Zeppie

5 hours ago, Pulci Gorgon said:

 You've had pieces of answers in Rom's thread "It's official : I'M BACK" . You can find 3 posts about Rom's observations on the field. First post    Second post     Last post .

I had added my own comment in the next page. The most important paragraph is : 

 I had also explained -before Covid- (...) that there seemed to be a crisis in bars in BKK. You (Rom)  measured the results for a month. I had already considered that Patpong was no longer interesting (end of 2016) and you (Rom) confirmed this area's declining. 

SE Asia is large even if China is going to close for at least a couple of decades. 

But where is the next TH, if it will ever exist.

Thanks Silvester, interesting observations of the current status.  PI does seem to have the opportunity, to become so much more, not sure what's holding things up.  The talent is there.  But, what about the less talked about, i.e., Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, etc.    

I would like to start a topic that requires a bit of crystal ball scanning, regarding the future for SE Asia LB mongering.  what is held for the future of TH (the #1) current location and where do you see is the up and coming Wild west frontier, before spoiled by popularity and rising cost and regulations.

Well maybe that's why they legalized pot, makes it all bearable.  

PS.  I use your ammo all the time, it's one of my primaries.  

WOW...Laawman, that just totally sucks.  Sorry you have to go through that maze of incompetents.  I can see that being the norm for everything associated with certifications, visa, etc.  Makes me laugh that maybe they just like playing with foreigners.  I guess its just part of the big picture.

2 hours ago, Pdoggg said:

After a difficult year for the stock market, investors have poured money into Series I bonds, a nearly risk-free and inflation-protected asset that’s paying a record 9.62% annual interest rate through October.

With the rate expected to drop to roughly 6.48% in November, there’s a brief window to secure higher interest for six months, assuming you haven’t exceeded the I bond purchase limits for 2022. 

While I bond rates change twice yearly based on inflation, you can still lock in 9.62% annual interest for six months — as long as you complete the purchase by Oct. 28.

You must complete your purchase and receive a confirmation email by Oct. 28, according to TreasuryDirect.

Spot on PD.  Its a great investment except as noted, limit amount you can invest.  But, I noted there are spouses and gift that can increase your total invested.  Yes, changes every 6 months, but no indications it will change down or if so, not much. There was mention of soft landing, but I don't see it (one could only hope).  I think it will be much harsher.  As for the unemployment comment made, I understand that point, but my opinion is unemployment is based on those looking for employment, and not those with no job and not looking for employment..  All the Trillions that have been dumped into the USA economy, people don't have to work and the number are staggering, and are the benefits received.  It's called buying votes.  I think you have to go back precovid and do an A to B of the numbers employed, to ball park the real unemployment. 

I remain focused on, staggered buys and short term Bonds, T-Bills, Notes, cause I think they are directionally going to continue to rise, and the equity market is going to continue it's negative slope.

PS.  The comment regarding definition of an recession, no longer applies, since 2 + 2 =4 is now a false result.  

Yes, I am very pessimistic.  I hope I am wrong.  Under the previous administration I was very optimistic, and all in on equities.

Thanks for listening, and good luck to everyone trying to stay afloat.

Nice reply PD.  Your comments bring up an interesting thought.  First, I have bought both I-bonds and 1 year T-Bill.  The website is Treasury Direct.  I have had zero issues.  Being that i am somewhat new to this type of investment, I did notice, that they stated there was a different site, and that is no longer in use.  Would have to go look at what the site name was, it was somewhat similar.  It just makes wonder if you encounter your issues with the now eliminated site.  Yes, 3 month and such are perfectly fine, especially if you think the rates are and will be directionally higher, which I do, that why i will take a staggered approach and ponce when I think they are there.  But bonds will not hold a candle to the equity market when things turn, but i have no desire to play the have we hit bottom game.....and the answer is NO. IMO!

ROM......excellent as always.....Looks like a nice Hotel, and the LBS, as well.......do you ever provide info into Hotels you prefer....I am sure you have a wealth ofinfo......

First of all I hope I am not off base with my comments.  But, felt compelled to through my hat in the ring.  I will not dive into the the deep rooted issues of how we have gotten in the condition, but will suggest it will get worse.  What's going on in America is a travesty.  Biden took a V shape recover and flushed it down the toilet.  Inflation was around 2% when he took over and now it is very high and going to get higher.  I don't believe the numbers broadcast reflect the truth, based on changing of equations and propaganda.  There are people out that truly understand what's happening and where its going.  The rest are political pundits.  Inflation will continue to rise and there are 2 ways to counteract.  1, is to raise rates and drive up unemployment, bring demand down and slow reduce inflation, at the price of human suffering.  2,  grow your way out of it by cutting taxes, grow employment.  The UK just did an about face, and backed out of tax cuts, mistake.  IAs for investments, I think Bonds, are appropriate choice.  Not so much to outpace inflation but to get something for your money returns.  I-Bond, is paying close to 10%, but you can only buy up to 10K USD and only once a year.  But you can gift, and spouse which can increase total yearly holdings.  Min hold is 1 year.  The other is Notes and T-bills.  1 year is over 4% and I believe the direction for rates is upwards, thus staggered buying.  If you go back to the late 1979 and early 1980's, bond rates hit up to 13% if not higher.  The issue with bonds is they are not daily compounded.  Banks will need to start increasing rates in order to compete for money with bonds.  Much to be said for index's, commodities, energy and utilities, but I do not have the confidence to properly time accurately.  Jamie Diamond has been publicly stating for some time now of an economic hurricane is coming, as has others of a harsh recession coming.

Sorry for the bleak outlook.  But on the bright side i will be traveling to PH and TH, regardless, and the strong $, will benefit me.  

Was there an "AC Calling - Part 1".  Yes, I also look forward to hearing about your Yoga training. 

The latter post sounds like we are eating are own..........rather gloomy...what's up with that?

MOSB.........No update on meeting them again?

On 9/24/2022 at 11:25 AM, Woodie said:

I know you said that tongue in cheek. No other band on earth comes even close to them. Well maybe Led Zeppelin.

Woodie....you for got the Stones  All the bands that are being dissed were all great bands....for one reason or another......and who ever said Queen wasnt a great band.......on my.....really.......

On 10/6/2022 at 9:54 AM, soiboy said:

I woke up this morning and found out about it on a couple of LB friends pages.  They were very upset, as can be imagined.  For an American this brings up the horrible shootings at Columbine, Sandy Hook, and Uvalde, et al.  I don't really like the word "evil."  Like many words it is over-used, but in cases like this I just hope there is a very special place in Hell for the perpetrators of such evil.

Evil does exist, and it is a word not used enough.