TheGreatGonzo commented : Being here a long time it is not surprising for the endemic corruption and the ability to fully speak your mind to bring you down. No doubt there is more corruption in Thaiand and less freedom of speech than the UK but let's put things in perspective a little bit: in which neighbouring countries are things better? Obviously not Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. Malaysia? only good if you are ethnic Malay, anyone else is second class citizen. Singapore? Politics there is something else. In fact in all of Asia in which country do you have less corruption and more freedom? Possibly only Japan am I right?

pachangamac042 commented : Thanks for the article Charlie, even I am not buying it. Following some notes from my side. “Why can't foreigners own a piece of the Land of Smiles? This is a contention that no doubt preys on the minds of many of the country's foreign residents.” Could the answer be; because most land is own by Chinese-Thais and other very high up people, and they do not want to share? “All Thais are proud that their country has never been colonised. (Yes, I know Thailand was occupied by Japan during World War Two.) At the same time, most Thais resent how Western powers systematically shifted away the land we considered ours (namely the British and the French - the Malaya states and Indochina) and held legal, trade and tax privileges over Siamese people living in Siam. To understand why Thais think and act as we do today is to understand Thai history and the Thai consciousness.” This sounds like bs to me. I would bet some money, that most Thais have no idea about history, well, at least not this part of history. I would even bet, that most Thais, would not mind us to own land in Thailand. I say it is the hi so witch does not want it. “Those historical lessons invoke in Thais a feeling of patriotism, and with it, fear and suspicion of the West. We grew up reading books and hearing stories of how Thailand, or Siam, suffered under the bullying of Western powers. It has become part of the collective consciousness of the nation to protect and preserve what is ours.” 55555 – reading books and hearing stories… Most Thais may know a little bit about the wars with Burma and Laos, but again, I bet, that most Thais have no idea about Western influences in Thailand.

378Canuck commented : I think it is a good system at this time and shouldn't change. It was like that when I first came to Thailand in early 1990. If foreigners were allowed to own land - then all the rice fields would now be converted to golf courses and Japan would own half of Thailand and Indians would have shops set up selling golf clothing all around them. The Chinese would have sweat shops employing underage workers and slave workers from Burma, Laos and Vietnam making golf clubs and golf knock off clothing. Japs, Chinese and Indians would be flying in every weekend on 767 to play golf and head back to be at work in Japan on Monday. I think there is wisdom about the Thai people and it's government and my hats off to them in trying to keep some of their country and culture for a few more years anyway. Some Farang don't think past their stupid noses, and only think of themselves as usual. By the way I am a Farang.