AtoZ

On 5/23/2019 at 2:28 AM, SuperTed said:

This is a PKK change only, due to a new head of MOE. The national rules referred to were introduced three or four years ago. All private Thai language schools in PKK are affected.

Negotiations between regulator and schools are happening next week. All this info is from the school admin.

What is PKK?

According to Google; The Kurdistan Workers' Party or PKK (Kurdish: Partiya Karkerên Kurdistanê‎) is a Kurdish far-left militant and political organization based in Turkey and Iraq.

On 5/13/2019 at 2:30 PM, JSixpack said:

Why not? Because mods would have no power to keep order. Would get violent very quickly. Arrests, publicity, fines, deportation, the whole bit. 

would be like Game of Thrones final fight, but with walking sticks

9 hours ago, dbrenn said:

And I haven't even started on the national gateway: that dilapidated and festering sore that is Manila airport.

 

Some parts of the Philippines may be nice for a visit. Just bring your own food, medicine, etc, and fly back to Thailand when you get sick of the place.

lol, you can get great western food in most tourist places for 1/3 of the cost in Thailand

of course if you like your som tum and sticky rice, then stick to Thailand

I don't like Cebu City much - that's the place I consider for nothing to do.

Boracay is amazing, but yes it is busy with tourists.

Bohol/Panglao beaches are on the low side, and the prices are often even more than Boracay

2 hours ago, pegman said:

Thanks, I'm not sure the same exists in Canàda. Any of my countrymen know? 

It exist in every developed country.

Alternatively you can open account with Schwab - they also have ETFs where purchase / sale is totally free and no annual cost for the account.

7 minutes ago, BestB said:

Rule Number Two, instead of buying 1 for 5 million, you should buy 2-4 for 1 million, plenty of people including locals willing to pay 5000-7000 per month, over those willing to pay 30 000 per month.

The problem is that people able to pay 5-7k are generally way more problematic than those who can pay 30k

3 minutes ago, madmen said:

besides earning an income would require a work permit 

No, you don't need work permit to rent a condo.

But legally you are obligated to pay tax on the income.

3 hours ago, madmen said:

never paid a bean in tax last 12 years

So you are a tax criminal?

As far as I know rental income in Bangkok is income generated in Thailand which is taxable.

5 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I prefer 'Boss' or 'Sir' to 'Farang'.

Just a personal choice you understand.

Yea so polite and nice people

Sir, Madam everywhere - and not faking it, but genuinely sweet human beings.  

Hell my Thai gf doesn't get half as nice treatment even in Thailand. And she doesn't fit any bit of the profile that isn't desirable (ie tattoos, dark skin, esaan)

24 minutes ago, JaiLai said:

The food in PI is crap.

Once you pull your head out of your arse you will find out PI has amazing western food available everywhere for 50% of the cost in Thailand.

Only the local food sux, but what can you expect for the price? Sushi and caviar?

19 hours ago, Chodi25 said:

Actually even if you have a 1 year visa in Vietnam you still have to do a boarder run every 90 days. I know, it makes no sense but that is the system they have. They also give preference to Americans for 1 year visa. Go figure that. Those Americans still have to do the 90 day border runs. Crazy system.

Not really, there is 1 year visa when you don't need to exit. Just pay the fee, done.

You can also stay in Philippines for 18 months without leaving.

On 3/22/2019 at 11:47 AM, BritManToo said:

I actually started a thread about this, why do so many posters on this forum wish other people (they don't know) harm?

It's certainly a strange phenomenon. 

Because many old farts don't want competition from young, financially independent guys.

2 hours ago, JackThompson said:

Work a year, and then keep paying into the Thai health system.  It's about that much, but also does not cover cancer, etc - so you need supplemental coverage - same as the PI.

I worked 12+ hours a day, 7 days a week for years in order to free myself from 9-5 rat race

2 hours ago, JackThompson said:

The Filipino cultural mindset is more accessible / familiar to Western people, due to a common religion and being dominated by Spain for centuries, and then the USA.  It will, therefore, seem more "normal" than a culture with much greater independent evolution in recent centuries.

By nicer and happier I mostly meant when they sing, dance, and genuinely smile and are friendly towards you.

Security guards, 711 staff, students randomly on the streets - singing and dancing. You don't see happiness in Thailand that much anymore. Students hugging each other and being nice to each other instead of fighting. Of course non of it is always, but I mean generally.

As you pointed you can find all negatives in Manila, I don't count Manila as livable part of the PH.

4 minutes ago, gentlemanjackdarby said:

The general consensus is the for about USD 325, PhilHealth is worth it from the perspective of getting one into the hospital and 'keeping the hospital honest' from a cost perspective but, in my view, other health insurance is essential

And what insurance do you get for $28 a month in Thailand?

Kick in the ass from hospital property to die on the street?

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Should have clarified my comments...  rephrase... I'm struggling to find a country [I'd want to live in] where those who don't meet the Immigration requirements can still live.....

No, you made your point clear. But didn't expect anyone to show you otherwise.

If there are only 2 or 3 countries in the world to fit your requirements then your previous comment is fluff with no substance.

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

(I actually prefer Cambodia and Vietnam, Philippines would be my 3rd choice)

Just curious why this choice? For me it's 1. Philippines, 2. Vietnam, 3. Thailand

only reason I spend way too much time in Thailand is because we have (farang) friends there and my gf is Thai

1 minute ago, rickudon said:

 

If you still have a home in the UK, i wouldn't sell yet, you might need it if Thailand prices you out.

Makes sense... when the country where most most of the people earn 7 pounds a day

Out price those when 7 pounds hardly buys a meal.

It means something is fishy.

This time is different. Thailand will soon take over the world, Thai will be the standard language and 1 THB = $15

You know when people start worrying that something is not going to end, panicking to buy in. That's when the bubble bursts.

12 hours ago, SpokaneAl said:

Thailand seems to me to be one of the least healthiest places to live. Hot, dirty, chemically laden fruits and vegetables - it takes real effort to exercise regularly and maintain one’s health.

Don't forget feral dogs which extremely limits your chance of walking / biking without risking rabbies