MartinBangkok

Hi @johnnybangkok I see you are joining the nonsense and irrelevance-club @Patong2021 started. I don't have the time to go through all your nonsense, I'll just ask you a simple question about Ford: Do you insist they are not selling Mustangs and Raptors in Thailand?

Nonsense and irrelevance again from you. NO cars are built/made in Thailand. Can you name me one Thai-car? They are assembled in Thailand using cheap manual labour on behalf of foreign companies. All these cars assembled in Thailand are to a large extent focused on exports. Clearly it is you Patong2021 that is clueless.

I really don't get you @Patong2021. Most of what you say is nonsense and irrelevant. American cars not attractive in Thailand? Have you seen the amount of new Ford Rangers and Ford Everest's on Thai roads? And how many more do you think there would be if Ford enjoyed the same tariffs as Japanese cars, not to mention Chinese cars? And how many Ford Mustangs would be on the road had it not been for the ridiculous price in Thailand? And Teslas, not attractive and sexy cars in Thailand? And Harleys? Ford Ranger Raptor V6, 3.0 twin turbo, not sexy? ((Ask a Thai male driver)

Jesus, do you have a reading comprehension problem? I will try a different wording that may be of help. The cost of an american car imported to Thailand increases by between 187% and 328% compared to the vehicles CIF-value (original cost, insurance, freight) after the Thai governments import duties, excise taxes, interior tax and VAT. The high total cost in % is due to that the taxes are placed on top of each other: Import duty of 80% on the cars CIF-value, excise tax on the combined value of CIF-cost and import duty, interior tax of 10% on the excise-tax total and to finish it of VAT of 7% on the sum of CIF-value, import duty, excise tax and interior tax. Finally the dealership in Thailand then adds their profit margin, creating the final price I pay as a consumer. Do you get it now? Your talk of road tax, taxes in Texas and free trade agreements with Japan and Chile is totally irrelevant.

The total added cost to an american car imported to Thailand (combined tariffs, taxes and fees) is between 187% and 328% (added to the original CIF-price: Vehicle cost, insurance, freight) https://chatgpt.com/share/67f06f2d-2628-800f-a499-a034c21ec562

And the Thai mafia in the area, Ban Chang - Sattahip, have almost completely taken over Bolt. Whenever I order a Bolt and I see that the car is parked at Utapao, I cancel immediately. So should you, if you don't, you will be met with a message or phone call, asking for at least 500 Baht more than the official Bolt rate.

I live next door to Utapao. The construction work, which I can see from my balcony, has completely stopped.

You consider a car as mere transport from A to B. Driving on long trips, for me, in a loud masculine V6, or V8, diesel or petrol, makes the driving in itself more than worth the journey. Each to himself.

Again, you are completely wrong dear Scottie. Most developed nations downplay, or downright hide crime commited by their immigrants. All part of the politically correct to-not-offend policies. In Thailand it is 100% opposite.

Jesus Christ, and you are actually willing to put up with this derogatory treatment from Thailand? This is insane.

Check IQair

I can't believe the servility and submissiveness of most of the posters on AN. Don't you get it yet? Foreigners, western foreigners, are not welcome in Thailand anymore. All those of you who stubbornly oppose any critcism of Thais and Thailand, is it because you are too embedded and have no alternative?

Another thing most people are not mentioning: The photos below are from my new home in another South East Asian Nation. The air is so clean and fresh and the sky has such a strong blue that I have never seen in Thailand:

Thailand was de facto obeying first France, then Britain, then Japan and then the US. Google it, ChatGPT it or YouTube it.

The most successful and most developed cities/areas in Asia: Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore. All three colonized by the British. (And yes, before anyone objects, Shanghai was British for a considerable period of time, Google it, ChatGPT it or YouTube it). I am not British.

Your blood running hot, Scottie?

So you won't. Afraid of the results you would get Scottie?

Ask a random Thai about the last 5 or 10 movies they've watched and ask them to share their song playlist with you. Then get back to me. Ok Scottie?

Message me back after you've lived in Thailand a couple of years and come to your senses.

My ex-girlfriend's career (girl from Korat I met in Pattaya) was solely thanks to her being able to speak decent English.

Jack, nice post. I am always curios about the background of fellow expats, and after carefully studying your written statements I am daring a wild guess that you maybe from Sydney, Australia.

You obviously know nothing about Thailand and Thais. They are completely ignorant to anything outside Thailand's borders. That includes American films and English music.

Crazy Thailand. All Thai products are of so low quality it's unbelievable. My made in Thailand outdoor solar light lasted 4 months. My Japanese one, which I bought 2 months before the Thai one, is still shining brightly, after nearly 4 years. Thailand doesn't have a single product of quality, except girls. Name me one good Thai product. You can't. There is none.

Thanks @SHA 2 BKK for giving me a badge. Not often I receive gifts. As a return, I give you a badge back (as friends do): (PS: It's Goofy)

The poster said you become a tax resident if you stay here 179 days. An obvious mistake which obviously went above you.