Old Croc

Of course, there's no bombings in Thailand or UK or US, etc. Scary history is a good reason to never leave mummy's basement.

My rotator cuff injury, caused by a fall from a faulty chair in an internet shop in Phuket also about 20 years ago, has been giving me pain recently. I put it down to age and arthritis.

When we built our house on a property near the village, the wife put in a paved area I queried as akin to Cole's carpark. I subsequentially found out its other purpose was as a drying area for rice. The clan finished the drying and bagging of this year's crop yesterday. We can move the car again now. I just asked her how they do it in the village. Apparently, some still use parts of the road - mainly a small cull de sac. There is also a large, paved area in a common meeting place that is used by some. The wife has an unoccupied house in the village, with a paved area in front, that neighbors make use of. The main highway past the village is obviously not used and the crappy condition of the roads in the village preclude boy racers from doing their thing. Incidentally the head man uses a group message board on DRIVE to inform locals of matters of interest.

There seems to be 3 types of opinion regarding this proposed taxation. Optimistic - It's fine, read it again, it won't affect our money. Pessimistic - they'll double tax my pension and I'll be out of here. Agnostic - TIT. It's impossible to know for sure what will happen.

I first went to Bali in 1976 and it was a paradise, reminiscent of the film based upon it. At that time Kuta had only a couple of bars and less hotels. The mainly Hindu people there were happy and welcoming. Years later Javanese people, seeing the wealth the Island generated, started to flock there to fleece the tourists. They effectively ruined the main tourist areas with their presence and sales tactics. As others have stated, it has become an overcrowded nightmare in those areas where the short-term party goers congregate. Most commentators here will have formed their opinions of Bali based on stays in Kuta in the same way that the ignorant believe Patong is all that Phuket offers. Bali is 10x the size of Thailand's biggest Island and there are many places inland and around the coastline that can offer a retiree a great lifestyle. Many avail themselves of that lifestyle. Indonesia appreciates the inflow of money from visitors and the visa and stay requirements are a breeze in comparison to Thailand. If the girlie thing is a must for you it does exist in the clubs. I was once having a quiet beer with others at the small bar in my accommodation hotel, before heading out for the night, when a guy went around the bar taking orders for ladies from the drinkers.

I was in that bar 6 months before it was bombed. I've been to Bali 13 times, but after I started visiting Phuket decided Thailand was my preferred place to retire.

Why would you assume Thai tax rates are stated in US dollars?

I'm replying as you directed this query at me. I have little advice to offer you as I handle financials in a very different manner to yourself. I live remotely and travel to my little town infrequently. I don't use my phone for any financial purposes as I consider them to be an insecure device against theft and hacking. (I am aware of Sinc problems associated with Google and others.) My credit cards are never used at ATMs. I do all transactions on-line (3BB) using variously; Wise, Lazada, and similar. I transfer required household funds to the wife's account; she does the daily shopping and face to face contacts. I rarely handle cash myself.

Good trick, didn't think of that. Next year.

As a mere Silver member, you are at least 5 ranks below my Star status. You may be reaching for it, but you don't get to censure someone who is already way over your head. There are people paid to do that. Incidentally. your topic would have been more appropriately placed in Forum Support.

Sorry to hear of your travails mate. While not always seeing eye to eye on some matters I've always respected your knowledge and intelligence. All the best for your future.

Since the big blackout of 11/2023 are there any changes with ownership, personnel or policy? I notice George is now a Root Admin and has attained Legendary status. We also have at least one Grand Master, although I'm not sure if that is with AN or something like D&D!

The inane adds are free, you pay to not get them. Before paying the 1590, I considered how much time I spend watching YT videos these days. How much information and entertainment they provide and compare the cost with what I used to spend on pay tv in Australia and True visions when I first came to Thailand. When I also consider Kodi where the price is that of a bit of cheap hardware, I can get everything for a fraction of what I used to pay. Entertianment is dirt cheap these days and I'm happy to be spending so little!

I have it on my phone, laptop, smart tv and the tv box attached to the tv. Also, by logging in to my Google account, I can read my home country news site that normally requires an expensive subscription. I paid 1590 for a yearly sub. I hate having to do these things every month.

I became a Premium member a few months ago and have not regretted it. All adds are removed with the exception of those inserted by YouTubers themselves into their videos. It's easy to fast forward through these to avoid the ubiquitous adds for the green gunk they all seem to have for breakfast. For details on plans, costs, payments, etc. I simply clicked on the "Premium" item in YouTube's index.

If it only results in a decrease in the numbers of duplicate cables festooned around the country's lamp posts it would be a good thing.

I'm very similar to the poster above. I left in 2010 for many reasons - I found myself living the single life after early retirement and a separation from a long-term GF. A health scare made me rethink singularity. On one of my many visits to Thailand I met a Thai lady and decided the lifestyle with her was much more to my liking than where I saw Australia, and my place in it, heading. I could see the mindless majority there believing the lies of the religious conservatives, led by a disgusting worm named Abbott, and wanted no part of their vision of a return to the dark ages, while plundering my taxes for the benefit of a privileged few. My parents, sibling and other relatives were all dead and my children were living their lives in different parts of the country and rarely in direct contact. Moving to Thailand was a no brainer despite some of their stupid rules and frustrations we're all familiar with. I sold the house and chattels and gave everything else away, arriving with a suitcase, a laptop and a bank card. I am a little concerned about possible useless compulsory health insurance, and double taxation, but will wear it because at 75 I'm not moving again. I'm fully self-funded, never applied for the OAP and my money buys a lot more here than in Australia particularly because inflation there far exceeds that of Thailand. I haven't been back, the few people there still in my life have visited me here multiple times. I (we) own several houses and numerous farming properties and are building up a rural business that will support my wife and her family long after my ashes have dissipated in the wind.

I have an AFL, West Coast Eagles playing jumper signed by the entire premiership team of 2006 which includes some legends of the game. I think I still have it, the wife packed it away somewhere years ago and I haven't seen it since. I had a large picture of infamous criminal Chopper Reid brandishing his pistols which he signed on the frame. Gave it to a friend back home when I emigrated. I also had a pic taken with him which is still on my PC. (I think I posted it on this forum many years ago -won't do it again) In my own footy playing days, a kid ran up to me at the end of a game and shoved an autograph book in my hand. Taken by surprise I took too long to decide how to write one (I nearly used my signature) and the book was snatched back before I could formulate something, as the kid raced off to get another player. Was never asked again!

There's a fine line between Big Cheese - Cheesy and Limburger.

Nor can you use a sad emoji when one of your well researched posts disappears for political reasons. The next day the subject of my post appeared as a topic posted by the news editor.

A dictionary definition of a backyard: (the immediate surroundings or locality of a person, organization, country, etc) Pedant: (someone giving too much attention to formal rules or small details:)

I'm not a hunter and don't condone the practices I describe. On YouTube I've seen brave hunters kill bear by baiting, then throwing a spear into them from a hidden blind in a tree above. Others kill pigs after their dog pack keep the animal immobile for them to slaughter it with a knife. (I do support humane culling of feral pigs where they have bred up in huge numbers)

I saw Count Olaf in the clouds a few nights ago. Can you see it?

Pink sky:

Can happen, I know of someone who ended up with a wedge tailed eagle in the back seat, still very much alive and angry after coming through the windscreen. I had one almost enter my car the same way, but it veered away at the last split second. You learn to slow right down when you see eagles on roadkill ahead. They're slow to take off.