sandyf

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.

“There are some scarce products [in gaming] that we wanted bigger allocations of than anyone could provide and suddenly we’re getting them because the stuff that was heading towards the US is now available,” he said. https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2025/04/currys-boss-trump-tariffs/

Trump is a bully and that mentality does not see the opponent hitting back very hard. There are reoprts emerging that China has cancelled aircraft from Boeing. If true they would have had to see a positive outcome for such a move. Shares of Boeing fell Tuesday following a report that China has halted the delivery of all its jets to airlines in the country as part of an escalating trade war that has enveloped the world’s two biggest economies. https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/15/business/boeing-china-deliveries/index.html

There is a significant difference between someone having a TM30 and someone just arriving. Under what would have been normal circumstances the address would have already been notified to immigration on a TM6. One day there may well be a cross check on that. The needs of an individual shouldn't be confused with the responsibilities of others and it is not helpful for anyone to be advocating to ignore the law.

The US will block anything not in their interest, irrespective of the consequences. The most dangerous nation on the planet.

Yes the OA & OX but not run of the mill visas and not very popular due to the health requirements. The 12 month ME Non O hasn't been available in most countries for some time, so I say again, I am sure many will be interested in where you think they can be obtained. I will also say again, if you want to believe that a SE visa is still active after you enter, feel free.

You really should do the homework before making such ludicrous statements. You seem to forget that Bush conned Blair into taking the UK to war against the will of the population. Nothing more than a US face saving exercise where British forces were killed by US pilots, justice was never served and the US population should be hanging their heads in shame. Time all US forces packed their bags and went back to where they came from, world would be far better off.

Been on the table for a long time. The European project was a few votes from launching as a military project rather than an economic one. The idea of a common European force was revived in the 1990s as the European Union was formed, but the concept lost favor due to U.S. opposition and commitment to NATO. https://www.csis.org/analysis/why-its-time-reconsider-european-army#:~:text=Europe on paper has nearly,Europe collectively a military power.

Bit of an unhelpful answer. Following your suggestion it would then be necessary to provide a city in country of passport and a telephone number in country of passport; are you saying just make things up. I don't have a problem but there may well be those that do and possibly reluctant to be telling porkies. The paper TM6 did not ask this information, just an address in Thailand. It is a significant difference and could be awkward for those that renew visas in neighbouring countries. Time will tell, it always does.

When they had the paper TM6 there was often someone checking it had been filled in before being allowed to a desk. I can see the same thing happening, if you don't have the QR code, sent to one side to do it.