Everyman

I love shrimp paste but I can’t work out which types of noodle shops have it and which ones don’t. I can read Thai but that hasn’t helped. It’s not random or “up to the owner” or the shop or something, there are specific kinds of noodle soup that are supposed to have it as a condiment and some which are not. I just can’t work out which is which. When I do ask for it and they don’t have it they look at me like I’m insane and say they don’t have it in an “of course” kind of way. But if they do have it, they say it in the same “of course” we do kind of way. So does anyone know which kinds of noodle shops have shrimp paste as a condiment? I thought it was boat noodles but I was just at a shop that doesn’t have it.

It’s no surprise that the revenue office didn’t just pull up their magical computer system that knows every bank balance and transaction of everyone in the world along with detailed programming of all the dual tax agreements so they can assess taxes for every random pensioner in Thailand who comes to them afraid they will be dragged out off their barstool and charged with tax evasion for not declaring their pensions.

Today I had a conversation with the manager at the SCB in Central Marina in Pattaya. She said that they are not opening accounts for DTV holders…yet because they are waiting for guidelines from the head office. Anyway that’s not much information and so not that helpful but I thought I would mention it in case any other DTV people are out there. I would also be curious if anyone has opened an account with a DTV at another bank/branch. Please don’t mention agents. I know you can use an agent. I already have an account with Bangkok Bank.

How is SCB the best? Not being critical, I would like to know

The answer probably has something to do with the “middle income trap” from economics.

At this point, I’m mostly interested in the psychological aspects of how the hysterical people will react next year when nothing at all happens. Will they double down? Or “memory hole” it as if it never happened, like the 5G tower conspiracy theorists did?

I would fed-ex it to my bank in the US and insure it for the amount of the check.

Why not just buy crypto if you want crypto? Why all the extra steps?

The solution is to get another credit card in the U.S. that does not charge foreign transaction fees. None of the Capital One cards do so you can start there. If you aren’t able to collect the card in person, have a trusted relative receive the card and take photos of the front and back. Then you can activate it and add it to Apple Pay or whatever the android equivalent is. I’ve done this with over 10 credit cards.

It doesn’t matter. Nobody is following you around just in case you happen to sell some gold so they can go tell the revenue department. Do you think Thai people are running off to the revenue department to pay tax when they sell gold?

I am fed up with you all going bonkers over mythical taxes. When will it stop? Every year that the revenue department does absolutely nothing, the hysteria just keeps growing. It’s pathetic and insane.

It’s you who are deluded. The revenue department is not MI6. You probably think they are watching you with a satellite too. And did you mean principal or principle?

Is this a joke? How do you imagine the revenue department will know if you sold some gold? Do you think they are spying on you? The paranoia about taxes has gotten totally out of hand.

2% is crap

Did they mention if the card will have your name on it?

🤔

They do, but I’ve always thought it was not a good idea compared to a traditional account. At least Citi is too big to fail, no matter how useless their call centers.

I have several real Citibank credit cards and accounts. Nine out of ten representatives in those Filipino call centers are useless idiots. They know nothing, have no power or common sense and just waste your time.

The reason health insurance prices are so high for foreigners is because in the last 15 years or so, hospitals (including government ones) have realized that is another way to rip off foreigners and charge them far more than Thais for the same treatments. That “25%” more value is the minimum. Hopefully nobody will respond with a silly argument like “it’s still cheaper than America” or “it’s only fair since you are a guest in their country.” I get tired of reading that crap. 🙄 But anyway, I think it’s reasonable to say that if there are any new taxes, foreigners will get Absolutely Nothing out of it.

It’s amazing the number of people who think they can predict exchange rates. The whole point of the Wise account is it lets one exchange between currencies whenever desired. But isn’t that just amateur currency trading? If people are really doing so well with that strategy they could be making a lot of money trading more formally on Forex markets or something. More likely, I think doing so provides a sense of gratification and that like gamblers people tend to only count their gains. Now some people will insist that really do have genuine gains this way. Great. Go trade Forex.

When was the last time you complained to Thai authorities and they listened AND they actually did something about it?

I’ve heard that store the paper for awhile and then eventually burn it.

Not to get sidetracked, I guess the point I’m making is that intelligence and education do not mean a person will be wise financially. It’s not really about women.

I have a family member who is a medical doctor. Her finances have been a disaster her entire life. The only reason is isn’t broke is because of her huge income. But even after working as a doctor for decades, her net worth is almost zero.

I have perfect credit and about 15 credit cards. None of them have a balance. I get new credit cards to get signup bonuses and then I stop using them. After a few years the banks cancel them automatically.