Stevemercer

Isn't it up to the Thai Government to make these sort of policy statements? Anyone would think it was the military that has the biggest say in running the country rather than the elected government

I think it all boils down to Thailand being the lucky country and the Thai leadership being ambivelant about a high Baht. I can only compare it with the Australian dollar which is at record lows against the Baht. Both Thailand and Australia are export dominanted, but the baht seems to rise and fall side-by-side with the US dollar. The AUS just slides against both currencies because Australia is seen as trade dependent on China. So as the Chinese economy slows because of US tarrifs the AUS is sold off. This is despite the actual reality that Chinese importers are substituting American agricultural goods with Australia goods and China is buying and selling more with Australia than ever before. Contrast this with Thailand which is out of favour with the US at the moment and unlikely to do a tarrif deal. So Thai exports will continue to take a beating, but the Baht will appreciate against other currencies. What is the difference. The main one seems to be that the Australian government will always talk down the Aussie dollar (to boost exports and drive down living standards without having to take responsibility) and the Thai government will alway talk up the Baht because, deep down, they think that must be a good thing.

Going on a temple bus 'crawl' with your girlfriend, visiting 10 or more temples in one day with ear-splitting karaoke playing all day on the bus. Or a karaoke raft towed out into the middle of the lake and left there, with no escape, until towed back in the evening.

The Thai government has always equated a high Baht to a good economy. Unlike other exporting countries (like Australia) the government never talks the Baht down. Sometimes the Thai central bank fiddles around the edges, but they avoid macro changes that could fundamentally chenge the economy. Even if the bank lowers interest rates (as the government wants) the Thai Baht will stay strong because that is what the government wants.Why can't they have their cake (low interest rates) and eat it as well (strong Baht).

I have done 12 Australian tourist visas for Thai friends of my wife in the last 3 months. All were granted apart from one (which was granted on the second application). 11 of the applications granted were 12 month multi-entry with no conditions preventing applications for further visas once in Australia. One ( the one needing 2 tries) was 3 months only, but again with no bar to applying further once in Australia. I think there is an old Covid regulation still in force which did away with the old 'no further visa applications can be made once in Australia' condition (which was problematic for people stuck in Australia during the Covid years and when the airlines weren't flying).

It is much better to apply for the partner visa in Australia. The application will cost around $10,000. Add another $3,000 - $5,000if they get an immigration agency in Australia to do it. The advantage is that, once the paid application is lodged with Australian immigration, he is granted a bridging visa with the same rights as the partner visa. This means he can work, get Medicareetc. etc. until a final decision ismade on the partner visa. Your friend should apply for his usual tourist visa in Australia. He probably gets a 12 month multiple entry tourist visa (allowing him to stay 3 months at a time). The standard visa does not currently prohibit persons from applying for another visa once in Australia. The couple could get married in Thailand or Australia, but should do this at least 2 or 3 months before applying for the partner visa in Australia.

I'm from Australia and I've never heard of anyone showering before entering a private pool or the ocean. A public pool, maybe, given the number of people. Maybe it is a European thing?

Is your situation likely to get better in the future if you continue as is? Is this how you see yourself in 1 year, 3 years or 5 years. You need to think hard about a plan to ease yourself out of your current situation. Maybe a quick wrench is the only way. The guilt will fade with time,

So the tuna vs lion story could be correct

Most Europeans seem to go to Poland for major dental work these days. Cheaper than Thailand and good quality clinics. Easier/cheaper to get to if follow-up work is needed.

I think some dentists charge a special farang price, so it pays to look around. I had a root canal and crown for a wisdom tooth a few months ago (the bigger back teeth are more expensive than the front teeth. The root canal cost 8,000 Baht and the crown 9,000 Baht. I paid half this price about 2 years ago.

'Are we not men?' ... Devo

All of the African woman I have seen in Thailand wear braids (or have natural braids). I guess she could be wearing a long straight black wig, but that is unusual.

Get the vaccine. There is some evidence to suggest the vaccine may also help against dementia.

Jeez - He is a pretty bad driver then, no wonder he lost his license. I hope the media report the real reason why he 'forgot to renew his license'!