kwilco

It's not just Russians - take a look at other nationalities - some Brit and American "retirees" hold the same mentality.

"private liking for guns" I think the authorities on SAmui have grossly underestimated the amount of foreigners on Samui who have firearms. In particular they should be looking at ex-military retirees, who settle on military pensions and don't drop their fascination for firearms - many look on it a a "right" I would start by checking gyms for people working without proper documentation. THey just think they can live outside the law.

Regardless of China's autocratic methods or even because of them, regardless of economic predictions of doom, this project is only a small part of a much bigger project. Western China has always had a trade problem in that anything produced has had to travel EAST to the sea and then circumnavigate either SEAsia or the Pacific. This means that up until now it has been Eastern China that is the economic power house. The rail routes now being opened in places like Thailand and Laos are opening North South routes and routes to the Andaman sea and Indian Ocean. This is all part of the much larger New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, facilitating an economic boom in Western China that extends from Thailand Vietnam etc all the way to Russia. ( yes! Russia too is benefitting from this...the presence of Russian tourists is no coincidence) We are looking at increased freedom of movement of people and goods at a time when the west is attempting to restrict the flow. I have driven the route from Map Tha Put to the Chinese border and the development is immense...Next year I hope to go on to Kunming and see what is happening there. The problem with such autocratic governments being involved (including Thailand) is that there is scant regard to environmental issues or the local populations affected by these developments.

A lot of people on this thread seem to think that the trains are for passenger - the reality is that they are first and foremost goods lines and some have started already.

you know that is famously wrong?

Thailand has a lot invested in the industrial development the EEC. Yet the areas they intend or are developing have for decades been subject to substandard health and safety. One of the major issues is the disposal of industrial waste. The air soil water and sea are all affected by the industries in the region. Locals have been protesting for decades yet fire like this continue. THe authorities may say that there are laws in place to protect people but the truth is, they are simply not enforced - (the age old Thai tradition of how you "treat" inspectors?) - Would you knowingly buy vegetables grown in that region or eat the fish caught in the sea. Tourist areas included are Pattaya, Koh Samet as wwell as several reservoiors that no doubt supply Pattaya as well as the surrounding regions.

The US just haven't got a clue. It is a characteristic of US foreign policy that they just don't get the rest of the world..... they never have. They only see it in terms of Amerigo-centricity.... And even when they were the biggest boy on the block they seldom got away with it. Now they haven't got a snowflake's chance in hell.

saly you are a "one quote wonder" THe west loves stories of impending doom in China and point to the autocratic nature of the country - there is a lot of ttruth in this but they are barking up the wrong tree - autocratic or not China is in a far better position than the west - with there own idiots like Trump Brexit and the right - it isn't a military problem - before the west knows it China will be the dominant power in most of Asia - the only opposition is India.

THe concern is the ever increasing Chinese influence over countries in the region. THe west has made no effort whatsoever to increase there influence - even expats ar moaning that they aren't being treate fairly. It's hard to see what the West has to offer, but in the end the influence of the west is seriously on the wane, and nothing to do with military it's just the wet will have yto get used that they are now the "third world" - in the original sense. - an irrelevence.

This isn't the first chemical fire in the region and not the last. People who were living in this area from before the major industrialisation have been taking legal action for years to preserve the land sea and water all of which is damaged. Expats living in the region, and you can include Pattaya in this, seem unaware of the polluted future they face. I worked all over that region for nearly 20 years and was frequently shocked and horrified by the breaches in health and safety I witnessed.

Apparently over 50% of all industrial waste inthe Rayong industrial region is disposed of in substandard ways - mostly illegal. THis fire is very convenient as legal processes were already under way.

The OP is some time ago. However anyone hoping to live long term in Thailand should be better employed finding out the cost of full healthcover.

She needs a full 5 year d/l plus IDP. You can add her as a named driver on your insurance - shouldn't be too expensive.

the demographics of Thailand are changing, as is the economy. Tourism is hoped to comprise over 20% of GDP. It is no longer the "preserve" of the West. Brits and others came here to live "on the cheap" they resent the fact that Thailand is moving on and they are left behind - as said the British colonial attitudes make them think they can just use or take advantage of any country they see as "lower down the food chain" - sadly that is no longer the case. Bye-bye British, hello Asia.

cost in UK for 30 20mg is around £7.50