Thailand reports 15 new COVID-19 cases, 37 provinces without cases in last 14 days
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67
Any benefits in antibiotics
Sometimes antibiotics are used prophylactically, so at the point of administration they're not strictly 'needed' but the prediction is that they will indeed be needed at some point very soon.... -
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Rising Baht Sparks Fears of Another 'Tom Yam Kung' Crisis
Thailand - Prachai Leophairat, CEO of TPI Polene Public Company Limited, expressed concern over the rising value of the Thai baht and its potential economic impact, drawing parallels to the 1997 "Tom Yam Kung" crisis. Prachai outlined 11 key risks associated with the strong baht. He emphasized that if the U.S. dollar's interest rate falls while Thailand's baht interest rate rises, the baht will appreciate. A 10% increase in the baht’s exchange rate combined with a 10% decrease in the dollar will raise production costs by 20%. This cost hike would make Thai products 20% more expensive than competitors, leading to a decline in primary goods and forcing secondary and tertiary industries to halt production. The potential consequences include: Factory closures Rising unemployment Reduced consumer spending Halted industrial investments Increased household and business debt Higher bank loan costs due to rising bad debt reserves Banks limiting loans to struggling businesses Reduced government tax revenues and budget cuts Lower government spending A shrinking GDP Declining foreign currency reserves Prachai warned that if exports don't increase and factories continue to close, Thailand might face a shortage of foreign currency reserves. This could lead to a repeat of the 1997 crisis, leaving the country vulnerable to foreign exploitation of its assets, reported Naew Na. Top: FILE photo -- 2024-09-30 -
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Campaigners Urge Handout Recipients to Avoid Alcohol Amid Payout Uncertainty
FILE photo Anti-drunk driving advocates are calling on recipients of the government’s 10,000-baht cash handout to avoid spending the funds on alcohol, warning that such purchases could lead to accidents and serious injuries. Phattarabhandhu Krissana, chairman of the Network of Victims Against Drunk Driving, emphasized the importance of using the handout for essential needs or investments. He noted that spending the money on alcohol could result in accidents, potentially causing disabilities for both recipients and others. The network, along with the Don’t Drive Drunk Foundation, is urging its members who receive the handout to allocate part of the funds for paying vehicle taxes, which help finance victim protection programs. Phattarabhandhu shared that some of the network’s 15,000 members had already received the handout during the first distribution phase, providing much-needed support during tough economic times. Thailand's government is currently disbursing the 10,000-baht payments to 12.4 million state welfare cardholders and 2.1 million people with disabilities. Priority has been given to vulnerable groups, with the final wave of payments expected on Monday. Originally conceived as part of a broader “digital wallet” stimulus program, the cash handout was intended to cover 45 million Thais aged 16 and over. However, concerns over funding have cast uncertainty on how many more people will receive the money and how much will be distributed in future rounds. A government source revealed that while the program is expected to continue, the second phase of handouts may see a reduction to 5,000 baht per person. This decrease is being considered to free up resources for flood victim relief, which has become a growing priority. The 2025 fiscal budget earmarked 152.7 billion baht for the handout scheme, but a portion of that may be redirected to the central fund to assist with flood recovery efforts. Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul noted that the spike in cash withdrawals following the program’s launch highlights the financial struggles of many recipients. He expressed optimism that their spending would help stimulate the economy. However, opposition MP Sirikanya Tansakun of the People’s Party criticized the reduced scale of the program, arguing that slashing the total budget from 500 billion baht to 145 billion baht would fall short of significantly boosting GDP . “Economic activity has not picked up as expected, and many business owners report that business remains slow despite the handout,” she added, reported Bangkok Post. -- 2024-09-30 -
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Denmark Considers Importing Medications from Thailand and Asia to Cut Costs
Denmark is exploring the possibility of importing medications from Thailand, India, and China to provide its citizens with more affordable pharmaceutical options, according to a report by Scandasia. The initiative aims to broaden the range of medications available to Danes at potentially lower prices. However, it has sparked heated debate within Denmark and internationally. The Danish Pharmacy Association and the Danish Medicines Agency have raised concerns that the plan could compromise consumer safety. They warn that importing medications from Asia could make it easier to purchase drugs online without proper quality control. Critics stress the importance of maintaining stringent checks to ensure the efficacy of medications, despite the fact that many Asian manufacturers adhere to international standards. India and China are key global players in the pharmaceutical industry, producing a large share of the world’s generic drugs. Thailand, with its expanding pharmaceutical sector, is also increasingly supplying international markets, reported The Nation. Supporters of the initiative argue that leveraging these vast Asian markets could reduce costs and improve access for Danish consumers. The outcome of Denmark’s discussions may influence other European countries considering similar strategies to diversify pharmaceutical imports. Top FILE photo courtesy: Wikimedia -- 2024-09-30 -
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Destination Thailand Visa Sparks Interest, Faces Future Hurdles
The DTV program has had a promising start, according to Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. Although no official numbers have been released, social media bloggers estimate that between 1,500 and 2,500 visas have been issued in the first 10 weeks. The main question now is what happens to DTV holders after their initial six-month stay, assuming they wish to remain in Thailand. A contributor to a popular Facebook group summed up the uncertainty: “How about we wait until December or January when the first DTV holders share their experiences and requirements for extensions?” By then, DTV holders will face two options: leave Thailand and reapply or seek an extension at local immigration for another 180 days. However, both options come with challenges. While the visa is valid for five years with multiple entries, the lack of clarity from immigration authorities has raised concerns about future extensions. Although the Tourism Authority of Thailand initially indicated that no additional documentation would be required for re-entry or extension, immigration officers may still request further paperwork at their discretion. The immigration bureau’s silence has led to speculation about potential abuses in the DTV application process. Some digital nomads, for instance, may be working for Thai clients without the necessary work permits. There are also questions about how far soft power has been extended, with activities like attending concerts or dental appointments potentially qualifying for long-term visa status. Thai embassies worldwide are issuing DTVs, but the requirements vary widely. Some embassies ask for a bank account with at least three months of activity, while others require a Thai guarantor or evidence of past work-related activities. Discrepancies in documentation, such as differing requirements for cookery classes or Thai boxing academy registrations, add to the confusion. For now, little is expected to change. If immigration officers start asking for more paperwork at airports and border posts, it could lead to daily delays. Meanwhile, the government is working to merge immigration databases, a process expected to take most of next year. A review of the non-immigrant visa categories is also underway, which could affect the DTV. "There is no doubt DTV will be reformed, and likely restricted, in the light of experience. But perhaps not in 2025," writes Barry Kenyon for Pattaya Mail. -- 2024-09-30 -
6,578
Australian Aged Pension
This thread is about the Aus OAP. As for me: I’m soon to (hopefully) obtain the OAP hence my appreciation for the useful information posted by members who have already obtained the OAP or who, like me, are hoping to soon obtain the OAP. I notice you dominate the posts on here. Most of them (your posts) are either disputed or ignored, as a number of members have black-listed you. So speaking of simple questions, are you on the OAP now or soon to be on the OAP, which one? -
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Expert Urges Government To Raise Tax For Foreign Condo Buyers
Many times told and still true to this day. Don’t burn your bridges back home. -
626
I Love Donald Trump
Woman claims to be Trump's 'adopted daughter' and 'vice president' A lot of Trumpers resemble this lady -
23
Change from 800,000 in bank to using income and money in bank
Don’t move to Thailand until you can fulfill 65k baht per month requirement if that is the route you’re taking. It won’t end well. -
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51
Thai Baht is ruining my retirement
Different than me I don't like Thai food very much I cook my self -
12
Baht strength - How long?
I think you missed the point that most are concerned about. That is, their meagre pension is contracting in value. The purchasing power of their transferred funds is shrinking. Basically, their lifestyle may have to change. -
57
Any reports of recent ME Non-I O visa (marriage) in region?
Exactly. I had over 400K for years, but used the Non-O-ME to avoid EVER having that done to my wife again. I don't care if they want to abuse me - because I don't give any weight to what some corrupt slime says - but my wife is something else. Then covid hit, and I had to deal with in-country - one in Bangkok - RUDE, deja-vu. Two more up-country - they were "civil," but took literally the entire day both times with our ream of paperwork and dozens of photos, so they could find 4 they "liked" + home visits (those guys were even friendly), another long-drive to go back "after consideration." A trip to Savannakhet + border-bounces was FAR preferable - no stress. Thank GOD I turned 50 and no longer working in Thailand, so can use retirement-based. Much better. -
7
How much Superannuation is enough
Keep aiming, you never make it to that amount mopping floors . -
2,293
Thai gov. to tax (remitted) income from abroad for tax residents starting 2024 - Part II
I agree. An argument lost on many members in the Australian Forum - Old Aged Pension thread, also. Article 18 of the Thai / Australia DTA relies on the "provisions" of Article 19, and Article 19 is about "government service." pensions, not "government pensions" as in, welfare, or benefits as it's known in some European countries. There is a difference. One member posted in the Australia Forum, and I quote, "Forget about Article 19" yet in this Forum, advised another Australian member he would have to pay tax under Article 19 of the DTA. Go figure. Every DTA is different, yet, have a lot of similarities, particularly when it comes to pensions.
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