Aviatorhi

No, no, no; let them leave based on false impressions. The less "taxation is theft" folks around the better - especially when they don't comprehend what taxation is.

Owning dozens of units over the years I've consolidated all my ownership into VT (5C/D only now) buildings. Best retention (and appreciation) of value and best actual "care" of any I have been involved with. Low maintenance fees (no wasted funds on fountains you don't actually "use" but look pretty, etc.). The new buildings are all ticking time bombs ordered on wish (dot) com.

Been living here visa exempt month on month off for 14 years. It's a non issue. Lately it gets a chuckle and a มีความสุข from the officers.

It's about the "company you keep"... many cannot seperate "fun life" from "real life"... you think Bulgarian, Ukrainian, Romanian, etc. women (and men) in Europe don't do the same <deleted> when given the opportunity?

It's about where and who you're looking for and finding. Never truly "free" when you start looking at every last baht for food, drinks, etc. (though, again, that can range from 100 to 10000). But it can be "genuine" with many women, much as any place on earth. It still boggles my mind how many claimed expats who've been here for 10 plus years can't comprehend this... Or speak any Thai besides "Sawadee Krab".

Let's start at the beginning... How much was the simsod... Then we can conduct a rudimentary cost benefit analysis of the situation. Though I don't see a situation where long term leasing beats short term rentals.

The conversion to open air party BS started around 2013... so just over ten. YOU may have memories from 20 which you prefer over those from 10... but from it's inception to just over ten years ago it was a perfectly fine place to hang out. Now it's to "the hobby" what Khao San Road is to "backpacking". Essentially one group is to "blame" for starting it - but everyone kind of went with it for one reason or another... and now it's a place best avoided except by those with more money than sense.

You'd be shocked at how many tourists are even bigger losers who fly half way around the world to pour alcohol into a drunk "manager's" gullet. Soi 6 used to be a great place to hang out 10 or more years ago... Now? See above post.

They're "buy me drinkee" men who rely on unsuspecting tourists to ring the bell and pad their commission checks. Ever since NWG has functionally taken over Soi 6 it's turned it into a complete nightmare of hustling, inflated prices, and complete BS. Is what it is, move on to other sois since the pile of bar manager losers which has taken hold isn't going anywhere with an amole supply of willing victims.

Wife's actions mean little since being a woman (Thai or not) she's only interested in exploiting male labor for her own advantage. Hopefully his unstable self rots in Indian jail for a good long while.

Playing in Pattaya is fine - some of us do it for a living - do not lost sight of the fact that the entertainment is there for money and nothing else.

You think wrong ("Seinfeld" isn't a documentary) - though laughing would have many social repercussions.

Wait... how'd I get involved in this?

Seems like a usual 5-10 year survey. The writing staff just didn't have any real stories.

It's not about the Mekong or Pattaya either. Be consistent.

It's going to depend on the country. In Japan you can (literally) safely eat raw chicken. Their food hygiene and controls are that high. In Thailand, not as much.

Having been in the vicinity of many drunk Brits, I applaud the Thais for their excellent handling of the matter.

Only "allegiance" is to a Western view of international relations rather than RU/PRC versions. Rest is just a matter of time before I'm able to renounce my primary citizenship and fall back on the secondary (have to make a living after all).

Some even higher than that... And Thailand is 25%, though I don't think it accounts for "village" marriages. It's essentially the same everywhere. Better off renting.

You know they don't just randomly assign people to each other? Because it seems you don't.

Let's not exaggerate... Neither are present (as much as claimed/perceived by some). Ever seen Thai family photos? Frowniest people ever.

Interesting take, considering nobody needs to confiscate a workers passport to retain then in "the west". Does that hurt your precious vatnik feelings?

It's that old Soviet mentality. Why do business fairly - when you can exploit and oppress people to show how much of a alpha-boi you are?

What's the treat exactly?

That would be nice but I'm not aware of any projects like this. It's common in other countries with Thai style ownership restrictions.