SportRider

3 hours ago, narkeddiver said:

The DTV visa seems a bit pointless unless I’m misunderstanding it.

 

It reads to me as though you can have one stay of up to 180 days in a 5 year period, and you can extend that stay once up to an additional 180 days.

 

As the visa lasts for 5 years it would appear that once you’ve used up your 360 days then you have to wait until the visa expires before you can get a new one, meaning if you used the visa in the first year you would have to wait 4 years before you could get a new one

Other visas 'validity' means the time you have to use the facility.  eg if you enter using the visa then when your time's up, the visa is used and you can apply for a new one.  

I think.. 

On 5/22/2024 at 7:10 AM, KhunLA said:

I find it strange that people trust new 'service', thinking it's private or secure from prying eyes.  It may have even been set up be the very people they are trying to avoid.  Same with VPNs.

 

Remember decades ago, my CC were having high balance, which were always paid on time and never a minimum payment, as used them mainly for investing.   Then came adverts, for "in trouble, let us help" companies that sprung up.  Hook for me was, "we negotiate your principle and save you money"

 

Thinking, hmm, OK, I'll give it try, nothing to lose.   All they did (for free / red flag), was add up you minimum payment, and request a check for that amount, and they paid you debt for you.   Thought strange as I never paid minimum payments, as hated interest, and always paid off ASAP.

 

One payment cycle, and all my CC were being cancelled.   Say what .. ring them up, and they have no reason to cancel, and can't give me one, as if not  paying off before interest charged, I'd pay them after selling or refinancing what I used them for.

 

I realized what it was, a company set up by the CC companies to give them a heads up, for people in financial trouble, that only made their minimum payments and were in CC hell.  Not me or how I used them.  From my payments, they should have realized that.

 

Worked out great for me, as I have just bought a house using them (cash advance) and had a high balance.  Called each one, and none reinstated my CC, but demanded payment in full ASAP.  I told them all to F'off, as they breached the contract to provide credit if I paid.  Restore my CC and I'll pay, as I please, within the contract.   Strangely all denied, as I guess they thought I was going to tap out the credit lines and not pay. 

 

And strangely, when pointed out, they breached the contract, not me, they never tried to collect the balance.   Best thing that ever happened.   As at that point, I no longer need CC anyway, as one of the last houses I bought.

 

After that, I realized not to trust any company, and their BS.   Want privacy, use us ... yea right.

You bought a house on your credit card and then told the bank to eff off?  Awesome. 

On 5/23/2024 at 5:17 PM, Random8 said:

I'm looking at the Philippines, but not excited about it.  Pollution, crappy infrastructure and crappy food are my expectations. Catholic, marriage-minded women, no thank you.

 

Also, if you stay longer than 6 months, you need some type of police clearance document before you can leave.  I've heard that it's a hassle to get.  I've heard of expats doing a border run every 5.5 months to avoid getting the police clearance.  Border runs mean taking a flight.

 

I'm also looking at Malaysia.  90 day tourist visa on arrival for Americans.  Land border visa runs are possible for another 90 days.  Great food (in my opinion), good infrastructure, good hospitals.

Catholic women? 😂😂😂

I've had many Filipina gf over the years, several long term.  They can be incredibly kinky sexually liberated ladies.. when all that repression in their childhood gets released. 

Agree on the food.  My LTGF learnt to cook Thai.  

If you have the housebook and ID of the house owner you can register them online yourself.  Then login and submit your TM30 online. 

It's really a piece of cake and the entire process took me 30mins.

10 hours ago, Puccini said:

What is your Thermae and where in the world or in Thailand is it?

😀 For 20 years - Beach Club in Kuala Lumpur. 

Sadly now closed, due to tough times of the pandemic. 

This was the ultimate freelancer bar, with great food and live bands.  Sharks in a tank behind the bar.  Girls dancing on tables in a packed floor. 

Good times. 

1 hour ago, RobU said:

If he was part of the NACC he was probably invited to take part in corrupt activity and refused to do so. As an independently wealthy man he doesn't need to make any money from corrupt activity whereas others may depend on it to maintain their lifestyle   Hence the attempts on his life, the charges of corruption and the investigation to shut him up or discredit him prior to his revelations of corruption by them

This is a good point. 

Unfortunately I'm not familiar with the source of his wealth.. is it family money? Business interests?.. 

Thanks in advance.. 

Cheers

12 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

I was at Don Mueang Airport last week and wanted a McDonald's breakfast. Used the order screen and it tried to include something I didn't want, I think as it was only two baht extra. I'm trying to cancel and swearing at the screen and an employee comes over. I said let's go to the till, I told her what I wanted and it was done and paid for in cash in less than 20 seconds. 20 seconds instead of two minutes. She saw the funny side, bless her.

 

On another note and related to businesses that refuse cash, s it even legal to refuse legal tender? If so, the world has turned upside down. Here's a thousand baht note. Cannot accept. Madness.

I hate those things.  Always order at the counter. 

Last week at Burger King Pattaya I realised why they have become popular - so the restaurant can employ people with lower English skills. 

11 hours ago, WhatMeWorry said:

Yet another reason to never get on a motorbike in Thailand. I could fill a book with the number of apprehensions to getting on a bike.

A highly valid sentiment. 

I already have someone to read me bedtime stories. 

Given the popularity of both Durian and alcohol in Thailand, I would want to see empirical evidence of the risk of joint consumption. If there is none, I will carry on as before. 

3 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

Wow, the very first comment, and you blame the victim... wow... jai dam

Nevertheless, in the real world, it's good advice. 

Respect his love of Thailand and let him RIP here. 

This flowery AI generated content totally disengages me.  Sad. 

I suppose we are going to see more and more AI generated here.  That's a pity. 

I agree with this post. 

Go in with your eyes open.  Know the cost.  Enjoy the fun.  Don't carry more cash than you're prepared to spend. 

3 hours ago, CartagenaWarlock said:

Now I have to pay 7% tax on all transparent baby doll nighties for my concubines from Shein. Wow. What a financial burden on me! 

Wait, you can get concubines from Shein? 

Herewith lies the path to madness... 

How to properly pronounce "Pattaya". 

Like the majority of tourists and some esteemed Youtubers?  Or prententiously like the Thais, only to be looked at in confusion by said tourists. 

🤔

Money well spent? 

16 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I'm surprised they are so far down the list!

Yes raw numbers are not very informative. 

They should divide by population and give us a hookers-per-thousand-people statistic.  The league table will change. 

11 hours ago, george said:

 

How do you pay at 7-Eleven if you don't have cash and no TrueMoney app?

Revolut is great.  Multiple accounts in any currency you like.  Instant creation of electronic debit cards and link to any currency.  Make 'burner' cards for one-time online purchases. 

Add a card to Google Wallet. 

So to answer the question - tap my phone. 😄😄

28 minutes ago, 2long said:

There has to be more to this. I smell some exaggeration. 

Was it one faulty seat, or more seats that never recline? Surely the plane cant have been designed to have non-reclining business class seats and if it was, then we would have heard of it before (from others complaining).

I get the feeling there's another side to this story, and maybe the customers expected more than he deserved.

Likely an individual seat or one row not reclining, next to emergency exit. 

Last month I tried the FlyDubai service from UTP to Dubai. Paid extra for more legroom.

Only to discover the seats don't recline because it's an emergency exit row!  For a 7 hr flight 🤬

Luckily the flight wasn't full and I moved. 

Didn't bother to claim back the fee for my 'special' seat booked.