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I am surprised of all the movement that had happened rapidly. // Out of 53/54 countries in Africa that had gone through Western colonial experience for centuries, about 50 of them insist siding with the East camp rather than the West. // Two largest countries in South American -- Brazil and Argentina side with China rather than USA. China is very far geographically and is not associated with Latin in culture at all. // Middle East is turning around with news coming out weekly. USA would prefer nothing had happened. // India had admired UK for many decades, not any more. Now Indians talk tough. // SouthEast Asians had been pro-Europe for centuries, now claim to be neutral. Yes, USA still has stronghold in Japan and South Korea. But even Israel is watching the change close and may lose up eventually ( another unthinkable for USA ) .

OK totalitarian government China. How many totalitarian government globally in the past 200 years ? Say dozens of them. And why China could have risen in a totalitarian format with communism doctrine ? Cut off all the long and boring bureaucratic talk, Beijing CCP governance might be briefly summarized as these : ( called socialism with Chinese characteristics ) // Single party, totalitarian government. // Capability of self mistake-correction // Capability of self reform, economically and politically // Prime Objectives are to make the public and All citizens have better life, common prosperity .,,,,,,,..blah blah blah. China GDP growth 2020 2.1 % 2021 8.1 % 2022 3.0 % CCP Government projects 5.0 % growth target for 2023 , while several USA Investment Banks predicted 5-6 % growth, so is IMF. You don't believe the growth there ? Then Ask the Bankers. I don't know as much

Barring WW3, Current twenty first Century is Rise of the East Century while the empire is in a downward spiral.

So called "Globe South" is sick and tired of USA control, and influence. Latest turnaround was USA long-time and one of strongest allie Saudi Arabia -- signing agreement with Iran, long-time USA enemy, few days ago. ( ASEANNOW Website did not bother in reporting )

cncltd1973 : " all China can do infiltrate, reverse engineer and copy " You think this is all China can do ??? Is China still backward as the time of Mao ? Turning from totally disarray and absolutely dirt poor in 1970's ( Mao died in 1976 ) to No. 2 in the world nowadays, How and Why ? Obviously you know Zip about it.

" My main question though is what does China expect to gain from 'claiming' the territory. " China internal civil war in 1946-49 resulting in two governments - one in Beijing and one in Taipei - after 1949 both claiming to legitimately represent China. Official change happened in United Nation voting in Oct 1971. Taipei Government under Chiang was in UN from 1949-71 , and Beijing Government under Mao then replaced it in UN from 1971- onward.. Fast forward from those days to November 2015 Singapore, while Beijing Mr. Xi was meeting Taipei Mr. Ma face to face, the protocol arrangement was essentially still the same as back in the Beijing Mao Vs Taipei Chiang days in 1950/60's. ( henceforth each officially addressed the other Mister Mr. in Singapore meeting. ) \Both Mainland and Taiwan had been part of China for several centuries. Therefore Mainlanders see as a mandate to take and integrate Taiwan, and vice versa Taiwanese see as a mandate to take and integrate Mainland ( at least during 1950/60/70 Chiang era ) As to that independent Taiwan scenario, USA had enquired to help Taiwan Chiang to form an independent country in 1950's, Taiwan Chiang rejected. Confusing or not ?

The news you quoted were dated Sept 2019 April 2022. I take updated news, not yester-year news as you were so keen.

As expected

You understand the trend and reality, not quite for USA Biden and Blinken. Biden refused to accept the reality and visited Saudi in Aug 2022 empty handed coming back after the visit. Joe Biden subsequently said to review USA-Saudi relations. Five months had gone, nothing still.

Credit to Thai government which was the first recognizing Saudi Crown Prince had committed turning to the East and resetting Thailand-Saudi diplomatic relations in early 2022. Updated News on March 11, 2023 Saudi Arabia official and Iran official met face-to-face to ease multi-decade long confrontation and reset to start diplomacy. The talk was held in the Foreign Ministry office in Beijing on March 6-10 2023 ( Washington was probably kept in the dark ). This was unthinkable just months ago. But it is now possible after China Xi visited Saudi Riyah in Dec 2022 and Iran Raisi visited China Beijing weeks ago. USA wouldn't like this development, so USA news outlet would make it low profile and low priority. .

AS expected

Up the curve, the concave portion is simple enough, the Convex part is far far more difficult. There is Maturity cycle, and my prediction is NO and NO, they will not get 80 millions in 2027.

Whoever wrote this second paragraph, I think there is a misconception. The Shift towards Higher FIT percentage and lower group tour percentage is more about Repeated Trip --- second/third timers are surely eager to visit on their own rather than in a tour group. Thailand tourism had kept growing over many years and decades ever since 1970s' are largely attributed to success in drawing repeated tourists to the Kingdom.

Your info Outdated by ........ ? Western world predicted the sudden shift in China Covid policy announced in late Nov 2022 would drag all economic activities for 3-6 months. Turned out the drag and slowdown empty streets throughout most place lasted 5 weeks ( early Dec 2022 to first week of Jan 2023 ). Did you hear anything on China's Evergrande Property Group in the last 4 months ? The Government had steadied the sinking ship on the real estate issue nationwide and the worst had been over. That's why nothing on the media, particularly WESTERN MEDIA lately. Smarten up. Non-Western media and Non-English media are far more updated and ahead in reporting China and CCP news.

I am an old, below average skilled, infrequent table tennis player. Stay in Jomtien too. May be not this week. May search and contact you later.

Thailand tourism commenced in early-mid 1970's and had been well known in Asia by early 1980's. Timeline of various then new-built 4 star hotels in Bangkok is good reference. Philippines did same a bit earlier. Indonesia Bali started way earlier too and had been well known in late 1960's. Phuket was built up and promoted in 1980's, way ahead of Samui. The title of this thread comparing Thailand and Vietnam is totally Novice . Thailand Vs Philippines tourism or Thailand Vs Indonesia tourism make far better sense.

I had Apex breakfast buffet once in Early Jan 2020, just before the Pandemic. Recalled around 150 B per head. Yes, barely OK - not good and not bad for that price. While at that time, 150B is also average pricing of an American Breakfast set including one cup of coffee.

Have two simple questions about Retirement Non-Imm "O" Visa 1-year Extension in Jomtien. / Do the immigration office need single copy or 2 copies of all papers ? / Is "O" Visa extension process and requirement same as "O-A" extension less the insurance certificate ?

Hi, Is LK Empress Hotel buffet breakfast open now as of Feb 2023 ? If yes, I will go soon. I had my last run there in Jan 2020. Then of course the place had been closed down. This place had been excellent value for over a decade despite LK Empress might be 3.5* hotel. Witnessed them grew yearly, from low 150B per head to more customers, more food options, doubling up seating space, quick turnover and eventually charging 300B each. The location is very central too

Calculation per Year may make more sense as there are once-in-a-while items popped from time to time outside the monthly budget. Causal on alcoholic drinking and nightlife, 650,000 B per Year for a single in Bangkok is certainly doable. Less if you stay in Pattaya/Jomtien.

Eric I did not see your comment until weeks later. I don't think the mood of most Thai ( or Thai Senate ) is strongly anti-Thaksin or Anti-Thaksin family now in 2023. But the mood is against Thaksin-showing-in-Bangkok. The Thai just don't like seeing Thaksin stepping foot on Thai soil that will cause whatever trouble to follow. I think The Thai are fine in giving the young and inexperienced lady the huge step-up being the next Prime Minister, but the Thai don't like her father coming back for her.

Doable

Plenty of chairs everyday in Jomtien Beach. No problem in weekend either. One small change in Jomtien beach. Northern Part of Jomtien beach remains same. Southern Part of Jomtien beach has been enlarged and extended further to the seaside and more roomy now. Chairs everywhere in Pattaya beach too. Note that one weekend in Feb 2023 they will stage Kite Festival at Pattaya Beach. And One weekend in March 2023 there will be Music Festival in Both Pattaya and Jomtien.

You were correct in one observation that tourism in Pattaya had been declining gradually prior to 2019, such that high season 2018 was not as busy as 2017, and 2017 was not as busy as 2016 ........ In 2020/2021 Your predictions were very, very wrong though. Times and again during Covid period, you predicted tourists would ditch and avoid Thailand and headed to other destination such as Vietnam etc. after Covid. You predicted Thai tourism would not be able to recover after Covid. ( Need us to dig out your hundred postings on pessimistic view in 2020/2021 to refresh your memory ? ) From below 5% capacity during Covid time to the current 60-80% capacity in Pattaya, I am of course cheering and happy for the Thai locals.

Another good news for the Thai locals. I like.