peter48

Yes but UK lower income kids get more help. 1 Parents dont pay as much for the maintenance part because parents pay for that side & low incomes means state helps more. 2. Any low income kids can go university if reasonable A levels and pay back fees according to their future income 3. Agreed England has some of highest uni fees in the West as what Tories did in 2010

I believe the strong baht versus Farang currencies is the main reason why Tourism from such countries have declined. It sends flight prices high. It stops families coming and its noticeable that when I taught UK students they really liked Vietnam somewhat more saying friendly vibe. Under Thaksin in the early 2000s we got 55bht to £ and more of us came. And buying houses was better. Of course Brexit did not help as rest of world understood better than Brexiteers that the £ dropped as it affected our future trade, foreign investment into UK and the long term effects on our economy.

OK I see that part of the argument. In UK especially in nice areas you send kids to good 6th forms all free. Kids get A levels and then go to University and generally are made for life job wise as graduates. Yes as parents we have to help and help out money wise but again its relatively free. In my area in a commuter town 25 mins from Lodon 75 to 80% of kids go Uni. We have at least 6 great schools.

So why do you live here then ? Why wait till your old and miserable to move here. We know there are many risks. But you and I know there are tons of Farang who come to Thailand. I wish him well and yes Thailand with its high baht strength is not as appealing as it was under Thaksin when we got over 55 baht. Hua Hin was thriving in those days. But family place certainly without wild west of Pattaya or Phuket.

Its an interesting one. Its a big thing. There are language issues, there's healthcare, there's education. Hau Hin is relatively more expensive than many places. The baht is still too strong as reports say visitors are down. (How does Trump impse 37% tariffs but Baht strengthens???) Very challenging. Guess he has no Thai family to look after. Can ppl just come and stay? Guess you need some capital or savings.

The point is how these high 35% tariffs will impact the Thai working classes and the Thai economy and its exports. It will be massive and will effect many. Globalisation has been very good for South East Asian countries giving a higher standard of living for more folk.. With less exports to the USA and higher prices over there on Thai exports this will reduce demand for such things. The only possibility as some FT writers and others are suggesting is if Europe, Latin America, China, Asia and SE Asia can circumvent US Trump and increase their trades outside the US hegemon. A kind of substitute approach

Is it common for over 75's farangs to have swollen feet only in Thailand not UK. I did at Songkran when over & temps were very high. I got water tablets but they were not a great solution although the 3rd Pharmacist gave me some better ones to take. Likely I need to talk to my GP before coming over for several weeks next month etc.? My bedroom had no air con but very big fan. Thanks

One thing's for sure the damage Trump is doing to the world is massive. Globalisation raised all boats particularly for countries like Thailand with cheaper popular exports to USA and China. Thats falling now although I think its being hidden a bit. . Thailand is going to get poorer like most developing countries as World bank are predicting. When trade is reduced and exports prices rise ppl suffer. That's started. And 9 yrs ago the Brexit idiocy hit UK and now they are poorer as their trade, exports, inward investment, and growth has sunk. As always the very rich suffer far less than the average family who have less assets. It's happening already.

The moral of the story always let someone close to you ( son, daughter, family ) know where your going in Thailand. Most especially if you are new to Thailand, travelling alone,going to remoter parts. I think this applies, young or old. If it's a new online person you're meeting do so in a busy town or resort. Most Thais are great people but as everywhere large scale inequality makes life tough for some.

To lose your daughter in these tragic circumstances demands sympathy, empathy and support. Clearly the roots of this are criminals who sell harmful dangerousl drugs. Tourists need protecting wherever they are in Thailand & these deeply sad stories need police investigations, local solutions not finger pointing. I hope the mother can help stop these serious problems somehow.

Yes but I think we can infer that a significant drop off in exports to USA will affect Thai economy,factories,jobs, incomes. Or perhaps I am wrong and I have missed something.

Am I missing something but not a single reference to Trump imposing some of the highest tariffs on Thailand? In most countries even with lower tariffs this is the hot topic.

Covid hits the elderly far more seriously than others. Brits over 75 have had a Spring booster earlier this year. It seems down to so many factors like your immunity, respiratory system, possibly weight, vitamin D etc., But one thing for sure its serious. Never forget it was under Trump ( 1,219,487 to date) and Johnson ( up to 230,000 deaths) that some of the highest deaths figures globally were recorded because they were late to take it seriously. India and Peru and Mexico too. Generally what happens is that at its height the hospitals never have enough intensive care facilities ( that's why Germany came out far better) . Advanced Covid more or less 'drowns the lungs' in the most worst cases. How come? Fluid builds up in the lungs Airflow is restricted The person can't get enough oxygen

Just down from Hua Hin and in Hua Hin there is lot of infrastructure appearing over last 2 years or so such as the new Railway now overhead, better and newer roads, further down big changes on the coast side, brand new dual carriageways taking you quickly to places like Pran Buri, Sam Roi Yot coastine, and lovely little quiet country park beeches like Samphraya beach and then further down to beaches close to Prachup Khirikhan. Brand new fast roads - impressive. You can avoid the very busy main road going southwards

I think your correct on that, noticed this year service can be variable with some restaurant lady staff looking quite miserable at times ( by know means all). Of course the best places are where you are made to feel welcome, plenty of smiles, attentive bright staff, food suggestions, reasonable English, and those are the busier places, making more money, where visitors will return.