Well, thank you very much Kickstart.   What you write is very encouraging.  I'll just make sure my insurance is up to date.  regards, Burton

We had a few fairly substantial trees that were on our property when we bought it.  We cut down what we needed to before we built our house and left the rest.  It is very nice and compared to the endless rice fields everywhere else it is a bit of a tree sanctuary.  However, there are a couple very near our house and I wonder about their stability.  Some trees have tap roots and some do not, from what I can gather.  The tap root variety are less likely to be blown down, I would have thought.  

Attached are a couple of pictures of a tree near our house.  Can anybody comment, please. about whether this variety of tree is stable in a wind or not?  Also, could it be a solution to tie back the tree with steel cables?   I would like to keep the tree if possible but not if it is likely to come crashing through our roof during a storm (obviously).  Thanks in advance for any comments.

14 minutes ago, vinny41 said:

are you aware that any UK bank account will be frozen upon your death unless you planning to have a joint account

Thanks, my UK bank account has very little in it.  I keep it active so I can have a (little used) UK visa card and for a just in case scenario.  I also looked at just leaving everything here to her with a will but becoming marries seems to be the simplest solution.  I am 72 and do not intend to look for a different partner so becoming married will not limit me or my lifestyle at all. Famous last words...

Thanks ubonjoe.  Do you have the email or other contact details for this department please?  I have searched their various information pages without any luck.  I have downloaded the forms etc. and would like to go asap but did not know about their services during the pandemic.

We are about to marry, primarily so my partner of 5 years can access my bank account when I die.  I know most of what I need to do but is the following comment true?

'Once you have the affirmation, you will need to have it translated into Thai and then you need to take it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to have it stamped and signed.'

I thought the next stop following the swearing the freedom to marry declaration at the embassy was to go to the amphur with the declaration and ID and simply do the deed.  Have I missed something?

Is the BKK UK Embassy open these days please?  We are in the wilds of Isaan and the local government offices here are small and personal.  We have a home built on land with an usufruct in my favour and no debt.  I have enough money etc. to satisfy the normal visa requirements.  Other than having my head examined is there any other advice please?  Thanks very much.

Here is a method to clean your filters that really works.

The chemicals:  TSP trisodium phosphate and Muriatic acid  (Hydrochloric acid)

The acid is pretty cheap (250 baht / 5 Gal?) and the TSP was about 1000 baht for 25KGs.  The TSP is a useful cleaning agent and handy to have around.

The equipment is just 2 barrels high enough to totally immerse your filters and a garden hose (no HP washer please)

Dissolve about 1/2 liter of acid in one barrel and a cup or so of TSP in the other.  Mix them up thoroughly.  Too strong and the filter glue dissolves.

Put the filter into the TSP for a few days lifting it up and down every day or so.  For really dirty filters gently hose it off and put it back.  No brushing.

After that hose it down and put in the acid solution for a few days.

Take it out, hose it down and leave in the sun to dry (this seems to make a difference)

I started off using a HP washer to clean but all that does is drive the particles into the filter and damages it too (see photo)

I bought 2 new filters from Lazada (I think) for about 1/2 or 2/3 the price from my local shop.  Buy 2 and get free delivery.  They are identical to the filter originally supplied with my Emaux unit including the absence of any brand name markings.

Having 2 filters make the cleaning cycle easy and I was even able to 'rehabilitate' my old abused filter too.  I still use it but it doesn't last too long b4 cleaning again.

Zoom in on the really dirty filter to see what you can achieve with this technique.  It came out just like the one on the left after a week or so.

I use muriatic acid in my pool too (salt) and almost (obviously 'almost' is a key word here) never have an algae problem.

You can see how we are managing self isolation too.

3 hours ago, Dmaxdan said:

The 20% rise in cases in the last week or so could be because more stringent testing has been finely been implemented. Many of the new cases are people who were linked to that Bangkok boxing stadium.

So far, there are very few official cases outside of Bangkok.  

One in Buriram yesterday.

I am not just stirring up trouble as a number of new requirements have appeared recently without much prior notice.  My visa is an 'O' type obtained a number of years ago.  I have been told that 'OA' visa holders will require health insurance as will all new visa applicants.

What was a surprise to many was the resurrection of the TM.30 requirements as were the home visits by police that have taken place in some districts. 

I am fortunate to have the required sum of money on deposit and don't need it to live on.  Insurance is not available to me except at a figure equal to my annual cost of living.

I am free to marry and would do so except the paperwork for me is so complicated that I will only do it as a last resort.  (Canadian/UK national, married in Canada divorced in France here on my UK passport)

This forum has provided much information that has been very useful to me for many reasons.  When events such as Covid-19 spring into being I turn to Thai visa to learn what other members may have discovered. 

Sorry if this upsets some of you....

Bozo Johnson will stand firm and not sell out to the EU.  He has already reserved the dominant trader's position and it will be going to the US.  He will sell out to them in a heartbeat.  He will be long gone by the time a lynching mob comes looking for him.

Don't know if this is allowed but good therapeutic massage is hard to find esp. around here in the boondocks.  I use this shop.  I have had a knee replacement and extensive surgery to both shoulders (sports injuries) and this shop helps a lot.  The 3 practitioners ( 2 men 1 woman) all have diplomas and are serious about their work.  No hanky panky stuff.   Thai massage is 200 baht/hr.  Off the main road in Prathai but easy to find.  I you want contact details I will post them if you ask.  Google map ref. 15°31'57.6"N 102°43'16.0"E. 

Signing my bank account over effective on my death.  It has been posted that I could sign a paper giving my GF access to my account on showing a death certificate.  BKK bank and Kbank.  Any comments on this please?  I am also going to make a will and register it with the local amphoe.  Will she be able to access my accounts producing this document together with a Thai death certificate?  My parents are both dead, I am divorced and my children are adults who will make no claim on the little I have left.  (Ok amount here in Thailand but peanuts in the west.)   Would she have to produce paperwork regarding my parent's deaths, divorce etc. in Thai to get the banks to release the funds?  Thanks very much.

C'mon you guys.  Thanks for the comments but...   There have been plenty of posts discussing the strength of the THB (too strong) in relation to the rest of the world's currencies.  Aside from whatever the Thai government and the banks here decide there have been a number of game changing events recently that may have simply strengthened other currencies.  I speak about the instability of the UK and EU and that has changed, the US is or is not having a financial slowdown and, of course we are on the threshold of a pandemic which will affect many sectors especially tourism. Among other things. 

By the way.  If you are wondering where all the money in the world is take a look at:

'The Spider's Web Britain's Second Empire' (Documentary).mp4 (youtube).  Easy to access.

Those behind the trust funds (owners) are the ones who funded brexit, trump, johnson and many many scattered think tanks quietly beavering away to quietly control the world we live in.

Look forward to any comments.  Thank you.

Hello crystal ball gazers...   I see the euro exchange rate has been going steadily up against the baht recently.  Any comments as to why please?  Is this the adjusting (and therefore longer lasting) for an overvalued baht that keeps cropping up as being inevitable?  Or is it the virus and global panic that will be a short blip and then a return to the steady strengthening (of the baht) again? Thank you for any thoughts about this.  I suppose there are some who enjoy pondering on this subject and an informed guess will be gratefully received.  Thanks again. 

Thank you.  Funny to think about not being around to object to how events will unfold.  Will go to the bank during the week and see what they have to offer from their end too.

I have had some unfortunate experiences with lawyers and, in France, Notaires and join you in your regard for this group of often self serving persons.

Thank you.  We (I) already have a lawyer (Isaan Lawyers, Korat) who has helped me with my usufruct and some other things.  He is Canadian and has Thai lawyers on his staff.  I trust them and would feel more comfortable if they drew up a document for me.  They are not costly for simple services compared with others I have asked in the past.   

What you say about registering it at the local amphur is very interesting and will look into that.  

How about the process of transferring money and car registration?  Is that something that a Thai lawyer looks after in probate?  Does this process really work?  What I will be leaving to her is in Thailand only and would be uncontested by my family (there is not a lot in it really, by western standards, but it will keep my Pimkarn fed for life). 

I am new at this never having died before and am grateful for your advice.

Don't forget what happened when Ralph Nader decided to get involved in their election process.  Good guy but the added confusion lead to a bad end.

Last will and testament.  Has any person had experience with this and does it work?  As an alternative to marriage I am thinking of simply legally leaving everything I have in Thailand to my GF.  That is mostly my bank account and nice, paid for, car. My house is built on land that I bought and put in her name.  I have an usufruct contract and own the house while I am alive and she will be the owner of debt free land and buildings when I am dead.  All by belongings will become hers but for the banks and car she must have legal access. I am not too keen to just give her all the money etc. while I am alive but I would like her to have it all following my death.

I am free to marry but getting the certificate is looking increasingly like an expensive pain in the bottom.  (Complicated story)  I am 71 so the grim reaper could appear at any moment (or not). I have 2 adult children and have put something aside for them in France.  Anyway, my ex wife stole almost all my money (4M Euros) and they will get that when she drops dead. 

Thanks in advance for any comments or ideas.

Thanks.  Noted.  It is difficult to understand the system here and, as it seems to be in the west too, a BA is required to get any kind of a job even low paid and uninteresting ones.  

I am continually amazed at the lack of anger regards disparity of income and lifestyle expectations here.  

Also to those who may criticise government, immigration policies etc. here take a squint at what is unfolding in the UK (not to mention the US too) and be happy to be here in a land of relative safety.

Thanks for your comment.  The information you provided me with last year was very helpful too.  Regards,  notrub

Isaan lawyers are in Korat but worth the trip.  Multi lingual, professional and reasonable price.  All documents explained in English and Thai by native speakers.  Have had lots of help from them.  Ask about a USUFRUCT contract and get one.  Use your GPS to find their office.  Easy to find once you know the way but first time can be tricky.  They are in a recessed area off the main road and the archway with the name is up high and hard to see.   You will see what I mean when you go.

13 02 2020

We have about 25 rai of rice fields in Isaan with 2 ponds and a well and solar pump setup already.  I want to pump and fill the pond but am told when the ground is dry the water just quickly soaks away.  There is a water problem every year.  Paddy system for rice uses about 5000 M3 per tonne of rice.  Drip irrigation uses about 1500M3 per tonne.  (https://www.netafim.com/en/crop-knowledge/rice/ among many sites to see this info.)

Question 1.  How about lining a pond?  does it have to be a one piece liner or can it be laid down in sheets with the joints sealed by a gummy tape?  I have done this with flat roofs and know how that works.  No need for hot tar etc..  Does this exist in Thailand?

Q2  There are many machines to row plant rice.  If I bought such a machine and hired a tractor to seed, do you think I could rent it to other farmers?

Q3  what are the costs involved in buying and laying the black drip feed pipe per 10 rai (for example) and what are the problems to look out for please?

There is the thought that there will be a drought this year and Isaan is expected to be hardest hit.  This is not going away and I feel the need to prepare for the future. 

That's a lot of questions and I will be grateful for any comments.  Thank you.

Link for comments about Roundup that some may find interesting. https://www.momsacrossamerica.com/10_alternatives_to_roundup?recruiter_id=155641

My niece graduates this year and hopes to go on to university.  She has loan funding and I will help too but...  How can she get a place?  She recently went to Buriram to write an entrance exam at the Ratchaphat University there.  Her grades are OK and she takes it all pretty seriously.  There were over 90 students applying for 5 places, however, and she did not get one. 

Next we will try Nakhon Ratchasima at Ratchaphat University there but is it going to be the same story this time too?  That is, too many students for too few places.

We are in Isaan in the Buriram area and would hope there there can be a solution not in BKK for lots of reasons.

Any suggestions would be gratefully received, thank you.