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UK Pension Payments into Thai Bank Account
Not that it affects your state pension transfers as explained already, but that's the selling rate - what they will sell you GBP for - you want to look at the buying rate which is what they'll buy your GBP for and give you THB in exchange. The current rate for that is 43.5 with the sell rate still the 44.4 you saw earlier. -
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Marine Le Pen’s Political Future in doubt, verdict rocks French far right
“Incredible.” That was the single word Marine Le Pen whispered under her breath as she stormed out of a Paris courtroom this morning. Her departure came before she could even hear the full details of her sentencing, which included a five-year ban from running for office after being found guilty of embezzling EU funds. This ruling all but guarantees she will be unable to contest the 2027 French presidential election. Even before the judge had finished delivering the sentence, Le Pen knew that her political future was in ruins. The ruling was immediate and left no room for reprieve, despite her plans to appeal. The court also imposed a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, but this will remain on hold pending the appeal. However, the political consequences were swift and decisive. The shock of the verdict was exacerbated by the widespread belief that such a harsh ruling was unlikely. Across the political spectrum, there had been a general consensus that the court would not go so far as to bar her from office. Even her political adversaries—from far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon to centrist Prime Minister François Bayrou and right-wing Justice Minister Gérard Darmanin—had expressed doubt that this ultimate penalty would be applied. But they were all mistaken. The judge made it clear: the law is the law. Ironically, the very politicians now protesting the decision had themselves recently toughened the penalties for the misuse of public funds. The judge effectively reminded them that they were now facing the consequences of their own legal reforms. Perhaps Le Pen was naive in not foreseeing this outcome. Her National Rally (RN) party seemed unprepared for such a scenario. In the wake of the ruling, party leaders convened in an emergency session to determine their next steps. The dilemma was clear: should they continue as if there were still a chance for Le Pen to run in 2027? Technically, there is still a slim possibility. Her appeal could be expedited, with a ruling potentially arriving by early 2026. A favorable verdict could reduce or eliminate her period of ineligibility, making her candidacy viable once more. But realistically, the chances of such an outcome appear low. Alternatively, the party could shift to Plan B—positioning its young president, Jordan Bardella, as the de facto candidate for 2027. This might be the more pragmatic approach, but making the transition too quickly could be seen as unseemly. Moreover, Bardella, though popular, does not enjoy universal support within the party. By the evening, Marine Le Pen had made her choice. Appearing on television, she struck a defiant tone, refusing to retreat from political life. She denounced the ruling as a “political” decision and a “violation of the state of law.” Calling for a swift appeal trial, she insisted that her name must be cleared in time for the next election. “There are millions of French people who believe in me. For 30 years, I have been fighting against injustice. It is what I shall continue to do right to the end,” she declared. Her words were resolute, but the future remains uncertain. One pressing question is how the court’s decision will impact the RN’s voter base. In the short term, the party may see a surge in support. The ruling fits neatly into the RN’s long-standing narrative that the populist right is persecuted by the establishment. Many of Le Pen’s supporters are unlikely to hold her alleged misuse of EU funds against her, especially given that similar financial maneuvers have been employed by other political parties in the past. Her punishment—being banned from the presidency—may even serve as a rallying cry, reinforcing her image as a defiant outsider standing up to the political elite. In the longer term, however, the effects of her disqualification could be more damaging. Marine Le Pen is a crucial asset to the RN. Her tough-talking, battle-hardened persona, softened by her sentimental side and well-known love of cats, has endeared her to supporters who feel they know her personally. Jordan Bardella, though charismatic, is only 29 years old. It remains to be seen whether he can command the same level of loyalty and recognition. If Le Pen is ultimately unable to run, the RN risks losing much of its appeal. Meanwhile, other right-wing politicians outside the RN, such as Laurent Wauquiez and Bruno Retailleau, may see an opportunity to gain ground in a post-Le Pen landscape. The ruling could open the door for them to consolidate support from voters who might otherwise have backed the RN. Another unknown factor is how Le Pen will respond within the National Assembly. As the leader of the largest opposition bloc, with 125 seats, she has so far maintained a relatively cooperative stance towards Prime Minister François Bayrou, who governs without a majority. This cordiality may now come to an abrupt end. At RN headquarters, the question will likely be: why continue to play nice? With Le Pen sidelined from the presidential race, there may be little incentive to refrain from more aggressive opposition tactics, potentially leading to increased political instability. The consequences of today’s verdict will ripple through French politics for months, if not years, to come. Marine Le Pen has vowed to fight on, but the path ahead is murky, and the future of the National Rally remains uncertain. Based on a report by BBC 2025-04-01 -
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Tuesday 1 April 2025
Sinkholes Appear in Mae Hong Son Following Myanmar Earthquake Picture courtesy of Workpoint Residents of Mae Hong Son were shocked to find six large sinkholes appeared in Khun Yuam district, with authorities suspecting they were caused by a recent earthquake. The district chief has ordered locals to stay away from the affected area. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356373-sinkholes-appear-in-mae-hong-son-following-myanmar-earthquake/ -
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Sinkholes Appear in Mae Hong Son Following Myanmar Earthquake
Picture courtesy of Workpoint Residents of Mae Hong Son were shocked to find six large sinkholes appeared in Khun Yuam district, with authorities suspecting they were caused by a recent earthquake. The district chief has ordered locals to stay away from the affected area. At 10:00 on 31 March, Narongpat Naktharap, the district chief of Khun Yuam, received reports of multiple sinkholes in agricultural land near Ban Mae Surin, Village 3, Khun Yuam subdistrict, Mae Hong Son province. Local administrative officials and district officers were dispatched to inspect the site, where they discovered six sinkholes of varying sizes, two large ones and four smaller ones. Authorities have cordoned off the area to prevent farmers and residents from entering for safety reasons. Further investigations are ongoing to assess the full extent of the situation. The sudden appearance of the sinkholes has left the residents of Ban Mae Surin deeply concerned. Many believe the phenomenon is linked to the 28 March earthquake in Myanmar, which also caused structural damage in parts of Thailand. In addition to the major tremor in Myanmar, several smaller earthquakes have been recorded in Mae Hong Son province itself, potentially contributing to the ground collapse. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely while advising the public to remain cautious in the affected areas. -- 2025-04-01 -
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I'm so depressed
I blocked this idiot ages ago as he comes across as an arogant prick. So all i will say it must be karma. -
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