Notowork

I don't regret shipping ny stuff from Aus.

I definitely  couldn't buy most things here of the same quality !

second hand  items don't have much value in Aus. ,...everyone wants a bargain!

customs was fast tracked with a bit extra tea money!  My container was never opened and inspected by customs!  

1 hour ago, bazza73 said:

Agree. I transfer largish sums twice a year to a Thai bank account to finance my living costs here. The Centrelink pension is paid into an Australian bank account.

 

To try and make it clear: If you are overseas for more than six weeks, you lose the pension SUPPLEMENTS, about 8-10% of the total pension. The BASE pension is still paid if you have resided in Australia for more than 35 years.

 

DO NOT get married here unless you enjoy a world of angst from Centrelink.

 

As usual, Ubon Joe's advice is sound.

You actually need to have WORKED in Australia for 35 years!

11 hours ago, LivinLOS said:

Have spent the last year setting up exactly this.. From a few years ago buying 5 rai for the grand villa and maybe a bunch of rental homes around a pool (estimated 30 mil inward) to dropping off extensions back to a ME visa, going and setting up a fall back home in the west, starting a biz back there, and the full lifeboat option to be on a plane in a day or two without any real interruption to my life just in case.. 

 

What I discovered this summer was

1) the UK is probably cheaper, for the life I lead and the things I consume these days than Thailand is

2) theres sooo much to do that I had forgotten I loved (track days, racing calendar, flight lessons, music festivals, bands, etc).. 

3) making money is so easy back there that not only is it not costing me anything, its set to me making me multi 100k doing it. 

 

I am younger than some at 43, been 'retired' here since I was 28.. Allowed myself to become brainwashed by every expats complaints of trips home, the self validation of 'how great it was to be back' or holiday makers gushing over how lucky it is to be here.. Sure it may be fine at 60 to wind down and live slow in a semi decent climate but this last year has me enthused with the action of being back in europe, my only problems involve the wife / travel / our dog / etc.. 

 

Of course its cold and dark in the UK now.. So I am here.. Counting the days until the winter is over to get back. I am really wondering if I wouldnt do far better having a villa in portugal for the winter rather than here. The biz I have started can easily pay for that cost without touching any of my nestegg. 

 

Many of us expats only dream about having that much wealth at your age,... well done we are all so proud of you!

Why does this survey have two choices the same?

I know there are several  vies agencies in Pattaya that can help you get an "extension of stay based on marriage " no funds needed ,..processing costs vary from 15,000. To 25,000 Baht .  

From my first hand experience customs are corrupt, they make their own rules and charge what they want.

For me it was $1000 Aust. to "fast track",..in other words not to open my container.

They said it would cost at last twice that much to open and check everything. I know all my was scrutinised heavily by a reputable removalist company before shipping. I had nothing that was Dutyable ,..nothing new.

I did have the choice but really it was going to cost anyway,....realised you can't win against corruption ,...so I just paid them the $1000

My stuff was delivered the next day.

My first attempt online at Khonkaen resulted in a pending notice only ! So had to go in person,..they said "good luck "try online again Next time,..they also said that they like to see us in person?

Does anyone realise ,...it is the first of april today! 5555

Nice park, didn't know there were parks like that in Thailand?

The most unusual thing I noticed was the lack of people enjoying it!!

If it were in China it would be packed.

I guess the Thai people are too busy working to pay for their next meal.

Good post,..nice pics.

If you dry your stuff in the sun it will damage the fabrics - especially elastics.

Better to dry under cover in the shade, but with plenty of air circulating - eg a car-port.

Yes, I think you have hit the nail on the head there steve,...U V Rays will destroy the elastic in your undies.

I was bank transferring online from My Aust account to my Thai bank here at a total fee cost of around $40

There are hidden middle bank charges involved!! Way too expensive!

Am now online transferring small amounts to my Thai bank account with Western Union at a total transfer cost of $10

MUCH cheaper and the exchange rates are almost the same, very happy!