Gweiloman

I hope that for China, the zero covid policy is the right policy. Personally, I’m glad I’m not subject to it. After 3 years, I’m ready to take my chances, although I’m glad that most Thais are still wearing masks to try and reduce the spread. Social responsibility is important.

The US had 68,726 cases reported on 27 Oct (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/covid-cases.html). China, 1000+ cases. I think the new booster might help America immensely too.

I doubt XJP will give your advice any consideration. China, as a sovereign nation, has the right to do as it wishes, without interference from external sources.

Doubt it. Lots of people vaccinated with Pfizer and/or Moderna are still catching Covid, including friends and family in UK and Switzerland.

I didn’t mention Russia because I don’t think it’s a successful country. I did a lot of business there and saw clearly its shortcomings. In fact, I don’t think many western countries are successful. Even America is fairing worse than Thailand with a lower growth. As de-dollarisation continues and if the petrodollar is substituted, then America’s hegemony will be ended. Shining examples will be found in the rest of the world, especially Asia. Even Laos, one of the world’s poorest countries, is expected to post over 4% growth in 2022, in a large part due to China’s BRI.

Takes two to tango, no smoke without fire and all that jazz.

So are you here or not? Incidentally, seasonal rates are always set out in advance, not at the whim of meteorological depts.

Not easy to get a work permit in Switzerland though. I got one because my then employer, Reiseburo Kuoni, was a fairly large organisation.

I wonder who would wish harm to him. Was it a botched robbery attempt?

As a qualified accountant, I do know the meaning of amortisation and depreciation (they are technically different) but thanks for the definition. The cost of my solar installation and it’s subsequent amortisation has been calculated into that part of my household budget which does not include car maintenance. But now, all of a sudden, I’m able to reduce my fuel costs, thanks to an asset which does not cost me any additional money. So as far as I’m concerned, it’s free. Not a problem for me if you insist it’s not free.

360kWh per household would be a lot if every household had an EV (of course this would be offset by free sunlight but that’s another discussion). Of course not everyone in the foreseeable future will have an EV. But if you read carefully what I wrote, I said it would only be a fraction of overall consumption. Businesses and factories consume a huge amount. So imo, EV charging will only be a fraction of overall consumption and will not affect the price of electricity in any significant manner.

My solar installation is a sunk cost and will be amortised over a certain number of years, according to GAAP standards. Any further benefits that I derive is, in my assessment, free.

I doubt it. EV charging will only ever be a tiny fraction of overall electricity consumption. Many households consume over 1,000 kWh per month.

Suffice to say that the political system is flawed and the victors leave a lot to be desired, both in terms of character and competence. They should take a leaf out of some other more successful countries like Taiwan or Singapore.

Not forgetting the money politics…

She studied at a Thai university. Presumably she graduated as well, like millions of other Thai girls who are selling clothes in MBK or working in 7/11. You should set your standards higher.

Wrong. Plenty of Thai women in Malaysia

Wonder if they will oust the barbarians.

Putting aside legal matters of compensation etc, why is Sweden not releasing their findings? If they have proof of Russia’s involvement, then this would strengthen any legal case that they might have. Any unbiased observer would reasonably conclude that the national security concerns are because the findings are not in the west’s favour.

I’m not factoring environmental matters in my purchase. That’s a different debate entirely. Having said that, I do hate following a diesel belching pickup here in Thailand, especially if I have my windows down. You really think that EVs will consume so much electricity that it will move the price of electricity? Brush the dust off your calculator. And I don’t heat my home here in Thailand.

There are about 11-12 hydrogen fill up points in the UK at the moment. Talk about range anxiety ????.

As electricity rates rise, the case for solar gets stronger and stronger. Petrol prices will also rise, given the current situation in the world today. A very fuel efficient ICE (20km/l) costs 175 baht per 100 km. An EV/PHEV will cost only 50 baht (TOU) or FOC if you have excess solar. As a bean counter, this makes economic sense to me. Re: hydrogen, it costs about US$80 for 6 kgs, almost 3 times the price of petrol in the US for the same distance covered. P/s: I’m giving courses in business administration and cost and financial accounting, in case anyone’s interested.

I’m surprised that until now, you still can’t get it into your head that no one installs solar energy just to charge up their cars. I installed solar power in order to reduce my electricity costs. And like you said, electric rates are starting to rise which makes solar energy even more of a no brainer and will improve my ROI. My only regret is that I waited a few years before installing my system. During the day, I am producing more than I’m using. So instead of just losing it, I can use the excess to charge. Sort of like regenerative braking, get it?

Yen is the currency of Japan. The Chinese currency is the Yuan (or Renminbi).

Hydrogen may be the future in 10-20 yrs. But I can’t wait that long so in the meantime, I will happily settle for free solar energy to power my car.