paddypower

Northern Ireland? - read your history books, bro. History has shown that most colonialist/conquering nations have left a trail of destruction, behind them,, due to political ignorance or, just plain ego. African countries, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh to name but few examples,are prime examples of conquering nations dividing up lands that left them disfunctional.

It's also a cost/benefit decision. This year end I will switch to pension income basis. so Il take 400k out for 6 months, invest it at 5% net of tax (that is 20,000 baht return on investment for 6 months) and rebuild my 800k balance using my incoming monthly pension. We live off Thai investment incomes/rents). the 40,000 baht a year saved will be invested in maintaining my wine storage unit 🙂

that reminds me of one of those bad jokes I heard about having a girlfriend. ''Don't buy one, just treat it like you would a book. Go to the library and return it after you've read it''. (pretty disgusting attitude, but then it did come from a bar fly) .

Great story! Age wise, I'm in the same boat, (78) excepting I have to be careful with our retirement capital, as my wife has special needs. I had the opportunity to cash in capital gains of 1+ MM baht earlier this year. I was very close to buying a car, (which I seen listed for sale here in Thailand). It is similar to the one I used to drive/race back in Canada 25 years ago. A 1984 manual Porsche 944. the only reason I'm posting is - we all have our dreams. I don't think that buying a new car should be one of them - especially many German models, most of which look indistinguishable from cars built in SE Asia. If you're keen on a German built car, why not wait for the coming financial collapse of the Thai economy. One of the first things to come available cheaply, is luxury cars.

sounds like you might have had a mid-life crisis? (I've had at least 3 (starting at 40). Or depression (ditto for me since I had a mental breakdown at 52 from overwork). Good to see you have found your true self. very few people are that lucky.

i understand it's common for many Thai wives to only go to bed at night, clothed. I'm a committed nudie, so for me, what's the point? Although I do understand the socio-cultural differences. I always find it odd that when you look at ''traditional'' post cards, images on monuments and so on - Thai women had no trouble baring it all to the wind, in the old days.

absolutely...Music was meant to be played VERY LOUD. and I don't mean most of today's divas and pretty boys, ..that.'s music??

MUCH appreciated. especially the reminder of the rules at 6.2. there are those who argue that using the piggy-back option when one's wife is not a Thai national, is unwise. That is, if it is granted by the IO you are dealing with, as it seems to be at their discretion.

cute. I'll save that idea.

old is a state of mind. one my buddies (who retired here 3 years ago at the age of 72), keeps fit, (despite a lot of back problems); speaks no Thai but seems to have a very successful social (short time) life. no bars.

Fear.........fear of getting old alone. 🙂 I used to do weddings, celebrants vows the lot. favourite bit of advice was - 'it's not choosing the right partner, it's being the right partner'. that works for us, for 51 years. but don't forget - fear.

agree, absolutely. You do have to be 100% careful. Some IO's, like mine, treat you like you're a potential criminal. I had a difficult time with the IO, showing her my 800k term deposit bank book. You would think that's a non- brainer, right? I presented the original book, updated with a deposit the day before the extension application date; together with the certification letter from the bank. Immediately got accused of possibly cashing the deposit in and then re-depositing it. Was not aware a certified detailed statement of the deposit account was also required. Fortunately, I was able to go to a local bank and get the statement. The bank said they could only update it to the date of the term deposit renewal - Sept 30, 2023. But that was 4 1/2 months prior to the application date. That left the IO in a quandary (which is like Purgatory for Catholics, a temporary place of suffering, while you wait to go to Heaven). Very fortunately, the SCB officer was really helpful and gave me her business card of the SCB branch and suggested I tell the IO to call her. Problem solved.

thanks - that's a big help.

that reminds me of a couple of similar questions from bar girls I've chatted with, over the years.

You're right. Also, having been married for a long time, we both notice that some western couples, out socializing (especially middle aged, so with no babies to distract them) who have the same problem. Sit there silently, b/c they have nothing to talk about any more. Sad. even worse, (imo) are the expat/Thai couples who sit in a cafe/whatever and the wife just obsesses herself with the photos in her mobile. I'd be up on a murder charge, likely. (later, of course) 🙂 🙂

and sleep is the last thing on your mind, right? there was a great post a few years back from a fella who said he used to get the most amazing massages from this wonderful lady. Then he married her. That was the last time he ever got a massage from her.

that explains why there are so many happy married men I've met, who have never bothered to learn any Thai. 😉

are there 2 Dr Jacks? '' I quote your first response' 'Ditto. I would take it up to the 800k 4 months prior to application. Note not expiry' which is it, 2 month or 4 months.? thanks.

as we say in the home country ''brilliant'' thanks.

It seems to be a trade off. you get to live in a country where there are a lot of rules which no self-respecting Thai follows expect us sheeple 🙂 Think the ongoing circus over the Thaksin family. It's not far removed from Life With the Kardashians ( I am so not into that kind of thing that I had to ck the spelling 😉

Any chance any one can refer me to the police Order # ,, describing how many days the 800k much be topped up by, before the next extension date., please? another contributor said 4 months. My IO, this past Feb. said I needed to have the 800k for 2 months. prior to the date of extension. Thanks in advance. this advice allows me to invest in a fund which will pay me 5.5% pre-tax, for the 6 months.

that is a very interesting opinion: my extension date was stamped Feb 5. whereas the previous year's extension expired Feb 11. to be 100% safe, I should re-calculate, starting with the 2024 expiry date.

Edited: thanks. if only this Gord Darn country would remove the exception to the Immigration regulations where it is ''subject to the interpretation of the local IO'' ...or what ever words they use to make like more difficult than it need be. No other civilized country makes up laws and rules where they can be interpreted in any number of ways,, depending on the mood of the person you are dealing Sorry to say this, but some Thai government officials can be real snakes, when it comes to exercising their authority. so, Rant over. in my case. Following your suggestion, (this is a bit of a wrinkle.... visa extension stamped on Feb 5, 2024 expires on Feb 11, 2025. ) I will start calculating on Feb 6 -29 = 23days + march 1-31 = 31days April 1-30 = 30days May 1-13 = 13 days Total ; 97 days. EDIT: 2024 expiry date Feb 11, 2024 - add Feb 12-29 = 18+31+30+ May 1-16 = 16 = total 95 days. I think that May 16 should be safe for a new date for draw-down of 400k. thanks for spending time on my situation.

Thanks...I will be sure to do that. That leaves the question of what date can I draw down 400k?

easy peasy. I have 5 different bank accounts. How many do you have.?