Thai Fishermen

[Cheeky Monkey]

Are those guys on Ecstacy? They've smiled all the way through and were still smiling after getting the death penalty!

 

[HampshireSeagulls]

Because smiling in Thailand is not the same as smiling over here. Smiling covers embarassment, lack of understanding, confusion, etc - not "yippee, we've murdered someone are now condemned to death."


In Thailand smiling is a form of subtle interpersonal-messaging which runs deeper and perhaps more accurately than language or syntax. Investigation into this phenomena reveals that Thais are adept at performing no less than 13 situational-specific smiles in their everyday lives. In fact, most Thais can perform each smile upon request with flawless accuracy based solely on the commonly used name of each. In addition, Thais are experts at identifying the specific smiles they encounter, and are well aware of the inherent message behind each. 13 specific kinds of smiles? How could one possibly know the difference and know how to interpret each one? Many of the smiles that Thais perform are used to relieve tension, calm nerves, seek forgiveness or omission from distressing situations. The name of one particular smile, yim soo, translates as the “smiling in the face of an impossible struggle” smile.

They don't call it the land of smiles for nothing. Thai Smiles – Good, Bad, Ugly, and the 10 in between.

http://www.smilingalbino.com/stories/smiles.asp

 

[SurreySeagulls]

Isn't it a bit scarey that 18 days after the poor girl died they have caught, tried and convicted the criminals to death. Wheels of justice move fast when the national interest is at stake.

 

[m.c.hamster]

I don't think they'll be laughing when the rope is placed around their necks or they are strapped down for the lethal injection.
They deserve to have the grin wiped off their faces.

 

[Gritt23]

Isn't it a bit scarey that 18 days after the poor girl died they have caught, tried and convicted the criminals to death. Wheels of justice move fast when the national interest is at stake.

A bit too fast in my view. Just sounds veryconvenient that the moment the World were aghast at this dreadful crime, they found a couple of suspects and whatdyaknow their DNA matched-up.

There was also a British tourist mudered in Thailand on Xmas Eve. Male, aged 54, got zero press coverage, and I believe his killers are still walking free.

 

[CHAPPERS]

You've got to wonder about torture and obtaining confessions in such short periods of time.

 

[Gritt23]

You've got to wonder about torture and obtaining confessions in such short periods of time.

EXACTLY my thoughts Chappers. All just seemed incredibly quick and so cut and dried.

"Yep, their DNA matches and they have confessed to it all." hmm.

 

[Ernest]

None of you know the half of it

 

[aftershavedave]

A bit too fast in my view. Just sounds veryconvenient that the moment the World were aghast at this dreadful crime, they found a couple of suspects and whatdyaknow their DNA matched-up.

too right, this really stinks....

 

[bhaexpress]

None of you know the half of it

So feel free to enlighten us.

 

[Ernest]

So feel free to enlighten us.

Do a google search on judicial killings Frank or look up the Muslim problems in the South

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Surely death is the easyway out? Thai prisions are worse than death.

 

[Ernest]

Surely death is the easyway out? Thai prisions are worse than death.

Didn't know you'd been in one

 

[bhaexpress]

Do a google search on judicial killings Frank or look up the Muslim problems in the South

Thais are Buddist although my one of my heathern cousins is about to move there full time. I was talking to his girlfriend there (she's the one with the good job and the money) about this decision this morning and she's all for it. She is a Thai national.

 

[eastlondonseagull]

Muslims are in a minority in Thailand, and Samui isn't far enough south to be ruled by any over-powering Islamic law. If they'd been nearer the border or had been in north-eastern Malaysia, then maybe.

 

[hopkins]

Makes you wonder why they pleaded guilty if they knew they would get the death sentence, surely NOT guilty would have been more sensible. I wouldnt like to take any legal advice from there lawyer (if they had one).

 

[bhaexpress]

Makes you wonder why they pleaded guilty if they knew they would get the death sentence, surely NOT guilty would have been more sensible. I wouldnt like to take any legal advice from there lawyer (if they had one).

Apparently they pleaded guilty to try and avoid the deatn sentence. Thailand has something of a zero tolerance policy and have been known to execute drug smugglers irrespective of what nationality they are.