ronnie50

..on Koh Phangan. In-depth report by Khaosod English. https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2025/10/11/thai-officers-probe-israeli-visitor-concerns-on-koh-phangan/

Maybe. But don't forget the 'free fire zone' where the military shot and killed dozens of red <deleted>s who were armed with only slingshots, or simply unarmed reds that found themselves in the 'kill' zone. None of the killers have faced justice, let alone a court martial, or even simply been identified. Also don't forget the snipers who fired from skytrain walkways into the buddhist temple at Ratchaprasong (between the two large shopping malls). It was supposed to be a refuge and a place to treat anyone injured - but it wasn't spared by the establishment's goon squad. A nurse was among those shot and killed. Her mother has fought for justice ever since - only to be met with official silence. It was also believed by many at the time that the fire at the main shopping center (at the intersection) was a false flag that included gas canisters to help with the explosions, while the grenades tossed around Victory Monument were also susepected as a red flag meant to blame the red shirts.

From AI gathered sources below including US Census - nearly half of all Tennessee households struggle with financial hardship. Higher poverty rate than 80% of the nation. Also, not mentioned here, is that the auto sector - that was created to bust the unions 30 years ago - resulted in foreign companies like Nissan and VW opening factories there and paying less than union wages (compared with the auto belt in the north). In Agriculture, a major, staple crop for farmers is soya - OOPS? China ain't buying it! 'The poverty rate in Tennessee was 13.8% to 14% in 2023, which is higher than the national average. In addition, another 30% of households are considered "ALICE" (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), meaning they have income above the official poverty level but still cannot afford basic expenses. This puts a total of approximately 44% of households in the state below the ALICE threshold, struggling with financial hardship.'

I think most of them are posting from their parents' basements in Ohio and have never been to Tennessee, never mind the UK or Thailand.

You mean like giving the green light to take out Bin Laden in Pakistan (the guy who probably had nothing to do with 9/11)? Well, Obama had to play along didn't he..

While this opposition leader is worthy of the prize for putting her life//freedom on the line in opposing Maduro, there are probably many thousands equally worthy of the prize. But there is brilliance in this choice by the Nobel Committee. First, it denies Trump his 'demand for the prize' which came in after many months of backing Israel to the hilt while it murdered tens of thousands of Gazans until the place is now nothing but rubble - THEN did his big peace deal). So nice try Chump. But second the Committee's choice is brilliant in the sense that it chooses Maduro's opponent - recalling that Trump is doing everything he can short of invading Venezuela to get rid of Maduro. In that sense, Trump is backed into an awkward corner. The woman the Nobel Committee chose should be one that Trump would applaud, right?

It's called the American Dream - because you have to be asleep to believe it - George Carlin (RIP)

Okay, as above, back on topic. An ATM plastic card lets me get money out of an ATM machine. As far as I know, even if I go back to UK for a visit without the stupid thing, and need some of my GBP cash, I will need to go into a branch with my passport and I guess a printed statement, and show them the account on my App too, then do a withdrawal at the counter. VERY inconvenient - and that's if you can FIND a branch these days. I see some Thai ATM machines have some kind of contactless way of using an ATM - never tried it. Maybe UK has that too now. (and by the way, an ATM/Debit card is pretty useless for anything more than day-to-day shopping. Not for more expensive things like car hire, air tickets, hotels. Credit cards are really needed for those)

I'd be willing to nominate him for the Nob of the Year Prize.

Fortunately for me, I'm not in any great need for the cash from my UK account. But what if I was? Someone said just transfer the money as needed using Wise. But what if I was on an extended holiday and didn't have a local Thai bank account to receive the transfer? Seems weird that they won't send a new ATM card. Actually, I had ordered it by phone a month ago (why can't it be ordered through the App I wondered) - and the person on the other end said it would be sent by regular post - which also seems a bit weird/unsecure. They're worried about Thailand, but they use regular post office deliveries as a standard procedure for all new cards.

thanks that worked, though wouldn't allow a screenshot. Still no way to get cash though...

correct (years ago). But I think these are two different things. I'm aware that opening a new account anywhere in the world is becoming difficult if you are non-resident. But existing customers are ok - however, without an ATM card, how can I access the cash? I will look into the virtual card.

Yes, that's my case too. Can't open or change the accounts. Otherwise still valid.

Good question. Is that from Lloyds? Hadn't occured to me to try that..

Don't think that's true (unless very new policy). I have other UK accounts with my Thai address. Maybe if you were not a citizen nor resident. On the UK license issue, not a good idea to try to use one abroad if you no longer live in the UK (as a resident there). While the expiry date may be 70 and a ten year photo card, the license could be deemed invalid if you live abroad and try to use it to rent a car for example then get into an accident.. and then a very expensive world of trouble.

Thing is, they sent me the new PIN in a separate letter... just days apart

Actually, they've had my Thai address for many years - they send statements twice a year..

My bank - Lloyds - won't send me a new ATM/Debit card after my old one expired. In a letter from Lloyds, 'we are unable to send a card to your address as Thailand is an embargoed country.' I'm aware banks in some countries won't send credit cards to foreign addresses, but this is the first time I've encountered this refusal over a new ATM/Debit card. Has anyone experienced this with Lloyds or other British banks (refusal to send a new ATM/Debit card)?

Move out of Chiang Mai. You'll also escape the upcoming pollution season.

So if I understand you, even an LTR-WP that has no tax owing on foreign income, would still need to file a Thai tax return if here more than 180 days, though maybe owes nothing, is that right? The point being a Thai tax return filing is still necessary for all residents?

I find this very telling, actually. If not THAI then who? While United is doing Bangkok now (only on a milk run basis, stopping in Hong Kong first), I recall a previous news report that indicated most major US airlines probably wouldn't add BKK as a non-stop service - or even as a direct destination. So let's see. I think I read the other day that next year Air Canada would upgrade its nonstop to Bangkok to year-round service (from the present seasonal routing). So that would be two Star Alliance carriers making the Pacific crossing - maybe THAI (also Star Alliance) will just do a code share with them.

I find the blocking tool increasingly useful...

Well said. Also, the people visitng the Thai border towns (those looking for a weekend getaway - not doing penny-ante business) tend to be the Chinese Malays. Like Thailand and Indonesia, they are the economic driving force of their countries. The rest of Malaysia, by that I mean by the majority Malaysians aren't interested in bettering things - and so the place is really dull. That's why Mahathir got so frustrated with them - and said so publicly - claiming that so many government advantages were deliberately made up for them, yet they still couldn't be bothered.

What I still can't understand, is why these people would travel all the way through such better countries in Europe, to make a desperate attempt to get to Europe's dingiest, poorest, rundown, dumbest, country. "Ere we go, ere we go, ere we go." "Oi mate, just signed on! let's go down the pub and see some slappers! You got a spare fag - any biscuits?" "Coo! Me shell suit is freezin in this rain!!" Yeah, of course, who wouldn't want to live there with all of that?

These knuckledraggers they're hiring for these violent ICE ops. They are clearly not your professional US Government civil service ICE career guys who worked the borders. These guys look like they're newly recruited, and many have no uniforms or standard issue stuff, like they were recruited yesterday. Maybe ex security guards, low level grunts, bouncers, Walmart guards, ex-military, former small town cops, former prison guards, ex-cons, etc. Their past violations or firings are probably overlooked (on purpose) - no questions asked - as long as they are willing to do the wet work. That is really what this looks like to me.