SanSaiExPat

I think time will tell, you grossly mischaracterize and underestimate President Trumps international trade policies. Job Creation and Wage Growth: Since January 2025, Trump’s administration has overseen the addition of 345,000 jobs, with 188,000 (54%) in the private sector, including 139,000 in May 2025, exceeding expectations, per White House data. Real average hourly earnings rose 0.4% for middle/low-income workers and 1% for manufacturing since January, with a 4% annual increase outpacing inflation (2.4% in November 2024), per economic updates. This has particularly benefited non-high school graduates, with labor force participation up 0.7%, reflecting support for less-skilled workers, a key campaign promise. Investment and Production: Industrial production reached its seventh-highest monthly level in March 2025, with $5 trillion in new investment announced, per White House reports. Mortgage rates fell 0.4%, saving $1,080/year on a median home, and auto sales saw the biggest monthly jump in March, signaling consumer confidence boosts, per trade analyses. Energy Independence: Continued deregulation of energy sectors, building on his first term’s policies, has kept gasoline prices down 7% since January 2025 and egg prices down 50%, per White House claims, aligning with his goal to lower living costs. Inflation and CPI Management: Price Stability: The May 2025 CPI rose 2.3% year-over-year, the slowest since February 2021, with core CPI at 2.8% below the 2.9% forecast, per economic data. This suggests early success in curbing inflation despite tariff introductions, challenging predictions of a spike (e.g., 2.4–2.8% summer uptick), per analysts. Trump’s team credits policy shifts, though some attribute it to Biden-era momentum. Trade and Negotiation Wins: Bilateral Deals: Early in his second term, Trump secured a zero-for-zero auto parts deal with India (May 6, 2025) and Colombia’s agreement to deport illegal immigrants in exchange for tariff relief (April 2, 2025), per trade updates. These demonstrate his leverage-based diplomacy, boosting U.S. manufacturing and border security, key campaign goals. Fentanyl Crackdown: Tariffs targeting China (34%, April 2025) aim to curb fentanyl trafficking, with initial reports of reduced precursor shipments, per White House statements. This aligns with his public health focus, though long-term impact is pending. Deregulation and Business Climate: Regulatory Relief: Trump’s rollback of 15,000 federal jobs and deregulation efforts (e.g., environmental rules) have spurred business optimism, with the National Federation of Independent Businesses reporting a 5-point confidence increase in Q2 2025, per trade analyses. This supports small businesses, a constituency he champions. Tax Policy: Proposals to extend 2017 tax cuts and introduce new incentives (e.g., manufacturing credits) are in progress, with early market responses (e.g., Dow up 1.2% in May) suggesting investor support, per Kiplinger (June 2025).

His injuries, on the surface of it, look more like a head injury from a possible motorcycle accident.

I willingly admit it was a bad move on his part but, on the other hand. Jerry Lee Lewis married his cousin at 13.

Same bull<deleted>? Mai Kao Jai

While I agree with you about Thailand shooting itself in the foot. I don't understand your abject hatred for Thaksin, Or as we would say in America, "<removed>" as applied to President Trump. He wasn't all that terrible. Before the 2006 coup he gave Thailand OTOP which is still thriving and providing income for rural communities. alongside significant economic, societal, and trade milestones. Economically, he drove Thailand’s recovery from the 1997 crisis, growing GDP from 4.9 trillion to 7.1 trillion baht (2001–2006), repaid IMF debt early, and reduced poverty from 21.3% to 11.3%, with northeastern incomes up 40–46%. Societally, his 30 baht universal healthcare expanded coverage from 76% to 96%, and the “One District, One Scholarship” used lottery funds for education. In trade, he secured FTAs with China, boosted rural SMEs via loans, and invested $50 billion in infrastructure. Critics argue these were populist or export-driven, with debt and corruption (e.g., Shin Corp sale) marring his legacy, but rural gains and OTOP’s persistence highlight his impact. Furthermore, I was here in 2006 when his "replacement" showed up with Armored Personnel Carriers and soldiers with M-16's on every major Soi. I witnessed the arrest and destruction of the Police in Chiang Mai and their properties and families and their personal arrest and disappearance and their replacement with police loyal to the Coup makers. How soon some forget what his replacement brought to Thailand. In case your wondering they gave Thailand 20 more years of instability that it's still suffering from. I would argue Thailand would have been a hell of a lot closer to a true republic had the coup not occurred.

I just got back from 2 weeks in Shanghai. Not very friendly. Ton's of scammers. (iPhone touts.) No English spoken or signage anywhere. 95% of other tourists were Chinese. I won't be going back anytime soon unless required for business. And oh, I almost forgot. Walking down the Bund I did get hit up 3 different times by women offering "massage". They all appeared to be pushing 40 and 20 Kilos overweight. Even had I been in the market I couldn't force myself to take advantage of these young things.

"Up to them"? It's not quite as "Thaithentic" as "Up to you". But, It'll due. 555

Think of how many lives his actions saved by keeping the scourge of Ya Ba off the street.

Just to amplify what you've said, A whole new generation of Thai's under this failed "governance" that see nothing but more of the same in their future. Gives a whole new slant to, "Same Same but different."

It makes you wonder how they pulled it together enough to get themselves over here.

The City of Oxford and the State of Michigan who licensed this business as well as the local daily rag that publicized advertisements for this Business should also bear some responsibility for making this seem like a safe and government approved procedure.

The last one I saw was taking a poop in the canal in the old city in Chiang Mai. Ya, I can do without seeing that again.

I wonder if the bloke speaks Thai? 555

Soon, Nung, Song, See, 555

Dick, You look like a nice enough guy but your comment seems more like a "Trump and Elon live in my head 24 7" Knee Jerk comment. When's the last time you were in America? Do you know enough, first hand, to intelligently comment? I think not. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gj92LRIa4AAVw7p?format=png&name=small