thaibreaker

You never even thought of questioning whether these numbers were correct? Because I've got news for you. These numbers are a straight out lie. They only show the imbalance between exports and imports (which have been proven by experts and mathematicians), which is a completely different thing. The way this was represented, I have no other words than to use scam and a fraud. I can give you one example. Norway. They were presented to have a 30% tariff on US goods. The real number is only 2.2%... But Norway exports 30% more goods than they import from the US. Hence that insane number presented. Very "kind" of Trump to give Norway only 15% tariff in return, from 2.2%, don't you think? This is what this administration does. Every single time. They lie, and expect to get away with it. And people like you take the bait. Thailand 72%?? Get real. I don't know what the real number is for them, but I doubt it's above 10-15% (that aligns better to other nations' real numbers). And the kind US has answered with 36% in return... That makes sense to me, this administration has no idea what they are doing.

True, the numbers are a joke, and not tariffs at all. They are counted to be the imbalance between export and import to said countries, and that's a completely different thing. The truth is that Trump presented Norway (just an example I know for sure) to have 30% tariff on US goods, and he was so "kind" to only give us 15% back... Lol. That is a straight out lie. The truth is that our tariff on American goods, is only 2.2 % altogether..!! Many products have no tariff at all. But lucky us, we were rewarded with "only" 15% in return.. The 30% is, correctly enough, our imbalance between export/import to the US. We export 30% more than we import. So that's where this number comes from, for all other countries too. The way they presented this yesterday, is more like a scam and a fraud.

You should really do more research on the Gripen E, the Jas 39. It is in some areas not inferior to F-35 at all. Go through some youtube video comparisons and see for yourself. It's probably the closest you get to the F-35 out there today. It seems you are overrating F-35 quite a bit imo. Or underrating Jas 39, take your pick. (And btw, youtube videos are not always agreeing with each other either). And when we know the Swedish plane is a lot cheaper, you definitely get more value for your money with it. It's another reason why more countries today will go for Sweden's plane. This plane definitely gets the job done, it is that good. We, yes I'm a Norwegian, that's why I mention Norway twice in my posts, we have indeed in our country compared the two (we have 52 F-35s, getting our last badge these days). Although we find F-35 slightly a better fighter jet in total, it is just by the narrowest of margins. In a couple of areas Jas 39 is in fact slightly "better". If we would have been given the choice again today, we would most likely have chosen Gripen, for the cost, and for the total package (it's not that we can't afford the F-35s..). We have pilots and military personell not arguing with that. We love F-35, don't get me wrong, but Jas 39 was more of an unknown capacity when we ordered the F-35s. Today we know what Jas 39 Gripen stands for, and we would love to support our friends, allies and neighbours. It's a great fighter jet, and a great choice. We can't trust America to be our allies anymore. Trump even mentioned recently to have a killswitch in their F-35s, just in case... An insane comment btw.

Of course it won't happen overnight. No one said it would. But I think you are missing the impact this already has on American weapon industry. This is about when the orders stop coming. And that is already happening, after Trump's impact on America. There are countries today, who are ordering planes, delivered a few years ahead, from Sweden. The Jas 39 Gripen is a highly sophisticated and modern fighter jet. Colombia did it today actually, Brazil has done it, Thailand just did, and the Czech Republic. Even the UK. More will follow. When Norway decided to go for F-35, we actually had second thoughts, the Gripen almost became our choice. Today its no doubt, we won't order anything more from the US. And many countries think like us. So this is already having an impact. It won't take two decades to make a huge hit on the American weapons industry. Not at all.

Finally one who have understood how these insane numbers were picked. These numbers are not the tariff the countries have against the US, this is solely the imbalance of trade between the two countries. They even admit that is what this is. It's not Thailand's, or any other countries' fault that their consumers are not importing as much as they export to the US. There will always be some imbalance between import and export. This whole thing is absurd.

Funny enough, this gave me a laugh. Those penguins.. But this island is under Australia, so I guess this is a tariff to prevent a loophole to use as an address, to avoid any tariff.

One of the biggest downfall for the US the coming years, will be a direct result of Trump's foreign policy, a result of Europe (and Australia, Canada and South Korea) standing on their complete own. No European countries will buy American weapons anymore, as soon as the weapons industry will be up and running well enough in Europe. We already got the planes, we got so much already, and a spike in military spending to 3-4 % of BNP, will put the rest in place within a few years. No one will order F-35s anymore, or anything made in the US. Trump and this administration have chosen this all by themselves. This will be a huge blow for the US, a blow no one in this administration did see coming. A trillion dollar industry will be isolated, and compared to today, crushed into pieces.

Always look at the bright side of life, George. Monty Python taught me that, with Brian hanging from his cross. It can always be worse. Not sure how, when even the girls at soi 6 have abandoned you, but hey. There is always comfort in a glass of whiskey, a joint and a threesome. In that order. Life ain't over before the fat lady sings.

They actually did not join as a full membership. Thailand joined as partners in January. A full membership is still discussed.

Why are you circling out 2 countries out of the numerous others, who get longer visa free stays than Thailand, if they reverse their 60 days back to 30 days. Which was the discussion in the first place, whether they align with their neighbours. They are not. These two nations' nationals are probably not even represented on this forum at all, so I couldn't care less. Before they got only 15 days VOA as well, in Thailand, if I'm correct.

They still have the METV choice yes. You can squeeze 9 months out of that. The old multiple entry tourist visa was indeed cheap, the newer METV has a few more requirements though, and is a little more expensive. You need to show bank statements from previous months as well.

No it doesn't. Vietnam has longer visa exemption now, Malaysia 90 days, Cambodia more, and the Philippines more. Thailand will be dragging along in the rear window of these countries, but can compare themselves with Indonesia.

Definitely. You can do with only one border run and two extensions now to get 180 days, to get away from the whole cold season in northern Europe. If this proposal goes through, it will go back to two border runs and three extensions again for the same amount of days. That's a lot of hassle. In Malaysia and Vietnam you only need one border run, with no extensions to get this. I believe many will now look at those options.

Are you serious? Why on earth would they not allow extensions anymore, which have been a routine for decades, on every visa and visa exemption. That makes absolutely no sense. You're worrying too much. Buy a bagel and an ice coffee, and relax. Nothing good comes out of being hysterical.

Of course they will continue with extensions. How many entries a year by air will also continue to be up to the immigration officer, at his discretion. Like it always has been. And they might go back to two times land border crossings a calendar year. Why overthinking this? Btw, there were never "unlimited" entries.. it definitely was a limit to the amount of entries allowed. They only removed the two times land border rule.

You have God's e-mail, do you?

It's not a revolution, they're just going back to how it was pre July last year, just adding the ETA.

While the Americans are fleeing the country for SE Asia, because of the clowns and new circus in town. The last one out, please lock the door, we don't want to feel the breeze over here.

Doubt it. But you might see more vlads on overstay, is my guess.

Instead of actually addressing the problem, which would be to reduce the 60 days to 30 for the trouble countries, Russia and China, they punish us all. Can't stir up relations with Putin and BRICS, now they have become a partner, can they... Cowards.

Then you should definitely not watch this week's episode of The White Lotus (filmed in Thailand). I was begging for a Russian free season, but that episode really made my stomach turn.

Try Malaysia. They have 90 days visa free stay. Thailand is what Thailand does, as Forrest Gump would say.

You are confusing Iraq with Afghanistan. The US claimed article 5 against Afghanistan after 9/11 in 2001, and NATO countries responded to that, and did contribute for almost 20 years, losing around 1000 European lives, and around 2500 US lives.

Blame all the youtubers recommending people to retire in Pattaya/Jomtien, explaining how easy it is to get a retirement visa using agents. I think you are right about the overflow of new bank accounts (especially BBL) opened every week, for this purpose. One youtube channel in particular claims to have recommended and led hundreds of Americans to retire in Jomtien this last year, recommending one specific agent.

As usual, a lot of words and bark from Benjamin, but rarely any clear answer to anything. But he will "follow up as it evolves"... Standard phrase.