SanSaiExPat

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SpiderMike, You must be living in a parallel universe. where do "you people" come up with this crap made up out of whole cloth? "I'm here right now and inflation is 20%" 555 Are you smoking some of that Thai weed? The annual inflation rate for the United States, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), was 2.7% for the 12 months ending June 2025. This figure comes from U.S. Labor Department data released on July 15, 2025, reflecting a slight uptick from the 2.4% recorded in May 2025. This "headline" inflation rate includes all items, including volatile food and energy prices. The core inflation rate, which excludes food and energy, was 2.9% in June 2025, indicating a slightly higher underlying trend when stripping out those volatile sectors. And manufacturing jobs are on the rise across the board. Current State of Manufacturing Jobs Employment Figures: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from the Current Employment Statistics (CES) survey, total manufacturing employment stood at approximately 12.93 million jobs in June 2025, up from 12.87 million in May 2025. This reflects a month-over-month increase of about 60,000 jobs, seasonally adjusted. The year-over-year growth from June 2024 (12.75 million) shows a net gain of roughly 180,000 jobs, or about 1.4%. Trend: This marks a continuation of a modest upward trend that began in mid-2023, with manufacturing employment growing at an average monthly rate of about 0.1% since then. However, the sector remains below its pre-pandemic peak of 13.4 million jobs in February 2020. Recent Drivers Clean Energy Investments: The U.S. Department of Energy’s 2024 Annual U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER) notes that clean energy manufacturing—spurred by the Biden-Harris administration’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act—added 142,000 jobs in 2023 alone, with growth continuing into 2025. This includes factories for solar panels, wind turbines, and battery production, contributing to the recent uptick. Traditional Manufacturing: The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) reports that manufacturing value-added output was $2.90 trillion at an annual rate in Q1 2025, down slightly from $2.937 trillion in Q4 2024 but still robust. Durable goods manufacturing (e.g., machinery, autos) saw a $4 billion increase to $1.566 trillion, supporting job growth in those segments. Regional Hotspots: States like Texas, Michigan, and South Carolina have seen localized booms, with automotive and aerospace sectors adding jobs due to reshoring efforts and EV production. Projections and Challenges Short-Term Outlook: The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED) data and BLS projections suggest manufacturing employment could reach 13.1 million by mid-2026 if current growth holds, driven by ongoing investments in domestic supply chains.

This isn't a clarion call ..."for transparency and public engagement to safeguard the country's interests and ensure that its policies reflect the collective will and benefit of its people." It's hidden agenda is to sabotage any talks and agreements. The professor knows damn well that any agreements that must meet with public approval will never be made in time to meet the August deadline. These types of agreements, have always been carried out by each country's diplomatic corps and trade bureaucrats. Now is not the time to fall in love with democratic rule, "by the people" in a country that has seen little democracy over the last 500+ years.

I wouldn't feel like I had to justify anything. But yes, I do lust after 18 year old's. 555

Should we go to dinner? "Up to you." Do you think that will be enough? "Up to you." Does the car need petrol? "Up to you."

You should mind your own business. Remember your a guest in this country.

His USAID money probably got cut off by Elon Musk and DOGE.

It's Just another way to milk a few more hundred or thousand baht out of foreigners and to make Thailand more undesirable as a place to retire or visit.

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