Opinion: Thailand and the Coup Trap

[thailiketoo]

What a load of crap. Why do so many "experts" think that government spending is the way to prosperity? Governments are consumers of wealth. Only the private sector can create new wealth. All the government can do is spend money it didn't earn by taking money away from those who earned it via taxes, or spending borrowed money.

Thailand simply needs to make it easier for companies to get established in Thailand, make it possible for people to own 100% of what they invest in, and stop the confiscation of investment money via import taxes on materials and equipment needed to do business. If Thailand want's to continue to prohibit foreigners from owning land, fine. Most big businesses don't want to own their premises. They want to invest in business expansion.

When the clueless like this make these statements, they are in effect recommending that everyone stand in a circle with their hands in each others' pockets so they'll all get rich. They have no clue about what it takes to make it easy to create new wealth to share. (New wealth would be a car built from raw materials, etc.)

I agree 100% that governments should stand aside let the private sector create wealth and prosperity. However the article does make one good point, and suggests action for which the government does play a proper role -- infrastructure that promotes the private sector. When they mention a possible canal with two ports that would promote commerce, this is a role meant for the government.

One of the greatest investments of the US Government was building the interstate highway system. This infrastructure could not have been achieved by the private sector, and it transformed the country. Yes, it's original intent was to provide a transport system for nuclear weapons, which in retrospect seems insane, but the result was brilliant.

The best form of government is the one that stands aside and allows the citizens to go about the business of improving their own lives, then only attempts to assist in the narrow avenues which are difficult or impossible for the private sector to manage.

Certainly I disagree with you since governments in the West stood aside and let the private sector get on with creating wealth and prosperity after communism diminished.

Since the late 90’s they have drifted from one crisis to the next with net income for the general populations declining and the wealth of the few dramatically increasing. Even the crises caused by the bankers didn’t reverse that trend.

Today the election campaign in Britain went on its way and maybe you might read what Labour and Tories have to say about the state of the economy and how far government should stay away.

What does your post have to do with Thailand?

[Enoon]

What a load of crap. Why do so many "experts" think that government spending is the way to prosperity? Governments are consumers of wealth. Only the private sector can create new wealth. All the government can do is spend money it didn't earn by taking money away from those who earned it via taxes, or spending borrowed money.

Thailand simply needs to make it easier for companies to get established in Thailand, make it possible for people to own 100% of what they invest in, and stop the confiscation of investment money via import taxes on materials and equipment needed to do business. If Thailand want's to continue to prohibit foreigners from owning land, fine. Most big businesses don't want to own their premises. They want to invest in business expansion.

When the clueless like this make these statements, they are in effect recommending that everyone stand in a circle with their hands in each others' pockets so they'll all get rich. They have no clue about what it takes to make it easy to create new wealth to share. (New wealth would be a car built from raw materials, etc.)

I agree 100% that governments should stand aside let the private sector create wealth and prosperity. However the article does make one good point, and suggests action for which the government does play a proper role -- infrastructure that promotes the private sector. When they mention a possible canal with two ports that would promote commerce, this is a role meant for the government.

One of the greatest investments of the US Government was building the interstate highway system. This infrastructure could not have been achieved by the private sector, and it transformed the country. Yes, it's original intent was to provide a transport system for nuclear weapons, which in retrospect seems insane, but the result was brilliant.

The best form of government is the one that stands aside and allows the citizens to go about the business of improving their own lives, then only attempts to assist in the narrow avenues which are difficult or impossible for the private sector to manage.

Certainly I disagree with you since governments in the West stood aside and let the private sector get on with creating wealth and prosperity after communism diminished.

Since the late 90’s they have drifted from one crisis to the next with net income for the general populations declining and the wealth of the few dramatically increasing. Even the crises caused by the bankers didn’t reverse that trend.

Today the election campaign in Britain went on its way and maybe you might read what Labour and Tories have to say about the state of the economy and how far government should stay away.

What does your post have to do with Thailand?

What timendres said in her first post on this thread seems to have everything to do with Thailand insomuch as it perfectly sums up the attitude of the Thai political class/ruling elites/oligarchy, call it what you will.

Quote:

"They are not interested in solving social and human issues but only look at the accounts and how profitable business is"

To which I would add:

"increasing their personal prestige, power and influence, while keeping as many of the rest of the population in the dirt as they can"

[thailiketoo]

What timendres said in her first post on this thread seems to have everything to do with Thailand insomuch as it perfectly sums up the attitude of the Thai political class/ruling elites/oligarchy, call it what you will.

Quote:

"They are not interested in solving social and human issues but only look at the accounts and how profitable business is"

To which I would add:

"increasing their personal prestige, power and influence, while keeping as many of the rest of the population in the dirt as they can"

The coup cost 15 billion, OP "BANGKOK: — Fifteen billion dollars. That’s roughly the price tag of the coup d’état to date." The thread is about ways to recover that money and get the Thai economy started again. Your post makes no sense unless people get food and housing for free.

You see what I'm saying? Your post is vague references to profit and rich people. The OP is about selling more cars and rice so the workers can feed their families.

The two statements above have nothing to do with the OP except as a way to sidetrack the topic.

[tbthailand]

If you consider that PDRC protests and the Junta are part of the same political movement

I don't!

a lot of people do.

There is a history of events and evidence to support the position.

It's not at all unreasonable to take that position.

Arguing the position that the junta and PDRC are not part of the same political faction is significantly more difficult.

rametindallas, much as I hate to admit it, I have to agree with tbthailand on that one point. This coup has been in the works since before or around the time of the Thaksin-sponsored riots of 2010, with the "yellows" (for want of a better term) working hand in hand with their allies in the military.

"hate to admit it"?? ahhhh, come on. It doesn't hurt. Now we know that we have a point in common. A first step towards reconciliation.

For what it's worth, I told friends, from both sides of the debate, back in Nov/Dec 2013 that a coup was in the works / a likely end-game. It was that obvious.

Of course it helped that Suthep was calling for a military intervention already. Here is a random link from many of the reports... this one from Dec 12 2013

become the norm for a protest movement that has openly courted anarchy on Bangkok streets in the hope of inducing a military coup or judicial intervention that, as in the past, might disband Thaksin-allied parties or ban their leaders from politics.

[chotthee]

What timendres said in her first post on this thread seems to have everything to do with Thailand insomuch as it perfectly sums up the attitude of the Thai political class/ruling elites/oligarchy, call it what you will.

Quote:

"They are not interested in solving social and human issues but only look at the accounts and how profitable business is"

To which I would add:

"increasing their personal prestige, power and influence, while keeping as many of the rest of the population in the dirt as they can"

The coup cost 15 billion, OP "BANGKOK: — Fifteen billion dollars. That’s roughly the price tag of the coup d’état to date." The thread is about ways to recover that money and get the Thai economy started again. Your post makes no sense unless people get food and housing for free.

You see what I'm saying? Your post is vague references to profit and rich people. The OP is about selling more cars and rice so the workers can feed their families.

The two statements above have nothing to do with the OP except as a way to sidetrack the topic.

15 billions, but save countless innocent life. Worth it. Let's have more.

[tbthailand]

here is a graphic that shows one of the reasons for social disorder in Thailand.

You are actually close to the truth about this conflict for once. Its nothing to do with 'democracy' it is and always has been about the money and how government money gets to be stolen and even more importantly where and by whom.

Its about exploiting real divisions and problems for personal gain.

while I agree with your point, I also feel that there is a segment of society which wants democracy and (it's really obvious) also a segment of society which does NOT want democracy. There is a fundamental conflict there.

However, I think that the primary reason there has been an 'intervention' is that the military is intent on maintaining the Elite/Military dominated societal structure that has been in place for over 70 years (in its current form, at least...).

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the LM law is a major obstacle to any real reconciliation. The reason for that is that the military and the traditional elite use LM as a weapon to silence opposition, critics, and - most importantly - to silence a real debate in Thailand.

[thailiketoo]

The coup cost 15 billion, OP "BANGKOK: — Fifteen billion dollars. That’s roughly the price tag of the coup d’état to date." The thread is about ways to recover that money and get the Thai economy started again. Your post makes no sense unless people get food and housing for free.

You see what I'm saying? Your post is vague references to profit and rich people. The OP is about selling more cars and rice so the workers can feed their families.

The two statements above have nothing to do with the OP except as a way to sidetrack the topic.

15 billions, but save countless innocent life. Worth it. Let's have more.

And the topic of that thread would be "did the coup save lives?" Why don't you start it rather than try to sidetrack this one?

[tbthailand]

What timendres said in her first post on this thread seems to have everything to do with Thailand insomuch as it perfectly sums up the attitude of the Thai political class/ruling elites/oligarchy, call it what you will.

Quote:

"They are not interested in solving social and human issues but only look at the accounts and how profitable business is"

To which I would add:

"increasing their personal prestige, power and influence, while keeping as many of the rest of the population in the dirt as they can"

The coup cost 15 billion, OP "BANGKOK: — Fifteen billion dollars. That’s roughly the price tag of the coup d’état to date." The thread is about ways to recover that money and get the Thai economy started again. Your post makes no sense unless people get food and housing for free.

You see what I'm saying? Your post is vague references to profit and rich people. The OP is about selling more cars and rice so the workers can feed their families.

The two statements above have nothing to do with the OP except as a way to sidetrack the topic.

15 billions, but save countless innocent life. Worth it. Let's have more.

another coup??

[Enoon]

What timendres said in her first post on this thread seems to have everything to do with Thailand insomuch as it perfectly sums up the attitude of the Thai political class/ruling elites/oligarchy, call it what you will.

Quote:

"They are not interested in solving social and human issues but only look at the accounts and how profitable business is"

To which I would add:

"increasing their personal prestige, power and influence, while keeping as many of the rest of the population in the dirt as they can"

The coup cost 15 billion, OP "BANGKOK: — Fifteen billion dollars. That’s roughly the price tag of the coup d’état to date." The thread is about ways to recover that money and get the Thai economy started again. Your post makes no sense unless people get food and housing for free.

You see what I'm saying? Your post is vague references to profit and rich people. The OP is about selling more cars and rice so the workers can feed their families.

The two statements above have nothing to do with the OP except as a way to sidetrack the topic.

15 billions, but save countless innocent life. Worth it. Let's have more.

another coup??

Getting the Thai economy started again is not the first priority of the coupmakers. It has never been the priority of any coupmaker. Their absolute priority is to silence all opposition and to retrench and reinforce their powerbase.

Their next priority is to continue milking the nations finances to enrich themselves and their supporters. That's it.

They may destroy the economy. They may provoke a civil war. It doesn't matter to them because they, like the Thaksins and the Marcos of the world already have their bolt-holes ready.

They are the "supranationalists"

They don't waste their time posting on TV because they are playing the game and we are just spectators.

For them it's just about the winning.

Your or my opinion about what could or should be done to "save the nation" is utterly irrelevant.

It's a different world here.

"you're not in Kansas now Dorothy"

[tbthailand]

The coup cost 15 billion, OP "BANGKOK: — Fifteen billion dollars. That’s roughly the price tag of the coup d’état to date." The thread is about ways to recover that money and get the Thai economy started again. Your post makes no sense unless people get food and housing for free.

You see what I'm saying? Your post is vague references to profit and rich people. The OP is about selling more cars and rice so the workers can feed their families.

The two statements above have nothing to do with the OP except as a way to sidetrack the topic.

15 billions, but save countless innocent life. Worth it. Let's have more.

another coup??

Getting the Thai economy started again is not the first priority of the coupmakers. It has never been the priority of any coupmaker. Their absolute priority is to silence all opposition and to retrench and reinforce their powerbase.

Their next priority is to continue milking the nations finances to enrich themselves and their supporters. That's it.

They may destroy the economy. They may provoke a civil war. It doesn't matter to them because they, like the Thaksins and the Marcos of the world already have their bolt-holes ready.

They are the "supranationalists"

They don't waste their time posting on TV because they are playing the game and we are just spectators.

For them it's just about the winning.

Your or my opinion about what could or should be done to "save the nation" is utterly irrelevant.

It's a different world here.

"you're not in Kansas now Dorothy"

well, well, well, absolutely dead on that many things the 'NCPO' is undertaking do not actually belong to their priorities.

on the other hand, they do need to get the economy going if they want to keep their (broader) Thai supporters happy and to at least appease the population who don't actively support their military/elite alliance.

[rickirs]

I agree with the article's analysis.

The general academic consensus is that a major component for GDP growth is government investment in the economy for 2015. For example:

Roong Mallikamas, BoT's senior director for the Macroeconomic and Monetary Policies Department, said “the Thai economy saw positive signs in consumption and investment in the private sector and government. She said both factors would strengthen the national economy next year.”

Finance Minister Sommai Phasee - "So far, the Thai economy has been growing slowly because we have invested too little money. We also focus only on the promises of a balanced budget - and that's an illusion. So, we no longer spell out that word [balanced], as it would force the economy to grow more slowly,"

“The Bank of Thailand has slashed economic growth forecast for 2014 to 0.8 per cent from 1.5 per cent and for 2015 to 4 per cent from 4.8 per cent, because of lower-than-expected government spending and slow recovery of private investment, tourism income and export expansion.”

Bencharong Suwannakhiri, senior director of TMB Analytics, “an analysis of the institute has predicted the slower recovery will be caused by lower-than-expected levels of consumption, investment and state budget disbursement.

PM Gen. Prayuth - “the government is promoting investment to stimulate the economy.”

Charl Kengchon, KResearch managing director, said “gross domestic product this quarter was growing more slowly than expected. He blamed the delays in the government's budget disbursal for contributing to that.”

‘Thailand Economic Outlook 2015’ seminar – “Economists have predicted that exports would play a vital role in Thailand’s economic growth in 2015, while strongly suggesting the Government to disburse funds for its investment project in order to ensure confidence in the private sector.”

However, the only effective and reliable source for government funding is self-financing through sale of its oil & gas reserves, broadband rights, and issuance of treasury bonds. In this the government has developed many plans for economic stimuli but after three months into the fiscal year it has failed to raise any significant revenues nor made any significant expenditure to support GDP growth.

Borrowing funds from China to pay China to build the dual rail system does not in the near-term boost the Thai economy. While providing extra funds for rice and rubber farmers through a mix of subsidies, enacting price controls, and lowering fuel prices, such efforts only cause a redistribution of income and do not contribute to economic growth. The government has less than three months to boost growth for 2015 or there will be economic stagnation and very possibly deflation. But I believe the die has already been cast.

[peecee]

Too negative. I hope prayuth ban the writer from thailand. He never honor the good think prayuth did, like return happiness to Thai people

Return happiness to Thai's! You must mean the yellow side? The country is so split evo-stick can't fix it.

I'm no lover of Thai politics, but whilst one side believes in the old ways and the other democracy, the same old arguments will continue.

The generals might think dictatorship is the answer but were in the world has that sort of government flourished? Even Burma is opening up slowly and maybe Putin is beginning to look foolish to the Russian western loving consumers.

Having the winning political party in a countries general election actually govern you may not give you the best government, but it sure as hell beats everything else as come next election they can whistle for your vote!

[peecee]

I opened this thread, ready to hear whatever interesting opinion was in there.

Then on the fifth line I read this blatant absurdity : 'the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra'.

Well, sorry, but I refuse to read any further.

If paying massively for votes, luring people into voting for you with financial incentives of all kinds, coercing uneducated villagers into voting for you by buying off their village 'heads' (oh the irony of this word) ... is to be deemed consistent with the words 'democratically elected', then let's just say the concept of true democracy is up sh... creek without a paddle.

Buying elections, luring folks, coercing whoever blah, blah, blah Poodle-in-the-microwave alert. Poodle in the microwave alert. Poodle in the microwave alert. All Hands On Deck. The deck of the Thaitanic.

I've got a widely dispersed in-law circle from the North to NE and BKK and I haven't met one who got a stang from any politician, how many on TV know someone who has?

[longway]

well the article did not suggest 'printing more money' did it?

Translation OP, "Some simple, well-known measures could do much immediate good. The central bank could spur stagnating exports and tourism by buying U.S. dollars to drive down the baht" = Print money.

No it doesn't nitwit. It raises bonds. and it does it is massive quantities already. how much many billions of dollars can it buy? can it print 'zillions of baht' as suggested by your economic guru bob12345?

The OP is suggesting lowering the value of the baht, "The central bank could spur stagnating exports and tourism by buying U.S. dollars to drive down the baht" Drive down the baht = lowering the value of the baht. How do you lower the value of the baht?

and there we have it the zenith of red shirt intelligence for all to see. the amart they bad; thaksin he genius. you've convinced me.

Maybe you should take a small break from posting as your posts are becoming less coherent by the minute.

You are not making any sense anymore at this point.

Hey little fella. I suspect not much makes sense to someone who thinks printing 'zillions of baht' is a good idea.

[longway]

No it doesn't nitwit. It raises bonds. and it does it is massive quantities already. how much many billions of dollars can it buy? can it print 'zillions of baht' as suggested by your economic guru bob12345?

The OP is suggesting lowering the value of the baht, "The central bank could spur stagnating exports and tourism by buying U.S. dollars to drive down the baht" Drive down the baht = lowering the value of the baht. How do you lower the value of the baht?

and there we have it the zenith of red shirt intelligence for all to see. the amart they bad; thaksin he genius. you've convinced me.

There were significantly more tourists coming to Thailand from those countries that have dollars when the baht was 40 plus to the dollar. Yes or No? Who did that help? Anyone working in the tourism industry and anyone who paid taxes in the tourism industry. Who made money when the baht gained in strength? Anyone who held large amounts of Thai Baht in cash. How much rice gets exported at 30 baht per dollar as opposed to 40 baht per dollar? Not as much. Most exported commodities are price sensitive. Would a farmer rather sell more rice for less profit or less rice for more profit? You figure it out.

Whatever the optimum exchange rate in your opinion, the BOT has accumulated massive foreign exchange reserves, one if the highest in the world, so it is doing what was rather disingenuously suggested in the OP. The article is just a propaganda puff piece on behalf of the Shins, and demonstrably so.

On a tangent you might be interested in this website: http://www.positivemoney.org

[longway]

here is a graphic that shows one of the reasons for social disorder in Thailand.

You are actually close to the truth about this conflict for once. Its nothing to do with 'democracy' it is and always has been about the money and how government money gets to be stolen and even more importantly where and by whom.

Its about exploiting real divisions and problems for personal gain.

while I agree with your point, I also feel that there is a segment of society which wants democracy and (it's really obvious) also a segment of society which does NOT want democracy. There is a fundamental conflict there.

However, I think that the primary reason there has been an 'intervention' is that the military is intent on maintaining the Elite/Military dominated societal structure that has been in place for over 70 years (in its current form, at least...).

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the LM law is a major obstacle to any real reconciliation. The reason for that is that the military and the traditional elite use LM as a weapon to silence opposition, critics, and - most importantly - to silence a real debate in Thailand.

Everyone uses LM, and if it didnt't exist another law would be found or made to silence critics. Anyway, the only way democracy will make any progress is if neither side win, and that is exactly what is happening now.

[Bob12345]

Hey little fella. I suspect not much makes sense to someone who thinks printing 'zillions of baht' is a good idea.

It is becoming a bit painful now as this is the second time already you try to trick me into reacting. I was actually hoping you would re-read what I wrote before and that at some point you would understand what I said, but unfortunately that didn't happen.

So little fella, let me explain what I said so you can go on with your life.

You made the claim that the Thai central bank is unable to devalue its own currency: "it does not have the required financial clout for it to make a difference".

I asked you to explain that further as it is utter nonsense what you wrote there. Of course you never expanded on it further...

So i stated that a central bank can always devalue its own currency, while keeping the value up is more difficult as that requires foreign currencies which are limited. How can a central bank devalue its currency? Simple, by creating more money ("printing" money I called it, but actually it is even simpler in reality).

You stated that the US is crating "billions, if not trillions" of dollars (which is true) as an indication that that is the reason the baht cannot devalue. But when the BoT prints more money than the US then the the baht will depreciate against the dollar. That is where my "zillions of baht" comment came from.

So instead of trying to make fun of me by quoting me out of context, you are just making fun of yourself by not understanding what I said.

Maybe now you want to explain further why the BoT does not have "enough economic clout" to devalue the baht...

(p.s. I already mentioned the risk of (hyper-) inflation in my original post, so do not try to make it like i recommended the BoT to print zillions of baht).

[longway]

Hey little fella. I suspect not much makes sense to someone who thinks printing 'zillions of baht' is a good idea.

It is becoming a bit painful now as this is the second time already you try to trick me into reacting. I was actually hoping you would re-read what I wrote before and that at some point you would understand what I said, but unfortunately that didn't happen.

So little fella, let me explain what I said so you can go on with your life.

You made the claim that the Thai central bank is unable to devalue its own currency: "it does not have the required financial clout for it to make a difference".

I asked you to explain that further as it is utter nonsense what you wrote there. Of course you never expanded on it further...

So i stated that a central bank can always devalue its own currency, while keeping the value up is more difficult as that requires foreign currencies which are limited. How can a central bank devalue its currency? Simple, by creating more money ("printing" money I called it, but actually it is even simpler in reality).

You stated that the US is crating "billions, if not trillions" of dollars (which is true) as an indication that that is the reason the baht cannot devalue. But when the BoT prints more money than the US then the the baht will depreciate against the dollar. That is where my "zillions of baht" comment came from.

So instead of trying to make fun of me by quoting me out of context, you are just making fun of yourself by not understanding what I said.

Maybe now you want to explain further why the BoT does not have "enough economic clout" to devalue the baht...

(p.s. I already mentioned the risk of (hyper-) inflation in my original post, so do not try to make it like i recommended the BoT to print zillions of baht).

You are quite the touchy little fella aren't you? I already pointed out that Thailand does not just 'print' money, nor does the USA.

As i have pointed out repeatedly thailand is doing exactly what has been recommmended in this propaganda piece of an OP. Thailand has bought massive amounts of US dollars, and has done for years. You should at least the class to admit you hv been misled by the OP. Instead you choose to dance around providing your own ideas on what you think is good for thailand.

I also told you to send your ideas to the BOT and ask them why they dont print 'zillions of baht', you ask them, not me. I am sure they will appreciate your sage advice. :rofl:

So oh saintly one pls go on your way. If i 'trick' you once shame on me, if i trick u twice shame on you. If i trick u 3 times you are a yingluck fan.

[DonaldBattles]

I agree, Thailand has one of the highest foreign currency reserves per capita of any country in the world. Don't ever think that Thailand is financially poor. The cheap oil now will allow them to increase their foreign reserves. George Soros would not have the balls to try to attack again. He would be bankrupt. Alleged, now most of the money for national projects will go toward the project rather than 50% corruption. This will also boost the economy and and the GDP should improve. This year exports will be more favorable.

Just think what the country could be like in 10 years if we had semi honest governments.

[MilesofSmiles]

social rules which date back hundreds of years, where village elders are considered like fathers and their opinion is law.

A culture blindly following traditions, which clearly aren't producing quality outcomes for it's participants, without any introspection, deserves what gets.

[Bob12345]

Hey little fella. I suspect not much makes sense to someone who thinks printing 'zillions of baht' is a good idea.

It is becoming a bit painful now as this is the second time already you try to trick me into reacting. I was actually hoping you would re-read what I wrote before and that at some point you would understand what I said, but unfortunately that didn't happen.

So little fella, let me explain what I said so you can go on with your life.

You made the claim that the Thai central bank is unable to devalue its own currency: "it does not have the required financial clout for it to make a difference".

I asked you to explain that further as it is utter nonsense what you wrote there. Of course you never expanded on it further...

So i stated that a central bank can always devalue its own currency, while keeping the value up is more difficult as that requires foreign currencies which are limited. How can a central bank devalue its currency? Simple, by creating more money ("printing" money I called it, but actually it is even simpler in reality).

You stated that the US is crating "billions, if not trillions" of dollars (which is true) as an indication that that is the reason the baht cannot devalue. But when the BoT prints more money than the US then the the baht will depreciate against the dollar. That is where my "zillions of baht" comment came from.

So instead of trying to make fun of me by quoting me out of context, you are just making fun of yourself by not understanding what I said.

Maybe now you want to explain further why the BoT does not have "enough economic clout" to devalue the baht...

(p.s. I already mentioned the risk of (hyper-) inflation in my original post, so do not try to make it like i recommended the BoT to print zillions of baht).

You are quite the touchy little fella aren't you? I already pointed out that Thailand does not just 'print' money, nor does the USA.

As i have pointed out repeatedly thailand is doing exactly what has been recommmended in this propaganda piece of an OP. Thailand has bought massive amounts of US dollars, and has done for years. You should at least the class to admit you hv been misled by the OP. Instead you choose to dance around providing your own ideas on what you think is good for thailand.

I also told you to send your ideas to the BOT and ask them why they dont print 'zillions of baht', you ask them, not me. I am sure they will appreciate your sage advice. :rofl:

So oh saintly one pls go on your way. If i 'trick' you once shame on me, if i trick u twice shame on you. If i trick u 3 times you are a yingluck fan.

Touchy I wouldn't know, but it is starting to become irritating as you, again, fail to understand what I was saying.

To address your points:

1. you have no idea if i was misled by the OP or not. So why you think it is "classy" to admit to it without knowing if that is what happened? I reacted on your statement and did not mention the OP.

2. I never said what I thought was good for Thailand. I merely pointed out that your comment "BoT does not have the economic clout to influence the exchange rate" sounds ridiculous. I did this by pointing out they can print a zillion baht. If they should do that? No, i don't think so. It was not an advice I was giving to the BoT, it was just a way of showing you why your statement was flawed.

3. I am not sending any questions to the BoT to ask why they dont print a zillion baht. Main reason: I already know why they don't do it. And so do you (hyperinflation). And do you really think they will answer an email asking something like that? (rhetorical question).

My initial post was intended to "probe" you further why you said that the BoT doesn't have the economic clout to influence the exchange rate. Instead of answering that question you starting making fun of my post by quoting it out of context. So I reacted and asked you the same question again. And again you did not answer the question. So I guess that is a clue for me that you are not so convinced of your earlier statement anymore, and probably realize it was a load of bull. Now that we established that I can go on my way.

[longway]

Hey little fella. I suspect not much makes sense to someone who thinks printing 'zillions of baht' is a good idea.

It is becoming a bit painful now as this is the second time already you try to trick me into reacting. I was actually hoping you would re-read what I wrote before and that at some point you would understand what I said, but unfortunately that didn't happen.

So little fella, let me explain what I said so you can go on with your life.

You made the claim that the Thai central bank is unable to devalue its own currency: "it does not have the required financial clout for it to make a difference".

I asked you to explain that further as it is utter nonsense what you wrote there. Of course you never expanded on it further...

So i stated that a central bank can always devalue its own currency, while keeping the value up is more difficult as that requires foreign currencies which are limited. How can a central bank devalue its currency? Simple, by creating more money ("printing" money I called it, but actually it is even simpler in reality).

You stated that the US is crating "billions, if not trillions" of dollars (which is true) as an indication that that is the reason the baht cannot devalue. But when the BoT prints more money than the US then the the baht will depreciate against the dollar. That is where my "zillions of baht" comment came from.

So instead of trying to make fun of me by quoting me out of context, you are just making fun of yourself by not understanding what I said.

Maybe now you want to explain further why the BoT does not have "enough economic clout" to devalue the baht...

(p.s. I already mentioned the risk of (hyper-) inflation in my original post, so do not try to make it like i recommended the BoT to print zillions of baht).

You are quite the touchy little fella aren't you? I already pointed out that Thailand does not just 'print' money, nor does the USA.

As i have pointed out repeatedly thailand is doing exactly what has been recommmended in this propaganda piece of an OP. Thailand has bought massive amounts of US dollars, and has done for years. You should at least the class to admit you hv been misled by the OP. Instead you choose to dance around providing your own ideas on what you think is good for thailand.

I also told you to send your ideas to the BOT and ask them why they dont print 'zillions of baht', you ask them, not me. I am sure they will appreciate your sage advice. :rofl:

So oh saintly one pls go on your way. If i 'trick' you once shame on me, if i trick u twice shame on you. If i trick u 3 times you are a yingluck fan.

Touchy I wouldn't know, but it is starting to become irritating as you, again, fail to understand what I was saying.

To address your points:

1. you have no idea if i was misled by the OP or not. So why you think it is "classy" to admit to it without knowing if that is what happened? I reacted on your statement and did not mention the OP.

2. I never said what I thought was good for Thailand. I merely pointed out that your comment "BoT does not have the economic clout to influence the exchange rate" sounds ridiculous. I did this by pointing out they can print a zillion baht. If they should do that? No, i don't think so. It was not an advice I was giving to the BoT, it was just a way of showing you why your statement was flawed.

3. I am not sending any questions to the BoT to ask why they dont print a zillion baht. Main reason: I already know why they don't do it. And so do you (hyperinflation). And do you really think they will answer an email asking something like that? (rhetorical question).

My initial post was intended to "probe" you further why you said that the BoT doesn't have the economic clout to influence the exchange rate. Instead of answering that question you starting making fun of my post by quoting it out of context. So I reacted and asked you the same question again. And again you did not answer the question. So I guess that is a clue for me that you are not so convinced of your earlier statement anymore, and probably realize it was a load of bull. Now that we established that I can go on my way.

Ok ok little fella, if the BOT printed 'zillions of baht' and dropped it all over isan by 'zillions of helicopters' the value of the baht would plummet and thailand would be in the same league as the economic powerhouse as zimbabwe.

Thank you for contribution. It looks like the satang has finally dropped on it being an invredibly stupid idea. Congratulations on your progress.

The next thing to work on is ti actually read the OP so actually hv a clue on what is being discussed.

[Bob12345]

Ok ok little fella, if the BOT printed 'zillions of baht' and dropped it all over isan by 'zillions of helicopters' the value of the baht would plummet and thailand would be in the same league as the economic powerhouse as zimbabwe.

Thank you for contribution. It looks like the satang has finally dropped on it being an invredibly stupid idea. Congratulations on your progress.

The next thing to work on is ti actually read the OP so actually hv a clue on what is being discussed.

So you finally agree with me that your previous comment that the BoT doesn't have the economic clout to influence the value of the baht is complete and utter bull. That was all I wanted as my post was a reference to your comment and not the OP (which then also means I don't have to read the OP as long as I can spot the bull in your posts without it).

Next time try to read better and do your best to not come across so insecure with name calling.

Cheers.

[tbthailand]

here is a graphic that shows one of the reasons for social disorder in Thailand.

You are actually close to the truth about this conflict for once. Its nothing to do with 'democracy' it is and always has been about the money and how government money gets to be stolen and even more importantly where and by whom.

Its about exploiting real divisions and problems for personal gain.

while I agree with your point, I also feel that there is a segment of society which wants democracy and (it's really obvious) also a segment of society which does NOT want democracy. There is a fundamental conflict there.

However, I think that the primary reason there has been an 'intervention' is that the military is intent on maintaining the Elite/Military dominated societal structure that has been in place for over 70 years (in its current form, at least...).

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the LM law is a major obstacle to any real reconciliation. The reason for that is that the military and the traditional elite use LM as a weapon to silence opposition, critics, and - most importantly - to silence a real debate in Thailand.

Everyone uses LM, and if it didnt't exist another law would be found or made to silence critics. Anyway, the only way democracy will make any progress is if neither side win, and that is exactly what is happening now.

with all due respect, I disagree completely that another law (unless it were LM by another name) would be used to silence critics. Also, it is completely false to state that 'Everyone uses LM'. Among Thai elites, it has been used, in the past, as a tool by all political persuasions, but below that level, there is only faction that uses LM.

The LM laws in Thailand are used to protect the current status quo and shield the traditional elite/military alliance. LM is also used to persecute their political/social enemies. And LM is used to stop any meaningful debate on the future of Thailand... which could lead to a change of the status quo.

no other law can do that. That is the reason LM needs to go before Thailand can move forward.

[longway]

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Ok ok little fella, if the BOT printed 'zillions of baht' and dropped it all over isan by 'zillions of helicopters' the value of the baht would plummet and thailand would be in the same league as the economic powerhouse as zimbabwe.

Thank you for contribution. It looks like the satang has finally dropped on it being an invredibly stupid idea. Congratulations on your progress.

The next thing to work on is ti actually read the OP so actually hv a clue on what is being discussed.

So you finally agree with me that your previous comment that the BoT doesn't have the economic clout to influence the value of the baht is complete and utter bull. That was all I wanted as my post was a reference to your comment and not the OP (which then also means I don't have to read the OP as long as I can spot the bull in your posts without it).

Next time try to read better and do your best to not come across so insecure with name calling.

Cheers.

The OP discussed well known measures for the baht to influence its exchange rates and improve the economy. As I have pointed out innumerable times the BOT is already doing what is suggested on a vast scale and it is impossible for it to compete with the large economies and set exchange rates as suggested rather disingenuously by the OP.

The little fella might have heard of a not so little country called China? That's the kind of economy required to set exchange rates.

The goal is to improve the economy, not destroy it. So the answer is outside whatever lala land you live in, Thailand cannot devalue in the way you describe without flushing the country down the economic toilet.. Devaluing occurs when past economic decision making has been extremely poor, as it ends up reducing a countries living standard, not improving it.

I love the way the little fella is pretending to have not read the OP now, rather than admit he is wrong. Lol

[longway]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

with all due respect, I disagree completely that another law (unless it were LM by another name) would be used to silence critics. Also, it is completely false to state that 'Everyone uses LM'. Among Thai elites, it has been used, in the past, as a tool by all political persuasions, but below that level, there is only faction that uses LM.

Everyone uses LM, and if it didnt't exist another law would be found or made to silence critics. Anyway, the only way democracy will make any progress is if neither side win, and that is exactly what is happening now.

The LM laws in Thailand are used to protect the current status quo and shield the traditional elite/military alliance. LM is also used to persecute their political/social enemies. And LM is used to stop any meaningful debate on the future of Thailand... which could lead to a change of the status quo.

no other law can do that. That is the reason LM needs to go before Thailand can move forward.

Just look at the way malaysia silences dissent. It doesnt need LM but has very nasty ways for getting rid of the opposition. Even France, given the recent outcry about free expression, puts people in jail using vague laws that outlaw 'defending terrosrism'. LM is not the problem, it is a symptom. You might have heard that Andrew Drummond has to leave Thailand as criminals are using the draconian defamation laws to continuously sue him.

The anti LM crowd doesn't care about free expression, they are just filled with hatred, with cynical opportunists behind them.

[longway]

The real story here is that this article in the New York Times and at least one other called 'Changing of the Garb' in the economist, is purposely misleading its readers. These are paid for propaganda pieces on behalf of the Shins and demonstrably so, very interesting.

[Nickymaster]

So Junta bad for economy, but good for the happy few,Thaksin bad for a lot of farang (why I don't know) but good for economy...

There are many foreigners who have a partner from the north east that think Yingluck and Thaksin are wonderful.

[longway]

^ What will be good for the economy is when this ridiculous conflict finally ends, and what will be good for democracy is if neither side wins outright.

[JAG]

The real story here is that this article in the New York Times and at least one other called 'Changing of the Garb' in the economist, is purposely misleading its readers. These are paid for propaganda pieces on behalf of the Shins and demonstrably so, very interesting.

Why would the Shinewatras pay for propaganda pieces in publications which are read by an infinitesimally small proportion of the population of Thailand?