G Rex

I picked up a new car last week. Paid 50K deposit when I ordered it, paid the balance by bank transfer two days before I picked it up - when I inspected the vehicle prior to final pre purchase checks, window tints etc.  Very easy.

In my rural area many Thai men have no issues walking around topless , or they wear their T shirt as a 'belly shower' - great look. I seldom wear a shirt at home, or on my farm - as I will be drenched in sweat within 5 minutes.  I always cover up if going to shops or into the city. In the tourist area of my town - it is only the farangs that you see topless - and while they are spending money - the locals tolerate them.  

Shirt off while jogging or exercising would be okay - but preferably cover up when you're done.

I have cars insured through Roojai, Direct Asia & MisterPrakan.

Roojai are the cheapest and best for 'standard' or common vehicles. However they would not give me full cover (Type 1 insurance) for my wifes' Mini or my Porsche.

Mister Prakan gave me good cover for my Porsche - the policy was underwritten by Bangkok Insurance.   

In my experience - all insurance brokers will have someone who is proficient in English - but you may have to wait a little longer on the phone to get to speak to this person.

I have no experience re claims response.

Great response from Tropposurfer.

 I have owned a multitude of cars, both here and in Australia. I had a stable of 6 Mustangs before I left there for good.  
I have always detailed and cut and polished my own cars, using various products.  I am getting lazier as I get older! and have applied AvalonKing Armour Shield IX to several of my cars here in LOS , and get the ceramic coat shine and protection at a fraction of the cost of the shops because it is DIY. 
I have been very happy with the results- my cars reel water very well, and are much easier to clean when dirty , The ceramic will scratch - but “buffs out” if required.

LADIES!!!    Please stop your bickering - log off your PC/tablet/phone - and go and do something constructive for the rest of the day.

Thank you

5 hours ago, nobodysfriend said:

 

 

Hmm ... no comment .

The ugly dog haters are out again ... 

You think you are nice people ? You are not !

Just spreading hatred ...

Get what you deserve .

I am a dog lover - and I strongly believe that all animals should be treated compassionately. 

I am also a humanitarian.  I can see no logic in spending money and resources in the care of unwanted feral animals (ie soi dogs and cats) - when the resources could be more appropriately directed to people in need.

It is Thai behavior to not kill these dogs. In which case it is a good thing to ensure that the canine population is protected by vaccination - especially because stray Soi dogs could act as a reservoir of infection for beloved household dogs.

However - the realist in me , not the idealist - would suggest that euthanasia is the most correct course of action here. As I am a veterinarian - this may surprise some people.

Many of these Soi dogs are a menace and serve little purpose other than scavenge through the rubbish and help scatter it more evenly throughout the environment!! 

I am surprised at many of the responses here.  WorkSafe is not an issue in Thailand.  Has anyone been to a building site here? Or watched some road workers ( while driving past at 120 mph) ? 
why would you think typical Western building regulations with regard to safety would apply here?  Unfortunately when you pay people peanuts ???? , they are treated like monkeys ????.  The value of a life is pretty low here.

39 minutes ago, kwak250 said:

Now that looks awesome.looks like you have spent a fair bit on that .love it

 

 

 

 

Thank you

38 minutes ago, kwak250 said:

I might just buy the new 2.0l bi tubo wildtrak at 999,000 and get a sticker made up saying

"I identify as a Raptor" 

That is what I am doing!!  Sell this one , and get a stock standard 4x4 Wildtrack 7 a bit of change!! I did all the blingy stuff to the Raptor - because it was something I could never do back in Australia - they are strict with their ADRs... (Australian Design Rules).  But after 2 years I am tired of the tyre rumble - and maybe my dong has grown a bit too (or else I have learnt to accept what I have now!!) 

6 hours ago, bang saen guy said:

Power chips: A mechanic warned me off power chips. He recommends remapping the ECU instead. I did this on my Wildtrak 3.2. Worked well. Had to replace intercooler tubes in about 1 week. Went with SS. No more problems.

i have had no negative issues, and have much more oomph than stock , but fuel consumption is 20% higher & I do leave a trail of black smoke if I sink the hoof!! The response  is also better because I installed an ECU shop throttle response modifier. 

There is a 9 month wait list for this engine in Rangers in Australia!

Here in LOS - the only option is the 2 litre BiTurbo or single turbo in lower spec Rangers - or 3litre petrol V6 in the Raptor.  I have the 2 litre Raptor, & IMO the new V6 petrol donk is a bit of overkill!

I am not a killjoy (like some other posters here), having owned a 750hp Shelby in Australia before moving here - but the Ranger is a truck, not a sports car!

14 minutes ago, seajae said:

dont know about now but several years ago I brought a fresh cryovacced aged rib eye from Australia to Thailand in my suitcase packed in a soft sided cool bag with frozen sleeves around it to keep it cool, went through without a problem 

Did you declare it?

WTH.   I have wasted my time reading some bs threads on TV/AN - but this one takes the cake

????????????

48 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Ther's good reasons why 'white' Austraians should feel some guilt in respect to the earlier treatment of the first citizens of Australia and even now there's many cases of poor treatment of aboriginal folks who end up, for whatever reason in jail (long-term or overnight).

. Many sources report over-representation of Indigenous offenders at all stages of the criminal justice system. As of September 2019, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners represented 28% of the total adult prisoner population, while accounting for 3.3% of the general population  

Lawlessness is a major issue with the Koories. They are able to flaunt the law in many cases because in many areas there seems to be laws for them and laws for us. The police are hesitant to enforce the law because they know they will be accused of being racist.

In Eastern Victoria where I lived and worked for 35 years, they are a major problem. 

I know this sounds racist - but it is a fact.

I am not the full bottle on all of this.

The Aus Super website is pretty informative.

Check this info for TTR account , and follow links to their retirement account ( Choice income)

https://www.australiansuper.com/retirement/transition-to-retirement

Hope this helps.

15 minutes ago, Kenny202 said:

Here is the part I really don't understand, and that is how a pension is more beneficial financially than leaving the money invested and just drawing down as required. Is there a higher interest rate for money invested in a pension scheme? The only thing for me might be making me a bit more disciplined having to live on a specific budget

My super will allow me to set up a drawdown account, that is still invested in the ‘stream’ of my choice. I could still take extra lump withdrawals as required at any time.  Check to see if CFS has similar options. That way your remaining super balance is still working for you. 

Kenny202 you should have no problems organising your Super from Thailand. I am in a similar situation to you - my Super was available to me a few years ago, & it could be withdrawn tax free, but as I was still earning from other sources, and paying Tax in Oz - I haven’t touched it. I am able to access my Super online (Australian Super) & organise payout, transition to retirement account, or set up a ‘pension’ type drawdown account. After preservation age has been reached there should be no tax implications for you.

It may be worthwhile looking at the Australian Super website just to get some clearer information. I am definitely not touting for them - but I feel your pain with CFS. I had several employees that used this fund, and even as an employer - I found CFS to be a pack of shunts to deal with.

The Baht seems to be strengthening against many currencies in the last few weeks.

It is stronger against the Pacific Peso (Aussie dollar) - even though the PP is strengthening (slightly) against the USD.

I never try to predict , or understand! I just transfer money if I need it.

5 hours ago, Polar Bear said:

It depends what you are using it for. Giving ivermectin every 3 months is fine for intestinal worms, useless for ticks and potentially fatal with heartworm.

The problem with potential toxicity of treating dogs already infected with Dirofilaria (heartworm) was a major issue when medicating with DEC (DiEthylCarbamazine) - but is not a great risk with Ivermectin treatment.