Financial pitfalls
Re: "BoT says it's ready to collaborate", (Business, Aug 25).
Regarding articles on the BoT, ongoing ultra-low bank-book saving yields. Inefficient savings intermediation is a dire problem in Thailand.
Thai bank savings accounts yield only 0.5% (vs 4-5% in US$), and the Thai stock market lingers in the doldrums, in part because too many brokers endlessly promote(d) day trading and speculating instead of investing. This leaves mostly property as a savings alternative, hence likely oversupplied in many locations.
Especially "plain vanilla pool villas" or boxed condos with nothing but walls as a view. Remember what happened/ing in China with their property-galore over investments.
Pulling the strings?
Re: "Critics warn Thaksin off politics", (BP, Aug 25).
Thaksin Shinawatra's two-hour speech at "Vision for Thailand 2024" was like an insight into his mind. It also gave us a greater comprehension of his pent-up emotions after 17 years in exile.
We also saw the audience's admiration for Thaksin, among them those who hope they will all be in his good books, with power now back to him via his daughter -- so it is difficult not to agree with Jade Donavanik's concern.
Under the constitution, the independence of the named prime minister, Khun Paetongtarn, should not be under the shadow of her father, an outsider to the government but an insider of her family. That could be grounds for another judicial coup unless Khun Jade's warning is taken seriously. In sum, Khun Jade's advice to Khun Thaksin is simple -- "silence is golden".
Weary of frequent government changes on technical grounds, the report also warned of the coming appointments of ministers.
All should be unblemished and without a shadow of doubt on past conduct in honesty and ethics.
Current politicians may play the game of striving for power, but they should care for Thais outside that sector who dearly wish for a stable and fair government.
Confusion reigns
I must wonder who is in charge over there at True Visions.
Starting in July, we were informed that BeIN Sports1 would be discontinued effective Aug 1, 2024.
We could continue to watch True Sports on other channels, although I don't see how allowing us to watch continual reruns of soccer/football matches made up for the loss of F1.
Since then, American expats have witnessed the demise of all headline entertainment and movie channels along with most US broadcast sports, including NASCAR, and all NCAA sports.
Add football (US) and basketball to that list as well. Major League Baseball has been relegated to sporadic broadcasts on SPOTV!
I went and purchased a yearly package directly through BeIN sports so I could be able to continue watching their programming.
Suddenly, we find that TRUE is still broadcasting BeIN sports 1, 2, 3, although they seem to say that 1 and 3 will only be available for Platinum subscribers.
Interesting, as I am a Gold and am still able to watch BeIN 1and 2.
Can't wait to see what they do next. It should be interesting, to say the least. So who's running the show?
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