bust

Didn't really read the article as being arrogant or stating man was more important than elephants. Just saw it as an observation of a problem with co-existence.

Agree 100% I have 2 sons who I guarantee have relied on the internet for all their knowledge/information from the time they left school. The most dangerous types on the net IMO are the "Influences" whatever that is. And most of them are probably narcissists. I recently asked the younger one his thoughts on Andrew Tate. To my surprise he thought he was a great guy. I explained to him the guy was a misogynistic pig to which he expressed his disagreement. Moment of concern for me as a parent considering the way we brought him up. Zuckerberg is a despicable human being.

Elephants are Thailand's national animal but the wandering giants are now a deadly problem With Thailand's elephant population expanding in recent years, there have been more human deaths in villages.(Supplied: Uthan Chayaphat) Prasong Promchart vividly remembers the day her sister-in-law, Tang, was chased and killed by an elephant in Thailand. The two women were out picking vegetables to make chicken soup on a farm in Prachinburi province, in the country's east, when Tang stumbled upon the wandering giant. Prasong can still recall seeing her sister-in-law being followed closely by the wild elephant as she fled. "She ran away and then it was so quiet, there was not a single sound. It was silent," Prasong told the ABC. She did not see what happened but it was later confirmed Tang had been trampled to death by the elephant. A police officer discovered the woman's ribs were broken. Moments after Tang was attacked, the beast turned to Prasong. "It was so quiet, the elephant just stood there. I stood still and the elephant walked towards me, so I knelt down," Prasong said. "I did a Wai [prayer hands] and said 'please spare me, please spare me father.'" She said the elephant was close enough that he "could have reached me and hurt me". "I was scared he would hurt me but he did not," she said. "After he finally left, I walked over to [Tang], hugged her and shook her body but she didn't respond." Thailand's national animal has become a national problem, as the country deals with an increasing number of deadly encounters between elephants and humans. Once on the brink of extinction, elephant numbers have now rebounded. They increased from an estimated 3,000 in 2018 to more than 4,400 in March 2023, according to the latest survey. But the expansion in numbers has also resulted in more human deaths. In the same period, 137 people were killed by elephants across Thailand. The Department of National Parks said 12 people have already been killed by elephants this year. Prasong is still haunted by the memory of what happened to her sister-in-law and tries to avoid news articles or TV shows about elephants. The animal that killed Trang was captured and taken back on a truck to the national park a month after the attack. But Prasong hasn't set foot on a farm since the encounter and wants the government to do more to protect people living near elephants. "I wish our village could live in peace and comfort. I don't want elephants to come around," she said. How elephants became a deadly problem In the eastern provinces, like Prachinburi, where Tang was killed, the elephant population is growing at a rate of about 8 per cent per year. Phadet Laithong, director of the Wildlife Conservation Office of the Department of National Parks, said elephants were increasingly venturing outside of conservation areas and into villages and farms. Elephants are increasingly venturing outside of conservation areas and into villages and farms.(Supplied: Uthan Chayaphat) "So we must do everything to improve the ecosystem to attract wild elephants to stay inside the forest," he told the ABC. "Wild elephants are the same as other living animals … They live with instinct. Where there is food, they will go there, especially the food they like." The food these enormous animals like is exactly the kind of crops farmed in the eastern forest zone – sugar cane, jackfruit and papaya. "They like it more that the grass, vines and wood inside the forest," he said. Phadet said one possible explanation for the elephants' movements into surrounding farmland was the lack of water sources, so "they keep walking" until they find it. "Once they reached outside the conservation forest, they found agriculture crops, water and small bushes for hiding from danger," he said. "When there are three complete elements they need, they learn how to live in that area and explore all around it." In early December, a herd of more than 130 elephants wrought havoc on a village in Prachinburi, with farmers estimating the damage to their crops at about 10 million baht ($425,000). Sunthorn Komkai, a local cane farmer, had crops that were damaged during the rampage and said he was angry at the government for failing to do more. He was also still reeling from the death of his relative, Tang, who was killed on his property. Tang died after an elephant stumbled into the garden where she was picking food for dinner.(ABC News: Lauren Day) "It was traumatic and I do not want this to happen to anyone else," he said. "It was a devastating loss and no-one can understand the wild elephant problem if they do not face it themselves." Sunthorn said he was upset that more can't be done to stop people from dying. "I'm not angry with the wild elephant but I am angry with the weak government," he said. "Even when people die in pain and crops are damaged, they say they can't do much and we must follow the regulations. So we are angry that we can't do anything." The volunteer group tracking down a roaming herd Sunthorn, who was a candidate in last year's Thai election for the Move Forward Party, now spends most nights with a group of volunteers. Sunthorn Komkai says he is angry that they can't do anything about the attacks from elephants.(ABC News: Lauren Day) They try to track down wandering elephants that have ventured out of the forest and into farmland in order to push them back towards the national park. The small teams inspect the fence lines designed to keep the giant animals out — though they stand small chance of holding them back. They also use infrared drones to detect the elephants from the air before trying to shepherd them back to the forest with flares and flashlights. The dangerous job had been largely left to locals, Sunthorn said, because the government had not allocated enough money to fix the problem. "The Department of National Parks' 'pushing team' should have their own drone, they should get a better salary and there should be bigger teams because there aren't enough compared to number of elephants," he said. "Wild elephants are not a natural disaster. Wild elephants are a mistake of the state, because they could not manage this problem. "Elephants belong to the nation, the caretaker is the government. The mismanagement occurred by government so they should pay the price." Sunthorn Komkai joins National Park officers to examine a fence designed to keep elephants away from crops.(ABC News: Lauren Day) Padej Laitong from the Department of National Parks agreed they were under-resourced to deal with the escalating issue. "We must admit that we have a very small budget to support us," he said. "I understand the government has so many missions and responsibilities to take care of. But we would like to get more budget to solve the problem. "The urgent and the most important thing is to increase the amount and efficiency of the push-back team and network. And to let them know that we will not abandon them. "The other important thing is healing and compensation for people. We are trying to set up the regulations and request more money from the government." The Thai government did not answer questions put to them by the ABC. Solutions to human-elephant conflict The government has recently set up a committee to tackle the problem of human-elephant conflict. One solution being considered was a birth control vaccine currently being researched, which could be administered from the air. Despite warnings about the dangers posed by elephants, villagers can still be caught by surprise by the animals.(ABC News: Lauren Day) "We are studying how it can be shot with a drone from a distance into the female elephants, and it would then work for seven years," Mr Laitong said. "It is not expensive but quite a difficult method, which we need to study more and develop." Sunthorn said the current situation was unsustainable and dangerous, not only for people but the elephants as well. "The number of elephants being injured or killed is increasing every year too," he said. "It is very dangerous for elephants to live outside the forest as we don't know what will happen to them. "I think elephants should live in their space and human lives in their space. They can live together but separately." Sunthorn was worried about future interactions between elephants and humans and the likelihood it may result in more tragedy. "I can only pray that this year there will be no death in our community," he said. But days after speaking with the ABC, Sunthorn's greatest fears were realised when a 42-year-old man was killed in a sugarcane farm not far from his own. His body was cremated at a monastery where wild elephants had previously destroyed a pagoda containing a large number of ashes. Thailand's government is grappling with an increasing number of deadly encounters between elephants and humans.(Supplied: Uthan Chayaphat)

Know the type. I avoid KSR like the plague but know exactly what you are talking about. What really annoys me is the fact that seem to be under the impression everyone within a 50 foot radius need to hear their conversation as well. I have told a table of them to tone it down during breakfast once. Any of the Thai staff use the word "kwai" in their casual chats. Heard it often referring to western girls.

In short: Thailand's Election Commission has decided to ask the country's Constitutional Court to dissolve the political party Move Forward, which won the most seats at last year's general election. The commission said the party, which had promised before the election to amend the country's lese majeste law, "undermines the democratic system with the king as the head of state". What's next? Experts say the Constitutional Court is "highly likely" to comply with the Election Commission's request. Thailand's Move Forward Party celebrated last year after winning the most seats in the national election. (Reuters: Jorge Silva) Thailand's opposition party, which won the most seats in last year's national election, is expected to be dissolved following a request by the country's Election Commission. The commission on Tuesday announced it would ask Thailand's Constitutional Court to disband the Move Forward Party (MFP) over concerns the party's campaign to change a law against insulting the monarchy undermines the country's system of governance. The commission's decision followed a ruling by the court in January that said Move Forward had violated the constitution with its plans to change the lese majeste law. The court ruling found the party's proposed amendments to article 112 of the criminal code constituted an attempt to destroy Thailand's constitutional monarchy. "There is evidence that Move Forward undermines the democratic system with the king as the head of state," the Election Commission said in a statement on Tuesday. "The Election Commission has considered and analyzed the Constitutional Court verdict and has decided unanimously to ask the Constitutional Court to dissolve the Move Forward party." Move Forward's progressive agenda has resonated among millions of young and urban voters and it won a stunning victory over military-backed parties in a May election. But its plan to change lese majeste laws outraged conservative lawmakers allied with the royalist military who torpedoed the party's attempts to form a government. If the party is dissolved, its leaders could be banned from politics for 10 years. Decision 'not at all surprising' Adam Simpson, a senior lecturer in international studies at the University of South Australia, said the development was "not at all surprising". "It is highly likely that the Constitutional Court will take the case and rule that the MFP should be disbanded," Dr Simpson said. "Both the Election Commission and the Constitutional Court are generally considered to be the vehicles of conservative elites and have repeatedly made adverse judgements against any liberal or progressive parties and politicians who might challenge the power of the military or monarchy in society." Dr Simpson noted that a "similar approach" was used in 2020 to dissolve the Future Forward Party, the forerunner to the MFP. "Until parties representing the popular will of the people, such as MFP, are allowed to form government we will see a continuation of the anti-democratic tendencies of governments that represent the interests of the military and monarchy rather than policies that respect and promote democracy and human rights," he said. The disbandment of the Future Forward Party in 2020 sparked long-running anti-government protests.(Reuters: Jorge Silva) Thailand scholar Patrick Jory, a senior lecturer in South-East Asian history at the University of Queensland, agreed that the court would likely proceed to dissolve the party. Dr Jory said the MFP was supported by much of Thailand's young people and did well at the election in the "more affluent, middle-class parts of the country". "They won almost every seat in Bangkok and did well in places like Chiang Mai and Phuket, for example," he said. "Conservatives regard MFP as a threat to the monarchy. Thaksin Shinawatra’s Pheu Thai party, which is now effectively in a political alliance with the conservatives, regard it as their main political rival. "Having said that, MFP have from the start been well aware of the threat of dissolution. "It will be interesting to see how they respond." Move Forward party has argued its campaign to change article 112 was aimed at strengthening the constitutional monarchy and preventing the law from being misused. "We have no intention to overthrow the democratic system with the king as the head of state," Move Forward Party spokesperson Parit Wacharasindhu told Reuters on Tuesday. "We will prove our innocence at the Constitutional Court," he said. Pita Limjaroenrat, who led the party to its 2023 election victory, told Reuters in an interview last month Move Forward had a succession plan if it was dissolved and the party's ideology would live on. The dissolution of the Future Forward Party in 2020 sparked widescale youth-led protests openly criticising the monarchy. Many of the protest leaders and participants have since faced lese majeste charges. Dr Jory said he did not think there would be such large demonstrations this time around. "I think that MFP thinks that protests have limited political use in circumstances like these," he said. "I think they are concentrating their efforts much more on long-term political goals." What is Thailand's lese majeste law? Thailand's lese majeste legislation carries punishment of up to 15 years jail for each perceived insult or defamation against the king, queen, heir and regent. Thailand's monarchy is enshrined in the constitution to be held in a position of "revered worship," and many royalists see the lese majeste law as sacrosanct. The palace typically does not comment on the lese majeste law. Rights activists say the law has been abused by conservative politicians to smear liberal opponents and stifle institutional reforms. More than 260 people have been prosecuted under the legislation since 2020, including a man facing a record 50 years jail time over Facebook posts critical of the monarchy. ABC/Reuters

Thai girls never forget. I had one recently say hello who I met in Carousel which closed about 12 years ago. Even remembered my name. Agree with Kong there's a high risk of being spotted along that stretch. As for the girls I don't really think they process what is and isn't appropriate when placed in that position. Sounds handled.

I have heard some obsolete Mac products are worth more now than they were new.

He's a Narcissistic Megalomaniac who see himself grandiosely and in a state of impunity. He'd fit right in to a Sovereign State 😃 You could probably also include him in The Dark Triad category

A West Australian photographer has captured on camera one of the world's rarest natural phenomena that's almost impossible to see with the naked eye. Kimberley man JJ Rao was out shooting a wet-season thunderstorm just outside of Derby when he was lucky enough to snap several red sprites. "About the blink of an eye and it's gone," he said. "You could sort of describe it as huge, feathery tendrils of reds and purples and specks of really bright red." He said the sprites — large electrical discharges that can form high above active thunderstorms and the ozone layer — were spectacular to see. The environmental scientist said the remote location and limited moonlight made for unusual yet perfect shooting conditions. "It was pretty dark, a little out of town and with a clear view out to a dark sky. "You think [your] mind might be playing tricks on you ... without a camera to actually capture it, it can be quite difficult for people to say that was definitely a sprite." A "jellyfish" red sprite over the Derby marsh.(Supplied: Nature by JJ) Mr Rao said sprites appeared as a "fuzzy greyish-red blob" to the naked eye, but when caught on camera they could resemble a variety of shapes such as a tree, jellyfish, a column and carrot. "They're much more than just fuzzy blobs, they're probably some of the most intricate, natural phenomenon in the world." Mr Rao said he hoped his images would help researchers to further their understanding into the atmospheric event. Nature's neon lights Australian University of Australia astrophysicist Brad Tucker said people who captured the large-scale electrical discharges on camera or video were "lucky". "There's belief that the first visual reports are from the early turn of the century," Dr Tucker said. Brad Tucker says better technology is helping more people capture red sprites on camera.(Supplied: Dr Brad Tucker) "Obviously photography wasn't what it was today and they're really rare to see, so generally it's a rare phenomenon to see regardless. "They don't happen every thunderstorm and they're definitely not visible every thunderstorm, which makes capturing them really rare and special." This "carrot" red sprite is one of many images captured by Mr Rao.(Supplied: Nature by JJ) The astrophysicist said he had never seen "nature's neon lights" in person. "I am a bit jealous when people capture them. "This is one of the benefits of when you have a country like Australia that has access to lots of dark skies and ability to see these sorts of things. "Mapping and studying them is quite important. As the more you get these photos and data, the better they can actually be studied going into the future." You can follow Mr Rao's work via https://naturebyjj.com

Some interesting takes on what may lay ahead if he wins. Surely the Mueller Report should have made people sit up and reconsider their support for this lunatic, but obviously not. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2024/01/trump-reelection-fbi-investigations-indictments/676123/

That's a special kind of stupid only found in one place.

Strangely Neighbors was more popular in the UK than OZ Not sure what to read into that

5555 I almost posted that but didn't for that reason 😂😂😂 I'm just so over everyone jumping on the "Woke" train. Like I said before I'm sure 99% of most law enforcement have been called worse.

No. My way of thinking is the bloke needs a dose of Chopper Read

Guarantee this guy did otherwise we wouldn't be hearing about it. He was probably an Arsenal supporter 😊 And calling an aboriginal copper a black cunt in Sydney is not really a comparable . I'm pretty sure these type of Acts we introduced were to protect minorities in society. Last I looked white people made up about 80% of the population. We can argue the validity of this till the cows come home but at the end of the day, pretty soft on the officers part.

Nah she probably would have just shoulder charged them. FFS if it had not been someone with a high public profile would the officer have gone whimpering off citing the UK Crime and Disorder Act 1998:Section 28 Guarantee he's been called a lot worse during his time serving as "Police Officer" Next it will be being call a Farang is racist 🙄

Those London Police Officers Are A Tuff Bunch 🙄 Sam Kerr, Australian Soccer Star, Charged After Allegedly Calling Cop 'Stupid White Bastard' An Australian soccer star was charged with racially aggravated harassment of a police officer in London after allegedly calling the official a “stupid white bastard” during an incident last year. Sam Kerr — the captain of Australia’s national women’s soccer team, the Matildas — was charged over an incident in January 2023 that centered on a dispute over a taxi fare in London. Court documents made public this week claim the superstar allegedly intended to cause the officer “harassment, alarm or distress” by using “abusive or insulting words or behavior.” Kerr has pleaded not guilty to the charge. Kerr, 30, is of Indian heritage. She plays for the English team Chelsea when she is not playing for Australia. The incident prompted fierce scrutiny in Kerr’s native Australia, which was initially roiled by the news after vague reports that she had used a racial slur during the incident. She quickly became one of the country’s most recognizable sportswomen after last year’s Women’s World Cup and the reports threatened to taint her legacy. Kerr is due to face trial in February 2025, more than two years after the alleged incident. Her attorneys are reportedly planning to ask the court to downgrade or dismiss the charge at a hearing next month, questioning why it took more than a year for charge to be filed. Chelsea’s manager, Emma Hayes, said Kerr retained the club’s “full support” after the reports, calling the moment a “difficult time for her.” “You know there’s difficult moments, there’s tough times, and that’s what my role is in this football club, is to make sure I look after our people and I just want to be clear that Sam will be fully supported by me and everybody else at Chelsea,” Hayes told media outlets. Chris Minns, the premier of the state of New South Wales, home to Sydney, said he wouldn’t think the comment was racist. And Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he wouldn’t comment on the charge, but said Kerr’s behavior toward him had been “exemplary.” If she’s convicted, Kerr could face a prison sentence of up to two years or a large fine.

He may end up here as a convict like in the old days 😃

An "Infestation of Ladyboys" seems about right

Pot/Kettle/Black

That's brilliant. The question and answer at the end by the hosts Reported in Pinayland as well

Agree. Perhaps he got greedy and was foolish enough to think he could get away without paying his arranged cut. His probably lucky there were no unsolved murders at the time. What do they call it...."The Septic Isle"

Still baffles me why you would ever want to have any involvement in drugs in LOS as a foreigner

He was seen participating in a pro-Palestine march instead of attending the band’s Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony. Interestingly he has Jewish heritage.