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thebigsplat t1_iyjpk5p wrote

Reply to comment by nowyourdoingit in New York and Singapore top the list of world’s most expensive cities in 2022 by Elandtrical

Yeah I mean Singapore's infamously incorruptible and business friendly government isn't inherent and there's no guarantee it's going to remain there for the next 100 years, but you don't have to be a betting man to put good money on Malaysia, a country where a single man stole so much money from the national sovereign wealth fund the US DOJ raised their eyebrows, not getting anywhere close anytime soon.

Oh what's that? Despite it's reputation as a financial playground did you know that Singapore is the world's largest trading port outside of China?

Not sure what your long view of history has anything to do with the cost of living here and now anyhow.

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nowyourdoingit t1_iyjs3y8 wrote

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Canal

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thebigsplat t1_iyjtmux wrote

> A canal through the Kra Isthmus, which would shorten shipping times around Asia, was suggested as early as 1677.

> The idea of a Kra Canal has been proposed in modern times since the 1930s, but has never materialized due to high cost and environmental repercussions.

Your own link.

There's a reason it hasn't been built yet despite reams of Chinese money interested in funding the project. But I don't expect much nuance out of you.

Don't believe me. Ask the Malaysians what they think of it - and they love to shit on us.

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nowyourdoingit t1_iyju2x2 wrote

Ok, yep, Singapore is best greatest all time number 1. They'll never build the canal and relegate it.

RemindMe! 2 years

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thebigsplat t1_iyjua8e wrote

In TWO YEARS? You're hilarious mate. I'm crying.

You think they'll build a canal longer than the Panama Canal through some of the most politically unstable territory in Thailand with an active Muslim insurgency in two years without a spade in the ground right now? I'm in stitches.

Can I put some money on this? 2K in 2 years?

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nowyourdoingit t1_iyjuedl wrote

Of course not. I think China will have a new deal with the Thai gov in 2 years.

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thebigsplat t1_iyjukw1 wrote

2K in 2 years I'll bet on that.

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nowyourdoingit t1_iyjv3oe wrote

It doesn't matter if I'm wrong by a decade or 5. Singapore is a backwater that China will bypass eventually.

edit: but I'll bet there is a new deal in place in 2 years.

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thebigsplat t1_iyjvgw8 wrote

> Singapore is a backwater that China will bypass eventually.

None of which was ever relevant to the conversation at hand and your inability to understand economic conditions in Singapore. Seek help and feel some grass.

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nowyourdoingit t1_iyjwlwc wrote

Yes, it is. Singapore has no natural resources, no long term benefit for trade once the Kra Canal is completed, no great tourism appeal. It's a happenstance of history that the Brits utilized Singapore as their main trading port with SEA and China and that Malaysia kicked them out allowing them to establish a corporate tax haven.

Also, only ~10% of Singapore GDP is derived from shipping.

Intl tax law is changing rapidly and the wild west situation that currently exist enabling places like Singapore and Dubai to flourish won't last long and then they'll be back to being backwaters. Every company with a headquarters building in Singapore is there as a tax dodge.

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Elandtrical OP t1_iykhf6z wrote

Singapore's lack of resources is a great strength. It means it had to invest in the only thing it had- its people. Highly educated workforce based on international commerce, no one wanting to go back to work in the glorious coal mines. For the foreseeable future Singapore is locked in. Hong Kong is no longer so Singapore serves as the sole finance center of the whole of Asia until another country creates one.

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thebigsplat t1_iyjw2fw wrote

Mate are you that kid who went to prison after punching that taxi driver in Singapore? I've had a beer with you and heard you out in person.

Honestly, the government of Singapore has done worse to me, so get over your bitterness. I don't pretend to understand this country intimately and I've lived here six years, not sure why you feel so sure about mine.

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nowyourdoingit t1_iyjx2eq wrote

I've never punched any taxi drivers in Singapore. We had a beer?

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