Banana7

Never show money, wallet or phone to a stranger, to satisfy their curiosity.

Bangkok is planting 2 millions trees and making 130 new parks by 2030. See here: How about Pattaya planting 100K trees by 2030 and start by planting 2,000 shade trees on Pattaya beach? How about making some new parks with trees? Are the city politicians listening? How about starting to provide some benefits to the city inhabitants with all those property taxes City Hall is collecting? Enhancing green spaces is crucial to making the city more livable, especially to attract expatriates

Good choice. How much $$? Be sure to get new gaskets/washer to all adjoining parts.

The leak looks like it is between the body and the rusty screw. I would try to find stainless steel (SS) or brass screws/bolts that are exactly the same size (thread, length, width and head) as the existing, replace all screws. Also replace the washers with SS, brass or nylon washers. Rusty washers and bolts rarely seal well. I didn't see any cracks on the housing, but you must inspect it closely. The housing surface, where the washer sits and both sides of the washers, need to be perfectly flat, clean, dry and smooth, no scratches. Some 3M silicon(or other very high quality) for wet areas or gasket silicon/sealer on both sides of the washer, would help seal the leak. The sealers must be applied to clean dry surfaces and must be totally dry before you test. I use silicon or plumbers putty. Read the instructions on the sealers and give extra time for curing. Finding the parts maybe challenging but I would contact Hitachi, at their Bangkok offices. If the original parts are not rust proof, try to find the SS, or brass ones. Bangkok will have them, maybe near China town.

I've spent time in both locations. Basically Phuket is more expensive for everything. Restaurant meals are twice Pattaya prices, Phuket transportation in some cases 5 times more than Pattaya prices, accommodation is at least 50% more expensive in Phuket, density of Russians is much greater in Phuket, Phuket gets lots more rain than Pattaya.

From the mid-19th century onwards, the traditional topless attire of Siamese women began to be viewed as obscene, and attires revealing female breasts were then regarded as 'un-Thai' expressions of depraved Western sexual culture

This is from the wise website. -------- You can use your Wise card to make online payments. For some online payments, you’ll be asked to approve the payment from your Wise app, or using a code sent by SMS or call. This is called a 3D Secure (3DS) online payment and is an added level of security some websites ask for. Once you approve, your payment will go through as normal. Some websites only accept locally issued cards. So if your online payment gets declined, that might be why.

Do not sign anything unless you understand the writing. In Thailand, if you are not fluent in Thai language, do not sign anything written in Thai, until you get a certified translation into a language you understand. Even if a policeman tells you sign something and gives you a verbal translation, do not sign it, get the certified written translation. Do not accept a police interpreter's translation verbally or in writing, unless they are a certified translator. Certified means certified by the Ministry of Foreigner Affairs.

If a condo price is 30-40M baht, not many have an adequate down payment to buy. So maybe they can afford an adequate monthly lease payment

Who financed the construction of all these unsold condos? Most prudent lenders would want to see at least 50% sold on plan units before lending anything to the developer.

watch this video, very good info :

If you are in Thailand for 180 days or more in one calendar year, you need to file an income tax return. Using a credit card or ATM card is not taxed according to this lawyer: Thailand Tax Professional: https://mahanakornpartners.com/

Very valuable information here, from a professional lawyer in Bangkok. I highly recommend watching this video

Does this form need to be filled by all who apply for a retirement extension? There are 2 ways to qualify financially for a retirement extension, by monthly deposits or by bank balance. Is this form only for the monthly deposit method?

I recommend you go to the Kwaeng Court with your Thai friend. Basically your Thai friend is there to interpret for you. You tell your your friend what to say, and the Thai friend tells you what others said in Thai. Go to the counter with your friend, get the forms, instructions and the consultant's name that will be assisting you in the Court, have your friend help you fill-in the forms, then go back counter with the completed forms and evidence and present them to the consultant. Copy everything for your own records. Once the consultant is satisfied with forms, ask for instructions for the next steps.