Firefan

In all fairness Harmonica did not come with the original claim about the triple currency correlation. It does seem like you defend it, Harmonica?

Anyway; the main message (if I got that right) was that the Sterling should weaken towards the Euro. Sure; that could happen. There is a 50% change for it to happen! But if we are talking 40%(!) slide then the chance is much less...

Bottom line; I find currency speculation facinating but impossible (I might not be smart en'uff ) so I just ensure to be well diversified currency wise. Cheers!

I eat practically everything ranging from food stands to Western restaurants. I have noted that the heat makes me eat less in general (but it also makes me do less physical stuff..dammit...) - and that Thai food becomes me better than the heavier Western treats in this heat.

Cheers!

I would say no as long as done with own savings/investments/margin. Many of the things I do, others would be paying a broker or investment analysis to do but I guess that it is comparable with doing your own yard work, cleaning, washing car, painting house Etc.

In the "real world" I think that what authorities are after is money earned for work IN Thailand. Unlike the Western world countries (who tax wise wants to suck us all dry ) Thailand is rather non-chalant about foreign earned income.

Has anybody ever heard of a case where e.g. internet income created a work permit (or tax) case here?

Cheers!

There are many people trading stocks.

Is that considered work?

He,he Zaekow! A very interesting situation which happens now and again when the Thai's (with best intentions!) try to give good service!

A few weeks back the maid of serviced apartment decided that my silk ties needed a good wash - in the washing machine!

Still love this country!

Cheers!

The thing is that ANY work done while here (even if earned abroad/does not earn you a single $ Etc.) needs a work permit as the law is - it is the enforcement that naturally becomes difficult.

I will be earning some money "working" with my own investments 3-4 hours every day on my PC - I do certainly not plan for needing a work permit doing that, but anything beyond that (say, advising others online for a fee ) would in theory require the work permit.

Cheers!

Hi there!

Chownah; you are of course right - a drop of 40% would also mean a drop compared to the Euro.

Many clever heads (Bill Gross, Warren Buffet Etc.) agree with Tripxcore that the USD will continue to weaken towards most other currencies (I do not count the ones like the Yuan being linked directly to the USD).

While I find Harmonica's graphs interesting I have never put much faith in technical analysis be it for stocks, bonds or currencies - it is all history and all kinds of "head and shoulder" does not really convince me.

Personally I try to avoid speculating in currencies (which is even HARDER than stock as pride/politics Etc. is added into the economical equations even more than with stocks) by having my nest egg spread over multiple currencies (and asset classes Incl. gold/metals/commodities).

In a world market where EVERYBODY seems to want a weak currency (for export competativeness and reduction of deficits/loans tc.) it makes sense to put some of the capital in "real" stuff like commodities/metals Etc.

Cheers!

Thanks lopburi! You are right that Sunbelt advises that the embassies in neighboring countries are less lenient when it comes to making the 1 year non-em B visa.

I will obtain the 3-mth non-em B visa from Vietnam (based on invite/lawyer sponsor) after which we will try again to request a change to the 1 year non-em B visa based on condo investment - apparently it should be easier than changing status from tourist visa to the 1 year non-em visa. Will believe it when I see it!

Cheers!

Judge; "sorry Mr.Mickey Mouse, this court sees no grounds for divorce from Mrs. Minnie Mouse based on any mental illness of hers"

Mickey; "I did not say she had any mental illness, I said: she was f...... Goofy!"

Cheers!

Thanks axel and lopburi! That did makes things much clearer.

lopburi; just to clarify, what do you mean by

The Sunbelt plan is real if you can obtain a multi entry B visa

With the sponsor documents from Sunbelt or other established/legal company I presume there should not be other obvious problems to at least get the 1 year non-em B visa (but with needed Visa runs)?

Initially my lawyer advised that since my condo purchase (2-3 years ago) was more than 3M Baht there should not be any problems getting the 1Y non-em B based on that(and extensions without leaving the country due to the investment status I presume).

At meeting at/with emigration Suan Plu they however pointed out that my condo was not purchased directly from condo developer (who went bankrupt 97/98) but from the bank (Tisco) - and that my application for change from tourist visa to 1 year non-em B might be rejected - but we filed anyway.

I have just been informed that the change was rejected based on condo not bought directly from condo developer.

My lawyer now believes that there is still hope (of avoiding visa runs) as I will need to enter Thailand on a 3 month non-em B (based on invite/sponsor doc from lawyer) which we will then (again ) try to change to to the 1 year year non-em B visa... and extensions based on the investment in the condo...

I have a hard time seeing how the change of visa status from tourist visa to non-em would be different from trying to change from 3 mth non-em to the 1 year non-em visa based on my condo.

Head is spinning so any clarification appreciated! Cheers!

Below is from www.legalthailand.com whom I am currently using to arrange for my 1 year non-em-B visa. I will not be working/obtain a work permit in Thailand. The non-em-B visa will be obtained either via my condo purchase (but have the problem that not bought directly from developer) or with arrangement of sponsorship the way that http://www.lawyer.th.com/QR-one-year-visa-thailand.asp advertise.

What I find unclear is WHAT creates the requirement to do a visa run every 90 days (if have work permit or retirement visa ones does not have to do visa run of course).

The way I read below is that ANY 1 year non-em B can do extension every 90 days without having to leave the country?

Can anybody clarify this? Cheers!

Your best choice is to obtain a Multiple-Entry Non-Immigrant visa type B (Business Visa) which valid for 12 months. With this visa type you will need to exit and enter Thailand at least every 90 days to get a new entry stamp allowing you to stay a further 90 days.

Is that what you have always heard of? But please read this! There's always an exemption in Thailand!

Suppose you already got a Non-Immigrant Visa (i.e. Business Visa) and suppose you are already in Thailand for 65 days, so now what to do? The Immigration Bureau of Thailand stated that "if the holder of non-immigrant Visa notice the Immigration Bureau of Thailand in approximately every 90 days (before his/her first 90 days expires), the Immigraion Bureau will allow non-immigrant visa holder to stay in Thailand for another 90 days without exit and re-enter Thailand!"

Of course, we can represent you filing a notice to the Immigration Bureau and of course, you will be allowed to stay for another 90 days without border cross again and again!

Thus, you can now stop your Visa Run permanently!!!

In my experience the house, car and financial stability is certainly "nice" things to have and SOME women will find these things as being part of the attraction.

But the best relationships I have had have been with girls who didn't give a rats a.. about those things.

FF

Scandinavien man / 30 years old / living in BKK

If you by "where" mean where the funds should invest, I would personally go for a broad global index fund with as low costs as possible. Most managed funds regrettably does not manage to outperform the market itself - mainly due to exorbant fees but also due to churning(commissions/drag Etc.). Cheers!

I have 2 kids (Thai) living in Thailand. Their ages are 1 & 5. I would like to invest

100,000 for each kid into stocks bonds???? long term. Will also invest 100,000 a year to the same account. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thks  

I am Scandinavien and generally like both Brits and Americans. In both cases I have found that the ones I meet living abroad do not fit the "stereotypes" we often like to bring up in heated discussions. Cheers!

My 2 (Euro) cents: this time it IS different when we are talking oil - supply and demand - and even a slightly reduced demand from a slight cooling down of the China development will not stop that.

No number of hybrid cars in US/EU will stop the increased global demand. Cheers!

Economics 101. More money hunting same volume of goods = inflation. Wonder how it will impact our cost of living here? Electricity prices must be one of the first to increase? Followed by everything else...?

Cheers!

Often they will accept a utility bill (water/phone/electricity Etc.) when nothing else is available. The rental contract (if her name on) might work too. My phone/internet bill and housing contract is a mix of Thai and English as is my water bill (from condo management but still...)

Cheers!

My girlfriend would like to open a bank account in Hong Kong. But first, they need some kind of proof that she lives where she says she lives in Thailand. As we're currently renting, this may be a little difficult.

Any idea what kind of official document might suffice? If she needs to pay for it, that's fine.

He,he - sure might be a troll but I bet there are a ton of similar TRUE cases out there! Cheers!

He,he - Daleyboy - well noted!

Joeyboy; any more details? (time? price?) Cheers!

the witches tavern on soi thong lor has some sort of deal 

Hi all!

Well we all seem to know about the Cat House (Nana Plaza) happy hour deal of all you can drink (Chang, a bit more for Tiger Etc.) for B100 from 1600-2000 every day.

I also believe that the Irish Exchange in Soi Convent have a decent deal on pitchers of Tiger all Saturday (B100?).

Any other good happy hour deals we can share?

Cheers!

The Scandinavien drunk...

Hi! New to the board(s) but not to Thailand (lived here before and just returned!). Scandinavien guy.

This sounds fantastic! If I am in the country I will certainly join!

Cheers!