Etaoin Shrdlu

We don't need violent MAGAs storming the capitol and threatening to hang Mike Pence, either. Yet not only has Trump pardoned most of them, but now wants to compensate them for their time in prison.

Not to mention "hang Mike Pence". And now Trump wants to compensate this scum for their well-deserved time in prison.

https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/trump-tariffs-automaker-prices-warning-928bc7a9?st=dPeEAq&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink So much for those who thought Trump was a free-market capitalist.

Mrs. Shrdlu and I were processed together in the non-citizen channel last year when we visited the US, We attempted to use the US-citizen channel as we had on previous occasions, but this time we were directed to use the non-citizen channel.

Mrs. Shrdlu and I are planning a visit to the US in a couple of months to attend our son's college graduation. We've never had any issues in the past and I'm not expecting any this time. We've been to the US several times in recent years and she still has a few years left on her 10-year tourist visa. But please do post if you do indeed run into anything unusual at US immigration this time.

Yes, at the university level this is more common. But even Mahidol relies on a government scheme for Thai students. https://muic.mahidol.ac.th/eng/student-life/student-services/health-service/ I guess I should not have assumed that the OP was referring to primary/secondary school where school-provided medical insurance is rare.

What is it that the insurers said they don't offer? Cover specifically for students or medical cover in general? Not all non-life insurers offer medical insurance, and life insurers may not be keen to offer group cover for minors. Did you approach any medical insurers with your request?

Does anyone have experience with any dog boarding service in Bangkok? We will be traveling for several weeks and need to find a good pet hotel for our dog.

As long as the students and teachers meet the definition of a group as per the insurer's underwriting guidelines, I don't see why a such a plan could not be put together. Have you already approached insurers and been turned down? In any case, I'd recommend using an insurance broker to help you with this.

This thread isn't about the Bidens.

This thread isn't about the Bidens or their alleged influence peddling. This thread is about the clown car that is the current administration. You may start a separate thread about the alleged crimes of the Bidens if you wish.

The consular official performing the interview will want to know about your ties to Thailand, not just hers. If you have been in Thailand for a long time and have a job, that will count in her favor as it indicates that you both will return to Thailand after your visit to the US. She needs to bring your passport to the interview so they officer can establish your immigration status here. Good luck.

Trump failed to get 50% of the votes cast. He squeaked by in terms of the popular vote. It was by no means a landslide.

Here's an interesting article from the NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/25/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-santi-ruiz.html?unlocked_article_code=1.604.Pob1.Zd_pFCQNs83j&smid=url-share Before the MAGAs erupt over the source, I'd suggest a read first.

I don't think many schools provide medical insurance for students. The cost would be significant and would likely overlap with cover that at least some children would have through their parents' employment. As you mention, personal accident cover is sometimes subscribed by schools to address medical costs arising from students' activities on schools grounds or on school trips. Some schools have third party liability insurance to protect their legal liability for bodily injury occurring to the students on the school's property. This would provide protection above the no-fault personal accident cover and could carry more substantial limits of liability in order to address potential catastrophic accidents. Personal accident and third party liability insurance policies are available from non-life insurers in Thailand.

Here is an article for you: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/28/business/economy/inflation-wages-pay-salaries.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Do you think billionnaires have the working man's best interest at heart? They're already going after Medicaid and are making noises about Social Security.

If one has 60% more dollars, but each dollar is worth 21% less, do you think one is better or worse off?

The S&P 500 gained almost 60% between January 20, 2021 and January 20, 2025. Lots of people made lots of money under Joe Biden. Trump seems to be taking the markets in the other direction.

This regulation was put in place in 2019. I don't think it has formally been rescinded, but perhaps the perceived need to monitor people's online activity so closely has passed, or authorities are able to collect the necessary identifiers by other means. One large, international coffee shop chain still requires ID/passport and name to log into their free wifi.

Lutnick describing his boss.

Microsoft is killing Skype. Get the correct info from Microsoft's own website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/02/28/the-next-chapter-moving-from-skype-to-microsoft-teams/ Microsoft Teams is not a replacement for Skype for the individual user as many of the most-needed features will not be available in Teams once any existing Skype subscriptions expire.

One always has to remember that an insurance company's first loyalty is to its shareholders, not its policyholders.

Good point. Let's hope that the TRD does indeed use this approach.

It is not clear, at least in my opinion, whether the basis used for determining the amount of capital gains for Thai tax purposes is the original cost of the asset when purchased, as would be the case under US tax regulations, or the value of the asset on 31 December 2023. In other words, are unrealized capital gains at 31 December 2023 added to the actual cost of the asset in order to determine the basis for calculating capital gains? I think it is a bit of a stretch to consider unrealized capital gains as income earned in years prior to 2024. My gut tells me that the capital gains are earned in the year the asset is sold and the basis is the cost of the asset when purchased. It would certainly be nice if the TRD would clearly state that the basis for capital gains is the value of the asset at 31 December 2023, but I'm not going to hold my breath.