Colonel_Mustard

I did read that I could work as a journalist if I can get credentials from a major publication, so I'm working on that.

There a number of fields open to people who aren't Thai nationals and many foreigners here do have work permits.

As far as I understand you can only legally work in Thailand if you have a work permit. However, unless your employer has a presence in Thailand it is unlikely you would be able to get a work permit.

If you are working online and being paid into a US bank account, it is highly unlikely that this would create any major problems for you even though it would strictly speaking be against the law.

It is no problem transferring funds from the US to Thailand and you could of course also use an ATM to withdraw cash if you didn't want to draw attention by regular transfers.

Having said all that, I'm no expert and it would probably better though to check with a law firm as to your options.

Not cheap but the Christmas buffet at Indigo Pearl has always been superb. Unlimited food and free flow wine and Belgian beer make it decent value despite the price.

Not that much really but I would imagine a couple of the main reasons that people do love it here, would be the prices and the climate.

Both places haves their good and bad points but overall I would have a slight preference for Malaysia, though I prefer Singapore to both.

Why r u here then?

Sent from my XT910 using Thaivisa Connect App

Because my wife is from Thailand, we are settled here with schooling for the kids and at present it's not practical to move.

Both places haves their good and bad points but overall I would have a slight preference for Malaysia, though I prefer Singapore to both.

Takes a few months to pick up some basic Thai. Takes probably a couple of years to become good. That to me is the level where the effort is matched by the rewards.

I also took a year's course at Chula university. It was worthwhile to an extent, and has a certain kudos attached to having spent time at the No.1 University and having a certificate saying "Advanced Thai". I enjoy being able to read, and like that I can understand things that are written which automatically helps your language ability. It's also useful for reading text in a business context. After that I can't say there were any earth shattering benefits where becoming very good makes a difference to your life.

I think Thai is probably the least useful language I've learnt. I attained fluency in most other languages I've learnt far quicker, and have pretty much given up bothering to actively improve my Thai. It is what it is and peaked around 2002, before probably getting worse.

When I say least useful, that's because I find a lack of interesting literature, and other outlets for having a proficient knowledge. Many Thais live a simple life, and quite happy with superficial relationships outside their own circles, and that doesn't require an extensive vocabulary to interact with them.

Thailand also places a high value on form (appearance) over substance. As someone who appreciates genuine substance more you realise that isn't built on language ability.

I'd also say that on occasions you can be happier just taking things at face value and not fully understanding how things are. A lot of Thai interaction is based on how people would like things to appear rather than how they actually are. So beware the double edged sword when it comes to understanding how things work. I never really saw this downside in other languages I learnt

A pleasant and friendly disposition, combined with good Thai and a basic understanding of cultural values is probably the best cost / benefit in my view. For the things that really matter to me in life, I don't see 90% proficiency in Thai as important.

I had a similar experience of learning Thai and would pretty much agree with everything you have posted.

i'm of that man-a-pours age now, mid 50's, never had health insurance over here, just accident insurance, i'd be interested in any recommendations on prices and companies, no outstanding medical conditions but the huge fee's paid at hospital by some expats has got me thinking of insurance cover. it's one of those things that you dismiss until you end up in hospital.

I use Bupa Blue Cross for me and my family. They have a variety of packages with different levels of cover and premiums. Whenever I've had to make a claim, I haven't had any issues.

I have always loved Christmas and pretty much celebrate it here the same as I did back in the UK. Same food, decorations, music, films, presents etc. The only major difference is the weather.

Plenty at Blue Canyon golf course. We used to have a couple of them living in my garden but they must have moved on about a year ago and haven't seen them since.

Champix works very well and everyone I know that has tried it has successfully quit, though the side effects can be quite severe (I didn't have any problems personally but some of my friends did) and it is expensive.

Nai Yang, Nai Thon or Layan/Bangtao beaches would be best.

They each pretty much all meet the requirements you have stated (Nai Yang probably the most and probably also the cheapest).

Cherng Talay would be a good idea for a 2nd location on Phuket.

Also hoping to move up to Chiang Rai when the kids are older (in Phuket at present). We looked around for a good few months and in the end chose Santiburi for many of the reasons already mentioned elsewhere in the thread.

Mai Khao, Nai Thon and Nai Yang are your best bets. Lovely quiet beaches with plenty of shade and near the airport. Plenty of reasonably priced restaurants/bars around too. Nai Yang is probably best for swimming with a young child.

I don't know about Patong but they have Gaeng Hung Lay in Black Canyon at Tesco in Thalang. I would assume other Black Canyon outlets would have it too.

J W Marriott in Mai Khao is good for kids.

Nai Yang is the safest swimming beach for kids year round I would say.

When I first came here, I would have classed myself as agnostic but would now class myself as a Christian.

I'm pretty much fluent in Czech (though not a native speaker). I was looking for a teacher just for conversation practise just to keep my fluency level but was unable to find one locally. There are a few good online tutors who will teach you via Skype if that is of any interest.

I also order a batch of Czech films on DVD every month both for entertainment purposes and also for listening practice. If you are a beginner , they wouldn't probably be of much use but if you have some knowledge they may be of some help.

But man-man sex is gay sex, no matter how it's presented. I never understood this concept that a 'straight' man can get serviced by another man and still consider himself exclusively heterosexual. "No, it's the one performing the act that's gay!" Umm, well, it's the 'straight' guy who is getting aroused by another man, no? It is what it is.

Just about sums it up.

FYI, a large block of land on the road to Wat Doi Khao Kwai, just sold. This is chanoted, elevated land (some of it a hilltop) inside CR city limits. Sold for less that Bt 700,000/rai.

1.2 million for 1/2 rai 7km out (unless premium land .. aka Santi Buri) will probably have "FARANG" stamped in red across the front of the land document.

Anyone have any idea on current land prices at Santiburi? Still around 3M per rai (as it was a couple of years ago)?

Looked on the web but couldn't find any info.

I know it’s not much dirtier here than other places in Thailand, but Phuket have to live of the tourists, they don’t do that in Nakhon Sawan or Thep Sathit, Phuket should be just a bit cleaner for the tourist

Yes, you would think that all the tourist $s coming in would enable them to keep the island cleaner than elsewhere in Thailand but that doesn't seem to be happening with the exception of Laguna and maybe one or two other smaller areas. Still, as long as where I live is clean and tidy and the golf courses are kept in order, I can just about put up with the rest.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too

>> Free flowing Belgian beers too

That makes it worth it right there!

Exactly! Only 3 hours in which to consume though. Should be a merry christmas indeed