Walker88

GoGo Bars gone?

No, Thai Airways is gone...but it will come back if the taxpayers pony up a few billion so it can continue to lose money every year...but bring prestige (Ha!)

Oh, and many hotels are gone. Some will come back. Some will not. This, too, will cost the taxpayers.

Bars? They never cost the taxpayer a dime and never will. In fact, they juiced GDP and investment growth. Like it or not they are a critical industry.

A virus that doesn't even begin to kill at the rate of the Bubonic Plague is not about to wipe out the world's oldest profession. It has survived since Oldavai Gorge, through plagues and wars and even the Dark Ages, and will exist as long as the prime directive (procreation) exists to motivate men to, at least, practice their sole raison d'etre. It exists in every nation on Earth, though Thailand has made it an art form.

Thailand, if it had been in its interest, could have eliminated the visible bar girl industry anytime over the last 50 years. For a variety of reasons it chose not to do so. It isn't about to suddenly gain some sort of faux morality and put a stop to it. It makes money for people who make decisions, it creates employment, and it brings in tourists who also spend on hotels, restaurants, clothes, souvenirs, tours and transportation. It brought in foreign direct investment in plants and factories, because location scouts and plant managers had a good time visiting Thailand and partaking in its nightlife. Anyone who doubts that, go visit Thaniya St in BKK. It brought in other investment, too, because junior analysts at international investment banks---it's a small equity market, so you don't send in the heavy hitters---visited, had a great time visiting the bars, and ended up writing glowing reports.

The nightlife industry so many puritans admonish is likely a main driver in what lifted Thailand into its current level of development. If the country wants to come back, it will make sure one of its key draws comes back, too. The names might change, the owners, too, but the nightlife industry is probably more a key to renewed GDP growth than all the temples and beaches put together.

9 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

You will be waiting a long time. This lie that Trump told 18,000 lies is of course ridiculous, nobody can credibly list all these alleged lies and I wonder why the number has not increased over the last 2 years? Did he tell all these 18,000 lies in the first year in office?

 Social media giants really messed up this time going off half cocked with a fact check team led by an extreme Trump hater. What were they thinking?!

Actually, the Washington Post lists them all.  Of course some additional comments he has made are not lies per se, but merely demonstrate his abject ignorance of...well....everything, such as when he claimed his actions re CV-19 have 'saved billions of American lives'. Yes, he has no clue what the population of the US is. I recall he also didn't know what the 'nuclear triad' is. Scary.

Most are a matter of public record, on tape, on video, on Twitter.

Pathologically litigious, yet 45 has not threatened to sue, just as he has avoided suing any of the women---including the ones who were 12 and 13 years old when they allege he raped them---because he fears discovery as part of the court case.

Of course these allegations, like his violations already adjudicated in NY, will follow him when he leaves office in January 2021. He is already an 'unindicted co-conspirator' in the Stormy payoff for which his former lawyer is now serving 3 years in jail.

The good news is: you can't Tweet from jail. So the world is done with his Tweeting sometime after 20 January 2021, once new AG Kamala Harris and the NY AG prosecute his many criminal offenses.

4 minutes ago, Issanman said:

My point is that many on both sides have no problem lying when it suits their purpose.

Do you seriously not see that?

 

Go ahead, point out the lies. You keep repeating your claim, but offer ZERO proof. Your list should be a mile long if your voracity regarding your claims is anything to go by.

Pony up.

No one close to the Klausutis family, nor anyone who was professionally involved in her autopsy, thinks her death was anything other than due to a previously non-diagnosed medical condition, yet 45 is allowed to spout his hurtful conspiracy drivel on a private company platform, then gets miffed when many argue such nonsense should be taken down.

Oddly, one surmises that anyone noting 25+ credible claims of 45's sexual assaults and rapes of women, including claims by two women who claims 45 raped them when they were 12 and 13 years old respectively, would be removed from many---perhaps even this---private platform. Certainly the DoJ is currently blocking all attempts by the victims to have their cases heard in a court of law, even arguing that while 45 is 'sitting POTUS', he cannot even be investigated for the rapes, as if someone is above the law under which all citizens are supposedly equal.

1 hour ago, DoctorG said:

and then you have the people on here who believe everything they see on CNN/MSNBC. Weird isn't it?

You are welcome to point out all the things that are false that are said on MSNBC or CNN. Should be easy if reality is anywhere close to what you insinuate.

Of course you will also have to accept that others will list the 18,000+ lies that 45 has uttered since taking office, bandwidth permitting.

7 hours ago, tropo said:

Here we go again... regurgitating the "Trump voters are deplorables" angle once again. You're insulting a lot of people. He won - get over it. 

 

It is probably unfair to refer to his supporters as 'Deplorables', even though many have come to embrace that epithet.

It is much more fair to use actual data to show what his demographic looks like.

-His highest demographic rating is among non-college educated white males; his lowest is among those with advanced degrees.

-Though the 2016 polls were 100% accurate in predicting HRC's margin of victory in the popular vote (~3%), post election analysis reveals an interesting truth:  he won a full 85% of all US Counties, but combined they represent only 38% of US GDP. HRC won only 15% of US Counties, but they account for 62% of US GDP. Doing the math indicates that HRC counties are 9.25 times more productive than counties he won. 9.25 times.

-States where he had his largest margin of victory---such as TN, KY, WV---happen to be States with the highest percentage of residents on Social Security Disability Insurance and have the highest rates of opioid addiction. If one labelled SSDI as an 'employer', the largest employer in KY, TN and WV is SSDI.

-He won States that are net takers from the Federal Govt, that is, States that receive more in Federal Assistance than their residents pay in taxes. He lost most States who are the highest net contributors to the Federal Budget. His most crushing loss was CA, the State that is far and away the largest net contributor to the Federal Budget, and he lost NY and NJ, which are 2nd and 3rd largest net contributors. In other words, he did best in States that rely on CA, NY and NJ to survive.

He lacks any authority to block a private company whose platform is international in scope. His comment simply shows that he has no concept whatsoever of the Constitution of the United States of America. He obviously never read the document, has read no court opinion regarding it, is completely baffled by the 1st Amendment and is totally befuddled by what 'free' or 'freedom' means, and clearly is against those things like freedom that put reins on whatever powers might be granted to one temporarily occupying the office of the Presidency.

6 hours ago, kingdong said:

Always thought the using bleach as a treatment against corona as a sarcastic dig at the assembled "experts" present.

You can still access the video tape of that disinfectant comment. Go look at it in its entirety and then think about your comment as to it being 'sarcasm'.

Not even close. He was dead serious and rational people could tell he was actually proud of himself, thinking he had discovered a miracle cure.

43 minutes ago, luckyluke said:

I am surprised of the immense power of the left and far-left in the U.S.A..

Apparently they control also the Media and the Universities.

Has the right and far - right not any power to obstruct this?

Apparently the 'problem' stems from the fact that the Good Lord, in His infinite wisdom, seems to have bestowed upon the "far-left" brains.  Virtually all of the innovations and discoveries come from folks whose ideology is left-leaning. Silicon Valley was built by leftists.

The late Roger Ailes tried to begin leveling the playing field by---according to his actual Business Plan---building a network to go after the Low IQ Demographic, people befuddled by issues that had even a modicum of complexity. He also purposely hired Talking Heads from 2nd and 3rd Tier Universities, because "the ignorant can better appeal to the ignorant'. He admitted in his funding spiel that the average target demo individual earned below average, but collectively they could represent a viable market for advertisers.

As a private company, a place like Fox is under no obligation to allow 1st Amendment Free Speech, especially after changes made for broadcasters by Reagan that no longer required 'equal time'. Twitter is allowed the same right to control its platform in whatever manner it so chooses.

I would bet Xi is gone, either jailed or gone Nikolai Ceaucescu-style, by the end of 2021.

The economy is faltering and will do even worse as nations bring manufacturing capacity home in the wake of disrupted supply lines resulting from CV-19. Also, Xi is likely to unleash Tiananmen II on Hong Kong soon, which will result in international sanctions, particularly since the world is already a bit upset about CV-19. Third, the coming slaughter in Hong Kong will embolden and outrage some in the mainland---who know how to go around internet blockages---so there will be growing unrest on the mainland. Fourth, Bo Xilai might be in jail, but he still has supporters within the Politburo and CP, looking for their chance to assume power.

What emerges post-Xi will either be another corrupt self-appointed CP leadership, or a whole new ballgame.

Until 1997 and the handover, the Communist Party---a self-appointed, answerable-to-no-one govt---ruled HK for a total of ZERO seconds.

Similarly, China under the CP has ruled Taiwan for a total of ZERO seconds.

Perhaps Taiwan, with a democratically elected government, has a better argument why Taiwan should rule the rest of China, including Hong Kong and Macau. They have at least as much claim as the CP. Certainly the CP has no legitimate claim whatsoever on Taiwan.

2 hours ago, marqus12 said:

I think that such stupid propaganda won't do much in the long run
Offer investments, your own belt & road version and compete economically

with the Chinese.
But you are so full of pride and used to getting everything for free that you

are not mentally able to do it..

Not sure what I got for free. Did the US get Canada? Saudi Arabia? Am I the Burgermeister of Koh Samui? Where's my decorative stationary?

Yes, the US has made some bad mistakes, but on balance has also done a lot of good things, and if you think the BRI is without fault, you are deluding yourself or engaging in your own 'stupid propaganda'.

I have personally seen the Belt and Road Initiative at work in Myanmar. Pay off the generals and then abuse the locals and the environment purely for China. China has engaged in slash and burn timber harvesting in Kachin State, open pit mining of a variety of resources, damming the confluence of the two rivers meeting at Myitsone (which resulted in the forced movement of 15,000 Kachin people and provided a total of 2 jobs to Myanmars---Lo Hsing Han and his son Steven Law---while China imported 100,000 Chinese laborers to do the work) until the KIA attacked a few Chinese engineers and scared off the dam builders. Oh, and every last kilowatt of generated power was to go to China. For gold mining, Chinese companies used a cyanide leaching process. The cyanide got into the ground water, killing wildlife and people. Other Chinese Govt owned companies used mercury. They did hire a few Myanmar for that, where workers kneaded mercury by hand into a slurry to leach out the gold.  Do you know the genesis of the Mad Hatter? That's the result of Hg exposure.

The BRI is hardly noble. Your defense of it might qualify as 'stupid propaganda'.

Here's an interesting anecdote that should serve as a warning:

Many years ago, Henry Kissinger visited China and met with the then-Commerce Minister and senior Politburo member Bo Xilai (now in jail for 'corruption'). Bo had a map on his office wall that ostensibly depicted all of China. The map included not only Taiwan, but also all of Myanmar. Kissinger joked that there likely was some cartographer busy at work making an "ancient" map, soon to be discovered, that had Myanmar as an historical part, or 'renegade province' of the Middle Kingdom. Certainly the map indicated the Communist Party's territorial ambitions. Until SPDC gave up power to the NLD and ASSK, Myanmar was firmly on the road to becoming a Vassal State of China, with dammed rivers sending 100% of the power generated to China, a port in Yakhine State, ownership of most of Mandalay, control of all the mineral and timber resources of Kachin State, and oil and gas pipelines running from Yakhine to Yunnan.

It would come as no surprise if some senior Chinese official has a map on his wall currently that includes Thailand as part of the "Motherland".

Political Correctness has altered many historical names, one of which is to replace Imperialism with "Belt and Road Initiative". A rose by any other name.....

2 hours ago, Mulambana said:

Western tourists are in fact sexobrimian migrants. They come to Thailand to find brides, engage in sex orgies and for economic advantage over their native lands. As long as Thailand is able to provide all the above three, they will come. But it is true that Thailand is becoming expensive or their native currencies are depreciating due to rampant desease and infections. People will be scared to engage in sex orgies due  the virus for a while. The bride finding component will pick up as soon as the bars are open. 

Your post is rather puzzling, and I suggest woefully uninformed.

The Western 'sex tourist' is actually a small percentage of the Western tourist demographic, albeit likely an important one in terms of money spent. In reality, most Western tourists come for the food, climate, beaches and culture. A small segment of them partake in the nightlife, but those who do drop a lot of baht on drinks and other 'entertainment', all of which gets circulated into the wider Thai economy.

If I were to use anecdotal evidence, I would say the highest ratio of sex tourists/visitors from Country X, I would guess Japan as #1 and South Korea as #2. In my usual hotel, the typical guest is a middle aged Japanese man who comes with golf clubs and condoms. Perhaps you haven't noticed, but Bangkok has an entire street dedicated solely to Japanese mongers (Thaniya), and bars like the Rainbow Group, Baccara, Palace in Pattaya and others are aimed at Japanese and other Asians. There is an entire subculture of karaoke joints geared toward Asian visitors.

One sees lots of Euro, American and Russian families in Thailand, their kids in tow, shopping, eating, visiting temples and Jim Thompson House, taking klong rides, etc. One sees precious few Japanese or South Korean families with kids.

Yes, my observations may be anecdotal, but if actual tourist numbers were published, I would bet on my observations.

4 minutes ago, mr mr said:

i am not complaining about them putting in 50. i am pointing out the mess they made doing during that time. 

i have managed to save enough from work and investing to have a simple life. spare me with that. the top 100 companies on earth have more money than god. 

Everybody made, and will make, a mess of things during their time. Nothing new under the sun.

Of course, I am always reminded of the great Oscar Wilde:

"I'm not young enough to know everything".

Your generation, plus those above and below you, will make a mess of things. The job of upcoming generations is to point that out, then get their comeuppance as they screw up, too.

When you admit you're human, you'll understand.

I agree with the OP that CV-19 has changed the world...for at least a generation. I might have a different view on some things, so here goes:

-Fear of contagion will eventually dissipate (~2 years), but xenophobia will stick around for a lot longer than fear of those who look like you; outsiders, however, are "bad"

-Globalization is DEAD. Maximizing domestic employment and guaranteeing supply chains are the new mantras of mercantilism

-Leaders will become enamored of their new power to control, and it will take folks in the street to stop the creep toward authoritarianism

-Export-based economies are up the proverbial creek without even the arms to hold the paddle they don't have

-Labor will become increasingly obviated as business owners want to be able to produce even if "people" have to shelter in place; automation soars

-International relations will grow more tense, and a couple of brush wars are likely, maybe even a big one

-Int'l tourism will be half of what it was in 2015, and stay low for decades

-Those who invent, innovate and discover will try to capture more of the benefits, refusing and fighting tech transfer and intellectual property theft

-Per the above, countries whose strategy has been cheap labor and exports will become the new "Failed States"

-Internally, nations will battle between those who champion "help the less fortunate" vs those who say "let the weak die; they cost too much"; we're likely to become a much colder world as everyone for himself reigns supreme

-Strong nations will return to Colonial/Imperialist ways and simply take needed resources from those who can't really defend themselves

All in all, I don't think what's coming is pretty. Weaknesses have been exposed, and self-interest will come to rule the day.

2 hours ago, DrPhibes said:

Welcome to the Club, what petition do I have to sign to make going home possible!  Two teens, 16 and 18, and our 2yr old all by the same love of my life.  Video 2x/day is not enough.  I need to hear, smell, touch them, teach them, be an example for them.

The photo is both lovely and painful.

Your family is lovely. The age of your son is rather positive proof of your commitment to your marriage.

The pain comes from trying to imagine what you feel being kept away from them, particularly since there really is no reasonable justification for it. I hope for both you and your family that folks come to their senses soon and allow you to reunite with those you love. Easy for me to say, but please stay strong.

Not having a wife and family in Thailand, I can only guess as to the pain those locked outside are feeling now, but it has to be substantial, both for the man locked outside and for their families inside Thailand. It seems a simple thing to solve, provided the one making the decisions has human empathy and sees all people, Thai or not, as equal human beings. Sadly, that is not the case so far.

Repatriated Thai citizens enter a mandatory quarantine. That is likely wise. The same could be done for returning spouses, and no doubt many would welcome 14 days with a clear end in sight vs being far away with no end in sight.

The comments about infidelity are unfair, as it assumes the behavior of some reflect the behavior of all. Every race and nationality can produce examples of infidelity, and no race nor nation has a monopoly on it. Similarly, one can find monogamous marriages everywhere, and that obviously includes Thailand.

It's time for compassion. Let families re-unite.

Though he is sans mask, no doubt he had just downed a tall glass of bleach, had his injection of disinfectant, and has a UV light stuck up that place where guys like hannity reside, so his Cult of the Dumbed is probably safe, with or without his mask. Funny a guy who is morbidly obese and wears roadkill on his orange noggin thinks he 'doesn't look good' in a mask. It's not the mask, donny.

His goobers think CV-19 is either a Democratic Hoax caused by 5G networks or Bill Gates, as that is what their personal Limited Hangout False Flag Deep State Mole, "Q", has let them know in a code reminiscent of Nostradamus' quatrains. Q and 45 are keeping them 'woke'. (Aside, a Q clearance is hardly some super super top secret clearance, but rather just one issued by the Dept of Energy to clear people needing access to nuclear matters. Get a Q clearance and one generally gets to visit Oakridge and Los Alamos. The con artist who goes by Q randomly picked that letter, not knowing there was a clearance under that letter. It's hardly even close to TS/SCI.)

45 occasionally needs such Taxpayer-funded dog and pony shows, as even Fox is turning against him and his -11 poll numbers do not bode well for staying out of jail come 12:01PM on 20 January 2021, when decency, sanity and international respect return to the US.

It's always funny realizing that 45 is contemptuous of his own base, as his criteria for personal value is whether or not someone is famous or wealthy. Absent either of those, one is a 'loser'. "I love the poorly educated" was one of his mantras, though in point of fact he meant he loves their vote, not them. Still, his cult is easily fooled and willfully ignorant, befuddled by existence itself and prone to drinking from the Snake Oil trough. Admittedly not all of his base sits well to the left of the mean on the IQ Bell Curve, as some are, like 45 himself, psychopaths.

Vietnam could be the new Thailand if it plays it cards right. One Japanese firm is a trickle, but if Panasonic's experience in workforce quality, expatriate management lifestyle, visa issuance, etc. is positive, it will become a flood.

Thailand risks becoming "yesterday's manufacturing and FDI hub" if it isn't careful.