2009

7 minutes ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

Bottom line: economic disaster.

Another consuqeuence: things like prostitution and other under-the-table professions will flourish because if now her choice is factory/farm or sell herself - now it won't be a choice at all.

There would be less prostitution.

The reason why there is so much prostitution now is cos for an uneducated village girl the choice is:

1. 300 a day (12 hour days)

2. Make a fortune slingin' your hoi

9 minutes ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

I don't know about you, but last I've been to a bar in my home country a vodka & coke was the equivalent of 730 baht, and you're expected to tip at least 10-15%. In Thailand a cheap vodka bottle (Smirnoff) at an upscale nightclub is 3000 baht everything included, in my home country I was quoted 9600 baht - not including mixers or service charge (15%). I also remember in Japan when we got a table at a nightclub it was 60,000 yen for 2 hours with 2 bottles, plus mixers and service charge 75,000 yen (19,000 baht) - and they literally kicked us off the table after 2 hours!

 

Pricing for nightlife in developed countries is extremely expensive to the point it's funny that you think it's comparable to Thailand. 150 baht beer drinkers are the smallest revenue source for a nightclub - it's heavier drinkers and bottles that actually keep the lights on and what you need to compare.

In the UK, a pint is like 4 pounds or less. That's like 160 baht.

And that's for a nice pint of Belgian beer for example, not Asian <deleted>.

Down Sukhumvit, you'll pay 150 a pint after 8pm. 120 a small bottle is normal.

You are not expected to tip just for sitting at a bar in the UK.

Restaurants, that's different.

On 12/9/2022 at 2:09 PM, khunPer said:

Where does the money for the pay rises come from..?

Uhm.....the business owner's pocket. Lol

And don't tell me they can't afford it cos that's BS.

For example, bars in Europe can pay their staff more an hour than Thai bars pay their staff a day, yet the cost of a drink isn't that much different.

Not to mention, in Europe, they have to pay higher taxes, more expensive utilities etc etc, yet they still make a profit!

In Thailand: 150+ baht drinks, cheap utilities, low tax, yet staff get only 300 a day!

Yeah, I know: rent. But you think rent is cheaper in the West? No, it isn't.

Thai businesses take a hand at their staff and their customers, even.

Time they paid up.

I am almost embarrassed to live here sometimes.

On 6/2/2022 at 6:59 PM, Jingthing said:

Racism is very real. 

Absolutely, particularly in non-western countries.

East Asians tend to be racist against Africans and Middle Easterns. I am sure they don't really like whites either.

Middle Easterns don't like westerners 

Blacks in Africa despise the white minority and are openly racist.

I had a Latino guy today tell me he likes Thailand but not Thais.

Eastern Europe, openly racist.

Some parts of Europe too, Greece and Italy, for example 

The entire non-western world is basically openly and unashamedly racist. They don't seem to think it's wrong and it is just a normal part of life.

Only in the West (UK, America etc etc) do we think racism is wrong.

11 hours ago, HuskerDo2 said:

Women and children ALWAYS will take priority as they are weaker and more vulnerable. Yes, I'd feel bad for anyone this sort of thing happened to but I find your comment odd. Men are men and should be able to take care of themselves. Not the same with women and children.

Children, yes. I agree.

I find it odd you'd value a man less than a woman though. Why not equality?

So men should just be able to handle getting attacked? Lol

16 hours ago, HuskerDo2 said:

They must think they are big tough men attacking a small woman and dumping acid on her face. I hope when they find them they do the same to them and then cut off their "Polish sausages" and force them down their throats. Men who abuse women or children should have their "private part" removed as a warning to anyone else who ever tries to abuse those weaker than them. Makes me sick to read stories like this. 

Sounds like you wouldn't have the same tone if a man was the victim.

If I were retired, I'd be hitting the gym, chilling at home, going out exploring the different areas of Bangkok, taking train trips to different parts of the country, cooking, eating out, drinking in pubs, meeting friends, getting massages etc etc

Perhaps scuba diving....and maybe a little muff diving too. Hehe

Why can't they get this together?

It's not that hard to drive relatively safely as a nation.

But to have one of the highest road fatalities in the world.

Isn't it a loss of face?

6 hours ago, BKKBike09 said:

The 'alleged' seems a bit redundant.

 

A semi-auto 12 gauge.

 

Yep. Shooting at them in the shop seems reasonable (If four guys, at least two of whom are visibly armed, break into your place of business, do you politely ask them to leave), but the guy in the shop also kept shooting at them once they were outside. 

 

 

Yup, fair play.

3 hours ago, alex8912 said:

Don't buy properties? As in condo's? Why is that? 

1. The market is <deleted> here.

2. And one will have a happy life limiting dealings/friction with locals; they are playing a different game from us.

Well, some friction is ok, I suppose, but only in the form of a good rubdown ????

8 hours ago, webfact said:

 

Jason states that he had what he thought was a trusted friend of eighteen years, whose full name is withheld pending further legal action, sign the lease for twelve months

Another western sucker.

Trust is not a concept here.

This thread is hilarious.

None of it makes a difference. It's the law of the jungle on the roads here.

There's no concept of giving others the right of way. Just, "me first".

They even act like this on foot too.

It's truly a cultural phenomenon over all of Asia (I think) that I will never fathom out.

On 11/8/2022 at 12:07 PM, daveAustin said:

Eh? Must’ve missed that. From what I read most of them seemed more interested to see what was between their legs. 

That speaks volumes.

No more cheese bites, I hear them cry.

13 hours ago, DJ54 said:

If everyone helps a little eventually it will catch on. Part of the issue is some don’t know any better and haven’t been taught… I’ve seen elders do it and my guess they’ve never been taught… 

I wouldn't hold your breath. You'll be waiting a few generations.

I think they just don't care. And yeah, I've seen old people litter too.

23 hours ago, KannikaP said:

They did not feel OBLIGATED as that means required by law. Neither were they OBLIGED to do it as they didn't expect a reward. They did it because they WANTED to.

Exactly, 

It's a cultural difference perhaps lost on KhunLA.

I find here, they give the absolute bare minimum (except if something is for show).

Yet somehow they are masters at extracting as much for themselves as physically possible.

Guess, it's their way of life.

Just now, ubonjoe said:

A immigration office can issue a non-o visa that allows a 90 day stay that can be extended for one year.

Interesting, thanks.

Is that applicable to all reasons (i.e. marriage, Thai child, etc. etc.)?

And can you do that from any other visa category (or extension of stay)?

On 11/15/2022 at 12:47 PM, buick said:

i got a 90 day O august 2021 from CW.  went back to do one year extension in mid october 2021 and only had to supply the bank book (plus copies of the pages).  no statements.  same when i did the first renewal of the one year in oct 2022.

 

i originally had an O that had expired as i'd been outside thailand for awhile.

Chang Wattana gives 90 day Non Immigrant O extensions?

I didn't know that.

So, guys - I haven't seen any places advertising it yet - but where is a good place to eat Christmas Dinner?

12 hours ago, nigelforbes said:

Yes and no, I suppose it depends on the definition of "time the markets". I moved from 100% global equities to around 50% Wealth preservation funds, 10% equities and 40% cash. Not long afterwards the markets fell and my investor peers/friends all took hits up to -40%, I suffered -6%. I came out of equities because the 10year became inverted  and I thought I could see the inflation writing on the wall....I was lucky, I was right. Now, I'm slowly getting back into equities, very very slowly. A friend says I'm timing the market, I say I'm not. I say I'm making rational adjustments based on economic forecasts and events. Define it how you will, if that is timing the markets it's definitely not a looser game.

It may work 2 times out of 10, lol.

Generally, 'time in the market' beats timing the market.

58 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

The S&P has been falling for one year and has lost about 10 % of its value , so  your investment this year would have been down by 10 % and you would be up by 1.5 % had you stuck the money in a bank and with rental properties , you need to be  the landlord or pay an agency 10 % and being a landlord is a job itself 

Yeah, but you know I might live another 50 years. Lol.

You should never out money in stocks that you'll need within the next 5 years.

It's silly to try time the markets jumping in and out is a losers game 

1 hour ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

So where would be the better place to put money TODAY ?

(I don't mean , where should the money have been put 5 years ago .) 

   Where should money be invested today , where you are guaranteed higher returns than banks interest rates (5 %) 

The SP500 and rental properties will continue to beat bank interest rates, lol, just like they always have.

48 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

Property prices are on their way down . 

The cost of living crises and high inflation rates have caused a lot of people sell and not many are buying , which is causing a property price decrease 

 

https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-house-price-rally-end-next-year-no-big-crash-expected-2022-11-25/

 

Still though, how can just holding cash be better?

I get that everyone needs an emergency fund, but over and above that, it's a waste.

This is just gut-wrenching.

Can't imagine how bad the parents feel.