khunPer

It's depending on what you are buying, you cannot judge price index from a few locally grown items bought on the nearby market. I can find items and state that Thailand has become cheaper, but if I look at fuel price it's double as expensive now as 20 years ago. If you don't drive a car and hardly a motorbike iot doesn't matter for you. And if you are drinking wine, it's cheaper now – my favorite daily cheap red wine in a carton is more than 20% down in price now, com pared to a year ago. Prices are pretty much depending on life style. However, I agree in that Thailand is still very affordable. We can be extremely happy compared to cost of living in Northern Europe, countries like Britain and Denmark, where beef meat price is sky rocking high now, while still same affordable low price as last year and years before here in Land-of-Smiles for prima Aussie Angus beef...😋 Best way to judge prices is by using the consumer price index, and that is a tiny bit down in April 2025 compared to April 2024...

20 coup d'état since 1932 – that is in average one every 5th year – the last one was in 2014...

The law about "right of way" actually says: "He or she has openly used a passage for 10 years or more with the intention to establish a right of way and without objections from anyone." ได้ใช้ทางโดยเปิดเผยเป็นเวลาตั้งแต่ 10 ปี ขึ้นไป โดยประสงค์จะจัดทางโดยชอบและปราศจากการคัดค้านของผู้ใด Furthermore about "right of way": "The dominant owner must pay appropriate compensation to the servient owner. However, if a property once had direct access to a public street, but became land-locked after being separated from the adjacent property, the owner is entitled to an easement through the same property without having to pay compensation."

Too long time since I've been to Nana, so my experiences are probably long outdated – and so are the ladies from that time, if still working there... Perhaps I shall revisit Nana and update my experiences when coming up to Bangkok next month...

I'm attracted by real genuine (younger) ladies, but have ladyboy friends – really good friends...

I still read books, both nline – i.e., e-books – and physical books, which I prefers; I'm a grumpy old man, so still old-fashioned enough for that kind of old-fashioned stuff...😉

Your point of view – the girl is probably happy for the money. And yes, I've met farangs that regularly send sending money to a Thai lady even only coming for holiday once a year. I met a Brit that supported a younger thai "massage lady". He honestly told me that he didn't mind whay she was soing when he was not in Thailand, just she was available for him during his yearly one month stay. It seemed to work well and she had plenty of freedom and made sure, she had full time for him, when he was here – pure win-win...

I feel Okay...👍 –And it's their – the Thai's – country, so their decision. I'm a guest, and I can leave if I don't like it. –And yes, the West seems to be going down the drain – what do you, OP, then think about Japan?

Samui has for ages been overcrowded with tourists compared to infrastructure; airport expansion and builfing a cruise ship terminal wont help the issue. Rather focus on the major infrastructure issues like garbage, water, electricity supply – which however has improved over that past decade – and traffic. And focus more on the so-called "quality tourists", which might be presumed to spend more money than budget travellers. However, after Songkran is always a low season and right now there are (much) less tourists and fairly good space – May and June are as always nice months on Samui...

You cannot get an extension longer than the validity of your passport. If your passport is valid for less than 12 month, you exten sion of stay will be the same. Your original visa is not extended, it's your permission to stay that is extended, based on retirement.

Office dependent, as I didn't need any of that. Yes, I mentioned the general requirements – and I had to do more than what I mentioned; the authorities seems to be quite strict where I live...

Please note that I wrote "minimum wages"; rich people are for long time way above that level...

Advantages are that you have a Thai ID-number – which will be same number as TIN – and you can use it as both address and picture identification. You'll need to be registered on an address in a so-called yellow house book for foreigners, before you can have an ID-card for a foreigner. Disadvantage are the paperwork that you need to do – including bringing two witnesses to prove whio you are and where you live – the time spend and the cost of an approved offcial translation of you passport's name page.

1) Yes, I've been issued a TIN. I asked for it at the revenue office, custom department where also v.a.t. is registered. Got a tiny computer matrix printed slip as proof. I already had a Thai ID-number from my yellow house book application; so, same number. If you don't have an ID-number, you will get one when register for TIN. 2) Making a tax return, which is mandatory if you stay 180 days or longer during a calendar year in the kingdom; because, then you are a tax resident.

Higher minimum wages equals larger waist, a scientific study found about a decade ago. Seems right when looking at Southeast Asian countries, where more sweets and so-called junk food enters the market when more funds are available for spending...

Tourism already makes up around 20% of GNP, little scaring raising it even more, as tourism income is quite fragile; seems like a government in panic.

To me, it seems like Thais are mainly talking about having their savings in gold – numerous Thais still don't trust banks – they often mentions several baht of gold...

You can use monthly income method for extension of stay based on retirement. If has to be monthly foreign transfers of not less than 65,000 baht per month. You can use your Thai bank account as proof; i.e., letter and 12-month's statement from the bank. If changing from extension of stay based on marriage to extension of stay based on retirement, you'll need 12 months' foreign transfers as proof. However, if you can afford it, the 800,000 baht bank deposit method is "the easiest way". Your interest is at the moment around 1.5% p.a. minus 15% withholding tax in a 12-month fixed term account. But if converted to money and compared to 4% outcome before taxation the difference is not that huge in real money. The benefit of using the deposit method, and just leave the fund there, is that you don't need to worry abpout your foreign transfers comes every month, eventual currency exchange rate deviations, any change in funds available for the monthly transfers and the the proof of foreign transfers. I've used the deposit method for more than 15 years, easy peasy procedure.

Worth to notice that 2 grams of sodium equals 5 grams of salt... AI answer: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a maximum salt intake of 5 grams per day (equivalent to 2 grams of sodium). While this recommendation generally applies, it's important to consider individual factors like activity level and climate when assessing salt needs, according to the Better Health Channel. Elaboration: WHO Recommendation: The WHO recommends a maximum of 5 grams of salt per day (or 2 grams of sodium) for adults to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Tropical Climate: In tropical climates, sweating is more common, leading to some loss of sodium. However, the body can typically regulate this loss and maintain adequate sodium levels with a normal diet. Individual Needs: While the WHO recommendation serves as a general guideline, individual needs may vary. For example, athletes or individuals engaging in strenuous activity in hot weather might require slightly higher sodium intake, but this is typically met through hydration and balanced meals rather than a drastic increase in salt intake. Acclimatization: The body can adapt to hot weather over time, and the need for extra salt may decrease as you become acclimated to the climate. Dehydration is the Primary Concern: In hot weather, the main concern is dehydration, not a lack of salt. Drinking plenty of water is crucial to maintain hydration and support the body's electrolyte balance. Hyponatremia: Hyponatremia, a condition of low sodium, is rare but can occur in certain circumstances, particularly in individuals taking certain medications or with underlying health conditions. Salt and Muscle Cramps: Some people believe that salt needs to be replaced during hot weather or strenuous exercise to prevent muscle cramps. However, muscle cramps are more often due to dehydration, not a lack of salt.

So, sex toys are now legal in Thailand...

You can use your savings account – or another savings account, if you wish to keep you "visa money" separated or move your deposit for extension of stay to a fixed account with better interest – a current account might not give you any benefits apart from the option of having a cheque book (you might never use) and lower interest on savings. Credit card – to my knowledge – requires that you have a stable salary income (with at least six month history) or deposit the amount you wish credit-limit for. More easy with a normal debit card, which you can use both for cash and payments – and also online shopping – or a smart phone app and QR-code for payments. With the SCB-app, for example, you don't even need a plastic card anymore; I was surpriced when my girlfriend told me, that she haven't had a plastic card for several years, just her phone...😉

Always worth to remember, that "some are more equal than others"...

Perhaps we shareholders then will get some dividends...

Is this even true anymore? Seemed just like another tourist trap to me but with lots of ganja shops for the druggies and layabouts. Not very impressive with some exceptions. "Idyllic" is depending where you live/stay on Samui – I still find my home being located on "the idyllic island of Koh Samui"...👍 – and you don't need to enter the local ganja shop, just pass it and enter the convenience store instead...