Stevemercer

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'!

Clearly drunk. I guess the police need to wait 24 hours before taking action so he can sober up.

Yeah, Coke in Thailand is now of the 'lower sugar' type although you can still get the old stuff in 6/12 packs. The new stuff tastes terrible. I'm sure people would still buy the classic Coke even if it costs more than other similar beverages.

Thai people I know all say they love trees and nature, but as soon as they buy a property the first thing to go is all the trees. Someone once offered 75,000 Baht to cut down and take all the trees on our property. My wife was dead keen. She can't see the point of plants unless you can eat them, or their fruit, or they have beautiful flowers.

It seems clear enough to me. If she had turned up at the airport with her ticket, gone to the immigration desk and paid her 20,000 Baht fine she would have been allowed to depart. But if she just tried to catch her flight (because she did bot have 20,000 Baht and/or was unaware of the self-reporting requirement) she would have been stopped and detained at Border Cotrol

What is the difference between the recent American (tariff) versus Australian (devalue currency) approaches to boost their economies. Tarrifs are meant to discourage imports and (hopefully) boost the domestic economy. Australia takes the approach of pushing down the Australian dollar to acheive the same outcome (e.g. make imports more expensive, boost the domestic economy and give a competitive advantage to what Australia does best). Which approach actually works? The Australia approach centres the pain on everyday Australians through lower living standards. The American approach tries to transfer the pain to America's importers, but can backfire by making America's competitors even more competitive and ultimately making Americans worse off.

The Baht is still very strong. I think most Australian tourists, if value for money is the key criteria, will keep going to Bali. Even Thai people can have a cheaper holiday in Bali, than domestically, because of the strong Baht.

What I liked about Cambodia was no dogs all over the place. The few I did see were skinny, starved and cancerous looking. The little kids tend to swarm all over you at tourism places. The beggars won't take Riel, American dollars only. The women are fantastic. I have to say the most memorable massages I have ever had were in Sien Reap from women just in from the countryside. But the infrastructure is poor. Driving back into Thailand and Thailand looks so modern, prosperous and clean. Similar jump in standrds as going from Thailand to a modern western country.

I knew of a case of a Thai woman convicted for the same offence back in 2010. She got 10 years jail followed by deportation. The 'victim' came willingly to Australia to work the sex trade (the 'sponsor' paid her airfares, arranged her tourist visa and accomodation). But she got caught working on a tourist visa. She was interned in Villawood awaiting deportation, but volunteered evidence against her 'sponsor'. In return for her testimony (and noting the trial might take years) she was released back into the community, under police sponsoship, and given a visa leading to residency in return for her testimony. I'm not saying who is right or wrong, but the accused doesn't deserve the death penalty devil.

I hope the brave man recovers, but his brain may have been without oxygen for too long. I guess the lesson is to always have 2 or 3 people when tacking a big python like that.

Hmm. not really news. I think every expat in Thailand (those who knew Warney's reputation) was speculating this drug contributed to his death at the time. We would have all assumed he was in Thailand mainly for the girls.

I give my wife half my income. Share and share alike. Isn't marriage a partnership?

Happiness is just a state of mind. It is not a thing, person or place. Having said that, I understand what the OP means. I sometimes despair that it is impossible to sleep with all the available women in Thailand. There are just too many. You are really only limited by your lust or money (in that order). So many beautiful women everywhere.

I am lucky becasue my Thai wife is ex-public servant and I am covered by her Thai social security. For me, the Thai system is much faster, more efficient and cheaper than the Australian national Medicare system. In Australia there are all sorts of co-payments, payments for prescription medicines etc. In Thailand it is all completely free (so far) and probably saves me in the order of 40,000 Baht per year for my day to day medical needs. I also have private insurance (50,000 Baht at age 66), but am yet to use. To be honest, the Thai medical system is a big plus for me to stay in Thailand. I'm a bit nervous about throwing myself back into the system if I moved back to Australia.