torturedsole

Don't worry about OP headline, the global economy will very gradually stabilise but it's going to take years to get over this mess.  

I had high hopes for the Tories but they went rogue on this one.  Their first idea was best, in my opinion, but they bottled it.  

It would have been far easier to isolate the vulnerable.  A very simple decision to this effect would have saved years of woe.  The high street is gone in the UK.  This was the final nail for an already struggling retail sector and thousands will be unemployed.  

I'm quite certain I contracted C19 almost five weeks ago.  Two days of aching thigh muscles only to be replaced on day three with mild cold symptoms, graduating within a further few days to the worst hacking cough I've ever experienced.  Strange thing was I'd only cough twice a day for twenty seconds at most and that lasted about four or five days, thereafter to maintain the mild cold symptoms.  

Even now I'm not fully over it but been working from home since four weeks today.  In my experience, this was far milder than the common cold, but then again I'm not at risk.  

The UK government has been 'practicing' these scenarios for years.  Every year or two there'll be some shots of men in hazmat suits carting off the voluntary victims to some unknown location.  What a waste of money as they haven't got a clue what they're doing.  

Two choices, chargeback on credit card or postpone flight to a later date.  The airlines can't even settle their lease obligations, let alone refund cash to customers.  In short, there's zero cashflow.

I'm more concerned with the fact that desperation is this bad.  There'll be many times more without assets that will already be starving.  Absolutely shocking.  

When your average Joe / Somchai is hungry and desperate and his government refuse him some small pity then it's what happens next that matters. 

1 minute ago, Davo369 said:

Back in London mate.. it's 20.40 time now. Wish i stayed in udon with the wife. But didn't know all this sxxt was gonna happen. ✌

The time I read your post was 2044, Davo369.  This caused me considerable concern as I had an appointment at 2040.  

A spike in female deaths is a good indicator, ukrules.  

Lockdown isn't a measured response and will continue to prove so.  We're already collectively screwed and what awaits us is a nuclear wasteland without the bombs or reactors.  

37 minutes ago, RickG16 said:

Here's an alternative to the OPs advice... if you usually do weights in the gym, take advantage of a chance to switch up your routine (and save money), by buying a simple exercise mat and doing bodyweight exercises.

Then in a few weeks when this is all over, your new exercise bike won't be left to collect dust.  

Good advice, RickG16.  Take a run around the block and do some press ups and star jumps.  Fills the gap.  

3 minutes ago, 473geo said:

My understanding registered on UK furlough, paid by company, company reclaims from government

Thanks, 473geo.  Doesn't affect me or my Thai wife in this situation but good to know.  

My wife works for employment agency in UK but her work obviously dried up four weeks ago.  I earn too much for her to claim benefits so we keep our heads down.

1 minute ago, samsensam said:

and the uk government is paying furloughed staff 80% of their salary, thai politicians would choke at that!

... just not sure when they're going to get their 80% salary, but, that's a different story.  

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

At least most Thais have access to a family farm

Thailand isn't The Waltons for most families.  That might be true in very rural areas but not true for the vast majority of the population.  

I was never a huge Goodies fan but I watched it as not much else to watch in those days and I'm sure few people ever found Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden, and Bill Oddie, remotely boring or offensive.  RIP, Tim.  

4 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

We'll have to agree to disagree,

 

At least in Thailand, anyone (including foreigners) can get food and shelter at a local temple.

I've no axe to grind, sir, but can see where this is going, particularly for the less well-off of Thailand for which there are many.  There's going to be a lot of busy temples soon enough.  

6 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I actually don't,

Loads of old people in the Uk freeze to death every year and there's a huge homeless problem.

Most Thais have access to a family farm, the ability to hunt and gather food, and the weather is never cold enough to kill.

This is different, BritManToo.  

I agree that the UK isn't without its own socio-economic problems but we still retain a social security system.  

The poor of LOS are in big trouble and I stand by my original assertion.   

I too don't like the thought of people starving and LOS is still a poor country with almost zero social security.  I fear for the poor of Thailand more than I do the UK for that reason alone.  The Thai government shouldn't get too comfortable either as it won't take much for a re-evaluation of Thais tolerance of their leaders during this latest crisis.

I would also concur that Thai tourism is in terminal decline for some considerable time to come.  The strength of the Thai baht pre-C19 was bad enough for tourism but what's coming post-lockdown is cataclysmic for LOS.  

The 2008 credit crunch will seem like a walk in the park compared to what's coming after the planet re-emerges from lockdown.  

21 minutes ago, JamesL1972 said:

I make well over 120k every month from my school. I also have money coming in from an affiliated website. I also have rental property in UK. Money isn't an issue. Was just having a debate with a friend the other night that I spend more money here than I do in the UK. PureGym is £9.99 in UK and is about the same quality as 3,000 (£75) baht a month gyms here. I also get my haircut at Truefitt & Hill for 1,200 which is twice what I pay in UK for same level haircut. Went to a Thai restaurant in UK and paid £30 for 2 people, that's only 1,200 which is more than I pay for 2 people at a Western restaurant here. I'm not struggling financially, I'm fully aware of cheaper options, I've been to BKK airport countless times my 12 years here so I'm fully aware where it is. I am merely looking for people's opinions on purchasing power parity for a decent standard of living in both BKK and UK.

Hmm.  And it's a long hmm.  

How is the death rate compiled on a daily basis?  I'd be interested to know.  

No police about here in north Kent.  The population is generally following the rules, nonetheless.  Queues for food shopping are horrendous but we're living with it.  

8 minutes ago, JamesL1972 said:

There are other products and services that I also think are dearer than the UK. Gym memberships in a decent gym, toiletries, decent hair cut, branded clothes, branded shoes.

I know you can work out at Benjasiri park for free, get 80 baht hair cuts, buy Lux soap, wear clothes and shoes from Big C for 100 baht each but it certainly isn't what anyone would consider and expat lifestyle.

You need a bigger income.  

My Thai wife is bemoaning not being in LOS for mango season.  

I have a feeling that you'd be very lucky to arrive at your destination under the current restrictions.  My Thai wife doesn't consider this feasible either and she lives with me in the UK but maintains close communication with her family and current affairs in LOS on a daily basis.  

I suspect there'll be a lot of jiggy jiggy going on in these quarantine hotels.