Raphael Hythlodaeus

I'm talking about comparing renting to buying for those wishing to live in Thailand. I'm NOT talking about investing world-wide. On that I've made huge gains in crypto, far more than any other investment including property. Again, buying property has worked well for me in Thailand compared to renting, but that might not be the case in the future due to the unstable political situation.

Sure thing -- so go and stay in the US. I'm just comparing costs in Thailand.

Yes, and not badly run at all. High condo maintenance fees are yet another scam in Thailand. There is also a 2 THB per sq.m charge for the Sinking Fund for major expenditures, plus Yearly Building Insurance and apartment maintenance, so realistically more like 5,000 THB a month compared to rental of 30,000 THB. But that's in fairly central Bangkok (Ekamai), not in Nakhon Nowhere. However, I've been here a long time so for newbies looking for retirement I think renting outside of Bangkok is probably better, rather than tying up capital, especially in view of all the pitfalls in buying property in Thailand.

Because I bought a 100 sq.m condo in Bangkok 38-years ago for 1.2 million baht which is now worth at least 5-million. Meanwhile, I now pay condo maintenance fees of 2,600 baht a month when I would have to pay 30,000 baht / month rent for the same apartment. I wonder who exactly is in their right mind.

Many countries have investment schemes which include citizenship and a passport. For example, Turkey has a scheme whereby a property investment of $250,000 secures Turkish citizenship/passport. What is Thailand offering? A 10-year Visa with masses of paperwork?

I think you will find that any scheme designed to avoid the foreign property/land ownership laws such as this is technically illegal. Of course, many have done so without problems -- yet. I would not do it myself, preferring the legal method of condo ownership.

My Thai DL has a QR code but when I scan it the link doesn't work. Update: Oh, I see I have to download the DLT QR License app.

10,000 baht per year compared to 1,900 baht to extend a Non-O based on Retirement. I normally get a single Reentry Permit for 1,000 baht. The phone app works for me for 90-day Reporting. Free. Still, IF it makes life easier because I don't like going to the IO (with the possibility of some extra requirement I was not aware of), and IF I don't have to go to CW to apply (can be done at my local IO or by post), I MIGHT be interested if the whole thing is clarified.

I have used high THC cannabis oil to treat my cancer for many years. I cannot say with certainty if it has helped but since I'm still around 15 years after being diagnosed as "high risk" I will continue using the oil whether it is technically illegal to do so or not. Hemp oil low in THC is useless for this purpose. Therefore, I would urge the government to decriminalize marijuana high in THC for medicinal use as a first step. Personally, I would also prefer social use to be legalized and those in jail for drug offences to be released immediately. The money saved could be used to set up clinics to help those dependent on drugs. I have not personally found marijuana to be addictive, where nicotine in tobacco definitely is. Took me many months to wean myself off tobacco.

The PM is a <deleted> idiot and I don't care if this site bans me.

I disagree Skeptic - should be face Down to protect the panels from UV radiation.

There are numerous studies showing that cloth masks do nothing to prevent the spread of viruses. The virus aerosol size is minute in comparison to the air gaps in the masks. Why should people comply with regulations which make absolutely no sense? If cloth masks did work, why are there not strict regulations to control how they are disposed of, since they supposedly contain so many virus and bacterial deposits?

Whether I have no common sense and I'm a fool is nobody's business except my own. Certainly not yours.

Crypto.

Heard of MONERO ?

But if you can provide a UK address from a friend or relative then Wise will accept that and send the card to Thailand. I have done this myself.

But if you can provide a UK address from a friend or relative then Wise will accept that and send the card to Thailand. I have done this myself.

crazy, very foolish, or desperate to see family. I hope this news is spread everywhere on social media.

For 96.5% Thai gold bars there is only 100 baht difference between the buy and sell price per 1 baht weight. No tax. Some dealers like Ausiris also sell 99.99% gold from PAMP (Switzerland). Personally, I have always paid cash and would not pay a credit/debit card commission. I prefer 96.5% 10 baht weight bars and 99.99% 100 gram or 1 Kg bars. http://www.ausiris.co.th/content/index/goldprice.html

No, it's not the Thais in general at fault. Anything to do with GOVERNMENT gets screwed up, not only here. In fact, the apps for some Thai banks, SET, and the Bitkub crypto exchange are excellent, so the Thais can do it.

No, to my knowledge the 1 MB only covers bank deposits. However, in 1997 my Thai stock broker went bust. Cash deposits were frozen but paid back with a repayment scheme lasting several years. The stocks were transferred to another broker immediately after setting up an account at the new broker. I would expect the same thing to happen again in another financial meltdown. If you have stocks and cash with a Thai broker and you are concerned about this then I suggest you contact them directly.

I'm packing my bags. 50 baht ? Outrageous. More to the point, those gov hospital queues can be horrendous so not for the faint hearted. By the way, I also tried to register with the gov 50% off app but when I tried entering the first number "6" in my Yellow book it was immediately rejected. However, where there's a will there's a way, and I put the app on my phone using the missus's ID number. It works !! I can even buy amber liquid with it at 50% off from some outlets.

TIT. Please note that in my case about 10 years ago the government health hot line said YES based on my Yellow Tabian Bahn ID number which starts with the number "6" and gave the choice of 3 government hospitals in Bangkok. I chose the nearest one to my condo (still 40-minutes away) but when we went there they said NO, telling us it was only for migrant workers from Cambodia or Burma. Standing at the hospital reception desk I asked my daughter (who speaks Thai) to phone the health hot line again. After some discussion I asked my daughter to pass the phone to the receptionist. A few minutes conversation then took place between the hot line person and the receptionist, after which the receptionist said OK, I could have the card. So the secret was to get in touch with the health hot line FIRST and then go to the hospital. Maybe I was lucky. Maybe they don't give it now. All I know is I have it and paid 30 baht to see a doc last year (2020).

Sorry to be so pernickety, but you stated "or has ever existed" which is not true. I just wanted to state the facts, not conjecture. And of course I still have the designated hospital card for the 30 baht scheme which has not been cancelled as far as I'm aware.

I agree with your post and you did say "usually involves official translation of name into Thai etc" which is fair enough. But just to say that personally I did not have to supply any official translations. That was 15 years ago for my 1st YB when they used a large ledger book to enter the details. I did have to go with a Thai who swore she had known me for some years. My 2nd YB was obtained in the last couple of years from a different Amphur and again without official translations but without a Thai to accompany me. As others have said, it seems to depend on the Amphur, whether or not the staff are in a good mood, and phases of the moon. Just go to the Amphur and ask them what they require. Take all the usual docs and they might do it there and then with minimal hassle and cost. But maybe not !