if that was meningitis, it requires thorough epidemiological investigation where he got the bug, and how.
meningitis is not the infection that you can get occasionally like a flue.

with so many grass-root people in Phuket continuously coughing and excreting secret from depth of their throats, and getting zero medical attention until it is a terminal condition, you never know what kind of pneumonia, bronchitis, diphtheria, TB or meningitis you can get while visiting a market.

Posted by Sue on May 22, 2015 08:38

Prayut One Year On

Dear Ed

I confess that I am spectacularly unqualified to assess the overall performance of the military government.

I did note that many Western democracies were alarmed when the elected Thai government was overthrown in the coup one year ago. Many observers have also been critical of the crackdown on freedom of speech especially on freedom of assembly.

However, Prayut and his government will probably receive considerable praise for their substantial crackdown over the past month on the massive human trafficking. I do not wish to suggest that all aspects of the crackdown were perfect but I personally believe the government deserves significant credit - significant credit - for tackling a huge problem caused by forces within Burma, by criminal syndicates and the complacency of previous civilian Thai governments.

Posted by Ian Yarwood on May 22, 2015 10:01

This year is my 31st year in Thailand. I remember those tuk tuk scammers in Bangkok 30 years ago and they were there long before I arrived. I'm glad they are so efficient and quick to take action against them. Again only after some international publicity. Face saving five minute crackdown again?

Posted by Arun Muruga on May 22, 2015 10:27

BBC.com On the trail of human traffickers. Sold for ransom.

Dear Ed

Jonathan Head of the BBC has produced another excellent report on the people smuggling trade. The written story and the video clip were both very enlightening. Thank you for providing the link above.

We are witnessing the worst aspects of human nature. However, we are also witnessing some of the best aspects of human nature in the investigative reporters and in Khun Manit Pleantong and his many brave volunteers.

Posted by Ian Yarwood on May 22, 2015 13:18

I am not surprised the Prime Minister now informs us that elections are pushed back to September 2016. And I will be not surprised if it will be pushed back more in time.
After all, despite critics of side tracked ex pocket filling politicians, Thailand is moral wise now in a better shape, than it was under previous corrupt Government officials.
Many things not perfect, but improving and better.
The old thai cast/clan of politicians should never come back. Let them die out in suing each other in courts on stupid scrimp brain matters. All this courts cases prove that cast of politicians not feel obligated to the country and welfare of lower- and middle class thai people. They where just there for own benefits ( up to very high levels in thai political hierarchy).

Posted by Kurt on May 22, 2015 14:34

-Kurt- Good statement. I sit in the REDS land in Chayaphum-Udon Thani in the countryside, since 17 years, even here it is quiet. The PM is not perfect, but better than most of his predecessors, I think he is the best PM since Chuan Lekpai.

Posted by Alfred on May 22, 2015 20:57

Kurt,
Thailand is certainly not "moral wise now". Morals don't change because of suppression, they change when the alternative appears a better option.
Corruption is and has been rampant for decades and still remains so. People are now more carefull about their dealings.
The country is certainly more peaceful but the test will be when freedoms are restored. That is when we will see if any change in attitudes has occurred.
The fundamental issue to create a fair and equal society has been, to date overlooked. The whole system of justice, enforcement and policing has not been addressed and until it is done so, attempts to reform the country in all others areas will not change.
While money determines your success in any litigation or to bypass litigation, perceived justice will never seem to have occurred.
As they say ( no offense Ian),
" a bad lawyer can delay justice for months, possibly years. A good lawyer can delay it indefinitely"

Posted by Manowar on May 23, 2015 06:27

Dear Manowar, thank you for your comment.
Well, let us not forget why the May 2014 Coup took place. Thailand was in a mess, street protests, fights, road blockage, 'street wars', occupation of Government house in BKK, farmers starving to death. On Phuket, Provincial Hall and a TOT office closed by mob. PW journalists on Phuket 'democratically' accused by a Navy officer. That was all happening in a period of democracy.
The present Government + NCPO are working very hard to make things better for the thai people. Weekly the Prime Minister is on tv, explaining to the Nation what they are doing. I see improvement in the thai society, I see hope among thai people who feel they not any longer have to be bullied by thai influential people. During previous democratic regimes slave selling/trafficking was 'developed' with high government officials in 'democratic' control. It is this Government + NCPO which are cleaning up what previous governments not wanted to do. Attention that time by previous thai Government was deviated to a temple dispute with Cambodia. It was all nonsense ( confirmed in ICJ in The Hague, Netherlands).
The PW journalists were accused by previous democratic government.
Personally I think the PW journalists never will see the courtroom inside coming July. Cabinet + NCPO will try to avoid that, they just now look for a way out and try to avoid 'loose face' for the Navy same time.
Anyway, for lower class thai people I now see more democracy than under previous democratic governments.
This government + NCPO better stay in power until the old boys political networks with their influential friends are totally for ever blocked to return. Otherwise the Coup was for nothing and Thailand will go back to the old days.
Do thai people want that 'democratic option'?

Posted by Kurt on May 23, 2015 08:59

Hi Manowar

No offence taken. (: I won't even disagree with you.

I try to achieve justice quickly and economically. That might make me very bad but then we all have our faults.

Posted by Ian Yarwood on May 23, 2015 12:09

Kurt,
The disturbances you refer to were people voicing their democratic rights without any thought of the rights of others. In other words " ours are more important than yours".
PW have not been accused by any democratic government, they have been accused by a branch of the military. The military removed the democratic rights of all people. The country has no democracy.
In case you don't realise " this government, the NCPO, the RTN and the old boys" are one in the same.
Yes, the coup will be for nothing and the reason is that until the legal system is enforced equally, the rest is all smoke and mirrors to justify the action taken.

Do Thai people want that democratic option? The need to ask such a question suggests you prefer to be told what to do rather than having the freedom to control your life and destiny.

Posted by Manowar on May 23, 2015 14:00

Hi Ian,
Unfortunately, I have many more as I am a product of a 3rd gen solicitor and it has been common practice at family gatherings to bring out the legal jokes and most have some element of truth hidden within.
The better ones generally require a drawn out and complicated sequence of events and if you can hold the attention of listeners are better than the one liners.
I am currently negotiating a deed of agreement with my son, as pleading failed, to study the same. I know he will be successful because when we are just about to agree to a monetary settlement to be paid on completion of studies, the conditions are changed to be more favourable.
Anyway, it's nice to have an alternative to our own Sue who originates with a similar Eastern European occupation. However, I have to admit, I've always had a problem with the difference between " or" and "ing" and the only suitable definition I could find, was that after death, one of them does not continue to screw you.

Posted by Manowar on May 23, 2015 14:55

Ian,
I'm sure you are not bad in an ethical sense, however unlike your obligations to a client which require a "reasonable chance of success" Thai law appears to be based on a "reasonable chance to suppress"

Posted by Manowar on May 23, 2015 15:57

Manowar,
Thank you for your reply, I do respect your opinion ,red it with interest, although I feel different.

Posted by Kurt on May 23, 2015 18:45