smotherb

On 11/1/2018 at 1:42 PM, KittenKong said:

As far as I know, yes. They do have some dual-taxation agreements but I'm not aware that the RP has the blanket exemption for earnings not repatriated in the year they are received that Thailand has. I could easily be wrong though as the last I looked into it was about 10 years ago.

I doubt the PI has ever taxed foreign-earned income--at least from US. I have lived there for 10-12 years, over the last 50 years. Only income earned there was ever a concern. I just checked on fb with two of my bros in the PI, both Brits, one there 15 years, the other 27 years--no tax on foreign-earned income

23 minutes ago, tropo said:

Saying they look down on Filipinos doesn't preclude how they feel about other nationalities, but here we are specifically discussing the Philippines.

 

I had no idea about their feelings toward Filipino until a conflict arose a couple of years ago, which opened my eyes.

I said, "I do not have the impression that Thais look down on Filipinos any more than any non-Thai."

Your conflict may be a single occurrence or it may be something my wife and I have never encountered. My wife has interacted with Thais in many areas; she is well-known in our all-Thai community, is active in the Rotary, is a volunteer at a local hospital, and she taught at local schools. I just asked her, she has never felt looked-down upon.

On 11/4/2018 at 7:50 PM, tropo said:

These 3rd and 4th world terms are meaningless and worthless.

 

There's no point discussing this topic with a person who calls themselves "Thainess". Thai people generally consider themselves superior to Filipinos and look down on them. I've noticed this time and time again as my wife is Filipino. There are many pros and many cons that can be discussed here, but an open and balanced mind is required, which is probably something you don't possess.

 

Here's one big plus to consider. If a foreigner is married to a Filipino, you can stay in the Philippines forever without a scrap of paperwork or even a single visit to immigration. To do that you need to exit once a year with your wife, and when you return you're stamped in for one year, no questions asked. In fact, if you are married to a Filipino they are extremely welcoming and friendly toward you at the airport. Contrast that to the unfriendly attitude Foreigners need to endure from Immigration Officers when married to Thais... and all the hoops they have to jump through, and all the financial requirements.

Although,  I agree with most of your post: I do not have the impression that Thais look down on Filipinos any more than any non-Thai. My wife is also Fiipina, we have lived here for over eleven years. My wife has many Thai friends and she feels the Thais much prefer the Filipinos to Malaysians or Singaporeans. In fact, here in Hatyai where many Malaysians visit; the Thais are openly pleased to learn my wife is Filipina rather than Malaysian. 

On 10/31/2018 at 12:24 PM, KittenKong said:

I wonder if that's because this is a Thai forum and so people who read it and post on it would mostly be more likely to live here than in the RP? A bit like asking on a Ford owners forum why so few people own a Toyota?

 

Some things I like about the RP: Friendly people who mostly like foreigners. English is widely understood and all signs are in western script. The local language is very easy to learn, should you wish to. Few strange/inexplicable local customs. Filipinos mostly think like farangs rather than like Asians. The climate is a bit cooler than here. Fairly cheap imports generally. Cheap beer. Cheap cigars. UK pension increases paid in full. Straightforward visa requirements. Filipinos love western music, and you hear it everywhere.

Some things I dont like: Tax on worldwide income. Natural disasters. Poor infrastructure (largely due to the natural disasters). Rather boring local food. The Catholic church. Accommodation is often overpriced and often not very good. Less choice for international air travel.

 

Some say that living in the RP is less secure than it is here, but I'm not convinced. Maybe it's a different type of insecurity.

Have to agree with  most of what you said; except, I have never had to pay taxes on income earned outside the PI. How did they tax you?

1 hour ago, Ulic said:

The Owl tattoos make my head shake the most. I don't mind banging the girls. I just don't think they realize how stupid they look, even now, and how they will be affected in the future. Nothing screams bar-girl like tattoos. I had a friend (male) who got heavily into tattoos decades ago before they were really mainstream in North America. He said they were addictive. He was always looking for the next one to get. He started when he was about 22 years of age. When he turned 40 he hated them all and was in the process of getting them removed. I think the vast majority of these girls will deeply regret most of their tattoos in 10-15 years. The mistake of youth.

Interesting. I have a German biker brother who has full-body, including head and face, tattoos. He got his first tattoo as a teenager and his father threw him out of the house. The tatts weren't the only reason, but they were the straw. So, he got more and more tattoos just to spite his old man. He makes his living as a tattoo artist and has settled into that lifestyle; so he is not really out of place there. The Thai bar-girls seem intrigued by his ink. However, he once told me he admired the fact I did not have tattoos--my story is I am covered in freckles, scars and hair; so I don't need any more distinguishing marks. I asked him if he ever regretted his tatts; he said he has had dreams of being tattoo-less and he felt lost and indistinguishable from the masses. Then he offered the fact he has considered eliminating some of them, but they are all part of who he is; so he has no plan to do so.  I respect his choice and his honesty as he does mine. To each his own. However, I like smooth, blemish-free tight skin on a woman, so I too dislike women with scribbles on their bodies.

Well, I too sleep naked and wear only shorts or underwear in the house, but I love a/c and I don't suffer any ill effects from it; although, you do need to keep them clean. I am from Florida and have spent most of my life in the tropics, but I have usually had a/c. There have been times when I did not have a/c. However, those were short durations of a year or so here and there and I sough a/c bars and restaurants when I could.  I have three a/cs in my house here. I use one of them all day long--the bill runs about B3k/mo. I consider that worth it.

Find a local hotel, bar, restaurant that is actually run by farangs.. There will likely be other foreigners there and poor barsteward-owner will have to put up with your babbling, if you order something.

Now, I've seen some farangs with women I thought were real dogs . . .

7 hours ago, Gracas said:

The only victim is the Swedish man, so no harm done.

Why is it so hard for so many of you to see a real marriage in which both  partners own the assets equally. The wife too is out; if she was really his wife and not just using him as a long-term customer.

7 hours ago, chrisinth said:

 

If it was all online spending, all the daughter needed to know was the card details, no need for account number or access to the account apart from this. A snapshot of both sides of the card gives this information.

And that is exactly why giving your card to pay a restaurant or bar bill--or anywhere they take the card out of your sight bill--is poor practice. To easy to simply photo both sides of the card.

13 hours ago, katana said:

Photo of the 27 year old daughter in sackcloth and ashes at the police station:

https://www.thairath.co.th/content/1404210

Yeah, sure looks like she got her nose job.

21 hours ago, ThreeEyedRaven said:

That is a serious shopping spree. 480,000 in a month!

Still, I guess it is easier to make those purchasing decisions, when it is somebody elses money.

Can't even buy a good car for that money; easy to spend.

7 hours ago, car720 said:

I often wonder, why do we look up so much to the rich when they depend on the poor to show them the way.

Not sure the way to which you refer. I am sure the rich do not look to the poor to show them the way to a financially secure life.

14 hours ago, Cuba said:

Not yet........

Very perceptive of you. May I point out that they have also not given all farangs 72 virgins and a 72 million baht to spend on them; at least not yet.

9 hours ago, car720 said:

Thailand is telling us that they want to clean up their act.

The problem that I see is; what will they do when they have eventually kicked everyone out. 

The wannabe hippies and the old fart brigade and the wannabe intelligence services groupies. The sex tourists and the gunjah afficionados.  

Just what will they do for a dollar then?

" . . . when they have eventually kicked everyone out," you say? It seems they are not kicking out those who have sufficient finances and proper papers, are they? 

19 hours ago, Esso49 said:

So when that happens then I guess factually USA becomes a declining economy ?

Yes, some may say you are correct. The US economy is strong, but China's economy is growing faster. When and if China's economy surpasses the USs, some may consider the US a declining economy, or a surpassed economy. Like the UK, which used to be the number one economic power in the world is now, what, the number two economic power in Europe? That same Europe which does not have a single country in the top three economies in the world. However, terms like developing or developed economy are relative and dynamic. Just because your country's economy is no longer as strong as it was, does not necessarily mean your country is no longer a developed economy.

Nobody has mentioned the number of "brothers" who would be without if you left and couldn't provide anymore monetary support.

4 hours ago, TunnelRat69 said:

My Vietnamese Lady learned English by watching all my American VHS tapes, I had to work, she stayed home, and to this day "Good Morning Vietnam" is her favorite movie - she cried when she learned Robin Williams died.  She can't read a single word, but can chat up a storm.  We've been together 22 years.

Yes, this vendor was maybe 14, but she spoke English very well--proper verbs and possessives even. I asked her about school; she said they taught English in school. However, as I later learned, she quit school early. I have met many other Vietnamese who stayed in school, but do not speak as well. So go figure.

15 hours ago, BritManToo said:

You could just tow it somewhere and use it as a houseboat if the price was right.

All you'd need to pay is the mooring fee.

Well, where that yacht would have to be moored is no simple boat slip, so the mooring fee would be considerable.  Then don't forget the insurance, taxes, salaries, maintenance and operating expenses even using it as a houseboat; and, you had to get it to wherever you moored it, didn't you?

On 10/26/2018 at 5:02 PM, jgarbo said:

Never learn from a woman. You'll learn "phasaa ying" instead of "phasaa chai," Girl talk instead of man talk. You'll sound gay. From a bar girl you'll "phasaa talat" market talk (low class). Learn from a professional. 

No problem then; my ladyboy is a lawyer.

3 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

Not same. 

Gee, I did not realize I said it was the same. People learn in different ways; books have long been a learning tool and so have sound recordings--long before CDs. Just because some cannot, doesn't make your statement correct; in fact, it makes you wrong.

19 hours ago, jgarbo said:

You can't learn Thai from a book, or even CDs. You don't know how to listen. 

Some can learn; you have to have the will and some ability. I met a young video vendor in Vietnam who said she learned English watching the videos.

19 hours ago, bergan said:

Thank you for that! Norwegian here as well, by the way.

 

Just felt the need to comment and tell my story, so the OP isn't discouraged from giving it a try. It would be helpful to know more about the OPs situation, though, as it is a lot easier to learn the way I did if you live in a village where you are constantly surrounded by Thais and have very few foreigners to talk to. The best approach always depends on the circumstances and your situation, IMO. Apples and oranges, etc.

I have to agree with being thrown into a situation where you have to speak the language is the best way to learn conversation, but school is best for proficiency in the language--grammar, reading and writing.

2 hours ago, Russell17au said:

No, the point is that the Thai's have stated that they want verification of income, now if verification of income is supplied to them from the embassy they cannot then change there mind and say "No, we want the money in our banks"

Oh? I have not seen the official word from Thai immigration which caused the US and UK embassies to discontinue the income letters. Have you?

However, I have been told by Thai immigration that they wanted to see the B65k monthly filtered through a Thai bank.

In case you missed it, the US Mission in Thailand said it, " . . . cannot provide this verification and will no longer issue the affidavits."

6 minutes ago, Russell17au said:

No, what I mean is can you get an official document from social security verifying what your income is that you are receiving from them?

Never tried to get an official document from the. The SSA does send you the SSA-1099 tax forms every year.

The 1099 is official enough for the IRS, but the IRS checks with the SSA. I doubt the Thais would consider it official. 

But, I think you miss the point; it appears the Thais want the money filtered through Thailand monthly.