Headgame

Opinions over this issue are surely varied. Living in Patong, almost all Thais seem to be wearing masks. Most foreigners seem to be wearing masks but with a noticeable number failing to do so. That to me is irritating. Wear a freaking mask - is that so difficult? Fines, well no, but stern warnings is the appropriate sanction. Was at the beach on Sunday but took off my mask while on my lounger that was well separated from other loungers. Had to go to the toilet and forgot to put on my mask. The public toilet guardian gave me a free mask to wear. I thought that was very cool and handing out free masks should also be another option along with stern warnings. Thailand is a long way from beating back the covid and we must stay vigilant and continue to do the basics.

Non O based on retirement is 800k in bank or 65,000 THB pension income internationally transferred to a TH bank account every month.

Another great chuckle to start the day. Today there is no contradiction between porn and Thai culture. Watching porn is a choice. My gf and I use it to get the engines started quickly and away we go. But hey, that's just our "culture".

Actually both Opera and now Firefox offer built in VPN's. Both are ok for freebies. The only problem is that it is still quite easy for the government to block those VPN's if they want to put in the effort. China is a good example where only a few VPN's are able to over ride the gov't website blocks.

No, anybody can not watch porn in TH. The majority of porn websites are blocked and can only be accessed if you have a VPN service. Completely agree on the other three items.

Didn't mean to imply Thais and many tourists show zero respect for their own environment. It's disgusting. I'm a Canadian where if you litter - huge fines. That works.

Wow, this topic really gets the idiots going. I don't drink but it's OK from 11am to 2 pm but not from 2 - 5. Now that's just plain stupid. Of course many want a beer with a late lunch and they can't because of covid? Just ridiculous. Who checks the local laws when they travel? Well, no one. They expect some common sense, currently in short supply in TH. And BTW, for those making negative comments about Phuket, go f yourself. Phuket is amazingly clean and the beaches generally only have issues when the tides bring in the plastic and related <deleted> thrown away by the good citizens of other countries thousands of miles away.

Bangla Rd. bars in Patong has been open (except for the discos) for weeks now. Police at both entrances, temp tests and hand sanitizer and off you go. Lots of good looking ladies hanging around. Must be a sandbox exemption???

I fully support the Chinese gov't keeping its tourist at home. It's been a wonderful 22 months, in that regard.

OK, I cannot speak for other old guys but at 77 my libido remains that of an 18 year old, unfortunately locked into an old body. Unlike a lot of BM's. I'm not looking for love or marriage at this point of my life. However, I do maintain a "stable" of TH ladies who I rotate on a daily basis and typically will have a guest every night. My f-buddies are all in their mid thirties to early forties, very attractive, a little more mature, eager and always fun. I live modestly but in a very nice small studio apartment. I never discuss my personal wealth or respond to any inquiries about money. Of course, a reasonable tip helps me maintain a relationship less likely to get entangled with any commitment issues. Although I do have one lady who just likes to visit for fun and games. I'm always on the prowl but never leering or other creepy behavior. Usually always smiling and with no reluctance to engage in casual conversation. Never know what might develop and have never had any lady run away in fear of the creepy old man. Come on, old guys, if you still have any power left in the tank, get out there and have some fun. Stay in decent shape, utilize the "skills" you've hopefully acquired over the years, don't walk all slumped over wearing clothes that are ugly and in need of replacement. This is Thailand. I intend to stay in the game as long a possible. Stop worrying about looks, you're old, live with it but live.

No they're not. Why would you say something so stupid.

Bangla rd. in Patong shows signs of life. Bars are open. Ladies hanging around looking for customers. Bands playing in bars. Not a lot of people but certainly not dead. I guess one of the benefits of the Phuket Sandbox. Very doubtful that TH nightlife is going away forever, as some claim. Demand = Supply

Report from the Phuket Sandbox. Bars on Bangla Rd. are starting to open (didn't see any food being served) but people drinking. Quiet by pre-covid days but yet still some activity. Also a small but significant selection of TH ladies on the prowl - mainly quite young and nice lookers. A small bar area in Patong with about 10 bars has just had two bars open up this past week after over a year of closures.. Maybe a pulse, soon to become a heartbeat. Don't understand why the rest of the country can't begin slowly opening up. Also daily infections are continuing to decline on a a daily basis here on Phuket.

All these issues seem to always be related to the money in the bank account method of extension. Although I always have at least 800k in my bank account and have had for years, I take a different route at Phuket. Every. month I have a minimum of 65k THB internationally transferred to myTH bank account. Fortunately, as a Canadian, my embassy still issues the income letter. But even if not the case, my bank could give me the supporting paperwork for each of my 12 65k THB international deposits. In 11 years, I've never been asked a single question by an IO and just waited patiently while the multiple stamps are applied to my passport and other docs. Always show my appreciation with a miscalculation of the filing fees. This doesn't need to be complicated and certainly doesn't need an agent unless it's necessary to take certain steps to comply with the bank issues.

Only need to do a little market research and study the plan at Las Vegas to convert to a family friendly destination. Complete failure and quietly went away after several years. "Quality tourists", beautiful beaches, fancy hotels, rejuvenated environmental assets and then after 10 pm, off to the famous TH nightlife. All functioning in perfect harmony. Exotic and erotic can hold hands and create an attractive destination. Why am I even bothering to make this post because everybody knows the nightlife will continue to occupy the evenings in TH.

Not sure how long you have lived in TH but the answer to any request for money from anyone anytime is NO. Upon further reflection you can always change your mind. Wishy washy answers like “let me think about it” are just weak (and stupid) and only lead to either bad feelings and/or bad results.

Always get a kick out of this topic. I'm 77 and have lived here happily for 11 yrs. I don't give a <deleted> about the politics here - nothing I can do about it. Covid has been worrisome but I took all the reasonable precautions and have avoided that monster. Now have my shots but still wear the mask, etc. Never have sought out other westerner friends. My limited experience was, they all drank too damn much. Went a little crazy in my first few years here but damn, that was fun. My sweet Thai partner of the past 8 years died suddenly last week from a massive heart attack - age 44. Worst thing that has ever happened to me. But I will recover from that loss (somehow) and continue to be thankful for those amazing 8 years. I mention this not for sympathy, but rather to remember to treasure every day as if it's your last. With that in mind, stop bitching and be happy. Life can kick you in the nuts very quickly and unexpectedly. And it doesn't matter where you are when that happens.

Haha, could be a good point, if I had a wife. I can only comment that I have been pleasantly surprised a number of times with soft knocks on my door and it's one of my new friends dropping over for a "coffee".

Now this is humorous, reading posts on various opinions as to why Mick Jagger is successful with women. No need for a discussion - HE"S MICK JAGGER. The more interesting point being missed here is that the secret (not the guarantee) of having casual sex, not P4P is as follows: - where are the ladies who are not in the game - lots of places. - smile - be friendly - don't be afraid to say hello - have or develop a good sense of humor - be polite and respectful - AND, at the right time, don't forget to suggest carrying on the conversation over at your place. If by chance, the topic of money comes up, just smile and say it's on the house today and you have a 100% satisfaction guarantee (don't forget the smile and sense of humor). This will work about 50% of the time.

I think a very important positive affect of the COVID lockdown has been the positive impact on the environment, specifically beaches, coral and aquatic life. Everyone agrees easing up on tourist traffic has been a huge plus, turtles returning to lay eggs, fish stocks increasing and less plastic <deleted>. Unfortunately all will be for naught, continuing Thailand’s systematic destruction of one of the main reasons tourists want to visit in the first place. Bringing back the millions is all that matters. What a disgusting legacy.

No clue why so many are compelled to get married. Almost zero upside here in TH. And then move to the village and try to build a life. Not going to be easy and not for me. Then the failure to use the word “no” from the get go with family members. I admit I’m an all about me person but I’m at a stage of my life where I tolerate zero <deleted>. Not going to spend precious time trying to smooth over “problems” and experiencing anxiety about relationships. Works for me but making no recommendations.

There is so much stupid <deleted> on this thread. Shippers like DHL present the sender's shipping docs to customs and based on the value and whether the shipper's paperwork reflects shipping costs and insurance, the duty and VAT is calculated. DHL will prepay those charges and invoice you for payment before delivery. Do some freaking homework - it's FREE. Check the proper item description by searching the HS Code - https://www.foreign-trade.com/reference/hscode.htm. Then go to the free Import Duty Calculator - https://www.simplyduty.com/import-calculator/ and insert the info and it will tell you the duty and VAT. If the info is correct, the duty and VAT will be spot on 99% of the time. DHL charges a processing fee - aggravating - but what can you do. Based on the value, that fee is usually between 300 - 1,000 THB. I avoid FedEx, slow and sloppy and never use UPS. I have to say that freaking DHL is the fastest shipper on the planet. Those guys rock. Fees suck. If the sender has purposefully undervalued the item, well maybe it slides through Customs or maybe it doesn't. Not really the topic of this thread.

Maybe the import duties are overvalued but that is so easy to check. Use Import Duty Calculator online. It is accurate within a few baht as long as you properly describe the item. DHL always charges a “processing fee” between 500 - 1,000 THB. Make sure the sender never adds shipping or insurance fees to the shipping docs which will be included in duty and VAT charges.

Quite sure there is not a recognized international motorcycle license. Regardless, what is needed and acceptable to the police (at least here in Phuket) is a valid motorcycle license from your home country. Always try and pay with a Visa card that has vehicle rental insurance coverage. Does the renter have insurance? IMHO, very unlikely. And yes, definitely take your own pics of the bike before heading out. And I mean, lots of pics.

Happiness is always relative to unhappiness. I am 77 and have 10 of my best buds from university all still "alive". They are all richer than me by far but each one is not that happy. I was always the idiot. No long term planning, basic good health but didn't work at it, always had lot of distracting hobbies but had a long, unhappy marriage. When the 40th anniversary was nearing, I woke up one morning, told the wife I was leaving, packed everything I needed in a small roller bag plus backpack, kept some money, signed everything over to the wife and out the door within two weeks. Long story but ended up in TH in 2010 and haven't left. I do some work everyday for my company back in the US and they are nice enough to send me some. money every two weeks. Have a nice lady, very cool motorbike, adequate accommodations and still do no future planning, exercise a bit, don't drink but otherwise just laid back. Don't want to die soon cause I feel great and the life expectancy tool says I'll live to 89. Cool. Not recommending my formula - kind of irresponsible but my best buds are each suffering from poor health, very unhappily married and each envious of their idiot best bud. Go figure. I tell my kids if I dropped dead tomorrow to not shed a tear. Life well lived and zero complaints. I don't live staring in the rear view mirror or checking what day is tomorrow.