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SGD

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  1. Thanks for all the comments. In the end it is the Isuzu V Cross 4x4 auto which is being purchased. Retail is Bt1,257,000 and there is about 30k off this and a few freebies like liners, internal wheel arch protection, tank of fuel, 5 years servicing. Not a massive deal but it is a decent interior, will last 10+ years and still have a decent residual value.
  2. Why ? I have done before at 95% of new value. It isn't insured with the dealer, it is still insured through a reputable insurance company.
  3. Main dealer has come through with a maximum of 85% of new valuation (Bt1.3m) and whilst I've had this pushed up previously to 95% it seems to be a sticking point right now. All the online aggregators seem to max out at either Bt800k or 80% or 85% but the vehicle is brand new. We're looking at not using the dealer insurance if they cannot raise it over 85%. Any advice and is there GAP insurance in Thailand ?
  4. Thailand could have 720 million people (look at the topic title) and it would not change the argument of how much it costs to live as an expat. Your reference is absurd. This is not how near can you live as a local but how many millions, (not hundreds of thousands) dos it require to retire in Pattaya. Over 30 years on boards, groups and forums, most history now, this subject always causes the most grief. You have what you have. It is probably less than a sensible person should migrate with but it is still what you have. You cannot spend more than whatever you have. 95% of "expats in Thailand would fail if the 65k was upgraded by inflation for the last 20 years to say 300k a month and the immigration offices didn't fraudulently stamp forms. Doesn't it tell you anything that perhaps 90% of "worthwhile" expats cannot afford the miniscule £20k to put into a bank and thus use a fraudulent way to live in Thailand.
  5. No, you are tacky and classless to assume that your inability to have more defends that position. I had a cardboard box in London 35 years ago and I retired a multi millionaire by 29 as a banker. I gave up on sights to be a billionaire to have a better life. I inherited £0.00.
  6. Best of what ? It isn't even the best international school. it is just the most well known.
  7. I used to have many businesses in Thailand, mostly in and around Pattaya ranging from bars to restaurants to a hotel and later student accommodation and laundry. Let me tell you about how the economics have moved against everyone inthe small business sector. You could, even as late as say 2000, maybe even 2004/5, buy a bar which could give you a return of 200% to 400% per year. Now you would be lucky to get 25% per year outside massive investment (and the associated risk). It made absolute sense before and makes zero sense now.
  8. I could hold out until maybe August or September (difficult) but I really need one by May / June
  9. I have used a referenced mortgage on land and property outside Thailand where the mortgage would be at such a high interest rate that it would surpass the value of the property on day one and could never be redeemed even if prices went up 25% plus per annum. It was done as protection of course and I think a similar thing would work in Thailand.
  10. Of course but if you join the (free to join) Hilton Hhonors) membership you get 10% off the entire bill.
  11. We've been around forever Jacko and you and I are both right. Soe rents have bounced but bounced from 8/10k which sis where they bottomed out but no-one is going to pay 30/40k a month for VT6 in 2024 onward because the design is now 20 years old and the facilities have not been upgraded because no-one is prepared to invest, because from day one it was bought as a rental place, not a residential place. Nothing wrong with that but it means that for living there, it is not the best. Then they built Central 55555555 and loads now face the aircon or car park. It doesn't even work for the online bookings as they won't advertise the exact unit and they aggregate which is great for yield management but absolutely crap as a prospect for a visitor.
  12. Isuzu ? Toyota ? Mitsubishi ? Ford ? My somewhat old fashioned thoughts are a nice big engine and you'll be ok. There are two 12+ year old 3.0L auto Isuzus in the family bought from new so they have been good workhorses and we'd like the next one to work for 10-15 years too on limited miles per year. I've hit all the websites and many don't outwardly say which are 4x4 or not so I need help. Don't need finance, just a cash purchase. Thanks
  13. So your car doesn't depreciate then ? Please tell me of this magic car. I know you don't put 10/20k of fuel in a car every month but go try service a BMW or buy a replacement part or buy new proper Continental or Michelin tyres and see how much they cost. To replace my BMW X3 would be about 4.5m, maybe a bit more and I think that after 5 years, it would be worth perhaps 2.5m to 3m. So let's say the higher number, 3m, meaning I'd lost 1.5m over 5years, then that is 300k a year or actually 25k a month. Sorry, you're right, a decent car doesn't cost 10/20k a month, it is more like 30/40k a month.
  14. So where can you rent a 200sqm plus condo for 15k ? Why do all expats have to live in shoebox size condos ? I'll let you into a secret, it is because they cannot afford or justify having a larger, roomy and airy place. You also realise that the 65k visa requirement hasn't moved in about 20 years and back then you could get about 5 x as much for your 65k as you can now (in GBP terms) so that would make 65k into 325k a month or 4.38m a year. That would seem somewhat near my number 🙂
  15. It depends on what you do, what you eat, what you drink, how you travel, etc. A good (not good value, I mean good) bottle of red wine in a restaurant is rarely under 3/4000 and dinner for 2 people can easily be 10k plus. Do that once a week and your 50k a month has gone already. Not all of us consider a shoebox condo or some Thai standard house as "living". Nor, though we love soup noodles, do we want to have to eat street food for every meal. Why can't I have a BMW or Mercedes car ? properly built to European safety standards and the same cars I have been driving for decades. Why, if I return to live in Thailand, do I have to downgrade to an inferior locally made Toyota or buy a pick up or go native and get a bloody motorbike ? Sorry, 50k is what I'd put in my pocket if going out for the night, not a month's total expenses.
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