Chongalulu

They already have a severely damaged tourist industry. Are you suggesting they make travel even more difficult for the vast majority of tourists who will eschew travel here and exacerbate the problem?

Eight years actually!

Summed up by recognizing there’s a tacit agreement between Thais and the authorities in that they want to behave irresponsibly on the roads and the authorities,as it doesn’t impact them,leave them to it. It’s not simply fear of penalties in U.K. that stop drunk driving,it’s socially unacceptable.

He’s still complaining bitterly that the Norwegian wouldn’t turn on the meter despite repeated requests and is adamant he won’t pay! ????

I hope you didn’t use the shower. ????

To avoid unwelcome Trick or treaters callers I simply stuck a life size head shot photo of Jimmy Savile leering in his creepy way on the front window next to the front door… ????

Yet no mention of the fundamental requirement of education improvement ,in which the PISA educational tables show Thailand is seriously lacking in ?

Murder has to involve a direct intention to kill ,not just risk the possibility ,so no it can’t be murder,but certainly manslaughter and at the higher end given choosing to drink then drive is a known risk. In U.K. causing death by dangerous driving attracts a 14 year sentence so effectively close to the penalty for murder.

In which case "Biffin's bridge" seems to fit what you’re seeking..

Interesting,although that’s not so much greed,as stupidity…which also seems to be in the dna ???? !

The reality is Thailand sees its interests in simply mimicking the Chinese stance and there are few Thais with the global political awareness to challenge the government’s position.

I’m also offering to sell you a bridge over the river Thames,but I expect all you’ll do is moan… ????‍♂️

The PISA EDUCATIONAL TABLES show how poorly the system here performs ,which married to the social conditioning is a toxic mix. In retrospect I’ve never been more relieved that I took my 9 year old stepdaughter to U.K.,putting her in the state school system there (although in a very good area where I lived) . A levels in English and Maths and a first in business economics at a decent university led to a good job in E commerce. She has flourished ,though it is clear she’s considerably more intelligent than the average Thai . I shudder to think of what a waste it would have been had she remained here and wonder how many other bright kids have been blighted by the system. ????

Still sufficient remaining fingers to count her IQ…

Don’t know why showing a Ferrari,when it’s pickups and scooters 95% of the problem. It’s a strange/simple minded mentality when so many Heavy goods vehicles which can have no pretensions of performance are adorned with an array of comically oversized exhausts which are simply welded onto the end of the exhaust system. ????‍♂️

I think you’re overselling the all doom and gloom situation. Yes,there are economic pressures,but we’ve had economic crises before. The tourist industry in the likes of Spain hasn’t died to the extent of Thailand and of course the European winter is traditionally the time for Thailand to make hay . Of course ,in a depressed market one has to work harder and become more creative to entice customers ,but this is where Thailand has let itself down badly with a combination of arrogance,hubris and sheer incompetence coupled with no vision . The wrong people are in charge.

Apparently it's because the route does not raise enough revenue from high fare passengers in business class (not sure they had/have many first class cabins on their planes). After retiring all their 747s during the pandemic, BA are using more of their bigger planes on more profitable routes. Why isn't Bangkok as profitable to BA? Probably due to lack of high paying business travellers doing trade deals here in the Kingdom. Likely, not many "high quality" tourists too to pay for biz class. BA are set to review restarting the route at end of March 2023. The need for longer term route planning meant Thailand’s chaotic and ever changing entry rules effectively made it too volatile for BA to commit resources to the route when those could be directed towards more stable options. There was already pre pandemic a move to switch away from Bangkok evidenced by BA using Singapore as the hub for Australia routes which speaks to the arrogance of Thailand regarding making itself attractive to commercial airline operatives. That BA closed the door to reopening for the traditional Thai high season starting about now doesn’t bode well for the chances of them restarting in March (low season) . I don’t think it’ll be considered until at least November 2023. Generals are not good economic forecasters nor understand the principles for attracting foreign investment . Outside of tourism the structural investment in education and skills have traditionally fallen woefully short and a country that should have been well placed to take advantage of the West’s switch away from China will ,unlike Vietnam,miss out.

No, Action, Talk, Only. NATO You do understand NATO is a defence treaty… ? "An attack on one member is an attack on all"

Incompetent Truss government will be gone very soon,but the energy crisis pertains to all of Europe. Try getting petrol in France just now..

the 16kml was for a not particularly economical 3 litre truck which would easily be surpassed by a 2.2 litre diesel SUV to compare like with like.

The equivalent petrol Mazda CX-5 is similarly priced and the better diesel about 180k more as you’d expect and over the lifetime of the car will be more than recouped by fuel cost savings. The same saving principle applies to the hybrid even if you do replace the battery after 8-10years (2k US dollars so likely cheaper here and with reducing battery costs even less come that time). It’s generally accepted that the fuel savings of a hybrid will easily more than cover battery replacement cost. Resale value would also be greater for later more economical model versions

Basically a sound car if wanting something bigger than the Yaris/Jazz offerings. Obvious alternative is the Honda HRV hybrid which does look more stylish and is a newer design. I think you’ve been corrected on the economy stats. Both Toyota and Honda are very reliable so I’d simply chose based on your own preference and the deal available. Do avoid black in a hot climate though !

Replacing batteries is something of an unsubstantiated urban myth. Has the long running Prius had those issues? Sure,battery technology will improve- that’s normal- but the current Honda hybrids are way better in efficiency,economy and performance than a decade plus old technology petrol engine that hasn’t been used for several years in more discriminating markets. I don’t know what diesel you had - I suspect an old technology one? but take a current 2.2 litre turbo diesel (say Mazda) and it’ll be producing as much total horse power as your 2.4 petrol engine and more importantly ,WAY more torque for better drivability. Add in the better economy coupled with the unusual situation of diesel being much cheaper in Thailand and there’s a clear advantage.

Well yes,you’d expect a vehicle to be 'streets ahead' of one designed 14 years ago ! You should be using the bar of competing contemporary vehicles as your benchmark. Trucks and the Fortuner type SUVs on which they are based still use an unsophisticated ladder chassis and lack the IRS of a more sophisticated SUV like the Honda CRV which will consequently have much better handling and ride . Did you even know which yours has ?