Robin

I was under the impression that smoking 'indoors' ( aircon premises,) was illegal in Thailand. Like so many rules, widely ignored. A ew bar owners in Nana once tried to ban smoking in their bars, but this was ignored, by staff as well as customers so now smoking is the norm again and non-smokers have to suffer. Just think of the revenue missed by RTP by not raiding every bar/club once a week.

Vehicle manufacturers must make special models for Thailand with inferior brakes.

Primary tourist destination?? It will need a railway (been coming for years) and some hotels first. Health hub. Phayao hospital is busy already, serving locals.

Bleach? Avoid the stronger versions of Vixol, as it can attack the grouting cement.

It is not only Thailand. Builder friend in UK described Ready-mix delivery drivers as the biggest bunch of crooks he knew. I noticed that on a local building site, concrete deliveries were poured into 1 cu.m. bucket and this was craned to the pouring site. Also, the 'mix' of each batch was checked before any was poured. The driver must have already sold the concrete he is skimming off, as it will not keep long in his truck

For once, I agree with Anutin. Thailand does not want this type of person. Send him back to his home country.

What can be called "Cat Flu" is a common name for Feline Immunovirus, which is an infectious viral disease among cats (and dogs). It is generally fatal and highly infectious. it is spread by the saliva or faeces of an infected animal, and since, in a warm country like Thailand, the virus can survive outside the animals body, it can spread quickly through a population. There is no cure for the disease. It can be prevented by annual vaccinations, given by your vet, which are virtually 100% effective. It is common in Thailand because many owners do not have their pets vaccinated. In say UK or US most pets are vaccinated annually, so there is no population of vulnerable animals to keep the disease alive. Vaccine takes 1 week to become effective, so it is too late to do once the disease strikes. Search the net for more information, or see your local vet for which vaccinations your pet will need., starting at 3 months.

After living in Thailand for many years, I get the impression that few governments dare to implement any unpopular policies, even if they have a mandate to do so. Since many (most) Thais do no pay any tax at the present, it would not be popular to make the pay, even a small sum. Not difficult to make a start. Walk through any village or town and ask at every business or shop. If they do not have any accounts or have not filed these, hit them with an estimated tax. demand. if this is paid, double it for the next year, and so on for every year. Once RD hits on the sum actually being earned, accounts will soon be produced. Oh the screams of protest! Would any government dare to continue?

If you keep a cat, or any other animal, you are taking on the responsibility for its care. Take it to the vet as possible and try to help the poor animal.. My experience of Thai vets is that they do not overcharge farangs, but care for the animal. Why do you think that 1000B will be the vet's fee. A small sum to keep n animal alive. Pay up you miserable cheapskate.

My experience with Nat West has been that they are paranoid about scams and seem capable of recognizing other UK high street banks as being genuine. Very insular attitude. HSBC are better and acknowledge that there are other banks in the world.

When the subject was brought up at the beginning of the year, I asked, through khun wife, who was paying tax, or had to file a tax return. Answer was that nobody local did. Wife, who runs a beauty shop, said that if RD wants a tax return, they come visiting and asking for it. if they do not, then nobody is bothered about tax returns. It seems that billions of Baht in potential revenue is lost this way. Imagine the screams of protest if Thais were asked to pay tax on their income. No government would have the courage to implement such a policy.

My retirement plan is t sell my property in UK and liv here on the proceeds. Will the money from property sale be classified as 'income'? The property is owned outright and been paid for years ago. Not subject to UK CGT. All seems a very grey area. How will RD know what is going on? Say I visit UK once a year and bring back £5k in cash. the change to ThB at one of the money changers, not a bank. Who will know what is going on?

What can you expect in a country where you can pass your "driving test" without driving on a public road, or knowing how to change gear?

Toyota Vios?

Thanks very much, such valuable information. At las I can see a way clear to continue my life in LOS. I wonder how many potential retirees have been put off by this nonsense. Taksin had his faults, but at least he understood some economics and gave us the Retirement visas and other benefits.