KhunLA

The BYD Shark is a hybrid, though a bit pricier than both the others.  Still pretty sporty, 5.7 secs

I haven't peeked at it though, as not a fan of hybrids.  At leas its a PHEV, and battery should be more than enough for all local driving.

The BYD Shark 6 AWD (also referred to as the Shark 6 DMO) is priced at 1,699,900 Thai Baht in Thailand.

Here's a breakdown: 

Price: 1,699,900 Thai Baht

Type: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV).

Platform: Built on BYD's DMO (Dual Mode Off-road) platform.

Engine: 1.5T engine with dual electric motors.

Drivetrain: AWD (All-Wheel Drive).

Battery: Blade Battery with 29.58 kWh capacity.

Electric Range: Up to 100 km (NEDC).

Total Range: Up to 840 km (with fuel).

0-100 km/h: 5.7 seconds.

Key Features: Off-road capabilities with 4 modes (Mud, Sand, Snow, Mountain).

Import: CBU (Completely Built-Up) from China.

Warranty: 6 years/150,000 km for the vehicle, 8 years/160,000 km for the battery.

Other: Also supports VtoL (Vehicle to Load) for external power.

Step into the 21st Century ... keep the performance you might miss with the Ranger

RIDDARA RD6 4WD 86 kWh: 1,299,000 baht

The Riddara RD6 electric pickup truck boasts impressive performance figures. It delivers 422 horsepower and 585 Nm of torque, with a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4.5 seconds. 😎

The Ford Ranger Stormtrak, when equipped with the 2.0L Bi-Turbo diesel engine and 4x4 drivetrain, produces 210 horsepower (155kW) and 500 Nm of torque. It achieves 0-100 km/h acceleration in 12.70 seconds.   

8 minutes ago, novacova said:

Looks like a cutthroat, been a while since catching those. In the PNW used to catch sea-run blueback cutthroat in the coastal rivers.

I'm going with rainbow trout, a favorite to catch, and tasty 👍

Thought they were more, very fresh water though, as only caught them in small streams, upstream, small rivers, inland at PA & NV.

19 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

The Hollies, The Mindbenders, Herman's Hermits, The Dakotas, 10cc, were real Manchester bands, not like those spoiled brothers.

I am from Manchester and would never have said ALDEH, although it weren't around when I were a lad. It were always t' Ço-op.

I saw 10CC at Tower Theater, 2k seats, (where Bowie recorded some live tracks from), and Rory Gallagher opened for them, Dec 5th 1975 

Sat maybe 10 rows back from the stage, cost maybe $5 USD 

I wish I cared enough, I'd have a techie buddy of mine crash his app 

On the flip side, if I lived in USA, I'd hope ICE, or sure I know folks who could give me access, to their database, and as a hobby, I'd help track down folks on their warrant list 

I really hate wanted felons walking amongst us 😎

1 hour ago, save the frogs said:

 

Yeah, so how much savings does one need to have to cover all eventualities of illnesses? 

 

Seems like it must be in the millions of baht and most people won't have it in their 70s or 80s when they need it most. 

 

They'll have it, if they didn't waste it on insurance payments.  Of course a risk assessment of family health issues is a good idea.   Not in my family, except self induced cancers.

Thankfully I bounce pretty good, as done plenty of stupid sh!t in days past.  Except for one recent oops, as stated, most oops were covered by pocket change.  

Most people in 70s & 80s have equity in their home, and or lines of credit, if needed.  If in TH, and you sold up, before coming here, you should have a nice oops fund, or at least your 800k in the bank for Imm, if can't meet the 65k a month.   800k buys a lot in Thailand at govt hospital, or even private hosp., or Ms Google tells me ... 

Obviously if you don't have an oops fund, then simply get insurance.   It's not rocket science.

I've yet to have one honor their policy.  OK maybe one, the rest, I had to sue.  From Soc Sec, workman's comp (3x), home owners ins, healthcare ins I actually had for 6 months (offer I couldn't turn down).

32 minutes ago, MJoe said:

 
No one has received their form for 2025 - including people all across the world with reliable postal systems. For the last 10 plus years, mine has ALWAYS been dated June 1 (or June 2 if weekend involved) and I have NEVER received it later than June 16. Similar story to what everyone else is reporting. IMO the 7162 process is not operating in 2025. But I would be delighted to be proven wrong.

Then myself and another AN must be special, as we both got ours in July last year.  Go figure ... damn you Biden 

I know I've downloaded it and mailed it in, as didn't receive when I expected, July.   Don't remember exact times, but since I downloaded, probably well into July.

I guess them bastards singled me out of the millions that received it in a timely manner.

That makes years of health insurance premiums a waste of money.  If having a minor incident that doesn't even need treatment, as we age, things change.   If the change causes an issue in the future, then considered pre-existing and no longer covered.  What a scam 🙄

Add even more reason why I'd never have health insurance.

7 hours ago, cusanus said:

Personally, I've never had a problem in 20 years, however it does appear that Melon Musk and Agent Orange are doing their best to muck up the system. Most years I got the form by end of June. When a friend did not by end of July, we filled out and mailed in the blank form (don't forget to put in SSN# top right). If the form finally arrives later, use the enclosed SASE and send it again to make sure. Do not use EMS or registered mail, because those may sit forever before getting a signature. In a couple of months email Manilla asking to let you know the status. It may take a couple of weeks to get a reply but usually only a day or two. Most likely, it's recorded as received. You can try calling, but it may be difficult getting through. If you're still unsure come October, fill out and mail yet one more, wait a couple months and query Manilla again. If you're still not recorded, well, the plane crashed or the fascists may have achieved their goal to suck up the taxes you paid for retirement all your working life. Hopefully, you've saved enough to get by.  

Has nothing to do with Musk or Trump.   And in my world, it's not even late ... yet.   Now if it doesn't arrive by August, then I'd consider it late.   Didn't arrive last year till about 10th of July, at a guess, since I mailed it back 14th or 15th.   Was that Musk's or Trump's fault also 

17 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Todays view and my dinner today. Spent a few hours total the last 3 days for that one 

Wish it wasn't so hot here at times, as I think I'd take up fishing.  We're only a few kms from the surf, or back channel waters.

Never mess with someone's pet.   So, is the Myna OK 😎

Just now, RuamRudy said:

 

And your corrupt president and his pathetically weak hangers-on have just gutted medicaid. Screw them too? 

 

 

Medicaid cuts in Trump's 'big beautiful bill' will leave millions uninsured, threaten rural hospitals

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/07/01/how-trump-bill-medicaid-cuts-will-impact-us-health-care.html

So you've seen the final draft of the approved bill 

If soon, scratch any idea of going via Cambodia by ground transport.  Considering how pets attract the attention of corrupt customs agents, do carry a bit of extra cash on you.  Air travel seem to be best, to avoid 'surprises' or so I read.

Good Luck

18 minutes ago, Quentin Zen said:

Met one older farang.  happy for 10 years, then she kicked him out and he lost his 100k investment and went homeless in Cambodia.  that was rough.

 

another has three kids with thee different Thai ladies.  divorced maybe three times.

 

another seems happy, but did have a "bar girl" period of years. 

 

another couple seems happy

 

another seems happy

 

another couple seems happy

 

another probably divorced.  they cheated on each other, very toxic.

 

another couple likely happy, it's been a few years.  he had cash, she was young.  never know.  

 

all I can think of right now...... 

So not much different from folks I know back in the motherland 

On 8/18/2023 at 12:19 PM, KhunLA said:

Obviously the more ESSs that you have, the less total % you'll be draining them down to, so more equals more life longevity ... at a price of course, and far from inexpensive, and accounts for >40% of the price of our system.

 

Obviously ROI, will depend on cost & usage.  For us, that's going to be 5-10 yrs, probably about 7 years.

 

Happy Savings ????????????

Adding the 2nd ESS (10kWh for total of 20kWh) was definitely for longevity.   This the season when they would be needed, and TBH, we don't need the second one.

As one crapped out (under warranty) and went back for repair, not replace.  Probably the BMS, as cells were balanced when topped off and as it was discharging, still fairly balanced.

Since on one bank the past month, of overcast & rain, the 10kWh available over night was more than enough, using less than 7kWh over night.  Much less some nights, as really don't need the AC, or even the fan some nights, as the overnight temps are so low.  If using, more for the dehumidifying feature, as raining on/off the past 10 days since returned from an O&A.

With that, if not having the 2nd ESS,  costing 95k baht, the ROI for system would probably be realized at about the end of year 3 - 3.5 maybe.   Lot of that due to charging BEVs and petrol savings.

Even with crappy weather, still plenty of extra solar for charging the BEVs.   Though I do drive the MB if not raining, though been caught 2X already, as started to drizzle on the way back home.   Rain & E-MB, what could go wrong 

Can't endorse having Solar enough, if only to subsidize you monthly MEA/PEA bill.   We're basically off grid, with shy of 99% of electric from our solar system.  If sized right and good price, especially if DIY, your ROI should be very quick.  Prices have dropped quite a bit since our system installed, and coming up on year 3 having.  Same with the BEVs.

If driving 20k kms a year locally, petrol savings are ~50k a year.  PEA savings, about the same, so far for us, being retired and home, abusing AC when wanting, and drive quite a bit, so ROI 3.5 to 5 yrs.   The extra 1.5 yrs for the 2nd ESS we really didn't need.  And our system wasn't cheap, like it would be today, especially if DIY.

If you have brown outs, cut offs, and or fluctuating currents, then even more of a reason to have solar. 

Happy Savings

1 hour ago, LosLobo said:

 

That math works for a private $70 billion mortgage over 100–200 years at 4.625%—but the Treasury borrows differently:

1. Issuing fixed maturities
   The Treasury issues bills, notes, and bonds with set maturities and coupons, then redeems or refinances principal at each maturity—no perpetual amortization.

2. Capturing lower rates
   The average yield on public debt was about 2.5% in 2023, not 4.625%.

3. Rolling over debt
   With a ~6-year average maturity, roughly one-sixth of debt matures annually; in 2024, the Treasury rolled over $28.5 trillion.

4. Paying finite interest
   FY 2023 net interest totaled $678 billion; interest is paid as due; principal at maturity.

NB: Inflation substantially reduces the real value of outstanding debt over time.
 

Bottom line: $70 billion boosts this year’s borrowing but isn’t a perpetual 4.625% mortgage—and it’ll still wind up funding billionaire tax cuts under Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill.

First time I googled it stated 4.625, now it states ... "The average interest rate on the US national debt is currently around 3.28%" ... go figure.

Lets look at it this way, Ms Google again ... "The annual interest payment on the US national debt is currently projected to be over $1 trillion. This is based on estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis for fiscal year 2025. This figure has doubled in the past five years" ...

Tax revenues received, net (4.5T) ... "During Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, the IRS collected more than $5.1 trillion in gross taxes, processed more than 266.6 million tax returns and other forms, and issued nearly $490.6 billion in tax refunds" ... 

Interest about 20% of taxes received, only a net of 4.6T ... BUT wait, already spent that, and then some.   So to pay the interest, even that needs to be borrowed .. "The total federal spending for the U.S. in fiscal year 2024 was $6.75 trillion" ... 

And Trump just submitted a '$ ? T' budget, basically on credit, as enough taxes not received yet 

And what needs to be done, and this is just a guess, if no additional spending in 2025 ... "The legislation would raise the debt ceiling by $5 trillion, going beyond the $4 trillion outlined in the version passed by the House in May" ... 

They already know they can't afford to pay the bills and the interest. ...

..."Note: (06/23/2025) Some categorizations and numbers in the Ways and Means' section of the table below have been updated to more accurately reflect the bill's potential impact.

The House of Representatives’ Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 reconciliation bill – titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (OBBBA) – would add $2.4 trillion to primary deficits over the coming decade, adding $3.0 trillion to the debt including interest. If its temporary provisions are extended without offsets, we estimate it would add $5.0 trillion to the debt including interest." ...

https://www.crfb.org/blogs/breaking-down-one-big-beautiful-bill

Wish I could run to the bank every year, and borrow more money, when I couldn't make the previous years payment on the money I spend.   That's happened every year since 1929, with every new F'g idiot.   And the people have what to say ... "OK, take my money, and we'll even vote for you again' ... but don't touch my pronouns.   Som nam na

Don't ask me why I stopped producing taxable income once I got enough.  Why we invest in TH, in the wife's name.

Of course JFK wanted to put and end to that, the Fed & Central banking ... how'd that work out for him 

Although I think the Fed had to stand in line, behind the CIA & war mongers.  Maybe a joint action 

26 minutes ago, nauseus said:

And what happened in 1929?

They stopped caring about a balanced budget, or paying down the debt, as apparent neither happened after 1929.   Actually was quite manageable till WW2, as chart showed.

39 minutes ago, John Drake said:

 

Degrade the dollar and run up record debt. Sounds like the same successful formula that bankrupted his casinos. Trump loves bankruptcy. That's why he goes into it so often. And now he's taking the US to the same place.

It's an requirement to be president.  As seems every president has done the same thing, since 1929.  They totally lost control around 1980, with constant increases onward ... especially the idiot presidents of the 21st Century.

https://www.self.inc/info/us-debt-by-president/

Learn how to say NO.   Anyone, anywhere, demanding money from me, just had their last conversation with me.  😎

35 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

It's the 90 day reporting that get's me, I would not care if the IO office is at the end of my street, it is the thought of being treated like a criminal on parole. What other country does this sort of thing to law abiding retiree's?

Doing online really is too easy.   Have so much more freedom here, and govt is up my A$$ about everything and anything.   So they want to know where I live, that's a good thing.   Criminals can be sorted easily.  

What other country, in SEA, let's you stay this easy, or even has an official visa for retirement, if meeting the requirements, that you feel comfortable about buying into.

Other countries are fine if you like living out of your backpack, but I prefer stability.   And if in a relationship, owning a house, solar, BEV, cuts the cost of living down to super cheap charlie level if wanting.   I can't think of any other place, where I can have this comfy living on 20k THB a month.

Granted, have to meet the 65k or 800k, but seriously, if that is a stretch, (or 40k / 400k) you shouldn't leave the safety net of home country to begin with.

How anyone reaches the age of 50-60+ without some assets or equity, is mind boggling.   Don't want to burn your bridges back home, then rent you house for the silly money you'll get.   All our socialist countries, the gov't will pay the rent for the needy.

Living isn't hard, and I'm far from a genius or rich.  Life is tough start for new generation, but that's not us.  

The rules were here before we arrived, and not much has changed.  Our embassy screwed us, no income letters.  Though a good thing for me, as $50 USD was a scam in itself, and, except for USA, you had to go get it.   Going to the bank is a lot easier & cheaper.

2 hours ago, Mutt Daeng said:

Thanks for the heads up @KhunLA. I'll have a look at The Ballerina.

Gratuitous body count, of course, which does get old after a while.  Just an OK time killer, unless John Wick style is your thing.  Small screen time of Reeves, and OK story line.

Things get 'hot' which was a nice, different ways (ka-boom) on killing people, changing things up a bit helped.   Obvious sequel in the future .. cha ching.

4 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

too much booze and hookers in thailand is bad for you man.

Pretty sure they got the booze part down, but didn't have or save any money for the hookers, or they wouldn't be so, negative, grumpy, miserable 

You're just conx through, so as long as you stay in the airport, (secure areas), you're fine.