Hawaiian

Donald Trump was not a politician until he got elected. He was scum before he got elected. Just saying.

England, like many other countries would be better of without their monarchies. They are relics of the past.

Not trying to start an argument. I was disagreeing with you about the importance tourism is to Thailand's economy. Any sector or sub-sector contributing 10% to a nation's GDP should be taken seriously. My reference to Hawaii is that the people in this state are making a big mistake by bashing the visitor industry. I believe Thailand would be also making a big mistake by dismissing tourism as a valuable business sector. Again, 10% (you mention 12%) is nothing to sneeze at when it comes to GDP. You may be interested in the info this link provides. I learned a lot from it. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sector.asp

Disagree all you want. Twelve percent is twelve percent. Ask any reputable economist and they will tell you that in situation the world is in, every penny, in Thailand's case, every baht counts. The Chinese would say, even in "normal" times this applies.

The same thing can be said of John Kerry flying around the world in his private jet preaching, first about global warming and now about climate change. All of bunch of hypocrites.

Yup, some people never appreciate something until they lose it. In the real Hawaii we have those bashing tourism and blaming the visitor industry for everything from the lack of affordable housing to the trash and litter along the highways which is mostly generated by locals. There are comments every day about diversifying the economy with no real feasible suggestions as to how to accomplish it. Besides the visitor industry and the military, there are really no viable solutions. Sugar and pineapple are gone, macadamia nuts are losing out to foreign competition like Kenya. Coffee production is okay, but constantly being attacked by invasive diseases and pests. Many of our prime agricultural lands are being sold to solar farm developers. In recent years NIMBYs have stopped a plywood veneer mill from being built. It would have processed hundreds of acres of mature tropical hardwood trees planted for that purpose. A water bottling plant was shot down because it was claimed it would deplete an underground spring pumping millions of gallons of fresh water every day into the ocean. This is after respected hydrologists said proposed well would have a minimal effect. And the list goes on and on. So Thailand needs to wake up and stop trying to kill the golden geese.

Believe it or not, there are some individuals here that would meet your qualifications for good marketing skills and economics. Some have studied and worked overseas in executive positions in the visitor industry. They are smart enough not to get in involved in the dirty dealings of Thai politics, because they would get laughed at and humiliated.

If we wanted to pay over 10,000 baht a night we would be visiting Japan, a country where I speak the language and have been all over from Hokkaido to Kyushu. Japan, today, has become a bit pricey even with the yen at 150 to the dollar. As far as Thailand goes we prefer the countryside and bungalow style accommodations. We visit Thailand once or twice a year, staying a month at time. Can't see paying so much for a room that we would spend so little time in because we are out and about with friends. The place we stayed at in Petchaburi is located on a 60 rai property, in the middle of nowhere. We are quite content to look after ourselves and don't need a lot of fancy amenities. Advertised rates were around 1,800 baht with a 33% discount. The peace and quiet was very enjoyable. As one poster mentioned, people with money always have the funds to travel and their spending habits are not greatly affected by a bad economy. The bulk of travelers. fall somewhere in the middle.

Have to agree with you about occupancy rates. Last month we stayed at a 20 acre resort in Petchaburi. We were guests of a local resident who insisted on paying for our 2 day stay. Checking the rates online, they were advertising a 33% discount, including breakfast. At breakfast in the huge luxurious dining room there were only three tables occupied. According to our guest, the place was always packed with Thais before Covid. Now, almost deserted. The owner is a wealthy ceramic tile and roofing manufacturer. It remains to be seen how long they will can afford to stay open. Breakfast

Your answer has convinced me that this forum has become a circus with deflections, fabrications, accusations, innuendos, misinformation, name calling and other forms of juvenile behavior. In other words, so much BS it has become a chore to read. I know I won't be missed. Who cares? I don't.

I don't know. You tell me. And please, no links from Al-jazeera.

If you consider casualties caused by Hamas's use of hospitals and peoples homes to store arms and munitions and their use of human shields as "horrific acts", then the obvious answer would be yes.

No need for further explanation. Just say they are inmates running the asylum and leave it at that.

Who cares whether they all work together or not. They are all savage criminals who need to be eliminated. No need to elaborate who did this and who did that. They are all guilty of horrific acts.

I tend to disagree with your assessment of Netanyahu's ability to manage the present conflict. Benny Ganz, who is a member of the war cabinet has a very impressive military career. Was he chosen by Netanyahu for political reasons? Maybe. Even if that were true, Ganz's considerable military experience, both as a non-com and high ranking officer could be a valuable asset in making strategic decisions. Remember, many times military goals align with political goals. Personally, I hope you are wrong.

Living with me for many years my girl has learned not to stress out over things she has no control over. I guess that is why we discuss things, but never argue.

If anyone has any inkling they are a candidate for this kind of behavior they have no business potentially putting others in jeopardy.

Just showed this to my Thai girlfriend who normally does not show much interest politics. Nearly brought tears to her eyes.

You are free to choose just as I am free to choose.

No surprise. Just more incentive for Israel to finish the job. If any of the remaining hostages are accidentally harmed by Israeli gunfire we know who will be blamed. This tactic is straight from the Hamas playbook.

The news site if you want to be misinformed. Al-jazeera. https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/al-jazeera

Although the expression of selling one's soul to the devil began as a religious saying, it also now has a secular meaning of gaining wealth, success, power, etc. by doing something bad or dishonest. There are also arguments that Israel is not an apartheid state. https://www.huffpost.com/archive/ca/entry/10-reasons-israel-is-not-an-apartheid-state_b_9128056

I would say this is an open challenge AND an invitation from Hamas for Israel to resume hostilities. Knowing the Israelis they will accept this invitation.

A think tank's perspective: https://besacenter.org/why-israel-approved-development-of-the-gaza-marine-gas-field/

War is hell and unfortunately, innocent people die, some accidentally and some intentionally. From what I have seen Hamas has intentionally killed innocent civilians in the most brutal ways.