4 hours ago, Max69xl said:

You are just another paranoid poster. 

maybe right - maybe wrong.

but not paranoid - and not ignorant.

6 hours ago, Tchooptip said:

Included people married to Thai wives? 

Yes.  All foreigners living in Thailand - both single and married.  Living means staying 12 months and getting extensions.

7 hours ago, jimn said:

You are like a broken record mate. Very silly post

Silly statement.

I said it would be applied to 'retirement extensions' too, and TV'ers like you rubished me.

Expats are swapping over to O Visa to avoid the health insurance, even publically talking about how to do it on TV - what do you think they are going to do?  Nail old single expats but let married expats get away with it? 

In the future travel insurance will be compulsory for all Tourists too - but that is some way off.

10 hours ago, mngmn said:

'Controlled and ignorant'?

I can say what I like without fear of imprisonment. I do not have to constantly report my whereabouts to the government. I am not constantly being scammed or being asked to pay double for anything. I am surrounded by well educated people who speak my language and are polite and friendly. Prices in my local supermarket are somewhat less than in Bangkok and the food is fresh, not half rotten.

But most importantly for me, I am watching my Thai partner finally begin to grow and achieve her goals in life.

 Great to hear your Thai wife is 'growing'. But dont go +2 Kms over the speed limit, dont say anything racist, dont deny anyone is aboriginal even if they are clearly not, dont say anything bad about any minority group (hate speech laws), dont forget all the speeding cameras are everywhere, dont go into certain suburbs especially at night (if you wrong race/religion), dont complain about the local Mosque blasting all 'call to prayers' all hours of the day, dont have a pcoket knife in your pcoket, dont have a slingshot either, when you hire someone make sure you have their Super, Insurance, Compensation, etc etc etc covered and the 10 min licences to have a business, when you emply someone make sure you take total respoopnsibility for their health and welfare - they can do anything stupid but it is your fault, and you have to pay them a minimum of $740 a week ($40K PA), plus holiday loading and plus 25% if they are casual, and dont forget to pay all the taxes (one of the highest net tax in world - net means including rates etc), and make heaps of money yourself because everything is so damn expensive and going up heaps every year - Sudney is more expensive to live than London or New York https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/mar/15/sydney-more-expensive-to-live-in-than-london-and-new-york-study-finds

I could go on a lot more - but let me get to ignorant.  Where do I begin - Bogans?  No - too easy and obvious.  Let me quote an American presenter:  Australia is the Alabama backwaters of the World.  And this too:   https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/australia-is-rich-dumb-and-getting-dumber-20191007-p52y8i  

Mate - there are a lot of fine people in Australia - but they are as dumb (on average) as thick bricks.

Over-educated idiots abound in a country that still hasnt diversified itself from a colonial outpost.

19 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

Another silly post, there are mixed married people here, I guess your a  single retiree on an AO visa that's only ones that seem to want the same for others living here. 

Stupid post. I am married on an O Visa visiting 2-3 times a year (no insurance issues).

22 hours ago, CGW said:

I have read where there is concern about "water" I came to the conclusion & obviously I may be wrong that they were building up to yet another scam like "climate change" to make money, the corporations that run the world through whatever government they have installed to do their bidding would like nothing better than to charge us for every drop of water that we use, more money to add to their coffers, more control, just like they want to centralise control for global warming or whatever they are calling it this week.

The amount of water on earth is going to remain the same, it can't go anywhere? natural climate change which has always happened will move it to different areas, there will be new deserts and new green lands in the future using that self same water.

If I was the worrying kind I would have more concerns about that huge ball of fire in the sky that gives us life - the sun - it has the ability to wipe us out at any time, but they haven't found a way of scamming the public out of money to prevent that happening! 

Or maybe I'm wrong? ????

In Australia ther local councils are scamming people (like golf courses) for the dams that they have on their properties - the bigger the 'dam' the bigger their taxes.  Yep - they are taxing people for the amount of rain they collect.  When the last drought was bad I suggested the golf course send a letter to council demanding a refund because it hadnt rained in nearly a year.  The liberal left idiots that infest that place, said they dont collect  taxes for rain, only for the ability to store it.  The irony of government taxing people for something they do not control or provide, missed their small minds completely.  Australia is the social welfare State that all western countries will become unless they turn hard right. 

On 12/29/2019 at 3:12 PM, xylophone said:

On mine too......have no need of the rubbish spouted.

ditto

13 hours ago, JimGant said:

But it certainly could be. Using the Malaysian MM2H visa example -- they require visa holders to have a fixed deposit account, accessible only for medical emergencies (and a few others, like education, or quitting your visa). So, for Joe average, with home country insurance and/or enough self funding to pay Malaysian hospital bills, this surety bond fixed deposit account never needs to be touched. But, if he becomes behind in his hospital payments, well, this surety bond account gets tapped (but, then, necessarily replenished -- if no can do, adios mo' fo')

 

Nothing brilliant here. For retirement extenders here in Thailand, yes, a bank account (vice monthly income inserts) would now be needed. But, hey, this shouldn't be too insurmountable  (particularly when you exam the cost for health insurance, particularly for us ancient farts).

 

But, we keep going round and round with the same suggestions, on these multitude of related threads. Preaching to each other, as doubtful any Thai with decision making authority is getting any feed back from these threads. Has the Malaysian example even been looked at by the Thais? Sad to witness a wannabe first world country stuck in third world mindset.

I think they did look at the Malaysian system - and they tried to match it - but they didn't take away all the cr**.  The Thailand Expats costs to retire here are more now more up front than Malaysia, because of the Baht.  But they did not take away annual extensions, 90 day reporting, TM30s, dual pricing, PR options etc etc etc.  

On 12/28/2019 at 9:17 AM, ubonjoe said:

It has never been shown on the embassy in Canberra or the official consulate in Sydney websites.

I was possible at the honorary consulates until a little over 2 years ago when the embassy told them not to issue them.

That is correct ubonjoe - as usual ????

3 hours ago, baboon said:

That was a good piece. However I and others did warn you and others about the junta you were extolling from 2014 on. What did you think was going to happen?

Still, there is no use crying over spilt milk, I suppose. Many people are now in an increasingly tough spot and I do wish friends and enemies alike, well, especially the older folk. Look after yourselves and others.

Fair points - and I was also one that said the Junta was good (for corruption). But while they have clamped down on things that needed doing - I was very wrong overall and especially about how they have managed things for Tourists and Expats.  

6 hours ago, Mike Teavee said:

I've very recently (as in 3 weeks ago) retired after spending the past 12 years working in Singapore, haven't quite fully left there yet as I need to go back to exit my condo/cancel Singtel, work out what to do with my bank account etc.. but I've formally exited the country after Tax clearance...

 

My friends asked me if I regret not getting PR during my time there so I could stay there after retirement & my answer is simply "No".... As much as I love the country (it is an awesome place to live & it's very easy to see why Changi Airport gets voted Best Airport in the world on a regular basis), I could never live there unless I was working & if I was working the company I would work for would get me an EP (Employment Pass).

 

It is funny how I could imagine myself (dream of) retiring to Australia & spending a few years exploring your country, but for you guys who are from there, it's all a bit "Blah" & you're off to explore other countries ???? 

I hear you -Singapore is expensive that is for sure.  Visited twice - and it felt like I was in Japan for costs except not as friendly.

Australia is great for many things - but the 'controlled' and 'ignorant' way of life there is too oppressing for me to live there full-time while I can stil get around.  Great medical system (free) and many great places to visit - but like New York, it is great to visit but you couldn't live there well unless wealthy. 

Many years ago when I was very young, many people let their dogs stray outside their homes - most people did not have a front fence. As a kid you quickly learned which dogs to avoid and how to stand your ground and not run.  But eventually the authorities decided after too many children were attacked (some killed), that all dogs must be on a lease if in public and any on the streets would be captured and locked up. Owners had a period of time to claim their dogs, after paying a fine, otherwise the dogs were put to sleep.  Some owners were charged when their dogs attacked people, and severely fined - nowadays they can be sent to jail.  Owners of dogs got the message quickly and started to keep their dogs inside their yards or got rid of them.   The message was clear - your dog is your responsibility, so keep your dogs away from the public, especially kids, or we (society) will remove the danger and penalise you.  My father said most people did it because the dog would go an <deleted> in other's tards or in the local bush areas.

Thailand needs to have those laws introduced - but until a child from a certain group of Thais (you know who) is attacked and badly hurt or killed by a stray dog, then it is unlikely to happen.  Whenever I am in Bangkok, I have never had a problem with dogs - but outside Bangkok soi dogs are a constant threat - and you know where 'those' Thai live.

Meanwhile, the only solution for Expats here in Thailand, is to never buy a place unless you have rented there for at least 6-12 months and seen the local's views about stray dogs.  And it is best to get a place where or near where the middle class/wealthy Thais live - they can deal with any threats/noises - you cannot - other than extreme measures.    

3 hours ago, Gweiloman said:

Malaysia is probably the best option. 
 

- low cost of living 

- fairly high standard of living

- good infrastructure 

- good medical facilities 

- best local food with good options for international food

- good pubs/bars for hanging out (not for pure sex tourists though)

- good air connections 

- hassle free immigration

- able to own property 

- educated workforce 

- lots of English speakers 

It is a mute point for me as I now have a Thai wife - and never regretted it except for the dumbass Thais running the country and the wealthy exploiting it.  But having said that - if I had the money back before I chose Thailand,  I would have retired to Singapore - and from there I would have travelled to and enjoyed all SEAsia has to offer.  Plus I would have kept a place back home in Aust for visits and the 'end game' (near very good medical services).

7 hours ago, Mike Teavee said:

If it's easy for you to retire in Singapore, you can retire almost anywhere on the planet as the only option available as a non-PR/Citizen would be the Investment route which is a minimum investment of s$2.5 Million ((> 55 Million THB).

You could buy UK citizenship cheaper (IIRC it's £1 Million, approx 40 Million THB) 

You are right about costs - but I meant easier in that you knew exactly what you had to do to stay and all the rights and privileges and obligations that would be applied to you.  Malaysia offered the best package overall but it cost a bit (but much less than Singapore) as they only wanted 'wuality' retirees - not the trash that was going to Thailand at the time.  Malaysia is now cheaper than Thailand - but they gave you a lot of benefits and rights.  Malaysia still does offer those rights, but Thailand has put up their costs tyo be more, but they have not not given any extra rights or privileges - and still retained 90 days, TM40s, annual extensions, permission to re-enter, etc etc etc. (and all at an extra cost) 

1 hour ago, bristolboy said:

I don't see what the recently negotiated but not yet ratified by the Senate trade agreement has to do with this issue at all. 

Then dont comment on other's conversations

1 hour ago, bristolboy said:

Nonsense. The manufacturing sector in the USA has taken a big hit thanks to Trump's tariffs:

Fed study finds Trump tariffs backfired

President Donald Trump’s strategy to use import tariffs to protect and boost U.S. manufacturers backfired and led to job losses and higher prices, according to a Federal Reserve study released this week.

“We find that the 2018 tariffs are associated with relative reductions in manufacturing employment and relative increases in producer prices,” concluded Fed economists Aaron Flaaen and Justin Pierce, in an academic paper.

While the tariffs did reduce competition for some industries in the domestic U.S. market, this was more than offset by the effects of rising input costs and retaliatory tariffs, the study found.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/fed-study-finds-trump-tariffs-backfired-2019-12-27

I'll see your academic left wing 'paper' and raise you the Dow Jones since 2015

And remind you that after Chine was allowed to join the WTO (for unknown very dubious reasons), successive US Governments allowed them to take the jobs of 75,000 US Factories and over 5 million manufacturing jobs.  https://www.wsj.com/articles/president-trumps-trade-policy-is-working-11568138994

The Trump plan is not to seek short term gains in trade/imports/exports - it is to force US companies to return to USA and open factories to make products for the US market in the USA - and it is working. 

Trump is OK for factories in China/Thailand etc to make product for the SEAsian market, but he and the majority of US People hate that US companies went there for profits and that China steals IP and the WTO does nothing about it.

It is the big picture - some see it - some dont.

16 hours ago, jany123 said:

I’m sorry... my boo boo... retaliatory tariffs... yes.

 

theses tax’s that the trump has imposed... these tariffs that the trump has imposed, has caused Tesla to abandon american manufacturers, in favor of producing at a 35% saving in China. But hey... if y’all purchase a car for 35% less from China, then add american import tariffs, you will get a cheaper car direct from China. So... ???????????? Y’all can thank the trump for cheaper Chinese made cars... maga.

Not 100% accurate - Tesla is still manufacturing in USA and will continue to do so - for the USA, Canada and Mexican markets - under the recent Trade Agreement completed by Trump. 

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

So your including non o based on marriage, parent of Thai child etc. 

The whole box and dice?

Me too - any 12 month Visa/Extension - any age

8 minutes ago, candide said:

Tariffs may play a role  but the main reason is probably the market size (around half of the current world market) and the high number of rich Chinese looking for a distinctive car.

It's also likely that they can benefit from the presence of a large ecosystem and innovation from state-funded research programs.

Yep.  Musk is smart enough to know that long-term there is a great market in China for his cars, and that using Chinese money and Govt support to set up manufacture will give him 'protection'.  Musk will still manufacture in USA/Canada/Mexico for those markets, but setting up in China for the SEAsia market is good long term planning.  His sub company Solarcity gets lots of funded support in California, but it is smart to also get that in China.  UK next ?? 

22 minutes ago, CGW said:

So what's the plan? change the indoctrination/education system to make everybody "smart" ????

Smart Schools System 2.0 ?  3.0??