swissie

26 minutes ago, QuantumQuandry said:

 

Actually, if you have money and a lawyer, you can effectively get divorced.  They just call it annulment, rather than divorce.

 

Also, if it's not actually registered in your home country, separation is more likely to affect her (in that she can't remarry) than it is you.  As long as you don't go putting a house in her name or something like that...

Very valuable information. Thanks. May this spread among Farangs, heading for the Philippines.

14 hours ago, The Fugitive said:

Ex GF did a nasty trick on me. She went to the police (not Thailand) and reported me for narco-trafficking. I wasn't in the country at the time. A neighbour messaged me that there was a notice affixed to my gate ordering me to attend a local police station on the date/time stated.

By all means, keep us posted. Does your handle "the fugitive" has anything to do with all of this?

28 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

 

Only in Thailand?  Women the world over try to destroy a man financially whenever the relationship ends, even if they end it.

Only remedy: Pre-marriadal agreements. Setteling matters in case of divorce.

Remarkably: Single since 10 years. Have met several women, willing to marry me. But as soon as I mentioned some pre-marriadal agreements, their desire to marry me has evaporated quickly. Especially when I stipulated that "My money is my money and your money is your money". All said.

Not to worry, 20 years from now (at least in "the west") marriages without pre- marriage agreements will not be officially approved.

Unless the law has changed: It is easy to marry a Philippine female. But the same law makes it impossible to divorce (Catholizism in it's purest form).
Ergo: Think twice boys.

Clearly, OP has disclosed something to the lady, that he shoulden't have disclosed in the first place.

 With this knowledge she is practising "Extortion". As simple as that.

Recommendation: If you have murdered your mother in law in the home country, of have been operating a Opium-Den in Thailand, never tell something like that to your Thai Girlfriend. Over.

During my time in the US, I always admired the fact, that low income people were allowed to live in so called "Mobile Home Parks", with a little garden in front. (Never available in Europe for long-term residents). Now the space rent is 500/month?

Those figures are related to "Cities" (smaller or bigger), But I bet, that even today I could park my travel trailer in the middle of Kansas with a farmer for very little money, especially if I would feed the pigs twice a day and look after the chicken.

Only drawback: Not much spare-time Hoopla-Hoopla and the nearest hospital 100 miles away.

PS: What's the space rent in Quarzsite, Arizona, these days?

4 hours ago, Mike Lister said:

Thanks, but my questions were not about the advantages of 3 fund portfolio but the disadvantages of holding more. I currently hold 12 funds comprising 60% equities, 22% bonds and 18% money market and cash. Im 50% tracker and 50% global managed funds but rather than have a single global tracker I've gone for regional trackers. That means I can switch in and out of regions without having to rebalance the entire portfolio. Cases in point, the US has been good but EM is in the doldrums, India has been excellent but China is a dog. I'm starting to become very comfortable with things but I'm not quite there yet.

IMO: Your portfolio-mix is just fine. A 3 fund index fund portfolio is over-diversification, I find. (Too many potential "laggards" stifeling the potentional "high flyers").

Talking about Diversification: How about adding some commodities to the mix, especially now, that some Gurus see a future "Bull Cycle" in Industrial Materials just around the corner (after those materials have already increased remarkably= the usual).

The problem: Most commodities are traded via futures markets. Most of the time, most markets are in a "Contago" situation. Causing constantly "roll-over" losses. In the end, it's called the "carrying-charge". This makes long-term investing in commodities "investor- unfriendly". To take a look at "financing cost", look here (only during trading hours available):

https://www.oanda.com/uk-en/trading/financing-costs/?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTXpSbE1UVTFOV1prTkRJMSIsInQiOiJ5RThTZWpJbDVSU3J5MDBwdGg5MmVBa2toUjFydjRPbTQ3VWNFbG9iQ1ZvR0FMekE5OWlZcElzOW5VTWZXajJnK3JGYU1BanRkMzQ3Q1lyWkF0cjFkYm9YYmpCUmhCQWdTbkNSTE1iTFJ5aEhJcUoyaG5wYjVWK0VscURpUE1iUCJ9

How to avoid those costs: Store your Gold under the mattress, store your 50 tons of Copper in your cellar, next to your collection of single malt whyskey. That is also a commodity. The only "carrying charge" would be some insurance, especially if you have a family member that spends a lot of time in the cellar.

4 hours ago, Mike Lister said:

Thanks, but my questions were not about the advantages of 3 fund portfolio but the disadvantages of holding more. I currently hold 12 funds comprising 60% equities, 22% bonds and 18% money market and cash. Im 50% tracker and 50% global managed funds but rather than have a single global tracker I've gone for regional trackers. That means I can switch in and out of regions without having to rebalance the entire portfolio. Cases in point, the US has been good but EM is in the doldrums, India has been excellent but China is a dog. I'm starting to become very comfortable with things but I'm not quite there yet.

Yes, China has been a dog. But ready to turn into the "primaballerina" of the world again. Why? Because the Chinese Government has decided so.

On 5/1/2024 at 10:30 AM, Mike Lister said:

I manage a pot of money that is an inheritance that will be left to someone else, it's about 100k Pounds so not huge. In the past I've invested those funds similar to the way I've invested my own funds, but lately I've decided to put those investments on automatic! 

 

I'm going to put a large portion into global trackers, but I can't decide whether it's better to put them into something global such as HSBC FTSE All World or whether I should put them into separate index trackers such as S&P 500, FTSE Developed EU and FTSE 350 etc. 

 

The problem with global trackers is you have no choice but to take the ride when one market goes South. At least with individual index trackers it's easy to shut down say the US or UK investments without impacting everything else.

 

Does anyone have a view on this?

Next to real estate, stocks were a good investement for over 100 years. Well supported by economic growth, increasing productivity. But mainly limited to "the west".
Some thinkers believe, that inspite of AI etc etc, the west has hit a certain economical ceiling, whereas "the rest of the world" has plenty of catching-up to do.
Therefore, you going on "automatic", I think that a "world tracker" should be considered, as most of future economic growth will take place "in the rest of the world" and not "in the west". If (over a period of 20 years) this should not have produced satisfactory results, you are free of blame:

a) "The rest of the world" has not produced any economical growth.
b) Some weirdo going by "swissie" on ASEAN NOW has recommended this, blame him.

On 4/27/2024 at 2:37 AM, Mike Lister said:

Does anyone understand even a little bit, what the heck is going on in markets currently because I don't!

 

S&P way over valued but pushing higher, despite the yield curve remaining inverted and bond yields touching 5% and inflation coming in hot!!! 

 

I am reminded of the phrase, "markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent".

 

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wall-street-humbled-fast-reversing-203427974.html

Just a theory: For decades (mainly in Europe), The "working class" has saved their money to purchase a house with garden. But in the meantime a house and garden is no more affordable for them. Mainly the case in Europe, less so in the US, so far.

But still some savings are accumulated. If not enough for a house, still enough to buy some stocks. Perhaps those savings find their way into the stock markets, providing the "liquidity" that fuels any broad based Bull market, regardless of any other "logical inputs".

"Excess Money" (savings) will end up somewhere. Currently preferrably in the stock markets. Regardless of other "logical inputs".

While currently everybody including his uncle is mesmorised by the performance and resiliancy of the stock markets, I have decided to re-direct my funds to greener pastures.

The term "investement advisor" is still a unclassified profession. Everybody including his uncle can call himself an "investement advisor".

17 minutes ago, still kicking said:

So what? in Switzerland you speak 4 languages 

The four national languages of Switzerland are German, French, Italian, and Romansh. German, French, and Italian maintain equal status as official languages at the national level within the Federal Administration of the Swiss Confederation, while Romansh is used in dealings with people who speak it.

Official: German, French, Italian, Romansh

It took centuries to form something like "Switzerland". Never having a chance to emerge as a "world power". But some mountain tribes decided that the rule of the "Habsburgs" had  to end. The result was that many small "countries" joined the "Swiss Confederation". Small is beautiful, nevermind the 4 languages, still in effect and causing no problems.

Knowing that we would be too small to affect "world happenings", we decided to stay neutral. =May the "world powers" bang each others head in. We rather not partake.

What if: All countries turn "Neutral"?  No interferance of other countries internal affairs?  Switzerland as a shining example?

Can not see why this thread has been moved to "The war in Ukraine", as the thread of "Why are Russians fleeing to Thailand" still remains in the "pub forum". It adresses the same configuration be it in Thailand or Europe.

But I suppose that as long as Russian Tourists can support themselves, they are welcome. Once they run out of money, Thai authorities will find a way to "unload" them to Europe.

But as long as they have money to spend (as usual), everybody is welcome in Thailand. Seems to me that "ASEAN NOW" is supportive of this concept.

14 minutes ago, NativeBob said:

during Exodus'22 some cities turn into temporary passages for refugees from Central and Eastern UA. Also they didn't/don't fancy each other and speak different languages. 

Driving through arabesque suburbs with empty households....  what a blazing temptation!
What I heard is that within first weeks most of non-geriatric population of those regions simply vanished.

PS: does it matter who actually DID looting?

In the eastern Ukraine they speak Russian, In the western Ukraine they speak Ukrainian. Just another Russian slang. Same as US southern slang compared to the slang of Boston. Still undersrtanding each other.

28 minutes ago, Sigmund said:

Europeans are fed up in seing the billions going to ukraine and the high costs spent to finance their stay in major european countries. The main point is not to give them asylum as it is for humanitarian grounds. The point is that most will not leave and also the mafias sneak in by posing as refugees etc.

 

As usual, it's the rich elites who flee in general, leaving the weak and the poor back home to be used as Canon meat on the front lines of combat.

 

America started this war in a subjective provocation for years from the wings. So up to the USA to take them in America and give them free houses, medical care etc etc. Europe is massively going to the far right groups in the forthcomming elections of the European parliament and that is neither a good thing.

 

Europeans (and many americans)  are also getting fed up in seeing the war crimes in Gaza under total protection  of America towards the concerned,  while on the other hand harsh sanctions against Russia are imposed and creating global inflation.

 

Not to mention the hushed up scandals of embezzlement of western money in Ukraine like the missing 400 millions reported by Pulitzer price US journalist S.Hersh. As usual, those who really need help in Ukraine are the last who will receive it.

Let's remember: Before the war, the Ukraine was classified as corrupt as Russia, making it impossible to join the "EU". Just as a reminder.

9 minutes ago, Sigmund said:

And 100'000 thousand will end up staying for good, once they bring in their brothers, husbands or boyfriends ?

No magic. All very predictable.

22 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

No Thanks!

 

PS; BTW What are your grits?

 

PPS;  I suspect I will not either like or understand the response!

"Kiss my grits" is somewhat of an outdatet term, sometimes still used in the southern states of the US. In todays lingo it would mean something like "f+ck-up, leave me alone".

3 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

What facts and what links to back them up?

Facts? Easy, government statistics. 70'000 refugees from the Ukraine in my (small) home country.

8 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Kiss my grits

I woulden't go this far. But true"southern slang" warms my heart. Long live "dixie".

7 minutes ago, NativeBob said:

@swissieThere's very useful feature on this forum called "Ignore".

 

On the subject - friend ("friendly contractor") left Western Ukraine on the fifth day of that special operation to Moldova first than Romania. He is programming expert of level 1000 and found no problem with new work/job. Back home he had a house, garden, smaller house for musical instruments as a hobby, car, bike and BBQ place. It was looted almost same week he and his family left. Sad story.

Yes, where will those people return? 

Yes, sad story. But to this very day, there were no Russian soldiers in the "Western Ukraine". Who did the looting? His neighbors?

PS: I would never put JT on ignore, as (on a good day), he is perfectly able to deliver good in depth analysis of a wide array of subjects. 

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

This topic itself is troll city.

Judging by your past contributions you can do much better than that. Try again. Deliver pro's and con's based on facts outlined in my OP.

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Putin thanks you for your anti Ukrainian propaganda.

How do you connect this to Putin and propaganda? Just comparing the faith of Ukrainian/Russian refugees.

What about the Ukrainians fleeing to Europe?

In 80% of the Ukraine, no war takes place. Most Ukrainians never felt the need to flee. Still, 10 thousands of Ukrainian refugees ended up in Europe. Less than 10% are gainfully employed in Europe and language/integration courses are not in much demand by the refugees. Preferring to live on welfare benefits.       As opposed to Russian refugees in Thailand, where they have to pay for their livelyhood.

Someday the war will end. I could imagine that refugees returning to the Ukraine will not receive a warm "welcome back" by their countrymen.

There is so much more to it:

For decades, Government Statistics "prove" that the average wage earners are better off than ever. Really?

My dad was the only provider, my mother never had to work. We had a good life, lacking nothing. Therefore, how come, that in todays Europe, mom and dad have to work to make ends meet? Same in Thailand. Have 2 stepdaughters, both married, having good jobs at the Bank and Industry. But mom and dad have to work, otherwise they could not afford to live in Bangkok.

If in the olden days a single provider could "carry" a family. Today it takes 2 "earners". So how do Government Statistics derive their "better off than ever" from?

Today we have to deal with "fake news". But long before we have appearantly and obviously been fed with "fake statistics". To "fine tune" and "adjust" the basket of consumer goods is paradise for government "statiscians", wanting to low ball annual inflation rates.

After the recent "setback" of the markets, investors ponder once more the all important question:
- Was this just a technical correction or is the Bear knocking on the door?

My 2 cents worth: The hopes of steadily declining interest rates for the rest of the year are in question (at least concerning the US). Next weeks earnings reports by big (tech) companies better be within (high) expectations. Disappointing results may well trigger more market "correction".

This brings us back to square 1: At what point turns a "market correction" into a Bear Market?

To anyone giving me a clue, I will pay a commission of a buck and a half plus give the phone number of my ex-wife.