Do You Think Having Farang Drivers And Maids

[Chunky1]

It might be a sign of wealth to have a farang driver following you around the grocery store in one of those black uniforms

Hopefully the Thai government will offer farang working permits for these professions.

This is a Public Service Announcement to All Farang in Thailand

The US Federal Reserve will soon pass China as the biggest holder of US debt. Goldman Sachs predicts that QE2 will top 2 trillion. The US gov is currently running a ponzi scheme attempting to prop up the stock market to encourage consumer spending because the US is a consumer based economy, meaning, our economy is based on borrowing money and spending it. Insiders are selling their stock at a 450:1 ratio than they are buying it. The door is closing. Empty your bank accounts of your soon to be worthless European and American currencies. Get down to Chinatown and buy the yellow stuff. Hyperinflation is an inevitability.

[Jingthing]

Blimey, everyone knows farangs are lousy drivers!

[samran]

Chunky - love your work.

pre-Asian financial crisis a Thai business man told me he had bought out Australian bricklayers and labourers to build his house...so it was done right.

[chiang mai]

My Thai wife has had a farang driver for years and thinks it's the norm! This farang driver reckons he stands a better chance this way of staying in one piece if the trip is more than 100 metres! As for the maid part, well, I did the laundry once, 1998 I think, had to stop though because I refused to wear the maids uniform!

[Chunky1]

[pooodle]

dont forget barney frank.  fannie noi and freddie somchai.  give credit where credit is due.

[Beetlejuice]

I read the message but it`s totally unrealistic for the average Thailand ex-pat on fixed incomes with limited assets and savings.

Many of us do not have any reasonable amount of spare funds that they could risk exchanging into another foreign currency based on a speculation, further more what about those including myself who's only incomes are obtained abroad from the countries that the OP has mentioned?

All well and good if you have an abundance of liquid assets enough to be able to gamble on the financial markets, but for those of us on incomes from the United States, Britain and Europe and only additional cash is their nest egg or life savings, playing the shit or bust money game is a non starter, unless you're an expert in the field or a complete fool.

Edited November 5, 2010 by Beetlejuice

[zaphodbeeblebrox]

Can't get a work permit, can't speak Thai very well, won't work for 100 baht per day - I don't see your point here.

[cdnvic]

Troll post and those quoting it removed.

[Kilgore Trout]

According to Thai law there is a list of a number of professions of which non-thais are strictly prohibited from doing; no exception.

Driver is one of them.

[wintermute]

What possible benefits could there be to this? Unless the maids offer "extra service" and are young eastern europeans.

[astral]

It might be a sign of wealth to have a farang driver following you around the grocery store in one of those black uniforms

Hopefully the Thai government will offer farang working permits for these professions.

No chance.

Who would be willing to pay enough?

There are pay scales for foreigners who have work permits,

and also a requirement that no Thai can be found to do the job.

[GuestHouse]

I worked on a project for a major Thai company during which I met an American Engineer who worked for the Client - He was on a full expat deal but seemed to have only one duty - To attend meetings with the Thai GM, in which the Thai GM would dish out orders to the expat. The expat would make a big show of listening and responding yes sir and then retire to his office doing mundane work until the next big wig meeting was called.

[cdnvic]

According to Thai law there is a list of a number of professions of which non-thais are strictly prohibited from doing; no exception.

Driver is one of them.

I think many are missing the tongue-in-cheek aspect of the original post.

[wintermute]

I worked on a project for a major Thai company during which I met an American Engineer who worked for the Client - He was on a full expat deal but seemed to have only one duty - To attend meetings with the Thai GM, in which the Thai GM would dish out orders to the expat. The expat would make a big show of listening and responding yes sir and then retire to his office doing mundane work until the next big wig meeting was called.

So he was a professional toady? Interesting. How did he manage to land this job. I don't see many big Thai companies doing this even for "face" reasons because they care way more about the money than they do about the show in this scenario.

[tigerfish]

what i want to know is how many of the hi -so wives are going to try hand have their wicked way with parker the chauffeur, while hubbys out banging his mai noi.

might be something worth considering before you make the move, hey chunky

[Heng]

West Campus Limo Service. Driven by spritely underachieving Zetas and Tri-Delts whose after college plans didn't quite 'pan' out.... clad in company uniform of party event t-shirt from 2 years ago, Umbro soccer shorts, and baseball cap + pony tail.

Available for those ubiquitous VIP caravan 'escort' services...

Edited November 5, 2010 by Heng

[mca]

It might be a sign of wealth to have a farang driver following you around the grocery store in one of those black uniforms

That'd be quite cool having a member of an SS Panzer Division following you around carrying your shopping.

A Sicherheitsdienst Major unblocking your drains. A Sonderkommando hanging out your linen. A Kriminalkomissar going out early in the morning on the trusty Honda Wave to buy some moo ping and sticky rice. Certainly different.

Hang on a minute. Ah........ Chauffeur..... I see.

[JUDAS]

Chunky, you rock!

[Chunky1]

I wonder how the rest of the world feels about members of US congress on TV saying more or less that it's fundamental that the US debt ceiling is raised next year otherwise the US gov will risk default. Translation: We can only pay our bills by borrowing more money. Consider, the Fed is claiming that the next 600 billion dollar purchase worth of US bonds is being done because the Fed interest rates are already as low as they can go and that this act will supposedly trigger growth - or perhaps there is a lack of demand for US treasuries?

Do Americans really believe that the global economy only functions if they are being loaned money to consume?

[Beetlejuice]

What possible benefits could there be to this? Unless the maids offer "extra service" and are young eastern europeans.

What about a gobling teas maid? Does it all automatically.

[mark45y]

I wonder how the rest of the world feels about members of US congress on TV saying more or less that it's fundamental that the US debt ceiling is raised next year otherwise the US gov will risk default. Translation: We can only pay our bills by borrowing more money. Consider, the Fed is claiming that the next 600 billion dollar purchase worth of US bonds is being done because the Fed interest rates are already as low as they can go and that this act will supposedly trigger growth - or perhaps there is a lack of demand for US treasuries?

Do Americans really believe that the global economy only functions if they are being loaned money to consume?

the WORLD'S BIGGEST DEBTOR NATIONs

20. United States - 98.4%

External debt (as % of GDP): 98.4%

Gross external debt: $13.92 trillion

2009 GDP (est): $14.14 trillion

External debt per capita: $45,302

18. Australia - 121.9%

External debt (as % of GDP): 121.9%

Gross external debt: $1.037 trillion

2009 GDP (est): $851.1 billion

External debt per capita: $48,787

15. Germany - 176.8%

External debt (as % of GDP): 176.8%

Gross external debt: $4.97 trillion

2009 GDP (est): $2.81 trillion

External debt per capita: $60,357

9. France - 244.3%

External debt (as % of GDP): 244.3%

Gross external debt: $5.23 trillion

2009 GDP (est): $2.09 trillion

External debt per capita: $79,982

2. United Kingdom - 428.8%

External debt (as % of GDP): 428.8%

Gross external debt: $9.12 trillion

2009 GDP (est): $2.128 trillion

External debt per capita: $149,281

I hope you feel better now chunky

[Chunky1]

Australia and Germany have trade surpluses, meaning they can actually pay off their debt. They have sound fiscal monetary policies. They don't hold the world's reserve currency. The complete opposite of America.

You also ignored internal and household debt.

[skyaslimit]

Can't get a work permit, can't speak Thai very well, won't work for 100 baht per day - I don't see your point here.

There will be a point when Asian currencies sore as much as no body can imagine , three quarters of the world population lives in Asia and there will be times when Asia will be the hirers for all the odd workers, so better get prepared.

Edited November 6, 2010 by skyaslimit

[Birdman]

Young female Farang staff is kneeing Thai style at some resorts in traditional Thai cloths already since a while during checking in guests. And that's quite ok. Just wonder if a e.g. Dutch receptionist is kneeing in front of Dutch holidaymaker....

[Huey]

If they are anything like Gulf Arabs, then no. I always see the wealthy Arabs with Philipeno and Indian servants.

Personally I would have a proper English butler, who would then pick the appropriate house staff and driver preferably of British citizenship for ease of travel (no fussing around with servant visas when I go abroad), to exclude the chefs, for which I would have 2, a Italian, and a older Black American woman with tons of down home recipes.

[Chunky1]

THIS

BoT notes no sign of property bubble in Thailand, but caution advised for developers

BANGKOK, 2 November 2010 (NNT) – The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has revealed that there has been no signs of real estate bubble in Thailand; however, developers have been urged to keep an eye on possible speculation in this sector.

Despite the recovering economy, many people in Thailand still feel threatened by fears of bubble economy. According to BoT assistant governor Krirk Vanikkul, there has been no sign of real estate bubble formation in the kingdom’s property market, given condominium and housing prices remain practically unchanged at a certain level.

Mr Krirk further explained that a bubble could form because of rapid construction of housing, or when heavy speculation was in progress. Moreover, an increase in home buyers' family debt ratios could also be a factor affecting their ability to make mortgage payments , which would lead to foreclosures and eventually a real estate bubble; none of these signs was present, however.

Following the explanation, the Bank of Thailand (BoT) assured that it saw no need to come up with additional measures to control commercial banks' lending process and decision.

PLUS

Economic guru warns of bubble burst in property and stock markets

BANGKOK, Nov 4 – Thailand's property and stock markets run a risk of facing a bubble burst if foreign capital continues flowing into Asia in large amounts because many countries in the region remain under inflationary pressure, according to a leading economist.

Speaking at a seminar on “In-depth Analysis of the Economic Direction in 2011,” Supavud Saicheua, managing director and head of research of Phatra Securities, said should the United States Federal Reserve inject US$500 billion more into the economic system under the much-anticipated second round of the Quantitative Easing (QE2) measure, it would encourage the foreign capital inflow into Asia because economies of the countries in the region are expected to grow 7.7 per cent on average this year.

But with the inflationary pressure still high in the region, the property and stock markets run a risk of experiencing the bubble burst if the foreign capital continues overwhelming the region.

Mr Supavud said the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index is likely to continue rallying, driven by external liquidity inflow, but stock prices would be higher than their fundamentals because the price/earnings (P/E) ratio would rise to 15 times, the same with those of other stock markets in the region.

In addition, the measure, if implemented, would make the US dollar weaken further against the baht. So, he supported the Bank of Thailand (BoT) plan to issue more measures to contain foreign capital inflow although some might affect the stock market.

Mr Supavud said the rapid appreciation of the baht by 7 per cent in three months had an adverse impact on business performance by the private sector.

He suggested three measures be implemented to rein in the baht surge including taxation on trading in the bond and capital instrument markets like that adopted overseas and a tax levy on capital flowing into the country as the 30 per cent capital reserve requirement issued in the past. Still, the amount collected should be less than 30 per cent to prevent the repetition of panic selling of stocks by foreign investors.

Moreover, the Bank of Thailand should impose specific supervisory measures such as a call for cooperation by securities companies to report overseas investment transactions.

“The baht is likely to continue strengthening for many more years because the US wants to weaken the greenback in a bid to ease the trade deficit. As a result, the central bank needs to control the capital inflow through various measures including the resumption of the capital reserve requirement,” he said.

In late-breaking news the Fed acted late Wednesday in Washington to inject $600 billion, not $500 billion, in a dramatic, unconventional move to try to energise the US recovery by buying vast quantities of Treasury bonds by mid-2011. (MCOT online news)

EQUALS

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I don't know about you, but I have definitely noticed an increase in prices.

Edited November 6, 2010 by Chunky1