chilli42

57 million people played like a fiddle again. I have to give it to Taksin he has been working devilishly hard the last 6 months getting things aligned and doling out favors and positions to bring this to pass.

I have no dog in this hunt but I wonder what upside Trump could obtain by debating the VP? She is a proven light weight … look what Tulsi Gabbard did to her in the last election debate, Kamala was destroyed. Every speaking opportunity Kamala has had since she has embarrassed herself. So if Trump trounces her in a debate that would be the expected outcome and he gains nothing. However if she unexpectedly gets in a few good licks the she gains a lot. I’m not a Trump fanboy but he is pragmatic. Finally, has anyone considered the possibility that the Dem elites pull the plug on Kamala at the Dem convention and replace her with a new option … Newsome, Whitmer etc? If I were Trump I would wait until the cards are in the table before I consider debating anyone.

There are things that serious countries can do that unserious countries can’t. Being a financial center is not for unserious countries like Thailand. The effort would be better put into education/language skills, streamlining banking regulations, etc. This would at least make things tolerable for the existing users.

Say what you will about Thailand, I have likely said it all myself, the people here are for the most part happy. It has nothing at all to do with their totally useless government. I find Thai’s ready with a smile, a laugh or “mai pen rai”. It’s what makes living in Thailand tolerable for me. Global survey or not, the Thai people are happy and good to be around.

This is sad. Radio is on its last legs everywhere. Such as it is, Radio works best when it is providing a highly local service of entertainment, news and editorial. I can’t think of a way to accelerate the demise of radio than this ill considered plan. The best service government can provide to the public is less government.

Might this characterization of the social media background noise be a bit exaggerated?

Yes, that was certainly my experience as well. Perhaps they have become more zealous in verifying that what’s inside is the same as what is claimed in the shipping document. Of course this only happened on 3 packages so far … maybe an outlier event.

Nonsense, of course it has started. UPS and DHL never charged for envelopes and/or items below 1,500. It started in January and it was confirmed to me in person by the friendly customs staff of the change in January as they collected their fees.

So far, in my experience, they are opening all packages … even A4 size envelopes.

Very timely reporting … this change to the law has been in effect since January. At first, all packages had to be picked up and duty/tax paid at customs or post office … depending on the shipment method. I made 3-4 trips to get my packages released and I am done with all importing. They were letting small packages (large envelopes) through until this month. Now even items with a $20 value are being assessed tax, duty and handling. As an example I had to pay $10 for tax, duty and handling to DHL for a $20 item. UPS and DHL have taken a bit of the pain out of this by allowing you to pay for tax and duty online before delivery. I travel a good deal so now I just have packages delivered to an address in the USA that I then bring back with me.

Can you imagine where this money would go once it’s collected? If you think it will be spent on improving infrastructure in anything but a token way with “friends” then you are mistaken.

With all respect to you … how long has it been since America was a democracy?

This is already well underway and is to include Japan, Korea, Philippines etc. The Empire is building its counter alliance to China/Russia. Good luck getting Thailand to commit to a military alliance that is a thinly veiled counter to China.

Riding scooters anywhere is a bad idea, they are high risk particularly if you are not an experienced rider. That said, insurance companies suck … and the lawyers that write those obtuse contracts.

I completely disagree … it’s the 5th best tourist destination in the world within 150 km of Bangkok.

I have been in Thailand 34 years and I still have not been able to work out why there is zero impulse control. Things just go from emotion to action with no filter. Is it the lack of consequences, a behavior based on what they see in TV, parenting issues …

Quick thinking lot on the beach. They diagnose the problem quickly, grab their handy vinegar bottles, do CPR and call 911. Poor girl would have been as dead as a Dodo if I had been in the case.

Bring it on!

I wonder what their definition of bad tourists is? That is quite a broad brush that would benefit from more focus. Also, if the are intending to enhance the tourist experience, they really need a good deal more effort in looking for the bad Thai’s and sorting them out.

Just in case there was even the slightest doubt that Thaksin was back in charge

Seriously? Do they think everyone is an idiot? He will be staying in quarters reserved for voting generals (lots of those in the Thai Army(

How many studies have to be published to confirm that face masks don’t stop the spread of any virus.

There are covert Chinese police stationed everywhere already … USA, Canada and Europe. The purpose is to keep a watchful eye on criminals and any Chinese national that thinks they can say what they like. If I were Chinese I would get no comfort or sense of safety from people spying on me.

Clearly their job is surveillance of Chinese nationals and reporting back to the mother ship. It’s a monumentally bad idea to give up your sovereignty like this. What is wrong with the xenophobic leaders of Thailand? Wonder if this decision was taken before or after the Chinese threatened Thailand on the matter of Taiwan media coverage?