JimHuaHin

Stalin's Russia and Mao's China come to mind. Innovation and thinking nor allowed. Moving forward deeper into the past.

This is insane. I go to my local government hospital about every 6 weeks, see a doctor, ask for 2 strips (20 tablets) of this medication, pay the medical bill, walk to the pharmacy, fill out a form with my address on it, collect medications, leave hospital. All legal.

I wonder if the power elite who have arranged this act, have thought it through. We know that about just over one-third of the votes in the last election were received by the MFP - a percentage that has increased to just over two-fifths if recent polls are correct. We know that the MFP won all bar one seat in Bangkok - thus the MFP has large urban middle class support. We also know from Thai electorate data that electorates with military bases had high MFP support - one has just to consult the Thai social media sites of military personnel to confirm this support. Despite the Prime Minister's global tours to encourage foreign investment in Thailand (which will take time to be realised, if at all) the Thai economy is not going well. The "killing" of the MFP and the subsequent public outcry may not only discourage new investment, but encourage the outflow of exiting investment. If civil unrest erupts, especially in Bangkok, we shall see Embassies in Bangkok issue travel warnings, and foreign tourism will sink, as it did in 2010.

Great news. Similar systems have been in operation in Australia for about 25-30 years!!!

Deport him!!

The problem, in my opinion, is NAB. I had other problems with NAB decades ago in the 1980s; in frustration I withdrew all my cash, closed the account, took the escalator up to the next floor of the Brisbane shopping centre and open a Westpac account - no problems since. The lady I spoke to at NAB last week stated that all my CitiBank personal details had been transferred to NAB. I asked if this included all the certified personal identity documentation I supplied to CitiBank a few years back, and she replied "yes". "Show why cannot you consult that documentation?" "No, you have to supply the documentation to NAB personally." WTF?? Bye bye NAB.

I have accounts with 3 different banks in Australia, and I use AIS. Over the years, maybe 1-2 times every 2-3 years, a SMS code was not received. I would try a few hours later or the next day, no problems. With CitiBank Australia going to NAB - problems. Called NAB to activate new card; no problems, until sent SMS not received. Try again please, no SMS received. Problem - you need to go to Oz Embassy and get certified copy of passport. Next day, called again, same problem, no SMS received. Then downloaded NAB App to my new Oppo - incompatible, cannot work!! Late last week move CitiBank Australia money to other Australian bank. Bye Bye NAB.

Ditto.

I have the same problem in the estate I live in in Hua Hin. All was well until Putin invaded Ukraine, then some Russians started moving into rental properties in the estate. A couple of loud roof-top parties until 2-3 am. One family has a very very loud big bike which is loud enough to wake me up when the rider returns home in the early hours of the morning. Close by my house is a restaurant with a pool table - loud Russians shouting as they eat and drink is bad enough, but what is worse is their kids bouncing pool balls on the pool table. Of course, they may not be Russians, but they are clearly speaking Russian. Basically zero consideration of others.

I agree with the earlier comment on making friends and bonding. However, ... my ex-Thai gf's daughter was accepted into a university about 800 kms away. Soon after being accepted she joined a Facebook group of other "new" students, and by the time we (ex gf and I) took her to the university, and dormitory, she had about 200 FB friends. My ex-gf was told by a university official that it was policy that all first year students stay on campus. I asked why - it is policy, replied ex-gf; no more discussion was permitted. After a few months in the dormitory, she (the daughter) and two gfs moved into an apartment, as did many of her friends.

Although, as some have pointed out, this is a "old" story, it is worth highlighting again. Many people in Thailand seem to have very very fragile egos - just look at the number of domestic killings over trivial issues.

As noted above, death is a possibility, as is the more painful and possibly permanently penile damaging "- priapism: a very unpleasant erection lasting many hours, having the effect of a tourniquet on your penis. This is a medical emergency." Having suffered "dysfunction" for several years, I went to a pharmacy and purchased the blue pill, then did some online research at some medical sites, and then put the pill in the rubbish bin - not worth the risk at my age. But if you really really must, seek medical advice from a good doctor, and if she/he advises proceed then start with a small dosage, maybe a quarter of a pill. Up to you.

I remember reading a few years ago Immigration in Hua Hin were asking for a hand drawn map. So, before my renewal visit, like some people here, I went to Google Maps, made 2 screen shots of my location. Presented the two screenshots on one page, and gave the Lat/Long. Handed the map to the IO, who smiled and said "Very good". End of story.

Thank you, I am aware of that. One of my points is, my super contributions were taxed, not my benefits, thus Australian taxes were paid from 1979 until 2013 (when I stopped working). No taxes to be paid on benefits, thus no taxes paid post 2013, as benefits are considered non-taxable income. Thus, no offset to Thai tax liability.

Apologies to the delayed reply, I just got up to this page. I have to dispute this, especially the paragraph beginning "Therefore ..." My Australian super fund gave members the option of taxing contributions going in, or taxing benefits received. I opted for the former, thus the monthly payments I receive are not subject to tax, as tax has already been paid. How can tax be then paid in Thailand?

I have no positive suggestions, but ... Some advice - avoid estates with 20-25+% rentals, new temporary residents can be very annoying and/or noisy; and avoid estates next to vacant land. The last estate I lived in had large vacant plots on 2 sides, about 6 months after I moved in I had to endure about a year of a large condo construction, which not only consisted of noise, but also concrete and paint landing on my car and the house. The current estate I live in has vacant land on 2 sides - construction on one plot started 6 months ago and construction on the other is about to begin. The noise from the trucks was bad enough, but a lot of soil-dust has appeared in the house, even with doors and windows closed, resulting in respiratory problems.

Slightly off top. There is a 23 rai block of sloping undulating land behind my house, with about a 3-metre drop from the highest to lowest point. 5 months ago trucks started arriving to deliver soil to fill in and level the block - a process that took 3 months. There was no effort to compress the soil, just level the land. This week surveyors arrived. I had a brief chat with one of the "bosses" (he seemed to be running the show); construction work to begin before the end of this month. TIT

An interesting question - but is it really an "accurate" question? I have some Jewish friends in northern America who have been criticizing the current Israeli leadership for many years. Since the onset of the Israeli genocide/ethnocide in Gaza most of these friends have condemned Israel's actions. The same situation exists in Israel - many many Jews (if not the majority) do not support their current government's actions, and there have been many public protests against the invasion of Gaza, especially by Orthodox Jews; these protests have been brutally put down by Israeli police and military, by order of Netanyahu.

Could it be that some Thai government officials get "benefits" by allowing all this China-made produce into Thailand? Could certain Chinese-Thai business families be encouraging this practice so they can make more money in China?

May I be old and bold enough to respond to your question? Having decided to retire early (13 years ago), I came to Thailand (12 years ago) on a 3-month tourist visa. Prior to arriving in Thailand I had already investigated the requirements for applying for a Non-Immigrant O-A (retirement) visa in my home country (issued by the local Thai Embassy), and thus I needed to open a bank account in Thailand, into which I deposited about Baht 900,000 (sent from my home country) once I had returned to my home country. Once I had evidence of that deposit, I was able to apply for the "retirement" visa at the Thai Embassy in my home country. I hope this answers your question.

Firstly Mike L., thank you for your fantastic effort in preparing this document. Secondly, and finally, I find it annoying and frustrating (even as a former educator) when some posters do not read the document, and then pose questions which are clearly and concisely answered in the document. I congratulate you on your patience.

Assuming one is a tax resident of Thailand. Someone posted on another thread (and I forget whom) that if one uses a foreign credit card to purchase goods/services in Thailand then the amount of the purchase is classed as a taxable remittance. Fair enough. But is that always the case? Consider; if the person concerned, shall we say me, uses my foreign credit card to make such as purchase in Thailand, but I pay the credit card debt using funds from my overseas bank account (attached to my credit card) acquired before 1 January 2024, funds which I understand are now not taxable when remitted to Thailand, then there is no tax liability related to the purchase. But, if the funds used to pay the credit card debt were acquired after 1 January 2024, then the purchase is classed as a taxable remittance. Is my reasoning here sound?

I am currently half way through this process, again. Two sessions of RCT - Baht 6,700 for molar tooth (3 roots). Estimated 3 sessions for crown work - Baht 14,500. Work done by two dental specialists, who work in government hospitals, but do extra work at a private clinic.

Why is it called "Pranburi Beach", when it is actually in Pak Nam/Num Pran town?????

I remember a few years ago my then Thai gf advised me to never upset any Thai person, as you never know what the "consequences" will be. Do not complain to any Thai if she/he has upset you, just walk away. Any time I sounded the car horn while driving she cringed, and more than once explained "Do not do that, the other driver may have a gun". Etc, etc, etc. Welcome to Thailand, the land of fragile Thai egos; so well reflected in Thailand's infamous defamation laws. If you "damage" my reputation I will sue you into poverty, or, worse, hire someone to do you some "harm" to you. TIT. Farang, beware. One never knows what "influential" connections the person you have upset has.