My wife and I have had some odd experiences with money and Thai Banks. Like the Bank of Asia/aka AMRO ( they are bust, she is not!!) would not give her a mortgage based on her (quite substantial UK earnings) as "it was not Thai money!".

We have lived in Phuket, Sukothai Chiang Mai etc. Pretty clear where the money in those places came from... Phuket =tourists, Sukothai= very fertile land , Chiang Mai=tourists, industries, handicrafts and drugs. Now we live in the lands beyond the known limits of earth. Almost every house has a car with a red number plate. Substantial houses. Makro, Tesco and Big C are building or expanding. There is no industry, no factories, no services. The wealth cannot , surely, be explained by the price of rice and fish. I am clearly a twit. But the Q remains. What is generating wealth? OK it is a Jangwat capital, so plenty of Karachakans...however!! Please enlighten!!

Edited November 29, 201312 yr by Tywais
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Could any translate the OP for me please?

I'm not very good at Cryptic Crosswords.

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What generates wealth? Power and position. You have the right position, wield the power, you'll get the kick backs. Its not what you know its all about WHO you know.

It would be great to know just how much money is NOT in the banks !

Edited November 29, 201312 yr by CharlieH

You know I asked this same question about how the Thais in Isaan get enough money to buy the latest 4wd dual cab utility and I was told that if they can show a regular income source in their bank account, they'll get a loan from the bank. Now the income source might be from a family member and a small amount but it's an income source. I would assume you're rich people would follow the same procedure, the banks may catch up with them eventually but they'll worry about that then.

Didnt UOB and Bank of Asia merge in 2005?