exppenang

October 21, 2019

Now the ruinous circle of forest exploitation and destruction starts to take hold. High-value trees and ecosystems that took thousands of years to develop have been systematically destroyed across the region, to make way for low-value and low profit rubber and palm oil. Now, the scales have begun to tip irreversibly.

As the world turns away from these commodities, the folly of this exploitation comes full-circle. Next will be the rubber and palm oil corporations screaming for subsidies and the governments involved to "do something".

The government ministers responsible already "did something" by allowing it to happen in the first place, to fund their expensive cars and lavish lifestyles. There is no coming back from this. In the end, you reap what you sow.

October 17, 2019

The Phuket jet ski mafia and those they employ don't give a sh!# about anyone or anything except money in their hands. The amount of Baht being made is staggering, and the brown envelopes are passed around to police, local councilors, and anyone else who has the authority to stop it. The "Marine Police" are a joke, and any "warnings" they give are for show only.

Just this morning I watched the goons at Kamala Beach towing their jet skis down the sand one by one, using a motorcycle saleng with no muffler, right in front of beachfront hotels and very near the police station. The noise was deafening and lasting almost half an hour. The local cops and the so-called Marine Police are little more than extortionists. The provide ZERO public safety for beach goers.

Be warned. Any and all jet ski renters on Phuket DO NOT have the proper license, insurance, experience, or common sense to do anything safely, and will trample over any other beach goers in their way. If a tourist complains, they will be run off the beach by thugs.

Phuket's beaches are now nothing more than a true sh!# hole, with raw sewage flowing daily by the tonne into the same ocean water they fleece tourists to play in. ANYONE who still comes to Phuket for the beaches are first-timers, or fools who should know better. Phuket's beaches are a filthy disgrace.

October 16, 2019

I'm thinking you want to send this amount now before the THB rises any further against the USD. If you are CERTAIN you will be staying a few years, and you are CERTAIN that this money will not be needed back home during that time, then it MAY be a good hedge strategy against the rising THB.

However, it's a good strategy ONLY IF the THB continues to rise against the USD for the 'few years' you are CERTAIN you will stay. A few years is a long time to bank on the THB continuing to rise.

I would recommend doing the transfers once a year to coincide with the deposit requirements for your visa. IMHO it's a more prudent course of action.

Wishing you a happy stay here!

September 1, 2019

15 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Again, you never have my permission to change the emphasis on my posts.

If you report him, ThaiVisa will take appropriate action. Hands off my posts too. Don't be a troll.

August 31, 2019

On 8/30/2019 at 8:56 AM, Kenny202 said:

Seconded

Thirded.

August 28, 2019

No one can help you "understand". There is no understanding the TM30.

The stated purpose of the TM30, combined with the corruption and ineptitude of Thai Immigration, make the whole fiasco non-understandable. Even Immigration can't properly explain all the details.

What you need to understand is they want fine money.

I feel for those who have become so entrenched here, that they are compelled to pay, pay, pay, and report, report, report to live in an over-priced, polluted, dangerous police state.

August 27, 2019

I have been here seven years as a retiree. Have seen things change over the years, and so far have "rolled with the punches". Most of the yearly extensions went ok, had to pay some minor tea money, missing a document a couple of times and had to come back the next day, but no real major problems other than inconvenience and wasting time in a smelly, overcrowded room.

I will say that the last few extensions have become more uncertain. Not because I didn't meet the requirements, but because there often seem to be new rules that I wasn't aware of. I avoided most of the 90 day reporting hassle, because most of the time I would be out of The Kingdom before 90 days went by.

I have a pickup and have seen a lot of Thailand by driving. National parks, beaches, mountains, waterfalls were great to visit. I felt free to enjoy the countryside and what this country has to offer.

But for some reason the TM30 has rubbed me the wrong way. Watching Mr. Barrow's video, and seeing immigration's (non) responses to reasonable questions has thrown me completely off this place. Instead of feeling free to enjoy the country (and spend my money), I now find myself waiting for the day I leave.

Have a few loose ends to tie up here, but the exit plan is in place.

I'm hoping I can find a way to enjoy these last few weeks here, and take one last road trip. Instead, I'm wondering if the hotels I have booked will/won't be filing TM30's. I know my landlord doesn't file them. And without the house documents and copy of his ID card, etc., there isn't any way I could file them anyway.

Adding the recent news in The Bangkok post hasn't helped either. I don't want to continue living in a place where expats have to report their every whereabouts. That's what parolees have to do. I'm looking forward to being a normal, free person, not a suspicious character in the eyes of the law. It's just no way to live.

August 25, 2019

Is it time to "Bite The Bullet" and get out now?

This is a personal decision that each one of us has to make. It depends on the specific set of circumstances each expat has. Working, retired, married to a Thai, teaching English, etc.

I advise ALL expats here to look BEYOND the TM30 and into the future. This will not be the last immigration fiasco for law-abiding expats trying to carve out an existence here. This is just ONE in a series of ridiculous rules and fees, and it will continue. Don't ask yourself if you can tolerate the TM30 fiasco. Ask yourself if you can tolerate the next one, and the next, and the next and so on.

No matter how cushy and agreeable your current circumstances may be, only a fool would ignore the overall trend without developing a workable exit strategy. Failing to do so will almost certainly end up, sooner or later, in being caught flat-footed when your time does come. Don't fall into the trap that you are immune because of this, that or the other thing.

No expat here is immune. Take as much <deleted> as you like from immigration, pay as many bribes and fines as you want. But do not fool yourself that YOUR DAY will not come.

Immigration will SEE TO IT that your day does come, most likely at a considerable cost of time and money spent.

August 22, 2019

On 7/23/2019 at 3:38 PM, Surasak said:

All true Garybaldy. The thing is, many have strong roots here now and would find it very difficult to up sticks and go elsewhere.

This is why I tried to avoid putting down said roots. When I moved here 7 years ago, I knew things could change over time. And they certainly have.

August 19, 2019

So this is good for PATONG Beach, but not good for:

Naiharn Beach
Kata Noi Beach
Kata Beach
Karon Beach
Freedom Beach
Kamala Beach
Surin Beach
Bangtao Beach
Layan Beach
NaiThon Beach
NaiYang Beach
MaiKhao Beach

Fact is Patong Lifeguards already had AED's that they don't know how to use. Not ONE instance of them being used there. Government officials consistently use Patong Beach, who have lots of lifeguard staff and shiny equipment to put on their "Lifeguard Show" for ambassadors and dignitaries.

The beaches listed above have no real lifeguards or even basic rescue equipment. The government's reason for the show as they admit themselves, is to "Increase Tourist Confidence", not to actually make Phuket's beaches safer.

And they are NOT safe. Just do a google search for 'drowning followed by any beach on the list. The truth will appear before your eyes.

August 19, 2019

IT'S ABOUT THE MONEY, and IT'S NOT ABOUT THE MONEY

Have read a lot of arguments I consider valid, both pro and con, about how 'important' Westerners are to the Thai economy. I don't see how that really matters.

When I first moved to Phuket on a retirement visa 7 years ago, I checked all the rules and regs thoroughly before I moved. Things were much more straightforward back then. I also realised that the rules/regs would likely change over time, and there could come a day when it just didn't work for me anymore.

Every year that went by, bit by bit, there were 'changes' that slowly but surely tipped the equation for me, like:

1) Ever increasing food and medical care prices, higher than global average.
2) Increasing requirements for extension of stay, often discovered at Immigration on the day of extension.
3) Insane driving more insane, roads more and more dangerous.
4) Ever increasing fees and fines brought about by the near impossibility to get things right. Mainly because the systems don't work, not due to actual noncompliance with the rules.
5) The list goes on and on, and ENDS for me with the TM30.

The CRIMINALS Immigration says they need to track wont bother with a TM30. They will use visa services and bribes instead.

Now as a long-term house renter it is my responsibility to submit the TM30? With a non-compliant landlord it is IMPOSSIBLE to submit a TM30. So this equals an automatic fine every time I do a 90 report, or try to extend my stay?

I understand many have made a life here, and leaving is difficult or maybe not even an option. In that case, you are powerless to do anything about the TM30 or the next money-making scheme they throw at you. You are an UNWANTED foreigner here, with no real rights other than to spend your money, pay fines, bribe officials, endure double-pricing, and bow down and pay up for each and every ridiculous new rule.

I avoided doing anything long-term because it was and is obvious that it is only about THE MONEY for them. The Thai Government has no doctrine of fairness or concern towards expats living here. If that doesn't bother you, then carry on.

I didn't work hard to earn a decent retirement, just to squander it away to a corrupt and racist regime. To me it's NOT ABOUT THE MONEY.

It's about DISRESPECT, CORRUPTION, AND NAKED GREED.

Goodbye Phuket.

August 17, 2019

I've lived in Phuket for 7 years now on the retirement visa. Most of the changes and other stuff the government does really don't affect us expats. We often whinge about these things, but I can't remember one thing they have done that is worse than the TM-30 fiasco. And unfortunately, this is not one of the government changes that expats can ignore.

The TM-30 crackdown came before the actual implementation was thought out. Online reporting is ESSENTIAL if this is going to work, and the technology is just not working. Rather than take the responsibility for this, Immigration has firmly taken the position of ramming it down our throats, no matter the fallout. When I first moved here under the govts retirement scheme, I recognised that over time the rules would likely change.

For me the idea that I will have to take responsibility for an unlicensed hotelier, or a complacent landlords failure to report, and then pay a fine to do a 90 day report or renew a visa, is just too far over the line. Fines are for those who violate the law. Not for expats whose only crime is 'traveling too much'.

Immigration has completely lost the plot. Apparently the government cant keep track of criminals here, and their solution is to make criminals out of expat retirees.

I just did my LAST visa here. It's just too time consuming and demeaning to go through all the ridiculous, outdated processes, and bribe all the dishonest officials on top of it.

If Thailand still works for you as an expat, by all means stay.

For me, the charm, value, and enjoyment has dwindled away to almost nothing. I WILL NOT pay a fine because someone else broke the law, and Immigration is too incompetent and corrupt to deal with it.

It is OBVIOUS expat retirees are no longer wanted here. My exit plan is already underway.

August 16, 2019

I've lived in Phuket for 7 years on a retirement visa, and visited frequently for 4 years before that. Have seen lots of changes. Some positive. Many negative. I consider myself one of the luckier retirees here because I legally meet all the requirements for continued extensions. My former employer (county government employee) issues retirement income letters.

Year by year my quality of life here has gone down. Air and water pollution, lethal roads and insanely dangerous drivers, no safe walking pathways, corruption, rising prices, long queue at airport, construction noise 7 days a week, and ever more restrictive rules on extension of stay have tipped the scale for me.

The officials in charge will run Phuket's tourism into the ground, just to continue the flow of graft money a few years longer. Now we see all the signs of a steep downturn. Worldwide recession predicted, THB forex rate wiping out entire tourism segments, TAT ever more desperately playing the numbers game, infrastructure too far behind, fresh water running out, no lifeguards or effective water safety system. The list goes on and on.

I have visited the neighbouring countries where, for me, the grass is not only greener but cheaper, and governance is much better. Their retirement visa programs are much more stable, use of technology (instead of ever more paperwork which is easy to counterfeit) for visa applications and renewals.

Many will stay because of the bar life here, and there is nothing wrong with that. Been there done that.

Many also claim it "isn't that bad" and they can just ignore all the government problems. They say this mainly to justify their continued presence in a xenophobic society where they will never truly belong.

I moved here knowing that paradise wouldn't last forever. For me it's not hard to acknowledge that paradise in Phuket is long lost, and will not return again.

I'm OUT OF HERE!

July 20, 2019

Probably the most worthwhile thread I have read in a while. Thanks everyone for contributing. I got a little bit from everyone and it is very interesting to get everyone's viewpoint.

Like a lot of us here, I am at that age where I will soon need to decide whether or not to delay applying for benefits.

Of particular interest to me is the GPO (Government Pension Offset). I paid SS contributions from age 16 until 38, then changed civil service status from civilian to public safety officer. At that time I also stopped paying SS contributions and am now retired on a defined benefit package.

I just researched the GPO. As I read it, the reduction in benefits from the GPO applies only to spouse benefits. As I understood it, the GPO does not reduce SS benefits for the individual.

Am I getting that right?

December 29, 2018

Yet another "problem solved" by the "quick-acting" deputy gov. Quick meeting, some instant coffee and laughs, secretary writes "success story" and sends to the pr department, who pass it on to the news media, who print the "good news" word for word.

And this same story, along with countless others about: road safety, raw sewage pumped into the ocean, there was no rape, lifeguards are on patrol, etc. etc., repeat themselves over and over, year after year, only the names are different.

Do a google search it's plain as day - they do nothing and lie about it to "protect" their tourist dollars. And they have been doing it for decades.

September 5, 2018

While shopping at Big C, I noticed a chinese man wandering around the meat and vegetable section. He had no shopping cart, no hand basket, and didn't have any items in his hands for purchase.

I went to the meat section to take a look. The man was at the counter, and picked up a strip of pork ribs with his bare hands. He took a few seconds to feel it, put it back, then picked up another piece, did the same thing. In all, he picked up four or five pieces.

When he was halfway through, I couldn't stand it anymore, and I told him "no, stop" and handed him a pair of tongs. He took the tongs, set them down, and proceeded to feel more meat.

I skipped the pork and picked up some chicken. When I was at the weighing counter, the man had moved onto the chicken bins, and started feeling again.

I pointed this out to the meat weigher, who had absolutely no response at all. Not a flinch. She stood there and watched him feel the meat. Even the local wet market vendors wouldn't let this happen.

August 24, 2018

I'm not the smartest or don't have the most time in Thailand as some other folks on here.

But every once in a while, I will weigh in if I feel I have something that might help.

As others have said, it is illegal for a foreigner to own land here, with a few isolated exceptions. Many have done what you are proposing. Some have had no problems. Others have had big problems. If this money is "disposable", and you have a plan B in case you need to move quickly, then this may work in the short term.

Do not be fooled that you actually will own the land. Gold standard for land ownership is a chanote title deed. In this case, you will have no deed at all, you will merely own shares of stock in a company. This company will be majority controlled by a group of Thais, who have no problem taking your money and doing the paperwork for you. The long-term stability of the transaction will depend not only on the integrity of those majority shareholders, but also on the government's willingness to continue to turn a blind eye to these arrangements.

At any time, the government, or your shareholders, could change their minds, and you could be left with nothing.

So if you do go through with it, I suggest you have a plan "B".

Just my opinion - if you do go ahead with it, hope it works out.

August 9, 2018

OldCroc, perhaps your questions and concerns would be best answered by sending an email using your real name to the ISLA? Why not go directly to the source? Maybe they have someone there who could answer your questions. It sounds like you may have some valuable input on this situation.

I looked at their website, couldn't find anything 'dodgy'. I didn't see any claims made about being affiliated with the other organisations you mentioned. Looks pretty straightforward to me. Says they provide free training and assistance to countries in need. I'd say Phuket is definitely in need, wouldn't you?

On their website, it says the ISLA trained 60 local people in Phuket to international ocean lifeguard standards for free in 2017, and donated rescue equipment. I recently read an article in the news about a local surfer who took this training, and rescued a tourist at Surin Beach a few weeks back. I just don't see anything dodgy about that.

I respect and agree with the missions of both agencies you mentioned. I am a member of one of them. However, in my opinion, the true test of an organisation like this is what they actually do, not who they are affiliated with, or how much money they make doing it.

Looks like they are lifeguards from all over the world volunteering to help others, basically what any good lifeguard should do.

August 9, 2018

Yes OldCroc I missed your sarcasm about the government. It is well hidden. What seemed much more obvious, is that you are criticising/questioning what appears to be an international NGO that is trying to promote ocean safety in Phuket.

The story reads "The International Surf Lifesaving Association (ISLA) is recommending", so that should answer your question about authority, if indeed that is truly your concern.

If you are experienced in the subject of closing dangerous beaches, or what to do when a croc is nearby, or you have any valuable or positive input at all, please let's hear it. I will be the first to commend you.

Or, if you are concerned about beach safety in Phuket, perhaps you could contact Mr. David Field at SLSA, and see if they could provide some free equipment or training.

If not, then you are just another arm-chair quarterback sitting in your lounger, and sniping at those who are trying to do something good - just like on the cave rescue.

August 8, 2018

Yes indeed Old Croc, one would wonder why the Marine Department or the contracted lifesavers aren't making these warnings. Of course this is the same marine department who inspected all of Phuket's boats a couple of weeks ago and declared all safe, only to have ISOC come in four days ago and declare 50% were not safe. And now there is a brand new marine chief, the previous one was just transferred. I'm sure they are on top of this, and know all about Phuket's surf conditions, and would definitely issue a warning if needed.

Also, definitely wonder why the contracted lifesavers that work for the local municipalities haven't issued any warnings. Apparently, these are the same lifeguards who can't swim, do proper CPR, or even make a rescue. I'm sure they are also right on top of conditions and would be issuing detailed warnings like this.

Hey Old Croc, didn't I see you on TV at the Tham Luang cave rescue, questioning the volunteer rescue divers about "official capacity?" I see a lot of parallels here.

April 6, 2018

International travelers will still need to go through immigration. There are lots of stations, just no immigration officers to work in them. This is the real bottleneck at Phuket International.

April 6, 2018

Jerry921 how many hours, days, or years have you volunteered as a certified ocean lifeguard on Phuket's beaches. How many rescues have you made? How many lives have you saved? What is your level of certification?

Here's my info:

Years as a certified ocean lifeguard on Phuket's Beaches - 7 years
Certification level - Marine Safety Officer - International Surf Lifesaving Association
Number of rescues on Phuket's beaches: Over 100

Sorry, but you are just a fool who just likes to talk about something you know nothing about. Prove to me otherwise and I will apologize to you.

April 6, 2018

To PPAO and LP Laikhum:

We are NOT fooled by your FAKE LIFEGUARDS with no experience or ocean certification. They are supposed to be certified by Canadian Life Saving Society? (This is an agency that certifies pool lifeguards). Why would anyone choose them over local surfers/lifeguards who have years of experience on Phuket's beaches, and who have been certified as TRUE OCEAN lifeguards by the International Surf Lifesaving Association?

When the Southwest Monsoon arrives, they will:

1) Be afraid to enter Phuket's dangerous water and rough surf
2) Watch from the beach as tourists drown
3) Go back to the pool

or
4) The few that are foolish enough to try a rescue will drown themselves

Anyone can put on a pair of shorts and shirt and pose for a photo. Phuket needs REAL ocean lifeguards certified by a respected OCEAN LIFEGUARD organization.

The inevitable drownings will begin soon, and PPAO will have blood on their hands for this. It's not only tourists that will drown. Thai's, especially children will die too. MARK MY WORDS!

March 30, 2018

When you don't know what you are talking about, but you HAVE to be right like Jerry 921:

"Information previously covered in Regional Travel Alerts is included in appropriate Travel Advisories or on country information webpages found on travel.state.gov. Travel Advisories allow us to be more specific about where there are conditions that might pose risks to U.S. citizens and what actions U.S. citizens should take."

There used to be "Regional Travel Alerts", they were done away with. Now, that information is included in "appropriate Travel Advisories". A level 3 REGIONAL example:

"Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Reconsider travel to:

Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla provinces due to civil unrest."

So Thailand outside of these four provinces is at level 1. These 4 provinces are at level 3.

All that has changed is that there are no more warnings called, "Regional Travel Alerts", instead, that information is included in Travel ADVISORIES and allows them to be "more specific about where there are conditions that might pose risks."

So let's be clear. The US Dept of State can and DOES issue region-specific travel advisories, just like they have for Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla.

"It is better to be thought an idiot, than to express your opinion and remove all doubt."

March 27, 2018

On 3/25/2018 at 2:17 PM, jerry921 said:

Level 3 advisory would be totally over the top. These warnings are set for whole countries, sometimes with special levels for areas within a country. Thailand as a whole is set at level 1, "use normal precautions" (there's no level 0). Not swimming in unfamiliar waters when there is no life guard on duty would fall under "normal precautions", so that is all that is justified.

Within Thailand, the US DoS has a level 3 advisory for Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla provinces due to civil unrest. That's the kind of danger these warning levels are designed to warn about. Venezuela, Pakistan and Turkey are level 3 countries.

Level 4 countries include Iraq, Iran, Syria, North Korea, Afghanistan etc. Those are places so dangerous that buying a round trip air ticket is a bad bet.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

Sometimes people have to be called out, like Jerry921. Almost everything he claims to "know" here is wrong.

"Warnings are set for whole countries": WRONG - warnings can and often do apply only to certain areas of a country, as in his own example of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla.

"Not swimming in unfamiliar waters when there is no life guard on duty would fall under "normal precautions", so that is all that is justified." WRONG - Phuket has some of the most deadly "flash rip" currents in the world. These currents appear suddenly, move unpredictably, and then disappear.

"the US DoS has a level 3 advisory for Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla provinces due to civil unrest. That's the kind of danger these warning levels are designed to warn about." WRONG: Compare the number of drowning deaths in Phuket to the number of bombing deaths in the far south - Phuket's drownings FAR exceed the number of deaths from bombing."

A little research and a few facts go a long way ...

http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-expat-deaths-police-list-reveals-drownings-crash-fatalities-17715/

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