jojothai

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

Great news for the CCP that's for sure. I would like to know the % of Chinese workers brought in to do the work and get paid by the Thai taxpayer to Thai workers. 

As far as I am aware there is no plan to use Chinese labor., especially for the infrastructure works.
The current first stage infrastructure works are being done by Thai companies with Thai workers. Only the rail systems are done by the Chinese for the first stage.
Logically, the Chinese would be expected to do the Rail systems on the second phase.
But I think that some of the work, such as trackwork, should be done by Thai workers once the first stage has been built and SRT know precisely what needs to be done.

35 minutes ago, mokwit said:

Common Reporting Standard.

 

The Common Reporting Standard (CRS), developed in response to the G20 request and approved by the OECD Council on 15 July 2014, calls on jurisdictions 

The usa is not participating in the CRS.

US citizens may not technically be a part of CRS, but because they must report all of their foreign assets to the IRS, they cannot technically avoid it.

However, if there is no exchange of data to thailand under the CRS, then thailand will not know the other income outside. Surely Only the IRS will know.

On 3/27/2024 at 10:26 AM, Sydebolle said:

 

Like it or not, China calls the shots

So sure eh?

Thats not what i see on the first HSR project.

So my first hand experience has no relevance.

Its just your opinion.

6 hours ago, Sydebolle said:

Now they finally had to give in and listen to the marching orders from Beijing; I guess the train might run by the end of this decade, unless a political bumper is thrown in - for good measure! 

Not much logic in the comment. What marching orders from Beijing?
and FYI the new dates for completion of the first high speed line are now more realistic than most people think. 
It was not long ago that SRT were saying publicly that it would open in 2026, which was not possible.
The Thais are progressing it despite the problems caused by the Chinese lockdown that delayed design of the Rail system.
The Chinese could not progress much for nearly two years  because of their strict covid lockdown and travel rules.
That is something nobody could have planned for.
There are delays on the Thai side as well, so its not justified to blame any one party. 
Most of the reasons for delay after the MOU for about 4 years, were that the Chinese wanted to finance the Project and to build it all themselves.
And the Thais could not accept that.
It took a long time to get the agreement that the Project is Thai funded ( no potential debt trap),
and that Thailand would build the infrastructure themselves without having to give thousands of jobs in Thailand to Chinese or subordinates. 

6 hours ago, Gweiloman said:

This will be good for ASEAN countries, especially when the whole network is completed, connecting all the way down through Malaysia into Singapore. This will really open up trade and tourism for all these countries, especially since China has granted visa exempt status for both Malaysian and Thai citizens.

Not in the near future. The first line will have taken nearly 10 years. Give it 20 to 30 years perhaps?

7 hours ago, trainman34014 said:

2028 ?   The 'Feasiblity Studies' wlll still be going on by then as they only started ten years ago !

The MOU was ten years ago. After the many studies before that. Things do take an eternity, TIT.

8 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

 

Maybe this will be the new section of HST from Vientianne to Nong Khai over a new Mekong Bridge? Linking up with the HST at Korat will be many, many years away.

You seem to know a bit more than the writers of the article. I do not know what section of HSR they are referring to.
There was adjustment of a 7.9 km section in Nakhon Ratchasima. Maybe they are confused.
The bridge is not expected to be complete until 2029.
If allowed on the forum, Refer to 
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2699271/agency-predicts-completion-of-railway-bridge-by-2029
The 250 km section from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima is well under construction and with the many delays is now expected to be complete in 2028.
IMHO that is not unrealistic now, after so much delay. 
The section from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai is being designed and likely to be a few years later.
Hua Hin? Supposed to be another few years. Just a guessing game.

On 3/17/2024 at 9:40 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

Thanks for all your comments. I appreciate them. 

 

I agree that many good comments warn you off joining.
Yes, if it is just a passing idea with no real reason or commitment.

Otherwise, perhaps consider two factors as follows:

1. Is the condo being run reasonably well, and being maintained.
What kind of complaints do they get and are they being addressed.
If you go to the meetings and see participation from attendees , and action being done. 
Then why get involved?
On the other hand if nothing is happening about problems, then consider if you can make any difference.
Its no good if you see the committee doing nothing and you would be a lone voice.

if you know committee members and understand that they want improvement, then they may need another voice. 

But also see the next point that i make.

2. Can you make any difference?

How many people do you know in the condo? Can you generate support needed at AGMs?
Are you familiar with some of the problems raised and can contribute to solutions?

I have owned five condos and seen many different situations.
So let me give some info that may help you or others thinks about this.

I had two condo well maintained in Bangkok what i saw and went to AGMs looked ok. No reasons to get involved.

i had two condos in a very badly maintained condo in Jomtien, where the thai developer was creaming off whatever money he could.

He controlled the committee and votes. No maintenance and the condo was badly rated and cheap.
I got to know many people in the condo. Not intentional, but it Included some with big votes.
I took over a satellite tv box system for over 40 people (took over from the guy who set it up, Unfortunately he had to leave).

So I had a lot of people telling me the problems and could generate a large vote in AGMs.

I joined the committee in agreement with some of the other members so that we eventually controlled the vote and ousted the developer.

Then it took us a few years to eventually get owners to agree to extra maintenance payments to get many issues fixed.
Needed external repair and painting. Transformer problems. Lifts not serviced. Old water piping. no proper security, etc ....
I left the committee when i had to work overseas again and it appeared that things were under control.

Then fyi, after several years of dragging on court cases the condo won their battle against the original developer for compensation.

i have a condo in Bangkok that was old and needed renovation and improvements. I still have it.
I could not commit to joining the committee, Then i had overseas jobs a lot of the time.

However at the AGMs i got to know some of the committee members who were trying to get improvements done.
I used to talk to them and advise comments and suggestions for some of the improvements. I am an experienced Civil / Buildiing engineer.

Some other co-owners contributed comments when they had joined in discussing problems and assisted in some more detail where they had expertise.  e.g. one guy knew how to get the water piping checked properly for corrosion and got a cheap survey done. All common piping then got replaced.
Renewing the three lifts was discussed many times over several years and it took a couple of AGMs before co-owners agreed to pay the cost.
The work was an important safety issue and has just been completed.

On both the last two condo comments above, the condo committee formed some groups of co-owners to assist in looking at proposals to solve issues and get proposals developed for the committee.

So, You do not have to be on the committee to contribute.

Lessons.
Don't get involved unless you think there are problems that need fixing, or / and you can contribute.

Be aware that for improvements it can take a long time, and you have to persevere.

You can contribute even if you are not on the committee.

And from knowledge of may other condo problems, i agree with the posters who point out that committees can be a waste of time if there are Thai controlling votes from people who don't care and just want to collect the rent.

 

Hi Tom
Just so that you can be sure that I am not talking BS about potential liver problems and tests.
I was busy earlier, but got back to look at this for your advice, and just did a quick check online for
" when taking statins what tests are needed".  took a few minutes.

Do you know the NHS in UK? I think they are experts on health issues are they not?
See
 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/statins/considerations/#:~:text=Before starting to take statins,and again after 12 months.

4 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

I don't have insurance. At 75 the cost far outweighs what I'd probably need to pay in future years. I keep the money for when I might need it, rather than give away large sums each year for nothing in return. The 50,000 for the two surgeries isn't a problem.

Thanks for saying this. Before you posted that insurance was off topic, but if you were to claim on insurance it is very relevant.
I have international insurance from UK and they challenged me for an overnight hospital stay when i had shoulder surgery, the doctor confirmed that it was the correct hospital policy because i had to pumped with antibiotics overnight for any potential infection. Insurance accepted.

I had cataracts in both eyes and another eye retina problem done at Rutnin. Its expensive but then its one of the best eye clinics and my uk insurance accepted it straight away,
They did not require overnight but did require an hour or two (I cannot remember exactly how long) in a daycare bed.

For information of others reading the post. I was claiming on insurance. The hospital initially put "outpatient charge" for the bed charge and I got them to change it to state "day care" which the insurance accepted. My insurance covers day care but not OP.
Rutnin also wanted me to confirm that if i went home there is somebody staying with me should there be any problem.
i had no problem overnight, but needed to go back the next day to remove the eye bandaging and check all was ok.
Going home, it was mid afternoon in bangkok and I remember it was very bright and difficult for the eyes because of the brightness.
Suggest you have a pair of dark glasses.

Another thing to note is that you will need two sets of eyedrops for a few weeks (or combined in one drop according to a person posting).
The hospital charge for the drops was outrageous, i did not know until after that it was double compared to cost outside.

13 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

2011. We're now in 2024. 

What's wrong with you?
If you want to be a troll then pick on something you know.

Please confirm that you are a qualified medical professional or not, so that people can decide whether to take any notice.

When I said god help us.
I should have said God help us when people know not what they do.

On 3/9/2024 at 10:13 PM, newbee2022 said:

No.

It's not necessary for liver check ups when taking statins. Unless you got issues prior to statin medication.

Latest research shows even a beneficial effect on liver carcinoma.

Of course a change in life style habits is a plus (exercise, healthy food, weight reduction aso)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3070374/#:~:text=Atorvastatin has been associated with,after discontinuation of atorvastatin treatment.

On 3/9/2024 at 10:13 PM, newbee2022 said:

No.

It's not necessary for liver check ups when taking statins. Unless you got issues prior to statin medication.

Latest research shows even a beneficial effect on liver carcinoma.

Of course a change in life style habits is a plus (exercise, healthy food, weight reduction aso)

So you say my blood tests and the professional doctor medical advice were wrong? God help us.

On 3/9/2024 at 9:27 PM, Woof999 said:

 

Now that is a fact! 😉

😉 The OP needs to also know that it is the land office that charged the extra and not the chanote holder.

On 3/9/2024 at 9:23 PM, KhunLA said:

Every one I did cost <100 baht at the land office, and was for 'use & modify', as 2 types available.  Did 6 @ Udon Thani and 2 at Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The OP needs to ignore my warning then on these other reports, even though it is true .

4 minutes ago, Woof999 said:

My understanding is that a usufruct has a fixed fee and no remuneration is needed between the person obtaining the usufruct and the chanote holder. I paid 75 baht last week for a 30 year usufruct on 14+ rai of land.

 

As I said it should be a small cost.
However land offices make their own fees to process things. TIT.

On 3/8/2024 at 1:45 PM, newbee2022 said:

Good decision to continue taking those statins. You take it in the evening before sleeping? Also change your habits of eating. Probably your doctor told you already what to eat and what to avoid. Avoid the alc of course/beer. And....start for exercise at least 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes.

Statins are known for minor side effects only. (Pain in legs/bones. Therefore administer at the night)

Statins can seriously affect the liver function.
That's what happened to me when I was first prescribed. It took a few months to cause the problem.
You must get the liver function checked periodically.

On 3/8/2024 at 10:41 AM, Sheryl said:

Don't forget the fish oil.  You want to get your HDL (which is protective) up preferrably to about 70. 

FYI, Sheryl i have a low HDL and have not found anything to improve it. I know my readings for over 20 years.
I have seen fish oil stated many times and I tried fish oil for 3 to 4 years daily . But it made no difference.
Also when I went onto low carbs to reduce the LDL, it worked but had no effect on the HDL.

Can you suggest any other ways to increase HDL?

His triglyceride ratio to HDL appears to looks ok but i may not be up to date on current medical opinion, so the LDL appears to be the problem.

If the OP loses some weight, it will help. Exercise or reducing the carbs should help to do that.

21 hours ago, gejohesch said:

 It's exactly the same sort of steel as our new stock - they are white (or silver?), definitely not black - maybe that's the galvanised type (not sure...). The point is that the car port is not totally closed, it lets a lot of rain come in, and those old steel left overs (2 or 3 years) have not shown any sign of corrosion whatsoever.

If they are silver, that normally indicates they are galvanised and therefore little or no corrosion.

I am not aware of any standard steel sections in a white finish. Unless specifically painted.

Ensure that rain does not get inside the steel section.

You could make a frame to put over the steel (perhaps cheap from bamboo?) and then cover with the tarpaulins but leave some gaps for aircirculation.

By the description of sizes it sounds like you have steel tube, closed sections. 

Since all steel needs corrosion protection and coating, you would have been better buying galvanized sections.

However, to protect the steel apply a primer as recommended by others. It would be more protective if you put a top coat on, but not essential if you keep them stored well as suggested.

If they are the closed tube( thai description for square or rectangular) you cannot readily coat the inside, then also protect the ends from getting moisture inside. But you should probably not close the ends ( there may be some moisture inside already). I suggest you store them under cover where moist air cannot be blown inside.

Dont just enclose in wrapping, you need ventilation.

2 hours ago, nickmondo said:

Get yourself a machine to take your BP at home.  Get it from Lazada.

Take your BP 3 times a day.

Relax for 15 mins before, do not cover your arm with clothes, sit upright, feet on floor, arm rested on table with elbow at 90 degrees

Each time you take your BP do it 3 times.  You will get 3 different readings.  Average them out to find your true reading.

You never get a true reading at the doctor.

If its still higher than you want, lose weight, improve your diet, but most of all STOP STRESSING.

Very true. You need to get an idea of variation during the day. Not just a single reading at the doctor.

Also, if you wake up at night feeling stressed, then take the BP readings. Its very important to know if you are having high blood pressure when sleeping.

When we go to the hospitals for any issues, they always take the blood pressure reading (good excuse for more money).
I sometimes get a motorbike taxi, then i always have to tell them not to take my blood pressure immediately and wait at least 15 to 20 minutes.  

33 minutes ago, BE88 said:

So you won't have to pay taxes in my opinion.

Only if the tax exemption agreements exist between the two countries and provide that it will not be double taxed.
Check the tax agreements between your country and Thailand.

18 hours ago, BE88 said:

 

The Thai representative said that 190,000 + 60,000 = 250,000 THB are exempt so I can understand that if you are below this figure you do not have to make an income declaration as for all Thais.

People need to know that if they are over 65 they have the 160,000 and an extra 190,000 allowance for over 65.