Jonathan Swift

8 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

They are in cahoots with each other.

In other words, PRICE FIXING!

Surprise! Price fixing is everywhere, look at tuktuks and taxis (non meter)

20 hours ago, bamnutsak said:

Need to see more details and sources.

 

 

 

Only a few slobbering fan bois thought like this. 

“Bois”? Seriously? Are we supposed to be impressed with your hip modern vernacular? In Thailand? Or are you that bad at spelling? 

Very nice in Hua Hin, nice breeze every day. Sea is very warm but not ridiculous. Take a nice little trip here folks

3 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

Being by the sea raises humidity, doesn't it?

Isn't seawater 200% humidity?

Funny, I've lived in Thailand 10 years and have managed to avoid being robbed or beaten. Wonder why? And why even drive in Thailand anyway?

These writers crack me up with their awkward use of "dramatic" slang which makes them sound like bad 1940s pulp magazine writers. 

54 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Please specify what is a FAT wallet, How much are you talking about otherwise you are just fearmongering.

Common sense from experience is fearmongering? Hardly. A little bit of fear in this case is appropriate. Do you ever read the stories here? He is advising caution and sensible financial planning. He  doesn't owe you an elaborate description. You have to figure that out for yourself. No one's going to babysit you or lead you by the hand.  If you don't get the point, you probably shouldn't be reading this publication. Maybe you shouldn't be living here. Here's what you didn't get: A fat wallet will differ for different people. It's a matter of personal choice to measure the calculated risks of living here against your financial situation. For me personally, I make a tiny $1600 US/month social security. But I keep a $10,000.00 US emergency fund in my US bank. Beyond that I have a mutual fund that I can tap into if need be. Worst comes to worst I can fly back to the US and be covered by medicare for anything serious. Which I may be doing. After a high PSA blood test and an MRI, I need a biopsy to screen for prostate cancer. I had money enough thus far, and if I need surgery and other treatment I will fly back to the US where I have Medicare. 

On 2/12/2024 at 2:09 AM, swissie said:

In Europe, an increasing number of pensioneers relocate to "third world countries" as the pension benefits will not allow for a "decent-living" in their home countries anymore. (Political discussions concerning this matter are in full swing in Europe).

THE TRAP: Those undercapitalised "pensioneer-fugitives" have not the financial means to cover lenghty hospital costs nor are they able to pay for any private health insurance.

Only conclusion: Unless you have a fat wallet, stay in your home country once you have qualified yourself as "an old men" with limited financial resources.

- There was once a movie "No country for old men". Unless one has a fat wallet, Thailand is also just a "No country for old men".

Hopes, of finding financial relief by the "Thai-Family" or the Embassy of the home country in case of financial emergency are usually dashed quickly.

A tropical Paradise without a fat wallet is not available. Nowhere. Have known a numer of undercapitalised Farangs, claiming that upon their demise, they will die in their bed in Thailand. But those were exactly the ones that have run up astronomical hospital bills in the end. Much to the disadvantage of the Thai Hospital and Thai Society.

Again: Unless well capitalised, "Thailand is no country for old men". No matter how young your Thai Wife is.

 

Fat wallet meaning that you have a sizable enough nest egg of savings to deal with emergencies, which is what I have always done. I keep $8,000.00 - $10,000 US in liquid funds in an emergency fund in my US bank at all times, and I have a mutual fund I can tap as well. Outside of that, my social security income is tiny by US standards, but supports me nicely here. So I agree, it's risky business to come here without some funding to cope with emergencies, although I wouldn't call it a fat wallet in terms of income. I should add that I have rarely had to tap into that fund, although presently I may have to spend some money, 50,000 baht or $1500 US, on a prostate biopsy to screen for cancer because of a high PSA and a bladder infection. If I need prostate surgery I will return to the US for Medicare coverage. Meanwhile the sister of a good friend had a compound fracture of the knee (tibia) from an accident and they are just working class folks with no money and now out of work, I was able to send my friend 19,000 baht to help with a 30,000 - 50,000 surgery bill. (I have known her over 10 years so I can trust her, she has never asked me before) I also started a go fund me to cover the remainder. My financial planning for emergencies at this point in time included a nice dividend payout from my mutual fund, so I was lucky in being able to cover my own medical plus help out a friend. 

21 hours ago, JimTripper said:

I don't think it's all accidental falls. Maybe people doing it on purpose due to financial or emotional problems. It's guys that are around a lot of booze and hookers and that lifestyle can get a bit crazy if you don't have control. You pick up on other people's problems. Their problems become your problems. Often you can't tell just by seeing your neighbor who says hi and appears ok.

As a person who suffers from Bipolar II depression you are spot on about a depressed state being invisible to outsiders. Nobody who I don't tell about it is aware that I get this. However, I am careful around balconies because all it takes is losing your balance sometimes. It would be useful if someone commissioned a study into these balcony deaths to see what is at play. I suspect the biggest factor is intoxication. But there are any manner of different ways to commit suicide, this seems to be a convenient method for distraught individuals. People jump off buildings, bridges, all sorts of things in the rest of the world. Quite painless no doubt. But "being around a lot of booze and hookers" is not likely to lead to suicidal depression, that's not how psychology works, so you are wildly speculating and off the mark in that regard. If you mean that a reckless lifestyle makes accidents more likely, again you are correct. I also think that counseling and therapy may not be as accessible in Thailand as it is in other countries. I looked into it and the cost was prohibitive. 

17 hours ago, daveAustin said:

As usual topics like this are filled with unempathetic rubbishy comments (likely mostly from the boomer crowd) from folk who think they have never put a foot wrong and live perfect lives. Good chance family is reading this!

Yes, I find it quite  challenging to be living amongst such perfect human beings, knowing that I will never measure up. 

23 minutes ago, hellohello123 said:

Is it even possible to cough up litres of blood unless youve been stabbed ?

Something like a perforated stomach ulcer might do it. Ruptured aorta or pulmonary artery? Although I suspect "liters" was an exaggeration. Were they measuring it with water bottles? 

5 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Urgh... thats rather horrific...  What a horrible way to go, not just for him but all those around him too. 

 

I'd have been sh!#ing it on that flight...  fear level 9 unlocked as I start to suspect something like hemorrhagic ebola...

 

 

One question though: If he was so visibly unwell, how come the boarding crew (gate staff) didn't raise concern ? 

 

 

More likely a perforated stomach ulcer. No doubt 20 20 hindsight will reveal a number of errors

3 hours ago, creative1000 said:

Is moving money (earned 10 years ago) from a usa bank account to Thailand bank now taxable this year? I’ve heard so many answers

There is another fairly credible story on this topic here on aseannow, which stated that yes, any money brought in to Thailand is taxable. The exception would be for US Social Security, which is not "assessable". The question would be, if a third party such as Wise were used for the transfer, would we have to provide proof that this was Social Security income? And what proof? I have Social Security benefit letters and tax form statements and am hoping if necessary they would be sufficient.  Another question would be, will Thai banks now voluntarily submit reports of such transfers to the Thai tax office, or is there any privacy protection for the bank account holder to prevent that? In other words, is this an honor system where the accountholder is responsible for declaring the transfer as income? In my case I transfer my Social Security income once a month using Wise. I have no idea how this will work out due to the aforementioned unknowns. Also, will immigration get involved when expats provide income information for visa renewal purposes? That sounds like a hot mess in the making. 

4 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Heavens name shoot me if senility makes me wear a pair of those!

Agreed. It comes across to me as a phony attempt by silly foreigners to look like they're part of a culture that doesn't belong to them. I understand the sentiment of wanting to belong and be accepted here, but I manage that without looking silly. 

1 hour ago, Modern Coding said:

Why does this remind me the catholic church with the same celibacy principle leading to the same issues??

And what are the facts that prove that pedophilia is caused by celibacy? Or do you just make up your own scientific theories without the benefit of facts? Just because two phenomena exist within the same time frame and place, i.e. "celibacy" and the commission of sexual abuse, does not mean they are cause and effect. That is a common example of flawed thinking and failure of logic. There are just as many pedophiles per capita out in the public sector. The catholic church is HUGE. The only major difference is that the catholic church engages in massive coverups. Out in the public more of them get caught. In the case of the church it is more scandalous and draws major headlines. Anywhere you have the air of secrecy and at the same time a large number of children exposed and vulnerable you are going to see an increase in child abuse crimes - summer camps, schools, day care. Parents leave children in what they think is a trustworthy environment. That's how the logic of statistics work. That's the way facts are properly interpreted. You know, it's never too late to go back to school to polish up on your reasoning skills. You don't want to be lagging behind the whole rest of the world. Unless you just don't mind making silly, uninformed,  and baseless statements, and we all know there are plenty of those kinds of people.

17 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

What is missing in this story? No mention of the third party driver who is at fault for causing these injuries. Surely the insurance of the guilty party driving on the wrong side of the road should be paying all the hospital bills. Or was the third party not insured? No mention if the third party driver was Thai or foreign, not that it really makes a difference, but could give a clue regarding their insurance status. Compulsory insurance is required for all motor vehicles. What coverage is being claimed from the other driver and their insurance. If Australia (or any wetsern country) a claim against the other driver would be made in cases such as this. 

 

Surely you're not expecting a thoroughly researched and written story? Not exactly the standard here. 

17 hours ago, Dmaxdan said:

Or just do the sensible thing and refrain from riding motorcycles full stop.

All one has to do is learn to drive defensively and watch carefully for any impending danger. 99% of accidents can be avoided if you are highly aware of what is going on in 360% around you. For example, if I have a green light going through an intersection I expect someone may run the red light and cut in front of me and I'm prepared to evade. Anyone who is not experienced on these motorbikes should not drive them. I've ridden bikes for many decades, never an accident other than a guy bumping me from the rear at a stopped traffic light. 

4 hours ago, Ironmike said:

It's high time these 90 visas issued to this criminal race of aholes is stopped,, I want to know why a Russian women Ireana Pavalova that killed too young kids whilst drunk and speeding has not been arrested and thrown in prison where she belongs its disgusting check out the cctv footage of the accident there Dead and that piece of Russian <deleted> is walking around free. 

Your bigotry is just as malevolent a force as any behavior on the part of the Chinese or Russians. Leave Thailand, we don't want or need people like you.