nakhonandy

They really need to drop the level of import duty. Not just to the US but other important trading partners too. Every Country will be renegotiating with the US now so it's wise to sort all trade relationships at the same time if possible. Just saying they will import more US goods won't work as it is just hot air and far easier said than done.

Considering it's the Chinese government involved in the railways and not fly by night Chinese companies, I think the railways are safe enough. One doesn't hear of serious problems with the various railways.

Considering this is more about trade deficit than tariffs, it's a possibility. Reducing the importance duty on certain products would make more sense. Food and drink. Western food, lower the duty on that, most Thai don't eat it anyhow, so no competition there. Wine and spirits is an obvious one, Thailand doesn't make anything that compares with the west so wouldn't lose too much. Thais will still buy Hong Thong etc because of the price.

Exactly, this is about trade deficit and not tariffs. That can clearly be seen on the board Trump used to compare tariffs. The tariffs charged to the US on his board are far higher than what is actually charged.

I just couldn't believe this yesterday. Our national airport closed for almost a day due to a substation fire! Why doesn't Heathrow have its own substation that's fully redundant? It's just common sense and fundamental engineering. As an engineer, I was totally embarrassed for my Country. Causing 100s of thousands chaos and costing the Country a fortune. I can't recall such a Total engineering disaster where nobody died.

EU purchases of most things makes sense. Not military, any military going into war wants the best and couldn't care less where it's made.

Sanctions were mainly economic. Look at the Russian economy, it's in a terrible mess. Hence the sanctions are working. Putin doesn't want war with Europe, he's hoping his buddy, the world's worst negotiator, will get him out of Ukraine with enough concessions for him to save face at home.

As much as I'm sick of the crossings, what can the navy do? Blow the dinghies out of the water?

I was working in England then got ill so am currently forced to stay. Life here is not easy compared to my younger years. Renting or buying a home is ridiculously expensive, the economy has tanked and in general it's a hard life. Now thinking about our life in Thailand, we live in her birth village where it's mostly rural. Us and her extended family are all happy most of the time as are the other inhabitants. When we travel, if we go to Thai holiday locations the same level of general happiness applies. When we go to Pattaya this doesn't seem to be the case, and considering we used to live in Jomtien up to 8 years ago, we notice. Same in Bangkok.

Good. If this rubbish gets destroyed and doesn't miraculously find its way back on the market. The average Thai and some westerners don't seem to realise how dangerous these things are.

Mad. Should have been tested for all alcohol, probably positive! They have video evidence plus the verbal evidence of the "girl". So charge them with reckless driving resulting in an accident.

Nope, he's just taking the piss out of bigoted fool. If there was a button for moron or <deleted>, I would have just selected that and not wasted time writing.

State pension is not a benefit, we've paid NI during our working lives for that pension. The government may be trying to make it one, but it's a right. I was referring to all the other "benefits", dole, sickness etc. They all stop.

Impressive, since the right to benefits ceases when you leave the Country. I know none on benefits. Either they're lying or you are.

I've only needed them a couple of times and they were helpful and efficient.

Hardly the sharpest tool in the box. Baggage gets x-rayed. I hope she gets jail, but it will probably just be a small fine.

Exactly, amending the hotel bill is not the way to go. It will just get abused in the large apartment blocks too. Also, it probably won't be enforced.

True, although my friends occasionally buy Thai whiskey

The 2 - 5 rule of no alcohol sales is ridiculous. Longer opening hours don't necessarily mean longer or more drinking! Also if anyone wants to buy alcohol between 2 and 5 they just ignore supermarkets and the 7/11, pop in a local Thai shop and buy it, no problem.

It's a bit difficult not to if you have a son of that age and bring/collect them to and from school.

Sadly, I imagie that will be the case at a lot of schools.

Most Thai places that are open usually sell alcohol anyhow and do not get bothered.

In other words, they failed to secure the cage.

Quite a lot of people bought apartments as an investment, an acquaintance of mine bought two. For his sake I hope they get it sorted.

In a normal fight i wouldn't disagree. This was hardly a normal punch up. The guy was pissed up and then lumped with a concrete lock three times. You don't find that excessive?