swissie

No doubt, you have been living in Thailand for some time. As well as I did. During this time, you must have noticed that Thai females usually consider Farang as "too serious". The remedy by Thai Ladies is usually: "You think too much". Farangs engaging in the culture of "you think too much". Realising that the culture of "you think too much" increases their monthly expenses quite a bit. But thats ok, we dont want to drift away from the original thread too far.

Point 1 and 2 I intend to agree- The rest is up to the old "Sherlick Holmes" concept: "Follow the money". And if that doesen't help, look at personal benefators (qui bono). A mediocre millionare with a carribian small island fascinating the "powerful people" of the world? There is so much more to it. We will never know. The "powerful people" visiting a small carribian island will not tell. To bring "powerful people" to justice will once more prove to be an exerise in futility.

Me too. Between 2011 to 2016. In the sticks. No Farangs in sight. Some linguistic problems at first. After 5 years I realised that I will not ever be part of the linguisting/cultural surroundings. What surprised me most, how certain tribes in Thailand despised neighboring tribes with a vengeance. Asking why? = They are not "one of us". Sounds familiar? Around the globe? The root of unfounded "racism"? Or is it a natural instinct to want to stay within "natural racial boundaries". Negating the fact that "homo sapiens" is to 99% genetically comperable.

I was afraid that such comments would become part of this disussion.

Not restriced to Thai linguistinctly, Since Elisabeth1st, English has become "the global language". It's not about language. It's about "cultural belonging", separating countries, tribes, religious believes. But still most of us prefer to stay with "our own kind", regardless of where we are on the globe. "Racism" a natural instinct possibly?

Epstein with "first hand" information could have catapulted him from an average millionare to the billionaires club. Has not happened. Again: How did he make his money?

I am white/caucasian/european. So far so good. But in an internationally mixed environement (a restaurant), I prefer to sit at a table where fellow caucasians sit. Does that make me a racist? Having the choice, I prefer to strike up a conversation with a female that appears "feminin", the more "feminin" the better. Instead if of a women that tries to explain to me the new "world order" with regard of the way males and females shold interact in todays world. Does that make me a hopeless "sexist"? It get's worse: I smoke and drink liberal amounts of alcohol on occasion. This alone qualifies me as a modern day "leperd". Ashes on my head. Please give advice how I should "re-calibrate" myself, to cope with a world that I understand less and less. OR: Set me straight!

Epstein and his underage "harem" available to the "who's who" of this world. Fine. Understood. - But how did he make his money? He was a mere millionaire. Why would the billionares of this world seek the financial advice of an average "run of the mill" millionaire? His phase as an investment banker can't be called "spectacular". As far as we know. Again, how did he make his money?

His main goal is "European Mutualised Loans". In other words: Europe will be held responsible for the uncurable financial situation of France. The rest is blah blah blah...........

Yes Sir. Right on. Rumor has it that one of the most expensive habits have something to do with "ladies". Could this be true?

Many views and opinions here. But one can boil it down to the essential: DON'T RUN OUT OF MONEY IN THAILAND DURING RETIREMENT. Outside of "health problems" everything in Thailand can be "settled/resolved" just as long as one has enough money to "smooth-over" daily/monthly/yearly challenges that a Farang faces routinely in Thailand.

Time will tell. Next 2 weeks.

Yes overhyped. But it corrected nicely. At current prices one may want to "nibble" a bit on the cake, as long as the "fundamentals" remain positive. "Peak buyers" have sold voluntary or were forced out of the market (margin calls). A classic: "Weak hands" have sold to "strong hands". The stuff "bottoms" are made of.

Unfortunately.

...........and in my youth, half of medical doctors were smokers.

Alcohol CAN become addictive. Nicotine BECOMES addictive.

Ahhhh! First we burned whitches at the stake. Then we beat up homosexuals. Then we criminalised smokers (the modern day lepers).., Whats next? I can tell you: People that eat meat, burning them at the stakes. Wait and see.

An increasing numer of economists have come to the same conclusion years ago. Now, Elon is just jumping on the bandwagon. It's not "if", it's "when".

Ghislane knows as much as Epstein himself. Pardoned and released from prison, she will be dead within 48 hours. It will be classified as "suicide". She simply knows too much.

Nor connected to the British Pound.

At 50, I would not be a buyer. I hold no more assets connected with the US$ whatsoever.

Yes big miners have a reduced downward risk and limited upward potential. Diversicifation until it hurts. All priced in US$. Unfortunately.

Not seen a pure Silver play as far as stocks are concerned. Silver is mostly a by-product of copper mining. Linked to the US$. I'd rather not.

Why is that so hard to understand? Since written history, "little people" had a hard life. Pure "survival" the ultimate goal. No wonder that an "escape" from a cruel reality was desirable. If only for a few hours. The Mayas smoked mushrooms, todays youth using crack. The older generation is fixed on alcohol. A temporary "escape" for people living in a harsh, unforgiving world, "reality" a curse. The Mayas smoking mushrooms, the crack smokers, the managers snorting cocaine as of today. All sighns of "escapism" as the modern world and it's reality becomes "unbearable" by a large segment of the population.

Interesting post. Food for thaught for potential Farang Thai Dwellers. I allow myself to put it in a nutshell: If you have a wallet that can cover a decent lifestyle including funds covering "unexpected expenses" one can basically live everywhere in the warm tropics. Visa situation allowing. It all depends on the "financial potency" a Farang can muster. = worry-free retirement or sitting on the edge daily, weekly or longer term. Amen.