soi3eddie

9 minutes ago, Heppinger said:

Have Thailand taken on such a debt with China? As I'm aware some countries have and can't repay.  How is the debt a trap? Are conditions not clearly defined within agreements? This term debt trap is a bit silly. Basically Countries ran by parasites are taking on Chinese debt and receiving small fortunes themselves service's of betrayal and treason to their own Countries.  When these countries can't pay that debt China receives Infrastructure and other goodies as payment.  Every ones happy.  This isn't a new concept why are you surprised about this?

Yes this is treason but the Thai people don't see it coming. How will they accept ownership of "state assets" by a foreign entity? For too long the Thai way of looking at debt is if you lend me money and I can't repay then you clearly have too much money and you have the problem. I'm sure that the Chinese will have clever agreements in place to prevent this and assume ownership of the assets. Wouldn't you? Doesn't make it right but shame on the leadership for allowing this to happen (if it does). I would be very cautious entering into any agreement risking sovereignty. As you are probably aware the Thais are very nationalistic.

11 hours ago, BritManToo said:

3 police on top of 1 guy ...... nobody wearing masks.

Tell me again how to do this social distancing?

 

Amazing England where the police 'bully boys' can crush innocent people walking in the park to the ground.

No masks = 3,500 new cases of Covid-19 on Friday.  After 8 weeks in lock-down why so many new cases?

11 minutes ago, Heppinger said:

If that were true then Thailand would have suffered similarly to Laos, Cambodia, Burma and Vietnam

11 minutes ago, Heppinger said:

If that were true then Thailand would have suffered similarly to Laos, Cambodia, Burma and Vietnam

11 minutes ago, Heppinger said:

If that were true then Thailand would have suffered similarly to Laos, Cambodia, Burma and Vietnam

You mis-quoted me I said: Do you really beleive that the current Thai leadership could negotiate their way out of a paper bag?

I'll add: Thailand is somewhat stronger than Laos and Cambodia but if Thailand is not careful there will be problems.

3 hours ago, JensenZ said:

You totally misunderstand the gold market. There is no such thing as cheap or expensive gold. It has a spot, universal global price. The gold dealer takes a commission, which in Thailand is extremely low. Under the current market volatility the price changes rapidly and the gold dealers in Thailand will change the price often throughout the day.

 

A lack of physical gold worldwide is causing more volatility than usual. Due to covid-19, mining operations around the world have been halted. You're lucky if you can buy gold bars in Thailand (I have not checked), because the premium on gold (the price you pay above the spot price) in other countries is sky high at present if you can find it. Even with the manufacture cost of Thai gold jewelry included, it's still a good buy and if you have spare cash, you should be buying as much as you can.

 

You should only sell gold now if you really need the cash. The price is not high at the moment and it's only just getting started. It hasn't even caught up with the September 2011 high of $1920 per ounce. It closed on Friday at $1742 (bid price).

I was in Central Plaza Ladprao today and saw gold bars at about 26,000 Baht. lowest price for Jewelry was 20,000 Baht. If OP bought for 19K then you done OK. Cash out now if you think things will get "better" in the economy. I would gamble with gold. Enjoy it for it's BLING value (I wish I could). 

21 hours ago, Heppinger said:

Yes China will be the manufacturing and distribution hub of the Belt and Road Initiative, an initiative most likely planned following the result of WW2 and an Initiative China had no hope in being a part of if not for assistance and financing. Their roll in the belt and road will not be of dominant military power.

I don't believe Thailand will fall into any great debt as i believe the Thais to be competent negotiators, unless of course Thaksin is reinstated. I don't know why Malaysia rejected Chinese investment, what was the offer of investment for? 

OK. It's nothing to do with military power. It's all about control. Investment and non-repayment, or default on debt, leads to control by the Chinese. Whether that's ports, roads, railways or natural reources (mines, farming, fishing etc.) that's their plan as has been witnessed in Africa and Sri Lanka and probably Laos and Myanmar. Malaysia could see it coming so politely declined the Chinese offer. Vietnam are no friends of China. What will the Thai "leadership" do? Do you really beleive that the current Thai leadership could negotiate their way out of a paper bag? Wake up and see what's happening! Buying the submarines is small fry by comparison. This link was researched only as a response to your reply - I knew the issue but not the full text until now. Thailand with it's daliance with China risks falling into a debt trap.

3 hours ago, Stadtler said:

What about Taiwan? I believe their numbers. Why aren't they on the good list?

Because they are already China (ROC - apparently) didn't you know that? (Irony). 

You're lucky not to be arrested for photography in the "john" department...

On 5/16/2020 at 2:11 PM, DaRoadrunner said:

Logic says it will be possible to fly OUT before anyone can fly IN.

 

Roadrunner is interested in Bangkok to Germany. Anyone got information? Danke!

Fewer and fewer farangs in LOS...

On 5/16/2020 at 1:18 PM, baansgr said:

I think Europeans in their countries prefer ole whitey tourists to Asians...pretty much same same....makes sense for Thailand to target their neighbours with a similar culture...xenaophobic, possibly but certainly sensible for business.

This could start a whole new thread "do whiteys in Asia prefer Europeans or Asians?"  

6 hours ago, Hayduke said:

 

China has bought Thailand.....China has paid for Thailand...China sets the rules for Thailand...and China can do as they please with Thailand.

 

 

 

But what about foreign ownership rules? Could be an issue in the future methinks...

Ask instead: Are the numbers reported by Thais believable?

4 hours ago, WillyPlatt said:

I expect Thailand to relax its restrictions a lot sooner than many of us thought possible.

 

The Thai authorities don't want dirty foreigners. Chinese coming are OK though...

22 hours ago, WillyPlatt said:

It is a start but i think the US and Europe will be allowed to come with visa on arrival Q4 2020.

All this depends on the virus being successfully suppressed worldwide.

I grow more optimistic by the day.

1st November 2020 I'll wager for farang tourists. It will be an injustice if the Chinese are allowed to arrive as tourists from July while other Marriage/Work/Retirement/Visa/Extension holders are barred from returning.

On 5/14/2020 at 6:54 AM, shackleton said:

I can imagine most people in western countries  will looking at getting back to work than thinking about holidays for this year anyway

Very few are going to have much disposable income even if they still have jobs. Let alone inclination to travel longhaul to Asia. For those that do still have cash, there is talk in UK about a desire for domestic vacation bookings with Xmas/New Year holiday rentals are mostly sold out already. Few will want to get on a plane for 12 hours.

On 5/13/2020 at 10:02 PM, tribalfusion001 said:

I can avoid them in the suburbs of BKK, but not at the airports clogging everything up. I had of group of 8 older Chinese women pushing past me at security and immigration last year at Suvarnbhumi, some of them had BO too.

Some years ago at Suvarnabhumi I was waiting for the everso slow lift (elevator) patiently in line with some Thais. As the lift arrived a Chinese woman just pushed past everyone and cut in front of us all. Unfortunately my loaded baggage cart has a "malfunction" and her legs got pinned to the glass wall. Ouch!

On 5/13/2020 at 9:17 PM, webfact said:

Most foreign nationals will not be allowed to enter Thailand for most of this year, though it is believed that Chinese tourists may be allowed into the country by July

This say's all as expected. Farangs should not expect to return until much later than the Chinese.

On 5/13/2020 at 9:17 PM, webfact said:

The tourism sector in Chonburi should return to normal by the second quarter of next year,” Teerin said.

second quarter of next year is beginning of low season. So yes, not much trade by then. Reality maybe November 2021 for a bounce IF Covid diminishes and/or a vaccine is found and effective...

18 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

this is new. one more month added until international incoming flights.  

@NCC1701AYes, it is a new "official" announcement. 

5 minutes ago, tribalfusion001 said:

They are still repatriating Thai's with 1000's waiting to come back, so safe to assume no international tourist flights for a while yet. Why would you repatriate your own citizens and quarantine them, then allow tourists back in the month after ie July. I think October is a maybe, but there won't be much left of the tourist resorts left open.

An agent at Thai contact centre did mention something about 27th October the last time (after 4 cancellations) they re-booked my Thai Airways flight. Who knows what the reality will be?

29 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

Opening Phuket airport or not has nothing to do with International flights.

@ThailandRyan only said "Unknown at this point when any international flights will evolve."

Who would want to go into Phuket anyway? Any repatriations would be better served from Bangkok anyhow. Phuket had a high number of infections so jusifiably should remain isolated. A shame for the residents there

This week I visited Baan Khun Por in Hua Hin twice. It's a huge open air food court with every type of food from Pizza to Ribs to Sushi to Indian to Thai food). Once to do take-away and second time for Moo Ka Ta dine in. Tables were spaced well at 50% of previous number. No live band blasting out loud music as usual, in fact no music at all just friendly converstation. The best part? Oh yes, the refreshment stands (sponsored by Chang beer) were serving. Now Chang is not my favourite but at 55 Baht for a large bottle it's OK. Served into a paper cup was fine. Very pleasant evening and no garrulous drunks to be seen or heard. Only Thai families, solo expats and couples. Now if only that place could be as pleasant as this always...

I noticed yesterday that THAI Airways have quietly been running TG916/TG917 quite frequently to/from LHR since 3rd May. I'm a bit pee'd off that THAI didn't advise me as they told me earliest from BKK to LHR was 1st July but no point in going back "home" to London anyway as F'all to do with no work. May as well be in LOS at least we do have more freedom here (compared to UK).

FWIW: Thai nationals should be able to access TG917 to return to Thailand - worth checking it out if anyone has spouses stuck in UK/Europe. Not sure how long THAI Airways intend to run these flights.

3 hours ago, muratremix said:

I used both of them last year. I don't like CGNAT in AIS, though their gaming packages comes with Dynamic IPv4. 3BB always give Dynamic ipv4 for me and they also provide ipv6 connectivity for a year if not more. It is also easier to connect a router of your choice to 3BB. For AIS, you have to ask them because they use a different system.

Ah yes. This reminds me that when I took out AIS they didn't give IPV4 and it was something I had to apply and pay extra for (I use remote CCTV for security monitoring).

Also, I now recall that when the AIS engineer came to install the ISP modem/router I quietly snapped a picture of the jobsheet which showed the required pasword for the connection. This was in case I needed to use my own router - which subsequently I did (I had read on TV that AIS don't give out the password). Not sure if the above currently applies but worth bearing in mind if moving to AIS and wishing to use your own router.