fasteddie

Deport and blacklist all foreigners caught with drugs.

Not guns? but drugs! you sir are seriously fecked up.

Im not an expert but does it look like they should be in a museum ?

Just because they're old doesn't mean there's no market for them

Recently there was this on the internet.

'Italian Army WW2 Combat Rifles For Sale. Good Condition. Only Dropped Once.'

LOL

Why is this fascist still running free and not in jail yet? And the army seems to protect him because they are at his side.

because he and the army unlike quite a few posters on Thai Visa want what is best for Thailand. Not only want it but have taken action towards that end.

What have you done besides criticize them for it?

Oh please! They want what is best for them and their paymasters and couldn't give a toss about Thailand. They want it all and do not wish to share with farmers and their ilk. If they cared about Thailand they would not keep dragging it back to the dark ages, they would support the democratic process and the rule of law, both of which they have refused to do.

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Umm ... then why are they paying the farmers?

If the farmers have got problems with being ripped off, they should look a bit closer to home ... at the rich business people and politicians in their own provinces.

Because it's great PR and they can. Strange there's money now, but not when Khun Yingluck was PM, could it be the elite bankers colluded to help bring down a legitimate, legal, democratically elected government? Surely not, I must be deluded, but then again I am just a red troll according to some.

We must remember these cowardly "men in black" were using unarmed protesters or just people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time as cover and unfortunately they were the ones who got killed, if the protesters had dispersed as ordered by the army there would have been less casualties.

Maybe the protest leaders should be on trial not Abhisit or Suthep.

Absolute codswallop! And the protest leaders have been banged up for years.

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Why is this fascist still running free and not in jail yet? And the army seems to protect him because they are at his side.

because he and the army unlike quite a few posters on Thai Visa want what is best for Thailand. Not only want it but have taken action towards that end.

What have you done besides criticize them for it?

Oh please! They want what is best for them and their paymasters and couldn't give a toss about Thailand. They want it all and do not wish to share with farmers and their ilk. If they cared about Thailand they would not keep dragging it back to the dark ages, they would support the democratic process and the rule of law, both of which they have refused to do.

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Cost Of Living???

So, at last, for all you Abhisit haters, it wasn't him that gave the order.

As for the shooting "order" itself, I'm surprised it didn't come much, much sooner when dealing with armed terrorists that were terrorizing the civilian population at the time. They had plenty of warnings to leave, they chose to stay, they chose to shoot, bomb, kill, maim and terrorize.

At the end of the day, Thaksin got exactly what he wanted at that time . . . and he paid well for it I am sure.

As small correction to your first line - this is Suthep's version of events. I don't think they are quite through with him yet.

I think the casualties has more to do with the RTA not being up for the task of crowd control and dispersal. You cannot

seriously claim that all those killed were armed, or even wore black shirts.

They were idiots raising hell, shooting and rioting, and paid and dressed in red, told to go home, fought troops, who got what they certainly sought & deserved; that we can claim.

What a load of reactionary right wing claptrap. You really are a nasty piece of work.

Suthep admitted ordering troops to shoot at rioters with real shotguns but at below the knee level

Oh, that's OK then. What a fine upstanding gentleman.

Some buildings still upstanding thanks to him putting an end to the ludicrous terror and rioting, looting and burning.

Ah yes, nothing like killing nurses, medics, journalists and innocent bystanders to stop the protests started by the fascist overthrow of an elected government.

Sorry, posted the same link.

Malwarebytes and superantispyware.

Very surprised the 2 Israeli's took a beating.

Israeli's will normally give a lot more than they get.

You think? I made an Israeli ex soldier cry because he said I rode too fast on my scooter, Pussies.

I'm somewhat perplexed that a poster who has been a member of this forum since 2009 and has more than 1200 posts under his belt would ask such a naïve, newbie type question!

He frequently posts vehemently about Thai politics, but knows nothing about COL and visa issues?

I note he hasn't been back to his thread to respond to any answers.

While an interesting discussion for many, I have to wonder about the OP's motives in starting it.

Im sorry I've somewhat perplexed you, simple answer is, I'm a live for the moment type, never been organised or a planner, never thought about retirement but now I've reached 65 I'm thinking about it. Had a longtime association with Thailand, first visited in '66, then not again till '88 but since many times including 2 times for 12 months, 3. times for 6 months, numerous 3 months and even a fair splattering of month or shorter trips. Got a future wife in Ao Nang and a really good deal on a small bungalow we've had since 2009. My choice is basically, keep working and only visit once a year for 3 weeks but live quite well in the UK, or go for it and see how the cookie crumbles.

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Just like you, I was a member of Thaivisa for 5 years, and visited many times for longer and longer periods, before I moved here, so I shouldn't really be perplexed.

A few differences, I was studying for, and planning, my move from day one, so I knew everything possible about COL, visas, etc, I could without actually being there. And, I stay out of local politics!

It greatly depends on what you are leaving behind, but I would say go for it if the money works for you. Owning a residence makes a huge difference.

However, I don't think I would have been brave enough to do it on your level of income.

Good luck.

What is COL?

I do stay out of local politics, especially as all my local friends are yellow and I'm not. I have one friend of 20yrs I have spoken a bit to, but even he's the same, they all just look down on northern people and refuse to see them as equals.

Is it necessary or desirable to get a thai bank account or is it just as easy and cheap to use my UK bank?

Why not, if you are living here it makes sense. I would suggest Bangkok Bank they seem to offer the closest standard to what we are used to at home. But keep the UK account and ATM card, it can be useful.

If I marry my thai g/f, what kind of visa will I get that does away with visa runs?

I can never remember the letter but yes and you will just have to do a 90 day appearance at Immigration. The income requirements are much lower than a Retirement Visa, 400K for over two months or 40,000 per month income.

Anybody got any links to insurance for retired farangs?

I use AXA for international cover but sit down before you call them!

Oh! and I'd just like to add, I aint got the money for a retirement visa and I'm already renting a bungalow in Ao Nang for 3,500baht a month.

That is cheap, over her in Phuket you wouldn't even get a room for that, maybe a miniature one !

S

Are you serious about those money requirements? I aint even got that unless the baht nosedives.

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@ajarnsiam said "It is against UK law to claim a pension on the basis of a fraudulent UK residence when you are registered and living as a retiree in Thailand. I'm not sure what the penalty would be for this, but I guess it could jeopardise your pension rights as well as giving you a criminal record."

Australian Centrelink (Social Security) records are now linked to airport/immigration records so they know when you come and go automatically - so you could not achieve the above if you tried.

Don't suppose I would be registered as a retiree, wouldn't be on a.retirement visa just a marriage one?

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I'm somewhat perplexed that a poster who has been a member of this forum since 2009 and has more than 1200 posts under his belt would ask such a naïve, newbie type question!

He frequently posts vehemently about Thai politics, but knows nothing about COL and visa issues?

I note he hasn't been back to his thread to respond to any answers.

While an interesting discussion for many, I have to wonder about the OP's motives in starting it.

Im sorry I've somewhat perplexed you, simple answer is, I'm a live for the moment type, never been organised or a planner, never thought about retirement but now I've reached 65 I'm thinking about it. Had a longtime association with Thailand, first visited in '66, then not again till '88 but since many times including 2 times for 12 months, 3. times for 6 months, numerous 3 months and even a fair splattering of month or shorter trips. Got a future wife in Ao Nang and a really good deal on a small bungalow we've had since 2009. My choice is basically, keep working and only visit once a year for 3 weeks but live quite well in the UK, or go for it and see how the cookie crumbles.

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The maximum UK state pension is currently GBP 113.10 pw, assuming you have paid full contributions, but fixed at that rate forever in Thailand (no cost of living increase).

So where does your GBP 163 pw come from?

I reached 65 years old in 2011 (three years ago) and receive the maximum UK pension fixed at GBP 105.48 pw (which includes a small amount for "graduated" pension).

As you see, the value of the UK pension in Thailand will decrease over time considering inflation. Will it be worth anything in 20-years time?

You obviously opted out of SERPS and are receiving those contributions by some other means.

I left the UK to work overseas in 1973 and then paid voluntary Class 3 contributions sufficient for the maximum basic UK pension. Hence, the SERPS contribution was only for one or two years and doesn't amount to much.

I would still like to know how the OP has a UK gov pension of GBP 163.

On expenses in Thailand, I keep detailed records and my ACTUAL average monthly expenditure in Bangkok (with wife and kid) are as follows:

2010 = 33,418 baht / month.

2011 = 41,477 baht / month.

2012 = 43,781 baht / month.

2013 = 41,405 baht / month.

I own my own condo outright (but I have another condo). Above does not include school fees, health expenses, capital items (new washing machine, etc), travel, car maintenance, entertainment, and hobbies.

I definitely do not live a lavish lifestyle.

Good luck on 38K a month.

It is quite easy if you spent your working life in the UK. My pension is larger than that and is made up of 5 components. The largest after the basic is the "earnings related"

You need to pay class 1 contributions to get the additional state pension. On the NHS issue it is only class 1 that carries the NH contribution. When they talk about 10 years contributions, they mean 10 years class 1.

I haven't spent all my working life in the UK, but most of it, and obviously enough as that is the quote the lady in the pension office gave me when I signed on.

Thanks for all the replies so far folks, I must admit to being surprised at the response.

A couple of questions if I may.

Is it necessary or desirable to get a thai bank account or is it just as easy and cheap to use my UK bank?

If I marry my thai g/f, what kind of visa will I get that does away with visa runs?

Anybody got any links to insurance for retired farangs?

Once again thanks, been very interesting so far.

Oh! and I'd just like to add, I aint got the money for a retirement visa and I'm already renting a bungalow in Ao Nang for 3,500baht a month.

The plane was not shot down by the Americans. Do you think the US could fly around territory under the control of other countries without being noticed or without notifying them? Do you think that they start shooting live ammunition at planes without consultation from others? Do you think that the somebody, especially the Chinese wouldn't be screaming bloody murder if they thought their citizens had been killed by the US?

The area was not US controlled airspace, the US would have little access to information on flights in someone else's airspace. They would take an interest in monitoring any activity around their ships, but it's not their airspace and it's not their responsibility to identify what is going on. MAS wouldn't be notifying the US of planes flying near it's ships either.

Ah but Diego Garcia is American airspace and the Rolls Royce engines recorded around 4 hours of operation from the last point of contact which is around 2,000 miles. Diego Garcia is about 2,100 miles.

Just sayin'

There was NO recording of 4 hours of operation by the Rolls Royce engines. ACARS did not transmit engine data again after the Top Of Climb report, before MH370 went silent. There is evidence that the engines continued to function for 6-7 hours after that, but only from the Inmarsat analysis of the Sat pings.

I beg to differ, the engines, as in all Rolls Royce engines fitted to civilian airliners, were in constant contact with Rolls Royce whilst they were in operation, and these engines were reported by Rolls Royce, soon after the incident, to have been in operation for four hours after the last point of contact.

I've just reached retirement age and am considering retirement in Krabi, well Ao Nang actually. I'd like to hear from any Brits living in Thailand on just a UK state pension, is it possible or even worth it? I've been informed I'll be getting £163pw, which at the moment is about 38,000baht per month. Will I still receive all of that in Thailand? Any advice would be helpful.

The plane was not shot down by the Americans. Do you think the US could fly around territory under the control of other countries without being noticed or without notifying them? Do you think that they start shooting live ammunition at planes without consultation from others? Do you think that the somebody, especially the Chinese wouldn't be screaming bloody murder if they thought their citizens had been killed by the US?

The area was not US controlled airspace, the US would have little access to information on flights in someone else's airspace. They would take an interest in monitoring any activity around their ships, but it's not their airspace and it's not their responsibility to identify what is going on. MAS wouldn't be notifying the US of planes flying near it's ships either.

Ah but Diego Garcia is American airspace and the Rolls Royce engines recorded around 4 hours of operation from the last point of contact which is around 2,000 miles. Diego Garcia is about 2,100 miles.

Just sayin'

Prayuth thinks. Prayuth does.

No inactive posts on his watch.

Uh? what's it got to do with him?

There is some very disturbing video on the Bangkok Post's webpage today showing a woman being forced into a taxi and taken away by unknown men, reportedly after giving a three-finger sign. There is a lot of comment on social media.

I shall look forward to the apologists supporting that action.

Yeah! Let's hear it for fascism!

One of the many problems of DEMOCRACY are the unintended consequencies! Or were they unintended?

Ok, we also have lvr181 on record as not trusting democracy. Democracy is far from perfect, but so long as there are elections the majority can learn from past mistakes and make corrections. What other system offers that?

While your comment may be nice reading, it does not reflect the realities of the situation as applied to Thailand. Thaksin family ripped money out of the country and now his sister had tried to get him pardoned for that and it appears that corruption and cronyism was still rife, one election later! Therefore, there was no learning or corrections from two past mistakes. It would appear that the NCPO (with the backing of the King) will restart democracy with new rules, accountability, transparency and responsibility before trying "western style" democracy again. So a military coup is now the system that does offer the majority, relief from the past mistakes. Give it a chance. Democracy for Thai peoples was hijacked by greed. Many previous red supporters now acknowledge that, unfortunately many still don't. They are still the majority and may win the next election. But, hopefully, Government will be more accountable and responsible next time around under new rules.

I believe in and trust democracy, as practiced by most civilized western nations. But there are parts of the world where it has not been the success westerners expect of it. Sometimes, much to the disgust of purist democracy supporters, you need to start with a clean sheet of paper.

"But there are parts of the world where it has not been the success westerners expect of it"

And in Thailand that is purely because the army has continually undermined it and refused to support elected governments and the rule of law.

And that justifies allowing a civil war how?

Thailand was no where near a civil war. The problems could have been solved by an election, which could have been conducted by certain powers making it clear the wanted the election to proceed. Now...censorship rules prevent me from commenting.

..................."The problems could have been solved by an election"...................

Oh really ? You have not been paying attention.

And if only you knew how pathetic you guys sound when all you have to defend an evil regime are the words democratically elected, hi-so, fascist, elite and amart.

.................."Now...censorship rules prevent me from commenting"...........................

There is a reason for those censorship rules, comments from red fans like yourself are deemed to be "inciting unrest". (your posts are full of it)

Personally this is one of the best things to come out of the coup, so far. Not having to skim over the top of all the bs red propaganda is a blessing and I hope TV holds on to this policy.

Long live freedom of speech! Long live democracy!