ericthai

Actually it's kind of normal these days to do this. We did it too (15yrs ago) as did several of my friends. Now, 25 years ago not so much, back then I had a few friends pay a decent amount.

think you need investigate a little more, CNN wont tell the whole story. Yes day one 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico, however this is in place until Mexico and Canada help secure the boarders. Quote" "On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders," Trump wrote. "This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!" https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/11/25/trump-tariff-canada-mexico/76576835007/ https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-tariffs-25-canada-mexico-1.7393160

it's called an investigation.. It's something new the police are trying out.

well...I started working in Thailand in the early 90's and moved to Thailand fulltime late 90's so it's been awhile. I'm not saying this doesn't happen. I'm saying I dont have those issues. I was very lucky, I met my wife when she was 22 and we started dating when she was 24. She never had any kids, her sisters are awesome and are both married. We've never been asked for money from her family, actually most time we get together my brother-in-law will pay the bill. My wife has a job and makes decent money.

why do you have to be in county to contact a bank? you know, there is a new think called a telephone.

I have several good Thai friends that are male. Two of them did live in then USA, but the others I've met over the years. I'm still involved in the business world and that's how I met most of my Thai friends, so that might be the difference.

OP your posts are so negative about Thailand, why are you even in Thailand? I have no idea what you're talking about as I dont have any issues you mention above.

wordsalad? You're talking about the wrong person, Let me give you hint......it's a girl.

sure pay an agent until it's a problem... You think just because you can pay a bribe that all will be ok? I've seen several times over the years where visa agents have an issue and then all their clients have issues. This is Thailand, what the rules are today dont meant it will be the same tomorrow.

Possibly.. all depends on their jobs... We all know how most government employees work, or should i say dont work, at least not in DC. The government is too big. A job is not guaranteed for life! People loose jobs. Such as when US factories close down to move overseas.

or companies bring manufacturing back to the USA (just like they left when free trade agreements were made) Shipping something half way around the world is costly not only financially but also environmentally. Myself and several of my friends try to only buy products made in the USA, sometimes I pay a little more but I know I'm supporting the US economy and a US job. I dont believe it's going be tariffs across the board either. It will be selective depending on product.

You're missing the point. These companies employee people, so they create jobs! You cant be a consumer if you dont have a job to make money to buy the products. Tariffs aren't about prices, it's about jobs that make those products! Why do you think China has expanded so much, companies building factories in China and creating jobs. A lot of good paying jobs have left USA.

If they can and the government can function properly, I'm all for it. We need smaller government, No reason for the government to be as bloated as it is.

yes, they are going to trim the over sized government, it's about time!

dont forget the USA allows allot of chemicals in food products that the EU doesn't.

I was told decades ago it was to keep school kids from buying alcohol, which makes no sense as they aren't old enough anyway.

T yes, people was worried about their pockets!! when you dont have enough to pay bills it's an issue. you and the bleach, you hear one thing and run with it!!! Since you dont live in the USA let me provide some examples of the increases in the USA just the past 3 years. Our homeowners insurance in the USA went from $1400 a year in 2019 to $2700 a year this year. same with our car insurance went from $600 a year to $2100 a year. Our health insurance coverage in the USA went from $1200 a month to $2700 a month and our deductible went from $3500 to $7500, my max out of pocket went from $9500 to $13,000 and a new plan feature this past year, they now have a family out of pocket max which is $16,000. Our electric when in town went from $180-$190 a month to $250-$260 with no changes to our usage. Our water went from $45 a month to $68 a month. Our neighbors rent went from $1300 a month to $2750 a month in the last three year period. Same with my nephew his rent for a one bedroom apartment went from $900 a month to $1625. Fuel went from $1.89 a gallon to $3.60+ a gallon, how about drinking water this went from $3.99 a case and is now over $6 a case and eggs $1.89 now $5.25 When you get drastic increases like these and people have to take on extra jobs to pay rent and feed their kids do you really think they aren't thinking about their pocket book? Wages have not kept up, the government printed and gave away too much money. It's not everyone, I'm doing ok and my friends are older and have good paying jobs mostly with homes that are paid off or if they have a mortgage it's at a low rate. It's the younger people and the low income retirees that are struggling most. So yes, people thought of their pocket book, but it's also all the woke crap!! People are getting tired of people that get upset if you call them "he" or "she" or "Sir" or "Madam" and not "them" or "they or whatever they want to be called! Even if you make an honest mistake they get all bent out of shape about you calling them the wrong pronoun. This happened to me a few weeks ago. The person at the register sounded like a guy, but the person had long hair with it being dyed pink, wearing a earring, had nail polish on, and long eyelashes. I made the mistake of saying yes mama and this person got all upset with me saying I'm a man not a woman!!!! This is what normal people in the USA are tired of, that a very small minority want everyone else to conform to their thinking and beliefs and the Democrats are supporting these ideas. The democrats wanting to allow transgender men to be allowed to play in women's sports! this is crazy!

I wasn't sure who I was going to vote for. However, with the terrible performance and no leadership on the democratic side this was making my decision difficult. When Kamala started with her media interviews and declining interviews (Joe Rogan) that made my decision. My issues with her is when she did do an interview she would not mention any plans she had or even the first thing she would do on day one. Day one! You should know this question is going to be asked, and she had nothing. She would give long winded non-answers that make no sense such as “So, I think it’s very important, as you have heard from so many incredible leaders, for us at every moment in time — and certainly this one — to see the moment in time in which we exist and are present, and to be able to contextualize it, to understand where we exist in the history and in the moment as it relates not only to the past but the future,” I have no idea what she is saying..do you? and this is not a one oof, it's all the time. Here is what she said to the press and the mourning local residents on the Chicago shootings, "We've got to take this stuff seriously, as seriously as you are because you have been forced to take this seriously." Then any time a question was asked she would turn it into Trump is bad, so that's why you need to vote for me. As for declining an interview with Joe Rogan, if she can't handle a simple interview with Joe how is she ever going to handle Putin, Xi etc. As for the majority of the people I think they are just fed up. I think a big issue is Illegal immigrants in the country. The democrats dont even want to call them illegal they use the term undocumented. First they aren't vetted so we dont know who they are. Then they need places to live so that puts pressure one rentals. If they have children they are going to school on taxpayers expense. Use of medical services, driving cars without a license or insurance. It's a real issue. As for Trump, he's a big mouth, exgratator etc and we all know this. He's not a smooth talker as he's not a career politician. He says what's on his mind and doesn't care about the blow back. He's unpredictable, will he push the button? Maybe? We all know he wants to be the winner and every other country knows that too, do you think they want to test him? As for what trumps says. Allot of what they say he said, he really didn't say or is changed around to fit a narrative. Good example is the bleach. Here is a quote of exactly what his question was, this was a question not a suggestion to do it. "A question that probably some of you are thinking of if you’re totally into that world, which I find to be very interesting. So, supposedly we hit the body with a tremendous, whether it’s ultraviolet or just very powerful light, and I think you said that hasn’t been checked, but you’re going to test it. And then I said supposing you brought the light inside the body, which you can do either through the skin or in some other way. (To Bryan) And I think you said you’re going to test that, too. Sounds interesting, right?" "And then I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in one minute. And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning, because you see it gets in the lungs and it does a tremendous number on the lungs, so it’d be interesting to check that, so that you’re going to have to use medical doctors with, but it sounds interesting to me. So, we’ll see, but the whole concept of the light, the way it kills it in one minute. That’s pretty powerful." I'm not going to post the complete speech but here is part of what Trump said Jan 6th. Republicans are, Republicans are constantly fighting like a boxer with his hands tied behind his back. It's like a boxer. And we want to be so nice. We want to be so respectful of everybody, including bad people. And we're going to have to fight much harder. And Mike Pence is going to have to come through for us, and if he doesn't, that will be a, a sad day for our country because you're sworn to uphold our Constitution. Now, it is up to Congress to confront this egregious assault on our democracy. And after this, we're going to walk down, and I'll be there with you, we're going to walk down, we're going to walk down. Anyone you want, but I think right here, we're going to walk down to the Capitol, and we're going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women, and we're probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them. Because you'll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength and you have to be strong. We have come to demand that Congress do the right thing and only count the electors who have been lawfully slated, lawfully slated. I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard. Today we will see whether Republicans stand strong for integrity of our elections. But whether or not they stand strong for our country, our country. Our country has been under siege for a long time. Far longer than this four-year period. We've set it on a much greater course. So much, and we, I thought, you know, four more years. I thought it would be easy. ref: https://www.npr.org/2021/02/10/966396848/read-trumps-jan-6-speech-a-key-part-of-impeachment-trial So dont take everything they say he said as truth. Also, several of my friends and family have been flooded and some have lost their homes from the storms in Florida. It's not a lie, my friends only got $750, allot are still waiting for money. The state attorney of Florida is in the process of suing FEMA as an email was found that a FEMA manager sent to staff to pass over houses and delay things for Trump supports. Things aren't so simple, both side are terrible and both sides play games, cheat lie whatever they can do to win, they really dont care about the people.

Just to be correct, He didn't flee the country, the military performed a coup while he was in the USA.

OP Go to the police and have a chat with them. They'll take a report and tell you they'll work on it, however in reality they most likely won't do anything. Typically to get the police to pursue things in Thailand an offer of some "tea money" needs to be made. I would make an offer that whatever you get from the guy you'll give them 10-15%, might be best to take a Thai with you to assist in things.

illegal immigrants that are working are not going to restaurants and buying unnecessary things. They buy enough to survive and then send the rest of the money to their home countries. So really not that much consumerism and a lot of cash outflow. Most if not all are working under the table so they not paying taxes and since it appears they aren't working if they get sick or hurt they get free medical care, if they have kids they are going to school. So they are utilizing government programs without any contribution. To allow illegal immigrants in the USA is a slap in the face to legal immigrants.

No refunds, read the small print

I don’t know look at a few of his other topics

Yup, My wife has about 8 or 9 Thai girl friends in the US and same only 1 or 2 came in properly, the rest did the same overstay and get married.

Sorry dont understand you statement about having a family? What does having a family have anything to do to make someone want to come to Thailand? I didn't have a family before moving to Thailand. My company moved me to Thailand when I was much younger. Most of my friends in Bangkok at that time were young too (early to mid 30's) none of them had families or were married before coming to Thailand.