jaideedave

In the past I would book a flight to either PP or Siem Reap for a week to avoid Songkran. These days I just stay close to home and only venture outside for necessities in the AM.

13 minutes ago, marin said:

If you have to make the call phone number to phone number you may want to try 00500 + country code and number. I know to the USA its much cheaper Oz is more like 6B a minute.

I've been using the 00500 prefix for a few years now.Cheap and almost always good connections. No muss no fuss.A couple baht/minute AIS

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The Government of Thailand‘s plan to partially finance its 500-billion-baht digital wallet handout scheme through a 172.3 billion baht loan from the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperative is set to undergo legality verification by the Council of State. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who also stated that the government will seek advice from its legal arm to ensure the lawfulness of the scheme.

 

“There is a plan to create a super app for the scheme, which would require additional funding from taxpayers.”

 

The 62 year old Thai prime minister reassured the public that the government would fully explain the situation once the app is ready. PM Srettha also emphasised the government’s commitment to transparency, promising that the scheme would be open to public scrutiny.

The proposed handout scheme, a flagship policy of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, involves distributing 10,000 baht to 50 million Thais through a “super app” developed by the Digital Economy and Society Ministry. The app is designed to be utilised by all banks in an open-loop model.

The Bangkok-born prime minister, who also serves as the finance minister, expressed optimism that the scheme, set to roll out in the fourth quarter, would spur the economy, boosting the GDP by 1.2 to 1.6%.

 

Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat elucidated the financing strategy for the digital wallet scheme. The scheme will be funded through three sources, with 152.7 billion baht drawn from the 2025 fiscal year budget.

 

Budget reallocation

 

The 172.3 billion baht loan from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives’ budget for the 2025 fiscal year will be disbursed to 17.23 million farmers. The remaining 175 billion baht will be sourced from the current fiscal year’s budget reallocation.

 

However, the plan to borrow from the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperative has drawn criticism. Critics argue that this mirrors the Pheu Thai’s loss-ridden rice-pledging programme under the former Yingluck Shinawatra administration, said Jurin Laksanawisit, a Democrat Party list MP.

 

“This is an exact replica of the rice-pledging scheme. They share the same DNA. The government will now borrow 172.3 billion from the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperative. Combined with the more than 200 billion baht debt incurred by the rice scheme, the Pheu Thai-run governments will owe the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperative about 400 billion baht.”

 

The government has yet to detail how it will repay the loan it plans to take from the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperative to fund the digital wallet scheme.

 

Nipon Poapongsakorn, a distinguished fellow at the Thailand Development Research Institute, urged the government to provide these details. He also pointed out that the 500-billion-baht handout was a short-term measure intended to secure political gains ahead of the next election, despite the economy’s current state of recovery.

 

by Mitch Connor

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-04-12

 

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Me thinks they're trying to figure a way out of the mess.How not to proceed without losing face. Blame it on.....? 

15 minutes ago, Seppius said:

 

I like Foodmart, but you are right, I buy very little meat from there, also check ex dates on the pies in the chiller. I like the sauerkraut they sell in bags B90, much better for you than tinned or in a  jar 

Yes I'm not bashing them because I still shop there but I don't but meat there anymore. Their bakery is pretty good.

8 minutes ago, Chivas said:

 

I was tugged at Gatwick last month by Customs (randomly for sure)

 

Do you have more than £1000 on you was the 5th question (45,000 Baht)

 

Several years ago I was lined up at a kiosk at the boarding gate for a flight to Tripoli and a suit slid up to me and politely asked how much cash I was carrying?

11 minutes ago, Hellfire said:

He did not state what currency he wants to take with him. But what normal person will want to take 500 k thai money to another country with him? It is definitely US dollars.

If he has 500k in USD cash I'm thinking there will be more than a few eyebrows raised.He definitely has to declare it no matter what or risk being detained and the cash confiscated. Is he here on a tourist visa or ? Something just doesn't add up. 

If he has 500k in THB he'll have to exchange it somewhere before he can spend it...even Laos or Cambodia. Maybe a Myanmar General gave it to him for safe keeping. sheesh

12 hours ago, Banana7 said:

I don't gurn, I say it with a straight face, it's a rip-up job. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. Beach Road has been ripped up, as bad or worse, than shown above, 3 times in the last 10 years. Your photos show a complete replacement or new construction of the complete walkway, not a rip-up, in my opinion.

 

In about 3+ years, maybe sooner, there will be some new reason to rip up the street again. After all, the new multiple million baht storm sewers on Beach Road are still inadequate and the street floods multiple times and washes away many parts of the beach, each and every year. So they need to be replaced or redesigned causing replacement of walkways, roadways, perhaps even some utilities.  The huge temporary pumps aren't adequate, are an eye sore and are an after thought to try to compensate for inadequate engineering design.

 

I don't know anything about what others have stated, the brown envelopes need to keep flowing, to support payments for certain fancy houses, cars, etc. I imagine lots are currently flowing from the Jomtien beach road job, and will continue for 2 or 3 years. They could double-up the take, by finding/making new reasons.

 

 

I moved to Pattaya in late 2004.They were working on Beach Rd then and ever since. At that time they were drilling horizontally to bury the cables. These are all "make work" projects IMHO. 

Another example is the meridian cement curb smack down the middle of Thepprasit Rd.Why? 

Jomtien was quite acceptable I thought but now you can expect years of construction along there. It will most likely ruin a few businesses as collateral damage.

5 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Why?

It's useless anywhere but here.. I had 20k cash in Canada a few years back and changed it at a currency exchange.They didn't want it at first but in the end gave me a very poor ex rate.Big mistake on my part.

Whenever I used to go to Cambodia I always bought USD here to take with me and never any issues.

On 12/17/2020 at 5:08 PM, WaveHunter said:

I went there to Foodland on Thappraya since it's right next to my condo, and bought Brahman Rib-Eye because back in the States I love Rib-Eye. 

 

It looked nice being a thick cut and all marbled and everything, so I bought 5 of them to keep in my freezer and one to cook for dinner that night.

 

Maybe Rib-Eye means something different here in Thailand but it was probably the worst steak I've ever had!  It was so tough it was hard to cut with a steak knife, had lots of gristle, and was not juicy at all, and had no flavor to speak of!

 

I know how to pan-fry steak so the fault was not in preparation.  The next day I tried to tenderize it with course kosher salt for an hour before cooking...and not much improvement at all.

 

If I love American Rib-eye steak, what should I be looking for here in Thailand, and where should I be looking...because Brahman Rib-Eye is clearly not it, and that was the best I saw at FoodLand, so Foodland is not the place to go.

Forget Foodmart for beef steak.I bought a frozen rib eye and when I was cooking it I began to realize it was one continuous piece of meat like a string? It was shaped like a steak but hand formed from some off cut. I was very pissed off with this crap! I should have taken a pic and exposed them.

51 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

But you can't stay over night when you really need comfort, unless you hide behind some boxes.

Besides it will be a dead giveaway if they spot the sleeping bag.

On 4/10/2024 at 7:28 AM, KhunLA said:

Turn the AC on, or sit in the shade with a breeze (or fan), and sip a cool beverage.  Think about a month or 2 of windy, bitter cold back in the mother land.   

 

Those days when I was walking out an aircraft, and the snow was coming sideways in the wind, and I could barely see anything.   Or up in the bucket, deicing the plane, only to have it get delayed from take off, return, and need to get deiced again.   Damn Global Warming

 

Appreciate & Enjoy the weather.

 

How hot .... DAMN HOT

At the surf yesterday, and it looked good, from inside the car w/AC on, after walking the dog for about half hour.

 

Looking for 35 today, maybe feels like 40, a cool front.

I'm thinking coffee shop, surfside with and iced Cappuccino & brownie might be on the afternoon's agenda 

This unfrozen Canuck remembers ice forming on my eyelids walking to school in winter on some days. I rarely complain about the heat anymore.

And no,not uphill both ways.

31 minutes ago, Thumbs said:

The police are doing the right thing (i know world turning upside down) she has no physical injuries from the assault and mental harm is hard to prove definitively, if she continues to push the mental issues she is allegedly suffering from she might have her medical license suspended (depending what type of doctor she is )

 

she is definitely enjoying he 3 weeks of fame and is desperate to remain in the spotlight, 

Very interesting opinion indeed. I'd have to think a bit if I wanted my health placed under the care of a young Dr suffering from PTSD?

Perhaps the Royal Thai Army could find a place for her with a salary double that of a 7-11 employee. 555

46 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I think it is amazing how many farangs here want that the Swiss guy should go to jail and be thrown out of Thailand and whatever else punishment.

Is what he did really such a huge crime in your eyes?

Did you do ever anything illegal in Thailand, maybe pay a girl for a service or so? Remember, that is illegal in Thailand. You should go to jail and thrown out. Or maybe not?

 

Yes, he did something wrong, and he should be punished. But he didn't kill her. He didn't injure her so that she couldn't walk. He didn't injure her so that she is permanently disabled. He kicked her, it hurt a little, and that was about it. 

Ya but when she fell out of the ugly tree she hit every branch on the way down

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Every Airline I've been on does that....  (asks the passenger to put their seat upright at meal times).

 

There's also nothing wrong with putting the seat back (in eco) either, its their right to be able to put their seat back...  just so long as the person in front is courteous about it and indicates that they are are about to do so (basic manners thats all).

 

 

 

 

Thats one way to out-yourself of the forum (and on flights) as a grade A1 ayhole...   

 Who cares! If someone is rude enough to slam their seat back into the back into my face then I'm rude enough to give them a shoulder check. 

In one case a young lady pushed her seat full back at meal time at the person seated next to me. Flight attendant saw this happen and asked her to please return the seat to upright.The reply was "no" I don't want to.She never did and no consequences. She was an ayhole...   

 

 

 

 

On 4/5/2024 at 4:00 PM, newnative said:

      At this point in time everyone knows, or should know, about the big problems that Airbnb and the like cause with some condo projects.  I say 'some' condo projects because it is not a big problem for every project.  Those that seem to have the most problems are: #1.  new or newer projects.  #2.  large projects with 500 units or more.  And #3, the trifecta:  new or newer large projects in popular tourist areas with most of the units in the 30 to 35 sqm range.

     Someone doing illegal daily rentals will love #3.  A new project in a tourist area with a large number of small units will allow this type of investor to easily purchase multiple new units all at one time, to maximize profits and staff economics.  And, the popular tourist area will, hopefully, provide a steady stream of illegal short-term tourist renters.  The small units now being built are cheaper to buy than larger units and work well as illegal hotel rooms.

      Speaking from experience, I owned condos at three different, new at the time, large projects in Pattaya in prime tourist areas.  All three projects had around 1000 units or more, with most of the units in the 30 to 35 sqm range.  All three projects became plagued with illegal short-term rentals.  I no longer own any of the condos.  On the plus side, the projects were popular and I was able to sell all at a profit--I just didn't want to live long-term at any of them.

      When I finally smartened up, the last condo I owned before moving to a house was at an older condo project with less than 100 units, with the smallest unit size at 64 sqm.  Quite a difference--I felt like I was living in a residence rather than a very busy,noisy, unpleasant hotel.  

     At this point, it's really a case of the old saying, buyer beware.   Check very carefully before buying.  What is the project's attitude towards illegal short-term rentals?  What specific measurements are in place to deter owners from doing illegal short-term rentals?  How effective are they and how is the enforcement--good or bad?   Spend time observing at a project you are interested in and talk with residents and staff.

    Although I no longer own there, I still get the newsletter of the last condo project I owned at.  Even though short-term rentals were not a big problem, the project is still being proactive by putting in facial recognition technology.  Each condo is limited to 6 facial scans and to be scanned into the system you need to show either condo ownership or a rental contract of at least 6 months.  This is the sort of thing to be looking for, technology that will make it more difficult to do the illegal rentals, and a project that is not ambivalent about cracking down, due to too many investment owners.

A few months ago I moved into a condo complex in Jomtien.I did a lot of research 1st and visited the place a couple times and spoke to the jurisdic staff. I'm well aware of the Air B&NB issues.This place has posters on every entrance in 3 languages about the place NOT being a hotel.After 3 months I've not notced any folks with suitcases coming and going.

Only issue I have is with whoever lives above me likes to drag the furniture around day and night. Also a lot of long faced Ivans who are the least friendly folks I've ever met in my 73 years. A "good morning" in the lift only produces a look that says "who the f are you" 555   

2 hours ago, CANSIAM said:

I personally enjoy when an inconsiderate prick in the seat in front of you has his seat fully reclined at meal times.......

I was forced to fly a lot for work at one time.Those who chose to fully recline their seats in front of me (economy) were treated to an "accidental" jolt every time I had to get up.

I finally wised up and had my employer upgrade me to BC at my expense. No more econo flights for me unless only a few hours.

Even in retirement the trip from BKK>Toronto is 24 hours door to door I paid the extra for BC with EVA. However those trips are no longer on my agenda.

2 hours ago, Korat Kiwi said:

Never ending money pit

She's sitting on a gold mine, so they say 555

3 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

That's the dilemma: you opened the borders just to stipulate economy. But on the other hand you can't stop criminals to enter the country.

A stricter control would be desirable. 

It's a matter of law enforcement.🙏

Oops, the head chief of the RTP and his 2 IC are both in the penalty box under investigation. Who's got the keys?

29 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

Something just occurred to me. If the ONLY change is this loophole is being closed then does that imply we've all been evading taxes all these years UNLESS we used the loophole? Obviously most of us never even knew about the loophole so what's really changing? Seems like we're in the same position now as we ever were.

555, back in the day I worked in the O&G Industry in the ME and LOS and brought in hundreds of thousands of USD over time with no questions asked.

Am I guilty of tax evasion? Its mostly long gone so good luck to them if they can find it they can have it.

16 hours ago, Dolf said:

She is faking it. Trying to get money.

She is being coached by someone.IMHO