8 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

This is a good thing for the entire nation. End the suffering. Let my people go!

 

Prior to this announcement I used my tarot cards, my 250 year old Romanian crystal ball, and tea leaves last night. I asked about the future of the Thai economy. I did not even try to take into account the near total closure of the tourism industry, which likely employs 5 million people or so, and used to account for 20% of the economy, or 3 trillion baht. I also did not consider the near shutdown of the entire airline industry and the airports. Same applies for taxis, bus services, mini vans companies, ferry operators, etc. And I also disregarded the slowdown in exports, and the massive withdrawal of foreign capital from Thailand. In addition, I did not consider the real estate sector. The developers, and the lack of buyers and renters, both commercial and residential. 

What did I come up with? The tea leaves indicated that foreigners have lost confidence in this administration, the finance ministry, the justice system, the fight against corruption, the ability for the nation to move forward, and the currency. 

The crystal ball said it would be a four to seven year recovery, with real unemployment remaining between 26 and 42% for the next three years, and potentially going down to 19% within five to six years. It also said the actual support base for the leaders had fallen to between 1 and 2%. Mostly army members. 

And the tarot cards. My oh my, those tarot cards. They said the economy would contract by 11% in 2021, and that was over 2020, which as already a disaster. They said the same for 2022. Might improve to a contraction of only 8%, vs. 2019. My tarot cards not read year on year, as they know how useless that info is, during a pandemic. They also said condo prices would drop by an average of 44% nationwide, over the next five years, and it would take at least that long for the economy to recover. When I asked how long the recovery would take, the five of pentacles came up. 

The Five of Pentacles is a card of financial loss and poverty. You have hit hard times, especially when it comes to your work, career, finances, and material possessions. You may have recently lost your job, your home, or your financial security. You no longer feel safe because it has all been stripped away from you in one blow. Your ego may also be bruised, especially since success often correlates to financial wealth; losing either can be a humbling blow to your self-esteem and sense of self-worth. The upside is that this is a Minor Arcana card with temporary effects (rather than a Major Arcana card which has a longer-term impact). This, too, shall pass.

Keeping stores like Home Pro, Global House, etc. closed in the dark red zones is proof of the insanity that has swept this nation. Those are huge stores, with social distancing being easy, and transactions are one on one. Little to no risk, compared to Tesco or Makro. It is selective asylum behavior. Sheer fear mongering. And the same applies to the small mom and pop kiosk shops, the electronics shops and the small vendors in front of some of the malls.

Let the people make a living, or dig into the army treasury and help the people. Since the Thai army is a completely and utterly useless organization, that serves no obvious function for society, use their treasure to help the people.

Say it aint so! Huh? Us, help them? Are you kidding me? Why would we help them?

Excellent thesis my Man! 

 

I got almost identical results doing the calculations on the back of my cigarette packet. I'd add just one thing - hyper inflation.

37 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

The issue I believe is that the well is dry, and the coffers are empty.  There is no more money to borrow and hand out and the He who is in control of all has probably decided that it is better to open up and see what befalls the nation.  No Risk No Reward.

or, in picture form for the hard of reading...

7 minutes ago, mrfill said:

or, in picture form for the hard of reading...

Ah the Phuket Zoo show, I do remember that from going years ago.

3 hours ago, Will B Good said:

This is going to be fascinating to witness.

 

Thailand, as far as I know, will be the first country to intentionally ease restrictions so early on in a vaccination roll out.

 

Sweden did it before there was even vaccines to roll out, and compared to most lockdown countries has a better outcome in every metric (cases/deaths/economy).  At this stage of the pandemic people are well aware of the dangers out there and should be able to make their own judgments. There will never be a requirement to go out and enjoy life so those who would prefer to lockdown can just pretend the lockdown is still happening.   

2 hours ago, BobinBKK said:

I think I'm going to sit this one out and see how it goes. I have 1 dose of AZ and plan on waiting for 2 weeks after my scheduled 2nd dose of AZ to reach maximum efficacy before break away from my overly cautious routine.  

I'm thinking even a step further. My 2nd jab of Pfizer mid-September then load up the fridge and lock myself up for at least 6 weeks to see how this pans out. My little inner voice is telling me this won't be pretty.

40 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Let the people make a living, or dig into the army treasury and help the people. Since the Thai army is a completely and utterly useless organization, that serves no obvious function for society, use their treasure to help the people.

Two points.

 

You appear somehow to have got the idea that the military exists to serve society. Exactly the opposite is true, society exists to justify, feed (and fund) the military. 

 

I thought Tarot was that sickly green or purple gunk which they put in those sticky buns in the refrigerated compartments in 7/11? Why do you spread it on playing cards, and if you get it on your pentacles, doesn't it make it rather hard to see through them?

Edited August 30, 20214 yr by herfiehandbag

Ahhhhh yes, the emergency decree set to end,  and the protests to intensify !!!

I posted the following last night in thread about requirements for dine in.

I best give gf credit.

 

"This thread is in part about vaccination cards required for dine in.

The gf just now informs me that on Thai breaking news this requirement has been knocked on head 

Any confirmation?"

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I posted the following last night in thread about requirements for dine in.

I best give gf credit.

 

"This thread is in part about vaccination cards required for dine in.

The gf just now informs me that on Thai breaking news this requirement has been knocked on head 

Any confirmation?"

It looks like it going to be a free for all, no holds barred!

 

1 minute ago, Will B Good said:

It looks like it going to be a free for all, no holds barred!

 

Seems like it.

Makes you wonder about booze. 

The outdoor eating places near us, such as BBQ joints had folk drinking with previous alcohol ban.

The bottles where off the table. 

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Seems like it.

Makes you wonder about booze. 

The outdoor eating places near us, such as BBQ joints had folk drinking with previous alcohol ban.

The bottles where off the table. 

Same here. Beer in Coke cans or plastic tumblers. 

 

The police know exactly what is going on, it's just a game.

54 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Ah the Phuket Zoo show, I do remember that from going years ago.

Except it was at the park in Nong Khai near Sala Kaeo ku. 14th February 2014

1 hour ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I'm thinking even a step further. My 2nd jab of Pfizer mid-September then load up the fridge and lock myself up for at least 6 weeks to see how this pans out. My little inner voice is telling me this won't be pretty.

this is the problem, peoples attitude is too far gone and are pretty much paranoid, negativity can have an effect and weaken your immune system, how long can you ignore or avoid the common cold?

 

Apologies if your post was sarcastic however i do think many people do feel the way you wrote above, that is a problem.

1 hour ago, mrfill said:

or, in picture form for the hard of reading...

First thoughts were "me contradicting the wife".

 

The arguments "for and against opening up" having raged for months and it looks like we are about to find out who was correct, although partial vaccination of the population will muddy the waters a little.

 

Interesting times.

4 minutes ago, ed strong said:

this is the problem, peoples attitude is too far gone and are pretty much paranoid, negativity can have an effect and weaken your immune system, how long can you ignore or avoid the common cold?

 

Apologies if your post was sarcastic however i do think many people do feel the way you wrote above, that is a problem.

No sarcasm and no apology necessary. I still get out a couple of hours a day riding my pushbike as weather allows. I've lost two friends, one a young father, early 30's, solid church goer, as healthy as one can be. I'm in my 60's and don't plan on following his footsteps.

11 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

The arguments "for and against opening up" having raged for months and it looks like we are about to find out who was correct, although partial vaccination of the population will muddy the waters a little.

 

Interesting times.

Indeed, the arguments "for and against opening up" could go on

and on and on...

 

Until which time we wake up and find our societies have been completely ruined and we still have Covid anyway.

Just get on with it.

 

1 minute ago, pookondee said:

Indeed, the arguments "for and against opening up" could go on

and on and on...

 

Until which time we wake up and find our societies have been completely ruined and we still have Covid anyway.

Just get on with it.

 

4/5 months and we will have a good idea!

Edited August 30, 20214 yr by Will B Good

51 minutes ago, mrfill said:

Except it was at the park in Nong Khai near Sala Kaeo ku. 14th February 2014

Looked identical

2 hours ago, James105 said:

Sweden did it before there was even vaccines to roll out, and compared to most lockdown countries has a better outcome in every metric (cases/deaths/economy).  At this stage of the pandemic people are well aware of the dangers out there and should be able to make their own judgments. There will never be a requirement to go out and enjoy life so those who would prefer to lockdown can just pretend the lockdown is still happening.   

You seem poorly informed. 

 

Sweden had more cases and deaths than all of its neighbors combined.

35 minutes ago, Danderman123 said:

You seem poorly informed. 

 

Sweden had more cases and deaths than all of its neighbors combined.

Don 't you just hate it when people comeback at you with facts.

2 hours ago, Danderman123 said:

You seem poorly informed. 

 

Sweden had more cases and deaths than all of its neighbors combined.

Sigh, I used the word “most” in what I said (not all) and even underlined it and put it in bold yet you still somehow missed it.   I know people don’t like facts on here as they are uncomfortable and they don’t really care about your feelings, but the fact is that Sweden has better outcomes than most countries that chose to lockdown.   

6 minutes ago, James105 said:

Sigh, I used the word “most” in what I said (not all) and even underlined it and put it in bold yet you still somehow missed it.   I know people don’t like facts on here as they are uncomfortable and they don’t really care about your feelings, but the fact is that Sweden has better outcomes than most countries that chose to lockdown.   

Nope. 

 

Better than Luxembourg, though. 

9 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Looks like Thailand is preparing to throw off the shackles and just get on with the opening up of the country for dining and such.  Let her rip and I hope it ends well.  Keeping my fingers crossed for this new experiment which I will call  "The Great Sandbox Escape" 

How is this experimental when pretty much every other country on the planet is doing the same thing more or less?

Edited August 30, 20214 yr by shdmn

5 minutes ago, shdmn said:

How is this experimental when pretty much every other country on the planet is doing the same thing more or less?

With 60+% fully vaccinated, not with 8%.

4 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

With 60+% fully vaccinated, not with 8%.

Yawn, lots of countries well below 60.  Especially for 2 shots.  Of course you are cherry picking the lowest numbers you can spin to suit your agenda.  It's 31% partially and just under 10% with one.

 

Also, the rates of vaccination are much higher in the sandbox areas, as one would expect if they they were remotely interested in facts and not just trying to spin things negative.

Edited August 30, 20214 yr by shdmn

8 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

Ummm, they ran out of wood to burn the dead.

Yawn, doom mongers just can't change their stripes. ????

Edited August 30, 20214 yr by shdmn

Wait another 2 weeks,bring the in hospital patient  numbers down 

The government has no choice as the whole place is bankrupt. The debts this country has racked up in the past few months will take a generation to repay.  People are skint. And skint people pay no tax. 

Great news. You love to see it.