TroubleandGrumpy

Correct. That is the BS reason used worldwide by corporate greedies to justify using cheap illegal labor instead of hiring locals. Besides the illegals take cash and pay no taxes, and the farmers pay no insurance costs either. Did anyone else note that those who died in that Bangkok collapse were mainly non-Thais? Has the building construction company owners been charged for hiring illegals??

Google it and see and read and then you will understand. Having said that - if you want an EV - get a Toyota. Personally I would get a Honda Hybrid now - EVs will become mainstream in 10-15 years at the earliest. I think any Chinese EV is a risk - 400 have disappeared or collapsed or bankrupt. https://evboosters.com/ev-charging-news/400-chinese-ev-companies-ceased-operations-between-2018-2025-only-a-few-will-dominate-towards-2030/ As things move forward, if the China economy recovers, perhaps a few Chinese EVs will survive and thrive globally. BYD is growing globally, but is it real growth, or just based on give away pricing that will eventually collapse. As I said - now get a Toyota EV or a Honda Hybrid - wait a few years for the Chinese EVs to settle down/in IMO.

5 years? More like 2. They will shrink back to China - expect withdraws in other countries soon. Google "BYD in trouble" - it is all there to see.

Same same - been there done that - many times. That sort of stupidity and worse is everywhere in Thailand. But dont react next time - if anything happens (including shots being fired at you for making him lose face) the Police will blame you as the cause of the problems because you became angry and offended a Thai. Just last week we were exiting from Global House onto a main road and after looking right waiting for the cars to pass, I then started to go forward, when there was an idiot riding his bike right in front of me - from the left and on the wrong side of the road. How I was able to not hit him at my age astounded me - I did not know my reflexes were still that good. That is the thing - despite me being there for a while waiting for cars to pass, and clearly he could see me, the idiot did not realise I would pull out when the cars had passed and that he should slow and wait a bit. Thinking is not a Thai trait generally - lovely people most of the time - but as thick as 2 short planks and worse when riding bikes or driving a car. My own BIL drives his ute in the right lane under the speed limit. My wife said she asked him once why he didn't drive in the left lane on highways and he said 'why?'. I never let him drive when I am in the car after witnessing his driving many years ago - he 'bought' his licence - never did a test - they auto renew it each time with no questions or tests. Millions like him on the roads here - always drive with both eyes wide open.

Pure delusional propaganda. And 'sovereign nation' my backside - research the truth mate.

So they dont lodge the Visa documents anymore - did not know that. Good luck with all the documents needed - give them more than they ask for - as many have said.

No - just the truth. I am not taking either side - they can both rot in hell for all I care. But the truth is that Russia invaded Ukraine as a 'police action' - much like USA when they invaded Iraq or Vietnam or Cambodia or Laos or Grenada or Panama and Afghanistan. They are both at fault in this ongoing 'proxy war' between Russia and NATO - there is an obvious solution. There was a Civil War in Eastern Ukraine from 2014 until 2022 when Russia invaded - that is a fact - it escalated in 2022 - both sides caused that escalation. One thing I have noticed is that whenever Ukraine launches massive drone attacks into Russia, their efforts are supported, but when Russia launches attacks they are evil. That is Propaganda.

VFS were great - but it was many years ago we used them. I did not know biometrics is needed for a Tourist Visa these days. OP @Bluetongue - ignore my advice unless you have moved to Bangkok, Phuket or Chiang Mai. If biometrics is needed before they will issue Visa - where can that be done in Thailand (besides VFS Offices).

Nutter comments by a Trump hating nutter - blocked.

That would be a good outcome. You woke liberals laud Ukraine as if it has been around forever and deserves to be preserved. It was created as a country in 1991 after the USSR disbanded - and just like Yugoslavia it was a big mistake and needs to be broken apart into separate States. Between WW1 and when USSR disbanded in 1990s, both Yugoslavia and Ukraine were mistakes that the western powers created for political reasons. One has gone (Yugoslavia) - and now it is Ukraine's turn to be dismantled. This is a map of the last free and fair Presidential elections in Ukraine - 2010. This is a map of the last free and fair Government elections in Ukraine - 2012. Ukraine is divided - especially between the East and the West of the country. A majority of those in the West support being a part of EU/NATO, while a majority of those in the East support being a part of Russia (60% have a Russian Passport*). There was a coup in early 2014 that ousted the Russian President and a pro-European President was 'selected' by NATO/USA (Obama) and this resulted in a Civil War when those in the East revolted against the new Government. Ukraine is divided and needs to be split up - IMO the only solution is the creation of two independent States. * Many of the early 'Russian' tourists in 2022/23 to Thailand were actually Eastern Ukrainians.

ROFLOL - if the RTP actually enforced the road laws in any meaningful way, then getting these fake plates would be a worry. But in their complete absence of doing anything aside from reading the registration sticker date on the window as you slowlyu go past their 'highway safety campaign' (monthly cash acquisition), it seems to me that these fake plates would be ideal way for locals to avoid speeding fines - not that I am recommending that of course.

Please consider that the 1 million baht coverage you have is probably not for a total of 1 million baht. It will likely be 400K for this type of medical service, and 400K for this type, and 400K for this type etc etc - and it will be up to a maximum total of 1 million baht across all types of medical services - a 400K maximum for each type up to 1 million in total. If you have money set aside for a medical coverage fund, them I would add the 160K to that 'fund'. At your age there will be so many exclusions and conditions in the fine print - after 75 years of age medical insurance in Thailand is 'problematic' for Expats. Be careful of waiting too long if you do decide to go back to NZ, a bloke I knew in his early 80s did that and then he could not return as he was medically not capable - airline refused the risk. The medical services in Thailand for those going through 'the end game' are just not up to 1st world standard outside of the big private hospitals in Bangkok. Ambulances are a joke, GPs are not existent and most local 'Drs' are useless, blood tests and scans are just not up to 1st world standards etc etc etc. If you keel over and then die soon after doing that, then here is fine. But if you are like my parents and most others who pass in their 80s, you will have ongoing problems for many years before you pass away - and here IMO is not the place to go through all that. Have a read about that poor Greek bloke in Rayong - and there are many similar stories - just ask Sheryle - and I am sure my old mate would have lived 3-5 years longer back in Oz. His Thai wife spent a lot of money in those last few years - both in getting him treated, and then in the funeral and cremation etc. (she was ripped off by the locals big time). Our plan is that if/when one of us gets a serious illness, then we will go back to Oz, or we will go before I am 80.

It is the worst in the world - the official payout is 60%. In Australia UK USA etc they payout somewhere between 80-90%. Scam. But if you buy one and happen to win, best to make a deal with a Thai and let them claim it. Besides being hit with a tax bill/reminder, you will be forever in their sights. Or claim it all and then go home, never to return.

Get in contact with VFS Global - they are the official Visa Partner for Australia. https://visa.vfsglobal.com/tha/en/aus "We are the contracted Service Delivery Partner for the Australian Department of Home Affairs and provides assistance with online visa form lodgement, visa fee payment and biometric collection services in Thailand." There will be issues, because of the high percentage of Thais that overstay in Australia. It is both those working illegally - and those claiming refugee status after they arrive, which gives them 2-4 years in the country while they are 'processed' (including appeals). Detail everything in an email to them - they will tell you what to do (as far as I know they dont take calls - too busy). When you apply you will need to provide proof of the wedding (Invites and Stat Decs etc) and lots of corroborating information and documents, so start getting that all together ASAP.

Because that would mean less tourists from India and China - they want the money and dont care about the social costs.