Recent Events Food for Thought

[bumper]

I know we have members that were got up in the Airport mess and I acknowledge those created problems for them.

I want to ask this question of the tjhose of us who live here full time. How has this effectedd our lives beyond what is self impossed.

I will answer for myself, not one bit. I still do what I want to. But maybe I'm different I wouldn't go to anything like these ralley's anywhere.

I fell a bit of being threatened but in reality that is me not Thailand. Truh is I have never been threatened in anyway.

How about the rest of the farrang community. This is not a political discussion I want to know how we are really effected. Because I don't think we are as a community. I can feel for the problem, but we have no say.

[Marmite The Dog]

Seeing as I'm even more of a sloth that you are, Git, it's not affected me in the slightest.

Saying that, I was supposed to be going to Aus this week, but the idiot who runs the consulate in Brisbane made sure I didn't go.

[trubrit]

I am affected on a daily basis. I can't watch my programmes on TV. All day its on the Vermilion channel.
(I won't use that three letter word)Its on the alert list.Last night the govt said its going to pull the plug on it, but the others have threatened major retaliation. So I am not holding my breath.

[bumper]

I get that at home as well, Thank goodness my Thai isn't good enough to understand yet. I would say it effects the wife but me I can turn on UBC and watch something l else. So Trubrit can you get way with turning the TV off I can't

Does give you activity to follow but isn't that self impossed ?

[Khun Paul]

it may not affect us at all, but the detrimental effect it is having on Thailand could in the long run. Any political upheaval is like waiting for a tiadl wave following a tsunami, it is going to happen when is not vertain if at all.
There is no doubt that tourism and exports are being hurt badly, listening to many of my business friends thay are becoming slowly fed up.
It is alright to say forget the troubles enjoy Songkran for the Thai's up here it is not so bad I am sure but jobs are decreasing everywhere, that means more and more disaffected Thais hanging around, so my advice is to take care and look after yourselves and your property carefully better to be safe than sorry.

[Treeg]

On an other (Dutch) forum several expat's have started a complete flame-war about Thai politics, which will destroy an otherwise friendly forum.. ridiculous for any of us to claim you understand exactly what is going on. We are guests here, and Thai politics is something very very special so I have no intention whatsoever to take sides, although you get a bit bored sometimes hearing all those long proclamations about who is right and who is wrong..

Whatever happens, it will effect Thai economy badly I'm afraid. At the moment I'm not yet too much worried but as has been mentioned with more and more disaffected Thai hanging around anything can happen.. At least we are close to the border, if everything gets completely out of hand we have to make a quick dash across the Mekong

[BKKSTAN]

I know we have members that were got up in the Airport mess and I acknowledge those created problems for them.

I want to ask this question of the tjhose of us who live here full time. How has this effectedd our lives beyond what is self impossed.

I will answer for myself, not one bit. I still do what I want to. But maybe I'm different I wouldn't go to anything like these ralley's anywhere.

I fell a bit of being threatened but in reality that is me not Thailand. Truh is I have never been threatened in anyway.

How about the rest of the farrang community. This is not a political discussion I want to know how we are really effected. Because I don't think we are as a community. I can feel for the problem, but we have no say.

One of my concerns is the ''scapegoating ''of falangs that could possibly happen if the thais keep going until they implode.You know they will never take responsibilty for their mistakes,so who will be left to blame for them to reconcile?

[Laan Yaa Mo]

You know they will never take responsibilty for their mistakes - BKKSTAN

Well, this is a bit of a blanket statement isn't it?

Is this really true for all Thai people or are you referring to a certain segment of the population? If you just mean politicians, this is a trait shared by many around the world. Think Bush, Mugabe, the leader of North Korea, Castro and others around them.

If you mean ordinary Thais, academics, peasants, shopkeepers and so on, then you are sadly mistaken.

It is hard to believe a whole population can be condemned in such simple terms, but then again, I doubt you mean everyone in Thailand.

If farangs behave badly, they will come in for their share of criticism. And the innocent will be included just as some people in the west criticise all immigrants for their own problems.

You really can't be serious...can you?!?

[bumper]

Actually I see some good well thought responses here. Yes normal protection important in bad finacial times. will there be scrapgoats of course, will it be us don'tknow. To busy harming one another at the moment we are not on the radar screen yet.

Will it hurt the Thai eceonmy more then likely but what direct effect will that have on us, positive and negative.

Tourism and exporet hurt probably but how does the effect us personally?

I agree best to stay away from the flame wars they serve no purpose or understanding Plenty of topics out there about the politics. Lets look at this from our side of the fence.

A bad economy here could be bad or good for us since most of us are brining our money in from the outside. I see one negative already an increase in ATM fees, with no value added whatsoever directed specifically to us..

There could be some positives out there as well, like better buyers position on excess land the Thais are not really using. Time will tell. May turn into a real buyers market.

Any other thoughts remember effect on us. Not the Thai's or Thailand. So far the only negative I can come up wih is the ATM fees, and I had to think hard to find that one.

I can see lots of negatives for the people who own businesses here if they are any more then a hobby.

[trubrit]

I get that at home as well, Thank goodness my Thai isn't good enough to understand yet. I would say it effects the wife but me I can turn on UBC and watch something l else. So Trubrit can you get way with turning the TV off I can't

Does give you activity to follow but isn't that self impossed ?

Well Git. Can I turn her TV off? You've met her. What do you think? But I have come up with an answer. The channel is called "D" Station and its only transmitted on satellite. So I have put a decoder and TV in her beauty salon, where she spends most of the day anyway.Its interesting to see her and the customers watching so intently. Its replaced all the local gossip. So it does seem to be of great national interest, which debunks the theory that the average Thai is ignorant and doesn't care what is happening.

[bumper]

Oh my wife has stayed on top of this for sure. I agree they are aware of thier surrondings.

[laphanphon]

more of a sloth that you are

i beg your pardon, i though i was the laziest piece of handsum man that made total waste to my existence. if i was any lazier i'd be dead.

on topic, no effects at all, except help educate the locals to their own situation, which many seem to have lost respect for the powers to be. they have a better understanding of our lack of understanding how things continue unchanged.....................which may be changing.

only noticeable change is inflation and added taxes, fuel up 100 % and oil at all time low, hmm, seems like a lot of extra taxing to me, and of course, everyone seems to think it's going to hit the fan sooner of later, so charge as much as possible before it does. inflation hitting everyone, but some are going a bit nuts.

besides that, no changes in me and mine, our life continues on unchanged.

will agree with stan to a point, rarely do they take responsibility for their own failings, though that does sound like me occasionally.

[bumper]

Taxes agreed but that was happening alreayd Chai Mai?

The other thing I have noticed the wife is a lot more vocal about this one. But io not on the long term effects, Asking today why they yellow are not in jail. Interesting I hadn't thought she had even noticed. I sure have no answers for her this one definetly seems to be hitting closer to home.

I think I will stick with I don't know for a standard answer :-"

[trubrit]

Taxes agreed but that was happening alreayd Chai Mai?

The other thing I have noticed the wife is a lot more vocal about this one. But io not on the long term effects, Asking today why they yellow are not in jail. Interesting I hadn't thought she had even noticed. I sure have no answers for her this one definetly seems to be hitting closer to home.

I think I will stick with I don't know for a standard answer :-"

Very wise Git. I have mothballed several of my wrongly coloured shirts.

[trubrit]

One hour later. I won't repeat whats being said at the demonstrations just an observation. Watching yesterday it was a carnival atmosphere, with singing and joking. Today it has changed completely. Very serious , sombre and intense. If you want to see for yourself get your wives to watch and translate for you.
This is hardcore stuff, with Udon apparently going to get its share of attention.My advise. Stay at home guys .

[bumper]

Having seems it translated I would agree, only going to involve us if we put ourselves there.

Good bike racing on tonight so that covers today, wasn't going anywher tomorrow anyway. Heck I might even sudy who knows

[Genuine]

im coming to udon on the 25th april and im worried if they plan to take over the airports again ..ive been looking forward to this holiday for ages and it could all go up in a puff of smoke .......sorry ,i know none of you can give me answers to what might happen but im not sure what to do

[pompui]

Check with the Foreign office for updates as things are happening quickly here especially in Bangkok.Also check your flight small print,can you get refunds or did you pay by credit card etc etc.
Because Udon Thani is a strong red shirt town,you should just come straight on up to see us. LOL

[lee]

This is hardcore stuff, with Udon apparently going to get its share of attention.My advise. Stay at home guys .

This is central Udon Thani today at 2pm (Prajak Road), the Red Shirts blocked off the road heading towards Tungsi Muang and bought traffic to a standstill. I hope the upcoming Songkraan festivities are not effected.

[trubrit]

I would think Songkran is the last thing on their mind at present Lee. Staying alive seems to take precedence, at least in Bangkok and possibly here. Channel D being closed down immediately. Tanks reported in Govt sq. Tear gas being used and two dead.Buddha help the Thai people, both sides of the divide.