newnative

Long overdue but will likely remain hugely bloated.

If he starts a Go Fund Me to help with his legal costs that's one I'll support,

Deport him and ban him for 10 years.

If you are living in a country you need to be required to live by the laws of that country. Period. One set of laws for everyone.

Absolutely! Yes, you can rent a place in the middle of nowhere cheaply but then what? How do you take care of everyday, normal necessities? Dental and health check-ups, getting a haircut, Immigration, grocery shopping, banking, etc. Likely, it's going to mean getting in the car and driving a distance to do these things. And, what do you do with yourself all day, stuck out there? If you're on a budget, I think you'd be better off somewhere like Pattaya, where there is a large variety of housing available at all price points, whether renting or buying. If you locate near a baht bus line, you can cheaply handle some of your transportation needs. Although cooking for yourself can save money, sometimes you need a break and the mall food courts, such as the one at T21, offer inexpensive meals, in a lively atmosphere. While you're at the mall you can get some exercise mall walking in the air-conditioning--sort of the reverse of the mall walkers in America who get exercise in the winter by walking the heated malls. Pattaya also offers free entertainment from time to time--from music and other festivals to fireworks and sports events. Even on a 20,000 baht budget, there's likely room to see a movie now and then--and Pattaya has several movie theaters in English. With a large expat community, there's also the opportunity to make some new friends to socialize with.

The World's less refined.

As another poster said, time to find another pool boy. Our pool boy cleans and maintains our salt water pool 3 times a week for 1500 baht a month. When we are away he also waters the garden. Yes, we have a gem.

Worth every penny. The first condo we bought in Bangkok was about 800 meters from the Phetchaburi MRT stop. We thought, '800 meters, well I guess it's not that far. And, the condo does have a shuttle bus to take you to the station.' After riding the subway and walking around all day, yes, it was way too far--and the shuttle bus never seemed to be running when we needed it. Sold that condo and bought another one that's just a 2-minute walk to the same station. Much better!

Did you read the post I responded to? I think if you read all the posts on this thread you will find a number that aren't strictly about living on 20,000 baht a month, including your post about dreams. But, I find nothing at all wrong with that. I like that a thread can often go somewhat off topic--I find it can keep things interesting. I was responding to a post that questioned why anyone not interested in the nightlife would choose to live in Pattaya. That was also off-topic but I felt it deserved a response from someone who actually lives in Pattaya, which I gave.

There are lots of people who live in Pattaya part-time or year-round who 'never get involved with nightlife there'. That includes my spouse and myself, and most of the people we know who also live here. The location is terrific to start--we can be at our center city Bangkok getaway condo in less than 2 hours--with a drive on the Motorway that's much easier and faster than, say Hua Hin. Suvarnabumi is only about 1.5 hours away--very convenient as we like to travel. Spouse and I have been car-shopping and just about every auto brand imaginable is available in Pattaya, including 3 or 4 of the new Chinese brands. We ended up buying an suv from BYD, which has a dealership in town. No need to drive long distances to get to a dealership. Ditto that for a selection of good hospitals, and good dental and eye care. Shopping is excellent, with both Terminal 21 and Central Festival Mall, as well as some other shopping centers. Movies in English at several different movie complexes. Good big box stores, including Index, Home Pro, Boonthavorn, and others. Also good supermarkets with Makro, and several branches of Big C, Lotus, Villa Market, etc. Plus numerous local food markets. Lots of recreation available with golf courses, badminton and tennis courts, public gyms, snorkeling, biking trails, other boating activities, etc. We love to eat out and Pattaya has tons of restaurants--and you don't need to go to the tourist areas to find them. We are on the Darkside and there are lots of good restaurants on this side of Sukhumvit. By far the biggest draw has to be both the variety of neighborhoods to choose from and the equally large variety of housing available, at all price points, whether one chooses to rent or own. There's likely a neighborhood--with a good choice of housing--to fit just about any lifestyle. Whether you want a big pool villa in a quiet area or an oceanfront condo on one of the beaches--or something more modest--you'll be able to find it in Pattaya.

No, I don't. And, wouldn't wherever I live. I have no interest in a Rolex watch or flashy jewelry. Never have. Or, over-priced, expensive, status automobiles. I remember some years ago there was a thread on luxury cars and I posted that I didn't have any interest in spending 3MB for a German automobile when my vehicle at the time--a Honda CR-V--served me perfectly well, at exactly half the cost. Someone responded back that, no, I was lying and if I actually had 3MB to spend and was not, in reality, poor as a church mouse I would certainly be buying that German automobile--or something to that effect. I thought the reply was ridiculous--especially since it presumed that everyone must have a burning desire to own and drive a German automobile because, apparently, that was what the poster coveted most, and owned. If they say they don't, according to the poster, it's because they can't afford one. Sour grapes. Instead of German automobiles or Rolexes, my spouse and I have a Bangkok getaway condo. Can't drive it, or wear it, but it gives us more enjoyment than either a status watch or car would. But, that's just us. It always comes down to whatever floats your boat, and never one size fits all.

Bad court decision.

I think Trump will soon regret letting Musk into the tent, if he hasn't already.

Thank you for reinforcing exactly the point I was making in my post.

Yes, Pattaya gets your laundry list of crime--'Brawl, altercation, fight' . . . etc. So does Phuket. So does Bangkok. All three places are in the top 20 places visited in the world. When you have millions of tourists visiting, of course you'll get some crime--whether you're in Paris, Phuket, or Pattaya. I think most people who actually live in Pattaya, including myself, find it a safe place to live. In 14 years living here, I've never had any of the crimes on your list happen to me--or any other crime, But, I'm not a tourist out at 3AM, drunk, wearing a flashy gold necklace. You're correct that AN posters are 'all too familiar with those headlines'--because AN seems to emphasize crime happening in Pattaya over, say, Bangkok. This can leave a false perception with some AN readers. Let's not forget the AN reader who posted that 90% of the crime in Thailand happened in Pattaya. When I called him on it, he responded that the 90% figure was his 'impression', being a regular reader of Asean Now.

Me.

Thanks!

It hasn't made any difference in what my spouse and I purchase. This year we made two big purchases--we built a new house and bought a new car. Both were bought with money we already had in Thailand. We are also just back from a trip to Europe--and we plan to do more international traveling in 2025. I'm 72 with a 'the future is now' outlook so I will continue to live my life the way I want to live it no matter what happens, or doesn't happen, with the new tax law.

Add a real estate category and make it a free site to post on.

I've just topped up my Elder MRT pass, as well. I don't know what the problem is with the OP. He should be able to still use the card until there is nothing left on it. I may have used my pink card when I originally got the card, which might explain why I was still able to top it up. Like you, I don't know if I am still getting the discount but the card still works.

Never a problem in 15 years living here. Much safer than where I lived in the US, which was a supposedly 'safe' area with supposedly low crime.

I suggest the Darkside of Pattaya. Lots of housing projects to choose from. Spouse and I like the Lake Mabprachan area. Nice walking/bike trail around the lake, lots of restaurants, markets, banking, golf courses, most of your everyday shopping needs met. From our home, we can be at Terminal 21, the big box stores, Tesco or Big C, and Bangkok Pattaya Hospital in 15 minutes or less. All that Pattaya has is there when we need it--about every car brand, services, Immigration, etc.--but we live away from the tourists. And, Bangkok is less than 2 hours away.

I was going to answer 'No' but came up with two things for me. 1. More free time than when I was younger and working, sometimes two jobs. 2. More money to do things in the more free time I have.

Same with my recent trip to Europe. Very easy and fast going out and returning.

They are in shopping malls.