swissie

Thais have their "Thai-Gold". They don't go by "Ounces". Example: A couple of years ago I wanted to sell some 1 oz gold bars and some Kruegerrand coins to my Thai Bank. Against a receipt, they took in the merchandise for "assessement". A week later, the amount was credited to my Thai account. At a discount of 10% below bid/ask spread in New York or Zuerich. Conclusion: Whatever is denominated in Ounces, or not considered "Thai Gold" don't sell it in Thailand.

Currency exchange rates do matter. I don't observe "currency baskets" much. But I do constantly watch 2 "hard currencies". The US$ versus the Swiss Franc. Since the beginning of the year, the "hard currency" (Swiss Franc) has collapsed against the US$. US$ from 0.83 to 0.90. Signaling that the US$ universe is perfectly intact and above any doubt. Granted, the swiss national bank has eased interest rates by 1/4%, ahead of anyone else, but the collapse of the Swiss Franc started before that. Conclusion: Official statements issued by central banks is one thing, but what they actually do in "the markets" is another thing. For private investors, it's another "enigma". More and more "enigmas" seem to emerge globally. PS: Swiss investors have not made any money by investing in the US stock market lately. Truly, currency exchange rates DO matter.

Unfortunately you are right. I would not recommend to be part of any "western womans liberation army". Especially as the "Isaan- spirit" has not yet been affected by the "Bankkok Ways" in a meaningful way. Inspite of a hundred western NGO's, that tell Thai Females that the time to "awaken" is here. Remarkably, most rural Thai Females still don't know from what they sould be awaken from.

There are so many official and private statistics available that prove that the "Central-Banks" are the main buyers of Gold. I would like to know why in such a situation "private investors" rather sell their Gold, instead of following "the central banks policy" of accumulating gold, instead of selling it. Again: I called this thread "The Enigma of Gold". With good reason.

My sister in law is awaiting a further "correction" after a botched- up hip operation in a first- class Melbourne hospital. Describing Opium Pain Killers as the only remedy as they will try to rectify the problem with further invasive operations. (April 22). If that doesn't work, an increase of Opiod Pain killers will serve as the ultimate solution.

I remain: The central banks are gobbeling up Gold massively. At the same time Private Investors get rid of their Gold holdings. There is a good reason I called this thread as "the Gold Enigma".

Old is old, right? Not quite, I find. Males get old as well as females. But once a European female has reached 60, all attraction has evaporated. European Males at this age can still sail under " a desirable charakter with wrinkles and a fat wallet". Attributes that a European female at the age of 60 can seldom deliver. My observance: Thai women at the age of 60 have less "wrinkles" and have maintained a certain openess and a "spark" toward sexuality. As opposed to Farang Females at the same age, where no more "spark" can be detected anymore. No wonder that elderly Farangs with relatively few wrinkles end up in Thailand, knowing that regardless of age, a certain "spark", administered by Thai females, regardless of age, can still be had. At a price. "There is no free lunch", well understood. As there is no "free lunch" to be had with a wrinkeled-up European women, the choice becomes somewhat easier.

Will do. Remarkable is that I have this problem only for 4 to 5 weeks. No long term "sneeking-up" on me, as usually is the case, concerning "hip-problems". I shall see.

My hip (right side) is strarting to hurt. Little walking, little sports. Should I start walking more or less to delay hip surgery?

A question: Why are central banks buying Gold as if there were no tomorrow (especially third world countries) while private investors are selling their Gold and ETF Gold certificates? WHY THIS?

Hard to find anyone that isen't "bullish" these days. All very well supported by increasing profits and increasing dividends is the consensus. Fine! About half of investement decisions are made by "gut feelings" (psychologie). What if investors "feel" that after such a good bull-run, some profits should be realised? Our Mike Lister is not the only one thinking along those lines. Most bull markets stall out before the fundamentals would justify increased selling. (Psychology: Enough is enough, I want to see some tangible cash and can always re-enter the markets after "a little correction"). Bull Markets can only continue if investors refuse to sell AND new money enters the markets. Those 2 factors must not necessarily reflect the state of the Economy, short term. But lo and behold, seldom have "fundamentals" supported a bull-market like we experience it currently (inflation down, interest rates on the way down, profits rising). Investors paradise! When it comes to "paradise", I advice caution. After all, God closed the Jerusalem Stock Exchange for Adam and Eve for 2000 years, just when they thought that the party would never end.

IMO Dr. Copper has lost a great deal of relevance concerning "the fever curve" of the world economy. Too much depends on whats happening in China. Worldwide Copper stocks fluctuate wildly on a monthly basis. = roller coaster. The narrative of the "electrification of the world" is still intact, but this is a long term process, not helping Copper much in the short to mid term. If Cocoa should become a new economic indicator, I will stop investing altogether and I will store my assets under the matress.

So good to hear that you stay close to the fire-exit. Especially since aspestos fire suits and fire extinuishers "made in China" tend to underperform. Same as the Chinese Governement trying to "rejuvenate" the Chinese "Export Miracle" once more.

Hi Mike Lister! A while ago, I suggested to add a sub forum "investements" in ASEAN NOW. You volunteered to moderate. Thanks. But is has become appearant that a seperate "investement-forum" is not justified. I conclude that well funded Farangs have their sources of "investement-interactions/advice" already established somewhere else. In this forum here, the main concern of contributors seem to be "how to import/export money from Thailand at the lowest cost". Perfectly OK.

Eurika and a triple halleluya! The sky is the limit! Because: - Everybody (including his uncle) is now convinced that a global "soft landing" is assured. - The war against inflation is won. Therefore Interest rates "must" come down. - Profits of companies raising. - The Vix (volatility index) near the lows. (Nobody fearing any major setbacks). Simultainly "capital protection derivates" are in low demand. Clearly indicating to everybody (including his uncle) that the sky is the limit and there is little "downward-risk" anymore. -------------------- But, there are a few things that could eventually spoil the party: - The inflationary driven profit margins of companies could come to a halt. As not truly supported by productivity increases. - The "economic growth" has not benefitted the "middle class". Where does the future money come from to support economic growth when the middle class has no more the money to support "economic growth"? Disposonable income for the Middle-Class constantly declining in the "western world". - The US, still the economic powerhouse it seems. It may be subject to re-evaluation, once the world realises that the second largest annual budget outlay is the servicing of the national dept. (servicing dept means only paying for interest). - A bit worriesome that a single company can guide the world into a AI new age, just because their "chips" can do what all other Chip-Manufacurers appearantly can not do. Never mind all this. As long as everybody (including his uncle) is convinced that the sky is the limit, might as well enjoy the ride. Problem is, if somebody cries "fire", the fire-exits will be clogged in no time at all. I myself stay close to the fire exit.

Strictly Human Nature. We love to go around telling everybody about our personal "success-storys". We prefere to brush our "failure-storys" under the carpet. Anything new? As far as this is concerned, the personal/financial "failure-rate" of Farangs in Thailand is unknown, but probably higher than in eastern Timbuktu.

Unless GG has served in Vietnam, he doesn't know how "activated" napalm smells. I was told that neglecting to wash ones underwear for over 3 years will produce exotic smells that even confuses well trained police dogs.

What a big surprise. For years I have posted here that those central/south American countries are (or will) turn into "S*it hole" countries. I was right. Thailand is nice this time of year. If nothing else, forking over 25'000 Bht/year to a visa agency assures eternal residency in Thailand. It doesn't get any better or easier or cheaper anywhere else.

I venture to guess, that you are an inexperianced investor. You need to do some homework before entrusting your money to someone. You must not only do your investment dealings by way of "Bangkok Bank". Bankok Bank is strong concerning Thailand, but has "weak connections" when it comes to "international investing". For every financial transaction, they charge a relatively high commission. - I have 2 stepdaughters, working for "Bangkok Bank". They assure me, that they will recommend investments that give them the highest personal "commission". Under these circumstances, their "advice" is questionable. Better to establish an investment-account with a international broker (Charles Schwab, for example). Low cost and good advice. Above all: As an inexperianced investor, shy away from people that approach you with promesses of 10 to 20% "guaranteed" annual returns. Those are scams, without exeption. Those sceamsters will realise within 5 minutes, that you are an inexperianced investor, having found another "prey".

At some point, you will realise, that you are the trailblazer for posters that have escaped the "animal-farm". Keep it up. Suggestion for your next thread: "Why do Thai Cows eat grass and I don't". Massive response assured, producing 5 pages of responses in no time at all.

There can be no doubt. GG's life takes place on the internet (social media). That's where he extracts his next days ASEAN NOW thread(s). Ranging from the absurd to outlandish and everything in between. Main thing: Gaining attention and generating "klicks". Giving his threads a touch of "intellectualism" can be helpful. GG is the Kim Kardashian of ASEAN NOW. Maintaining attention by all means. Nevermind. GG' s threads have become a "must read". Just awaiting his next thread keeps me on the edge of my seat. Always wondering what absurd theme he has extracted from social media yesterday to be fed to the perfectly innocent readers here. So exiting! But unfortunately delivering proof, that folks that have moved their earthly life to social media run the risk of eventually end up in a psychiatric institution. GG should not stop contributing, but rather step outside into the "analoge world" and take his future inspirations for his threads from the "analog world", enriching his threads greatly.

Seems to me that Bob is caught in a downward spiral. - Maritial problems (his wife not providing any form of "anchor"). - Not knowing where to go and what to do, despite his ripe age. A very volatile frame of mind as the root cause. A ship on the ocean, trying to navigate without compass. - Alcoholism. All that is missing in this desastrus cocktail would be mounting financial problems. Then, the downward spiral would become irreversible. A pattern that I have observed too often among Farangs in Thailand. OR: Bob is a prankster, just loving to throw controversial issues into the ASEAN Arena. He would not be the only one here.

Good to hear that Vientiane has now a private hospital. Private hospital= Expensive. Maybe we should accept that while living in the "sticks" that "death must be accepted." After all, there are x-millions of people on this earth that have no access to 1st world medical treatement. Living under the motto: "When my time comes, my time has come". Not sure, if Farangs can adopt this life-philosopfy. There is always awaiting free medical tratement in the home country. Granted, that the illness creeps up in slow motion. Your HAM Radio operation: Hilarious!

That's a bit remote, especially when living alone. How far away is nearest hospital? Do you have a trusted/reliable person that you could telephone in case of emergency? It's the old story. Even the healthiest Farangs can get sick. Most people die in hospital. Found out, that this is a theme that most Farangs don't like to talk about. - How's your HAM Radio hobby going? Or are you still under the suspicion of being a foreighn spy?

Thailand has gotten better over the years when it comes to "lagalities" concerning a Farang. Also a bit better in Cambodia. But Laos remains in some sort of Stone Age. The personal destiny (Farang and otherwise), still depends of the whim of local power-brokers, as the OP has experienced already. To invest any mayor long term (immovable) funds in current Laos borders on lunacy.