realfunster

That's a pretty good list. 1 and 7 are also creeping up on the sidelines. Just had some silly daily transfer limit slapped on my Thai bank accounts as I am a foreigner (even with a WP/Visa) and we all know, ad nauseam, about the potential taxes on income transfers into Thailand I'm still working for a few more years yet which will definitely keep me here during my working life. Very likely I will retire here but not set in stone. The only thing I would add would be a change in marital status at some point in the future. My wife is a major reason for me staying in Thailand, if we divorced or heaven forbid, she passed away, I would consider going back to the UK either full or part-time. I still have a good circle of family and friends back there.

This tale surely serves as a stark reminder as well. Edit : I stand corrected there was indeed a "stark warning" included in the OP 🙂

Great news, maybe under that FTA Thailand could reduce their massive trade deficit with China.

I just saw the TTB notice in my app today also. As you mention, apparently need to visit a branch to give biometrics starting 12/7. Not entirely clear from their blurb what will happen after this is done… Not uncommon (couple of times a month) that I will be transferring >50k, don’t really want to be messing around with multi-day installments. This is clearly a BoT/government regulation so for those suggesting changing banks, good luck with that.

I’m not sure of Thai arrogance but agreeing a better tariff deal will take some major and decisive action by Thai authorities. Respectfully, not something they are well known for. Adding to Thailand’s predicament along with a large trade surplus with the US is the huge trade deficit they have with Trump’s nemesis, China. Quite a lot to unravel for Thailand, if indeed, they wish to do so.

Whatever one’s thoughts on Taksin, it would seem that the family is slowly but surely running out of “untainted” options for any future political opportunities. Throwing your young(ish) and clearly unqualified daughter into the political arena and under the bus to get power does reek of egomaniacal tendencies. Time will tell but just maybe Taksin has been outmaneuvered on this one, being offered an insincere olive branch which his ego wouldn’t allow him to refuse and may have led to the ultimate downfall of his political clan.

Hilarious. Except for Chinese submarines, of course. The Generals won’t like this kind of attitude which would limit envelope opportunities.

I respectfully beg to differ. It’s a few years old now but the Cwmbran Tourist Association did once release an excellent video highlighting the numerous attractions of said charming town. I haven’t been myself yet, saving it for my retirement bucket list.

I've lost track now, which is probably the ambition of all involved. I thought it was designed by a credible international firm, could be wrong though. The article appears to throw more emphasis on poor construction, rather than design.

That'll be no use, will just increase the RTP's bargaining power for a "settlement".

Reading between the lines… They are not happy with drivers from one or more countries. In order not to single out and therefore annoy aforementioned country/ countries, they make all foreigners do the test. Makes sense….punish all for the actions of some. Anecdotally, there have been numerous reports on AN of a certain East Asian country’s citizens being involved in crashes, likely a direct impact of both their poor driving and the significant increase in numbers over past 5 years.

Probably yes, as based on this study smoking weed leads to ill health and that's where they can really rack up the bucks via health insurance & government health systems 🤷‍♂️ Or are you suggesting a ban on weed will force stoners to rush to the pharmacy/doctor to get something else prescribed ? It's not really a great leap of faith to believe that smoking weed has negative health effects is it ?

It's no pandemic anymore but it is still a "thing". Clearly weak, elderly and compromised people can have major problems with it, perhaps the 'flu is a reasonable comparison. I've had it twice. First time 2022, very mild, a very runny nose. Second time 2024, mild, bad headache/fatigue for 24 hours. I have spoken to many who have had it much worse over the past 5 years, especially in 2020-2022, with the more virulent strains. One of the challenges of discussing COVID is that personal experience, on which we place great value, varies greatly. Might have had it for a third time recently as it ran through the office. Felt rough for a few days but didn't test positive. Most people in the office were fairly mild apart from one guy who lost his voice for 1 week and developed a gravelly vocalisation that Rod Stewart would be proud of for a week. Weird. I'm not planning any special measures but should I feel bad and test positive, I will at least stay at home for a few days to avoid spreading it. Just like I would with the 'flu.

Once you leave certain "nanny states" you will observe that many countries, whilst limiting where you smoke, do actually provide areas for smokers in Airports (airside) and elsewhere. From memory, the UK is one of the toughest on enforcing no-smoking airside.

Yep - but that wouldn't help reduce the trade surplus with the US would it. I'm guessing that is part of the evaluation here.