Eric Loh

5 years ago, 2 tour boats sank off Phuket that left 47 Chinese tourists dead. Chinese tourists fell soon after over safety concern. A year later, the tourists are back in numbers. Mishaps happened everywhere in the world. It will not deter tourists that want to travel.

A land bridge alternative to a canal was proposed back in the 1990s. Gen Prayut also proposed the same initiative. So please tell who pull the strings.

According to news report, the deficit will be funded by budget allocation. The current budget allocated 8 B subsidy and the government is seeking to increase to 40B. https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40030694

Most mass transportation in Asia have to be heavily subsidized. Singapore MRTC and Malaysia LRT are some of the heavily subsidized transport system. Governments believed that offering low cost transportation is a public service and hugely help to reduce the noise and pollution problems. It also improve work productivity by ensuring workers get to work on time.

Welcoming to tourists you said. How so when the China tourists need valid visa to enter Cambodia and Laos. Indonesia allowed 30 days visa free for the Chinese same as Thailand.

You should study the facts of the case. She was sentenced in abstentia for malfeasance. She can appeal if you decide to come back. Get bail and stay out until his appeal is heard. Her case is actually less complicated than his brother.

Got to love Judge Engoron sense of humour after Trump Jr's presented a hour long slideshow with glossy photos of Trump's properties in his second hearing and to be told “I just gave you a whole morning of irrelevance.”

Central Banks tend to be conservative and risk averse so I am not suprise by their position. If standing still and hoping that the global economy will recover, then governing will be a breeze. Thailand will remain maintaining a mediocre GDP growth of 1-2% and with an aging population will probably become a under developed country and will left far behind by more dynamic countries like Vietnam and Indonesia growing at 5-7% annually.

The details of digital wallet scheme was announced on the 10th Nov. Only the purchase of consumer goods permitted within the district according to the citizen's ID card and can't be used for alcohol, tobbaco, debt payment, water, electricity, petrol and cant be exchange for cash. Borrowing from GSB bank and the latest news is the Ind & Agri Bank will involved. The loan will need to be approved by the Council of State and Parliamentary vote. Challenges will be whether they can get royal decree for the loan. May not pass that hurdle as loan is not deemed urgent as in the case of previous government's 1 trillion baht loan for covid recovery. It will impact the economy as it will generate a 3x spending multiplier and grow the economy by 5.9%. The risks are associated with financing such a big programme and whether the programme will generate the level of tax revenue that was expected. God cant help if the global economy don't recover well enough to benefit Thailand.

Still have to extra vigilant with your computer and laptop in conducting business. Personal experience with hacker copying data of my supplier, altering the message to divert payment to their banks. Fortunately scam avoided from due dilgence of my part.

I am sure you know what subvert mean. Trump has already subvert the authority system and the institution by denying a legitimate election. He subverted the rule of law numerous times. He should be hated not only by the Dems but also the voting public who booted him out of office and will again do the same in 2024.

Prayut government also has the same scheme called “ shop dee mee khuen” allowing people to deduct taxable income with local purchases. All Falang are entitled to this scheme if you pay tax. I used that scheme to reduce my personal taxable income.

Good points raised by you. Excessive external borrowings was major reason for the 1997 financial crisis. State Finance & Financial Discipline Committee’s framework limit Debt GDP ratio at 70%. 2022 saw the all time high of 60% debt GDP ratio based on the GDP of $495B. Debts due numerous covid measures to help the general public and SME. Pre covid GDP in 2019 was $543 B. 2024 GDP will most likely to be slightly better than 2019 due to launching of various stimulus packages. In the respect, debt GDP ratio may not reach 70%. The digital wallet borrowings will mostly from the 4 SFI banks and they are allowed 15-25% for single lending limit of capital funds.

Inflation unlikely if no supply constraint even if the digital wallet cause demand push. The total package is also small to creat inflation.

For someone not bothered, you sure make lots of comments mostly negative.

My comment relates to the original post about MPs being independent. You right that the election law allows sacked MPs 30 days to find new party. On a personal note, I doubt any party will take them. Rather bad connotations to take those tainted MPs who will probably lose their seats in next election. Likely by-election.

In a recent report by BofA previously known as Bank of America Merril Lynch, the Oct inflation marked the first year-on-year decline since August 2021 falling well below the consensus forecast of a 0.05% increase. This lower inflation figure signal the risk of deflation. Deflation due to weak comsumption will bolster the support for the need of the 10k digital wallet scheme.

Thailand Election law does not permit MP to retain his or her seat as an independent. The seat belongs to the party and they won their seats because of the party they represented.

All Thai governments have measures to help farmers. Come in different forms and called differently but basically centered around price pledging, insurance and loan. For Thai people, rice is not only regarded as a staple food and also an essential part of culture. Helping the farmers is a sacred duty of all Thai governments.

Impeachment does not even pass the smell test in the House and GOP senates echoed that sentiment. Their message to the House Maga folks “ stop the distraction and get back to work”. Maybe you should heed the GOP senate advice and stop distracting. https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4198517-senate-gop-says-house-lacks-evidence-for-impeachment/

Can't understand the minds of American voters. As David Axelrod said in a interview ön the one side, we have a guy who is not just a convicted felon, but convicted of trying to overturn the free and fair election, and seize the power of the presidency" and that Trump 2.0 is the equivalent of the Delta variant of democracy and 1,000 times more virulent than the first and harder to control; yet he may possible be the next President. Jesus weep for America.

Why soon and not tomorrow if you have the overwhelming evidence. It has been 9 months of abject failure tryng to find the evidence for impeachment and still unable to produce the hard evidence. Mike is blowing lots of hot air.

So much talents on the Dem side compare to the Maga GOP. Gov Gretchen Whitmer, Senator Cory Broker and Pete Buttigieg are possible replacement and can easily out debate any current GOP hopeful.

Question really is what is the state of mind of both going into the election still a year away. My bet is that Joe will still have his cognitive faculties and his campaigning will be the turning point while Trump's cognitive decline is already happening and will worsened as his legal problems mount and will have a disastrous election campaign and will not win.

Considering Japan budget deficit at around 4.5% and peer ASean country like Malaysia at 4.3% for 2024, Thailand's 2024 budget deficit of 3.6% is not alarming considering the need for fresh policies to stimulate a very sluggish economy weighed down by the dropping for exports and dwindling investor confidence. Q4 GDP likely to be lower than forecast. Thailand need to be pro-active with bold economic policies. Sitting still like the previous government will be more disastrous to the economy. I do agree that the 10k wallet scheme should be reviewed to a smaller budget and implement in stages over the full year. Still a lots of external geo-political risks to navigate next year.