samtam

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.

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.

I refer to the parts of your post which I have made bold. I am not aware of how much Thais get in deductions, allowances or expenses, but I suspect that many receive more than the minimum net income of THB150,000 pa and very few of those pay income tax, especially if a lot/all of that income is paid in cash. On a very simplistic basis, THB150,000 is THB12,500 per month, and, as I stated, although I am not aware of deductions etc, I pay my maid around that per month, in cash, and she probably earns as much again from other part time work. For sure she doesn't pay income tax, and neither am I suggesting that she should. So I have no idea how RD is going to enforce extracting tax from this segment of the population, but presumably it is in their sights, rather like Mars through a telescope. Not a vote winner, I suspect.

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.

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

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

Contradictory, moi?

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?

....and sometimes even with a red or green light, when you wave/hail them, they switch the light off. No Uber in Thailand for 4 years - Grab took over their business.

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.

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

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

I shall find out in a couple of weeks.

Thanks.

Thanks.

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

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.

I have a HK Permanent ID and Right of Abode. However, because of the pandemic I was unable to get back to HKG within the 36 month period. I am on schedule to return next month, and I may be able to have the Right of Abode status retained, despite failing in the 36 month criteria. It will be reviewed on a case by case basis, when I apply for my new Smart ID. (I lived and worked in Hong Kong for over 20 years, and prior to the pandemic was a frequent traveller; once able to travel during the pandemic, with vaccinations, simply could not stomach the draconian quarantine period, and if I should have been unlucky to catch covid during said quarantine, as some did, a further stint in Penny's Bay, which was unbelievably austere. On top of that my flights were cancelled by Cathay Pacific, and I could not rearrange the quarantine hotel to coincide with a new booking on Emirates.)

The longer the delay in choosing a PM, the more opportunity to unearth skeletons. Glum faces at Pheu Thai (PT) today. Their strategic dumping of MF has a tiny little complication in it. Even if MF do vote for Srettha as PM, they are now waiting to see which other parties form the PT coalition. If it includes junta parties, their vote will be withheld, and PT will have to rely on senate votes, (which may come with strings, including a seat in the cabinet for Prawit; possibly even the biggest seat).