chilli42

In the period 1980-2000, Thailand had a golden opportunity to invest in its future. It even extended into the early years of the 2000’s. That opportunity has slipped away and may soon be out of reach. The problems are in lack of leadership/vision and greed/corruption. The manufacturing base is slipping away. Even in its agricultural products Thailand is losing ground. The general population does not see it and the leadership couldn’t care less as long as their pockets are full. It’s really tragic. The Thais are good people and capable of achieving so much more. They are marching backwards.

What a clever idea. Build it right on the border line that Thailand claims and watch the Cambodians blow it up.

The question you want to be asking is not why the Baht is strong but why the US dollar is so weak. There are a host of factors pressing the US dollar down mainly coming down to forward inflation and due to tariffs, heavier government spending due to BBB and loosening of restraints on the money supply. There is room for the US dollar to weaken further.

There is no surer way of becoming a global pariah than using chemical weapons. There is no way Thailand would risk that. This just falls into that category of accusations that stuck in the back of some people’s head like “Have you stopped beating your wife yet?” Thailand really has not managed the PR end of this conflict well. To me they were the very souls of restraint during this drama and they should be seeing kudos for that. That is not how it is working out … a pity really. They have shown themselves inept in managing PR.

Right. It’s not like Thailand was only trying to sell their goods to the USA. Bringing in new customers will cost Thailand.

I don’t know if AI is involved but that software the bank uses to verify your identity (look up, look down, look left etc) blocks everything.

Seems a bit excessive. I must be missing something.

Oh, OK now I understand. The blue, red and white lead one to immediately think of purple. If I was looking to “borrow” the brand equity of another airline I would be mighty tempted to copy Singapore Airlines. That said, I have always admired the aesthetics of Thai Airways livery (from a distance).

Then it just not poker. Might as well have called “Go Fish” a sport.

No money in this one for the boys in brown makes me doubt a robust response is likely

The thinking is so muddled here and all in support of protecting “special” (wealthy) pinterests. Have to wonder how Vietnam and Indonesia managed the 0% tariffs on US imports … both members of ASEAN. Thai’s abhor a level playing field.

Well I guess Pipat and Phumipat have well connected families with cash to spare.

I have lived in many countries over the years. Thailand was without a doubt the most welcoming and easy, not just to get by, but to thrive. If you can’t make it here on your own, it’s difficult to see how a book is going to help.

I don’t understand how this initiative is going to produce the projected benefits/results. I must be missing something. Wouldn’t Thai merchants and vendors prefer cash? Why is it good for tourists? Is cash and credit cards for larger purchases not simpler and more straight forward? There must be something I am missing here.

Actually if you have not been to Jaipur and Agra (Red Fort, Taj) then you have missed out on some of the best tourism site-seeing in Asia. Not for the dilettante traveler though. Mumbai of course is horrible in every level.