peter48

Its not that very simple my friend. Economics is 'Macro' not just about you a single consumer. Millions were not sold off globally for two days, every national leader in meetings this weekend, massive economies like EU, Japan, China etc preparing responses, like Covid , like 2008 this will hit all our prices, inflation, interest rates, property demand, jobs, wages, production, shares, pension pots, tourism. Its not just what Thailand trades to America, hit with tariffs of 72% yes 72% its responses of China or Japan too. They will affect Thailand too, car production for example could move to cheaper locations, less demand leads to lay offs, You can hide away but like those many Covid closed bars/amenities, falling property prices, stunted businesses, soaring health costs - this is not going away for any of us.

Even it reaches 45baht per £ it helps - there are many diverse types of tourists from Europe/UK gap year, youngsters, couples, guys, seniors, family contacts etc. Fares of course are very high for most. But over here in UK, Trumps global trade shock is serious & its effects on SE Asia getting coverage especially Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand with crippling Tariffs being imposed Make no mistake and it maybe in Thailand it has been understated. Not in the West. FT yesterday was calling it one of greatest acts of 'self harm on USA in history'. It will slow global trade, increase inflation, leave American business shell shocked. Here's your bit " decades of progress in poverty reduction across SE Asia ...is at risk" Sluggish growth in major economies including EU Japan and China will be compounded" What happened in America the other day is a gigantic game changer , our economies face massive changes. Thailand is highly likely to suffer the impacts on its exports and production. China and Japan will become even more important to Thailand. Maybe the Baht will weaken helping tourists and ex-pats, we shall see. But like 2008, Covid in 2021 do not dismiss these events they will have profound effects and thats why trillions of stock market dollars have melted away in last two days or so.

You try getting a policy on a state pension,even worst. Yes that's tough but I think we all know that Thailand healthcare is now one of most expensive after USA. Years ago it was less apparent but now its very evident. Its even more vital to get high insurance cover when your older, have underlying conditions or appreciate in Thailand there are more risks through road accidents, motor bikes , high heat, city pollution, viruses, alcohol, less developed country with possibly more crime etc., Actually no matter what age ... so gap year and youngsters need best cover too. The old Scout Motto 'Be Prepared' then enjoy LOS.

This is a Prime Minister with the shortest time in office ever. Tories dropped her. She tried to pass a budget based on lower taxation & it was rejected on the global bond/gilt markets with interest soaring to rates UK govt would not have been able to pay for long. Private pension systems were close to collapse & BOE intervened to save UK finance. She appeared on a stage this week supporting Trump after he called Ukraine pesident a dictator. She is raving bonkers. Fortunately the adults are back running the economy and saving the collapsed Tory smashed public services with economic growth, more house building, decent pay and wages increasing, quicker cancer appointments, more nurses, medics, teachers, police, more foreign investment into our economy, increased green technology, etc., It will take time but UK internationally wirh closer ties to EU is on the up. This is seen by Bloomberg or the FT and top economists so do not take the hate Daily Mail or Daily Depress as your sources - those right wing rags supported 14 yrs of Tory disaster incuding austerity, highest Covid deathis in Europe bar Belguim, Brexit, Johnson, Truss etc.

Surely this is why we take out holiday insurance? Can someone explain to me why their holiday insurance cover purchased in UK would not pay for these emergencies. Moreover do we know the UK insurance company involved.

What a comment to say when a British tourist dies in appallingly tragic circumstances and his family and friends are deeply grief stricken. May I say Brits both in Thailand & back here in UK express our deep sympathies for Regan's loss.

Somewhere very close to a big bank with lots of cash machines, day in, day out. Sorry just joking.

That's a rude response to someone seeking advice of his fellow farang. Most of us who have known Thailand and are more senior would likely avoid Pattaya which sounds like the Wild West now or disturbing Phuket. But Hua Hin, Krabi etc gets good remarks. Farang who end up on a farm in a remote village with mud,chickens, flies,extended family. The consensus is never good.

Good news again. When you change governments these things happen. I said it before and will say it again because too many oldies get into ever lasting moaning mode. These new politicians who are running Thailand in last year or so are open, progressive, internationalist and so the economy will improve , Tourism will increase and Thailand may return to the prosperity and more equality years of Thaksin Shinawatra when far more Europeans came to the land of smiles, brought property, retired and came for longer vacations.

Respectfully, so many grumbling oldies here me suspects. We had them in UK after 14 yrs of decline & decay the only real folk to vote Conservative were over 65+. So worn down with pessimism. Its really good to see new generation taking power in Thailand who will be dynamic, outward looking and less elitist, less older, less insular, less conservative and less traditional. That was the theme of last year's election - change. If you dont like it try comming back to Europe.

Youre right on 1st part but where did you get that 2nd part. Back in the mid 2000s under her father Brits and others swarmed to Thailand, we bought property, we stayed longer, the £ bought 55 baht, we were more welcome, Thailand was buzzing, Thai ppeople had cheaper healthcare access, things were much better than recent years where Thailand felt more down in the dumps for Europeans. Its all good news - UK graduate, open, aspirational, dynamic Thailand, , may yet again become LOS. Like Britain under a better inclusive government things are looking up.

These changes are good for Thailand- younger, dynamic, outward looking, good for business and Tourism. As with Tahksin's government before more inclusive for all especially the poorer North and funding more devevolpments for all. Better Baht tourism rates, more open to Farangs, English speaking ,having spent time ay University of Surrey its inevitable this is a good chapter for Thailand and its openess to the world. Bring it on.

Fantastic news. Broken Britain with healthcare meltdown, cancer waits for many months, medics leaving in droves, public service collapse, no room in prisons, high inequality compared to Europe, rising child poverty in the regions, chronic housing shortages, sinking state schooling as teachers leave, appalling governance creating tribal divisiveness & hate towards asylum seekers, diversity and minorities of every type. Tories led by Far Right Wingers have lost the respect of Britain. With hundreds of new MPs Labour and Liberal Democrats the UK can be like Europeans from Norway down to Germany in prosperity, healthcare,wellbeing and better governance. Gone are the tricksters, liars, self servers who served themselves not the public. Oh happy days when Sir Keir and Labour can implement decency and social justice to a down beaten country misled for 14yrs by rich arrogant semi-competent Eton school boys.

I said it before and I'll say it again to the old nay sayers - you change governments to a more dynamic, business- focused, younger, more inclusive, outward looking group of politicians, internationalist and Thailand begins to transform. So it happens. Hopefully we can reach the happy days of Thaksin and Tony Blair in the 2000s when Brits and others came in droves to Thailand buying property, bringing families, touring and enjoying a good rate of exchange ( which Brexit damaged). Thailand is changing & its good.

True Brexit horror was voted through by a small majority 52% to 48%. Cameron should have gone for a higher majority in his plans. That was 8yrs ago and most ppl now with exception of non college older males would vote to Remain especially under 45s. but 1) Johnson, Farage lied about the Brexit effects especially the obvious economic ones that has reduced UK living Standards since. 2) The press owners were pro-Brexit and led their newspapers as such especially Murdoch's Sun and Rothermere's Daily Mail. 3) Take Johnson's dad lives in France , his brother, his sister and his ex-Wife were against Brexit. 4) Many countries have high standards of living and then that included all Scandanavia, France, Germany etc with high immigrastion. It was a right wing distraction to kid the low income groups their problems were due to migration. They know that now & are not voting Tory again.

Yes for some living in parts of London or wealthy commuter towns close by, owner occupiers, good high job pensions, good transport/roads into well governed London led by Labour Mayor. ( thanks Sadiq for Elizabeth Line to airport,for free transport pass & cleaner air) Yes some seniors are lucky but now affected by rising crime, social care cuts, longest healthcare waits in western EU etc) ( Covid deaths twice were highest in Europe) But the rest of the population is suffering and inequality is one of highest in Europe bar Bulgaria and child poverty one of worst too. Our kids face highest university fees in Europe, highest rents especiallky in cities, many staying home and quite frankly compared to Finland, Norway,Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Belguim, France, Austria and Switzerland our well being and happiness has seriously dropped. Thats why UK Tories scoring lowest polling in modern age.

Do not forget clown Boris Johnson took UK out of the 500M Single Market not just affecting trade, costs of imports, costs of exports, companies not coming to UK, shares down relative to EU/US so smaller pension pots, pound down after Johnson came in,lower economic growth but we lost ,freedom of movement' to live, love,retire,study etc in the 30 mainly better off countries of most of Europe. Spain and Portugal are options but you need to sort a lot more out now than before Brexit. Brexit was the greatest economic self harm ever done by any modern economy.

20% of Pensioners are not millionnaires, UK state pension below £1000 per mth is one of lowest in Europe ( Spain is 3 times higher) the NHS has longest waits in Europe especially a) Cancer diagnosis b) then wait more for Cancer treatment, massive shortages of nurses,GPs & Specialists because of underfunding/low pay, medics leaving in droves to Aus/NZ & Canada & Middle East, one of worst housing shortages, homelessness in Europe, massive rents and high mortages in London/SE/big cities, each medicine is nearly £10, energy costs/transport one of most expensive in Europe, high child poverty especially in N/NE, food banks...Brexit effect on food prices etc There's a reason the Conservatives have had their lowest polling ever this Spring. Britain is broken after the last 14yrs of hitting the average people

Well you would if he was one of your own family or close friend. Unlikey you would miss costly flight back or fail at that age to re-assure his nearest and dearest. God speed & I do hope police etc can find out quickly what has happened to this tourist. He's not some gap year twenty something finding himself. He's a UK citizen missing and the UK authorities too need to up the ante and do what all countries do when one of their own goes missing.

Japan did far, far better than Johnson's high Covid deaths UK during Covid Pandemic. Japan is more densely populated, has far more elderly people than UK. Clown Johnson delayed and delayed masks in 2020 despite Far East superior performance. UK got highest global Covid deaths in Spring 2020. Wear a mask especially in very crowded subways/buses/planes like Bangkok or London especially in mid winter, flu times or whenever things are worse in Thailand. This goes especially for those with a poor health record or likely over 75s. Its difficult but you have to make that judgement sometimes. The Chinese medics established in 2020 that Covid began to spread from longer coach journeys.

I think the thing is once you get into mid 70s for example and you get a prolonged chest infection which gets serious and you 've never had that before in your life, you do think twice. In UK if you get even a little bit of blood in your plegm thats a red flag and you get blood tests, x-ray and hospital Scan within days. Mostly its not serious (if as is the case your scan shows nothing serious) but I wonder in Thailand what's the costs of those quick triple tests would be? PS You will always be asked: Do you/have you Smoked

We said it before especially those guys who knew Thailand in the earlier 2000s when the pound went further, we bought property, Thais were happier & more western tourists came to a more open better LOS. But there were the nay sayers, old conservative types denying that, saying the arrival of the Thaksin and the present government was same old. Well we said no, it was similar to the popular Blair years where UK was open, progressive, booming and more equal. So here we are now with Thai PM on the cover of Time, a world wide publication.. Lift your glasses guys & girls welcome back to a more open and likely more prosperous Thailand. When the economy grows with with more exports, more inward foreign companies and investments and more tourism things tend to get better for all.

Interestingly, America in many progressive cities are handling it. Compared to many other serious drugs its a lot better I guess. Compared to the pub culture in rough less prosperous areas like UK of heavy weekend drinking & need for much security & extra policing it seems this soft drug presents far less problems if any.

The thing is even if many people have mild or moderate covid or flu for several days there will be some with more serious issues that when they get hit with heavy respiratory infection of the lungs will end up seriously ill and need to go to hospital. And that's still happening with now more serious admissions recently reported across Europe. Take care especially the older old.

'see that Thaksinism is becoming the New Vogue'. Well good for those who lived in Thailand at those times that is what Thai voters wanted and generally those parties tend to win the popular vote.. It was democracy. Most times since have been harder for the low income groups, for farmers, for healthcare, for being less outward looking, for inward bound tourists, less modern and less progressive. You will of course have noted what happened this year ...