williamlevin

Since Thailand police are always trying to raise more money by various means, why don't they collect fines for violations of the drinking and driving laws, especially during Songkran. They (or the government maybe) would make some money, and the roads would be safer. They could even set up drunk driving stops in high traffic areas where people drink and drive a lot. It's not just about rarely enforcing laws, it's also a good way to increase revenues. And they should put a permanent police radar stop on Huaykaew Road in Chiang Mai. I'm so sick of listening to the sleep awakening roar of motorcycles going at over 100 miles per hour every night. Again, it's a win-win since Thailand would make a lot of money, and people would be a lot safer. The only ones hurt would be those who drink or speed excessively. I'm sure someone will poke fun at this option, but there are solutions that can be implemented that are very practical.

This is all just an April Fool's joke, right? You know, today being April 1 in farandland.

It can be done, but I'd recommend a less expensive area of Thailand at the beginning. You can have a comfortable, but not opulent, life style here. Maybe supplement your rental income with some part-time work, consulting, teaching English, etc..

I am a single male, 58, teach English here near Bangkok (in Pathumthani), rent a nice one bedroom/studio apartment, it costs about 8000 baht per month, including all utilities (including running air con a lot), Internet, furniture and frig rental, etc. The building has 24 hour guards, free gym upstairs, and is very conveniently located by a nice market, and across street from a major shopping mall, a 5 minute walk. But not very big, just a tiny deck, and small bathroom, a little tight for 2 people, though many are doing it.

My total income is about 35,000 baht (sometimes I supplement it), so just slightly more than yours. You can have a reasonably comfortable life style on that here if you are careful about extra expenses. I eat out almost every meal, usually Thai food, sometimes Western food, but rarely anything extravagant. No need for a car here, public transportation is very good and fairly cheap, including travel around Thailand and SE Asia.

So, if you want to enjoy life while you still can, come to THailand, but have a budget and stick to it, and try a less expensive area to live in at the beginning, including Isaan or Northern Thailand.

Does anyone know if an apartment building in Thailand can double the electric rate (from the 3 baht they pay to the electric company to 6 baht they charge to tenants) without disclosing this in the written lease or having a lease provision allowing this? My "rent" is about 2600 baht, but the electric alone is running about 2400 baht, and I have objected to this increase in the electrical rate as it is not in my lease. Thanks.

Does anyone remember the scene in the movie Casablanca, with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman (I think), where "Louie," the police chief in Casablanca, conducts a raid on his favorite nightclub where Louie spends most of his time gambling and hanging out with Bogart,the owner (Rick in the movie)? When Rick asks Louie why the nightclub is being closed, Louie says, tongue in cheek, "I'm shocked, totally shocked, to learn that there is gambling here." Aren't we all shocked to learn that there is prostitution in those clubs in Pataya? Or in Thailand anywhere? lol