StevieAus

23 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

My nephew has been to school for approximately two weeks over the past year and there is no still no word on his school reopening. So yes, Covid in any form appears to be rampant except in official figures, That. or the government doesn't want kids educated. It's a toss-up which is correct. Probably both.

We are in the North of Chiang Mai Province and our daughter has been in the same situation at a non government school.

She managed to get back a few weeks ago and we got a call at lunch time to collect her as a teacher tested positive.

There seem to plenty of Omicron cases but from the people we know who have contracted it, the symptoms are like the common cold.

1 hour ago, Lacessit said:

I wish just once I could time my transfers at peak value, got 24.8 baht last week.

Never mind, I suppose it's better than being Russian.

The guarantee on deposits up to 1 million baht may be next.

I rememember being disappointed when we only used to get 28/29 for the

$Aus must have been 11/12 years ago.

5 hours ago, ezzra said:

You remember to old sawing machine same principal, but at least when you work on out on that machine you can sew a dress in the meantime...

I think you meant sewing machine and have to ask, were  the dresses for you or someone else ?

3 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Over what period of time please?

According to my rough calculation if he managed 27 per day close to a year.

3 hours ago, tonray said:

yes.. but this is applicable to both foreigners and Thais.. really a tax on using English not on foreigners per se. 

To be frank I gave up years ago trying to apply Western logic to the decision making process in Thailand.

I still believe it’s only a money raising grab as it’s the local Tessaban ( municipality) who administer and collect the tax and they have nothing to do with the education system.

We know the local Mayor quite well and my wife has family members who work in that area so as you have sparked my interest will try and find out more and advise.

2 minutes ago, tonray said:

As far as the $$$ I agree...but in a country where English proficiency is desired, why punish people for trying to support the International standard ?

I see it as just another way for governments to raise money.

You can add it to the list.

Cost of retirement extensions etc

Re entry permits

Higher costs to enter parks etc

Currently Non Thais require Health Insurance to re enter the country.

I gave up being concerned years ago and put it down to the requirement to live here.

As I believe they say in parts of England.

“ You like it or you lump it “

9 minutes ago, tonray said:

How ridiculous, while the government mandates all schools must teach English and the to interface with the rest of the world Thais are woefully behind their neighbors in proficiency, let's charge people extra for using the English language. Maybe they can start with installing recorders in all farang homes, 25 Satang per English word muttered (even in disgust)

As this tax is levied by the equivalent of the local council   I see it as another excuse to raise money which doesn’t affect the majority of locals.

We built a block of apartments about seven years ago and named them “Sumalee Apartments” after our daughter and got hit with the tax.

When you compare the taxes you pay with Western standards I don’t see it as a big deal.

On 3/19/2022 at 10:44 AM, ezzra said:

Drug's crazy most of the times, the drug problems in this country is out of control and the ease of getting it becomes easier and cheaper all the time...

If you look around the world many countries have exactly the same problem which the police admit they cannot control, when there is money to be made organized crime will flourish.

On 3/8/2022 at 5:05 PM, tandor said:

most countries are waiting for the U5 vaccines to finish stage 3 of the trials, then approval by WHO...could be some time.

Thanks for the update

Just now, StevieAus said:

We obtained a UK passport for our now five year old as my father was born in the UK.

As we live in the North we used Key Visa who advertise on this site and provided excellent service they provided all the information needed

On that occasion none of us attended any office all documents were sent by mail.

 

I was not able to complete the post.

For her second passport we lodged the documents with VFS in Chiang Mai who also are helpful.

The UK passports office has a help line which you can contact by email they respond quickly.

I contacted them a couple of times as we had questions which they dealt with.

Suggest you contact them details are on the internet.

We obtained a UK passport for our now five year old as my father was born in the UK.

As we live in the North we used Key Visa who advertise on this site and provided excellent service they provided all the information needed

On that occasion none of us attended any office all documents were sent by mail.

43 minutes ago, tandor said:

...well good for you friend...Far from over...

Many folk have not had their first shot, many others have received none, for whatever health issues and personal reasons they have; and them catching any Covid-19 variant is serious. Still no vaccine being distributed for under 5 year olds.

Which Western countries are vaccinating under 5 year olds against Covid?

I understand that in Australia and the UK only 5-11 year olds are being vaccinated.

We live in the North and it has been offered to our five year old daughter.

Just now, StevieAus said:

My comment was really directed at the fact that many vaccines have side effects and the benefit of having a vaccine over no vaccine

I have had my three and in no rush for the fourth.

I have read a few studies that suggest that catching a mild dose of Covid gives better protection than the booster.

Should have added “ If you have been vaccinated”

21 minutes ago, Nemises said:

The symptoms of the real thing after having had  3 vaccinations are, apparently, not much worse than that of a common cold.
 

So whilst that remains the case and a 4th isn’t required to travel etc  I’m more than happy to stay put at 3rd base thanks ???? 

 

 

 

 

 

My comment was really directed at the fact that many vaccines have side effects and the benefit of having a vaccine over no vaccine

I have had my three and in no rush for the fourth.

I have read a few studies that suggest that catching a mild dose of Covid gives better protection than the booster.

I tried to send a mobile phone back to Australia to a friend who had left it behind.

Thai Post wouldn’t take it with or without the battery.

16 hours ago, natway09 said:

Think yourself lucky

The so called "Universal Pension" paid to Kiwis over 65 (maybe 67 now)

is no longer available if you do not live in NZ.

If you return, available after 2 years of residency

Is it means tested like Australia and in the past have you been required to make a specific contribution like for example in the UK?

On 3/1/2022 at 6:37 AM, itsari said:

The European Court Of Human Rights ruled against the plaintiff on the UK Government on indexed linked pension payments to those living abroad in 2008.

Australia decided to abandon any social agreement with the UK on this issue . 

I think there needs to be a case taken to the UN human rights court in Geneva to reverse that decision by Australia .

Australia has over the years gradually tightened the screw for pensioners and not only for those living overseas.

The Government pension is means tested so it matters not how much tax you paid, I like many others are denied the pension as we are considered “ too rich”.

For those who decide to retire overseas you face additional hurdles if you haven’t lived continuously in Australia for the two years prior to your application or don’t live there for two years after receiving the pension.

I think there are many of us who be happy to live under the UK pension regime, unfair as it may appear.

19 hours ago, maddermax said:

Good luck to him. We need a lot more variety in the wines that are available, amongst other things.

PS. I'm getting p****ed off seeing Nick Faldo continuously!

I don’t see any shortage of varieties of imported wine in Chiang Mai, the only issue is that due to the tax regime it is at least double the price that you would pay in other countries.

3 hours ago, bbko said:

Would she have gotten the same support if she wasn't young & attractive?  Imagine some dusty old fart doing the exact same thing as she allegedly did.

I would imagine that their are many on this site who would fit that description, so the answer is yes!

On 2/23/2022 at 6:47 AM, jacko45k said:

I would expect the Covid insurance to remain for a spell, but at some point to be withdrawn. The insurances obligated by particular Visas, O-A, O-X and O-A Retirement Extensions is another consideration. 

I see on this site today a news item that states from May 1 the insurance amount will be reduced to US$ 20,000 and the second Covid test can be self administered 

The back flip has begun.

1 hour ago, TheFishman1 said:

First I thought they want to check the Chinese then it was the Indians now it’s the Arabs amazing Thailand Thai tea

They are working their way through the alphabet, probably Zimbabwe next.

6 hours ago, JAS21 said:

On a different problem, but at least as annoying.

 

We live in a gated community and our house is on the front road. In the Soi,one house down from us an old woman lives who breeds cats. That house backs onto the side of ours. Her front garden looks and smells like a refuse tip.

 

Sometimes the stink is really bad. So frequently we cannot use the patio on that side of our house. And we get a lot of cat poo in our garden.

 

My wife is on the Village Committee, she says several complain about the smell but there doesn’t seem to be much that can be done.

 

Someone mentioned that a saucer of antifreeze can get rid of the smell but I don’t see how.

If the cats drink the antifreeze I don’t think you will have any more problems, as it’s lethal to cats and dogs.