TroubleandGrumpy

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.

Jaguar have been pulling back all their existing car models - and plan to release new Eco-models EVs later this year. Meanwhile the real world has moved towards Hybrids and fuel efficient Cars, because the infrastructure is not ready for EVs and the electricity costs are so high. This lunacy to replace coal, gas and nuclear power stations with massively expensive and inefficient wind and solar power generation is the same mentality that has driven Jaguar and many others broke. Electric cars are the future - when cheap abundant electricity is provided by nuclear power stations (fusion one day, but fission until then). Thew woke liberal mindset has caused a lot of problems over the last 2-3 decades - and it will take a while for it all to go back to reality.

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

PM suspended - and if she has any honour she will resign. And a man wakes up from a Coma after assault while out 'having fun' in Thailand. It seems to me that those two stories are related - not sure why though 🙂

Krungsri is changing all existing online consumer accounts using internet browsers, to their Krungsri Biz Online service. We just got emails advising of the change - obviously businesses do not operate using phones - they use computers. It appears that they are just removing the Consumer online system but keeping the Business online system - but I could be wrong - their advice is at best 'confused'. It also appears that there is no charge for the new service - but I could be wrong. It also appears that this service will continue after 1 October - but I could be wrong. As is always the case here, the staff wont know either - so I will wait a few weeks and then call them to ask. Plenty of time - 1st October a long way away - there could be a new PM by then - the 4th in a year 🙂

The biggest problem in the world that causes far more deaths than anything else is corruption. Next is greed, Next is stupidity. And there is nothing worse than a stupid corrupt greedy person, or group of people, in charge of a country. Delusional woke liberals (socialists) just do not understand that if all the money and all the food in the world was shared evenly - we would all be poor, destitute and starving and the world would fall apart an all of it would be the 3rd world (again). The $billions and $billions of money and food that have been 'given' to 3rd world countries since I was a boy, have not solved the problem - corruption, greed and stupidity - and never will. The ONLY viable solution is Law and Order enforced under a Democracy. The best solution is to give people the incentive to rise up and fix things themselves - giveaways just give them a reason to take whatever is given, accept things as they are, and to 'stay down'. We in the west did not become they way we are by wishing it - we rose up and took over - and implemented Democracies (and Communism) and the rule of Laws and Order. It is no secret - how we did what we did is there to copy and implement - they chose not to because of fear and stupidity - and giving them money and food only makes it worse, and keeps the corrupt and greedy in control. What the corrupt and greedy in charge fear most of all is the People rising up and getting rid of them, to implement a Democracy and a system of Law and Order that treats every person the same and a Society that encourages all to do the best they can with their lives.

Here come even more of the illegals - they will work for less than that - and do a better job. Utopian socialist delusions always confuse wants and needs - and have a very limited understanding of cause and effect.

They will be removed from the GOP Party at the next pre-selections for candidates - just like Cheney and others who hate Trump - they are RINOs. Get on board or get thrown overboard - that is the clear and present massage to all RINOs.

Banks are required to state where you are paying income taxes when opening most new bank accounts. It has been that way for septics for many years and now for those under EU rules and it is growing across all countries. The bank wants to know where you are paying income taxes to meet their requirements. Say no and see what happens - if they demand you provide a country where you will be paying taxes (and you have a tax ID), then think again.

Yes but however - the 'current TRD lodgement rule' is that unless you have to pay income taxes - allowances and deductions are not enough - then you dont have to lodge a tax return.

Never said that - a bank account is not a 'requirement' - but without one there is no chance of any annual extension - marriage or retirement or work. Those saying ignorant things about all that, are just showing their ignorance. They forgot you need to have money in a bank account IN YOUR NAME for several months to get an Extension - marriage or retirement. That means they only ever arrive here on tourist Visas/Exempts as sexpats? visitors? they obviously never extend? It is OK to do that - it is your lives - but dont tell BS about never needing a bank account in Thailand. I note BS25 has still not answered any of my questions - or anyone else's - just saying.

Have I upset the wokes again - I am so sorry - what a tragedy. LIve in a Thai City - it is great - best of all Thai worlds - modern services but the rural country is close - not many tourists and no sexpats or wokes. Not telling where - dont want you wokes and sexpats arriving - stay in Pattaya mate.

I find it hilarious that the woke progressives will tear down Christianity for all its past faults, and there has been plenty, but they cuddle up to Islam as if it is a wonderful belief. IMO it is the need for narcissists, especially over-educated ones, to engage in 'social warrior' activities to make up for their feelings of superiority - like movie stars adopting children in Africa using their private jets and then lecturing the world about climate change. They see everything in black and white - good and evil - oppressor and appressed - capitalist and slave - etc etc etc/ - and to them Christianity is the Oppressor and Islam is the Oppressed. The truth is that although it is true that Christianity civilised the World and Islam would destroy all that 'progress', there is no perfect solution to anything, especially in politics and religion - they are all wrong - it is just that some are more wrong than others.