TroubleandGrumpy

That is the only thing that will work - people refusing to buy the products at that shop. That is why they have such massive discounts on some products every now and then. The scammed so much that no one bought the stuff anymore - and they already made massive profits - so they just clear out the stock.

There is that

Sure - if I remember Will make an OP about it maybe.

Last two items we purchased were both free delivery, and the 39 baht fee was deducted in final step before placingorder. And I must say Lazada is very good in Thailand - I once ordered something on a Saturday and the guy delivered it on Sunday. They always deliver within a few days and it is so easy compared to anything like this in the West (like EBay). No payment required until it is delivered - not available back home.

Yes indeed - on a personal level I have never experienced anything like this too. I have had a few 'dark looks' - but I know that is jealousy over the size of my ........ wallet. Thais are very 'nationalistic' - not so much racists - they do not 'like' the things some 'Aliens' do. And if you think they are weird - just remember we are extremely weird to them and often offensive and dirty. Personal clealiness and appearance is extremely important to Thais - whereas too many of us dress like vagrants.

After you have found and listened to that lawyer explain the system here

If this is all too complex and/or boring for you - I suggest you just stay out of it. Legal technicalities are extremely complex - and in Thailand they are massive - because of the lack of a 'common law' foundation - and I find them fascinating. In the West - stemming from UK Laws that go back to King Henry - Precedents are everything (Google quote): "According to the doctrine of precedent, a court is bound by the decisions of a court above it and, usually, by a court of equivalent standing. Superior courts have the power to overrule decisions of lower courts and in certain cases to overrule their own decisions." That statement above does not apply in the Thailand Legal system. There is a Thai lawyer (USA bloke - now Thai Citizen) who has a youtube channel and in one of his vlogs he explains it all in detail. Not sure if he is 'approved' on this forum - but if you look for the words 'lawyer integrity thailand legal' you should find him. It was a while ago - but if you are interested in this area then it is worth the look. If you are not at all interested in this stuff - then see sentance one above.

Actually she has always done that when also visiting family. But years ago she did ask (called) the local Transport Office when we were in Chiang Mai, and they said she must go back to Roi Et. But we had a trip planned anyway and the Roi Et Office said she could do it then - which was well before it would expire (cant remember how long it was).

Good Question. Ignore the ignorant comments from people who have no idea about the intricate technicalities of Laws - especially in Thailand. As we all know, many things are done and not done in Thailand that are not 'technically compliant' with the Law. Just get to know a Thai Lawyer and have a chat - they will tell you of many examples. Unlike in the West where the legal system is built on precedents and interpretations, that 'rigour' is not undertaken in Thailand - often including if the matter goes to the Thai Supreme Court. Speaking in legalese - just for the brain experiment - I would say that the Thai technical definition of a tax resident in Thailand Law is specifically referring to the Residents and Citizens of Thailand that that are residing in Thailand for over 180 days per year - thereby excluding those Thai Residents and Citizens that live (and work) in another country for more than 180 days in a year. Further, I would say that anyone residing in Thailand who is not a Resident or a Citizen, and does not have a Visa with a Work/Business Permit, cannot technically be a tax resident. IMO this would especially apply to those on a Retirement Visa/Extension, because that Visa excludes them working or earning money in any form. Likewise, those with a Marriage Visa/Extension are also exlcuded from working or earning money in any form, unless that apply and get a Work/Busines Permit. Interesting question - next time we talk, I will ask my Thai lawyer contact what he thinks, and if he is aware of this matter having been tested in a Court before. Although I would say it is very likely that it has not been tested, because it would be vcery difficult for an Expat to have legal standing in regards to such an issue, if it had been then tested and rule upon then some Expats would know about it. I would say that only the Thai RD would have had the legal standing in the past to lodge such a court matter. However, if an Expat is formally advised in writing by any Thai Authority that they are required to lodge a tax return and are liable to pay income taxes, then they would have standing in a Thai Court (maybe). Either way, if not already ruled upon, it would probably take years for a decision to be made.

Up to you. But if you do walk down sidewalks in Thailand you better stay vigilent and be constantly on alert (and watch your head)

My wife had to go back to Roi Et to renew her driving licence - she does that every 5 years. But as I said - ring the local Office and ask.

Exactly right - I played golf with a bloke who was 'bent' for over 20 years - met his boyfriend once. He never ever made an issue out of it - he followed the footy and most sports - loved a beer and a chat after a round - just a normal bloke. But he disliked the gay activists and thought the pride marches were rubbish. IMO most Expats will treat him fine if he 'fits in' - but if he is 'outgoing' about being gay, and is an activist, then not so fine. And that goes for the Thais too - even more so in fact. Thais are fine with gay males that are either living as 'girls' or they are very much 'like a girl'. But they are not fine with western men who have beards and wear dresses and act like an aggressive male. So my answer is that it depends on how he behaves in public - what he does at home is irrelevent to most Expats.

I believe that you cannot do that as the licence is issued by each Province for the residents of that Province. However, I would call the Transport Office where you want to go and ask - or better still go in and ask them. Best if you can get a Thai to ask for you - but sometimes English is not a problem.

That is exactly the point - and only one of many scenarios that make the same point and the same question: "Is that going to be subject to this Thai Tax" No one really knows - and the Thai RD is not saying anything (yet)..

That is how it often works now with the computer systems involved. They increase prices until sales slow, and then put it back down until sales increases. It is a never ending game to be able to sell the most volume at the most price. Sometimes their costs have risen so they pass that on, but more often they are just getting the most profit that they can.

And no doubt toilet paper too - from what I heard.

I have forgotten more about IT security than you will ever know or realise. Until maybe that day when you suddenly realise and say 'oh shi***'. I do hope it never happens, but if it does I wish you 'good luck'.

Well said and spot on. I do believe that for a long part of his reign the previous King did a lot of those things you mentioned and he progressed Thailand well into the modern world. The last decade or so he slowed down it seems and he 'got old'. The PM comes from one of the 5 extremely wealthy Bangkok families that control/influence Thailand a lot. You are right, he was in a very privileged position and his business successes were virtually guaranteed. Dealing with reality and difficult complex and negative situations, is not something that he seems to have much experience with. Thailand has for a long time now, adopted the 'Chinese Model' whereby they suppress and ignore any bad news, and continue to speak only positives and platitudes about how great everything is. Unlike China, which is finally being forced to deal with its current reality, the authorities in Thailand are still moving forward in that same manner. IMO there is only going to be 2 outcomes - one is that they somehow scrape though - the other is that they crash. The writing has been on the wall a while - I think the Junta knew and got out early - this guy looks to me like a patsy.

Gotta love the foreigners whinging about the whinging foreigners whinging about the whinging foreigners.

I have calmed down a bit since yesterday Australia the 60s-70s was similar to here - lost of car accidents and lots of drink driving (not as bad as here though). What stopped that was not media campaigns and requests to slow down - it was the Police conducting random booze buses and Courts handing out massive fines, extensive suspensions, and jail. At first everyone thought it will go away eventually - but it did not - and they ramped up both enforcement and the punishment. One bloke killed a family while way over the limit in 1980s - he was convicted of multiple manslaughter and jailed for over 20 years. Many similar things happened - although that was the worst - eventually it became unacceptable to drink and drive. Now it is very rare for anyone to drink and drive in Australia - it is not worth the risk. Same everywhere else in the world that such measures were introduced. No, I dont want random speeding cameras everywhere - but yes I do want random booze buses and fines - and any bad incidents resulting in deaths, drivers being punished severely and made an example of to others. Far too much in Thailand the punishment does not fit the crime - and enforcement is far too 'reactionary' - that is why Thais ignore the rules/laws.

Yes Mike I hear you - being over-educated in Thailand is a rare occurance that is for sure But I am not saure what is worse. That Thailand has so many lovely nice uneducated people who know very little. Or the west that has so many over-educated idiots that think they know everything.

hope you you enjoyed your snooze

hope you enjoyed your snooze before you went out and about

Thanks for that. I can see the 60K deduction, but where is the 100K allowance if I may ask.