newnative

One of my Dad's favorite expressions was, "We're all just penciled in." None of us is inked in permanently, we can all be erased at any time, young or old. He lived to 95 and was active right till the end. The 80-year old might outlive the OP; certainly likely to outlast him at work with the OP's poor attitude and, apparently even poorer work habits, being called in to HR. I like the fact that the 80-year old is looking to the future, making future plans, and not thinking his life is over. Bravo. The OP could take a lesson.

Exactly. OP paid 15,000 baht to secure the property for himself. Seller took the property off the market, reserved it for the OP, and turned down any other offers that may have come in. OP decided not to buy; seller retains the non-refundable deposit as payment for his work, the possibly lost customers, and the wasted time he will never get back. As others have said, always take your time, don't be pressured, and have a written contract you are happy with before turning over any money.

Trump has never won anything in a 'landslide'. Lost the popular vote in 2016 and did massively worse in 2020. The majority of voting Americans did not want him in either election. Rejected by the voters, no landslide. Total loser in both elections, saved in 2016 by the cursed Electoral College.

About time. And add a new inciting a riot charge to go with the one from Jan. 6.

Finally.

I thought Leaver was.

I'll counter your two examples with two of mine. My parents lived to 95 and 101. It makes no sense to question government statistics simply because they don't fit your personal observations. In 1995 Thailand's median population age was 26.6. In 2020 it was 40.1. Thailand is considered an Aging Society by population statistics. By 2031 it's slated to join Japan as a Super-Aged Society. When my partner and I are in Bangkok we ride the subway a lot. I am usually the oldest person among those I observe; most of the Thai riders look to be in their 20s and 30s. By my personal observation, Thailand would appear to still be back in 1995 with the median age 26.6. Obviously, not the case. By the way, do you spend much time in nursing homes, retirement communities, etc.? That's likely where a lot are 'hiding'.

Plenty of newer used planes sitting around. Buy one of them.

Sloppy, especially the lousy security camera setup.

My partner and I routinely do most of 'all that' on BigStar's list. We go to the gym 3 times a week in the morning. The other mornings we enjoy our pool before getting to our day. He still works a freelance job so he attends to that and I assist when I can with the paperwork. We socialize with friends and have his extended Bangkok family visit us when they have time. We're in the process of buying a house being built by a developer so we've been involved quite a bit with that--tweaking the house design to our tastes, selecting tiles, wallpaper, drapes, cabinets, appliances, landscaping, etc. It's been an interesting and, at times, challenging project--and still early days. We spend around 5 or 6 days in Bangkok each month--nice that it's nearby. Like many other Pattaya expats, we like to travel and were in Europe in December and we likely will take several trips this year, now that travel has opened up. We both have our hobbies and interests. I like to swim and read, partner has taken up badminton. We both like the movies, the previously mentioned travel, and discovering new restaurants and interesting shops. There's a wonderful, fun, and interesting large warehouse-type store on the Darkside filled with all sorts of stuff from Japan that you'd probably like if you ventured out a bit. Sometimes when family visits we'll rent a boat and all go snorkeling. As homeowners, there are always things to do with the house, improvements and changes to be made, and so on. You may have noticed no mention of lying on the beach or hanging out in bars--nothing wrong with either but just not our thing. I think there are many Pattaya expats like us, living a nice life here and pursuing the things that interest them. Sorry you've missed running in to many of them.

I'm curious. When you are living somewhere else, what everyday activities are you doing?

Another useless 'order'. Year after year, PM 'orders' agencies to vaguely work together about this problem or that problem. "Step up efforts'--what the hell does that mean and who exactly is it addressed to? Useless. Just blah blah blah. No action, just weak reaction, and little of that.

Wants 80 million tourists but also wants them to magically evenly distribute themselves around the country so places like Pattaya, that were overrun in 2019 when 'only' 40 million tourists were welcomed, will have just the right amount of those 80 million visitors. North Pattaya Road heading to the beach was gridlock around noon today--magical even distribution currently not working.

As always, talk, talk, talk. Just talk, talk, talk. Nothing ever done, done, done.

Yellow Bank with Bangkok Bank a close second.

Don't 'discuss', do something already.

Yes, I agree, foreign quota can be valuable in condo projects popular with expats, in places like Pattaya, with large numbers of expats. As others have pointed out, less so in other places and in projects with lots of foreign quota still available. It remains true what I said; Thais bought 3 of our foreign quota condos, and also a house, because they wanted those particular properties. Good luck to you, too.

I agree--no set rule. I've seen 'G' and then '1' on elevators lots of times.

Yes, with a power of attorney (POA) from the seller.

Not weird. My partner and I have sold 3 foreign quota condos to Thais. 'Why would a Thai buy from a farang'? The same reason anybody else would--they want that particular condo.

I guess it depends where on the Darkside you are at. My partner and I are next to Lake Mabprachan near the motorway and new street lights were recently installed on a stretch of Road 3240 where we are. We noticed today that they were just turned on--so our neck of the woods is getting a little brighter.

Unfortunately, I think I read the parking ban was only temporary while the construction is going on. Pity, it should be permanent.

Asian visitors spend less than Westerners but there are far more of them so they are beneficial to the economy.

I agree it's very expensive--and it goes up a lot every year. At my age--71--I'm reluctant to switch, though, having been with April for about 10 years now..

The extremely low numbers of people getting the LTR should be a big tip-off that the program needs to be changed drastically to attract more applicants. I've looked into the retiree LTR, which I would be interested in if it was made easier and with more flexibility with the requirements. I must say the people I've emailed with questions have been very patient, polite, and prompt in responding; unfortunately, their hands are tied with the strict requirements and limitations.