bradiston

14 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

The HQ of green Superrich in Bangkok Orange will probably also be OK

You might have to order.

In the UK I believe there's no overtaking on a pedestrian crossing. So you have to follow the car in front or beside you. I once went past a police car in just such a situation. I got a serious dressing down as I was a cabbie and expected to know better. Pedestrian crossings in the UK used to have flashing orange lights (Belisha beacons) on each side of the road which were a great help to pedestrians in locating a crossing and to motorists to slow down as a precaution. I reckon they're essential for the safety of everybody but sadly are few and far between in Thailand. Crossings with traffic lights were known as pedestrian controlled crossings. You had to press a button and wait for the lights to change to red. Again, a safety feature.

On 9/22/2024 at 1:51 PM, JBChiangRai said:

What’s a bulge?

A Bulgarian? A Belgian?

2 hours ago, digbeth said:

 

Becaust it's in a UHT milk carton, sitting unrefridgerated on shelf the expectation that it is UHT stuff 

in some markets UHT milks are just known as 'long life milk' only and UHT is obscure term used by people in industies only 

I guess so. I just bought 2 1 litre cartons of Aussie milk. It actually states UHT on the outside, which is helpful. I'm in Philippines right now. Maybe the term isn't used in Thailand. I don't have the Thai cartons to hand so I can't say.

38 minutes ago, FruitPudding said:

 

Thank you for providing a link to back up what I said.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazism

Try reading it.

You seem to think you're some kind of genius for spotting that "National Socialism" has the word "Socialism" in it.

1 hour ago, FruitPudding said:

 

Yeah, the Nazis were socialists. 

 

It literally said it in their party's name.

Stupidity personified

21 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

https://ejpr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1475-6765.12669

 

 

 

No I'm working here on a temporary visa.

 

 

Perhaps a chart would help?

 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Migration_and_migrant_population_statistics&printable=yes

 

You're working here on a temporary visa? I assume you mean in Thailand? So you're a migrant worker! Shame on you! It's funny, whenever Thais show the same level of xenophobia with foreigners as you do with migrants in Europe, there are howls of protest on these pages. Bxxxdy xenophobic, racist Thais! I mean. I ask you!

2 hours ago, ChaiyaTH said:

I just buy crypto from my euro or dollars and the sell them P2P on online exchanges for THB, this also makes it a domestic transfer that is not taxed. Aside from that it takes like 5-15 minutes on average and zero fees. Do that since years.

I'm currently 5,000 THB poorer thanks to poor decision to invest with Señor Ponzi. But I don't have to sell so no loss yet.

6 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

https://ejpr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1475-6765.12669

 

 

 

No I'm working here on a temporary visa.

 

 

Perhaps a chart would help?

 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Migration_and_migrant_population_statistics&printable=yes

 

From yourinked article:

"Consistent across data sources and models, we do not find any evidence that Merkel's decision increased migration to Germany in subsequent years."

This refers to the idea her admission of thousands (yes, 1.1 million applied) of migrants led to the "Merkel effect", or worked as a "pull", as France now accuses the UK of causing. So will the Germans, and you, and other Europeans now collect their own garbage, sweep their own roads, and work in poorly paid, dangerous construction jobs?

The other link is interesting as it appears to track migration within the EU rather than from without. Naturally, the UK has had the door slammed shut on account of Brexit, so thanks for that Mirage and Bojo, both of whom have EU passports. Millions of young Brits locked out of working in Europe. Meanwhile, the dreadful Proddies in Norn Oirland get an EU passport, by virtue of blackmail.

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

 

I disagree. there has been a deliberate shift in many European countries to bring in swathes of immigrants and the public was expected to shut up and take it in silence. Anyone who raised concerns was labelled a racist, bigot, xenophobe etc. 

 

It doesn't really work like that. 

 

The massive over-reach by the EU was bound to create a rise in political partys like this. They were just too stupid/arrogant to see/acknowledge it.

Any evidence of a deliberate policy to bring in "swathes of immigrants" by any EU government or just your own misinformed conspiracy theory speaking? For all I know you're an immigrant too. Too right it doesn't work like that. You just made it up! Massive over reach? Explain! Hey, and any sign of "You're obviously too stupid to understand" and I'll know I'm talking to a troll.

I use an old fertiliser bag tied with baler twine. Only weighs a few ounces. Never get searched.

23 hours ago, Korat Kiwi said:

Cheap/budget airlines like Air Asia can get quite strict with cabin luggage. 

 

If you are outside the permitted parameters then 'excess' baggage fees at the airport can be horrendous. 

 

I had an occurrence flying from Vientiane to Bkk.  We had 2 carry on bags.  Total weight 14kg so within the limit.  However one bag was 9kg with the other 5kg.  They weren't happy and wanted to charge an excess on the 9kg bag. 

 

Simple, we rearranged the contents so both were 7kg.  Once thru security etc we rearranged back to original packing. 

 

Pedantic? You betcha.  Just a money grabbing debacle that's getting more common with budget Airlines. 

Alternatively, check it in if it's seriously over, and it's free to do so. I went through with 17kg combined, large bum bag, laptop bag and suitcase. Always have a back up procedure if nabbed. Like throwaway items as a last resort.

On 9/29/2024 at 9:48 AM, impulse said:

I bought mine at Decathlon Sports.  They have a great selection, a warranty, and decent pricing. 

 

If you want an even lower price, just about every street market and mall in Thailand has hawkers of backpacks and laptop bags.

 

This is my favorite for real trips, though I have some of their cheaper laptop bags and they're all good.

 

https://www.decathlon.co.th/en-TH/p/hiking-backpack-32l-nh-escape-500-quechua-8649351.html

 

Edit:  It has a separate sleeve for laptops, very convenient for getting through security.

 

 

Cool. I see they give the weight, very helpful. 1.1kg.

10 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

This won't help the EU. Someone should have told them that every action has a reaction. 

 

https://www.wataugademocrat.com/news/national/austria-far-right-scores-historic-win-in-national-vote/article_4f2bcd9a-29ae-5e60-8c20-22672fa85dcb.html

 

 

 

Yeah, the "Friends of Adolf" party, what my father and probably yours, went to war with Germany about. Of course Adolf was an Austrian by birth. We hear the same rhetoric used against Moslems as was used against the Jews. In any case, a better description might have been inaction has reactions. Let's see what these bogeymen from the right can come up with other than a lot of rabble rousing hate speech.

6 minutes ago, LALes said:

That's what is so great about having a dollar account here.  I can transfer between dollars and baht with the click of a mouse.  Good thing I was active during the recent runup to 37.  I built up the baht reserves and can wait out this current dip until it reverses again.

To my knowledge, foreigners can no longer apply for dollar accounts.

I opened two with Krungthai just a few months ago. However, the costs of transferring from the US to Thailand were enormous. Swift only. I'll probably never use them. They were for a deal that died. But I have a Wise $ account and € and £ accounts. That's for sure the easiest way for me.

2 minutes ago, GinBoy2 said:

I 'think' a lot of the problem of immigration into the EU is the fact it is made of largely young males.

 

Young men are a problem even when they are indigenous to a country.

 

My Grandparents went to the US as a family. Both they and my parents learnt English within a few years and were fully integrated, not sure thats true for the demographic entering the EU, who, if the media is to be believed seem to want to live in ethnic enclaves.

 

I'm now a third generation latino, my daughters fourth and I would never consider myself anything but an American. I speak Spanish but I'm most definitely not a Mexican. Even my Thai son, born in Singapore educated in the US see's himself as American, while still recognizing his ethnic roots

 

I think thats the real difference with this wave of migration we're seeing across the world

 

 

It's unfortunate that the very word "immigrant" has such low life connotations. Migrant I suppose might be described as a "woke" version, or displaced person, of whom there are millions. Migration has been happening throughout human history. The US is really a nation founded on migration. It wouldn't exist without it. Most of the "English" migrated from Celtic nations and Europe. It's nothing new. At some points in history, it was the Jews who were reviled and exiled, from Europe in particular. The Irish and Caribbean people have suffered, and no doubt, continue to suffer discrimination. Times change, and we're in the "target Islam" era. But we kicked over the bee's nest and now we're getting stung.

6 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

I think you missed the point that most are concerned about. 

 

That is, their meagre pension is contracting in value.  The purchasing power of their transferred funds is shrinking. 

 

Basically, their lifestyle may have to change. 

It's why I get my UK pensions paid into Wise. They remain in sterling until I need to exchange, and hopefully at a better rate. Plus the £ against the Philippines peso is way up at 74.98, and as I've elected to move there for 6 months of the year to get the pension rise and avoid Thai tax if it ever comes in, seems I've made a better decision than some I've made recently!

7 hours ago, timendres said:

 

Having traded forex for several years now, I can say that, for me, it is a frustrating market to trade. That is actually why I like it. It is quite different from the stock market in significant ways. Most who trade forex use very high leverage, which means you better have an edge and you better have exceptional risk management. Or you will fail for sure.

 

In terms of the exchange rate and how it affects us folks who transfer money into Thailand, I don't think anyone really believes they can predict the market with confidence. I think it is more like the lottery. People enjoy engaging in the process, and, they occasionally "win". What's not to like?

 

It is the folks who make the mistake of assuming that a favorable exchange will remain that way that are most at risk. Folks like me who are on social security need to plan for serious moves down in the exchange rate. The rate will typically "revert" back toward the long term average, but you need to be able to manage those months that you are going to come up short.  Best to squirrel away some baht while the rate is in your favor.

Yes. Always look at worst case scenarios before making a move. What ifs are the backbone of intelligent trading, and decision making.

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Not in my opinion. The EEC was probably a good idea for Europe, but the push to make it a political and monetary union was ill considered and an expensive mistake, as was expanding it willy nilly.

 

Far as I'm concerned, it was always a project that would fail, as the political structure is not fit for purpose.

 

The most obvious failure is the liberal idiots trying to force all the EU countries to share the illegals that they were so keen to invite in.

Now of course the results is plain- right wing gains in elections and countries like Germany desperately imposing "restrictions' that are so pathetic as to be meaningless.

 

IMO it's going to fail anyway, so now is as good a time as any.

The liberal idiots...keen to invite in? How long has the EU been going? 31 years. Maastricht and Thatcher, remember? You think everything was foreseeable back then? And who exactly has extended an invitation to illegal migrants? The first wave of "migrants" was from the newly joined eastern European countries liberated from the Soviet jackboot. And who didn't "hire a Pole" to get the job done, cheaply and efficiently, outclassing the Brit working classes with their £70 call out fees etc. Seems there's immigration and there's Islam. If the West chooses to invade and destroy several middle eastern countries, well actions have consequences. If millions end up on your doorstep as a result, next time, maybe think twice before devastating their countries.

9 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

That is just nonsense. You lose a card, have anything stolen, all the banks have 24 hour hotlines you can call and they immediately block your account. To reactivate you may need to present yourself with ID, but to block them is just a phone call at any time of the day or night, and with English speaking operators.

I have done this several times in Thailand. I have also called them from overseas when I got my wallet stolen in France. Immediate block, not a problem.  I didn't know my account number or passport details but they identified me and blocked the account. Please don't post rubbish if you have absolutely no experience.

 

Are you for real? Why on earth would you set up two accounts and be bothered shifting money between them every time you spend 5,000 baht? Absolutely ridiculous.

Every bank allows you to set a limit for individual transactions. Set it to 100 baht if it makes you feel better - hopefully tinfoil hats cost less than that.

The biggest security flaw I discovered in banking didn't involve a Thai bank. Actually, not with a bank at all. Long story short, I discovered an overseas bank (US) was able to set up a transaction on my Wise $ account via a Direct Debit using just the account details as provided by Wise. Seems the default is to allow this to happen, without any notification, permission or advice. I was told I could stop all DDs on a certain account, or across all my Wise accounts, and allow them only with my specific permission. So that's what I did. Locked the intruders out. It turned out it wasn't a malign intrusion, just a test run. But I was really surprised that the bank was able to do that.

Just now, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Good advice.  I closed one account way back, and all the online records disappeared - they cut up the card, but I was able to keep the book (with holes in it).  

I was just thinking, with KT you can order statements on line. They email them to you encrypted with your passport number as the decrypt key. Handy for avoiding reams of paper.

1 minute ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Yes.

Same thing that bank employees do - they dont do their jobs using a phone !!

Come on man - you are wrong - you dont need to admit it, but just stop.

 

PS - getting help on the phone is OK here, but cancelling/stopping an account needs to be at the branch office where you opened the account. EG. I have an old bank account in Chiang Mai where we used to live, but the local head office branch here cannot cancel it - I have to go there.  Only Solution - withdraw all money (transfer to other bank account here) and dont use it for 12 months - it will then automatically be cancelled.

I had a Krungthai account in Trad. I closed it and opened a new THB account and a $ account in the large Klang branch in Pattaya. Despite all my concerns it would be impossible, they were more than happy to do it. I then moved the THB account again from the Pattaya Klang branch to the Thepprasit branch. Yes, I am a PITA, but they were extremely patient with me. It's advisable to print out statements going back a year or so before closing an account though, as you won't be able to do it without a visit to your new branch.

54 minutes ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

Can the police chief be appointed without Royal Endorsement?

Yeah, my immediate thought also. Usually I believe senior appointments such as this need royal approval, no?