CartagenaWarlock

I'm not sure what exactly what  thrill the OP is talking about? He claims money is not the issue still he gives example of some fish and cheap for 60 baht. Why can't he get the same thrill in his home country, presumably in England. What is preventing him from getting the same thrill in his home country. I have travelled to many places and got the thrill I wanted including staff that are banned in most places. 

However, I found one difference is that prostitutes in most countries don't marry foreigners, let alone have babies with foreigners 30 years older than themselves. I'm 59 when I came to Thailand and immediately found a 19-year old sex worker from Poseidon to have my baby when I offered her a million baht. This attitude I have not found in any other places in the World

On 9/24/2021 at 3:37 AM, ThaSalaPaul said:

With Lazada & Shopee there are far fewer things you need to go out to shop for, other than groceries of course

You can order most of your groceries online also.

On 9/19/2021 at 3:19 PM, thaibeachlovers said:

Indeed. It is IMO western money that made them what they are today.

And the  foundation of Western money is colonialism and chattel slavery. The revenge of hundred years of humiliation. 

13 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Here is a question? If one is already here and is a pensioner and can buy a new place of at least 250k USD, house or condo and then meets the annual requirements would they be considered for this plan, or because they are already here they would be denied.  Asking because if it is only for new folks then there is an inequality already.  I myself might be interested if I could qualify as I am thinking of buying a house that I would move to and keep my current condo in BKK for my children and friends to stay in when they visit.

I don't think there is any new or old folks. Any body who qualifies can get the visa and all the privileges, even if the person lived in Thailand for life using any type of visas.

On 9/21/2021 at 8:23 PM, ubonjoe said:

I think the 12 months is standard for many places and the WHO. The covid 19 vaccinations are still relatively new compared to previous ones. The 12 months may change after there is more experience with their efficacy.

Free movements like before (pre covid days) are doomed for foreseeable future. I am fully vaccinated in September in the USA. I enter in march next year and leave in November next year. I am stuck again unless I get boosters. A nightmare scenario, in deed. 

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Only until 70% of the population if vaccinated with an ‘effective’ vaccine (i.e. not Sinpharm / Sinovac, but with Pfizer, Moderna - vaccines of >90% efficacy) 

A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published Tuesday found a hefty drop in effectiveness against infection from the delta variant from Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Among a group of thousands of healthcare workers, the vaccines fell from being 91% effective at preventing infection to 66% after delta became the dominant variant.  

https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/08/25/vaccine-protection-wanes-within-six-months-of-second-covid-shot-study-warns-but-theyre-still-effective-against-delta/?sh=30284e645a80

After living in Bangkok for two years, my estimate is 2K USD/month with a savings of 100K USD will be comfortable living unless you're blowing money in Poseidon, Nana, or Soi Cowboy regularly. I lived in one of the most expensive condo on Sukhumvit (Q condo) for two years and blew more than 2 million baht in rent only. Then I bought a Jomtien brand new 2 bedroom condo and gave it to my daughter's mom (a 21 year former Poseidon model) before I came back to USA.

Start with the health insurance first by renting in a desirable place in Bangkok and then start budgeting to see where you stand. After living in Jomtien area for a few months, I found it is more to my preference.  I don't drink everyday and when I go to a bar I also buy drinks for a few girls. Once a week in a bar in Pattaya used to cost me 100 USD. With 100 million baht in my US banks and whore mongering all over the World, I have realized that happiness is a choice once you have certain amount of money. Beyond that everything is superfluous. 

23 hours ago, meechai said:

Meaning use a Adenovirus based vaccine like J&J , Astrazeneca etc

I'm not sure if J&J is approved for 12-18 in the USA. I think only Pfizer is approved.

On 9/19/2021 at 1:45 AM, georgegeorgia said:

i have approx1  3- 14 million thai baht ($600,000 australian) 

If you have this, retire now and move to Thailand. Keep your house in Australia. Plain in simple. People think too much about retirement. If you cannot enjoy life when healthy, why work your entire life to enjoy only a few years when old? The rule of the thumb I found workable is if you can generate 2K USD income and 2-3 million baht in cash, you are ready. Having a house in your home country is a bonus.

On 9/19/2021 at 3:39 AM, notrub said:

I have had a COE (certificate of entry?) before and it was a letter giving me permission to exit and come back without voiding my retirement visa.

COE is not the same as reentry  permit. You don't need anybody's permission to leave the country unless you're a criminal which I suppose you're not. You may need a reentry permit to keep your permitted to stay  date valid and return on or before that day. COE is the new thing (introduced in the age of Covid-19) and  required to enter the country, even if you have reentry permit or a valid visa.

What's the best option? Sandbox or Quarantine? I have a 20-year elite visa which will expire, probably after I die. Right now I'm in USA and fully vaccinated. Planning a trip to Thailand in December? I feel Sandbox is better. Any pros and cons? I have a two years old daughter from a 21-year old former poseidon model. 

On 9/11/2021 at 10:29 AM, Leaver said:

The Chinese will bring in their own staff, their own hookers, and have their own illegal gambling rooms.  This is on top of their own hotels, restaurants, bars, karaoke, and nightclubs.  

I like chinese hookers. 

7 hours ago, ezzra said:

Just don't hold your breath for things to go back they way the were before Covid, i think at least a year or so until the powers that be will let things go back to half normal and the rest will follow...

I think it may be a decade or never go back to pre-covid days. 

2 hours ago, Nyonya said:

All the farangs who open restaurants and shops would be begging in the streets of thailand and their sawadikap wife's be forced onto returning to become masseurs or work as prostitutes again. Its a reality I am afraid. 

So, does it mean farangs come here to mary prostitute brides? 

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

I did not write all companies had to be 50% owned by Thais.

As I wrote there are special provision for BOI companies and others.

I need a lawyer to sort out those special provisions. I want to create a subsidiary of my  OTC company in the US? Any suggestions for a lawyer?

7 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

It has to be company registered in Thailand. In most cases the company must is at least 50% owned by Thais.

There is a special category for "International trade business (representative office), Regional office, Overseas company (branch office)". And certain BOI companies.

I don't Microsoft Thailand is owned 50% by Thais. Or Global Care Solutions (a company in Thailand 100% owned by Microsoft)

On 9/13/2021 at 9:55 PM, jackdd said:

You can't get a work permit if you are not working for a Thai company

You mean a company registered in Thailand, right? Does not have to be a Thai company. 

1 hour ago, Jeffr2 said:

Health day is a site produced by one person. Don't know about it's credibility. But the stats don't seem good.

Healhday news is recognized by US News, WebMD, and many more just like reuters. The same stats were also reported in US news (the source being healthday news). I don't have time to dig into CDC report. 

14 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Big C too (no bags)... I am though overall in favour, just irritating as I still keep forgetting to take a bag with me. 

I think you can buy one for less than dollar. 7/11 will sell you one for 5 baht may be?

Among the 12-17 group, CDC reports 9% have serious side effects for pfizer (only approved for that group) and 4% have serious heart problems. 

https://www.webmd.com/vaccines/covid-19-vaccine/news/20210802/after-nearly-9-million-pfizer-shots-for-us-teens-serious-side-effects-rare-cdc

On 9/15/2021 at 8:28 AM, Upnotover said:

The CHAPS fee Is £20. Not worth worrying about. Its the difference in rates you need to focus on.

The best option is to see which method gives you more money in THB, if time is not a concern for you, in my opinion. Also, I would be little worried to transfer all the amount to Thailand unless you need it at once. For day-to-day maintenance, I prefer monthly transfer on a specific day preferably on the 1st of the month. I prefer 10% of my total cash assets in a Thai bank and rest in my home country. 

9 hours ago, Lingba said:

Hello!!!  Hello!!!...vaccine hasn't been approved for kids under 12 yet!!...Hello!!

Pfizer and moderna are running pediatric clinical trials in the US to determine optimal doses for 5-12 years old but no safety trials will be run, they have announced last month.

Take one test before boarding the plane and then multiple tests before release from the prison (quarantine or sandbox hotel). Not for me.

23 hours ago, ripstanley said:

I know  one guy paid for Moderna  then received 2 free Pfiizer shots. He plans to use Moderna as his booster

I talked to my medical counsellor (a free service if you have UHC insurance). she said most people don't need the third jab unless immunocompromised due to chemo therapy, etc. 

Real world medical encounter of 32,000 people in the USA shows Pfizer is only 76% effective against emergency room visits. 
https://scitechdaily.com/covid-19-vaccines-effective-against-delta-variant-how-pfizer-moderna-and-jj-compare/

9 minutes ago, Crossy said:

I know my family won't let Sinovac into any of the kids arms.

I think only pfizer is approved for 12-18 years old in the USA, may be same in Thailand also