DonniePeverley

Malaysia over stay rates from India were very high. This is now allowing Indians (and Chinese) essentially to stay in Thailand long term.

The rent on that villa of yours will go through the roof. People getting a tad excited they are getting a longer visa, but the unintended (or intended) consequeces of opening up to the world and newer nations, allowing some nationalities that have a history of overstay to stay longer will see visitor numbers through the roof, especially those staying long term.

When your favourite little area, condo, is packed with Indians and Chinese you may think again. This is going to be a massive change to Thailand. The volume of numbers arriving will be through the roof.

Unless you can get a new one every year? Otherwise it's just a one year visa costing roughly £400 - but may well tip you into the tax paying threshold if you do actually stay 180 days.

Looks like it. More than likely an effect would be more working here illegally. Also now allowing visa on arrival to some countries with very high crime rates.

It's a worthwhile point. Because it's going to cause the volume of numbers through the roof.

Not really. Thailand is already bucking under the pressure of serving 40 million tourists. You are now looking at doubling that figure.

It's going to be complete carnage with the volume of tourists and visitors they are going to let in.

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated. Is it a case you just turn up at the hospital, and say i have a headache? How does one gage which hospital will really go to town on me on costs, compared to what will take it nice and relaxed? Obviously i am aware of the one or two top hospitals.

In the UK, the system is you register with a local doctor and he/she see's to your medical needs and (other than an emergency) make appointments with you to see a specialist in a hospital. They prefer you as a first port of call not to go to a hospital in the UK as it clogs up the already stretched system. How does the system in Thailand work? If for example i have a cough or a persistent headache what is the route you take? Do you have local doctors? Or is everything geared around just going to a hospital ?

I don't bother with food courts where you know you can't get a table. Infact i don't bother much with them anymore, as they usually just reheat food that has already been cooked. Give me a freshly cooked meal anytime over that.

What happened to wanting quality tourists and not chasing volume ? Relaxing visa rules for Indians and Chinese doesn't really smack of 'wanting quality tourists'.

School fees are quite expensive in Thailand. THey would get free education, and free healthcare in the UK

Ignorant vapers who just blow the huge waft of vape smoke into the air without a thought of those around them is disgusting. The smoke that they emit is much more than a regular cigarette.

OPening up the borders, relaxing visa rules and attracting low spend tourists was always going to be a problem. Allowing RUssians to stay long term is also an issue as they are pushing local thai's out of workplaces and accomodation in many places. Sri Lanka already got rid of them.

I am confused as to geographically how Thailand becomes a hub ? Is it to connect passengers from Europe? If so, the only logistically place it serves as a decent connection is Australia. But what other region? China, perhaps - but it's not a great connection from Thailand. But most of all if you want to be a major hub you certainly need a big national carrier that brings passengers into Thailand, then connects onwards. Thai Airways has barely shown that. The Middle eastern carriers have the perfect middle ground from Europe to Asia geographically and with Emirates and Qatar have two of the biggest airlines, and with a connection service that is second to none. Furthermore, Bangkok for example, has two airports - that are quite a distance apart. If you were flying in from Europe and then heading onwards to China, more than likely you would have to go Don Muang airport which once again makes it an iffy choice. Do they plan on upgrading Suvarnabhumi ? Dubai has recently announced planned to build a massive huge multi billion dollar airport, with multiple runways, and one huge hub. That is some ten years away. Does Thailand have similar plans? Furthermore, if you did really want to connect in SE Asia, then Singapore with it's top notch airport would be a better fit.

Have you bought property before? How do you know the seller actually owns the property? How do you plan on transfering funds whilst ensuring you get your property? Whose going to register the property? This isn't renting.

Come on lads .. if you are making a serious investment in a property you aren't going to rely on Charlie Beefcake from Soi Bukhao to help you with the paperwork. You will need a qualified legal representative to do this for you.

For me, i hand over cash. Cashier counts it in the machine. Then counts it manually. Then turns the notes over and counts again. Then back into the machine for another check. Then a manual check on each note to look for marks. Then back into the machine. Then just for safety another manual count. And just to be extra sure another manual count. And let's just do another machine count one more time. Oh go on, another machine count. This is just time consuming. There was a place next door, who were given a slight marginally lower rate, but she just counted it once in the machine and i was on my way.

Why do they have to count the money 4-5 times ?

One thing Bangkok got rite was investing in infrustructure - particular the BTS and then MRT. But originally to have the foresight to invest in the BTS changed everything. For tourism, visitors, and business - to have that BTS line was just next level to get out of the Bangkok traffic and able to do things quicker. I fail to understand why the likes of Philipines, Vietnam can't just concentrate on a small area and build a good transport project.

Noticing a heavy fish smell lately.

When you condo becomes 95% occupied by Russians, who chose to ignore rules (Eg no short term letting, no drinking or smoking by the pool, keeping noise down at night, etc) you will know about 'bad neighbours'.

I was going to buy a condo in Bangkok. Everything seemed perfect with this brand new shiny condo. However, last minute i changed my mind and just rented it. Great decision. For the first year condo was run well, those in charge were on top of everything. However it is now becoming over run with airbnb/short term rentals. They are now sending emails in Russian and Chinese. Those in charge seem powerless or have no will to stop this. It's essentially now just a hotel with huge turnover of guests in and out. I'll be out of here when my tennancy runs out.

You then have to hope whoever is stealing your electric is in his property and has appliances on.