sandyf

It wasn't as clear cut as many would want to make out. It wasn't until the early 60s that global dollar reserves reached the 50% mark. It was about the same time that the "Triffin Dilemma" came to light slowing down the rise of the USD and also confirming the inability of Sterling to maintain its position. The most definitive marker was probably Nixon in 1971. What was envisaged after the war and what transpired are not quite the same, the transition from Sterling to USD for various reasons was messy and drawn out.

What "system" are you talking about. The one that monitors arrivals/departures or the one that monitors the visa status of those in the Kingdom. Some aspects of the first were suspended and being reintroduced. Immigration has never stopped stamping passports on entry.

You looked in the wrong place, Sterling was still the reserve currency until into the 70s. I remember the start of it's demise, in 1967 Harold Wilson devalued the pound to $2.40, making the UK and the US penny at par. In those days there were 240 pennies in a pound. Although a rapid global switch to the USD was widely predicted after 1945, the end of sterling's reserve role was prolonged until the late 1970s by the structure of the international monetary system and collective global interest in its continuation so that the retirement of sterling as a reserve currency was achieved through negotiated management among the developed and developing world. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229048743_The_Retirement_of_Sterling_as_a_Reserve_Currency_after_1945_Lessons_for_the_US_Dollar#:~:text=Although a rapid global switch,a reserve currency was achieved

The USD is not mandatory in bilateral agreements although it can be the currency of choice. Many Asean countries have bilateral agreements in local currency, as well as countries like Chinal,India, Russia etc. "Everything is priced in USD," is the nonsense.

You didn't say if he passed through Cambodian immigration or not, assuming not. When I used to go to the border every 3 months some moons ago it was to both Ban Laem and Ban Pakard. Can't quite remember which one had a toilet in among the trees of "no man's land", think intended for immigration staff but was used by people from both sides of the border. From what I saw wouldn't have been too difficult for someone to get across if they were that way inclined.

You will enter on the new passport, an old passprt can only be used to prevent a visa exempt stamp.

There is a saying about clouds and silver linings. Although it should never have happened and extremely tragic for the loss of life, it is much better it was destroyed under construction than later, when fully operational with possibly thousands of people inside and in the immediate area. Indications so far would indicate only a matter of time.

A lack of standards has bothered people since time started.

It is all about standards, but you would need to understand what that means.

Dress it any way you want, the "result" is not what was wanted. The referendum was a farce, based on the UK's fixation with a 50/50 benchmark. No other country in the world holds a referendum on that basis. There has only ever been 3 National referendums and there never be another one without significant change. A fractional majority got what they voted for and everyone has to live with mess it created.

The Chinese look to the long term, the route planned has much greater potential as a trade route. When I was in Luang Prabang there was regular services between there and Hanoi. South Vietnam and Cambodia are within fairly easy reach of Bangkok. Whole situation will be completely different by the end of the century.

Not unusual, the UKs High Speed Rail took about 10 years to get construction started. It is not until approval is granted the real problems come to light, unfortunately time does not stand still during the proposal stages. The 3 airport HSR is a classic example, land no longer available so tunnel required, another project!!

The majority of the UK doesn't like the result.

Indeed. The devil(s) will be lurking in the detail. Britain must allow US chlorine-washed chicken into UK markets if it wants relief from sweeping tariffs, Donald Trump has indicated. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/trump-tariffs-chlorinated-chicken-uk-b2726709.html In general, you are over seven times more likely to get food poisoning in the US than in the UK, according to data from the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/chlorinated-chicken-bad-trump-us-uk-supermarkets-b2727317.html

Not really surprising. The Thais did not want the Chinese to have full control and they cannot afford to do it alone. Delays mean prices go up and questions get asked. Of course they could take a leaf out of the UK manual and cancel part of it. I would think it better to be built slowly than not at all. After all, we all benefit from projects started a long time ago. It was 200 years ago this year the first passengers went on a public railway.

You heard wrong.

Para 4.2

Quite. I would like to see the platforms at Bang Sue go into use but they are quite a distance from the MRT and may be a walk too far.

You have combined two sections, one has been approved and should be complete in about 20 years. The real problem is the section crossing the river. As far as I am aware there is not even a proposal on the table and the longer it goes on the more difficult that becomes and consequently more expensive. The 3 airports has stalled as land aquisition was no longer available and a tunnel required,a cost increase that could be fatal to the project. A great deal will depend on whether the Chinese make an intervention or not.

That is not true. Trump was insisting on the US version of ISDS, Inter State Disput Settlement, and the EU wouldn't accept it, they wanted it amending. The US version of ISDS can allow US companies to interfere with other countries domestic legislation that doen't suit the US agenda. Vance is already telling the UK to change it's laws if it wants a deal. He has previously suggested that free speech is being undermined by laws banning hateful comments, including abuse targeting LGBT+ groups or other minorities, and sees UK legislation aimed at improving online safety as an attack on US tech giants. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/trump-free-speech-trade-deal-online-safety-b2734397.html

Apologies if it went over your head. The saying is "beware of Greeks bearing gifts", a reference to the Trojan Horse. Deals made by Trump will be a "Trojan Horse". They are already telling the UK they must change their laws to secure a deal, the hidden penalties will be even more unpalatable, chlorinated chicken? etc.

The first section out of Bangkok to Korat should be operational in a couple of years. The platforms are ready at Bang Sue station but closed off the moment. The second section to Nong Khai has only recently been approved with a start expected in 2031. The third section Nong Khai to Vientiane is yet to be approved. The project, Kunming to Singapore, was originally due completion by 2040 but estimates now are around 15 - 20 years late. Thailand probably the main holdup.

The picture is false. The Laos section has been operational for a couple of years and quite superb. Thailand has been dragging it's feet particularly with the Mekong crossing at Nong Khai. The railway ends at Vientiane South cargo station. The Boten–Vientiane railway is an integral section of the central line on the Kunming–Singapore railway,[10] and was constructed as part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).[11][12] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boten–Vientiane_railway

There is a saying based on a wooden horse. "The concerns have been raised after sources close to the Trump administration claimed vice-president JD Vance wants the UK to repeal hate speech laws and ditch plans for a new online safety law in exchange for a trade deal that could see the UK avoid tariffs." https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/trump-free-speech-trade-deal-online-safety-b2734397.html?lid=7g2u8hk0ed8c&utm_medium=email&utm_source=braze&utm_campaign=Morning Headlines Newsletter 17-04-2025&utm_term=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP&empar=3ecb0a14961159ae2d4bc396450ec9796a1489f400e007e352cda343bc7b577c

One can only hope that it is none, any that have signed have been conned. From the AI. TTIP and ISDS: The proposed TTIP between the US and EU sparked a debate about ISDS, with the EU initially proposing a permanent investment court and the US advocating for ISDS, which has been a common feature in many trade agreements. EU's perspective: The EU, while supporting ISDS in general, expressed concerns about its potential impact on the ability of governments to regulate in the public interest and sought to reform the system, potentially through a permanent investment court. US's perspective: The US viewed ISDS as vital for protecting investors' rights and the enforceability of trade agreements. Negotiation Status: The TTIP negotiations, which were ongoing for several years, ultimately ended without a finalized agreement, including a resolution on ISDS. Current Status: There is no formal trade agreement between the US and EU that includes ISDS.