brewsterbudgen

Try any branch of Big Camera in most malls. We did ours in Robinsons, Ban Chang, Rayong.

I think a lot of Thais prefer to conceal their faces!

No. I used a broker to sign up for a health insurance policy. Contact him yourself if you like, he's very good: https://expatinsuranceservices.com/

There are a few WRLife threads on this Forum, with some posts of positive claims experiences. I signed up with them via a broker I've used for many years, and he hasn't had any issues with clients not having claims met. They're not too popular on this Forum though!

Do you have a link to the Google reviews?

They have told me that in Thailand they bill the hospital direct, although it depend on which hospital you're using. They have told me that the Premium will be adjusted if a claim is made, but otherwise not. However, although I've been insured with them for 2.5 years, I've not had to make a claim.

There hasn't been a mask mandate in Thailand for months!

I've notified all my address changes to Immigration via TM30 and 90-day reporting, just not for my car's blue book. Do I still need to do this and, if so, where? At the Land/Transport office?

If you get a penalty notice through the post, how do they know your address? I bought my car 8 years ago and have moved addresses 5 times since then, including a move to a new province. There doesn't seem to be any requirement to update the address in the blue book when renewing the tax. Is this something I should have done?

I'd be surprised if many foreigners marry a girl (drunk or not) who manages to give birth to their child and continue working as prostitute at the same time.

I had a State Pension forecast (I can get it in 2027) 5 years ago, and recently requested another one. It was basically the same. Shouldn't it have increased by RPI/average earnings since the forecast made in 2018?

It's really none of your business!

It's not technically called that, but is part of the law covering the provision of 'special services' in places like massage parlours. Most soapies have been around for years, licensed and operating within the law. I'm guessing this one is new and hadn't secured the right licences and didn't have friends in high places! The second law regulating prostitution in Thailand is the Act on Entertainment Places, B.E. 2509 (1966) (the “Entertainment Act”). Massage parlors (excluding parlors providing legitimate massage services), go-go bars, karaoke bars and similar establishments are regulated and required to be licensed by the Entertainment Act. The Act regulates these businesses due to their influence on public morals and in order to ensure that minors are not allowed access to such businesses. While the Entertainment Act does not expressly permit prostitution, it does allow “service partners” and “bath service providers” and the like. The Entertainment Act distinguishes between those types of employees, who are required to wear red circular disks with their numbers, and non-sexual service staff, who are required to wear blue circular disks with their numbers. Employees of establishments regulated by the Entertainment Act are required to be at least 18 years old, and customers are required to be at least 20 years old. Given the close relationship of many of these businesses to the sex industry, the differences between massage parlors and go-go bars and prostitution establishments are not necessarily clear. http://thailawforum.com/sex-crimes-in-thailand-part2-2.html

Poseidon probably holds the correct licences. "The Entertainment Places Act of 1966": This Act was designed to pave the way for brothels to be legalized in the guise of massage parlours, bars, night-clubs, tea-houses etc. It was enacted at a time when the Government sought to increase state revenue from the "Rest and Recreation" activities of the US armed forces stationed in Vietnam. The Act defines the various kinds of "Entertainment Places" and allows such places to operate only under a license to be obtained from local police stations.

@eisfeld You have the patience of a saint! ????

The motorcycle culture here is depressingly tragic. So many needless deaths.

Never. It's pretty much standard practice and has always been, but people seem to like to scare newbie teachers!

Yes. It's one of the hazards of living in Asia. There are others too!

Indeed. We'll all die some day. If you decide to live in Asia, it's something to factor in.

It can be a little annoying (I've lived here for 18 years), but really not very important in the scheme of things.

I'm not sure many people actually bother to read all the posts!

Maybe he wants to move to Rwanda with her...!

It's just something that, unfortunately, we have to learn to live with. Welcome to Asia.

Sorry, but it is obvious. As has been explained above (by @eisfeld) it's called 'withholding tax'.

Not just Bangkok...Thailand.