swissie

Thailand has gotten better over the years when it comes to "lagalities" concerning a Farang. Also a bit better in Cambodia. But Laos remains in some sort of Stone Age. The personal destiny (Farang and otherwise), still depends of the whim of local power-brokers, as the OP has experienced already. To invest any mayor long term (immovable) funds in current Laos borders on lunacy.

Fine, money and power. But to go down in History is the main driving force for "Dictators" once enough money and power have been accumulated. Our children stlill learn in classrooms about Napoleon , Julius Ceasar and Alexander the Great. Once money and power are achieved, immortality is the last aim. Putin is on that track. Having instructed Kindergarden Teachers in Russia to convey to the toddlers, that Russia will be great again. This "great again" narrative sounds familiar to me, from the other side of the world.

Why is it, that some Western Newssources "know" about Russian losses? But not "knowing" about Ukrainian losses? The Ukrainian losses are a well kept secret.

Most of the above countries will not rush to the defence of Europe. "Putins armaments almost exhausted"? Stay away from Social Media Newssources. If anyone is running out of armaments it's the Ukraine.

For hundreds of years, the Russian Tsars knew that Europe was well equipped to resist Russian expansionist dreams. Same during the rule of the Red-Tsars during the cold war. - Today, Europe is practically defensless, compared to before. Todays Tsar will be tempted to march on, once the Ukraine is "neutralised". Vladimir knowing that European "nuclear defenses" will never be activated. Why not? Because western philosophy has it: Better to learn Russian than turn Europe into a uninhabitable waistland for the next 3000 years. Tsar Vladimir knows it. Over the last 1000 years, never were the chances favoring Russian Expansionism westward better than today.

For a Farang, you are entering the "legal-djungle". REMEMBER how fast the rules can change when it came to your HAM Radio activities? Near the Mekong? Buy or build a "Houseboat". As in Thailand and Laos, this can be registerd in your name. If things get "unpleasant" you can move your home. - Buy 2 larger vessels, link them together (this is called a "catamaran"), build a 1 story small house on top. - Or put a so called "knock down" house on the property. Knock down= a house that can be easily dismanteled and moved by a low bed truck. "Knock-Downs" are available in Thailand. Google is your friend.

Yes, "dull" they are. Being stranded on a remote island, I wish that my stranded fellows would be "Swissies". While a mix of other nationals will soon bang each others heads in, fighting over the dwindling supply of coconuts, the "swissies" will conduct lenghty democratic discussions, in order to distribute the remaining coconuts fairly, while chanting the national anthem frequently. Granted, all very "dull".

The above mentioned criteria are (still) in effect. But lo and behold, to live in Switzerland is expensive. Permanent residency requires a well paying job and/or a "fat wallet". (Tina Turner qualifyed). June, July, August is fine. Otherwise the weather sucks (mostly). "Swissies" are a benighn/friendly people, but it takes time before one is accepted as a friend. Quite the opposite to Americans, where you can gain a "friend" after having bought him 2 beers.

GENERAL QUESTION: Can assets from a WISE/REVOLUT account be withdrawn in form of cash? - If not: Hands off !!!

I would like to offer another clue, helping to shed a light on Donalds "character". - Look at the pictures of Donald and his wife Melania. The facial expression of Melania when she is near Donald speak louder than a thousand words. Her facial expressions ranging from "bored/detached" to "utter discust". This is not the way a happy camper looks. When she tries to smile, her smile comes accross as forced and unnatural (fake). This tells me more about Donalds character than anything else.

Yes indeed, the 200 year old FINPOL Elite should be replaced. Today, it's: If you have the money you rule. If you don't have the money you don't rule. Thus, rebuilding the entire US political arena? By whom or by what? Unfortunately, Donald will not "rebuild" anything. He will be the "wrecking ball" of what we today call "the western world". Standing for Democracy, free speach, free trade. The funeral of the century.

I am not a Thai-Visa expert. But it seems that certain nationals (mainly Russians & Chinese) have been blessed with "easy visa privileges". But not us pale faced Farangs. Why not? -Long before any Russian or Chinese visitors set foot on Thai soil, the pale faced Farangs were helping to pump-up the Thai economy. Be it by awakening some fishing villages or bringing some "vibrancy" to a former waistland called "The Isan". Shouldn't those pale faced "pioneers" get some "easy visa privileges", instead of some other "nuveau riche" foreighn devils, that 20 years ago they didn't even know where or what Thailland is? Is it any wonder that an increasing number of pale faced "pioneer Farangs" get the impression that they have overstayed their welome in Thailand? (Now having to pay taxes on foreighn earned income, etc etc). Generally, any form of "gratitude" toward non Thai's is not required. "The moor has done his duty". Unfortunately, there is the favorite mantra of the pale faced Farangs: TIT = This is Thailand (and nothing can be done about it). Very much enforcing the view of certain Thai officials, that the "pale faced moors have done their duty". - Nothing is so hard as mens ingratitude.

I take this as an order, I will go with "Lulu". If it doesn't work I can blame you. OIL: The Saudies have kicked off a big Infrastructure Program. They need 90$ / Barrel to stem it. Oil is solid. Otherwise Warren Buffet would not have increased his stake in 2 major oil producers recently.

This may well have been discussed here before. Then I missed it. Sorry. One can overdose on a lot of things with life threatening results. - Have so far not come accross a situation concerning "overdosing" on Viagra or Cialys. What would be the worst scenario by "overdosing" those medications?

Actually no twitching for 2 days. Gone for now. My Romanian clairvoyant Gypsie tells me, that when the Eye twitching stops, there is a good chance that some increased twitching in the underwear will take place. If that happens, I would not take any counter-measures.

Looking back, diversyfied Long Therm investors could not have lost. As opposed to "traders". The statistics of my broker tell me that 76% of traders lose money. Exeption: Investors, having bougt the Nikkey 225 in 1989 had to wait over 30 years to break even. Unfortunately, at a certain age, long term investing becomes questionable, as time is no more on ones side. Especially now, when everything looks "pricy", and especially if there are no worthy heirs around. What should I do? Start trading and lose money and crying in my pretzels, or should I invest in the charms of the ladies at "Lulu's Bar and Grill"?

General consensus is, that come November it will be a close call. What does that really mean? It means that close to half of American voters will vote for Donald. A person, that most of the rest of the world see as a pompous self centered radical moron. This in itself is nothing short of frigtening. - Or is it so, that Americans are so tired of the FINPOL elite, that has ruled this country for over 200 years, that they vote for anyone, as long he is not part of the established FINPOL elite? FINPOL Elite = Financial / Political Elite.

As the OP, I allow myself to remind posters that this is not a general discussion between Trumpists and Bidonists. It's about "How will a possible presidency of Donald affect your lifestyle while living overseas". Concerning Government benefits, pensions, taxes, marrying a non US citizen overseas etc etc etc............. Just things concerning the future size of your wallet as an Expat. Please stay on topic. The possibility of a civil war in the US are disussed in an other sub-forum.

Concerns my righ eye. I experience lower eye-lid "flickering". As if an electric current goes thru my lower eye-lid, causing "nervous vibrations". If comes and goes. Eye-Doctor finds nothing wrong with the eye itself. Strange.

Not having filed any FBAR, my question remains: Will I be arrested at any US Airport upon entry?

So far , purely hypothetical: As a US Citizen what would change for you as an Expat in Thailand if Donald would become president?

In Europe, an increasing number of pensioneers relocate to "third world countries" as the pension benefits will not allow for a "decent-living" in their home countries anymore. (Political discussions concerning this matter are in full swing in Europe). THE TRAP: Those undercapitalised "pensioneer-fugitives" have not the financial means to cover lenghty hospital costs nor are they able to pay for any private health insurance. Only conclusion: Unless you have a fat wallet, stay in your home country once you have qualified yourself as "an old men" with limited financial resources. - There was once a movie "No country for old men". Unless one has a fat wallet, Thailand is also just a "No country for old men". Hopes, of finding financial relief by the "Thai-Family" or the Embassy of the home country in case of financial emergency are usually dashed quickly. A tropical Paradise without a fat wallet is not available. Nowhere. Have known a numer of undercapitalised Farangs, claiming that upon their demise, they will die in their bed in Thailand. But those were exactly the ones that have run up astronomical hospital bills in the end. Much to the disadvantage of the Thai Hospital and Thai Society. Again: Unless well capitalised, "Thailand is no country for old men". No matter how young your Thai Wife is.

Holy smoke! Are the retired folks (called "Snowbirds" in Arizona) starting to kill each other? Or have the youthful gangs of L.A. discovered that "old folks" in Quartzsite are easy prey? Unthinkable 20 years ago.

On my US Passport, on page 4, § 6 it says: "All US ctizens working and residing overseas are required to file and report on their worldwide income". Hmmm? FBAR: Every account + 10.000 $ must be reported. (= practically every US citizen, assuming with confidence that his foreighn account is heavier than $ 10K). I never filed with the FBAR. Question: Having not filed, will I be arrested on any US-Airport upon entry of the US ? This is meant as a serious question. During my time in the US I was always remembered by my US friends: "Whatever you do, don't mess with the IRS"!

Talking about NVIDIA: According to a recent Bank of America study, the value of NVIDIA is now equivalent of ALL THE STOCKS TRADED ON THE HONG KONG STOCK EXCHANGE !!! Welcome to the "Tulip Mania" of 2024.