Enzian

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.

Yep, we presume that a currency will gain strength with higher rates, and vice versa. But this is just one out of a set of proposals only. I'd like to follow this topic because my tgf has a loan on farmland with some kind of government bank set up to provide liquidity to farmers--I don't know the official name, should find out, though I've met a branch manager. The rate on her loan is currently 9.75%. She recently had to sign a new contract because she went through a period of non-performance and the principal rose (but they didn't try to foreclose on the security). This is probably too much personal information for a public forum, but if anyone has insights on these situations I'd appreciate comments. Thanks.

Sorry, I was not clear. I mean if you extrapolate the number of transfers by foreigners for the first quarter as reported in the article to a full year, you come up with 15K or somewhat more (assuming a constant rate of increase going on) purchases by foreigners this year for the entire country if I've done it right, which doesn't seem like enough. IF their data collection means anything.

Hope springs eternal. How do they "target" these unicorns? And what kind of "high quality... services" are they talking about? Thai education?

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.