Lacessit

Probably not, issues with servicing availability and resale value. In that size range, IMHO Mitsubishi Mirage, Honda Brio, Toyota Yaris or Nissan Micra would be better options.

Having said that, a low mileage used Kia Picanto would be more sensible for initial capital outlay, provided you are going to run it until it falls apart.

One only needs to do a TM30 on arrival for their long-term residence in Thailand. It's a grey area whose responsibility that is. For everywhere else, where you stay is responsible for the TM30.

My guess is in the tourist hotspots Immigration files the bits of paper away unread. In Bangkok, they don't even bother because if they did, the city would be buried in paper.

2 hours ago, jvs said:

The house is in my name and the land in a company name,laugh as much as you like!!!555

 That land you think you own is the property of the Thai who has the controlling interest in your company. Try reading the articles of association of your company- I'm assuming you can read Thai.

Part of the charm of Thailand is that everything is negotiable. That's a lot better than the overwhelming legal structures of Western countries.

The hard truth is there are some expats who think Thailand should function just like the place they come from, and are incapable of adapting or learning to speak Thai. They should be careful what they wish for.

As the OP has no documents to prove he paid 100 baht previously, why should the police at the checkpoint believe him?

3 hours ago, ujayujay said:

Simple: Read the t&c of the contract before sign

You're a better man than I am if you can fully comprehend all the fine print of most insurance contracts. They are not one-pagers for a reason.

I keep it simple by self-insuring. At my age and with pre-existing conditions, I doubt I could get health insurance anyway.

2 minutes ago, jackdd said:

I was of course relating to the "fun" part of your text, i think everybody will agree with you that riding a motorbike is way more dangerous than driving a car, but it's also much more fun

There's also fun in getting posters on TV to jump to completely erroneous conclusions. Probably have touched enough nerves for today, so bye.

3 hours ago, jackdd said:

It seems that you never rode a motorbike

I'm into my third year of a 5 year licence for a scooter here, and I own a car and scooter both. Yamaha TTX. That doesn't mean I am not fully aware of the dangers on two wheels. If anything, the road statistics are too modest. I see a lot of men and women limping with smashed feet and knees, and it's not rocket science where or how they got them.

My point is the bigger the bike, the faster it goes and the higher the risk. And if you don't care, I don't care either when someone becomes a cripple or a paraplegic. Som nam na.

One could buy a Nissan March or Honda Brio (manual) for that money, have just as much fun, and not become one of the 80% of road deaths in Thailand.

I suggest the OP learn the English translation of the Thai word "gik",. Once he accepts that's what he is, he can relax and enjoy the ride.

I'll wager burglaries in condos are a fraction of those in houses. Condo apartments have the following attributes:

Usually have security staff.

No window access.

Cannot be reconnoitered as a house can.

Access by balcony high risk.

Burglars don't know what's behind the door.

Personally, I've never heard of a condo burglary in Chiang Mai.

I must have a very good landlord, because I have never been asked to fix anything for 8 years. His agent/handyman fixes it free every time.

If I broke something, I would expect to pay for it myself. If it's normal wear and tear, no.

If it bugs the OP so much, he should think about moving out. I would be weighing up 800 baht ( or the cost of doing it myself ) against the inconvenience of moving.

I think the expression I am looking for is storm in a teacup.

On 1/27/2018 at 4:02 PM, MaeJoMTB said:

You think they prefer the general's hour a day?

The general's hour on TV is openly mocked in Northern Thailand.

2 minutes ago, Goldbear said:

 

 

If you spent two months in the county jail, you have not gone to prison.

Can you explain the difference between being in jail and being in prison. It seems to me one is a prisoner with either synonym.

The OP could try being a minimalist; i.e. don't have stuff you don't need.

1 hour ago, RichardColeman said:

Simple answer, don't retire here permanently, have an escape plan and don't put your eggs in one basket ! 

 

Way I see it, come here in retirement, live an enjoyable time while your able, go home when very old. Health care for the old sucks - unless you want to OD in your wheelchair, jump off a tall building or bloat out when having a heart attack and not found for days. 

 

 

There is plenty of affordable aged care here if you know where to look. From a full-time ex-nurse carer for 10,000 baht a month, up to 90,000 baht/month for all-found luxury nursing home care.

Every September, the Thai government compulsorily retires any nurse in a public hospital who is over 45. They are all then looking for work in aged care, as their pensions are a pittance.

If health care for the old sucks here, it sucks even worse in Australia. Ripoffs galore.

19 hours ago, MartinL said:

 

I reckon the OP, Opalred, is an Australian. They've been known to spell 'behaviour' with a 'u', too.

Australia produces over 90% of the world's opal, so his monicker is also a clue.

I've been doing something similar for 5 years.  In a village where I have never seen a police officer, let alone a person from Immigration. Ubon Joe's advice to me was the same as you have now. Don't worry about it.

9 minutes ago, yogavnture said:

or maybe because the brits tend to drink alot?  usa was a former colony and we have nothing against the brits. but the BRITISH royal family we americans cant see the value in them much

Maybe you can't see the value ( neither can I ); however, the American press and social scene seems to go gaga whenever there is a British royal visiting.

As for the drinking, I'd probably do the same if I had to live there.

2 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

 

As someone who's career was 35 years in the airline industry, I kinda-sort agree with your point about cheap air fares...but already covered that with the advent of The Internet. The Internet made everything cheaper, more accessible, more understood, more possible and e-z, etc...while allowing air carriers to literally ruin the travel agent gig. Eliminated the middle man 100%. Very few got that info from travel agents. The masses got it from The Internet. Everyone's personal travel agent at their fingertips...and free. Way more info, photos, more everything and just plain superior to any travel brochure in every possible way.

Could not agree more - why would you pay a travel agent a commission when you can do it all yourself with a laptop, printer or smartphone?

One very big travel agent in Australia was banned from advertising they had the cheapest fares because they only directed clients to airlines that paid them kickbacks. As soon as the ban expired, they were back at it again. Scum.

2 hours ago, smotherb said:

Oh please, do not underestimate your self; I think the Brits are unsurpassed in being hated; mostly by their former colonies.

We do enjoy giving them a belting in all areas of sport - most recently the Ashes.

2 hours ago, smotherb said:

I made no attempt at excusing their actions, only that the actions are not limited to Americans.  If I remember correctly, most Thais do not live in Pattaya. The point I thought we were discussing was whether or not Americans were especially bad among farangs in Thailand.

 

 

I do social research and decided to gather some data on this subject. So, let me relay this long story—read it or not.

 

 

Last night my wife, daughter-in-law, her girlfriend and I went to our favorite Thai live music venue and asked several Thais for their opinions of farangs. I realize this is anecdotal, but I wanted to gather some information. We started talking and sharing drinks with neighboring tables of Thais. I invited the band over for a drink during their break and gathered a few of the Thai customers around our table to join in. Some of their responses surprised me, but I believe I must tell you that I do not live in a tourist ghetto, I live in Hatyai, the largest city in the South of Thailand where you see few farangs and even fewer farang tourists. First, as expected, I was told all farangs were good. After a few more questions, stories and drinks, I was told the Thais appreciate farangs who try to assimilate to the Thai ways rather than those who bluster about demanding things their way. In response to which farangs are best, I drew some blank stares, as if to say, a farang is a farang. A couple of them responded they thought Americans were the best, mostly because of the American entertainment industry, but also because of the economic, educational and military alliances between the US and Thailand—however, by this time they had found out I was an American, so . . . . One other gave an example of a German as being the best, mostly from specific actions he made and the fact he spoke fluent Thai; another said Spaniards were the best because of a specific example who, like the German, spoke fluent Thai—again, assimilation to Thai ways seemed to be key. The questions began about me. The Thais were impressed that I knew some of the Thai songs, spoke a little of the language and, I think, because I drank Regency. That led some to say I was a good farang. However, I believe I am better accepted because my wife is not a Thai, she is a Filipina-American, and we chose to come live in Thailand. They were also impressed that my daughter-in-law is Thai, but were somewhat curious that she is awaiting her US immigrant visa to join our son in Florida. Then, the questions for my daughter-in-law began. The inevitable, how did she meet my son, what sort of work does she do, how many children, how many marriages, etc., ad infinitum.  Many seemed to be trying to understand why she wanted to live in the States—well, she has been married to an American for five years, their son is an American citizen, she does speak fluent American, she has worked for an American Oil & Gas multinational for the last eight years, she has already been to Houston on business and her favorite foods are pizza and barbecue. So, she has none of that normal Thai girl fear of the unknown or of being deprived of Thai people and things.

 

 

My take from this: I think assimilation to Thai ways and making Thai friends is the key to being accepted here. I believe Americans were stated as being the best, because I was an American and I was assimilating. The two who mentioned the German and the Spaniard may have actually had such friends or were simply trying to negate Americans as best—time and further research is needed to tell.

 

 

 

I agree with you assimilation is the key factor. I would not claim to be fully assimilated myself, as I certainly have different musical tastes to the Thais. Food - about 85% assimilated.

I am impressed you can drink Regency - I'm not brave enough to try Thai spirits again. The only time I did ( Hong Thong ) I had a bad hangover, and I simply don't have them with Scotch or bourbon.

3 hours ago, smotherb said:

Gee, you mean young men averaging 19-21years of age, who have been locked away at sea for months, but now have a pocket full of money and are let loose in sin city. No, I just can't imagine what they may do. So please tell me about British, German, Russian, Chinese or Japanese sailors on liberty in sin city.

Get a grip. I'm not aware of the above nationalities going on R&R in Pattaya. American sailors are painfully obvious.

So their age or occupation excuses their conduct? BS. On that basis, we can excuse Catholic priests for their pedophilia because they have been celibate too long.

While I have no desire to be the spelling police, I must admit I had a giggle out of the OP's "sceptic tank".