Rolling Stone

Wilson I think it all depends on the persons background, not in how much money they have so much as what they are used to.  I do live without some comforts here because they are just not attainable, but do have and indulge myself in all that are available.

I would think the majority of people have to be able to live at least somewhere close in comfort to what they are used to.  I would go absolutely nuts if I had to cut out on all the things many of you have, its just not in me.  Thats why I said my hat is off to those of you that do more power to you.

I agree the largest percentage will be in the first three groups in amounts, but I definitely think it is easy for someone to spend 100K a month here, and many even more.  I personally know many of them myself in my own building.  

Yes I think many things they do are to me wasteful and unneeded, but then again the guy that spends less than I do probably thinks many things I do are wasteful.  One thing I do every week when in town on the weekend is I go to brunch at the Shangrila.  It is my splurge it costs me and the misses 1600 with tip every time we go, and most on the board would think its wasteful but for me its must.  I love the atmosphere sitting along the river and sipping coffee reading my stack of newspapers and the food is awesome.  Wasteful?  Yes, but for me its just what the doctor ordered.

Keep it real!

I must say in my case it does but we all have to be crazy about something.  My misses while having the same endowment as that sweet lovely is a bit on the darker side often getting mistaken as a farang from Jamaica but thats what I love dark and healthy .  The avatar does give my misses fits though you can imagine the h*ll I catch viewing his posts.  You know all know the story.  What you look, you want new lady ah?  Rin not not big enough ah?  

Keep it real!

Thanks Axel.  No I do not work in Thailand I even chose not to have a business card made up with my phone number for people I do business with here because I was afraid that may have been thought of as a sign that I was working.  I am a straight up guy and am not what Dr PP dislikes a guy that is trying to go around the system or cheat it.  I just feel like doing absolutely nothing when not taking care of my own business I have got to have my downtime.

I do have 5 year multiple entries for Bangladesh and India and have never had anyone at the airport give a second glance to my passport.  I just figured why bother with the paperwork since I was in and out so much and was not working here taking business away from Thais but giving it to them.  I may be wrong on this too.  I do an awful lot of buying here but am guessing that is not considered working in the eyes of the Thai government.

I am just confused about it is all having never really been in this type of situation.  I saw on another thread Dr PP say that they may start doing a 15 day stamp or that they may be cracking down soon on people that come in and out of the country on 30 day stamps.

Getting set to go to the US for three weeks to do some business and may just try and sort it out there but apreciate everyones insight and help.  

If not working why get a Non-imm B/Work permit?  I say again my own fault for not taking the time to learn about it.  The money is not an issue by way of fees but I have heard all sorts of rumors about the Non-immB.  I have heard you need to deposit x amount of dollars in a Thai bank.  Not a problem $$ wise but hesitant with banking situation in Thailand, hard to trust after the horror stories some tell me about 1987.  Also heard that they want your bank records and your tax records from your home country is this true?  Thanks again.

Keep it real!

Found the other board about visas and whatnot sorry.  Was in the General topics one so long forgot there were more.

Keep it real!

Hope I am not off topic here.  My head is definitely spinning at trying to understand the visa thing and the anger about it but cannot really say I have taken the time to look into it.

Been here three years and only got a 120 visa the first time I came, got this in Wash DC at the Thai embassy.  My business brought me to SE Asia and I chose Thailand of the countries in the area to hang my hat for many reasons mainly the comforts.

I have never looked into a yearlong visa but have had a couple Thais I do business with offer to sort it out as they were hooked up with government officials but decided against it as I did not see the need.

I leave the country 2-3 times a month so always thought that a regular stamp for me was easy no waiting no forms no fees.

Seems everyone is pissed and feels that they have to leave or that things are going to be difficult for them if they choose to continue here.  I feel for anyone with problems in this situation and just hope I am not overlooking something and am actually headed for my own.

Am I going about it the wrong way?  I do not want to be doing anything illegal that would cause me any problems.  Am I ok with what I am doing or not.  Thanks ahead of time.

Keep it real!

Begs no has nothing to do with fake football shirts or eyeglasses to much risk of getting busted either at the airport or at the markets.  Besides flea markets are not what I call an easy way to go and make a living.  Jail is not my idea of fun in any country and getting my stuff snatched losing the duckets is not either.  Besides the Chinese have that sewed up in US.

After spending the morning reading the posts here,  I will keep it to myself you guys are hard on people here man.  I will just keep it to myself and stay on the good side of all.  

I am not into getting a ton of replies telling me what a stupid guy I am or what a dumb idea.  Works for me and thats good enough.  

Keep it real!

To stay on topic I saw the motorcade impressive yes but wasteful.

ericsshop agree with the first two posts don't let the small shit get to you lifes to short.  Next two to deep for this forum but see where your coming from.  Would love to have a beer and chat sometime would be interesting.  But not about politics or religion been my motto to keep those thoughts to myself for obvious reasons.

Axel are you in BKK I export to the US and have been trying to find an expat in your line to handle some air freight for me.  Not because of any prejudice to Thais's just seems they make the entire process complicated and secretive I can never get a straight answer.

And is anybody up on where these expats meet in the evenings?  I would like to meet people that I might be able to friendships with here.  I always seem to meet the guy's who is here for a week or month.  Nothing wrong with those guys would just be nice to have a few friends I could call once in a while out of the blue to have a drink or shoot a game of pool with.

My hat is off to you that can live for so cheap.

Apartment, utilities  35K

Transportation  7K  (taxi and skytrain)

Food for apartment  12K  

Misc.  40K  

Is just me and the mrs

We are in BKK

I am 37

Take trips home 4-6 times a year but those are free and should be for everyone that knows BKK.