Shoeless Joe

Yes, my apologies. I do mean the state pension (what used to be the Old Age Pension). Thanks.

Thank you. My sincere apologies. I should have said my pensions amount to 1 million baht per year, paid monthly at circa 90,000 baht per month.

So, does everything become clear on the 1st of January 2024? There's been such a lot of hype and conjecture by AN contributors with what seems to be the minimum of available information. For me, I've transferred around 1 million baht in pensions from my bank every month for about 12 years and live quite comfortably. It's taxed at source in the UK. I have no idea if the Thai RD is planning to tax me again or not but I do know however, that any reduction in my income will make me consider seriously about whether I can (or want to) continue living here where I support my wife and her daughter (who is at Uni) and her mother. I could return to the UK and have my goverment pension adjusted upwards by around another £200 per month as for the last 12 years it's held steady at £456 per month. But I like living here with my wife and family so would rather not. Is it really likely that the RD might be targetting me and others like me?

Does anyone know if there is a dog rehoming / rescue centre in Nan? Thanks, Joe

3NUMBAS, thank you. Please excuse my appalling ignorance but can you further explain how the inflation rate falling in the UK accounts for the strengthening of the baht in Thailand? Thanks, Joe

Polar Bear, thank you for your reply. I'm not sure that your assertion regarding MF is valid and given recent events it looks (to me) that MF is unlikely to be anything but a coalition partner should a new non-military government be formed. That surely exacerbates the situation and doesn't decrease the instaility. I'm happy to admit that my knowledge of economics on this scale is sketchy to say the least. So I'm happy to look at this as a learning process. Again, thanks, Joe

Can anybody explain why the pound sterling (and other currencies) are losing ground against the baht? It was only a few months ago in the UK that the pound sterling decreased in value when the Prime Ministerial merry-go-round (with Johnson resigning, followed quickly by Truss and ending up with Sunak in office), was in full swing. The wise economic minds said at the time that the fall in value of the pound sterling was mostly because the markets really didn't like 'political instability'. So, why isn't the same true of the baht? How can it be gaining stength with the current political turmoil in Thailand (that can't be resolved for at least another week)? Don't the same rules apply? I'm mystified and I'd really appreciate sensible responses. Thanks, Joe

It looks likely I'll be moving to Nan province (Ban Muang Jung) next year for a while, after 7 years living in Chiang Mai. What is there in the way of entertainment etc in and around Nan town? Are there decent bars with farang / ex-pat clientele, restaurants, and maybe some live music, golf? Thanks, Joe