Mark Hopkins

Hello to all expats living in and around Mukdahan. I myself am a Kiwi and live in Nikomkamsoi 20 km South of the city. Was wanting to touch base with fellow farangs and exchange information/ideas on stuff, like good things to do, places to go, where to get things done etc. We're coming into Songkran season now, so maybe there's some interesting things going on?? Hope to hear back from you out there!

My 65th Birthday is in about 4 months and I've been living in Thailand for 3 years now. Work & Income in NZ tell me if I'm not going to be living in NZ That I have to apply for this a minimum of 7 weeks before leaving NZ. I am thinking about not telling them I'm overseas already and see if my pension is automatically paid into my NZ bank. Has anyone had experience in this area please??

Are there any Kiwis out there who've manged to get their NZ pensions instigated whilst in Thailand please? From my enquires with NZ Work & Income I have acertaind I have to return to NZ to make an application to have a "Transportable" pension and it needs to applied for 7 weeks before leaving! As my 65th is in August, I really don't want to go back in the middle of winter to wait nearly 2 months!!

How can you possibly know that their legal fees didn't cost much? That is a ridiculous assumption and very likely incorrect. Lawyers in Thailand aren't cheap. You shouldn't jump to conclusions without accurate information.

If you're considering a Chinese car purchase (as I am) then probably best to seal a deal sooner rather than later before Thailand slaps tax on imports!

If all Expats follow the "do nothing untill the Government makes clear instructions regarding the situation of Thai residents who are not working (retired?) in the Kingdom". The solidarity will go a long way towards ensuring that it is the norm and not the exception. Resulting in the probability of a far more congenial outcome for all concerned. Also, as a further note, overseas income, if requested, would be on a voluntary basis unless Thailand has an exchange agreement with your originating county of residency.

There are a lot of vehicle on Facebook for sale without a registration book. Could you expect a finance company to reposes it?

There's very few 'pavements' in Thailand generally. Many times cars and vans park over them, surely we should try to make them safer??

Pattaya no longer qualifies as a safe destination in my book. Violence on the streets has become common place now.

Where can you find out more information regarding bank repossession of condos please???

A big part of the problem with Phuket I believe (and it goes for Pattaya as well) is that foreigners prevail, and in many areas well outnumber the indigenous population. This makes it a target for all kinds a lafferious traders and would be conmen (con-person sorry). I couldn't recommend either place to someone visiting the Kingdom. The culture, goodwill and Thai philosophy in these areas has become so diluted as to be almost non-existent. What to take away from all this? Why come to Thailand to stay in either of these two places!

Makro only supply Thai owned registered businesses.

Anybody know if you can buy wine (pref by the box) in Thailand via website please? I live pretty remote and little choice / high prices around here!

Does any one have information regarding investment accounts etc in Thailand that produces some significant level of return please? The interest paid on current bank accounts is not worth mentioning and obviously transferring funds internationally is expensive. Are there any good places to hold cash?

Interesting post...cheers! Interested to hear how your storage worked out? Did you look at selling any excess back to grid? Did the supplier give any warranty on the hardware? I have a home in Mukdahan and looking at a similar install!

Can anyone please point me towards a good interest bearing deposit account please? How many % is it possible to expect? Cheers