jonclark

Two things I don't understand as an ordinary Joe.

Firstly, why do you need a massive job creation scheme if unemployment here is virtually nil, as recently announced.

Secondly, as a Brit I am told by my Chancellor that Britain's economy is growing faster than any major country. Then I read that Thailand's economy is pretty stagnant.

So, why does the UK pound continue to fall against the mighty baht.?

I honestly don't understand that. From 55 to 48 in a few weeks. This instability is a real concern to many ex-pats who are on modest fixed incomes, and not only the Brits.

Simple. The UK is over her head with govt debts. Even with a growing economy, tax collection can only pay off interest but not the principle.

£78,000 per citizen, including young and old.

There was a documentary about the level of UK debt which stated that if you used 50 GBP notes. You would need to create a stack which reached the moon in order to pay the current level of debt back.

But that is peanutS when you consider Japanese debt is larger than the combined GDP of the UK, German and French Economies.

Everything is about race in Thailand. You can't just have a story about one person saving another. Sad.

I know what you mean. I think it stems from Thai insecurity about their position in the hierarchy.

I just hate the way 'farang' is used as an English word. Can't seem to find an entry in the dictionary though?

I sense a protest coming

Wonder if he'll be fined 50o baht which is the going rate for carrying a knife in Thailand - although in the link below i think knife is a bit of an understatement.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/09/08/national/Cabinet-nod-for-anti-brawling-measures-30137467.html

"No act of kindness no matter how small is ever wasted." - Aesop

Good on ya Suwanchat !!

Where are the irresponsible parents?

Perhaps we shouldn't assume that the live with their parents - Maybe at 16, 17 they upped and left home - happens quite a lot.

This constant repetition that "the tourists are coming" is starting to sound rather desperate. It seems the authorities are trying very hard to convince people that everything is normal. But the harder they try and the more they repeat the mantra, the less convincing it all seems

In their own words this kind of statement is "meddling in internal conflicts" which they pedal out everytime the US or UK sends similar wishes their way

No because Thailand is different !!

Actually it is to stop all these scam artist's dead, unless your breaking the law then non issue. Or if your a pervert and into kiddy porn then run like the wind scum.

wow! Sim card registration to kiddy porn in one breath - sorry fail to see the connection.

ummm now lets see......

you have my info , you have my sim ID , now mix with Immigration computer info

Shake box well and what comes out ?????

GPS addresses of all overstayers

or anyone else they feel like grabbing !

Okay - but a large number of foreigners here have a monthly bill - so they already have this information already for a number of foreigners . And I have yet to see immigration having either the imagination or compunction to go after overstayers in this fashion.

I guess this is yet another push to Thailand into China's arms. The USA is acting like a child with their self serving interests.

right,

just pointing out the elephant in the room to the Thai 'government' in the nicest of ways and then not reacting to the current right-wing nationalist fascists and their summons is 'acting like a child'...

ok, if you say so...

You can pin labels all you want but it doesn't change the fact that this is the current gov and controls Thailand. The US should address them even if they don't like who or how this happened if they want to keep Thailand as a friend. Either way with China offering their kindness (hehee) and the USA ignoring them it is easy to see who will be Thailand's newest closest friend. The USA should be considering this.

And your point is what exactly? Thailand is so strategically important. Losing Thailand is going to be a loss for the USA.

What laws are being broken here...and more importantly what products does this apply to? One would assume that if a vendor is by law prevented from setting their prices to reflect their cost, then the rent or lease costs that can be charged to those vendors is also capped as well?

The idea that cost of food is linked solely to the price of oil and fresh products is myopic - over that last 18 months electricity prices have risen from 3.5 baht per unit to 5 baht per unit for example - or by 35%. And don't get me started on Taxis and BTS price rises.

My wife doesn't work, nor owns any business....BUT she has property and a couple of years ago we financed one of her properties with Siam Bank with me as the co-signer.

Caveat....they only gave us a 50% loan and only for 5 years (until I reached the age of 65) also requiring me to have life/medical insurance thru them.

It is possible ...hope it helps.

The loan will be under 40%, but.....I am 70. Anyway, we will talk with Siam. Who knows?

Thank you.

I hate to say it but your age may sadly count against you in this instance. Good luck anyway

Now i understand why people need a useless lawyer :-)

And people who cannot transfer 1.5 at least should not buy anything !

Let the poor stay homeless eh?

Do you work in Thailand? If you do you might be able to be a guarantor on the mortgage if the paper work checks out okay.

Wha-hay. Agricultural tourism "The Thai Way" Does that mean all tourist get a pay above market price for their holidays! (just like the rice)

"When an elected leader is deposed, impeached by the authorities that implemented the coup, and then targeted with criminal charges while basic democratic processes and institutions are interrupted.."

So this statement is untrue then?? This has not happened??

storm in a tea-cup?

how did George W get elected?

how do all of them get elected?

democracy ... what a crock

who believes anything that comes out of America? I certainly don't

are all Aussies rabid, hateful sociopaths like the elected political party and its whacko leader?

both sides are funded by corporations, so policy always favours the corporations (the 1%) ...

duopoly not democracy ...

So is the statement untrue?

By their very nature Thai people always opt for the path of least resistance - it avoids conflict. If someone cooks food and its tastes like old socks. The person eating it will still smile and say delicious, even if they are about to chuck. Speaking their mind would create conflict so they lie.

Same with polls (and asking for directions)

Tell em what they want to hear and smile.