Kinnock

1 minute ago, Dolf said:

Well I wouldnt ask people whether I should spend 1m baht or not. 

Well yes ..... and I think there's a consensus amongst the learned forum members on that .... No!

I've taken a Kicks for a drive, and was impressed.  Lively performance, especially from a standstill, quiet, comfortable, spacious interior. 

Interior quality is much improved on the latest model too.

I also like that it does not have a rubber band CVT transmission, which is a weak point if you do high mileage.

The very similar Yaris Cross has all the complexity of an ICE and a hybrid, but I guess this is only an issue if you plan to keep it a long time.

Depreciation will be lower with the Toyota though.

Ideal for me would be a plug in hybrid with a decent battery range that's made in Thailand, so I didn't buy a Kicks as it can't run on battery alone.

5 hours ago, FarangRimPing said:

I have a plug-in Hybrid here in Thailand, and in my opinion, definitely the way to go.

 

I get about 50kms on battery which covers all my needs except when I go on a long road trip. It's easy to find gasoline on my journey and fill-ups are very fast.

 

This is perfect, for me at least.

Yes, a plug in hybrid sounds like the ideal option considering current state of charging stations.  But I think there's very few options on the market?  If you don't want to pay import duty, isn't the Mitsubishi Outlander the only option?

On 3/26/2024 at 10:44 AM, VocalNeal said:

Back in the day taxi drivers would get a "commission" if they brought a passenger to gem store. A friend of mine used to suggest to a taxi driver that he would go to the gem store in the taxi, the driver could claim his "commission" and then split the commission and have lunch together.

Yes .... the taxi drivers also got a commission for taking passengers to the old Climax bar in Bangkok Soi 11 .... it was our regular late night bar, and we could get a free ride as the commission more than covered the fare.  

It takes a coalition of investment businesses to raise the funds to make a movie, and they are looking for a guaranteed return on investment.  This means a proven track record of consumers, either because it's a sequel, franchise or based on a successful book or video game.  This has resulted to successive dumbing down of storyline.

With the exception of a few writer/directors such as Christopher Nolan, who has the determination to do what he wants and the track record to raise the funds, everyone else just churns out boring franchised sequels that end in  the predictable big final fight scenes.

I think Thailand ranks high in the 'Chinese Opportunities Index, but very low in the 'Global Opportunities Index'

I think the risk is very small .... maybe elevated slightly as there's the current anti-falang trend in the media, but looking at the uncontrolled risks at the annual 'bung fai' rocket festivals, I think any resulting damage from your rocket will be seen as an innocent accident.

There was some recent legal action against the sellers of flying lanterns and fireworks in Bangsaen, with several sellers receiving jail sentences, but no action was taken against the buyers/users.

Just make sure you have the full support and approval from your school.  And of course ensure the kids are safe in case of a launch failure.

Just an update which may be of interest to anyone else caring for an elderly relative, and to see if anyone has any more useful advice .....

Over three weeks since her stroke, and still in ICU and on a ventilator.  The nurses remove the ventilator daily to try to strengthen her natural breathing, but she gets exhausted quickly.

She did not serm to recognise her relatives when they visited, and while she appeared to recognise my wife during her twice daily visits - when my wife took a few days break from the visits (to reassure herself that I've not managed to destroy the house while she's been away), her Mother did not recognise her when she resumed the daily visits.

She seems to have no long term memory.  Although she seems stable, probably due to the good nursing care and the equipment.

I'm still concerned about the practical aspects of long term care.  The hospital want to move her from the ICU to a local hospital, and then to her home.  The rest of the family made one 'royal visit' then went back home ..... and while my wife is learning about how to care for her Mother, I'd like my wife back!

I also have a concern about the long term costs .... the rest of the family is claiming poverty 🤨

Yes, good friends, but only two .... and they both have an international education and outlook.

Also remember the 'Thai gold' bought in the shops in the malls is not the same purity as 24k gold.  It's 23k.

No issue if you sell it in Thailand in the future, as it's a set price based on the current gold price per Baht, but if you want to sell it in another country, 24k gold is better.

If you buy the little gold bars in the malls, you often have to buy the dinky plastic box, as that's the profit for the shop.  If you buy jewellery you pay for making on top of the current price.  Making can be negotiable, or even free if you pay for "membership' at chains like Aurora.

If you want 24k gold, try Chinatown.  If you want official gold coins like a UK Crown, Singapore is good.  But Thai girls like Thai gold jewellery, so they can sell it after they dump you.  

Long term Thai wives want Thai gold to sell after their husbands take a Gik.

Isn't taking the video and sharing it online technically Defamation in Thailand? 

Which is a criminal offence.  The fact that the subjects of the video may also be in the wrong is irrelevant under Thai defamation law.

On 3/14/2024 at 8:19 AM, fondue zoo said:

Because there is a higher probability they will earn more and support mama in her dotage.

There is a certain degree of "future investment" when it comes to children in Asia, or at least so I'm told.

 

 Plus a dollop of that good 'ol fashioned Face pretence.  

That's the theory, but in practice it's the girls who can hold down a job and it's the daughters who look after their Mothers (the father having buggered off years ago).

I think Everest or waiting for new Fortuna is probably best bet, but the Nissan Terra is worth a look .... it's more spacious inside than the Fortuna and has a better ride, and lower cost than the Everest.

Only had a sit in the new Triton, but was impressed with the interior - large screen, good quality finishes for a pick-up, electric seat etc.  And it seems to have had a comprehensive update this year.  

I prefer a unibody SUV myself, so I'd probably go for a Subaru Forrester or Honda CR-V.  The Scoobydoo in within your budget, and good value now as there's a new model due next year.

Homepro and Thaiwatsadu have sound absorbing, foam tiles.  I think you need to order them, but I saw samples and photos in the stores.  They also have secondary window frames.

You'll need a combination of noise absorbers and sound proofing.  The first thing is to seal any gaps .... foam strips around windows, sealant around AC pipework etc.  Then add secondary glazing. 

Standard double glazing usually has an inadequate air gap between the glass panes - you need a wide gap, or secondary windows.

Sound absorbing tiles in the roof space will also help.  And insulation under rooftiles.  Ceiling lights can be a problem as they provide a direct route to the roofspace - seal if you can.

Most house walls in Thailand are lightweight, single leaf bricks - so adding mass such as plasterboard can help.

Inside your rooms go for lots of heavy soft furnishings - they are additional absorbers.

Sound proofing is mainly about mass - so thick glass in windows, heavy rock wool insulation, plasterboard.  Then you need sound absorbers everywhere.  But a hole or gap in walls, ceilings and windows will defeat all the rest.

1 hour ago, Mark Nothing said:

The hierarchical system in thailand does not contain a slot in the totem pole for foreigners.  Once you realize this everything they do makes sense.  Foreigners don't care about this, but they sure do.  Everything revolves around who is situated on which rung of the ladder.

 

There is a well defined pecking order and foreigners are not on it. Farm animals and even wild animals are in the hierarchy system.  But not foreigners. Never have been and never will be.

 

You should not try to integrate into thai society because you can't.  The hierachical structure does not contain a slot for foreigners by design.  

I agree, but with one exception.  There is a slot for English Teachers on the Thai hierarchical ranking.

I mean real English teachers, not the convenient visa option.

It's not high on the ranking, but it's a recognised peg in the Thai system for foreigners.

When I try ro explain my work as a manager of a consultancy, I get confused looks, so it can be easier to say I'm an English teacher.  Teaching is seen as an honourable but low paid position. 

For Manchester, Lufthansa is good (if not on strike).  Business to Germany, then a short economy flight to UK.  

For Manchester, Lufthansa is good (if not on strike).  Business to Germany, then a short economy flight to UK.