4 minutes ago, TorquayFan said:

What a weird question Merrill ! Would mistakes made in the past, excuse mistakes being made right now?

No, nothing matters except getting Trump.

4 minutes ago, TorquayFan said:

But from memory, the 2003 Iraq war was GWB/Blair and Afghanistan was GWB again.

And both were widely supported by both parties, and, as I remember, both were largely successful until the left flushed them down the toilet. Obama Iraq, and Biden Afghanistan. You remember it differently, I'm sure.

3 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Incredibly expensive? Are you flying in First?

Airfares were increasing on the European routes well before the conflict. For the month of May, airfares remain very affordable even when avoiding the. Gulf carriers. IndiGo offers RT at 27,000 baht. Turkish is 33,000 baht. Direct flights with Eva or Thai are 37,000-52,000 baht. Business class on these same carriers is 60,000- 150,000.

Yes. I prefer to fly First due to back problems in those uncomfortable seats.

1 minute ago, Senior Player said:

Yes. I prefer to fly First due to back problems in those uncomfortable seats.

Yet you can't afford to pay a little more for travel insurance. Funny that,

1. Yellow, nothing matters except getting Trump" - you sound as weird as your Leader ! What do you mean ? Trump and his clown crew have made a massive mistake and that's that!

2. "until the left flushed them down the toilet" - weird again Yellow! You must have your head in a bucket to have missed that Iraq also did not pose an 'immiment threat', (the pretext for that war) AND a quick look at Afghanistan today only shows strengthened Taliban horrors.

I think most Americans would admit the error in Iraq 2003 and the 4000+ bereaved US Families would deplore the pointless Afghan campaign and most intel on 9/11 has since suggested that Saudi Arabia were instrumental with Al Qaieda.

And "the Left". Anyone who isn't a Trumpster is apparently a "Leftist' to you - bizarre.

Take that bucket off your head please !

1 minute ago, Yellowtail said:

Yet you can't afford to pay a little more for travel insurance. Funny that,

Travel insurance would be null and void in a war conflict. I don't know how many times that can be stressed until it eventually sinks in.

Bought tickets nxt trip norway/bangkok yesterday.

Klm.

Leave norway 2 june and return 7 july. Travelling "light", 12 kilo carry on.

Price ca thb 35.000, think that ok :-)

And about the "1000 canselled flights" ;

REALLY ????

Just remember about thais and numbers (millions/billions/trillions)

1000 flights is 100 flight x 10 !!

and even 100 is a lot....

On 3/19/2026 at 2:39 AM, still kicking said:

My return flight to BKK has risen by 300AUD from OZ

One way cheaper. :))

49 minutes ago, Senior Player said:

Yes. I prefer to fly First due to back problems in those uncomfortable seats.

Yet you can't afford to pay a little more for an alternative flight in the event yours is cancelled. Funny that,

45 minutes ago, Senior Player said:

Travel insurance would be null and void in a war conflict. I don't know how many times that can be stressed until it eventually sinks in.

I fixed it

On 3/19/2026 at 1:55 PM, Chalong circle said:

Got a one way ticket to Europe from Phuket next tuesday for 14 000 bahts with a Middle east big company. Really cheap. Just mean I suppose that the planes are now nearly empty on the way back after 3 weeks of disruption flying to Thailand.

Good to hear. I am due to go next month and was hoping the flights may be a bit less crowded.

On 3/19/2026 at 4:03 PM, Patong2021 said:

But that is not the case. The oil and gas was still leaving Saudi Arabia The amount involved is around 15% of the world's supply. Factor in the Oil and gas still leaving from Iran and being sent to India, Pakistan and China. This has been acknowledged from all parties and is public knowledge. Add in the tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with their id tracking systems off and the reduction in supply is probably closer to 10% of the world's supply.

Although there is no denying that the energy supply is disrupted, I think that we will find after some time has passed, that the shortage has in large part been engineered to increase the cost of the products, thereby boosting the income of those who have investments in alternative sources.

Only 3 oil tankers passing through the strait during the weekend of March 14-15, 2026, compared to a normal 40 tankers. Don't confuse maritime oil shipments with other delivery methods. The Strait of Hormuz normally sees 25% of maritime oil traffic, and now it's come to a near complete standstill. That has implications on global supply; and as global demand has not wained, the price of oil on the open market naturally goes up. Simple economics. It's no a conspiracy to inflate prices. It's supply and demand.

4 hours ago, Cabradelmar said:

Only 3 oil tankers passing through the strait during the weekend of March 14-15, 2026, compared to a normal 40 tankers. Don't confuse maritime oil shipments with other delivery methods. The Strait of Hormuz normally sees 25% of maritime oil traffic, and now it's come to a near complete standstill. That has implications on global supply; and as global demand has not wained, the price of oil on the open market naturally goes up. Simple economics. It's no a conspiracy to inflate prices. It's supply and demand.

3 tankers that were publicly identified. I expect that other vessels have been transiting that have not been divulged. Ok , so 25% of maritime oil traffic transits the strait of Hormuz. It is not an issue if less than 15% of the world's oil and gas supply is implicated.

Yes, I understand supply and demand, However, it defies common sense that an initial reduction of at most, 15% of the supply was suspended. Other producers have the ability to release more product into the market. It won't cover the reduction, but it may reduce the impact, such that the shortfall reduces to 10%. Demand for oil and gas is high during the wealthy nations' heating season. We are now past the seasonal peak demand for energy and before the next peak high summer demand. A 10% reduction should not be having this impact. I believe that the market is being manipulated. At some point, people are going to start asking who was purchasing energy futures and what was the impact /influence of the new investment products that rely on predictive modeling.

10 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Saint Donald. Total revisionist history, a complete reformation of his entire career, and a total erasure of his past crimes, moral terpitude, and a total and complete willingness to overlook a lifetime of moral bankruptcy.

Such massive delusion. If I were in your position I would seek psychological help.

Trump, the Christian! Trump is a cabalist like Putin, Milei, Bibi and many others. America is full of Christian Zionists following the Judeo Masonic agenda to build the third temple.

29 minutes ago, GoodieAfterDark said:

Trump, the Christian! Trump is a cabalist like Putin, Milei, Bibi and many others. America is full of Christian Zionists following the Judeo Masonic agenda to build the third temple.

The only time Trump would go to church would be so he could carry the collection plate and keep the money for himself!

15 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

A valid point - and that arguement can be made about almost any country, not just Thailand.

Those of us who travel a lot, live overseas, and step outside our own national bubble naturally develop a broader awareness of the world. It’s not that we’re inherently more insightful - we’re just exposed to more.

Being on an international forum like this already puts most of us in that category. So when we compare our level of geopolitical awareness to the average local person - whether in Thailand or anywhere else - the contrast is noticable.

I’d argue that same gap exsists back home too. The Thai-Cambodian border situation is hardly known at all by most back home in the UK, the ongoing conflict in Myanmar receives at best, a vague recognition. Those issues simply don’t penetrate everyday awareness unless international news is actively followed .

The difference with something like the Iran situation is that it’s dominating global headlines. It’s unavoidable - its penetrated every facet of society (as you pointed out) Whether you’re a taxi driver in Bangkok or a repairman back home, you’re going to hear about it because it’s everywhere. That doesn’t neccessarily signal a deep shift in global awareness - just the sheer scale and visibility of the event.

So I don’t think it’s uniquely a “Thai-centric universe” issue. It’s more about how most people everywhere engage with the world: locally focused, with only the biggest international stories breaking through the noise.

The big difference between this and other global stories- it's hitting everyone in the pocket, one way or another.

In the case of my massage lady, she has an overhead of 6000 baht/month for the rent of her shop. There are other expenses -electricity, water, laundry.

She normally gets about 4-5 massages a day, earning about 800 baht. She is down to 1-2 a day because the tourists are not coming. She gets 150 baht for a one hour massage.

If she can't meet the rent, she has to go back to her village and work in the rice fields for 200 baht a day. She is 61 yo. She gets a government pension of 600 baht/month.

I play golf 3 times a week, at a course which is a 60 km round trip. While I can afford the gasoline, if this war goes on much longer I may have to cut back my schedule, because petrol is 300 baht maximum fill in Chiang Rai, and might come down even further. The ripple effect is less green fees for the course, and income for the caddies I employ.

Britain has issued a sweeping global travel warning as the escalating war involving Iran begins to disrupt flights far beyond the Middle East.

Officials warn that airspace closures, flight cancellations and soaring fuel prices could ripple across global aviation — hitting routes to Asia, Australia and beyond, even if travellers never go near the conflict zone.

Foreign Office Sounds Worldwide Alarm

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the conflict has triggered “widespread travel disruption”, urging travellers to expect delays and cancellations.

The warning applies to routes connecting through major aviation hubs across the Middle East and Asia. Even journeys to destinations such as Australia, Thailand and India could be affected.

Travellers are being urged to check airline updates and review insurance policies before departure.

Gulf Transit Routes Become Flashpoints

Many long-haul routes from the UK rely on connections through Gulf airports. But Iranian drone and missile attacks have disrupted major transit hubs including Dubai and Doha.

Some British holidaymakers are already cancelling trips that require transfers through the region. Others are scrambling to rebook flights as airlines reroute aircraft away from potential conflict zones.

Oil Shock Sends Jet Fuel Prices Soaring

The aviation turmoil is being compounded by a sudden surge in energy prices. Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supply normally passes.

Jet fuel prices have jumped from around $90 to as much as $200 a barrel in just weeks. Industry groups warn the spike could force airlines to cut flights if supplies tighten further.

Airlines Begin Slashing Routes

The fallout is already visible. British Airways has cancelled flights to Dubai, Amman, Bahrain and Tel Aviv until at least the end of May.

Elsewhere, Air New Zealand has begun cutting services, while Scandinavian Airlines plans to cancel around 1,000 flights.

The International Air Transport Association says the crisis has exposed “deep vulnerabilities” in global jet fuel supply chains.

War Escalation Raises Wider Economic Risks

The travel warning comes as the conflict continues to escalate. Israeli strikes recently targeted Iran’s vast South Pars gas field, one of the world’s largest energy sites.

Iran responded with missile strikes near Ras Laffan, a facility responsible for roughly a fifth of global gas processing capacity.

As tensions climb, airlines and travellers alike are confronting a stark reality: a regional war is now disrupting the arteries of global travel.

Flights alert: UK issues global travel disruption warning on Iran war

2 hours ago, Lacessit said:

The big difference between this and other global stories- it's hitting everyone in the pocket, one way or another.

In the case of my massage lady, she has an overhead of 6000 baht/month for the rent of her shop. There are other expenses -electricity, water, laundry.

She normally gets about 4-5 massages a day, earning about 800 baht. She is down to 1-2 a day because the tourists are not coming. She gets 150 baht for a one hour massage.

If she can't meet the rent, she has to go back to her village and work in the rice fields for 200 baht a day. She is 61 yo. She gets a government pension of 600 baht/month.

That perfectly illustrates the structural fragility of Thailand’s economy. Tourism isn’t just a sector here - it’s a lifeline. When anything disrupts inbound travel, the effects are immediate and very personal for people working in the tourism and service industry. It doesn’t take a global crisis either - currency swings, pandemics, spikes in airfare, or even a bit of geopolitical noise amplified by international media can all thin out visitor numbers almost overnight - look at the impact the reduction in numbers from China had.

When the tourists stop, the income stops - there’s very little buffer.

What often gets overlooked is how thin the margins are at the bottom end. Someone earning 150 baht per hour, with fixed overheads like rent and utilities, has almost no resilience.

One bad month forces a complete reset of someones livelihood - thats why Thailand is still a developing nation - there just isn't the safety net, added to which the pension system, at 600 baht a month, is frankly symbolic rather than functional.

2 hours ago, Lacessit said:

I play golf 3 times a week, at a course which is a 60 km round trip. While I can afford the gasoline, if this war goes on much longer I may have to cut back my schedule, because petrol is 300 baht maximum fill in Chiang Rai, and might come down even further. The ripple effect is less green fees for the course, and income for the caddies I employ.

Perhaps its time to get an EV !!! (just for the golf game !).

On the fuel side, I’d say this is less about actual scarcity and more about how badly the situation has been handled. Yes, global supply chains are under pressure and the Gulf situation plays a role, but the immediate shortages we’re seeing in Thailand is largely self-inflicted.

Poorly timed announcements, mixed messaging, chest-beating and posturing from officials trying to look decisive triggered panic buying. Once people believe there’s a shortage, they create one. Then capping fuel purchases only poured petrol on the fire (excuse pun), encouraging hoarding behaviour and repeated trips to fill up - a vicious cycle was created artificially.

Thailand isn’t running dry - not yet anyway - but distribution and demand spikes have made it look that way. A more measured, transparent communication strategy might have prevented half of this chaos. Instead, we’ve got a situation where perception drove behaviour more than actual supply constraints.

Regarding my EV comment (above) made in jest, but with an element of reality; when the weekly routine starts depending on volatile fuel pricing and availability - perhaps relying on electricity (and EV) which is primarily supported by locally sourced energy resources is a viable option.

6 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

That perfectly illustrates the structural fragility of Thailand’s economy. Tourism isn’t just a sector here - it’s a lifeline. When anything disrupts inbound travel, the effects are immediate and very personal for people working in the tourism and service industry. It doesn’t take a global crisis either - currency swings, pandemics, spikes in airfare, or even a bit of geopolitical noise amplified by international media can all thin out visitor numbers almost overnight - look at the impact the reduction in numbers from China had.

When the tourists stop, the income stops - there’s very little buffer.

What often gets overlooked is how thin the margins are at the bottom end. Someone earning 150 baht per hour, with fixed overheads like rent and utilities, has almost no resilience.

One bad month forces a complete reset of someones livelihood - thats why Thailand is still a developing nation - there just isn't the safety net, added to which the pension system, at 600 baht a month, is frankly symbolic rather than functional.

Perhaps its time to get an EV !!! (just for the golf game !).

On the fuel side, I’d say this is less about actual scarcity and more about how badly the situation has been handled. Yes, global supply chains are under pressure and the Gulf situation plays a role, but the immediate shortages we’re seeing in Thailand is largely self-inflicted.

Poorly timed announcements, mixed messaging, chest-beating and posturing from officials trying to look decisive triggered panic buying. Once people believe there’s a shortage, they create one. Then capping fuel purchases only poured petrol on the fire (excuse pun), encouraging hoarding behaviour and repeated trips to fill up - a vicious cycle was created artificially.

Thailand isn’t running dry - not yet anyway - but distribution and demand spikes have made it look that way. A more measured, transparent communication strategy might have prevented half of this chaos. Instead, we’ve got a situation where perception drove behaviour more than actual supply constraints.

Regarding my EV comment (above) made in jest, but with an element of reality; when the weekly routine starts depending on volatile fuel pricing and availability - perhaps relying on electricity (and EV) which is primarily supported by locally sourced energy resources is a viable option.

Thailand has reserves of CNG. However, the rise of EV's and other economic factors means CNG has declined in availability and increased in cost.

Australia is one of the world's biggest LNG exporters, yet local businesses and consumers have high prices and limited supply.

It would seem one of the prerequisites for political office is incompetence .

14 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

3 tankers that were publicly identified. I expect that other vessels have been transiting that have not been divulged. Ok , so 25% of maritime oil traffic transits the strait of Hormuz. It is not an issue if less than 15% of the world's oil and gas supply is implicated.

Yes, I understand supply and demand, However, it defies common sense that an initial reduction of at most, 15% of the supply was suspended. Other producers have the ability to release more product into the market. It won't cover the reduction, but it may reduce the impact, such that the shortfall reduces to 10%. Demand for oil and gas is high during the wealthy nations' heating season. We are now past the seasonal peak demand for energy and before the next peak high summer demand. A 10% reduction should not be having this impact. I believe that the market is being manipulated. At some point, people are going to start asking who was purchasing energy futures and what was the impact /influence of the new investment products that rely on predictive modeling.

Again, it's the basics of economics you fail to understand... Even a 10% drop in oil supply creates a drastic increase in price because both the demand for oil and the supply of oil are highly inelastic in the short term. This means that when supply falls, consumers cannot quickly reduce their usage, and producers cannot instantly ramp up production to compensate.

2 minutes ago, Cabradelmar said:

Again, it's the basics of economics you fail to understand... Even a 10% drop in oil supply creates a drastic increase in price because both the demand for oil and the supply of oil are highly inelastic in the short term. This means that when supply falls, consumers cannot quickly reduce their usage, and producers cannot instantly ramp up production to compensate.

Understood that producers cannot ramp up production. And I well understand the concept of limited availability and acknowledge that an impact on market price is to be expected. However, what is not accounted for, is that we are entering a seasonal period of lower demand, and that the export availability of Russian and Nigerian oil is higher than usual. Neither Venezuela nor Russia were able to sell their oil freely and reservoirs were over capacity. India, Pakistan and China have been gobbling the Russian oil up since early March, but this has not made the news. The USA has been taking the previously blocked Venezuelan oil. A 10% reduction in availability should not be having the oversized impact that we are seeing now. I stand my belief that the supply is being manipulated for the benefit of those who hold alternative oil and gas reserves and who will gain from the market price increases.

16 hours ago, scottiejohn said:

The only time Trump would go to church would be so he could carry the collection plate and keep the money for himself!

Do you have a link to support your claim or is this just another of your many lies?

On 3/20/2026 at 6:24 AM, TorquayFan said:

What a weird question Merrill ! Would mistakes made in the past, excuse mistakes being made right now? But from memory, the 2003 Iraq war was GWB/Blair and Afghanistan was GWB again.

On 3/20/2026 at 6:24 AM, TorquayFan said:

What a weird question Merrill ! Would mistakes made in the past, excuse mistakes being made right now? But from memory, the 2003 Iraq war was GWB/Blair and Afghanistan was GWB again.

my point it is all western arrogance and aggression who duck are we to dictate to other countries. Iran for a start are NOT Arabs. So Isreal can have nukes but not others. Pakistan our pals are also ok to gave nukes ffs get real. We in the wedt are acting like the Nazis we hsve all been complaining about. Lets not mention Ukraine and the British involvement im depleted uranium munitions.