CHRISTIANa9

Don't some christian sect requires donation of 10% of salary every month. Including bonuses.

Mustaffa. Open 24 hrs. U can find almost anything there.

.Things are getting more tough and despite whatever anyone can say, the average thai is having greater economic hardships, this coupled with other factors and the way the authorities are handling issues, makes thais more anti-foreigner in their attitudes. They only want your money , but not you. The crime rates is going up and crimes targetting foreigners are also going up. The authorities are also extremely anti-foreigner in their policies. To cut it short, Thailand is going down and expats really have no future in this country. Start leaving before its too late. Cambodia. Vietnam, Malaysia etc are much more better alternatives despite whatever people can say. The cost of living in thailand is also going up.

I have been dating this Thai woman for some time, less than a year. She is a professional, well educated and she speaks perfect English. We can run a good conversation and a good banter but I realize from time to time that she is an egg - white on the outside, yellow on the inside. 
 
One of the the way it shows is when I think I am romancing her, just to realize whatever I am doing is going over her head - champagne, bubble bath, fine dining and miscellaneous gifts. So, the question is what makes a Thai woman tick on the romance level? Would prefer for the Thai ladies in this forum to respond....

 

I wear dark glasses all the time, including inside shopping malls and even into early evening, because I suffer from photophobia, a condition I have learned to live with over thirty years - this means that bright sunlight makes me squint, become nauseous and causes painful headaches. The problem was not so bad when I lived in the West where photo grey lenses would take care of the problem, here the light is so powerful that photo grey isn't effective. So now I have two pairs of glasses, a regular pair I use at home for computer work and a dark pair I wear the rest of the time, both are made to the same varifocal prescription. And yes, on occasion a "<deleted>" westerner in a shopping mall will give me an odd look but what am I supposed to do, stop and tell him/her my medical history so that in future they will understand!

"Good for u, please carry on and leave ThailAnd for us mortal."

I actually feel sorry for Thailand and the Thais when I come across such negative people as you,with nothing good to say about anyone or anywhere,poor Thailand is welcome to you!

U are wrong again. There are many things i like about Philippines, just safety is not one of them. Its terribly unsafe. If i have a private transport fetching everywhere, with local escort, its a fun place.

Do u travel alone or with a bunch of local? Do u have private transport waiting for u? Do u stay within makati? It's makati not makati city. Have u Try walking alone at night from ayala ave to burgos st. ? Have u try walking around chinatown or 168 etc. Try it. Try walking from. La cafe (old) name up and down the street. Try walking from la cafe to makati. It's a long walk. Yry b4 u defend the unknown

Where did I say Makati City,please tell me?

And yes I've walked all over Manila at night,Makati,Malate,Burgos Street we use to walk there from Makati Avenue where my buddy used to DJ at Time nightclub and Chihuahua (he's Latino so did Salsa nights there!)

To the Bronx Bar one of the few still open on Burgos Street at around 5-6:00am and guess what...we had a wonderful time,no problems,no attacks,nothing!

Good for u, please carry on and leave ThailAnd for us mortal.

You people must visit a different Philippines to me as I lived in Cebu and never had any problems or felt unsafe anywhere in Cebu.My buddy was a DJ and we used to fly up to Manila to party all weekend in Manila and we had a fantastic time,nothing but fun met great people local and foreigners and never felt unsafe in Manila for even a second either!.

I honestly don't understand what you people must do to attract such attention from bad people or to feel unsafe it just does not compute with me at all?I've travelled all over the Phils to many islands like Bohol,Bantayan,Malapascua,Camotes,Cabilao,I've done Clark and Angeles City in Pampanga also and had an absolutely fantastic time and anyone that doesn't really does have something wrong with them.

In fact I don't believe these people have even been there,it's just scaremongering nonsense!

Do u travel alone or with a bunch of local? Do u have private transport waiting for u? Do u stay within makati? It's makati not makati city. Have u Try walking alone at night from ayala ave to burgos st. ? Have u try walking around chinatown or 168 etc. Try it. Try walking from. La cafe (old) name up and down the street. Try walking from la cafe to makati. It's a long walk. Yry b4 u defend the unknown

I have been going to ph for the past 15 years staying up to a max of 6 consecutive weeks. Other than makati itself, metro manila is not a save place. U have to be alert all the time. Even in makati i was followed a few times and each times i just walk into a shopping centre and wait it out. Most places have plenty of child beggers who more than likely to operate in a bunch. Keep your hands in your pockets least u find something missing. Outside of metro manila its a little bit better but still i wont be as relax as in Thailand. I think it would be difficult to live alone in ph unless at the top end. You will have lots of hassle from your neighbors. Marry a pina and you marry her family, relatives and the entire village, as quoted by my pinoy frd.

The prices and duration are listed. See Below:

http://www.thai-elite.com/

5 years is Baht 500,000 including VAT

20 years is Baht 2,000,000 ex VAT

? LT more ex?

I dont understand the code so what are you getting at? The details are as attached:

Ok brochure mistake i guess. Some cost quoted inclusive of vat, some not inclusive. So 20 years add vat while 5 years is inclusive. Printing mistake?

The prices and duration are listed. See Below:

http://www.thai-elite.com/

5 years is Baht 500,000 including VAT

20 years is Baht 2,000,000 ex VAT

? LT more ex?

Don't think it's a good idea. Debt collectors (legal & illegal) may turn up at registered address.

Recovery from crash? Everything is relative. The baht has been depreciating against the sing dollar since the crash. How do u explain that?

it's the other way round mate! beginn of 1998 one Sing Dollar bought 33 Baht. today one Sing Dollar buys <26 Baht.

from 2002 onwards THB and SGD moved more or less parallel vs. USD.

THB SGD USD.png

Conceded. But from 2008 to 2016 rates moved from 20 to 26 baht. It was a good run.

Why the Thai Baht is tied to US currency is beyond me, since it's obviously damaging to Thai economy, exports, and the tourist industry etc.

The Thai baht hasn't been pegged to the US dollar since the 1998 Asian financial crisis.

Prior to 1998 the Thai baht was pegged to the USD at approx 25 baht per dollar. Since 1998 the Thai baht has floated against the US dollar, and ranged from approx 50 baht to 27 baht per dollar.

Maybe in name Gecko 123 but it's certainly acting like it's tied, why would the Baht be so strong?

Presumably it is strong because it is in demand - tourism, trade, expats remittances etc - I very much doubt that the Bank of Thailand would have the resources to prop up the currency to any degree.

For the twenty zillion, quillionth time:

http://www2.bot.or.th/statistics/BOTWEBSTAT.aspx?reportID=80&language=ENG

Big sigh!

Indeed, if people checked they would see that Thailand has in some cases more foreign holding s on hand than their home countries.

The Thai baht isn't remarkably strong, western economies and governments are financially incredibly weak. They are printing money as never been seen before and everyone is wingeing that the baht is strong.

This is patently idiotic. The baht is on its long winding way back to where it was in 1996.

All the rest of it, is simply a recovery back from the crash.

Recovery from crash? Everything is relative. The baht has been depreciating against the sing dollar since the crash. How do u explain that?

Someone mentioned how surprised I'd be about prices when I go back to Canada. Well...I am back in Canada. I own a small condo in downtown Toronto (mortgaged) but because I have a renter there I'm staying in my mom's place in Hamilton. Now here is the thing......

Even in a dump like Hamilton, there are some really nice supermarkets with the choice of food and prices that are light years ahead of anything offered in bangkok. You have to remember that Canada is about 15-20% more expensive when it comes to groceries yet I find it cheaper than Thailand. I don't drink so I can't compare the prices of booze.

Apartments in Hamilton are old. War era buildings converted to condos and can be had relatively cheap. 100k can get you a 2 bedroom, but the thing is once you renovate it it will be of better quality than anything that's being built in Thailand especially condos which sell for 6 million baht minimum and look like ghetto in 10 years.

After staying in Canada for 10 years my gf would be eligible for pension even if she didn't work at all. If we buy something cheap and both of us work minimum wage we would be taken care in old age even if we didn't save a penny. Combine that with free healthcare and cheap meds for seniors this looks like a no brainer.

Right now we both earn a decent income. Not great but it's 100k a month combined. I live in her townhouse that she fully paid off and can afford to stay in nice hotel every weekend. It's just that this might not last and I am truly concerned about living in Thailand in old age. I have asthma and high blood pressure. One heart attack and it could leave me bankrupt.

Go home

Australia experience once in a 100 years drought follow by 1 in 1000 year drought, yet the dams were more than full the following years, this drought isn't going to last forever, just that it will do more damage before recovering

Your making a big leap in understanding, dealing with problems and solutions between the two countries.

Ya, and the desalination plant in Melbourne is now mothballed till the next big drought

Australia experience once in a 100 years drought follow by 1 in 1000 year drought, yet the dams were more than full the following years, this drought isn't going to last forever, just that it will do more damage before recovering

So Australian High Consulate didn't want to help at all because it's their break day. They gave me a phone number to call, but how am I going to call them without a passport to purchase a SIM card? They wouldn't even let me use their phone.

However, after explaining to them how serious a situation it is to not have a visa in Singapore, they finally sent a man down to consult with me. His name was Peter. A friendly fellow. But all he could suggest was to turn myself at Tuas or Woodlands in when I exit.

They refused to give me any documentation to show that I had discussed the matter with the Embassy.

Go to Tuas and explain yourself, it was a mistake from both parties. Get it done soon as there are plenty cameras around the checkpoint so they can verify your story. SG is very reasonable unlike Malaysia or Thailand taking every opportunity to screw u

i would imagine - just a guess but - that spending thb 8219.17808 a day would keep you too busy to post replies on this forum.

but perhaps you have some really expensive 'hobbies'?

An accountant your not are you ?....lets say the poster is spending 80k month on accomdation, say another 20 or 30 month on a car, private schooling for the kids etc..all adds up...

spending approx USD 85k a year wouldnt be that hard to do....so one suspects your remarks, plus the other poster are tinged with the green envy monster

Bobotie, I suspect Thaiduncakk and Manfredtillman are replying literally to the thread title without comprehending the content of the OP's post.

But to add some clarity to my reply to the OP.

I work here an on an expat salary (albeit a low one in thr grand scheme of expat salaries but one none the less), I have my basic salary + car allowance + house allowance + Full private medical insurance + paid flight home which totals (with the annual bonus) about 3 million baht.

Now the OP asked "if your job finished tomorrow" then obviously the above salary package would vapourise.

But we still have to pay for the current lifestyle which is;

House rent.

House content insurance.

Electric.

Water.

Car repayments(x2).

Car Insurance(x2).

Car maintenance(x2).

Car annual road tax(x2).

Scooter stuff ( not all that much but it still is an outgoing)(x2).

Fuel for the above vehicles.

Tires for the above vehicles.

Food.

Clothing.

Entertainment.

Health insurance.

Dog visits to the vet(x4 dogs).

Etc

Etc

Etc.

The above does not account for 3 million baht though and is only my Thailand outgoings.

Now we add my outgoings in my home country;

House repayments.

House insurance.

House maintenance.

And suddenly we realise that a big chunk of that 3 million baht salary that just vapourised has been consumed with relative ease.

Perhaps you should mention or start with after tax.

Perhaps you should learn to qoute.

But to humour your.

Bt.220,000 hits my bank account every month....

220k that's 2.6m, close to 3m. Something not right, taxes too low or that's gross exclude bonuses. Just my guess.

You have the wrong thread.

Look for 'What are the biggest lies foreigners tell in Thailand ?'

Interesting. Care to explain how you have intimate knowledge of my financials to have based your claim upon ?

i would imagine - just a guess but - that spending thb 8219.17808 a day would keep you too busy to post replies on this forum.

but perhaps you have some really expensive 'hobbies'?

An accountant your not are you ?....lets say the poster is spending 80k month on accomdation, say another 20 or 30 month on a car, private schooling for the kids etc..all adds up...

spending approx USD 85k a year wouldnt be that hard to do....so one suspects your remarks, plus the other poster are tinged with the green envy monster

Bobotie, I suspect Thaiduncakk and Manfredtillman are replying literally to the thread title without comprehending the content of the OP's post.

But to add some clarity to my reply to the OP.

I work here an on an expat salary (albeit a low one in thr grand scheme of expat salaries but one none the less), I have my basic salary + car allowance + house allowance + Full private medical insurance + paid flight home which totals (with the annual bonus) about 3 million baht.

Now the OP asked "if your job finished tomorrow" then obviously the above salary package would vapourise.

But we still have to pay for the current lifestyle which is;

House rent.

House content insurance.

Electric.

Water.

Car repayments(x2).

Car Insurance(x2).

Car maintenance(x2).

Car annual road tax(x2).

Scooter stuff ( not all that much but it still is an outgoing)(x2).

Fuel for the above vehicles.

Tires for the above vehicles.

Food.

Clothing.

Entertainment.

Health insurance.

Dog visits to the vet(x4 dogs).

Etc

Etc

Etc.

The above does not account for 3 million baht though and is only my Thailand outgoings.

Now we add my outgoings in my home country;

House repayments.

House insurance.

House maintenance.

And suddenly we realise that a big chunk of that 3 million baht salary that just vapourised has been consumed with relative ease.

Perhaps you should mention or start with after tax.

My colleague told me the Immigration in Bangkok allow you have the money in your home country Bank Account, not sure if he was 'winding' me up ?

I wonder if this is allowed especially if u apply for retirement visa from home country.

Super Bliss Rule no.1: Avoid farang - Keep local Thais @ arms length.

Might as well live in the mountain

hi All,

i have a question i would like to have some opinions on.

Early 2010, i had to close my company in Belgium. We were in global forwarding and i had lost too many of my clients in a few months time. losses that gave me cash flow issues what was disastrous for my company. i had only outstanding towards the bank and one supplier.

I had one branch office in Bangkok and one branch office in Hong Kong.

i had reformed those companies to a corporation but late 2013 i had also no other option than to file for bankruptcy in Hong Kong and voluntary winding up in Thailand. In Hong Kong the outstanding bills were too high to voluntary close it. In Thailand i had no outstanding bills and i had contact an accountant to handle the procedure for me.

I was lucky to find a job in Singapore where i have been working for 2 years now. The company i am working for is in financial troubles and i have an accrued salary of 4 months.

I have now a contract at my desk that i can sign and i would be employed in Thailand for indefinite time.

My problems are that:

- i did not show up on the hearing of my bankruptcy in Belgium. I simply could no longer afford the lawyer and all communication towards me stopped. The procedures for bankruptcy are closed now since 6 months ago and i have no way of finding out the result unless i pay a lawyer to do so.

not showing up on a hearing may result in having an arrest or warrant behind my name. It is considered a criminal offence but it is not a rule. The judge can just fine a person for not showing up. Almost certain is that it would be mentioned on my record. Fine or not, the arrest or violation is always mentioned.

- the bankruptcy in hong kong is still ongoing

- the voluntary winding up procedure has been handled by an accountant who handled also our other affairs. However, he has never responded to me ever since i paid him the agreed payment of 47500 thb for the closure. so i am not sure if this has been done properly or not.

with these 3 issues hanging above my head, possible warrant in Belgium for not showing up on a hearing and negative record, ongoing bankruptcy in Hong Kong and maybe issues with the company closure ( not filing of statements and so on), would i be on a watchlist or blacklist ? i had left thailand 2 years ago with no issues.

Never had any issues with Thai police or government and was mostly on a FIFO base anyway.

I would like to accept this job as it would allow me to generate savings to start with clearing my affairs in Belgium to start.

I have not really intentions of going back to Europe as let's face it, it is not much better than Asia. And my family is also with me. It is too expensive for me to pay those flights at this moment.

I have contacted agencies that can screen my status on watch list and blacklist and police records, but i have still not agreed to any particular agency. Prices vary from 65000 to 2500 thb and that really does not give me confidence of receiving the correct information.

Should anyone have had similar experience, and with increased security checks and other actions at immigration, what would your advice be. A lawyer is at this stage not a solution as those cost some money for which i do not have the budget. And booking a ticket going from Singapore to Thailand just to find out that i cannot enter is also a waste of money.

Thanks

Damian

Cheap return tix cost around s$250 or b6750. Are you suggesting you want to pay the agency less than this? As you mention you lack confidence in the agencies, so flying yourself would to me the better deal for you.

Contd

Younger and sweeter thing. Guess in this case its 1up for the farang.

Interesting one poster have a apartment here, empty for 4 months at one stretch. Cases like this, do you disconnect and connect all utilities? Given the service level.

Another post mentioned he wished he had come to Thailand in his early 20's. This to me is a no no unless you have a mega pay job here. I just out a guy who has been here for more than 10 years now has to leave in order to take care of him parents. Having worked here on local terms, virtually no savings, i wonder what sort of job he can get back in Europe, never the set skill, his job here has virtually no relevance in his home country. Then his 1 income has to feed 4, maybe his dad has pension. Wife definitely cant work there due to language issue. My forecast for this guy, in 10 to 15 years time when parents no longer around, he'll be back in a flash. Dont see how he can retire there. I guess back to los with a bit of money from the estate he'll have a more comfortable life. The wife by then would have no skill relevant. No sure 7-11 would hire a old lady.

Worst case scenario, guy might look for a younger and sweeter