scorecard

There's road danger in every country.

I've rented houses before and learned the lesson from bad experiences to monitor that the rent payments are always paid on time. One day late and an e.mail or SMS or phone reminder. Also regularly (perhaps every 30 to 45 days) inspect the property for any damage, anything disappeared etc. It does happen. And I never give any rental deposit refund until I have proof that all bills are paid / cancelled, and I've done the inspection, and there's a written agreement who arranges and who pays for any repairs and an agreed completion date. If all is in order I transfer the refund the same day. My 2 worst experiences: - A Russian family. - A brit husband and wife.

Very true. The new breed parties can win large numbers of seats, that's proven. But they can't yet control or push aside the old guard especially the parties controlled by old military diehards who will and can rip up the results lists. Plus although they will deny it they they still engage in vote buying. And they still have access to big money Tony. It will eventually change and the new guys will have to persevere for that change a long time into the future, and I wish them well.

But from my understanding not many Thai companies operate provident funds. Keep in mind that a provident fund needs well educated staff to plan / execute investments and if you take Thai bank interest on savings accounts as an example there returns are tiny.

OK, but a professional growth fund will bring better returns long-term. Is there risk? Yes but there's risk in everything. But the very professional growth funds manage risk very closely and very well. Buy a house and it could suffer a drop / a big drop in value because of the nearby neighborhood. Plus the market can be very volatile and the sell price go up, or go down because the area is longer popular etc.

Thank you treetops, fixed both items, much appreciated.

1. I click on the Chrome 3 dots, drop downs appear but the font is tiny. How can I increase the size of the font? 2. In a string across the bottom of my screen numerous icons etc. But each 'icon image' is tiny, how can I increase the size? Using Windows 11. I've searches for help but all the 'help' lists mention items / factors etc., that I can't find. All advice much appreciated, thanks.

1. I click on the Chrome 3 dots, drop downs appear but the font is tiny. How can I increase the size of the font? 2. In a string across the bottom of my screen numerous icons etc. But each 'icon image' is tiny, how can I increase the size? Using Windows 11. I've searches for help but all the 'help' lists mention items / factors etc., that I can't find. All advice much appreciated, thanks.

I'm aware of one company which has a big operation in Thailand md in other countries: - Tokio Marine. (Ignore the 'marine' bit that ancient history. - Giant in Japan, meets all the very serious continuous tests required to operate in Japan. - They have a very big office in the Sathorn area of Bkk, in CM and in other big Thai regional centers. - Plenty of English. Pleasant staff, very helpful, no push. - They offer many products including many diverse pension plans. Some quite different in set up to typical western plans. - Also car, health insurance plans.

Quote: "I can see it is a sensitive subject for some people who might be ashamed and would like it to be not discussed and forgotten and I understand that but it is an interesting topic for most." I find it offensive that you use the word ashamed. I'm aware of many foreigners who met their Thai wives in Thailand in circumstances which have no shame whatever and are insulted for themselves and for their wives at any suggestion of shame. My Thai wife (sadly now passed on) was a doctor of medicine plus she held 2 medical board specialities.

How is it obvious?

Thanks for all the important points above. Can I please suggest a small correction. Copied from above: "24-Month Waiting Period: After you start receiving your Age Pension in Australia, there's a 24-month period before it becomes portable outside Australia". This is not correct. The correct information: "The 24 months period starts from the day the person arrived back in Australia (taken from online immigration / passport in/out records). (This information can be found on the Centrelink website). Meaning that the 24 months DOESN'T start from the day the person lodged their application for the the OAP. And meaning that the 24 months DOESN'T doesn't start from the day the OAP was approved.

Well the experience of my family id that teachers have little to zero focus on skills development. Kids learning math from other kids appears to be very common and I'm aware of many math teachers who can explain 'teach' the textbook basics of various math items but they can't explain it / can't answer questions from kids who are obviously lost. They remain lost, and skill development doesn't happen.

In other words, more vote buying.

I worked for several years at a famous respected foreign owned oil refinery / chemical producer for several years on the Eastern seaboard. Very few accidents however within minutes the American CEO was on site checking that all employees were safe and if needed action in process to get them to a nearby hospital. If an employee (any level) was to stay in hospital for any amount of time the company assigned a car and trusted driver to get the wife / mother / kids to the hospital every day and more. At the hospital the driver expected to take notes of anything needed including additional food and to get it to the bedside as quickly as possible. CEO spoke good Thai and always ensured there was no sign / suggestion of blame. What he did do is organize for several Thai junior staff who were present came back to his office through the back stairs so they wouldn't be noticed. pointed at etc., (no supervisors). Coffee, food, snacks served instantly and the CEO asked them all one by one pluss cross table discussions to get the facts, always saying 'in a minute or perhaps tomorrow I want your ideas please on how to prevent this happening again'. Always on time follow up to get the ideas etc. Then as improvements were installed there was an arrangement for the junior who gave the idea to with no fanfare to quietly comment whether the 'improvement' being installed was according to his thinking. CEO aways ensured all present could see / realize the CEO was listening. If the process went past 'knock off' time they were paid double overtime. The CEO highly respected for his attention to safety, health, etc.

I see serious change to these subjects when Khun Pita and his professional team along with very different attitudes are the gov't. I believe it will eventually come.

Tuna and fresh pepper is nice, even better toasted.

Not really relevant. All folks are entitled to have an informed opinion.

... and clean polished shoes and haircut.

just sharing the punches...

"..... Thailand's Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has launched the "Safety Thailand" vision, aiming to halve workplace fatalities within five years...." That must be his idea of a joke whilst protecting those who 'contribute to the fund. Halve the workplace fatalities within 5 years. Should be 'reduce the workplace fatalities by 99% within six months'. The 'reduce fatalities by half within 5 years' shows that there is totally zero respect or concern for Thai (and other nationalities) workers. This leaves my just speechless.

Understood, thanks.

Any details available?

What is IPA?

Meanwhile Chinese manufacturers / clever Chinese business people are talking to many other countries and making sales / gaining income with nice margins but not playing tariff games. China doing well and it will continue whilst ignoring trump.