TroubleandGrumpy

Yes he can - by fixing what is the main cause of inflation. As someone that studied Economics I can say that the current high interest rates after Covid was and is totally wrong. There are two types of inflation - demand lead and supply lead. Demand lead inflation can be fixed by high interest rates - to dampen demand. But after Covid the inflation was supply lead - the costs of production (especially transportation) was the cause of inflation - it was not demand increasing post Covid - it was costs of production being too high. Yes there was an increase in consumer demand, but it was only from such a low level because of the Covid restrictions. Then on top of that all the climate control policies have made oil and thus both power and transportation costs increase - causing more inflation. They used the only thing they know - interest rates - to try and dampen inflation. They were and still are wrong - they are causing inflation by increasing the costs of production. Trump knows this - he is going tpo open up oil and remove the climate policies - that will lower costs of production - and he will push to lower the USD at the same time - those two things together will lower the supply side lead inflation.

He has his flaws of that there is no denying - but the results speak for themselves - under Trump things were better and saner. Under Biden/Harris the country has declined and it is getting worse - the Dems are in 'election mode' and as you are saying they are hiding their true nature. But if they are elected into Office they will go into 'power mode' again and implement more socialist left policies (especially the border and green BS). Trump is open and direct - he is what he is - he will not lie to get into Office and then implement socialist dogma. Unlike most POTUS before him and since - when he was POTUS he did exactly what he said he was going to do - and he will do that again.

The only one lying here is YOU. But then again - in order to lie you must know the truth but not say it. I really think most Dems supporters like yourself with such a dislike of Trump, genuinely have problems knowing what is the truth unless they are slammed with it - and then they just forget and move on - RussiaGate - Charlottsville - etc etc etc. And yet the Dems lied for years about Biden being mentally unfit - until it was clear he was going to lose the election - which is all they care about - maintaining power and control. An authoritarian regime that constructs an alternate universe of peace and harmony with which to hide its monstrous subversions of the human spirit creates an atmosphere of almost universal irony. The ironies in American life are proliferating as fast as America is declining. For eight years we have heard, again and again from liberal mandarins, that Trump poses an “existential threat” to democracy. But a president who cannot mentally function is a greater one. And even amid all the sudden liberal calls for Biden to step aside, there is the same reliance on Trump to justify Biden. Trump lied again and again at the debate, we are told, and he indeed lied, again and again, shamelessly. But, aside from Biden’s own lies — Obama built cages for illegal immigrants, not Trump, who happily made use of them; Trump never vowed to cut Social Security and Medicare — the Democrat lie that the President is in control of his faculties when he has been, for years, descending into dementia is far more destructive than Trump’s lies about his “achievements” — lies that are, after all, merely campaign and debate boilerplate. The Democrats' biggest lie - UnHerd

So why did she and Biden not do that in their current term ?? Oh - I get it - you really believe all those Dems/Harris lies and mistruths. Just as one example of their stanbard lies repeated again for this election cycle - "reduce hate and divisions in the country" as you said it. recall Biden also saying he would unite the country - and then he called MAGA people a threat to democracy and a domestic danger. Have you forgotten that speech ?? biden speech calls called MAGA people a threat to democracy. - Google Search Mate - if/when you do realise they have been lying to you and it is the Dems that cause hate and divisions in the country, then you will 'wake up' and see what is really going on. Until that moment I offer you this picture :- Unlike the movie - those sunglasses are freely available - but some people just will not pick them up.

Reagan introduced the tax on mandatory tips - those that are included in the bill - not the voluntary tips given as cash and not in the bill. Biden/Harris introduced the 'Inflation Reduction Act' (that worked great eh?) which forced business to tax all tips and make an estimate on those which were not 'reported'. Harris as VP cast the 'winning vote' when it got to the Senate. So-Called Inflation Reduction Act’s Bait-and-Switch: IRS to Crack Down on Waitresses’ Underreported Tips | The Heritage Foundation However, in Harris' defence she had no idea what was in the Act - she does not have the brains to be able to u8nderstand things like that. We all know what she is very good at - and it does not involve using the part of her body called the brain.

In response to those who claim Trump has no policies :- 1 Seal the border and stop the migrant invasion 2 Carry out the largest deportation operation in American history 3 End inflation, and make America affordable again 4 Make America the dominant energy producer in the world, by far! 5 STOP OUTSOURCING, AND TURN THE UNITED STATES INTO A MANUFACTURING SUPERPOWER 6 large tax cuts for workers, and no tax on tips! 7 Defend our constitution, our bill of rights, and our fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to keep and bear arms 8 Prevent world war three, restore peace in Europe and in the middle east, and build a great iron dome missile defense shield over our entire country -- all made in America 9 End the weaponization of government against the American people 10 Stop the migrant crime epidemic, demolish the foreign drug cartels, crush gang violence, and lock up violent offenders 11 Rebuild our cities, including Washington DC, making them safe, clean, and beautiful again. 12 Strengthen and modernize our military, making it, without question, the strongest and most powerful in the world 13 Keep the U.S. dollar as the world's reserve currency 14 Fight for and protect social security and Medicare with no cuts, including no changes to the retirement age 15 Cancel the electric vehicle mandate and cut costly and burdensome regulations 16 Cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, radical gender ideology, and other inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content on our children 17 Keep men out of women's sports 18 Deport pro-Hamas radicals and make our college campuses safe and patriotic again 19 Secure our elections, including same day voting, voter identification, paper ballots, and proof of citizenship 20 Unite our country by bringing it to new and record levels of success

More lies - to hide the truth - Harris has no policies and she never will - she only echoes what Trump has already stated. Such as no tax on tips (when she introduced that tax), and close the border (when she said it was all OK).

I did not ask you to tell me all about Kamala Harris - that is who you are talking about right?? What about Trump's policies mate - stop with the personal insults about what he did or didnt do 30-40 years ago. Give me a list of Harris' policies and lets debate them - facts not feelings mate.

But that is exactly what Biden did when he was POTUS and Trump did no. Have you not seen all the DEI appointees of Biden - all radical lefties with blind loyalty to their fascist leaders in The Dem Party. It was indeed a Maoist/Stalin style cultural revolution - and it has all gone terribly terribly wrong.

Another blue Dems MSM victim?? How about some 'debate' - Harris' Policies versus Trump policies.

I have never met the man but that does not stop me from going to social media to say he is great. The man is flawed but his message and values and policies are great for USA and the World. He is essentially 'anti-woke' and 'anti-globalist' and 'anti-progressive liberal' and 'anti-radical minority groups' who are tearing down western values and morals. Plus he is going to 'drain the swamp' when he is elected POTUS - he was distracted and fooled last time - but this time he will hit the ground running and take them down. Trying to get the alligators to voluntarily leave the swamp was foolish - the only solution is to drain the swamp and then permanently remove them. He is going to make Javier Milei (Argentina) look like a librarian - Trump is going to tear it all down so that they can never again re-buiild it. Sure - if you are a woke liberal and you support Palestine, Illegal Immigrants and other radical minorities, and you are a globalist (socialist) who loves the UN and EU, and leaders like Macron, Trudea, Starmer, Scholz, and Albanese etc etc, and unelected socialists like Von Der Leyen, António Guterres and Schwab etc etc. - then you will hate what Trump is going to do. But I think that the majority are going to see through the media lies and how much a disaster another 4 (or even 8 ) years of Bidenomics would be. And best of all - he can dodge a bullet - even Reagan could not do that 😁

As per my last post - I think there is more to it than you think - including the Thai Govt manipulating their currency. IMO the recent increase in the Baht value is not because of excellent Thailand economic conditions - which are far from that. I think it is because the BOT refuses to lower interest rates and because the Thai Govt (and the wealthy) wants the Baht to stay high (for their Imports and Loans payments). A high Baht hurts the Thai economy (Exports and Tourism cost more), but those who dont care prefer the Baht to be high. Plus something tells me a lot of foreign currency is coming into Thailand to avoid the new tax situation - anything earned before 1 Jan 2024 is tax free, but money earning after that date is taxable. A foreign exchange intervention is a monetary policy tool which a central bank uses to take an active, participatory role in influencing the monetary funds transfer rate of the national currency, usually with its own reserves or its own authority to generate the currency. Central banks, especially those in developing countries, intervene in the foreign exchange market in order to build reserves for themselves or provide them to the country's banks. Their aim is often to stabilize the exchange rate. Foreign Exchange Intervention Definition, Strategies, Goals (investopedia.com)

I hear you about the Pound and you are right - the Pound has weakened for a long time and that is against most currencies - including the USD as in your chart. But it had stabilised against the Baht until the Junta took over when it went down again (as did all others) and then since July the Baht has again gone up against all main currencies. It is not just the USD weakening as some people are saying - but the Baht has gone up against all main currencies. You have the other matter around the wrong way I think. The US Fed does not monitor those currencies that are over-valued - they only monitor those currencies that they deem are under-valued (such as China was a while ago - despite a booming economy). When countries manipulate their currency to decrease its value - they do that so that their exports are cheaper and also their local production is cheaper (hence why iPhones Androids etc etc etc are made in China). The reason that Fed does that is because countries can and do manipulate their currency value on the world markets (as China did). Me thinks the recent increase in the Baht value is not because of excellent economic conditions - which are far from that. I think it is because the BOT refuses to lower interest rates and because the Thai Govt (and the wealthy) wants the Baht to stay high (for their Imports and Loans payments). A high Baht hurts the Thai economy (Exports and Tourism cost more), but those who dont care prefer the Baht to be high - Example - so they can buy Mercedes, Gold, etc etc and for when they invest their money overseas and buy property overseas. Plus something tells me a lot of foreign currency is coming into Thailand to avoid the new tax situation - anything earned before 1 Jan 2024 is tax free, but money earning after that date is taxable. A foreign exchange intervention is a monetary policy tool which a central bank uses to take an active, participatory role in influencing the monetary funds transfer rate of the national currency, usually with its own reserves or its own authority to generate the currency. Central banks, especially those in developing countries, intervene in the foreign exchange market in order to build reserves for themselves or provide them to the country's banks. Their aim is often to stabilize the exchange rate. Foreign Exchange Intervention Definition, Strategies, Goals (investopedia.com)

As usual, they get together at some swanky resort and spend 2-3 days 'discussing' things and they have a great time at taxpayer's expense. Then when it is over they release some PR BS that details all the brilliant ideas that they came up with to improve things for Thailand. This is one of those BS things that comes out after one of those junkets.

For those who seem unaware, the THB has been 'strong' for a long time - this is the GBP to THB for 25 years. For much of that time the GBP was higher than it has been since the Junta took over. For those also unaware, the world's monetary 'police' are only making sure countries do not Undervalue their currency (like China) so their Exports grow. There is SFA policing of those countries that Overvalue their currency so their Imports cost less.

This is what Thais see so often and and expect from 'dirty falangs'. Unfortunately, there are many Thais that do not understand that there are sexpat pieshead Tourists like these blokes, and then there normal retired/married Expats of which the vast majority are good. It is only once the Thais get to know an Expat that they understand that there is a big difference. I can see Thailand one day getting to the point where they will like many other countries (Japan, Spain, Bali, etc etc) where they decide that enough is enough. While the travel industries and associations all push for more and more tourists due to self-interest, with ever increasing BS about their 'value' to the economy, the ordinary people in many countries are starting to protest and demand less tourists. Post Covid saw a surge in badly behaved cheap charlie tourists who are trying to 'party' after years of suppression - they have become too many and too much - and many countries have had enough. I think Thailand might start heading that way soon if TAT and all the others keep promising an economic saviour from millions of more tourists like these Aussie blokes that never eventuates - but all the social problems continue to grow.

Love the guy. A flawed human being of that there is no doubt, but exactly what does/did he do to endear so much hatred. Nothing - no more than anyone else in politics - especially the Bidens. But when you have millions of delusional people and you throw attack after attack after attack, and then add the media lies and distortions, and the result is millions who hate the guy. Some even enough to want to shoot him and others enough that they wanted him dead. Truly we are in a woke liberal world where being an awful human being that would want a politician dead is somehow OK. But if men with beards can call themselves women and beat them up at sports and use their toilets - then it fits - truly delusional.

Believe it or not the first 'terrorists' to attack the Senate Building were two Democrats. They set off some bombs or something. Clinton pardoned them. I reckon that if Trump wins all the 'political prisoners' of Jan6 will be pardoned day 1 - followed by quite a few others.

Cant disagree with that.

It is an interesting question - but IMO maybe an even more interesting question is :- Should Joe Biden pardon Hunter Biden when he leaves Office? Is that why Hunter pleaded guilty? Did Joe say - 'Dont worry Son - plead guilty and get this trial over with - and I will pardon you soon'.

Yes indeed - I wonder what they did - maybe they bought up a load to push the price up - plus change in Govt? All the main currencies have dropped significantly and quickly against the Baht - it is not just the USD as some are saying.

Same reason there are more Generals in the Thai military (1700) than in the USA military (620).

Good point - the Uber wealthy can indeed just ignore any issues. The 'ordinary' wealthy buy a villa somewhere and stay out of sight most of the time.

Having a Pit Bull is like leaving a loaded hand gun lying around, Sure, 99% of the time nothing will go wrong. But with both a gun and a Pit Bull, if anything does go wrong they are both deadly. Pit Bulls are killers - born and bred to attack Bears and Bulls, and then they moved into dog fighting in dog fighting pits. They are a very dangerous animal and should be destroyed (humanely) all of them without exception. Only if/when one of these rabid out of control dogs in Thailand kills a family member of you know who, then and only then will drastic and appropriate action take place. It is time Thailand joined the 21st Century world regarding the control of dogs - and not stay in the 14th to 19th centuries. They dont eat dogs here anymore like in some other SEAsian countries and that was a good change - but given that they dont do that anymore, they cannot just let them roam - they are all a dangerous animal to a small child, I recall the pit bull story some time ag about a bloke that had raised and slept with his pit bull since it was a small puppy. One night something went wrong and the pit bull killed him - it nearly tore his head off - the son was bitten trying to stop the dog but eventually got him off the body. Not much sympathy from me as it was a very stupid thing to do to sleep with any dog - but what made me angry is that the family did not want the dog destroyed - they tried to stop the police taking it away and shooting it (which they did eventually). Unbelievable.

IMO Marriage Visa offers a married person more advantages than a Retirement Visa. Being married to a Thai means something more to Thais, than being retired (and implied a single). If you are living where there are lots of others the same (Pattaya, Patong, Phuket, etc) then no problems. It is a little more complex for the annual extensions, but it is not too hard at all - never had a problem. I have had both the Retired and Marriage Visa - is not that much more complicated to complete documents etc. The main differences having the Marriage Visa I have found, is the following:- Negatives - Need for another Thai to confirm you are married (1st time), and a visit to the house/home (sometimes), and the waiting period after Extension Application. Positives - 400K only and which you can spend after 2-3 months, and arrive at Swampy in the Thai queue (with Wife). I have found that they seem to treat those with a Marriage Visa more 'positively' than those with a Retirement Visa. But I have never extended/applied in the 'Tourist Provinces' so it is probably easier there where the majority are Retired. They have been saying for a while that they are looking at making health insurance compulsory for O Retirement Visas. It is already compulsory for O-A Retirement Visas, and I think it will one day be the same for O Retirement Visas/Extensions.