TroubleandGrumpy

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.

More liberal lies and distortions - Trump has demanded that any extra debate be fair and unbiased. Trump has had 2 debates moderated by liberal lefty media shrills - it is time for a right wing moderated debate. At least then we will know that Harris will not get the questions in advance. Fox News has proposed 3 dates in October - Harris has not accepted. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), co-chair of Vice President Harris’s presidential campaign, urged the Democratic nominee to accept Fox News’s invitation for a second debate against former President Trump.

Well - so far they have certainly failed. Thailand has a reputation for Prostitutes and for Hiding. Living in a tin shack on the beach - I mean who would notice you being there. Clearly this bloke did not have enough money to hide away enough - unlike some people in Thailand.

Savings and such forms of money are not income as defined in the TRD Revenue Code. Advisory Notice | The Revenue Department (English Site) (rd.go.th)

Pick one and go with it mate.

Hopefully this will go ahead with minimum corruption and maximum efficiency and quality construction. Seriously though, a better rail system would be good for business and also during times like New Year and Songkran when the roads are extremely dangerous due to the large numbers of Somchais in pickups trying to force their way though, and bus drivers who seem to regularly fall asleep (or have brake failure).

Yes - they get details given to them by the ATO who measures and monitors all Super Funds for income tax purposes. Plus they can request the Super Fund provide them full details if they are checking on someone.

Unfortunately you are 100% correct. Thailand has very oppressive taxation rules when it is compared to the rules and regulations of the tax authorities in the first world countries. Perhaps they are actively working behind the scenes to modernise and rationalise their tax rules under this new taxation regime, and it will all be ready for announcement in November/December. But IMO that is as likely as the following image. What will happen IMO is that a vast majority of foreign workers will not be interested in working in Thailand, if/when they implement a worldwide taxation system under TRD's current rules. Why would anyone want to take a job in Thailand for a few years and risk being taxed heavily and clumsily on all their money and investments back in their home country? Likewise, why would anyone with investments back in their home country even consider retiring to Thailand? They are doing exactly the opposite to what they have said they want to do - attract well off 'desirable' retired Expats.

I think you are right. But you are referring to the wealthy and middle class Thais - IMO the majority of Thais (such as those whose votes dont count) want Expats to stay and more to come. But not only does their votes not count, their opinions and wants dont count either. If you recall, in September 2023 there was an article in the BP that was from TAT, and it spoke of the decline in Expats working and living in Thailand (especially the Japanese and Koreans), and it stated that "The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is dedicating 2024 to expats by offering benefits to this segment. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the TAT governor, said the agency is preparing privileges for expats including perks they have requested for many years, such as lowering entrance fees to national parks and other attractions to the same rate as Thais." And then not long after TRD announced they are going to include Expats in the 'new taxation regime' and the TAT Expat Program disappeared into the great black hole that is full of previous Thai Govt statements, promises and proposals.