TroubleandGrumpy

You answer your own posts???

Got something to say - then say it mate.

We recently stayed in a 4 star hotel in Rayong and the balcony rail was, as usual, about 700mm. The previous hotel we stayed in in Bangkok also had the same height railing, but with an added metal rail which made it about 900mm (but not strong - screwed into wall). We travel a lot and stay in hotels a lot and the railings are always low - some have been built up, but that it is better than nothing. You need to go beyond a few Pattaya Condos to see the reality of Thailand balcony railings built for much smaller Thais - but it is good to hear they are making them higher there. This is a good thing to talk about, because the more people that read this sort of stuff, the more that are aware of it in hotels all across Thailand. The first time for me was many years ago when I was in a Bangkok hotel way up high and I walked outside thinking what a great view. I was not even looking at the railing and only noticed how low the railing was when I was up against it - needless to stay I jumped backwards very quickly.

I agree with most of your posts - listening better this time I guess IMO Hamas has massively under-estimated Israel's resolve. They previosuly did this (less killed though) and Israel attacked Gaza and then under world condemnation for civilian deaths they pulled back. This gave Hamas what they wanted and planed - and increased their support for a 'Palestinian State' amongst the woke progressives of the world. The world has moved on and is changing - the woke progressive mentality is being slowly but surely pushed aside as more and more people realise their ideology in not based on logic and reason and that the outcomes are far worse then what they had demanded be changed. Not a coincidence that more 'far right' politicians are being elected, that people are realising that climate change activists and LGBTGHBVCX+ activists support Hamas/Palestine. The world pressure on Israel is being countered this time by logic and reality. Israel has steeled its resolve and this time (I hope) they are going to continue and finish the job - only then will Hamas be stopped from its decade of terrorist activities, and another future atrocity in Israel. For all those who decry the killing of 'civilians' in Gaza - allow me to rhetort. In the recent decriptions of how the Hamas muderers were raping and killing people in Israel, as advised by Douglas Murray who has seen the vids, they called their families on their phones and were ecstatic about how they had killed the Jews and their parents were extremely happy. There are 'civilians' in Gaza (lots of them) that do not deserve the protections in a war that are normally afforded to civilians - if any of them have been killed then I am pleased - very pleased.

So that boat disaster that happened a few years ago killing all those Chinese tourists, and which resulted in the Thai authorities FINALLY trying to do something to regulate and control the dangerous cowboy boat businesses, will now be tagged as 'mis-information'?? Thailand is desperate - the economy is broken - they are desperately seeking more tourists. But shutting down negative media stories about Thailand's endemic corruption, murders, road deaths, boat sinkings, accidental deaths, rapes, bike hire accidents and deaths, bad infrastructure, terrible roads, non-exitant footpaths, electric wires everywhere, etc etc is not the answer. The answer is to harshly stamp down on those doing those things - send the next Thai who kills a tourist on the roads to jail for 30 years and repossess all his assets and farms and vehicles etc etc. That will stop it dead in its tracks - talking and wai-ing and speaking nicely and 10K Baht fines will not do it. The Thai Govt is cracking down now much more than in the past - but it is far too little far too late - everyone who has visited knows how bad Thailand is in regards to law, order, corruption and safety. They talk - others listen - decades of ignoring it all is finally kicking them in the butt - and they decide to ...... hide it. The Thais all went ape*** over Chinese Poilice being allowed in, and yet they do not see the irony in the fact that Thailand employs 'Tourist Police' - Why? To protect tourists !! Protect them from what ?? It is right there in front of them - they just have to open their eyes and listen. While those who come here to party and have fun, are not at all concerned by all that - those that have families, or are reserved, or are truly eco concerned, are worried about the things they have seen in the media for many years now. What they need to see is massive crackdowns on those Thais who break the laws in the tourist destinations - social media will bypass any Govt 'suppression'. Those of us that have been here a while know that tourism has not returned in Thailand anywhere near pre-Covid years - despite all the TAT lies and BS with the numbers they publish - especially the 3-4 million Malaysian tourists which are just people coming over the border for a few days. If TAT was in UK or Europe they would be counting every illegal migrant arriving as a tourist spending 50K each and 'growing the economy'. Very few countries are back to pre-covid numbers, but Thailand is way behind - the TAT numbers are lies, and if the Govt was serious they would immediately sack them and start it all again. Meanwhile there are about 150-200K Expats right here and in front of them, all spending an average of about 800K to 1 Million every year, year after year, and the Thai Govt is considering how to get income taxes from them. They are driving out those that do spend money in Thailand, and they are not encouraging others from overseas to come. All their BS about high value retirees has been thrown out the window - they are now looking to hit them with income taxes. Thailand is Amazing - utterly unbelievably amazing.

Good point - Laos and Cambodia do it on the right. That is another tick for Malaysia then. No it is not 'easy' - but it can be done - never done myself - but once read about doing it somewhere. I think you need to get a Visa approved/stamped and get Raod Transport documentation done first. Many years ago I did the border run to Vientienne for another 12 months on my O-A Retirement Visa and was thinking of driving over. I parked in Nong Khai and took the bus instead Maybe talk to an agent who could organise the Visa and Car approval (for a fee). Worth it if it is something you are going to do every 6 months or so over future years.

That is one way to look at it - but there is another way - one that you fail to understand - reality. Firstly - those 'discounts' you got were to encourage locals to visit for business and social reasons, and they were provided to all locals whatever the colour of their skin or ethnicity. In Australia seniors will often get discounts - it is a social reason. Movie theatres give 'Tuesday discounts' for business reasons. It is not based on any group of people for thei ethnicity or skin colour. Thailand imposes dual-pricing on Farangs (white expats) on sight - not based on anything but their skin and ethnicity. I knew an expat that was a permanent resident, and when we visited a Zoo they also charged him the farang price - despite him showing his resident card and his wife complaining. And guess what - his wife is Laos and they charged her the Thai price. It is endemic in Thailand like corruption - does not happen everywhere - but it happens a lot - and it is wrong - and it is racet based. That Court case I mentioned was a bloke in Thailand that took the local hospital to court for charging him 3 times what they charged Thais which is against the Constituion. The Court ruled that it was OK, because farangs have more money and it is good for the Thai people. And guess what?? Nothing has been done by any Thai government agency, or Thai politician, or Thai human rights agency, or any Thai people, to try and fix this matter. Because they all agree with it and they do not see price discrimination as a problem - it is endemic (part of the culture). Quote: A Dutch national said today he will appeal a court ruling against his lawsuit challenging dual-pricing at Thailand's public hospitals as unconstitutional. Erwin Buse said the Administrative Court in Phetchaburi province relied on incorrect information provided by the health ministry in its Tuesday decision. Dutch expat to appeal after Thai court sides with higher hospital fees for foreigners | Coconuts Quote: "The pricing was set on an appropriate basis of socioeconomic status, and it benefits Thailand, so it therefore doesn’t count as discrimination,” the court ruling said.

Well said Mate - agree with everything you say. As you say, it can be very frustrating and annoying, but it is what it is and the Thai wife keeps me calm and on an even keel. Many advantages to having a good Thai wife, and dealing with Thai bureacrats is just one of them. Regarding medical insuarnce, I knew a bloke (passed now) that started here as mid-70s and paid the ever increasing premiums, but when he started getting some medical bills they would 'fight' - his Thai wife dealt with them. And when when he hit 80 they refused to provide cover, and no one else would accept him. Yes mate I will take it all and keep smiling - but my 'terminal limit' is if they impose income taxes on me (unless it is a very minor amount). If/when that happens we will be living somewhere else - I refuse to pay income taxes to a country that treats me like a criminal/tourist. And for the 'end game', we will then go back to Aust with both getting the pension - subsidised housing and rental subsidies - free nursing support programs - free/subsidised medications - free hospital services - and so many other freebies and benefits (rather than spending all our money here on that stuff). And then when it is all over, the wife will come back to Thailand and have plenty of money to see our her final years and pass on to the family.

I have never done this in reverse - but my Australian SIM is in a separate mobile phone here and I receive SMS OTP - for the normal minimum monthly plan. Maybe find out how much it is for a Thai SIM to be able to recieve SMS overseas on roaming. I dont make or answer any calls or use it for anything else - massive costs when on roaming. Friends family either email or SMS me. When finding out how best to do it long term, I went through all the options and tested things to make sure they worked on my previous visit. This was the best option - way better than VPN etc etc. I use Bangkok Bank and once I have set up a payee, any future transactions do not need an OTP - only when setting it up.

Not easy I know - and it is getting harder too. But if you have the best protection, and take the right actions, and dont do the wrong ones, that is all you can do. No need to have a constant fear - you just need to be vigilant and aware of the latest scams and how hackers succeed. Dont go into the bank branch - only to open the account - and then only do that at a big branch. Only take out money from an ATM in a secure location - Mall or Makro etc. I only bring into Thailand what I intend to spend over the next 3-4 months. Absolutely no one in Thailand has my home country details - addreess,banking, taxation etc. (when forced here I give mistaken details). Using an app on a phone for banking and payments is just not the best strategy IMO As others have said - limit the amount in there and that is a wise move - certainly do not use the bank account with 400K/800K in it. If I had to - absolutely had to - I would open a new account at another bank with a small amount of money - and use that one only. But I doubt that will be mandated in Thailand while I am alive - however, this 10K 'digital currency handout' is a worry.

Listen again - he says exactly what Hamas did and what they expected to happen in return and why they did it. Yes he did not say that Hamas were terrorists and war criminals - I did.

I agree with what he said when advising that Hamas decided that they would allow thousands of Gaza civilians to die when Israel retaliated, in order for their own political gain. What Hamas has done in Israel is a genocidel war crime, and what Hamas has done since then in Gaza is a genocidel war crime. I think the world is beginning to realise that Hamas is a murderous terrorist organisations, and that they do not care how many Gaza civilians die in Israel's retaliation because that is what they wanted. Israel is in a no win situation, unless they exterminate Hamas and re-occupy Gaza to control the Hamas sympathisers. IMO Israel will be doing the world a favour, if they continue their attack until they destroy the war criminals that are Hamas, and their supporters. The only alternative is the continuation of the current cycle of terrorism and retaliation, which has been going on for the 16 years since Israel left Gaza. Israel will pause - Hamas will re-group - Israel will then continue their campaign.

Yes that is true - and it is another reason to 'resist'. Not that I would call it a conspiracy, but if it suits the banks benefits and the govt gets benefits too, then they will encourage it - and maybe even eventually make it mandatory.

Good strategy - unlike back in 'the west' where if you can show it was fraudulently obtained, you will get refunded, that does not happen in Thailand much. I still recall that bank manager in Pattaya that stole Expats money - it took a long time and I am not sure even with the media exposure if they ever got it refunded.

True - points taken. And yes - not only do I know how to secure my laptop - I guarantee you that I can secure it far more than I could secure my phone. By as you point out so many people these days have no idea how things work - they just want to use what is easiest. Up to them - but I certainly will not - unless/until smart phones can bemade as secure as laptops can be. PS - iPhones are as good as you can get, so if you must use an App (maybe try BKK or KB) use it on an iPhone. Maybe also Google Youtube on how to secure your iPhone - lots of available advice - and even some software you can pay for to help.

The banks, especially in the west, have been pushing people to use their App on their phones for a reason and it aint for the customers. Same thing with the ATMs - remember them when they first came out - now there are less and less branches (that was the plan mate).

So many ways that it is impossible to say which one was involved - but all it takes is pressing the wrong button or opening the wrong email or text or message etc etc etc. And then there is the additional problems/issues that arise when using the app to pay for something. Endless. Scammers and hackers are attacking phones relentlessly - for a reason.

There are only 3 banks in Thailand that are 'fully certified' in Australia which has one of the best if not the best banking syhstem in the World as evidenced by the GFC in 2008-2009. Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank and Siam Commercial Bank. I cancelled my SCB account when they decided to only offer phone app banking to its 'ordinary' customers. Neither BKK or KB have gone down that road and probably they never will.

I suggest you immediately do one of two things. Go into the Jomtein Immigration Office and ask those questions and find out what is needed and how best to do it. Go and see an Agent and ask those questions and find out what is needed and how best to do it - and how much they charge for doing it.

You can take it as a rant or advice - totally up to you - not compulsory - but maybe read the headline again (and a lot of other similar stories). I see many Thais doing things I would never do (riding bikes without helmets etc etc etc) - that is not a very good example as to why to use an app.

I thought the same. Did he fall over the low balcony rail (which is common) or did he try to jump into the pool (perhaps under influence of some drugs). Either way very sad - RIP. Happens too often in Thailand.

Good point. Making up for lost profits during Covid ?

Especially the 'wrong' one - meaning someone in power/wealthy, or who has a relative who is someone in power/wealthy. Tread very carefully and avoid any confrontation in Thailand. It is like having an argument with your mother-in-law about something your wife said/did - you cannot win, even if you are 'right' - just do not go there you foolish man - suck it up and move on princess.

Yes and No - I did read the full article. The story states that it was a business matter that went wrong between business partners. People do not end up in jail in the west when there is a dispute between partners in a business. Unless that person has subsequently been tried and found guilty of fraud - and even then a fine and agreed payment of all/part of the disputed amount usually suffices. As far as I read it, this guy has been accused of fraud by the partner but has not been found guilty in a court. The 'business agreement' that was reached was that he would return home and work to pay off the disputed amount of money - but he was detained when leaving the country, and has been in jail for 2 months since then. But as you say, it is complex and it is clearly complicated. My point being that in Thailand Expats and Tourists can end up in jail for things that in the west are handled in a civilised manner. In fact you can end up in a Thai jail for the most ridiculous minor matter. Best example is the US bloke that spent Friday to Monday in a Thai remand jail for writing bad Facebook and Tripadviser reviews about a hotel (defamation). The only way he could get out of jail was when he agreed to and deleted the posts, and the hotel owner then withdrew the charge. The American subsequently left the country and will never return - nor will any of his friends and family.

Yes indeed - well spotted. Most of the blokes living off only their pensions should be fine - but for some of them 3,000 Baht a month is a worry. As someone who is bringing in a lot more, and with plans in some years to bring in a large amoun (car/property, etc), it is a big concern. Plus of course it is the principle of the thing, not just the principal amount - as someone once said.