timendres

While there are many potential criticisms to be had of Thai police, I believe you would discover that very few Thai police would ever condone physical abuse of women.

Almost $1 MILLION USD for the "privilege" of working in Thailand? Anyone paying for that needs a head check.

In other words, he mishandled the COVID response "based on a new constitution and a new law". Got it.

Yesterday was a holiday, so that may delay the receipt of the deposit by one day.

Responding to teasing with a gun seems perfectly rational.

It obviously depends on the bank, but my agreement clearly states that payments will be applied to purchases first. It actually shocked me to discover, which is why I remember it so clearly. That said, this was at least 10 years ago, so maybe a change was required because of new regulations.

Adding to the above pain, the CC company will apply all of your payments to the "purchases" balance before they apply one penny to "cash advance" balance, ensuring that you pay the usurious interest for as long as possible.

Future headline: "Due to confusion, and Somchai Signs offer of huge discount, Krung Thep will be renamed Bangkok"

Less weird than the use of "or" for what is clearly the "aw" sound.

Someone's cousin owns a sign company that has fallen on hard times...

How could anyone walk out onto that structure, seeing how badly it needs maintenance, and then trust a railing?

I have found immigration at Chaeng Watthana to be very "particular" in the past couple of years. In my case, they have been entirely "by the book", and have not thrown any curve balls or nonsense at me. But every document had to be provided, and exactly as required.

My brother faces a similar choice at the moment. Social security will not kick in for 5 more years, so he would have to draw down his savings account significantly if he retires now. He has around $200K USD. If that were placed into securities yielding 5% dividends, it would provide $10K per year, or roughly $833 per month, which is about 27,500 THB per month at current exchange, without ever drawing down the principal. Of course, there is risk with any dividend yielding securities, but reasonable risk. The principal also provides a nice emergency fund in the event that it becomes a necessity. That 27,500 THB, plus his social security, would provide a very comfortable living here. However, if he draws down the $200K for 5 years while waiting for his social secutity, he estimates he would be left with only $110K USD, which, assuming the same 5% dividend, would only provide $5,500 USD per year, or barely 15,000 THB per month - a significant drop. And he is left with a significantly smaller emergency fund. At the moment he is planning to split the difference, and retire in two and a half years. He has some health issues, and his work is very demanding physically, so he has a strong argument for retiring sooner rather than later, and he does not expect to live until he is 90 (or even 80), reducing his need for long term funds, as well as his exposure to inflation. If you are set on living in Bangkok, renting a nice condo, eating out at expensive restaurants frequently, partying with the ladies, or just having an expensive girlfriend, and otherwise spending freely, your savings and pensions will not make the cut. However, if you are willing to live in a reasonably priced apartment/condo, only eat expensive once or twice a week, and be more reasonable with regards to the girl, then I would think the numbers you are stating are quite reasonable. In my opinion, the most important thing is to try to never touch that principal (your £300k). I believe if it were properly invested for a yield, and you are willing to live frugally until the pensions kick in, you could keep that principal "in the bank", which is the best approach. And once you have adjusted to the limited income produced by the £300k, once your pensions kick in you will be living nice. For me, I came to Thailand when I was 49. But I was still working, and I am still working now 12 years later. I could not imagine having to have waited any longer to come here, and I would certainly be miserable if I were still in the US. I would rather be poor and scraping by in Thailand (or a number of other places to be honest), than to be well off in the US. I was miserable there. So you should consider the value of being retired, as well as being more happy each day (assuming being here provides that for you), as part of your calculations.

This is the one valid issue with legalizing weed. And it is not easily solved.

Wow. You and Trudeau need to have a meetup.

Exceptionally clueless statement.

Maybe they should consider planting a tree and erecting a plaque honoring the victims.

Just bought 13w LED bulbs in-store at HomePro for 108 THB each.

Your friend could hire you as an IT manager tasked with researching his various companies and their needs for software systems to support the business, as well as managing the purchase, installation, and running of said systems. This is a job that will not be rejected by the labor department. As indicated by @DrJoy the process is mind numbing in its complexity and requirements for documentation. Last year's application for my extension of stay looked like a phone book, with almost 100 pages of documents. It is so difficult, I cannot imagine doing it without an agent. I spend, easily, over 50K baht per year on that process. Your friend will also learn to hate and dread the process, which you should consider.

You made your bed...

What "international commitments"? These folks have a huge opportunity to lead, instead of following the retarded.

Bankok Bank will allow you to establish a "foreign recipient" in their inline banking, but it is a laborious process. If I remember correctly, they required a copy of my work permit to allow that under the "purpose" of repatriating earnings. In the Kasikorn KPlus mobile app, I simply put in the details of a transfer (destination bank, account number, recipient name, etc.), and I am able to transfer up to 50K THB per day - no work permit, not application process, nothing. Just able to do it instantly with no hassles. Transfer rates using KPlus transfer were within 20 b.p. of rate on xe.com, which is about as good as it gets. You will pay a fee on the receiving end, which is typically $20 or $30 depending on the receiving bank. I found it to be the best "online" method using a Thai bank.

Ton asked Cherry to bring it around later, after B goes to work.

Facebook... idiot.

He can look forward to many "spur of the moment attacks" where he is headed.