swissie

Don't know if the quoted Gold prices include "carrying charges". Not producing any interest, but to store Gold costs money. Depending of the "mode of storage". Probably the most expensive way to "store" Gold is a long position in futures contracts. There, the carrying charge currently is almost 7% per year.

Where is the rest having survived? Depending on statistics, the success rate on new "start-up's is dismal. Unless one is involved in "digitalisation". That's where the money is today. 100 years ago, mining and Railroads were the place to be. All others (fired employees from McDonalds) trying to re-invent the Hamburger have no chance to succeed. As well as some guys in Detroit trying to re-invent the automobile.

How many "start-ups" from the year 2000 are still around? The Russell 2000 index (small caps) can't keep up with "new entries" versus companies that have to be "trown out", not fulfilling minimum requirements anymore.

That's what they said in the summer of 2000. Gold costing 260 US $ per Oz.

I suppose you have read all of my posts. Not able to reach any "conclusions". At any rate, I will not start any "ping pong" game with you concerning economics. Those "ping pong" games take place on "social media", a place where I am not present.

Of course I am. I take my clues from gammaglobulin. Strongly supported by AI (artificial intelligence). It's practically my "home turf" here. I am quite sure that "your home turf" is rather located somewhere in the universe of "social media". You may want to stay there.

Your comment brings back memories. Currently I am rolling on the floor, crying like a baby as I know those times will never come back. Once upon a time there was "a men's paradise". A short "window of opportunity". Never before, never after. Best of all, formerly, the Girls felt very comfortable in this "mens paradise". Until somebody came along and told the girls that it is not Ok to feel comfortable in a "men's paradise". Convincing them that your body parts below the belt are much more worth than 500 Bht. Explaining to them, that the lower parts of an European women are valued at 2000 Bht minimum. That's when "Adam" was thrown out of paradise for the second time.

ST sex in most European cities is around 2000 Bht these days. Not having to sit in an Airplane for 12 hours. AND: Plenty of "Thai Salons" have closed all over Europe. Why? Because Thai Ladies can make close to the same amount of money working in Thailand.

When even in non financial newspapers the price of Gold makes the headlines, a bit of caution is advisable. Also: For decades, Gold was recommended as part of a portfolio (safe harbor, offsetting losses in other equities). Gold has a life of it's own, in the past as well as today. Especially today, as Gold follows other equities like a good dog follows his master. So, the concept that Gold would "offset" the losses in an other playing field is in question. Explainable by the current concept of eighter "risk on" (buy everything) or "risk off" (sell everything). PS: If your life expenctancy is more the 10 years, this should not stop you from buying Gold. If your life expenctancy is less then 10 years, I recommend that you spend your money on "wine, women and song".

The party will go on because the party MUST go on. Economic "recessions" are no more allowed. If necessary, the Central Banks will provide enough "liquidity" once more to prevent this from happening. "Soft landings" are todays gospel. "Recession" has become a dirty word. I remember times when recessions were "allowed". Helping to "self clense" economies. The Central Banks only acting to "soften" downturns at best. The world economy has turned into a drug addict. = free money/low interest rates. Like a heroin addict, higher doses are required to maintain a certain level of "happyness". Both addictions have one thing in common: There will be no "happy ending".

At some point, we must come down to the "nitty gritty". I can tell, you despise war as I do. Formerly involving "Armies" on the battlefield only. Since WW2 "civilians" are part of "warfare". But looking back 2000 years, most "victories" were won by armies that were able to "outgun" the opponent. A repetiton of ths constellation will happen in the case of the Ukraine. Borders to western countries are now strictly guarded. Too many Ukrainians between the age of 18 to 40 do not want to join the Ukrainian army anymore. Spartakus, the American Indians, even Napoleon and Hitler were finally "outgunned". Of course the capability to "outgun" an opponent will change over time, but the chances that Russia will "outgun" the Ukraine today are frightenly high. -------------------------------------------------- But more of importance: As I have raised the question before, "Who will pay for the rebuilding of the Ukraine, or what's left of it after the war"? Unfortunately, I have not received any "remedies" concerning this matter by contributors of this forum, nor by the "western political elite". That's the "hot potato" that nobody wants to touch in the west. But Vladimir will, at a discount price.

Western "war-reporting" leaves a lot to be desired for. So, from time to time, it is helpful to comment what is ACTUALLY happening in the Ukraine. -The Ukraine is in the process of orchestrating some kind of "Battle of the Bulge" in the Northeast. Designed to draw away Russian troops away from the Donbass. Not working. - The Russians advance steadily in the Donbass. The Ukraine has established a line of defense, declaring several strategic cities as "fortresses". (Like pearls on a string). 2 pearls of that string are the cities of Pakowsk and Selydowe. Both are likely to "fall" soon. Civilians leaving already. With this line of defense perforated, the Russians will be able to advance much faster. All of this not of much interest to the "western press", mesmorised by the Ukrainian "Battle of the Bulge" currently. Surely, the Ukrainian soldiers trying to hold the Donbass defence line miss their comrades sorely that have been sent to a public-relations stunt on Russian territory.

You folks don't get it, do you? Nobody get's it. This is nothing but another "cry for help" by GG. The man lives entirely in his digitalised world, afraid to participate in the real world anymore. Never have I read comments of a more "detached" individual than GG's posts. The man needs help, not "internet approval". Every post of GG is a "cry for help". Asking for a helping hand, that will enable him to "join the world again", explaining to him that a computer screen is only a small part of the world. The man needs help, urgently. Crying out for help, not approval.

Above, I wondered what this "correction" caused. Now we know: The "carry trades" that have turned sour was the perpetraitor ! Margin calls, forced liquidations. Fine. But: Having to sell your stocks to offset your losses in an other "playing field"? How much intertwined "leaverage" can the financial world stand? I find, we are standing on "shaky ground". All of us, as we all are part of the "world economy". Depending on "free money" (low interest rates), to keep the financial "merry go round" turning.

Will cause a lot of "negative press" in "the west". = Confiscation of property etc etc. They might issue some "Grandfathering rights" for older "Contracts". At the same time declaring, that such "contracts" will no more be allowed as of today.

Thai "officialdom" has realised, that after an initial "burst of investment" (buying house, car etc etc) for the queen of their hearts, their monthly outlays become relatively modest, compared to what tourists spend. So, no wonder that some official "Thai-Thinkers" came to the conclusion that Expats should pay more for the privilege to stay in Thailand. Actually, allowed to stay in Thailand is the ony privilege/right that Expats have in Thailand. This not stopping thousands of elderly Farangs every year to settle in Thailand.

I assume that the Hemp will be grown in Thailaand. You would have to offer Thai Farmes a price that is higher than their traditional crops. Giving them a "price guarantee" beforehand. An obstacle might be, that Thais (Thai Farmers) are not known to welcome change/innovation. You would need to be "well connected" with rural "power-brokers", that can take a sufficient number of Farmers "aboard". All that will take a substantial amount of "seed money", before the first crop is harvested. I find this start-up interesting. Although I think you would find a more fertile ground for this project in Vietnam. The pupulace not afraid of "innovation", and "the government" willing to partially fund projects that they consider "worthwile". At any rate, I wish you success.

The trees absorb a lot of CO2. During it's lifetime that is. A dead tree laying in the forest will give back all the stored CO2 back into the athmosphere. Wood for construction purposes will not last forever, ending up as firewood. Also giving back the CO2 into the athmosphere. In order to neutralize my livelong CO2 "footprint", I would have to plant 800 trees. ------------------------ - "Pivot-points" have entered the discussion. Some far away, others nearer. The "nearest" pivot point is when the Gulf Stream stops circulating (constantly slowing down). If that happens, nobody would want to live in Ireland, England, Norway and Sweden anymore. Getting too cold. Ironically, this in a period of global warming. While in other regions it will become "too hot". Overall, buying some real estate in northern Canada sounds good.

Well, "the moral of the story can only be": Look before you leap. No sense to avoid taxes in Thailand, only to find out that the taxes in the "new country of my choice" are equal or even higher than in Thailand.

An article of the largest newspaper in CH ("Blick"), concerning Expats in S/E Asia. About a week ago. Also helpful: Look at post from "stat", Quote: " Malaysia, Philippines, Nicaragua, Belize and others have no ww income taxation. Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia do have ww income taxation (in theory)".

Taxation of foreighners an issue in Thailand. As I gather from different news sources, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia also tax foreighn income. Only the Philippines do not. True/False? If true, no escape left.

Again: "After the war: Who is going to pay for the rebuilding of the Ukraine. It's not going to be Vladimir. Who is left? The "west" of course, who else. Will the Western Taxpayer be thrilled (after having paid for a war that the Ukraine was never able to win) to additionall pay for the "rebuilding" of the Ukraine? As a western Taxpayer, how much of your salary would you be willing to pay for the "rebuilding" of the Ukraine? After the war, this will be the only "theme" making the headlines.

Medical Progress has been breathtaking, Especially since we start to understand DNA/RNA. A new window has opened. As opposed to before, these days Doctors want to know if there were any main "medical problems" in your family history. Indicating that the medical community realises, that your "genes" play a far greater role than anticipated before. The pharmaceutical industry does not like such "progress". - My brother died at the age of 84. His weight 140 kilos. Inspite of medication, his BP was "alarming" for the last 10 years. - I myself smoke 2 1/2 packs of cigarettes per day. For the last 52 years. I venture to say, that the day is not too far off, when the "medical community" will disclose that your health and longivity does not depend on how many walks you took and how many healthy vegetables you ate in your lifetime, but rather: "It's mainly in your Genes". Give me 10 more years and the "medical community" will confirm: "It's mainly in your Genes".

But approx 50% of voters see his blunders and other "strange inner workigs of a strange brain" as the only pathway to "make America great again".

Dear Kamala, I am so impressed. Your popularity has increased from 0 to 100. Reminds me of the hype at Wal Mart when they sell a new model of a vacuum cleaner at an introductionary bargain price. You are riding on a "leftist tickt". But in order to win in November you would need a few votes from CONSERVATIVE Democrat/Republican voters. Doubtful if you get those votes. Without them, you can not win, unless Donald delivers a series of "blunders" til November. Best wishes, sincerely, swissie.