jkcjag

...lived in Bangkok 20 years; had occasional flu, but much less frequent than in UK or Oz...take the usual same medicine for relief of symptoms as anywhere else. I never drink tap water, but always cleaned teeth with it. After one bout of food poisoning from grilled chicken from a street market that looked and tasted delicious, and where there was a long queue at the counter, I never eat street food. Never had any vaccines. You mention "only eat food that you've seen freshly cooked"...you cannot easily do that if you eat in most restaurants, where you basically trust the kitchen...as in any country. The only food you can "see" being cooked is street food, and you don't know how it was treated before arriving in the street. Buying fresh food to cook from supermarkets...Tescos, TOPs, Villa, Big C, Foodland... is the norm in big towns, as in many other countries. You seem overly concerned...use common sense (BTW, What prompts you to think that apple cider vinegar or herbal tea is of any benefit in preventing any illness at all? If it were, then I'm sure medical science world wide would be very interested in this).

1 minute ago, Jip99 said:

 

 

No they don't - it has to be collected personally.

My wife just had hers delivered

They do offer the option of delivery back to your address if you want.

There are so many links on this subject...just google it:

https://www.cbre.co.th/en/SubServices/bangkok-condo-transferring-money-thailand

https://www.siam-legal.com/realestate/thailand-buying-condo.php

https://www.siamrealestate.com/info/buy-thailand-property/transfer-funds-thailand/

https://www.thailandstarterkit.com/accommodation/buying-a-condo-in-thailand/

http://www.tilleke.com/resources/one-year-visas-foreign-condominium-owners

https://www.samuiforsale.com/condominium/foreign-exchange-transaction-form.html

Read your contract and simply comply with the details specified, as signed by yourself.

Before you advise early termination you could notify the landlord and ask them to make certain repairs, for which they may charge depending on the clauses in your contract. If they pay for it then they may make the repairs or replacements for the least cost to them, and why shouldn't they...it's their investment. However, once fixed then they cannot deduct those specific costs from your deposit when you terminate.

Assuming you have a typical contract, any other repair costs can be determined and repaired via the specified advance inspection before termination date, and will be deducted from your deposit...which is its' purpose. At least there is a limit to the amount. Again...simply conform to agreement in the signed contract.

The BTS issue is in the news this week...apparently something to do with the telco network they are using...there's a meeting between parties today to resolve it, but when that will be is unknown as of now. 

For the most comfort arrange for a hotel car pickup...perhaps B1,500 from a 5* hotel...they can advise. Perhaps smaller hotels won't offer this option.

Using the Airport link might depend on your amount of baggage you have to lug along at the BKK end, if you want to transfer to the MRT at Ploenchit...it's a long hot walk . That should not be an issue if you transfer to a taxi outside. As mentioned above, it may stop at intermediate stations, but it's still it avoids traffic from the airport. However, depending on the time the train may be packed with locals from those intermediate stations.

I've mostly used a public taxi from the rank. It's been automated for a while now, and very efficient. I've never had an issue with the meter in 20 years, it's always been turned on immediately, or as they pull away. Speaking, or showing your destination in Thai language is always helpful. Typically less than B300 to Ratchadapisek/Asoke area, including the airport B50 fee.

The roads are usually heavy with traffic, but if you arrive in peak times in particular in the morning between 07:00 to 10:00, then you will be caught in the morning traffic into Bangkok, and it could increase your journey time by a factor of 2 or 3.

Google the subject.

Apply to the career/job agencies who specialize in placing foreigners into professional and executive jobs in Thailand.

e.g.:

https://www.google.co.th/search?rlz=1C1CHZL_enTH735TH735&ei=PhYzW-W8NpWv9QOhv5vYDQ&q=jobs+for+foreigners+in+thailand&oq=jobs+for+foreigners+in+thailand&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i67k1j0i7i30k1l3j0j0i30k1j0i5i30k1l4.3850.3850.0.4216.1.1.0.0.0.0.77.77.1.1.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.1.77....0.4xxmnsfMdJ4

BTW I believe it's still the case that legally a foreigners salary has to be a minimum Baht50,000 per month.

I also believe that many teaching posts offer less e.g. B30,000, so I'm not sure how that works.

Specifically for teachers:

https://www.google.co.th/search?q=salary+for+teaching+english+in+thailand&rlz=1C1CHZL_enTH735TH735&oq=salary+for+teaching+english+in+thailand&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l2.7800j1j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

https://www.internationalteflacademy.com/faq/how-much-money-can-i-make-teaching-english-in-thailand

https://www.internationalteflacademy.com/thailand-english-teaching-jobs-abroad-asia

I noticed on one of these links it's suggested that you can live comfortably on B30,000 per month, particularly outside Bangkok. I would suggest that really does depend on your definition of comfort. It certainly is nowhere near mine. You can certainly "survive" on that.

As mentioned above many expats work here on a contract from a foreign company. You should expect between B100,000 and B200,000 per month for a professional post. Once here they search for permanent opportunities. Many expats have professional business here, and make far more.

http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/thailand#starting-a-business

No governmental system suits all, or is perfect, including democratic ones elected by the people. The last few years in Thailand has been the most stable during the last 20 that I've been here...why change anything just to re-instigate the same chaotic, immature Thai form of democracy again, only to be followed by another coup in a few years, just for the sake of democratic idealism? Thailand should give up on democracy, the culture is too juvenile to handle it. A benevolent dictatorship should work better in Thai culture for a couple of generations yet until the culture matures. Look no further than Singapore for a successful form of government and successful country...try that I say.

Never had a problem using any Thai issued credit card for any credit card purchases in 20 years, either online (I buy all my Thai Airways tickets online, and make all hotel bookings online), or in retail, hotels, restaurants, gas stations, or wherever in multiple countries.

Yes, talk to your bank, but not at a branch (they tend to NOT have English speakers, possibly by policy since perhaps the cost does not justify the volume of business conducted in English language...counter staff salary is a pittance), but to their customer service numbers, and select English as the language. I've always found them very professional and helpful, on a par with any country. If you then need to visit the branch for any reason, if necessary simply have the customer service agent on the your phone with you at the counter, or else the agent at the counter can call them directly to assist with language.

No one city or town represents the reality of any country, and so it depends on what you define as the real Thailand. Pattaya is unique terms of the majority of its' activity, and there are areas in Bangkok and other towns that have similar activity to that, but most of the hundreds of villages and towns in Thailand are clearly not similar to Pattaya, but they are similar to each other. Therefore you could say that most towns represent the real Thailand, and Pattaya is not one of them.

I've always used a Thai issued Citibank VISA or Thai issued AMEX credit card, or KBank ATM card in the UK...never had any issues

1 hour ago, HHTel said:

Canada, Japan, United States		60,000 THB
Europe (incl. UK) Australia		50,000 THB
Hong Kong, Malaysia, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan		45,000 THB
China, India, Indonesia, Middle East, Philippines		35,000 THB
Africa, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam		25,000 THB
Persons working for newspapers in Thailand		20,000 TH

 

The above are the minimum salaries in order to get a work permit.  Tax to be charged will be on these salaries or above even if in fact your employer pays you less.

 

 

Note...these are monthly rates I believe.

I get sick far less here than in England or Australia, in particular for flu type symptoms. If you work in a classroom or travel in packed busses or trains a lot then of course you would be more susceptible, but that's no different than in any country.

To avoid stomach bugs anywhere, common sense dictates that you should avoid any food that you suspect may not have been prepared hygienically, and of course the more street food there is (a lot more here than in western countries, and the environment is hot and polluted), the more chance of a problem. If you are not living and working in an airconditioned environment, drink a lot of water to avoid dehydration, which can cause heatstroke as your internal organs dry up, and headaches as your brain dries up. When I am away from Bangkok and living mostly outside at weekends rather than being in my office all week, I always lose between half and one kilogram in weight due to water loss from the body, despite continually drinking many litres of water to compensate. I didn't used to compensate with water, and at the end of every weekend used to feel generally awful with body-aches and headaches. I didn't realise just how much dehydration can affect you. Now I feel great at the end of the weekend.

I doubt that aircon causes sickness, unless there is something seriously wrong with the unit...perhaps mold inside??...just have it cleaned regularly. Note that typical aircon is set around 25deg...similar to a hot summers' day in colder climates, a time when sicknesses there are typically less.

I have yet to discover any of my Thai friends or colleagues who have ever paid such fines. They tell me they never pay, they throw the documents away, and they are never followed up.

In addition I was told today that the police have been instructed (apparently at a seminar including this subject) that it is not lawful for them to prevent renewal of the vehicle tax because of non payment of a traffic offence fine, and that they could be sued if somebody so wishes.

Why expect a slight depreciation under a Junta? It's government is much more stable than the previous ones.

Go to Power Buy, usually in Home Pro or Central, rather than an independent shop. The installation and after sales follow up in case of problems would be more dependable.

The capacity required is easy to calculate.

"Inverter" type are the latest. I have several Mitsubishi Electric Mr Slim...recommended...and so quiet. No problems at all in 5 years so far.

"Mix" restaurants in Bangkok serve Baked Alaska. There are several locations. I had it at "The Shoppes" location, behind Central Rama 9. I recall that it was just average, as opposed to the rest of the menu which is always excellent at that location.

Re. "the ability to get informed of deposits and withdraws in near real time",  I use K Bank, and all transactions and resulting balances are notified by SMS to my phone. I recall requesting this feature somewhere online I think. Other banks do the same already. I believe SCB have just linked up with LINE for such notifications to cut costs. I'm not sure if this is what you mean.

For all inpatient treatment that I have ever had in Thailand the hospital have always ensured in advance that the costs will be covered, either by contacting the insurance company directly to verify that the insurance is valid, and to establish exactly what portion would be covered, or by verifying that the patient will pay by whatever means, e.g. cash or credit card. Either way the hospital have written or electronic verification in advance that the bill will be covered. If the patient is paying, then before admission they have charged an estimate of the total cost, and advised that there may be additional charges to cover the final total. However, for emergency treatment situations this procedure may be impacted depending on the ability of the patient to advise on the payment alternatives in advance, and I'm not sure how they would proceed if after emergency surgery they discover that there may be a problem with payment, howsoever caused. 

It's used in England and Australia in a derogatory way...I've heard it often...for example "bloody Asians!" when complaining about them in general by grouping them by race. 

The "Kon" in the context above meant "person', e.g. Kon Jin... describing a Chinese person. Khun" would not be the correct word to use.

Placed before forenames of both men and women "Khun" is like Mr./ Mrs. - khun Somsak = Mr Somsak; khun Mary = Mrs./Miss. Mary.

...lived hear 20 years. I often leave any small change as a tip in a taxi since I don't want small change, as long as the driver has provided a good service, otherwise no.  Only once do I recall a taxi driver being disappointed by me not giving a big tip, and that was during a heavy storm and floods, and after me waiting about 1 hour. I think his point of view was that he was doing me a favour since it was so difficult for anyone to find a taxi at that time, and that it was raining, and therefore he should be rewarded more. My view was the opposite, in that he was fully booked because of the rain rather than having to wait for the next fare. I've never experience any pressure in restaurants, certainly not in restaurant chains. If a waiter brings any change on a tray or in a folder (and how else would he bring it?) and waits, then if I deem a tip is not appropriate, then I simply take all the change. I've never felt any pressure or attitude from anyone. They simply take the tray or folder and leave. If I take a motor cycle taxi and the fare is B15, and I don't have coins, I give a B20 note and can't be bothered with coins back, but I have noticed that locals, when paying for a motor cycle taxi will painstakingly pay for the exact fair with coins and expect the exact change back if there is any due...and we are talking about just a very few Baht only.

Isn't tipping actually illegal in some countries?

Riding a motorcycle in Thailand seems to be an extension of walking, i.e. Thais don't see it as riding a vehicle that should obey road rules, they see it as a means to walk more quickly, and therefore the motorcycle goes where ever a pedestrian can go, and the same rules apply as would for a pedestrian, i.e. none.

Any utility bill is accepted as proof of address, AIS included, if lawfully translated and certified. Trendy building ground floor (at the back to the right) have a law firm that deal with all translations and certifications, notaries etc. ...price is reasonable...