Tomorrow never comes

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Published: 6 Oct 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

The Thai word ja, the English equivalent of ''will'', is interesting.

Thaksin Shinawatra promised to cure Bangkok's traffic problems in six months. His favourite word was ''will''. ''I will cut traffic jams in Bangkok,'' he said.

Now the prime minister has established a subcommittee that ''will'' establish a method to cut traffic problems in Bangkok. Rice farmers ''will'' profit from the rice mortgage scheme. Flooding ''will'' be prevented. The poor ''will'' receive proper housing.

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pquinlan
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Discussion 6 : 06 Oct 2012 at 08.526
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Tomb, well actually 280 million Indonesians speak Bahasa Indon, closely related to Bahasa Malay. I guess that is why Charles thought it might be a good idea. And if the world only consisted of ASEAN, then he might be right. But it doesn't. The world has other pesky places that seem to insist on using English for common interaction between countries, for international business, for air traffic control, for much of the internet traffic (exception being the growing Mandarin usage). So, Charles' proposal is entirely insular and hasn't a hope of getting off the ground.
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maunder
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Discussion 5 : 06 Oct 2012 at 08.445
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I continue to be amazed - alarmed even - at the number of foreigners who travel to Thailand apparently in hopes of getting better reception of European TV signals. This seems counterintuitive at least. I have heard that BBC is readily available throughout Britain.
As to the "debates" the other night: debating is designed to be about winning style points, it has never ever ever been about using factual statements. US presidential debates can be reliably counted on to confirm this.
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justfacts
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Discussion 4 : 06 Oct 2012 at 08.384
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THEODORE CARL SODERBERG

you are so correct in your post, but lets not forget all things have a purpose and I believe that the sole purpose of Obamas 4 years in office was to relieve Jimmy Carter of the title of the worst president america ever had.
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bigpicture
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Discussion 3 : 06 Oct 2012 at 08.203
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This is how the gem of ASEAN in 2015 is being governed, being brought out of a dreary experience, targeting a bright future??
From the BP via Mr.Gregory's post:" "The article quotes a source as saying ''a final decision on who will be given cabinet posts will rest with members of the Shinawatra family, including ousted prime minister Thaksin, his ex-wife Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra, his younger sister Yaowapa Wongsawat and Mrs Yaowapa's husband Somchai Wongsawat''". What is this?? So much for dedicated public servants elected by the people. Democracy?? I forgot, the people put PTP in place didn't they. How do they enjoy being dictated to be one family?? Doesn't matter I suppose since the table scraps find their way to the common citizen while the entree goes to the well heeled.
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tomb
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Discussion 2 : 06 Oct 2012 at 07.082
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@Charles Frederickson

Creating a common language by implementing Bahasa as the ASEAN language is a ridiculous idea. Who else except for Malaysians speak it?

Why not do the obvious and make English the official language? Many more know it or study it and it will be good for people's future. Having to learn a language like Bahasa is just a waste of time, and national pride will prevent it from being successful.
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justfacts
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Discussion 1 : 06 Oct 2012 at 06.501
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eric you wrote,"Other than entertainment value, I don't think debates usually serve much of a purpose."

alot like your posts,strickly entertainment,never serving much of a purpose
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Tomorrow never comes | Bangkok Post: opinion