Srikcir

It was public foreknowledge that Germany couldn't provide the engines to China prior to the purchase contract. But apparently the Thai PM thought the Germans could be convinced otherwise - which it wasn't. China was no doubt fully aware of the German/EU ban for sale to China for military use. But PM Prayut went ahead and executed the contract, apparently making a substantial downpayment. Even the new PM attempted to convince the German President to allow the sale to China and failed. Theoretically, for Thailand to recoup payments already made for the submarines if China refuses, Prayut would have to sue China in the WTO or Thai courts - that's not going to happen, especially when Chinese tourism to Thailand has been a major part of Thailand's economic recovery.

That option ended with the 2014 military coup. The 2023 appointment of a new PM who represented a minority publicly elected coalition with the consent of the military junta-appointed senate further entrenched Thailand-China trade and security position. The only walk the new government can take now is to "toe the line."

I have no issues with Windows through 10. Other than I do not use Defender. But will not transition to 11. I don't need that type of complexity and higher potential for s/w failures. I also use Skype that was purchased by M/S in hopes of eliminating a key competitor to its Team given the high approval Skype gets.

It might also want to reconsider its current dedollarization policy in favor of BRIC that will denigrate its trade with Western nations and their investment into Thailand. Frankly, given a decade plus of economic disaster, the Western nations might be better off letting Thailand tie itself to the Chinese economic policies.

Talk about it. Form a committee. ? "Will Japan end visa-free travel for Thais?" By Travel Weekly Asia Mar 14, 2024 https://www.travelweekly-asia.com/Destination-Travel/Will-Japan-end-visa-free-travel-for-Thais Rising Thai overstays prompt speculation on potential changes to visa-free travel policy with Japan. The number of Thais overstaying increased from 8,688 in 2021 to 9,549 in 2022, and further to 11,472 in 2023.

"The Effects of Cannabis Compared With Alcohol On Driving," 2010 May 1, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2722956/ chronic marijuana smokers are less susceptible to impairment from alcohol on some measures compared with nonsmokers or infrequent smokers. cannabis use may impair some driving skills (automatic functions such as tracking) at smoked doses as low as 6.25 mg (a third of a joint), but different skills (complex functions that require conscious control) are not impaired until higher doses, and cannabis users tend to compensate effectively for their deficits by driving more carefully. (my bold) there is no evidence that cannabis alone increases the risk of culpability for crashes, and may actually reduce risk I expect not a medical evaluation of the subject driver in causes of his accident short of intoxication but more likely a political narrative that aligns with the recent government reversed decision to restrain sale of cannabis.

yes yes All rice varieties and conditions will likely be uniquely identifiable and separable (ie., bags) as they are sold in Thailand. I expect rice purchases headed to Africa will be consolidated in as few shipments as possible to minimize shipping costs.

No. Under PM Prayut a substantial nonrefundable downpayment was made and contracted for annual payments for the balance. Those future annual payments cannot be terminated without breach of contract and not reviewable by Parliament. That's probably why PM Thavisin had offered to purchase frigates in place of the sub purchases with no adjustment in the current purchase terms. As I recall, the RTN rejected the substitution and apparently Thavisin complied. Note: you state "civilian leadership." That's inexact. The PTP coalition has made clear it will not make policies that might cause conflict with the RTM. The Thavisin government is in effect a coalition of a minority party and the military.

One has been in place for about two decades, some may have already retired without ever sailing on a Thailand submarine.

I guess China didn't appreciate PM Thavisin's recent economic approach with the US: "During the bilateral meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and the U.S Secretary of Commerce, both sides discussed the key economic policies and priorities, as well as ways to enhance Thai-U.S. economic partnership and expand trade and investment opportunities, particularly through promoting U.S. investment in Thailand’s priority sectors vital to future economic growth, such as clean energy, electric vehicles (EVs), green economy, digital infrastructure, and semiconductor industries." (my bold) "Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed U.S. Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. President’s Export Council to Thailand," 14 Mar 2024 https://www.mfa.go.th/en/content/ussoc-2?cate=5d5bcb4e15e39c306000683c So China doesn't appreciate Thailand doing USD trade and investment with the US. No doubt the US will not appreciate Thailand's economic backstab either. And this is just another example of Thavisin's overall awkward and ineffective international trade policies.

Remember an FBI Deputy attorney General Rosenstein suggested that POTUS Trump was so unstable that VPOTUS Pence and the Trump Cabinet consider using the amendment? "Talk of the 25th Amendment Underscores a Volatile Presidency," Sept. 2018 https://www.nytimes.com

In 2022 China had a 3% annual growth rate, down from about 8.5% for 2021 versus about 2.2% for 2020. Yuan has shown itself to be very volatile. As does the ruble, especially due to Western sanctions and disruption of oil refineries industry by Ukraine. Meanwhile the USD has shown itself a solid currency backed by a four year surging economy. The primary strength of BRIC currency is Russia and Saudi Arabia with their oil resources. However, energy only constitutes 15% of global trade with the US in 2023 producing 22% share of world total compared to 2nd and 3rd ranked Saudi Arabia and Russia respectfully. See full article "De-dollarization Dreams: Why the US Dollar Won't Bow Out," by Shaoyn Yuan, Sept. 13, 2023 https://thediplomat.com

"For the first time on record, cannabis has outpaced alcohol as the daily drug of choice for Americans. In 2022 there were 17.7 million people who reported using cannabis either every day or nearly every day, compared with 14.7 million who reported using alcohol with the same frequency" "Cannabis Tops Alcohol as Americans’ Daily Drug of Choice," May 23, 2024 https://www.nytimes.com

Thailand's polluted air should also be classified as a dangerous drug breathed by all ages.

You missed Thais.

Even worse Trump would only allow a Russian Translator to the meeting and no US stenographer to record his conversation.

Netanyahu and his conservation radical Jewish party will never agree. And in fact has been trying to pass legislation to take away from current Palestinians their Israeli citizenship.

Even in a one-party communist system, the public gets to vote. It just doesn't allow the public to select the candidates; the CP decides the best candidates, albeit by loyalty and usefulness to the party.

By lower speed that would allow a safe emergency stop without passenger whiplash.

Exactly where the Deep State wants it. Witness former junta and PM Leader Prayut's 12 Values: "Honesty, sacrifice, and patience, with positive attitude for the interest of the public," "Practicing filial piety towards parents, guardians, and teachers," "Seeking both direct and indirect knowledge and education," "Preservation of Thai traditions and culture" (Wikipedia) No mention of preparing Thais for meeting international challenges nor develop a progressive and free-thinking society. Thailand education system is a Hub of Uniform Obedience.

A bit of refresher in law. "Fasten up: Car seats for kids are now mandatory in Thailand," Aug. 19, 2023, https://www.nationthailand.com Children under six years old must be placed in car seats that have proper harnesses and have passed the safety standards of the Thai Industrial Standards Institute or the drivers of the vehicles they are in will face fines of up to 2,000 baht, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) have announced. rules apply to all private cars, pickups and minivans, but have not been extended to public vehicles, including buses or vans. Motorists who do not have a car seat are allowed to let children under six in their vehicle as long as three rules are followed: Children must be placed in the back seat of vehicles with more than four seats, or in the front passenger seat of pickup trucks, but never in the truck’s bed. Seat belts and harnesses must be fastened at the child’s waist. Drivers must travel at slow speeds in the leftmost lane of all roads and highways. The legal question this law and rules apply to tuk tuks? Literally I'd say "no" but the intent "maybe." Other than the tuk tuk driver had to be aware of the child riding in the back without any safety equipment and should have moderated his driving accordingly, ie., rule no. 4. But the parents are also negligent not to assure their child's safety, so simple as to hold the child securely.

He was the original progressive leader but his party has reverted back to aged conservative ultra-royalists. Since now being replaced by the progressive evidenced by the 2023 election - a YOUNG Move Forward Party leadership that has become a true alternative for the nation Going Forward.

Then paid back as a government loan (subsidies are not debt instruments) including a sovereign interest rate, ie., T-bill interest rate. But only to airlines currently operating at a profit.

"Fortress London: The New US Embassy and the Rise of Counter-Terror Urbanism" https://www.harvarddesignmagazine.org/articles/fortress-london-the-new-us-embassy-and-the-rise-of-counter-terror-urbanism/ US Congress ruled that all embassies must be set back from the street behind a 100-foot “seclusion zone,” and be built within a self-contained site of at least four and a half acres Hardly a pristine area that could use redevelopment, largely using funds from sale of previous US embassy property whose area was being developed into multi-million dollar housing. Already the area is building luxury apartments along this stretch of the river, in what is becoming a place of $45 million penthouses equipped with personal panic rooms. With the sale of Saarinen’s building to the property development arm of the Qatari royal family (which has hired David Chipperfield Architects to convert it into a luxury hotel), funds were used to acquire a former rail-yard site south of the river, close to Battersea Power Station.

And a voting system that doesn't recognize the sovereignty of the Thai People. None of the Senators will be selected nor elected by the Thai electorate.