Expat Tom

No doubt Thaksin is working his nefarious black magic behind the scene to keep his daughter (aka the FAMILY) in power.

Thailand is ranked as the 107th most corrupt country in the world. "Transparency.org - 2024 World Corruption Perception Index". If you are not Thai, where does your country rank? The alcohol industry most likely paid off the right people to ban weed. I have ZERO proof of this but having lived here for many years, it could very well be the case.

If there were a major war , Thailand would not be a good ally. Either they would accidently shoot themselves in the foot or accidently shoot you in the back. I have been here for over 15 years and consider Thailand as my second home. However, I have an exit pan. Between the Indians, Russians, Chinese and incompetent corrupt Thai government, my RFL File (reasons for leaving) grows daily

Of course he is guilty. Of course he will never be punished. EVERYTHING is for sale here. Thailand ranks 107 th on the world corruption index for a reason.... "transparency.org" 2024 world corruption index. Check it out for yourself. Don't take my word for it.

All of this over a weed that has been used for 1000 's of years? If it is a crime then who is the victim? Too many busy bodies willing to tell people how to live their lives. I smoked pot year ago. I don't smoke pot now, however, if I want to burn a joint in the privacy of my own home then that should be my choice.

His actions can only take place in a woefully corrupt state. I saddens me to see my home country ranked as 28th on the World Corruption Perception Index; meaning that there are 27 countries LESS corrupt. If I were a Thai citizen, I would be mortified that Thailand ranks 107th on the world corruption index; meaning that there are 106 countries ranked as less corrupt. What Taskin has done is the result of systemic corruption throughout the government and the body politic. Taskin is the product of his environment.

May all of her wishes come true. I am sure that she is deserving....HAHAHAHA Remember, Thailand is ranked as the 107th most corrupt countries on the planet. World corruption Perception Index , 2024, "transparency.org". Everything here is transactional...EVERYTHING. We are only talking about the price. Heck, if you have enough money and power you can buy your daughter the position as PM.. Why did the young lady in question not ask to be Thailand's next PM as well? I understand that the position is open.

Why is it anyone's business whether I smoke pot or not. Buriram is, and has been for years, well known for great music festivals where pot is smoke with abandon in public. Are to Bangkok "Karen Busybodies " who feel compelled to regulate non-victim crime going to start coming into my home and sticking their collective noses into my private life? I will stick this into my "RFL" file.....(Reasons For Leaving). I love Thailand and have been here LEGALLY for over 15 years and hope to stay longer. However, I have and exit strategy and advise all farang is to have an exit strategy just in case.

If you don't understand that everything coming out of the Bangkok cartel is coming DIRECTLY from Taskin. The government decision to bar him from politics should have extended to his entire family. Metaphorically speaking, "His daughter is a puppet and he is the puppet master". He probably decides what she has for lunch. I look at the stupidity and corruption in the country of my birth and then look at the Thai government and realize my country isn't so bad after all. I love Thailand but am not trapped here. I can leave tomorrow if I chose. I feel bad for my many Thai friends who cannot do the same.

Everything is for sale in Thailand. What this will come down to is which lobby will have the most money to buy votes, the alcohol lobby ..aka...anti -marijuana or the Weed lobby. I suggest that you might find it interesting to see where Thailand ranks on the "World Corruption Perception Index". Visit "ransparency.org" for the 2024 rankings. Thailand ranks 107th on the list, meaning that there are 106 countries ranked a less corrupt than Thailand. BTW, Thailand fell on place from the 2023 survey. Could Taskin's stay in the luxury suite of the police hospital and the installation of his daughter as PM have anything to do with that? Russia ranks 141st on the world corruption index. Could that be why there are so many Russians here? Actually, I think that the corruption here is great. In the compartment under the seat of my motor bike I have a ziplock bag with my motorbike papers, my Thai driver's license and a 1000 baht note. When I get stopped by the police I give the officer that bag. I get the bag back minus the 1000 baht and NO ticket. WHAT A GREAT COUNTRY. I wish that I could do the same in my home country.

Thailand has no fear of ever being accused of being a "libertarian" society. There are always people here more than ready and willing to stick their noses into other's business. Every country and society needs laws and rules but liberty and freedom is also needed. I have lived here as an expat for many years. I have owned several condos here but have sold all of my property and will never invest in anything that is non-fungible here again. Almost every time I visit ASEAN Now, I find more reason for leaving and less reasons for staying. My RFL (reasons for leaving) list grows and my exit plan take is taking its final form.

I have lived here for many years. I like the Thai people and have many Thai friends. I have ZERO regard for the people running this country. They are gradually coming to the realization that they have to compete for tourists as there are many other choices out there and much of them much better than Thailand. The Bangkok gang of fools needs to pull their collective heads out of their butts and stop giving long stay expats reasons for seeking other horizons.

I thought that boarder dispute was settled in international court in Cambodia's favor. Maybe I was wrong or maybe the Thai government didn't get the memo? Don't worry. It won't be much of fight. Big Brother to the North will not allow two if its client states to fight for very long. If I were Thailand I might be concerned. Didn't the Kilmer empire once subjugated much of Thailand in the past? Actually, I find it amusing. Both Thailand and Cambodia should be glad that they are not in a dispute with Vietnam. that would not end well for either of them.

I have lived here as an Expat for 15 years dumping 70,000 to 90,000 baht into the economy monthly. I yearly submit my letter from the bank attesting to my deposits in excess of 65,000 baht per month to renew my O-A visa. If that isn't enough for the Thai government then they can kiss my backside and I will take my money and put it into another countries economy. In my opinion, the Thai government is completely inept to wit, the country has a lower ranking on the World Corruption Index than Vietnam, The PI, Cambodia and Malaysia. The police target farang for harassment on motor bikes and one never knows what the visa rules will be from one week to the next. I love Thailand and have many Thai friends, none of which have much regard for the Bangkok cabal who run things from their ivory towers and return home to their gated communities in their Mercedes after a hard day of trying to bring misery to all....Thai citizens and farang alike. Every time I read ASEAN Now , I tweak my exit strategy. Over the years I have owned several condos in the Kingdom. Now I rent. All of my possessions fir into two categories. 1) They will fit into two suitcases and a carry on -or- 2) I can abandon them without too much grief on financial loss.

Taskin is supposedly banned from Thai politics? Does anyone think that his daughter does anything without being directed by her father? And, how about his illness upon his return from exile in a luxury suite in the Thai police hospital. To think that Taskin is not the de facto PM of Thailand is naive and amusing. But, Thai politics has always been amusing. No wonder people are flocking to other Southeast Asian destinations and many long tern farang expats leaving.

Duh? China is broke! No money! I talk to people in mainland China every day. They are worried about basic survival. Doesn't Thailand have an embassy in China? If so, how can Thai officials not know of conditions in China? Thai officials must be either blind or naive. This stupid talk of reigniting Chinese tourism in the Kingdom is amusing.

If you believe that Taskin's daughter, the present PM, makes any decisions (other than what is is going to eat for dinner) without the approval and direction of her father is simply naive. I find Thai politics amusing at best and pathetic at worse. Taskin (Sr.) is the de facto PM of Thailand.

I have lived in Thailand for over 15 years. During that time, I have owned 2 condos but I am a renter now. Personally, Thailand is too unstable and regulations are constantly changing. The risk of ownership to too great for me. It has been my experience that you will lose 40-60% of your deposit when renting. So, if you rent for one year you can figure your true cost of renting by taking 50% of your deposit, which the owner will keep, and dividing by 12 months. Add that sum to your monthly rent and that is your TRUE effective monthly rent. If you plan for that and get your full deposit back then you will be pleasantly surprised. The better deal is to rent for 24 months, then 50% of your deposit will be divided by 24 months and not 12 lowering your true monthly rent. You don't have to sign a lease for 24 month. Most yearly leases have renewal clauses. I have been charged for things that were broken before I moved in and things that were worn-out through time and usage (normal wear and tear). It is almost impossible to document 100% the condition of your condo when you move in. The owner will find something to charge you for. Remember, your deposit is not held in escrow. It is given to the owner. Further, if there is such a thing in Thailand as a "Small Claims Court" , a farang has no chance against a Thai. So, just plan well and consider the loss of part of your deposit as a cost of living here. Don't get angry. That doesn't work in this culture. I love living in Thailand even considering all of the little annoyances. BTW, I have been refunded my full deposit when renting from Thai owners on occasion. All people are not the same. I have been screwed by owners in my home country too. I have rented from Thai owners and farang owners. I have ALWAYS had 100% of my deposit returned by farang owners. Just my experiences. Always rent through an agency and interview that agency carefully. BTW, yes, I owned a real estate brokerage in my home country but in all cases remember, "You are in Kansas any more Dorthey". Thailand is a sovereign country with its own customs and culture and they don't care how you do it back in your country....nor should they. Tom

What GREAT NEWS! The three worse things about Thailand are Chinese, Indians, and Russians. Any country with a huge tourism sector who builds its tourism base on the three pillars of China, Russia and India needs to rethink its business model. Do you know what Chinese, Indians and Russians flock to Thailand? The answers is so obvious that its laughable. OTHER COUNTRIES DON'T WANT THEM! I have been in Thailand and love the people and the country....the Thai government not so much. I keep my exit plan up to date and when the SHTF , I will be very sad to leave. As a retired mariner, I don't believe in going down with the ship.

Interesting. How does the fact the Finland has one of the higher rates of alcohol consumption per capita in the world factor into their happiness? Should we just drink more to be happier? Statistically, the Fins consume more booze per person than Thailand. Perhaps the Thais just need to drink more. It least Thailand isn't boring. Finland, along with Norway, Denmark and Sweden are also ranked among the 15 most boring countries in the world. The takeaway from these two interesting facts are; If you are bored and drink yourself into a stupor then you will be happy! ?

I abhor war. I have seen war up close and personal. If there ever was a war I would not want Thailand as an ally. They would either shoot themselves accidently in the foot becoming a liability or accidently shoot their friends in the back. This is NOT are reflection on their military. It is a reflection on their leadership.

Thailand is just doing the bidding of "Big Brother" in China. Nothing unusual to see here. I have two bags. "RFL" -Reasons for Leaving and "RFS" - Reasons for Staying. I think I'll file this story in my RFL bag. In actual fact, I've been here for too many years already. Thailand is growing stale for me. I have been living in Thailand fulltime for over 10 years. In 2025 I will split my time and live elsewhere 6 months a year. I think I will appreciate Thailand a lot more if I spend less time here.

Living proof that the CCP has far too much influence over a supposedly sovereign nation...Thailand. China pounds its drums and Thailand marches. An old NCO from the Vietnam war (known in Vietnam as the American War) told me upon my arrival to keep my feet lose in the sand. I owned a couple of condos here in the past but never again. I love Thailand but do NOT trust their leaders regarding their intentions of competence. I keep my feet lose in the sand here and my exit plan updated. Other than sending the Chinese Uyghurs back to China where they will be likely placed in forced labor, another prime example of idiotic leadership is building Thailand's tourism industry on the three pillars of India, China and Russia and then complaining about the results. The average Thai doesn't like people from these countries but the government could care less. Thailand is the ONLY country in the world who rolls out the red carpet for these countries.

Visit "transparency.org" and check out where Thailand is ranked in the "world corruption index". I'll save you the effort ...Thailand is ranked 114 th most corrupt country in the world but don't take my word for it. Check it out yourself. transparenct.org I am working on my 2025 exit plan from the land of smiles. BYW, the reason the Russians feel so at home in Thailand is that Russia is ranked 141 st on the world corruption index.

"International Living Magazine" and "Live and Invest Overseas" both produce a yearly top 10 list of countries to live and retire in for expats. Thailand is on the list. However, Thailand is not ranked as number one and there are 9 other countries on the list as well. Many of those other 9 countries offer expats with retirement or long term stay visas DISCOUNTS on a variety of goods and services rather then charge them more. In Thailand a farang can not own a house with land without going through some quasi-legal corporate structure. Many other countries grant long term visas to those who BUY real estate and make their homes there. If you chose some of those other countries on the top 10 list of countries to live and retire in you are allowed to participate in that countries national health care program at a very very low cost. In Thailand you are on your own and have to buy expensive expat insurance. If you visit the website, "Transparency.org" and view the yearly , "World Corruption Index" and cross reference it with the "Top 10 Places to Live and Retire" you will notice that our beloved Thailand is ranked as MORE corrupt than the other 9 countries on the list. It be VERY clear, I have lived as an expat (legally) in Thailand for over 15 years. I love much about Thailand notwithstanding the morons who run the Thai government. I have traveled to over 70 countries and lived for months in 11 different countries. My advise to all expats, "We came here by airplane (at least 99% of us) and the last time I checked, airplanes fly in both directions". We are all individuals and have our own likes, dislikes, tolerance levels and resources. There is NOT one size fits all in the expat community. We all have choices. I will be very sad to leave the land of smiles but I do have an exit strategy and so should you in case the stupidity out of BBK becomes unbearable. The Thai government needs to fully appreciate the economic impact of the expats living here. They further need to realize that tourism dollars will decline if the government levies too many stupid regulations on expat residents. I have had many friends come from abroad as tourists to visit me over the years. They can just as easily come for a visit to my new country of residence. Let me sum this up by repeating that there are 9 other countries on the list of the beat places to live and retire . The Thai government needs to wake up and get competitive unless they want to be the worlds capital of Russian, Chinese and Indian tourism.