KNJ

China tops the world production of pork, more than the next 10 countries combined

OP you say you have a good business idea ok.

What on earth possessed you to come on TV for help?

Only thing you will get on here is ridicule and bad jokes.

No there is scorn, good jokes, copious amounts of ridicule as opposed to plain ridicule, berating, better offers, the list just goes on.

Lets leave this topic and troll to die like the idea

If you need parts or upgrades, there used to be an excellent shop in HCMC, cannot remember the name, but a quick search should supply.

Better still bin the Vespa and seek out a Lambretta, drop in a 350 twin barrel and off you go.

When I had the 911, I had one "My other car is a piece of shit too"

Always liked that one, but the wife was not best pleased

I always tip "Be kind to your mother and don't bet on horses"

Home brew kits are excellent and easy to make? works out at about 50 THB a litre

Will help while away some time.

'Kettles' for extracting natural herbs ( about 7000 THB ) give up to 60 proof add some flavourings and barrel chips an voila... JD or JB at about 200 THB a litre.

At least this is possible, not that I would recommend any one to break Thai Law, it does work in "Other countries"

Without a doubt Japan,

2 million for an apartment in Tokyo, 8 to live off, more than doable.

Socialising is easy.

I Arrived with a suitcase left 4 years later with a wife

Open space living ( no ugly posts, lets use RSJ, quicker to erect )

A lot more socket outlets, modern lighting, Decent water pressure

Fully wired for internet, home security, and internet of everything

One bathroom per bedroom, separate his and her sinks

Walk in wardrobes

minimum 30 metres squared per bedroom

50 metres squared lounge

Small underground cellar ( wine and safe) with secret entrance)

Western kitchen, fully integrated

Solid wood or marble floors

Drainage which is efficient

Roof top space, with sunshades

double garage

Store room and a workshop

Double or even triple glazed

reverse air-cons which can be heaters

bi-folding doors to the pool, barbecue gazebo Jacuzzi, pizza oven and smoker

Walled off garden, outside tap

Vegetable patch ( small but sufficient raised beds for herbs, tomato's etc)

A reclining sun shade over the patio ( electric)

Minimalist furniture, preferably Italian modern

And finally everything square, no funny shapes please, I cant stand them

The Dublin agreement defines they should seek refuge in the first safe country they come across.

All EU countries are signed up to this.

Greece, they are yours you can have them.

Refuse to accept, bog off out of the EU

Many thanks. one additional question, where is the 500 GBP paid? local doctor?

I did read about it but was unclear where it had to be paid.

where is the 500 GBP paid, prior to applying or with the application?

Did you have to wait 5 weeks for the return of your passport also?

Ex wives

One year, why even pose the question on this forum. are you looking for sympathy?

You know what that is between in the dictionary S**T and syphilis, and I suspect you will find none here.

The old question, lets consider the finances:

Rent

Own accomodation

Initial purchases

Annual costs

Monthly

Deposit

service charge

Car

Medical insurance

Food

monthly

Electricity

Motorbike

Motor Insurance

Petrol

services

Gas

accomodation

Gym/Golf club

Entertainment

water

Furniture

Holidays

Sports

maintenance

AC

House Insurance

pool costs

White goods

Visa fees

Electrical goods

fund for car/bike replacement

Not a complete list and can easily be added to,

.

As to the question of now or in the future?

health, including consideration of family issues.

Inflation, and compounding interest - flip sides of the same equation

Potential for increasing savings/investments

Interests, as others have said what are the hobbies now or intend to take up?

How will you occupy your time?

It may be wise if your debt ( rent or otherwise ) was linked to the same currency as your investments, if you live in Thailand, then invest in Thailand. In that way you avoid FOREX risks.

As to whether or not you are comfortable investing in Thailand is another matter.

As to the argument rent or buy, there are advantages for both. Certainly buying negates the rental, however renting gives you flexibility and ensures your capital is not tied up in an asset ( I would argue that if it is your main residence, then a property is not an asset )

As to tax, talk with a UK IFA who specialises in expats, they are out there if you look hard enough.

Whether you go for some kind of drawdown on investments, or try to live off the returns, will largely be dependent on the value of that pot you have, anything less than 500k USD and it will probably need to be the former.

How much does it cost to live in Thailand that is a matter of lifestyle.

There are initial costs, running costs, and unexpected costs, and all should be considered

Its obviously a misprint, more likely :

'No Smoking Indians' - don't want the wife to get any ideas

'No Indians, nor pizza, nor le roast Beufs'

'No Smoking Indians, wok fried or grilled only'

'Indians no Smoking - they are too dry to set alight'

'No Indians, Harleys or BSA - they smoke too much'

I suspect having failed once, this is the last just at the supreme court. Don't hold your breath on this, at least 6 months for a decision which is likely to uphold the lower court.

whether 18 600 or a lower level something has to be set, and the cost for two people to live in "average UK' is probably something akin to this number.

That is pre-tax and NI so the take home amount is irrelevant.

Couples, or families need to be able to support themselves. Spouses and family need to speak English, but as for passing a 'British culture 'test what a load of poppy cock

This does affect me, and whilst empathise, do not think the amount unreasonable.

3% in Santander 123 account, max 20 000 GBP, and can have 3 accounts if married

There are loads of other small accounts, if you use them all you can invest about 120k GBP and get reasonable rate of return.

You could of course look at purchasing an annuity

No problem. Diamonds are intrinsically worthless anyway. They are only rocks. Nothing like precious metals that are actually of some use. Compare the resale value of diamonds with that of gold.

The best scam I have come across though is a bar fine.

Damm, shall I throw my diamond cutter away?

Throw away that industrial laser?

Junk my top end speakers?

Invent another material that absorbs heat better?

Those abrasion resistant bearings?

Other wear resistance coating you can suggest?

Harri ( Finnish ) at Tuna resort runs an old open top LR, and has connections I think in car parts world.

Might be worth calling him to see if he has local contacts?

There is one place in BKK, but I cannot find the link I had to it. They maybe a source of parts or restoration if you don't mind to travel

I can see a lot of confused voters but I would still vote to leave, too many things we are not privy to and you just wonder what comes next.

If the UK leaves the EU it is almost certain that the pound will take a significant hit value wise. Unlike frozen pensions, no pension will be safe and pensioners and expats alike could end up returning to the UK in droves.

It would make an interesting poll. What exchange rate would send you back?

I was reading an economist the other day and he said that after an initial drop the pound would strengthen

The truth is that even the so called experts haven't a clue what will happen. Do you recall 1999 and the misery that was going to overtake us in the year 2000 as a result of the milenium bug. The clock passed 12 o'clock and nothing happened.

Unfortunately not true the longest day of my life 56 hours to recover a crashed system

Triple hook up.....NICE

It is not the roses that are expensive, it is the two thorns either side of you on their barstools

Communication, verbal and otherwise.

Integration, talking with them to find out about them.

Swap Facebook ids ( or whatever they are called as I never use it)

Don't misunderstand me, I have observed the same when in UK with my Japanese wife, peoples pre conceived ideas are very strong emotions

Come on now gentlemen, it is only a function of human nature and sociably acceptable norms.

If you appear different when entering a part of society where your appearance is going to make you stand out, then for sure you will create interest.

Unless some effort is made to break down the barrier, you will feel that you are being observed, and for sure you will be.

If you had made some effort to conform to that group, made some approach to curtail what would have appeared a threat to their normality and for sure there is probably very little difference in reality, then you will most certainly be viewed "as a threat" and treated accordingly.

There we are back to human nature alone.

You might also ask yourself why, when obviously you were creating this aurora, that you did not feel or take the chance to seize upon it and enjoy their company