Peterw42

GDP of a region doesn't always equate to wages/salary of a region. A rice paddy in issan contributes to the GDP/exports, but the wage would be 3-4 people on 300 baht a day, Alternatively, 10 gov employees in Bangkok aren't producing anything

So lets put this into perspective, the low end of your ridiculous figures are higher than average wage in US, UK, Australia, Canada, Japan etc. Can only presume you mean yearly, not monthly, or you happen to hang out with CEOs of large companies, and brain surgeons.

OP, what are your definitions of lower middle and upper class ?? Home ownership, mortgage, big screen TV ??? The regional thing seems a bit vague as well, a bank manager, teacher, gov employee would get the same amount no matter what their location.

How did the chinese tourists get out of China to come here ?

What bike were you on that had gears ? aren't they all auto scooters ?

OP, you have been misinformed there has been no increase in the 220b ATM fee for foreign card withdrawals. (or articles discussing it) No extra 750 baht, its not still the case, it was never the case. A serious case of misinformation.

Topping up the gas isn't always a scam. Air-conns can have slow leaks. I have a car that needs a top-up once a year and no amount of testing shows a leak (pink dye in the system etc). Same with houses, I had a place that needed a top-up after a couple of years, extensive testing didn't show any leaks, but over time there was a slow leak. Air-con tech put it down to high temps or rapid heating cooling etc can cause otherwise good seals to fail momentarily under certain rare conditions. Probably not much different to car tyres, which otherwise have no apparent (or repairable) leaks, but do need air from time to time.

OP, how could you possibly know the occupancy of the block, and what does that even mean ? The condos maybe owned and not occupied for any number of reasons, they are holiday houses, impacted by covid, the owners may not have returned post covid. A more relevant question would be how many are sold and how many the developer still owns. Power outages after rain would be more to do with the electricity company than the condo block. Ask the seller to show you the accounts and minutes from the last AGM, that information will probably answer all your questions. Condo blocks can be demolished if all the owners agree, this would only happen if there wasb a major stucural problem or a natural disaster etc, in which case you would retain a share of the land equal to the condo share in the block.

I presume you are talking about a long term rental/stay, in which case you may want to look at the short term rental situation in both blocks. Some of these blocks (city garden) are Airbnb ghettos, nothing but short term rentals, ie: people party for 2 weeks, monopolize the gym/pool etc

There is no real place that stands out from any other place that sells TVs, they all have similar stock, similar prices, will deliver etc. And, they all regularly have promotions and sales. The only thing that may be of any consequence is if the store will pick up for a warranty repair etc, but that is usually between you and the manufacturer. Work out your budget, brand , size. model you want, and keep an eye out for it. on sale. Ideally with a free toaster oven. .

There is already a pay to stay visa, The Thai elite Visa, works out to 10,000 baht a month. You can go to them and say, "I want to stay for 5 years" viola. Probably an option to pay for it via a QR code as well

booking.com, airbnb have options to search for apartments/whole houses. Otherwise, local facebook marketplace/groups. But reality is, 99% of apartments/houses are only available for long term rent.

Proof that there is a god.

Not all of Pattaya is the red light area, you can live your life here and not have much to do with the sexpat areas or lifestyle. Outside of the central sex tourist areas, its a big city with lots of lifestyle choices and options, a couple of ks from the city centre its just normal Thailand.

OP, maybe ask one question, "can I find a serious GF in Pattaya" OR "is the water cleaner in Hua Hin" Otherwise you will get a mixed bag of responses to do with water quality in Pattaya or online dating in Hua Hin. It is pretty easy to find a normal serious GF in Pattaya, just stay away from the sexpat/sex tourism lifestyle. Online dating is a good start, so long as you use it as intended and filter out the bargirls, approach it with honest intentions. Look for hookers and you will find hookers, send dick pics and ask for nude photos and you wont be meeting any nice girls.

There is a lot of information on the kerry website, you can search for closest drop off point on a map

OP, if you are in Pattaya, I can put you in touch with a girl I have used a couple of times. Help both parties get all the documents in order and do the land office. charges 5-10 k

sorry, I asked the question wrong way round. why are they being treated as anything other than tourists, if they are not here in an official capacity as journalists

Who said anything about them being on tourist visa's ?

Even sitting in sizzler, its often hard to sort through the specials and promotions and the general menu. They hand you a pile of menus and promotions (bigger than my marriage visa application). After 5 minutes of trying to work out what's included, what's not, what time is it, what day of the week it is, I usually just panic and point at something, that may or may not include the salad bar

People transfer money to buy goods and services everyday, how is this giving away your bank account ?

I have one of them, it certainly cuts through the red tape. often better than a work permit, permanent residency, pink ID

There is no requirement to translate a home licenses into Thai and have it certified. So long as a license is already in english it meets the requirements of the international treaties. Section 42 of the Thai vehicle act Section 42 bis.46 In the case where there is a bilateral agreement between the Government of Thailand and a foreign Government concerning reciprocal recognition of domestic driving licenses, an alien temporarily permitted to stay in the Kingdom under the law on immigration having a driving license issued by the competent official or a driving society recognized by the Government of the country under such bilateral agreement may use the driving license of such country in driving in the Kingdom in accordance with the category and type of vehicle specified in such driving license; provided that the existing Conventions and/or Agreements between the Government of Thailand and the Government of such country and all the provisions relating to the obligations of a driver under this Act must be complied. Section 43.4

Technically yes, (see post above showing relevant legislation). But, (although not required), some police may still want to see an IDP. I drove on an oz license for a couple of years, and accepted at traffic stops.

Thats completely wrong. You can drive on a home country license, for a limited time. Thailand,(and most countries) are signatories to the international treaties Section 42 of the Thai vehicle act Section 42 bis.46 In the case where there is a bilateral agreement between the Government of Thailand and a foreign Government concerning reciprocal recognition of domestic driving licenses, an alien temporarily permitted to stay in the Kingdom under the law on immigration having a driving license issued by the competent official or a driving society recognized by the Government of the country under such bilateral agreement may use the driving license of such country in driving in the Kingdom in accordance with the category and type of vehicle specified in such driving license; provided that the existing Conventions and/or Agreements between the Government of Thailand and the Government of such country and all the provisions relating to the obligations of a driver under this Act must be complied. Section 43.4