Schnicnac

They are already on it with their encirclement, that provocation worked well in Europe. Pity, they could have just followed up on Russia's interest to join NATO decades ago but probably greed and megalomania took over...:)

There are currently also no nuclear missiles in Cuba as far as publicly known 🙂

Yea...or nuclear missiles for defensive deployment in Turkey... 🙂

After 30+ years this cold war relic still keeps on troublemaking, mistaking the Indo-Pacific for the North Atlantic and trying to nudge countries like ASEAN members into choosing sides which many do not wish to do... But alas, weapons need to be sold and some otherwise probably unemployable apparatchiks need a mission in life 🙂

Same as much of Europe, Japan and Philippines is US' puppet ... so? Could it be that Thailand is culturally, geographically and demographically just a tad closer to China than the US? 🙂

It's quite amusing that many of those that complain about stricter enforcement of immigration laws either come from (western) places with poor vetting and enforcement - the results that are obvious - or would likely scream for similar enforcement strictness in their own home countries. Meanwhile, many places in Asia become increasingly more desirable to live in (reverse immigration flows) so screws will likely be tightened in the future here and other places in this region.

Or it is just confronting a certain portion of western 'expats' here that keep on moaning and mocking about every and anything Chinese (or Thai for that matter) while living in a country that is culturally, linguistically and historically much closer to the Sinosphere. Not to forget also that many 'Chinese' are much better integrated and ingrained in Thailand than their western counterparts. The prime minister is not far off calling the two countries brothers and sisters, like it or not 🙂

Or if you are French, Italian, Spanish, German, Malaysian you can also now go to China visa free

Certainly a possibility... some people tax resident here may face the reasonable question from the authorities how they could live in Thailand all the time or drive that nice car or stay in that nice hotel in Phuket without filing a return/ paying a bhat...it can also be expected the "gift to spouse" may be questioned...

That description actually reminds me of another country situated just across the Pacific...but it wraps it's bullying more nicely like a Christmas gift :)

Good, that's a step into the right direction. Too many gun-related incidents and shootings here especially in recent years. No need for private citizens to have access to guns. From kindergartens to shopping malls to love/jealousy/rage/face/criminal gang triggered gun plays. Time to clean this all up, including carrying of guns by off duty officers. Other neighboring countries can do that as well. Can't recall a kindergarten or mall shooting in Malaysia for example.

Absolutely agree...I can not understand why private gun ownership is not banned here and the carrying of guns of off-duty officers is more strictly controlled. For sure other neighboring countries can do and don't have kindergarten and mall shootings or shooting rampages triggered by lost loves and faces...

Guess it's time to revive this unfortunate topic... At least the kidsy was snatched quickly ???? Massacres at kindergarten, shootings at malls in Nakhon Ratchasima, 14 year old kiddies shooting in Bangkok... It starts to have a bit similarities to USA, at least not so many school shootings here yet... Maybe as a start they should prohibit private gun ownership for good measure and confiscate existing stock in private hands plus control handling of weapons by off-duty officers?p

Some of the comments here are a funny read considering that about 12-13% of the population are Sino-Thais and who happen to also sit at the upper of politics and economy...

Could ask that same question about North America and Europe... it's all about reciprocity isn't it? ????

One thing is what they "think", another is what they announce and promise. Not the only country where it is common practice to scream and promise a lot before elections only to have a change of mind right after the vote and try get into power (and highly paid posts) by "making concessions". Using the chance to side with the military to achieve premiership and Thaksin's return didn't harm here at all seeing the excited crowds today at Don Mueang ????

I'm aware of at least one system in the west bearing some degree of similarity where unelected electors get the final say on the candidate, though they normally follow the popular vote (unlike the senators in Thailand) ???? I also see only one party at below 40% somehow promising "change" (or another word: progressive politics) while another >60% chunk promised all kinds of handouts or salary increases etc. Not really a "change"? ????

So obviously then there is a significant part of the populace that does not want to "move forward" and the party of the people - the kingmaker here - now chose to work with that other significant part. Doesn't sound so unfamiliar when looking at the parliamentary systems in the west ????

As mentioned, its an accumulation of events over the past months that triggered this question and interest in feedback from other fellows here ????

Thx guys, sems like the roads are really the biggest worry here ????

In the past months there is all kinds of safety related issues in Thailand in the news that at least I come across, be it the tragic nong bua lamphu massacre, trafficking of people to underground call centers (Myanmar border), the murdering of a Chinese student, the recent shooting in Phetchaburi, today the kidnapping of a business man from his condo in Bangkok... While these are isolated cases, yet can't help being under the impression that there are some significant public safety issues that just seems to compound in amount and frequency? This isn't further helped with the high amount of gun ownership... What is your take/ feel about this and how do you deal with it, especially those with family/ kids?

Seems that it is a fair "better bet" to buy an existing (2nd/ 3rd whatever hand) unit, refurbish it to own taste, primarily for own use, and then take the "potential resale in future/ capital appreciation/ renting it out" as a lucky extra but not granted. I'd be quite curious what the purchase decision thinking is like among locals when buying into (expensive) off-plan units. For capital appreciation? For resale (locals don't seem to like non-new units)? For rental? Lifestyle? There must be some general perception and expectations among them when it comes to such investments but I haven't figured it out...

Thanks guys for the feedback, much appreciated. @OneMoreFarang will dig through the stats there thank you. I see prices of 220K THB/sqm for new/ offplan in that area I'm looking at (Sathorn, close to BTS) meanwhile a few 100ms afar it's already 50K THB less (existing building) which makes it confusing to get to "fair" value....probably less of a concern if for pure self use only...

Hi guys, currently considering buying a condo in BKK and try to figure out what "fair market" prices actually are, aside from looking at "sold" stats at property platforms. Is there any "accepted" index for new builds (off-plan) and existing condo prices for different areas in BKK? Especially interested in Sathorn/ Lumpini area. Thank you

Yes it's merely for some travel across a few countries with Thailand just in between. Thank you timendres!