John Drake

Outside of the US, does Thailand have a defense treaty with any other country?

Stagnant diplomacy on the part of the US and Europe. Don't blame the Chinese. It was the US that came in bragging about how "you don't need to choose" to get their stuff. The Chinese always make it conditional to choose when getting their stuff. So the Thais do the logical thing. Take the no strings freebies from the US and then go sit in China's lap. No repercussions from the US after all.

I don't follow all these changes that closely. But don't you still need the Thai Pass, and doesn't that require reserving a hotel room overnight? I guess you can pass the hotel. But the money is still gone, right?

But still better than Plan XVI.

Geez, this guy looks like he's a homeless person. Photo from the State Dept.

He does appear to be another time server with no direct access to the president's ear. At least I hope it sends Heath back to Chiang Mai. Will be interesting to see if this new guy gets the same royal treatment the new Chinese and Russian ambassadors have received. That will tell us a lot.

People are likely to be familiar with the Schlieffen Plan but may not be aware of France's Plan XVII. Had both plans played out as intended, the Germans would have wheeled through Belgium and northern France until occupying Paris. Meanwhile, to the south, the French would have plowed through Luxembourg and the Saarland on their way to Berlin. Wha appened?

Don't worry. The people that matter are doing just fine. Better off overall, in fact.

Story from xinhua.

For telling a joke.

I believe most of the key opposition was arrested in the middle of the night and sent to attitude readjustment centers.

Are you saying, for example, that the communist government of Vietnam is more flexible, caring, and responsive to its citizens employed in tourism and tourism connected industries than is the case in Thailand?

So, is this an admission that for the past seven years they have kept it artificially strong against the dollar?

Opportunities galore. For you know what. The mind boggles . . .

Looks like the ruble has bounced back almost to where it was before the invasion. Sanctions look like they're failing. Russians don't need help.

They already do. But can't mention the name, because don't want to get sued for defamation.

If you thought the price of chicken had risen before . . .

So having four Covid shots is the new definition of being vaccinated?

Glad Rommel has it figure out.

Doesn't tightening do just the opposite?

What happens if you bought Pets.com and Enron instead.

Will/does Channel 5 broadcast VOA?

And that would mean retirees keeping taking 200,000 out of money going into the Thai economy. Banks happy. But not retailers, restaurants, and the like.

Most are military dictatorships, too. US/Europe/Japan should keep that in mind with their trade and investment policies towards Asean.

Channel 5, a voice for the government if there ever was one, just wants to be fair. I understand. So, in order to be "fair" in other categories of Thai-Western relations, perhaps the US and its allies should raise tariffs on all Thai products to match those of Thai tariffs on US/European products. Got to be fair, you know.