Enzian

For once I tend to agree with the "experts", in the first article cited (except for their suggested optimism). The second article is just about stupid politics. Ending monopolies and price collusion, enacting higher lending requirements, teaching financial literacy in schools, looking for real ways to increase productivity the elite be damned, are all good ideas. And putting loan sharks in jail.

Another question. A friend is trying to tell me that we no longer get a separate email saying that our 90 day online report has been approved, that we get an email saying that it has been successfully received, and then we have to check the Status to see if and when it has been approved. Is there any truth to this? Thanks!

I submitted my online TM47 on Wednesday July 26 and later got the email that they had received my information successfully. A week later, nothing more so I went to the Immigration site to check the status. For that submission it said on the right clearly that it was Pending. But in the far right column headed Cancel there's a big red X for that line. I figure that I haven't heard anything for a week because the 6 day holiday is not over until tonight. But does anyone know what that big red X means? And can I still take my passport to a service like the Bumrungrad Business Office for a seven day grace period after the actual 90 day point has passed? Thanks!

Are the banks really "implementing stricter criteria" for car loans? To what degree and in what ways? That seems more important than the political angle; let's have some in depth explanations no matter how boring it may be to some people. It almost seems like some of the banks here issue loans knowing full well that some high % of borrowers are not going to perform for long. Why? What are they thinking? Unless the purported changes are substantial I don't see how the household debt trend is sustainable. And it's like the question about the US federal debt, which continues to puzzle some very smart people: how long can this go on, will it blow up, and what will that be like when and if it happens?

And put the armed forces firmly under civilian control, like any civilized country should. But TBH, I no longer care what happens as long as the baht starts falling again. A pox on all their houses.

Photos or it didn't happen (jk).

I'm close to a situation where a Thai woman borrowed money from a government agriculture bank to buy about 3 acres of land (which has potential for development), but the bank would not accept the purchased property as security. They insisted the security be her parents' twice as large parcel, partly because they view every loan as being essentially to an extended family unit, and so they will make only one loan current to any such identified unit. Her parents and siblings (considered heirs) had to all agree, and they did. Then she proceeded not to pay on the loan for 6 years! But the bank did not foreclose, they just kept tacking on principle til the face of the loan was 33% more than it had started. Now she's making sufficient payments again, and the bank is happy, but the family as well as she remain on the hook. Anything can happen. A strange country.

So my attempt at an online 90 day report, the 15 days starting tomorrow, may or may not get processed?

I'm sure there are many who agree with you, and there may be no right or wrong between us, just a matter of comfort level. I will say a big reason I'm set up like this is that my live-in TGF sees a lot of stories of scams on her phone and has influenced me; she probably also thinks that if I never get scammed then I will have no reason to ever suspect her. So: this way I have peace of mind, and a walk to the bank is just good exercise for an old retired guy. But it would be helpful if someone could point out a real flaw in my system; that's partly why I posted. Thanks, to you, and everyone.

I've said it before, I have a Thai bank account, but no credit or debit card and no app (had one then deleted it). Unless it's an inside job, the only way money can leave my account is if I appear in front of a teller with my passport and bankbook, even for a transfer which I never do (only cash if I want to give money to someone, and if they are far away I just don't do it, or I have my business partner in the US do it if it's legit, and he doublechecks my thinking). I do allow the bank to send me an instant SMS of any change plus or minus in my balance (also useful when I receive a transfer from the US). And I use an iPhone.

Life is a beach! Let's go! Serfs up!

One pariah having a "fruitful discussion" with another soon-to-be pariah.

Let's get right to the point and talk about putting the military firmly under civilian control for god's sake.

Something like this might work elsewhere (think Bud Light), but how can it possibly avoid the defamation laws here?

I concur and suggest the establishment does not care about any pain that a conflict might impose on the "lower orders", including hospitality businesspeople. They themselves are insulated.

This is new to me. So those (possibly Indian) fellows who hold watches in my face on the sidewalks of Sukhumvit several times a day, or from their motorbikes as they go past, are not completely wasting their time?

Those who are saddened that Polish jokes are now frowned upon and out of fashion (for good reason I'd say), will be heartened to learn that there is now a replacement country available that inspires clever inventions!

Couldn't he have kept some of his policy intentions to himself until he was settled in office? Assuming he was serious? I'm not saying he has been wrong, but that one thing has been a no-win and red cape to a red bull (no pun intended) with the large conservative elements of the country--even if his proposal is very mild in its extent.

I'm no expert, but it seems this is where the "agents" system becomes an even more serious issue. If I can use money to have an agent appear for me at Immigration and guarantee an outcome (I don't) then any criminal from around the world can do the same. What if these sort had to each appear in person in front of an officer and answer random questions while the officer searches the data base on the desktop computer? Does anyone talk about how the agent system helps bad guys hide, or are they all just there to look like they are doing something?

I do remember something about blocked intersections for months.

The Legal Status Network Foundation is clearly an NGO, and their website is fairly good. So it is not part of the Thai government, but tries to work with the government. Its Director says "Thailand does not lack political will", but it appears he is just being polite to the people in government he has to work with, or try to work with, since he also indicates that they are moving at a pace which makes a snail look speedy. It would be so great if the MFP would take up the issues this NGO is promoting.

"Discover the New You"? Sex change transition? Maybe the Thai government can give this as an option to spending time in the Bangkok Hilton (prison) for a drug offense.

More interesting would be how many child refugees from Burma--for whom return is almost out of the question--are currently not being given any opportunity to receive instruction in Thailand.

There seems to be some cultural belief that such obscene inequality and exploitation is what keeps harmony in the spheres, keeps chaos at bay, keeps everyone in a state of ecstatic oneness and belonging. If Thai people ever stop thinking this way, what might happen?

Even Erdogan seems to have given up on his crazy theory about how low rates can control inflation--after nearly ruining the country. We have to remember that this OP is about proposals; I honestly believe that they are not THIS crazy, but kind of hope I'm wrong for various reasons.