John Drake

"France Donates" or "France Unloads?"

So, again I ask, why don't the Thai elites send their children to Russia and China to be educated? Why don't they buy real estate there? Why didn't they travel to Russia and China for Covid vaccines, instead of the US? Why do they buy US and Western businesses and not Russian ones? Why do they buy European soccer teams and not Russian ones?

And there is this, from Wiki, which is interesting, if true. Even the Russians claim the Thais are inflating travel figures from Russia.

At least you can eat day old bread. Don't know what you do with a two day old weather story.

Great opportunity to get out from under this white elephant of a deal.

Of course, India sides with Putin. Both countries are led by authoritarian rulers who justify their power through rabid nationalist ideologies. You should read the Indian press and the interviews with people on the street. They make Russians look like Quakers. Plus India has sided with Russia against the West since its inception. India is a far greater threat than China, which whatever the complaints, tends to act rationally and predictably in foreign affairs. China's growth after all is due solely to the Clintons and Bushes selling the farm in order to get cheap trinkets in return.

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.