Mainland Chinese in Hong Kong sound off
Hello kids. I think you should know on this last day of November yet again, that it is the 32nd month of the lockdowns.
And this is the easiest day to figure how many more days there are until the New Year's Eve party - 31. And it will be on Friday, by the way.
Mincing words has stopped. The Economic Intelligence Centre (EIC) of Siam Commercial Bank says frankly:
Foreign tourism is Thailand's only hope for 2023. Exports are falling.
The 2023 forecast of economic growth is downgraded to 3.4%, given risks of global slowdown and uncertainties that overshadow Thai exports and investment, the centre said on Monday.
https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/40022519
The 'rush of tourists' that the ruling junta is packing out Phuket and Bangkok, isn't actually a rush, so far.
And on Monday, the bad news began: The influx of foreign visitors is slowing, and it probably won't increase for another six months. Or more.
That is the distressing message from the official Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), just as it was preparing Amazing Thailand 10 Million Celebrations on December 10.
TAT chief Yuthasak Supasorn:
"The travel industry should not count on this number, as the overwhelming demand today is mostly from tourists who were unable to travel for two or three years.
"We might have to wait until the next low season [April or later] to see how Thai tourism can cope with negative factors like the recession, high travel costs and inflation. There will be no more drivers like the pent-up demand of the past year."
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2448540/
THAILAND ASIA DIPLOMACY
The experienced and reliable columnist Kavi Chongkittavorn has spoken at length with his well-informed diplomatic sources and he now recokons:
A new world order is starting in Southeast Asia
PHOTO shows two of the major players, Cambodia's Hun Sen on the left and President Joko Widodo, major players in this new, emerging set-up. Kavi writes:
Right here, right now, the new international order is in the making.
Because of the war in Ukraine, the divided world and its leaders had to rendezvous in Southeast Asia for nearly a week recently.
Those with the stamina to last the duration have benefited the most from bilateral discussions, aired their new ideas and grievances.
They have cemented new and old friendships and built one-on-one rapport and relations.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2448580/new-world-order-starting-in-se-asia
And within hours... the criticism of the Kavi column was at full blast:
Shielding the junta
[Kavi] might also have a quiet word in the ear of our distinguished minister of foreign affairs [junta loyalist Don Pramudwinai].
Having been roundly criticised for appointing a Myanmar junta apologist as his special envoy to Myanmar, the minister might find it instructive to peruse the recent final report of the "International Parliamentary Inquiry (IPI) into the global response to the crisis in Myanmar''.
Chaired by Heidi Hautala, Vice-President of the European Parliament, the IPI report roundly criticised Thailand, which "has been a prominent force on shielding the junta from scrutiny and accountability".
Minister Suchart leaves PPRP to follow Prayut
This is one of several key developments in Thai politics this week.
Suchart Chomklin was one of the semi-mysterious Sam Mitr [Three Amigos] who envisioned and formed and consolidated the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) as a political safe haven for Prayut - and wheedled the Thai elite to 'donate' billions for it.
He is one of around 40 members of parliament who are abandoning the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) to join the newest Prayut political hideout - Ruam Thai Sang Chart (United Thai Nation) party.
Such defections cost loyalty, prestige and treasure.
PHOTO: The Sam Mitr [Three Amigos, aka the Three S] who are likely to show loyalty to Prayut until the end. From Left: Suchart Chomklin, Somsak Thepsutin, Somkid Jatusripitak.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2448862/minister-suchart-leaves-pprp-to-follow-prayut.
At Project Syndicate ["The World's Opinion Page"], a pair of China watchers tell the world what they might better tell President4Life Xi Jinping. Because newspaper and internet readers are going to look at their provided and headline and go, "Gosh, really?"
No easy exit from 'zero-Covid'
These China-watching "experts" are S. Alex Yang, associate professor of management science and operations at London Business School, and Angela Huyue Zhang, also a professor of law at the University of Hong Kong.
They write rather obviously:
Despite the surge in popular unrest, China's exit from Zero-Covid will not happen overnight.
Instead, it is likely to be carried out in a gradual and controlled manner, much like China's economic reform and opening up.
China's leaders must move much faster than they did four decades ago. With a carefully devised operational strategy, there is a good chance that they can pull it off.
https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/china-protests-zero-covid-exit-strategy-by-s-alex-yang-and-angela-huyue-zhang-2022-11
Extremely Related, from The Economist
The corner Xi has painted himself into
Ending China's Zero-Covid policy could unleash chaos: But keeping it ensures a grim economic outlook for 2023.
https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2022/11/28/chinas-economy-cannot-bear-much-more-zero-covid
It is worth noting that not a single distributed medium or even one crazy leftist European or Canadian has written about the beauty and necessity of Tóngzhì Xi's Zero-Covid policy.
And from the CCP and the Chief Comrade In Complete Control Xi, including at public appearances at the Group of 20 and APEC 'summits':
Best I can do is more lockdowns.
Except, well...
Apple hobbled a crucial tool of dissent in China weeks before widespread protests broke out
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/apple-hobbled-crucial-tool-dissent-185100767.html
CHINA PROTESTS POLICE ATTACKS
China deployed police to quash protests. This did not cause surprise.
Here's what you need to know
The Five Days of Kerfuffle have been given the even better name of White Paper Revolution (白纸革命). Those blank sheets of paper are protesting against Chinese government and communist censorship.
China deployed police to quash protests.
Authorities in Beijing, Shanghai, and other major cities clamped down on demonstrations which have now extended to Hong Kong.
And shocked global markets.
Students in Hong Kong chanted "Ooppose dictatorship."
Video: Protesters take to Hong Kong's streets in solidarity with mainland
https://bityl.co/FuUw
Video: 'It's unimaginable' – Mainland students in Hong Kong share hopes and fears for China's Covid demos.
https://hongkongfp.com/2022/11/29/video-its-unimaginable-mainland-students-in-hong-kong-share-hopes-and-fears-for-chinas-covid-demos/
"Don't get into a war before you have a clear exit strategy."
-- Colin Powell, former U.S. secretary of state and army general, who never has been an adviser to Xi Jinping.
Things are getting nastier in China, especially in big cities, especially in Shanghai.
Large crowds chanting
"Apologise." and "Xi Jinping, step down" and "Communist Party, step down."
Such slogans aimed directly at Xi and his central leadership committee are unprecedented.
Even during the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, protesters demanded democratic reform, not regime change.
The CBC, which attacked anti-lockdown/mandate protesters in Ontario as violent racist fascists, is sympathetic to the protesters in China.
"It is certain," broadcasts the Canadian government's mouthpiece, "there will be consequences for those caught speaking out against President Xi."
In Canada, such unacceptability is known as "making mischief" and requires major police retaliation.
The CBC explained that the only reason that China locks up people and buildings and regions is "to give you time to be able to do something productive."
People's Daily, the Party's official newspaper, urged citizens to "unswervingly implement" Xi's Covid policies.
"The harder it is, the more you have to grit your teeth," it said.
And this is up-to-date on the subject.
Chinese authorities have begun inquiries into some of the people who gathered at weekend protests against COVID-19 curbs, people who were at the Beijing demonstrations told Reuters.
A student also said they were asked by their college if they had been in an area where a protest happened and to provide a written account.
In Hangzhou, the capital of the eastern Zhejiang province, videos on social media showed hundreds of police occupying a large square on Monday night, preventing people from congregating.
In Shanghai and Beijing, police were patrolling areas where some groups on the Telegram messaging service had suggested people gather again. The police presence on Monday night ensured no gatherings took place.
Police demanded the phones of people near the protest areas. Some protesters had used dating apps to evade censorship and police scrutiny.
"It's really scary," said Beijing resident Philip Qin, 22, referring to the large number of police on the streets.
Police asked how they heard about the protest and what was their motive for going.
"We are all desperately deleting our chat history," said one person.
The lockdowns have exacerbated one of the sharpest slowdowns in growth China has suffered in decades, disrupting global supply chains and roiling financial markets.
Reuters.com: https://bityl.co/Fvlw
Chinese Rise Up Against Lockdowns that Elites Advocated in the US.
It's an open question why the CCP remains so obsessively dedicated to this policy of Zero Covid; theories range from bureaucratic inertia to “saving face,” to a test of loyalty for Party members, to keeping 'the science' alive, to simply putting on a show to reassure international onlookers that the CCP really does believe in what it sold them.
https://brownstone.org/articles/chinese-protest-lockdowns/
But it's obvious U.S.A-Canadian worldwide leftists love the CCP's lockdowns.
https://brownstone.org/articles/chinese-protest-lockdowns/
HAHAHA5555:
Fauci: "We need to keep politics out" of investigating the origin of Covid.
Sure, Tony, like you kept all politics out of your responses to the virus.
PROPOSALS MADE BY IDIOTS WHO TALK LIKE IDIOTS AND TURN THEM INTO POLITICAL IDIOCY.
Should We Bring Masks Back Into the Classroom?
Where in the HELL are the Trained Scientists and Medical Experts who know the answer to this retardation?
The classroom experience with masks is drastically inferior, and masking as actually practiced in schools is of dubious benefit.
https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/second-opinions/101893
SNOWFLAKES CORRECTNESS VIRTUE MONKEYPOX TRIGGERED
China's 'World Health Organization' [WHO?] wants the world to stop saying "monkeypox" and switch immediately to "mpox." "Monkeypox" triggers racism and stigmatization.
The above item is of course by XiNN:
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/11/28/health/monkeypox-renamed-mpox/index.html
SOCCER WORLD CUP QATAR IRAN
Gidouddahere! This is what dictators do. And now, today CNN notices what Prayut has been doing for 8 years-plus
Iran threatens players' families
https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/28/football/iran-soccer-family-threats-intl-spt
ENGLAND KING MONARCHY
Interesting (once again) that the British Royals always believe that if they're gonna make it, they have to make it in America.
Dysfunctional Royal Family Head to Boston to Restore Their Image
As a puckish sceptic points out immediately:
Sure, Boston’s always loved the King of England
Prince William and Princess Kate headline a packed, three-day public relations tour aimed partly at burnishing the royals' bruised image.
https://www.bostonherald.com/2022/11/29/battenfeld-dysfunctional-royal-family-head-to-boston-to-restore-their-image/
QUOTE
William and Kate, who are locked in a PR battle with royal outcasts Harry and Meghan for the hearts and minds of the public.
Well... William and Kate are actual royals. The other two are [for unknown reasons] celebrities.
TECHNOLOGY
Elon's job cuts have reduced the Twitter team fighting kiddie porn by 50%. Or more. [Wired.com]
Despite Musk's public claim that "removing child exploitation is Priority No.1," just one person remains to enforce the company’s ban on child sexual abuse content across Japan and the entire Asia Pacific region.
The "investigators" are a team
https://www.wired.com/story/twitter-child-sexual-abuse-material/
Elon says Apple is cutting down its Twitter advertising [qz.com]
Also, Apple has threatened to remove the Twitter app from the Apple App Store. Which would hurt Apple heckunva lot more than Twitter.
https://qz.com/elon-musk-twitter-apple-fight-1849827321
And another one down, another one down, another one bites the dust!
The cryptrocurrency scammer BlockFi has filed for bankruptcy. [wsj.com]
The 'digital assets market' is failing fast.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/blockfi-files-for-bankruptcy-as-latest-crypto-casualty-11669649545
DRUGS SMUGGLING EUROPE
Euronarcs bust cocaine cartel - owned by the smugglers themselves
This is a longread, with a lot of info and plenty of links to associated info.
The main story is that the Europol wants all the credit for discovering, investigating and busting this "super cartel" - 6 countries, 49 people arrested.
This Operation Desert Light lasted two years. And in that time agents and regular police seized 30 tonnes of drugs, mostly coke. The Big Boss was a Brit.
In addition to Europe, Desert Light had tentacles in the UAE, a hub of the drug smuggling.
Cocaine imported from South America via the Netherlands was the main focus of the investigation, and most of the arrests were made there in 2021.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63781424
Cops in Spain claim they seized the largest haul of cannabis ever found.
Even though it wasn't.*
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63527892
*Just for example, the Colflesh twins of Superstar Bar fame were arrested after a DEA bust of 72 tonnes of weed from Laos was intercepted off the cost of the U.S.A. northwest.
USA POLITICS BIDEN
Lefist U.S. organs Politico and The New York Times Moan: Biden Is Actually Serious About Running Again
Politico worries that "Biden... refuses to leave the stage."
Or, "is not ready to cede the stage," as they put it.
The New York Times frets that Biden appears serious about running again, while Democrats continue noticing his galloping decrepitude.
https://hotair.com/john-s-2/2022/11/28/ny-times-biden-24-is-looking-more-likely-but-dems-are-still-nervous-about-his-age-n513923
WEEKEND READS
Trump gets played in Mar-a-Lago dinner with Kanye West, Nick Fuentes, and Milo Yiannopoulos
What is sure to be one of the weirder moments of the 2024 presidential campaign has just taken place before the campaign is even fully underway.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/trump-gets-played
Un-permitted in Thailand because she was just here
Does anyone like Kamala?
No one even feels bad for not liking her. Her boss doesn’t like her; her aides don’t like her; even her Irish terrier doesn’t like her.
Australian publication
https://quadrant.org.au/magazine/2022/11/they-aimed-to-make-history-they-got-kamala-harris/
Better Late than Never but sure, let's talk about Biden corruption.
Perhaps the time has finally come when this story can be discussed.
https://www.manhattancontrarian.com/blog/2022-11-27-lets-talk-about-biden-corruption
SPORTS
The man who made tennis what it is
Jack Kramer, revolutionised the presentation and organisation of tennis, undermining the dominance of the old blimps of the amateur associations who for so many years had decided who played and who didn’t. That he was a marvellous player and a gentleman should not be forgotten either
https://quadrant.org.au/opinion/sport/2022/11/the-man-who-made-tennis-what-it-is/
Macleans brags it has been Canada's magazine since 1905. Factcheck: could be true.
'People must be able to speak freely, without fear'
My dad was jailed at Tiananmen Square. Now in Canada, I’m protesting Chinese oppression.
https://www.macleans.ca/society/chinese-oppression-tiananmen-protest/
LONGREAD
A Monster in the Classroom
Michael Gregory was the most popular teacher at Calgary’s John Ware school -- and a serial abuser who preyed on students for nearly 20 years. How did he fall through the cracks?
Gregory began claiming he had prostate cancer and told students that orgasms were necessary for his pain relief.
https://www.macleans.ca/longforms/monster-classroom-calgary-abuse/
