MartinBangkok

A friend of mine relocated to another country half the year already. Total cost looking solely at 2024: One time expenses mostly (deposits for renting a house, furniture, aircon, TV washing machine, etc), including travel: approximately 370.000 Baht). Saved Thai tax circa 600.000 Baht. A no brainer for him. Total cost 2025 in new country: Around 380.000 Baht (rent, electrisity, water, wifi, mobile phone plan, motor insurance etc) including 6 return travels. Saved Thai tax 2025: Approximately 600.000 Baht. He didn't have to, but bought a new ride in the new country. So that increases the above mentioned cost, but the American dream machine was under half price of (crazy) Thailand, which made it a sheer joy to purchase he told me. PS: Due to unforeseen circumstances in December, he just made it out of Thailand, with two hours to spare!, in order to not exceed the 180 days maximum limit for 2024.

4 million Thais pay income tax (almost all employed by the state). Less than 10% of the registered work force.

Thailand is a failed state. This will be proved soon by it's economy.

So if we crash head to head you are safer? And the weight of my car is not what you say, but exactly the double of your's: Gross vehicle mass (GVM): 3,130 kg

Yes, those specs are true. But which one is more fun to drive? And which one is safest? (big, heavy is a safe bet in Thailand)

What if your Thai wife leaves you for somebody younger and more handsome than you? Or maybe she just leaves you? Say goodbye to the house. PS: It's 5.8 seceonds 0-100 km/h without mods.

I see the envy of EV-owners when I thunder past them on M3 on my way from Suvarnabhumi to Ban Chang (they can't try to outgun me cause then they would have to turn off their aircon on their way to Rayong to save power) To rub it in, I select the fullest volume on the V6 Ranger Raptors adjustable sports exhaust when I fly by them. The feeling is great. 🙂

PS: You should have recorded screen-shot-video of Google Maps showing the actual speed of the bus and contacted Thai Rath (the largest Thai newspaper) or one of the Thai TV channels.

Drive your own car. With the biggest/heaviest car you can afford. The best safety tip in the universe considering travelling anywhere in The Land of Fake Smiles. Even when I go abroad for a month, or a month and a half, I park my 3 ton Ford V6 Ranger Raptor at Suvarnabhumi. Cannot be any safer. And I don't have to deal with Thai taxi mafia, which is another plus. I should get paid for giving so good advise to fellow westernes. Do you agree?

Jesus, how long have you been in Thailand? 1 day? Get tinted windows/glass. Problem solved.

EVs suit effeminate men. Add Woke And Dei.

Wait and see @sungod.

This is exactly what is going to happen. Next year when you go to renew your visa, they will show you your world wide income, or at least income from your home country, thanks to the new global reporting. The message will be: You owe us this much, and you have to pay now. If not we will not renew your visa, and until you pay we will put you in the immigration detention center. Trust me. This will be close to the truth.

and constant blatant discrimination

"...However, with strong policies and cooperation across ministries, Paetongtarn’s government aims to create sustainable improvements in air quality, safeguarding the health of Thailand's population...." Hilarious 😂

"..canned aquatic food production.." will save the day for Thailand. 😂 not...

I already did. Just settled in in the most expat friendly country in ASEAN. And they all (90%) speak English. Will return to Thailand soon, just to sell my stuff, including an expensive car and big bike. I should have done this 10 years ago! Thailand can ... in .... as far as I am concerned, considering how western expats are treated. It's a great feeling kicking xenophobic Thailand out of my life. A new and much nicer adventure has just started. Recommended!

What a farce. They should instead ban inferiour Thai products including food. What a mess Thailand has become.

This just about sums up Thailand. Thailand in a nutshell.

Thailand has a legal system? And law enforcement? Which alternative universe do you live in @Lorry?

Thailand is a lost nation. Lost leaders, lost people.

@DavisH, I can assure you that being in company with high grade beautiful Thai women is a satisfying experience. What company do you keep? Thai people with Thai degrees?

A Thai degree or certification is worthless in the real world. Every advanced nation knows this. The only, and only, quality export Thailand has, is women working in the sex industry.

The problem with economics is it's not an exact science. Anyway, Chartchai, has a lot of balls, being a Thai, to speak out like he does. Must be quite a few elite-Thais in the mafia-gang that rules this country, being pissed off.

One of the largest elephants in the room: Thai hookers, and not only in South Korea