Enzian

This seems to say that the number of purchases ("transfers") by non-citizens increased year-over-year in the first quarter, but the average price per unit fell. I'm renting an 80 sq meter condo near Nana bts that the owner (Asian, but not Chinese) wants to sell at 6.5 mil baht, no takers, doesn't want to lower his asking. I'm not worried I'll have to move. Domestic buyers are holding off probably because of already high household debt, and these ongoing attempts to get top dollar by owners who don't have to sell. Finally, a rate of around 15,000/year (though probably somewhat more), doesn't seem like very many.

The junta in Burma hopes not.

Yeah, I moved $5K at 34 last month, repeating to my contact sender "We can't time the market, all we can do is guess." Truer words never spoken...

Still having my California general contractor's license (on inactive) I will point out that with earthquakes it's not bulk or size that matters but rather sheer value, what happens when a structure is subjected to extreme sideways lateral forces. I hope Bangkok never finds out.

"buildings constructed prior to the 2007 building code revision". Great. One I'm in was put up in 2006. But tallest part is only 18 floors, I think my part is less.

I doubt it. In these situations, like in the border camps, they are usually fenced in, with a guard post for going in and out. Having them wander loose into the general population is one of the least things this caretaker government wants to see. It's crazy. When I was in that town last year we were told not to go wandering down by the river because the Burmese soldiers like to take pot shots at anyone in sight on the other side.

When I tell the ladies I can't afford that much they don't seem gullible at all.

A little extreme perhaps but raises the point imo that while Pita may seem to be our best hope for an escape from the headlock of the establishment, there are probably things about him and his clan that will seem highly problematic if he ever arrives at his goal. And while a 2% central bank rate is obviously low, at least anecdotally I don't see inflation taking off here the same as some other places.

Aren't they supposed to say "allegedly killed two men" etc.; are the rules different here (he hasn't had a trial), or just sloppy writing? In the next paragraph they refer to him as the suspect.

Taking the long view it's obvious that the electorate's dissatisfaction with the (mainly military) establishment, their distancing of themselves from it's history and implications, is not going away, and that all this intrigue will just drive them further away. The future is not on the side of the establishment. No one knows haw this will end, but imo Pita has solid grounds to argue that he sincerely had reason to think the shares to be a non-issue.

I can't edit my post above regarding the Burmese refugee camps, but a farang monk friend of mine who knows more than I says he's sure there are a number of Thai government schools in the camps, but implying that they are not universal. There might be something about schools on The Border Consortium website but with a quick look I didn't see anything.

He's THE Minister of Education, and he's saying this? Does he have any power? Any initiative? So where has he been for the past several years regarding the children of the Burmese refugees living in the camps on the Thai side of the border? I've been to the camps a couple of times and as far as I know there is no Thai government sponsored primary education provided there--all I've seen are volunteers; and, I should add, missionary organizations. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Almost seems like Pita would be happy to start a civil war. Of some shape or description. Which might be what it will come to with this kind of jumping in. Or how it will end up in any case.

Pick your battles. How important is this in the larger picture of everything going on? We may have a popularly elected reform party that is not even allowed to take position and express the will of the people, it's all up in the air.

After the international community resolves that little problem going on in Burma.

It takes two to tango. Aren't a great many scams successful because of the greed of the victim? Combined with a certain ignorance? Though even in the US it's possible to have cases of fraud and corruption in otherwise reliable institutions (like a title insurance company, but rare). But these continuing scam cases here in LOS seem to be by far largely the former.

I think he means Burma's dictatorship does not threaten Thailand, but that's questionable in all sorts of ways. I doubt any country wants a failed state next door, and Burma is getting close. Further, the crimes against humanity are egregious, and the "international community" doesn't know what to do, and Asean doesn't know what to do. The solution may have to come from within, but like Ukraine, those within resisting will need help. Is Thailand helping?

Saw at the FCCT last night an hr long film about resistance fighters in Burma gun running arms to other fighters in Chin state, places where the junta's armies currently are shut out. They are using worn out motorbikes with the weapons strapped on the back in bags, some of those weapons being bolt action 30-06, at least it's something. People in the film tell stories about houses being burned, civilians and livestock shot. But they are determined; they're not giving up.

How about a Thai imitation of single malt Scotch whisky the way the Indians and Japanese have done, thus avoiding the import and much of the luxury taxes? There is a close one on the market now, but a blend, of imported Scotch malt and grain spirits from rice (not sure from where) that sells itself as being in the Japanese mode, but since it says Product of Thailand on the back it's far cheaper than one would expect. I agree, it's a matter of quality not quantity at a reasonable average global price. I saw a bottle of Italian Primitivo last night for 800 baht, that I could probably buy in Puglia for 5 or 6 euros. Shipping can't account for that.

Wait, this writer KNOWS who will be the next PM? I need his crystal ball, for a lot of things. As far as the classification goes, obviously there will be some major compromises made, or as I will predict, an outright looking the other way.

IMO this is the big question here which deserves more attention, the only question being is it really the "most" sold here or 50% or what (and a minor point whether the growers are mostly Mex or CA natives). If there is truth to this point of view, then that should be easy pickings for Chuwit, and why hasn't he done it yet? (My US home is CA, and I know something about this business there.)

I overstayed one day, one time in my first year or two, when I thought two brief half days might equal one day lol. Officer who caught it quickly walked to his next up, she scribbled her signature on I don't know what, I was on my way, no fine, nothing in my passport, no consequence then or later.

Would someone just wake me up when this is all over? I have a personal policy of not wasting time on news items about what "might" happen or "may" happen, and the past few days have been almost nothing but that. It's been an education, but I'm not a citizen. I should be interested only if one of the parties proposes to reform and rationalize Immigration.

If I left the country before my recent stay (after a successful online 90 day report) reached 90 days, and returned, and now I get a notice to report as though I had not left in time before that 90 days were up--do I just ignore the notice? Thanks!

I have to wonder why good people (if there are any) even want to participate in this charade? Do what Epicurus said, retire to a quiet place and live a moderate satisfying life. Why fight such a rigged system? It will just be the same thing over and over.