redpill17

17 hours ago, salsajapan said:

you can also be smart and use chrome or brave...

 

firefox is krap, the whole world knows it now !

 

 

Chrome is garbage too and full of spyware.

Brave is ok when it doesn't break anything, but it's still Chromium-based and hence has the same bugs.

I find Safari to be the least bloated modern browser. But to each their own.

23 hours ago, Chris.B said:

In the meantime, you could use their app if you have a smartphone.

Or just use Safari. I've always had issues with Mac version of FF, so I've stopped using it.

Also, "refresh Firefox" option in Firefox might help - it will delete all user data.

5 hours ago, sikishrory said:

I have a different kind of issue where it won't let me transfer any money out. It just says enable wifi in settings but in settings that option is ghosted out. Glad it is not my primary account or it would be a disaster

You need to be in Thailand and using mobile data from your registered SIM card to enable it. I can see from the screenshot that you're in Australia and using roaming ???? 

2 hours ago, SoilSpoil said:

You can vcearly see burning activities on the left of Bangkok. Kanchanaburi and Sanglaburi are sugar cane provinces since the present government invested heavily in the ezport of sugar.

Yes, well noted. I think the problem is all these sources are mixing together. Bangkok cloud of smog alone is nothing compared to Hanoi and Chengdu.

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Mai Khao Beach, as well as other community-based tourism attractions, such as the last rice farm on Phuket, a buffalo farm, or a cicadidae catching activity.

Sounds very exciting ???? I can see hordes of tourists coming just for these activities.

4 hours ago, jackdd said:

What did you use as proof of address? With a work permit or yellow house book it is maybe possible, with a certificate of residence it is afaik not possible.

I've bought and sold motorbike with RC on a tourist visa.

6 hours ago, eisfeld said:

 

I bought my Ducati in BKK but never had an address there, it has a BKK license plate. Somehow the dealer managed to register it there, not sure how ????

I think it only works for Bangkok. Transfer between two other provinces is more complicated for some reason.

On 11/16/2020 at 10:17 AM, Disparate Dan said:

Does anyone have experience of whether a prepaid card is treated as a “proper” credit card by businesses in TH? If so, is it also accepted abroad (once we can travel again!) like a card from UK or Europe?

I've checked my prepaid and virtual cards at binbase.com and they're all identified as Debit card. I think some banks used to offer a virtual Credit card, but it's no longer the case, or I have a phantom memory ???? 

On 11/12/2020 at 10:41 AM, mtls2005 said:

First I would switch/upgrade to Google Voice.

 

Second, get another free number from one of the many providers. I use Talkatone.

Google Voice itself gives you a free US number.

On 11/12/2020 at 11:26 AM, Pawpal said:

Thanks for the recommendations. The problem with upgrading to Google Voice seems to be that you can't do it if not in the States (I'm in Thailand and don't have a US address). 

Web version works fine with US VPN, not need for US address. You just need an existing US number for verification - I imagine it's not a problem when upgrading.

I'm not sure if their app is region-locked once installed, but you can use a free VPN like WARP (1.1.1.1) if needed.

Maybe someone else will advice about this; I'm using Hushed (got a lifetime deal from them some time ago).

If you don't need US number for incoming calls, you have many options.

Cheers!

4 hours ago, Aspaltso said:

I was in Prachuap Khiri Khan in November 2019, and air was quite smokey. I'm convinced some of it is due to local farmers, but more importantly the air that's being brought in from the east. Most of that dirty air actually originates in Cambodia, and Chantaburi, then blows across Chonburi( which has very unhealthy air in dry season), and then on over to His Hin.

I think it's carried all the way from Vietnam and China. Just look at this pic - not a lot of burning in Cambodia

14 hours ago, nickmondo said:

yes, there will be smog in HH from time to time, but nothing compared to up north

its one of the perks of living in Asia!!!  

just wear 2 masks

Yes, even worse in the North. It used to be okay from May to December, but now air pollution in Chiang Mai is permanent.

2 masks LOL

On 11/10/2020 at 5:15 PM, Misab said:

Why are there so much smoke at the moment, we can hardly see the mountains, what are they burning and where?

 

Wind is carrying it from Bangkok. Every year same-same, that's why I don't live in Hua Hin or anywhere in Central Thailand.

8 hours ago, webfact said:

20,000 people will be able to get a 10 percent discount from Bangkok Airways on flights to all its destinations, and 50 kilograms of passenger luggage instead of the usual 20 kilogram load.

Great, now they can bring home 50 kg of shrimp paste instead of 20 to offset ticket costs ????

4 hours ago, thenewgoo said:

If they want to help Samui and boost domestic tourism they should allow other airlines to land there and create competitive and reasonable fare pricing. 

They don't even mention Samui lately - all the new routes are from Bangkok. So maybe we'll live to see Bangkok Airways selling a stake at Samui airport.

Just my two cents, if you're looking for cheaper and (usually) tasty option, look for Jay stands at food courts in big shopping malls.

Unfortunately, there aren't that many vegan restaurants in Bangkok for its size, especially in downtown.

1 hour ago, Oxx said:

Onions and garlic are verboten, as are herbs and spices.  The end result is soulless and bland slop. 

Not always. It can be super spicy, though usually less so than "normal" Thai food. And here in the South they don't mind using ingredients like stink beans.

So it really depends on the talent of the cook.

8 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

 

Much depends on distances. How far is the OP from Immigration for the Residence Certificate and how far from the Dept. of Land Transport. Are there taxis? If the agent is nearer then let them do all the running around. 

 

But you still need to show up at DLT in person, so what's the point? And I doubt any agent is going to drive to some village in the sticks (for free) to deliver Residence Certificate. Their offices are usually located in large cities, not far from Immigration office itself.

9 hours ago, khunPer said:

Domestic Thai visitors, which already are coming in some numbers, have other preferences than Western foreign visitors, so showing images of the deserted beach road in Chaweng – again and again – wont't change anything, it's a dedicated Western-tourist area, and it's Western tourists that is needed to make that as crowded as it used to be; it's however never were much crowded at night, except for the party areas, after the cozy market stalls with cheap-products disappeared and were replaced by up-priced brand name outlets.

 

Western tourists – and most other tourist also, for that matter – will not be coming back in numbers before the mandatory quarantine period is lifted.

Ditto. I don't know why people are going to beach road anyway, is there nowhere else to walk? Thursday market near the lake is much more lively. And there are still some events going on at the Fisherman's Village.

Also, now that overpriced places are closing down, I see more street food and cheap bars with local music, like you'd find in a normal Thai city. Problem is there are not many people living on Samui, so most businesses can't just cater to them and survive without tourists.

12 hours ago, canopus1969 said:

The problem is Samui has a bad reputaion for expensive flights + high general expenses 

Not if you fly to Surat Thani or take a bus, and if you avoid tourist traps. I didn't find general expenses to differ much from Chiang Mai.

I doubt you'll get a tourist visa faster than your Thailand Elite membership is approved. It'll probably be easier to wait for confirmation letter and then apply for entry documents through TE. In that case, you can get Elite visa affixed at the airport upon arrival.

But who knows, maybe magic happens and things will start moving this month ???? 

On 11/8/2020 at 10:45 AM, worgeordie said:

If you are 50 or older just go with the retirement option, means

keeping 800,000 THB in the bank most of the time ,but the cash

is still yours

Unless you're planning to leave it for your grandkids, you can't take 800k with you to the grave ???? 

Not that it will be worth a lot after 20 years, especially if the economy crashes. My personal opinion.

1 hour ago, possum1931 said:

The cost is not worth it, it is money down the drain, get the retirement extensions through an agent, there is no hassle there.

To each their own. I just don't agree that Elite visa is "waste of money". 1M for 20 years is just 50k per year (or 4k per month) - cheaper than sketchy "volunteer" visas and 100% legal. How much did you pay to the agent?

4 hours ago, kbb said:

Other benefits of the Elite

 

No Insurance.

Yes, the paperwork is minimal. Almost anyone can apply. Plus, they don't care how much you are earning per month or anything like that.

4 hours ago, kbb said:

You do need to leave and return once a year under the Elite.

You can extend it without leaving at Immigration. No need to do visa runs, which is handy with current travel situation.

It would be more effective to install automatic sprinklers near the fields ???? 

On 11/4/2020 at 11:57 PM, mild7even said:

I know there are Apple stores in Bangkok, but are there any Apple authorized service centers in Chiang Mai that can do repairs under AppleCare+? Or do people rely on parcel service to get it to Apple? Thanks.

Apple's website currently shows only one authorized service provider in Chiang Mai - iCare Central Airport (3rd Floor, Room No. 370/1-370/2)

4 minutes ago, PaoloR said:

Plus you don't own the company - only 49% of it, so trust in your partner is a necessity.

What about US-Thailand agreement that allows US citizens to own 100% of the company? Anyone knows if it's still the case?

16 minutes ago, a10ams said:

 

My views exactly, especially the last line.

 

I came here, and bought in Jan 2007 using the company scheme. Had I rented at the same price my neighbour pays then I am now about one year past 'break even' for the initial outlay.

 

Bloke across the road from me has the totally opposite view, been here sixteen years and rented from day one. Must've paid for one and a half houses and still owns nothing.

Did you account taxes, maintenance costs, lawyers, etc. in the calculation? I don't want to live in a house, but I'm curious if it's cost-effective to buy property here.

Chae Son (on the edge of Lampang province) looked nice. They even have a Japanese-style onsen. Not a fan of bathing though, so haven't tried.

16 minutes ago, nickmondo said:

yes, but they are absolute rubbish and not worth a visit

I didn't like San Kamphaeng either. Nothing interesting there.

Jet ski scam open for business?

1. Delete TikTok

2. Delete Instagram

3. Throw away the TV

Your mental health and self-esteem will improve 100% guaranteed