Etaoin Shrdlu

Just booked seats on ANA to Chicago for May and was shocked at how much they cost compared to what I paid last year on Emirates. Here's a write-up from the NYT on what's driving airfares up in Asia: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/20/business/oil-jetfuel-asia.html?unlocked_article_code=1.UlA.tomM.dAReia8mm7d2&smid=url-share

The USA and Venezuela played a total of one game against each other in the 2026 WBC. You do understand that, right?

Donald Trump doesn't do "policy". He only has whims.

John Oliver absolutely skewered JD Vance on Monday evening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtRPLCso0Sw

Dick Cheney. At least behind the scenes.

Congratulations to the Venezuelan baseball team! But there's an old adage in baseball that on any given day even a last-place team can beat a first-place team. There's just a low correlation between team quality and the outcome of a single game. That's why, in addition to financial considerations, MLB playoffs and the World Series consist of multiple games. The WBC does not use this format.

I wonder how much legal tobacco costs the state in terms of medical expenses at government hospitals.

There is no payment required for filing fincen form 114 (FBAR). The forms are found here and you can file here online as well: https://www.fincen.gov/report-foreign-bank-and-financial-accounts If you are using a different website or form from somewhere else, it may be a scam.

Yes, the real increase isn't related to the NCD percentage difference between the old un-named policies and the new named policies, it's the application of surcharges for policyholders who have had at-fault accidents. The OIC and insurers have developed a database linking individual drivers to their insurance claims and are now using it to rate policies.

Starting January 1, 2026, the OIC has changed the rules with respect to voluntary motor policies. It's now a requirement to name the driver(s), (up to five), on each policy. Un-named driver policies are no longer being issued by Thai insurers. https://www.msig-thai.com/en/news/new-motor-insurance-rules-2026-drivers-must-be-named-policies

Yes and no. The OIC changed the rating system on January 1st. It is now a requirement to name drivers (up to 5) on voluntary motor policies. While it is true that unexpired un-named driver policies carry a discount of up to 50%, they're no longer being issued. There are other changes as well, including using at-fault accident history to levy surcharges on policies instead of rating solely upon vehicle type. https://www.msig-thai.com/en/news/new-motor-insurance-rules-2026-drivers-must-be-named-policies

You might want to consider appointing an independent insurance broker to help you with this. A good broker will have high-level contacts with the insurers they work with and can either help resolve or easily escalate matters within the insurance company. Using a broker does not cost more and gives you a hired gun to help you when issues arise, especially if you have a difficult claim.

Just filled two twenty-liter jerrycans with diesel and topped up the tank this evening.

Not the CP group. The GP Group (G. Premjee). Ethnic Indian Thais.

Did the due diligence on the purchase of the property include checking to see if there was a lien in process on an officer's desk at the Land Department that had not yet been entered onto the chanote? I was once advised that checking with the relevant desks at the Land Department was necessary.