Schoggibueb

I have no idea in what kind of a reality you are. But thats not the reality. Ukraine was - and still is - an independant country. That's the reality since 24th August 1991. So just stick with the facts, and not with russian propaganda.

It's the economy, stupid The Soviet Union's collapse in 1991 was a combination of factors, including economic stagnation, political instability, and the inability of the centralized command economy to adapt to the changing world. Key contributors included a decline in living standards compared to the West, the cost of the arms race with the United States, and the emergence of nationalist movements within the Soviet republics. The "nonsense" (bombing ukrainian civilians, hospitals, deportation of children etc.pp.) can only be stopped by Putin. And Ukraine WAS neutral before Putin started the wars in 2014 and 2022. Why should Ukraine be a buffer zone? It's THEIR decision how the want to live and that they want to stay a democracy. Not Putins.

Ah, so you call analyses from Bank of Finland propaganda? https://www.bofbulletin.fi/en/blogs/2025/war-has-degraded-russia-s-long-term-economic-outlook-and-business-environment/ Not to mention the falling world market oil prices. Russia’s long-term structural economic problems are aggravated by war and sanctions. The labour force decline has been accelerated by mobilization, war casualties and migration. Financial resources for productive investment are scarce as domestic investment is directed to war-related sectors. Foreign investment has collapsed. Ukraine needs support now – tightened sanctions, more financial resources and increased military support – to defend itself and Europe from Russia’s aggression. That is for the benefit of the whole Europe. And repeating the russian nukes again doesen't make a difference. Nobody is scared anymore.

Since when has Russia won the war on the ground? Thats breaking news! They once had 30% of Ukraine occupied, now its 18%. The losses of material and soldiers is exorbitant. Economy is going down the drain. They have a shortage of potatoes - even Belarus isn't able to sell them more, because they sold already everything they had. No potatoes - one of the most important basic food item. THAT'S the russian reality. And getting worse for them every day they think that they can get through this with threatning and bullying the world with their nukes. After 3 years that's just boring.

so you blow out your money and have no problem. What's the point of this post? Will it make you feel better to read that others might be struggling more that you? Or do you just want to be a big shot to show all readers in what kind of fantastic situation you are? Nuff said.

Emmm, not sure if I read that correctly?! Mid-range wines for that price?

When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You)

As your nickname seems somehow swiss.... CHF is one of the best currencies worldwide as you know. Stock markets and gold can crash ANYTIME. Many National banks are stocking up on gold. Especially China. This can change from one day to another. Are you able to plan for 5, 10 or 20 years? And if so - what will the world look like in 20 years? Nobody knows. But as we are in a Thailand thread, here just a sample THB to USD, EUR and CHF. Don't try to catch a falling knive - not even as an expert.

Of course - 30k per month for her family is nice. For how long? She has a big family. Hospital cost might be the next needed help. And so on etc.pp. Above the expression "sugardaddy" was used. I guess thats the way it is. Enjoy and pay. But don't expect "real love" in case you can't bring up the 30k per month anymore. "You get what you pay for".

Ants are the most annoying insects. If I see a "road" - especially where it starts or ends - I spray them even outside of the house. If the tiny ones can manage to invade my "Tupperware stuff" - that item failed and will be replaced with a upgraded/ better version. They exist. 100% safe against ants are also fridge or having some water in a bowl, a glass in the middle of it and on top of the glass your delicious cake on a plate. Geckos are reduced(!) around windows and "favorite spots" with an aerosol I found in Thaiwatsadu (against lizards). Spraying all my windows around the house needs 1 can (around 140 bht). But afterwards much less gecko "leftovers" for several weeks. And no poison used and no gecko killed. The geckos who manage to come inside the house get hunted by our cat... I don't kill scorpions, but catapult them with a broom out of my sight. Snakes - I only had a few outside of the house so far. I have a phone number to call from a local snake-catcher in case. But not used so far.

I always get a receipt at 7/11. Additionally I also see the total amount on the display clearly. A young lady - I guess it was here firs day there - once didn't hand it out automatically. I asked and got it.

I really don't understand what you want to say. Jakobs family is asking for help, and not for blaming anybody.

At the airport after checking in your luggage you pass by Immigration anyway. You go ther, apologize directly for your overstay and pull out the sum that is needed. As already mentioned it's 500Baht per day. You might get a big stamp in your passport, where the amount of the fine ist done by handwriting. Good luck, and just stay polite with he immigration officers.

As you only have to do this once - except you change your location - one could think about spending 300 baht (per person) and let a agency do it for you. The last time I had to do this was when we got our blue housebook. The Amper said we have to first have the correct adress in the TM30 before they can make the yellow housebook. Instead of wasting time on Immigration a possibility.

Depending how customs will be in ten years ART can be already today a problem. Rename them to framed pictures, deco items... Use vintage and retro in all kind of different variations on the packing list. And try to find a company that may not be the cheapest, but has experienced staff to handle customs at port BKK... I don't want to go more into details about this.

We moved our complete Household (yes, including lots of books too) from Switzerland to region Chiang Mai. 20 feet container. We prepacked all the items wich were possible ourselves. All furniture what could be prepared was prepared by us (whithout wrapping palstic foil). Packing list was made by us. They tell you before what should NOT be written - like Buddhas, ARTS, etc. You give it different names... Their packing service Included antique items (table, 2 Comtoise clocks (around 1850) and more. That was all - after prepared by us - packed by the shipping company. Container was loaded and unloaded of course also by them. We paid a fixed price from our location Switzerland to location Chiang Mai - door to door - around 13'000USD. Included everything, also "customs". We had absolutley nothing to do... One can say that's alot of money - yes, it is. On the other hand we wouldn't be able to find lots of these things here. So, yes, it was worth it for us. Home is where your heart is...

Must be a looong time ago.

Switzerland has meanwhile stricter regulations than lots of other countries. Your imagination of "swiss banking thinking from the 1980s". Above of 10'000CHF, regardless if swiss, foreinger, rich or poor HAS to be declared and clearly documented from where the money comes from. Most of the banks in Switzerland don't accept any accounts from people outside of the EU. The movie industry still loves to use this stereotype. But thats not the reality.

Emmm, what exactly does USA produce at a equal or better quality/price that could be imported to Thailand? Thats the biggest problem of USA. Except weapons and "IT" absolutley nothing.

I'm really no financial expert. But who pays the higher tariffs? It will be the people in the US, not the Thais, Chinese or ... Let's say that the exports from Thailand will drop by 10%. Will that influence the THB? And if so - for sure not 10%. So the looser are the people of USA. But I don't really feel sorry for them. They choosed him, so they have to stick with it - nothing unfair.

Don't take the ones with other colours (strawberry, rasberry)... I buy it in GO Wholesale. Or 7/11 can have it too. Cheers and if you take a sip because of this here - send me a imaginary cheers if you like the bubbles 🙂

Asahi, Leo and Full Moon Malt are my beers. I enjoy the different tastes (and bubbles) depending what I eat or occasion. Full Moon Malt is a wheat beer, rather on the sweet side. And of course not to compare with a german Erdinger for example. But has quite small bubbles... The dark Carabao was dissapointing in taste. Then rather a dark Beer Lao, wich is quite expensive though 65bht for a small bottle. But for a dark beer unbeaten in taste and quality. My personal oppinion of course...

I needed only my passport, my Thai driver licence and a "certificate of residence" to open my bank accounts at Bangkok bank. One in foreign currency, the other one in Thai Baht. Of course the same procedure whith copies which have to be singned etc.

Finally the spare parts were delivered and replaced today. To clarify: The service technicians made there job correct. Anyway - Electrolux lost me for sure as a customer after this experience with the "customer care" (backoffice) and the availability of spare parts for a machine less than a year old. Thanks again for the helpful hints. So for me this topic is now closed.

1989, Manaus, Brazil: I had a soup and a beer in a run down "restaurant" near the harbour. Costed together 17 Cruzados Nuovo (10 for the beer +7 for the soup). Wanted to pay and laid the exact amount on the table. The guy took the calculator and after tipping and typing for a looong time he showed me on the display 24... I took the calculator and we went through this calculation together... No problem, he agreed and was really surprised that the correct amount was already laying there. From then on he just asked me "how much?" and he didn't have to bother his calculator anymore... Of course I never cheated him. We can't expect that the whole world has the same education.