Pdavies99

29 minutes ago, Jenkins9039 said:

You could 'put the same money' into other investments (equities, crypto, etc) and make the same money in less time due to the volatility, and without the risk associated with not actually owning it (risk outside of reasonable control).

 

Best thing Thailand needs, is a hard, harsh, down-to-earth reset.

Baht will continue to appreciate due to their offshore holdings, but domestically it will collapse, then the baht will follow (eventually), also its better to invest in South America where you can own, and will see growing demand over the next decade for tourism, I know i am currently looking at a beachside residence there, stability in Panama, Brazil for much of the living requirements, a home away from home perhaps, but the return on investment has a better outlook due to its proximity to the US and retiree's.

The Baht in reality has not appreciated at all, it's more that other currencies have depreciated what with reduced interest rates, borrowed massive amounts, high unemployment etc. Thailand has not borrowed money and being the government that it is, let's the people manage with charities to feed the starving.

As to Brazil...I assume you've been there? Hardly a great long term outlook and certainly an unsafe country!

3 hours ago, ezzra said:

Any one with cash at hand can make a killing now buying properties at rock bottom price and when things will look up, and they will, will at least double their money...

The times in the past I've heard that, businesses, condo's etc, yet I have never a met any of them, except I meet many trying to sell at a huge loss!!

4 hours ago, Swimfan said:

Not sure where you got that information from ? It’s incorrect. Pension portability is available if you have spent the last 2 years in the country before applying for the pension. For full portability you would have had to work and pay tax for 35 years. If less than 35 years you get pro rata ie if you only worked 25 years  you would only get 25/35ths of the pension 

Pension rules change on a regular basis and the basis on how Atralian Pension operate has been discussed many times in Parliamrnt, Im not trying to argue...just stating life etc changes...such as how Foreign Widows living overseas now get nothing based on deceased UK husbands Pension, that's a shame.

4 hours ago, steve187 said:

i collect my state pension next April at 66, my pension will be reduced by about £30 per week, due to contracting out for 9 years, i will have more than 35 years of contributions

 

''the Department for Work and Pensions makes individual deductions from state pensions - known as the Contracted Out Pension Equivalent or COPE'' 

taken from this web page - https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pensions/article-4094526/What-contracting-does-affect-pensions.html

Well you should be getting a contacted out pension for 9 years, in addition to the State Pension??  This is designed to make up the shortfall and if it performed slightly well then you could be better off?

It should not make any noticeable difference, and of course you can make a complaint if you feel you were wrongly advised about COPE

Ref catching up missing years for a UK State Pension:

The figure calculated to catch up missing years is far higher that voluntary contributions and the figure depends on your current age, the figures are calculated by the DSS.  Contracting out has no effect under the latest pension calculations for a UK State pension, it is purely 35 years NI contributions for a UK State pension in full.

See:   https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/deadlines

See: https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/how-its-calculated

Ref Australian State Age Claim Pension and currently living overseas at time of a proposed claim

You must be an Australian resident to make a claim for the State Age Pension.

If you are currently living overseas you have to return to Australia to claim the State Age Claim Pension.

The process can take several months and you may not be granted an Age Pension depending on your income and assetts.

Your claim for an Age Pension will also be subject to an asset test and should you exceed the asset disqualification limit, you will not receive an State Age Claim Pension.

There are certain exemptions from the asset test, such as your main residence if owned.

The current asset disqualification limits for a single, full State Age Pension applicant are $258,500 for a homeowner and $465,500 for a non-homeowner.

Should you be granted an State Age Claim Pension, you have to remain in Australia for two years, otherwise your Pension will be cancelled.

When you move overseas after the two years, your Age Pension will be paid at the ‘outside of Australia’ rate and will be subject to the work-life residency rule.

This means that if you have lived in Australia for less than 35 years between the ages of 16 and 65, you will be paid a pro rata rate.

8 hours ago, TTSIssues said:

Or send to a UK bank account and transfer it from there?

 

not answering the OP but related question, I am in the same boat re needing to top up UK pension. Is it worth it? Or is it just a waste of money? Many thanks.

Personally I think a complete waste of time....No indexation unless you live in the UK, and now not available "currently" until age 67.  

(Maybe the UK also might adopt the same rules about non residents as Australia, then you would get nothing!!)

Also for myself taking into account how much I would need to pay it would take until I am age 82 before I get a return more than what I need to give them!

A nice idea, but financially a nonsense, but good luck if you think worthwhile.

On 2/14/2020 at 6:30 AM, Andrew Dwyer said:

Prachuap Khiri Khan is a nice place, not too big, with a good beach (Ao Manao) and Hua Hin 75 clicks north if he feels the need to interact more with people speaking the same language. Plenty of fresh air and water to look at, a nice peaceful place with a great coastline.

There are a few farang friendly bars and restaurants in town, and a great market on the seafront on a weekend.

 

Not sure of housing opportunities though, maybe others can comment.

Yes, its a nice place, but no beach at all, unless as stated you go the the Ao Manao military base in a taxi etc, (too far to walk for an 80+ year old!) housing could also as said be an issue, and only very few farang bars, ie 4 or 5!

1 hour ago, brianthainess said:

He could move up the road to Ban Chang or as a post said Bang Saray or Jomtian

Possiblity, but Jomtien is packed with Russians and terrible traffic!

Ban Chang is dead in the week and very much packed with Thais on a weekend!

On 2/14/2020 at 6:29 AM, CharlieH said:

Sounds like he needs to look in the Cha-Am /Hua hin areas.

 

Will move this to that forum for local knowledge.

Completely agree, a fair balance! Not really anywhere else!

30 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

did you ask this already?

 

lifecare lab on 3rd road

Yes, they have always been very professional with all the testing eqipment etc and good prices.

11 hours ago, smedly said:

OMG, what is Thailand not telling

Sadly, Thailand is lying through its teeth, there more likely thousand infected, who are told they have "flu"!! 

Lets face it, its about face and Thailand will not admit it!!

5 minutes ago, Tayaout said:

They are talking about promoting local tourism while in the middle of a possible epidemic. 

Don't they understand "tourism" is finished until the CORONA VIRUS has been completely obliterated. People are not going to go on holiday to any country where there is a higher risk.

Forget about the fact that currently this virus is maybe not that dangerous....its like saying "Officer, I only had one drink"!!

And as for arranging concerts and shows etc...are they mad!  Lets all get together and rub hands!!

I think you will find that the issue of the TV turning off is in the settings, ie many new tV's have a timer whereby if the TV is not changed ie volume , channel etc it will turn off! This can be changed in the settings, not to happen.

As to the TVs, well the LG models that are made in Thailand are very good and well priced!

I find it hard to belive the TV is the cause of Audio delay etc, this is usually a network issue.

Best Paul

On 1/19/2020 at 1:42 PM, Artisi said:

There is many posts addressing this problem, suggest doing a search and review some of the comments, many comments are useless but in amongst it all is some worthwhile commentary.

 

Possibly a floor drain with water barrier could be the answer. 

 

Stupid builders...In Thailand they don't bother having a U bend water trap built in, hence smell..You can buy a water drain part that fits on the outlet very easily.  Also you could fit a exhause vent on the sewer tank ie the type that spin around.

I would not worry about it...you see they will not be maintained or serviced, they will break down within 6 -12 months and will be another waste of time!!

Nothing is serviced in Thailand!

Was 66 earlier in Nong Khai, unlucky where you live!

23 hours ago, Just Weird said:

All the courier companies do, they have to, as they're contracted by the Customs Dept to collect duty on behalf of the department.

Answered yourself,  don't use a courier, arrange through Thai post, then no problem, most know this?

23 hours ago, Max69xl said:

Do you keep your phone in your checked in luggage? 

Ha ha! never!

3 hours ago, UTH001 said:

Bought a blender on aliexpress a few weeks ago. The item was $62 (Baht 1,860), the import duty and fees were Baht 765. First time ever I had to pay such fees when buying online. I felt the duty was way over the top but what can one do...

Depends who delivers, DHL automatically charge duty every time.

On 12/29/2019 at 10:07 PM, Kwarium said:

In Sept. there was a news item about new xray machines at swampy for arriving luggage and a statement that all bags will be scanned by the new year.

 

It would be great to hear updates on the current situation with the red and green lanes after baggage claim.

 

Now that phones cost 30,000 I think 20,000 maximum is ridiculously low for a duty free allowance!

 

Any recent travelers have experiences to share? 

The x ray machines were originally meant to be and running for January 2019!

Whilst I believe they might be running now, there are just far too many arrivals to check all bags and even if they were checked they need them working and looking at the results which Thais are very good at!!!

Never had any issues with bags full of food and electronics so I don't think any change at all, now or in the future.  

The only news has been about Thais being caught with million baht jewellery etc, but as we know they like to show they are Hi-So!!

22 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

Yes, but unfortunately I live in a small resort where I rent a villa. Landlady would not allow! 

Unfortunate!

5 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

I also live out in the sticks and I have the same problem. In my case it is NOT the power supply, but being on mains water supply from PWA, it is the WATER PRESSURE. My shower unit has a safety switch which disables the heat supply to avoid scolding water. Low pressure = no warm water, only cold! As I type, our local water supply is shut, so at this moment no water at all! This always happens in the dry season here in Issan when mains water supply is rationed/restricted from the reservoirs. I keep large plastic containers filled with water in reserve.

 Just buy a water tank and pump? Problem ref water finished!

On 12/21/2019 at 2:14 PM, Onrai said:

I went to Chiang Khan immigration yesterday to do my retirement visa 90 day reporting. She looked at my passport and said since been out of the country my 90 day reporting wasn’t required until I had been in thailand 90 days. In other words, since I travel out of the country every month to two months I won’t need to do my 90 day reporting until my 1 year retirement visa is to be renewed. 

See- Immigration.go.th. This was a very pleasant surprise to me, as long spend less than 90 days in Thailand no 90 day reporting required. 

As stated in other posts the tm-30 reporting can be done on line and there is no need to report to immigrations if you have left and returned to your Amphur. 

 

 

Never been any different, I believe