swissie

Crime is everywhere. Fake Gold on the increase. As I gather, with the help of Bismut/Wismut the specific weight of Gold can nowadays be imitated. Therefore only the surface must contain Gold, what's inside is not Gold. Final proof can only be detected, when a Gold-Bar is sawed in 2 to see "what's inside" (for example). True/False? Some true "Gold-Bugs" here (having worked in the jewellery/gold business) may be able to shed some light on this.

It's called "trading". My trading platform is very honest. Disclosing that 76% their retail trading-customers lose money year after year. So, who is winning? The big "trading houses" (Banks, Insurance companies, funds) that have constantly new funds coming in, enabeling them to "average down" until the cows come home.

Again: "How would this affect your investments / your portfolio?" Spill your guts. I am no good at deciphering cryptic messages.

If Farangs only would start to understand the most basic thing about marriages between a Farang and a Thai lady: - In the best of cases, a Farang can reach the same standing as the rest of the Thai family. That is the best case, as "the family" remains the center of the universe for a Thai lady. This constellation does not change, even if the Farang builds 17 mansions for the family. - It is not considered "immoral" that the family encourages the wife to milk the Farang for all he has got as long as it benefits her plus the family. Quite the opposite: If she doesen't act this way, she is likely to "lose face" in the eyes of the family. How long will it take before Farangs finally understand this concept?

The November elections in the US will decide, how the world will "function" afterwards. Always keeping in mind that US voters vote by their wallet. Should inflation / gas prices should stay high, combined with a possible slowdowdown of the economy, chances are that a change of governement takes place. How would this affect your investments / your portfolio?

Eureka, it has happened. Went to an old folks home and declared that the swiss economy will grow by 9.5% this year. Predictably, the old ladies tore off their clothes and asked for some "Chippendale" dancers. Enthusiasm total. Within this environement it was easy to sell some life insurance to a bunch of 95 year olds. Backed by a insurance company, domiciled in Eastern Timbuktu.

As I like to buy low and sell high I am not really a happy camper these days, as "everything" seems "high". I am trying to focus on "fallen angels /turnaround situations". I found out that it takes a lot of work for the individual investor to find such (viable) situations. Usually "run of the mill" advisories find turnarounds only after they have risen 30% already. Question: Any research institute / broker / newsletter that spcialises in fallen angels / turnaround situations, BEFORE they have gained 30% ? Anyone?

While the US Russel 2000 is holding up quite well. Who is buying the "small-caps"? Or: Who is not selling the "small caps"?

If they eventually have to "roll-over" their 1% loans to (new) 5% loans, their balance-sheet may not look so good anymore.

Brothers, let's face it. Not much economic growth in the west and meager productivity increases for the last decade. What kept the party going? 0% interest rates (money for free). In the meantime the world has accumulated a mountain of dept, that would even make John Wayne shake in his boots. To keep the party going, we need "free money" again, one way or the other. It's an addiction. What does the world need? Cocaine, Heroin, Extasy? No, what the world needs is "free money" once more. Otherwise the party will end.

64% ? About same as Switzerland. BUT: Thailand (with the help of China) still has the potential of strong economical growth. In Switzerland, if ever we should see annual economic growth over 3%, our 65 year old women will dance naked in the streets. Exclaiming: Halleluya , the Gods are with us.

In todays market, it seems that "interest-rates" is the dominating factor. Everything else is just a "side-dish". Lower interest rates means more "liquidity". This liquidity can go into stocks as well as Gold. (or the purchase of fancy underwear). Once the "mesmerisation" of declining interest rates takes a backseat and other factors gain weight again, the "tandem-run" of Stocks and Gold may come to an end.

Main thing remains: If you live in the "sticks", in case of "stroke" or "heart attak" you are always too far away from the nearest hospital. Living in Bangkok: By the time an Ambulance reaches your home, under such circumstances, you can only be declared as "death on arrival" due to constant "traffic chaos". Conclusion: Die quickly or carry paperwork with you that shows that you have insurance for 5 mill Bht or have 5 mill Bht in your wallet. Otherwise you will be classified as a "pennieless farang". Probably the worst thing that can happen to a Farang.

Well, like I said, I have Bank Records dating back 7 years. This paperwork weighs about 2 kilos. If that's not enough, they can lock me up in Alcatraz for the next 10 years. So be it.

I have tried to make sense of positive or negative correlations for the last 500 years. In the meantime, I shy away from any correlations, like the devil shying away from Holy Water. Conclusion: They work for a while, then stop working, until they start to work again. Unpredictable. I am polishing my cristal ball with more vigor than ever before.

Hmmm! Only kept my Bank Records for the last 7 years. Diden't think anything older would ever be of relevance to anyone. What now?

Quote: "You can fool a few foreigners, but not your own people, not forever, no frigging way!" - Our "western soldiers" are very well informed. They know more than anyone else, how "undersupplyed" (in any way) they are. Do you really think, this social media/party generation will lay down their young life for some "fatherland" once more. Cannon fodder, once more? Or fight for a political/economical system that they don't understand anymore? It might well be, that especially the "western soldiers" might find a thread going by "where to go as a European fugitive" might find much interest when the time should come.

The possibilities to invest in different kinds of bonds is amazing. I call it the Bond-Zoo. US treasuries still very popular. Would like to remind that in the meantime, compared to GDP, the US is at 125%. To pay for existing dept (interest) is over 10% of the budget. The US treasury borrows 6 million Dollars per minute. The upcoming "infra structure projects" will cost another 7 billion. Definitely catapulting the US into the club of highly indepted nations (Italy, France). Ergo: Even if US inflation should drop back to pre-pandemic levels, investors may find a "net risk-premium" of 3% as a minimum. In other words: No more "free money" for the US.

How to stop a bad guy with a gun? = With a good guy with a gun! After 20 years of "underfunding" it's armies, Europe has no more enough "good guys with a gun" left. All it takes is a President Trump once more. In such a case, the contributions to this thread will explode as it becomes "a real issue". Even for those that think "this can never happen".

Unmarreied. Less than 50K. Does that mean that I can ignore (not do) the FBAR filings?

Rats! A Russian Occupation will likely bring a halt to pension-money transfers to some European "refugees". No matter where they are. Even in Thailand. Respect: You are the only one that has (so far) adressed the subject in connection with the headline.

This topic should be moved to "The Lounge". Before it ends up somewhere in the "dark-net".

For the first time since 2006 I have to ask the moderators to close a thread of mine. Current posters staunchly refuse to comment on the headline of this post, instead trying to turn this into another Ukrainian/Russian ping pong game. I would therefore suggest, that unless posters focus in on the "Headline" of this post, this thread should be closed, with my approval.

Interesting. How do you bring this in connection with this thread?

Again, please back on topic.