Hello fellow fans of Thailand and the coming Theravada Buddhist Lent. What are you giving up this year? And do you have plans for a great weekend?
There's exactly one (1) story in today's newspapers and on TV. Trump's letter fixes tariff of 36 percenton all exports of Thai goods and services to America. It warns of much bigger import tariffs on any goods not made in Thailand -- i.e. Chinese laundry.
PHOTO: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira confirms. Thailand can negotiate a U.S. tariff of below 36% before the August 1deadline. Otherwise, your government has contingency plans ready, in case we fail. Related: Thailand insists that Trump has to adjust this to less than 10 percent by August 1. Trump probably didn't get our final-deadline proposal yet.
To get back to my youth, I would do anything in the world, except take exercise, get up early, or be respectable. -- Oscar Wilde
There is no decision of government and parliament that cannot be overturned by unelected judges.-- Gatestone Institute
KUALA LUMPUR U.S. secretary of State Marco Rubio showed up unexpectedly at a meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers. No threats or harsh words: 'Just checking up'. Six of the members got the Trump letter on Monday: Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos. Vietnam already has independently worked out its own trade-and-tariff deal with America. Matichon Online (in Thai)
THAILAND POLITICS The newest ex-prime minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra, Ung-Ing, made her wary way into parliament.
It was not auspicious. For starters, the tide s-l-o-w-l-y turned and her casino proposal looks defeated. Political Storm Forecast: Worse than the current thunderstorms outside.
AND ABOUT THAT...
The Rainy Season hits hard at Bangkok and the Central Region. Forecast just for today: Heavy monsoon rain in Bangkok and 32 of the country's 77 provinces.
And through the weekend:
RELATED DENVER USA Flights trying to leave Denver on Tuesday saw delays ranging from 30 minutes to more than 3 hours. No one delayed them just because of a weather forecast, they just "saw delays".
ASEAN ISLAMISTS The real hidden extremist threat to Southeast Asia. This is Cyber Jihad 2.0 -- a sophisticated, borderless war for minds, fought in newsfeeds, private chats, and encrypted forums.
A comfortable seat, perhaps a sofa or (speaking Canuck language) a chesterfield. Even the old rocking chair. A kitten as warm companion, or puppy; Fishwrap'll not judge you. And articles worthy of consideration.
HUMANS
Ancient Neanderthal 'Fat Factory'reveals how advanced they really were We present archaeological data from the lake landscape of Neumark-Nord (Germany). Last Interglacial Neanderthals processed at least 172 large mammals at a water’s edge site. Their (partial) carcasses were transported to this location for the extraction of within-bone nutrients, particularly bone grease.
EXTREMELY RELATED Fact: The New York Times wants your private ChatGPT history -- even the parts you’ve deleted. Soon, lawyers for the Times will start combing through private ChatGPT conversations/ So much for the privacy expectations of over 70 million ChatGPT users who never imagined their deleted conversations could be retained for a corporate lawsuit.
Dear Big Apple Times: Do the letters F and O mean anything to you? This is not a discovery dispute. It's a mass privacy violation.
Brazil is the superpower of the future — and always will be. Every one of us is so old that we also remember when BRICS was on the very threshold of taking all power, all economic development and most influence from ... well, every other nation. Xi, Putin Can't Bothered to Attend the summit of BRICS Nations. Lula hardest hit.
BRICS began as BRIC, then added an 'S' for South Africa and then Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, who didn't get initials. So another unwieldy super-bureaucracy staffed by C-class diplomats. Thai dictator General Prayut tried to horn in and failed.
As promised above, this is a Uuge copy of Trump's letter. Click on this image to embiggen. Then adjust the size by using the wheel of your mouse.
Here in English is the complete text of Trump's letter to the Thai government. THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON July 7, 2025 His Excellency Suriya Juangroongruangkit Acting Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Bangkok Dear Mr. Prime Minister: It is a Great Honor for me to send you this letter in that it demonstrates the strength and commitment of our Trading Relationship, and the fact that the United States of America has agreed to continue working with Thailand, despite having a significant Trade Deficit with your great Country. Nevertheless, we have decided to move forward with you, but only with more balanced, and fair, TRADE. Therefore, we invite you to to participate in the extraordinary Economy of the United States, the Number One Market in the World, by far. We have had years to discuss our Trading Relationships with Thailand, and have concluded that we must move away from these longterm, and very persistent, Trade Deficits engendered by Thailand's Tariff, and Non Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers. Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from Reciprocal. Starting on August 1, 2025, we will charge Thailand a Tariff of only 36% on any and all Thai products sent into the United States, separate from all Sectoral Tariffs. Goods transshipped to evade a higher Tariff will be subject to that higher Tariff. Please understand that the 36% number is far less than what is needed to eliminate the Trade Deficit disparity we have with your Country. As you are aware, there will be no Tariff if Thailand, or companies within your Country, decide to build or manufacture product within the United States and, in fact, we will do everything possible to get approvals quickly, professionally and routinely -- In other words, in a matter of weeks. If for any reason you decide to raise your Tariffs, then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added onto the 36% that we charge. Please understand that those Tariffs are necessary to correct the many years of Thailand's Tariff, and Non Tariff Policies and Trade Barriers, causing those unsustainable Trade Deficits against the United States. This Deficit is a major threat to our Economy and, indeed, our National Security! We look forward to working with you as your Trading Partner for many years to come. If you wish to open your heretofore closed Trading Markets to the United States, and eliminate your Tariffd, and Non Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers, we will, perhaps, consider an adjustment to this letter. These Tariffs may be modified, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your Country. You will never be disappointed with The United States of America. Thank you for your attention to this matter! With best wishes, I am, Sincerely, (large signature,) DONALD J. TRUMP PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Professionals built the Titanic, amateurs built the ark.
