dinga

Rental Income in Thailand All rental properties are subject to a House and Land Tax, which is 12.5% of the annual rental income. On top of that, the rental income is taxable, and owners will have to pay Thai income taxes on the money. Thai income taxes are calculated using a progressive scale ranging from 0-37%.

Mae Phim by far the best beach & (quiet) holiday spot in Rayong - and probably the whole of the east coast

By way of comparison, I have a BASIC Plan, Hospitalisation & Basic Repat only, US$500 deductible for a Premium of US$3,324 when I renewed in February 2023 (at age 69). The proposed premium for renewal of this policy in February 2024 was US$3,925 - and increase of over 18%. Your numbers suggest I could expect an increase of well over 20% if I was to renew my policy in February 2025 at age 70 - taken the new premium to near US$5,000. Bye-Bye April

Tks Sheryl - AA World was the Broker (no surprise, eh!). A feather will knock you over after I reveal that they were pushing Regency. I concluded the claim (sic) about having no regard for age-bands was absolute b/s and I wasn't prepared to go through the usual exclusion of anything faintly smelling of existing conditions for an alternative policy. I've had a gutfull of Health Insurance companies, and concluded it was only a matter of time anyway before the leeches would price health coverage well beyond reasonable & affordable. Hence, from now on I'll rely on my Thai Social Security cover and pay for any additional upgrades.

G'day Sheryl A couple of times I asked exactly that question (via the Broker) - what is the Premium renewal now for my exact policy coverage, but for a 70 year old (not 69 as I now am). This is the reply I finally received" “Our processing times are currently affected by a surge in activity. We apologise for this delay. For your information, the rates for the My Health International are not based on age-related increases. Furthermore, we have no visibility over price increases for next year, as these are set by the insurer. We look forward to hearing from you. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require any further information. I will not be renewing this policy as: 1. I don't believe the advice that the Premium next year will be unaffected by my moving into the next standard Age Bracket that seems to be used by most/all other Insurers; 2. April and/or the Broker has been/is a Black Hole in relation to service, response times and more importantly, transparency.

Thanks so much - more to think about! Given the shading situation, another solar panel can only really be installed next to the current one (which is near the pond fountain). So I'd still have the 40 metre connection. Also given I was thinking at running a 300W Sub Pump, on it's own, for only 1 hour or so every 2 or 3 days is it really likely that a 340W panel will be insufficient to power the pump (at say peak power production mid/late morning)? The bore is right next to a mains power source, so I'm now thinking it might be easier to forget about solar and just get a 220V Jet Pump....

G'day Sheryl Seems April is a Black Hole - utterly Zero specifics about how the Premiums are calculated or the current Premium payable for renewal of a Policy with exactly the same conditions as my current one - with the exception that if the age at renewal was 70 (rather than my sprighty 69). This is the answer provided via AA World: "April has mentioned that the tariff based on 70 years of age will not be taken into account until 2025, and they do not yet have information on these tariffs. Indeed, the insurer defines premium for each year on the basis of the age of the insured and the zones of cover and formulas chosen". Penny to a pound that the Premium increase for my renewal in 2/2025 will greatly exceed the 18% increase offered now. Mighty unhappy with April's lack of candour and transparency - got some thinking to do. Like a few other posters, I was shafted by Allianz when they closed down Hauteville (via David Shield) and generously offered alternative policies 'under the same terms' [but then screwed us with massive premium increases in the subsequent year/s]. To say I lack confidence in Health Insurance Companies is a gross understatement, given my experiences over pretty well the last decade. BRs

At present I have a pond fountain that I run as an aerator - powered by a single 340W Solar Panel (Max Power Voltage and Max Power Current of 38.2V and 8.94A respectively). I also have a bore hole in which I'm thinking to install a solar submersible pump to provide water to a section of the garden. The bore is about 16m deep, and I'm looking to draw the water at 11-12 metre depth - with the main PvC line being about 100 metres in length [feeding drippers & micro-sprinklers using about 3,050 litres per hour - for approximately 1 hour every 2 days (in March-May) or 3 days (in other not-so-hot/windy months]. Because of the limited expected use (especially) of the Sub Pump, I'm thinking that the Pump and the Fountain will be run separately and therefore should be able to share the single Solar Panel. The distance from the Solar Panel to the Sub Pump is about 40 metres though (in addition to existing poles, a new pole will be needed near the Solar Panel to run the electric connection). So - my questions: 1. Is it feasible for the Sub Pump and the Fountain to separately be powered by the single Solar Panel? Are there any limitations? 2. Does the 40 metre cable length between the Sub Pump and the Solar Panel pose any problems? [perhaps Voltage/Power drop-off etc...] 3. Assume I need a 3-way switch at the Solar Panel to allow selection of the following settings: (a) Power Off; (b) Fountain On; (c) Sub Pump On. If this is correct, where can I purchase the switch? (I can't see them on Lazada - is there a special name to cater for the solar power connections?) 4. I have (I think) a 120 Mesh 3/4inch in-line Disc Filter that I'm thinking about installing on the main line at the head of the bore. Should this filter be sufficient to separate any fine particles in order to prevent any clogging of the drippers/micro sprinklers? Regardless of the filter used, should I still anticipate regular clogging - especially by bugs & ants?? Thanks!

Thanks (as usual) Sheryl. I'm registered with the Rayong Hospital since it's the main hospital in my Province (Chantaburi is a little further away from my home in Mae Phim). I've been there a couple of times (last time for a colonoscopy) - favourable comparison with my Bumrungrad experiences [aside from the queues...]. Every year you get the opportunity to request a change in hospitals and, as you say, in particular circumstances there is the possibility of getting a referral to a higher rated hospital/specialist.

Read the link.....(it does)

Correct (I put 'some 500 baht' as I couldn't be bothered going upstairs to drag the payment records out of the safe)

YES - I've created another Thread for this specific question (Thai Social Security Health Coverage)

I've started this new thread to cover this question asked on another thread: Dinga said: I'm fortunate to maintain medical coverage under the Thai Social Security arrangements by continuing to pay the some 500 baht in monthly subs - so guess it's a matter of time really before unaffordable costs force me to abandon an International Policy. Question: Did anybody here try that? What is your experience with that? (Sorry, I hope this fits into this thread.) This link provides commentary on the Thai SS Health Coverage (note - I've only had a cursory look, and while it seems accurate and up-to-date, I don't vouch for its 100% accuracy) https://www.thaicitizenship.com/thai-social-security/

Huge frustration every year at this time as there's the decision to be made about what on earth to do with Health Insurance Policy (even more so as I'll be 70 at the time of next renewal). I've been reasonably happy with April International for OP only coverage until now (albeit I've never made a claim)- with the exception of their annual fee increases. This year the Premium is up by an astounding +18% I'm fortunate to maintain medical coverage under the Thai Social Security arrangements by continuing to pay the some 500 baht in monthly subs - so guess it's a matter of time really before unaffordable costs force me to abandon an International Policy. I bleated to AA Brokers about that increase and they have come back with a recommendation to get a new Policy with Regency for Expats. I had never heard of them but a very brief consultation with Prof Google has raised some red flags - incl;uding: * Trust Pilot * Laws of Nevis (West Indies) are the applicable laws for the Policy. [Nevis being a noted tax haven] None of that stuff gives me confidence. Appreciate any information/experience with Regency and any suggestions about what alternative I should consider. Thanks & best regards

Great thanks. This will be my 2rd extension - the Klaeng Police don't have many farangs to deal with on this matter so - like last time - it'll likely be a learning experience for all of us. How many photos are needed? Tks again!

My 5 years registration expires next month, so I need to arrange an appointment with my local Police to extend the registration for another 5 years. Appreciate any advice about what is required to do so. Thanks!

Zero discussion about remedies - just done

Glad I provided you with a giggle (something I never managed whenever the front wheel was lost....)

It's fixed! Nursed the bike to RE Pattaya today (fine to use the gears to shed speed but my main concern being the danger of losing the front wheel if relying on the front brake when on a corner and/or on wet slippery roads). 1st look by the mechanic resulted in change of brake fluid yet again. Wife explained that had been done by RE Rayong but had failed to fix the problem - and requested he especially (re)examine the brake cylinder. Result of that identified what was translated as "rust" - and the replacement by 'major kit rear M/C'. All now seems back to normal - and had a much less stressful and enjoyable ride back home, successfully skirting the storms on the way. Total cost = 580 baht (200 baht of which was labour). Cheap at half the price - to quote my Dear Ol' Dad Thanks for all the helpful suggestions!

I'm not a lawyer but think the timing of the purchase/registration of the properties may be critical. My understanding - which of course may be incorrect - is that any property obtained while the couple is married are jointly owned - perhaps meaning that your son's will only bequeath's his 50% to the nominated beneficiaries - with the remaining 50% remaining with the wife. While legally the Usufruct may protect your right to stay there, there are anecdotes about how relatives have made it practically impossible to exercise that right. Could be tricky - reckon it's worth getting some legal advice.

No - brake pedal had no resistance and gave zero stopping power. After the "service", there is now only a very small amount of braking noticeable after the pedal is fully depressed. In its present condition, i'm really reluctant to ride the 100 odd Kms to Pattaya - I have far more confidence in that RE Dealer as they solved a previous problem I had. Be safer to get the Interceptor into the back of a pickup.

Thanks to all for the input/suggestions. 1. Contrary to a number of suggestions, I do not overuse the rear brake so that has nothing to do with the problem [rear brake failure aside, the Interceptor has been a real delight to ride - it matches my personality and has never been ridden hard. On the road, I typically apply both front & rear brake simultaneously - usually lightly as I'm rarely travelling at high speed and always aim to anticipate potential threats from the crazies]. 2. Agree that the claimed dirt & fluid change was a superficial & amateur attempt - with no proper diagnostic undertaken. Even worse, as it was clear the brake had not been bleed nor the bike even test ridden after the 'repair'. 3. The brake fluid reservoir was & is full and I can't see any sign of leakage. 4. From the other possible causes kindly provided above, I'm guessing there is a brake cylinder failure with perhaps lack of use over the last 12 months being a contributing factor. Am thinking I need to take the bike to the RE dealer in Pattaya. Thanks again

Was recently riding my Interceptor (fortunately on a very short trip) when the rear brake failed with zero warning. Luckily, I did not need to brake hard at that moment. I nursed the bike back home at low speed mainly using the gears and light touch on the front brake. I've since had the bike looked at by the RE Dealer in Rayong - who put the brake failure down to the presence of dirt - and after a change of brake fluid said everything was rectified. It isn't - the problem has re-occurred (the bike hasn't been used after I brought it back home (a distance of some 50 Km). My Interceptor is a 2019 Model with 30,000Km on the clock. It hasn't been on any decent trips this year, and has only been taken out for short rides every couple of weeks in 2023. On web chatter, some others have also noted this problem which seems mainly to be attributed to riders whose riding position involves their right legs slightly depressing the brake pedal - resulting in the rear brake overheating. I do not ride that way. I have one previous problem resolved at RE Pattaya but I'm reluctant to ride the bike that far (some 100Km) with no rear brake. Has anyone else experienced this problem? What was the cause and how was it rectified? Helpful advice greatly appreciated.

Tks - critical info - the article is meaningless without it

"I certainly don't need you or anybody else telling me to take care of myself" - Legend!