sirineou

I Think rumors of the death of Hydrogen cell is highly exaggerated LOL EVs are wonderful but we have a rare earths supply problem with only 14% of the world vehicles being EVs, Can You imagine the problem if that number is increased by 84%? In addition many of those rare earths are concentrated in particular areas with competing strategic interests. 34% in China. where only 14% in the US, In a bipolar world this might become a problem. Where Hydrogen is everywhere. Toyota has some good news on EV batteries but there are scalability issues with production projected for five years from now , in the meantime, Despite the increasing popularity of electric vehicles," Toyota remains committed to hydrogen fuel cell technology". https://www.torquenews.com/1/toyota-ceo-confirms-focus-hydrogen-despite-increasing-electrification-efforts#:~:text=Toyota's Focus on Hydrogen,to hydrogen fuel cell technology. Why? Because they see the problems associated with EV battery technologies and supply chain instability. Now , I don"t have a crystal bowl, who knows they can come up with a EV battery who does not depend on rare earths, charges quickly and has good range. I know Tesla is working on permanent magnet batteries that do not use rare earth metals. Anything is possible, But as it stands now with the information we have at this time I am betting on Hydrogen. Rare earth metals play a big part in many technologies and not only in batteries, China by some estimates controls 36.7%, Rusia 10% ,Brasil 18.3 and India 5.8% for a total between them of 70.8% of the worlds production. What is noteworthy about the above list? They are all BRICS countries. In a Bipolar world this countries are moving closer to China. with another 40 countries wanting to join so far . Trust me when I tell you, things are about to get very interesting.with hydrogen to play a very important role. I mean think about it, we are swimming in an element that has approximately 120 megajoules per kilogram energy density where gasoline, has an energy density of 45.8 MJ/kg. Its , The problem so far is that hydrogen attaches to oxygen , and there is no distribution infustracture. But as I said with renewables coming more and more into play it's extraction is becoming more and more economically and environmental feasible ................

You are missing a few very important points. A) Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, accounting for about 75 percent of its normal matter Where Lithium, nickel and cobalt and other rare earths nessacery for the production of EV batteries are as the term implies rare b) Gasoline has a higher explosive potential Explosion occurs with gasoline at much lower concentrations, 1.1- 3.3%.where Hydrogen can be explosive at concentrations of 18.3- 59%. In addition the storage containers for hydrogen in cars are much more safe than tin fuel tanks. Many companies are working on Solid-State Hydrogen storage, "Fortunately, hydrogen cars are among the safest vehicles on the road " https://www.hydrogenfuelnews.com/get-in-an-accident-car/8557439/#:~:text=Fortunately%2C hydrogen cars are among,a solid five-star rating. Natural gas which many of you don't have a problem with converting your car to run with, is explosive at a 5- 15% concentrations C) A hydrogen fuel cell recharges 3-5 minutes as opposed to Hours for EVs. and has an unlimited range similar to ICE vehicles. D)Much of the electricity in the world comes from renewables . The global average right now is 17% (with in the next 3 years it is projected to increase to 35% ) another 10% is generated from nuclear , and is also increasing with new safe reactor technology coming on line. and 40% is produced from clean natural gas. So at this point we have a 67% clean , soon to be 80%. So IMO, and supported by the above facts , there is a reason why Toyota is betting as much as it is on Hydrogen. When it comes to cars I think we can all agree they are not dummies, and have an idea what is coming in the pipeline.

Glad to hear it. pirate life must agree with you, But if it was the other way around would you have no problem with your wife getting some on the side? "Till Death Do Us Part, or until I no longer find you reactive,Which ever comes first",

is that good or bad ?

And well you should, So let me ask you this, Is your body what it used to be? and if not, should the wife be seeing other guys on the side?

Water mitigation on the outside. (Gutters or some way to keep roof runoff from splashing on the walls) perhaps a good coat of moisture resistant paint. and ventilation!!!! perhaps a dehumidifier, or running the A/C a bit every day.

I have a friend who has a friend.....????

I think you are referring the going to the bank,to get the statement. If so and it's your personal account then no. They would not give that information without you there. But TIT so who knows, I one time went to the bank got my paperwork and went to the IO, the officer asked who is the so and so. I looked at the document and they had given me someone else account information. . So I went back to the bank and they said "Oh I am sorry" here is yours????

It can be arranged. we also offer huge discounts on our five year plan. and a bring a friend for half price.

It might not help much but a couple of shots and you simply don't care LOL

I am not sure if I will go that way. Not worrying about liquidity , in a way it is good to have the money tied up and not have the temptation to spend it. But it should at the very least keep pace with inflation. Very difficult to do do diligence in thailand where there is no MLS to do research and appraise the property. As far as the property selling for less than you bought it, it has to be a bit of an Urban myth. If that was the case where most people sold for less that they bought then eventually property will be almost free. The trick is to buy right, but as I said very difficult to do your research if you only see listing wish prices rather than what the property actually sold for. Anyway. I appreciate all input, . Sunday we are going out of the country for a month , and I will revisit this when I comeback. With the US credit rating being downgraded to AA+ from AAA, the yield id heading north , last I check the 1 year treasuries were yielding 5.5% if it goes up another 5 base points, I might role it over for another year. 4 million baht (about $100,000 would return about $500 per month . I have to check and see what rents are on a 4 mil condominium.

Yea I saw one that the bedroom was so small I would have to climb over the wife to get in bed every night . On the bright side it would be the most action I have got in a long time.

Probably the only good side.

All good advice. To consider and look into. As far as boring, You don't know boring until you live in Issan. LOL , I even bought a play farm , to play in dirt, It was fun in the beginning until I discovered it was hard work and too darn hot to do it in. Good news is that I bought it for 700K and a year later I have already been offered 1 mil. for it. But I have done a lot of work in it, so a lot of it is sweat equity. But I understand the pitfalls of condominium buying and after thinking about and researching the option , it might turn out that it is not a good idea, How much eggplant can a man eat LOL But eggplant curry is Aloy mak mak

Different personalities , I realise the advantages of renting vs buying , For my personality right or wrong ownership is important. Perhaps part of my control freak tendencies. Have been married to my wife for 13 years, together for about 16. We have aur moments but I don't think either one of us would even consider living without the other. She is the best thing that has happened to me, aside from my daughter from a previous marriage. If there is one thing that worries me is what will happen to her when I am gone, me being older than her and chances being that I will checking out before her. Like buying as opposed to renting , being married is also to be, perhaps part of the same pathology I described above We also own 4 properties one a 4 unit inexpensive rental for working people the Roi on that property is about 14% after considering expenses. If she ends up with all of them , not a problem she deserves every single one of them for putting up with me ???? As to what they would be worth 10 years down the line, hard to say, which is part of the reason why I started this thread, the consensus so far seems to be 5% per year but no guarantees. My Dad you to always say to me "you don't make your money when you sell, you make your money when you buy" When it comes to trade IMO wisest word have never been spoken, But I appreciate and consider all input.

Well above is just what a closet psychopath would say so.... I am keeping an eye on you Sig. ????

Thanks for that info, Appreciated!! I got up this morning and while the wife is still sleeping , I am watching the rain (yes its raining again), drinking my coffee, and checking my messages. You just saved me a dime LOL I was just getting ready to reply to your original post and ask you some of the questions you already just answered so I as I mentioned in other replied , my plan is to first first use it for a couple of months per year and rent it for portion of the rest to get some income while it sits empty, and hopefully by then the wife would become comfortable with that area, and like it enough to want to move there full time. For that purpose I think Airbnb would probably be the best option for managing such situation, But I would need to find some way to have the place cleaned and restock after rentals. I certainly have to do some studying up on Airbnb issues . I have looked at some of the listings and no one seems to mention HOA fees. and what they cover. Do you have any idea what an average HOA cost per month is, and what they usually cover. Also in the US they have HOA meeting minutes that you can review and get a picture of what the building issues are. Do they have such thing here? Again, Thanks for all your help.

Not necessarily Through history there have been transitional and disruptive times where we transition from one era to another. (eg, Agricultural to industrial) , We are now transition to the Information era, and there will be disruptions and people will be left behind. The trick is what we do with the information because you know that the players will use that info for their own gain. It has always been the case. So anyway we will how it all plays out, most likely it will be our children who do. All we can do is make the best, and try to stand up for our piece of the pie. Still I feel bad for you guys , It's not right to be treated the way you are.

Talking to the supervisor will not help, These people have to work together and Thai culture does not allow for loss of face. Perhaps the Supervisor will have a talk with the offending officer to perhaps act differently in the future with others, but your situation is set in stone., I am lucky to live in an area where we have a professional and pleasant IO But when I had an issue with an extension and the IO refused to help. I had a conversation with the Supervisor, but it was a polite and respectful conversation. The supervisor suggested and alternate solution and all was well. Every time we go there for for whatever reason, while we seat and wait for our turn with the IO she walks over and says hello. You can not threaten , raise your voice or be competitive. I guarantee you, it will not end well. And calling the 1-800 Eat Sh*t -anddie number ????to complain will not get you anywhere, those people also have to work together, Tact is the answer in Thailand

This forum is the right place. Post you worried, trials an tribulations and we will listen politely. Maybe.

Where Narcissist sociopaths on your side believe in rainbows and unicorns? Personably I don't care who is in charge of Thailand , no skin off of my nose, The issues that interest me can be negatively or positively affected by either side. So why should I get upset who is in or out? So far life here is good for me. Hope it stays that way, but if does not I will pack the wife and we will move on to greener pastures if there are any.

Indeed it is, 9/11 terrorists , 15 of them were citizens of Saudi Arabia, two were from the United Arab Emirates, one was from Egypt, and one from Lebanon. So we attacked Iraq . LOL . when after the war they did an audit, the could not account for $8 billion dollars!!! Someone or some ones are sitting pretty some place. Now we are spending billions to support Ukraine's right to join NATO. , never mind the economic impact cost it has on people. But we cant afford universal medical insurance. it's so ludicrous that if it was not so sad , you would laugh. Anyway I hope you guys stand Up and give them hell it's the only thing they understand and respect.

Apparently we have a different definition of what is and is not civilian. IMO things that are in the military are military assets, and all the rest are civilian. I appreciate you engaging me in this conversation and keeping it civil. . And apologize for my unwillingness to get into a debate about all the arguable aspects of this issue, Knowing what I know about this issue, which IMO is considerable, I have come to a conclusion , and you knowing what you know , which also could be more ,or less, perhaps have come to a different conclusion. Who is to say who is right? I like it to be me but I am sure you feel the same

Your advice is good but, I Can't live in a mutual fund LOL. and a bit dangerous when you are retired and don't have the time and energy to make back. Right now I have it parked in US treasuries at 4,7% in three months it matures and I have the option to roll it over at whatever the yield is at the time (right now is 5.5%) or do something different with it . But I have ulterior motives. All my life I never lived further than a couple of miles from the sea. The sea in in my DNA. I am kind of hoping that if we live there for a couple of months out of the year the wife would like it well enough to move there and sell the house in Khon Kaen. If not, then we could sell it and get our money back or more likely rent it. I don't mind the illiquidity , it removes the temptation to blow the money on crap LOL. So at this point I am exploring the possibilities, and if my thinking is right. And who best to ask than people who have been there and done that. But when I know the right questions to ask I will also do my own, independent research. Anyway , I appreciate the feedback from all of you ,

They are trying to do some of the same in the US , but mostly by extending the retirement age. Lucky for many of us is that they cant change thing retroactively, so any changes would be for new recipients, The way I understand it is that you have paid for it trough you hard work , Payroll tax, and from returns on the investments they made with it, and don't let anyone say that the employer paid some of it. There is no such thing as a free lunch, The employer would be paying you more if he did not have the expense of payroll tax, it is still coming out of you. I have figured what I have paid into the system. and if they had let me keep it I could had bought a rental property with it, collect more rent than I get from social security, and still have the property to sell if I so desired. Now I have to beg to get my own money back. Thank god I have my union pension . Unions built America and politicians will destroy it. The goverment claims that they can't afford the high cost of pensions, BS!!! they could if they did not contribute in the " Liberation "of other countries and all the other BS. Charity starts at home, you take care of your own people first and if you do have some leftover you help others. Anyway politicians are cowards , all they care is maintaining and expanding their own power . In the US we call social security the third rail of politics. You touch it and die. I suggest you all develop the same attitude, it is the only thing politicians understand .