realfunster

Nail meet hammer. Thai economy is not looking good at present. Rebound since 2020 has been slow and markedly weaker than comparable economies around SE Asia, perhaps an indication on a local relative over reliance on tourism, which globally has taken a long time to bounce back. I saw a report recently that tourist numbers in Thailand are back around pre-pandemic levels this year but comparative spending is only 80% of previous level. High volume/cheaply priced tours are obviously the current preferred approach. In their slight defence, if running a business/economy it is absolutely imperative to generate revenue, even if the profit margins are weaker. The alternative of even higher reduced revenue is an even worse outcome for all.

Thanks for explaining - there’s a lot going on in that video !

In the linked video, it looks more like boisterous play at that stage. The young man doesn’t seem very confident with the situation and his response/body language is showing that. When dogs switch into pack mode, things can change very quickly, you wonder if the dogs started fighting amongst themselves and young man tried to break it up attracting their fury. I will also say, having owned various breeds of dogs over the years, that the one that worried me the most was my Jack Russell Terrier. Her ability to “zone out” when in hunting/attack mode was scary. She was never human aggressive, only other dogs (of any size), including some our own pack. She was only around 10kg and imaging any Terrier at 3-4-5x that size gives me shivers.

I'm not sure on any max number, 30 seems insane though ! Bit surprised in a "proper" estate like Sansiri there was no legal recourse available, I live on a normal street, so no development bye laws/committee or similar. Another house nearby has since gone OTT on dogs (they were burgled) but at least they keep them inside their property, so no-one is too bothered about the occasional barking. In fact, people might even appreciate their guarding skills as we don't have any security guards.

An age old problem unfortunately. We had issues in our area many years ago as one resident managed to acquire 10+ dogs over a period of time, several times a day he opened his house gate to let them roam around the streets. Thankfully, no-one was ever bitten but it was intimidating for all, especially kids. Someone took the initiative, gathered > 10+ complainants and contacted the council. They visited a few times and posted some warning notices on his gate but nothing changed for several months. That is until someone took it upon themselves to poison half his dogs...

Get your point but it can easily happen in dense undergrowth. Once I was walking my dog around the jungle track surrounding a country hotel and we ended up less than 10 metres in front of two water buffalos before I clocked them. For some reason, even my dog didn't notice them, which is just as well as she probably would have at least started barking or possibly even charged them. Those things are big up close and to say I retreated gingerly is an understatement.

There's our 2024 headline of the year winner...

For those on FB there are some useful groups to learn more about common snakes in Thailand, people post their findings/sightings and get IDs from the group experts. Snakes of Bangkok and Snakes of Isaan, are two informative groups.

My employer recently moved to TTB and I was pleasantly surprised that I could set-up an outbound international transfer via their banking app in just a couple of minutes with no other approvals required. If that approach doesn't work for BBL then you will need to visit a branch.

As I wrote the other day, taking notes on who is unable to intelligently debate US politics without mentioning the words fascist or communist. Stop embarrassing yourselves. You and your extremist ilk are more of a problem than either candidate. Thankfully, we should not forget that whilst you are very vocal, you are the minority.

I guess the strategy being to fob off the electorate with the current administration. A facade of being a change from the last few years but also able to be bought upfront, having a greater understanding of “how things work” and, if they “misbehave”, can be held to ransom over Thaksin and his freedoms.

I know ! I was expecting a sort of tentative and confused driver gently driving off the pier. Not Lewis Hamilton looking to secure pole position.

I recall many moons ago, these kind of nonsensical statements of X problem being cleared up in 60-90 days were common place. Obviously, for anyone with half a brain, such claims were ridiculous and stood up to around half a second of critical assessment. It did seem to me that over the years, such statements had been on the wane. It unfortunately seems they are back in favour with the current government. That doesn't reflect positively on either the politicians making such ridiculous claims, or an electorate that appears comfortable to accept them. I do worry about the future for Thailand....one feels major changes are needed.

I don't have a horse in this race but I do take note of those who throw around the words fascism/communism in an infantile manner. Not only objectively incorrectly applied as an attack on your respective opponent but also disrespectful to those who have suffered at the hands of genuinely fascist and communist regimes. Grow up, engage brain/critical thinking and get a life. Really. You're embarrassing yourselves.

Indeed, with the increase in power usage from Data Centers and the drift to EV, I do hope the government has assessed the necessary power production increases and required grid upgrades. I understand these Data Centers are extremely heavy electricity users. There is no where near enough current output of copper to support the expected global grid enhancements required for all this AI digitization and switch to EVs/Hybrids. EVs also use 3x as much copper as regular ICE vehicles. Might be an investment idea in there somewhere

Hmmm, you mean government owned like the “old” Thai airways ? I’m still waiting for my bond investment in Thai to be reinstated 4 years after it was written off due to mismanagement and corruption. My general experience of Thai government departments is one of slow, convoluted, over-staffed and occasionally corrupt organisations. Is yours different ?

They’ve opened one of these new parks on Suk 50, where the expressway exit ramp joins the soi. It’s partially under the expressway, probably about 2-3 football pitches in total size . I suppose you might question the sense of sticking a park under an expressway, with the concomitant exhaust fumes but I suppose there are not many available plots around Bangkok for such use. It’s a pleasant enough spot for a few minutes relaxation or exercise, I have never seen many people using it though.

Tragic and unnecessary turn of events. Going out for some evening beers - one life over, another messed up permanently.

That’s the only conclusion I can reach, after considering this hub proposal for a minute or two. Hot money coming from less internationally palatable countries with fewer questions asked. Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Russia & China for a start. I recall at least seeing 3 of these countries on recent condo purchases by foreigners lists. It’s a business model that works for the UK. Thailand just needs to set up some offshore tax havens to complete the structure. I’m thinking Ko Larn as Jersey and Ko Tao as the BVI. Even better, Thailand always abstains at the UN, so no need to worry about pesky sanctions and having to move around your hard earned.

Maybe. Who would want to run against Trump though ? I think he’s going to be hard to beat, it’s a very late change and any new candidate will spend the first few weeks purely discussing Biden and the reasons for his withdrawal rather than policy. So, pretty much a lame duck candidate ? I reckon the next serious Democrat presidential candidate would likely prefer time in opposition to build up credentials/support and run a proper election campaign for 2028. The issue with Biden should have been on the table when he took office and agreements reached a couple of years ago. He should have handed his blessing and support to a new candidate for 2024. The Democrats have totally screwed this up.

You can Google, it takes a bit of digging, there’s a legitimate UoC but also a diploma mill of the same/similar name. The legitimate entity has launched US legal action on the fake entities. The Flour-Smuggler in Chief, also has a degree from this now shut down organisation. Coincidence, I think not…. Her English was poor in the interview, she clarified she got an online Master degree at UoC. Sounds legit.

Yep, and hasn’t that served them well, one of the worst performing economies across South-East Asia for the last 20 years. Struggling to keep pace with more developed nations like Singapore and Malaysia and well behind the regional up-and-comers. It’s a balanced assessment, likely being relatively comfortably off living in developed countries, they are in a financial condition to bemoan an over-supply of customers. Lucky them, nice position to be in. If they were living hand-to-mouth, I would expect a different attitude. It never ceases to amuse me that westerners coming from developed capitalist countries, with all the benefits that has brought them, bemoan Thailand trying to grow its economy and raise the standard of living for Thais.

Oops. Yes, I would class self-combusting transport as a setback. Ah, the old buzzword salad, the preferred way to get one’s hands on budget disbursements. Focus on getting your basics right first - education, rule of law, corruption etc.

That’s the result of either hard drugs (yaba?) or a psychotic episode.

He is a lawyer, doubtful he is a tax specialist. As they say, you’re not in Kansas anymore. Thailand where many things are grey and open to interpretation. I can assure you first hand there are many non-Thai lawyers working in Thailand from within multi-national law firms.