IamNoone88

The unofficial loan market fills a void - the lending gap - from the banks when individuals do not qualify for a loan. Generally fast and expensive they offer instant gratification for those needing quick money. The banks maybe conservative but the lending requirements are not easy to fulfill. Thus the trap is high cost of borrowing outside of the banking system.

The tail wags the dog. Thaksin is a master strategist and his decision tree is carefully worked through.

Whatever happens, as foreigners, we have no right to vote or interfere. This is Thailand and while it may be "home" we remain guests and subject to the law and rules that govern our stay. If you have a business here, there is no choice but to adapt and go with the political flow and continue to make the most of it and enjoy your life here. You may have an opinion but that is all you have. The Thai's have to do the rest. So to rephrase Uncle Tu ... Stay Calm and Carry on. You can't change anything.

Always grateful I don't run a bar.

Personally, I would avoid the mass demonstration "trap" ....... look where it ended up last time. Just the excuse needed to take back control for a few more years. PT should settle the matter.

We all have to follow rules we don't like or don't agree with. There are hundreds I think are ridiculous but that makes no difference.

He gave it to them on a silver plate. I like the guy but he threw it away on defunct shares that he knowlingly held ... even after the previous guy was cancelled for the very same thing.

Its the current law in place and it got leverage. Could have been avoided.

He made a critical mistake that he could have easily avoided. No-one to blame but himself.

America will do nothing. They need as many friends in Asia as possible as they continue to try and constrain China's power and reach in the region. America blinked in recent years and its not been going well so far for them as Beijing continues to makes friends with money and economic power. Most countries have a border or territory dispute with China - the nine dash line and free shipping passage - Vietnam (Ironically Americas old foe is a land border issue and islands), Philippines (Island dispute), Malaysia (Island dispute), Japan, Taiwan and poor old Australia sitting nervously down under. India won't get involved as it also wants its own influence as it gets stronger. Its a delicate mess and China is unlikely to give up it claims to most of the South China sea based upon a scappy 1946 hand drawn map that gives claim to most of the South China Sea. So America may make a little squeak here and there but will try and cozy up nicely to whoever holds the reins.

He just realised he lost his freedom.

Read what i said.

I doubt it. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

On the contrary, who would be stupid enough to knowingly retain shares in a media company, especially when your predecesor was banned for the same reason and announce inflamitory policies on changing the lesse majeste laws. That is just plain stupid and shows a lack of polical awareness.

If Thailand does not get a freely elected Gov't we will all be serving (another) 10 years .... of little progress.

Difficult not to spot as a decoy ....

As foreign investors head for the hills ........ yet again.

There is a motive somewhere out there .. you do not end up like this without a reason.

Note to self; avoid business dealings with thick set, grey haired pony tailed, heavily tattooed foreigners.

30 years ..... you get less for murder. The UK is a country in decline.

I thought all those immigration "smart cars" were meant to have resolved the problem ....

You can't fix stupid.

I'm looking forward to the next aggressive van driver story. I know it will not take very long. Perhaps by Saturday.

Interestly, i just paid for an annual policy in the UK yesterday .... he is a section which is standard ...

Drug use would definately void insurance. Not sure about alchohol unless it was together with a forbidden activity such as driving ... which it was clearly not. Anyway, all just speculation until the facts are known.