[ASEANNOW joins The Thaiger in strategic acquisition to expand digital reach in Thailand]

I hope they can stop pointless duplication of threads.

[What can/should be done about the yaba crisis in Thailand?]

13 hours ago, save the frogs said:

how many drug users come from broken homes? abusive fathers? one parent familes? 

 

 

 

 

Sounds like news article from a UK paper 1960s

[Thailand targets diverse travel groups to boost tourism revenue]

Is it possible to target diverse groups?

[Pita’s shocking family secrets exposed in IG post controversy]

35 minutes ago, proton said:

Abhisit Vegjjajiva ex PM was born in Newcastle UK, don't recall them mudslinging about that

And the most revered King of all was born in Boston, USA, I believe.

[Thaksin’s future still in the balance]

8 hours ago, Artisi said:

It's not a coup when given the nod and acceptance from the top. 

We know what you mean.  But it is difficult to think the skills to manage what has been happening come from the absolute top.

Who are the people behind it?

If a democratic country has election results disallowed that is a coup, but judicial rather than army this time.

[Thaksin’s future still in the balance]

I don't believe anyone.  Is that a good starting point?

[Pita among protest leaders given suspended sentences for flash mob protest]

1 hour ago, Denim said:

 

What is needed is a catalyst  such as occurred in Tunisia.

 

One apparently  small event can rapidly develop into a people's uprising that sweeps away the old school in short order.

 

The complacency of the old powers and their placed men in the judicial system assume that they will always be able to suppress popular opinion by the tried and tested methods.

 

When the fall inevitability comes it won't  be pretty.

 

Democracy Monument seems to stand in the way of developments wanted by 'much revered people.'  It's unnoticed  demolition in the middle of the night could cause unrest.

Or the imminent judicial cancellation of the Move Forward Party could do it first.

Or lethargy could continue.

[Court rules Move Forward attempted to topple constitutional monarchy]

3 hours ago, fondue zoo said:

 

The party can and most probably will reincarnate, the banning of party execs however may be more problematic for them.

More problematic is that they have not been allowed to win.  They have won already and ridiculous claims that necessary reform is labelled as insurrection and overthrowing a government is the current state of play.

[Court rules Move Forward attempted to topple constitutional monarchy]

56 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

How about the many million Thai people who voted for them... 

Yes.  These voters were complicit in an attempt to overthrow the Monarchy?

Millions and millions of Article 112 criminals.

[Video: Is there any hope for Thai education?]

54 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

What one answer might that be? 

a 'guided' democracy directed by a Monarch.

[Video: Is there any hope for Thai education?]

Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University

I have often walked past this building by the Chao Phrya river and wanted to ask students what it is they study when there is only one answer that is allowed.

But I don't want to get them into trouble.

[Heightened security around Constitutional Court on Pita’s judgement day]

21 minutes ago, anchadian said:

#BREAKING: Thai Constitutional Court clears ex-

@MFPThailand

leader

@Pita_MFP

of illegal possession of shares in a media company, allowing him to return as MP.

 

https://twitter.com/SaksithCNA/status/1750060742286688424

 

Any review of the post election deals then? It is scandalous.

[Why Are the Chinese so very Proud of Their Culture?]

On 1/16/2024 at 9:06 PM, GammaGlobulin said:

 

Neither.

We are talking about Chinese culture, and not Chinese governments.

We are not talking about governments; we are talking about China.

 

 

I think the CCP does not recognise the difference.

[Court orders government to form urgent plan to address PM2.5]

17 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

Catching people who burn illegally is the easiest thing ever given how there is a trail of smoke in the air which can be seen from miles away.  Just like traffic laws the police have never once even bothered to go outside and arrest people or give fines. Not even mere warnings. They are worse than useless.

 

All they have to do a pass a law and go out and enforce it but of course they are too lazy and incompetent to do even this. Crying to the prime minister as if he can do anything more than them just shows what clowns these people are.

Spell it out.  Clearly.  Is there a pattern?

The areas that are burning...who are the owners..the large agro-chemical land owners.

I think it won't happen.

So back to blah blah blah until next year.

[Thailand aims for 40 million tourists and 3.5 trillion baht revenue]

3 hours ago, decca60 said:

TAT statements are much easier to predict than the number of real  tourists......

Not TAT. This was Tourism and Sports Ministry. 

Overmanning and duplication of responsibilities anyone?

[Thai Prime Minister to woo global giants at World Economic Forum]

'Thai Prime Minister to woo global giants'

Or he could try to 'lure' them.....

[Claiming the State Pension.]

I have used the Government Gateway before but since changing my phone number I am unable to meet their conditions to get in again.

They say they can not communicate via email.

International call rates to a number that will not be answered (your call is important to us, please hang on) hahaha.

So I write letters to them and they will write letters to me.  But I am still waiting.

[Agoda charges 51-80 % commission]

On 1/9/2024 at 1:05 PM, pomchop said:

Seems to me that agoda and booking bullies have established themselves so strongly with lots and lots of hotels worldwide that it will take some major force to replace them.  If you look at the profits they have made they certainly are doing something right.

I don't especially like the bully tactics which i suspect will only get more and more powerful but i really do not see anything on the horizon that would replace them.  The horse has left the barn so to speak.

 

Does agoda threaten to remove you if you confirm direct bookings at lower rates? I believe that was one of the bully tactics used before....that and other things like dropping your listing to the bottom of the last page etc?

 

I have stayed at many hotels in thailand and asia...booking via bully...go to front desk to extend my stay and might think the hotel would be happy about a direct booking but tell me oh no go to agoda to extend which seems weird as i am standing at the front desk ready to book and pay direct and save the hotel a commission...but told no can do.  Makes no sense so i think likely they fear some repercussion from the bullies?

I have heard this too.  The hotel can not give you  room at the Agoda/ Booking.com price or they will have problems.  If they all recognised they could sell at the desk or by phone and save about 20% for themselves things might change.

Instead they try to charge extra.  Often quite a lot.

[All Entertainment Venues Prohibited From Making Very Loud Noise]

2 hours ago, LatPhrao said:

This subject Loud Noise is a serious problem and appears to be getting worse!  On top of the night time entertainment joints, there are restaurants, the MRT loudspeakers while waiting a train, the advertisement that run on some MRT trains.  Add to the unwanted noise, the types of noise and 'music' that plays is jarring, never smooth or synchronous with surroundings.    In restaurants I am not spending 1000 to 3000 thb for a meal while suffering the crap, loud, banging, whinging noises over their sound system.

And now in parallel, in public spaces including mass transit, advertising is now huge panels, everywhere you go, gaudy, horrible, brightly lit,  pushing products and services.  The absolute antithesis of what Thailand is supposed to be.     And add to that the main streets/roads of Bangkok are jammed with cars  - more a parking lot than a throughway.  And the public transit systems are jammed with riders - MRT and BTS.       All together it's effing awful getting around Bangkok.     Oh, not to forget the pedestrians on the streets, blocking sidewalks, no sense of direction or respect for other people.   To say nothing of the shameful appearance of 90% of the falangs   If there was a contest for ugly awful looking people, poorly dressed and oeverwegiht there would be many winners to claim the title.   And, if you don't have a gold earring and a parrot on your shoulder - do not show up in public with tattoos!   

What are you still here for? Don't let the door hit you on the way out.......hang on. I agree with you!

[Thailand to abolish hefty import tariff on wine]

1 hour ago, bamnutsak said:

Not sure I understand the logic here.

 

 

To make up for the lost tax revenue, they're going to have to rely on increased consumption.

 

Has someone done the math, or is some duopoly going to benefit from this change?

 

 

 

 

 

Isn't there a government department punishing those who encourage the use of alcohol?  The usual confusion here.

[Thailand’s tourism operators question 40 million visitors target]

15 hours ago, bokningar said:

Maybe if people didn't feel like just targets more would come.

But they have been lured......555

[Justice minister praises Thaksin as a “peacemaker”]

15 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

Do uou know who started those fires? I'd look first at those who gained from them.

I think I do, but would welcome some information.  Would it really be unsafe for you to add more?

[Thais and Chinese to travel visa-free, starting March 1]

8 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Does this mean there are no checks at all on who enters the Kingdom.......???

 

If so, that is frightening......or are they no checks now anyway?

Yes, so why were the regulations so important before?  Keeping the hordes from invading the paradise that is Thailand.  Thailand for the Thais and everyone else leave some money and leave because you do not belong here.

[Agoda charges 51-80 % commission]

10 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

 

Oh yeah, like when Motel 6 was six dollars a night and you just looked for one with the vacancy sign on...

 

I did that a lot back when I was a carnie, I could just pack my pockets and go. 

 

You just want a pointless argument. Bye.

[Agoda charges 51-80 % commission]

21 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Right. 

 

What did you do, drag your bags from the airport and walk door to door? It's hard to imagine a situation where I would walk into a hotel and attempt to book a room. When I was single maybe....

Why on earth not?  It's what people used to do...still do.  Like the look of a place, walk in and ask how much.