Anon999

For me it is about warm weather, being in a country where you feel more free and the country itself is alive.

I am currently back in Australia doing some work, it is boring and very overpriced.

I am not a sex pat just happily married and content where I am at.

Good to know but sadly you are in the minority.

No, he isn't in the minority, his wife is Thai.

Never understood guys who marry a Thai then claim they aren't sexpats.

It's the same game, just a longer contract.

The only guys who can legitimately claim not to be sexpats, are those married to a woman born in their own country.

Speak for yourself and don't generalise. Your knowledge of expats can probably be safely written on the back of a postage stamp.

maybe he was sick and could not take it anymore......quick relief..but why stress in Thailand, people are much nicer and smile a lot....

Smile a lot? That is a virtue? Maybe for shallow quantity seekers.

While the fake knock-off brigades are disciplining JJ and border counterfeit peddlers they should rid the country of all the fake Thai smiles.

Smile a lot is far better than in the West where it's look as miserable as sin!

You obviously mix with the wrong people.

RIP Finnish man

Most cars still need benzene, even E85 cars. This is a poorly translated/written article, as regular benzene is as scarce as hens teeth already. If all benzene will be eliminated we may be going bedrock style as the above caption shows. Wonder who has shares / farms to generate ethanol? Let's not kid ourselves that this is anything to do with energy conservation / environment. There is money to be made!

The use of unleaded fuel will still be needed, for old equipment that cannot be converted, but at a reduced level as there will only be various types of gasohol, with new vehicles demanding the highest levels of ethanol content.

If he wants to see cars for the future he should go to Japan or Europe where the range of current and future models is far superior to the boring range produced here. With most Thai's wanting huge engined Pick-Ups just to go to work or shopping in (85% are running around empty) and never ending production lines of Minibuses for the use of Psychotic drivers hell bent on killing as many folks as possible, i can only presume that he wants these to be produced with electric motors !

Where I live in Isaan there has been a big change in the balance of trucks v cars over the past ten years. The majority back then was certainly trucks by a large margin with cars being only a small part. However, now it's approaching a 50/50 balance and within a few years trucks will be in the minority.

a lot of expats i know who have the correct visas spend absolutely bugger all in thailand compared to those who cant afford to keep a valid visa. if they want to cull the farangs then kick out the tightwads.....i mean the ones who live in 6k a month rooms with the windows and doors open 24 hours so they dont pay for a fan and only leave the room to go to the 7 for mama noodles...and dont even own a honda wave.

Why don't they introduce mandatory spending of a minimum of 50,000 baht a month, rental payments not included. Proof to be shown in your bankbook when you do your 90 day check. Failure to comply, immediate deportation.

With a post like that find it difficult to decide what you are on, maybe something a bit too strong for you! How many people do you think spend 50k/mth in Isaan, Far North, South, etc? That's not to mention nobody spends the same amount each month. Your world must revolve around BKK, how sad.

Was with Bangkok Insurance for a number of years no problems and we made a few claims. If you want a comparison try LMG.

It really makes me laugh,you see at night many Thais still in there shorts after dark then they wonder why they are sick

Are you saying the mosquitoes that bite during the day don't carry the dengue disease or are you not aware that they are more than two different types? The Aedis aegypti mosquitoes that are around in the daytime are the ones that spread dengue not the nightime predators. Do a bit of research before posting.

This is already a very old debate and has been covered many times in TV. The issue at hand in the quoted instances is that fact that the hospitals overcharge and apply inappropriate treatments in many cases. Go to a government hospital and the bill will usually be reasonable.

Strangely enough the headline quotes Public Hospitals NOT Private hospitals. Don't you bother to read anything?

It might be possible, and happens many times, the authorities also want to see the International Driving License!

So get it.

Not necessary. Myself, as well as 6 or 7 foreign colleagues from US, Germany and other European countries have gone through the process in Bangkok and/ or Phuket. Nobody's ever been asked for an international license. johng's post is accurate.

You will need to show a residence certificate (available from your embassy or from immigration), or a work permit. Also you need a "health certificate" which any licensed physician can issue. I got mine from local dermatologist for 50 Baht.

You will need 'Proof of Address' available from the local cop shop.

As a Thai father in Thailand the answer is that it's OK.

As a Western father in the West it's sociably unacceptable hence it's not OK.

As a Western father in Thailand it's most probably not acceptable, to the father.

As a Thai father living in the West, it's probably OK, so what does that tell you about the West.

As a Westerner living in England until moving to Thailand some years a go I had a Thai wife, until her sad demise, I met there who was 17 years younger than me and my current wife is over 20 years younger. There is no problem for me with a big age difference and I'm sure for many others too.

I know your gf is young and maybe this does not apply, but most educated Thai women don't want to leave Thailand for a "better" life in the West.

This might have been the case in the past, but Thais today (FB) are aware that life in the West is a lonely, miserable affair. My wife is in contact with many women who moved to Canada and every single one is regretting the decision. Now, I know it's "Canada", but still......

Canada well that's interesting. Personally I've never met a Thai girl that wants to go back to live in Thailand from the UK and that's over a period of over 25 years. I have many Thai friends and relatives living in England, none of which want to return. For a holiday yes but to live here, no chance. One of my Thai step-daughters spent over 4 months in the UK and didn't want to come back, homesick, not a bit of it. She wants to spend her gap year in Oz.

1. Germany (177)

2. Sweden (176)

Is there a wonder now why all those so called ' refugees ' making a beeline to the above countries?.......

How about we stop bombing these places, funding horrible dictators and pushing neo-liberal policies that decimate their economies - then there would be no refugee problem, it ain't rocket science.

But I guess it is just easier to say moronic statements. The country helping the most refugees isn't in Europe, it is Lebanon.

Not true as a large percentage are economic so there will always be refugees looking to improve their lifestyle either through government handouts, work or both.

After an annual medical back in 2006 the doctor said you're perfectly fit, do you exercise? The answer was not since I gave up motor sport 24 years ago. His reply was if you want to stay as healthy as you are and extend your life then do some regular exercise. As a result I've been going to the gym 5 days a week for an hour instead of watching my wife do aerobics for an hour.

It's definitely made a difference that shows up on my yearly medical, for one thing my heart rate has slowed. After a long holiday though it takes about the same time to get back to where I was before. My wife also likes the results so that's a benefit too.

No interest in getting any fitter only maintaining the status quo.

Thai marriage law allows any contract made during marriage to be voided by either party within one year of divorce.

TH

And what if the Usufruct was made before marriage?

Use the White Shuttle Bus. It's free and no dramas with the driving! Leaves every 30 minutes from 20:00 up to and including midnight. Takes 55 minutes normally and quote the expected duration.

No idea but visit the airport page: Don Mueang Airport Immigration

http://donmueangairportthai.com/en/1192-bangkok-airport-immigration-checkpoint

There is no location given for the whereabouts of the Immigration Checkpoint so a visit to the Information Desk is necessary.

Posting the location would be useful.

Mr " T " is correct in the assumption that the Junta has no vision or economical sense , no junta in history has had this gift , as all junta's are Military inspired ideology , except for the limited few , Generals make poor leaders of nations , especially in the Asian part of the world , Prayut - O is now finding that out, the nation not necessarily agrees or salutes when he speaks............................. .

From where I'm standing there has been a significant improvement in the infrastructure over the last year and is ongoing as opposed to absolutely nothing being done during the previous ten years apart from mend and make do if no other choice. The money for that must come from the government (from taxpayers) while finding its way to where it was intended as opposed to elsewhere!.

7) To repeat, prior to July 2012 the financial requirement was based on net income; after all deductions and regular outgoings.

Just because the system prior to 2012 was fairer, in your opinion, doesn't mean it was right. I think there should be threshold and there will always be anomalies.

Also if the people you are referring to don't earn a lot of money, they won’t be buying much to pay loads of VAT. It's a poor argument.

With VAT at 20% just buying essentials and items that need replacing it still adds up to a lot.

£18,600.

It's hardly a kings ransomed.

I certainly couldn't live on that amount, not even here in Thailand.

Well the 800,000 baht required to get an extension to stay equates to £16k. It depends where you live in a country and how you spend your money. Exactly the same here and in the UK.

Sorry for what happened to him. But if he is a expat living in Thailand for some time, than he knows how things work in this country.

So he saved money, by not getting a insurrance and now people ask to donate!

As said before in post 4, please donate some money to me to, because I have to pay the insurrance company every month!

Yes, everybody has the chooice to get insurrance or not, but at least you will not see me asking for donations on this form.

Have a nice day.

Untrue, everybody does not have the choice as such things as age and for some existing conditions, can prevent you from getting health insurance. Cost can also prevent people from taking out cover. I cancelled my cover when the premium went up by 66% in one year. Luckily I'm covered but 164,000 baht was totally out of order in 2009 and that didn't include out patients and a long list of other exclusions either or dental cover. The insurers made a small fortune having coined in 250,000 during the time I was paying them and it appeared expats were subsidising UK customers, the premium doubled in 3 years. My wife persuaded me to stop paying it and had I continued the mind boggles at what they would be charging now.

With no discounts for no claims, taking into consideration previous medical history and uninterested in annual private hospital medical examinations it appeared they were only looking lining to line directors and shareholders wallets.

My broker was complaining that everyone was angry and that many were cancelling their policies.

Great story and outcome, but how can a bloke of 24 have any excuse for not being insured?

(& before the trolls jump on me I'm referring to the probs associated with age or pre existing conditions that apply to us oldies!)

" how can a bloke of 24 have any excuse for not being insured?" The nurse that flew out was provided by an insurance company! Is that clear enough or didn't you bother to read the story?

I bought a "SonicLT" nearly 4 years ago and have never regretted the decision. Manual transmission works really well, although with 4 up and the A/c going flat chat you have to work 3rd and 2nd gear on some hills! With the A/c off and just with two people it goes like a little rocket, as good as some V8's I've owned!

It was a slug when I first bought it, ate petrol and had firm thoughts of setting it on fire for the insurance! Chev came out with a new chip and WOW! what a difference! THB 600,000 is a good deal!

600,000 baht a good deal! The basic Mirage with alloys, sideskirts and roof spoiler cost 453,000 just after the government scheme started which was a good deal.

Fiesta 4 door has a manual, Suzuki Swift has a couple of manual options.

I wouldn't touch any of the other small cars here with a barge pole, manual or not.

Why? What are your unstated reasons?

Thai daughter has had a manual Mirage, which had a number of options fitted at purchase, alloys, sideskirts and roof spoiler, since just after the scheme started. Certainly a nippy little motor and no problems or warranty claims. She uses it every day for work and is involved in sales so the mileage is quite high. We looked at the alternatives but none were as good.

Do I take it that all these posters, that are denying there has been any improvement in the corruption situation, are paying bribes to all and sundry? Personally I have not been asked indirectly or otherwise for any 'tip', which I always refused to pay, for at least a year.