soi3eddie

Profession->Manager, Salary->$100,000, Reason->General montlhy expenses. That's all they need to know and get from me (any institution that asks). It's not their business but regulations.

9 hours ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

And so too it seems that "big motorcycle" riders travel at a high rate of speed putting themselves and everyone else in danger... 

No place for a "big bike" in Thailand, except on the race track. Riding a scooter is fast enough and carries enough risk. BTW: I'm a 40 rider of years' experience on large and small bikes. RIP the deceased. Vehicles emerging left from sois without looking right is standard practice for Thais.

If it's a sexy young female butt naked on the balcony then who's going to complain? Maybe some outraged aunties or a "Chang Nam". 

The reason this makes the news is because it is relatively rare here. In other countries it happens so frequently. Glad to be in Thailand and hope it stays safe here. 

50 minutes ago, kwilco said:

I know from personal experience that responsible regular music venues will sort out permits for long and short term performers.  It's not so dificult its just that sp mamu businesses and performers think they can get away without bothering - and a lot of them do.

There used to be a sign (maybe still is but didn't see it last month) warning performing artists in the queue ticket area of immigration at Chaeng Wattana, Bangkok, that a work permit was needed.

39 minutes ago, Bundooman said:

Just like the stupid Swiss, the stupid frenchman, the stupid russians, the stupid Europeans, the stupid Australians and of course, the stupid Brits!

Jeez, there's no end of this stupidity is there?

Where are you from pal? Somewhere just as stupid?

555 you forgot the Yanks and Canuks and Kiwis! Which one are you? 🙂 

There are far too many stupids but then that is global (and local), whether in our home countries or those who are lucky enough to be able to venture overseas. It is the global world these days. The media, both social and mainstream, make these stories easily available nowadays where, in the past, they would not have gotten a mention. 

12 hours ago, TorquayFan said:

Is there a 'clampdown' under way ?

Not just a clampdown but it's clearly "open season" on targeting foreigners working here. If it isn't Russian tour guides, British DJs, Yoga/Pilates (or whatever that <deleted> is) teachers, kindergarten workers etc. etc. then anyone doing anything without a work permit or something that is reserved for Thai citizens only would be well advised to quit immediately for fear of arrest, fine, conviction and deportation. 

Jeez what a loser. For the price of a beer, I was able, last night, to enjoy the view of many pretty ladies happily dancing naked (with soapy suds strategically placed but not covering much) right in front of me. Just don't get what these upskirt weirdos get out of their endeavours of pervey behaviour, other than possible arrest, conviction and shaming in the media.

52 minutes ago, sirineou said:

Probably too dirty, restricting airflow  and causing icing. 

Agree. Almost certainly the cause. OP should look at the cylindrical fan inside it and it will likley be coated in dirt restricting airflow. This happened to mine some years ago and once airflow restored, it worked perfectly.

1 hour ago, TorquayFan said:

 

Eddie - re. your last - of course you do get something back but what you will get back hasn't been sitting in an Eddie bucket, it will come from the current tax take.

 

What "you've been paying" has been paid into the current tax take.

 

 

I understand how it works. Also, how many pensioners are receiving, and how much less is being contributed. Triple lock unsustainable too. Something's going to have to give. I saw a article a few years ago that said if pensions were to be on same scale of affordability as when conceived, they wouldn't be paid out until age 80yrs! We're all living too long these days compared to the 1950's.

2 hours ago, TorquayFan said:

Thanks for the reply Eddie. You are right, there's much anger amongst working taxpayers about those on benefits, the costs of immigration and the high level of taxes producing a poor level of services.

 

You seem nearer to retirement but think how working youngsters feel as they contemplate a lifetime of work, (probably unable to buy a house), with uncertainty about what their own State pension might be later as demographic trends impact.

 

Taking away the triple lock would be perceived as an injustice by Pensioners, but if it remains and say, RPI is 2% and wage growth 5%, workers burdened with higher ever taxes will perceive injustice if Pensioners receive a 5% hike.

 

On balance we need to save the dosh and get working taxes down by this smidgeon and every other smidgeon that we can. It's those in work now we all depend on.

Totally agree and I see no answer to resolve the situation. 

6 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

My experience is that PEA are brilliant at fixing things. All hours, all weathers, they'll come out and do what needs to be done. 

Agreed. MEA in Bangkok installed a new power pole within about 5 hours after a cement truck knocked it down one Sunday morning. Even the guys from 3BB were still working splicing Internet cables at 10pm to get the Soi back online. 

On 3/28/2024 at 3:54 AM, KhunLA said:

As are many of the Gulf beaches; Ban Krut and Thung Wua Laan, which are a couple favorites of mine.   Though TBH, haven't actually been in them lately, for that same reason, not very refreshing on hot day, along with fecal counts.

Don't forget the sand flies too. Thung Wua Laen was very bad for that. And trash. All hail the "trash heroes" who clean the beach!

On 3/29/2024 at 1:58 AM, TorquayFan said:

Yesterday, "Years of complacency have pushed Britain into a hole from which it will be extremely expensive to escape".

 

The cost of Public Sector pensions stands at about £49 billion p.a. which added to the costs of State OAPs, £124 billion, gives a total of £173 billion, more than is spent on the NHS annually. And let's remember, "These government pensions are not “funded”: the Government has not put any money aside for them, so all the promises have to be paid for out of current income."

 

'Defined benefit' schemes that were once available in the Private Sector have largely disappeared over many decades, because they were in essence, totally unaffordable. But almost 6 million workers in the Public Sector still have gold plated schemes - doctors, nurses, armed forces, police, civil servants and teachers, (some of these can retire much earlier than 67! ).

 

UK Government borrowings last year were £119 billion or about £1,750 per person, that's living above our income, each year. Outstanding UK Govt debt approaching £3 trillion equates to £44,000 for each man, woman and child.

 

Looking at the tax burden for Pensions alone, for each of our 33 million working population, each worker has to contribute £5,242 in taxes to pay for pensions alone. Average income stands at about £33K. Given that people are happily living longer and demographics are going top-end as birth rates fall, its frankly madness to think these costs are sustainable.

 

Figures are boring I know but unfortunately, there is no other way of making the case. I was suggesting on another thread that the triple lock has to go but it's not the only problem with pensions. if anyone reads this, I doubt these thoughts get many admirers, which gives emphasis to the idea that it's sometimes hard to do the necessary in democracies.

 

Worth the read IMO, even though it's the DT https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/03/28/great-pension-reckoning-coming-money-almost-run-out/

 

And, it's for all the reasons above and many more that the country is effed! Add in the welfare benefits, unemployment benefit, housing benefit, universal credit, child tax credits, pension credits and all the other state handouts then there is no way back. Like so many, Thailand is the best option for me, but I can't quite afford to pull the plug just yet. Another 3-4 years of work and getting ripped off with ever higher taxes and living costs first unfortunately.

On 3/24/2024 at 4:18 PM, spidermike007 said:

The OP asked about the Gulf. Last I saw, Phuket is on the Andaman. Yes, that is an amazing body of water, but many of us stay as far away from Phuket as we possibly can, for a dozen good reasons. 

Only a dozen? LOL

On 3/24/2024 at 4:18 PM, spidermike007 said:

The OP asked about the Gulf. Last I saw, Phuket is on the Andaman. Yes, that is an amazing body of water, but many of us stay as far away from Phuket as we possibly can, for a dozen good reasons. 

Only a dozen? LOL

27 minutes ago, swissie said:

I remain: The central banks are gobbeling up Gold massively. At the same time Private Investors get rid of their Gold holdings.

Yes, we know about central banks. Where is the evidence that private investors are selling? Why would they, other than hardship need, or to take some profits? If there's high demand then now is not the time to sell.

I had problem accessing the app and website from the UK on Tuesday (about 5pm Thai time). I waited a couple of hours and then they both worked fine.