Bassosa

We own a small hotel and a boost in tourism means we pay quite a bit of VAT each month. Anyone in a similar situation? What are good ways (purchases) to bring VAT payable down? Maybe stuff that's not so apparent. I'm terrible at tax so even the most basic advice will be greatly appreciated.

Ah I see, you want them to look the other way. Got it.

Somebody put weird stickers on your car. Was it your toddler? May want to get that off before it attaches permanently.

The only use case for machines like that is when you have huge volumnous rooms that are hard to air condition. A portable unit can support the main ACs when placed in a specific "hot" corner. You sometimes see it at restaurants.

Mind blowing how quick these EVs are. Must be really satisfying getting out of a hairy situation with the slightest tap on the right peddle. Makes me look like a right turtle in my Toyota sedan.

Dog owners don't kill people, dogs do.

He went with the neckbrace as a prop. Inspired by Weinstein's stroller?

We already have two 5000 liter tanks underground. Running out of space and would be limited to a 500/600 liter one. We need more of a buffer than that. Currently checking Lazada for a small 50 watt pump to help the municipal water along. They are indeed popular judging by the many many reviews these mini-pumps have. Maybe that's what's causing the low pressure in the first place, everyone boosting the city water supply.

Hi all, Water pressure is so low at our place that we can't even fill an above ground water tank. The two meter lift/head is too much to ask. I know its illegal put hypothetically speaking how could one improve water pressure from the municipal source so we can actually fill a 1500 liter tank? Thanks

130kg give or take so not exactly "fat". Chubby perhaps

And demand less sin sod. None of the "millions" nonsense but instead are happy with a couple hundred thousand

You're not telling me she can produce floaters 6-7 times a day

Cannabis legalisation, 4am opening times and cheaper wine won't woo the Chinese either. It was a huge pivot to the West by Anutin et al. so no wonder the Chinese aren't enamoured. This pivot to appease the Western visitors I also never see discussed here.

Only one neighbour at my condo. Female. Works a corporate job (I think). Flushes the toilet 4/5 times when she goes, and she goes a lot. Yes, I hear her going to the toilet in my Land & Houses condo.

I quite like it. With chicken instead of fishballs. From the night market in Chiang Mai (North gate).

Thanks for all your comments so far. Our pump guy isn't helping much so I may need to have a go at it myself. Real lack of knowledge about these things in Chiang Mai. I first want to adjust the two pumps setpoints and the pressure tank, just to rule out the possibility the contractor got kg/cm2 muddled up with PSI. Just a suspicion that one but those things do happen. Our gauges only display kg/cm2 Right now, the pump come on at 1.5 kg/cm2 (~23 PSI - seems low?) Shut off is at 3.5 kg/cm2 (~50 PSI - seems about right?) No idea what value the pressure tank is set at. Will have to drain the system for that first. I do know that its functioning and not waterlogged. I want to go to: ON: 2 kg/m2 (~30 PSI) OFF: 3.5 kg/m2 (~50 PSI) Then pressure tank at 1.8 kg/m2 (~27 PSI). I bought a handheld compressor for the purpose. Sound idea? What am I missing here guys?

That 3% commission is a bit misleading because in the end Airbnb gets its 15% regardless. Just means your guests are footing the other 12%. I doubt that the people I was trying to help understand that you can do really well on Airbnb as a hotel. I'm surely not going to tell them because they simply won't be interested. A farang giving business advice? We all know that <deleted>'s not going to fly. Bottom line, there are no cheap OTAs. The only one where you have a voice as a host is Airbnb. The others Agoda/Booking have such depraved business cultures that they don't even see their partners as human beings. I suspect they treat their customers pretty bad too. I'm reading things. Reluctance on the part of Thai hospitality to offer an alternative like a website with direct bookings (either lacking the technical knowhow or just plain laziness?) means that Booking & Agoda are here to stay, at least for a little while and we'll have to endure their unethical business practices a little longer. I'm actually being bullied by Agoda as we speak. Threatened to delist us because we apparently don't offer enough rooms (allotment) to their platform (even though they share allotment with Booking and we have a ton of rooms there). In fact, the modus operandi for Agoda is often to delist first (out of nowhere) and then they'll tell you what you need to do for the ban to be lifted. Shoot first, talk later so to speak.

Airbnb is taking market share from Booking/Agoda in Thailand. They're great to work with and we especially like the fact that we get to review our guests as well. Another plus is that Airbnb isn't widely used by sexpats so you don't get those types in your hotel.

At my hotel direct bookings now account for 35% of all revenue. Used to be 0%. Airbnb is also becoming more important. A hefty 15% commission but they at least respect you as a host. I agree that the small mom & pop hotels and guesthouses have zero marketing knowledge but it would be good to at least see some intent to start accepting their own bookings. It's not that hard tbh. I've offered my services to other Thai hotel operators (friends of my partner) and no one was interested. In the meantime I guess we'll just let Booking & Agoda bully us into submission.

Every hotel owner/operator should make efforts to become less dependent on the thugs at Booking and Agoda. Unbelievably how disrespectful and scummy they are. Treat their "partners" like cattle. I have some stories.... Us hotel owners also need to play ball and offer a seamless booking experience on our own websites. We should offer lower direct rates as well but for some bizarre reason Thai hotel operators rather pay hefty commissions to these goons and be treated like dirt instead of setting up direct booking/payment and train their staff in using it. Is it laziness? BTW Not surprised the consumers also get treated like crap. The rot must have really set in.

Yes I would buy a BYD. I recently found out that similar irrational sentiments were prevalent in the 70s when the Japanese car manufacturers took over. Japanese cars were said to be no good, yet turned out to be better value, better quality than what the legacy US car makers could produce. I think something similar is going on here with EVs from China in particular. Fear of the unknown, from a group who by and large are older than average and therefore resistant to change.

That is indeed my plan. If I can't beat them, I'll join 'm. I have 400m2 on the ground floor which I can turn into Chiang Mai's seediest and loudest bar. Watch the locals that still persevere around me flee to the moobaans, taking the last remnants of Thai culture that exist here with them. I'll actively contribute to the Pattayization of Chiang Mai if I have to. Don't pay rent on it so might as well sell beer at, or below cost so I attract the real deadbeats.

This is indeed the solution. Don't portray Thailand as a country where you can get decent night's rest. Let the world know the party is on 24/7 so don't come if you're not into that. TAT forecasts 4 million arrivals in 2024. All had potbellys.

No guarantees for a quiet night in the boonies either.