TroubleandGrumpy

Thanks for the reply - but I only meant that I did not want to smoke again. I am happy to try pills/liquid - just asking where and how to get some.

So you are Morch's Mother? Father?? Or are you a 'second' account ?? Careful if you are a second - they can check your IP and MAC - and ban you for life. Now answering your rubbish. If Israel stops to allow hostage negotaitions, Hamas will re-arm and in the future do this again. Likewise, Hezbolla PIJ PLFP etc etc etc will all take heart and do similar things. The destruction of Hamas and much of Gaza will stop other terrorists follwing in Hamas' footprints.

IMO it will be massively bulldozed and then Israel will resume 'occupation' and manage the rebuild very very closely. Hamas has been conducting terrorist activities for decades, saying that Israel occupies their lands (even though they have no lands). Well now they are going to experience exactly that - Israel occupying the land that was given to them by I. Apparently a lot of posters have no idea of history and the truth that surrounds Hamas and the Gaza Strip. I know a lot of that ignorance is because they listen/watch woke progressive liberals, who are always looking for a new 'oppressed group' to virtue signal their superiority over 'unenlighted people' (the majority). So if any of them are willing to learn and perhaps realiuse they have been mislead, then I provide the following for them. Gaza–Israel conflict - Wikipedia Israeli disengagement from Gaza - Wikipedia And lastly, an interview with the son of one of Hamas' co-founders.

Morch !!

Great - I am so glad that you are fine with my views - even though you have no idea what they are.

You and I both have no idea what you are talking about.

Unless they earn money for you - rent, interest, returns, etc. which technically is taxable. I do not think capital gains tax would be applicable - but I am not sure about that one. I dont have assets that I will sell for a profit.

Good Post - you are right, now it is a matter of 'wait and see' - while also planning what to do if/when they impose income taxes on Expats. Your last few words are what really worries me - "They may ask for proof (Certs)". What that means is exactly the problem will be if/when Thai RD requires an Expat to lodge a tax return and 'explain' the money that they are remitting into Thailand. If the Thai RD demands 'proof' that taxes have already been paid in home country, otherwise taxes will be applied in Thailand, then most of us are upthat creek without a paddle. The DTAs were 'built' for businesses, not for personal taxes. It is easy for a business to provide 'proof of taxation' in other countries, but it is not so easy (sometimes impossible) to get proof for a person. And that is the core of the problem - if Thai RD views all remittances as income unless/until proven otherwise, then there is going to be a lot of business for those Thai based tax lawyers/accountants. I have posted a lot on this topic (it is why I joined) and after reading through nearly every post, my plan is to bring additional funds into Thailand this year. The rule starts from Jan 1 2024, and I am also not a tax resident this year (<180 days). Then in 2024 I will only bring into Thailand the minimum required, while I wait to see how things pan out. If I am required to lodge a tax return in 2025, and there are 'tax problems' - then we will be leaving Thailand. I am already paying 'fees' for the privilege of spending over a million baht in Thailand every year - on which I pay a lot of VAT (far more than the average Thai). But I have no legal rights, I cannot use the hospitals for SFA costs like the Thais, I pay more than the Thais for most things (dual pricing), and I get no Govt benefits or services (including the 10K handout, and the Travel Incentives, etc etc etc). I can accept that as part of the deal, including placing a large amount of my money into a bank account, and being forced to get medical insurance. I am treated like and given the same rights and benefits as a (long term) tourist - I cannot and will not accept also paying income taxes. I do hope the Thai Govt is 'hearing' this message being shouted loudly and clearly by many Expats - if they go ahead and make Expats pay income taxes, then there will be a lot of Expats leaving Thailand.

There are 3 banks in Thailand that are OK - as determined by the international rules when remitting money into Thailand. Bangkok Bank (BKK), Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) and Kasikorn Bank (KB). SCB (used to) have a lot of hidden and annual charges. Both BKK and KB have lower charges. All 3 Banks have more Branches and ATMS than the others. The next issue (most critical) is at what Branch to open an account. IMO open an account in a large Branch in that Province - not a small local branch. Most Provinces have their largest branches in a Mall - that also means they are open longer hours than the 'street' Branches. Get 2 accounts - one from each Bank - just in case something goes wrong when you are not near 'home' branch. The banking system in Thailand is not National - it is more like a franchise within each Province. For any serious/difficult issue, you will be directed to go to the Branch where you opened the account. Never ever use ATMs that are not either in/next to the Branch, or in a large shop - BigC, Makro etc.

Maybe. Maybe Not. Politics is a long dirty game. He was put forward to the Senate, rather than the daughter, because he was seen as pragmatic and a compromise. So far he has behaved exactly as they wanted him to behave - no massive restructuring of the institutions. Will the daughtrer take his place before the next election - who knows.

There was only one 'side' before - Hamas has declared war on Israel for a long time and many times, in the past Israel has not declared war on Hamas. But now they have and they are going to destroy them, and make sure they never again do what they just did. Either you kill all the cockraoches in your garden, our they will continue to enter your house and cause problems.

A 'threat' is not something that crosses into your country and kills 1400 people in one day (mostly civilians). They are an actual terrorist organisation that kills people in Israel. Are you saying Israel should just ignore what Hamas did - because they cannot kill all Jews? Isreal will never again cede Hamas territory in return for peace. Israel will not accept their country being abolished. Hamas wants Israel gone, and all Jews killed or removed.

I hear what you are saying. Yes neither 'side' is innocent, but one side wants peace, and the other does not. How many rockets has Hamas indiscriminantly fired into Israel in the last 20 years? Over 50,000 - with 5,000 as part of this current act of terror. They are aiming at anyone and anything in Israel (Jew or not) - they are not targetting military targets. Iron Dome (Israel anti-rocket defence system, stops about 90% of them). How many rockets has Israel indiscriminantly fired into Gaza in the last 10 years? None. Yes some during a military strike have 'missed', but they were all aimed at a military and/or terrorist targets. Israel used to 'occupy' Gaza until as part of a negotiated peace deal they left and handed power to the PLO. Things were never been 'great' between Israel and PLO - but since Hamas took out the PLO and took over, things have got very bad and after their latest atrtocity Israel has had enough. Israel is going to re-occupy Gaza - and I doubt they will withdraw anytime over the next 5-10 years (maybe longer).

Agree 100% - it amazes me that some people will argue anything else. There is opinions and there there is facts. Israel is no bastion of angels, and in fact no counry or people are, but Hamas is a murdering terrorist organisation who currently controls Gaza (ever since Arafat died).

Yes you are - completely. Israel wants peace - Hamas wants death - big difference.

No. He has his position because he was a very successful businessman, and is a member of one of the 5 Thainese Families (Empires) in Bangkok that controls most of what goes on in Thailand. Some say he is just another Military controlled puppet, and others say he is a compromise that had to be made. I tend to agree with those who see him as a compromise - how he and his 'compromise' Govt deals with the Constitution and Courts and Senate left in place from the Junta, is how he will be judged in the long run. Reality is that if he does what is 'right', and removes the Junta imposed structures and institutions, he will probably be replaced at the next election by MFP.

Anyone over 60 who thinks they can defend themselves against a 20-30 male was either a trained specialist/professional, or they are delusional. Best course of action is to either walk away - or point out the camera/s that are recording and then walk away (they are everwhere thses days). Many stupid older blokes get very hurt thinking they can take on a young strong male - dont even think about doing it - just dont do it. Most young men will be 'nice' and just push you away - but some will beat you up for embarassing them (you know who I mean).

Like many older blokes I have had a bad back for decades - and I am also silly and play golf. Massages and medications (Tramadol, Norgesic and Diclofenac) do help, but I have heard Cannabidiol (CBD) can be very effective is reducing chronic pain. I used to smoke many decades ago, and I do not wish to ever do that again. Does anyone know what if Cannabidiol (CBD) is available in Thailand? Is there a doctor that can/will prescribe Cannabidiol (CBD)? Can it be bought in Thailand? Any advice would be appreciated.

You are missing the point. Hamas has declared again and again that their only acceptable solution to the issue, is the removal/death of all Jews and the removal of Israel. Hamas does not want peace. If every soldier/person in Israel put down all their weapons and allowed Hamas to do whatever they wanted - they would kill them all. Proof is what they just did - especially the beheading of babies and children and the killing of civilians from other countries. If Hamas put down all its weapons, Israel would not kill them all. PS - unless I see the exact bodies to count, I do not believe word coming out of Hamas - they are lying terrorists who bombed their own hospital and then blamed Israel.

If Israel are stopped from destroying Hamas, then this will happen again and again. Either Hamas destroys Israel, or Israel destroys Hamas. Anyone who thinks a settlement can be reached is stupid - Hamas will 'play along' with that, while they rebuild their arms and tunnels. That is what they have done every time Israel backs off - hopefully this time they dont back off and they finish it.

Exactly - Hamas has never been tried and found guilty by ICC - but their crimes are very clear. They have fired thousands of unguided rockets into Israel every year for a long time now. Find the guilty verdict and I will stand corrected.

You are missing the point. Atone for what ?? The history of civilisations going back to the beginning, is a history of conquest and destruction. It is a normal part of the development of human civilisations - the old and weak, get taken over and removed by the new strong group. Once you go back and pay reparations for doing what comes naturally, you will never stop. Advancement does not come from atonement - advancement comes from behaving differently. Or are you saying that the Jews should all be paid reparations for what was done to them by the Islamic armies that drove them out of their homelands? After all - their instutions are alive and well today. You could do the same thing all over the world. The truth is that all of us have come from a past of conquest and destruction - none of us have a history that does not include both.

Will the ICC and UN also be 'gathering evidence and witnesses and investigate and analyse all the evidence' regarding the atrocity done by the Hamas terrorists? Of course not - why - because Hamas is not a member of UN or ICC - they are a terrorist organisation. One question to all the pro-Palestine supporters - when did you first hear about 'Palestine'. For me it was when Palestine Terrorists did the 'Munich Massacre' at the 1972 Olympics. Munich massacre - Wikipedia

I agree with that politician who said - "Yes we will pay you reparations for our past injustices, just as soon as the Romans pay ours." "And then we will send you a bill for all the rodas and hospitals and legal systems that we created and built." Victimhood should never be rewarded - because it never stops.

6 million died (apparently) over a period of 3 years - nowhere near as much as they initially predicted. So what do they say - 780 Million were either 'Killed or Sick' - atypical public servant bureautic double speak. Clearly a lot more peope had their lives 'damaged' by the 'lock down response' - than by the Virus itself. Proof? Sweden !! UN and WHO etc. being held accountable ? As much chance as a Thai Minister/PM ever saying 'I was wrong and I apologise'.