swissie

Some of the strongest lyrics in a pop song ever. Timeless. Some older folks can relate. I can.

I am sure there is something to it. Drinking liberal amounts of beer versus drinking liberal amounts of hard liquor makes a difference. In medevil times the water in big cities was a source of diseases of all kinds. So people drank beer. Even children. It saved uncountable lives. 60 years ago, on construction sites and in factories beer was the ultimate thirst quencher. Lastly: "God gave us beer, showing us that he loves us". Benjamin Franklin.

Sometimes, "run of the mill" investors like me are occasionally confronted by financial Enigmas. The most recent Enigma I face (causing me irregular bowel movement plus hot flashes in the middle of the night) is the price of Copper. Because: " Global copper stocks have fallen to record lows, with current inventories enough to supply world consumption for just 4.9 days. Freeport-McMoran was also vocal about shortage risks, stating that the current low prices do not reflect the tightness in the physical market". As the global "electrification"progresses, copper will play a major part, plus low inventories, Copper should be heading north. But no, the price of Copper resembles the behavior of a beached whale. My 95 year old Romanian clairvoyant gypsie lady recommends patience. She claims that currently there are so many financial Enigmas in existance, that her crystal ball has gone into "overload-modus", not producing any results anymore. Rats!

For most of caucasian males, the last 60 years were financially "good". If born in the "right countries", that is. No generation had it this good before, even "little people" participating. Lo and behold, until recently, even world poverty/hunger on the retreat. Yet, a multitude of indicators imply that a reversal of this fortunate trend is in the making. Therefore, I look back with gratitude over the last 60 years. Personally, I recall 2 phases of unrestricted carefree living. Between 1965 to 1973. I already had a little money in my pocket during a time when a cultural talent explosion took place. Just thinking of the avalanche of (pop) music that moved the world during this time still makes my heart soar like an eagle. Then again between 1997 and 2005 a second phase of carefree living for me. This took place in Thailand. But that's another story. Overall, our generation should be happier than we are. But perhaps there is a something like a "happiness-saturation-level", dulling our senses when it comes to count our blessings.

I still own "pseudo-property" in the Thai sticks. Inspite of inflation, I could still live on 20K Bht/month. Laptop and girlfriend included. Plus an occasional big cigar. My fragile health keeps me anchored in Europe. Unfortunately.

To predict exchange rates 20 years into the future is impossible. Depending on "home currency", some have lost buying power versus the BHT. Swiss Franc holders have not. Many that have deciced to make Thailand their new home in the past needed all their funds to make this happen in Thailand. In other words: They had to put all their eggs in one basket. It takes a lot of eggs to financially diversify. Many did not have the necessary amount of eggs to diversify.

I personally am NOT in this situation.

Expats in Thailand have it good. While 30% of Europeans wonder how they are going to pay next winters heating bills (eat or heat), Farangs in Thailand have it comperatively "good". Of course, complaining about the humid and hot summers, Thai-Immigration in general, the Thai Family spending too much of your money are minor standart complaints by Farangs and re occurring like clockwork. Minor complaints compared to the worries of some folks that live in one of the richests parts of the world, I find. As it shows, to live in a country, not playing a major role in international politics, with an economy basically "autark" if need be, is not such a bad place to be after all. While in Thailand, always good to count your money, but don't forget to count your blessings as well.

Baguio (Phil) hit by an earthquake today. Plenty of volcanos / earthquakes in the Philippines. It's one thing to dance on a volcano (Pattaya), another thing it is to reside near a volcano. ???? -------------- Portugal: Property prices in expat saturated areas have indeed increased almost exponentionally, compared to 5 years ago. RESULT: Plenty ou EU Retirees living in motorhomes year round. (Can park anywhere for free including the many "Camping Rustico" sites). Persistent rumors have it, that this "modern day, uncontrolled Gypsydom" will come to an end soon. One more door closing.

Thanks. Informative. This confirms what I mentioed in an other thread: "The doors are closing". (For average mortals). On the other hand, I am quite sure that a $ 10 Million investement would give any person some sort of "permanent residence" in most countries. Rats! That makes me a second class "world citizen".

The usual suspects: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Ecuador, Mexico. But this is where you come in: I don't know of any other person that has put so much effort into looking at "Immigration-Rules" globally like you did. By now, you must be the ultimate authority in this field. Name your latest favourite countries. Don't hide your sheffel under your bushel. Or is it the other way around?

In majoer cities and tourist hub's yes. For same sex couples, it is still not recommended to hold hands in a small Portugise village.

Rats! Blimey! H*ll and damnation. Our european grandfathers didn't know what a Visa was. They paid for the ships passage and went everywhere they wanted to go. Now we have visa's. Filtering who can go where and for how long. Todays trend: a) Bring a lot of money or b) be a highly professional with a rare skill, otherwise we don't want you. The alternative, to settle in some doubious 3rd world countries with less stringent visa requirements is not very tempting as long as one will have to live in a "gated community" with 2 heavily armed Bodyguards at your side 24/7. Thailand is nice this time of year. Best: Thai visa requiremnts are (still) relatively "nice" all year round. Count your blessings.

Portugal, as all countries deeply rooted in Catholicisme have little tolerance for "alternative sexual orientations". Of importance to some.

Scottland? Try the south of Ireland instead. Thanks to the gulf stream, even the winters are bearable. Similar landscape, frendly outgoing people. Most major companies have their call centers in Ireland. Hiring "native speakers" to serve their customer base in most countries. Companies take care of work permits. So a legal stay without a major investement becomes possible. Salary is "adequate" but not opulent. Drawbacks: Housing in cities is expensive. Depending on country (nationality), home country may curtail state retirement benefits as the retiree has "an income". Depends on country. Conclusion: Unless tired of SE/Asian culture, yearnig to go back to cultural werstern roots, just stay in SE/Asia as your western "hard currency" will go much farther here than in any other western country.

Let it be said. Everyone, having studied Thai Girls intensively must find everything in the West somewhat stifling in comparison.

Yep! Recently everything was down with the exeption of the US$. Global Stocks and certain commodities are close to important support-levels. Making a modest "upward-bounce" likely. To be used to add to short positions. As a hedge, long Copper, in case the markets decide that the economic problems of the world have vanished overnight.

Can't heat my appartement with "culture".

The west boring? Hang around for a couple of months. Especially in Europe. Recession coming, Ukraine conflict swapping over to "mainland Europe" (one way or the other). This in combination with a harsh winter will eliminate any feelings of boredom. Countries and societies, where "survival of the fittest" has become the norm will not allow for boredom anymore. Quite the opposite: We would be living "in highly interesting times". A case in point: Nobody would oppose the fact, that Germany is a so called "rich" country. (Export champion, Europes economic locomotive etc etc). But it is this very (rich) country where governement programs must be implemented so that 1/4 of the population will be able to heat AND eat in the coming winter. How will the "poorer" European countries fare, I wonder. Bored in Europe? Be careful what you wish for.

Have lived in Thailand on and off since 1995. Regardless where I lived, I kept in contact with a number of Farangs and a number of Thai Lady friends. My last aquaintance has died 2 days ago. The last Mohikan. All others have died before. Remarkable: None of them lived past 74. At first, I thought that I must spread "the kiss of death" somehow. But further investigation shows, that practically all of them died (prematurely) because the funds for proper medical treatement in Thailand were simply not at their disposal anymore. Note: Not anymore as opposed to "before". Refusing to leave their accumulated non-movable assets in Thailand unattended, in favor of possible free medical treatement in their home country. Excluding that, I am sure, most of them could still be alive today. Not my day. It's like closing the last page of a well liked book, with no inclination to go back to page 1 ever again.

Some Farangs have come to like it "when the twain rarely meets". It makes for a laid back lifestyle. IMO, the only "plan" a Farang has to persue, is to make sure that the monthly pension money arrives on time. Everything else resembles "the plans of men and mice". - All in stark contrast to European "Career-Families". Even planning their weekend activities to the minute. (Optimising their life. Young career folks constructing a "life-plan"). Needing to "re-calibrate" their life-plan with the help of some psychiatrists frequently. Instead I recommend: When all the "life-planning" starts to overwhelm you, spend 3 months in a small Isaan village. Watch live go by in slow motion. Realise, that the water flow or the meanderings of the nearby river can not be "planned". I always felt quite comfortable among Thais that were not burdened by any "plans". They seemed happier than the "life-optimisers" in the West. May it last, at least in the Thai sticks.

Hi. I am the OP. Here a little follow-up. I had the Prostate "Water Vapor Surgery" on August 24. (A low invasive procedure, I was told). THE AFTERMATH: Excrutiating pain while urinating for 2 weeks. My "noises" while urinating was cause enough for my next door neighbors to offer to call medical emergency services. Henceforth, I used a pillow to muffle my "noises" while urinating. Experiencing the "pain of my life". This is not an exaggeration! Somewhat better now, I don't need my pillow-muffler anymore while urinating. I therefore urge anyone considering this "Low Invasive procedure" to do the following: - Ask the clinic/hospital for contacts of patients that have undergone this procedure before. Ask those people how they fared after this "Low Invasive Procedure". If hospital is not willing or able to provide opinions of former patients, do not let them "perform" on you! Do some homework before. If I would have known before, I would not have undergone this "Low Invasive Procedure", so far giving me only "the pain of my life". Possible positive effects only to be noticed 2 to 3 months after surgery. If at all.

Not give it much thought. A pompous elitarian "nuveau riche" from the US, having found his kingdom in a Thai village, far away from home.

Lot's of Farangs have settled in the Isan over the years. A few of them might be called "high rollers". Clearly, the descripton of your lifestyle and your truly Royal wedding, would easily qualify you as a premier "high roller" in the Isan. Fine, no crime. But still leaving the impression, that thanks to your massive "financial muscle" (surely causing a veritable financial Tsunami in the village), the wife plus family found themselves in a position of "an offer that can't possibly be refused", them knowing well that something like this is only happening once in a lifetime? Out of curiosity: Do such thoughts ever cross your mind? In the same situation, I myself would be pragmatic: "I paid the band and as long as the band plays, I will keep on dancing".

Yes Sir. A lot of grief could be avoided during a 2 year "no comittement" phase. Some actresses/chameleons may be able to fake their character for 2 months, but not for 2 years.