thailandajarn

Dear Calgaryll

I have one question to ask: Did Thaksin earn income off the sales of Shin Corp while he was Prime Minister?

Thai at Heart, on 2012-03-23 05:58:45, said:

Good point!!  The balloons had to have been filled with helium, which is an inert gas.  Guards totally in the wrong for stopping him.  Wonder if anyone tried explaining this to the guards, or if they have even thought about it?

I think that anyone who's lived here more than a few months knows getting irate in a situation like that in Thailand, in public, is not going to come out in your favor.  No offense to the security guards, but they weren't hired for having the mental capacity to make judgement calls in cases like that, deciding that Behan's balloons weren't most likely NOT going to be used in a terroristic manner, especially given the fact his daughter was right there with him.

They are told "no flammables" and then follow the rules, regardless.  I know, I've been stopped for trying to carry rubber cement once and another time engine cleaner.  Once just took the bus home because I was only a few stops away.  The other, I beg and pleaded, in Thai, to let me on, the canisters were sealed, etc...  No joy!  Frustrated, I just left the cans on his little table and walked into the station.

I feel sorry for Behan, but from the video, he was getting hostile with them, and they were following the rules, technically.

But I want to pose a question: Why not just confiscate people's lighters (and matches) ??   Or at a minimum, follow the rules completely,  Nothing quite as flammable as a cigarette lighter!  Makes it tough to set other flammable materials on fire with out a fire source.

How about patting everyone down before entrance to check for flammables??  Strip searches??

Funny thing about this incident is that the MRT checks my bag every time, but I've never had my bag checked on the BTS, granted I don't use it that often.

So, just to be clear, the guards are so concerned about the safety of the passengers they refuse entrance to someone carrying balloons, but let anyone with a bag on their back carry whatever they want onto the trains??  And don't stop people from bringing highly flammable lighters as well??

I think all these security measures are just another example of how the "powers that be" want to give the public the appearance of safety, when in reality they only inconvenience, unnecessarily, the public they are trying to protect, and doing that without really adding any additional security.   And this is not a problem exclusive to this country, but have become pervasive throughout the world.

virtualtraveller, on 2011-04-11 10:38:16, said:

She was involved in an accident that killed nine people!!   I think that speaks for itself regarding "driving recklessly.”   Anyone driving w/o a license, under age AND not being properly trained IS driving recklessly by definition.  However, you are correct, there are a multitude of drivers in this country who drive recklessly; many of them taxi drivers.  I personally think that this law suit is absolutely great.  hope they have to pay the full amount, too!!!  may be the uber rich in this country will start thinking twice about how their actions affect the masses of this country, people not born to privilege or entitlement.  While a lot of western countries have become super litigious, this lawsuit has great merit.  Hey, when you make a mistake, and kill nine people doing so, you pay for that mistake.  If the criminal system won’t exact justice, than the civil/judicial system should step in and fight for the little guy.    Nine people died, probably because both her and the mini bus driver couldn’t drive worth a dam_n, but when you are unlicensed and untrained YOU AUTOMATICALLY TAKE THE FAULT.  that’s they way sh*t tumbles!!!  get used to it!!  And it’s her parents that should pay because ultimately they are responsible for every action she does, legally, as she is a minor.

How about that photo???  Has Paris Hilton come to town to answer a judicial summons.  Her Mom claims she’s “stressed out” over the incident.  How about the loved ones of the NINE PEOPLE WHO DIED???  I’m guessing there stress level is rather high at this time.