emptypockets

The whole of the country is a Thai area.

Yeah, let's make the retirement extension 2 million baht. Clear out some of the losers.

Yes that's true, but then have to work within the public system.....not so good. Certainly not my preference. Need to also understand that we have had compulsory superannuation paid by the employer for many, many years so a lot of people are self funded in retirement and don't qualify for the pension. These days a lot of people on the pension have never worked. Go straight from the dole to the pension.

Half their luck!!

Rego is about 850 bucks a year for each car. Insurance is about 1200 for each car. A lot of the insurance costs are to cover younger people apparent hobby of stealing cars on a regular basis. Yes medical insurance is optional BUT if you don't have the govt slaps an extra 1.5% on your income tax. The whole system seems to be set up to reward the bludgers at the cost of working people.

Yes. But it can take a long time to see anyone. Few doctor clinics are free these days and those that are not what I'd call top notch.I went a bulk billing clinic one time.....not one western doctor there. The dr I saw used Google to find the medicine she thought I needed. Needless to say she was wrong. Medical insurance pretty well guarantees seeing a specialist quickly as opposed to potentially waiting months. Or years if it is elective surgery like a hip or knee replacement. No doubt GG or still kicking will be on my case about this!

Add on electricity at $250 a month and we're looking at 15,000 baht. Medical insurance 8000b, car regos 3000 baht a month, car insurance 4000 baht a month. 30,000 baht a month roughly. Seen the price of petrol and food lately? Glad I'm not on a pension or would be cutting back on quite a few things. Truly the lucky country!

Too true. I pay about $60 a week for council rates and a similar amount for property insurance. Round up to $500 a month. Just over 10,000 baht a month for the privelige of living in my own home.

AUD to THB currently 20.78. What do you numbers do using this exchange rate?

Shirley,prolly, offen do.

Anyone, not just a pensioner, can use the health system for free. Can't in Thailand to the same extent. My comment was comparing insurance costs Thailand v Australia.

I pay more than that for medical insurance in Australia.

And a girl in a bikini is inviting rape?

Yes. I choose to be a tax resident. I spend roughly two thirds of the year in Oz and one third in Thailand. My Thai wife works seasonally in Oz and I farm. We come to Thai January to April most years.That time of the year in northern Australia is not conducive to farming. The taxation issues are not a real concern for us. Nor is any government pension or benefits as we are well and truly above the threshold to receive anything. One house and two cars in Oz and one house and two cars in Thai. Life is pretty good.

I can't be bothered discussing the myths of roundup