Firefan

Expatj; As I read the fact sheet, it is simply payout of capital gain http://www.kasikornasset.com/EN/FundDocuments/Fund%20Fact/K-GOLD_Eng.pdf

I.e. you do not get the increase in gold price AND dividends. That dividend is simply some of your capital gains (if gold go up) - but now that they are paid out as dividends - you will get taxed on it....

On top of that; all they do is invest in a gold ETF abroad - and charge you an extra layer of fees for that. You are also paying an extra fee to hedge the gold price against the THB.

In addition; they seem to keep about 7% in cash/short bonds - so you will not even get the full upside (as "dividends" OR capital gains) when the ETF goes up.

In short; read your prospectus and fact sheet. I will charge you no fee for my services this time!

Cheers!

I do not think that this will affect condo prices positively as such. Both foreign/Thai investors/buyers should rush to flooded country/city to buy condos? Makes no sense.

House prices in some flood prone areas might drop though.

I live in (and own)a condo, but if the electricity(Incl. elevators) goes - I would have to leave(swim?) no matter what floor I am on, as the condo get too hot.

Time will show! Cheers!

Commodities are up so far today.

Flying; thanks for your explanations on the silver/gold ratio swap technique. Presume your 2 current markers are then 35 silver/gold ratio for going to gold, and 60 silver/gold ratio for going to silver?

Where do you easily buy/sell silver here? Is it coin form only?(having a larger mark up normally).

Cheers!

Tom; all due respect, but who cares about how many cars exactly there are at Swampy? Just read the "hundreds of thousand of cars" as "a lot of cars" and focus on what this thread is for.

I have been around Sathorn/Silom area today - and only place w. a bit of water was at the Saphan Thaksin BTS station. Lots of sand bags and new walls build though!

Cheers!

Hi Septeen,

Fine idea- but your main cost factor will not be the buying prices abroad (mainly US) as the many online discount shops there have already lowered the prices to rock bottom (in the US I noticed that brick and mortar health shops sell at about DOUBLE the price of online shops). The cost to worry about would be the import duties and shipping - which both tend to increase with the value/volume/weight anyway - I.e. no "bulk discount" at customs here

That said, a great "coop" plan would be to buy this deal; http://www.thaisupplements.com/th/pure-instantised-whey-protein-concentrate-20kg-p-45.html - and having 4-5 to share with get at 700 Baht/kilo. I have bought/shared from them before and they even gave an additional discount and samples when asked.

Cheers!

I see by this thread that there is much interest in whey in Thailand. A few people sending orders to the US independently. Would a whey/supplement coop be a good idea? Might yield better prices. - S.

Hi James,

It is because you are comparing a "bulk" supplement/protein powder with a 100%(or about 90% in reality) whey protein powder. Not apples to apples mate.

The bulk ones are closer to a meal replacement - and tries to boost overall calories per serving -in that it often will have some (healthy) fats and much more carbs(for energy/"bulking").

As generally easy to find easy, cheap healthy carbs here (bananas/fruits Etc.) to eat or dumb in my shakes, I prefer to just buy the 100% whey protein powders.

Cheers!

Just finished first container of musashi bulk chocolate. Loved the taste but 4 scoups to get 30 grams or so of protein is not cheap. I have a tub of utrapro at home that's whey isolate and says 1 scoop is equiv to the musashi?

I am a bit confused about the "meet up at MBK or Central Bangna to save shipping"? Do they have an actual shop or pick up point there - or will one have to know a secret handshake and password, arrive at a certain time, hand over the cash - and obtain 2 canisters of the "good stuff"?

The US (online) price is generally in the USD 40-50/5 lb (example: http://www.a1supplements.com/100-Whey-Protein-Gold-5-Lbs.-p-1655.html) so 1800 Baht is actually quite reasonable considering added hassle/shipping/import duties.

Cheers!

I bought from www.wheybkk.com , and took delivery on Sunday.

Very good price, and exactly what ordered. Will be using them again, for sure

Hi Wombat,

Seem to recall to have seen it alongside spa products Etc. in the basement of the huge Central on beach road. I MIGHT have it mixed up with Central in Phuket though.

They sold it in about 250 ml bottles. Was rather overpriced but it can last a long time.

Cheers!

I love the advise on the crocodiles! I feel safer already with my stick!

Cheers!

Great video! Thanks! Cheers!

Personally I transfer USD in now. So looking at my historical record of wires in, it makes sense to wait....

In the long run I believe that Asian currencies are still well undervalued. The THB will follow the Chinese Yuan and slowly strengthen accordingly towards most Western currencies.

Again; above is my beliefs wherefore it makes sense to do the exact opposite!

Cheers!

Spirulina (can buy bucket in powder from Changmai), nuts and seeds, sprouted beans and seeds (not soy - I agree that is crap unless naturally fermented)all seem to fit your request.

Green juices with a mix of plants - also end up with a decent amount of amino acids (5-6 grams in a glass depending on plant used) - so juice some kale/morning glory Etc. and add a table spoon of spirulina powder being close to 8-10 grams of very bio available protein. In fact, considered to be both complete, AND 5 times more bio available than meat.

Also; organic/free range/non hormone treated eggs are now sold here in most Western style super markets (Villa, Tops Etc.).

Hope helps.

Cheers!

No need to do further homework mate! By now your inbox should be flooded with various well meaning financial "advisors" - hoping to turn your money into fat trails and commissions for them! All of them will have financial licences from Malaysia, Indonesia, Cypress and other similar well established financial centers - and will have the right to do marketing here of lots of wonderful products like that arbitration fund mentioned - and much more!

Cheers!

I have not used them personally (yet) but friend has, and was pleased with the service and product. Cheers!

Those natural "alum" crystal blocks... does the "Alum" not stand for "Aluminium"; what many people are trying to AVOID in their deo, and therefore look for natural alternatives without aluminium - after which they smear 100% aluminium crystal under their arms...

I generally avoid antiperspirants - and have been using various natural deos but nothing works like for me like the Gilette gel antiperspirants.

Cheers!

I have friends living on about 30.000 Baht a month (incl. rent, single in Bangkok) and others spending in the 200.000-300.000 Baht/month range (but generally covers international school, expenses related to entire family like travel Etc. - many hard to "divide per person" as requested by this poll).

Personally I am comfortable with paid condo and car, and an additional 30-50k Baht/mth in average (single in Bangkok). This is based on actual spending over couple of years - so it DOES include stuff that many forget (because yearly payment) such as health insurance(and meds/treatment not covered incl. supplements), visa costs, sports memberships, repairs/maintenance of all kind of stuff, replacing PCs/phones, sports gear, clothes, travel Etc.

Cheers!

There is plenty real concern that this technology is not safe - and the exposure can not be compared directly to other exposure as the scan will stop directly on your skin. Google Dr. Mercola and airport scanners for the latest studies - we simply do not know enough about this type of scans. If I get the option; I will go for the normal pat down - i just doubt that we will get that option here in Thailand.

Another concern is that the machines might be ok initially - but if they are mis-managed/serviced badly/settings changed they will certainly be able to do lots of harm. Another of Dr. Mercolas concerns too.

Cheers!

Sounds like a very good return indeed. I will go and check it out myself. Thanks. Cheers!

Does not work. Has to be personal ownership of either condo (not house - or company - or stocks Etc.), time deposit in gov. bank or Thai bonds bought directly.

Cheers!

What about if your property is in a company name?

if its your company name i have no clue .... my answers would be pure speculation so I prefer pass.....

OP already own a house in Thailand - and is married (Thai) always helps with the reply; if one bothers to read the post...

Prices here are going up about 5%/year a I see it over the last 10+ years. (except for a Coke at 7-11!)

Owning a home will already help as a hedge against inflation.

Personally I believe that most Asian currencies will only strengthen against the Western currencies. In the long run all paper(fiat) currencies will lose out to gold. (But in the long run we will all be dead ).

That said; the decision does not have to be an "all or nothing" decision. Diversify both when comes to asset classes, as well as currencies and regional exposure.

Cheers!

I imagine this could become really lucrative when flights are delayed due to technical issues, strikes, weather, volcanic activity Etc.! Immigration staff could run back into the "limbo zone/duty free areas" and bust every body there as the days went by!

Cheers!

Yes, from a tax perspective that would mean that the extra benefit (health insurance) should be taxed.

That said; It sounds like your employer is letting you get your own individual private insurance - rather than through a group/company policy - and that is actually an advantage as the insurance will then not expire/be cancelled should you lose your job. It is also an advantage in case you during the cover become sick with an illness - that could be considered "pre-existing" - should you have to switch to a private insurance later on (as they would NOT cover that) - I.e. as an individual private insurance you can simply continue to pay (by yourself) in the future - not having to re-apply with new illness (pre-existing) and that point.

So it might actually be worth paying the tax on it.... your mileage may vary

Cheers!

Hi Changraider.

Yes, that makes sense. It is like a company/group insurance/membership for expats - and does therefore not increase premium payments with age (besides normal inflation) - and the age limit of 65 ensures that premiums for all can be kept at a reasonable level. The Thaivisa/Thaihealth copper/silver/gold plan work the same way. Naturally; if one wishes to have cover for life - one would need to look for other plan - but for an expat and also; expat FAMILY - planning to be here/expat some years; this seems like a very well priced plan with great cover - and a more flexible approach (no sub limits, cover chronic issues arising after insured Etc.). Cheers!

At the moment I`m insured through a top Thai insurer which is also one of the main companies behind TV\AA Insurance (though I'm insured directly rather than through AA brokers). My comparison gives the same results as others on this thread - more or less the same costs but much higher payout with this membership product. If their claims handling and claims payment are reliable (should be if their insurer is Lloyds of London A rated) then this must be a great product for anyone under 55, working or not, especially with family. I guess one of the reasons they can offer such good terms is because of the age limits of 55 and 65 - younger people are lower risk.

Hi Joe,

I have been using the Thaivisa plans - and I will probably shift to Rbipremium membership myself.

How you can say that the Thaivisa plans are better is a mystery to me. Thaivisa plans(the high end ones even) have a lifetime max, several sub limits, dental not automatic included, no claim bonus, no chronic cover, large self pays needed to get price down, outpatient doubles the price Etc.

This Rbipremium even has 2x3 day holidays in Bali and Malawi in a 4 star hotel... That, and the USD 500 Baht cash back if no claim practically pays for this insurance by itself. They are a membership program and therefore these extras will hopefully keep coming beyond the health insurance. Outpatient/dental automatically included with no self pay and adding spouse/children is cheaper here than any other insurance I have seen.

They also have much less sub limits and small print - and believe me; I have read through quote a few (you can search this forum to see for yourself).

Oh, they also give a real Master or Visa (debit) card for settlements - but one can also load oneself,and use as ones own (foreign) card - if one is sick of having to deal with Thai banks trying to get a credit card there.

I would however look forward to the first actual claims report here - just hoping it will not be me!

Cheers!

Went happily to immigration 2 weeks ago and as I have a new passport (old one was full) I expected a loooong day ahead.

I went, got the forms, had copies done downstairs of old/new passport Etc. Took ticket for transfer of visa (well; extension actually) to new passport, and waited 2 hours (from 1000 to noon) before we were asked to leave for lunch.

While waiting I realized that my transfer of visa extension was at the SAME counter as I would later have to go back to to apply for the visa extension (another 2 hour wait?) - so I decided to use the time to fill out as much as possible and arrange the needed docs for the visa extension. Naturally; since the extension application copies of (new) passport can only be done AFTER the transfer I feared another wait.

Meanwhile I finally got my turn after lunch and requested BOTH the transfer, AND the extension. The officer accepted - and I I had to do was to run down again - for copies of (new) passport WITH the transferred (old) visa - skipping the line and they handled that too in same session.

I DID have the copy shop staff confused, as then also went down to do the copies for my multiple entry permit - so they saw me 4 (!) times in 1 day!

Cheers!