General Reports

[SirWilliam4]

The value of the Baht keeps slowly falling and financial analysts will tell you it will continue to slowly fall. Why? Because it has been falling (pretty simple analysis). And the Baht will keep falling until it stops falling (once again pretty simplistic logic). Currencies typically trade in a tight range or trade in a upward or downward trend. Now, the Baht is in a slow downward trend against the US dollar.

Brilliant analysis. You must be a financial analysis wizard. The Baht keeps falling because it is falling. Egad! Why didn't I think of that?

[Conan23]

If there are two things we have learned from all the past financial crises, it is that the buyers and sellers on the stock market act without rhyme or reason and that financial analysts have no better track record than "Madame Soleil" in predicting the future.

The value of the Baht keeps slowly falling and financial analysts will tell you it will continue to slowly fall. Why? Because it has been falling (pretty simple analysis). And the Baht will keep falling until it stops falling (once again pretty simplistic logic). Currencies typically trade in a tight range or trade in a upward or downward trend. Now, the Baht is in a slow downward trend against the US dollar.

[Wolvenvacht]

Is this the beginning of an exodus?

http://blogs.barrons.com/asiastocks/...rrons&ru=yahoo

If there are two things we have learned from all the past financial crises, it is that the buyers and sellers on the stock market act without rhyme or reason and that financial analysts have no better track record than "Madame Soleil" in predicting the future.

[Conan23]

Is this the beginning of an exodus?

http://blogs.barrons.com/asiastocks/...rrons&ru=yahoo

30 days ago $1 bought 32 Baht, today the exchange rate hit 35 Baht and money will continue to leave until currencies stop falling against the US dollar.

[Turgid]

Is this the beginning of an exodus?

http://blogs.barrons.com/asiastocks/...rrons&ru=yahoo

[The Cane]

Better hurry guys!

http://www.weather.com/news/weather/...er-in-15-years

[Wolvenvacht]

Or they close existing schools that are within 300 mtr of a pub!

And then the schools will be asked to contribute to the local policemen's pension fund. 55555.

[Wolvenvacht]

Are there many bars discussed on this forum that will be affected by this rule?

There is a University at the end of Soi 23, but I think it is at least 500 m away (or even more) from Soi Cowboy.

Nana and the whole of lower Sukhumvit, including the side-sois, seem OK as well.

[Banana Boi]

Are there many bars discussed on this forum that will be affected by this rule?

[Mogwai]

Or perhaps they will, in typical Thainess, forbid schools to open within 300m of a pub.

Or they close existing schools that are within 300 mtr of a pub!

[Mogwai]

Under the law no person shall sell alcohol beverages within 300 meters from the boundary line of tertiary education institution and vocational institution.

Tertiary and vocational education? So universities and the like? That narrows it down quite a bit.

Seems to resemble a law in Holland that forbids coffeeshops (that sell soft drugs) within 350 meters of a school.

[Wolvenvacht]

I just caught wind of the draconian law the military government is passing on the sale & consumption of alcohol in Bangkok. Under the law no person shall sell alcohol beverages within 300 meters from the boundary line of tertiary education institution and vocational institution.

If true, it gives a whole new meaning to the word "bar-fine".

Or perhaps they will, in typical Thainess, forbid schools to open within 300m of a pub.

[Blanquiceleste]

I just caught wind of the draconian law the military government is passing on the sale & consumption of alcohol in Bangkok. Under the law no person shall sell alcohol beverages within 300 meters from the boundary line of tertiary education institution and vocational institution.

I think this is a ridiculous move. Imagine going to Hard Rock Cafe or to any bar in Cowboy and not be able to order a drink! Preposterous. I wonder where people get these shitty ideas from. Do they spare a thought to what might happen to the already fragile Thai economy? What do you call a bar that does not sell alcohol anyway?

Will this get extended to other destinations like Pattaya? Is this the beginning of the end for our beloved LOS.

[Charlie Shine]

I'm not in a position to do a survey on how common it is, but I have a close friend who had this happen to him. Non-drinker, speaks some Thai, expat of few years, in other words, unlikely victim. I know the story as I lent him a bit of cash until he could get his cards sorted (she took away both cash and cards, but fortunately left his passport). This was a pick-up from Khao San Road, not the usual haunts. It's foolish to assume a drugging can't happen to you.

It happened to me several years ago a few days before I was supposed to leave Thailand for my next job. It wasn't a spiked drink it was in food and it wasn't a working girl it was a pair of women that befriended me at Chatuchak market on a Sunday afternoon.

These two scammers had been walking around beside me and just started up a conversation. I didn't think anything of it. One was mildly attractive, the other big and fat like a typical Thai aunty. I had no desire for anything sexual I was just being friendly considering I was leaving. They were about to have a late lunch at a restaurant beside the market and invited me along. After we ordered, one disappeared into the bathroom for a while. When the rice came back I noticed she mixed it up very well. I didn't think anything of it. She gave me a spoonful which I ate. Having lived in Asia sharing food is common so I didn't refuse. It was a fateful error!

Next thing I remember, I woke up in my apartment with my laptop, hard drive, watch, and money gone. They left my ATM card and my passport was at the embassy. Security footage from my apartment showed them leading me up the stairs. I looked really out of it. Drunk - with my eyes open. They told security I was drunk and they were helping me. Really helping themselves to my stuff.

So lads, it ain't just in drinks and it ain't just working girls.

Be vigilant regarding the kindness of Thai women.

[Sunlover2]

Thanks Eddie. Back at the turn of the century I was punting in the Netherlands and enjoying the last of the strong USD / Dutch guilder cross which slowly went to shite with the introduction of the euro. I remember in 2002 when a 100 guilder session became 50 euros; and while it became 10% more expensive for the customers, the ladies openly resented the fact that they were only getting '50' instead of '100' regardless of the intrinsic value.

Those must have been great times with exchange rates 50% stronger and prices (possibly) 50% cheaper. Not really expecting anything close to that these days just hoping to identify and understand some of the basic macro economic trends.

SL.