realfunster

2 hours ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

Thailand have a stagnation problem,  with low inflation and high debt.

 

Yep.

Apart from the relatively "no-brain" option of milking tourism to death (2000 : 10m pax --> 2019 : 40m pax) I find it hard to clearly identify what Thailand has done to innovate or meaningfully develop it's economy over the last 20 years or so...which is concerning for a middle-income country with a super-aged population status.

On 8/19/2023 at 4:00 PM, Jelli said:

Yes, but not really. They are retired and decades away from latest and greatest knowledge in whatever field. Add to this they've been retired. The best example of this is in medicine. The younger doctors will know the latest procedures and tricks. Old school doctors just do it the old school way. I'm sure this is the same in every profession and vocation

 

Given that it takes five years of hard work to become a teacher of any value stepping into this at 65 is not going to work for students and the old git will be exhausted. Did I mention starting salary of 35k? A school has to be really, really desperate to hire a totally inexperienced teacher 60+. Finally, again unless totally desperate schools simply don't hire even great teachers 60+.

 

Jus sayin

Get your point but, for example, I currently work in Thailand and will be looking to retire/semi-retire mid-50s. Probable/possible I will take some sort of part-time role with my current company (presumably on a working visa/WP arrangement) but would certainly be interested in the option of being on a retirement visa that comes with some flexibility for work, be that independently or lecturing in Universities etc. 

In terms of teaching, my old man was a teacher trainer, and whilst it is certainly a distinct and specialised skillset many "corporate" bods in their 40s-50s-60s, will have had a huge exposure to and experience of both receiving and giving trainings to a reasonable quality. I'm fairly sure they would be overall be beneficial for the Thai education system.

8 hours ago, ozthai23 said:

There has been a few times she has said she's sore and doesn't want to do the thing, although we hadn't been together for a day or two.

What can I say. You sir, are a poet.

Kudos to you, clickbait or not, for a brilliant opening 'passage' to insert some humour and get attention on the thread.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Ekkaphop explained that Man orchestrated a scheme to exploit gaps within the legal system which made the victims unable to file a complaint to the police.

Would be interesting to know what exactly this is - sounds like a loophole which needs closing.

Maybe he simply threatened them with the classic defamation charge….

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Must be doing quite well, or just fronts for other business?

We may well find out, now that she has chosen to pursue the matter further.

I hope she has all her affairs in order or she may find herself in a tricky spot.

Fairly sure the Thais will not be appreciating her stance on this, which goes against the typical local culture on such matters with the richer party often showing leniency. They will be sniffing around for any hint of impropriety to use against her…

12 minutes ago, 2long said:

Cue all the negative dog haters to say that they will spread rabies, attack innocent people, poo in the street and eat the food destined for more-worthy creatures.

I'm a dog lover but you have to admit at least one of those is definitely true and another has a grain of truth about it. Or does reason take a back seat for you when discussing dogs ?

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Which was shameful.

There may well be a longer game being played here, I wouldn't condemn them just yet....time will tell !

5 hours ago, CartagenaWarlock said:

I have a dozen cards that don't charge any foreign transaction fees. 

That's nice isn't it ?

What about the foreign exchange rate your CCs offer on these transactions.. 

5 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Why would anyone need a Thai CC, or any CC for that matter.  I haven't had one for over 30 yrs.

 

People paying monthly for unsecured credit is a banker's dream.   If it doesn't appreciate, you should be paying cash.  If you can't pay cash, you can't afford to buy it.

 

Economics 101 ... you don't borrow money to buy crap that depreciates.

 

Debit card fills the need for any CC, or has in the past 30+ years.  CC is only good for emergencies, if you don't have an oops fund.

I cannot disagree with your overall sentiments, however, "if" someone is capable of responsibly handling a credit card then there are benefits to be had.

I've accumulated a nice pile of air miles on mine via both personal and work related use. There has also been times where it's been very helpful to see me through a cashflow squeeze. 

16 hours ago, FaltuMora said:

I uses my US issued CC that gives me 100% fraud protection and at least 2% cash back. However, when I am in Thailand, I cannot use it for AliExpress. It says card is not accepted. Has somebody used AliExpress with US credit cards or Thai credit cards?

My next question is how do I get a Thai credit card?

I've never bothered with the Thai bank CC route, although, as others mentioned, it is available.

Early doors I used AMEX but the credit limit was poor and acceptance was an issue in many places with the higher AMEX charges.

Eventually I ended up with Citibank who have always been good to deal with :

- Generous limit.

- Good customer support in English language.

- Full no quibbles refund when my card was skimmed and used illegally.

Can't remember the Citibank application process in detail, which is probably a sign it was reasonably straightforward if you are with a WP & visa.

22 hours ago, webfact said:

India, having recently exceeded China as the world’s most densely populated nation

Neither are anywhere near being the “most densely populated nation”…

Anyway, another unoriginal, knee-jerk and short-term fix idea from the Tourism association. 
I assume COVID has seen some “restructuring” in the tourism industry, let’s hope they rebuild in a more sustainable and targeted manner.

Apart from the above, any proposed visa fee savings would soon be eaten up by the increased National Park fees for foreign tourists anyway. Perhaps a better strategy would see a consistent approach on fees across ministries…..

8 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

easy to see thailand's allegiances

Go on then, please regale us with the extensive list of countries that has put a blanket ban on russian nationals entering for tourism.

Hold your horses now, I'm not having this Chinese cuisine is the best in the world nonsense...

Have you ever been to a Chinese restaurant in Thailand serving vaguely authentic Chinese food ? Average at best and at times bizarre in terms of ingredients. Westernised cantonese style food is more palatable. I do like that. 

Any cuisine (looking at you Asia) whose main culinary repertoire is chucking something into a wok with a ton of oil for a flash fry (even if it tastes good) is struggling to be taken seriously in a gastronomical sense. 

1 hour ago, John Drake said:

Prawit going to be put up against Pita according to PTP next round, says Khaosod. It's a marvel to watch Mr. T at work. He's almost back in the saddle again. 

 https://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish/status/1679763656471609344

 

OK - ignore my post above. Permission to panic granted. 

Before everyone gets their knickers in a twist, this was just the first vote and Pita was not far off.

I am sure some back room discussions and in particular, resolving one particular concern might see him through in the next round.

Time to panic is if the 2nd vote fails, as I think he would have no choice but to step aside for another candidate.