MeHere

NO SUSHI FOR YOU!

History schmistory... the victors write the books anyway, but the few tidbits we learned in school are useful as background topics for a myriad of subjects
I was very good at geography back in school (70s), but these days there are so many new countries popping up, I'd be lucky to find some on a map.
The only map my thai university educated mrs can read is a google map... and she can only read the blue line, the arrows, and meters remaining
We're visiting Europe for a month, the mrs' first trip outside of Thailand and Australia... I'm sure she will be amazed!

I cannot comment on the ZS, but I've been renting a new(ish) HS for a month and a half so far here in Australia and I can say it's very mediocre.

It is not ergonomic or comfortable, it's loud and there's lots of sway on corners (as previously mentioned). I haven't actually measured the fuel economy, but it doesn't seem so great for such an underpowered vehicle.
As for power, I can get up to speed on the highway, but the transmission does wind out often when accelerating.
I find the console controls poorly designed and the display is slow and sluggish.
Steering radius sucks bigtime for such a small car.
The 'MG Pilot' is a total nightmare with false breaking and all kinds of unexpected surprises
The cruise control is utter crap and has a mind of it's own.
The car is loud and the aerodynamics have not been considered...

The window controls are erratic and difficult to 'crack' the window to your liking

When you are able to open the window just a bit, be prepared to not listen to music

Speaking of music, the sound system sucks
Oh, and the rear camera isn't protected well in the rain to the point of usefulness.
It might be cheap, but in my opinion cheap is all you'd get buying an MG. Caveat emptor (BTW, I wouldn't own this junk for free)

This happened to my wife and me, but the taxi was a boat and we were left stranded on Koh Thale Waek ????????

17 hours ago, Maybole said:

What is a "P" trap?

Took all of two seconds to find out everything about a P Trap with a simple Google search

What an absolutely wonderfully written mind boggling article. 

On 5/24/2022 at 1:58 PM, shackleton said:

If you can afford to pay for original Designer goods then you can afford the tax enough said 

All these comments about if you can afford the goods, then you can afford paying tax on the goods... <deleted>???
The taxes were already paid when the goods were bought, on income that was already taxed according (btw), no?

Whatever you do... be careful: There are nasty scammers out there right at the top of the google search for Thailand Pass!
WARNING SCAM WEBSITE!!

2 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

Indian Guys?  For some they are a problem.  But for others it is not.  This Indian Guy in LA did just fine:

There's a *slight* difference between this very wealthy Indian guy and the hordes negotiating four for the price of one deals on Walking Street!

'Former' pretty 555

24 minutes ago, James105 said:

More misinformation and lies to spread fear.  Why do you do it?  What do you gain from this?     

 

“Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the flu kills 290,000 to 650,000 people per year”

 

https://www.health.com/condition/flu/how-many-people-die-of-the-flu-every-year

He does it because it fits within his belief system... the same belief system that's been around from the start.

This is not the flu, everyone needs to treat this with kid gloves, 

otherwise, the world wouldn't be in the situation it is right now.

... and here I was thinking 'Swiss Made' stood for quality!

Lesson of the story:
Don't by critical technology from China
<sheeesh>

4 hours ago, Snow Leopard said:

I also use XE Currency to transfer money from the UK to my Thai account. I have used it about 20 times now. 2 GBP fee. Faultless and within 24 hours so far. WISE is rubbish. Okay if you are from the US i suppose. 

I use both Transferwise (now called Wise) and XE... Wise is much quicker (sometimes under 5 minutes), especially on weekends, and the credit card is a bonus. XE is good too, if you're not in a hurry.

21 hours ago, Upnotover said:

Looks familiar.  Crazy kind of place.  But is Soi 23 Thonglor?

Thong Lor Police cover down to Asoke, maybe even further AFAIK

I just wonder what short-time will cost by the time it's worth going there on holiday

Simple... Just BUILD A WALL!!! 555

This is so sad to read... Poor old guy!

My (Thai) wife told me about a more hardline approach from customs to collect as much duty as possible on items entering the Kingdom...

I do remember when I moved to Thailand back in 2009, bringing a container of my personal items, my several years stereo system was singled out for import duty to the song of several thoussand baht... I had no proof of purchase, or the value, so I got what I go... I don't remember exactly how much I had to pay, but it was significant compared to the resale value.

Now, I'm not sure if I was singled out for being a 'rich foreigner' (ha!), or if this is normal treatment.

Anyway, she's saying that anything brought into the Kingdom is subject for import duty/tax, whether it be a watch, handbag, wedding ring, or basically anything of a value of over 20kthb, apparently.

Does anyone know about this, or how to prevent being taxed on personal items, especially on items purchased years ago with (foreign) tax receipts to prove taxes have been paid? Or, do customs not care and this is merely a money grab and there's nothing that can be done to protect ourselves from this theft?

Maybe it's just sex tourist numbers are down, and *nice* tourist numbers are up? It is Pattaya, after all, the largest brothel in the world.

I've had many a great times in Patpong over the last decade, although quality of many of the gogos is diminishing. I find Pink Panther to be the best, and the Muay Thai nightly entertainment is great fun to take visiting friends ...
The French restaurant right in Patpong between ladyboys and beer bars is one of the best French restaurants in Thailand IMHO

My question is in regards to financial and marriage requirements to stay in Thailand without hassle

I lived in Bangkok for about 7 years until a few years ago when I decided to move to Australia for work to top up my retirement savings a bit better

I've been with my  partner for a bit over eight years, and last Christmas we had a village wedding.

My retirement plan is to retire to Thailand in a few years, after we buy some land and build a house on it in Hua Hin.

Our plan is to legally marry at some time, but am wondering if there is any added benefit (or detriment) to being married in Thailand versus being married in the US or Australia... 

Am I correct in understanding that the financial difference between being married to a Thai and not is having 400kTHB in the bank at renewal time vs 800kTHB in the bank at renewal time?

Is there also a minimum income amount difference between being married or not?

Are there any other benefits or obstacles created by marrying in Thailand vs outside, or is it the same to the Thai government no matter where we marry?

Is it possible to get something along the lines of permanent residence, so there is no more yearly immigration hassle?

Thanks for your help!

4 hours ago, Vacuum said:

Maybe if you use a mirror.

Look! No mirrors...