Keeps

Before I waste precious time ploughing through endless photos, are there any of lovelies dressed up in sexy santa outfits?

Yes. Do the same rules apply to private medical centres as opposed to public hospitals? I think this is about the principles/fairness rather than the suggested tier pricing differential.

This topic has nothing to do with the comparable price for the same treatment between Thailand and USA. It has everything to do with the 20% load being applied for the same treatment between a Thai national and a foreigner.

I currently visit Thailand 3 times per year, equally spaced, for 60/90 days per trip with a SETV. Never a problem with the Visa being issued by the London Thai Embassy as long as all the paperwork in order. I usually apply within a few days of returning from Thailand. Rarely questioned by an IO when entering Thailand in Bangkok. I think the IO's acknowledge that you have gone the correct route and obtained a visa appropriate for your proposed length of stay rather than the visa exempt/extension route. You should not have any problem with your plan.

Same here. In my younger years I was a growth investor. Over the last couple of years I have realised some large profits from holding growth funds for many years and have reinvested in UK based financials paying dividends of 8-10% which now provide me with an income. I still maintain holdings in growth areas but am rebalancing the portfolio to provide a growing income.

Totally disagree. Long term investing is exactly that, investing. Yes, there can be up's and downs but over any, say, 10 year period it is almost certain you will show a profit based on a balanced, diversified portfolio. Certainly more than holding cash would return, even with the current attractive interest rates. We are not talking day trading here - that certainly is gambling. What would your interpretation of an investment be? Don't say bricks and mortar as the value of that can also fluctuate over a given period. Not that I'm saying Property is not a sound investment long term. Will be interested to know your definition of an investment.

I was certainly not aware of the 90 days cumulative stay within a 6 month period rule. There had previously been untrue rumours of being limited to 180 days within a one year period. Perhaps this is just a rule applied by the Thai embassy in Canada? They then do go on to say:- However, the visa exemption scheme is at the sole discretion of the immigration bureau. The Royal Thai Embassy cannot confirm the extension and the entry Hopefully, one of the resident Visa specialists will be along soon to shed some light on this.

I personally find the disposal of my "losers" the most difficult part of investing. It's like you need to admit you made a mistake in that particular investment. The need to hang on until it bounces back or breaks even or kidding yourself that the dividends are masking the losses. Luckily, I don't have too many of these but happy to admit I have some. Most of us see no problem in taking some profit from our "winners" rather than letting the full amount ride. Why the shame then in crystallising a loss now and again? That investment that is showing a 25% loss could be working profitably for you elsewhere and make up the shortfall in a reasonable amount of time. I never berate myself for investing too little or too much in any one investment. I ensure that I never have more than 5% of capital in any one fund/share. If a "winner" starts to exceed that amount then I mostly trim back and reinvest in a "lagger" (as long as it is still a sound investment choice) often at an attractive price.

Agree - very rarely adds to one of his own threads after the initial post or acknowledges replies.

I reckon it's TransAm... Where has he been lately? Self imposed exile or a "holiday" due to the constant bickering with bigknobhead?

I wasn't very good at golf. I used to quite enjoy hacking around but found the game very frustrating. I thought I was doing exactly the same thing for two identical shots but with wildly different outcomes. My friend who was quite able and played off 5 said I had one of the best swings he had ever seen. Don't count for much though when you can't get the ball to go where you want it to. I stick with watching it on TV now with a financial interest to make it more enjoyable.

You do know that you may have to pay double time if you want someone to come around and service the Mrs. on Christmas Day?

I've got the Mrs. one of these but am telling her it's a robot vacuum cleaner....

That's where I differ. I've never needed an excuse...

That's certainly not my experience of a large number of golfers. Often had to listen to them talking through every shot they played, which club they used etc. As many of these were not very good and took an unfeasibly large number of shots to get round, these could sometimes be some very lengthy conversations. Having worked in the City of London for over 30 years I am not just talking about a few people. Golf was probably the most popular "corporate day" for many. They would then bang on about it in the office the following day for probably longer than it actually took them to complete their round. I personally much preferred a day at the cricket or horse racing as a corporate "jolly" where it involved having a cold glass of something in your hand rather than a golf club. Each to their own though.

I think it's a good idea. A place to swap financial insight and tips. If it does happen, I just hope it doesn't get bogged down with "buy crypto" comments.

Rimping supermarket by the Iron Bridge had frozen legs of lamb when I was last in there about 3 weeks ago. Alongside the ridiculously overpriced frozen turkeys. Seems to be a waste of money using such an expensive meat to be overpowered by a spicy curry. Better off using pork for the curry. Depends whether you are looking to achieve an authentic Portuguese or Goan type vindaloo or one similar to those served in Western style Indian restaurants which blows your head off.

Yes, the same as bell peppers. That was my point. Nutritionists (and probably chefs) would class peppers and tomatoes as vegetables.

OK, I'll give you that but a little pedantic. Tomatoes are also a fruit but I wouldn't have them in a fruit salad. Same applies to bell peppers.

I believe that he initially borrowed 30,000 baht. Due to his inability to repay the interest/debt he then borrowed more from another loan shark to repay the original lender. Rinse and repeat. It's also unlikely that the interest was 20% per day although it's not beyond the realm of possibility. Probably more like 20 baht per day per 1,000 baht which still equates to 14% weekly interest.

I wasn't, but you make it sound such fun.....

Why on earth would Peppers and spring onions not count as green veg? I can also clearly see carrot in two of the dishes. Might not been green but still a veg last time I checked. I'm not saying it's health food but let's not be too harsh......

Most Aussies look like they got dressed in the dark.

Then every Aussie would end up being prosecuted. Is that what you really want? 555