swissie

32 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

You should see an ortho specialist and get an xray.

 

If the hip joint is badly degenerated then you may need to minimize weight bearing. Whereas if tight muscles are to blame walking and stretches will help.

 

No way to know without girst diagnosing the cause. 

 

 

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?

5 hours ago, Mike Lister said:

I've just been reading the year end estimates by the global banks for the S&P and it makes for dismal reading. The consensus is that it will end around 5,200 which is just below its present level, JPM even forecast a fall to 4,700. It almost seems worthwhile to get out of US equities now, go into bonds and take a break for the rest of the year.

 

https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/sp-500-end-2024-with-small-gain-after-strong-2023-2024-02-22/

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.

On 3/26/2024 at 4:00 AM, Mike Lister said:

Cocoa now more expensive than copper, per ton.

 

Maybe a new indicator, Mr Cocoa?

 

https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/705934?utm_source=Newswav&utm_medium=Website

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.

17 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

The younger set have their inheritances and are less concerned about long term investing, they have plenty of money........today! And if the worst should happen, they'll simply buy an ETF or two. 🙂

 

Like you, I also am stood near the fire exit, although I did recently decide to remove my asbestos fire suit and I've returned some of the fire extinguishers to the rack.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

On 3/10/2024 at 6:40 AM, Jingthing said:

I've seen this trend happening for about five years.

Instead of Pattaya being totally ignored for the stupid reason of the sex industry, more and more Pattaya is not only mentioned but specifically highlighted.

Of course maybe it isn't good if it gets TOO popular, but it is pleasing to get confirmation about what expats here already know -- Pattaya (including the metro area of course) indeed is one of the best places in the world to retire abroad on a budget.

 

As far as the budget part of it, no it isn't the absolute cheapest, but bang for the baht, the value for what you get is incredible. 

 

Cut Your Living Expenses in Half By Moving Abroad to These 3 Locations (yahoo.com)

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.

On 3/13/2024 at 2:37 PM, PoorSucker said:

So I transfered some cash to my Bangkok Bank for my retirement fund.

Still intending to work ten more years with WP, so how to invest my cash best using Bangkok Bank

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".

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.

29 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Hi Swissie, yes the health issue concerns me.  I decided against returning to teach in Myanmar because of some small health issues that could make a big problem if access to hospitals are difficult.  

 

The nearest decent hospital would be the new private hospital in Vientiane....... LP has no decent hospital for serious accidents/sudden illnesses - you just accept your death!

 

The ham radio hobby is going well.  My antennas now have camouflage paint and blend in well with the trees 🙂

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!

On 3/10/2024 at 12:50 PM, simon43 said:

LoL, when I built those 4 small hotels in North Phuket between 2002-2012 I did all plumbing, electrical, sewerage work etc in full view of the local Thais and no-one batted an eyelid!! I guess the situation has changed now (at least reading news of foreigners being arrested suggests so).  Laos has similar laws, but 'out in the stix' no-one cares what you do.  Even if I was accosted by the local police, a few $$ and some Lao beer would keep them happy.

 

Now, as Gecko123 has said, a possible future problem could be if my friend does and his family want to kick me off the land and take possession of the house.  Well, I would say "good luck and here are the keys!!", because my investment is absolutely minimal and not worth fighting over 🙂

 

That drawing that I previously posted is just a general design from the internet.  I would construct a layout with a bedroom and bathroom at either end of the house (upstairs) with a living room in the middle and a long balcony running along the long side with access fr4om all rooms.  A kitchenette would run along the opposite side of the living room.  Downstairs would be an open area with concrete slab for my 'play-pool' etc and a lockable storage area with extra bathroom/wc.

 

Downsides?  I can think of a few:

- The land is about 2km outside the riverside village that lies opposite Luang Prabang.  So it is a little remote.  

- What would happen if I fell seriously ill? No-one would hear my shouts for help

- Ditto if burglars broke in

- No popping round the corner to the local shop.  It's a 2km walk or a ride on my motorbike

 

TBH, the possibility of falling ill is my biggest concern.  At 65 years old, I'm in reasonably good health, but it can only go downhill from here 🙂. I'm not worried by burglars etc - they steer clear of people who appear to be mentally ill/crazy!! 🙂

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?

38 minutes ago, HauptmannUK said:

IMHO contracts related to land and housing (lease/usufruct etc) are barely worth the paper they are written on for Wrsterners in places like Thailand and Laos.  If there is a change of heart or death of a signatory etc then whoever owns the land will simply make your life a misery until you eventually leave - or even just kill you if you cause too much trouble.

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.

21 minutes ago, bradiston said:

It's not just the defence of Europe. You want to live under a putinesque regime? No, not do I. He can't have many years left. Maybe 5? Then what? Sure, Ukraine's running low on armaments. Not the point. Russia takes on virtually the whole world? I don't think so. The threat would be enough. Send him packing. He's not going to drop any bomb. He's got his billions stashed. What does he care? Can't take them with him. Same with Kim. He's only interested in maintaining his family's control of North Korea. If it gets blown to kingdom come, so does that.

Fine, money and power.

But to go down in History is the main driving force for "Dictators" once enough money and power have been accumulated.

Our children stlill learn in classrooms about Napoleon , Julius Ceasar and Alexander the Great.

Once money and power are achieved, immortality is the last aim. Putin is on that track. Having instructed Kindergarden Teachers in Russia to convey to the toddlers, that Russia will be great again.

This "great again" narrative sounds familiar to me, from the other side of the world.

9 hours ago, Hummin said:

Strategic land grabs, do not underestimate his reasons to show every allie and possible futeres allies how weak the west is, and also test our alliances. I do not believe his goal is to take over former soviet countries, but strategic pieces for sure. Turkey and Hungary is our week countries in our alliance, Georgia and quite a few others could be at risk, since many of those countries have internal problems, and it is just a matter who is winning the next elections. 

 

Everyonene predicted a short war, and here we are. How strong he is in Russia we really do mot know, but he is still in lead surrounded with strong support from other strong politician's. It doesnt look like his position is threatened. 

 

What is the real numbers on the losses of russian  soldiers? 350 000? 400 000? And 1,2 million wounded, other sources operates with 40 000 killed and 400 000 wounded. Nobody knows, and it doesnt seem to stop the russians yet. 

 

400 000 is a high number and hard to believe is possible. 

Why is it, that some Western Newssources "know" about Russian losses? But not "knowing" about Ukrainian losses? The Ukrainian losses are a well kept secret.

1 hour ago, bradiston said:

Well, everybody's talking about WWIII, which I think is highly inappropriate. Russia has no military allies, except maybe North Korea. China's not interested. Japan and South Korea are totally western aligned, and could launch attacks in the east of Russia. Can't see any African or south American states getting involved. With the whole of Europe and the US, Japan, South Korea, Australia, new Zealand , Canada, Turkey's NATO so wouldn't have much choice, then various central Asian states who've had enough of post soviet domination, that's a lot of fire power. India? Forget it! And as for nuclear, I never believed Putin's threats. MAD.

 

Hardly a world war. I can't see Putin taking on that lot. His army's and armaments almost exhausted. Now would be a good time to kick his butt to hell.

Most of the above countries will not rush to the defence of Europe. "Putins armaments almost exhausted"? Stay away from Social Media Newssources. If anyone is running out of armaments it's the Ukraine.

On 3/7/2024 at 3:04 PM, johng said:

Russia wants to secure its western border  they have taken almost 20% of Ukraine in the Donbas and Crimea regions to that end, there is absolutely no sign they want to advance any further west let alone all the way to Calais.

For hundreds of years, the Russian Tsars knew that Europe was well equipped to resist Russian expansionist dreams. Same during the rule of the Red-Tsars during the cold war.

- Today, Europe is practically defensless, compared to before. Todays Tsar will be tempted to march on, once the Ukraine is "neutralised". Vladimir knowing that European "nuclear defenses" will never be activated. Why not?

Because western philosophy has it: Better to learn Russian than turn Europe into a uninhabitable waistland for the next 3000 years. Tsar Vladimir knows it.   Over the last 1000 years, never were the chances favoring Russian Expansionism westward better than today.

5 hours ago, Chetzee said:

I did business with a few Swiss ..... smart but dull as ditch water ..... a bit like those in the news here recently .....      Do you see your self as dull as ditch water Bob ? 

Yes, "dull" they are.

Being stranded on a remote island, I wish that my stranded fellows would be "Swissies". While a mix of other nationals will soon bang each others heads in, fighting over the dwindling supply of coconuts, the "swissies" will conduct lenghty democratic discussions, in order to distribute the remaining coconuts fairly, while chanting the national anthem frequently.

Granted, all very "dull".