soi3eddie

Getting an answer to this is difficult. How is unemployment counted? Simply those claiming unemployment welfare benefits? That won't show the true number as there is massive "underemployment". One crazy situation is people working limited hours so that they can claim welfare. They are in work (albeit only half time) but still receive welfare and housing payments but counted as employed and not unemployed and paying no income taxes either. One thing often heard is; "I can't work longer as I'll lose my benefits". There are also many younger people neither employed or unemployed, simply living at home with family (Not in Employement, Education or Training and sometimes referred to as NEETS). At the same time the government come out with figures saying that there have never been higher numbers in employment in the UK. Well yes, that is likely correct as immigration has swelled the population in recent years. Though, in work benefits, are handed out liberally to young families earning at the lower end of the scale. It's a sad situation for the UK economy and often desperate times for those in these situations. From Euro news: Economic inactivity -- those who are unemployed and not seeking work -- went up by 0.1% to 21.1% as of the end of July.12 Sept 2023 Mortgage rates are now down to 4% at the lowest end for those with large downpayments. Typically 5% plus is the norm and these are usually 2, 3 or 5 year deals that would revert to variable rate (or Adjustable Rate Mortgages - ARMs) and then borrowers must either re-finance or pay the higher rate. One problem in the UK at present is that many homeowners are coming to the end of short term fixed rates at less than 2% only to have to refinance at 5% or more. That's if they still qualify. This is causing large amounts of disposable income to dissapear from the economy at the same time as other bills, such as energy and insurance, have risen dramatically. Many parts of "main street" in UK towns are decimated with boarded up shops and closed businesses.

Have you spoken with the owner whom you have the contract with? What about Condo Juristic Person (building manager), as they will know if condo ownership has been transferred. If heavies and/or police turn up to evict you (whether you have a contract or not) then there's really not a lot you can do other than to leave.

If the Thai ex-GF overstayed and was caught, it could affect any future visa sponsorship you might attempt for another lady. Sounds like you're unlikely to as you have a British GF now.

I chatted with Vernon Unsworth MBE on a flight from London to Bangkok in November 2021. He was the gent who mapped the cave and offered guidance to the rescue divers. I would not pay inflated fees to visit the depths of the cave though. Seeing the movie was plenty enough. So sad for the young lad Promthep (Dom) of the "Wild Boars" who passed away earlier this year.

1/4 ounce of lead is the best and most instant solution to the incessant barking.

Agreed, however, if the tenant goes to immigration without the owner's ID and Blue book, what will happen? Will the I/O file TM30 or will they fine the tenant? I'd hope that the I/O would file the TM30. Maybe others here can comment on their experience?

Anyone renting a property would be well advised to get a copy of the owner's ID card and Blue book BEFORE paying anything or signing a lease.

Not sure if there is a bus direct from DMK to Pattaya. There is a bus from DMK to BKK from where you could then get a bus to Pattaya. As @jvs says above, minivans are a lot better than some years ago. My experience with minivans in the last 4 years, to/from Bangkok, is that they drive a lot more conservatively and considerately. Taxi at 1,700 Baht door-to-door with meet and greet is very fair value assuming it includes the tolls and parking.

It sounds like the law of common sense prevailed for the benefit of business owners and their customers. One old grump should not be allowed to affect a large number of others.

Correct as happens over and over again. Or until they are forced to accept whatever someone offers when they are destitute and need money to pay debts.

Prove it was the suspect! Unlikely. But blame the Burmese anway just for good measure. Of course, the payment machine designers did not do a very good job if it will accept a non Thai currency note when not supposed to.

Anyone surprised? Not a single day of proper jail time served. Was never going to happen and never will do. Welcome home Thaksin!

How anyone survives on the current minimum wage is incredible. Existence at best. Would be nice to have a uniform, and easily understood minimum wage however living costs in Nakhon Nowhere are often vastly lower than Bangkok, Samui or Phuket etc. Maybe there is a case for having at least two different (and higher rates) for the more expensive areas. 400 Baht/Day would be more appropriate at least as a starting point.

Probably because there is little foreign tourist demand for inland Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat. They are unlikely to be advertised or available on main booking sites (such as AirBnB or Booking dot Com or similar). Local knowledge may find something. If you do search coastal such as Sichon or Khanom, then there is a good chance of finding something I suspect.

@tmax the OP, only has to get married once. That will be more than enough for him!

It's all about money. Money gives freedom. They will take away the money restricting everything. Carbon passports will allow a certain amount of travel. Beyond that, you can't travel unless paying big time. Many on here (me included to a degree), complain about the recent higher cost of flight tickets to Thailand. What about when tickets cost x times current prices? Likely that many will no longer afford it. The OP @Celsius mentions pensions. What is to stop a government paying pensions only to residents in their home country? The UK already stops annual increase of pensions to those of us living in certain countries. I beleive that Australia restricts or reduces pensions (or their equivalent) to citizens who stay out of Australia for more than 6 months - maybe an Aussie here can comment. Either way, expect changes to financial freedoms, and therefore freedoms on life, in the coming years.

A delay could work in the buyer's favour. A friend bought, off plan/pre-sale, a nice condo in Sukhumvit that was then delayed by about 4 years. He was very happy about this, as, by the time of completion, values had risen considerably and his purchase was already profitable. I see delay as no resaon to cancel the purchase. As for the FET then the developer's bank can supply a statement of the Foreign Exchange Transaction which should have all the details required (assuming the sender entered the correct info and reference and reason for transfer). This will satisfy Land department when it comes to transfer of land register title to the buyer's name. When I bought first time the developer accepted the 5% deposit by credit card (I was surprised). When I did the transfer for the FET to satisfy land department, I transfered the whole purchases amount and the developer refunded me the deposit amount. Unlikely that any developer will refund a pre-sale deposit on cancellation of purchase.

Left BKK 2 days ago and saw Air France there at the gate. They are currently flying direct non-stop from Bangkok to Paris. On their website they are showing same flight - AF165 - still running in April (spring). As for Thai airways, I would not pay for their business class. I often "enjoy" it as a free upgrade or mileage redemption. It is not what it was pre-pandemic. The linked video above is over 1 year old and cabin/meal service has improved since then (I flew Biz LHR to BKK on 30/10/2023). On the London route, they are using one of the new 777s though same seat design as the older ones. I miss the A380, though it seems they will never bring that back. FWIW; service in economy on Thai this week was perfectly fine. Food from BKK to LHR was as good as it gets in economy altough they served the second full meal way too early at just 5 hours after the first, with still another 6.5 hours to fly! Second full meal service...

Knowing that it is likely illegal, and will almost certainly be reported, why didn't he find a quieter more discrete area? At least not pitch the tent until after dark. Asking for trouble in my opinion. In 2016 I embarked on a solo bicycle expedition in Myanmar. Knowing that I could not make it between towns in one day and would have to camp ("illegally"), I purchased a camoflage tent and tarp. Peeling of the road at dusk, well into the plantations and being sure nobody was around, I would pitch the tent. Virtually impossible to see from 10 metres away. Packing and departing at dawn each day, I had no unwelcome visitors or attention (other than a few nosey critters in the night).

One good thing about Pattaya/Jomtien is that there are plenty of agents willing to help you avoid hassles.

I rode the Mae Sot to Mae Sariang route on my ADV150 in late September 2020. Quite scenic along the river border and hills. I did it as part of a 5 week trip from Bangkok back to Bangkok. Also Mae Hong Son, Ban rak Thai and Pai before Chiang Mai on the best part of the Mae Hong Son Loop. Roads were good and quieter on Mae Sot to Mae Sariang. If you have the time then why not. Definitely not boring and a few interesting places to explore such as Mae Kasa hot springs along the way.

To the OP. I bought a bottle of Shiraz, Australian, I think Penfolds, last week at Big C for 599 Baht IIRC. I was pretty damn good for the price. One good reason to go to Phnom Penh, Vientiane, Luang Prabang or Vietnam is the reasonably priced quality wines. Such a shame we cannot get same here in Thailand. Picture below from February 2023 at the excellent Bouchon Wine Bar and restaurant in Phnom Penh for anyone heading that way. Prices in $USD for quality French wines.

Villa Market, Ari is my local and does have a great choice of wines for those of us in the area.

They can't stop the illegal immigration so they make it more difficult to immigrate legally. Look at the numbers of immigrants. By far the most coming to the UK are legal migrants and dependants (spouses and children). It's about total numbers and unfortunately the blanket policy will catch Brits bringing in spouses (rather than workers and students bringing in family at the same time). Strikes me as unfair on British, so why can't there be a distinction between Brits and non Brits bringing spouses to the UK. Shouldn't be too difficult to differentiate with different levels of requirements.

Or use the gizmo to unlock the seat and check the battery voltage with a multimeter.