pogal

I assume he has a degree!?

Without one it will be difficult to work anywhere in the world. 

You do not actually need any experience to get a job here and many places don't have curriculum, etc. You could easily "wing it" like many already do. 

Get experience from Korea, Japan, China, Vietnam and earn lots of money in the process. 

Then come to Thailand with some money, study for your teaching license and then you will be fine.

Many if these "volunteer" organizations are actually making a lot if money off you! Do your research if you insist on coming to Thailand to volunteer. 

My Aunt from Australia recently came on a trip to Phuket. She paid 2000baht for a massage (we normally pay around 200~500).

350 for fried rice (in half a pineapple shell) we can normally buy that for around 150. 

500baht for a short taxi ride with no meter (we would pay 100baht with a meter that is legally required) and so on. 

She was happy and thought the price was good for everything. I would not have been. 

It's all relative and can vary greatly. 

Research if you are on a budget, or if money is no option you will have a ball and everyone will love you????

Hope you enjoy your trip????

I went to the ancient city in Samut Prakan (which is privately owned) with my parents who were on holiday and when asking for tickets spoke Thai, the lady quickly asked do I work here and I replied yes and a Thai drivers license was enough to get me in at Thai prices. She then apologized and said my parents would have to pay tourist rates which I expected anyway. 

All this was without me asking. it was a proactive gesture from staff there. 

I was also very surprised to know that in NZ (and many western countries) there are also dual pricing in certain places. Ie: you must show a NZ passport/driving license or any form of ID including a bill from your house or rental (ie: overseas students etc. can also get local price). 

I think there are examples of dual pricing in many countries and it is also random. 

It does seem the government owned places in Thailand are the worst though and won't even accept residency papers from foreigners (or so I've heard) and yet others will accept a non~B passport and yet others need a work permit. All quite random. 

Firefighter friend at scene told me smoke detector didnt go off and sprinklers didn't go off (although I heard the sprinklers are manually controlled by management in case if false alarm or someone playing around)

our own (nameless) school has disconnected fire/sprinkler buttons around the school in case kids play with them. 

Not sure who's responsiblity it is to turn them on. We asked but no response from management a year ago. 

I suspect majority of condos, schools, etc have done the same thing. Very worrying.

What is this about if you stay away from home for less than 14 days you don't need to do it? 

Is there a complete source of information for this somewhere? 

Thank you in advance ????

Thai (and most western countries) have the same laws that state an emergency vehicle (including police, EMS, fire, and associated) can indeed drive any direction or way BUT must show due caution. 

Frame by frame seems to show that this tow truck did not show due caution. 

Would like to know if the bike rider is OK. Anybody know? 

Rule of thumb is indoors is 50% less than outdoors but then Thai workmanship often leaves gaps in doors and windows, plus how often you open and close doors and windows, etc. So probably indoors will only be 30~40% better than outdoors. 

Some of the PM meters are using the wrong laser sensors and are including PM10, etc. I suggest buying one from overseas that you can trust and has a guarantee with. 

I bought a PM2.5 on Lazada but when I took it apart I found the sensor was a combined PM2.5/10

I'm not so serious about it though so didn't worry me that much plus it was cheap, 700bht. 

Invest in an air purifier but even with a purifier in a small room I can never get it lower than 60 PM2.5 ????

4 hours ago, Aussieroaming said:

Nobody discusses 5 or 10 years from now, when the immigration requirements will have likely risen. Will people be able to put away the funds when it increases. Only need to look at the magnitude of change since 1998 to estimate what that cost might be. The 800 k baht is neither capped or static, it will increase over time.

yup, I'm planning on leaving but not for another 7 years. On good money now but definitely leaving as soon as I've paid off my house back home. 

Bored of the menatility here. It's been a fun filled 20 years but really need to get back to reality, family, and a relatively logical, educated society. Oh, and peacefulness. Miss silence so much! ????

And fresh air. And home grown food without chemicals or drugs. 

Lots of things I miss. 

Uncertainty is the main reason for my decision. There's certainty back home but very little here. When I'm old I don't want to worry about visas, getting hit by a bike on the footpath or scammed by cops, and check in's after I travel etc. 

I just want to enjoy retirement ????

Leave Thailand for the young or wealthy ????

Lots of nice memories here but not from the last few years ????

Us long timers got it good 20+ years ago. Newbies don't really know the difference so it's no big deal to them I guess. 

Anyway, no complaints, it's just time to move on. 

Thanks for all the fish????

I agree that KluayNumThai is not a good hospital! Search around for a better one. 

20 years, never at random. Only banks for ID. 

There is a flood of copied Chinese N95 masks in the market right now. 

The rubber band breaking is a good sign it's a copy. That doesn't mean it is not N95 but just low quality bands. 

Quality NIOSH certified N95 brands are the only way to go but again, the Chinese are experts at copying that stamp too. 

Basically you have to buy from a more reliable country from a major retailer to be sure. Otherwise there is no way you can now for sure ????

2 weeks is the standard for usage confirmed by private laboratory testing.

happened to me 15 years ago. I was definitely drugged and robbed. 

Happened to quite a few friends of mine too. 

Back then I was too shy to tell anyone and it wasn't much money.

My friend had his ATM card used several times. He made a complaint to police but nothing came of it.

Other friends had small amounts stolen and also didn't do anything. 

This may be why they just take relatively small amounts. People don't report it?

If they took your passport you'd have to go to police and make a report to get a new one.

If you're talking about Government Social Security Insurance (Bakan Sandkhom) then yes you are correct. If there are cheaper medications available they will be given them. The Thai government does a pretty good job of licensing medications (and making them themselves) so they are more affordable to lower income earners. 

But saying that, only certain participating private hospitals accept Government Social Security Insurance. Normally the low end private hospitals. 

For example Bangkok Hospital would not accept Government Insurance but KluayNumThai does. 

These low end hospitals are not much better than Government ones anyway though. ????

There are several "layers" of service for Thais, the cheapest is the 30baht scheme that only government Hospitals (or participating low end private hospitals) accept. This gives every single Thai person a chance for some sort of health care, albeit often very poor service. 

Next is government Social Security Insurance (normally costing 300~1000) a month dependent on  your salary. Again, this is restricted to Government and private participating hospitals. And again, service is quite poor. 

After that you have your regular insurances. 

Hospital choice is important but also Doctors are important. It's best to research. For example, the same Doctor Who works at Chuoalongkorn hospital as a surgeon also works at Bangkok Hospital! 

I went to both and was surprised to meet him at both! ????????????

But of course the price for Bangkok was 400,000 and Chula 140,000. 

18 hours ago, garyk said:

Wow,  I am curious.  Some of you long time expats here. Was this kind of violence been going on here 10-20 years ago?

 

 

 

Yes. Always has been like this. 10,000 baht is normal for a hit. 

Normally Thai~Thai though but I guess as foreigners have assimilated into the country more and more then eventually they will get caught up in its ugly side. 

Hits range from the average person to ministers in government, sometimes with police involvement. Just a few years ago a border police unit was caught upin kidnapping and extortion. Army and other government officials caught up in human trafficking. The list of serious crimes is substantial. Just google and you'll be amazed at the shit that goes on here. I don't agree with people that says this goes on everywhere, but then, I'm from NZ so to me, this is shocking stuff. I always watch my back here. Keep to people I know we'll. Seriously avoid anyone who is remotely dodgy. Keep yourself and your assets as low key as possible. 

As another member said, there's lots of poverty and drug related crimes here that makes people desperate. Be aware of that. 

1 hour ago, NCC1701A said:

me too...

Me too

1 hour ago, NCC1701A said:

me too...

20 years. Had a bad stomach about 3 times (once from KFC) Almost always eat street food. 

Perhaps the longer you live here the better your stomach is (judging from comments above). 

I wouldn't be concerned. The worst thing is you may have to go to hospital, take some meds, and start again. 

1 hour ago, Preacher said:

Some jobs not only require a work permit but also a license, like a doctor and a teacher. Without a license you can still not do these jobs.

I was going to ask about teaching. Since everyone now has to study for a teacher's license then does this new law affect that? 

you say not but are you sure? 

Thanks.

siriraj hospital for cheapness and competence but hard to get in and possibly long waiting times. 

Otherwise the big 3 as mentioned by others. Be prepared to pay a lot though. 

.

The number is 1646 in Bangkok pillock! ?

1669 is the number for Narenthorn outside of Bangkok.