KhunLA

OK as a retirement choice, but been to many places much better as a holiday destination. Especially as a Yank, as it really is too far to travel, aside from the expense of airfare. East coast (PHL) or MEM, and it's 24-30hr door to door, and that was before the silly TSA security. If not married & kid here, or hindsight, probably would have went a different route. No regrets at all, and have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. I can leave at any time, but I'm staying.

Just saw someone trip report of a few weeks in Japan w/photo, and pretty awesome place. Both city & countryside photo trip ... impressive. Brother & wife are pretty seasoned travelers, and I can't think of anything that would impress them here. My other 2 brother would like it, if weather & smog cooperated. Haven't travelled nearly as much as myself & brother.

Seriously ... a book. Prince Andrew, like any intelligent person, would ignore request to give details of their life, if not necessary. Not offering info, is not 'being protected by British authorities' US can ask, but nobody is obligated to comply, and who in their right mind would. He simply exercised his rights, like anyone, everyone should.

His wife & myself are like minded, give us a hotel, restaurant/coffee shop with good grub & a view, and we're happy. She sees my O&As that I put on FB, and likes them .... BUT ... that not the kind of itinerary they have when they'll be here. Unfortunately, they'll be doing the usual tourist route, which parts will be enjoyable, if the smog is knocked down before they get here, May 6th. Rains were late this year, so hopefully next May, it will downpour end of April till May 4th or 5th. CM certainly isn't going to impress, as they've seen all size mountains & waterfalls. Phuket surf is going to be crap. They're pretty worldly, so BKK being the smelly slum that it can be at times, might not put them off too much. Heat, humidity & open sewers will put anyone off. If anything, Nam will warm them up for TH, so the'lly be one step up from that, or so I read. Thai museums, culture & art is a bit of a joke. They both lived in UK for about 3+ year and toured all of Europe, back in 70's. I always hit Art Museums when I travel. After a couple here/TH, I stopped, as same same, not different. I am actually hoping for a typhoon, and Nam & TH gets cancelled 🙏

I thought Phuket was great, 23 years ago. And visited twice yearly 10 yrs after. Was excellent during Covid, after avoiding for almost 10 yrs prior to covid. We were there in June this year, and can't see us ever returning, unless another pandemic

He was, since never charged with a crime. Just like anyone else would have been left alone if not charged. Never let facts ruin a good spin.

Our experience has been different, and wife usually gets a cheaper rate, or at least same rate. Even though hotels/guesthouses are listed on Booking.com or Agoda. That's been consistent, at least the last 5 ish years. Only difference is Ibis chain on Accor site, and all seem to be about same price as B.com. Since no prepayment and day before cancelling, always go with Accor.

Are you asking as a husband of ? What ever is in that person will, or legal inheritance succession of ownership at death. If that is you, as a foreigner, as stated earlier, legally, you have 1 year, to transfer or sell land. Depending to who, they may or may not honor the usufruct (I think). Not sure how binding the usufruct is after death of owner. Always good to have a POA, to avoid any complication if you wish to sell. That & death cert. should suffice, and hopefully a will in place. On the POA, I had 3 with my ex-wife (living), 1 filled out, giving me rights to sell land/house. Also had 2 blank ones, signed & witnesses. Which I did need one, as land office wouldn't accept the wording of the one filled out. I asked & just filled it out as he wanted. Ex (already divorced) was out of province at the time. No issues at all.

I've seen a few, on subjects I've lived through, and man, they sure did change a few things. Along with things/history, I was taught in school, or I read & researched decades ago ... and again, amazing how documented history can change.

... as a holiday destination ? What motivated my thoughts for this … got my BD/Xmas greeting, family update from my brother. A yearly thing and he fills my in on his family, kids/grandkids, O&As. His son retires next year, (age 45), Holy Buddha we’re getting old. Anyway ... He retired 10 yrs ago, now 70, so he got to pick where for his BD. BD – Antarctica, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay & Falkland Is. Other O&As in 2023; … Costa Rica (E & W coast) … Netherlands, Belgium … Portugal … Kenya, Tanzania (balloon ride over Serengeti), inspired by IMAX documentary he saw in 1994. His wife’s father passed, so had to sh!t can one trip. 2024 (May), he’s coming to TH, since in the neighborhood. Last stop, after Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania & Vietnam. He didn’t book the TH part, and I advised him not to, but who listens to me. Man … is he going to disappointed. Any luck we’ll have a good downpour before he arrives, as CM after BKK is on his itinerary. Then Phuket, and we'll hang out for 24 ish hours at BKK before he flies out. Yea, all of 1 day, and I haven't seen him in 20 years All I can say is ... "I warned you"

Unfortunately, it's hard to trust anything written about history today, as much has been rewritten for political & social appeasement.

23+ years here and ain't been hit yet. I do look before I cross the street though. That uncommon common sense

That's a big commission for a crappy booking site. I rarely use Agoda, and can't think of the last time I did ... 10+ yrs at least. I rarely go there for info any more. Gmap & Booking.com for info. Can't remember last time I used a booking site, aside from Accor, since covid, so 3 yrs. Only use Accor because Ibis & Mercure are under their umbrella of accommodations, and no prepayment required.

either ... bags are never mentioned, along with bags not offered. Pick one, Officer Lou, as I go into Helen Keller mode 😎

If I had to add all that to a usufruct, than I'd be dealing with someone I don't really trust, and I'd rent or by a condo. No piece of paper is going to protect you, if someone doesn't want you living there. Don't invest more than you can lose.

NO, just started charging for them ... And that's franchise & purchase amount dependent. Doesn't seem to be a standard policy. The plastic bag scam in TH, no prop, but now charged. All a bit of a joke, and everyone buys into it. Never seen so much plastic use in all my life, since they became 'eco aware' and tried to 'ban it' I always have my cloth bags with me, for 7-11s. Shop at Makro, so a mute subject.

@ coffee shop in AMS w/back room. Hash & BJs, does it get any better. Aside from that fun... N. Tesla, get some free or flying energy tips

I least TH doesn't ship their plastic (trash) to other countries, I don't think anyway. Hopefully they will stop accepting trash from other countries, in the future as planned (2025), since it can even manage it's own. Top slime ball countries that ship their trash overseas;

Guessing w/1.5k posts, you've been here before. Good time to come, unless looking for a 'beach' holiday. Pools are fine but surf will be rough. I prefer traveling during rainy season, less tourist, no smog issues, and with a bit of luck, not too much rain. We usually do 2 week at a time on our O&As and so far been very lucky, and haven't really been rained 'in' much. Maybe a day or so. We self drive, so mobile if need be, but yet to really move because of rain. Good Luck ... Happy Travels.

I think everyone is well educated and aware of plastic, good or bad, though may not care. For the simply reason, the govt doesn't seem to care. This is one issue, that does fall squarely on the govts to manage and solve. The people can only do so much. Use the recycle bins, though sometimes useless, as all mixed up. From home, we 'recycle', sell to collection vendors, and what does the govt do with it ? Most goes to the landfill, gets burned (not for energy) or worse, dumped in the sea. Little actually get recycled and used again. As stated earlier, no reason, any or all trash, can't be burned, almost cleanly, for energy.

Only thing worse than their annoying morning wake up call ... ... would be never hearing their morning wake up call again Been blessed with them at both recent living accommodations, and more than a few snaps of them. the females & immature males are stunning looking (not in a gay way), and fun to watch. For those not familiar with their yakkin' away sound

Yes, I find it mind boggling how non Yanks seem to be obsessed with USA politics. I'm a Yank, and I could care less, even more so than when I lived there. Because of AN, I now see more news (silly as it is) here, than when I lived there. When I worked my last job, 13 years, developed friendships, I honestly can't remember talking about politics, Dem vs Rep, or presidents at the time. Politics just wasn't a topic of discussion with fellow workers, friends/peers. We didn't purposely avoid due to possible conflict, just didn't seem to care. During that time (13 yrs) last couple years of Reagan, then Bush 1, Clinton and left early on during Bush 2 was in office. Was actually commuting from TH to work in USA, till March or April 2001. Only noticed politics at work, since a TV/news was always on in the break rooms. Really don't remember any conversation or arguments at all at work. Definitely not away from work, or with hometown friends as politics never seemed to get discussed. Discussions were: what are we doing this weekend, if anything, sports (not myself), music, food or investing. Remember Contra affair, Alzheimer's and North taking hit for it. Clinton not knowing what a 'sexual relation' was. Somehow a total idiot gets appointed. Then TH's forums seemed to be nothing but American politics, and major division over Gulf war 2, Obama bail outs, ACA, Trump everything, now back to geriatric idiot's strings being pulled. How great or bad he is. How it's 1 person's fault for everything Rarely with Yanks chiming in, and most with the non Yank experts/bashers having a field day in the threads. Reality ... simply showing how little they know about USA politics and how thing truly work. Mainly, it's a Constitutional Republic, not a Democracy. Find it all kind of funny, especially since I couldn't tell you who any politicians are in most countries. Thinking about it now, I don't even know who the PMs are in UK, AU, NZ, leaders of EU or euro countries.

I'm siding the the taxi driver, and would have dragged her butt out also, to avoid any damage to the taxi, since she starting to kick the inside of. "The foreign woman was not impressed by his actions and began to make a fuss. She then kicked the door of his car, so he asked her to leave. The woman did not comply, so he pulled her out of the cab, as can be seen in the video." Violence is usually met with violence ... what did she expect.

Personally not seeing why Yanks or Canuks would bother coming the TH for holiday. Especially repeat visits, as once would be enough. Too far & expensive airfare, for a mediocre holiday experience. Especially the HiSo travelers, and surely know better spots to visit in the Americas. Unless the rest of the tourist world has turned to sh!t also. TH would not make my top 10 or 20 destinations to visit. Maybe once, then why bother again.