Stocky

1 hour ago, Mike Lister said:

Interest rates are only one part of the picture, they change and can equalise very quickly. The other part of the picture is the exchange rate.

Very true.

The Singapore Dollar has appreciated some 20% against the Thai Baht since 2020, which has more than compensated for price rises in Thailand during the same period.

6 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Well, your post suggested that HSBC in the UK may be doing something untoward that HSBC Sing isn't

I was suggesting nothing of the sort, just highlighting the fact that de-banking in the UK is a possibility; something banking in Singapore obviates. 

2 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

That's because HSBC Singapore know that you're a non-resident expat and they allow it!   HSBC (UK) doesn't for non-residents, they're not doing anything that they're not obligated to do.

Exactly, so what's your point? 

11 hours ago, persimmon said:

Is there any way of avoiding x-rate worries though , apart from holding large amounts of Baht , which most people won`t want to do ?

Singapore Dollar to Thai Baht exchange rate is fairly stable and the Singapore economy and banking system are solid. It has traded around Bht24 to the SGD the last twenty years, makes forward planning a little easier. 

1 hour ago, proton said:

 

True but muslims are still innocent Thais and they often hate each other more than the kafir. The roots of the conflict I don't think I have mentioned, it's the reason they are using terror to attempt to get their own demands met that is the problem, and that is down to the fake prophet they worship, a self confessed terrorist.

'I have been made victorious with terror' - Mohammad. Sahih Bukhari 2977

 

 

When governments don't listen the disaffected often take up arms. Southern Thailand is no different.

All prophets are fake, you're foaming at the mouth again.

33 minutes ago, proton said:

Are you disputing the numbers of victims or the perpetrators? 

No, if anything the numbers are higher, but that's victims from both sides of the divide, some 60% of victims have been local Muslims, many of whom have been killed by fellow Muslims.

What I dispute is your simplistic label of 'Islamic Terrorism' - it demonstrates a lack of understanding of the roots of the conflict, and the complexity of current insurgency; it isn't simply a religious conflict. There are conflicts between the state and the various factions of the insurgency, the state and the local population, and between the various factions of the insurgents, and between the insurgents and the local Muslim population. But given your posting history, whether reflecting on the city of Leicester, Halal tourism, or the southern conflict, regardless what I say Islam and Muslim are trigger words that have you frothing at the mouth, consequently you have scant regard for facts.

Give it rest, you spout the same ignorant clap-trap topic after topic.

I use HSBC Singapore for about about 75% of savings and investments, 23% in the UK in property and savings, and just 2% in Thailand. Easy to manage and move funds from Singapore and it's nearby if you ever need to visit the bank.

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1 hour ago, VinnieK said:

Main attraction is the cooler temps 

Is it so?

I guess it's relative, but the difference between Betong at 280m elevation and Hat Yai at 10m elevation isn't really that much. Humidity levels are similar, but annual rainfall is higher. I don't know anyone living there, it's pleasant enough, though the last time I was there is nearly 30 years ago. Easy flight connections from Penang, only 125km away.

On 2/23/2024 at 4:55 PM, CanadaSam said:

Some of you may remember the ruckus when some tourists wrote a review of a hotel in Koh Chang.

Why exactly is this posted in the Southern Thailand Forum?

Perhaps a Mod can move it to the Eastern Thailand Forum or the recycle bin.

Ask Traifinders for the e-ticket number

With the booking reference they can do it on the Qatar website, though depending on the class of ticket they bought it might incur an additional cost.

https://www.qatarairways.com/en/complement-your-journey/preferred-seat.html

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1 hour ago, NoDisplayName said:

WISE has the better conversion rate, but their fee increases with the amount transferred.  Does it ever increase to the point that a SWIFT is a better value?  I dunno.........

Depends on the currency and the margin between buy and sell. For all the currency I've looked at changing to THB, with the exception of USD, Wise remains the better option, regardless the amount, because the margin is wide. The USD trades on a narrow margin because its so widely traded, and above about USD10,000 then Wise is no longer the better option. Certainly for GBP, EUR, AUD and SGD then Wise is best.

But with anything to do with finance, always best to do your own homework.

Gammulous - a pointless waste of Internet bandwidth 

On 2/18/2024 at 2:23 AM, HalAndLois said:

 

 

You do realize that the non-missionaries in this picture didn't develop writing, agriculture, domesticated animals, sails, medicine, like anything.  Peoples all over the world looked at the stars at night and from that developed math and science.  Not so in this picture.  Watch Mel Gibson's movie

Apokalypto for a view of the best civilization man could develop in the absence of God.  So while a particular criticism may be valid, it has to be considered in light of the available alternatives or, as Churchill said, "It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried."  

I'm still puzzling over this response.

The 'picture' is a cartoon with generic natives, so I have no idea as to whether they were literate farmers or not.

As for Mel Gibson's Apokalypto, a portrayal of Mayan society directed by a rabid Catholic. The Mayan civilization did have gods, they built great pyramidal temples to them, they had agriculture, animal husbandry, were literate, numerate, well organised with a civil society. Though, I'm guessing from your capitalisation of god and it being singular, not your god, and there's the rub. The most common reason for bloodshed throughout human history is religion, born out a belief that my god(s) are better than you god(s). The Mayan civilization was one of several destroyed by the arrival of the Conquistadors and their religion.

The world would be far better for having no gods to spill blood for.

3 hours ago, bamnutsak said:

Note that other than Bangkok and Pattaya City (and maybe the village headman), there are no elected provincial officials. All provincial officials, including the Governors, are controlled and appointed by the Minister of the Interior

That's incorrect. Whilst the provincial governors are appointed by the Minister of the Interior, the local council and the mayor of each city and town municipality are directly elected by the local electorate.

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I set it to 26°C when in the room, and turn it down to 24°C for sleep. Night time temperature in Hat Yai seldom gets below 26°C this time of year with a humidity is 80-90%, it's uncomfortable without A/C.

45 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

 

This is not a Thai thing Take a look at Pakistan.  To a greater extent, this is an Asian thing.  How many countries in Asia have free elections that are not controlled.

Not just Asia, there's just not that many fully democratic countries.

8 hours ago, HalAndLois said:

Watch Mel Gibson's movie Apokalypto for a view of the best civilization man could develop in the absence of God.

Is this a joke?

10 minutes ago, digger70 said:

Maybe they clamp down on me next time.

Or maybe not.

I've never found the Hat Yai IO particularly problematic, I just followed the list they gave me, so no idea if I could have got away with one only, from your experience quite possibly. The wife picks up the forms and list of documents a couple of weeks before my extension runs out. I just do what they request - anything for an easy life! 

34 minutes ago, digger70 said:

Must have just come in then. I done mine in End of August last year in Hat Yai ,Just a Black and white Google map Print out  No problem. 

Been using Same print out for many Years.

It was required last May when I got my extension and was needed the previous two years too - item 2.6.

Maybe they've dropped it.