Srikcir

I have had credit cards sent directly to my Thailand address using courier service (ie., DHL) and typically charged $100 by the credit card company. As cards duration is 3-5 years, amortizing the cost monthly isn't a significant cost.

Prayut will run for re-election and these public "gifts" have made him popular.

Some private and state hospitals by my experience will accept payment from foreigners by foreign VISA and/or Mastercard. Then just pay those charges through foreign homeland bank payments. No foreign bank transfers to Thailand necessary.

"Wai" is a symbol of social inequality, a throwback to the days of the Kingdom of Siam. It doesn't belong in a modern democratic society, but then Thailand seems stuck in an undemocratic past in regard to its societal behavior. But I believe that the wai enables the Thai elite class to this day in a perceived societal hierarchy.

NASA NOAA has been using satellites combined with a fleet of planes from US Forest Service to pinpoint and track fires. I expect US ground firefighters also use their smart phones to access such data real time to know direction of attack or retreat fighting fires. But congrats to the team on Google expertise?

vs 2,500 Karen refugees cramped into a school compound. Any testing there?

The most effective government is an authoritarian one. Cleary with the military in control of the House with the ability to collapse a quorum and Senate, that's a very efficient government from a political aspect.

Digest ALL the options: Disband Thailand's rainmaker Air fleet, reduce carbon footprint and NO2 emissions. Reject Japan's gift of aged diesel-powered trains. Reduce ICE-powered traffic in major metro areas. Stop using Palm oil in electric power plants. Reduce fossil-fueled power plants. Allow electric power buy-back rates from individual and small business solar collection that is higher than utility avoided cost. Promote solar hot water systems. Add nuclear-powered plants that produce about the same amount of NO2 emissions as wind and 1/3rd as solar. Etc., etc.

Just did this week a foreign transfer to KB of 200k+, posted to savings account within 2 business days.

Becuse diesel-powered engines burn hotter than even gas-powered engines, it's NOx emissions is even higher. Thus, a higher carbon footprint, a polluter and higher level of greenhouse effect. At least a hybrid engine would cause less NOx emissions. Thought the government made a commitment to the UN to better deter climate change, ie., lower carbon footprint. But "free" seems to overrule science for this government.

Does that also have to come from a Thai healthcare insurance provider like the 40k and 400k coverage (which I have with LMG) in addition to my foreign healthcare insurance? I can otherwise can get such guarantee free from my foreign healthcare insurance that I regularly use at Bumrungrad Hospital and for reimbursement for medical services by state and private hospitals that don't accept foreign insurance but will accept foreign VISA and Master Card credit cards.

Flooded empty fields tend to flood other lowlands unless they're diked.

Somebody needs to tell Delta and Omicron.

I disagree. The military seems especially since the May 2014 coup, to have dominated the private sector either as a facilitator in contract awards to large corporations that appear to be pro-military, as military members as corporate BoD, government officials act8bg as paid advisors to private enterprises, and as dominant over SME's who need investment capital that must go through certain large corporations designated by the military government if they want government assistance. Furthermore, the military itself operates in part as a private enterprise with direct ownership of natural resource, certain private enterprises and as a lessor to private enterprises on military instalations. This article (whether or not intentional) deflects the former and current military government from continous economic failures since at least 2014.

One would think that Bangkok, the center of government, RTP and RTM, would rank at least in the top five for least corrupt government. But no mention of all provences rankings. If all things being equal in a statistical analysis of corruption in Phuket, consideration might be given that a little less than half of the total population are foreigners. So might the large presence of foreigners vs Thai population actually be a contributor towards less corruption as well?

If annual unemployment figures are taken at face value (which I personally believe to be substantially higher, ie., number of college students unable to find jobs, need for millions of migrant workers and skilled workforce), unemployment hit a LOW of 0.5% in 2013 during Yingluck's PTP regime. Thereafter, from 2014 (following PDRC shutdown of government and Prayut's subsequent military overthrow of the elected government in 2014 and Prayut's subsequent term as an "elected" PM, unemployment has steady INCREASED to what it is today. "Thailand Unemployment Rate, " www.tradindeconomics.com 10 years through 2021Q3. Social and income inequality has never been so high over that time span. Any minor improvement subsequent is almost irrelevant now to the nation's economic wellbeing.

Wipes out the Forest Conservation area. I thought Thailand was going Green.

If you're replying to my post, look at The Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index for 2020.

Au contraire. It is only with democracy that governance is not easy vs authoritarianism. But the truth be known: POTUS Biden didn't invite Thailand to his US Summit for Democracy (but did invite Taiwan).

Once PDRC leader Suthep passed his 2014 insurrection baton to NCPO Chief Prayut after PM Yinkluck refused Suthep to violate the Constitution by passing the government to the PDRC by means other than prescribed by the Constitution, it was the beginning of the "means to justify the end" - military overthrow. Prayut ceased to collaborate with the PDRC any further as ultimately signaled by Suthep and his PDRC cohorts arrest and conviction.

Add: 7 years in power (2014-current) without resolution of the Malay Muslim insurgency in the Southern provinces, following a decade of military opposition to allowing any resolution by elected governments. A major barrier to resolution: BRN wants the Thai government to apply the values of democracy that respects in part their Malay Muslim traditions, culture and governance. The problem is the Thai leadership doesn't itself seem fully invested in democracy for Thailand.

An issue forcibly resolved in Japan through defeat by democratic nations. And look where Japan stands today as a truly economically successful democratic monarchy.

Arresting, then listening is not respectful nor honorable. It's authoritarian.

No tips in department/grocery stores. No tips where service seems overpriced. As a returning customer, where there's a tip jar I might tip 20-40THB, electric repairs 10%, hair salon up to 50% that includes 1-2 people giving shampoos and hair stylist, taxis 20-40% depending on quick and reliable service. I don't tip street vendors. In home country 10-15% if no service charge included, department/grocery stores excluded, sales people on commission and where no tipping is posted.

The Thai Constitution would allow these protests. But the regime obviously sees itself as having extra-constitutional power having been previously power drunk with Article 44. Don't expect the Charter Court to rule any differently.