4MyEgo

26 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

In my case, I believe I am now plagued by two types of parasites:

 

1.  The Scabies parasite

2.  The common dust mite

 

As to how this could have happened, I have been racking my brain trying to understand this terrible turn of events in my life.

Before I dive into this, I would like to ask the following questions.

Do you live alone ?

If you do not live alone, are there any other family members infected, or do they have what you have or see what you have or even see what you see ?

These are serious question, I am not taking the p-ss out of you, just trying to understand the broader picture if there is one.

6 hours ago, garygooner said:

11+ hours to go with that guy still on the plane. Brilliant. (sedate him!) 

If it were me, I would have provided him with three options, the 1st would be for him to STFU, or the 2nd option would be for me to gag him, and the 3rd, to ask the stewards to turn the lights down, whilst I knock him out with one punch, naturally after offering him all 3 options, I would then provide him with the 3rd option whether he liked it or not.

I think it's time Stewards did some training on how to apply pepper spray and how to put on handcuffs in situations like this.

I hope he doesn't get let off easily, and the plan returned to Thailand, were justice could be better served than in the UK, fricken nutter.

“Two passengers sat on either side of him and kept pulling him down. We had to put up with his shouting. He was being very verbally abusive.

On 2/14/2024 at 5:32 PM, John Drake said:

 

Perhaps. It's SCB's decision, however, and I suppose we either adapt or go to another bank. When I first got to Thailand, 98 percent of my banking was with SCB. After getting a BBK account, my business has steadily shifted toward 90+ percent with Bangkok Bank. I just have fewer problems with BBK. Other people apparently feel better served by SCB. Right now, however, the only time I use the SCB phone app is when I receive a large amount of money into SCB account and need to transfer it out immediately to one of my BBK accounts. Probably should have also got a Kasikornbank account years ago when it was easier. Too late now.

If your hear on an extension, I see no reason why you can't, that said, accounts have fees, e.g. I believe SCB charge me 200 or 300 baht a year to have an account, and of course pay me SFA interest and tax me 17% of that interest, not 100% sure if that is the case, but someone told me if you don't have a TIN, they charge you tax on your interest earned, fair enough, whatever.

I don't deal with SCB staff at all, just make withdrawals from the app via any ATM machine and pay no fees, regardless if in or out of the  province, and transfer funds to them from overseas, only time staff see me is for my annual extension letter that I require from them to confirm the funds have been in there for the time required, used to wait 45 minutes, now about 15-30 minutes, still a waste of time, but it is what it is.

6 minutes ago, Alldar said:

Anyone can please confirm if new Honda Click 125 should come with 2 keys or just 1 key?

I would imagine most bikes would come with 2, my son purchased a new Yamaha R150 recently and was provided with 2, one he has since lost......LoL

Go back to the shop, or ring them and tell them you only received one key, who knows the other might be under your seat.

22 hours ago, John Drake said:

But today, I got the VPN message and the app automatically closing itself. Just give me the option of online internet banking and I would be okay with things. But they are frogmarching everyone into the phone app and then making the phone app difficult to use.

I will admit that I am not the brightest spark when it comes to technology, but I do somehow manage to get by.

I am with you about them stopping internet banking, but I would say that there would be a reason for that, e.g. maybe they or their customers have been hacked too many times and have been exposed to having to cough up to cover the losses ?

Me personally, was never an app person, mobile was for making calls, but then came along all the usual apps, like Facebook, Line, WhatsApp, Wise etc etc so I slowly made progress in using them and have been up to speed for a while now, that said, when I had to change over to the SCB app, it was daunting, still is in a way, that said, I manage, but when I do need to do something new to me, I call Mummy dearest because she is all over this type of stuff, wallets, codes etc etc which I won't even venture into as change getting harder when aging, well for me it is.

Just out of interest:

  VPN stands for "Virtual Private Network" and describes the opportunity to establish a protected network connection when using public networks. VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and disguise your online identity. This makes it more difficult for third parties to track your activities online and steal data.

6 hours ago, Tug said:

now trump continues to betray America with his infantile rhetoric against nato ……..

At least with Trump, 500,000 Ukrainians, and 300,000 Russians would be alive and with their families today, but then again, what is a life worth, best you go on your way to the frontline, because, frankly my dear, I don't give a dame. 

Is it just me, but the story is really poorly written, albeit it, I get what happened.

29 minutes ago, Social Media said:

During his conversation with Scholz, Biden acknowledged some reluctance in the House regarding the aid package but expressed optimism that it could be resolved. He stressed the urgency of the situation and urged swift action to ensure Ukraine receives the necessary support to defend itself.

Glad to see someone on the same page as me this early in the morning.

The American tax payer is over it, hence the reason Congress has delayed yet another package worth billions of $'s in aid to the Ukraine, as opposed to negotiating a peaceful settlement which would cost nothing and save lives, but no, there's no money in that. Sure Russia will own a little more land when the borders are relined, but hey, it's a win/win situation.

No doubt there will be many suggesting otherwise, and if so, perhaps they should go straight to the frontlines and help Ukraine, starting with Biden.

10 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Yes we have a special levy 

 I thought so, suffice to say that is not your average strata levy per quarter.

Do you remember what the strata rates were before the special levy, e.g. $1,500-$1,750 per quarter, noting that you state that you live in the City of Sydney.

28 minutes ago, Yuri52 said:

No. I must repay someone with 5000 THB and I did not yet. So when I go on my bank app I saw k was -5000, the sum that I own him and I cannot transfer or take money out from my account.

If you owe someone 5,000 baht, that is between you and that party, nothing to do with the bank.

I can't see how the 5,000 baht was deducted unless your transaction went through by you entering the details etc.

You need to call your bank straight away, don't mention to them that you owed someone money unless they ask, all you have to do is ask them why your account is frozen and they will tell you.

Could it be that you attempted to make a transaction a few times but put in the wrong password, because that will lock you out of your account aster so many attempts.

2 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Not always !

In Sydney city I pay ...wait for it...... ...$2850 per quarter !!!

 

Council Rates - $308 per quarter 

You must have has a special levy agreed upon to be incorporated into your strata levies because there is no way anyone in there right mind would pay that kind of strata levies, and if that is the case, it is being raised for future works on the development because the sinking fund is too low to pay for such works.

If levies are high on unit buildings in Sydney, that tends to mean that the building was either built by a shabby builder who has skipped town, I won't mention the usual nationality in fear of being called a racist, is an old building, or has to much upkeep on it that is required and has been let go because owners didn't want to raise their strata levies, other things to consider are passenger lifts usually found in medium to high rise developments that require changing after around 25 years, not to mention the constant servicing, swimming pools, tennis courts, saunas, spa's, cleaners, gardeners and security guards on site.

The higher the strata levies, the lower the value of the unit. Would love to know the area you live in, but then again I cant keep up with you, wasn't it Mount Druitt ?

On 2/2/2024 at 1:34 PM, impulse said:

Not sure someone would want to tie up 80% of their assets in buying a home, especially given that he hasn't lived in Aus for many years.  He may want to spend a year or 3 getting the lay of the land before he ties himself so firmly to one location.  There's also a reasonable chance that he may decide he's better off back in Thailand, just not in the same situation. 

 

For what it's worth, I think he would be better off buying n an area where his grandkids are, if it's within his buying power range vs renting (dead money) that said, he would have to pay stamp duty and legal fees on the purchase, plus ongoing strata levies paid quarterly or annually (up to him), water and council rates, but then he would have secure tenure, i.e. rent is not going to be put up or the owner kicking him out for breaching the lease agreement or owner wants to move back in, etc etc.

He would however be best to keep it long term so that it appreciates in value, and as it's his principal place of residence, he won't pay any capital gains tax when he sells it, just has to pay the usual agents commission and legal fees, and if he passes away in the meantime, can will it to his wife or his kids or his grandkids, all the while, while receiving the Age Pension, albeit he will lose a little f he goes back to Thailand.

Going back to Oz to get the Age Pension is not feasible for most due to the high rents, i.e. unless they want to do 2 years of renting a room, a caravan etc, which IMO would be a miserable existence.

Edit: The other thing he has to consider is, if he gets any money from his Super as an income stream, deeming rates will be applied to his Age Pension by the government which is about 2%-2.5%, then they deduce 50% per $ of the Age Pension that he earns from Super.

They have you by the short and curly's at just about every angle.

29 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

They are not negotiating...................they are playing with you.

3 hours ago, Nemises said:

Lots of different beach resorts, islands, provinces and beautiful Thai girls to fill their time.

 

Those lucky guys would be wondering about the married guys stuck in one place with one female for the duration of their retirement. 

Yet there are those of us who are married and don't wonder about lucky guys you are referring too, you see some of us can have that extra piece of cake when we want too, as rare as it maybe, no need for me to beat my own drum, it is what it is, that said, as I said to my wife from the outset, I know who I am and what I want in life, i.e. that occasional different piece of cake that I see crossing my path.

Can't say I know of any guys with as big a balls as mine, also can't say I know any women that would accept that, except my wife, that said, I'm happy, she's happy, that's all that matters.

Before you ask the question, I will answer it with a yes, what's good for the Goose, is good for the Gander.

3 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

I certainly don't understand why so many come here and repeat all the stuff and mistakes they made before.

Getting married, houses, kids, dogs, buying cars, accumulating stuff, garages and yards full of things they don't need. 

Read my post 2 up, if you would, suffice to say there are exceptions.

3 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Being single and the freedom is so much better I think. Busy everyday with something and lots of friends.  Renting is great so much flexibility and when I travel just close the door and go not worrying about anything.  Infinity pool, nice gym, and I pay one bill every month.

But to each their own. 

Of course, each to their own, sounds like you haven't found the right one yet, and may just not find the right one, but that's ok, life goes on, sadly though, but hey, as long as your happy, each to their own.

3 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Also, many of the guys I see in bars are married.  Stuck in lousy relationships with a bunch of baggage and depressed they need the drink to get through the day.

I feel sorry for them.

I find the bar that I frequent that has many expats married to Thai ex bargirls if you like to be mostly content/happy with their lives, sure some go through a patch, don't all marriages go through that, and of course it's just a matter of sifting through the problem and negotiating, because without negotiations, you have Ukraine/Russia or Israel/Palestine so to speak. 

I only feel sorry for the ones that don't know the art of negotiating, as I find Thai women to be very amicable when it comes to this.

1 hour ago, amykat said:

 

I guess your relationship has been perfect for 17 years because you pay a lot??  So no complaints and lots of compliance!

It all depends on what consider to be a lot and what you deem to be compliant ?

Since I had to split my hard earned assets 50/50 with my X wife of 12 sad years back in the old country because of the laws that be there, I learned that it won't ever happen again, ever !

That said, I find it is much easier to live a good life here with a partner who appreciates the life we westerners with money can provide for them here, at a fraction of the cost that it would cost us compared to the old country.

The main benefit for me apart from being gloated upon 24/7 is that I have my freedom whenever I choose, without having to consult (mummy), I am not shown jealousy, have someone who wants to cook for me, wash for me, iron for me, and satisfy my desires, without having a headache, or being too tired, typically a western woman in my opinion.

Now you might ask, is it really love, well what is love, that said, I feel it is, even though she's much younger than me, and yes it does cost me, but nowhere near what it would cost me back in the old country, and as mentioned, this one cooks, washes, irons and satisfies me.

Is she a slave you might ask or think, maybe in her own mind, but to me, she is free to do as she wants, frankly, I can't stop her from being domesticated, as much as she loves it, it also satisfies me to see someone so organised and wanting to please, not only herself, but her loved one, what can I say, I can't argue with the girl, that is also something else we don't do, sounds to perfect to be true doesn't it, but wait, there's more, if it ever goes pare shaped, I lose the whole 10% that I have invested all these years, and got to live here as well, in "her house" that I built and paid for, heaven forbid, she earned it, now if she outlives me, she gets the balance, sounds like a fair love story to me, how about you.

On 2/10/2024 at 5:32 AM, still kicking said:

Can I get my OZ pension, or will they stop or reduce it? I do know Centrelink,

Have a read of my post above, that said, there is a lot of good information there for you and may answer some of your questions, and as others have already pointed out, Energy supplement will go after 6 weeks, another supplement, can't think of it at the moment, and any rental subsidy will go.

If you were in Australia 2 years prior to applying for your Age Pension as a resident, you can have the Age Pension made portable for you to live in Thailand without question, albeit it you will lose the above items I mentioned and receive about $1,000 a fortnight, that said however, it is highly advisable to let Centrelink know of your intentions because if you get some inexperienced clown who cuts your Age Pension off for some unknown reason, as I have read that it has been done, e.g. possible confusion between a returning expat becoming a resident again for the 2 year period and a resident 2 years prior to Age Pension age, then you would have to go back to start the process again and possibly wait 2 years over again to make it portable, unless you go down the appeals path.

What I am saying is if you were away from Australia and returned to get the Age Pension and waited the 2 years before you can make it portable, definitely let them know your going overseas, either way, best to them know to be sure, to be sure, as Paddy would say.

https://guides.dss.gov.au/social-security-guide/7/1/2/20

On 2/10/2024 at 5:32 AM, still kicking said:

Admitted to hospital does cost me nothing here.

It can cost you a little here at a government hospital or a lot in a private hospital, just depends on who you want to treat you. A matter of choice really, and in my opinion, privates have better trained and educated Doctors than government hospitals, but then again, some of the private hospital Doctors train government Doctors at Universities, so you can get a government university hospital look after you if in a particular area.

On 2/10/2024 at 5:32 AM, still kicking said:

or will they stop or reduce it? I do know Centrelink,

I think you are referring to Medicare ?

If that's the case, from what I have read, is, that if you are out of the country for more than 5 years at a time, Medicare is canceled and you have to re-establish residency when you return to get Medicare paid treatment.

On 2/10/2024 at 5:32 AM, still kicking said:

So, can I get any insurance?

I believe you can, i.e. if you don't have any pre-existing conditions, and if you don't, the amount of insurance you will pay because of your age will render it not worth it in my opinion, because the cost is nothing short of savagery. 

On 2/10/2024 at 6:07 AM, flyingtlger said:

https://www.ngssuper.com.au/articles/news/age-pension-travelling-overseas

 

See headline #5

This section from the article below in italics is basically WRONG, i.e. unless the person is going on holidays for a while and their Age Pension is taxable income, and for it to be taxable income, they have to go over a certain threshold, i.e. I believe it is around $32,279 for a (single person), after SAPTO has been applied for and approved.

https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/income-deductions-offsets-and-records/tax-offsets/seniors-and-pensioners-tax-offset

Australia and Thailand have a DTA and when an Australian Age Pensioner becomes a resident of Thailand, i.e. after 180 days automatically for tax purposes, whether they like it or not, e.g. new tax code of Thailand from 1 January 2024 they can be taxed by the Thai RD.

https://www.rd.go.th/english/6045.html#:~:text=1.Taxable Person,any tax (calendar) year.

The above said, I can't see that happening as the DTA has been in place since 1989/1990, but Thailand has had the right to tax Age Pensioners back since then, and the new tax code reinforces that, but as I have said on many occasions, why would they bother now, and that my thoughts are that they are after the bigger fatter fish i.e. wealthy pensioners, not Age Pensioners who obtain welfare payments from their respective governments, yes, not the poor pipers just looking to survive in a country that allows them to live on the Age Pension, and of course contribute to the Thai economy vs living in Australia where they would be eating peanut butter for breakfast lunch and dinner.

Just below is the copy and pasted section from the article I am referring too.

Is the age pension taxable?

Yes — the age pension is counted as taxable income. You can ask Services Australia to deduct tax from your payment so you don't need to pay it when you lodge your tax return.

Read Article 18 of the DTA which will back up what I have said.

https://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1989/36.html

Not everything we read appears to be what we think it is just because someone says so, i.e. it is up to us to keep researching and find out things for ourselves, for me, you can't beat quoting the legislation, i.e. if you can find it, fortunately for me, someone else found it and I continue to pass it on for others to see and make up their own minds, part and parcel of learning and providing for the community.

11 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

Many end up drinking and sitting at bars and/or having relationships with prostitutes.

Hmm, how is you relationship, mine has been perfect for the past 17 years, just saying, oh and in my opinion most are p's, some you pay for directly, others indirectly, but you pay......LoL 

As for drinking and sitting at bars, yep, nothing wrong with socialising, if that's your thing, but everything in moderation Jummy. 

2 hours ago, MangoKorat said:

No mate, I've had a lot of fun thanks to that site.

The good with the bad

2 hours ago, MangoKorat said:

Today my account has been banned from the app for 'hate speech' - I presume because of the 'No Trans' statement, they don't say.  Just banned me and no offer to refund the fee for Gold membership. An appeal is allowed but strangely the site does not offer the facility for someone to state why they are appealing - there is just a button to click that says 'appeal'. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe I've offended Crypto Currency - in this screwed up world, who knows?

Sounds like the bad took over the good, with not so much fun anymore ?

2 hours ago, MangoKorat said:

IMHO, there is something very wrong with today's world.

You only just found that out ?

2 hours ago, MangoKorat said:

Will each one of us soon lose the right to choose the factual gender of our long term or sexual partners? Lose the right to choose what attracts us and what doesn't?

I would change your brand of coffee.

2 hours ago, MangoKorat said:

No mate, I've had a lot of fun thanks to that site.

I prefer AN, dating sites, can't say, I don't go on dates, as I don't want relationships, just the quickdraw McGraw.

In society today, there is control, whether on forums, apps and the like, if your words are picked up by the bots as offensive or contradictory to what is allowed, the bots will shut you down real quick and make if hard for you to get a response of prove your innocence, i.e. your proven guilty, end of story, it's a numbers game.

I recall I sent a link to someone on Messenger, as they asked for me to prove what I was saying, I was then banned from Messenger for violating their policy, them stating pornographic material was against their policy, I said W-T-F- and double checked what I sent, it wasn't porn much to my relief and I complained, and the ban was lifted that afternoon, no apology, no nothing, so welcome to the woke world of bots, guilty whether you like it or not, suffice to say, it doesn't have to be words, it can be links.

2 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

I know it's now much much harder to claim the Disability pension a lot of hoops to go through .....not to mention if you want overseas portability it's another process to prove that's very permanent

 

The question I'm thinking is when you turn 60 and you leave your job is it possible NOT to access your SUPER and then claim DSP or other Centrelink benefits and leave to go for ASIA ?

• DSP is portable for a total of up to 4 weeks in a 12-month period. DSP can be paid for a longer period in the case of approved overseas study that is part of a full-time course in Australia.

https://guides.dss.gov.au/social-security-guide/7/1/2/20#:~:text=DSP is portable for a,full-time course in Australia.

If you want out at 60, maybe just take your Super, invest it into the ASX as I do and make a tax free living here.

I would suggest when the article is talking about pensions below, inverted commas, they are not talking about Age Pensions, however, they can tax Age Pensions if they decide to under Article 18 of the DTA for Aussies, but can't see this happening personally as they could have done this from 1989 when the DTA was agreed upon, so why bother now ?

I believe this is more so aimed at the "Wealthy Pensioners" drawing down from sourced funds like superannuation schemes and other investment vehicle's that will be taxed in Thailand, and those individuals being taxed here in Thailand can apply for credits back in their country, where the funds came from.

Makes sense to me as Age Pensions do not get taxed in Australia if they are a resident of Thailand, therefore there would be no credits applicable for Age Pensioners.

Copy and pasted from the article below.

"Pensions, while taxed in Thailand, may find some relief through double taxation agreements with the home country".

"Wealthy Pensioners":

• Minimum age: 50 years old.
• Minimum annual pension or passive income: US$80,000.
• Alternative option: If your income falls between US$40,000 and US$80,000, you can compensate with a minimum investment of US$250,000 in Thai government bonds, foreign direct investment, or Thai property.

15 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I think everybody who thinks for a minute should make sure they have a valid health insurance before they travel.

That is a very valid point, I NEVER travel without it, however I do know that some fine prints don't cover motor scooters or the ones that do, make sure they don't have a bigger engine capacity of a 125cc, and you must have a valid international Riders Permit, or Riders License in the country you are riding in, and of course, wearing of a helmet.

From what I have read, he wasn't wearing one, but she was.

I might be mistaken, but this is a merry go round, same stories, different day and to be perfectly honest, if the guy didn't fit the above criteria, it's no different to me than being reckless and then burdening your family and others with your crap, suffice to say, I have no sympathy for him, and that little kid in the photo, well life just end up being that little bit tougher now, because his dad didn't grow up.