canuckoverseas

Channel Islands aren't members of the EU. Anyway, we have had an account with one of the top banks there for 10 years without issue.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Try one of the Channel Islands.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

You can drum up as much noise as you like, you can beat yourself in the chest also as much as you like.

Russia was isolated from the West for decades, so the fear mongering of being isolated again is simply useless.

Iran, Syria, North Korea all have itchy fingers

China has very high ambitions,

The rest of Middle East is very Russian inclined.

Russia will not NOT be isolated and rest assured US will suffer the most in the current situation.

Something so many seem to fail to understand

Just because your wife is going mad, it does not automatically translate into "everyone" being unhappy or concerned.

Aside from Syria, the Mid East is very much tilted toward the US. What can Russia offer the Mid East that they cannot get from the US? Pretty much nothing.

The fact is, the US is on its way to energy independence, doubly so considering the keystone pipeline. Meanwhile, the Russian economy is imploding.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

My partner is an Executive Chef who I meet in Kenya where she was setting up a very up-market Thai restaurant in the capital. Now we have kids she has "retired" from her profession (she had worked in 17 different countries setting up facilities in hotels as well as restaurants) BUT has over the last 6 years back home set up a number small restaurants in and around Bangkok. My advice - it is bloody tough way to make money - competition is fierce and the price of street food is down in the region of margins as thin as a film of oil on water.

The biggest problems - staff - train them and they leave and it doesn't matter how trusting they are when they start - any profit rapidly disappears out the back door. Very few Thais want to work in the trade so you are having to deal with Cambodians and Burmese (he says with a shudder). The only problem bigger are the relatives - who one is initially tempted to trust - they know I'm an expat (even though I'm totally banned from ever appearing at the facility) and believe my wife to be a successful self made businesswoman (which she is) and therefore honour bound to help out on ever single crisis in their side of the family from school fees to unexpected illness. The daily take shrinks, they blame the waitress and finally you discover it's them - now you have a real family problem - accusing an aunt of "theft". If you have had trouble with the ill laws in the past I can promise - you ain't seen nothing until you insist that your partner finally fire your MiL's sister and tell her she's not to ever come by the restaurant again.

I could go on and on but - the only way it has been marginally profitable was because my partner is a total hospitality professional and knows how to maintain stock - buying meat, prawns etc in BULK and spending hours preparing and freezing meal sized portions. It takes real skill to adjust your buying of vegetables to market and meal preference trends - if not you end up throwing away mountains of stuff.

The problems you can encounter from authorities would take more space than there is to post - but I promise you if you are there it will get worse and secondly if your wife is not bloody bright and experienced at handling life in the small business sector of Thailand - FORGET IT. Life with the SME parasites of Thailand - police, local licensing authorities, health officials, sanitation inspectors, etc etc - is particular difficult and at times harrowing..

This is why I love this forum. Expert advice.

I also lived in Nairobi for 3 years, still miss their excellent restaurant scene.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

For something different, get a standing desk, much healthier

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Just want to say this thread is highly entertaining. We need an update from the OP!

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I disagree, the world needs cheap items and someone has to make them, have you never looked around Big C, Tesco, Walmart, Woolworths, the myriad of Poundsaver stores and so on? Not everyone wants or can afford high quality costly items.

Shopping at Walmart is a choice, as with much consumer activity. With on shoring and adoption of new technologies such as 3d printing, china will quickly lose their competitive advantage, and the inefficiencies in the their system will be increasingly exposed.

There was an article on Bloomberg the other day saying that a record number of Chinese millionaires are now emigrating to the west, purchasing property, and claiming citizenship for their children....this is the sign that the good times in china are quickly coming to an end. Without democratic reforms, their poorer disenfranchised population will become increasingly restless...not unlike the current protests in Thailand or Ukraine. Expect more corruption scandals to tarnish the politburo in 2014 .

Another key indicator, demographics. China is growing older, faster than many expected. Even with current reforms to the one child policy, there will still be a labor shortage going forward the next couple of decades. The US on the other hand has quite a stable aging population, not to mention a relatively open immigration policy.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

only a very sad psycho would really wish for a continuation of the political upheaval, economic disruption and bloodshed

if i met any such person i would inform them that the eqyptian pound has depreciated significantly over the last year or so

I'm an expat in egypt. A country facing a similar situation as Thailand. Egypt depends upon tourism and FDI, yet much of that has collapsed since the revolution ( now two at last count), tourism has collapsed by 80%, unemployment close to 20%, currency depreciated around 15%, inflation around 20%). So things are bad, but the political process is moving forward, and there is the promise of economic growth returning next year.

I would add, hoping for economic collapse is quite separate than hoping for a change in the politics or a reduction in hypocrisy and institutional corruption - both of which are in no short supply in Thailand or Egypt. State sponsored violence and propaganda are enduring issues found in all emerging economies to various degrees.

To deny these issues exist or need reform is the height of hypocrisy and mendacity, and I would place the quoted blogger in the first post in that category--- though as mentioned, he does have his advertisers who pay his bills to please.

You deserve to be shot if you are trying to take over a police headquarters acting like a bunch of primates. This is called self-defense and the police have every right to exercise self-defense and defend their ground.

How can any rationale and intelligent human being condone such actions. Who cares what happened in 2010. That does not make it right now. Bunch of pathetic cheerleaders that apparent enjoy watching the suffering of others from the safety of their own homes. Lowest of low.

Here in Cairo, the police killed over 900 protestors in the course of several hours as they cleared a protest square, victims included men women and children. Where do you draw the line?

How about the Ukraine, where hundreds of thousands are peacefully protesting? Even now in egypt, all protesting is technically illegal, there are still thousands of brave protestors turning out each week to voice their democratic rights.

In the long run, people power is effective.

This Chinese belligerence is going to do wonders for US military exports with her Asian allies. Great timing too, considering the US economy is improving while also experiencing a domestic energy boom.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Only a sick twisted sob runs over a helpless animal, may the spirit of that dog haunt you for the rest of your days.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

"Helpless animal." Let's see. It had bitten an older woman, killed the OP's pet cat and threatened the OP. Helpless Huh?

Mean and damaging/killer dogs are always more important than people, I guess?

I've killed two dangerous dogs plus some who were bothering cattle in my life and the only "haunting" I get is the satisfaction of knowing I saved myself and probably others from an attack.

I don't know, but I wonder if this is a city boy syndrome. If you were raised on a cattle ranch, and saw dogs attack your calves, pigs, chickens and threaten children you'd know why there's always a gun rack and rifles in the farm trucks including pickups. If a strange dog is just crossing your property and not paying any attention to animals, he gets a pass. But if he's worrying any livestock, he gets dropped. For one thing, your livelihood is tied up in those animals. A lot of work and money has gone into breeding them, so even a newborn calf is worth a lot of money.

If it's bothering people, they are even more valuable. If you grow up that way, maybe you get a different mindset.

Well, I live in cairo egypt, which Similar to Thailand has tens of thousands of street dogs. They are wild animals that live along side humans. As with any developing country, there are cruel people who poison or run over the animals. Now, of course there are various ways of dealing with them, the civilized approach is to catch them, immunize, then neuter, then release them back. Ie. call the local SPCA or animal shelter. The monetary cost is small, and instead of perpetuating acts of violence, it promotes a sustainable path to dealing with a long term problem. Running over a defenceless animal with a car is cruel and unnecessary, no matter how you look at it.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Only a sick twisted sob runs over a helpless animal, may the spirit of that dog haunt you for the rest of your days.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

You're splitting hairs.

The concept of freedom includes freedom to travel abroad and freedom to live abroad.

If government policies strongly REPRESS that freedom, that's a sign of a more totalitarian state.

I'm not so paranoid (some people are) to think this is a conscious policy to force Americans back "home" but I think that's the direction these policies are taking in terms of CONSEQUENCES.

US tax reporting rules 'repress freedom' that is rather laughable. Anyone who has a USD denominated account can count themselves as one of the global privileged. Sure there are some strings attached, but that's the price you pay to use the global reserve currency. Nothing is free. Oh, and following the rules isn't so hard.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Something tells me that if your looking for investment advice on this forum, there is a chance that in the not too distant future, you may have to go back to work.

39 years of age with what would be a good retirement nest egg, that is, if you were anywhere near retirement age. 39 my friend, advice is, keep working, keep

building on that nice little nest egg, and don't give up until it is double or triple in size, and then and only then, invest wisely.

What he said. These days, with the world so unstable, your housing investments can go down, your stock investments can go down, currencies can collapse, banks collapse, commodities can collapse. The only important thing is cash flow. If you have a great job and are young, keep at it and keep bringing in the cash...especially if you have no clue what you would do with yourself in 'early retirement'. If you're 39 now, you have great odds of living to 100...thats a long time!

Santander private bank in Jersey is reliable, been using them for over ten years (before they were Abbey), however you'll need more than 25k.

Best advice I can think of is invest in what you know. If you don't understand something, don't invest in it!

Anyone else see this documentary? I just caught it yesterday, its quite funny and touching.

Basically, its about a 60 year old American marrying a young mailorder Chinese bride, with the director following along for the ride.

It starts with the classic stereotypes, but as it progresses, the nuances and unique benefits (and possible downsides) to these relationships is revealed.

http://www.seekingasianfemale.com/

Just thought I'd share.

Carry the cash/cards on your person, in a secure thief proof pocket (such as found on numerous kinds of pants/ shorts) . Don't carry a purse/bag, or backpack. The good hotels ( ie, international brands) all have room safes, so you can store your cards and passport there when going out. Use ATM machines from official, international banks ( good advice). Also make sure to tell your credit card company when and where you will be traveling to avoid them locking your card. $ 1000 USD traveling cash is enough for emergencies. I have never seen the point in Traveller checks, but carrying a few couldn't hurt. Remember, Thailand is one of the top countries for credit card fraud.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

i've found through my experience, that if you want riches & wealth.. then the best way to achieve it is to leech it from some sad sucker that already has it.

my missus (thai) is currently 'working' for another mia farang (rich husband in germany) who has a 20,000baht a day! gambling habit... this 'mark' is drunk daily and has no concept of money - if she runs out, a quick call & german husband sends her another 70k. Last week she wanted a new car.. husband blindly sent her 700k to buy a new yaris!

anyhow.. my missus (under my guidance) is doing very well out of this friendship with this silly woman (and her equally silly man). Hope your not reading this 'Wolfgang'..

The sex must be very good.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

Um, the whole point of torrents is that they cannot be blocked at a single source. I wouldn't worry about it, a workaround will be forthcoming.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

Indeed nobody knows, yet so many people are keen to cast the first stone without any accurate evidence of what happened. My point being who know's if he's been drinking alcohol? In most countries people are innocent until proven guilty, yet the expat community already have him down as a drug using, drink driver. Accidents happen, that's a fact of life, forget who he is or what he was driving an accident occurred with no evidence of alcohol being involved, the visitor log showed he left his home at 0512am, to some people who work or have business that's nothing new. To many of the expats on this forum with little to do except start a witch hunt, in particular type of expat who complains there are to many 'dry' days in Thailand or complain that the new taxes on alcohol are impacting their pensions and are simply jealous of a young man with such a high performance car. Leaving the scene of the crime and dragging the policeman along is totally inexcusable (Particularly if he knew he was underneath the vehicle), but my guess would be any Thai would try and shirk this responsibility and evade the situation given half a chance, particularly at this time of the morning when not so many witnesses would be around.

9 times out of 10 , in a case like this in a developing country such as Thailand, the question of who is guilty is not in doubt, it is only a question of how the corrupted justice system will rule and how much money will change hands. To conclude anything else is disingenuous in the extreme.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

200k could buy a duplex in one of many US cities, can then earn at least 5% return in rent.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

That must have been some ring.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

Simple explanation, all perfectly natural;

Hermaphroditus, the two-sexed son of Aphrodite and Hermes (Venus and Mercury) had long been a symbol of bisexuality or effeminacy, and was portrayed in Greco-Roman art as a female figure with male genitals.[2]

Theophrastus's account also suggests a link between Hermaphroditus and the institution of marriage. The reference to the fourth day of the month is telling: this is the luckiest day to have a wedding. Hermaphroditus's association with marriage seems to have been that, by embodying both masculine and feminine qualities, he symbolized the coming together of men and women in sacred union. Another factor linking Hermaphroditus to weddings was his parents' role in protecting and blessing brides.[3]

Hermaphroditus's name is derived from those of his parents Hermes and Aphrodite. All three of these gods figure largely among erotic and fertility figures, and all possess distinctly sexual overtones. Sometimes, Hermaphroditus is referred to as Aphroditus. The phallic god Priapus was the son of Hermes in some accounts, and the youthful god of desire Eros of Hermes and Aphrodite.

Ovid's account relates that Hermaphroditus was nursed by naiads in the caves of Mount Ida,[4] a sacred mountain in Phrygia (present day Turkey). At the age of fifteen, he grew bored with his surroundings and traveled to the cities of Lycia and Caria. It was in the woods of Caria, near Halicarnassus (modern Bodrum, Turkey) that he encountered the nymph, Salmacis, in her pool. She was overcome by lust for the boy, who was very handsome but still young, and tried to seduce him, but was rejected. When he thought her to be gone, Hermaphroditus undressed and entered the waters of the empty pool. Salmacis sprang out from behind a tree and jumped into the pool. She wrapped herself around the boy, forcibly kissing him and touching his breast. While he struggled, she called out to the gods that they should never part. Her wish was granted, and their bodies blended into one form, "a creature of both sexes".[5] Hermaphroditus prayed to Hermes and Aphrodite that anyone else who bathed in the pool would be similarly transformed, and his wish was granted. "In this form the story was certainly not ancient," Karl Kerenyi noted. He compared the myth of the beautiful ephebe with Narcissus and Hyacinthus, who had an archaic hero-cult, and Hymenaios.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

Frankly, the world would be a better place with more bisexuals. Natural Population control for one thing

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app