lordofdelusion

The BCS has been a mess this year. Now that Mizzou and West Virginia choked out of the big game, who is in? Looks like Ohio State ( BOOOO, over rated conference) and.. Oklahoma?? LSU?? USC? All 2 loss teams but conference champions in tough conferences. My vote is probably LSU. 2 triple OT loses. Thoughts???

If ever there was a case for a playoff system, this year is it.

The elephant in the living room for me is the health and future of the king and what that means for the governance of the country and stability.

25 odd coups in the history of modern Thailand doesnt bode well.. Thailan has had a pretty unusual period of prosperity and stability for the last 15 years and peoples memories of problems have faded, it was only back in early 90's the army was popping off machine guns at demonstrators. People expect things to remain as they are and improve not become less stable. I would say Thailand has had a lucky streak and is more Burma like or Combo like in its governance than Malaysia like or Singapore like. That fact stops me from making a real seaview villa on some high end land.

As to property I feel on phuket the low end is still going along nicely, cheap expats and thais locating to the area, the 4 mil and under range, tho thats hardly 'investment level' spending.. And the very very upper end 40 - 80m end still seems to be building and selling (to who baffles me but from what I see).. But the 10 - 20 mil range is not selling well and second hand homes that are not on developments, your normal nice one home plot jobs are proving very hard to shift. Land sales itself have simply crashed to a tiny fraction of previous sales with (almost) only Thais in the market nd hence prices not at what previous farang guesses would indicate. Theres also a tonne of bullshit surrounding every sale price etc.

Yep, yep and yep. You said a mouthful there LL. I have been on the island almost 2 years and have been shopping property off and on since I arrived. Many of the resales I saw when I arrived are still available. Most are for rent too. I have seen a drop in prices among those who really need to leave. The construction of too many just leaves me shaking my head so I have remained a happy renter. The rental I've been in is not cheap but has a lot of issues that as an owner, I would be very concerned about.

As for the government, I really wonder what the last coup would have been like if not for the high regard this country has for it's king. His influence will be greatly missed in Thailand someday. Long live the King!

I would love to know what the Baht/ Dollar rate will be. If we have a global correction, what can I expect?

your guess is as good as mine Mylord. however i am convinced that the THB/USD rate will be within the range of 25-50

That's the same kind of accuracy that people pay financial managers a lot of money for!! Checks in the mail Doc. (US funds of course)

ah fletch we see what we want to see dont we?

todays 181 point bounce on the DOW (nov 23) was merely short covering in a short week.....the downtrend is still in tact

as for shanghai? the peak was 6124 and now is is 5032, again the downtrend is stil in tact...so as far as asian markets up "stongly" fletch, you are just being silly

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=%5ESSEC

on Dec 11 bubbles bernkae may cut the FED FUND rate again, buy gold and silver on dips, and short the Chinese markets via FXP (PROSHARES US FTSE/XI (FXP)

more pain is coming in 2008, sell on rallies and keep your powder dry

since this is the Thai forum, forget the SET, it will soon b e cirlcling the bowl

I agree with you that 2008 will be a tough year. The treasury secretary in the US said as much last week. Many calls for a dramatic rate cut to avoid an all out recession as well. And I agree about the SET. From what I'm hearing now, emerging markets are a sell. What I don't know, and will never understand, is the driver of exchange rates. I would love to know what the Baht/ Dollar rate will be. If we have a global correction, what can I expect?

As has been mentioned, it's late to the dollar fall party. This week at least 3 loud complaints from Europe, Airbus, Sarkozy and some finance minister, regarding the high level of the Euro. It is a similar complaint to what the US had for years about the Chinese currency. Any slow down in the US economy will be felt globally as the US still makes up a very large percentage of the world economy. Other economies and currency will get pinched too. I wouldn't move out of dollars completely. Especially if as you say you will be living in the US for some time. All the exchanging back and forth will cost you. I'm in the same boat you are being concerned first with the Dollar/Baht exchange rate. I have no idea how that will turn out!!! We'll see after the election.

Here's alink to todays UN panels findings.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071118/ap_on_...ange_conference

I've had to listen to the right wing in the US for years fighting science for the benefit of big business. But then they are also the ones who insist on teaching the creation myth in science classes over evolution. Here are a couple of quotes from the article.

VALENCIA, Spain - Global warming is "unequivocal" and carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere commits the world to an average rise in sea levels of up to 4.6 feet, the world's top climate experts warned Saturday in their most authoritative report to date.

Chief U.S. delegate Sharon Hays said doubts have been dispelled. "What's changed since 2001 is the scientific certainty that this is happening," she said in a conference call late Friday. She did not indicate that Washington would abandon its policy of voluntary emission cuts.

If the Bush administrations delegate said the above, then I'm afraid it's already too late.

An extraordinary amount of diversification out of the dollar has already occured over the past 5 years. For sure there is still some more ahead, but IMO the lions share of this devaluation is complete. The sentiment is so bearish and the hyperbole from the pundits and govt officials has become so shrill, I'm just waiting for a picture of a burning dollar bill to show up on the cover of TIME magazine. After all, everybody knows the dollar is toast. Very soon will be time to be a contrarian. Takes balls, but that's why most people miss out on the big moves.

And the boondoggle of the Iraq war will die with the Bush presidency. Big lessons have been learned here and it will be a long, long time before another folksy Texan (aka Lyndon Johnson/Vietnam) is allowed in the oval office.

May your last 2 sentences find their way to the appropriate power.

Some on CNBC yesterday were saying it's getting time to be long dollars. Cycles, like everything else. Those shorting dollars now are late to the party. Good time to buy real estate in the US too. Buy low sell high applies to everything!

It is a matter of increasingly little concern as time goes by and the "western" mind slowly fades from my view.

The tessabaan has condemed the over-hanging house and a few others, too.

The apartment block, Beverley Hills has also been condemned. The apartments are owned by different people, mainly foreigners and were worth 7 to 8 million each.

Lot of people affected by this.

The unit to the east side, closest to the villa that has been damaged the most, comprised of 4, 2 bedroom units, one of which was 2 storey, was recently for sale on a local website for 15 million Baht. Those on the "L" have not been evacuated as they are not connected but one is vacant and has a for sale sign on it. The west side townhomes are not physically effected but what a crappy neighboorhood to live in with the demolition if not collapse of the other units.

amazingly , there are 3 or 4 people still on the balconies of that 5 storey building.

probably in shock.

A lot of lookey loos out today. They evacuate because it isn't safe and then people go stand in the evacuated area. Duh?? Let me play psychic. Tomorrow's first thread, " Idiots killed in building collapse"

Actually, the water was just restored here at 1540 after they were able to re-route a pipe. The rain began to fall at the same time!! The fate of the the buildings pictured above is in question but I hear from one owner that the insurance company has indicated they are not covered. Still early, things may change, but for now the task of stabilizing these 5 story buildings while the rain continues remains a difficult task.

The Beverly Hill developemnet above Nanai Road was partially evacuated last night after a unit slide down the hillside and triggered a massive mudslide.

Your wife could only stay for 6 months in the US on her tourist visa. You will need to get a immigrant visa for her to stay for a couple of years.

Assuming you live in Thailand and have proof of such, you can file the I-130 petition with the USCIS office in Bangkok. If your ducks are in a nice neat row, the timing can be about 3 months to get the visa.

TH

Is there a type of visa that she could apply for in the US to stay permanently? We may well be back to Thailand in time but we would stay as residents of the US for 2 years.

I have a legally registered marriage to a Thai woman and an infant daughter. We will be heading to the US embassy in time to register the birth of the little one and apply for her passport. My wife holds a 10 year multi entry visa to the US currently. We are thinking of living in the US for a couple of years. Can the wife apply for an extension of stay in the US or do we need to get her an immigrant visa before we go? Does the fact she is the mother of my daughter have any bearing? And finally, what's the timeline for all this?

Thanks for the advice.

I am disgusted at this news as well. The suggestion of writing letters or e-mails is a start, but does anyone have specifics? Addresses or E-mails please. I will write till I drop!!! I can't believe the police were not more interested in knife wielding teenagers with an unsolved stabbing murder hanging in the air!! Outrageous!!!

I also flew Fireflz a few months ago. Was surprised to get to the airport in Penang for my return and the flight was cancelled. Their explanation.....there wasn't enough people on the plane. Their solution.....try again tomorrow. Maybe more passengers. No compensation, no apology. Buyer beware.

My wife recently gave birth in Bangkok Phuket hospital, thank you, and while we were there, I noticed that the TV in room was much better than my ubc. We were getting ASTRO from Malaysia. CNN, BBC, HBO,Cinemax, American football, Star World movies and entertainment, etc; I asked the hospital about it and she directed me to Phuket Cable. Unfortunately, their website keeps saying under construction. Check out astro.com.my I would like to found out how a Malaysian company was providing service to a Phuket hospital. Anybody?????

Speed kills! An often heard statement in North American sports. Can't coach speed. The All Blacks seem to have plenty. As a new rugby convert from the states, I like the way they play. Always trying to keep possession, lots of good ball handling and long runs, always supported by by a bunch of players. Fun to watch.

The American Embassy charges $40 USD to notarize a statement from you that you make so much per month. They do not need proof, only your sworn word. That original notarized statement was taken in Phuket to issue retirement visa. I have to get a new original each year. No requirements were asked about transfer into a Thai bank account (yet).

That is exactly what they told me. What are the odds that 2 farang got the same story?

I had originally gone with all my financial data and they weren't interested. They wanted the embassy document that required absolutely no documentation to obtain. Odd but as long you know the rules you can play the game!

If i remember correct then:

BOT strated to cut rates before the FED.

And since thai interest rate are actually lower in the moment than US, I dont see how " the BOT would reduce their rates by a like amount".

If the article was correct, the BOT will now lower the rate by another .50 as the US fed did to weaken the Baht along with the dollar. The Thai economy could use a kick in the arse anyway.

I had read recently that some Thai official was saying that if the US dropped rates, the BOT would reduce their rates by a like amount. This, to continue to stem the Baht appreciation versus the dollar. Not much change this morning in the exchange rate.

Oh, and I'm with you jonniebkk. I had a nice boost yesterday!!!!!!

I feel your pain The closest I get to actually following a game is on NHL.com live radio broadcasts. They have all the games and being only sound you don't require a fast internet connection. (which you will never have here)

And yes, we may all be considered some of the finest hockey players in all off Thailand

It's more than the Thai company/land ownership bit though that is certainly part of it. The weak dollar is keeping yanks home and allowing the Europeans to buy all those forclosed properties in Florida at a great price. Infrastructure is better in Florida, internet etc; Global economics and the Thai government also figure in.

It's been my recent experience in shopping for houses, particularly in new developments, that discounts are available. One place offered a quick million baht off, from 8 to 7 million. Other places are throwing in pools, furniture, low interest mortgages or such things. I think it is a buyers market more and more.

Time will tell.

The one thing I cannot seem to pin down is the rule(s) regarding play for the ball after the tackle. I know the player that has been tackled is suppose to release the ball and I understand calls related to the team in possession “holding” on to the ball or not releasing the ball. What I don’t full grasp are the rules regarding the opposing teams options after the tackle in regard to attempting to gain possession of the ball after the tackle has been made?

Many times the ball just lies there behind the ruck while the team with possession decides what they will do next?

Or even inside the ruck what can the opposing teams do inside the ruck (while the ball is still inside the ruck) to attempt to gain possession of the ball? Many times it seems like the opposition makes it too easy for the player that has been tackled to release the ball back towards his own players.

Anyone care to enlighten me? Once the ruck is formed and the ball released sitting on the ground the defending team can go for the ball but have to go through the ruck, they cannot go from the side. This is very difficult as there are normally 2 or 3 hulking great big opposing forwards in the way. It rarely happens against 2 well matched side although it did appear to happen in the Samoa game for their disallowed try. I am still at a loss as to why that try was not awarded and the TV coverage has been appalling with regard to replays and an explanation from the commentators, which does not help people trying to learn the game

OK, how about before a ruck is formed.. can anyone pick up a released ball? What about trailing players, those left behind after a long run for instance. Can they enter the play from behind?

I agree about the coverage. The commentators are like 2 guys just sitting in the stands chating with each other.

As for the Eagles / England game – certainly a better showing by the Eagles than excepted but hard to say if the Eagles have really stepped up their game or if England just played that bad. England challenged line-out after line-out and pretty much controlled every scrum. IMHO the biggest up side for the Eagles was that things did not seem to deteriorate as the game wore on.

Compare that to the Canada/ Wales game; Canada gave Wales everything they could take for the first 50/60 min. After Canada scored that try after opening the second half it looked like they might actually have a shot. But as the game wore on Wales pulled away, and away, and away.

U.S. ex-pat here. I have been watching and enjoying the Rugby action in an attempt to broaden my sports horizons. Beats soccer all to hel_l but that is a different thread.

I've read the rules online and had an English friend give me a little primer. Could someone explain to me:

why, if the ball must be released immediately, and the tackler release immediately upon hitting the ground, is there need of a ruck? Can't someone just pick up the ball and take off?

why isn't the drop kick used more often?

after a mishandle, it is only the player that dropped the ball that can recover ? if someone touches it from the other team is it then again live?

Why do Australia and New Zealand seem to be from another planet than the rest of the teams?

Serious questions, not trolling. Just want to enhance my enjoyment of the action.

Cheers!

Here's a useful article from The Times last week:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rug...icle2409879.ece

It's about Nigel Melville., former England scrum half now CEO of Rugby USA.

In a previous article that I can't find he is quoted as saying that only 5% of collegiate football players make the professional draft. That leaves 95% available for Rugby, if only an effective professional set-up can be created. The International Rugby Board is putting a lot of money into the USA to achieve that and in the hope that TV will offer some coverage that will encourage the take-up of the sport.

After seeing the Eagles against England I'm very positive about the future of the game in the US.

Good info. Yes, there are many football programs across the US. It's in the hundreds when you include the small colleges as well as division 1A. Plenty of bodies but the key is exposure. TV coverage with a lot of education and info about the game would be needed. Still a long hard road to gain a market share. If only there was a forward pass in Rugby!!