1duckyboy

I think marionette is a more appropriate term, with papa pulling the strings.

Does this mean no submarine?

Comparing the cost of something over 100 years ago to the cost now is nonsensical. Here's what Google AI's "drivel" says about the cost of transiting the Panama Canal in the last 10 years. "The cost to pass through the Panama Canal has changed significantly in the last ten years, with the average cost of transiting the canal increasing to $900,000 since the canal's expansion: Tolls Tolls are based on a ship's type, tonnage, and payload, with larger ships paying more. For example, Panamax containerships can pay up to half a million dollars in tolls. Auction fees Auction fees can double the cost of using the canal, and in 2023 reached as much as $4 million per passage. Drought A drought has halved the number of daily slots available through the canal, forcing shippers to pay more to get their cargoes through. The Panama Canal Expansion project, which was completed in 2016, tripled the canal's capacity. The canal authority is planning to create a new reservoir to supply enough extra water to handle an additional 12 to 15 passages a day."

Due to the low water levels supplying the Panama Canal, the number of ships passing through it has been forced to dramatically decrease, sometimes leaving ships waiting weeks in line to use it. Panama has taken advantage of the situation and raised passage fees to astronomical levels for everyone, not just U.S. ships. There's now an unofficial bidding war among waiting ships to get through the canal.

"Adith Chairattananon, the honorary secretary-general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, highlighted that Japan’s cities, both major and secondary, offer better facilities for independent tourists. These include excellent rail connectivity, safety, cleanliness, and an array of attractions." Thailand has a long way to go if it wants to compete with Japan for mainstream tourists. Thailand's narrow gauge railroads vs Japan's high speed trains are no contest. No comment on safety and cleanliness. 🤣

You forgot the Catholic church, which demonizes birth control. The Philippines is an example of over-population with a high poverty level in a predominantly Catholic country. The opiate of the masses.

They weren't arguing, they were merely haggling over price.

I thought the legal proceedings were over and it was incarceration time. Thailand is different.

"This year's efforts saw the DBD scrutinising 26,019 juristic persons across sectors like tourism and logistics. Out of these, 498 were thoroughly investigated. While 371 were cleared, 64 faced charges over accounting issues and 63 remain under further investigation, with four companies suspected of acting as nominees." What a silly game. This year 26,019 juristic persons scrutinized, 498 were investigated, 64 face accounting charges and a total of four companies "suspected" as nominees with no nominees found to be used by foreign enterprises. Looks like the crackdown is a success. Now on to the of crackdowns on prostitution and taxi mafia.

How does the taxi not be charged with assault with a deadly weapon resulting in injury?

"Cracks Down On Foreigners Using Thai Nominees", of course no mention of cracking down on Thai nominees.

What of the driver?

Pattaya Beach Becomes Littered With Debris, Threatening Its World-Class Image", just don't dare go in the water.

Wonder what it would be without the rains.

What about signs saying, "Parking for Customers Only" in front of a shop?