expat_4_life

Unfortunately, these matters are never this simplistic and clear. Netanyahu partnered with Hamas to prevent a 2 state solution. Hamas as partner Effectively, Netanyahu’s entire worldview collapsed over the course of a single day. He was convinced that he could make deals with corrupt Arab tyrants while ignoring the cornerstone of the Arab-Jewish conflict, the Palestinians. His life’s work was to turn the ship of state from the course steered by his predecessors, from Yitzhak Rabin to Ehud Olmert, and make the two-state solution impossible. En route to this goal, he found a partner in Hamas. “Anyone who wants to thwart the establishment of a Palestinian state has to support bolstering Hamas and transferring money to Hamas,” he told a meeting of his Likud party’s Knesset members in March 2019. “This is part of our strategy – to isolate the Palestinians in Gaza from the Palestinians in the West Bank.” (emphasis mine) Archive Link

Thx Jack, (I also use CW) One observation, your report is quite clear, Fixed Deposit and Savings account. Quite often people use imprecise language, like separate account, Immigration account, dedicated account, etc, which I think compounds the misunderstanding/confusion on the statement requirement. I suspect that the savings accounts (unless you're lucky) are likely guaranteed to have a statement required. Fixed Deposit (unless you are very unlucky) are highly unlikely to have a statement requirement. Reports seem mixed, with often imprecise language. I've been using Fixed account for 20 years (full 800k untouched) and have never been asked for a statement (most recent visit in March 2023). I'll roll the dice again next time around without a statement and see what happens.

Saw this thread title and thought, hmmm, what are the odds its a @bignokthread ? Didn't disappoint, thx Big Bird - AseanNow community ???? you so much and long time ????

It's much worse that that ... he financially backed Hamas Hamas as partner Effectively, Netanyahu’s entire worldview collapsed over the course of a single day. He was convinced that he could make deals with corrupt Arab tyrants while ignoring the cornerstone of the Arab-Jewish conflict, the Palestinians. His life’s work was to turn the ship of state from the course steered by his predecessors, from Yitzhak Rabin to Ehud Olmert, and make the two-state solution impossible. En route to this goal, he found a partner in Hamas. “Anyone who wants to thwart the establishment of a Palestinian state has to support bolstering Hamas and transferring money to Hamas,” he told a meeting of his Likud party’s Knesset members in March 2019. “This is part of our strategy – to isolate the Palestinians in Gaza from the Palestinians in the West Bank.” Archive Link

What are the odds the assailant goes with the "Reefer Madness" defense? ????

I'm all in favor of a cap on BTS/MRT fares, of course I have self interest living in the capital city. I certainly can see political disagreement on this though too, who is going to pay for it? Who is going to pay for the 10k digital wallet? Who is going to pay for any myriad of populist spending proposals? Under the previous government it was all talk of submarines and new planes for the air force, a different version of massive government spending. Seems to me that they cannot afford these things on current revenue, hence the recent talk of "foreign income" tax, tourist airport fees. What's next, an increase in VAT of maybe an increase in the fairly recently adopted property tax?

@Longwood50Regretably I've no recommendations for Pattaya specifically, I'm in Bangkok - but alas the 2 schools I attended long ago were both victims of Covid (no longer in business). Seems based on the replies so far, that many schools in the Pattaya area also met a similar fate. I was in a similar situation as (it seems) yourself 20 years ago - wanted to do some formal Thai language learning. When I looked at this back when I arrived I had decided to make a real effort to develop some Thai language skills that went likely well beyond what most foreigners considered adequate. As I looked around I found out about the Union Language School (still in Bangkok) - using a curriculum/method developed in the 50's to teach missionarys. The thing that attracted me to this teaching method was the final goal of passing the grade 6 exam. I considered this an attainable goal, and hey if it was enough for missionarys to be unleashed in a non English speaking environment back in the 50's, it should do for my purposes. The grade 6 exam tests your listening, reading/writing, comprehension and ability to converse. At the time I looked around at many schools and found that there were several that used this method and eventually attend 2 of them. I was determined to set my goals high and see how far I could go. I did eventually pass the Grade 6 exam after about 14 months of study during a 20 month period. Classes were monthly (80 hours) and modular - so you could take breaks anytime. I've certainly no regrets for the time I invested long ago. Anyway, set your goals, visit as many schools in your locale as you can, talk to the teachers/staff, explain to them your goals, take a good look at their curriculum and roll the dice. Hopefully you get some good recommendations and good luck on your journey learning Thai.

In Quebec medically assisted suicide (state-sanctioned) is at 7 percent of all deaths, making it the third top cause of death in the province after cancer and heart disease. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12166823/Canada-track-record-busting-year-euthanasia-deaths-35-jump-13-500-cases.html

Your approach just creates unemployment, think of the therapists and suicide hot line workers ????

Hoping this elderly guy is found alive, but eight days seems a long time. Sadly expecting to find out how he met his fate.

I can clarify/further explain part of this, a foreign marriage certificate is a legal document in your home country, but not recognized as a legal document in Thailand (and probably other countries too). The process that makes your document legal here is as @Elizabeth Rdescribed, although the FCO step might differ from country to country. I think when I did this step it required a trip to the US Embassy. I definitely had to get a Thai translation and have the translation certified at the MFA in Bangkok. At the end of this process you have a marriage certificate that is legally recognized here. It is legally acceptable anytime you need it for whatever purpose, be it immigration or whatever. NOTE: this 3 step process can/may apply to other legal documents too, birth certificates, and divorce decree come to mind as I once did those as well. PS. Thanks @Elizabeth Rfor a very good report of first hand information/experience

I applied online on Sep 21, maybe same day as you - CW immigration. Finally got my approval yesterday, Oct 2nd, one day after the due date. 11 days @Cuchulainn Not sure what I'd do if the 7 day grace period was coming to an end and approval was still pending. Although I'm leaning towards waiting it out. I have the application receipt if it came down to making a personal appearance. Would that be enough to prevent the fine, dunno, but tend to think so.

I'd be surprised if your application gets approved online. Far as I know 90 Day Reporting rules are: Online - up to 15 days prior to due date In Person - up to 15 days prior and 7 days after due date Failure to report in a timely manner - fine is usually 2k baht. You, or possibly an agent, will have to turn up at immigration to pay the fine.

Personally, I'm not too concerned about this "overblown" story. Remember, not long ago, when they implemented regulations on Paypal to close the loophole on undisclosed income? I look at this the same way, it most likely to close another loophole that allows Thais to bring in undeclared income and pay no taxes. Add to that poorly explained. For the time being I'm not worried in the least as regards pension income.

my predictive reading thought sure this was going to read as "strapping it to my back" ???? I think you will find it highly likely that this type of shop offers pickup and delivery.

Thaksin is single-handedly redefining the meaning of outpatient surgery. It now means get out of jail surgery

Honestly, this is a ridiculous article. Relentless attacks, New eras and WW3, data all leaked on the mysterious "dark web" - if it on the web somewhere then it hardly dark or mysterious. Relentless attacks from whom, who else was targeted, were there other leaks, no mention. Just those Russians trying to start something (as if western countries don't have cyber capabilities). The article goes from the hacking was done by Lockbit (allegedly) and they have known links to some Russian nationals (whom they fail to name). They claim the attack was "sophisticated", well how was it done, no mention - is the company that was allegedly attacked covering up for their incompetence by calling it "sophisticated" ? Then the article continues, calling the attacks "potentially very damaging". Well, was it damaging or not? What was this data, where is it? If the data is on the web already, surely they could show it to us? Then it goes on, linking the attack to the Russian state and providing no evidence for the claim. Now they have gone from "links to Russian nationals" to claiming it was state sponsored, of course with no information. At least the Professor did finally admit that 3rd party companies are a security risk, but never proposed any remedy (this is not a new risk). Well I guess he called for more regualtion, but how about not putting your data on the web in the first place? Definitely not impressed with this poor excuse for journalism

@Gabe H CoudEach to their own, Soi 11 is not far away and I think it has more variety than Soi 4 - There is Hillarys 11 and the Golden Giraffe (where Apoteka used to be) for live music. The choices run the full spectrum, live music, beer bars, Pubs, cocktails, Night Clubs. Roof Tops, pool and sports bars, and many restaurants. This article looks very up-to-date - many many choices https://bangkoknightlife.com/sukhumvit-soi-11-nightlife/

Best you can do on visa exempt, is 30+30 day extension, that does not get u to 63 days though. A tourist visa will get you 60+30 day extension, which meets your 63 day requirement.

@lovely thaiI have a couple in the Sukhumvit area that I often go back to. Wanakarm - 98 Soi Sukhumvit 23 Prai Raya - 59 Soi Sukhumvit 8

I don't think they want to kill him, but there is this - you decide ????

Equally amazing that before July of this year I can't find a single article reporting that Thaksin has any health issues. Hmmm, I wonder

@Goodboybkk This is the best online search I've found, you can select a BTS/MRT station and in the search settings you can even specify within a specific radius. Good Luck. https://www.renthub.in.th/en/browse/bts-mrt

Thailand and Saudi Arabia restored diplomatic ties on January 26, 2022, both countries announced they restored full diplomatic relations and would appoint ambassadors. The 30 year travel ban was lifted in March 2022. https://www.newarab.com/news/saudi-arabia-lift-30-year-long-travel-ban-thailand

Maui is not a huge place, authorities know who is missing - its 2 weeks since the disaster, they are holding back releasing information but it is starting to come out. Incompetence all around, no sirens, delayed water released to fight the fires. It seems most of the victims are children, horrific. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lahaina-wildfire-victims-children-hawaii-governor-josh-green-maui/