jaideedave

On 2/18/2024 at 8:41 AM, webfact said:

 

Thaksin Shinawatra was released on parole and returned to his family mansion, Ban Chan Song La, in Bangkok this morning. This marks the first time the media has caught a glimpse of him since his 180 days at the Police General Hospital.

 

At 06:09 am, Thaksin and Paetongtarn were seen together in a black van followed by a black security detail SUV. Thaksin wore a green face mask and a neck support.

 

By 6:32 am, the van had arrived at the Chan Song La residence, where supporters and observers had gathered in front of his house. Police officers from Bang Phlat police station were deployed to help direct traffic in the neighborhood.

 

Since last night, a large media crew and journalists have been stationed outside his home. This marks the first time in 180 days that he has left the hospital and appeared in front of the media. He neither returned to the correction facility nor spent a day in jail after returning to Thailand.

 

Security at the Police General Hospital and Thaksin’s home has been tight all night. All cars going in and out of the hospital were checked as a group of so-called royalist Kor-Por-Tor gathered to observe the situation

 

Source: Thai PBS 2024-02-18

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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555>Everything went according to the script. Played out by the best actors money can buy.The prop dept decided at the last minute to throw in a neck brace and arm sling to help alleviate the hypertension.

His BP picture shows a sick and sorry excuse for a human.

Yingy is on the runway at Heathrow as we speak. The charade isn't over yet.She will be welcomed at the airport in a wheelchair and a bouquet of roses claiming to have only 6 months to live.. on and on we go..

13 minutes ago, drrobert said:

I would have thought that Ramadan is not the time for Muslims to travel, particularly with eating and drinking restrictions. Compound this with the hot Thai climate.

At one time I worked in Libya for an O&G co. During Ramadan very little got done as they were fasting all day and didn't have the energy to do anything. Then in the evening they would pile their food dishes high and deep and gorge themselves.

An eye opener for this guy. Many of them in the HSE/Safety dept. had Masters degrees from UK on the govt dime (courtesy of the "colonel") Most were lazy and incompetent IMHO.

555555 looking good LOS..

8 hours ago, Vibora99 said:

I don't know why they make life so complicated. The agents charge 12,000 bahts (they deposit you in money) and give you the visa the next day (whether you have the 800,000 or not).

V--I did my own visa renewal for several years. Then one year of nit picking BS I snapped (inside) and decided to go the agent route.

The IO like it because it's easy money and they don't have to even see or talk to any of us. I am 100% convinced that the whole shebang is in on it. They can't come out and say it but after 2 decades here It's obvious to me now. A ship's captain I met told me his married visa was up for renewal and he had to leave the country.A senior IO told him to put 18k on the table and he'd have his new visa shortly.

As much as a like living here the whole place is on the take.

How is convict Tony being allowed out of prison he never stayed one night in.The coppers even supplied a chopper for him.What a joke.

46 minutes ago, BangkokHank said:

I recently returned to Bangkok from Vietnam. While I was in Vietnam, I exchanged a little more than a thousand US dollars into Vietnamese dong (VND) for everyday expenditures. And because Vietnam is a rather low cost country, I went to the bank and changed my bigger VND banknotes into smaller ones. The result is that I had about five hundred relatively small denomination banknotes with me when I left Vietnam. (I kept them because I plan to go back to Vietnam again next month.)

 

When I was going through security at the airport in Ho Chi Minh City, I had put all of my VND banknotes into my carry-on backpack. After passing through security, I was stopped by a security officer who said to me, "Show me the cash in your bag." I thought to myself, "Whoa, their x-ray machines can detect cash!" Presumably he thought I was moving large sums of USD cash, which would have been illegal had I not declared it. I showed him my money, and since the total value was not very high, he let me through without any problem.

 

The point of this post is to make people aware that the x-ray machines at airports are definitely capable of detecting cash. In all of my years of traveling, I had no idea about this, as this is the first time that I've traveled with so many banknotes. So if you were thinking about trying to move large stacks of banknotes without declaring them, say to avoid taxes, then you should assume that your cash will be detected by the airport x-ray machines. Just a warning.

I don't think it's enough to worry about.When I worked in the ME one employer paid everyone in USD cash.I often flew in BKK airport with over 10k in cash. Nobody asked and I didn't tell.

Mind you that was over 15 yrs ago.

I know that you're supposed to declare that amount but , oh well.

If asked I could have shown a pay advice.

One time waiting to board a plane at Heathrow to Tripoli a security fellow asked me how much cash I was carrying? I don't know why.

43 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

Not a good question - how do you ensure new farang employees (anywhere) are not lazy? 

I worked offshore for a few years before I retired. I worked days and my oppo Rusky worked niight shift.HSE Safety. I usually woke him up sleeping at the desk in the am. Talked a good BS story but lazy as f..

A few years ago a friend was looking to buy a chainsaw to clear some land in Cambodia for his wife,s family.

He had some difficulty and needed some sort of permit?

Apparently due to all the illegal logging.

Wouldn't they come with a safety relief valve and "pop" to release excess pressure when overheated? I wouldn't want to be very close to it when it did.I recall a safety investigation film years ago of a welding cylinder falling over and busted off the valves and it torpedoed through a wall.

1 hour ago, RayWright said:

Having designed Computer Rooms / Data Centers, golden rule was never to have the AirCon units facing each other, as the airflow across the room is effected, and the Temperature sensors in the units will shut the units down quicker, so you'll end up with a stop-start system, rather than a constantly running / comfort cooling system.

 

Quick question. Any reason why AirCon wasn't included in the original building design? Impact on aesthetics, electrical distribution, outdoor condenser placement etc. 

You have the most informed opinion concerning units facing each other affecting the sensors.IMHO as an old Marine Engineer.

15 hours ago, charleskerins said:

Excellent thank you , did you need to provide uploaded id and bank book?

Bank book yes.Passport..I forget but probably.

Worked perfectly in New Zealand for me a few years ago. No questions asked.

1 hour ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

link please

On Saturday night, the AESO had to issue an emergency alert asking households to conserve power to avert a “high risk” of rotating power outages, CBC wrote. That meant turning off unnecessary lights and appliances, minimizing use of electric space heaters, avoid cooking with a stove, and delaying plugging in electric vehicles or block heaters.

https://www.theenergymix.com/alberta-premier-blames-renewables-after-cold-snap-idled-gas-plants-trigger-grid-emergency/

2 hours ago, Henryford said:

You think the usufruct will help when she moves in her boyfriend and changes the locks?

Correct Mr Ford, Does he think Somchai will respect his usufruct contract? 555 this may happen sooner than later.

It sure happened to a retired RCMP acquaintance years ago.

He was away and when he came back her Somchai answered the door and not so politely told him to leave asap, which he had no option but comply.

Happens here quite often.

1 hour ago, Wydahoan said:

i Have seen it happen to my neighbor in the USA, flooded her house first floor very quickly, and she was home. She didn’t know about the shut off valve. She called me first, and not her husband, because she knew I fixed things. I have been a handyman for almost 50 years, I wouldn’t install a new washer without the top of the line washer hoses. The hoses sometimes have movement depending on the pressure and your washer, so there is actually wear and tear happening every time you do a load. If you know where an isolation valve is inside your condo, and it’s easy to get at, it wouldn’t hurt to turn that off when leaving for awhile. And if you google washer hose and insurance you might see some other stories. Sometimes it’s good to worry! 

I completely forgot about the special hoses for washing machines.I don't they excist here.They are very robust but there should always be a shut off valve nearby to open/close for convenience.

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

I think it is obvious what I am worrying about: A flooded kitchen/condominium. That is obviously something that I don't want.

I am pretty sure any water pipes in the walls will not suddenly burst, worst case they will start to leak one day.

If washing machine hoses never burst, then fine, then I don't have to worry.

But I am sure some people will close the valve to the machine after every use. And maybe some people do that because they had a bad experience. This is why I ask. And I think worrying a little about a problem which could possibly happen is not really a problem.

But maybe I don't have to worry because that just never happens...

Things break and deteriorate over time. A burst/leaking hose while you aren't home can cause a ton of damage especially in a condo situ.In my house there is a valve/tap that is opened and closed upon each and every use.Its never left in the open position when not in use. It's in my standing orders for all to see.555

For peace of mind I'd fix it. It probably won't cost a lot.

13 minutes ago, Robin said:

3 per cabin.  Hope you are all good friends.  if you have no experience of long sea journeys, think carefully.  What do you do for  long days at sea?   Eat, sleep, drink.... Always with the same group.  No chance to get away or see anything new, except Computer screens.

Remember the old song?  "What did we see?  We saw the see!

The most/least interesting time I have spent at sea was in an old diesel submarine I was serving on in the early 70,s. 28 days submerged. Modern nukes routinely do 90 days. No distractions.

21 hours ago, Mike Lister said:

Here's a few examples that may help some people. Keener eyes than mine will tell me if I made any mistakes

!

(Revised/updated) Abbreviations and Acronyms used below

TEDA = Tax Exemptions, Deductions, & Allowances

OAE = 190,000 (over age 65 years exemption)

PD = 50% of pension received, max 100,000 (deduction for pension income received)

PA1 = 60,000 (personal allowance for the tax filer)

PA2 = 60,000 (personal allowance for spouse)

ZR - zero rated for tax - 150,000 (the zero rated tax band in the tax tables)

(Note: there are additional TEDAs depending on your personal circumstances but these are the major ones most commonly used)

 

PERSON A - Single, over 65, from UK, pension income THB 50k month.

Has assessable income of 50 x 12 or 600,000 per year. Their TEDE totals (PA1, OAE, PD and ZR) or 500,000. Taxable income = 100,000 baht at 5%. Note: if married to a Thai, their TEDE increases by  or 60,000 and their taxable income is 40,000 which is taxed at 5%.

 

PERSON B  - Same as above but from USA on Social Security old age pension

This person pays no tax, married or single, because all of their income is exempt under the Double Tax Agreement between the USA and Thailand.

 

PERSON C - Either A or B above but also has some savings

If the savings were earned before 1 January 2024, there is no change to their taxable income above. IF the savings had been earned after that date, their total assessable income would increase by the same amount. AND/OR, if, they also had savings interest in Thailand during the same period, the interest earned would be added to their taxable income but this would be offset by tax withheld at source by the banks.

 

PERSON D - Under age 50, income from savings and investments.

This person has limited TADE because of their age plus there is no tax exemption on their sources of income. This person must look at whether their income was taxed at source in their home country, and on the terms and conditions (T&C) of their country's DTA, either of which may make some or all of their income tax exempt.

 

PERSON E  - Property or other capital item such as stocks or bonds

This person has owned their investment for some times but decides to sell it and transfer the funds to Thailand. The sale of the item comprises two parts, the capital that was used to buy the investment and the profit earned since.  

 

The capital used to buy the investment is free of Thai tax but the amount may need to be proven via statements etc.

 

The profit on the investment that was earned prior to 1 January 2024 is tax free but the amount should be capable of being proven hence a statement or valuation dated 1 January 2024 will be helpful.

 

The remaining profit is potentially taxable in Thailand, subject to the terms of any DTA and is added to existing Taxable Income.

 PERSON B  - Same as above but from USA on Social Security old age pension

I believe I'm dude B. Change the USA to Canada and the DTA reads about the same. Only taxable in Canada. Therefore I deem my pensions non assessable so no point in even filing. I don't have any assessable income. period.

This person pays no tax, married or single, because all of their income is exempt under the Double Tax Agreement between the Canada and Thailand.

 

 

 

2 hours ago, thpitsch said:

I found out that you can pay for your own cremation and the spreading of the ashes in the sea in advance.

I have it written in my Thai will that I wish to be cremated in the Buddhist fashion. My wife has even gone to a local temple and got an estimate. 555 apparently it's about 50k but food and booze obviously extra.

Hope they don't charge by the kilo because I'm up a couple this last year.

1 hour ago, Bobthegimp said:

Here's a relevant section for Canadian pensioners from our country's dual taxation agreement with Thailand.  I urge people from other countries to check their agreements before caving in to despair. 

Bob, I receive a company pension from Canada. So I understand that can only be taxed in Canada? What about my OAS,CPP pensions? Same?

20 hours ago, cardinalblue said:

Thailand is still a paper and pencil culture unable or unwilling to take the jump to our high tech world…

 

total lack of trust in people and unfamiliar systems so gravitate to the lowest level of a system possible - paper and black pen

That must be why the requests for so many copies and signatures for everything we do here.Banks,licence,immigration on and on.It's got to be mistrust like everyone is a natural born thief.Maybe I'm too honest for my own good.