KhunLA

Never wait for the authorities to do anything correct or timely. DIY, or have installed, and solar is quite inexpensive, if DIY, and not so bad it installed. Coal, not so much, do like their natural gas though.

Agree to a point ... but ... location location location

I wonder what the ICEV will be worth in 2034, with the ongoing tech improvements, cheaper batteries and price wars of EV. if lucky, same petrol prices in 2034, doubtful as may be a niche market then. Who would be buying, as it's a hard sell now, especially if you are one to keep your vehicle 10-20 years. Only those that can't charge at home, or impatiently on the road all the time are avoiding EV. Degradation is minimal, as I calculated <4% over our 8 yr warranty period, based on 1 yr use & degradation.

Did an edit while you were typing, and still got 2024 to add to it: "Biden ... income/purchasing power ... 39.8% (17.8% + 22%)"

As stated earlier, Trump better for USA ... BUT .. not for me Biden administration has been very good to me, not USA though Trump ... income/purchasing power ... FLAT Biden ... income/purchasing power ... 39.8% (17.8% + 22%)

That's not TH If you were struggling there, USA or where ever, moving to foreign country with no safety net, not the best idea. And if using and agent to skirt the financials, even worse idea.

The economy for the real people, and what they've had to deal with the past 5 years, 3 under biden. Career politicians have and always fail, spending more than they take in. Housing price to buy, forget it. To rent, just plain silly prices. Chit chatting with brother this AM, and he sent this: Change In Price Since 2019, by Food Item: 1. Cocoa: +345% 2. Orange Juice: +260% 3. Olive Oil: +219% 4. Sugar: +120% 5. Fruit Snacks: +77% 6. Cooking Oil: +54% 7. Chocolate Bars: +52% 8. Apple sauce: +51% 9. Beef: +51% 10. Mayonnaise: +50% 11. Loaf of Bread: +42% 12. Eggs: +40% 13. Milk: +40% 14. Cereal: +38% 15.Butter: +24% Inflation has officially been at 3% or higher for exactly 3 years. The Average American is now paying nearly 40% MORE for groceries than what they were paying in 2019. Over 100 food items have seen inflation above 50% since 2019. How is this a "strong economy? Here's an indication of the inflation. Just looking at Soc Sec COLA

Some some very poor retirement planning. What the hell were they doing for 40+ years while working ? Same as here, getting drunk and living beyond there means ? I'm far from super genius, my salaried jobs sucked, and why I had 30+ different employers. Only one paid a decent wage, and only there a long as I was, since the work rules allowed me not to be there 5 days a week. Only one pittance of a pension from 1 company, and only there 13 yrs. And took that early, at discounted rate USA Soc Sec is just OK, and enough for Ret. Visa plus with biden administration.

Do miss the seasons. Still got 3 brothers there. One Delaware County (Media), PA, the others at Mullica Hill & Vineland. You'd think living in Memphis area and working outside would have prepared me for TH, since a month of 100F wasn't rare. Last month and this month are just brutal. Don't know how the Thais work in it, especially if manual labor. You couldn't pay enough.

If making the financials for long term visa, I don't know how anyone needs to be struggle here. As suggested, you should have a budget, if no will power, and simply live within your means. At our ages, should have learned that decades ago. 400k a year/40k a month, and if you can't live on that, you're doing something wrong.

I never address post to them here, as don't think they'll be reading. Especially if I quote someone. Yes, surprises what temp the locals think cold is, as I'll be in shorts, if that, and the wife is walking around legs & arms with full coverage. Philly boy, and I use to ride my scooter to work, freezing weather, a few layers of clothes, doing 70-80-90mph, since always running late, and my tears would freeze on my face.

Any liquid will do, except maybe caffeinated & alcohol. Though I do drink my morning coffee, and maybe a tea in afternoon or night. Myself, except for walking the dog twice a day, I'm not really out there in the heat, and certainly not exerting myself. Drink my share of water, at least 1.5 - 2.5L a day. Milk, usually less than 400ml a day. Drink water with meals, and whenever, not waiting until I'm thirsty, as actually too late then. Water is RO, but I take a multivitamin, and eat a fairly balanced diet. No extra nutrient or electrolytes to compensate for any sweat loss, since minimal, if any. Not that I've ever taken anything extra. But that's me, you do you. Know the symptoms of heat stroke, brain fuzz and or nausea, and you need to immediate stop doing what ever, (get someone's attention) drink cold water, get in AC, ice on wrist, neck, behind knees, all areas the blood runs close to the skin. Cold shower if your water will run cold this time of year, our won't. Though any temp cooler than you body will help draw off the heat. Labor is too cheap, pay for someone to do the heavy lifting, enjoy the AC & beverage. PACE YOURSELF ... BE SAFE

Posting to tell what not to try. Used S&B Japanese Curry w/some peanut oil as a marinade on my chicken legs. In fridge for about 3 hrs. Chicken was itself was great, tender, juicy, skin crisped up enough. But you'd never know I marinated it for 3 hours, as curry flavor was non existent. Served up with a side of taters, for 1st meal of the day, just before noon. Made this again the other day, and always turns out good, posted before. Basic Asian marinade; soy sauce, oyster, honey (sugar), garlic/ginger, 5 spice seasoning

Pretty sure Gecko123 isn't a local, and there is no reason to be sweatin' your butt off while trying to sleep. Locals since born here, handle the heat much better than most expats. Seem to get by with just a fan on. Not so much against the cold, as was surprised of reports in N of older folks suffering exposure symptoms from low temps. Expats ... just spend a few baht, and live in comfort. Considering you should have 400k or 800k a year, and more than enough for comfy life. Doesn't cost much to keep 1 room AC'd.

Really ... ... Safe & Effective ... nuff said I live by my life experiences, not what marketers tell me...UP2U

Yes, the wife gets logged out, and needs to log in at the start of our O&A, then fine for the duration, usually 7-10 ish days. Next one might not be for a couple weeks, during rainy season, when we're O&A most, and she'll need to log in at the start again. MG & PEA Volta seem to stay logged in.

Not really a believer myself, as all those years, sweatin' my A$$ off, as kid, teen, working stiff outside, doing manual labor, and even in my late 30's & early 40's, especially last 5 yrs of working (40-45), working at Memphis airport, a month of 39C wasn't rare, and never took salt tabs or electrolytes. Now that they are on the shelves and pushed by the makers ... well, everyone should be drinking.

Yep ... if we're in the car, the AC is on, and usually fair low temp/hi fan setting. We don't do the window tinting thing, as I actually enjoy being able to see, especially at night. Car cools off quite fast after sitting, a mere minute or 2 max. We don't have a sun roof, just for that reason. As I posted, 2% an hour, doesn't add up to much, over a 3hr drive (240-275kms) and we still get 340-360kms local driving (30-60-90kph), and 300-320kms highway driving, 90kph +/- when possible. Sometimes more, but never less kms per charge.

Take away ... inconclusive and or, they haven't a clue. Only notable info, more lesbians coming out of the closet ... ... "majority now being teenagers assigned female at birth" Real, or just wanting to be cool like everyone else ?

Why, was just for my own curiosity, and since it was about the same as I expected, no surprise. Feel free to believe me or not. If you click the link I posted above, the post below that by 'G', and his EV uses a bit less, 1-1.5%, although if having a larger battery, then possibly the same. It's in the ballpark, but certainly wouldn't be 1kWh for the time it takes to drive 7kms, as posted by EOW, unless as stated, stuck in traffic for an hour. On the motorway, you wouldn't notice much difference at all, 80-90 kph, and you would only use about 3kWh in 3 hrs, traveling 240-270 kms.

You would have to be stuck in traffic for about an hour to use 1kwh with the MG ZS, as that's about what ours uses per hour +/+. I actually did if for a much period, (camping in the ZS) and it was about the same, but didn't actually take photos before/after.

Thanks ... nice graph and probably get that 1/3 just from my daily eggs, milk intake. Big fan of beef & crustaceans, so fits in my diet. Got that daily multivitamin to fill in any gaps, if eating lite on any one day...JIC

Do you really think someone that retired @ 45 needs investing advice. More like, should be giving it. Simply gave my RE advice, to OP, or whoever might be interested in the 'topic'. As did others, also good advice, if arriving in TH at a bit older age. Though unless paying too much at the get go, buying is usually the way to go. Though in TH, that does require cash purchase, usually, if a tad older. Cash is never a bad thing, and avoid the higher cost of financing, as much as using other people's money can be an advantage, but not possible in TH, usually. Making assumption about someone you don't know, usually doesn't reflect well. Have a good one.

Shame they couldn't play nice for a few more years together ...

Yes ... but got it all back + ฿3M worth of assets I spent ฿3M, the 2nd house & land sold for ฿6M. So got all the money back, and paid for everything we have now. Yes, I could have invested it, if needing or wanting to, but didn't have to, as have more than enough already. My time is more important, than time spent investing, did that, didn't get the T-shirt, but retired at 45. And 10% a year, isn't worth my time.