Random8

You started the argument with me. You are looking for engagement, d-head. Common, weak tactics: backpedaling, misrepresenting the past, etc. You lost already, now you're trying to save face.

Weak retort. I expected as much.

I won't be following in your footsteps. You made your bed. Now sleep in it.

I don't drink alcohol, so I don't go to the bars. I am a stranger on the internet. You are free to imagine anything you like. Whatever heals your bruised ego. You're welcome.

If you think a Farang has the same social status as his wife, then you answered your own question. Why pose the question? Why start the thread?

Did I hit a nerve with you as well? Ouch. I don't recall reading anything about your wife, but if the shoe fits...

I don't recall you mentioning anything about your wife. My comment wasn't aimed at you, but apparently I hit a nerve. You already know what I'm thinking...

Pet peeve: Farangs who consider themselves "better" because of the perceived social status of their Thai wife. Anytime someone wants to tell me (unsolicited and apropos of nothing) what education or occupation their wife has or better yet, how Chinese they are, I think to myself "...dickhead".

English is obviously not your native language. You don't understand the difference between a comment clearly stated to be a (valid, personal) opinion and false information (no caps necessary). Posts that are stated to be opinions are not a violation of the forum rules. Reporting such posts are a waste of the moderator's time. The moderators here are busy enough and have better things to do. Stop making false accusations and threats.

Young, ungrateful German forgot about the Marshall Plan. Forgot about reunification. It disgusts me. Leck mich...

Hmmm... An all knowing, all seeing, supreme being who condemns you to hell if you don't believe in it. And you're complaining about "demonic" Thais? You're blaming an increase in depression on a decline in Christianity? Nonsense. I claim Christianity is declining because of an increase in the use of antidepressants. Christianity is depressing. Western morals exist and maintain their validity in the absence of some crazy deity. Just because you can't find meaning in life without Christianity, doesn't mean the majority of the rest of us can't. And lastly, ask any professor of Religious Studies and they will confirm that the overwhelming majority of people who identify with one religion or another, don't participate in religious activities due to faith, they participate due to the support the community provides. If society provides some other form of support and a sense of community, there is no need for religion for most people.

Telegram is by far the most popular messaging app in Cambodia. Difficult to conduct some business without it. Telegram addresses listed on business cards and on street signage there.

Excellent! More helpful information. Thank you! Thank you also for not going off on some "taxation" tangent. I was also surprised by the costs in Cambodia. A Khmer hotel owner told me it's because Cambodia has to import so much from Thailand.

Yes, we've all heard about their reputation. I didn't mean to imply they were frigid, I meant to reinforce the idea that they are marriage minded (and there's no divorce!). Catholic also anti-birth control. They'll want to have your child so that you stay attached to them one way or another. They want a large family. No thanks, not worth the risk, as far as I'm concerned.

Sounds nice. Did you travel by regular, slow train in Laos? I enjoy slow train travel in Thailand, would like to experience it in Laos. I bet the views there would be spectacular.

Get as many "second opinions" as you can, at different hospitals. I think you know yourself, based on past experience, that you can find a less expensive provider. Also, you might have been misquoted by the nurse. Maybe something was "lost in translation". You should have let the surgeon examine you. I'm beginning to think this is a troll post...

Thank you. Excellent, informative reply. This is exactly what I was looking for. Instead I get bashed by the "tax law is fake" brigade. Reminds me of the antivaxxers. Conspiracy theories are so en vogue.

You bothered to post a comment because you thought I would be disappointed by your lack of approval? Do you always assume that of strangers on the internet? You need your head examined.

If you express that opinion here, the know-it-alls (usually guys who are so deep into Thailand that they have no other option but to stay) will call you "crazy" and "comical". (See prior posts). But don't let it bother you, it's just another day at ASEAN Now...

Two questions about obtaining Thai Baht outside of Thailand and importing them into Thailand. Information I found online stated that the maximum amount allowed to be imported into Thailand without prior declaration is $20,000 equivalent. The same webpage also stated that the customs form available at the border set the limit at $15,000 equivalent. I've been unable to find a copy of the customs form online. Does anyone know the true, enforced limit? Has anyone seen a current form? Has a "best practices" method of purchasing Thai Baht in Cambodia or Malaysia been determined? By "best practices" I mean lowest fees, lowest bureaucracy, greatest ease. Somewhere I read that obtaining Thai Baht in the Cambodian casinos on the Thai border was an option. Anyone tried that? Is there any bank in Cambodia or Malaysia (preferably near the border) with a reputation for facilitating the purchase of Thai Baht (plenty of Thai Baht on hand, short waiting times to complete the process, etc). Just to be clear... THIS IS NOT A THREAD ABOUT TAXES. PLEASE STAY ON TOPIC. If you want to talk about taxes, please go to Mike Lister's informative thread.

Editing your comment because I made you look silly and apparently reporting the comment in which I made you look silly (because it has been removed and not by me). Weak...

Nobody's scurrying. My current situation makes moving to another country less of a hassle then others with stronger ties or attachments to this country. Don't fall into the trap of thinking everyone is like yourself. How is this not a "given". You may chose to ignore the law and hope not to get caught (quite possibly due to lack of enforcement), but that doesn't mean it's not law. Find it strange that you take this approach. If there was some change in the visa laws, I suspect you would take it seriously. In fact, I can remember several instances where you were unhappy with certain immigration offices that did not follow the law.

I considered renting in both places. I visited PP, Kampot, Siem Reap and Battambong and never really felt "at home" in any of those places. I wouldn't rent long term until I knew it was a place I wanted to come back to. No familial/close attachments in Thailand. If I had a wife/kids in Thailand, I wouldn't be looking at splitting my time between the countries. Like many other expats, I'd just accept my fate here and hope the new tax situation isn't too much of a hassle.

Yes, thanks. Good idea. I should probably try there before the Philippines, considering I'm an Isaan fan. The only problem is the short visa duration. I need/want 6 months. I have to research the possibility of doing visa/border runs there. Maybe in/out of Cambodia, since I have the Cambodia retirement visa already.

You don't know me, so you can only speculate. No offense taken. Health care is important to me. Hospitals there are not up to snuff. I've worked in health care for a significant portion of my working life. The assessment of poor health care comes from former Filipino colleagues. I'm not taking a crack at you, but I always think it's funny when people quote 7,700 islands. That's a ridiculous exaggeration. Most of those "islands" are not much more than sandbars with a few palm trees. Anyway, sincerely, thanks for your 2 cents. I'll eventually pass through there and will try to keep an open mind.