ronnie50

Here's some info in the link below on WISE from Forbes (UK edition). It also does a very basic/brief comparison with TOR-FX, XE.Com, and WISE. Both WISE and TOR-FX appear to be British operations (WISE HQ in London; TOR in Penzance). XE.com is Canadian (at least its HQ is in the Toronto area). I wonder if moving Sterling via WISE might be easier than with other currencies (and what if you don't use Kasikorn in Thailand, does that make any difference?) https://www.forbes.com/uk/advisor/money-transfer/wise-review/

Aside from the human tragedy, the 5,500 damaged buildings is the 5,500 pound gorilla in the room. Everything else is a distraction at this point. Names of condo and office buildings to be condemned/closed/demolished are not mentioned, even though they have already identified several. Can they not be mentioned due to media libel chill?

That was similar to my experience. As I only do it once a year or so, and as the traditional method worked well before and was actually less than Wise, I'll stick to traditional I guess. If I need to start doing regular transfers, Wise might be more convenient/logical. But I also see their reputation is starting to suffer. Might be just a few odd snafus, dunno, but anyway.. (edited to correct the name)

I only transfer money internationally to Thailand once a year. Do you think it's worth using Wise? The rate I got from my sending bank last year seemed quite good and no big extra charges there or here. I also don't like the idea of giving money to Wise to sit on... Is Wise only worthwhile if you need to make multiple transfers (e.g. like monthly or more frequently)?

Not according to the article - but who knows? 'Furthermore, Clause 13 stipulates that the contractor cannot evade responsibility by citing the presence of an inspection committee or project supervisors. In this case, the construction was overseen by the PKW Joint Venture as the project supervisor.'

Two immediate things jump out here. First, will the joint-contractor claim it's their 'employer's' fault' (effectively officials of the RTG), and accuse them in court of pressuring it into using sub-standard materials and changing building support specs for kickbacks? I'm not suggesting that happened and it would be a risky move for both Ital-Thai and Chinese government. Second, it will be interesting to find out who insured this project. Usually a standard exemption clause in many insurance policies is earthquakes and other 'acts of God'. I wonder if the RTG as owner or 'employer' is self-insured? For big projects that usually makes sense rather than paying public funds to a third-party private insurer. Remember the 'red shirts' accused of damaging Central World and who the insurer turned out to be? (though underwritten by foreigners - smart move).

And pills right? Why a 'bottle'? A bottle of Indian Kamagara pills? Maybe it's poor translation.

Never had a woman say that to me - always 'ka'. As someone said earlier, women say 'krap' to young boy children. They don't use 'pee' for age with young kids either. It's 'kwap' - song kwap, sam kwap, etc.

Post-earthquake, do you believe the BMA will honestly declare seriously damaged hi-rise offices/condos uninhabitable and order demolition?

Sure. He should just order another round - 'on the house' - the White House

Some years back, I remember reading a theory that America, already in decline from its best days, would need to let other regional powers rise. In other words, China would be the power influencing Asia-Pacific without any major challenges, the US would hold the power of influence over the Americas, Russia would also be a power allowed to do what it wants, and Europe would need to band together for their own good. It seems to me that Trump is putting that theory into practice. His threats to Canada, Panama and Greenland, seem to support this. And his relationship and attitude toward's Putin's aims seem pretty clear by now. Trump's position on China is not clear yet. He seems to be a bit hesitant there (maybe because of the US debt they could call in). Would Trump really go toe to toe with China if the latter invaded Taiwan? Maybe he'd hold back? Anyway, Trump could be in the early days of executing the regional power theory..

Dunno. A lot of this going around. Trump and Rogan appeal to the misguided numbskull patriots. Tate appeals to the incels and misogynists. Musk appeals to the uneducated losers who wish they were rich, but never will be. The internet - the once great innovation that would bring mankind together - is now just a bully pulpit. The louder and more profane one screams to get attention the more they get it seems. That's why it's proliferating with guys like this. So no, that's my answer.

Even the pricier places like the most well-known chain of Japanese restaurants is getting weird. Along with my food, I usually ordered an orange juice, already overpriced at 95 baht (price hasn't changed), and is always filled more with ice than orange juice. Anyway, that's not uncommon to have more ice than drink in many places, so for the last year I'd order the orange juice with no ice, and it would arrive in a half-sized glass at same price of 95 baht. No problem. However, this week, when I went to the same branch and ordered the same thing and got the half-sized glass with no ice, I got a surprise. When the bill came, I was charged MORE because I didn't want the ice. Same small glass - bill said "orange juice - no ice -100 baht" Okay, so it's only 5 baht more. But it's the principle - why would I pay more for the same amount of OJ but no ice? So I argued with the manager and she changed it back to 95 baht. She was really unhappy and complained to her staff about me. Whatever. TIT. I remember when I first moved to Thailand, a box of 12 Heineken at the supermarket was actually more expensive than buying 12 bottles individually. When I asked why, I was told it was because I was getting a box too..

As I posted earlier - a third hand story to me from an engineer - said bedrock is so far down in Bangkok, that engineering firms just guess how deep to drive/dig supporting columns in the soft Bangkok earth (some kind of depth-vs-height measurement). It's 3rd hand account and could be wrong.

Ch3 today is showing a recent (?) media launch of the construction of the new Thai government audit building after the external concrete infrastructure was complete. Big Chinese sign hanging from the top floors and a whole team of Chinese at the base and a banner. What is most interesting is the video shots from that time when the TV camera panned down into the clearly visible lower floors (mezanine levels I guess), and it became clear the main supporting structures were in the centre of the building - not the external four corners. They seemed quite close together. Hopefully the video will become more available to see more clearly. In any case, why is a Chinese company building an important Thai government building? The fast rail link can be adjacent to it.