samtam

Do you need photos for a renewal?

It was Grab Car Premium on both occasions.

Here's a clue about slow fulfillment: ...how many days has Srettha been behind his desk in Bangkok, or in Thailand, as opposed to abroad, drumming up so-called intangible "business" or non specific invitations to other countries' heads of state or government? ...who is actually running the government? ...why doesn't the foreign minister go off gallivanting? ...why doesn't the transport minister sort out immigration delays at Suvarnabhumi? ...why doesn't the interior minister go to the "Deep South", or to visit Issan, or other photo ops up and down the country? Perhaps the coalition is so fragile it cannot progress one item on the election promises agenda, and Srettha is just keeping the seat warm for the chosen one, and until MFP have been eliminated, before the next general election.

They also added another new fee "platform fee" of THB20 per ride. But since questioning it, they see to have stopped. Their answer was a complete word salad:

It's practically a capital offence, as Pita will find out soon enough.

Actually after relatively low AQI numbers in Bangkok last week, (around 60-80), today the AQI is back to 130-150.

"....not be stretch..." Actually that might be a solution to his problem, as below: I too have recently been to have physio at MedPark, (at vast expense), and the stretching exercises have certainly helped. Most of the rest of it is a bit of a racket, as to be expected from the medical hub of the world.

Sorry to be so flippant. I have Xiomi. 2 smaller ones in the bedrooms, and one large one in the living room. As to their effectiveness, I have no way of measuring that, but there is a indoor air quality monitor device you can buy on Lazada to measure.

THB19,300

The celebration seems much more pronounced this year. Many people wearing red in Bangkok. A number of premises closed for the non holiday; Chinese New Year is actually tomorrow. Park Silom, (Silom Road and Convent Road):

Yes, rather like the telephone kiosks which remained out of service for what seemed/s like a couple of decades.

Thanks, but the cycling is for my partner's back, (slipped disc between L4 & L5). The stationary bikes in our gym are not suitable, as they are a seat variety, (as in you do not lean forward, or stretch the spine). @ricklev seems to have provided a solution for me to check out.

Thanks I just walked up to the park and inquired at the Rama IV entrance opposite U Chu Liang entrance. Some English speaking young Thais directed me towards the Silom MRT station, to which I went. None there. So completing my circuit, I went via Sathorn Road, and noticed two stations, both devoid of bikes and obviously dead.... a case of no pun (pun) intended So thanks for your suggestion. I will look further, at the area you suggest.

When I have Googled the only information I have found is the "Pun Pun" bike rentals at Lumpini. The website tells me that all the stations to pick up a Pun Pun nearby are "temporarily closed", and it would seem the only one open is at Central World. Has anyone reading this ever used Pun Pun, and do they have any information to share, such as quality of the bikes, availability, ease of use of the facility etc, (as it seems to rely on the card working on the machine), and I have no idea whether these stations are properly serviced.

THB52 charged to me this morning, when I cancelled because "too far away".....(more than 10 minutes). Same reply for below. It's a scam. They seem to be getting more creative at little rip offs here and there.

Those Khon Khaeners, they just loves me some incense. Noooo!! Water fights are one of the main air quality control measures in the arsenal, (or the abbreviated version of that word).

Yes, we are in agreement on limited or no impact on the economy, but the impact on the Thai property market for foreign investors may be an issue, (depending on other factors, obviously). But with uncertainty about implications, it is likely to put some people off; I'm assuming this from what I've read, but my mind is muddled by the back and forth, and whether an inward remittance for property investment would be subject to the highest rate of tax of 35%. Certainly I know of an investor who was going to pay around THB50m for a condo, which is now in abeyance, until there is more clarity. With such an oversupplied market, it may be a beneficial delay, but then, to revisit another unknown, but speculated factor, the state of the economy, and the political risk, which could become a major factor in the coming months.

The Government and the Bank of Thailand seem to have locked horns over economic policy for the country, with the government wanting BOT to reduce interest rates. Similarly there are powerful forces within the coalition, and from influential businesses that are fiercely against the Digital Wallet scheme, and how it will be funded. Ergo, the Government has itself stated that the economy is in crisis...Straits Times . (and several other publications including one that cannot be mentioned; that one is of course closely associated with one of the major conglomerates in Thailand, and the consensus seems to be that this group are not in favour of racking up the country's debt.) This tussle will play out over time. Whether the economy is truly in crisis, or whether it is expedient for the Government to say it is, is another matter. Certainly GDP growth is lower than originally forecast, 2.8% vs. 3.2%. Whether mucking around with interpretation of the tax code will have a further impact, by restricting investment into Thailand, (certainly the property market sector available for foreign ownership), cannot yet be assessed. Similarly, whether the PM's multiple foreign road shows seeking investment in Thailand is unquantifiable, (although probably not related to tax).

I like your optimism, and your argument makes complete sense, but... Even with the Malaysian scenario with which doubtless they are familiar, and the many discussions herein and elsewhere, the consultative process with CPAs and stakeholders, the RD/Thai government shoot from the hip.

"pretty well off" not my words....@redwood1's LTR visa is for "wealthy retirees"....LTR's words.

Yes, I have considered the LTR visa route, but not sure whether I qualify. I used a LTR visa "specialist agent" whose enquiries initially elicited a "yes", (with various "alternative requirements" to satisfy financials), but then there was a misunderstanding about my marital status, so it's a "maybe". I don't want to abandon the Extension based on Retirement, only to find out that the tax rules have change for LTR in 5 years, or the "maybe" becomes "maybe not", and I have to reapply for an "O" Visa, and all the pain in the derriere that entails.

"giving it try"....by getting a CPA? Maybe others in this situation, (HK investment income at zero tax at source), could chime in.

Oh I understand your comment. The UK State Pension (UKSP) is tax free based on the TEDA. My UKSP is THB431,800 and my TEDA is THB500,000. What I find so odd about the situation in Thailand, is that for many of us, on visas, extended based on Retirement, we are strictly forbidden from working in Thailand, and so are totally reliant on income from abroad to meet daily necessities, such as food, accommodation etc. Holders of LTR for "wealthy retirees" are exempt from tax for inward remittances, and I venture to say this should be the default position for expat retirees. But what I think matters not a jot to the Thai government, and catering to the "desirable expat retirement destination" is not even on the radar.

Re. Number 2, I a Permanent Resident of Hong Kong with Right of Abode, so I don't know whether that affects this income.

Number 1....Oh, so that's now a complete reversal of what I understood from this Opus Magnum. Number 2....It is an income derived from dividends in shares, which are assessed, but deemed not taxable, under the tax laws of Hong Kong: cf: https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/hong-kong-sar/corporate/income-determination Income pre 1 January 2024 is now apparently exempt, but income derived after 1 January 2024 is not exempt...(subject to being utilised within Thailand, by means of ATM withdrawal or HK issued Credit Card usage). Is that correct?