MrGraz

I smoked traditional cigarettes for close to 30 years of my adult life, and switched over completely to vaping nearly 4 years ago.  In those 4 years, I've probably smoked a grand total of 10 traditional cigarettes, and now find them disgusting.  I'll never go back, and I'm extremely thankful that this alternate technology now exists.  I've long known that traditional cigarettes were an eventual death sentence, but I just couldn't manage to quit until the advent of e-cigs.

Since switching:

• I have greater physical endurance and now exercise 5 days per week on average (this was unthinkable prior to my switch)
• My clothes and breath don't constantly stink of cigarette smoke
• My frequency, duration, and severity of common colds has been greatly reduced
• My teeth are no longer yellowed, and I no longer require an extra 30 minutes twice per year in the dentist's chair having all that black tar/crud blasted & scraped off
• The doctor says my chest x-ray now looks like that of a non-smoker

I have no illusions that vaping is a harmless endeavor.  But I'm 100% sure vaping represents significant harm reduction compared to traditional cigarettes.  

People smoke cigarettes for the nicotine, but die from the tar (and the cocktail of carcinogens that the tar contains).  E-cig vapor contains no tar.

Here is a list of 33 known carcinogens contained in cigarette smoke: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cigarette_smoke_carcinogens

...You'll notice that nicotine is not on that list, and is generally considered by doctors & scientists as no more hazardous than caffeine. 

Nearly all research conducted to date indicates that e-cigarette vapor is far safer than traditional cigarette smoke.  I can cite many examples, but here's one worth reading from the 'Cancer Research UK' website:

http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2017/02/06/new-study-comes-the-closest-yet-to-proving-that-e-cigarettes-arent-as-dangerous-as-smoking/

Obviously the best scenario is not smoking or vaping, and I do hope to get there at some point.  But to make vaping illegal, while it's completely legal to walk into any 7-11 at any time, and buy 100% proven, definitely-cancer-causing cigarettes...I mean, come on...that's just absurd.

This entire thread is just thinly (and not so thinly) veiled anti-Americanism.

Tourism is important to Thailand's economy. Americans who do come will generally spend money, and are far less likely to be a part of the near zero-budget tour bus crowds that have all but destroyed Phuket as anything resembling a desirable tourist destination.

Sorry, not meaning to offend, but there's so much wrong with your post. Nearly everything you quoted has either been completely debunked or is misleading in very significant ways.

The vast majority of folks who vape (including myself) are former cigarette smokers and as such, we're very interested in getting as many facts as possible. Make no mistake, I read a LOT of related information, and if I thought for one moment that vaping was more hazardous than smoking cigarettes, I absolutely wouldn't do it. I'm absolutely convinced that's not the case.

That's not to say that I believe vaping is harmless. I'm sure that it isn't, but I'm equally sure that it represents harm reduction. Public Health England agrees with me, concluding that e-cigarettes are 95% safer than cigarettes:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/e-cigarettes-around-95-less-harmful-than-tobacco-estimates-landmark-review

Here's a list of known carcinogens in cigarette smoke (33 in all!):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cigarette_smoke_carcinogens

Nearly all of those are not contained in e-cigarettes, and the very few that are are present in trace amounts compared to cigarette smoke. (Important to note that nicotine isn't one of them...people smoke for the nicotine but die from all the other crap in a cigarette)

But even with all those known carcinogens, you can walk into any 7-11 and buy a pack of smokes any time. Just who are they trying to protect with e-cig regulation, hmm?

When reading articles that demonize e-cigarettes (especially those that come from the FDA and the American Lung Association), it's very important to follow the money. Big Tobacco has a lot at stake with e-cigarettes, as do USA state (and I assume global) tax revenues which figure to see sharp reductions in tobacco taxes, which are very significant.

For those who need their nicotine E-cigarettes is a much healthier way to take it rather via normal tobacco cigarettes with all the associated health problems.

Nicotine on it's own is not carcinogenic but just about everything else in a tobacco cigarette is. E-Cigarettes are encouraged in some countries in preference to tobacco cigarettes which kill people. But no not in Thailand, it is more important to collect tax rather than save lives.

From the American Lung Association: http://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/smoking-facts/e-cigarettes-and-lung-health.html?referrer=https://www.google.co.th/

Starting in August 2016, FDA will begin to apply and enforce key provisions of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act as it relates to the sales, marketing and manufacturing of e-cigarettes.

We don't presently know what is in e-cigarettes. However, in initial lab tests conducted in 2009 the FDA found detectable levels of toxic cancer-causing chemicals, including an ingredient used in anti-freeze, in two leading brands of e-cigarettes and 18 various cartridges. A review of studies found that levels of toxins in e-cigarette aerosol varied considerably within and between brands. A 2014 study found that aerosol from e-cigarettes with a higher voltage level contains more formaldehyde, another carcinogen with the potential to cause cancer. The findings are alarming, and underscores why the American Lung Association called so urgently for FDA oversight of these products.

Flavors in e-cigarettes are also a cause for concern. Not only are flavors used to target kids, but they may be harmful on their own. E-cigarette and flavor manufacturers and marketers may suggest that the flavor ingredients used in e-cigarettes are safe because they have FEMA GRASTM status for use in food, but such statements are false and misleading. The reality is that FEMA GRASTM status only applies to food, meaning it's safe to eat, and does not apply to inhaling through e-cigarettes.

Diacetyl, a buttery flavored chemical often added to food products such as popcorn, caramel, and dairy products, has also been found in some e-cigarettes with flavors. Diacetyl can cause a serious and irreversible lung disease commonly known as "popcorn lung."⁴

Poisoning concern

Aside from concerns about e-cigarette use and emissions alone, data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that calls to the nation's poison centers for e-cigarette exposure poisonings are rapidly increasing. One study found that while most calls involving e-cigarette liquid poisoning came from accidental ingestion of the e-cigarette or its liquid, about one-sixth of the calls related to someone inhaling these items. Exposure through the eye and the skin were also reported.

Seems like Putin has had his little moment to stomp around the playground with his chest puffed out.

It seems fairly obvious to me that if Thailand prevents people under 50 from staying here long-term (whether they are working illegally or are simply well-off) then there will be an impact on long-term property rentals and purchases.

But there will also be an impact on short-term rental prices in high season as many of the places that used to be taken all year would then be available all year, including the high season.

So in tourist areas where traditionally there have been a lot of long-term foreign residents (Pattaya, Phuket etc) I think one can reasonably expect all accommodation prices to move downwards, and possibly by quite a large amount. Many rental prices have been absurdly high here for a long time, as have many purchase prices, so it is probably just a long overdue correction.

Given the number of people who have bought "investment" condos in Pattaya on the hope of either renting them out or selling them on, the domino effect could be quite substantial. Personally I would not be surprised to wake up one day and find that my condo is worth only half what I paid for it, but I knew that when I bought it. I certainly would never buy one here other than to live in myself.

Our thinking is nearly the same. Fortunately rentals make up maybe 10% of my portfolio...they certainly don't or won't make-or-break me. I've been extremely cautious knowing the volatility and uncertainty of Thailand can change the landscape of things literally overnight.

I will say that if property prices do drop anywhere in the 30-40% (even 50%) range, I might be a buyer for my own retirement home needs. Although when I look at how many years I'm likely to remain alive on this 'ol Earth of ours, and play monthly rent costs over that estimated number of years, it's very difficult to justify dropping that big lump sum for house or condo ownership. From a pure fiscal logic point of view, rental just makes a lot of sense unless money is truly a non-factor & you want to live the 'high life'.

As someone who has invested moderately in Thai condo property for the purposes of generating modest recurring rental income, the new visa restrictions are somewhat of a concern to me.

I don't worry so much about continuing to pull in high-season rentals at 1-month durations (and those honestly make up 90% or more of the income potential). But I do worry that the likelihood of attracting longer term rentals (6-month to 1-year) will be significantly impacted. I haven't been pulling in long-term rentals that often anyway, but I could see that possibility virtually disappearing.

Any others see this is a possible concern?

Here's my vision of a basic 'cost of living' budget that, IMO, should be more than acceptable for most single folks in Thailand. It should be comfortable, if not extravagant. It doesn't take into account any discretionary spending (beer, companionship, etc.)...but you won't die living on this budget. (The amount shown for health insurance is undoubtedly not the cheapest option available, ymmv)

Edit: "Gas & Water" should be "Electric & Water"

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I only visited Taipei as a tourist but loved it, can you recommend any area names for preferred living - sub cities, districts or however categorized there?


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I live in Daan district, which is in the heart of downtown Taipei. Everything you'd ever need to conduct daily life is within walking distance or a few subway stops from here. There's also a huge park in the center of the city (Daan Park), which would be Taipei's version of Central Park. It's quite nice.

Hsin Yi district neighbors Daan and is home to the Taipei 101 building and wide array of shopping options (including the 101 mall, which is truly amazing).

Those two districts are where I conduct the vast majority of my life in Taipei & if I had to recommend a place to live in the city, it would be one of these two areas. My work is in Nangang well to the east of the city. I commute there directly via subway every day...takes about 35 minutes door-to-door to get from my apartment to my office.

Thanks, I noted the areas. Not sure how much longer I can stand Thailand & want not only to stay in Asia but live a more satisfying life closer to the quality I was used to in America. Undecided between Taipei & KL, depends also on work, but more so the Visa requirements for me & Thai wife. Much research to do still, but good living areas are impossible to find by just googling, you need eyes on the ground & experienced minds for that.


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I have an 'ARC' card in Taiwan which grants me residency tied directly to the work permit from my employer. With this, my wife is able to also stay & live with me in Thailand. My wife is mainland Chinese, and I will say that Taiwan actually quite frowns on allowing mainland Chinese into the island. What you can take away for this is, if I can have my Chinese wife living with me here, your Thai wife will be no problem provided you can get a work permit sponsored from an employer.

I will say though, that your Thai wife might not like it here (and possibly not in China either). Thais & Filipinos are generally considered 'lesser' in Taiwan. You typically see Thai men doing labor intensive work (construction, etc.), and Filipinas serving as housemaids & caregivers to the elderly. It's pure, blatant racism, but it is reality I'm afraid. To that end, Malaysia may be a better bet for your wife in the long run. (My 2 cents.)

I only visited Taipei as a tourist but loved it, can you recommend any area names for preferred living - sub cities, districts or however categorized there?

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

I live in Daan district, which is in the heart of downtown Taipei. Everything you'd ever need to conduct daily life is within walking distance or a few subway stops from here. There's also a huge park in the center of the city (Daan Park), which would be Taipei's version of Central Park. It's quite nice.

Hsin Yi district neighbors Daan and is home to the Taipei 101 building and wide array of shopping options (including the 101 mall, which is truly amazing).

Those two districts are where I conduct the vast majority of my life in Taipei & if I had to recommend a place to live in the city, it would be one of these two areas. My work is in Nangang well to the east of the city. I commute there directly via subway every day...takes about 35 minutes door-to-door to get from my apartment to my office.

Lite Beer, thanks!

If you have a 12 month extension from Immigration she can get the same extension as your dependent.

Lite Beer, thanks, this is helpful. Would her extension be pursued as a Non-Imm 'O' visa, or some other process/visa?

Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere...I did some searching, but couldn't find an answer.

Assuming I have met all of the requirements & have a retirement visa in hand, what do I do about my wife who doesn't meet the retirement visa requirements due to age?

Non-Imm 'O' looks like the closest match, but everything I'm reading appears to indicate that it's for spouses/dependents of Thai nationals.

Thanks in advance for any advice.