Anon999

Don't get fooled.....this is not about the Baht. vs. the Dollar or Euro.

This is about ALL fiat currencies.

They're all doomed....buy GOLD. :

Maybe you have beenwatching the price of gold? It recently went >600US$.

Yah but so much for your fellow country men the high cost of your currency means the cost of your goods are high and no work as your products costs are high, but I guess you Euro ######s don't care about work or making a living you just want to play the big man role, same as the English and there over valued pound

Sour grapes and uninfored too!

The £ sterling has been depreciating against the Thai baht and Euro for some months while remaining virtually unchanged against the US$. Today the £ is 66.4265/baht and 1.74518/US$. The US$ is currently 38.069/baht.

Maybe you can illuminate on your claim that Sterling is overvalued so we can all understand where your source of information comes from. Maybe nobody told you that the Thai baht floated long ago and is no longer fixed against the US$ and will therefore never return to 36 to 38 to the £ or 20 to the US$.

This is rubbish - the £ has fallen steadily against the dollar over the laslt few months from a high not long ago of $1.90+ to $1.74

I don't dispute your knowledge on these matters but you should get your facts right.

Suggest you get your facts right!

The last time sterling was at US$ 1.90 was in early May 2005. It subsequently dropped to US$ 1.74 by July 2005 and then recovered to 1.84+ in September and has not been above 1.80 since then. Go read the historical charts data so you can see for yourself before you start typing rubbish.

So 'this idiot' is wondering why PTT want 26.35 for a litre of diesel today?

If the Baht is SO strong against the US$, and Thai oil is paid for in US$, why have PTT slapped another (daily) 40 satang rise on diesel prices?

My idiot's brain says the price should go down - or, if world prices for oil are inexorably rising, then with the baht strength against US$, the price at the pumps in LOS should remain the same?

Who, besides the oil companies, are making big baht on this?

Thailand buys its oil from the Dubai market and I do not know what the price is there. However, it is unlikely to differ greatly from the US or Asian markets. Currently Nymex crude for May is trading at 68.51 - 68.62 up US$ 1.17, that is just today.

Your assumption that pump prices should remain the same is on the basis that the baht is appreciatiing against the US$ at the same rate as oil is going up.

The price of petrol in the UK has also been rising quickly. At an exchange rate of 66 baht/£ the cost of a litre of 95 octane is about 62 baht in the UK while diesel is 62.70 baht.

The problems stem from uncertainty about the situation in Iran, rebels in Nigeria blowing up major pipelines and an ever increasing demand for oil in developing countries. OPEC the oil cartel say their members are pumping oil at virtually maximum capacity. Therefore the supply and demand situation says there's a shortage so the price rises!

Yah but so much for your fellow country men the high cost of your currency means the cost of your goods are high and no work as your products costs are high, but I guess you Euro ######s don't care about work or making a living you just want to play the big man role, same as the English and there over valued pound

Sour grapes and uninfored too!

The £ sterling has been depreciating against the Thai baht and Euro for some months while remaining virtually unchanged against the US$. Today the £ is 66.4265/baht and 1.74518/US$. The US$ is currently 38.069/baht.

Maybe you can illuminate on your claim that Sterling is overvalued so we can all understand where your source of information comes from. Maybe nobody told you that the Thai baht floated long ago and is no longer fixed against the US$ and will therefore never return to 36 to 38 to the £ or 20 to the US$.

dont believe a fart that this has to do with foreign money coming into the country. that money was coming in at much higher rates some months ago. the inflow of foreign money is de facto running dry - talk to the respective industries.

but it doesnt take much to influence the value of the baht. I'm about convinced that mainly offshore trading strengthens the baht more and more.

observe it. once the local markets close and the US markets open, the baht in quite some many occasions gained another 10 satang, the next day another 10 satang ...

somebody is manipulating this strengthening - and you dont need big bucks to influence such a banana currency.

Why are you still in LOS if you believe it's a 'banana' currency?

Central banks now find it very difficult to influence currency movements for anything other than short term at best, many have tried in the past few years unsuccessfully. The Baht has been appreciating for months as can been seen by many posts here. However, everything is cyclical so expect the baht to weaken in due course. Your observation about currency traders buying the baht, just like they buy other currencies and commodities, is probably correct as that is what they do for a living, then eventually everything reverses.

The only good news is the figures are lower than predicted. Let's hope it stays that way for the rest of the holiday.

Take care and have fun

Sriracha john I forgot to mention your reply smacked of the self righteous.

I'm sorry if it came across that way... murderous thugs have that effect on me.

So, does that mean you spend as much time on American forums? Heard there are quite a few disgruntled Americans wanting to oust G.W. Bush and reinstore democracy there too...

Not to mention electoral fraud and extra judicial killings...Or media control...Didn't Thaksin study in the States? Sorry, just couldn't resist that one

Actually, I don't spend one minute on American forums.

I choose to devote my attention to this forum, as others in Thailand pale in comparison, to the location of where I reside, not where I go on occasion to visit.

It is where my hang my hat, it is where I live... and I wouldn't want it any other way.

This is my home... and I care a great deal about what happens to the people that share my space.

Truly, this thread has now been concluded. I appreciate Tettyan's admirable efforts at the statistics and would likely be a nice intro to a new thread,

eg. "Thailand... Post-Thaksin" or even

"By-Election... What's In Store?"

"Numbers Crunching, How DO They All Add Up?"

As for this one, Thaksin has resigned. He's as much a part of the past history as the

"PAD Rally One" thread.

Thaksin's gone. And now it's time to move on...

same as me....

Happy Songkran to everyone.

Going off to be among the people that share my space for a couple of weeks.

Sea, Sand, and Sun.

Recharge the batteries now that mission #1 has been accomplished.

("Mission Impossible" was what many people thought)

Enjoy the celebrations... and take care of yourselves...

Peace.

/// Topic: closed?????????

A job well done SJ and as Miaow says may we all disagree............... agreeably, as you would wish also.

Enjoy the Songkran and the break. may we all stay safe during the coming fun/chaos, what ever your take on it all is.

marshbags

SJ I agree with some of what you say, however, there are still disagreements about your earlier post. From my experience I find that bilingual Thais will, while speaking in Thai, often say things in English and then back to Thai again for the simple reason it can be easier for them to explain something that way.

The other main point of disagreement is that figures printed in the media are more often than not incorrect. They have to make the story as big as possible so figures are often massaged, especially when there is no real way of establishing the numbers accurately, either because it is impossible or they can be hearsay. In no way do I dispute what happened it is just the accuracy of the numbers that I'm not convinced about.

Have a pleasant Songkran.

Sriracha john I forgot to mention your reply smacked of the self righteous.

"Doctor" for receiving a PhD from a university in America yet possesses abilities in English that are surpassed by a typical Prathom 2 public school student.

Probably best if we just all referred to him by the title that he prefers himself, "Maew"

There are native English speakers who have abilities in English that are dreadful, however, it does not necessarily prevent them from being successful in business.

As you are obviously so well educated maybe being less cynical would be a good place to start.

hi...

yes its easy to condemn... just wonder what Mr john does for a living or indeed what he has ever achieved....

amarka

It's particularly easy to condemn someone when they've done so many things to be condemned for.

What I have achieved is that I have managed to go through life without being responsible for the murder of 2,300 people in one situation and the deaths of 1,300 people in another.

Quite a remarkable achievement, eh?

Your answer has nothing whatsoever to do with my original post or the comment by 'amarka' about what you HAVE achieved. Try answering my observation on your inappropriate comment about his ENGLISH abilities just for a start. Maybe you do not have an answer?

Furthermore from your reply I guess you were there to corroborate the death tolls or maybe you just believe everything you hear or read from the media?

"Doctor" for receiving a PhD from a university in America yet possesses abilities in English that are surpassed by a typical Prathom 2 public school student.

Probably best if we just all referred to him by the title that he prefers himself, "Maew"

There are native English speakers who have abilities in English that are dreadful, however, it does not necessarily prevent them from being successful in business.

As you are obviously so well educated maybe being less cynical would be a good place to start.

Now that PAD have got what they demanded it seems as though they're moving the goalposts by demanding more concessions. That does not do them or Thailand any favours. Furthermore to prolong the divisiveness at a time when they should ALL be working togther is just plain stupid.

Maybe power is now going to their heads too as they have achieved everything outside the ballot box by a clever ploy. If they want to earn respect then it is no good just saying sweet words about the resignation of Thaksin. Now is the time to show what they can contribute to moving the country forward.

It will be interesting to see developments in the forthcoming months.

Oh to be an anti-sceptic living in a nation of 65 million sceptics.

regards

You meant skeptics right?

cv

Spelling never was a strong point in the USA.

What interests me is, if all the 500 seats are not filled within the 30 day mandatory period, after the bye elections have been held, what happens next???? Furthermore is there anything in the constitution to overcome the impasse?

I'd really like to see some more offical results...

It was stated by the EC that on Wednesday the official results will be announced.

Ever wandered round one of Bangkok's numerous shopping malls and noticed how shallow, self-absorbed and superficial many of the young people preening themselves there appear to be - particularly the younger women?

Interested Observer

Thats not just Bangkok, thats all over the world. They're kids!

Absolutely. Spot on!

Can't see what this has to do with the poll. OK so it may be ambiguous, however, it is asking us to guess the average monthly income for a farang. My guess was the average for the UK, taking into account the highs and lows. But nobody knows, so it's never going to provide and answer.

I noticed while I was posting my reply just shortly after this thread first appeared, that some replies would be there and then disappear on the next refresh. Seems like someone was actively monitoring the replies and temporarily hiding those that pointed out it was April Fool's Day, in order to keep the joke going. That's why, once they're unhidden, there's so many redundant posts about how it's April Fool's Day.

Chuck

Absolutely! I noticed it too.

WHAT IS THE DATE?

I am using Expacare - division of JLT in UK. Very satisfied with it. Here is the link if you want to get a quote http://www.apipacific.com

Prevention is the best medicine

I've checked the Expacare premiums and found them to be one of the most expensive, for similar cover. It appears the UK based companies tend have high premiums! What's new?

If you go to the other thread on this topic there's a lot more info. and links.

Forgot to mention that with Expacare all facilities, drugs, etc., and treatment must be authorised by your doctor or Expacare and be considered ESSENTIAL. Furthermore you must fill in a claim form and submit original bills to them, within 6 months. Basically that means you've got to pay up front as I cannot imagine the hospital will wait for them to eventually cough up. Can you afford that type of policy?

Quoted off topic post as well as the off topic response deleted. /Meadish

Key leaders call for royal intervention

Somsak said PAD's only goal at the moment was to oust Thaksin and they had not resolved how the post-Thaksin era should be.

--The Nation 2006-03-22

I think that just about says it all! Brain in neutral and no ideas.

Can any forum members advise me if a basic medical insurance policy is available for persons aged 65 and over. ie. hospitalisation only in the event of an accident etc. For non urgent requirements I can return to my own country. I am looking at a 25-30000THB figure.

Please read my Post 42, Steve can probably fix you up.

One thing you have to be careful about is the payment method if you need treatment. It needs to be a Direct Payment plan, unless you want to wait to get reimbursed after you have finished paying what could be a lot a fees.

I'm also getting a qoute from the Pacific Prime Int'l people but not with a $2,500 excess. Will post the outcome.

The following 2 brokers in BBK have been recommended to me by Bangkok International Hospital. I'm trying them too.

1) Jerome Kelly (Lawton Asia) at [email protected]

2) Stephen Boush (TieCare) at [email protected]

Best of luck, maybe we will all end up will different insurers due to individual circumstances and needs.

In the effort of full disclosure and non-advertisement (I am actually Stephen Boush as listed above). The key with the expat insurance options is to find one that is a managing general underwriter. What this status allows is for there to be a lot of flexibility to the coverage you are after. These types of firms allow for high levels of options and creativity.

If you want a 1000 excess and coverage only in Thailand for catastrophic care, so be it. Insurance is all about risk. The more you reduce your potential risk to the insurance company, the more your premiums should be decreased. If you add coverage in Thailand AND the UK then the premium goes up. etc.

Look for a company that can tailor the program to what you need specifically, this is what an MGU (managing general underwriter) should be able to do for you.

Just some thoughts....

Pleased to see you are on this Forum.

My understanding is that trying to outguess FOREX markets is a mug's game. Keep in Thailand what you need to live/build/invest. Keep the rest elsewhere...more than one place?? Or not?

If the Yuan went to say 6 to the $ what would happen to the Baht!!?

The Yuan is fixed against the US$, its value was recently adjusted, but is still artificially low. However, if and when the Chinese allow it to float, then it will certainly appreciate significantly against $, £, Euro, Yen and most other currencies, I would guess. However, what affect that would have on any other individual currency is debatable.

The baht is currently significantly stronger than it was only a short time ago. The exchange rate against the £ sterling has been around +/- 68 for a few weeks and against the $US +/- 39.

Is that really a strong Baht, or a weak(er) dollar?

I know they have a basket of currencies, but in my book they

still have all their dollars in one basket.

The £ sterling has barely moved against the US$ or the Euro. It was about 40 to US$, so the Thai baht, for whatever reason, is stronger than it was. However, as everything tends to be cyclical it is likely that this current strength will reverse. Providing political unrest does not upset the apple cart it should be a fairly gentle change.

As another post mentioned trend following is a great thing to do and the Turtles system seems to win long term. My recollection is it has made a profit 21 years out of 22, not bad.

This is fine if something is done to ease the pain of inward and outward investment from overseas - otherwise it is unsustainable for the banks. It also runs the risk of putting Thais or residents with loans under pressure- it also falsely inflates the value of the baht - a real risky move to make such sweeping changes.

The baht is currently significantly stronger than it was only a short time ago. The exchange rate against the £ sterling has been around +/- 68 for a few weeks and against the $US +/- 39.