Thaksin, party play politics with Bank of Thailand
Good day. All are welcome at the published Fishwrap, produced and edited with even a few sales at the remarkably lo lovely downtown Nong Bon, where the temperature late last night plunged to under 80 real degrees -- a bone-chilling 26 degrees in the unique Canadian language, although 25 Canuckian degrees above Charlottetown.
Below is the Bulldog Fishwrap for Friday, 15 November.
A quick reminder that this evening is Loy Krathong, joyful and not stupidly rambunctuous like, say, the April water-splashing.
'Be Yourself' is about the worst advice you can give to some people.
The Thai government ignored the public and appointed a new governor of the Bank of Thailand from the ruling (Thaksin) Pheu Thai (For Thais) Party.
Within the day, the Thai baht tumbled like a barrel over Niagara.
The appointment of Kittiratt Na-Ranong proves that government is undermining all autonomy of the central bank.
Kittiratt has been a vocal critic of the central bank's hawkish monetary policy.
This campaign began by now ex-prime minister Srettha Thavisin and is in the hands of Thaksin and prime minister-daughter Ung Ing.
The baht seems certain to sink below 35 to a U.S. dollar -- and where it will stop, no one knows.
ANALYSIS
Who is Kittiratt Na-Ranong, now the chairman-elect of the Bank of Thailand?
The Thai currency plunged to a three-month low of 34.9 to the dollar early Wednesday, though it recovered to 34.77 later in the day.
At 34.77 to the dollar, the baht has weakened 7.5% this quarter-to-date, in line with the Malaysian ringgit and a 7.4% depreciation of the yen, but much greater than the 2.8% decline of the Chinese yuan.
Kasikorn Research Center
A factor pushing the baht decline is a strengthening dollar, which gained significantly after Donald Trump won.
Very much related and readable by freelance economist Freelance economist Chartchai Parasuk.
Trump tariffs spell trouble for Thailand
Yes, well, even though there aren't (yet) any 'Trump tariffs'. But anyhows...
This could be the first genuinely economic-oriented analysis of Mr Trump's policy, emphasising issues relevant to Thailand.
Readers could find that an economic approach would give new insights into this much talked about topic.
I do not think Trump (aka, Literally, Hitler) is a trained economist. However,
as a shrewd businessman, he surely understands that fewer imports mean more domestic jobs; more domestic jobs mean higher wages and higher wages and employment mean more loyal voters.
Commenter Hieu Nguyen chimes into the discussion:
Thailand may have a larger impact on the global market, but Vietnam has distinct advantages that set it apart. Vietnam boasts a strong and growing domestic market, coupled with more fiscal space for government investment-luxuries that Thailand currently lacks.
GOOD NEWS/SAD NEWS
Enduring Love
A Limey ex-Royal Navy mate first visited Thailand 15 years ago, fell in love and lived with his wife Samorn for 10 years -- until she died of cancer.
He now returns annually to care for her grave and the stupa containing her ashes.
I loved this woman very much. Even though my wife has passed away, I think about her all the time. My wife was a good person who made me happy.
THE NATION, formerly a prime daily broadsheet newspaper, now is an online info source.
Buri Ram international sensation Lalisa Lisa Manoban gave the Thai media and some 'influencers' a great performance, whilst dropping hints about her forthcoming full-length album.
In a special interview with Thai media following her live performance, the artist expressed gratitude for the warm welcome she continues to receive.
Sporting a bold rock star look, Lisa said:
Today's fan meeting has been tremendous fun, and I became quite emotional... I couldn't help but cry with happiness. My fans prepared numerous surprises, which made it particularly special. I'm incredibly grateful for their unwavering support.
THINGS WORTH REMEMBERING
Brilliant Limey homosexual Douglas Murray recalls the past 24 years of violence in Amsterdam by fervent Islamists including the murders of politicians and the frightened flight of the allegedly blasphemous Ayaan Hirsi Ali still in hiding. (photo)
Last Thursday’s mob in Amsterdam, which viciously attacked Israeli soccer fans, is a reminder of how little has changed in two decades.
TERRORISM
CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Reuters, BBC etc etc and so forth "reported" that Qatar is expelling leaders of Hamas, for refusing to release hostages including eight kidnapped Thais.
The sole source reported that the scoop came from highly informed members of U.S. President Joseph Biden's administration.
Qatar says the story is B.S., top to bottom. All of it.
It did highlight that soon-retiring U.S. Secretary of State Don Tony Blinken hasn't done anything on this subject.
otoh Incoming Trump appointees are openly annoyed by Qatar and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Qatar is a "Major non-NATO partner" of the U.S. same as Thailand.
USA POLITICS
The election loss is on Slow Joe.
If Biden had the energy, he'd be suffering from Biden Derangement Syndrome right now.
WOMEN IN POLITICS
Current Trump wife Melania to DOCTOR Jill: Just bugger off
The greatest legacy of the great Sigmund Freud: Schadenfreude.
As Ah-nold the Barbarian put it
The best in life is to crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women.
Biden vowed publicly to force his White House staff to help the transition to the incomers, already known as, Literally Hitler. Melania received and binned the invitation from DOCTOR Jill for the traditional White House Tea by losers' and winners' spouses. Melania is convinced that DOCTOR Jill celebrated the first assassination attempt of her husband in Pennsylvania state.
Conspiracy Spreaders aka later-night "comedians" even claimed Melania was not with Trump after the election victory, which she was.
River Page, writing at The Free Press*
The Post-Election Sex Strike
Left-wing women are shaving their heads to protest Trump’s election. “This is the only thing we have left to control ourselves,” says one such activist in a TikTok.
People are cutting off contact with Trump-voting family members, a continuation of a trend that began in 2016.
MSNBC, formerly the Microsoft-NBC News Channel has instructed "all LGBT people" to cut contact with all friends and family for the upcoming Father's Day-Christmas-New Year's Eve holiday season.
Also True: Democratic Party members are buying guns and encouraging others to do the same.
Democrats allege that last week's election was stolen from Kamala, who is the real president.
Tik-Tok "influencers" are calling U.S. Immigration to deport Latinos who might possibly have been recorded voting for (Literally) Hitler.
*Founded and managed by the Jewess Bari Weiss, who used to run the editorial page of Jew-owned The New York Times.
Unpredictable libertarian Kat Timpf:
Ladies, Stop Sex Striking for Kamala.
It's beginning to look like a recurring feature of the political discourse.
