teelac777

Same thing with many hotels, so there's no way out when a fire happens and a lot die.

31 years ago when I landed in Suk some canals were already filled in, then condos were built in their place. Most S-E Asian capitals are sinking for mostly the same reason if it's any consolation.

Take away the sex tourists and foreign gangsters and there won't be much left, so be careful what you wish for.

Earlier this year the forecast was 15 million tourists for 2022, then 12 million, now 6 or 7 million. Thailand and several ASEAN neighbours are now paying the price for the ever-changing requirements and endless hoops to jump through, while many Euro countries are almost back to pre-pandemic levels. Takes a long time to get a customer but just one false move to lose him.

Watch out for those with disproportionately large feet and hands

Just saw this post @dinesh For 10 years I've been withdrawing locally from ATMs here in Vietnam. Ok, the Thai ATM $6 fee is big, but at least it's simple. I bank at a local credit union in the US instead of one of the fancy banks. I pay $1 total for each withdrawal, so if practical you can research another US financial institution.

I started SSA 3 years ago and the Baltimore office made a mess of it and rejected my claim. I live in Vietnam. Later I learned that Manila handles all applications for Asia, engaged them and it went smoothly. I receive direct deposit to my US bank like clockwork each month. Just forget whatever you've done with Maryland thus far and work through Manila. Email: [email protected]

Yes for sure. I hope, just for fun, the US has an exit strategy in place prior to starting the fireworks.

Let's not forget who started this January 21, 2017 when his first call as President went to Tsai Ing-Wen. I can't imagine what the US thinks it will gain by continuing to poke the panda. I'd have hoped after the 20 year long failures in Vietnam and Afghanistan, the US would have finally caught on.

Closest place I know is around the famous fountain in Vientiane but I wouldn't be surprised if it's sold in Isaan

Lao draft lager has always been the best kept secret, so your comment on dark Lao is unsurprising. Price is right too!

Who would want to visit and pay for 3 months accommodation up front or deceive authorities through the kluges mentioned? Half the fun is in winging it on a long vacation. No other ASEAN country has such absurd requirements, just go elsewhere and you'll be welcomed.

Foursquare has a list, you can google it up and see reviews.

The Thai marriage certificate must be translated and submitted to British consular authorities and will be registered in the UK upon validation. Not automatic, so unless the UK spouse did so the marriage doesn't exist under British law. https://thaivisa-express.com/is-a-thai-marriage-recognised-in-the-uk/

Compared to all the countries we can enter for 3, 6, 12 months with only a passport, it's uhhhh no thanks. Bank statement for 60 days, good grief what's next? A note from mommy?

I just looked it up and no fault divorce is now in place in the UK. Your wife would be entitled to 50% of assets acquired during the marriage. Surprised to see that Thai marriages are automatically recognised in the UK, that is not the case in many countries, thanks.

Whatever money was spent or squandered while marriage and business were intact is water under the bridge. I would scrap the Thai lawyer idea in your place. You were married in Bang Rak, but if your marriage was not registered in the UK it does not exist in UK law. What is wife's immigration status in the UK? If your marriage was registered and she entered the UK as your wife, you need to move assets and legally separate quickly or she may try to grab half. Maybe that's why she's in the UK. If you can prove that assets in hand in UK were acquired before marriage then maybe she has no legal claim on them, depends on any "no fault" laws in play.

Then the days of 40 million visitors won't be coming back. Seems all the ASEAN tourist destinations think they'll be the one to attract the 2-3-4 week big spenders but there are not enough to go around.

I'm blown away that all this is required for a 6 month tourist visa, and wonder if there are many takers, especially given the steep price. "Right now, you must download 11 supporting documents for the visa request to be submitted." The documents are below: - Bio Page of Passport - Passport Photo - Declaration - Travel/Flight Booking - Proof of Accommodations - Bank Statement - Copy of license - Flights. Redundant from above - Passport pages for international travel for last year - Driver’s license. Redundant from above - Picture with me holding passport info page

The InterNations definition of expat is a skilled professional on a professional assignment, hence the positive scores on living costs. Retirees, nomads, entrepreneurs, those who go abroad and start a business or find a job, and wanderers paint quite a different picture.

I wonder if they'll ever catch on to the notion that other places offer beaches, babes, beer, and good food, so they should seek ways to attract more foreigners instead of more dual pricing which drives them away.

So does every other developing ASEAN country.... I don't think the people in the region with such lofty aspirations actually go anywhere. If they did they'd soon see that the French, Spanish, and Italian rivieras, Cancun, Bermuda, Tahiti, Hawaii, etc etc get the high rollers because they're worth the money.

And yesterday the government reported the Phils inflation rate at 6.1% thus far in 2022. ????

Expatistan says Ho Chi Minh City is 24% cheaper than Bangkok. Looks like the stats here were taken from Expatistan, categories are identical. Some comparisons are not really accurate, e.g. every business and many residences offer free WiFi in VN.

Maybe the odd very wealthy foreign tourist would pay US $250-300 per night to stay in a hotel in Thailand, but not many. For that kind of cash it's easy to go to the French or Italian Riviera, Cancun, Tahiti, Barbados, etc