TroubleandGrumpy

I still use Windows 7 on my secondary laptop - mainly for playing and downloading movies etc.

Stop talking sense mate - you are wasting your time here. Russia Russia Russia - Trump Bad - that is all some people can understand, and they refuse to listen to anything logical that contradicts that belief/feeling/emotion. You are 100% correct - the warmongers at USA/NATO never envisioned that their overthrow of the Ukraine Government in 2014 and moving it to join EU and NATO, would lead to Putin invading - or to Russia, China and India forming a strong military and trade alliance - or to the growth of BRICS as a force in world trade with ever-growing closer military ties amongst the members.

Open these links and read the list - and then try to think about the silliness of your 'hand' and what you are doing with it in public. I am not saying USA/NATO is bad - there are two sides in the Ukraine/Russia war and they are both wrong. What I am saying your Russia Russia delusions stem from the Russiagate Hoax in 2016 - which will all soon come out in Court (I hope). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_the_United_States_in_the_20th_century https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_the_United_States_in_the_21st_century

I hear you about China wanting territory - but like you said about China, they are militarily very inexperienced. Russia is now the most advanced military force in the world when it comes to a ground battle. Drone Warfare is the new way to engage a ground battle and Russia has moved ahead leaps and bounds. I am sure the experiences of Ukraine forces are being absorbed by the West, but it aint the same as having your own military doing it (and learning). I disagree about Russia and what you call an invasion - it was less of an invasion than when the USA invaded Iraq and Afghanistan. If USA and others can do it, why not Russia? Russia has not engaged in a full-on war of invasion - they are in their own words 'liberating the Eastern parts of Ukraine'. Yes it is an invasion - but invasion of what and for what reason - total BS that Putin wants to invade Europe. Call it what you will - but it is no more than USA has done many times - and UK in the Falklands - and Australia in Timor - etc etc etc. I dont believe any propaganda - by Russia or by the West - and it is totally biased propaganda from both sides. I listen/watch both sides and it is clear to me the warmongers on both sides (especially the anti-Trump ones in USA like Cheney) want the war to continue. The Dems would rather the war continued, than Trump being responsible for making a peace plan - they are still annoyed about what he did in Gaza (and Cambodia). Trump wants to move USA away from a Military Industrial Complex Economy where $billions are being made from unnecessary wars and American lives are being wasted - and the MIC Swamp wants him to fail.

Perhaps at the start - but over time I think they will get directly involved (like Nth Korea has). Perhaps not as in their full army entering the battlefield, but certainly as NATO/USA is now doing for Ukraine, and supporting Russia with military equipment and intelligence. The 'danger' to China that most people do not realise, is that with Russia out of the way (if they are conquered and broken up completely), there is nothing to stop (over time) the democratic countries of the West from turning their full attention to the only remaining Communist/Socialist country in the World. The Chinese have been around for many thousands of years - they are the last remaining Empire after the Romans went away - and they did not survive this long by playing the 'short game' - they think and act long term. I am re-thinking about India and although they are now supporting Russia with trade, I am thinking they will probably cut and run if the proverbial hits the fan.

Trump is frustrated with both sides refusal to commit to a peace agreement. His staff has gained from both sides what they want in a peace agreement, and he is seeking them to reach an agreement by listing all those things and asking them to negotiate from there. It is in a state of flux and it will change as things progress - there is no set in concrete 'deal' with a 'take it or leave it' on the table. Here is the list of things that Trump's Team has put together - based on what they think is a great starting point from which to negotiate. Trump has NOT made a plan and handed it to Zelensky - unlike what some of the media is saying lying. Too many people here on this forum automatically believe any media stroy stating that as fact - it is not fact. Here is the full list - read them and then you will understand the truth about what has been put on the table. 1. Ukraine's sovereignty will be confirmed. 2. A comprehensive non-aggression agreement will be concluded between Russia, Ukraine and Europe. All ambiguities of the last 30 years will be considered settled. 3. It is expected that Russia will not invade neighboring countries and NATO will not expand further. 4. A dialogue will be held between Russia and NATO, mediated by the United States, to resolve all security issues and create conditions for de-escalation in order to ensure global security and increase opportunities for cooperation and future economic development. 5. Ukraine will receive reliable security guarantees. 6. The size of the Ukrainian Armed Forces will be limited to 600,000 personnel. 7. Ukraine agrees to enshrine in its constitution that it will not join NATO, and NATO agrees to include in its statutes a provision that Ukraine will not be admitted in the future. 8. NATO agrees not to station troops in Ukraine. 9. European fighter jets will be stationed in Poland. 10. The U.S. guarantee: The U.S. will receive compensation for the guarantee; If Ukraine invades Russia, it will lose the guarantee; If Russia invades Ukraine, in addition to a decisive coordinated military response, all global sanctions will be reinstated, recognition of the new territory and all other benefits of this deal will be revoked; If Ukraine launches a missile at Moscow or St. Petersburg without cause, the security guarantee will be deemed invalid. 11. Ukraine is eligible for EU membership and will receive short-term preferential access to the European market while this issue is being considered. 12. A powerful global package of measures to rebuild Ukraine, including but not limited to: The creation of a Ukraine Development Fund to invest in fast-growing industries, including technology, data centers, and artificial intelligence. The United States will cooperate with Ukraine to jointly rebuild, develop, modernize, and operate Ukraine's gas infrastructure, including pipelines and storage facilities. Joint efforts to rehabilitate war-affected areas for the restoration, reconstruction and modernization of cities and residential areas. Infrastructure development. Extraction of minerals and natural resources. The World Bank will develop a special financing package to accelerate these efforts. 13. Russia will be reintegrated into the global economy: The lifting of sanctions will be discussed and agreed upon in stages and on a case-by-case basis. The United States will enter into a long-term economic cooperation agreement for mutual development in the areas of energy, natural resources, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, data centers, rare earth metal extraction projects in the Arctic, and other mutually beneficial corporate opportunities. Russia will be invited to rejoin the G8. 14. Frozen funds will be used as follows: $100 billion in frozen Russian assets will be invested in US-led efforts to rebuild and invest in Ukraine; The US will receive 50% of the profits from this venture. Europe will add $100 billion to increase the amount of investment available for Ukraine's reconstruction. Frozen European funds will be unfrozen. The remainder of the frozen Russian funds will be invested in a separate US-Russian investment vehicle that will implement joint projects in specific areas. This fund will be aimed at strengthening relations and increasing common interests to create a strong incentive not to return to conflict. 15. A joint American-Russian working group on security issues will be established to promote and ensure compliance with all provisions of this agreement. 16. Russia will enshrine in law its policy of non-aggression towards Europe and Ukraine. 17. The United States and Russia will agree to extend the validity of treaties on the non-proliferation and control of nuclear weapons, including the START I Treaty. 18. Ukraine agrees to be a non-nuclear state in accordance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. 19. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant will be launched under the supervision of the IAEA, and the electricity produced will be distributed equally between Russia and Ukraine — 50:50. 20. Both countries undertake to implement educational programs in schools and society aimed at promoting understanding and tolerance of different cultures and eliminating racism and prejudice: Ukraine will adopt EU rules on religious tolerance and the protection of linguistic minorities. Both countries will agree to abolish all discriminatory measures and guarantee the rights of Ukrainian and Russian media and education. (Note: Similar ideas were incorporated into Trump's 2020 Israel-Palestine peace plan). All Nazi ideology and activities must be rejected and prohibited. 21. Territories: Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk will be recognized as de facto Russian, including by the United States. Kherson and Zaporizhzhia will be frozen along the line of contact, which will mean de facto recognition along the line of contact. Russia will relinquish other agreed territories it controls outside the five regions. Ukrainian forces will withdraw from the part of Donetsk Oblast that they currently control, and this withdrawal zone will be considered a neutral demilitarized buffer zone, internationally recognized as territory belonging to the Russian Federation. Russian forces will not enter this demilitarized zone. 22. After agreeing on future territorial arrangements, both the Russian Federation and Ukraine undertake not to change these arrangements by force. Any security guarantees will not apply in the event of a breach of this commitment. 23. Russia will not prevent Ukraine from using the Dnieper River for commercial activities, and agreements will be reached on the free transport of grain across the Black Sea. 24. A humanitarian committee will be established to resolve outstanding issues: All remaining prisoners and bodies will be exchanged on an 'all for all' basis. All civilian detainees and hostages will be returned, including children. A family reunification program will be implemented. Measures will be taken to alleviate the suffering of the victims of the conflict. 25. Ukraine will hold elections in 100 days. 26. All parties involved in this conflict will receive full amnesty for their actions during the war and agree not to make any claims or consider any complaints in the future. 27. This agreement will be legally binding. Its implementation will be monitored and guaranteed by the Peace Council, headed by President Donald J. Trump. Sanctions will be imposed for violations. 28. Once all parties agree to this memorandum, the ceasefire will take effect immediately after both sides retreat to agreed points to begin implementation of the agreement. What does seem clear to me in regards to Trump's position, is that his team has told Zelensky that his continued refusal to demand that Russia leave and hand back all territory to Ukraine, including Crimea, is not an acceptable position if he wants the ongoing support of USA. Ukraine must negotiate from reality - if they and Europe were going to remove Russian forces they would have done so already. It has been almost 4 years and it is time to negotiate a deal - the world has had enough and wants this war to end. I think if Zelensky refuses a deal that Trump thinks is reasonable, he will walk away from Ukraine completely. I also think if Putin refuses a deal that Trump thinks is reasonable, he will double down on Russia and destroy their economy. Trump will impose huge tariffs on all countries that trade with Russia, and send in a military blockage to stop all trade vessels leaving or arriving in Russia - with the full support of EU, NATO and the UN. Trump will not use military force (unless the USA blockade is attacked), but he will use every economic means at his disposal.

Good points - take a look below at the last full and free President election results in Ukraine. Half the country (Eastern) supports Russia and half (Western) supports the West/Europe. The EU/NATO backed Putin into a corner after over-throwing the elected pro-Russian President. Putin annexed Crimea but should have invaded back then - he took far too long - EU/NATO kept pushing. Now take a look below at the last full and free Government Election in Ukraine. This 'war' was inevitable and the warmongers like Cheney in EU/NATO thought it would destroy Russia. They got that all wrong - just like their wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is time USA walked away from wars that do not affect them - and Trump is doing just that.

Funny how 'they' cannot see there are two sides to this whole thing. What makes a person so vehemently take a side on a situation, and yet ignore all reality about that situation for the other side.

Check the fine print ..................... and it wont happen for a few years. Zelenksy has pulled the Bear's tail and will probably pay a huge personal price.

When you are wrong about Putin invading Europe, think about me still laughing at your absolute idiocy. Likewise, you do the same about mine if he does invade. Time will tell who is the nutter/whacker.

People like you said the same during Covid - parroting the official narrative - WRONG then and WRONG now.

The majority of members on this forum are not correct frequently, and are often very very wrong. And yet they still maintain their views and behaviours - I have no idea why they do that - honestly - I have no idea at all why they cannot 'adjust' to the new reality. That reality is that the woke liberal globalist leaders are being removed from power all over the world - bit by bit, country by country. Because - when the woke socialists are in power everything goes to hell in a handbasket - just look at UK and Australia and Canada over the last few years. The unelected woke globalist bureaucrats in Europe who have taken control over the elected politicians are prepared to go to war to maintain their control - but hopefully they will be removed before they can do to much more damage, or start WW3.

Total rubbish - Russia always wanted Ukraine to remain separate from NATO - as was agreed in 1990s. Putin invaded as a 'police action' not to conquer Ukraine, but to liberate the Eastern Regions of Ukraine that had supported the illegally removed Russian President. Russia could have blown Western Ukraine away in a few weeks - but that would have killed millions and NATO would have got involved for sure. Russia will not not give up the territory it has won and that is in spite of Europe throwing $billions of military support (except personnel) at Ukraine, and the application of many years of trade and financial sanctions. The time is coming for Europe and USA to walk away - the issue only becomes if they most of Ukraine, or only the pro-Russian Eastern Regions.

I agree - Zelensky is the current fake puppet leader of a corrupted fake regime in a fake country. But Trump has no choice other than to have negotiations conducted with/through him due to the Biden era support that has emboldened his regime. The western media is not telling half the truth about Ukraine - nowhere near it.

Trump gave up negotiating unilaterally - he started doing it one at a time - separately with each. He sent staff to ask Russia what they wanted and then sent staff to ask Ukraine what they wanted. That has now been added together and has been put in front of both of them separately to see what if any common ground exists. Do not believe anything the media states - both Western aligned and Russian aligned - they both spew propaganda. IMO Trump will not permit NATO to get involved - he does not want WW3 to start over Ukraine - and the vast majority of People in USA agree that they do not want Americans dying in a war in Europe/China. If you think China (and India) will not support Russia against the Europeans, then IMO you are very mistaken.

First decent comment made in this thread. Trump gave up negotiating with Zelensky because he refuses to conceded any territory and he is willing to start WW3 (NATO getting involved). Trump gave up with Putin because he wants most/all of Ukraine and because he is winning he refuses to concede what he has gained. The Ukraine people have a very hard winter ahead of them, and Russia is not going to stop and Putin will take more and more territory as each week/month passes. The only way to stop Russia is NATO getting involved, and with Trump in the chair that is not going to happen. Therefore, Zelensky must negotiate and do so quickly - or more of the Ukrainian people will die than is needed (and Russians too).

Thanks Jack - much appreciated - and I will keep in mind that Thai language issue. I use Wise as well - the money in is Krungsri straight away - unlike Bangkok Bank which takes days and they lock up the 800K for 4 months. Seems to me that BKK Bank do not want Expat business - their loss.

What?? And deny all the fat cats in TAT their brown envelopes for all the $millions they spend on tourism projects every year. How ridiculous !! Next thing you know the same thing will be applied to all Government Organisations that spend taxpayer's money. Ridiculous and Unacceptable - I bought this promotion so I could make money !!

@DrJack54 Hi Jack - I am switching from the 800K retirement extension next year to the monthly income method. I will be transferring from overseas at least 65K Baht into my Krungsri bank account every month for the next year. My current 800K deposit used this year is still in the Bangkok Bank from the last extension. Can you advise on what the rules are about the 6%K and also the 800K. I believe that I can spend the 65K once it has been transferred into the bank account - is this correct? I understand that the 800K must remain in the bank account for the obligatory 3 months. I can use the 800K money after that 3 month period, but I must I leave at least 400K in the account for the rest of the year - is this correct??

She is a nutter and like another female conservative commentator, she has been off the rails for a while. Unlike the BS in this story it was not all about the Epstein files - she was going to be thrown out of the Party - so she has got in early.

Yep - they are so deluded in their work mind virus that they will break any law in order to support their political beliefs, because they think they are immune - which under Biden they were. But their time is up and Trump is going to get as many illegals out as possible, and also punish as many of their Dem supporting enablers as possible. Every day I see more of them being taken down - makes me feel good about the world. I hope they start doing it in UK and Europe soon too - deport illegals (all asylum seekers) and take down their enablers. They are already talking about stopping all social welfare support for migrants for 15-20 years - makes absolute sense - far too many of them are on welfare from day one and never leave it. If needed, withdraw from the UN Human Rights Convention Section that covers the rights of Illegal Immigrants (Refugees). There are hundreds of UN HRC Camps all over the world they can 'escape' to, but they choose to illegally enter UK/Europe/USA for the benefits they get - they are illegals masquerading as refugees and we and our ancestors owe them nothing - absolutely nothing.

Me thinks Thaksin wishes he had stayed in Dubai in September instead of returning. Me also thinks his family are well underway to remove as much money out of Thailand and other locations, and move it to Dubai. Then as soon as he is released from jail he will be sneaking out of the country and join his Sister in Dubai, and many other members of the Shin Clan/Family will be there sooner or later.

Add to that 'mentality' the use of strong drugs = recipe for disaster. Only 45 and already basically 'screwed' - what a waste.

Go see Dr Olivier - Swiss Doctor and extremely honest and direct - ASAP. https://dr-olivier-clinic.com/ No appointments - get there early and wait in the loungeroom. You are right to avoid a Private Hospital here - unless you have a Thai wife who understands medical things and will make sure you are not ripped off. By all means go to a public hospital and they will stabilise you if needed - but if you need an operation, they will send you to the private hospital - that is how it works here - we are all Tourists. If that happens to you, then after the operation is completed, go see DR Olivier and get his opinions and advice. The private hospital will inevitably have you taking very expensive medications, which might not be needed or the best solution for you - and they will demand you visit them regularly (for more ripping off).

Because they are delusional fools - they have a mental weakness that makes them think Trump is bad and the Dems are good - despite all the evidence right in their faces - because the media tells them they are good and Trump is bad. Their delusions extend so far that they defy all logic and reason - that is what they are - they are all about emotions and feelings - facts are not first thing on their minds. I recall a cartoon meme years ago where a young woke woman was being raped by a line of 'certain' men, and she was thinking to herself that it was all OK because she was paying for the oppression and suffering that they had suffered in the past from white privilege. They are truly not right in the head and that is why they accept the BS they are told about illegals and 'human rights' - when the reality is that the Dem leaders (the smart corrupt ones like Schumer) want them in USA for their votes.