gerry1953

1 hour ago, soi3eddie said:

I don't know the answer to your question. I would simply find another dealer that can supply the latest model.

 

I would tend to agree but in my area of Isaan Honda dealerships are limited and carry the same stock.  Here they told me the 2024 model will arrive in another 3 months - maybe.  Going to another province to purchase one can complicate things even with a cash sale. (registering and red plate wise)

I was looking to buy a new 160 ADV but they only have the 2023 models in stock.  I wanted the lower seat height and the 4 valve engine for the advertised 10% increased power in all ranges.  The dealer can not tell me if it is only on the 2024 model or started in 2023?  Do any members know the answer?   Thank you

15 hours ago, Speedo1968 said:

4 foot long !   How long is your arm ?  A snake can cover that distance in no time.   What will you do with the snake once you have caught it

Read and listen to Crossy …

They work for me every time and they even work on scorpions?  Then again I don't like to live in fear like some do.

If it becomes a repeat problem buy a 48"+ snake catching device from Lazada for about 1,300 baht.  I don't hurt them but place them over the wall into the heavy bush.  Most are harmless, some  are mildly venomous and a few are very venomous.  You can always go online and find cheap plastic pipe types that snare the snake. Check out one of the snake sites from Thailand and maybe you won't be so afraid of them.  If I get a highly venomous one I may want to relocate it to a better area.

10 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Based only on my hunch I think Thailand is somewhere between a manageable South Korea type situation and an severe USA type situation. But if Thailand loosens up too much and too quickly they will join the ranks of the worst case countries. 

I have to agree.  I would rather be inconvenienced for an extra few days with all the precautions and freedom limitations the government imposed rather than letting up early and having to do it again with it's added deaths, mayhem and economical devastation.  Best to err on the side of safety.

Indonesia has 1 death per million population as compared to Thailands .5 deaths per million?

I am not an Indonesia supporter but what do you contest about there numbers which have twice the deaths per million population than here in Thailand? 

Both are hot weather, humid southern hemisphere countries.

I like the OP and others only spend 6 months a year or less in Thailand (for the last 10 years with 2 exceptions of 18 months each).  I am getting tired if jumping thru the hoops for immigration on my retirement extension and want to drop it next year.  Does anyone see a problem applying for a 3 month tourist visa from Canada (actually 2 months plus a 1900 baht extension) then heading to Vietnam for a holiday.  In Vietnam I can apply for a another 3 month visa from a Thai Embassy and exit from Thailand to Canada after 2 months with no 1900 baht extension.  Theoretically I can continue doing this without keeping 800K + THB in my Thai bank.

 I took the time to read 15 pages of replies from this horrible incident about 9 years ago does anyone know the outcome of child sexual assault charges or if he was even convicted?  Most countries would make information available for follow up but nothing seems to happen here even after plastering his name in major newspapers, I researched but found nothing at all.  I hope it wasn't a case of the accused paying off the family (and child) and other parties to escape conviction.

I have been on retirement extensions (visas) for the last 9 years but for mental health reasons I return to Canada (and sanity) for just over 6 months most years.  I am not happy being forced to keep B800K+ in my Thai bank for 5 months even though I can easily afford it.

From what I read about the insurance prices the cost versus the maximum payout was an extremely poor investment.  The pre existing condition clauses were laughable and even though they say it won't affect us retirees, I suspect they are testing the waters - they love a good cash cow and IMO is sure to expand!  Many years ago I got Thai licenses which was susposed to get me into venues at Thai prices?  Now I have to pay 5 times the Thai rate at Parks, some private events, plus beaches - things change and it is seldom in our interests.  They love moving the goal posts!!!!

My solution is next time around will be to drop my retirement status and arrive with a tourist 3 month visa.

After 2 or 3 months in my Thai city with my wife and family I will spend a few weeks in Vietnam get a new 3 month visa then leave Thailand after 60 days (so I don't have to pay the extra 1900 baht to extend the visa to 90 days.  Sorry a 90 day tourist visa should be good for 90 days.

I won't have to keep the 800K in Thai banks with dismal returns or do 90 day reporting, renewals or bother with rentry stamps.

I feel sorry for the guys who are trapped due to economics and the high Baht rates.

An interesting read even if dormant for a year.

My experience as a Canadian resident who is spending up to 2 years outside of Canada (allowed once every 5 years I believe) is it is very difficult to use Canadian Banks to SWIFT money over if you are not present.

My Royal Bank of Canada refuses outright. I found a few ways of getting around this by using the International Remittance or Transfer which was a good rate at $13.50 for up to $2,500 CDN. The problem is that RBC converts your CDN dollars to USD at that days rate (the other day was over $1,800 USD) and refuses to send Canadian dollars - guess who gets stiffed on the exchange rate? You do - once converting to USD and another exchange fee again by the receiving bank in Thailand. The $13.50 good rate RBC gives you has now ballooned to $100!! When I contacted RBC they claimed Thai banks can only receive this money in USD yet I have had not problem sending large sums thru RBC using SWIFT thru a friend in CAD? I suspect this is RBCs way of lining it's own pockets while advertising a great rate.

I am now setting up an account with a Forex company which is a payee at RBC online banking for transfers. I can do a transfer online at RBC from Thailand to my forex account, then have them exchange CAD to THB at a really good rate, then send it to my Thai bank. The forex company charges no fees, my Thai bank now doesn't have to exchange CAD or USD into baht as they received THB. They will charge the usual receiving fees though.

This is a much cheaper, faster alternative and I don't have to be in Canada. There are a few hassles setting up Forex accounts as they have to follow rules to determine you are legitimate, not a terrorist or laundering money. Once you are set up a Forex account you can use them repeatedly and they are less expensive and more convenient than our Canadian Banks. IMO our banks have had it too easy for too long and I welcome competition to exchange money.

My tip for the condo never to be built is the Grande Caribbean on Thappraya Road. They have been advertising it heavily for over a year but they haven't even dug a hole in the ground yet. Even when (if) they start it will be at least 2017 before it's finished.

Surely it will be build.. The investors are rich Thai-Indian people from Bangkok, who paid huge money to Khun Suchada, the developer of the Chateau Dale condos/village.., for the 12 rai..

But indeed, my guess will be : completion around 2017....

Buildings will be finished in less than a year.

Your overly optimistic prediction was incorrect and is nowhere near completed as of Dec 11, 2015 - 9 months after you said it would be finished in less than a year?

I never had an electric mower in the west but tried one in my very small yard up country. This Chinese model burned out within 2 months and got sent away for 7 weeks? When they returned this reconditioned mower it lasted 2 cuts and burned out again, I threw it out rather than waiting for more junk to be fixed. I purchased a Chinese gas mower which lasted almost 1 cutting and quit in spite of everything being fine on lubricants and fuel. I took it back and after 2 hours of them trying to get it working they finally agreed to return my money. My next step was to buy a Honda mower (Honda Thailand only sells their top model here with self drive), I ended up having to get the local dealer build me one using a Honda engine for 12,500 baht. I did not want the big Honda mower with self drive for a small yard and pay 26,500 baht. I am sure the Honda engine will last many years and hopefully the other parts will too?

The same thing happened when I first purchased a trimmer, that Chinese model lasted a few months before I wrapped it around a tree in disgust.

I now buy Japanese, European or a western brand name to save money and more importantly save on frustration overload!!!

Giddyup - why they sell known garbage surprises me also but it is all about profits and these Chinese motorized tools must have been purchased cheaply and a large profit margin added?

Very few Thai's appear to use our western type tools and usually opt for a gas powered weed wacker to mow the lawn if and when needed.

Any idea what happened to the Maldives Condo project? As of late October the incomplete buildings were erected but most crews left with only a few remaining. It being late November 2015 and giving a 2016 completion date you would think they may want to finish the roughed in buildings and start doing the huge pool they advertised?

i wouldn't wish to ask the obvious question but for those of you who don't like the heat of hot countries why did you choose to come and live in Thailand ?

F.J x

Now Canarysun it is only 2 - 3 months that are very hot, the rest of the year is just fine. There is nothing wrong with spending money to put on an air conditioner or even installing a pool to make ones life more enjoyable. Life shouldn't just be about seeing how cheaply we can live, eat or travel.

I have a difficult time handling the +40 C temperatures, I spent most of my life in a northern country and - 40 C was more common. I am also not built like most Thais either.

How I deal with it is get up just after 5 am make a coffee and water the yard then potter around until after 10 am. On the hot days I play internet catch up near my air conditioner, read and maybe catch a nap. I shop in A/C stores in my town or drive into the Ubon malls on hot days.

If a go out during the heat of the day on my scooter I tend to jump into every lake and running irrigation ditch I see! After getting cool in the water the breeze from the scooter trip feels great. I supplement that with frequent showers and hosing down in the yard. I even set a blow up pool on the front lawn on real hot spell for a dip and cold Leo.

I know Jomtien does not require a medical - Amnat does and it cost 50 baht at the hospital, hardly "rogue"???

Any office that ask for more than the requirements called out in the written rules is rogue.

A medical certificate is not listed in the police order as a requirement.

I don't disagree with your comment Joe but there is little consistency in general here in Thailand. If they were charging me extra fees I would be more concerned.

There is little consistency in police fines, banking regulations, MV license rules, etc. - it's part of living in Thailand and never boring.

Cheers

I have been dealing with the Amnat Charoen immigration office for the last few years for Retirement Extensions and I call it a "visa" also.

I know Jomtien does not require a medical - Amnat does and it cost 50 baht at the hospital, hardly "rogue"???

In February I got another extension and the officers were helpful, friendly and fast - I have had some negative experiences elsewhere.

You can get your retirement extension and multiple entry at the same time, other offices need 2 days or a "kick back".

We did bring in the book for the house also and they allowed 30 days prior to expiry, a decent bunch to deal with.