Pdavies99

On 11/26/2020 at 9:10 AM, kingofthemountain said:

Well it seems Paypal have had in the last months a lot of problems with account members being hacked.

 

Their answer so far has been to put in place a new safety protocol wich consists in sending you a key number 

on your phone, and with this key number you can access to your account.

 

The problem is if you have changed your phone number in the real life, like it happens to a lot of us on a regular basis 

for multiple reasons, but you don't have updated your new phone number on your paypal account you are not able anymore

to access to your account.

 

To update your phone number on your account, you need to loggin in the account

to loggin to your account, you need the key number send by paypal on your old phone number

it's a catch 22.

 

Of course the only way to contact paypal if you have a problem to access to your account

is to send a message using your account, again a catch 22

 

A lot of people aren't anymore able to access at their money in their paypal account

and it seems there is no any solution to resolve this problem.

 

I wonder if someone here have the same issue and have been able to solve it

or there is no any solution and it's really a way for Paypal to put the hand on millions of $ ?

Never had a problem?  I use them on a weekly basis for all types of transactions. Updated address and updated country and telephone number, no issues?

On 6/6/2020 at 11:42 PM, ezzra said:

DHL FedEx and others will always scan/open all packages and tax and VAT them even items valued under $50, as for meds, best to enclose and have extra copy of doctor's prescription if any or a pharmacy receipt to show the value of said items... also best to send either EMS or other past postal deliveries stay away for the Couriers companies when possible...

Quite correct, it's always best to find out what delivery service will be used at the Thailand end! For example using the UK postal service "Royal Mail" the delivery in Thailand  is the standard Thai Post service, and if Express or Registered I never ever have had an issue, in fact even standard post is okay.  Of course, it helps to make sure your Thai wife etc, has a cordial attitude with the postman!

Even posting to UK, it is only about 89 baht for registered post by Thai post, you can track even to the time delivered in the UK and takes normally about 3-4 days.

If you want potential problems , then DHL and FED EXPRESS will give you everything you want, ie Import charges etc.

You need to dress more appropriately!

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!

More false news!

This is a picture of the Mekong river at Nong Khai, as you can see it is fairly full, so China cannot be blamed here, I think the dam further down at LAOS is clearly to blame, along with Farmers trying to pump out water for multiple annual rice growing!  

I have been to many other rivers from China into the borders atThailand and most or many look okay?

8 minutes ago, mrfill said:

That map is from 2013. An updated version (upd 2017) can be found here https://www.internationalrivers.org/resources/mekong-mainstream-dams-map-16481

 

 

Well looking at that, and my photos of the river and Nong khai which I believe is probably north of Udon Than, then I can only surmise the issue is the dam at Ban Koum in Laos? (Not trying to argumentative! )

4 hours ago, keith101 said:

I just came back from Savanakhet and the Mekong was well up with no beach in sight as the bus was going over the bridge back into Mukdahan . 

Looks okay to me at Nong Khai! I can only assume the Ban Khoum dam is the issue in Laos downstream!

Nong Khai, the Mekong is perfectly okay, usual height, flowing well, nothing special about it! More likely too many farmers pumping out water downstream?