Lorry

So you know now. They learned it from the plutocratic democratic West.

(Actually, they are not so new anymore. But I managed to avoid them until now) What ViaBus calls "38/3-8", that's what ordinary people call "bus 38"? The sign on the bus may read "38", or "3-8", or both? What Google calls "3-11/48", that's what ordinary people call "bus 48"? The sign on the bus may read "48", or "3-11", or both ? Am I correct? (I just guess) If ViaBus and Google don't agree, which one is probably right? BTW Google recommends walking on the water of our local Khlong for about 1 km (that's not even a shortcut) - do they mean wading (it's only 2-3m deep) or swimming?

This email and the forms are the normal self-certification for FATCA/CRS. Necessary for the bank to participate. Every bank should have sent this to all old customers in the beginning of the year. Some are slow. (Actually, all are slow.) New customers should have given all this information to the bank when opening the account. Some old customers may have provided this information, but cannot remember it. They are very US-centric because the land of the free is the most intrusive one the US asks a lot more than the EU (CRS is basically the EU version of FATCA - I know this is a simplification)

There are many brands of triamcinolone oral paste. Every pharmacy has it. Just go and show them the ulcers. Works very well.

Yes, it's a flying saltwater crocodile. They are toxic, poisonous and venomous. Just by breathing the same air as you, they transmit rabies, covid and H5N1. Leave this place asap, drink 2 gallons of methanol and take a bath in 100%bleach.

Catholic, too. When I was young, it was easy to recognize a prostitute in Spain, eg in Madrid: every woman between 15 and 45 who was not at home. Spain has changed a lot in the 80's and 90's. About Poland or Ireland, I have no idea. Islam is not the only patriarchal religion. BTW in Iran, since the revolution, women are not groped (too dangerous for the man). Quite the opposite in Turkey and Pakistan.

I see Thais filing taxes. And the ones I see not filing taxes, some do worry about taxes. This is something new, the same people wouldn't know how to spell t-a-x 5 or 10 years ago. I have yet to meet a freelancer filing taxes, but I don't discuss taxes with freelancers often.

My Regional Revenue Office can more or less muddle through with English, at the level of a waitress 30 years ago. In the Area Revenue Office, no English. (Both in Central Bangkok, in areas with lots of foreigners). BTW the existence of the Regional Revenue Office is not known in the Area Revenue Office. When shown name and address of the Regional Revenue Office, staff at the Area Revenue Office had no idea what kind of place that might be.

Correct. And if you meet certain conditions (like health insurance and income, the 2 main requirements in the EU and the 2 problems of OP), you can live in Thailand, in New Caledonia or on Mars.

As others have noted, insurance companies will bring almost all patients from Vang Vieng to Udon or Bangkok. Hospitals in Laos are very basic. The one in Vang Vieng is a better one, new, they do have doors, glass windows, an ambulance, they can handle basic stuff - but of course, not an ICU patient. The transfer to Thailand is often slow. For example, not every insurance is able to get a helicopter in Laos (there is one). Methanol intoxication requires fast treatment. If the doctor in Vang Vieng doesn't dare to give iv ethanol (= normal alcohol) - he has no diagnostic means to check for methanol - and therapy is only started in Bangkok, the patient probably won't survive.

Fermentation of fruit also gives you methanol. Apple liquor, stuff like that. If it's whiskey containing methanol, the methanol has been added.

I beg to differ. The TRD hasn't made a clear decision - we get as many opinions from the TRD as they have staff. This was to be expected. The first time they really demonstrated in public what a complete mess their own thinking is, was the French embassy video. @4myr's post yesterday reminds me a lot of this video. An incredible, incoherent hodgepodge of truths, halftruths, misunderstandings and falsehoods. But they have the power. Like immigration. My personal conclusion: I really don't want to deal with these guys. For the time being, this means I won't bring money into Thailand. No condo, no car, no house, no flight tickets, no nothing. What do I live on? I have some savings here, and I am staying in Thailand a lot less than before. Longer term, I will probably stay less than 180 days a year. And when - not if - worldwide income will be taxed or the visa will be tied to a tax return, I am out of here. Filing taxes at home is bad enough, filing taxes in 2 bureaucratic countries - life is too short.

I am one of the people you mention, but I didn't know this. And I am not sure at all whether it's true. Can you somehow support this statement or do you just "know"? I see many other reasons for road deaths in Thailand: - poor planning and maintenance of roads - poor enforcement of the laws, including poor enforcement of traffic rules, especially with farang (BTW I still have to see a farang who knows Thai traffic rules - just read the hilarious discussions about specific rules on AN sometimes, where people living here for decades can't agree) - too many motorcycles, maybe the most important reason - drug usage (esp. yaba, alcohol, cannabis, mobile phones) ...

It may be news to you, but they are human (really) with a EU passport.

That's the whole point that you are not able to understand. For the 3rd time: you can work anywhere in the EU, and if you have a job in country XYZ, you con live there too. But if you have no job, e.g. you are retired or a housewife, there is no right to live anywhere in the EU.

You are just plain wrong, what can I say... Yes, many EU countries are quite relaxed about these things, but you have absolutely no right to settle down anywhere in the EU if you are not working. Prime example: Bulgarians/Romanian in rich EU countries. Even the Irish wife of my German friend was not automatically allowed to stay as long as she wanted.

That's Paxlovid. Good idea if tested positive and in a risk group or elderly (recommendations vary, from over 50 to over 65) Available at the ARI clinic downstairs at the parking of Samitivej Hospital for about 27000, Bumrungrad (a bit more than 30000) etc. You have to see a doctor and do a test at the hospital.

Best post I have read on AN for a long time. Just 3 comments: They are (especially in combination with busses and motorcycles) much more expensive than in the most expensive cities of my home country, which is a rich country. Same in Spain, Paris, London, Germany, NZ... I don't think unaffordable housing is the main reason for decreasing populations. But that's another topic.

I thought that's an oxymoron

You can still buy Minoxidil. 5% for men. 2.5% for women (I have never seen 2.5% in Thailand, though,

Job offers. Good jobs, supposedly in Thailand, Malaysia or Cambodia. Salaries double of a beginner's salary in Taiwan (which are extremely low, not much more than in Thailand). They kidnap not only women, also men.

It's a government place, you cannot normally choose a doctor. You will first be seen by a junior doctor.

Good article. I would add the beautiful exotic beach of Pattaya, absolutely stunning. These are the beaches all tourists should go. And please stay there!

Wasn't the rainy season supposed to be over?

Not only Taiwanese https://www.usip.org/publications/2024/05/transnational-crime-southeast-asia-growing-threat-global-peace-and-security