Presnock

42 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

Lowering reserves means more money to invest to increase profits.  Everything is fine until the economy takes a dive and investments go south.

oh you mean like today in the US?

2 hours ago, Hawaiian said:

What happens when the grandmas and grandpas can't pay their bills and turn to their children and grandchildren for survival?  There are more guns in America than people and they are not all owned  by young people.

Yeah remember, 30 percent of govt workers who are being terminated too are military veterans!  cut medicade and military vets suffering from agent orange and receiving medicade benefits aren't so in love with Trump anyway.   The current military are watching how the vets are being treated too so when told to go in harms way, some may not do so IMHO.  I too am a vet and I know how I feel about the number one draft dodger.

48 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

No. I have been visiting 3rd world, and poorer countries since I was 17. So, I accept the fact that this world has alot of poverty. 

 

648 million people in the world, about eight percent of the global population, live in extreme poverty, which means they subsist on less than US$2.15 per day.

 

Almost a quarter of the global population, 23 percent, lived below the US$3.65 poverty line, and almost half, 47 percent, lived below the US$6.85 poverty line, as reported in the 2022 Poverty and Shared Prosperity report. This also means that the global median income (US$7.60 per person per day) is very close to the UMIC line.

 

Global inequality is growing, with half the world’s wealth now in the hands of just 1% of the population, according to a new report.

 

About 3.4 bn people – just over 70% of the global adult population – have wealth of less than $10,000. 

yeah I had the opportunity to live for a while in a couple of African countries - in one, within the capital had citizens living in mud huts and the women/kids would walk many kilometers every morning to get water for that day for their family.  In the other, while I was jogging , I noticed hundreds of local paper money, along the sidewalks and side of the roads, some burned or scorched others whole.  I asked about that and was told that the value of that paper money meant that it was better used for heating during the night by burning it by the homeless.  Inside the capital was an enclave of some 25K people with no electricity, water, food, safety!  It did though have quite an odor.  Several times while jogging early AM, a guard might fire his pistol over my head and ask what was I running from?  Neither city was a pleasant place for a western family for sure.  For most of my generation in the US, life has been pretty nice and comfortable but now the younger generations are definitely suffering for the most part with no relief in site, and I guess that is why they climbed on the Trump wagon thinking that he would share his wealth with them.  Are they in for a rude awakening IMHO.

3 minutes ago, jas007 said:

Anyone who has ever worked for the government will tell you, if they're being honest, that most of the work is done by about 20% of the people.  30% more sort of work, and the other 50% could be gone tomorrow and no one would ever notice the difference. The question is: how to identify the people that are worthless?  Currently, they're protected by unions and civil service regulations.  So it's not so simple.  And yet some balked at having to reply to an email questioning what they did last week. 

I can remember a program about 40 years ago that was started in an agency of the US - they worked with EEO and other offices to come up with 10 different categories of negative work traits and decided that one would need to meet at least 3 before being terminated.  The first ten candidates meeting that criteria were ID'd, then the EEO said it wouldn't work as all ten were black so that program was terminated.  I was a civil servent for 40 years and in my particular office I met very very few that were not working diligently almost all the time.  When I became a manager/worker, all my people worked ALL the time or soon departed from my office.  BUT, I rewarded the strongest workers and as all employees noted that they all began doing extra and people lined up to come work in my office as it was one of the best producers but not always the top as competition and pride of accomplishment zoomed.  Job satisfaction and recognition by seniors made folks stronger!

1 hour ago, jas007 said:

Of course it's about the "value" of the dollar.  People aren't totally stupid.  But even you must admit, if you're honest, that the "value" of the dollar has decreased over time.  Nothing goes in a straight line, but that's the unmistakeable trend.  In recent memory, depending on how old people are, I'm sure there are people here who remember the America they grew up in.  The Post-WWII America and the great middle class that once was but that has now mostly disappeared, thanks to the politicians, the debt based banking system, and the Fed.  Before long, they'll own it all. That's the plan.  "You'll own nothing and you'll be happy."  Was that Klaus Schwab at the WEF? 

 

In the Post WWII US economy, A single man could graduate from high school, find a factory job in one day, and with the pay from that one job, buy a house in the suburbs, buy a car for the family, support a wife and a couple of kids, send those kids to college, and have money left over to save for retirement.  Try telling that to a kid today.  ""Work hard kid. Get a Job in a factory, save your money, and you too can live the American Dream." 

 

And yet there are problems with that scenario, no?  The factory jobs have largely disappeared. Saving money is a fools game because of inflation, and even if such a job could be found, it wouldn't pay enough to support a wife and a few kids, the kids could not afford to go to school, and, if they did get an education, they wouldn't be able to find a job when they graduated, and if they did find jobs, those jobs would pay peanuts.  

 

What happened to the value of the dollar? 

Look at England - every 45 minutes of the year 2024 a rich England family relocated to a non-tax country in the midedle east as the economy in Engl;and is like the US, the younger generations have lost out due to being educated for yesteryear's economy so can't find a job to enable them to buy a house nor raise a family comfortably.  Just like the US is becoming today too!

21 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

He is barely a white man. His obsession with tanning creams or tanning booths gives him an orange hue. Also, he wears alot of makeup, so that might contribute to his odd skin color. A white man cannot be called a racist for calling another white man with orange skin the orange man. Perhaps your high level of sensitivity towards criticism of your boy is showing? 

Actually what is different from Trump and Kennedy wearing their orange makeup and some white guy wearing a blackface for Holloween or some play in college?

13 hours ago, cdemundo said:

He wears clown makeup, complete with the makeup gap at the hairline that clowns have.

Not the same as being a person of color.

Legitimate target for mockery.

who do you thinks is worse, Trump or Kennedy? both wearing so much it is ridicuous IMO

13 hours ago, Mike_Hunt said:

Name a Democrat who does not lie. 

I think that is a trait shared by all politicians IMHO no matter their party affiliation!

On 3/20/2025 at 9:37 PM, Mr Meeseeks said:

They are totally incapable of dealing with this issue.

actually is a S. Asia problem - now way they will get all the countries to stop their burning!

3 hours ago, Seppius said:

Do you suggest an alternative?

Is your bank account in the US?

If so you could open an account with State Department Federal Credit Union - (sdfcu.org) and you could send funds to them without charge and then they could forward to you in Thailand.  I have had an Account doing my pension monthly for 5 years with zero problems.  The cost for my monthly forwarding, (same day i.e. before evening of day I wanted it, I would send for a wire transfer and if they get it before 8AM, it goes out that day and recieved the day following that you requested it) and was very few dollars more than the wise.  Just saying...

4 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

Hi I used to hit a ball and chase it for 18 holes back in the mid 90's then messed up my back.  

 

I think I might want to start trying again but I have a few questions hoping some of you Pros can help.

 

First, is it possible to go to the driving ranges on themiltary courses and do they have clubs that you can borrow/ rent.

 

Second is it also possible to rent a set of clubs to play 9-18 holes  

 

More inportantly as most peope onteh courses have 4 somes or groups and have layed how does a hacker get on the curse without screwing things up.

 

Any and all reasonable suggestions accepted.

 

I live in rangsit. 

It'sme again..google "golf driving ranges and courses near Rangsit - all those really close (within 5 kms) I have played before.  I believe each has a drivng range too.

4 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

Hi I used to hit a ball and chase it for 18 holes back in the mid 90's then messed up my back.  

 

I think I might want to start trying again but I have a few questions hoping some of you Pros can help.

 

First, is it possible to go to the driving ranges on themiltary courses and do they have clubs that you can borrow/ rent.

 

Second is it also possible to rent a set of clubs to play 9-18 holes  

 

More inportantly as most peope onteh courses have 4 somes or groups and have layed how does a hacker get on the curse without screwing things up.

 

Any and all reasonable suggestions accepted.

 

I live in rangsit. 

I haven't been out lately but unless things have changed, you can usually go to any of the golf driving ranges.  They also usually have spare clubs around for you to hit the ball though weights and shafts might be different than you are used to.  Also golf courses always had clubs for rent as they welcome tourists too.  Before, I would go to a course by myself and the club would put me with a two or threesome or another single.  A lot of this would of course be determined by time of day as many locals like to start early when it is cooler and then again, some of the courses and driving ranges are open with lights..  I used to go to a driving range there in Rangsit but haven't been around there lately.  Hopefully, some other forum readers will have more up to date info for you.  I understand the itch to get back on the course and plan to do just that but in Chiang Mai in a couple of months.  Good luck!

On 3/14/2025 at 8:32 PM, JimGant said:

This is an on-going argument -- especially by jingling. Yes, prior to Por 162 -- which exempts all pre 2024 income -- private pension remittances were taxable by Thailand. But Por 162 exempted pre 2024 income, which both traditional and Roth IRAs consist of. Thus, Por 162 'trumps' the DTA language that, otherwise, would make IRA remittances to Thailand taxable. And Por 162 just says "pre 2024 income." It doesn't say that income can only be in a bank account -- which grifters like Expat Tax Thailand expound on.

 

Anyway, I'd certainly be confident in excluding my IRA remittances from assessable income -- you really do have Por 162 at your back. And, as such, why wouldn't you give yourself the benefit of the doubt -- which, in the 1% chance you're ever audited, would certainly exclude you from any tax evasion charge, or criminal charges. No brainer.

 

actually, all that I have heard from many webinars of tax authorities and agents, is that DTA's trump local tax law.  I am not an expert so do not really know only that is what I heard many times.  I am not affected by Thai income taxes whatsoever but just passing on what I heard so it is not any advice or anything like that but should be easy enough to check.

9 hours ago, Yolando said:

He didn't lose the plot.  You just never understood his plot.  

 

His only goals are to get revenge on as many people he hates as possible, and to collect as much money as possible.  He wouldn't care if half the world died in the process as long as most of the people that worship him survive.

nailed him to a tee!

21 minutes ago, Vaughan9 said:

Most of us are too fat because we eat too much... 

either eat too much or also eat the wrong foods/drinks

20 hours ago, petermik said:

Fatties should be stored in the luggage hold down below.........

IMHO, I am 78 years old, and my career sent me around the world many times so a lot of flight time.  I also care about my health and fatties to me have that same opportunity and responsibility to not be obese which is the description of too many people in the "free" world.  I too always put the arm rest down, try to get an aisle seat when making reservations and refuse to let some fast arse sit on part of my seat.  I am not afraid to complain to the flight crew either and do so if there is a problem on a particular flight.  It used to be at least 24 hours to fly from SEA area to Washington DC an my home in Maryland and there is no way I would ever put up with some fattie trying to take up more than their fair share.  

1 minute ago, frank83628 said:

So you didnt bother to open the link either, just went off the headline, and now look like an idiot. 🤡🤡🤡🤡

Not really, did you read my comments.  I have felt that Trump is a less than nice guy since I have been reading about him for decades.  I wouldn' change anypart of what I wrote, as I didn't open the entire article as I have no idea who that young l women is.  My comments were based on the "don't tell Melania" bit.

2 hours ago, blaze master said:

 

Absolutely not. Donald Trump is a steadfast man. A dedicated husband and father. 

well, IMHO Melania has a pre-nupt whether done prior to the marriage or since the initial period passed on as he needed her there for the first term election campaign. IAW I think her "secretary" indicates that she doesn't  even sleep on the same floor as Trumper and there was a clip the other day on "her" multimillion dollar town home.  I think that she will be extremely wealthy if she catches him doing the dirty with someone else.

5 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

And your country of origin Tony is?

 

 

Perhaps you should be.

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of Thai Rath

 

In a recent development stirring political dialogue, former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has downplayed the United States' decision to impose visa restrictions on Thai officials.

 

This move by the US follows Thailand's controversial deportation of at least 40 Uyghurs to China last month, a step that has attracted significant international scrutiny.

 

Thaksin declared on Monday that the US authorities appear to have acted on outdated information, emphasising that the deportations adhered to legal frameworks and international humanitarian norms. He highlighted the complex situation of the Uyghurs, who had been detained in Thailand for illegal entry for over a decade, with no other nation stepping up to offer asylum.

 

"The US and Europe did not provide them refuge either," Thaksin noted. "Their country of origin is China, and with China's assurances of no prosecution upon their return, they should reunite with their families."

 

These deportations have triggered both US sanctions and a European Parliament resolution condemning Thailand, not just for this incident, but also for issues related to the lese-majeste law.

 

Speaking on how to engage with the US on this matter, Thaksin maintained that American authorities comprehend the intricacies, albeit acknowledging that international politics are often tangled. Despite the condemnation, he pointed out that free trade negotiations continue to be unaffected.

 

 

 

 

"There's nothing to be alarmed about," Thaksin reassured. "If I'm not worried, you shouldn't be either."

 

The former prime minister further dismissed any potential impact of the US visa sanctions on sitting Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra or other cabinet members, asserting that diplomatic efforts can ameliorate misunderstandings. "Nothing is permanent. If they don't understand, we clarify it. There's nothing to worry about," he added.

 

When questioned about the necessity of high-level engagements to resolve the issue, Thaksin implied that dialogues can proceed through various diplomatic channels without immediate concern.

 

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated on Monday that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively addressing international community concerns regarding the Uyghur deportations, reported Bangkok Post.

 

As the situation unfolds, the Thai government faces a delicate balancing act between upholding international relations, maintaining its sovereignty, and handling domestic critiques. The financial implications of these diplomatic tensions also linger, as Thailand continues to prioritise stability to sustain economic growth and foreign investments, crucial for its currency valuation and resulting economic forecasts currently poised around 42 Thai Baht per 1 USD, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-03-18

 

 

I especially took note of the last line by the Post indicating that economic forecasts poised around 42 baht per USD - that is more to my liking and interest.