Sir Dude

This is what China does to enable it's "dumping" practices on foreign markets. China can out-cost everyone because they subsidize their industries so much... Why? Well, I'll tell you why, it's because the CCP is desperate to keep people in jobs... as that's the deal with the Chinese people, we keep you earning and you give us power. This deal is called the "heavenly mandate", and if the CCP lose this, it's a massive issue. Trouble is, the over production and dumping of subsidized products on foreign markets is going to irk many government... already has with the US/Europe/West as they aren't stupid, they know what's happening. Thailand is also already feeling this with many products like EVs to solar panels etc. Good luck ASEAN as you have not the ballz to confront these self-serving bullies, and it will destroy your native industries... as Chine doesn't care.

I hope Obergruppenfuhrer Anutin isn't made PM... will be a disaster for all.

Unnamed party accused of bribing senators with cash and cars etc.

A DTV visa could be a nice way to stay and work half the year, then bail on holiday for the other half (maybe remotely work), and still dodge the silly new tax-resident laws coming in. For example, it would be pretty sweet for a teacher to get a half-year contract at a school, then bail to the beach in another country and teach online for the other half... nice

I guess Anutin couldn't take the humiliation of announcing this himself... might detract from his rep.

Well, nothing has been set in stone just yet and it's all pretty ambiguous with lots of wild speculation, so I'll throw in my 2 pence worth. Personally, I just can't see them trying to tax pensioners on their pensions, as it would be financial suicide (maybe even diplomatic too with the DTAs) in many ways and put off almost everyone from coming here to retire (unless that's what they secretly want). People that live and work here might get hit that are tax residents, but again, not easy to police and enforce (enforcement is a moot point on many a thing here)... however, if you want to bring in a large amount of money, then just spend one year as a non-tax resident (less than 180 days), and just travel or visit relatives for the rest of the year, bring in what you want to without being taxed, then become a tax resident again the next year... ta-da, carry on as normal without paying.

Well, let's give some context to and analysis of the results of the UK election. This is how I see it: 1. The result isn't a ringing endorsement of Keir Starmer and his party, more a punishment episode handed out to the Tories (won't call them conservatives as they aren't now). Labour have actually lost a few % of the popular vote since 2019. Thing is, the political map is deceiving due to our archaic "First-past-the-post system". 2. Everyone knew that the Tories were in for a bashing, just a case of how bad it was. The other big loser of the election was the SNP in Scotland, and rightly so, as they are guilty of the same as the Tories... i.e. not listening to voters and doing silly stuff, self-inflicted outcome. 3. Reform have done well and have scooped up a lot of Tory voters from last time, even though they only got 5 seats. In a Proportionate Representation system they would have got like 100 seats. I guess the other big winners where the Liberal Democrats as they upped their seat number from like 11 seats to 62 or so in 2024... a big increase, so looks like many voters lent their vote to other parties, but not Labour. 4. The cautionary tale from this election is that voters are much less loyal to the two main parties than they were before in the days of voters voting Labour/Tory regardless of anything... voters are more fickle and volatile now if parties are seen as not delivering or being dishonest. This might actually be a good thing and help governments stick to what they promise and deliver solution (which is what they are supposed to be doing). 5. Labour has been ambiguous about many of its policies and it is not the same party that Tony Blair ran and go into power... it is a very different beast now, and a sanctuary for everyone and anyone who simply doesn't like the Tories, from apologists of a rainbow of topics to union barons to moderate center-left types to the far-left loons to communist Corbyn types and on and on. All these factions are going to start calling in favours and trying to steer the narrative and policy in their direction... controlling all this will be very hard. 6. It is inevitable that taxes will rise and the boats will keep coming, plus starting a love-in with the EU again could all grate many folks.... buyer's remorse is a real possibility. As you all know, you reap what you sow, I'm afraid. However, having said all that, I hope they sort it out, and the proof will be in the pudding... we'll see soon enough. I guess, with the expectations and impatience of the modern day public, failure to deliver will instigate a punishment too at the next chance to vote. Democratic governments everywhere need to wake up out of their slumber and deliver, as people are getting the hump with a lot of things. Cheers.

I haven't read the entire thread, just some of it, but having a good view of what's going on in the world and understand supply and demand is obviously crucial. I suppose the clear message at the moment is that the world is becoming more dangerous and chaotic all the time currently, so if you are not an "ethical investor" and want to go for stocks/shares, then the defense sector looks like a good bet (the likes of Lockheed Martin/Raytheon/Northrop Grumman etc.)... although it could be argued that this boat has already sailed, I don't see a new era of enjoying the peace dividend will happen anytime soon like after the Cold War and fall of the USSR.

Well, let's wait until the dust settles on Srettha's impeachment on June 18 by the military-learning senators, and how the cards fall with Thaksin's LM charge. Both of them could be being "dealt with" as the deal isn't going as agreed/honoured with the elites. With a bit of luck, they both get stitched up and all their policies are quietly dropped/brushed under the carpet with some bureaucrat saying "Nothing to see here, move along" in classic Thai style... it was all a "misunderstanding".

It's not beyond the realms of possibility and this avenue of "fixing" issues has been used a lot. Also, notice how a LM charge has just materialized against Thaksin all of a sudden for that interview in south Korea in 2015... clearly a few warning shots from the elites about not straying from the deal, and Thaksin might be getting too involved with politics for their liking. As for Stretta, he has up-rooted/U-turned/brought in a far few policies quickly that might be making some influential figures uncomfortable... can throw in the dispute with the BoT over interest rates too. Could be some powerful non-plussed types pulling strings from the shadows at the moment.

The usual opaque nonsense from the clowns in charge and their general ineptitude. This whole idea has trouble and difficulty written all over it, with so many negatives that can/will transpire if enforced. It's not just scaring away the very foreigners they want to attract, both workers (teachers/digital nomads/businesses etc.) and wealthy retirees, but what about the Thais working oversea and their remittances for the survival of families etc.? I forecast the locals getting the hump over this one too... might well be the final nail in the coffin for many too, just not worth it. However, having said all that, it could end up on the books but not enforced once they realize how much damage is done and the resistance to it there is (from multiple quarters), like many other "laws" that are effectively ignored... but they have the optics of it being a "law" that can be selectively enforced if so needed.

Yeah, terrible choice of photo for this article. Notice it's a left-hand drive car too... wonder where that was taken.

They are slowly walking it back and watering it down. By the look from the above, when they are done moving the goal posts, folks will have the options of spending it in 7-11/Big C/Blue Flag shops as they are way cheaper than the Mom & Pop shops... and all the wrong entities to be profiting from this hand out. They might even restrict it to just the government Blue Flag shops so they get as much back as possible... wouldn't surprise me at all if they announce that in the next few weeks. Compete bunch of liars and rotten to the core.

From my observations, it all basically goes wrong for Thai students at high school because it's little more than 6 years of mindwashing nonsense learning fluff or nothing at all... along with nonsense activities. By the time they get to university, it's mainly too late... they sink or swim in class sizes of 50 etc. as that's not "teaching", it's a lecture. You often hear people talking about/promoting how important critical thinking is and how it should be taught etc... but I see very little evidence of it being taught or even of people knowing what it actually is (observation, analysis, logic, systematically following processes of thought, judging relevence of ideas or augments, spotting errors or inconsistencies in comments/arguments, reflecting on your and others' assumptions and beliefs or biases, reasoning, balancing pros and cons/good and bad plus forming defendable opinion with supporting evidence etc.) so as to get to the best conclusion at a given time. However, having a properly educated population that can think critically and freely, simply isn't in the interest of the 1%. Thailand needs a compliant and subservient workforce/populous to the elite. You can see it in the politics and establishment regarding how scared the puppet masters are of change and entities like the Move Forward Party... the dinosaurs even jumped into bed with Taksin and allowed him back with little sanction, just so that they can hang on to power for a little longer and forestall the progressives and change. Although, they are kidding themselves as change is inevitable and it's coming... the internet and social media has seen to that, and these kids that have been leaving university for the last 10-15 years or so won't stand for the same nonsense forever, as they will be entering positions of power shortly.

Blimey, what sort of thicket of idiots puts a police general in charge of a country's education ministry? That's the equivalent of putting Alan Titchmarsh in charge of training commandos.

When I read "DPM" I thought straight away of "damage per minute"... then realised I wasn't playing an online game.

"Viral social media rumors have spread fear that tourists could be kidnapped and forced into scams across the border in Myanmar or Cambodia... by Chinese criminals." There, fixed it for everyone.

Hmm, I don't think retirees have too much to worry about who just live off of their pensions... although I understand the concern shown in the thread due to previous hair-brained ideas governments have had here. Also, there is a good chance that this will rattle the cage of the elite here so much that it is quietly walked-back or dropped further down the line. However, if they did follow through with it, then I'd have serious misgivings about how they would enforce it without out-rightly sparking an exodus of people from multiple walks of life/demographics. Also, for example, how would they police ATM system when someone takes like $300 out of their foreign bank on any given street or place with an ATM... sure, might be possible but the logistics involved are huge, plus the high street banks here might well baulk at the extra cost and time/effort involved. It would require considerable investment in tech and all sorts. The sad thing here is, if you legally work here and have a WP, then you might get screwed if you bring in anything from overseas... and mostly those like this are the ones who might need extra cash. What about if you worked here (like a teacher), and say, your brother sends you $1000 for your birthday... is that liable to tax? It's not "income", it's a gift. Complete BS. On top of that, if more needed to be mentioned, the leeches want more money from us but are not prepared to pony-up anything in return. How about Anutin makes "residency" easier? How about some more rights in return? How about less discrimination on so many things? How about a less oppressive immigration department for the legit folks? How about longer visas for the workers you want to take more from? Someone might live and work here but they are not a "resident" with the associated rights that go along with that word. A completely ill-thought out idea that's loaded with problems stamped all over it. Good way to tank the economy even worse... as even if there is disparity in wealth dispersion, all the money ends up being spent in the economy eventually, which is an overall positive. If they convince people (or money generally) to bail like the CCP has in China... then we can all see how well that is working out. The new government is a bunch of muppets that sold out to the old government and puppeteers just to get their exiled leader back... and now need new revenue sources to pay for the ill-conceived ideas they promised the mob to get the votes, who they also ultimately betrayed. So shamelessly cynical. Okay, rant over.... have a good day everyone.

This is a non-event... and only advertised because the content is woke and fashionable. How many people die and it is nothing other than a footnote at the coroner's office?.... another social-engineering psy-op load of BS.

All of these annoying petition-waving activists should be investigated themselves... bet they have skeletons in the closet too.

Thailand is already a vassal-state of the CCP... it's just that the regular Thais don't know it, and by the time they wake-up, it will be way too late.

Doesn't pass the smell test... a very rural wiff coming from Toady on this one.

I don't drink Thai beer anymore because it's just so bad... even worse, I've begun to consider the regular Budweiser from the Philippines as the best bang-for-the-buck at around 65 baht for a 500ml can, as it has become fairly ubiquitous everywhere now. Some of the larger malls have good booze sections, but they aren't cheap.

The Thai police should start using phrases like "death through misadventure" as it would sound a lot better than these swift off-the-cuff explanations about what might have happened like "Yeah, he might have been too hot and boozed up, so could have just gone to cool off in the water... and promptly drowned." Off to the next situation to give a armchair explanation to and minimize the paperwork and investigation. Just sounds so amateurish with the speculation.

The military, establishment, and elites are much more scared of Move Forward than any of the others, as MF clearly shows the writing is on the wall and how the future will form regarding politics here. Pheu Thai is on a slow decline into its regional strongholds and has had its day (although still strong for now), in my opinion... and also represents the old style of politics to some degree. It is increasingly clear that people want their freedoms and a better life, free from the oppression that so often rears it's head through intolerant self-serving types and their antiquated agendas. Move Forward represent a much more serious threat to the traditional conservatives and establishment of Thailand, so I expect that some plain nasty and dirty tricks to come out soon from the puppet masters through the courts, senate, their minions, and Election Commission etc.