Wrwest

We can only hope for a massive turn out for the general election. If an overwhelming number of American citizen voters turnout, Trump and the current Republican Party will be soundly defeated. Oh, the dedicate MAGA types will turn out but their numbers can be overcome by the majority rejecting The Donald. Many of us would rather have seen a different contest but ... here we are currently. I do fear folks being so discouraged that they do not bother to vote. Too many times in history a vocal, dedicated minority has come to authoritarian power in such a case.

Not just the Democrats ... bit of an understatement. The Republicans insisted that immigration must be addressed and the House passed a bill. That Bill, was known to be extreme and a nonstarter with the US Senate. Bowing to Republican demands, a Senate bipartisan Security Bill was drafted with the support from both parties. Enter "The Donald" publicly stating that the Republicans should pass no such nonpartisan Bill as immigration/border issues is a weak point for the current administration and he wants to use that issue to run for President as the Republican Party Nominee. Most Americans definitely agree with Congressional representatives of both parties that immigration law needs revising. We would agree that both USA political parties have kicked the issue down the road for decades (almost as complicated an issue and fraught with potential unintended consequences as addressing Social Security).

Agree with most but the addendum is that Democrat majority states are not alone in folks not affording to live there. My working life was spent in Kentucky and I found it would be a challenge to live a working middle class retirement on my sustainable $2400 usd per month ($1570 of that from SS). Quite comfortable on my 65K baht per month here in support of family of 3.

So, what constitutes, “well capitalized”? Just raising the question. I just turned 77 here in Chiang Mai use the 65K monthly minimum transfer as we spend that much generally every month. 12 1/2 years and counting, quite content living a working middle class retirement that I cannot afford in my home country.

Oh, pleeeze do go to the Ukraine front lines and remind those putting their lives on the line that they are only fighting a proxy war for the USA.

I take Trump as a serious threat to my very flawed country. Far too many in the working middle class are emotionally willing (seemingly) to follow anyone who gives voice to their justified frustration/anger. This is driven by sheer emotion not thought as to consequences.

Grew up in South Jersey, Philadelphia Met area (no not Camden). The only place I had a knife pulled on me in the 30 countries I have studied (7 of those) or visited.

Like much else dealing with those who have retired here in Thailand, it all depends on the individual. Yep, a very busy employed life. 12 1/2 years retired in Chiang Mai and quite content.

While I am in support of the Democrat Party, like many of my fellow Democrats, I wish circumstances were different. President Biden has a very favorable history on which to stand. But bottom line with the upcoming US election is the decision by the American citizen voters as to the model of government they want. A deeply flawed current system begging for reform or a more authoritarian regime. Oh, the authoritarian regime can make reforms faster as it will not need to compromise … a taste? The current Republican Party stance on refusing to vote on the bipartisan bill which addressed their demand (rightly so) immigration legislation. Yes, my country is under threat … from a vocal, dedicated internal minority.

OK, we have been faced with this since late last year and the water is still over.y murky. I am being told conflicting information from tax accounting firms here in Thailand with the bottom line that no one can definitively say what will be true. Time to start leaning on our respective diplomatic/national taxing communities to press the Kingdom of Thailand to publicly state there will be no effect on long term Thai residents form foreign countries until and unless the Kingdom of Thailand gives definitive absolute rules and at least a one year notice of these rules before implementation. This will give long term foreign residents the opportunity to leave Thailand. The various diplomatic missions have the responsibility to clearly tell its nationals if the existing tax agreements/tax treaties will protect their nationals from double taxation or a complicated Thai tax reporting burden.

Long time ago since I took as check drawn on a USA bank to BKK Bank to ask about depositing. I was put off by the time it would take and the bank charge for the service. Found that I could send a copy of front and back of the check to mt USA bank and they credited the amount immediately.

Exactly the words I highlighted to copy. Thanks for posting ...

I stand corrected. The following leading statement is what I should have stated, “they refused to pay out after she plunged almost 20 metres to her death”.

It does get complicated. While not an official Constitutional Monarchy … Russia comes to mind. I guess I could take the time to look at some other countries that I am less familiar with, Bután, Nepal?

Otto is doing just fine and has been for years. While I agree that there are those “pigging out”, there are others, such as myself the go to buffets for the selection rather than the quantity of how much we can eat at one go.

For the same reason they will not recommend criminal charges against Pence?!

I will be interested in learning more from the PBS Newshour/Marris Poll coming out today in the USA. The Appeals Court has firmly rejected Donald Trump’s claim of immunity in the charges brought against him by a citizen based Federal Grand Jury. The Poll reflects the current political divide. Better than 65% of Independent and Democrat Americans asked, say that Donald Trump should not have immunity from prosecution. Of Republicans asked, 68% say Donald Trump should be immune from prosecution. It is on such a basis that some, including myself, fear that there is a real possibility currently that far too many Americans are willing to move toward authoritarian rule … that any President should be immune from the law in any action while President?!

Rented the car and drove in Czech Republic, then Germany, Austria with no issues. Then again, no accidents, driving tickets, etc. Same ha been true with use on my Kentucky Driver's License previous to getting my Thai license.

Hopefully, including the medical insurance requirement ending the debate on tourists ducking paying bills and need for medical "go fund me" needs. But, as already noted, how to dive up the premiums versus the country services rendered. Hmmm, could look, again at how this works under the Schegen Visa.

Certainly we are allowed to "think" what we want. Thai reality comes down to who has the power and motivation to utilize this law and for what purpose. As we do not know the behind the scenes players all we can do is speculate. My speculation is that to bring charges for words spoken in 2015 is a stretch, as is, saying he wanted to be a 1st President. Unless directly saying that that would absolutely mean ending the monarchy, he could have been proposing a Constitutional Monarchy and not a breach of lese majesty as understood outside of Thai politics. But, as a retired history academic, I am just speculating.

Valid thinking but in her name, definitely you should hold a usufruct giving you the right to live there until the end of your days.

Yes. Hot dishes ... fish, chicken, pork, sausages. Cold cuts, salads. Desserts including cakes, ice cream. I especially like the Deviled Eggs" ...

Auf der Au (on the river).

Very funny. Yes, it is a challenge, what with my M.A. +, study in 7 countries ... so difficult to think or write.