spidermike007

Perhaps waiting might be an idea? Many think the market is moving in the direction of a major correction. I do not see the local economy improving here anytime soon. If the world falls into a recession within the next year or so, I expect demand to drop even further than it has. Desperation might set in. Perhaps the baht will drop further too?

Amazing Thailand. The world center of suicide by jumping. I think not. Some no doubt. All? Surely not.

Yes. New car sales are next to nothing right now, according to a few showrooms I have spoken with, who were open enough to admit that. Condo sales are way down, foreign investment is likely way down, especially after the disastrous tax decision the court handed down against Toyota. Unemployment is way up here, and many tourism related businesses are struggling, as well as local businesses too. New developments are way down too. A son of a good friend, who works for a huge company in the US, that invests in projects all over the world, just decided at major meeting to stop all investments in Asia, except for Japan. Suicides and homelessness are also way up here. Many of us are insulated from the suffering. But, it is rampant, and the damage the goons have done to the people and the economy is unforgivable.

I do miss my aunts and uncles, and my grandparents. Miss my folks too, who passed on well before their time. Have some friends who still have them around. That is good fortune, if they are good people, which mine were. I was fortunate enough to have good relationships with alot of them, so I take solace in that. Could have done more, but that is in the past. I still have three lovely sisters, brothers in laws, and nieces and nephews. A few cousins. We are all close enough, and I am fortunate to get back there often, and we do a family reunion about once a year. Love that. Life is far too short to cling to regrets. Move on. Do some inner work. Get rid of the demons.

A few things to consider if you are indeed looking at something long term. 1. Try to find out how long she has been working in the industry. Do not rely on what she tells you. They all have stories, and many are coached to say what you want to hear. You might want to consider hiring a private investigator. You would be surprised at what they can find out. I think a successful relationship with a bargirl is possible, but it is likely in direct proportion to how long she has been in the business, and whether or not she is beyond several hundred "customers" already. Just an opinion. 2. I think finding a good woman requires a proper qualification process. Taking a long time to make a determination to see if she is worthy of your time, and devotion, is always a good idea. See what she is made of. See what kind of heart and soul she has. How do you like and trust her family? Many women like to push the timetable. It is up to us to push back. One year? Two years? Longer? She has already made it pretty clear that she needs to support her family. So, you are looking at a commitment of 15,000 to 30,000 baht a month, realistically, and in many cases with a young beauty, you would need to build her a house within a couple of years, and she would likely want kids. 2-5 million baht, these days for the house. Worth taking your time? You bet. Alot of guys here lose their minds, and in the process they lose their shirts too. Why? They did not take their time and found out later that she was not who they thought she was! 3. There are plenty of very good women here. Take your time finding one, and keep your standards high. You owe that to yourself. 4. The last option is just keep it casual. Be like Bond. Don't get all caught up emotionally. Just have some fun.

An out of touch man, yakking and spouting more nonsense. No doubt it is difficult for many Thais to survive on 300-400 baht a day. But, doubling that sounds unrealistic. Likely just pandering to his base, which is likely dwindling after all these years.

Incorrect. It is a large amount, even for Toyota. And the issue is whether or not the government here was being sincere, and fair, and kept their promises to a major manufacturing company. This could have heavy ramifications, if that is not the case. I tend to agree with Toyota on this one. Bullying, and a lack of fair play won't work out well in the long run for this administration, or a compromised judiciary.

Approximately 5 million Thai tourists and over 40,000 foreign tourists visited the province, generating a total of 17,442 million baht in tourism revenue. So, one foreigner for every 120 Thai tourists? And they are proud of that? I bet the local are happy that at least some Thais decided to visit. And how did they arrive at the 35,000 baht figure? Sounds suspiciously high, and deeply dishonest. A family of four ThaIs, drive down for the weekend, and spend 140,000 baht? Really? Truly? Honestly? Do they just pull these numbers out of a hat, or do they consult with the beach vendors?

Are the nitwits in charge of policy here once again too late to the party? The vehicle tax measures include reducing import duty this year and next by as much as 40% for completely built EVs priced up to 2 million baht ($61,805), and by 20% for those priced between 2 million and 7 million baht. The government will cut excise tax on imported EVs to 2% from 8%, which is expected to add 7,000 EVs in the first year, Finance minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith told a news conference. https://www.reuters.com/technology/thailand-approves-tax-breaks-evs-high-potential-foreigners-2022-02-22/

Because it is total PR. No doubt Toyota and countless other Japanese and international firms are looking at a way out, as we type. They needs partners they can count on, to keep their word on promises of tax relief, and other benefits, that were factored into the decision to manufacture here, and set up plants at great expense.

Toyota was citing the Japan Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA). And from what I have been told by informed sources, Toyota had a very strong case, and Thailand has essentially reneged on the agreement, to give Toyota this tax break. This is a major deal breaker. Expect Toyota and some of the 7,000 other Japanese firms operating here to start looking for greener pastures, governments they can count on, who practice the rule of law, and more dependable partners. This is a disastrous result for Thailand, and will likely ensure it's backwards trajectory for decades to come. And this disingenuous administration continues to claim they support alternative energy vehicles, when in reality their refusal to honor their promises has caused Toyota to stop all production of the Prius here. Woe are the people of Thailand, with this level of lack of leadership, integrity, judiciary, and compliance. Toyota Motors claimed that its imported spare parts were eligible, citing the Japan Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA). JTEPA is a free-trade agreement which the two countries signed in April 2007. One of its intended benefits was eventually to eliminate the tariffs on over 90% of their bilateral trade. https://www.thaipbsworld.com/toyota-motors-thailand-ordered-to-pay-฿10bn-in-outstanding-import-taxes-and-fees/ The newspaper says Toyota insists all Prius parts are imported under the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement, under which the parts at issue are subject to import duty of zero to 10% compared with zero to 80% for normal imports. Toyota Thailand “reaffirms the company imports Prius parts using the correct declaration approved by the relevant government agencies,” the source says. https://www.wardsauto.com/industry/toyota-thailand-suspends-prius-output-tax-tiff

I consider the death penalty to be an excellent alternative to housing someone in a prison for the rest of their lives. It should end up costing the state far less, and it cleans up the oxygen in the process. Why should a person this toxic continue to have the right to consume oxygen? Just be rid of her. And make it happen quickly.

I agree with all you say. I think the world is heading for a massive correction, crash, call it what you like. But my point is that many economies are performing far better than Thailand, and the leaders here failed desperately and miserable.

You forget the average Thai. Millions are struggling right now. The exchange rate does not matter to them. But, the economy does. And it is hurting here.

Yes, Thailand has been moving backwards, for quite some time. The goon squad has turned the once Tiger of SE Asia, into a whiny little alley cat, pining for some food, and searching for some scraps.

Thankfully, Anutin has been relatively quiet lately, and seemingly gone from public view. Whether or not that was intentional, who knows? But, nobody needs him to poke his ugly head up ever again. What he says and does is beyond irrelevant. He is the very personification of an empty suit. Nothing he does or says matters one iota. Having said all that, any opposition to cannabis is foolhardy, dumb, and just bad judgment. Shame on the Dems. They are on the wrong side of history, at a time when they need to be showing more wisdom and a more progressive attitude, than the dinosaurs.

The mayor was obviously floating in so much cash, she never even missed a few thousand here, and a few thousand there. She has only herself to blame. A few times, and you are sleeping. More than a few times, and you are truly out to lunch, unconscious, and beyond help.

Considering how well many economies around the world have bounced back after covid, Thailand gets a failing grade in that regard. The level of mismanagement is astounding. Get rid of the dinosaurs, and let us usher in some talent and capable leadership. It is desperately needed at this time, and the Thai people need to muster up some conviction and passion for change.

Thank you. If living in a smaller town, and if living with a woman, I would say 70,000 to 100,000 baht a month, to live really well, and not have to penny pinch at all. The includes travel around Thailand, and some fun. If living without a woman, or if very frugal, one can get by on far less. Since I have some decent income, I do not do frugal. LOL.

Of course. The evil man is capable of is unspeakable. But, that does not in any way whitewash, nor make what the Japanese did any more palatable.

I always find it amusing when Trump supporters lecture us on the futility of personal hating. Seems quite contradictory to the manners of their man. I agree the US is in bad shape. Though the economy is performing far better than here. Biden saved our national lands, from the corporate pillaging that Trump intended. That in itself is a big deal for me. The deterioration of life in America started long before Biden. One could argue it started with Reagan. I am not a big fan of Biden, but I would take Justin Bieber over Trump, who could not negotiate his way out of a paper bag, contrary to the hype.

Will it ever be possible to think of Japan, and it's relations to Thailand, and not consider, or remember the atrocious behavior of the Japanese during the 1940's, throughout most of Eastern and Southeastern Asia? Or the behavior towards the Koreans decades earlier? Or the atrocities committed in the 1930's in China. One could go on. I know we are all supposed to move forward, and just forgive and forget. But, if one is a student of history, the extent of the campaigns was so astonishing, the hubris, arrogance, and malice so horrendous, it is hard to just whitewash all of it. Putting all that aside as not so ancient history, without the economic participation of Japanese industry, Thailand would barely be on the world map today, economically. So, Thailand should be grateful.

They already have so much egg on their faces, they resemble walking human omelets! Have you seen Prawit lately?

What does a number like this represent? Compared to 2021? Huh? How many tourists visited Thailand last year? How many restaurants, bars, pubs, clubs, massage shops, spas, and industries were shut down? These numbers they keep trotting out show a spectacular level of desperation and fear. They mean next to nothing. How about comparing 2019 to 2022? For the sake of integrity and fairness?

Well, the dollar is certainly strong at this time. I love seeing the baht dropping against it! As far as Biden goes, he is an improvement over his sorry predecessor. Not necessarily saying much. But, it is something.