Havnern

Hmmmm... so no more navigating on google maps?

They really do everything they can to make a sales pitch these days... .) And people are running to the stores.... 

I find the local people in/around Chiang Mai to be of Thailands worst drivers genereally, and also the most raging ones. Even if its THEIR wrongdoings... 

Sad...

I have been driving 20 years without any accident all over Thailand with both motorbike and car. Thats why i observe it in this way....

12 hours ago, tokyoblond said:

And each time my Thai staff applied they felt like we were fighting the SSO to get them to pay out, dodging obstacles put in our way by staff, e.g. "the database is being updated and it will take about 3 weeks to process your claim", "are you sure that the foreigner paid into the system, we can't find the records", etc.

 

As for business help? Nothing. Not 1 Baht in assistance. We even tried for one of the "soft-loans" but we were "not the right type of business" and it was suggested that the "foreigner could get money from their home country" (that elusive gold-plated bank account that we are all assumed to have back home).

Right now, income is down to about 20% of what it was before Covid struck and now we have entered another lockdown, meaning the business will be forced to shut down again, so no more income for the next month at least; yet the rent still has to be paid, we are still required to pay into the SSO monthly and so on - the costs don't just stop.

 

TLDR: No, this government have given NO help to small businesses. Of course, the big boys are coming out smelling of roses. Maybe that was the plan all along....

Oh, and for the usual "never invest more that you're willing to loose" crowd, save it! I know.

I really feel bad, hearing things like this, and i guess there are a LOT of foreigners doing businesses in Thailand that has all the same problems. I totally understand that you tried to save it and "ride it out" by using your savings. Who would have thought that this was going on that long??

But to be honest... i really think there is NO end to this. I think the plan goes on until 2030... so my advice is, plan for something that can be a solution even when this is ongoing. Don`t go around waiting for it to stop...

I wish you all the best of luck in the future!!

58 minutes ago, webfact said:

The government has said that misinformation about its policies have caused undue panic and unwarranted criticism

Yeah... and WHO is to blame for this. The information coming from the government is so diffuse, that no one can interpret the meaning of it....

2 hours ago, Ventenio said:

Back home, I've NEVER seen a 79-year old person on a motorbike.  I'm not yet 60 and there is NO way I'd risk my life on a motorbike.  It's an unfortunate reality here.  cars are expensive, roads are dangerous.........

 

i've said it a million times.  falangs, get rid of your motorbike NOW!!!  OK, it's the other person's fault!!! you are dead.    

 

ok, saved your life.  send me money.  

You can`t speak for everyone.... i have ridden car and both small and big motorbike in Thailand for 20 years, and never an accident. Ride your bike, use your head and take care. Still probably i will stop way before i get to 79 years old....

Yeah right.... 

People will flock to the ghost island with no restaurants and no nightlife, no tourist attractions and no tours open. 

And who will open all the bankrupt businesses there within 2 weeks?

Also... testing and quarantine on the island for 14 days. They think all tourists are happy to throw away their money into thin air and to already rich thai government pockets.

I don`t think so....

That would be a violation of human rights.... 

Maybe this gives "Death Railway" the meaning it deserves....