Auntymarybrown

we get those green ones in the garden all the time dossing in the flower pots, cobras doss under the house but had a three and half footer move in during the floods last year

Ah the joys of living in the countryside.

Was bitten by one of these myself ! Terrified, rushed to Chula hospital but the doctor did not even want to look at the creature I had killed and put in a bag.

"See those twenty people outside...they are all queuing for treatment". We get dozens each day . These snakes are all around Bangkok and usually near dustbins as they feed on rats."

Their venom kills rats and COULD KILL A BABY .... but harmless to adults.

The poison thins the blood and stops it coagulating/clotting.

The end result you would never have guessed...wait for it....

For the next three weeks never felt better in my life !

My chlorestorol was reduced and thinning my blood acted as a medicine similar to warfarin taken from rats to thin blood and remove clots.

Now looking for another snake to bite me !

Thanks for your viewpoint. Of course this exposition was nothing other than a shortened edited version of an article explaining the j curve, better than I ,or most others could have done. !

No original authorship was claimed....it was just the edited article ..and by the way, the charts did not come out when the article was pasted hence reference to them was left out. A pity you could not include these when you wrote your posting as clearly you are familiar with how this can be done..

Prior to my posting no mention was made by you or any others on the subject of the j curve as a possible explanation of the current surge in exports .

Anyone interested in the subject and wishing to read more knows to do a google search for ....j curve .....and can see many articles on the subject. .

The article gave no name of an author hence no attribution to an author was made unless of course one considers tutor2you as being an a named author ....moot point !

Sadly your posting concentrated solely on the fact of non attribution rather than your views on the subject itself, as many readers would be very interested and most keen to hear your most respected expert opinion on the matter.

Thank you.

I wouldn't try to defend your position on this too strongly if I were you - it's rather untenable. The only thing that you editited from the original was to remove the text "In the diagram above" and "This is shown by the movement A to C on the diagram." from the 5th paragraph.

Quoting verbatim from another work is fine, IMHO, when putting forward some well known theory - writing it ones ones own words would be a spectacular waste of time. I just think you should have posted the URL, not only because it is good manners (and this is not made moot by it being non-attributable), but because there was a very useful diagram in the page that you copied, which lies at the very heart of the matter. The whole point about the J-curve theory is that it proposes a J shaped graph - which is very easy to understand when you can actually see the graph along with the theory explanation. Without the graph the theory becomes much harder to understand, and since this is forum populated by a people from widely differering backgrounds, it seems quite disingenuous to deny it to readers. Simply posting the URL and referring to it was the right thing to do. You should at least accept that.

I also find it disingenuous that you choose to criticise me for not putting forward my views on it. I don't feel obliged to comment on every posting, in most cases I have nothing to add, and even if I did I certainly wouldn't have the time. But I do feel obliged to let other readers have access to a better understanding of something when it is extremely easy to do so - and that is what I did.

For what it's worth, I think the j-curve theory, as with much of economic theory, is a nice way to explain often-observed events - in this case, a lagged effect on the trade balance of a rapid exchange rate movement. And, as usual in economics, it can be seen to apply in some situations and not to others. On an aggregate level there is body of empirical research that supports it. However on a sectoral level, the literature is replete with examples where it has been shown not to apply, and studies on agricultural sectors in several countries are examples of this - which may be of some relevance to thailand. Here is one such study:

http://www.agr.hr/jcea/issues/jcea7-2/pdf/jcea72-11.pdf

Thank you very much for that. Had no way intended to criticise your not giving your opinion on the subject , just stated it was sad you didn't ! Anyhow many thanks and much appreciated that you did and all your quite valid points about attribution fully taken in.

I don't swift it.

I carry it with me as hand luggage.

There are no restrictions how much foreign currency can be carried out.

I even checked out the Thai Customs website.

It says the following:

Outbound passengers:

Unlimited amount of foreign currencies are permitted to carry out of Thailand. However, the amount of Baht 50,000 or more in Thai currency must be reported on departure, except those traveling to Lao PDR., Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam are allowed to take out Thai currency not exceeding 500,000 Baht.

http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/Trave...?menuNme=Travel

Sorry to be nosey , none of my business, but in view of the above, had you been travelling with your wife , a friend and two kids and had routed your flight via KL , might you have not enjoyed a free air ticket had you each taken your allowance in baht ?

It's nice to see someone admitting their "mistake" (although I wouldn't really call it that).

I only wish that the pundits on CNBC and bloomberg would be grilled a little more by the presenters into admitting theirs. Perhaps that would put an end to the endless stream of "gurus" giving us their opinion on the outlook for everything from dollar-yen to the price of wheat. I find it remarkable that an academic discipline that claims scientific and mathematical rigour can consistently fail to produce a consensus on the reasons for many past economic events, let alone on predictions for future ones.

That's their job ...and what they are paid for.....and that's popular television.

How boring these channels would be without the pundits !

My view anyway.

The explanation : the inverse j curve

the j curve effect

In the short term a devaluation or depreciation of the exchange rate may not improve the current account deficit of the balance of payments. This is due to the low price elasticity of demand for imports and exports in the immediate aftermath of an exchange rate change.

Assuming that the economy begins at position A with a substantial current account deficit there is then a fall in the value of the exchange rate. Initially the volume of imports will remain steady partly because contracts for imported goods will have been signed.

However, the depreciation raises the sterling price of imports causing total spending on imports to rise. Export demand will also be inelastic in response to the exchange rate change in the short term, therefore the earnings from exports may be insufficient to compensate for higher spending on imports. The current account deficit may worsen for some months.

Expenditure Switching causes a change in trade volumes

Providing that the elasticities of demand for imports and exports are greater than one in the longer term then the trade balance will improve over time. This is known as the Marshall-Lerner condition.

Showing the J curve effect, as demand for exports picks up and domestic consumers switch their spending away from imported goods and services, the overall balance of payments starts to improve.

There is some evidence for the J Curve effect which shows the quarterly balance of trade in goods and the average value for the sterling exchange rate index between 1990-2000.

In late 1992 the pound was devalued by nearly 15% following the United Kingdom's exit from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism. The sharp fall in the exchange rate provided a welcome boost to the competitiveness of UK producers - but in the short term, the balance of trade actually worsened. Import volumes remained steady - but were more expensive following the decline in the exchange rate. Exports took time to respond to the more competitive value of sterling.

But in 1993-94 there was a clear acceleration in export volumes and a slower growth of imported goods and services as the effects of the exchange rate depreciation started to take effect. The net result was an improvement in the balance of trade in goods - although not sufficient to take the balance from deficit into surplus.

The Inverse J Curve Effect

An appreciation in the exchange rate can lead to a short term improvement in the balance of trade. Imports become cheaper and exports more expensive in overseas markets. But initially the elasticity of demand for both imports and exports is fairly low - leading to an overall improvement in the trade balance.

If you want to quote verbatim from someone else's material it is considered good manners to make reference to the original work . In this case you might also include the URL so that readers can see the pedagogical graphs.

http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/content/t...tes/j_curve.htm

Thanks for your viewpoint. Of course this exposition was nothing other than a shortened edited version of an article explaining the j curve, better than I ,or most others could have done. !

No original authorship was claimed....it was just the edited article ..and by the way, the charts did not come out when the article was pasted hence reference to them was left out. A pity you could not include these when you wrote your posting as clearly you are familiar with how this can be done..

Prior to my posting no mention was made by you or any others on the subject of the j curve as a possible explanation of the current surge in exports .

Anyone interested in the subject and wishing to read more knows to do a google search for ....j curve .....and can see many articles on the subject. .

The article gave no name of an author hence no attribution to an author was made unless of course one considers tutor2you as being an a named author ....moot point !

Sadly your posting concentrated solely on the fact of non attribution rather than your views on the subject itself, as many readers would be very interested and most keen to hear your most respected expert opinion on the matter.

Thank you.

A lot of sense in what you say Andrew. Unfortunately this forum is populated by mostly staunch defenders of the current system. Quite why they seek to defend it so robustly i cannot begin to understand , but they do nonethe less. No doubt they all have their own individual reasons for supporting it and i doubt we will ever know the truth.

You and I and a few others here with the ability to see through the charade we call a visa system , know that in truth the whole system is built around officially pretending to welcome people to the UK whilst behind the scenes there is a policy of keeping out undesirables , undesirable that is by the governments definition. Now i don't disagree that we need to keep out the wrong people but ... who are the wrong people?

The govt is obsessed by young people of both sexes coming here and working as prostituites. Now to be clear i have no vested interest in this at all , as all my previous relationships have been with much more HiSo Thais. However i cannot for the life of me see why this is a problem . So they come here and work as prostitutes....SO WHAT?? Does the world stop spinning ?

Unfortunately (does anyone know why BTW?) this is a subject that is banned from discussion on this forum , so none of you are allowed to reply , which is a shame.

But in my opinion undesireables are terrorists , not prostitutes.

Please read about :

The Independant Monitor for Entry Clearance the address for which is :

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pa...d=1006977150169

and for a critical analysis of of Entry Clearance work at Embassies around the world her latest report presented to Parliament in January 2007

http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/Independ...rReport2005.pdf

where you will read from a senior , independant and much respected appointed Official that the current system leaves much to be desired ,to say the least.

From the Nation : does these mean non Thai people are excluded ? Thanks

Free Skytrain rides for the Elderly during Songkran

The elderly people aged 60 years old up can produce their national ID cards to get free Skytrain rides from Friday till Sunday.

The Songkran Festival is considered a time for family and for younger family members to show respect for their seniors

A rip off.

Try the excellent tvu player on www.viidoo.com. Its FREE

PS BEWARE some of the channels can be a little naughty like Spike tv from the USA

I hope I can assist, if not already mentioned ,by pointing out to pilgrim 2505 that in view of what he wrote "My partner has been my partner for 3 years already" he is permitted to apply as an unmarried partner if any marriage previously entered into is broken down ; he and his partner been living together for two of those three years and also they have enough money to support and accommodate themselves adequately in the UK .

Trust this is of help.

Hi I'm going to be coming to Thailand shortly and wondered if I was better off changing GBP into USD in UK - exch rate 1.907 as of today. Or am I betting off withdrawing baht when I'm in Thailand at the offshore rate and then buying dollars with my baht?

I know last time I went into the bank with GBP to change into USD in Thailand they didn't have a direct GBP/USD rate so charged me a rate for GBP into THB and then THB to USD which I'm sure proved more expensive.

Obviously I can withdraw THB at the offshore rate whilst in Thailand but I was wondering would this be better than doing a straight GBP to USD in UK?

Thanks

"Obviously I can withdraw THB at the offshore rate whilst in Thailand " ??????

Sorry, if I alluded to a prediction of where the Thai baht is headed, if I did it was ingenuous of me. I can no more predict the thai baht than I can the weather. Anyone who can predict currencies better than 50.1 % accurate is a fool to be working or talking about it. Very very very few financial advisers or mutuals funds are able to outperform the Dow Jones Industrial average over time. What does that say about big money and the brightest minds?

Why I keep a toe hold in Thailand is that I am making a bet that China moves to take Formosa back one day, and in my lifetime. From what I know of the Chinese and their history, that is a very serious matter, far more serious than we take it for in the West. That would change everything. I dont believe its that much of a long shot but I think my time frame might be too western. Americans think of things in this quarter, europeans this year, Thailand this decade and China.... this century. If they make a move in my lifetime, those of us in operation in Thailand will be in the catbird seat. If they dont, we will be in a lovely tourist resort.

"I am making a bet that China moves to take Formosa back one day, and in my lifetime. "

By the way, excuse me for asking but how old are you ?

The explanation : the inverse j curve

the j curve effect

In the short term a devaluation or depreciation of the exchange rate may not improve the current account deficit of the balance of payments. This is due to the low price elasticity of demand for imports and exports in the immediate aftermath of an exchange rate change.

However, the depreciation raises the sterling price of imports causing total spending on imports to rise. Export demand will also be inelastic in response to the exchange rate change in the short term, therefore the earnings from exports may be insufficient to compensate for higher spending on imports. The current account deficit may worsen for some months.

Expenditure Switching causes a change in trade volumes

Providing that the elasticities of demand for imports and exports are greater than one in the longer term then the trade balance will improve over time. This is known as the Marshall-Lerner condition.

Showing the J curve effect, as demand for exports picks up and domestic consumers switch their spending away from imported goods and services, the overall balance of payments starts to improve.

There is some evidence for the J Curve effect which shows the quarterly balance of trade in goods and the average value for the sterling exchange rate index between 1990-2000.

In late 1992 the pound was devalued by nearly 15% following the United Kingdom's exit from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism. The sharp fall in the exchange rate provided a welcome boost to the competitiveness of UK producers - but in the short term, the balance of trade actually worsened. Import volumes remained steady - but were more expensive following the decline in the exchange rate. Exports took time to respond to the more competitive value of sterling.

But in 1993-94 there was a clear acceleration in export volumes and a slower growth of imported goods and services as the effects of the exchange rate depreciation started to take effect. The net result was an improvement in the balance of trade in goods - although not sufficient to take the balance from deficit into surplus.

The Inverse J Curve Effect

An appreciation in the exchange rate can lead to a short term improvement in the balance of trade. Imports become cheaper and exports more expensive in overseas markets. But initially the elasticity of demand for both imports and exports is fairly low - leading to an overall improvement in the trade balance.

One of the toilets in our house is blocked. Nothing serious. Know of a plumber who could come and clear it ? Many thanks in anticipation.

Cheapest is surely Thompsonfly...a charter airline.?

Seems nobody spotted /or even looked at the official list below.

Briitish passport holders to my astonishment NOT in the list : why ?

"Most travellers need to obtain a visa prior to entering the emirate. However, the following passport holders can get an entry permit stamped in their passport upon arrival.

• AGCC country visa holders (certain designations only)
  
• France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, Vatican City, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Hong Kong, Singapore South Korea and Malaysia"
  

"What do you think banks do with all these foreign notes they buy from tourists? Convert them to make papier mache dolls? No, rather bizarrely, they try to re-sell them back to other customers for a profit. Strange but true" (Bendix)

Think you missed one possible reason : this posted a few days earlier :

"The bank's head office to whom we complained on our return then revealed the truth....were we to allow our booths to sell currency as well as buy, before long many of our staff would be running a booth within a booth and we could never find out !

Talk about the restaurant car stewards at British Rail bringing along their own sandwiches and selling them to passengers

AFAIK all you need to supply is an ADDRESS in the UK

This could be anyone, from a relative, friend etc (best not to mention you have just come from abroad though )

Nice rant johnsurin............just watch the BP though, mate

Penkoprod

Supplying an address is usually NOT enough in London hospitals. The Overseas Officer wants to see proof of your right to free NHS treatment and if you do not provide that proof its 500 pounds a day I'afraid. This obviously applies mainly to non UK passport holders . UK people would be asked for details of their GP as a check and might even contact that GP.

Could be quite different at provincial hospitals of course.

Clearly every hospital has different levels of enforcement of the rules.

St Mary's in Central London has an overseas officer whose job is to check out ALL inpatients. If the person is outside the current rules then the standard NHS fixed daily charge for treatment will be imposed...Last time I asked it was around 500 pounds PER DAY !

When I asked what if the patient does not, cannot pay , no answer was forhtcoming other than that nobody in the UK is refused necessary treatment.

A final point : why does the UK not introduce the Swiss and German system. Simply put .............no heath insurance no visa to enter the UK !!

The airport has a website with at www.dubaiairport.com

A quick look shows a play area by Gate 14 in Departure area. Of course no guarantee the website is up-to-date.

Many thanks for that. I did not see it last time but will check again next time.

Noticed the following on that website : Did you notice one VERY important country missing ?

Visa Requirements The procedures / rules detailed here below are for Information Only and are subject to change without prior notice.

Most travellers need to obtain a visa prior to entering the emirate. However, the following passport holders can get an entry permit stamped in their passport upon arrival.

• AGCC country visa holders (certain designations only)
  
• France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, Vatican City, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Hong Kong, Singapore South Korea and Malaysia
  

We were about to leave on a family holiday to Malaysia by train when we saw the exchange booth directly opposite the platform at Hualanpong.

Our request for Ringitt was met with a response that we should exchange once we reach the Malay border.! Train stations and airports are treated different we were told.

The bank's head office to whom we complained on our return then revealed the truth....were we to allow our booths to sell currency as well as buy, before long many of our staff would be running a booth within a booth and we could never find out !

Talk about the restaurant car stewards at British Rail bringing along their own sandwiches and selling them to passengers !

I don't mind it, there is a swimming pool and a cinema and a childrens' playground. What more could you ask for.

The reason the beer is so expensive is that it's a muslim country. Just think yourself lukcy you don't transit at Jeddah!

PLEASE PLEASE do tell me where the kiddie's playground is.

As a mother with three young kids in tow I looked everywhere and could not find ANY facilities for children at Dubai airport.

Awaiting the answer now as travelling there in a few months.

Many thanks in anticipation, leisurely

Try the YHA/ Youth Hostel Association. Everybody is welcome now unlike before when you had to be young !

With property prices shooting up you are unlikely to find truly cheap accommostation in the capital.

As this question has nothing to do with pets to where the subject was transfered, following the answers already given that cruelty to animals is not seriously criminal here, what about vivisection ?

Is that legal here and are the international drug companies using animals here for experimentation owing to the hiatus in the Thai laws on the subject ?

Can you lads not remember a very similar posting published n the Bangkok Post 'Letters to the Editor' section three or four years ago. It created quite a furor at the time with hundreds of letters being sent in to the newspaper.

The letter was from a man complaining he had been living with his Thai girlfriend/housekeeper upcountry for almost ten years , "keeping her comfortable with food and a roof over her head and even a generous allowance of two thousand baht a month for her needs" yet she had had the audacity to walk out on him . How ungrateful Thai women were, was the theme of his argument and that they could not be trusted.

Is there not a kind of similarity here ?

This article in wikipedia gives the most complete information I have found anywhere about how credit, debit, and ATM cards work overseas, and which accounts charge the lowest fees. If you get tired of reading all the details just scroll to the end to see the table of information on all the available cards.

http://flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/Credi...oreign_Exchange

Good article for Americans as almost all the info concerns US banks