TroubleandGrumpy

AND - That is how I spell and say their name - Abbo Riginee or Abboriginee

REPEAT: Great result - even greater to see all the woke progressive lefties become offended by the sheer audacity of the Aust People to reject their BS.

Great result - even greater to see all the woke progressive lefties become offended by the sheer audacity of the Aust People to reject their BS. (for my sins) Years ago I worked in Canberra for a while (not in Govt) and I got to know some senior public servants - yes some of them are OK (about 20%). This was the time of ATSIC and before Howard had won and abolished that corrupt waste of taxpayer money. He said that if we paid every single Abboriginee $1M each and told them to 'f off' and gave them no more 'additional aid/services/money' we would be better off in 15 years, and then going forward we would save $billions. I ran into him some years later when Aust had its one and only ever feminist PM, and he said he was wrong. He said that now it will only take 5-6 years to break even!! You guys have absolutely no idea how much money is wasted on Abboriginees - by all levels of Gopvernment and though Quasi-Governemnt Organisations and Charities and NGOs. Take what you know now and triple it. Our debt would dissappear in a few years if it was all stopped - and a lot of useless woke lefty people would be out of work - A LOT!

I am late to this post and cannot find the original post - I assume it is not back when this thread started in 2008. I am usually across all these sort of things - is there something I missed? Has there been a change of the laws relkating to the tax residency status for pensioners? Why are people saying pensioners will/may be forced to return to Australia?

Whenever I read opinions about coffee and all the stuff different people like/dislike, I am reminded of that movie 'Bucket List' with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson : Kopi Luwak Coffee The Bucket List - YouTube We used to have a coffee machine from Aldi (In Aust) that was great and cheap - lasted for over 6 years (could not bring it here). Made by Expressi for Aldi - looked it up on Lazada and it costs 5 times the price in Aust and the pods cost 6-8 times as much. We are sticking to Macconna - only 2 times the price in Aust - we like the taste and it is quick/easy. And no need to clean a machione every year - you should see the crap that gets inside them over time. I recommend you only ever use bottled water in a machine here - and clean them frequently too.

Fair enough. And to answer you question - my dentist did that by closely examining the tooth and looking at the far far better XRay picture on his computer screen and pointing things out to me while I was sitting in his chair. By the way - that is one of the best signs of a decent dentist. Not guaranteed - but useful - check out their chair/s. Do they have all the latest gear, including including a funnel/zoomed intral-oral x ray arm attached, and a computer screen either on an arm or attached nearby.

Dont waste your time mate - unless they see an academic report/study from a suitable institution (Columbia Uni., etc) on an acceptable media outlet (CNN, NYT, WAPO, etc), they just will not accept that it can be true. That is also why they believe any stupid ignorant rubbish that comes out of those place - like climate change ending the world Soon - by 2000 2010 2012 2020 - In 50 Years - and like there are 543.2 Genders - etc etc etc. (insert latest woke preogressive fad).

I am looking into both the Philippines PRA and the MM2H (Malaysia) more closely - because of this 'impending' imposition of income taxes in Thailand - as per the latest posts on AN. At the very least, if it is introduced without any exemptions and clarifications for Expats, we will all be required to 'report' where the money we move into Thailand is coming from and declare whether it is taxable or not according to Thai Tax Laws. What chances will I have to convince Somchai in Thai RD that I dont have to pay income taxes in Thailand. There are no 'agents' when dealing with the Thai RD, unlikje the corrupt Immi Police, and breaches of the RD rules means extremely harsh fines and jail (then deportation). Both PRA and MM2H are solid and reliable long term Visas, and although I have not completely re-examined each one in detail yet, the following is for both of them last time I cheked them out in detail (now doing it again). No 90 Day Reporting. No TM30s and/or TM28s. No needing to apply for 'Permission to Leave/Re-enter Certificate'. No annual 'begging' application to stay another 12 months, with ever changing requirements and uncertainty. And a lot of other 'benefits' and 'rights' that are non-existent in Thailand. The 'deposit' is either about the same or a bit more than what Thailand imposes, but you get bank interest, and you can use part of that money to buy a house or health insurance. Yes - you can after a period of time buy land/property. Yes - you can become a Resident - and Citizenship is an option. The Visas are automaticall renewed each year upon payment of a small fee. You get an ID Card and have legal rights (not treated like a 'dirty' Tourist). I am still going through the list of comparison, plus I am also looking at what is 'on offer' from other SEAsian countries - Vietnam, Cambodia, etc. When I last checked things out Philippines is a bit like Thailand in terms of 'rough and ready' and Malaysia is more like Singapore in being more 'organised and structured'. One thing I have noticed before and again now. There are quite a few Expats who have moved from Thailand to Phillipines or Malaysia over the years, and there are SFA Expats who later move back to Thailand. When I say Expats I mean elderly retired men or women (single or married) over the age of 50 who dont live in a small hotel room and chase bar girls in Pattaya etc. (Sexpats). Nothing wrong with that, but if Thailand does implement this income tax rule, and then maybe they should move reside there - and visit Thailand for less than 180 days each year and this avoid becoming a tax resident here. The wife and I have already agreed (in fact she is adamant) - we will not pay income taxes in Thailand - period - we will leave. Likewise we agreed a long time ago that we will not pay for those rip-off Thai health insurance policies. Both of those are 'show stoppers' for us. And if it all goes to sheeiite we will just move to Australia (as far away from Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne as possible - Darwin looks handy).

BS - Poster blocked.

Get the full insurance coverage possible - the lot. Worth it if something happens like an accident or stolen. Otherwsie holiday will be ruined.

@Michael Howells Hi Mate - happy to give you some advice - I know a lot about this issue - a few questions if I may. How long before your 'eligibility' date did you arrive in Australia. How much did you tell CLink about your marriage and your wife. Have you 'officially' married (Aust Embassy etc.) or is it a Thai marriage only. Where are you living now - renting - with a friend/family. Do you have Aust bank accounts and licence or any other official ID besides Passport. Do you have Superannuation etc. - what is your source of funds (banks). Those questions will impact a lot on what you will have to do now. You will probably not win the appeal - depending on your answers. That advice (bring wife over) is actually good advice - I will explain more when you answer.

So you like boys that dress up as girls (Ladyboys) - that is OK - up to you mate 😘

Agree. The French - overall. Every country has their 'quirks' but judging the country based on one group (like New York) is not realistic. However, except for a few places, France has the rudest people towards foreigners - especially those that dont speak French - they are arrogant pigs IMO. They not only have a massive chip on their shoulders over their past 'destructions' by the English, they are downright antagonistic towards anyone that speaks English. I recall one mate of mine that was of a French descent (long time back) and he said that to him it looked like they are stuck in the 19th Century when they were a 'world power' and have never got over losing that mantle. That they were 'given' a seat at the table in the UN as a permanent member after WW2 and at the same level as USA, UK, Russia and China - only added to their delusions. Delusions of granduer are always manifested as arrognace. Whilst the UK's seat at the table is also 'unwarranted' (their intact Royalty justifies it somewhat) their manifestation is indifference.

I rest my case (see my earlier post above). Dentists in Thailand have been for a long time been pushing Expats for root canal treatment, when in fact that is often not the best most suitanble treatment needed for them. While Thais usually have very strong and well developed teeth, that is not the case for most Caucasian Expats - our teeth are often crap. Many decades of bad diets and minimal serious biting (Thais can crunch through soft bones) and genetic 'inheritances' mean older Expats's teeth are often best treated by drilling and either filling, covering with crowns, or removing and implants - unless you are a lucky one and have parents and grandparents that kept most/all of their teeth. And even then it depends on your bone structure and density - you cant fix what cant 'hold' - dentures are sometimes the best last option.

Yes and No. While I agree with what you are saying, I will also say that there are often other issues involved. If the tooth is less than 90% perfect, there is no point in 'saving it' unless you are young - it will be trouble again in a few years. The cause of the infection is critical - was it through the tooth or via the gums - exactly what caused the infection and how. Is it a teeth wide and/or gum wide issue, or is it isolated to that one tooth? How is the teeth's bone structure and density etc etc. Will a repair and antibiotics do enough of a job? Etc etc etc. I have had a LOT of involvement with Dentists since a very young age (Sjrogens), and my Brother studied to be a Dentist (didnt work out), and a close mate of mine was a Dentist. When I was told the same thing as you by a Dentist in Chiang Mai, with absolutely no explanation other than 'you need root canal' - I was dubious - and when I examined the XRay it was only a small amount - and the fact was I went in there to get that tooth treated. When I advised the Dentist what I wanted them to do, though the Thai wife, he said 'no no no - root canal first'. I declined. Next trip back home I went and saw my mate - he immediately said WTF - no way - not needed. He said the infection was small and came though the lower side of the tooth that was the problem. He repaired/drilled out the tooth, and gave it a crown, and gave me some antobiotics. All done on the same day using that CEREC system - and that was almost 10 years ago and the tooth is still fine. Back then there was very few Dentists in Thailand using the CEREC system - there are more nowadays - and it has improved too - now last as long as most 'lab made crowns'.

And they wonder why the Thai Police are tryiong to crack down on the Thai Trans people - the ones that 'work' in the 'entertainment' industry are criminally violent mentally deranged people. Never ever get involved in anything they do to themselves. If they are attacking an Expat women, and if you are young and strong and only if you can fight, then by all means maybe get in there - but not if you are one of us old blokes - those Trans are men and most of them can all fight (Mua Thai style).

Seems those people like myself and @Dogmatix and @stat and @Mike Lister and many others who have been 'discussing' this matter (not always in agreement), and the possible implications, and the possible counter measures - and who were called 'phrophets of doom' by the 'bar-boys' and 'emus' on this forum, have been doing the right thing when raising the issues and debating the negatives. Well, who would have guessed - several Thai tax law exdperts have come out and said it too. Maybe now the 'bar-boys' and 'emus' will realise that this is not an issue to be treated with disdain (and those discussing it), and that the 'She'll be right mate - have another beer' is not going to be the right strategy in the long run. It might not become such a big issue - but it certainly can if things are not clarified and detailed explanations are not provided by the Thai RD. As the post above says - we will have to 'report' remittances into Thailand and dfeclare them either taxabale or non-taxable income (as it stands), and good luck convincing Somchai in the Thai RD that your pension/savings are not 'income' that can be taxed in Thailand - and even more good luck when arguing with Pronchai that a DTA means you pay no taxes 🙂 In this modern world of social media and its massive influence on all Govts (especially Thailand). It is only because of Expats like us 'complaining' on this forum, and other websites, and our Thai partners, that this issue is being 'responded to' by people that do have an influence in Thailand. There are no guarantees either way, but these days it is very much that the 'squeky wheel' gets the oil - and the 'noisier' we are the better. So get active boys and put forward your thoughts and opinions - right or wrtong it does not matter. And 'Good Luck Everybody'. Forcing me to pay income taxes will mean my Thai wife and I will be leaving Thailand - period. My reasons for all that are in my previous posts in thge other thread (many times).

Seems those people like myself and @Dogmatix and @stat and @Mike Lister and many others who have been 'discussing' this matter (not always in agreement), and the possible implications, and the possible counter measures - and who were called 'phrophets of doom' by the 'bar-boys' and 'emus' on this forum, have been doing the right thing when raising the issues and debating the negatives. Well, who would have guessed - several Thai tax law exdperts have come out and said it too. Maybe now the 'bar-boys' and 'emus' will realise that this is not an issue to be treated with disdain (and those discussing it), and that the 'She'll be right mate - have another beer' is not going to be the right strategy in the long run. It might not become such a big issue - but it certainly can if things are not clarified and detailed explanations are not provided by the Thai RD. As the post above says - we will have to 'report' remittances into Thailand and dfeclare them either taxabale or non-taxable income (as it stands), and good luck convincing Somchai in the Thai RD that your pension/savings are not 'income' that can be taxed in Thailand - and even more good luck when arguing with Pronchai that a DTA means you pay no taxes 🙂 I can just see it now - in 2024/25 they will post a question - "What am I going to do now? Please help". Well, they are welcome to read through all the posts written by blokes like myself and Dogmatrix and Stat and Mike and all the others who also think this deserves 'attention' and should not be ignored. And/Or take the advice we all have given that suits you and your situation. And/or go see an tax/legal expert. In this modern world of social media and its massive influence on all Govts (especially Thailand). It is only because of Expats like us 'complaining' on this forum, and other websites, and our Thai partners, that this issue is being 'responded to' by people that do have an influence in Thailand. There are no guarantees either way, but these days it is very much that the 'squeky wheel' gets the oil - and the 'noisier' we are the better. So get active boys and put forward your thoughts and opinions - right or wrtong it does not matter. And 'Good Luck Everybody'. Forcing me to pay income taxes will mean my Thai wife and I will be leavbing Thailand - period. My reasons for all that are in my previous posts (many times).

Lived in CM for almost 4 years - have stayed in KK several times - am married (10+ yrs) and over 65 and starting to 'settled down'. We plan to move to KK in a few years time - has everything we need and want. CM is 'good' - but it has several problems - extremely bad air for 3-4 months, crowded with Chinese tourists 3-4 months (they will be back), very remote (a long way to anywhere), over-priced property both rent and buy, airport taxi mafia (not as bad as Phuket, but bad), getting around without a car/bike is not easy or cheap (baht buses for tourists, but not really useful for residents). CM has two parts - the area near the 'walled city' that is mainly locals and tourists, and areas well outside for residents and Expats. Very easy to get around in a car/bike - unlike Bangkok and Pattaya. Great golf courses and a great night life and close to 'advanture/nature' stuff. Not a large amount of 'bar girls' like Pattaya. KK is quieter but has everything someone of a mature age needs. Not as much bad air, very few tourists (big plus), easy to get anywhere to else in Thailand and overseas, property pricing not over-inflated (yet), very easy to get around. Not a large number of Expats, which IMO is a good thing, because there are many 'strange ones' in CM (and lots of Yanks). KK is growing - big plans - ring roads and fast train and international airport are all coming - KK will be second only to BKK in 10 years, maybe less. Udon is good for Expats (only an hour or so away) but it is 'full' and they cannot expand - easy for border runs there too.

The reason married Visa is 'harder' and why they clamped down on them years ago, is because there is no age requirement, and many 'undesirables' who were under the retirement age, used that method to stay in Thailand. As soon as they started clamping down, they found lots of marriages were scams.

Ditto - same story for myself. But I was not 'lucky' really. After a few years of fun, I had decided to find a 'keeper' and I took my time looking (and I did not look in bars). Too many guys fall for the first pretty girl that shows interest - and they reap what they sow - we all do. Far too many things to list - but number one was some advice I got many years ago. If you have a bigger age gap than 10-15 years there could be problems later - I am in 60s now and she is in 50s (and still under 50kgs). No tattoos. Not too 'forward and confident'. Etc Etc Etc. My life has never been better than the last 10+ years - if I could go back in time, I would come to Thailand and find her 20-30 years ago. But we all live and learn - and one thing I have learned the hard way, is that if it is an unhealthy relationship, then get out as soon as you can. Do not do what I did way back in time and try to stick it out. But also, dont just 'storm out' - plan very carefully and organise things and take your time - and dont tell anyone - women are highly skilled at finding out what you are doing - dont even tell your best mate (his GF/wife will talk - they all do). There is absolutely no advantage is saying anything or being a big princess and making a big scene - you will lose if you do that. Paul Simon said there are '50 ways to leave your lover' and none of them are about yelling/telling her - You just slip out the back, Jack Make a new plan, Stan You don't need to be coy, Roy Just get yourself free Hop on the bus, Gus You don't need to discuss much Just drop off the key, Lee And get yourself free. There is nothing better than having a great wife, but there is nothing worse than having a bad one.

I have had both, and am currently going through the marriage extension process. Marriage is IMO better, and more 'secure' as long as you stay married. The annual paperwork for the Retirement is less, and the initial vist etc and waiting period is also a bit annoying - but they are both annoying. The biggest issue for me is the 400K in a bank for a few months, versus 800K locked away forever. Not so much the amount, but that they force those retired to lock away twice as much as someone that is supporting a Thai wife. I am also of the view that going forward all those on O retirement extensions in Thailand, will also be required to have mandatory health insurance like those on O-A retirement extensions. And it will probably be mandated that it be one of those ripoff policies setup by the Thai only companies that are basically scamming retired Expats. All in all, I think marriage extension is better, and in the longer term will be more secure. For those worried about losing their Visa if divorced, the reality is that that process takes a while and it is not hard to switch over to a retirement Visa - and much easier if you use an agent.

I used Dental World some years ago - near the moat on south east side of the road. Choose one of the Dentists that has trained overseas, as well as in Thailand of course. I used one that was trained in Australia - forgot her name (so has the Wife). First questions I asked her was about Sydney University - she knew exactly the answers.

Fair enough - but there are a lot of them who will do it - as long as you do have something to leave for them when you 'go'. One key is where you look for them - and how old they are - if you want a 20-30 year old, you are being stupid/silly (they often leave). Likewise, one that worked in a bar is also likely to leave and not stick it out.

Lots of free Apps available - there is even a list of them on the BeeeTV website - I dont use them anymore. I mainly use an IPTV service that provides movies (many newer ones) and live sports from UK, USA, Aust etc. (and with replay and storage). It costs money, but it is worth it - very few technical issues and works great 90+% of the time - unlike many freebies I have tried over the years.