herfiehandbag

It is a very long border. International sanctions are being applied to the Myanmar regime, sanctions which are designed to prevent them from raising cash from the spoils looted from their country. Sanctions which are likely to become more stringent, and likely to be supported by a democratic Western looking government in Bangkok. Yes, they can continue to trade with China, but, for the people running Myanmar, hard cash is what they want - that means US dollars. Let's consider three things: who patrols and effectively controls that very long border (it is not an elected government in Bangkok), what are the easily portable products which can produce cash, and how much money is to be made. There is a precedent, the illicit border trade in weapons, gems and high value timbers with the Khmer Rouge controlled areas of Cambodia. A number of quite significant "players" made a lot of money out of that; money which was useful to further their subsequent careers. They are still in positions of "influence".

It is perhaps the current equivalent of the Salem witch trials in America in 1692, or the McCarthy hearings of the early 1950s. No need for proof or reasoned arguments, no defence is considered - to be considered guilty it is enough to be accused!

And of course " if it's a quarter pounder then he is a McDonald!"

I find the whole business of keeping and retaining such highly classified documents quite remarkable. The whole point of managing such documents is that they are made available, if needed, to a specific person ( yes in this case the sitting President) for a specific time. They are supervised throughout to prevent copying or distribution. Then returned to custody immediately. All movements of the document, and who sees it is recorded in a register. Surely it is not just plonked in his in tray to be picked up when he has finished with it?

No matter who the government is in Bangkok, the military and police will continue to control the borders. We represent the people who run the military and police. We are the people you will need to do business with; especially if the new government ramps up the sanctions. Just like the old days with the Khmer Rouge. There is money to be made.

Built my house on that!

In a word, networks. The large numbers of West Africans on that part of Sukhumvit must have a network that is well connected. That is the only possible explanation for the way in which they have been able to operate so blatantly for, what, the last ten years? That network presumably pays handsomely for their apparent immunity. After all, it is not just the guys hustling on the streets, someone has to be bringing the stuff into the country and distributing it to the hustlers. It is entirely left alone by the police. There will be a lot, probably an eye watering, amount of money involved.

It was always my understanding that the principle endeavour of the constabulary on that part of Sukhumvit was running a sophisticated and comprehensive protection racket for the street traders. I wonder how this fits in, perhaps another level of taxation. Why on earth is Special Branch involved? I thought they existed to monitor terrorist suspects and political extremists? Mind you, I don't suppose that there is much scope for informal fiscal arrangements in that field - so perhaps they are moonlighting?

I should imagine he is a Special Branch undercover operator - after all no one in their wildest dreams would imagine that he is a lean, mean, steely eyed dealer of justice!

Perhaps, just perhaps, he/they think, hope, or maybe even know that they he will remain.

I wonder why they (the Chinese) tried to take over. Did they see a profitable brand and wish to take the profits? Did they see an opportunity to hamstring and maybe finish off a competitor? Did they see an opportunity to take a classic brand name with international reach, a la MG motors?

True, but only the most challenged would attempt to use this to make a cup of coffee ????!

China has lots of cash, yes. But if it is being used to prop up a highly speculative property market, which seems to be building high rise cities with no-one to live in them, and no real prospect of anyone coming to live in them, then that doesn't make it attractive as a reserve currency. You can inject as much liquidity as you like, but that doesn't alter the fundamentals. There is a massive oversupply of housing, offices and commercial properties which stand empty and bring no return. Putting in more money, to build yet more, will not solve that.

God rest his soul. He was well liked in Chiang Rai, and led the cave rescue well.

"Other hats are available."

Birds of a feather. Thailand Junta rep in blue, Myanmar Junta rep in green. The photo was taken and published at the first meeting shortly after the last coup.

Well having studied the picture and thought deeply ( as a lifelong salary man waiting out my days, apparently! I obviously have nothing else to do) I would suggest: A grimace of dorks?

When I was a young soldier I used to drink in what can probably be described as industrial quantities. British Army of the Rhine (BAOR - West Germany) was the worst. The stuff was duty free - it was cheaper to put NAAFI vodka in your car windscreen washers than to buy the antifreeze solution from the garage! Mind you, we were fitter then - a weekend on the piss, neck a carton of orange juice and then an hours beasting at battle PT to sort the hangover. Couldn't do it now, in fact couldn't do it once I turned 30! Small can of Chang with supper, small bottle of Hong Thong lasts me a week (although I don't bother many weeks), that's about it! Towards the end of the month, if Casa Herfiehandbag is a cash free society ( teenage daughter) I'll go without quite happily.

I hope that they make it back up. I hope that if they do, then a bill is raised for the rescue. A lot of people have put themselves in harm's way in the rescue attempt, and a lot of money has been spent. The dive has no scientific or commercial benefits, just some very wealthy people on a jolly.

But what about the deals Don is negotiating with his besties?

Thank you for the confirmation. I had assumed that he had been on a course, because no one could be such a pillock naturally!

This fellow must have a season ticket to the "local police station", his antics seem to be investigated regularly. Has anyone watched his outpourings, is he as much of a wally as he appears? I must confess that I have not, but then I am a grumpy old git (my crippled foot hurts this morning) who believes that it should be a criminal offence to wear a baseball cap if aged over 21, and a capital offence to wear it backwards!

Yes but which set of rules...

Do they have the concept of the "vexatious litigant" here - someone who is constantly using the legal processes to further a personal crusade? I understand that in jurisdictions where it exists once a person is ruled by the courts to be a "vexatious litigant" it is not possible to bring any further related cases.

Talk about from the sublime to the ridiculous! B140 million in cash to 30,000 tons of tapioca!