kwilco

both French and British had plans for railways in S.E.Asia lly but they couldn't get them through. China has succeeded where they failed. THose worried about the railway being substandard are totally wrong - it will be fantastic. What the west has missed out on is the INFLUENCE this railway gives to China. Worrying about Chinese military might is also wrong This railway will give China a hold over the whole S.E. Asian region - they don't need a war..... the west used to be the most powerful influence but now it is China and western politicians (especially isolationists like Trump and Brexiteers) have allowed this to happen. They have been too worried about looking good at home and suddenly they turn round and find the rest of the world has moved on with out them.

complete rubbish - you don't seem to understand that it involves a totally new rail system.

this is the third worst HSR distaster after Germany and Spain.

I'm surprised at the numbers of fieignerswho are staying long term in Thailand on dodgy visas. They basically are getting themselves jobs serving the tourism or expat communities that are simply not available to foreigners Dive schools, gyms, tour guides transport services. Many of these people have highly dubious visas and work permits.

I'm surprised at the numbers of fieignerswho are staying long term in Thailand on dodgy visas. They basically are getting themselves jobs serving the tourism or expat communities that are simply not available to foreigners Dive schools, gyms, tour guides transport services. Msny of these people have highly dubious visas and work permits.

Well ...it is going to shorten your lifetime. Even short term exposure can do this. Read this article in WSJ. https://www.wsj.com/articles/air-quality-life-expectancy-1db62d94 Video. https://www.wsj.com/video/daily-feature-apps-to-check-air-quality/8DE0A54E-EDB5-40DA-8B15-F769D8CCDBC9.html

How will you deal with it?

It's far more subtle or insidious than that. Chinese goods are not substandard - however it is all prt of. mega program to spread Chinese influence over S.E.Asia and further. THey are making inroads into all aspects of their neighbours lives - industry, communication and even universities and academia. the averge Jo in the west or even Thailand just hasn't a clue to the extent of this infiltration. People who go on about "substandard goods" and the "collapsing" Chinese economy hve got entirely th erong end of the stick. THeir goods are as good as or better than the west's and the economy in the end will be so big it will completely ignore the west.

You said " main obsession being with tourism rather than production, " Tourism has for years accounted for around 20% of GDP. but "production"?? - Thailand is making the shift from agriculture to industrial and service economy..... Agriculture accounts for just below 10% and industry in general is over 35% and is increasing - the Thai motor industry is in the world top ten and bigger than the UK motor industry. Electronics industry includes many world brands Western etc...

Deniers of pollution in the North seem to spend a lot of time in deflection. They question the sources and try to blame outside countries. The thing is a combination of climate and topography makes it in evitable that pollution with accumulate is certain areas in the North - trying to say "your area" is OK thanks to less of one thing or another is not true - the causes and effects are not that simple. but one factor remains they are ALL the result of human activity. One major source of PM2.5 particles is biomass burning - blaming forest fires again is a red herring - although fire is part of the natural cycle in any forest it is man-made interference that exacerbates the situation Another is traffic and yet another industry. One of the problems in tackling the problem is the "ruling elite" themselves - for instance rice as a commodity is controlled by a small rich "family" who are also very close to government - this means enforcement of biomass burning in agriculture - already illegal - is seldom fully enforced as the pressure to grow more rice more quickly overrides this. Other agricultural products are also involved notable sugar and maize. In the forests most fire again are the result of mismanages human activity - either slash and burn or harvesting forest products like mushrooms. All this together with industrial waste and traffic pollution would not be so bad if it was for the geography of places like Chiang Mai which makes them a magnet for this modern-day smog. As a result of the big vested interests it would seem the government really has no teeth when it comes to dealing with this. It boils down to how many deaths amongst the Thai population have to occur for the government to finally take action.

What do you mean by that? Hardly reflects the reality of the Thai economy.

For decades the UK, and most of the west has not taken Thailand seriously. They have lost influence and valuable trade. They have failed to recognise and address the rising influence of China. With war in Europe and potentially serious conflict in Asia the UK and western allies will need Thailand to be on their side. At present it isn't. UK ignores Thailand at its peril

You have no idea! You don't understand that common sense is a subject construct and critical thinking is exactly the opposite of what you say. THis is why discussions with some on this forum is impossible as they can't actually form a valid argument or opinion.

You appear to be failing to differentiate between common sense and critical thinking. You understand you are opposites?

Another observation on racists....they are unable to actually put forward any arguments so they resort to cliches..e.g. "woke". May I draw your attention to the comment by Kathy Burke - https://ifunny.co/picture/kath-kathyburke-i-love-being-woke-it-s-much-nicer-bqWU3B4h9?s=cl

Seriously?

Interesting if a little disturbing to see a racist's POV. So still struggling to come to terms with UK beginning to recognise Thailand as an equal.

That's an oxymoron. With or without whatever the "fabricated" means in this circumstance

Bit of a conundrum fie all those racist British tourists and expats in Thailand. The UK visa free stay could be 90 days or 6 months.

such a pity that you don't understand how to analyse what you see..

Sounded OK until the end when you spoil it all with a baseless assumption. What the matter with people? Are they incapable of critical thinking?

Only someone with absolutely no knowledge of English would use that expression. It isnt even a thing!! What's an "American" name then? Perpetuated by the English?

Only soneone with absolutely no knowledge of English would use that expression. It isnt even a thing!! What's an "American" name then? Perpetuated by the English?

What's an "American" name then? Perpetuated by the English?

What's an "American" name then?