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Donald Trump Is Tanking One of America’s Greatest Exports in the Middle of a Trade War
I was somewhat surprised, when digging into commodity codes, that China is a net importer of US-made medical devices. The same medical devices that the Chinese government is mulling over dropping tariffs for. Now, its not as if Chinese companies don't have competing products; far from it. But an incredibly complex supply chain. China is also a net importer from Mexico, which I think really means some subassembly work is done there. I analysed one device from an American manufacturer. Its a respiratory virus testing kit, consisting of test strips, some little bottles of reagents and an electronic reader for the test strips. Some assembly is conducted in 3 different plants in the US. The company also adds something its making in its Chinese plant. Its engaging with 3 third parties. One is a Singaporean outfit, a specialist in electronics, and they are having parts put together in Malaysia. Another company is Dutch, who turn out to be a specialist producer of virus, and the only company who can do this kind of service. The third is a small US company providing a QC. Currently, in the US, there are about 150,000 different medical device product lines, all with similar, complex, finely balanced supply changes. Any change in manufacture requires approval from the FDA, which might include physical inspection of a facility, and, if some element of the device is changed, a complete reassessment. -
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Driving a Thai car to Cambodia
I am well versed on this topic, having driven my car to Cambodia roughly 20 times now, through all 7 Thai-Cambodian border crossings. In addition, I've driven to Laos in excess of 30 times (more than 20 times in my Thai car and before that, roughly 10 times to Thailand in a Lao car), Malaysia 4 times and Myanmar 22 times (before Covid; currently the borders are closed to westerners). I wanted to provide some insight into the process and how impressed I am by improvements on the Cambodian side, especially since Covid, while Thailand has done absolutely nothing and is still stuck in a decades old time warp, using the same documents and procedures as 30 or 40 years ago. Basically, like at any other border; to exit Thailand, you need to own your vehicle outright and it should be in your name. Unlike when crossing to Laos or Malaysia, a power of attorney from the vehicle owner authorizing you to take the vehicle out may not be accepted by Cambodia. This is presumably a measure to prevent vehicle smuggling; although not as much of an issue anymore (unlike 20 years ago). While Cambodians would much rather purchase a LHD American spec full size pickup or SUV that can't be found in RHD markets such as Thailand, the rule that requires you be the owner of the vehicle you are driving remains in effect. The purple international transport permit isn't used but if you want to continue your journey to Laos, it must be stamped (you have to make a special request when you exit) by Thai customs, then by Cambodian customs. If you don't do this, Laos won't let you in - they require ALL stamps starting from when you departed Thailand. This is why it's considered easier to drive into Cambodia from Laos, as you'll have the purple booklet stamped to exit Thailand and enter Laos, seeing it is mandatory for entry there. In practice, given not every Thai customs post at the Cambodian borders possess these stamps, the only border which you can reliably use to exit Thailand and receive this stamp is Aranyaprathet/Poipet. Yet all the Cambodian customs officials have this stamp and won't hesitate to give you one; by contrast, it can feel like a chore telling Thai customs you need it as they don't like doing things they're not used to. Generally, I find Cambodian officials much friendlier and more professional, despite needing to speak to them in English, whereas I use Thai with Thai officials. However, if, like 99.9% of drivers you are exiting back to Thailand after visiting Cambodia, then there's definitely no need for the purple booklet. Since Covid, Cambodia has developed a new customs system, whereby you create a login, fill in your vehicle and personal details and use the website or app to create a customs record including providing details of entry and exit. Since the customs system is specific to the individual and their vehicle, it makes sense why they don't allow you to use a vehicle registered in someone else's name. The Thai side is decades behind; you can only do the customs form in person when you exit and it's at that point where you specify the re-entry border. In practice, most borders don't care what it says on the form as the re-entry port as customs officials will by default write the same port of entry as you've exited from. Ideally, you should tell them if it's different but if you don't speak Thai, let alone read it, you might struggle (the crucial details are only written in Thai). There are however four exceptions, where caution is advised: 1. Ban Khao Din - make sure the form specifies this border as the re-entry point or customs will get all flustered and try to push you back to Cambodia. Firmly and politely decline and they'll eventually let you in, but it's best to do things the proper way so as to avoid delays. Cambodia will let you in and allow you to leave - but if exiting for Cambodia here, since Thai officials see so few vehicles crossing here, they advise you to ask the Cambodian side for permission to cross. Simply tell them you know you can cross or print out the Cambodian customs forms and show them. Clearly the two sides don't talk to each other, otherwise they'd know what the other side is doing. Other than this, it's a great border, very quiet, no one else will be crossing (it's almost guaranteed yours will be the ONLY car or motorcycle crossing that day) and you don't have to queue up with locals (which basically means Cambodian workers or border pass holders). Foreigners get their own VIP treatment at a different window (and so do Thai citizens using passports). 2. Ban Laem - is not set up to deal with vehicles entering the country and on an average day, no private vehicles cross over at all. Well, in theory, they are, but in practice, they'll send you on a wild goose chase, having you head back and forth between quarantine (what does that have to do with vehicles?) and immigration, which can take 45 minutes. Customs is hard to find because it's in a separate building. Officials are picky about where you park while completing the process. They'd rather have you block the border gate then park in a marked bay 50 or 100m ahead. Additionally, to leave Thailand here, you need to visit a military post about 40km south to get a form (issued for free). Not sure of the purpose of this, which only applies to Thai vehicles (perhaps to prevent smuggling?) On the Cambodian side, customs is located 5km from the border (or was, as of last year). 3. Ban Pakkard - to leave here, you need the same military form, issued at a military post about 30km before the border. Re-entering here is a breeze though and no form is required. 4. Chong Chom (opposite O'Smach) - is essentially a temporary border crossing in the sense that immigration and customs operates out of temporary buildings and the procedures are a bit haphazard here. This is the ONLY border where customs goes on a power trip and claims that you aren't allowed to re-enter Thailand through a different border to the one you exited from. This is nonsense, because such a rule, if it ever applied, is no longer applied by Cambodia. Also, in all these years, I've never heard this one before, especially since we're talking Thai vehicles here, which like Thai citizens, have automatic right of re-entry. The fact of the matter is, as far as travelers are concerned, we see Thai customs' role to issue export documentation and that's pretty much it. Their jurisdiction ends there and the idea of driving to Cambodia (or any other country) whether it be for tourism or business purposes is to make it more convenient to see the country and travel around. Therefore, what matters to us is whether Cambodia allows our vehicles entry, which they do. Re-entering Thailand in a Thai vehicle is basically a right, in the same sense as re-entering as a Thai citizen. Prior to Covid, only 2 borders reliably allowed entry into Cambodia: Chong Chom / O'Smach and Had Lek (Khlong Yai) / Koh Kong. The latter generally held onto your registration, telling you not to leave the province (although in practice, you could), charging you 100 Baht per day you would stay in Cambodia, forcing you to return the way you came. Thus, prior to Covid, many drivers exited Thailand via Chong Chom simply because the Cambodian side let them in, generally without charge, without holding onto your documents (though there were occasional stories that some drivers did have their title held). That was the only reason to go there. It seems that while Cambodia has upgraded it's system, Thailand (in theory at least) hangs onto the old system claiming that due to "a lack of an MOU" Cambodian and Thai vehicles can only enter and exit at the same border. In practice, Thai customs only applies this restriction to Cambodian vehicles, except at Chong Chom, where they claim it applies to all. Anyway, to summarize, my recommendation is to choose Aranyaprathet/Poipet, Hat Lek/Koh Kong or perhaps Choam/Chong Sa-ngam for entry/exit if you want to encounter a smooth experience while traveling by car or motorcycle. Motorcycles can enter Cambodia without issue, though it's recommended you are riding a larger bike, say 250cc and above. Ban Khao Din is OK as well, just pay attention to the paperwork - it's probably easier to exit for Cambodia there than re-enter Thailand (as strange as that sounds, driving a Thai car). Avoid Ban Laem altogether; Chong Chom is best avoided as well, especially for re-entry (aside from the customs nonsense, which will delay you, they're pulling over foreigners and asking them to go inside a separate room, where an official fills out a "human trafficking" form - where your address will be noted. The way the guy explained it was, they're preparing for the digital arrivals form or something). Other borders don't do this [no one is pulled aside from the queue and "interrogated" in a separate room]. Ban Pakkard is a nuisance when it comes to the exit procedures; it's fine for re-entry. Hope my write-up has been useful for those looking at driving their Thai registered cars or motorcycles into Cambodia. -
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Report Australia and Thailand Join Forces to Dismantle Global Crime Syndicates
So will a prominent Thai politician be banned from entering Australia? -
139
Why Zelensky Won’t Bargain Away Crimea — No Matter the Pressure
Maybe you should look at a little history. Look at the history of the region. It's not as if the country of Ukraine has existed forever within borders etched in stone. One upon a time, what is now Kiev was the capital of Kievan Rus’, a slavic state and the ancestor of what is now Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. More recently, Ukraine was a creation of Russia, over the years, but that occurred in stages beginning in 1919, based on a number of factors. That's how Ukraine came to be. Russia drew the map and created the borders. Its existence as a separate country was recognized in 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The history of Crimea is even more convoluted, but was recognized, internationally, as part of Ukraine after the breakup of the Soviet Union. So we have a part of the world in flux, over the years. Now Crimea is back in Russia's hands. Nothing new. I'm pretty sure starting WW III over Crimea would be a dumb thing to do. I also think that about 8 billion people (or whatever the world population is these days) would agree with me. -
32
Travel Thailand Tightens Airport Rules on Liquids and Gels to Boost Safety
purchased airside, -
139
Why Zelensky Won’t Bargain Away Crimea — No Matter the Pressure
The UK and the E.U shouldn't get involved in the war . Let Russia and Ukraine fight it out among themselves
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