TroubleandGrumpy

Same everywhere. You cannot change the system unless you are inside the system. Attacking it from outside only makes in stronger - and the system has mechanisms in place to protect itself. Mechanisms that stop opponents getting into power, and mechanisms to stop those in power that want to change it. The only way to beat the system is to know the system and its defences - and getting inside is the best way to do that (the only other method is extremely destructive).

Wrong. There is no right and wrong in Politics - there is only what it takes to get into power (win election) and what it takes to then use that power (Government). MFP did not win the election - they won 30+% of the vote. They should have been far more pragmatic and prepared - but just like the idealistic schoolchildren now going to jail 'for a cause', they were taken down by smarter and more experienced political operators. Hopefully, MFP have learned their lesson and if they survive this dissolving of the Party wisely (Pita was cleared), then they will learn and also be smart enought to be able to take control after the next election. Only then can the system be changed - only from within. Screaming and protesting about what is right and wrong is irrelevent in Politics.

IMO the MFP and all the University protestors were stupid - and I said that at the time. The only way to make changes is to be in power - MFP should have focussed on getting elected. Once you are in power then you can make changes, but to get into power means being smart about it and/or lying about what you will do when in power (that is called politics).

Go and ask them in the local Immigration Office with the wife. If you are 'caught out' by a home visit after 1 or 2 years, the downsides are big. Tell them she is going for 2-3 months every 6 months, and that the kids are staying with you. It should be fine as per comments about looking after the children. If for some reason the IOs are not OK with that, then switch to a retirement extension (and maybe best to use an agent).

Thanks - So that is a No and a Yes. Plus keep records to prove it, just in case ever audited in the future.

Cannot argue with that - and yes I would only buy a toaster on Lazada that I have used before in Aust.

Question - Expat who remits 2 million baht in one calendar year. Does an Expat have to declare the whole 2 million baht they remitted into Thailand in that year, and then details what is savings and what is income. Or does an Expat only have to declare in a tax return the part of the 2 million baht they remitted that was 'income'.

Buy on Lazada - plenty of good brands - have brands/models sold overseas (all made in China anyway).

My very first WTF on first visit to Thailand many years ago - I was walking with a GF and a bloke did that standing in the bushes as he watched her walk past. I was angry and was going to punch his lights out, but she stopped me and just laughed at him as we walked away. I had a lot to learn. Still do.

Lucky you - many others (including myself in Chiang Mai years ago) not so lucky.

You didnt answer my question yesterday Bob - when are you leaving??

Many years ago when we saw Thais filing up their water guns in a creek, we have actively avoided this rubbish with the water. I am sure the Thais have the immunities and can handle dirty water in their face (they swim in when young), but us Expats over 50 are generally not so resistant to bacterial/fungal/viral infections.

I was expecting (hoping not) another video showing atrocious behaviour by foreigners - thank goodness not.

As the vast majority of Expats know, surveys and reports are written using the money paid for by the contributors. In other words they are 'paid advertising' and we all know it. Very few true independent surveys these days - if any. But Thais dont know that - and this works in Thailand - the Govt and Thai media lap it up. Plus of course the draconian defamation laws here make it impossible to actually criticise any Thai person or company - fairly or not - criticism is illegal. Who can ever forget that UK jopunalist forced to leave after publishing a story about a person/company that was found to be in breach of UN human/employee rights - the factr that the story was true was irrelevent - he was found guilty of defamation. I know SFA Thais know about that story - but they all know not to criticise those in authority or power.

Besides the rules that make doing that extremely problematic - there is the Thai Customs people and what they decide to do with the vehicle. My understanding is that it is for a Thai who has been living overseas for more than 12 months (and owned it) and is moving back to Thailand. Many have tried to get around it - the vast majority have failed. Post Covid I cannot see the Customs people being any easier to deal with - IMO two chances = none and buckleys. I owned a car in Aust that I loved (Mercedes) and I wanted to bring it here in the wife's name. We lived in Aust for some years before moving back - so I checked it out a lot. My advice - keep the photos and memories.

The fattest mammal animals on the planet eat grass (mainly a carbohydrate). Humans lost the extra organ/stomach for processing grass a long time ago (appendix). Grass is maize and wheat and corn and rice etc etc. Avoid all foods that are basically made from grass and grass derivatives (cakes, bicuits, sweets, coke, sweet drinks, etc. etc) - basically all treats and most of what is sold in supermarkets. Stick to a high protein diet and avoid all snack foods - they are mostly made from grass and grass derivatives. Humans get fat eating grass products - fast foods are full of grass related carbohydrates, fats and SFA proteins (lots of grass related products). The biggest crops on the planet are sugar cane, maize, rice, corn and wheat - all grass related - avoid them and all things made from them. Eat Proteins (meats) and Vegtables and Fruits - as much as you like that is cooked naturally (not fatty oils) and moderate Dairy inputs (too fatty) - but just dont eat grass. Coke is mainly sugar cane etc - liquid grass in a highly digestible form - it quickly turns to stored fat when not used by the body.

You leaving soon?

Fair enough - people working illegally in Thailand and Thais working illegally overseas - quid pro quo.

I said it about EVs and I will say it again - China is 'product dumping' to get rid of excess production. Western countries have rules and regs to stop them - Thailand and anyone else silly enough to allow Chinese cheap imports, is being plundered for quick cash grabs. Far too many Thainese in Thailand - maybe one day they will wake up like the Fifians did. The Fijians woke up and they activiely kicked the Indians out - like a cancer they had spread everywhere and had taken over nearly everything in Fiji. The lefty progressive media called it 'oppression' and 'victimisation' but having myself been to Fiji a few times from Aust, I saw first had how the Indians had taken over. The laid back easy going (lazy) Fijians had been taken advantage of - but finally after a military coup the Indians were kicked them out - and it was the right thing to do. "This represents a third of the existing Indian population in Fiji. They were victimized a lot by the military adding to the reasons they moved abroad to Canada, Australia, and the United States." Indo-Fijians - Wikipedia Much harder and much more complicated here in Thailand - the Chinese have been coming in small numbers since 1800s but they really started coming in big numbers after WW1. And then there was a massive jump after Mao in China in the 1940s. Now the Thainese dominate all commerical, economic and political components of Thailand - including the Military - and particularly in Bangkok. Probably too late by now for Thailand - pity. By the late-1950s, Thais of Chinese ancestry comprised 70 percent of Bangkok's business owners and senior business managers, and 90 percent of the shares in Thai corporations were said to be held by Thai investors of Chinese ancestry. Ninety percent of Thailand's industrial and commercial capital are also held by the Chinese.  90 percent of all investments in the industrial and commercial sector and at least 50 percent of all investments in the banking and financial sectors are controlled by the Chinese. Thai Chinese - Wikipedia

Best not to 'talk' about it in public forums - remember that Thai mob who was very popular with Expats who was shut down after Expats started talking about them on ThaiVisa (AN). Sit back and watch - take action if/when things actually change - dont make it an issue and never give them names of IPTV providers etc.

I just cannot believe that anyone seeking refugee asylum from whatever country/religion would ever engage in illegal activity. Next thing you know the media will be claiming that most refugee applicants in UK/USA/etc are fake refugees.

There are many stupid males who fall for a bargirl and think they can 'save her' - they sometimes have a bit of luck - but most of them fail for many reasons. IMO the majority of males in Pattaya are rational and know they only want them for the sex, and that they only want them for their money. But when they become older and start to think ahead, many of them think they can find a companion who will live with them for the rest of their lives - even as the money starts to run out and all they have left is a pension. 50/50 - no way - 20/80 IMO - but it all depends on what age they are and how long they have been there.

This interview was at the beginning of radical feminism and arrogant women trying to gain control over men in the name of equality - and they won. Only men like Sean Connery refused to back down and spoke the truth. The majority just shut up, backed down and let them take over. Welcome to the world where women and their BS equality khrapp has infected everything - illogical and irrational and no acceptance of accountability - bitchy and divisive - arrogant and indolent. IMO the western world is getting worse every year and it will take women backing down and rtejecting all the BS that radical feminists have shoved on them, before it gets back to being rational and logical and accountability returns. Meanwhile here is SEAsia the women are respectful and feminine and lovely - they still have all their faults - but they dont all want to rule over men.

Have you bought her a house? What does she lose if you leave? Maybe she wants you to go - but it could just as easy be menopause or depression. Is the daughter following her lead? Clearly there is a problem if she is sneeking food. They are like teenagers - they dont think right - actually most women dont think right. Very rich men dump their women if they get fat/ugle/trouble - got enough money to do that? If not rich, then let her know you are not happy with her increasing weight - get a set of scales. If she responds then great - if she does not and keeps doing it - you know the situation (they wont say it). Hopefully it does not go that far, but if it does - will you still stay or leave - decide. Never ever just walk out one day - you will lose big time - plan carefully how to do it - get legal advice.