14 hours ago, Grouse said:

I think you will find AI, robotics and automation will do away with many many jobs including including "doers" particularly low level munchkins 

Well, the algorithms are a complete failure so far. They make more errors than a 3 year old.

AI is a long way from being a replacement for capable human employees.

Robots are a very long way from replacing many skilled manual work.

A robot plumber? Fantasy.

(Brexit stuff I will post separately.)

On 14/10/2017 at 5:12 PM, ilostmypassword said:

The Freemasons should be so lucky.

Lodges close as professionals shun Masons

HUNDREDS of Britain's masonic lodges are under threat of closure because of a drastic decline in membership.

Freemasonry, once seen as a prerequisite for business success or enhanced social status, is now being shunned by a new breed of professional which regards the order as eccentric and irrelevant. The society, known for its secrecy and unusual initiation rituals, is currently losing up to 6,000 members a year.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1347559/Lodges-close-as-professionals-shun-Masons.html

Masons, other service groups fight membership declines

In an effort to boost flagging membership across the USA, an increasing number of Masonic lodges, like other fraternal service groups, are abandoning secretive ways and inviting the public in to see what the organization is really all about.

There are fewer Masons today — by nearly a million — than there were in 1941 as the country came out of the Great Depression, says Richard Fletcher, executive secretary of the Masonic Service Association of North America. There are an estimated 3 million members worldwide and 1.5 million in the USA, he says, compared with more than 4 million members in the USA in 1959.

https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-01-31-masons31_ST_N.htm

 

Here are some grim statistics for the USA:

http://www.msana.com/msastats.asp

 

And men join the Women's Institute...

Masons are all on the golf field now swinging their bats.

What about all the new genders now recognised.

MGBGT lot will be demanding Gooly gooly whatsom, ging gang goo rights.

A good point but way over the top.

Fireworks are dangerous and need to be used with care of course. Thais seem to have little or no regard for safety and I gave up on Loy Kratong years ago for that reason.

Organized displays are now the norm in most safety conscious countries, and the cost of entry is far less for what you see than trying to do your own.

Oh, and North Korea has much bigger rockets that are far more lethal than anything in Thailand... certainly not just a hole in your shirt.

I don't like the "nanny" culture either.

However sometimes the idiots spoil it for the rest and it becomes necessary most unfortunately.

It is not as simple as that.

Getting rid of dunk drivers is one thing, but what about all the others that cannot drive to any degree of proficiency that you see every day.

And we are back to checkpoints, spot fines by any chance?

A couple of purples and on your way...

Probably the most illogical waste of money I have ever seen, even in Thailand.

These will be sweat boxes, and where will the smoke go, vented with extractor fans into the air.

Question: How many Chinese smokers can you get in a 120c telephone box?

A few small fenced off "Smoker's Rest" areas with a few concrete/wooden tables and benches under the trees and ample ash trays and bins for those having a beer too is what is needed.

I agree with other posts too, the beaches need waste bins and a cleaning service to rake the sand for broken glass and needles etc etc.

Never mind the sewage!!!

Also if tourists can see the jet-ski and parasailing lads puffing away they will just book a holiday elsewhere next time.

Once again a totally ill considered edict with no common sense or logic applied.

Amazing Thailand.

2 hours ago, aright said:

Thanks for that GT I think every thing you have said is reasonably balanced but the one thing it doesn't include is the EU's political and social problems, some of which are serious. I think it's fair to say it's unlikely the EU will fall apart as a result of it's economy but that's only true if they can resolve their problems with the basket cases, Greece, Italy, Portugal and to a lesser extent Spain.

The now effective leader of the opposition in France is an EU hating communist. The new young leader of Austria is reported to want as an ally a frighteningly resurgent far right party. The Czech elections have been complicated by a business leader who parallels Donald Trump. In Germany, an extreme Nationalist, far right wing party, the AfD , are now the third largest governing party. Marine le Pen is another right wing force in France  IMO it will be impossible for the EU to reconcile its divisions on immigration and self-government with these divisive, competing forces in their midst.

The EU Cabal backs Madrid in its fight with Catalonia albeit by standing back. I don't comment on the rights or wrongs of the situation What the Catalans want is up to them but what the non active EU demonstrates to me is  their non-democratic authoritarianism, their love of centralisation and a frightening fear of popular democracy (many Remainers on this forum have the same affliction). 

In short I think the demise of the EU will only be in small part as a result of the economy; in the main it will be as a result  of a lack of enlightenment and an elite, unelected, unaccountable, leadership who feel a moral superiority. This can of course change if they take a course in attitude readjustment.

Sorry, got you confused with "adamike" it seems.

I will book an eye test tomorrow.

13 minutes ago, adammike said:

I don't have to renounce my British citizenship the Brits and Irish are allowed dual nationalities. I would have voted remain and would vote labour if I could,my beef is with the Tories not the country that's why I want Brexit to fail to destroy them,if it takes the little Englanders and Ukip down with them even better. 

Thanks for clearing something up.

You're ID and another chap "aright" has got me confused a little.

You seem to have a psychotic hate for Tories, they sort out the economy after Labour spend, spend, spend.

Without them Labour would never have funds to promise utopia in their manifestos.

Cheers G

4 hours ago, Golden Triangle said:

If you have read this far then let me qualify the above by saying that I truly hope to be proved wrong, I want to see UK Plc boom, to shock the world and prove every naysayer (me included) that this was the best ever move made by the UK people.

You should have started the post with this comment...

19 minutes ago, aright said:

thanks for realising that much

You don't make it clear in anything I have read of yours that you are a committed Leaver, and certainly not in any recent replies you have made to me.

I will review your earlier comments, just in case I have replied to you by mistake when I intended to comment on someone else's post.

I am pleased to hear it decisively, and if I have misunderstood previous posts I am sorry and apologise. If that is the case I will go to Specsavers!

UK needs to get out.

21 hours ago, aright said:

You are wasting your time.

When asked to explain the pitfalls of leaving the EU the Remainers are full of noisy flatulence ;when asked to explain the advantages of staying in the EU you are confronted with the strain and silence of constipation.

You really don't understand what this is all about.

"The strain and silence of constipation" just about sums up the remoaners (apart form being loud about their refusal to except a democratic referendum), thanks for realising that much.

The UK has been exploited and generally ripped off by the EU for long enough. A long fart is about what it deserves.

Time you went to Specsavers if you can't see what is in plain sight.

Get the Irish passport, and renounce British citizenship ASAP.  That will allow you to live in both the UK and EU states without any problem.

Best wishes for the future.

21 minutes ago, adammike said:

<deleted> are you on? 36 tory MPs being investigated for sexual harassment etc according to the daily Telegraph, Weinstein has got nothing to do with Brexit but the shitstorm that's about to hit parliament hopefully mainly the Tories, along with Brexit is going to keep me entertained on these dark winter nights till I arrive in Thailand in January. It's a toss up wether Brexit or the sex will mess up the Tories biggely. Can't wait. 

And everything else I said?

Okay just ignore the rest...

Sex scandal in the US and the usual feminist lobby calling men "abusers and exploiters" we have heard for years.

Does anyone remember when women used their "womanly wiles" to take advantage of men to succeed, gain financial advantage or promotion?

Profumo case was different as it was national security at risk.

Have you got a reasonable, credible case to stay in the EU?

Most remoaners have reverted to "peace" in Europe.

That is complete rubbish, it has been Nato and the UN that has provided security and stability.

Coming to Thailand you will need a passport, and if you want to work or stay more than a month you will need a visa.

On 29/10/2017 at 3:52 PM, adammike said:

The UK tried to use the EU citizens in the UK as a bargaining chip or implied that they would directly after the referendum,the bad vibes have all come from the tory scum, and yes I would trust a labour government above this lot any time.A year or two ago it looked like you were stuck with the Tories for a generation or two it's not looking that way now.When the fallout from the Harvey Wienstein hits Westminster it has the potential to cause serious damage to both the main parties,I am stocking up on beer and crisps for when the Brexit/Wienstein shit hits the fan,it's gonna be fun watching from the sidelines. 

So, we should abandon the 1m people from Britain who live in the EU to whatever whim they decide. And the 3m EU nationals living in the UK should all be protected with full rights and benefits.

Fine, I just hope you renounce your UK citizenship when you become an Irish national, as if you don't you will be a hypocrite of the 1st degree.

Anyone with a passport will still be able to travel to the UK or EU countries. If you want to work or stay long term you will need a visa in future. That is all.

Quite what a Hollywood film producer has to do with this is baffling. I think you are getting seriously confused. Have you never heard of the casting couch?

Martin Clunes got it right the other day: "sleep your way to the top is not new, and little short of prostitution."

Dianne Abbot is about as bright as an unlit candle on a dark cloudy night.

Corbyn has been a Eurosceptic for 35 years. Was that a principle U-turn or not?

Many on the left want Brexit, as the EU actually runs against most socialist ideals, unless you count all the socialist dictatorships.

Borrow and spend again. Remember "no more boom and bust" from the idiot Brown.

Populist nonsense that ends up with the same mess every time, and the Tories trying to balance the books.

On 29/10/2017 at 3:25 PM, SheungWan said:

I certainly wouldn't trust Brexiteers who spouted silly nonsense.

And the remoaners that predicted a biblical catastrophe, you would  stick with them..?

Independence from bureaucratic, reckless, misguided expansionism, coupled with inept and ludicrous financial planning and immense waste has to be a logical move.

Controlling our own trade terms world wide and not subject to subsidising the 26 that don't contribute is a start. Shenzhen is a huge mistake in the days of terrorism too and the immigration policy is crazy and being rejected by many EU states.

Cut down on the weed Bill. You need to see beyond the smoke and mirrors of the last 40 years.

13 hours ago, dotpoom said:

There are plenty of AA meetings all over Thailand.

Hadn't you noticed there is a big anti booze lobby here?

1 hour ago, adammike said:

I may get an Irish passport because I live in the Netherlands,I will get all my grandmother's details copy of birth certificate my father's birth certificate etc,I would not trust any tory government ever to do the right thing, as for the provisional wing of the brexiters what could possibly go wrong. 

So you would trust a Labour government when all since 1945 have left office with the UK on the edge of total bankruptcy?

I hope you get the Irish passport, it will save you from having to get a marriage or retirement visa extension (or the new 5+5 year etc) and coming to live in sunny Thailand.

Or maybe that's what will happen to UK expats in the EU, visa extensions, 90 day reports and pay for medicare (over 60), thousands of Euros in the local bank etc.

If the EU don't come to an agreement for UK citizens in the EU then I see no reason why the 3 million EUers should get any different treatment.

On 25/10/2017 at 3:19 PM, SheungWan said:

France is flat broke: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/05/30/french-economy-track-best-year-growth-since-2011/

You should read the report to the end.

It is also based on an in house EU assessment body.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_France

Strange they pay almost nothing in net contributions to the EU.

12 minutes ago, SheungWan said:

Lost in a parallel universe of Brexiteer automatons.

Ha ha. Reality is the UK is leaving the EU, time you stopped dreaming Bill, it's not groundhog day where you can do it over and over until you get it right.

1 minute ago, SheungWan said:

Too many Brexiteers lost when it comes to economics, but then that is not their most important card.

Brexit is not just about economics, but trade will continue one way or another. The EU wants to continue selling the UK more than they buy. The UK has to look at selling some more to the world than it does already too.

The financial sector is coveted by the Germans and French, but it will not be easy for them to grab.

If you are a businessman, not a comedian, then you should be active, not submissive, passive or complacent in this environment.

On 25/10/2017 at 2:34 AM, tomacht8 said:

PM May lost in translation?

 

Barnier said Britain must accept the full economic and legal status quo in a transition period after it leaves the EU and should expect no tailor-made terms on trade in its future relationship.

 

Asked if that meant there could be “a specifically British model” along the lines of the “bespoke arrangements” May has referred to without giving detail, Barnier replied simply: “No.”

 

 

http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-barnier/no-bespoke-brexit-transition-means-status-quo-barnier-idUKKBN1CT19I

The attitude we always expected, the EU has little intention of a real negotiation in the same way it imposes laws by edict made by appointed presidents and commissioners etc.

Money is the key, as the EU will have to drastically cut the 2020 - 2025 budget without UK funding. The ex- soviet block are up in arms already, and if the money dries up they too will be voting Leave soon.

A "no deal option" must remain on the table, as WTO trade terms will do for an interim period of a few years.

We could rejoin Efta too of course.

On 25/10/2017 at 5:37 AM, SheungWan said:

That's right. You tell businesses how to run their businesses.

You lost me Bill. You think UK businesses should just sit and moan rather than get on and make positive plans?

Surely not.

On 24/10/2017 at 6:58 PM, Timbob said:

 

I took great delight in watching Huddersfield Town beat Man United on Saturday. Unless I'm mistaken that was a 3pm kick-off. Streamed perfectly on Bein Connect.

I watched Spurs beat Liverpool on Sunday which was much better.

On 25/10/2017 at 3:09 AM, Orac said:

 

It wasn’t a General Election so to compare referendum results to it is a gross distortion -should you want something similar which is in living memory the referendum in 1975 was a yes vote of just over 67%.

As for the Irish vote on the Lisbon Treaty, surely the “will of the people” should be the important factor there and to define the choice of the people of Ireland as “cheesy” is a tad revealing of your democratic principals.


Sent from my iPad using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

Cheesy? I didn't say cheesy?

The Irish were compelled to vote again (and get it right or the subsidies would stop).

The 1975 referendum returned a majority of 35% or about 9m votes of 25m cast (33m voted in 2016).

The question at the time was: "to remain in the Common Market  we joined in 1973", a supposed Free Trade Area and a far different beast than the EU is now and intends to become.

The comparison to a General Election is worthy, as it shows up the "1st past the post system" and provides a viewpoint as to how the major decisions are made in a democratic system hundreds of years in the making.

Winning a parliamentary seat by 2 votes in a constituency of 30,000 is hardly fair by your reasoning I suppose?

Either way, the majority rules.

So what happened to the new strict test?

"video and still pictures on Manager showed the clear Thai lettering on the back of the car that the driver was new and learning how to drive. "

The article says nothing about a learner's permit, just about the small writing on the back window.

I saw one today do a right turn and completely misjudge it and almost knock over several parked motorbikes in a marked parking area. Then reverse into the main road to complete the turn making traffic screech to a halt.

Completely hopeless, and lethally dangerous...

Briefly, I completely agree the police should start doing what they get paid for, not using their time and authority to make money by extortion. I have never gone through a red light (early yellow [amber] on a rare occasion), and drivers should be punished very severely.

However, the manual light control by the cops in the booths needs to be ended. I know how long the wait can be, and the junctions with a countdown clock are excellent, so let's get the computers working again and see the cops doing what they ought to.

10 hours ago, taipeir said:

I think most Irish citizens are plenty pleased as the Lisbon treaty had some changes introduced and they got vote again with minimal disruption to society.

Polls continualky show EU membership has strong support in Ireland (even in northern Ireland ).

 

They had time to chew the cud so to speak and see what a no to LIsbon vote really meant. They decided that it wasn't advantageous and with a few changes most were satisfied. After all theres a million and one other things to be concerned about.

 

There was none of the mess you see in the UK with all the waffle about 'the people have spoken' lark with a tiny majority and nobody knowing what the people actually want going forward .

 

 

 

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

 

 

 

The result was not a tiny minority, in General election terms it was the biggest majority in living memory.

Yes, they changed what was a European Constitution to the Lisbon Treaty, almost exactly the same content but with a new title and cover.