KhunLA

Agree completely. First few months of owning our MG ZS (ICE), the wife was toying with the iSmart app, and apparently left something on. As next morning I go out to start the ZS, and dead. Rung up MG, not local, as bought from Hua Hin / 100 kms away, and straight away they sent someone out, apparently locally contracted, and simply gave the battery a jump. No charge of course...THANKS. Pretty sure that wouldn't have happened with our Toyota or Mazda that we owned. Any wonder why when it came time to upgrade to an EV, we stuck with MG, again buying from Hua Hin, but now have one of the larger dealer/workshops, locally, a few kms away. BYD & GWM were just getting established, with no real network of dealers yet, when we bought in to EV, though probably would have stuck with the ZS over the Atto 3 anyway. Not really a sedan fan, and only other option at the time.

Sounds like things did improve a wee bit on a few things. Like you, we lived outside of town, and enjoyed our daytime visits (non rush hour). For others, yes, Rick & myself know each other, and we've been over to Rick's a few times, fishing & sipping, well, me sipping, wife fishing. On topic, I quite enjoyed my single time, in between relationships, simply meeting gals in normal life (non P4P) situations. Quite easy enough for any single person if not an introvert, which certainly, nobody would accuse me of. If living in the city area, within the ring rd, there is an extensive baht baht service for getting around, though if truly downtown, most thing are quite walkable, from the train station/night markets, to Nong PraJak Park, and soi to the left or right of that stroll. No real need for a car, or even a MB, though the latter would be quite convenient. Really is a good NE town to live in, if that's your choice. I just prefer a closer surf, and hills to look at, and less congestion. Which of course, would bore the hell out of most single people. I remember when Lumpini Place (UT) condos went on sale, at the ฿1M mark, and good friend (JetDoc/Scott) bought one at Pattaya for about the same price. So with that, it would be hard for me to justify living at UT vs other non NE options. Same with Hua Hin area. There are choices, and folks need to explore them, to see what works, before settling in, financially anyway. Single folks anyway, as those in relationships, then maybe not as many options.

Living in PKK as I do now, but without the air & water pollution. Oh yea ... you could throw in a change of seasons. Some fall colors & snow would be pretty cool to see again.

I was going to suggest, 'FB Groups' but thought I'd search myself first ... 'scrabble pattaya'. That failed ... but came across "Pattaya Sexperts" ... if that will interest you instead ... Don't know why I was surprised, after all ... TIT

Is that even possible. As when first opened, after viewing the exotic animals, you could dine on exotic animals ... or so I read in the news. Thankfully, hopefully they stopped that practice. Please don't visit zoos, wild animals belong in the wild ... IMHO ... if you want to see, download Atterberg's excellent 'Planet' series. By visiting, supporting zoos, all you do is perpetuate the continued animal abuse ... IMHO

Lots of soi dogs to go, hopefully they'll still enjoy their dog soup ... Actually I think, since TH cracked down years ago, in the news anyway, on the dog trade (TH-Nam), it doesn't make the soup bowls like it used to. Large Vietnamese population at Sakon Nakhon, and Nakhon Phanom (Uncle Ho's hang out). with SN possibly a transfer point from the "dog for plastic bucket" trucks to larger trucks, on the way to Nam, a few might have made it to the dining tables locally. While living in Udon Thani, they stopped collecting dogs for plastic buckets/tub long ago Also remember some mystery meat in my beef noodle soup, that I passed on, when over at that area, way way way back when it was still a thing. If in the area, a visit to Uncle Ho's house, still there at Ban Na Chok is worth a peek. Still has the tree he planted

I think you are dreaming there, as if that was true, then they, TH IMM would simply have started accepting those, (W-2/1099) as proof of income, instead of the 'income affidavit' that embassy is too lazy to verify by same means for our $50. Which I'm happy they stopped issuing, as would rather give $10 ish to TH bank for actually doing something than $50 to the embassy's scam.

Thanks for posting. My situation mirrors yours, abet, no ex or alimony. SS a wee bit less than yours, and company pension (a pittance), that I don't transfer in to my TH account, but simply take an ATM withdrawal every other month or so. Just to get it out of the USA, in case I crap out, and one less thing for wife to concern herself with. Don't even file USA return as under the amount requiring, so if they figure out a way to tax my ATM withdrawals, don't think there is much of a chance of me recovering that tax, since none paid to USA. Instead of ATM withdrawals, may just use the pension funds for online shopping, by-passing any local bank, and avoid any notice that way. It really is a pittance / $357 a month, and wouldn't take much to spend. I'm personally not going to bother getting a tax #, or filing in TH, as by the time the figure out how to get us all in the system, I'll probably be dead. If they are as fast at instituting the tax law, as they are traffic laws & now registration of cars. Decades on those policies and millions simply trash their traffic citations. Though I do suspect, there will be a new 'tax report' form that will need to be submitted in 2025, when extending our marriage or retirement visas. As too simple to require that for folks to comply. No tax receipt-no extension.

Agree. I'd give a watch (simply for TH), but I can't stand one of the leads, Jennifer Coolidge. Doesn't even start till 2025

I bought these, for a different purpose, and much larger than I thought. Though not sure what I was thinking, as advert said will wrap around Xiaomi filter. Was going to put one on interior intake vent, to cars AC, for recirculating air, as last service, and the cars filter was clogged with dog fur Delivery was quick enough (10 ish days). Didn't use, as didn't look beforehand, and that vent isn't really accessible.

German Beer garden is more than halfway there, just another 220m

So true, but who would click on that thread" ... "Drunk has car accident, involving no injuries"

Yea, SOHO is pretty far up the Soi. Worth the trip though. Also by the slice at the Asok/Suk corner place. Odd # side of street before crossing to higher #s. They look tasty, though never sampled.

Chrome updated early AM today 1/9/2024, along with couple others this month:

Obviously someone is not going to spend half a days wage, for 1 large coffee. That same person, on minimum wage isn't looking to buy a Porsche either. Just another silly thread. Buy 3 or 4 coffees at local/TH coffee shop, or buy 1 large coffee for same price (or less) at SB (20oz / 590ml) Not many minimum wage Thais are visiting any coffee shops for a cup of coffer.

Yes, that's how I read & calculated it, if having to pay tax. Finally something good about being a Yank. I even get 30K more deducted for adopted kid (1 more yr), and don't forget 40k for VAT (shopping tax) If we bring in 800k, spend 800k, we should be paying 56k VAT/shopping tax. That took me to 630k of deductions and 10% tax rate upt to 500k, if not a Yank. I think anyone not already here is going to strongly consider elsewhere to retire, especially if under 65 yrs old. I would not have come here, as not way would pay 20 or 25% tax tor privilege to live in TH.

Neither do I when O&A with the EVs. Quick glance at an app (Charge Loma) shows me where the next few up the road are, and ones I use. Not sure I'd call that planning. I've yet had to reserve, or encountered a Q. Do avoid weekends when I can, same as with the ICEVs. Though few times out during the weekends, still no Qs. Car is usually done charging before I'm done what I'm doing; toilet, walk dog, coffee/snack/munch, maybe check accommodations, since now know where I may be tonight. All done in about 30 minutes, and I'm fresh & ready to continue. Locally, even better, as never have to Q up to fuel every week or so, and waste money on petrol. Simply park at house, plug in (all of 15 secs), then unplug (all of another 15 secs). Times 26 or 52 weeks/times a year, and spend much less time 'energizing' the car, than when fueling an ICEV. Along with now having a better performing, more comfy ride, without adding to the local air pollution. WIN WIN WIN all around. Did I mention the energy is 'FREE' since using excess solar. Saved 47.8k baht last year. Just about paying for all our hotels last year ... WIN WIN again.

Really can't stress the use of air purifiers (Xiaomi) and or newer ACs w/air purifiers:

Air & water pollution, are about my only pet peeves of TH. They really should be embarrassed.

What we need, is a GOD meme thread, for inspiration to the lost souls ... ... or not

"Mastermind Swindler Gets Arrested Again" ... maybe time for a different adjective 😎

So, there's on 0.13 baht spread X 500 GBP = 65 baht. And how much did your ATM (debit/CC) fee cost per year at the bank. Or do you make cash withdrawals when needing, so add transport fee to/from bank. I'm a CC at times, but seriously, 65 whole baht. Learn to live stress free ... it's cheaper (no meds) and you'll live longer.

More divisive headlines ... ... where's the "heterosexuals' or cis male arrested" headlines. Distractions ... right in front of you ... while they pilfer the coffers. WAKE UP OK, it's just a rag looking for clxxks

hmm ... don't recall too many headlines (any) with the car manufacturer as lead word ... ... Toyota crash causes ... News-blip of car crash with no injuries.

Waiting for " TH to become hub for hubcaps " ... ... new World Heritage Site