J Branche

I see it a bit different.  This would be more advantageous to India, Vietnam, etc 

Retaliatory Tariffs supports the US narrative that China is Bad.

US would be more willing to work a deal with either of those countries just to spite China.

Probably British Lad but older with less muscle and a Tennis Bag strapped to my back.

Since airlines Hedge their fuel cost and summer travel season is soon I don't see airline ticket prices going down anytime soon.

The forecast for the Thai Baht is that it will continue to weaken against the USD till close to end of year.

Potentially higher cost of living for US may also factor into travel.

1 hour ago, renaissanc said:

I wish this would happen. Obese people make the passenger(s) beside them suffer for the whole (short-/long-haul) journey. I'd like to see them stuffed beside each other. Four in a row of four seats. Maybe then they'll think about eating just 1 hamburger a day instead of (10).

I sat next to a Texas college football player he was sitting in the middle on about an hour and a half flight to DFW Dallas/Fort Worth.  His shoulders were so wide you would think he was wearing shoulder pads.  Dude was really nice and actually sat leaning forward for about the whole flight to not impact his seat mates.  Thanked him many times.

I'm puzzled by how the building appeared to collapse straight down with the earth shaking side to side.   Other pictures from some buildings that collapsed show them falling to one side.

Has anyone seen the video on the DAC Digital Arrival Card.  About 3 days before you fill out some info, upload passport, answer a bunch of invasive question like where are you staying, etc.

Don't know about you but how much am I paid for doing someone else's job?

Why do I need to submit the info on where I am staying.  The hotel or place I am staying is suppose to submit that info.

I've read bookings for other countries are up and it is because you book your flight, arrive, your passport is checked and you enjoy your vacation or stay.

With a weakening economy, scaring people away with Tax talk, and this, how much do you expect from people who are guest in the country?

3 hours ago, Lopburikid said:

I had and still have medical insurance B4,000,000 cover. I was told by the insurance company that they pay the hospital directly. After 3 days in hospital the bill was B25,000. Hospital said the insurance has refused to pay. My wife called the company and asked why? They said we have to pay first and claim it back.  we had the money to pay. so we did. put a claim in, took 3 months to get B23,000 back. We had to pay B2,000 for the service. Never trust a Thai insurance company. The sole purpose of having medical insurance is if there is a medical emergency, the funds are there to cover it.

I read the policy of mine, paid and policy stated Insurance had X days to investigate and pay, then clause they had 3 months to pay for (insert any reason here).  I think it took about 50 days.  I think it needs to be mandatory that a broker must educate the basic process or how a claim is processed and decision rendered to a client.

1 hour ago, wavodavo said:

You can understand what this 20 year old is thinking. here he is on holiday on a nice warm day and loving it especially if he comes from cold Melbourne, rents a bike no license needed no helmet needed. He gets out on the road and says to himsef how good is this my hair blowing in the wind can't do this at home and then disaster.

Agreed, living live.

Done it.  Been thrown 8 feet in the air by car off my motorbike.  Shoulder busted, 1 year 4 months of rehab.  

I think, drive and act much differently now.  I drive like Auntie, slowly, if I make it somewhere a couple minutes late so be it.

25 minutes ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

The Liberation Day tariff charade, penalizing Australia over its biosecurity laws while not addressing Russia’s invasion sends a poor message. It suggests that the U.S. values economic reciprocity with allies more than condemning aggression by adversaries by allowing stuff like " Tariff on the Fertilizer and Non-Ferrous Metal" get through freely , potentially undermining the USA's "moral authority" and alliance credibility.

Are you going to cherry pick information. 

We already have Sanctions on Russia and select people from Russia. India and China are only ones buying Russian Oil.

The Moscow Times on April 2nd reported.

"A bipartisan group of U.S. senators on Tuesday introduced a bill that would impose sanctions on Russian energy purchases if the Kremlin refuses to engage in good-faith negotiations for ending the war in Ukraine."

They have arrested large yachts, freeze bank accounts, etc.

Wake up.

6 hours ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

54% tariffs on China, 10% tariffs on Iran, 0% tariffs on Russia = MAGA Clownshow.

Did you spend 5 minutes to research Anything?

Iran, The US has strong sactions already against Iran, and not sure the 2023 Iran exported to United States were Paintings ($869k), Sculptures ($588k), and Brochures ($456k) is a big trade concern.

Russia 

Russia has strong sanctions. Not sure how putting a Tariff on the Fertilizer and Non-Ferrous Metal we import from Russia will help.

Russia trade for 2023 was $3 billion or .0068% of what China trades with the US which is $439 Billion

What is this nonsense the person inviting people pays for everything?

I've seen many all contribute to bills at clubs.

They see Rich Foreigner and say "Jackpot" and want to run up the bill freely with no concern for prices.

Depending on the situation I have done the same thing.  The girlfriend and all her friends know what's up now

It said she was an ICU nurse so she should have insurance.  Additionally she had to understand the risks as she would have seen patients with injuries in residency and on the job.

I understand, you come to Thailand and want to have fun, ride around on a motorbike, and enjoy yourself.

You have to properly analyze the situation.  Take a motorbike taxi first. Do you have the skill and experience to ride safely.  Do you have medical insurance?

Did you fill out the Emergency info on your mobile phone?

Another young rider who still believes the risks outweigh the reward.

Seems they don't understand you only have to be wrong once and you are dead permanently.  

I know the helmet may not be comfortable or may be hot but if you value life wear it.

Probably never had an accident and doesn't understand the dangers.

RIP  young man.  

I do wonder about the tracks still being within the precise specifications for the train to operate at "High Speed"

It would not look favorable if they have to put reduced speed limits on sections of the track because they are not within the specifications for "High Speed" travel.

Not sure where this is going to end up.

I believe Trump was attempting to use Tariffs to get countries to the bargaining table.  Ones that didn't want to work a deal he viewed as acceptable would face tariffs.  The countries viewed it that the outrage from its citizens if they accepted a deal like the US has been accepting from other countries for years.

Everyone will feel some pain. Countries with stronger economies will probably come out better off in the end.  The challenges that Tariffs place on other countries economies will probably be impactful.  

I understand Trump wants to work deals that are advantageous for the US and will accept no less than what he views as a fair deal.

If you view someone as having an unfair competitive advantage then you want to level the playing field.  

She says that now.  She looks like she will get bored with Thailand and move to Bali, insert name here after a year or 2 in Thailand.

Know many Brits who said the same as her.  Thailand was better life and fit for their lifestyle.

Welcome to Thailand, hope you find it as interesting and enjoyable as many of us.

27 minutes ago, Scott Tracy said:

What the hell is co-pay....?

That is this wonderful Idea when you have a Health insurance policy and pay a premium and maybe deductible that you get a bonus option the pleasure to share the expense of whatever medical care you receive.

Example: Bill is 20,000 baht you get to pay deductible plus 4,000 baht and insurance would pay 16,000 baht

The punishment is that he buys and has to repaint the box to a similar color as before.

Went to Milan, Italy years ago and idiots spray painted all over the old beautiful buildings.  

Do this people even have 2 brain cells?  I understand the difference in a multi-color spray painted piece of graffiti and someone with a 2nd graders handwriting ability who scribbles something on the wall with a can of spray paint.

Watched a small YouTube channel of a guy in Bangkok.  He showed a Crack approximately 1 inch wide from top to bottom of wall.  I told him that if this is just 1 condo unit how many others have similar cracks.  Informed him you only need to be wrong one time before you die.  Who knows when the aftershock will occur and if it happens to a building with support structures that are  compromised there could be serious problems.

I would definitely delay in plans to stay in Bqngkok for a while, until they have had time to inspect the buildings.

I've heard many inspectors from around the globe are possibly traveling to Thailand to assist with inspections.

From what I've read most insurances will not pay when accident, injury, or death is a result of fighting or certain sports.

Sad, RIP British man.

On 3/21/2025 at 9:15 AM, roobaa01 said:

Now update on my case : I went again to the revenue place in Pattaya to have my dues finally assessed. Hurray hurray I was assed 0 tax payment but was asked to pay THB 5000 for the clearance certificate.

I'm no tax expert so consult with an expert or attorney but the Revenue Department talks about this certificate being needed when you Leave Thailand not when living in Thailand.  

Tax Clearance Certificate

https://www.rd.go.th/english/23518.html

I think you mean the "Income Tax Payment Certificate"

This may be needed for claiming a credit if your Double Tax Agreement allows for the tax already paid in Thailand.

Sunday Morning close to Mikes Shopping Mall on Beach Road I saw a drunk appeared to be Indian Man

walking down the middle of the road.  Cars and Buses going by honking at him but he didn't seem to care.

Motorbike Taxi and I said crazy foreigner, I guess he wants to die.

Lucky for him it was early.  Sure he didn't want to extend his vacation with a visit to a nice Pattaya Hospital.