WinterGael

That is exactly in line with the global tourism expectations. The assumption is that people will stay close to home for the foreseeable future, or close to home. Thus North Americans will travel in North America, Europeans in Europe, etc. So Greece having 7 million and Mexico make sense as compared to Thailand having less than 300,000. Mexico can open because the bulk of its tourists are coming from the US and Canada with a quasi joint idea of what's going on. Greece and southern Europe will do well because there's all of northern Europe liking warm climates. So nothing surprising there. Of my friends and family, all thought I was crazy to return to Thailand, but I'm not a tourist. As for the rest of them, even the die hard travelers in the bunch are enjoying Canada with no plans for travel outside North America for at least 2 to 3 years, and then that will depend on airfare staying reasonable... so this isn't all about COEs, ASQs, and everything else... these past two years have bought about big changes to how people think about travel. For one, I have never travelled with travel insurance... After needing it this time, the cost is shocking... on par with my airfare. ????????????

I for one fully approve of strict laws on the sale of alcohol. When you've worked in a health care system (I did in Canada) you really begin to see the toll it takes on people, their families, and the health care system. It is a drug just like any other. And it a drug that does lead to violent acts. Not many drugs out there have that claim to fame. The loss of life, ruined families, etc. is deplorable, not only hear, but all over the world. And don't think I don't drink. I do. It in a controlled manner. At home, where I stay. And worth more than waste when I used to be a tourist, you never found me in a bar. Too many other things to do than waste my time and money in a bar.

I agree 100%. My brother has leased land in the Philippines. He built on it (beautiful house), and he's retiring there. Totally protected by law. If I had kids, then I would simply buy my wife a home in her name knowing that if the marriage went south I would get nothing. But my kids would, as that can be addressed in the purchase. If there is one thing COVID has done for Thailand, it has shown how flawed the countries economy is. Someone on here stated that tourism accounts for less than 20% of GDP. looking around me, I'd say its more like 30 to 40 percent. That's great for a bike little island nation, but deplorable for a country like Thailand. And all these residence schemes and now land possible land sales just emphasises Thailand's need for foreign money in a way that is unthinkable for most nations. This is not the investment the country needs. Thailand needs to make its economy more competitive against its neighbours again rather than trying to be like another Taiwan or South Korea: those days are gone. It needs to start investing in its agricultural economy. Thai rice used to be some of the best, now India, Vietnam, the Philippines have far superior varieties... In the end,this all comes down to governments that do not know what they are doing...

You are wrong. I'm from Canada, and foreign ownership of private land has been a disaster for Canadians and Canadian cities like Vancouver. Allowing foreign ownership has brought about a huge jump in the cost of homes, such that many young people I know now have no interest in owning a mortgage prison (as one called it). The rising prices of homes has led to increased wages such that many companies have thought twice about building in Vancouver where they cannot afford the wages. This has led to smaller cities getting these companies,and then property values rise there, too. It's a never ending circle. Because of it, I lost everything when I lost my job. This has enough problems without having to deal with this one, too. Once the door is opened, it's hard to close or control.

And the world needs fascist Americanism and its lies, dominating policies, and me first attitude. I think not... as a Canadian living along the border, some American people are friends and family, but the country as a whole is no true friend to Canada, Mexico, or Europe.

I have 3 brothers, all wealthy (entrepreneurs, property management and real estate, investments, etc.) Who have all been to Thailand at least once. I wanted to start a business with my wife here, but not one of them would help me. Why? They all agree on one thing, this is not a country to invest in. One brother likes it a lot, but he would never live here because, "Everything is cheap... cheaply built, cheaply managed, cheaply run for one reason only, to get people like me to throw my money away here." Pretty much how they all feel, so not willing to lend me money. If we move to Vietnam, yes; Cambodia or the Philippines, maybe. None of them would ever consider retiring here. One is retiring to the Philippines. They tell me took.look around and see why some countries are worth doing business in and why some are not. Thailand used to be,but not anymore. So here are some of their issues: 1. No stable, non corrupt, efficiently run government in decades. 2. Money before quality (money is wanted, but poor quality return for investment.). 3. Too much reliance on tourism detracts from reliance on industry and service (poor service overall). 4. Thailand has become expensive from a real world point of view (such as highest wages in ASEAN; Bangkok one of the most expensive cities to live in; government's expectations on foreign investment and earnings too high). I get the last one. I'm a digital nomad. I know Thailand wants to be a hub for digital nomads, but they also expect a monthly income in excess of 80,000 baht per month. I'm lucky if I can pull off an average of 30,000 baht a month, so live off my pension. (And I work hard...) Thailand needs to rethink a lot of things, otherwise the only ones investing here will be the Chinese. I see a lot of Japanese companies pulling out.

Thailand talks a good talk, but falls flat when it comes to reality. I know some people who looked at their investment visas, then came to the country, then passed Thailand by for the Philippines. Why? Because their elite visas are not as advertised (basically throwing your money away). Their words. Also, they did not feel that the country is that welcoming, the infrastructure has much to be desired, and outside of cars, things just seem to be low quality. Now, they are not 100% sold on the Philippines either, but the financial they feel are far and above the Thai requirements. And medical included they said. They also like Vietnam, but it doesn't have the visas yet. That said, of the countries they visited, Vietnam was their favourite. So who knows... Moral of the story, Thailand is a big no for many reasons. I live here with my wife, (followed her here). It's okay... but when I did the extension on marriage, oh my god, what a hassle. And another one coming up soon. Thailand is okay, but if I was single and retiring, I think I would be like the rest of my family... been there, done that, no point in going back. My brother is retiring in the Philippines. Some friends in Mexico. Others in Latin America or the Caribbean... one thing everyone says about all of them, quality of life is awesome, bang for your buck is huge, and they like having you.... Thailand needs a lot of work to ever become a truly welcoming place for retirement.

This is just another case of Southeast Asia getting caught in the middle between the US and its perceived enemy. Yes, the Chinese vaccines have a reported lower efficacy of around 60%. This is the norm for a vaccine of this nature. But is it worse than the mRNA vaccines? Depends on how you want to look at it. Fewer reported side effects. It's proven technology as it is same technology for flu and other older vaccines. I like that. Now the mRNA vaccines? Listened to a doctor's spiel on them the other day. They ate straight out telling you mRNA vaccines are untested. NO ONE knows what the long term effects on our bodies will be. So far early research studies are citing everything from increased risk of heart disease to a permanent alteration to our innate immune systems that could make it harder for our bodies to fight off future infections. I did not know this, but if you've had an mRNA vaccine, you can sign up for a 10-year research program to study and document any long term side effects. That's nice to know. What about efficacy? A report out of the UK this past week says that it is likely up to 50% of full vaccinated people will catch COVID. Israel published an article that said 60%of those hospitalised there are fully vaccinated. In the US, 2 outbreaks 8n hospitals in San Fransisco report 77% of the cases were full vaccinated. The initial results of the mRNA vaccines was an efficacy of around 95%. However, real world reports are now suggesting the actual efficacy y is around 60%. Looks a little bit like the efficacy rate of the Chinese vaccines. But the kicker is, most of the world has yet to have one dose of any vaccine. Canada, Ireland, and UK have the highest rate of vaccinated, but in the past few weeks new COVID cases are rising, as are deaths and hospitalizations. In the UK something like 20% of symptimatic new cases are fully vaccinated. We won't talk about the US. That has led to a problem... the US, Israel, and UK are all buying up doses to start a third round of shots this fall. Canada and some European countries thinking about it too, as from all indications we may be needing ongoing boosters every 8/9 months for years to come. Which brings us back to China. Their vaccine is easy to make. It's available, they are willing to share it at minimal cost, sometimes no cost, and countries in Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America need them because with the West buying up everything before it's even made you need to look at the alternatives. And as growing number of medical journal news reports areshowing, the Chinese vaccines are a good alternative. But wait... oh yeah. The US has lost it's way over here. So let's spread a few untruths and get the US vaccines here. So far, the only people suffering from this policy of US intervention are the Thai people. Just like in the good old 50s, 60s,and 70s, little nations are going to pay the cost of the bullying practises of more powerful nations.