NanLaew

She came to the accident site so at least not 500 km away? Just thinking. This just in... families live together near highways. More at ten.

Yeah, it's fun isn't it?

Old technology often requires this.

Gotta die o' sumthin' PS: Living in Chiang Mai is NOT mandatory.

No.... Requires proof of wife, her presence is not required.

I have a solution for your serial barstool solitude. Pump the girls with drinks and games. I'm a bit surprised you hadn't worked that out for yourself already.

Thailand has limited and pedantic pathways to PR and citizenship that still don't confer 'birthright' priveleges. Some other countries offer an easier, more inclusive route. So, if you've got a wedge, you're good to go. Got it.

In an apples with apples comparison, between 2010 and 2021, the median household income (PPP) in Thailand rose from $15,523 to $23,076. Vietnam started from the 'back of the grid'* in 2010. So your stats are more like proof, if ever proof was needed, that socialism with a dash of populism goes a very, very long way. * That means they're playing catch-up. That's how countries tend to develop.

What an extraordinary achievement, especially given the fact that two of the six years you mention were pandemic years. Prayuth must be a genius. I am curious though, given Prayuth’s outstanding success in developing Udon Thani, why is he so unpopular? I mean, you’ve made it clear that Thaksin’s meagre efforts merit no adulation yet here we are 20 years later and vast numbers of Thais worship the man as a god primarily for being the first PM to invest in rural development on a meaningful scale. Quite the quandary. Perhaps the answer lies in the lack of accuracy of your assessment of the comparative success achieved by each side of Thai politics. AFAIK, the pandemic affected ALL parts of the nation so why do you suggest its impact on rural poverty is more significant? Maybe it's the 'provincial capital' bit that you can't get your head around? They don't grow rice and tapioca in Bangkok and they don't do it in Meuang Udon Thani either. I was (and still am) talking about the cities, not the villages. You don't need me to educate you on why Prayuth holds no sway in northernmost Isaan where a vote, any vote, still comes from incentives. However, one of the notable, Thaksin-related non-events in the big city was a large, premium housing development, largely funded by SC Asset that, having already commenced construction and sales, was found to be illegal and being built on land NOT allocated for housing. It was stopped and it's been shuttered for over 10 years now. Prior to that, the 168 Platinum Mall was going to be the mega mall to end all mega malls but alas the coup (and a reality check) put an end to that grand scheme. There's no denying that Thaksin invested in the heartland of his support. However, it has recently been eclipsed by the outgoing ragbag of scoundrels. despite the pandemic. No fancy housing estates for the burgeoining middle class (on credit) but notable improvments in power, utlities and other infrastructure including social for the benefit of everyone. The rebound from Covid has witnessed markedly faster city and rural infrastructure development than in the years preceding it and that, as stated, was far more than anything seen in the glorious 'Thaksin years'. The po' folks got their handouts and freebies and outside of droughts (where Prayuth implored farmers NOT to plant unsustaninable second rice crops), production still went up. In the 'Thaksin years', the traders and middle-men at the rice mills got filthy rich but the farmers less so. Why do you think Yingluck's Ponzi rice price fixing scheme isn't talked about much by those of a red persuasion? The farmers also got easy credit and spent it without recourse to repaying debts incurred but that's an educational issue more than anything. Thaksin and his ilk weren't big on that either.

I can't speak for Bangkok but the provincial capital of Udon Thani has developed and expanded more in the past five or six years on Prayuth's watch than it ever did under the original TRT and subsequent Thaksin-led administrations.

I heard it was a bit better when Dave wasn't around.

Gotta love rookies, eh?

Abbes Bar, truly a Walking Street legend. Managed to outlive BJ's across the street. Abbe's where I used to hang out with my (eventual) first wife. It's also where I met her sister who became my (eventual) second wife. I might need to check it out as a gogo bar and go for three strikes.

So not very good for the average non-monger with a gypy tummy who is intensely focused on maintaining his singlehood.

Enter Laos early on Tuesday and submit MENO application on the way to the hotel. Overnight. Collect passport with MENO and return to Thailand on Wednesday afternoon. These specific days avoids the crowds that come in by minivan from out of province. Monday's can see dozens of applicants, Tuesday less than a dozen. No proof of financials required or asked for. The thread linked by @Upnotover has the details.

I perceive a time when a dormant but working UK bank account may have some value to the erstwhile international gypsy and Thailand squatter. Maybe flog it on eBay?

A foreigner can safely be a 'remote' worker while in Thailand on a non-immigrant ED visa. Just don't make a big deal about it. IMHO, that's better than flipping burgers.

If I'm not mistaken, raod traffic accident related deaths surged by [insert "official" percentage here] in Thailand during Songkran celebrations. I didn't go out for Songkran so handily dodged becoming a potential death statistic, be it on the road or by social interactions. Covid is part of life now so the standard rules apply, including the choice to get re-jabbed or otherwise.

Although you're correct inasmuch as this applies to the OP's circumstances, just to clarify, it is possible to leave Thailand during the 'under consideration' period but a re-entry permit is still needed. I managed it several years ago at Udon Thani immigration. YMMV TiT

Not for their offshore / expat / international accounts that wouldnt make sense An example from NatWest International account information page (my emphasis). "To apply for one of our bank accounts you must meet the minimum age, residency, balance and/or deposit requirements. View the relevant product page to find out more." and "To apply you must be; aged 18+, resident in one of our listed countries and meet our minimum balance, salary or deposit requirements. Please note: all accounts opened through our online, digital application will be based in Jersey and therefore bound by Jersey Law." "Residential requirements Our International Banking service can help customers who are resident in the following countries: Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, China (Expats only), Denmark, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Norway, Oman, Qatar, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom (Non-domiciled only) or the United States of America. Please note that not all of our products and services are available in all jurisdictions and some are available on a limited basis only due to local regulatory and legal requirements." Furthermore: "You can apply for an International Select account if you are: aged 18+, and resident in one of our listed countries, and open the account with a minimum deposit of £25,000 or pay in a mandated salary of £40,000." Since Thailand isn't on their pre-approved list, it will be up to the applicant to ascertain what proof of being non-domiciled in the UK will be accepted by this bank. Also, most pensions will fall well short of the monetary minimums required to open and maintain the account. Good luck!

It's a mistake to assume that your experience is the norm. Opening a bank account in Thailand isn't always easy.

You're nearer to Savannakhet than you are to Vientiane.

If the Non-O isn't issued in time in the UK, you can enter Thailand on a visa-exempt and then pop over to Savannakhet before it expires and get the MENO.

If you build it, they will come, if you charge it, they will pay.

So was the (original) Jazz Pit. I can't.