Srikcir

Looking at the photo showing the roof down drain piping - are you recycling the rain water, ie., to a water reservoir tank to provide domestic water pressure or garden use?

There is a slippery slope to messing with the release date. His Majesty the King granted a royal pardon to Thaksin, reducing his combined jail sentence." That enabled his qualification for early release. The government itself might find itself in a potential lese majeste charge situation to be messing with the resulting release date.

Interesting that the online TM30 asks for your residence coordinates. Is that a substitute for the hand drawn map usually requested at extension hearing? I used Google Earth for the coordinates but had to fudge the entry to be accepted.

Curious - would you use solar thermal heating too or just use solar electric for individual electric hot water units?

I wonder if the Australian Governor-General will mention their purchase of up to five Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the United States to be delivered in the 2030s.

Great questions. Thailand legally imported cigarettes in 2019 from (33) nations with The Philippines ranked #1, (S) Korea #2, Indonesia #3 https://wits.worldbank.org/trade/comtrade/en/country/THA/year/2019/tradeflow/Imports/partner/ALL/product/240220 Those would be legal imports. So where do the illegal imports originates? "The jump in illegal online trade is blamed on contraband cigarettes smuggled over the border to avoid tax duty before being sold via the internet. She (Thai Tobacco Trade Association (TTTA) director Thanyasarun Sangthong) said 91% of illegal tobacco trades were performed via Twitter, followed by Facebook (9%). Feb. 10, 2024 "Thai tobacco trade rocked by boom in online sales of illegal cigs," https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024936 Somewhat related - good news. Essentially a violation of a FTA with the Philippines over Thailand import of Phillip Morris cigarettes manufactured in The Philippines during PM Prayut's regime is close to resolution. WTO had given The Philippines the right to trade retaliation over Thai government illegal actions to interrupt the imports. "The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a draft agreement to end a dispute with the Philippines over tobacco tax-evasion charges." https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015227

What if it came from 20 years of your foreign homeland bank savings, regardless of the source? Since not "earned" post December 31, 2023 then not taxable by Thailand beginning January 1, 2024? If Last in, first out (LIFO) method of accounting is used, what Thailand should tax are amounts added to your bank account after exhausting your bank account basis created by prior savings. Let's say you pull money from a Thai ATM with a foreign homeland credit/debit card. How does Thailand even capture this transaction much less know whether funds are post 2023 funds? There can be a lot of nuances of circumstances to this new tax and they all should have been addressed with certainty and specific instructions prior to implementation. But apparently, a rush is on to balance the new budget.

"Earned income" According to the US Internal Revenue Service, "earned income" does not include amounts such as pensions and annuities, welfare benefits, unemployment compensation, worker's compensation benefits, or social security benefits. Given the US-Thailand double taxation treaty it would seem exempt from Thailand taxation. https://www.irs.gov/government-entities/indian-tribal-governments/itg-faq-2-answer-what-income-is-considered-earned-income

In 2023 the Ukraine age for military conscription began at 27. There was then a bill to lower to 25 end of 2023. The arrested subject was 23. Just stay in Thailand or maybe walk into Cambodia.

If you've had French crepes, try the Russian blintze (aka blini).

The government could require the motorbike business to charge for and provide government approved 1st class Thai insurance for the designated driver, irrespective of whatever private insurance the renter may have. Coverage for passenger would require supplemental insurance. The motorbike business would be responsible to provide crash certified helmets to rentee and designated passenger if identified, otherwise held blameless for any passenger. If Thai law requires motorbike rider certification, and not provided - rental refused. Maybe the government can provide a temporary motorbike certification through a short class. Made online, a tourist could apply before coming to Thailand showing passed course. Bottom line is that the government must become directly involved.

You want to imprison some members of the Privy Council that includes those who have been granted amnesty? I think you first need more information to make a more measured comment. "Privy Council at full strength after inclusion of Prayut" December 4, 2023 https://www.nationthailand.com/gallery/infographic/40033499

For some time now the rate of inflation has been 2.5%. So a less than 5% pay rise doesn't seem extraordinary.

As an aside, a country having a constitution doesn't ecessarily make it a democracy. "In principle, constitutional rights are not a specific characteristic of democratic countries. Autocratic states have constitutions, such as that of North Korea, which officially grants every citizen, among other things, the freedom of expression." Wikipedia Former PM Prayut referred to Thailand's democracy as having "Thainess" to distinguish it from Western democracies. In effect distinguishing Thailand's democracy from the personal freedoms and safeguards that emerged in the formation of Western democracies.

If possible do direct deposits from foreign sources (ie., US Treasury, US banks) to your Thai Bank. Skip bank checks.

The Holy Grail! 20 million could be worth tens to hundreds of millions US dollars. "People's Personal Data is Worth $1,000 on the Dark Web, New Study by Privacy Affairs Finds" PR Newswire May 1, 2023 "A new study by PrivacyAffairs.com has found that an individual's personal information is valued at $1,010 on the dark web" https://www.privacyaffairs.com/dark-web-price-index-2023/ Online banking logins cost an average of $100 Full credit card details including associated data cost $10-$100 A full range of documents and account details allowing identity theft can be obtained for around $1,000 Might check to see what employees recently left the department unexpectedly. Or show a sudden high lifestyle.

Okay, will this mean adoption of a common currency? The euro is the official currency among the Schengen States. I suggest for the ASEAN states the very stable and exchangeable USD. 😃

No. Such groups can and will interrupt the peace negotiations with fractured and likely personal agendas. There is no assurance that those various groups represent the Malay Muslims or are under any financial influence to minimize changes in current Thai governance over the subject Southern Provinces. Take a survey of Malay Muslims for reference in the current negotiations. Upon establishing a final settlement proposal, put it to the Malay Muslim people for a vote.

Mea Culpa accepted. The present and previous governments have spent enough energy and resources using tourism as an instant cure to GDP growth. Tourism is but a relatively small fragment of the Services and Products sector that represents a major part of GDP growth. Time to move towards the more high value aspects of S&P and Industrial Manufacturing sectors. The government has recognized the value of more Free Trade Agreements. But unfortunately, the nation needs better and more abundant Services, Products and Manufacturing for which to trade. To do that, economic politicalization needs to put aside.

Sorry but apparently words are not enough. 2007 Thailand Constitution, Chapter III "Rights and Liberties of the Thai People", Part 13 "Right to Protect the Constitution, Section 68: "No person shall exercise the rights and liberties prescribed in the Constitution to overthrow the democratic regime of government with the King as Head of State under this Constitution or to acquire the power to rule the country by any means which is not in accordance with the mode provided in this Constitution." The 2007 Constitution only prescribes elections as the means to changing governments. When NCPO Gen. Prayut in mid-May 2014 overthrew the elected Yingluck government through military force, he abolished the 2007 Constitution (albeit as an after-thought revived Chapter II "The King"), unilaterally replaced it with NCPO's Interim Charter (including amnesty for the overthrow), followed by a new Constitution authored by NCPO in 2016 - both of which omitted the original Section 68 language. During those years the Constitutional Court continued to exist without any adverse reaction to the coup.

"Police believed that the woman worked at a bar in Rawai but no identification documents were found with her." Result of extended bar hours?

That wouldn't be unconstitutional. But it remains to be seen if the Senate will agree to the additional debt.

"Thai artificial intelligence" Seems to be working just fine now. Out of 64 countries: "...the 2021 rankings revealed three indicators of weaknesses in Thai education." https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/education/40011703 First, the secondary school enrolment (sic) rate dropped four places to 61st. Second, the student-teacher ratio in secondary schools dropped three places to 60th. And third, the education budget as a proportion of GDP dropped one place to 59th."

Deaths?

Isn't Thailand being flooded with Cheap Chinese made elephant pants? "Thailand has ordered ports to crack down on imports of knock-off “elephant pant” trousers from China" https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/02/06/thailand-knock-off-elephant-trousers-china/ How would there be any more demand in China for more expensive Thai-made Elephant pants?