tjrd12

Due to the bad US economy and also increased xenophobia (for example the racist Arizona law) a large percentage of Mexicans have self repatriated. Please no more of the fantasy that everyone in the world wants to get into the US. It isn't true now, and it was never true.

http://www2.ocregist...6719-going-home

Also note, ease of class mobility (in other words the chances a poor person can become wealthy) are now significantly better in western Europe than the USA. Not to mention the gap between rich and poor in the US, which is arguably more extreme than in Thailand.

http://www.businessi...of-the-wealth-2

Yes there is truth to what you say with the exception of Arizona laws being racist. Since when is it racist to not desire illegals living in your country, overcrowding your schools and hospitals, sucking social services such as food stamps and welfare, not paying taxes, sending much of their money back to Mexico and not spending it here, taking American jobs, lowering job standards and wages to name a few. And I am not talking about the drug smugglers or scores of Mexican felons heading up to the US to steal cars, break ins, etc.

Okay now let's look at Mexico's policy. Any American traveling without a passport can be arrested and imprisoned/extradited on the spot. Never mind living there. Name one country in the world that does not actively seek and extradite illegal entries?

I'd suggest you either wake up or read up before being so loose with your statements.

Great post in response to a really, really bad one. I can't count the number of people that have worked for me in foreign countries (drivers, secretaries, etc.) that have asked for my help in getting them into the US or a job there. And the number of foreign professionals that send their children to study and work in the US or the UK is endless. To the masses, the US is the beacon in the darkness of empty opportunities. To be sure, it has lost some of its shine and the developing world has become much more habitable, but the US still offers the best education and opportunities for growth and development of any plce on earth (it is a pity that more Americans don't take adavantage of what is available there). The gap is narrowing, and places like Singapore may out shine the US in a decade or two -- hence my comment earlier on a second term for Obama, which would only hasten the decline of the US.

Here Here...agree with you 100%, well except the part about Obama...

Yes, Sing is a GREAT place, if I had employment there I would leave LOS in a HEARTBEAT...quality of life is far superior to Thailand...

So as you say it is a lifestyle choice:

I don't drink beer, wine, or liquor.

I mostly cook my own food which I buy early mornings at the market or 6AM Tesco-L

I don't watch TV except for the Thai news -- I'm happy to listen to the NFL football on stream radio

I don't smoke cigarettes

I don't need the fanciest consumer electronic gear

I have in room high speed WiFi with a backup DTAC Blackberry Internet.

I am happy not to own a car

I have plenty to keep myself occupied in LOS aside from but certainly including the TGFs

I can maintain US based Non Profit NGO from my room here in Thailand with a local US telephone number via SKYPE.

I am well-known in the Thai 'social inclusion' community and my activities are respected by Thai Ministries including Labor and Immigration.

I find that my once a year trip to the USA is sufficient for me to bring back those items I cannot readily purchase in Thailand.

I am stilling paying a fraction of what I last paid in USA for housing and especially medical insurance.

My principal concern in USA is my elderly Mother but she keeps such a busy schedule especially world-class bridge that I would not see her that much even if I lived in the same town.

So it turns out that I would be leaving a lot more if I left my lifestyle mode in Thailand than when I left the USA for here and I STILL feel that way every time I return to USA for 3 weeks or so.

If that is your lifestyle then you have made the right choice...

With you on the car...glad not to have to own one...motorbike is the way to go in LOS..

Working here is a pain...have run a legit biz for 7 yrs...but as I said earlier am increasingly annoyed at the fact that I employ folks, pay LOTS of money in taxes and am still not granted citizenship...in most countries, I would have been eligible after 5 yrs.

I would still say that if you compare a comparably fitted apartment in the US to one in BKK, the US (excluding the coastal cities) is far cheaper...again, I would not be happy living in a 7k baht concrete box in a lower class Thai neighborhood, with loud neighbors and tuk tuks...hell, even in nice neighborhoods noise is an issue..but some people are ok with that...not me, and cost wise myself and most of my friends spend about 100k baht a month...and that still does not buy much of a lifestyle here anymore...

If one has spent 15, 10 or even 5 years in Thailand and has established no mode of lifestyle he/she is unwilling to leave behind I guess that says something in-and-of itself.

Jazz,

I think we were ALL willing to leave a lot of lifestyle behind...LOS 10 yrs ago was a very different place then it is today...a much friendlier place, pre Red Shirt Yellow Shirt, pre Thai Rak Thai, pre US goes to war with the world, etc etc..

The nationalistic sentiment was always there but it was far less pronounced. Asia was coming out of the crisis and the West, the US in particular was still experiencing the end of the tech boom. Exchange rates were favorable and Western films and music were still #!...fast forward 11 yrs, Baht at 30 as opposed to 40 plus, FAR fewer western movies released, Asian MTV and VH1 replaced by Thai MTV and Channel V Thailand, English Language radio stations kaput, more concentration on things Asian...and believe me, I am not saying this is a bad thing...it was bound to happen as Asia takes over as the dominant region on the planet, however, these changes do not suit me personally...I am sure there are many on this forum who have no issues with it, but I do...

Most of all the great thing about LOS was that you could live a 5 star life on a 3 star budget...not the case any more...and of course the women...and that is still FAR better then the West...so as I said splitting time is really the best solution for me...and getting the hell out of BKK as it has become a very tough unfriendly city...CNX in a year or two...

I too am a Texas, but from Ft Worth and have lived in Thailand for 11 years...made my first trip back to Ft Worth and Austin in 5 1/2 yrs last Oct and must say I was VERY surprised at what I found...I was DREADING the trip back but found that aside from the lack of available Asian women, just about EVERYTHING else in the US is superior...This is from the view of someone who has lived in BKK for 11 yrs...I KNOW it is cheaper upcountry and I plan to join you CNX guys at some point, but for now my biz is in BKK.

1st- People are FAR nicer back home...I live in Central BKK and what used to a very nice friendly place has turned into a much more stand offish if not mean environment. Suk 3-13 are awful, with the changing demographics and copious amounts of trash on the street.

2nd- Cost of living is FAR cheaper in the US (central BKK is about 100% more then when I moved here)...well, if you want to live in a 7k baht a month cement box, eat street food, and drink the local swill then Thailand is the place, but if you want to have ANY semblance of a Western lifestyle then TX is FAR cheaper. A Hein beer at 7/11 in LOS is 41 bath...that is 8.50 a 6 pack...I can buy a 6 of GREAT micro-brew for 7.50 in the US...Clothing, MUCH cheaper in the US for anything of quality...rents, my father rents a beautiful 1200 sq ft 2 bdr 2 ba with wood floors, marble counters, and stainless appliances for 850 USD a month...my SMALL 2/2 in central BKK is 780 USD and it PALES in comparison to his...Cable is cheaper and better, FOOD is cheaper and of higher quality...a hamburger at the Londoner is 11.50...and don't forget the portion size in the US is HUGE, you can easily feed two.

3rd- Cleanliness- BKK is filthy, most places here are. Trash is strewn all over, noise and air pollution rule the day

4th- Technology better in Thailand?? Give me a break, the US has 4g for cell phones, MANY HD channels, faster internet, etc, etc, etc...far better and cheaper then LOS.

As I said, if you want to live like a local it is cheap...BUT I moved here because I could live like a king for less then the US...not the case anymore...

I could go on and on...will start spending 3 to 4 months a year in the states..

People in Chiang Mai are far nicer than Bangkok, Suk 3-13 dirty you say, must be a coincidence that's where most farangs are, and it appears not to be trash, but mainly clutter from the sidewalk vendors catering to tourist.

I'm seeing a pattern of people assuming that 'technology' only means the Internet. Technology covers everything from manufacturing to cell phones. But i still say the Internet is just about as fast in Thailand as in Houston. You want faster speeds step up to a better package, and don't use the same cookie cutter packages 90% of the people in Thailand are using.

Funny how people assume technology in regards to electronics in the US is ahead when 99% is made in Asia, and that includes the engineering standpoint. Electronics, cars and trucks are made in Thailand and are exported worldwide. I cant remember the last time i saw something that was made in or designed in America. Dodge,Ford, Chevy thats about it and Chevy had to get bailed out.

How about fuel? EVERY taxi in Thailand works on either CNG or propane, try finding a place to fill your tank up with CNG or propane in the US. Apart from CNG and propane, Thailand also utilizes biofuel mixtures at almost every pump now,not only this but even selections of biofuels such as E85 - even better is i have someone pumping the gas for me, even if it takes a while sometimes.

I don't agree that clothing is cheaper in the US , i just bought 3 pairs of Levis jeans for an average price of $45 and some shirts at Macy's and they cost the same as in Thailand, but if i go to places like the franchise Import/Export shop (located in shopping malls) or XL for men its literally 3 times cheaper than the US for clothes and pants. This winter i was going to buy a Columbia sports jacket, the price was $125 the same one at Import/Export shop was about $45.

There's a bigger shoe selection here though, and I'm loving that. Of course if you do the majority of your shopping at Ross, Target or Marshalls it will be cheaper. Anyone that has had a suit tailor made can attest that the cost is up to 6x more expensive in the US and that's a figure I use sparingly.

Personally I like the fact I can buy any cellphone in Thailand and not have to be locked into one contract, I can change the SIM card and choose any carrier I wish. You aren't going to see this happen for 75% of the phones in the US. Not too mention the new promotions that come wave after wave with companies like dtac allowing you to change promotions in your next billing cycle.

I don't find cable to be much better, you just have more channels of nothing worthy of watching.

Beer won't cost me $7.50 it will cost me $15 because its not as strong and I have to drink twice as much.

Auto Insurance - I don't even have to talk about this, everyone that drives in Thailand knows how much cheaper it is than the US.

Not as strong?? You must not be drinking good micro-brews...8%, 11& take your pick...and over 150 varieties at the local supermarket...

I would also say that MANY farangs have moved out of the 3-13 area as it is no longer a farang domain...Asoke to Ekkamai is still ok...

And prices, well, Outlet Malls in the US are amazing...that Columbia jacket can be had for 25 USD and Gap Jeans that are 2999 Baht for 23 USD...as I said MUCH cheaper...Coach handbags are another example...here 15k baht plus...same bag, 150 USD at the outlet...9 West shoes, 3500 baht at the 50% off sale at Emp, 75 USD in the USA...as I said I guess it is a matter of how you want to live...

Levis in Thailand will run you about 1700 baht and up...that is a bit more then 45 USD...

There is NO MIDDLE CLASS here...and that is reflected in the choices one has...it is either CHEAP or very expensive...very little middle ground...and I really do not see that changing...

Bigger shoe selection?? I hsve not seen that..quality here is STILL very pricey...again I really think that goods sold locally are inferior...that is not to say that there are not quality products made here, quite the contrary, they are just made for export...

Agree with you on fuels...but petrol is cheaper in the US...

As I said for me the perfect life would be about 4 to 5 months in the US and the rest here...folks I know that do that appreciate BOTH...

Houston has a great downtown now...friend's Dad has a condo next to the ballpark...can walk to numerous restaurants and bars and then head to a ball game...nice...

Tried plenty of brews here the only one that ive found that comes close to a thai beer buzz is Red Stripe beer from jamaica, besides if you start to step into the realm of micro brews your no longer in the $7.50 range like you stated.

Over 150 varieties at the local supermarket ? wake up please, there is no way in this world there are over 150 different varieties of beer at a supermarket, maybe 10-15 tops. It is economically impossible for a supermarket to carry over 150 varieties, c'mon...

Outlet malls are over rated and not as cheap as you suggest, when was the last time you've been to one?

When I said shoes I said the selection here in America.

Was in Prime Outlets both in Round Rock and Allen, TX in Oct...bought shoes, Coach Bags, Jeans, all great quality stuff at a fraction of the price here in LOS...my friends who still live in TX now bring clothes from the states to LOS for family members as it is a bargain in the US...the US, with the current deflationary environment is a STEAL...BUT I fear it will not last for long as inflation is right around the corner...but right now the US is the best place to be a consumer...

Go to Central Market (oops I am wrong, 350 varieties of beer http://www.centralmarket.com/Goods/Wine---Beer.aspx) or Whole Foods...easy...and most in the 7.50 range (although nice Belgians will run about 8.50..still cheap compared to 115 baht for a bottle at Foodland in BKK) ...I will agree that mass market beer in the US is TRASH...Try Breckenridge Brewery out of CO...Great stuff...their Oatmeal Stout is REALLY nice..Rahr and Sons from Ft Worth TX (Ugly Pug is fantastic) makes some wonderful brews as well...Fox and Hound in Ft Worth has 2 dollar pint night on Tuesdays and that includes micros and imports (they have Maredsous!) Here in BKK a small glass of Belgian is around 180 baht...Again all due to high import duties to protect the wealthy here at the expense of the consumer...Don't even get me started on wine...305% excise tax....

Do you have any evidence that only a few families control the importation of cameras into Thailand?

You can do that research for yourself...and can with most products...go to the company website and look for the Intl distributors...you will find that with most all imported products there is one MAYBE two distributors...and there are folks that have the distribution rights to MANY products.

Also most stores here do not buy their inventory...for instance at the Empo or Paragon when you see Lacoste, the store does not but that inventory, it simply rents the space to the Lacoste distributor, so there is never any real pressure on the store to move the inventory, hence when you see a Lacoste sale it is always 30% off, never more...Same holds true for Samsung and other products in places like Power Mall, Carrefour, and Lotus...that is why prices are IDENTICAL and you have very little bargaining power...and of course the big problem...cars...which in mainly tax...

I am not American but the question i would ask those that sing the praises of Thailand over the US is:

If you were rich where would you prefer to live?

Personally I like the idea of coming in and out of Thailand as and when i please.

But I still prefer to keep my primary residence in my home country Australia.

Given my druthers I'd probably rather live in my birthplace, San Francisco. It's a wonderful place to live if you have more than 10 million dollars or less than 10 dollars. It's often hard to get by for those in between.

If money were no issue, San Fran, NYC, Vancouver, perhaps Tokyo...

I too am a Texas, but from Ft Worth and have lived in Thailand for 11 years...made my first trip back to Ft Worth and Austin in 5 1/2 yrs last Oct and must say I was VERY surprised at what I found...I was DREADING the trip back but found that aside from the lack of available Asian women, just about EVERYTHING else in the US is superior...This is from the view of someone who has lived in BKK for 11 yrs...I KNOW it is cheaper upcountry and I plan to join you CNX guys at some point, but for now my biz is in BKK.

1st- People are FAR nicer back home...I live in Central BKK and what used to a very nice friendly place has turned into a much more stand offish if not mean environment. Suk 3-13 are awful, with the changing demographics and copious amounts of trash on the street.

2nd- Cost of living is FAR cheaper in the US (central BKK is about 100% more then when I moved here)...well, if you want to live in a 7k baht a month cement box, eat street food, and drink the local swill then Thailand is the place, but if you want to have ANY semblance of a Western lifestyle then TX is FAR cheaper. A Hein beer at 7/11 in LOS is 41 bath...that is 8.50 a 6 pack...I can buy a 6 of GREAT micro-brew for 7.50 in the US...Clothing, MUCH cheaper in the US for anything of quality...rents, my father rents a beautiful 1200 sq ft 2 bdr 2 ba with wood floors, marble counters, and stainless appliances for 850 USD a month...my SMALL 2/2 in central BKK is 780 USD and it PALES in comparison to his...Cable is cheaper and better, FOOD is cheaper and of higher quality...a hamburger at the Londoner is 11.50...and don't forget the portion size in the US is HUGE, you can easily feed two.

3rd- Cleanliness- BKK is filthy, most places here are. Trash is strewn all over, noise and air pollution rule the day

4th- Technology better in Thailand?? Give me a break, the US has 4g for cell phones, MANY HD channels, faster internet, etc, etc, etc...far better and cheaper then LOS.

As I said, if you want to live like a local it is cheap...BUT I moved here because I could live like a king for less then the US...not the case anymore...

I could go on and on...will start spending 3 to 4 months a year in the states..

People in Chiang Mai are far nicer than Bangkok, Suk 3-13 dirty you say, must be a coincidence that's where most farangs are, and it appears not to be trash, but mainly clutter from the sidewalk vendors catering to tourist.

I'm seeing a pattern of people assuming that 'technology' only means the Internet. Technology covers everything from manufacturing to cell phones. But i still say the Internet is just about as fast in Thailand as in Houston. You want faster speeds step up to a better package, and don't use the same cookie cutter packages 90% of the people in Thailand are using.

Funny how people assume technology in regards to electronics in the US is ahead when 99% is made in Asia, and that includes the engineering standpoint. Electronics, cars and trucks are made in Thailand and are exported worldwide. I cant remember the last time i saw something that was made in or designed in America. Dodge,Ford, Chevy thats about it and Chevy had to get bailed out.

How about fuel? EVERY taxi in Thailand works on either CNG or propane, try finding a place to fill your tank up with CNG or propane in the US. Apart from CNG and propane, Thailand also utilizes biofuel mixtures at almost every pump now,not only this but even selections of biofuels such as E85 - even better is i have someone pumping the gas for me, even if it takes a while sometimes.

I don't agree that clothing is cheaper in the US , i just bought 3 pairs of Levis jeans for an average price of $45 and some shirts at Macy's and they cost the same as in Thailand, but if i go to places like the franchise Import/Export shop (located in shopping malls) or XL for men its literally 3 times cheaper than the US for clothes and pants. This winter i was going to buy a Columbia sports jacket, the price was $125 the same one at Import/Export shop was about $45.

There's a bigger shoe selection here though, and I'm loving that. Of course if you do the majority of your shopping at Ross, Target or Marshalls it will be cheaper. Anyone that has had a suit tailor made can attest that the cost is up to 6x more expensive in the US and that's a figure I use sparingly.

Personally I like the fact I can buy any cellphone in Thailand and not have to be locked into one contract, I can change the SIM card and choose any carrier I wish. You aren't going to see this happen for 75% of the phones in the US. Not too mention the new promotions that come wave after wave with companies like dtac allowing you to change promotions in your next billing cycle.

I don't find cable to be much better, you just have more channels of nothing worthy of watching.

Beer won't cost me $7.50 it will cost me $15 because its not as strong and I have to drink twice as much.

Auto Insurance - I don't even have to talk about this, everyone that drives in Thailand knows how much cheaper it is than the US.

Not as strong?? You must not be drinking good micro-brews...8%, 11& take your pick...and over 150 varieties at the local supermarket...

I would also say that MANY farangs have moved out of the 3-13 area as it is no longer a farang domain...Asoke to Ekkamai is still ok...

And prices, well, Outlet Malls in the US are amazing...that Columbia jacket can be had for 25 USD and Gap Jeans that are 2999 Baht for 23 USD...as I said MUCH cheaper...Coach handbags are another example...here 15k baht plus...same bag, 150 USD at the outlet...9 West shoes, 3500 baht at the 50% off sale at Emp, 75 USD in the USA...as I said I guess it is a matter of how you want to live...

Levis in Thailand will run you about 1700 baht and up...that is a bit more then 45 USD...

There is NO MIDDLE CLASS here...and that is reflected in the choices one has...it is either CHEAP or very expensive...very little middle ground...and I really do not see that changing...

Bigger shoe selection?? I hsve not seen that..quality here is STILL very pricey...again I really think that goods sold locally are inferior...that is not to say that there are not quality products made here, quite the contrary, they are just made for export...

Agree with you on fuels...but petrol is cheaper in the US...

As I said for me the perfect life would be about 4 to 5 months in the US and the rest here...folks I know that do that appreciate BOTH...

Houston has a great downtown now...friend's Dad has a condo next to the ballpark...can walk to numerous restaurants and bars and then head to a ball game...nice...

Bangkok is a major world capital. Compare Bangkok to Washington D.C. or New York for prices, maybe Texas to Udon Thani.

Next ...

That is funny...BKK is a capital but it is still WAY substandard when it comes to quality of everything...but now not in price...compare Singapore and HK to NYC and DC for prices but not BKK as it does not offer 1/2 of what those cities offer in sophistication, entertainment, and quality of life...

You would compare UDON to a SMALL midwest town, not to a large US city...

That's because Thailand is still not a 1st world country, although it is classed as newly industrialized. It will take time for increased internal competition to develop. One good example was in the Photography forum about camera prices. Import and distribution of cameras is controlled by a few families, hence the mark up.

Don't forget the tax structure here is vastly different to the West. Protectionist levels of duty are levied on imports and stuff produced here yet determined to be for export only. The Thai made shock absorbers I bought today were about half what they would cost in the UK and that's without the fitting costs.

For routine, run of the mill domestically produced items and food, the prices are a lot cheaper. Like . . . well, like rice and shock absorbers.

MJP,

But the currency is strong and we have gotten NO break on imported goods, in fact prices have inflated...it is by no means a market economy...unfortunately the Thai made products are often substandard and the rich want to keep it that way...it is amazing...the rich own the factories that churn out crap for the locals and make lots of cash so they can buy foreign goods...

And yes, I agree with you, it is a developing country and the prices should reflect that...

One thing I like better back home is the less obvious social posturing when you meet people. Here there's always that (somewhat) awkward 'weigh in' to see who is bigger/heavier/wealthier/more connected/etc. that will pretty much define the rest of the relationship.

I would agree...no matter what you do you will never be accepted as part of the society here...now I am one of the first one's to bash my homeland (the US), BUT live in the US LEGALLY for 5 yrs and you can become a citizen and own land...here, nope...and YES, I have run a legit biz here for quite a few years with Thai employees whom I pay and treat VERY well...and I pay LOTS of taxes, yet reap no benefit...

Of course why do we stay...be honest, only one reason...

You've got to compare like for like haven't you? Take property. If we for the moment forget about comparing a 5 bedroom penthouse with private pool overlooking Rajamdamri with an old moonshiners shack in Buttf#ck Alabama and come up to my neck of the woods you'll find a 15 million baht house that my sister in laws boss is building that would make Tony Montana green with envy.

Some of the places in central BKK are selling for 450 per sq ft...and even the BEST buildings in BKK are substandard by western standards...again you can live on the coasts in the US for that...

A few years ago I was at a cigar dinner and real estate prices were the topic...I pointed out a building on Thong Lor that was going for 120 per sq mt and stated how expensive it was, and a friend stated, "but it is Thong Lor," to which I replied, "the best place in a toilet bowl is still in the crapper."

Bangkok is a major world capital. Compare Bangkok to Washington D.C. or New York for prices, maybe Texas to Udon Thani.

Next ...

That is funny...BKK is a capital but it is still WAY substandard when it comes to quality of everything...but now not in price...compare Singapore and HK to NYC and DC for prices but not BKK as it does not offer 1/2 of what those cities offer in sophistication, entertainment, and quality of life...

You would compare UDON to a SMALL midwest town, not to a large US city...

I would say that Dallas, Austin, or Houston all offer FAR more then BKK on many levels...restaurants, music, sports, cultural activities...so yes, compare BKK to NYC or DC and you MAYBE get about 25% of what those cities offer...except what most of us are here for

I too am a Texas, but from Ft Worth and have lived in Thailand for 11 years...made my first trip back to Ft Worth and Austin in 5 1/2 yrs last Oct and must say I was VERY surprised at what I found...I was DREADING the trip back but found that aside from the lack of available Asian women, just about EVERYTHING else in the US is superior...This is from the view of someone who has lived in BKK for 11 yrs...I KNOW it is cheaper upcountry and I plan to join you CNX guys at some point, but for now my biz is in BKK.

1st- People are FAR nicer back home...I live in Central BKK and what used to a very nice friendly place has turned into a much more stand offish if not mean environment. Suk 3-13 are awful, with the changing demographics and copious amounts of trash on the street.

2nd- Cost of living is FAR cheaper in the US (central BKK is about 100% more then when I moved here)...well, if you want to live in a 7k baht a month cement box, eat street food, and drink the local swill then Thailand is the place, but if you want to have ANY semblance of a Western lifestyle then TX is FAR cheaper. A Hein beer at 7/11 in LOS is 41 bath...that is 8.50 a 6 pack...I can buy a 6 of GREAT micro-brew for 7.50 in the US...Clothing, MUCH cheaper in the US for anything of quality...rents, my father rents a beautiful 1200 sq ft 2 bdr 2 ba with wood floors, marble counters, and stainless appliances for 850 USD a month...my SMALL 2/2 in central BKK is 780 USD and it PALES in comparison to his...Cable is cheaper and better, FOOD is cheaper and of higher quality...a hamburger at the Londoner is 11.50...and don't forget the portion size in the US is HUGE, you can easily feed two.

3rd- Cleanliness- BKK is filthy, most places here are. Trash is strewn all over, noise and air pollution rule the day

4th- Technology better in Thailand?? Give me a break, the US has 4g for cell phones, MANY HD channels, faster internet, etc, etc, etc...far better and cheaper then LOS.

As I said, if you want to live like a local it is cheap...BUT I moved here because I could live like a king for less then the US...not the case anymore...

I could go on and on...will start spending 3 to 4 months a year in the states..

If you want to scrounge like a local and eat poor quality street food and live in a dump then BKK is cheap...if you want ANY sort of Western lifestyle then BKK is VERY expensive...mostly due to the exchange rate and the fact that there is such a high tariff on imported goods...of course with the exchange rate you would think that we would get a brake on imported goods but that has been far from the case...

Guys,

Cannot get the MMS to work on the nexus one for AIS...EDGE is fine...any ideas?? Called AIS and there solution did not work...

Thanks!

Gents,

I have ordered a guitar amp from Malaysia...since MA is an ASEAN country, do the same duty percentages apply??? It is rather heavy, about 20 kilos so it will be on the radar...if a big issue I might be better off going to KL and hand carrying it back!!

Could a customs broker help with this?? Anyone know one???

Thanks,

T

Can anyone with a work permit use the ONE STOP???

Thanks,

T

I was wondering if the climate in Nan is suitable to the cultivation of rubber trees. I am talking specifically about the area around Amphur Chiang Klang...thanks in advance for any advice!

Where's Big Al?

JR Texas: I ate there and thought that they served the best tacos (beef) in Pattaya. But that is not saying much. In my view, you cannot find Mexican food in Thailand. And believe me, I have been all over Mexico and Texas and eaten lots of Mexican food.

The problem is, I think, the lack of basic ingredients (primary problem) coupled with a lack of knowledge with regard to how to prepare the food (secondary problem). I suppose that is why so many so-called "Mexican restaurants" focus on selling BBQ ribs and margaritas.

I think I read that at one time Taco Bell was in Thailand? True? What happened to it? Of course it is terrible Mexican food.....but it is OK when you need a quick fix on the run.

The first person to actually serve real Mexican food (or the Tex-Mex version ) in Thailand will get rich........my prediction.

Have you tried Tequila Reef on Soi 7, near Beach Road? I find it's some of the best TexMex I"ve had anywhere. Owner is a yank who's been here for yonks btw.

PS. You don't have to preface all your posts "JR Texas:" - it is obvious who you are from the post envelope.

I must agree with JR...being from Tejas myself and having traveled throughout the SW and Mexico, I can say that ALL the attempts at Mexican OR Tex-Mex here just don't cut it...the two things that they cannot get right here are rice and beans...refried beans are EASY...but you have to use pintos...NOT kidney beans and you must refry in LARD and that seems lost on most folks here...rice is simple as well...should be DRY not wet and moist...and YES, whoever opens the first great mex place here will make a fortune...a BIG one with tortilla and sopapilla machines in the middle...showy so that the Thais would love it as well!!

TJRD

I do not think this change will stick. At the moment you have a "caretaker" gov and beauracratic institutions have very little oversight...not allowing visas for investment will have a HUGE impact on an already waning property market that is straining from oversupply at the top end and has more units coming on line monthy...

Perhaps Thailand will head towards a program like Malaysia My Second Home which allows people of ALL ages to make an investment (around 3 mill baht) in exchange for a visa and other "perks."

Andy,

So they issued you a one year multiple B?? I am a shareholder director of a company but do not hold a work permit...so all I will need is the letter and my company papers correct???

Tommie

Gents,

I normally get my non-o or b back in Texas (although last year in Amsterdam) and since I do not want to trek back to the US (or Europe) this year I was thinking about Perth or Brisbane. Can you tell me if they will do a non-im o or b (one year multiple entry) for a non-Aussie? I am a US citizen. 40 yrs old...and have a registered company here in Tland...and have had 6 one year visas...

Thanks for the info,

TJRD12