Bangkokhatter

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Playing in the afternoon would be a lot quieter, so based on that you could pick any courses. Phoenix, Pattaya Country Club, Siam Country Club are the nearest to Pattaya, Green Valley one of my faves a bit further out and further still Khoa Kheow or Pattavia would be my choice. All more expensive at the weekend. 

 

Or

 

Just head to Pratumnak Soi 4 Asia Pattaya Hotel, a 9 hole par 3 course circ 450 baht, will be quiet in the afternoon, very good for short game practice, holes are 80-130 yards. Can practice your swing here

Never heard of that par 3 course, seems perfect for the Saturday, then play a proper course on the Monday.

Thanks for the tip.

6 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

You need to pick a very quiet course or play early, otherwise if you're hacking around other golfers won't be patient. Weekend maybe busy, most farang avoid. Maybe try a new course like Chee Chan Golf resort

Thanks for your reply.

Exactly why i was after recommendations, planned on playing late afternoon as many would avoid the heat. 

Not too fussed about other golfers as i would simply let them play through.

Am looking to play a couple of rounds this Saturday and Monday and looking for suggestions in the Pattaya area.

However i would prefer to play alone so want a course where this is not a problem( no problem with using a caddy ). In Bangkok they tend to try and make you join another group.

Reason for the solitary wish is i am in the middle of some professional lessons and just want a break from the range and want to practice my swing changes on a real course. Of course a weekend away in Pattaya is also a bonus.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

1 hour ago, Titan1962 said:

If I had that sort of money to invest every month I would be putting about 50% of it into Bitcoin or ETH.

Not sure what returns you got on your last investments,but if your into holding for a long period of time it might be worth a look. Bitcoin was about $9 back then,it’s currently sitting at just over $16,000. So that’s not a bad return on your initial investment in anyone’s terms. 
Crypto currency’s are becoming more and more accepted as an investment or a opportunity to make money. Companies like Fidelity,grayscale,PayPal ,JP Morgan are now all involved in the space. 
Eventually you will be able to spend crypto like you do cash at most shops,using your mobile or tap and go card. It’s not for everyone as you need to do some research on how to buy and store your crypto in a hardware wallet like a ledger nano s. It’s a very volatile market and can have huge price swings. 
But in your case these price movements would not affect you if your in it for the long haul. Most people lose money day trading and trying to make a few dollars on the swings. A lot of people I assume buy in and then see a crash,thinking it’s going to zero the bail out. Lose money,then the price rebounds and buy back in at a higher price than they initially bought in at. 
It’s not everyone’s cup of tea and that’s ok,some prefer precious metals and stocks etc. 

But it might be worth a look.

Happy investing.

Thanks for your reply.

A friend of mine told me about Bitcoin a few years back but i just did not understand it and a few years later am still in the same boat.

To be honest i have a very basic knowledge of investing which is why i tend to go for safe products with modest returns, though one of my LTF's was around 9% pre-Covid which i thought was good. 

Another problem is boredom, i just don't have the inclination or time for that matter to actually do the research required to make a success of something like Bitcoin.

Probably why i will still be working in my sixties.

2 hours ago, jojothai said:

SSFs were announced as replacement at the  end of last year. Extract from an online article as follows.
Are they what you say are locked in for 10 years? It didnt say that on articles that I read.

But dont the SSFs have tax benefits as stated?

From 2020 to 2024, super savings funds (SSFs) will substitute LTFs. Investments in SSF units are tax-deductible up to 30% of a buyer’s taxable income, but not more than 200,000 baht.

When combined with investments in other retirement funds such as RMFs, provident funds, Government Pension Fund, National Savings Fund or premiums for pension life insurance policies, the total must not exceed 500,000 baht a year.

Unlike LTFs, which are required to invest only in Thai stocks, SSFs may invest in all types of securities. No minimum purchase is set and investors are not required to buy units every year.

Thanks for your reply, i did ask at my local BBK branch who told me about the 10 year lock in and did not see any details of tax relief on the little brochure they gave me.

I will have to take a trip into the main branch in BKK they always seem to have a better understanding.

Thanks again for your advice.

8 hours ago, YT3k72Em said:

How do you mean you don't qualify for RMF?  Anyone is able to buy them.

I was told you had to be over 55 to invest in RMF, this was a few years back mind.

I had invested in a couple of LTF'S for the last 8 years, they were ideal for me not being financially literate and were a simple way for me to save some money every month and also get some tax relief.

Now they have ended i am looking at where to invest between 10-20,000 THB every month. I had a little look at the replacement product and noticed it was trapped in for 10 years and did not see any tax relief benefits.

I do not qualify yet for the RMF so does any one have any suggestions for a suitable product ?

I would just like a product where i can save some money every month that will,  over the long term, earn me some interest and does not need much participation from me.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

1 hour ago, 4MyEgo said:

Did she ask for his so called expert advice ?

 

I had a bloke come in a bar the other night, I doubt he was Thai as I couldn't really understand him, probably from Laos, anyway I could understand when he got on his knees and bowed a few time and did the wai a few times, it was quite crushing to see, that said he needed some financial assistance, I grabbed him by the arm and got him up, he had two small plastic bags in his hands, they had rice and pork on the sticks, obviously his evening meals, I said no drink, he shook his head as if to say no, so turned to the local guys drinking there and said this guy needs a little help fellas, who has a spare 20 baht, I did my calculations, 10 guys there x 20 should sort it you would think.

 

I got 20 baht from a couple of European guys and I also gave him 20 baht so as not to out do the guys, and a few heckles from about 3 UK guys, words to the effect of don't give him anything otherwise he will be back for more, I tried not to lose it, so I replied in a respectful manner, e.g. in the years that you have been drinking here, how many people. Thai's and others have you seen come in here asking for a helping hand, I would imagine none, I would imagine they would usually have something to sell, times are different in case you haven't noticed, but that's ok, you keep your 20 baht in your pocket for your next beer, I asked if you guys had some spare change, not your opinions whether to give him any money or not, but that's ok, he has enough for his next meal thanks to these generous gentlemen sitting next to me, I then looked at the girl at the bar and she got the message, two beers for these guys on my bin and then I walked the guy out slipping him another couple of hundred baht. He was overwhelmed, and I felt good about my actions and that there are some decent guys who will take the chance and part with 20 baht to help another human being.

 

You are right Thai's probably wouldn't buy from this woman, but we farang's grew up differently, not talking about throwing money into a cup on a Phuket street when a lady is sitting in the gutter with a borrowed baby begging, she probably owns a house up the road and is a professional, that said, if people can't tell when someone is genuinely needing a helping hand, then they are shot.

 

As for the hero in the video, instant deport, got to be the biggest tosser I have heard, probably enjoys putting woman down as well, you know the real hero type.

 

I'm done. 

Sounds like a made up story just to get some likes and to have another dig at guys from the UK, it seems a popular past time on here for some.

Actually did you not say you were not in Thailand right now on another recent thread ?

Just another example of what the Government reports and actually what is happening.

My daughter has been back full time since 1st July.

I have a UOB and Citibank credit card but bank at Bangkok Bank.

You could just go into your local Makro and apply for the Citi card, the agents are always in there and it's handy as it's the only credit card that Makro accepts.

You want 8mm bolts, as said above socket size can vary these days and for 8mm bolts it will be 12 or 13mm socket or spanner.

Happened to me once playing a course in Bangkok with a fellow expat and a couple of Thai Army officers.

Hit an iron off the fairway, great connection, only for the ball to hit a tree, it rebounded back and hit my caddied in the face, blood everywhere.

Asked the two Thai guys for some advice and both said Caddie should of been looking and to pay nothing.

Finished the round(replacement caddie) and the starter approached me as i was about to drive off, could not understand much but got the jist of it and gave him 500 Baht. 

Turned out caddie had 2 front teeth knocked out, but that was the last i heard about the incident and been back numerous times.

Just goes to show many expats will find any reason to moan or pick fault.

Daughter went back yesterday, mask, face screen, wet wipes and alcohol in the bag. Temperature checks at the gate, rudimentary at best, but let's face it they are hardly a good indicator anyway.

At the end of the day my daughter told me she had really enjoyed it and was really happy to be finally back at school.

To me that was the main thing and no reason for petty gripes about temperature checks or queuing at the gates.

Supporting Luton Town i know exactly how the Wigan fans will be feeling right now, we went through it all and not just  a 12 point deduction.

Coincidentally Wigan are the form team of the Championship right now but this news may actually help my club avoid relegation. Bittersweet if that were to happen.

Christ you can tell who all the grumpy old farts who don't work here are. Many companies did not shut down during COVID which means many staff have been working non-stop since Jan 3rd, give or take the odd day off.

This is just one day holiday as compensation for one of the cancelled Songkran days. It is being tagged onto the Kings birthday weekend celebrations and not designed to be the new Songkran festival 2020.

There are two more days to come and hopefully they will also be during Q3 or early Q4 so companies can be ready for the hoped for recovery towards the end of the year. 

I have stayed in Pattaya for the weekend twice in the last 4 weeks with no issues whatsoever. You will be fine, however i would check if the ferry is still running.

17 hours ago, TTSIssues said:

With factories, offices and other businesses closed for the last few weeks I would think people should get back to work and make some money for the economy rather than have more holidays. Maybe I am just a Grumpy Old Man ....

Actually the vast majority of industry was never closed, what was being reported was very different to reality.

Whilst i agree the proposed July 5th date is pretty daft coming 4 days after the schools are hopefully opening, i do hope the Songkran 3 day holiday happens later in the year.

Most Thai employees do not receive many days annual leave and the 3 day break gives the best chance of actually having a week off work. I know our staff who have worked non-stop this year certainly deserve it.

You can't go wrong with Bosch or Makita but i would increase your budget if possible.

Cordless are fine in wood but for concrete or steel then anything above 6mm its just easier to get out the big boy. I normally use a combination of both.

On 5/27/2020 at 5:05 PM, vogie said:

Untill this coronavirus pandemic is over I've decided to stop curing my own bacon, watching people handling all the belly pork is too much to bare. So I buy my sausage and bacon at Makro, it is 280ish baht for 1kg, which is not too bad but it does contain quite a bit of water.

However it still tastes very good in my homemade bread, after it has shrunk that is (the bacon, not the bread)????

 

Just making myself a sausage sandwich in my own homemade bread, 2 small loaves at the front and 3 large at the back, will last me a couple of weeks.

 

 

That bread looks delicious, going to give your recipe a go soon.

Do you store the bread in the freezer after, if so any recommendations for defrosting ?

I very much doubt your friends wife is receiving any money from the government and certainly not 80% of her salary. The only support available is the 5000THB/month but we don't know any one who has received this.

My wife works for a teaching agency and has been on half pay since Feb and has only been working as required. Today she starts back at the office full time, but still on half pay. This did not go down to well but what can you do.

There has been no financial aid for those working in tax paying jobs and even a payment holiday from the car finance company was denied, so i can imagine many of the so called middle class families that are not working are doing it quite tough.

Used to see Frank Bruno quite often in my local Tesco, was always obliging to the sad sacks who asked for a signature, of course nowadays i imagine he gets accosted for selfies.