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dfwbkk

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Posts posted by dfwbkk

    Briton Found Suffocated In Pattaya

    in Pattaya

    Posted

    Q: what makes most people commit suicide.

    A: Loss/rejection of a loved one.

    Q: Why do a lot of people come to Thailand.

    A: To find a special love they cannot get in their home countries.

    To sum up; Thailand should in theory have the highest suicide rate in the world. It doesn't. Sweden has.

    But I doubt very much that every suicide in Sweden, knowalls write to the papers and swear blind it was murder.

    Sorry I posted this before I read the real cause.

    What's your source on these Swedish facts you cite?

    According to the WHO Sweden is nowhere near the top in terms of suicide deaths (http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide_rates/en/index.html).

    It appears to be around 30th place .

    (Still they're at about twice the rate of Thailand...)

    br /// dfw

    Thai/farang Children As Lessees

    in Real Estate, Housing, House and Land Ownership

    Posted

    You do not say if you have bought the land yet?

    If not, then I would advise you consider the capital you have and how best it might be distributed, importanly as you wisely (and responsibly) state, 'How do you protect your children from being disinherrited?'

    I don't think there is any way in Thai law that you can do this as Thailand has not trust law and therefore the wealth of minors is 'managed' by individuals under very lax legal controls (Lax to the point of not existing).

    Start by considering, do you have a private/company pension from back home and can you contact the Trustees of your pension with a statement of wishes. If you have such a pension your children will almost certainly be entitled to a child's pension after your death (until they are 18). You may also ask, in your expression of wishes that lump sums (if any) are placed in trust for your children.

    Take a look at Pensions, Insurance, Savings back home and speak with a Solicitor back home.

    Leave wealth you want to protect BACK HOME and protect it with a Will - A will BACK HOME.

    Do Not bring wealth you want to protect to Thailand or control that wealth with a will from Thailand.

    If you also make a will in Thailand, expressly state that the will only covers wealth in Thailand and that wealth outside of Thailand is covered by a will, outside of Thailand.

    If possible make two or three younger members of your family executors of the will and provide detailed instructions in a letter attached to your will describing how you want your children to be provided for. Do not put your pension, or insurance payouts in your will - Use the expression of wishes provided by the pension and insurance companies. (Saves problems with tax and worse still Lawyer Fees).

    Don't forget to check your children's rights under a state pension you may hold.

    When you've dealt with pension and insurance consider how much cash savings you have and are they sufficient to buy the land/house you want AND provide a fund (controlled from outside of Thailand) for your children?

    If so leave that money BACK HOME and write a will BACK HOME, do not bring this money you are saving for your children to Thailand and consider taking up one of the Child Saving Options (Usually used for saving for University Fees and hence very favourable in terms of taxes). - See other threads on Wills.

    If you do not have sufficient funds to buy land, AND leave a fund for your children, consider buying a smaller plot of land, not buying land at all, only buying a house etc to leave some funds back home.

    Keep in mind that even a seemingly small fund, say of GBP5000 would, if invested in a tax free investment scheme, very likely provide a very generous nest egg 18 ~21 years from now.

    University/College Fees at 18 and a nest egg at around 28 is not a bad mix.

    If you are from the UK. Growth ISAs are available, tax free and suited for just this kind of investment.

    This is not an easy problem to resolve, but you are entirely right to address it now. I'd also say your are acting with responsibility.

    I think this is an issue anyone with children to a Thai wife in Thailand needs to address, especially if they have significant age difference, absolutely if their wife has a child/children from a former marriage.

    Thanks GuestHouse for a great post. Stuff like this is the reason some of us enjoy TV so much. Thx.

    /// dfw

    The Worst "expat" Pub In Bangkok?

    in ASEAN NOW Community Pub

    Posted

    Robin Bs.....................1/10..... :o

    Bulls Head...................9/10...... :D

    Dubliner......................5/10.......

    Londoner.....................7/10........

    Witches Tavern............3/10........

    Silver $.......................5/10........

    22-(jock bar)...............8/10........ :D

    Mucky Duck.................7/10.......

    Offshore (rays joint).....8/10.......

    Huntsman pub..............2/10......

    Gullies.........................7/10......

    Toby Jug......................8/10......

    Bobbys .......................1/10...... :D

    Barbican......................8/10........

    Irish Exchange.............6/10........

    Jools...........................5/10.......

    Checkers(q).................5/10..........

    O Rilleys......................7/10..........

    Bullys..........................5/10..........

    Good stuff - quite useful in judging these places. Thanks!!

    Btw, where's the TQ on your list?

    /// dfwbkk

    American Tourist Stabbed On Pattaya Beach.

    in Pattaya

    Posted

    baht bus driver Khun Somkuan aged 45 saw the attack and took the badly injured man to hospital

    And the driver then made a sharp exit with the septics 20 without giving him the 15 baht change.

    Great observation about std bbdd.

    Back to subject: Hang in there Tony. Could've been any of us...

    dfwbkk

    What Do You Puut At Home?

    in General Topics

    Posted

    Thai, Akha, English and Swedish - our kids are trilingual (4yo), bilingual (2yo) and monolingual (1yo).

    However, when we argue we resort to parts of our respective language that our better half cannot comprehend - even if it's in plain English.... :o

    /// dfw

    Foreigner Got Stabbed To Death At Rachada

    in Bangkok

    Posted

    Here is the point:  If you live in the world of Population #1, you are going to go years - maybe decades - without encountering much trouble here.  You can retire and live out your life here in safety.

    If you live for years as part of population #2, it is statistically almost certain that you are going to eventually be in the wrong place at the wrong time - and pay a heavy price.  You are going to have a much bleaker view of Bangkok, and wonder what is wrong with someone who reports "sunny days and blue skies" from the other (daytime) world.

    Cheers!

    Indo-Siam

    Great observation there Steve. But you must've been out and around past curfew once or twice yourself to form that opinion though, right? :o

    Nevertheless, nice post!!

    On the topic of the OP - it saddens me deeply that something like this can happen so seemingly without major law enforcement activities to rectify the situation...

    /// dfw

    Thai Custody Law

    in Visas and migration to other countries

    Posted · Edited by dfwbkk

    Well, I guess not then?

    Anyway, I have a good contact at the Consulate who has verbally agreed to push everything through so we're hopefully OK with our move in June.

    Anyone with similar experiences? Custodial-wise, that is... (guess I'm in the wrong forum, but it relates to visas and migration...)

    br /// dfw

    Thai Custody Law

    in Visas and migration to other countries

    Posted · Edited by dfwbkk

    Hey guys,

    Does anyone have a good link for how to get hold of Section 1547 of the Book Five of Thai Civil and Commercial Code (preferably in English)?

    I'm trying to prove that my wife has sole custody of my stepdaughter. Since she was never married to the birthdad, which was my wife's childhood (Thai) boyfriend, that's how I interpret what I can find online. He is listed on our daughter's birth certificate - he's also quite helpful (I like the guy alot) should we need to pursue a custody clarification in a Thai Court.

    When last in Thailand I checked with the local Amphur, but they said that custodial documents were not issued by them (unnecessary since your wife was never married, they said...)

    I found this which is partially helpful: http://travel.state.gov/family/abduction/c...ountry_528.html

    I haven't been able to find that Section 1547 though.

    We're relocating from the US to Sweden in a couple of months. When applying for the stepdaughter's Residency Permit the Swedish authorities do request clarity.

    I've been able to get her Schengen-visas a couple of times in the past through the Consulate, but now we're talking permanent residency so the Department of Migration will be involved, with their more stringent requirements.

    Thx /// dfw

    Can Bangkok Bank Initiate Transfer From Us Acct?

    in Jobs, Economy, Banking, Business, Investments

    Posted

    I asked the bank again and here's their reply:
    Unfortunately we are not able to wire transfer funds internationally. The two ways you would be able to accomplish the transfer would be to have your bank setup as a payee through bill pay or you other bank could electronically withdrawal the funds. With the withdrawal you would give them our routing number and your account number.

    Seems weird that your bank doesn't offer wire services. Check out the other banks at where you're at or a Western Union office/agent.

    No problem for Bangkok Bank to receive the funds in, although they will charge you a service fee (0.25% of the funds, min 200 max 500 THB).

    Check out: http://www.bangkokbank.com/Bangkok+Bank/Pe...ds+transfer.htm

    The sending bank typically charges $25-30 for their services. All you need is the Swift-code (BKKBTHBK) and the name/account number of the recipient...and, oh yeah - the moola...

    I see you're in Saipan, couldn't find a list of banks there but according to this link there are several Asian and US banks in the Northern Mariana Islands, so you should be OK:

    http://www.planetholiday.com/Travel_Guide/...lands.asp#money

    /// dfw

    Pattaya Beach Hassles

    in ASEAN NOW Community Pub

    Posted

    For years I tried ignoring the beach vendors by explicitly not looking up when they stand in front of your table. Other places, as Walking Street it is easy to walk past pushy vendors by ignoring them but not on the beaches around Pattaya.  Again, as I  said before, it's a non-issue now I've found the better beaches a little away from the beaten track.

    Guys, guys......

    try this:

    wave your hand and speak at the same time, friendly (this is HONEST)

    pronounce like:

    MAE AUW KHAP (KHA if you'r a lady) and they'r off!

    I tell you: IT WORKS! (and I'm coming to Th for more than 30 years)

    in fact it means: no, thank you...that's all.

    LaoPo

    Hey, I'm impressed with your knowledge of the language there, Laopo, especially after 30 years...all you need now is the kop khun krap and you've got it! :D

    :o

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