnes of rice missing, and the facts are.... that rice probably never existed... Only the paperwork and receipts for it did.

They produce the paperwork and is handed to the BAAC to collect the cash.

Tens of thousands of crooks may be involved from farmers who never grew any rice to Commerce Ministry and BAAC officials.

But ultimately two people at the top are to be blamed the most.... The PM who oversaw this are their policy to get the into power, and the Chairperson of the Rice scheme,,..... and they happen to be the same person who is currently on her way to the airport with offspring and probably plenty of luggage that won't be checked.

That person will NOT be back and to be honest, if this is the case then I will have lost all confidence in the junta.

[TAT going all out to lure back Chinese tourists]

I keep reading articles on how TAT are concentrating on the Chinese tourist market much more than the rest of the world.

This is purely all because of 'vast numbers.' Which may make TAT look good because bigger numbers make them look better, but as far as the money tourism injects into the Thai economy is concerned, they will actually find the numbers going down.

I agree with those who say the Chinese are not the best people in the world, they are arrogant, spend very little and put other tourists off..... I would have to agree.

[Modern technology helps improve student behaviour]

'But Sir.... I left my card on the bus, my dog ate it, I spilled coffee on it.'

[Lawyers Council slams the 'needless' parading of criminal suspects by police]

I will add that in my own opinion.

The VAST MAJORITY of people whom this affects (probably north of 90%) are in fact thieves, rapists, terrorists and murderers.

These people are a cancer on society, and once they choose their path that they travel, they should not be considered for human rights. They don't consider the rights of their victims, so why should they have extra consideration from society?

I agree that victims and relatives should not be forced to face these criminals, but I would say that those who do not wish to is again a very small minority, and I doubt they are forced to attend. I think you will find that they are not forced.

[Lawyers Council slams the 'needless' parading of criminal suspects by police]

Huh.... Thailand is danger of falling into that quagmire of political correctness.

I think the vast majority of Thai society don't agree with them, but once a country becomes pushed into a system of PC, it ends up with the majority becoming pushed around to accommodate left wing pinko minority pressure groups like this.

Absurdly... in the case below, they had to reach back almost 30 years and I really don't see what evidence it pulls up to support their case on human rights, how can re-enactments and forced apologies to relatives be any way, shape or form be responsible for what happens after a conviction?????

Surely it is the actual wrong conviction that is actually responsible for wrong imprisonment. Even then it doesn't have any affect on people getting cancer or wife dying from 'stress' which is equally absurd. Fate is fate, nothing to do with being forced to say sorry to a grieving relative.

But all fives were eventually acquitted, some posthumously, due to the flawed police investigation. One of the five accused died in custody, another one contracted pneumonia in prison and died five months after being released and another died of cancer not long afterwards.

The only survivor is barely able to walk after sustaining a spinal injury in a prison attack.

During his wrongful sentence, his wife reportedlyl died of stress, one of his daughters was raped and killed and one of his sons went missing. The case was reopened in 1995, leading to the conviction of the real murderers.

[Probe into park officials in 'Billy' case]

Scratching the surface of state agency and police corruption. But it's a start.

If they really want to cast a wide net, they can check the bank accounts of every single person on a government salary.... IN SECRET. Then make a list of all unusually high accounts and make the account holder explain and prove their wealth is legit.

With regards to 'Billy'. I don't think they will come up with anything, I am sure he is well hidden, and I doubt they will fine a smoking gun.

[Thais 'need to learn to coexist with those who think differently']

A peace expert?

Who studies peace and what qualifies you as a peace expert?

Your number of John Lennon albums and how many spliffs you smoke a day?

[Chiang Saen welcomes first tourist group arriving by boat from China]

Now that is something I would definitely be interested in.

[Calls mount for justice over MH17]

As pointed out by experts, other commercial airlines have flown over this area. There are also countless of civilian aircraft that fly over strife torn areas like Gaza, Iraq and Afghanistan. Even the IATA didn't ban that area as a no fly zone.

Your blaming of Malaysian Airline for this is almost as bad as Putin blaming the legitimate Ukraine government because there wasn't peace in the region. Gotta love Russians blaming everyone else to cover themselves.

Yes it is totally ridiculous to blame MH for flying over an area that other airlines have flown over without a problem.

You blaming Putin for blaming the Ukrainians after the US and Australia blamed Russia is just as bad. All the finger pointing doesn't help anyone, not least the problem of investigating what happened and bringing to justice those responsible.

IMO it looks like the rebels misused a missile stolen from the Ukraine military without the capability to identify that the plane was civilian.

My sympathy goes out to the relatives of those who died and also to Malaysian Airways who were not at fault in any way.

I'm not blaming Putin for anything except trying to cover his butt. Like someone on CNN said, his excuse is like a child's.

'Misused'? Really? That's a novel way of putting it. Stolen? No. The Russians have been arming the rebels and the missile launcher was provided by them.

Stolen - most probably. Despite your continuing effort to blame Russia, there is no evidence that the missile launcher was provided by them.

Pity that you are so taken in by the finger-pointing.

Unfortunately there are many people who believe EVERYTHING the US tells them.

We all know they won't be blaming the neo nazi fascist Ukrainian government and if they have uncovered it was them, they will surely cover it up and keep on with the anti-Russian BS.

Keep pushing and poking the Russians and it is all going to end in tears.

They have China firmly on their side.