The Central Administrative Court orders the revocation of the EIA report of the 125 Sathorn Project

https://www.thansettakij.com/real-estate/578097

22 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

the Thai PM agreed and said that Hong Kong Airport is considered one of the most efficient airports in the world which is a transit hub and cooperates with U-Tapao Airport. The airport is considered a memorable destination for travelers and promotes the economy through tourism.

I don't know many people who go to Hong Kong to visit the airport, as outstanding as it is, 25 years after opening.

I'm a bit confused by all these road shows by Srettha. He's touting for investment in Thailand from all his manic travelling, but on the other hand casting huge doubt on the efficacy of anyone investing in Thailand by a tightening tax regimen. You can't have it both ways. Hong Kong is one of the most liberal tax centres in the world. It would have been better to have clarity at the outset whether Thailand is going to become a high (or at least highly complicated) tax centre, or before reeling in investors. There is nothing that puts off an investor more than uncertainty in the market in which they are investing, and the regulatory systems in place. Also, the treatment of Hopewell by the Thai courts is not an incident that has gone unnoticed. 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand has taken a significant step towards enhancing its global competitiveness with the launch of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee by the government.

 

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, this initiative is aimed at bolstering the value of Thailand’s goods and services, in turn boosting its overall economic growth.

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin emphasized the government’s commitment to elevating Thailand’s soft power, thereby improving the country’s global standing and competitiveness.

 

To integrate the works of various agencies involved, the National Soft Power Strategy Committee has been established. This committee’s primary mission is to expedite projects, plans, and standards that have a substantial impact on 11 key soft power industries.

 

Deputy Chair of the Committee, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, outlined a comprehensive national strategy called "One Family, One Soft Power." This policy aims to create an enabling environment for Thailand’s soft power industries. If successful, it is projected to contribute 4 trillion Baht annually to the country’s economy and create 20 million new job opportunities.

 

The plan is structured around three main pillars: human development, the growth and advancement of various soft power industries within Thailand across 11 sectors, and expansion into global markets.

 

Short-term goals include ensuring that community and village funds are prepared to attract public interest by January 11th, 2024. In the subsequent six months, or by April 3rd, 2024, the policy aims to nurture creativity and skills, introduce legislation for the Thailand Creative Content Agency to the House of Representatives, and organize a World Water Festival.

 

Within a year, or by October 3rd, 2024, the initiative expects to produce at least 1 million highly skilled and creative workers.

 

The success of this initiative is anticipated not only to enhance Thailand’s global reputation but also to stimulate the nation’s economy, ultimately improving the livelihoods of 20 million families and positioning Thailand as a high-income country.

by Woraprat Lerpaisal

 

Source: NNT 2023-10-04

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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I was so blown off course by the sartorial delight that I missed the hilarious blurb in the piece. I think TAT (no pun intended) might have a hand in this.

14 minutes ago, retarius said:

Sharp; they are ahead of the game, presumably because they are the only bank entitled to handle SS payments....(that's Social Security, not the other German lot.)

 

I'm going to change my tax residency next year to somewhere other than Thailand. I have homes elsewhere and will use one of those countries. 

Of course if you live in Thailand for 180 days you are a tax resident of Thailand, whether or not you state otherwise. I have right of abode in two other countries, but I have been living in Thailand for more than 180 days, therefore I have to declare Thailand as my tax residence. If the RD's new interpretation of the law requires me to pay tax in Thailand, I will choose to live in other residences, one of which does not impose tax on income derived from pension and savings.

The level of knowledge and service at Thai banks is abominable. I received an SMS to go into U*B and register my banking app for facial recognition, and to bring my passport to facilitate this. Initially they said my passport did not have a chip, so it could not be done. The passport was issued last year, and had the chip icon. I Googled and explained that to them. 4 staff faffed around with the passport being "scanned" to find the readable chip. 45 minutes later this was achieved. In the meantime I was told utter nonsense by staff who did not know what they were doing, and who became more hostile as the proceedings unfolded. It boggles the mind how an institution can introduce a new system and not train their staff on how to make it work. It boggles the mind how a so-called service industry cannot train their staff to serve their customers. Whilst all of this was going on, the clerk at the desk left to consult another colleague, (I was the only person in the branch). In doing this she left her computer (tilted towards me), with some customer's details private information completely visible to me. It boggles the mind that data and security and customer privacy are not paramount in a bank's training of its staff. 

In my experience the plethora of "security guards" at many locations, including private condos etc is a complete sham. The "guards" are uniformed doormen, car park attendants or bag carriers. They are part of the package of living in a condo, where the visual impact is more important than the real effectiveness. And it doesn't come cheaply. Spending the money on a better security system, such as key card access to floors in the lifts etc would be much more effective, but in my own building residents enjoy the saluting and wai-ing, and not having to open the door.

16 hours ago, mokwit said:

Offshore account or onshore high street bank? - if so which bank allows this - i am sure former Barclays customers might be interested.

HSBC UK (onshore), and I also have HSBC Expat (offshore).

3 hours ago, mokwit said:

Good point: Seems pointless when of the 40 million Thais many are not eligible for income tax.

 

Don't know what the Thai interpretation would be but in the UK, officially all UK citizens must be tax resident to have a UK bank account, no?

 

What we DO know is that one bank (SCB) are now requiring a tax ID for foreigners to open a bank account BUT: that may just be a way of screening out less profitable accounts. Contrary to popular belief Thai banks don't really want foreigner accounts because they don't make enough money from them.

No, as a UK citizen I have a non resident account(s). 

10 hours ago, hondoelsinore said:

....and bitch and bellyache about everything here and so condescending towards the population, that only makes you miserable and people hateful towards you. Being married to an older Thai lady that is very educated but clueless about so much in life, made me see immediately never to put all of your eggs in one basket here...

Contradictory, moi?

6 minutes ago, freeworld said:

Check windows onscreen keyboard settings, maybe scrlk need to be turned off/on there.

Thanks. Have done that several times. It's off. I put it on, then turn it off. Still locked.

I have very little wriggle room for the washing machine, and not much more for the dryer. Both fit, and do not damage the counter or the dividing wooden strip:

I have Googled and followed the instructions on how to unlock my locked keyboard scrolling facility, to no avail.

I have a small HP that has no ScrLk button, so I used the virtual keyboard. It's not locked, so I lock it, (blue) and unlock it, but still not able to scroll. I can operate by using the touch screen, or by jumping using the touch pad, but not by putting the cursor on the scroll bar. What am I doing wrong?

4 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

One very weird aspect of Bangkok taxis now, and surely it must confuse tourists, is the light they display. In the real world, where logic applies, a red light would mean the taxi isn't for hire and a green one means that it is. But in la-la land both mean the taxi is available. And to confuse people even more, the driver might still refuse to take you as a passenger, no matter what light he has.

....and sometimes even with a red or green light, when you wave/hail them, they switch the light off.

1 hour ago, georgegeorgia said:

Just use grab or uber or bolt 

 

 

No Uber in Thailand for 4 years - Grab took over their business.

2 hours ago, samtam said:

What are recent experiences of check in time before departure at Suvarnabhumi for an international flight?

 

Emirates are recommending arrival at check-in 3 hours before departure. I normally travel Business, but am travelling Economy, so will not have a quick check in experience or "Fast Track" at Immigration.

 

Flight is 14.05 on Sunday 3 September.

Just seen this on X, so I guess it's still bad:

https://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish/status/1695657515495944479?s=20

What are recent experiences of check in time before departure at Suvarnabhumi for an international flight?

Emirates are recommending arrival at check-in 3 hours before departure. I normally travel Business, but am travelling Economy, so will not have a quick check in experience or "Fast Track" at Immigration.

Flight is 14.05 on Sunday 3 September.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

However, the scheduled royal ceremony for the installation of the new PM at 8pm encountered a delay.

...allowing Prayut to control the military reshuffle...

4 hours ago, VillageIdiot said:

In recent candid photos he looks ghastly.

Definitely has health issues.

Maybe that prompted his return.

1/

4 hours ago, seajae said:

surprise surprise surprise, will be home detention next, this was the plan from the start, he will never spend time in jail especially now pt is in govt, the people of Thailand have been crapped on big time alll for this mans return and for pt to get their snouts back in the trough

2/

1/ & 2/

If Thaksin is really really ill, (as in shuffling off this mortal coil), then PT's potency in the coalition, (of which they are a minority), will be diluted both within government, and by the further drop off from their supporters, (and voters).

It's somtam all round; the silent coup has worked to retain the military in power for the next 5 years.

3 hours ago, ChipButty said:

was he stripped searched on arrival at the jail? I would love to see where he is staying in jail, I am told they have special suites in there, 

The Royal Suite, Room 1404 on the 14th floor of Mor Por Ror Building, of Police Hospital

2 hours ago, LosLobo said:

Wonder if they will give him a room with a view?

 

Perhaps he will get a view of the CentralWorld, a hundred metres away.

 

You know the one his supporters burnt down in 2010.

Overlooking Lumpini Park.

The change in the liquids rule (limiting amount carried in hand luggage to 100ml per container) is changing in some airports, but I have not read of it here, and wonder how long it will take before it becomes worldwide:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexledsom/2023/08/19/uk-100ml-liquids-rule-in-hand-luggage-on-planes-ending-expected-timeline/?sh=b75f4ab41762

18 hours ago, orchidfan said:

I just snuck back in with a mo.th or so to go before the deadline.

Didn't have to go there (luckily) before they dropped the quarantine Nonsense .

Also got the new smart card ID, which was easy enough  

Was given priority for being. an old  bugger. Fill in a paper, new photo, then come back a week later to collect new card.

I did read that missing the 36 month period still allows you right of entry, not sure a out right of abode.

I think if you go and plead your case to Imm, they may be lenient....bu it's all tied into the Basic Law.

Good luck !

I shall find out in a couple of weeks.

13 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

As I noted above, when I dealt with the medical clinic used by the Fatboys service out in the OnNut area, pretty much the ONLY thing they did/checked was a blood pressure cuff reading.

 

But I don't know what (if any) level of reading would be considered disqualifying.

 

Thanks.

13 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Thanks.

27 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

 

You still need to obtain medical (5 minute thing) and own Certificate of Residence. USA embassy no longer provides address letter.

 

I recently obtained the 5 year TDL and did that at Chatuchak transport office.

If you are using that office note there is small medical office not far from entrance.

It's an office just issuing medical certificate. 

 

Here is a thread  and has report of my experience at Chatuchak in May.

Also in thread discussion of certificate of residence.

CW require a 90 day report to issue COR

Do they actually check anything medical? Mine previously was a blood pressure test, but as I suffer from white coat syndrome that wasn't straightforward for me, and it would make sense to get a medical certificate from somewhere else on another day, if a BP test is required.

 

 

4 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

I have used Fatboy's on two occasions and their service was excellent.  Definitely recommended as long as you have the required documentation and just need a hand-holding-don't-have-to-get-involved service.

 

Driving licence fee is B1,900 at Fatboy's according to their  website.

https://www.fatboysmotorbikes.com/thai-drivers-license-service/

4 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

https://www.fatboysmotorbikes.com/thai-drivers-license-service/

 

Driving licence fee is B1,900 at Fatboy's according to their unlocked website.

46 minutes ago, Polar Bear said:

Fatboy's has split into two companies, both still confusingly called Fatboy's. We've used Fatboy's On Nut for several driving licence related things and they were great, but do check if you can just renew your expired licence because that will be a lot easier for you. My husband wasn't able to get a Thai licence based on an expired UK licence, and he had to do the whole practical test thing, which was a hassle. 

Yes Polar Bear, I was confused by a URL on one website that appeared to be locked. Thanks for clarifying L Lou.

26 minutes ago, JimmerJJ said:

Hi everyone,  I am in Bangkok and need to get a Thai Drivers License.   I see a few websites online that offer assistance with the forms and they also accompany you to the Dept of Land Transportation to get it.  If anyone has used any of these services I would be interested to hear of your experience with them.  Two services that I saw online are Fatboys Thai License Service and also Thai Drivers License Service Point - TDLS.  If you have any feedback on these or others I would really appreciate to hear before i dive in with one.  I had a USA DL but it expired and I also had a Temporary Thai Drivers License but then got locked out of Thailand because of Covid and it expired so I guess i have to start over.  Thanks All I really appreciate any information about doing this. 

Fatboys website is locked, but it may be the same as TDLS. The fee seems a bit steep @THB3500.

BSR Bike shop is THB1900

(both for renewal). Other services as priced.

You are required to have proof of address (your embassy or IMM), and a health certificate.