Thai baht up, exports up, luxury Samui villas… down - Aug 28

Thailand daily video news - More floods in Phuket, a dangerous roadside 'liquer' concoction has killed 4 with 34 others in hospital, Thailand defence force officials have selected the Swedish Saab Gripen jet to replace their ageing fleet of jet fighters, Thai exports are up, as is the value of the Thai baht, more illegal luxury villas on Koh Samui, and the doddery, old General Prawit, may have received his last marching orders.
Tim Newton Today is daily news commentary about Thai and the region, including issues of interest to expats and travellers to Thailand.
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[@PDSverre]

Mr Sukhumvit is everyone's fear, he is most certainly related to Mrs Karen.

[@petersutherland1985]

@@PDSverre so you would not report a rapist, thief or scammer?

[@PDSverre]

@@petersutherland1985 what's your point ?

[@petersutherland1985]

@@PDSverre do not ignore criminals

[@PDSverre]

@@petersutherland1985 👍

[@terencef8812]

A non traditional start to the show, but that’s what makes your shows so great! Thanks again TNT

[@jankauffmann6899]

Mr. Sukhumvit would have been a model citizen as a Stasi informant in the DDR.

[@alschneider6364]

Hi Tim....Tell the fella that's concerned about the overstay....It's a nunya...Nunya freaking business!

[@petersutherland1985]

@@alschneider6364 crime is everyone's business

[@PJThommo]

Wow they have just realised the buildings are illegally built. What a surprise 😮

[@mangostickyrice555]

Thumbs up 👍 Tim….looking like a better morning 😎

[@johnfrewer230]

Hello Tim, I'm currently in the UK. There was an interesting comment made on BBC Radio 4 news this morning. It was regarding people being arrested returning from countries where Canabis can be legally purchased. Thailand was mentioned by name, apparantly people are being given suitcases of Canabis to bring back into the country. Once they are through the airport the suitcases are sent to a specific location, they are also fitted with trackers which show the people who have sent them where they are. Something like 280 couriors have been arrested this year.

[@kwokweng76]

Thanks for the daily news update Tim❤

[@picadosinferno]

Foreigner putting his nose in other people business is a classic, that's why I avoid farangs like a plague.

[@ViVandrarVidare]

If you really want to know how to pronounce “Jas Gripen”, my country’s fighter jet. It’s like Gree (like in agree) and pen (like a pen you write with), Gree-pen, Gripen. 🙏🤓

[@hakankarlsson191]

Thailand already have the C and D versions of Gripen (The Griffen). The E version would be a substantial update.

[@richardmansbridge9000]

Probably should mind his own business. You never know all the facts of someone’s situation.

[@timnewtontoday]

Yes. I would have thought it’s a matter between the alleged offender and Thai immigration officials. But sure others will have a different take on the matter

[@thomasjohnrobinson4658]

If the anonymous man isn't affected by someone's overstay he should mind his own business.

[@Fran-z7h]

I agree they should mind their own business.

[@ostevoostevo1592]

I suspect 'Mr Sekumvit' has a grudge against the overstayer and wants to "get even", rather than being civic minded. Mr S. might think about the law of unintended consequences before making any rash move.

[@jonnya1034]

The number 1 rule in Thailand is stay out of other people’s business, don’t get involved, it’s not your problem

[@Yabanmf666]

Old mate should mind his own business and let the individual get pinched via their own stupidity.

[@petersutherland1985]

@@Yabanmf666 Do the country a favour and report

[@JohnArmstrong_]

Tim, I concur with your last observation in the broadcast. Him being 80 might lessen the danger but the observation holds true for all Generals, generally speaking.

[@2027matthew]

Thanks Tim. Regarding the Overstay, this guy should mind his own business.

[@kjensen7819]

You only snitch if humans or animals are in danger if you don't. Otherwise stop meddling in others affairs.

[@RichardBeck-k1v]

Mind your own business.

[@_Alfa.Bravo_]

Why he think other peoples visas are his cup of tea??? "Aliena negotia non curare" said the old romans

[@HeicoHomburg]

Gripen fighter jets: it is pronounced with a long "e", like in "feet".

[@sailingstpommedeterre4905]

Permits? Permits?? 😆😆 We don't need no stinkin' Permits !! Quote (modified) from "Sierra Madre", Starring the Great Humphrey Bogart

[@Revonish]

If the overstayer is causing no problems, why worry?

[@petersutherland1985]

@@Revonish overstaying is a problem, its a crime

[@garyaltenburger6667]

Minding my own business is always the best way for me to go.

[@user-qn4zh2pw6m]

The dollars fall against the baht may be due to the anticipated interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve in September which may be as high as 50 basis points.

[@ianmayes5572]

its not about the dollar...

[@HemskaSven1]

The SAAB gripen fighter jets are since at least a decade stationed in Surat Thani. Many pilots and maintenance staff already know this aircrafts.

[@patricklindahl868]

I guess that they are buying version E, that is a completely new airplane, but with the same benefits as the older version. The Gripen E can communicate with Saab GlobalEye for better radar surveillance and flight/combat management if they expand the purchase.

[@chilled-out-on-lantau]

If its just generally overstay I wouldn't report. If they were doing really dodgy stuff I might consider reporting but it'd have to be fairly extreme.

[@jackrose9939]

Hi Tim how would or should report a pick pocket working the baht bus line in Pattaya Jomtiem?

[@inchbyinch7759]

Street justice 👍

[@JohnArmstrong_]

Johnny should apply a paraphrase of the Thai saying: "Not your family...Not your problem".

[@jrlindstrom8610]

In swedish we pronounce it Griipen!

[@user-iu7vy7hs5q]

To report someone for overstay is malicious. Not your problem.

[@John-FO-81]

Show your face if you are a man instead you are hiding and open your Big Mouth

[@petersutherland1985]

@@user-iu7vy7hs5q no its being a decent person, unlike overstayers

[@normanbrown1723]

I remember reading a story in the Post about 4 Thai men dying from drowning after passing out from drinking anti-freeze. The parking garage they were drinking in flooded from rain. Another was a drunk Farang on Samui passing out in the front yard of his house after returning from the bar. He fell on a red ant hill and was stung to death. Another was a drunk Farang on Koh Phangan falling off a third-story roof trying to take a whiz. We are very intelligent beings when it comes to drinking.

[@steviec8870]

It's about time the old guy is going, good

[@tmahan1234]

My advice....I would mind my own business. Someone's overstay is not my issue

[@Rav-pv2en]

thailand already has a number of Gripen Jets.

[@stevemahoney6493]

Dollar is sinking due to an anticipated rate cut by the Fed next month. Almost at bottom now, maybe 33.6

[@timnewtontoday]

What about the baht rising against the other 40 or so currencies I showed last week?

[@bobmontagne132]

Maybe the baht is getting stronger, but also consider, many currencies are connected to us dollar, including the Euro.

[@stevemahoney6493]

@@timnewtontoday Each currency is an independent entity but many are more closely tied to the $ than the baht. I think there is a perception of Thai stability that is at odds with its coup history. But it is now a cork in a very stormy sea, bobbing along nicely with exports soaring.

[@willemvanderbeek8584]

My advice would be: don't overstay ! If someone wants to stay longer in the land of smiles, just do a border run.

[@phillipbradshaw4006]

Show us the kitty Tim.

[@brucesmith9144]

Co-Star of the show.

[@timnewtontoday]

She was sitting on the bookcase all yesterday

[@Alzandor]

Time stamps please Tim

[@coryjackson3131]

Condolences to the families and victims of the herbal liquors tragedy 🙏

[@packageism]

I enjoyed listening to the last part on the politics. Please do this daily

[@thaidawg9231]

Does anyone know why papaya are 90 baht per kilo in Jomtien ?

[@senianns9522]

Maybe because silly people have paid that price before?

[@normanbrown1723]

If they are not criminal or bothering me, then it is none of my business. I would say the same thing in my own country about someone from the outside on overstay. Personally, I would be paranoid of getting caught and wouldn't be able to do it. I prefer peace of mind.

[@jax_cph]

Gripen is a 4.5 gen aircraft, so not 5th gen like F35 . F16 is really originally 3rd gen for early 4th gen, but now its late 4th gen with lots of updates. Saab Gripen is an excellent platform for a country like thailand for many reasons. good choice I think. thailand does not need F35 and its not in NATO so no need to align to collaboration with other countries. the Gripen is not streath, but thats okay, mainly people overestimate the value of streath with the new radar technologies even a F35 is visible within 10-20 miles at least and unto 50 miles. its just that the stealth makes it very difficult for missiles to lock on to it even if it shows on your radar. but the same effect can be made using advanced electronic ramming, which is exactly where Gripen its better then current F35. its electronic scanners, sensors and signal emitters, is data processing its on par with F35 if not better. all at a much much lower price. the F35 is a excellent choice , for NATO countries, but Gripen is a good choice for thailand. F16 hmmm, yah we just set ours in Denmark to Ukraine because we replaces F16 with F35

[@laotouaxiong]

F35 too expensive for Thailand plus with the maintenance

[@BrianinBangkok]

As we're seeing in Ukraine, the manufacturer seems to have control over who the fighters can be used to attack. is that true with Gripen?

[@patricklindahl868]

Swedish Gripen, YES! The best fighter in the world for small countries! Thailand should buy Swedish sub's as well, the only sub that has came close to American aircraft carrier! Gripen is pronounced "Griii-pen", not "graipen" or "greipen".

[@senianns9522]

But the six A 10 Warthogs that just flew in just vanished?

[@davehobwest]

Since the high at the beginning of May, the Baht has fallen ~7.8%. In the same period the Dow has risen ~8.6%, the S&P ~11.9%! As a retiree invested in US markets who gets clipped by a drop in the Baht exchange rate but gets my retirement nut boosted by US market moves at the same time; this dramatic move in the Baht rate is a great big **yawn**.

[@timnewtontoday]

Ummm I think you’ve got your currency graph upside down.

[@davehobwest]

@@timnewtontoday OK, dollar fallen against the baht, but the chart is B/USD and the wiggly line goes down. Analysis stands. I lose ~$80 US spending power on my monthly transfer into Thailand while my USD investment account goes up a couple of houses. Seriously, it's 6 figures up vs. 2 figures down. The baht movement is trivial to my overall financial picture.

[@vriewfon1504]

I would mind my own business!!

[@jon-ie4li]

The UK pound is over 130 to the $ the highest has been for years, 45 baht to the pound way more than before Covid , the US $ is weak as is the Thai baht

[@timnewtontoday]

1USD = .75 Pound. 1 Pound = 1.33 USD.

[@thedoode22]

@@timnewtontoday THB has been getting whacked against USD since '21 but no mention - talk about biased reporting

[@BoninBrighton]

Nice 👍

[@timnewtontoday]

Gee. I have the chart open in front of me. Your definition of ‘whacked’ is clearly different from mine… talk about ignorant commenting.

[@thedoode22]

@@timnewtontoday ok - let's pull some numbers out then. USDTHB ~31.2 in 1Q21 and jumped to ~37 in mid-22, where it stayed until Jul-24 - i.e. ~19% fall. That didn't warrant a mention, presumably because it didn't fit the positivity bias.

[@francespulone292]

What do you think will happen to people in Thailand on Retirement Visas if Thailand adapts to a Schengen Visa scheme where people have to be out after 180 days for at least another 180 days?

[@timnewtontoday]

I think you’ve confused a couple of different stories into one. The proposal for a Shenghan style visa for visitors is speedster from the DTV which slows people to stay 190 days at a time over 5 years. The retirement vis, with an annual renewal, will still still be preferred for long stayers.

[@WA4TKG]

I booked a ticket to Phuket for the second week of September. I know there’s been flooding, is the entire place underwater? I’ll hopefully be staying right by the beach at Patong in a hostel

[@timnewtontoday]

Extremely unlikely you’d even notice it unless you were there when it was in the middle of a downpour. No, the entire island is NOT underwater. It’s the same old places that endure the flooding each time there is heavy rain.

[@luka1790]

I live in phuket and i didnt even notice it😂

[@sauldesolomon8473]

I think it’s best to let people live their life the way they want as long as they are not hurting anyone else. Dodging a visa will catch up with them at some point and that’s their life lesson to learn. Plus 1 day you may find someone putting their nose into your business and nobody wants that

[@marclajoie5185]

I remember living in Koh Samui in 2001 and being told no building permits were allowed for any building over 100 metres above sea levels. My how times have changed.

[@coffeeandbackgammon1087]

doesnt sound like things have😆

[@DominicMcCarthydomo]

Q for Johnny Suk. WHY? Cheers Tim🙏🏼

[@John-G]

Liqueur or liquor ... come on, they're not the same thing 😂

[@_Alfa.Bravo_]

Thanks for the good news ... :)

[@Davrosss]

Yeah you’d want to be careful speaking out of school 💯

[@natk426]

I just do nothing. It's not my business and how do I know which visa type the guy actually have. On the jet fighter, Thailand already have Gripen C/D model based at Surathani airbase. Baht is stronger inline with the positive current account balance. US$2 billion surplus in June '67 alone.

[@gregcalle4642]

Snitch.... 😮

[@user-gg3uf6qp5j]

Hi! Tim..😊😊😊😊

[@martinsmith6666]

Mind his own friggen business

[@btfofffice]

If you want to know the value of the THB you need to triangulate the valuation. Not just compare it with the USD. Suggest the Euro and Australian Dollar

[@timnewtontoday]

I did that, and a lot of other currencies, last week

[@btfofffice]

@@timnewtontoday You should always compare it with a basket of currencies and not just the USD.

[@loumulkern2724]

Great shirt Tim!

[@BrianinBangkok]

Would be if only it had a collar.

[@olympiakambouris9614]

Personally I would mind my own business don’t meddle in other peoples affairs because one day it will come back to you. BTW Dinah the cat looks cute!

[@hansvanderschriek9966]

In every corner of the street in TH. Is standing a Farizeeën.

[@timnewtontoday]

Huh?

[@farangdan]

I'm sure you're looking younger Tim. 🎉Thanks

[@StephenMaher-w7q]

Light rain in Pattaye about 4am. Only lasted as usually here for 30mins. Come 7am SUN out.

[@davidnour6963]

Good advice about the liquor from street stalls, Tim. I consumed Kratom from a shop in Pattaya, and ended up in the ER overnight with severe liver intoxication.

[@Davrosss]

Thanks Tim 🥃

[@jakespeed6515]

Right on with this, would you put something in your body not knowing the ingredients! 🤔

[@brianwaite1465]

The past 3years has shown us this common sense was ignored by the masses. Including Tim.

[@scottcarter3392]

In the USA snitches Get stitches!!!!!

[@thaiboxer4491]

Snitches get stitches 👊👊🤣🤣😂😂😂

[@thesteveman]

Your overstay Johnny story puzzles me, Tim. Outside of Johnny asking what should I do about this person who has overstayed, no more information is given. More specific information is essential if comments about this are to be deemed helpful. For example, the race or nationality of the overstayer. Anyone who has watched your news channel consistently is fully aware of the bias against other races and nationalities, namely Chinese, Indians, and Russians. It is not a stretch to imagine that if the overstayer was one of these three nationalities, the phrase “mind your own business” would rarely be seen. Comments excoriating these overstayers would be too numerous to count. Many would have to be removed, as they have in the past, because of the vitriol aimed at them. In numerous psychological studies there is an Us versus Them mentality. Conversely, if the overstayer is an “Us”, then “mind your own business” would certainly apply. Another example would be one of criminality. Overstaying your visa is illegal. And yes, that is an issue between the overstayer and the Immigration Department. But what if someone committed a more serious offense, say robbery or physical assault? If one has evidence of this, would it not be an obligation to contact the authorities? Wouldn’t “mind your own business” be inappropriate and negligent on your part if you didn’t report it?

[@philmac9032]

See everyone l keep telling you @thesteveman the armchair expert is the most knowledgeable person in Thailand he can solve any problems you just have to ask him 😂😂😂😅😅😅

[@arthurdunga345]

nobody likes a grass

[@F.C.77]

Bath is rising due to economic deals done with Russia and Microsoft. Economic prospects for Thai economy are not bad.

[@BrianinBangkok]

Bath?

[@antifugazi]

​@@BrianinBangkok It's sometimes spelled like this.... Odd... I know

[@Lostsoulmedia]

Looks like he did it 🐀 😂 just seen fabulous Pattaya media

[@richardtownsends3187]

Depends on if the chap was a toad or worse then might get my Thai partner to do the deed as being a Thai the police likely would take more notice.

[@JohnArmstrong_]

Are you assuming he has a partner. I think a partner would not do it even if she tells him otherwise.

[@KEMET1971]

Maybe Johnny is searching for a path to revenge.

[@ednamaegrimmett-green]

🤗💙😊

[@birgithansson5084]

you should pronounce Gripen as it spells but with a long i. Griiiipen. Thanks for an interesting program . Watching the news here in Sweden almost every day

[@Spekkie1111]

an earshot 🤣🤣🤣

[@daviddowling3796]

Just got 31.9 thb out of the atm in Petchabun from my American account, why such a steep decline?

[@inchbyinch7759]

Which exchange did you pick, the Thai bank or your bank.

[@daviddowling3796]

@@inchbyinch7759 krungthai bank atm, no choice

[@Swede50]

Gripen is a great plane for Thailand I come from where they are made in Sweden, Linkoping, Grew up to sonic booms.... 555

[@brian472]

Your not a grass if your respecting the laws of the country. These people who break the laws of the country only make it more difficult for those that respect the laws. Be a leader and report the person if you believe your correct in suspicions

[@Baloybeach]

Tell them to mind there own damn business.

[@davidstephens4570]

Methylanol. you would know it better as Methylated Spirit. Closely related to Ethanol which is the liquid in beer, whisky etc

[@southpaw1755]

Politics must be the easiest job ever because nobody involved wants to retire. I couldn’t wait to retire.

[@PDSverre]

Tim you pass on the pronunciation of Gripen even if it will improve if you say Gri pen.

[@tsp7517]

Thai bath goes opposite to DXY index . Simple. Thai bath is no way getting stronger , USD (DXY) is going weaker because of us interest rates and us economy. Thailand is not a major player and has no way to control its money.

[@timnewtontoday]

So it’s rising against 40 other currencies over the past 6 weeks. An anomaly? Coincidence?

[@nlorand9033]

​@@timnewtontoday Agreed.

[@BrianinBangkok]

tsp, why you keep saying Bath? Do you not live here?

[@tsp7517]

@@timnewtontoday Global economy is going down. Interest rates around the world are going down. So all the Thai bath which have been sold in the past few years are now bought back. It create a more demand on the Thai bath and there for Thai bath rises. On a smaller scale, you could compare it to the Yen/USD carry trade unwinding going on now.

[@tsp7517]

@@BrianinBangkok How is my auto correct relevant in this post?? 😂

[@ThePonderosa72]

In Australia yoy call people snitch or dogs if they lagged someone in great video mate

[@johnjwhitbread]

Mr sukhumvit mind your own business

[@MrHodl99]

Snitches get stitches

[@dougdavis8986]

Your opinion is no more important than his. Mind your own business.

[@TeddyBear-zj4qg]

✌

[@TB-gi4ro]

Pro/nun/ciation

[@scottwohler7228]

Mind his own business !

[@aroundseasia]

Mind your own business 😂 what goes around comes around 😂😂😂

[@jordiking2481]

Snitches get stitches... old school

[@hypnotechno]

not a complaint but would it be a good idea to do some research into things before presenting them eg like checking pronunciation or asking the question was the methanol added maliciously or not. it might raise your subs again not a complaint just saying

[@fhorst02]

Methanol has a lower boiling point than ethanol and water, so it boils before ethanol and evaporates first. This can lead to methanol being concentrated in the first part of the distillation process, which can be dangerous. Pure methanol can cause blindness and death. To reduce the risk of methanol, distilleries can follow procedures to keep it within legal limits. For example, they can discard the first 50 ml of distillate that's collected. Just saying. Not to kick in an open door, *everyone" who has "played" with alcohol knows about the methanol dangers. If you don't, you should not be playing with it. As people will go blind or die from it. From time to time in just about every country in the world there is an illegal distillery who makes mistakes, or "home brew" fck-ups. Europe , USA, Asia... Everywhere. Best solution? No distilled alcohol at all from any "public" place (that includes bars) Too many "put water in the wine" 555... Mixed a brand with no a brand whiskey, or just re-use the bottle 😂

[@hypnotechno]

@@fhorst02 so it was probably not malicious then, It would be good if journalists did some research and added nuance rather than just repeat the news posted elsewhere.

[@timnewtontoday]

For the gazillionth time… I’M NOT A JOURNALIST. My schtik is to sort through the daily news and pass on stories I think might be of interest for my small audience. I add nuance when I have something intelligent to add, based on my 13 years living here. I know zero about alcohol or methanol so merely passed on the quoted article.

[@VittoShulman]

The methanol in the drinks didn't come from distillation process as there was none. The drinks were manufactured by mixing industrial methanol with flavouring and colour additives. Some one sold them industrial methanol under disguise of spirit. How could that happen? - well people mix methanol and ethanol often thinking it's the same thing that what most likely happened. Either way mixing up something from a canister stolen from a paint factory and selling it as "herbal liquoer" is a crime.

[@hypnotechno]

@@VittoShulman good info 🤩

[@bryankilvinski]

Snitches get stitches ;)

[@TheSwede70]

In swedish pronounced "Greepen" (for an english speaking person) 🙂

[@eagelputt]

Well no it's not... not ee but ii...long i, same as in "this". Griipen! 😊

[@TheSwede70]

@@eagelputt So I am swedish and I don't know? two ee's in english is pronounced as an i in swedish. So yes, you are wrong 🙂

[@eagelputt]

@TheSwede70 hmmm...greepen? Om du kollar på filmer och hur Gripen uttalas så är det "griipen". Med långt i. Greepen med ee är ett jordbruksredskap...så...du får nog jobba på ditt uttal 😉

[@TheSwede70]

@@eagelputt två ee på engelska uttalas i på svenska som i speed, feed, jeep och gripen. Samma uttal. Jag pratar engelska flytande. Vad är ditt problem? Jag bara försöker förklara för en person som inte kan svenska hur Gripen uttalas. Så du menar på fullaste allvar att jag som svensk inte kan uttala Gripen? :-) ,-) Klart slut. Fonetik kallas det här, men det har du väl aldrig hört talas om misstänker jag. Klart slut.

[@Baloybeach]

Don't be a Rat.

[@steviec8870]

Yes don't get involved

[@danielstuart2938]

mind your own business I say, unless he's done something to you and you want to get even.