Galong

My friends are leaving, I'm not. I still have plenty of very good friends here. There are a lot of things that I like about Phuket. I also live in a nice part of town, so it's not touristy. I'm semi-retired and in the tourism business. Business is doing great. I'll fully retire in a couple of years. If Phuket keeps heading in the direction it's heading, I'll consider moving off the island. Phang Nga Town seems like a good option and it is still within easy striking distance of Phuket.

I go cycling all over the country. The last few years have focused on Isan. I loved Lamphun for cycling. It's such a lovely area. The people were very friendly and, of course, there was plenty of great food. I just don't think I could live in such a quiet place. I like the idea of if, but I'm not sure if I could actually do it.

Or it is TOO MUCH Thailand? 🤔

I wonder how many people will buy the new houses/villas being built all over the island. Chern Talay is one of the worst traffic areas on the island. And, it's bad at any time of the day. Surely, a potential buyer would visit first. If they do, they WILL get stuck in traffic. I believe a lot of these new places won't be sold.

I've lived in Patong in 1993 for a year, then Ao Nang for three years, and Phuket Town for the rest of my 31 years in Thailand. I'm kind of stuck here due to business. Phuket also has great doctors and dentists here. I have a serious health problem and my doctor is awesome. I'm sure there are good doctors in other parts of the country, but I'm reluctant to start searching. Phuket has improved in food options, but not much else. It's only going to get worse. The next time Mother Nature doesn't supply us with enough water, this will be a major disaster... and almost everything being built is a POOL VILLA. Guess what pools use? Anyway, I guess I'll just keep riding my motorbike instead of my nice truck so I can actually get around.

Six of my very good friends have had enough of Phuket and all six are leaving because of traffic. Another friend and his family of four just bought a house a relocated here from the UK. After just a few months, they are already looking for ways to leave. How many of you have lost friends due to the 'progress' going on in Phuket?

I'm not a Biden fan at all. However, this does NOT address the issue of how well he's doing his job and what he has personally screwed up. Also, I've heard the other side talk too. It's embarrassing, to put it mildly. I want new candidates.

The US military is perfectly capable of bungling things on its own. They have a long history of it. BTW, what has the president bungled? Facts only, please... and things that are entirely under his control.

Threads like this are useful in thinning out future comments on similar subjects by certain individuals. Of course, you can say whatever you want. I don't have to waste my time reading it. I'm not canceling anyone. I'm taking action to ignore people who I consider very poor sources of reliable information. I'm not here for opinions. FYI, I'm not a Biden fan by any stretch of the imagination, but the alternative is truly an embarrassment to my nationality. And yes, I know, that's my opinion. 😉 Hint for anyone else who wants to remove certain posters: If you hover a mouse over their avatar you'll see an option to 'ignore' that person. You then have the option to ignore posts, comments, and messages.

I was only going by what our lawyer said. I'm NOT a lawyer. I doubt many of the comments here are from lawyers. I mentioned NOTHING about doing anything ILLEGAL. I wouldn't dream of testing the legal system here and neither would my wife. She has money. If, in fact, all of this has to go through the courts, then that's fine. I'll check with our lawyer again and specifically ask about the courts needing to get involved before the money can be distributed. That's all that needs to be said on this subject.

This is how my reputable lawyer said we should do it. We can check with him to see if this will end up being a long process. Unless I die suddenly and don't have time to do it, I'll shift way more money than she needs to keep her going before I depart.

My Will lists my bank accounts and gives her full access to my money upon my death. I didn't list my US accounts. My brother has access to them and will transfer the money to her upon my death.

Signing up for the TM30 online is something our landlord has to do using his email address from what I understand. We were actually going to do the sign-up FOR HIM, but he didn't want to give us his precious email address. Or, are you saying we can sign up as tenants of his property?

That's what I'm afraid of and also what I assumed would happen. Sorry to hear that you had to go through this because of your landlady. 🤦‍♂️

I wonder what happens when your landlord (my landlord) refuses to do the new online version and instead makes my wife do his job? Phuket Immigration lets her do it. My landlord is a lawyer for Phuket Town. I assume he thinks he's too important to do such trivial stuff. 🤔

Thanks, foreverlomsak... this is exactly the info I was after and kind of the answer I expected.

Saved as a doc on my computer so I can study this. Thanks a LOT for putting this together!! 🙏🙏

Unacceptable at every level! We all absolutely 'have to go right now' sometimes (especially us 'seasoned' folks), but show a modicum of maturity, please.

Thanks a lot for your response. I should have been clearer. I was more interested in the other categories. I have my US Social Security directly deposited into a direct deposit BKK Bank account. I was wondering how other money brought in via Wise is noted at the Thai banks... does it simply say whatever category I submit? I kind of assume it does, but I don't like to assume.

I was wondering how a Wise transfer to, say, BKK Bank is noted on the BKK Bank end. In other words, is it just the same as the list of reasons choice that you made or something else? The 'list' I'm referring to says stuff like monthly living expense, pension, charitable donation, and so on.

Oh, the 215-pound 6' 4" guy who another doctor said was the fittest president ever... that guy? Doctors can be bought. Note: ignore actual photos and videos of the beefcake messiah. 😏

Yeah, you're right. I know a lot of Thais who work and don't even consider paying taxes or Social Security. I have worked here for over 30 years and gladly pay my taxes and have absolutely zero problems with paying into Soc Sec... Thai SS gives me wonderful healthcare, for which I am deeply grateful. I wonder what Thais who don't pay into the system plan to do when they get old. [rhetorical question]

If the government REALLY wanted to support the alcohol industry, do away with the monopolies by the big beer companies. Thailand has some wonderful CRAFT BEERS that are taxed heavily. Level the playing field! Additionally, the same government that wants to cut back on recreational use of marijuana wants to promote a more dangerous drug, alcohol... makes perfect sense. 🤨 BTW, whether a partaker or not, it sure seems like the fairly recent liberalization of pot has been very popular to a lot of people. I also don't see any uptick in crimes or pot-related problems.

I was forced to turn right today while on my bike as the yellow-plate taxi beside me was turning right. He had put a pakama (male sarong) on the driver's side window, so there was no way on earth he could see anything on the right... but I guess he was cool. 🤦‍♂️ In the same light, why don't the cops stop all of the big rigs that have decals/stickers covering their entire windows and often most of the windscreen? [rhetorical question BTW]

"entertainment owners need to provide hail-riding services to intoxicated people" I don't know if I missed it or not, but is this service at a gouging rate or a discount? Also, how do entertainment owners know if a person is fit to drive or not? What if an owner 'feels' like someone is drunk when they aren't and tries to force them to take a taxi? There seem to be a lot of variables and potential for confusion and abuse. At its root, it seems like a good idea of course.