StayinThailand2much

Yes, many Arabs in lower Sukhumvit, esp. Soi 3 and nearby even 20 odd years ago. Nothing new. Same for the MBK.

With nightlife venues closing down, or being forced to close early, perhaps they feel more reminded of home now...

Probably not worth to remember that guy's name...

They just need to buy the software their overlords up north use to block FB, X (Twitter), Instagram, Google/YouTube, etc. However, I doubt that they would be as good as the CCP in keeping ahead of VPNs and proxy servers...

Who cares? They would make an exception for him anyway. Money talks, particularly in Thailand...

They had to put him in the slammer for one or two nights to save face... He'll take over from the puppet elected today soon.

Beats giving your people an adequate education, and encouraging critical and independent thinking at school and in society... No need to waste money to adapt education to the 21st century. Good plan, Minister!* *This post may or may not include sarcasm!

Who would have guessed that the optimistic predictions wouldn't be met... And yes, relying on China in regards to exports and tourism income doesn't bode well in the foreseeable future.

Well, I think it was mentioned that rice farmers get paid more for their rice now, so why would they be 'concerned' then...

Yes. And why higher rice prices are a concern for rice farmers, who knows... -They will have to think of new ways to spend the higher income??

Always when I check my weather app, or read the news online, it says '(heavy) rain every day', but in reality there is either no rain, or only brief drizzle rain... It is cloudy, though, but there isn't as much rain as forcast.

I leave the big tips (and money transfers to the bargirls) to the tourists...

Must be a bit like the "Barbie" movie in the beginning. (Didn't see it, but read a review.) - Barbies in control, doing everything, and Kens just hanging out, doing nothing... Reminded me of Thailand, LOL.

LOL. How do I know about her heart? But yes, efficient and good service deserves tipping. Depends on my order, though. If I ordered for, say, 120 baht, no way I'd tip 30 baht. Anyone who tips more than 10 to 15% is in my eyes either a sucker, or filthy rich, and I'm neither.

Reportedly, Thailand, together with Vietnam and India, is profiting from capital flight out of China.

Yes, this kind of scam seems to be very common now, and, despite huge coverage in the media, people still fall for it.

Probably tourism, later working for the TAT...

Yes, if I overtip, usually barbers too. Used to be, until a few years ago, that my haircut cost 60 baht, and me tipping 10 baht, meaning 1/6th. I still usually tip 10 baht, but at 150 baht now, it is less than 10 percent. (Same barber, though, so over time it worked out for him.) Not keen to raise it to 20 baht, and a 15-baht-tip would probably result in being called 'cheap' ('Why didn't he tip a twenty?') behind my back, so, for now it is still 10 baht. - Sometimes I overtip taxi drivers, rounding up with more than 10 percent, either because they are friendly, or me not bothering to wait for them to search for coins. (Exceptions for taxi drivers from the airport who refuse to use the meter; they get no tip.)

Many locals don't tip, or slightly round up (e.g. bill is 590 baht, and they tip 10 baht). I personally used to tip about 10 percent, but over time 'went native', i.e. usually now just round up as well. More for good service at the barber, restaurants, or a taxi driver helping with the luggage (which has become rare). No, or minimal tip for mediocre service.

And Thaksin coming back on the 22nd, at the latest. What a coincidence... Interesting times, and (most) Thais should not expect to be better off economically for the rest of the decade.

Never mind that, but all laundering (incl. of money) is a job for only Thais.

Looking forward to read about tougher application procedures. But they will probably just raise the price, cause 'rich people cannot be criminals'...

Thailand seems to become a scammers' paradise... Greed meeting gullible people who never learnt to think independently. Nuff said...

True. Brothels and karaoke bars (not primarily for the songs) all over the place. But as soon as it is online, or the neon lights show up in more touristy areas, suddenly Victorian morality kicks in. What a hypocrisy!