Prayut says he is indispensable. Just like Thaksin, Prem, Thanom, Marcos, Phibunsongkhram, etc
Well, good morning kids. I'm sure you know that today is Thursday. And now you know it is December. Plus, it is 35 months since Rona made its first appearance in Thailand, which was the first country outside China to celebrate the arrival of the pesky little virus from Wuhan.
Please don't worry about us. Bueng Nong Bon is a troubling 26 Canadian degrees with a troublesome 24 degrees wind chill factor. But it's going to warm up and then, again, it's going to rain.
There are 24 days left for you to shop for your sweetie's Christmas gift. Counting today.
Thailand's self-appointed 'prime minister' Prayut flew to cool Chiang Rai province, removed his mandated mask and encourage a farmer to show him how to operate a harvester. He claimed he was "inspecting sustainable farming", and checking that the farmer knows about his mandated bio-circular and green (BCG) economic development plans.
In Bangkok on Wednesday, Prayut also slipped off his mask so he could be sure that everyone heard him clearly.
He shouted what every dictator in Thailand has claimed for the past 90 years.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2449990/
How the Northeast votes
A remarkably quick survey of Thailand's most populous region by the E-Saan Centre for Business and Economic Research of Khon Kaen University (KKU) found:
• The junta's own Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) would lose massive votes if Prayut defects, as now expected. The survey found just 5.5% of Isan voters would vote for the PPRP - down 10% in the same survey taken in October.
• Thaksin's baby daughter Paetongtarn would win in a landslide in a straight-up vote against Prayut.
• Anti-junta parties Pheu Thai, Thai Sang Thai and Move Forward would win 62.5% of votes.
NOTE: No election is due for at least 6 months.
Preferred as next Thai prime minister if an election were held today:
Paetongtarn
Khuying Sudarat
Progressive Pita Limjaroenrat of Move Forward
Prayut
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/
Prayut adds three cabinet ministers
Prayut promised last week that he would conduct a full cabinet reshuffle this month.
In the meantime he hired three political loyalists as new ministers:
• Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, former Prayut spokesman, is now a minister at the prime minister's office.
• Sunthorn Pansaengthong, a local politician from Samut Prakan, will now be de3puty minister of agriculture.
• Naris  Khamnurak, five-time Democrat Party member of parliament, is the new deputy interior minister.
THAILAND POLITICS VENGEANCE
Thailand's junta, ruling against prosecutors, has ordered trial for three leading progressive politicians on charges of sedition.
They are billionaire-turned-politician Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, Piyabutr Saengkanokkul and Pannikar Wanich.
All prosecutors ruled that charges be dropped. But for reasons she did not reveal, or upon orders from somewhere, the junta's attorney-general Naree Tantasathien stepped in and ordered trials for all three.
The lone charge of sedition could bring seven years' imprisonment.
PHOTO: Billionaire Progressive Movement leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit (left), Piyabutr Saengkanokkul (centre) and Pannikar Wanich (right).
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2449795/
BANGKOK MOVIES FREE STUFF
Movie-watching. Free popcorn!
The SF World Cinema at CentralWorld in central Bangkok announced it would give away free popcorn to anyone bought a movie ticket and brought their own container.
So they did.
Three movies were playing, 4 or 5 showings each:
Buaphan Fan Yap [action, Ann Thongprasom], subtitled in English, dubbed in Thai; Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Strange World.
BTS SKYTRAIN FARES
Thailand's junta has announced a "modest rise" in ticket prices on all lines, effective New Year's Day.
Current price, depending on length of journey: 16-to-44 baht.
New price: 17 baht to 47 baht - 48 cents to US$1,35.
City Hall (the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration) may step in and change those announced fares.
ECONOMY WORLD RECESSION
It's going to get really bad.
 U.S.A. Consumer Confidence Hits Four Month Low in November.
https://bityl.co/FwMm
ALIENS MYANMAR WORKERS
Three dead, many injured in migrant workers' bus crash
A bus transporting migrant workers from Myanmar to a factory in Songkhla province fell off a mountain road in Tak province on Tuesday night.
 Three people died and 44 people were injured.
 The driver claims a faulty brake caused the accident.
 According to the ASEAN NOW website, the fatal rollover came at the "Bend of 100 Corpses", a sadly well-known curve on the Tak-Mae Sot highway. https://bityl.co/FwcT
CHINA RIP EX-PRESIDENT JIANG
Former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin dies aged 96
A hero of the Tiananmen Square protesters, Jiang was felled by a long battle against leukaemia.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-63805991
SOCCER WORLD CUP IRAN TEHRAN
Iranian protesters celebrate football team's elimination
'Iran is my country but I can't support them'
Anti-government protesters in Iran have been celebrating the national football team's elimination from the World Cup, following their 1-0 loss to the USA.
Videos showed people dancing in streets and honking car horns in Tehran and several other cities on Tuesday night.
Censorship today, censorship tomorrow, censorship forever
What Google hopes to accomplish by censoring a 14-year old post on gun cleaning solvents is unclear.'
https://www.battleswarmblog.com/?p=53435
But no censors can outdo Chinese censors
China blurred out faces in the World Cup so that their citizens wouldn't know the world is maskless.
The Guardian: https://bityl.co/Fx80
https://bityl.co/Fx7h
VIDEO (Twitter) https://twtr.in/3N8I
And here is your new state-approved censor strictly because the mean African-American owner of Twitter wants to have free speech:
 Google, YouTube spend MILLIONS to launch Global Fact Check Fund.
[Are these the people that you demand should read/watch and decide whether you should be allowed to read?]
https://thepostmillennial.com/google-youtube-spend-millions-to-launch-global-fact-check-fund
How China lost the war against the coronavirus
The unmasking of Xi Jinping
Tiananmen Tiger [still] Stalks the Chinese Communist Government.
 Throughout the country protesters -- some wearing surgical masks, others not -- stand before cellphone cameras and raise blank sheets of white paper.
 Right -- white empty space. To paraphrase Cool Hand Luke, "Sometimes nothing is a real cool message." The blank sheets simultaneously satirize and defy the CCP's malignant state censorship.
 It is a strong message from citizens that
 "We Chinese citizens say nothing yet you CCP tyrants fear our thoughts."
https://strategypage.com/on_point/202211309119.aspx
In which Paul Krugman, for the first known time, admits and even brags that he hasn't a clue but then immediately what-abouts everyone else.
Also, he provides no evidence that China "lost the war", which is weird since it is what he is writing about. He says:
 China is flailing even as other nations are more or less getting back to normal life.
 It's still pursuing its zero-Covid policy, enforcing draconian restrictions on everyday activities every time new cases emerge.
 This is creating immense personal hardship and cramping the economy; cities under lockdown account for almost 60% of China's GDP.
But N.B.
 I'm not a China expert, and as far as I can tell, actual China experts don't know, either.
So after that long, slow curve, here's the lecture:
 Governments need to be able to change policy in the face of changing circumstances and new evidence.
 What we're seeing in China is the problem with autocratic governments that can't admit mistakes and won't accept evidence they don't like.
Apparently no other government on Earth does such a thing.
Left, Tsai Ing-wen "Siao-Ing", best known as "Hot Taiwanese Girl" (???), president of Taiwan and leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) until she resigned last week  (November 26).
Right, William Lai Ching-te, vice-president, aka The Golden Grandchild (??), Most Likely to succeed Ing-wen as president and DDP leader.
Tsai's nickname is from an admiring rap by Dwagie after she told Xi Jinping to take his warning about unification and place it where the sun doesn't shine.
Lai earned his nickname from political supporters who hoped he would pursue independence for Taiwan, which he did not.
Speaking at a news conference on November 26, Tsai said that the election results were not what she expected, so she needed to shoulder responsibility and resign from the party's leadership.
With Video:
https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4136751
Bangkok 'Weed cafes' ruled illegal
Thailand's ministry of public health issued yet another decree on marijuana. The first effect will ban all showe "pot-smoking shops" on Khaosan Road and vicinity.
The new edict is: Marijuana is legal but flowers of the plant require strict control and are illegal unless they're licenced.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2449125/
Related 'Organic' cure
We were told that weed was the only thing that worked for cancer patients.
But no...
 "Our study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, suggests cannabis is no better at relieving pain than a placebo."
https://www.sciencealert.com/cannabis-for-pain-relief-review-of-20-studies-provides-sobering-results
CHINA TAIWAN INVASION USA
For the third important time in a row, the U.S.A. and President Biden refuse to state that it will intervene on the side of Taiwan in can China invades.
A White House spokesman claimed the United States "takes very seriously" its responsibility to provide Taiwan with self-defence capabilities.
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4735017
Stinger missile launch:
And here is the full text of President Biden's commitment to move U.S. troops to protect Taiwan and face China's PLA.
Full text:
CHINA DEMONSTRATORS
 Good to know, but we've seen the video and heard the audio before.
China vows crackdown on "hostile forces"
 The AP, via Deutsche Welle
 [AP] https://www.dw.com/en/china-vows-crackdown-on-hostile-forces/video-63942294
SCIENCE HUMAN RIGHTS SOLUTIONS
CANADA does not make problems.
CANADA solves problems. And CANADA makes scientific breakthroughs.
To wit:
Scientists at the University of Waterloo have determined the optimal design for a splash-free urinal.
 "The idea originated exactly where you think it did," Waterloo scientist Zhao Pan told New Scientist.
 "I think most of us have been a little inattentive at our post and looked down to find we were wearing speckled pants."
Well maybe not all of us, but maybe half of us. Still, it's interesting that the story and the photo are not by men.
PHOTO, courtesy Mia Shi, University of Waterloo
SOCCER WORLD CUP QATAR
IRAN 0-1 USA
The result was a one-way aeroplane ticket for all players, coaches and others of the pro-freedom demonstration-loving Iranians.
But the USA are in the Last Sixteen of the knockout tournament and face the Netherlands on Saturday.
U.S. crushes Iran's dream of advancing to the top 16 with a 1-goal winCrush Iran's dream of advancing to the top 16.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/world-cup/schedule
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/world-cup/scores-fixtures/2022-12-03
The Croats whipped the Canuckistanians 2-1 in the official Buh-Bye Canada Relegation game. That was official authorisation for Canadian media to begin the "How will Canada perform in the next World Cup?*" campaign.
*ANSWER: Not very well. Canadian kids don't get soccer cleats when they're 2 years old; they get skates.
https://www.thestar.com/sports/worldcup/opinion/2022/11/26/this-is-canadas-world-cup-moment-fear-croatia-not-any-more.html
CHINA BLANK PAPER REVOLUTION
Memes and 'Hot News' are pouring from China - including some that are credible.
Protesters in Beijing: I may be the next XinjiangProtesters in Beijing may be the next Xinjiang
https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/breakingnews/4139919
North America's newspaper of record.
Tim Cook Says He’s Ready To Pull Twitter From App Store Once President Xi Gives The Order.
https://tinyurl.com/22tkfbky
CHINA DEMONSTRATIONS APPLE
Even CNN noticed
China’s security apparatus swings into action to smother Covid protests.
With help from Apple and the Biden administration.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/29/china/china-protest-crackdown-intl-hnk/index.html
BACKGROUND: To make a length story, short.
Is Apple helping the CHINESE SQUASH DISSENTERS?
 Chinese iPhone users can't do or say anything without the CCP knowing about it. Dissent can be quashed before it even starts.
 The Chinese people can be kept under the CCP's thumb. And Apple is helping...
 Here's a theory: They're not the good guys anymore, if they ever were. They hate free speech, anywhere it threatens to flourish.
https://bityl.co/FwO8
Ann Althouse, straight outta Madison and never uninteresting, has come up with a weird and novel idea of just what this Chinese "Blank Paper Revolution" is all about. She explains it could be (repeat, "could") a black-op plot by, say, the CIA and MI6, together.
 Protesters are calling for a white revolution, as distinguished from the various "color revolutions" that Western spy agencies promote in countries they intend to destabilize. The idea is that a "white revolution" would be a truly organic, real, native, Chinese revolution, not a fake revolution crafted by U.S.-Limey intelligence.
 Sounds like heckuva movie, Ann.
https://althouse.blogspot.com/2022/11/many-are-now-referring-to-protest-to-as.html
 A second theory and 99.9% certain to be the real one, is simply that the blank paper symbolises what citizens are permitted to disagree with the government about, which is to say, nothing at all. And also, what citizens are permitted to hide from China's surveillance network. Which is, again, nothing.
https://www.newsweek.com/china-white-blank-paper-a4-revolution-covid-protests-1762736
PHOTO: One thing we know for sure: Even Hong Kong is in on it.
Surely the point is that the CCP and Xi understand that the blank paper is a challenge.
 We know for a 100.0% certainty that police under orders from the CCP are cracking down.
A video:
 A student holding a blank piece of paper is carried away by the state police as he shouts out, "Give me liberty or give me death!"
Â
CHINA USA THREAT PENTAGON
A new Pentagon report, released to the public just yesterday:
 China Seeks to Seize Taiwan, Displace U.S. as Global Leader
 China could have 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035
 As part of its buildup, China's military conducted more ballistic missile tests last year than the rest of the world combined,
 ... China's stockpile -- the world's third-largest -- is starting to pose a global challenge as well. It has more than 400 nuclear weapons.
 That capability "does raise some questions about what their intent will be in the longer term."
PHOTO: Chinese troops during the Vostok military exercise in August at a firing range in eastern Russia.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/11/29/pentagon-china-military-report-taiwan/
Full Pentagon report available for download (PDF)
https://media.defense.gov/2022/Nov/29/2003122279/-1/-1/1/2022-military-and-security-developments-involving-the-peoples-republic-of-china.pdf
GLOBAL WARMING
THEN
 Snowfalls are now just a thing of the past
 Independent (newspaper, London) March 20, 2000.
https://www.techrepublic.com/forums/discussions/snowfalls-are-now-just-a-thing-of-the-past/
NOW: Well, no. Currently, there is a Snow Blitz.
 Snow Extent in the Northern Hemisphere now Among the Highest in 56 years Increases the Likelihood of Cold Early Winter Forecast both in North America and Europe.
PHOTO: U.S.A. on Sunday
https://www.severe-weather.eu/global-weather/snow-extent-northern-hemisphere-highest-56-years-winter-cold-rrc/
USA ECONOMY RECESSION
HOW IT STARTED: President Biden lays out Main Street recovery plan for small businesses.
https://www.nrn.com/news/presumed-president-elect-joe-biden-lays-out-main-street-recovery-plan-small-businesses
HOW IT'S GOING: Bidenomics: 41% of small businesses can't pay rent this month, report warns.
https://justthenews.com/nation/states/center-square/report-41-small-businesses-cant-pay-rent-month
I was assured by President Biden himself that Covid is over..
Guess not.
 White House Covid Doc: The Way to 'Move on' From Covid Is endless boosters.
https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/benbartee/2022/11/29/white-house-covid-doc-the-way-to-move-on-from-covid-is-endless-boosters-n1649411
TECHNOLOGY
Sleep tight, San Francisco
SKYNET SMILES:
 San Francisco police 'killer robots' would have explosives, not guns, explains the San Francisco police department.
https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/california/sf-police-killer-robots-would-have-explosives-not-guns-sfpd/
Nvidia to relocate Hong Kong headquarters to Taiwan [TaipeiTimes.com]
The US chip designer's plan showed that Taiwan remains attractive for investment by global companies.
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2022/11/25/2003789562
Apple's 14th consecutive quarter of growth may come to an end Apple's 14th consecutive quarter of growth may come to an end [Nasdaq.com]
Technology stocks have regained their mojo of late, and the latest Consumer Price Index data and the investor optimism it has sparked could give companies in this beaten-down sector a boost.
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/2-top-tech-stocks-ready-for-a-bull-run-7
Hard-Core Video by Paul Joseph Watson promotes "Free Speech" over Apple. [Shield your auntie from the title.]
From the comments:
Talking about rule of law in Hong Kong is pointless. The sooner discussion moves on from that quaint notion, the better.
https://www.biglychee.com/2022/11/29/case-goes-to-court-of-more-final-appeal/
In the midst of the anti-extradition protests in October 2019, I published a list of 16 community leaders with whom the Administration could meet if it wished to negotiate an end to the protests. Of course, Mrs. Carrie Lam sent in the police instead.
Here’s where the 16 community leaders are now:
In prison: 2
In jail awaiting trial: 3
On bail awaiting trial: 4
In exile: 4
Convicted with suspended sentence due to terminal illness: 1
Two have been allowed to escape the net:
Charles Mok, resigned from Legco IT functional constituency in 2020
Anson Chan, retired from public life
WELL:
 Biden's "disinformation czar" registers as foreign agent. [Hotair.com commentary]
That's nothing. Most of his administration should register as working for China.
https://hotair.com/headlines/2022/11/29/bidens-disinformation-czar-registers-as-foreign-agent-n514051
Age of the AMERICAN STASI: ‘Ethics’ app at Clemson University allows students to instantaneously report on each other with texts, videos. [thecollegefix.com]
https://www.thecollegefix.com/new-ethics-app-enables-university-students-to-report-peers-facultys-alleged-misconduct/
(Some) science marches on
New single-dose treatment for sleeping sickness could help eliminate transmission of the disease by 2030. [Medicalxpress.com]
Which would be nice.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-11-single-dose-treatment-sickness-transmission-disease.html
ALSO medical science but, Ugh!
Deaths raise concerns about safety of experimental Alzheimer's drug.
https://bityl.co/Fx6y
