Thailand Ruined

[bignok]

9 minutes ago, billd766 said:

I have been living, working, been based and holidaying here since 1993. I was lucky enough to have a couple of jobs that not only let me travel and work but paid me as well. In my 50 year working life i visited and worked in 38 countries.

 

At 79 I am now sort of retired and potter about my wife's house and land doing odd the odd jobs I can still do, trying to do things I could do (and sometimes I still can do them).

 

I am fortunate in having a loving and caring wife and a great 19 year old son who started uni this year.

 

Yrs I will leave Thailand when they carry me and wheel me around the wat, before I become roast long pig.

 

Then the charcoal will be brought back and popped into the spirit house in the front garden.

 

What!! Me leave Thailand? You must be joking.

What sort of work?

[likerdup1]

9 hours ago, Celsius said:

Back in 2013 after visiting Thailand twice in 2002 and 2006 I decided to give it a shot and move permanently. I came as a tourist, went back and forth from Vientiane and KL for a year (a lot of fun). After that I applied for a 1 year Thai language  study visa which was ridiculously easy to obtain and so cheap (16,000b plus 1900b for every 3 month extension). 

 

in 2015 I got married and got my marriage extension. Despite that I still loved visiting other countries.... Malaysia, Laos, Japan.... so living on a tourist visa would have not bothered me one bit. However, during that time there were a lot of old grumpy men on this forum whining and whinging about backpackers and how Thailand should crack down on them.... and they did eventually. To me this animosity towards younger generation of travelers was really stupid as I knew the more "rules and regulations" would be coming soon. I remember in 2018 and 2019 while travelling there would always be some old guy in front of me being questioned by immigration about his frequent visits to Thailand. Meantime the covid happened so all this was put on hold.

 

So, what old people wanted old people got. Enjoy doing your tax returns while doing your 90 day reports, begging for visa extensions while having zero rights in this country. I'll be out of here by April. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Safe travels.

India is quite nice this time of year! Somalia is worth checking out. Low crime and loads of back packing opportunities. Zambia too. West African beaches are some of the finest.

[brewsterbudgen]

4 hours ago, Celsius said:

 

Good luck to you.  Is it easy to get your wife a visa?

[Celsius]

4 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Good luck to you.  Is it easy to get your wife a visa?

 

It took almost 2 years to get her a PR status with the help of a lawyer.

[Negita43]

7 hours ago, Lemsta69 said:

It's not sales tax, it's VAT. Not same same.

I stand corrected BUT it a tax just the same????

[NextG]

5 hours ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

current status???....i'll be logging off next week........seen just about enough here....if I miss it I can jump on Elons Twitter-X

Perhaps soon there’ll be no real people posting at all…

[NextG]

4 hours ago, JimTripper said:

A lot of guys don't really want to be here. It's just the best altrrnative at the time.

 

That's what the complaining is about. Being stuck here but not really liking it.

You are so very obviously speaking about yourself. 
Best alternative at the time is pretty much the best that can be expected. Most people are happy with that. You are just one of those people who chase their tails. 

[FarAway]

10 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

Growing disrespect for older people is symptomatic of fascist attempts to undermine respect and trust in all societal institutions. Fascists attempt to undermine confidence in institutions and break down the social fabric (by demonizing the "other") with the goal of presenting themselves as the only solution to the very problem that they have largely created.

 

This is why you see these constant attacks on the FBI, the courts, the congress, election integrity, medical expertise (Covid), scientific community (climate change), anti-wokeism, meddling in school curriculums, and it's the main driver behind anti-immigrant, anti-minority, anti-reproductive rights, anti-LBGQT rights sentiments. Ageism as a form of societal purification is a natural progression of this ideology, which if you study what happened in Germany in the 1930's, is exactly what happened there. You really need to raise your consciousness in this regard.

I am anti-covid-propaganda, anti-climate-change-propaganda, anti-wokeism, anti-LGBTQ, anti-abortion and anti-uncontrolled-migration.

And now what? I am very proud of it and stand behind my opinion online, in public and in front of family and friends. 

You are entitled to have another opinion, but how can you just name different worldviews than yours and assume everyone would agree with it being bad 

[bignok]

The dangerous roads and 2nd rate visa issues are the only real negatives of Thailand plus smog in the north dry months.

 

Otherwise it is an awesome place.

[fasteddie]

10 hours ago, Celsius said:

I am not from UK, I have nothing to do with UK and I am definitely not going back to UK

 

LOL

Phew, thank feck for that ????

[FarAway]

8 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

So you think that you should have the freedom to break the rules of society, break traffic laws, not explain how you accumulate unaccountable funds in your bank and not pay taxes without consequences, all of which contribute to a civilised society?     

[persimmon]

Is it a lot cheaper to live in LOS than back in Europe / US ? For me , I worked out I was spending almost twice as much per month in Thailand ( renting small room and not living extravagantly ie. no P4P and few nights out ). Obviously having a nicer life though .????

[NextG]

9 minutes ago, persimmon said:

Is it a lot cheaper to live in LOS than back in Europe / US ? For me , I worked out I was spending almost twice as much per month in Thailand ( renting small room and not living extravagantly ie. no P4P and few nights out ). Obviously having a nicer life though .????

How much were you spending?

[Nemises]

17 hours ago, Celsius said:

I am not from UK, I have nothing to do with UK and I am definitely not going back to UK

 

 

...and of course you haven't got the guts to say where it is you are going to.

 

Click bait topic. 

 

Bye troll ????

 

 

 

[Fat is a type of crazy]

9 hours ago, KhunLA said:

8+8=16 times ????  Free speech/expression is not free.

 

probably just a coincidence, critical emails & audits.   Funny how didn't happen under any other administrations.

Maybe you have a different definition of audit but I do find it hard to believe that in Year 1 you had to provide documents and proof of your tax return, were found compliant, new audit in Year 2, same thing happened with same outcome, and then for a further 14 years same thing. By year 3 I think if you had have put in a complaint it would have been noticed and stopped as that is surely clear harassment.

If it did happen it sounds like some computer program was on some loop error rather than both Republicans and Democrats caring enough about a few letters to involve multiple departments and 100's of bureaucrats in some vendetta over some harsh words. 

[Skipalongcassidy]

18 hours ago, Celsius said:

Back in 2013 after visiting Thailand twice in 2002 and 2006 I decided to give it a shot and move permanently. I came as a tourist, went back and forth from Vientiane and KL for a year (a lot of fun). After that I applied for a 1 year Thai language  study visa which was ridiculously easy to obtain and so cheap (16,000b plus 1900b for every 3 month extension). 

 

in 2015 I got married and got my marriage extension. Despite that I still loved visiting other countries.... Malaysia, Laos, Japan.... so living on a tourist visa would have not bothered me one bit. However, during that time there were a lot of old grumpy men on this forum whining and whinging about backpackers and how Thailand should crack down on them.... and they did eventually. To me this animosity towards younger generation of travelers was really stupid as I knew the more "rules and regulations" would be coming soon. I remember in 2018 and 2019 while travelling there would always be some old guy in front of me being questioned by immigration about his frequent visits to Thailand. Meantime the covid happened so all this was put on hold.

 

So, what old people wanted old people got. Enjoy doing your tax returns while doing your 90 day reports, begging for visa extensions while having zero rights in this country. I'll be out of here by April. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOOD RIDDANCE!!!

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

Maybe you have a different definition of audit but I do find it hard to believe that in Year 1 you had to provide documents and proof of your tax return, were found compliant, new audit in Year 2, same thing happened with same outcome, and then for a further 14 years same thing. By year 3 I think if you had have put in a complaint it would have been noticed and stopped as that is surely clear harassment.

If it did happen it sounds like some computer program was on some loop error rather than both Republicans and Democrats caring enough about a few letters to involve multiple departments and 100's of bureaucrats in some vendetta over some harsh words. 

That's what I thought until I was on their sh!t list and the target of the harassment. 

 

People haven't a clue until you're on the other side of that equation.

[Prubangboy]

14 hours ago, Celsius said:

 

He averages 1 post a day, you average 10.

 

You literally joined 2 months ago and he is bored posting all day ????

 

 

I don't get why a guy who posts a lot on the internet is endlessly shaming people who are posting on the internet. 

 

He's like a guy in a porno theatre who keeps interrupting the movie to call other audience members perverts.

 

 

[Celsius]

3 hours ago, Nemises said:

...and of course you haven't got the guts to say where it is you are going to.

 

Click bait topic. 

 

Bye troll ????

 

 

 

 

Oh, no

[Celsius]

10 hours ago, persimmon said:

Is it a lot cheaper to live in LOS than back in Europe / US ? For me , I worked out I was spending almost twice as much per month in Thailand ( renting small room and not living extravagantly ie. no P4P and few nights out ). Obviously having a nicer life though .????

 

[JimTripper]

11 hours ago, NextG said:

You are so very obviously speaking about yourself. 
Best alternative at the time is pretty much the best that can be expected. Most people are happy with that. You are just one of those people who chase their tails. 

They don't read happy. Try reading the thread on taxation, or just any post here ????.

[Celsius]

Now why do some people get so triggered when you announce that you will be leaving their precious Thailand? Like when you buy crypto and you decide to sell for a bit of profit people call you all kind of names,

 

I mean who are they going to sell the "luxury" condo they bought 5 years ago that now looks like Gaza strip?

 

Maybe just like crypto, Thailand is based on a greater fool theory?

[KhunLA]

24 minutes ago, Celsius said:

Now why do some people get so triggered when you announce that you will be leaving their precious Thailand? Like when you buy crypto and you decide to sell for a bit of profit people call you all kind of names,

 

I mean who are they going to sell the "luxury" condo they bought 5 years ago that now looks like Gaza strip?

 

Maybe just like crypto, Thailand is based on a greater fool theory?

Probably this part of your OP, most find don't apply to them, and a bit exaggerated.

"So, what old people wanted old people got. Enjoy doing your tax returns while doing your 90 day reports, begging for visa extensions while having zero rights in this country. "

 

The rest of your above post, well, that's simply RE investing, planning & knowledge, and people fail at that in every country.

 

Extension are simply too easy, never begged for anything.  90 days, too easy online now.   Tax treaties will avoid taxes as they have ... forever.

 

If earning income ... then you probably should be paying taxes, which you get back when filing home tax returns.   Or many ways around it, as always.

 

Why do people complain about a country, they CHOSE to live in, voluntarily?

[likerdup1]

News flash. The discovery of a new ailment occurring in western born youths having long term residence in SE Asia countires such as Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

 

It's been coined "Grumpy Young Man Syndrome" with acute entitlement psychosis.

 

World Health Agency to be researching the malady by frequenting Khao San Road bars, Soi Cowboy Go Go's and surveying International School English Teachers.

[AnnaBanana]

22 hours ago, bob smith said:

A fool and his money are easily parted…

That old chestnut is so often true.

But I've often wondered how they got together in the first place.

[Celsius]

1 minute ago, AnnaBanana said:

That old chestnut is so often true.

But I've often wondered how they got together in the first place.

 

Who? Thai Elite and Farang?

[Captain Monday]

21 hours ago, BritManToo said:

 

Anything could happen next year, but usually their silly ideas come to nothing, same as always.

Not sure. They started with the "100,000 baht or one year Jail" for smoking again.

[likerdup1]

48 minutes ago, Celsius said:

Now why do some people get so triggered when you announce that you will be leaving their precious Thailand? Like when you buy crypto and you decide to sell for a bit of profit people call you all kind of names,

 

I mean who are they going to sell the "luxury" condo they bought 5 years ago that now looks like Gaza strip?

 

Maybe just like crypto, Thailand is based on a greater fool theory?

Nobody is getting "triggered" .. forgive me but I think quite a few of us are poking fun at what you think is a big problem but is not. Perhaps Ive been insensitive but I'll tell you something in all seriousness. I know quite a few "older dudes" who came to SE Asia years ago their 20's because of the allure of women and cheap living and debauchery. They are now in their 40's and 50's, have not contributed anything to their home countries social programs for seniors (like social security in the USA for instance), have not invested for the future and are now facing poverty! They have put themselves in a trap. Unless you have some really creative way to make money online like being a talented programmer or very savy crypto trader you are smart (maybe for the wrong reason right now ) to go back hoome..  do it! Go back to your home country. work for awhile in the mainstream, build up some savings and retirement nest egg and then come back here or some other retirement destination then. Don't get stuck in this terrible rut and possible alcoholic or psychiatric ruin I've witnessed first hand in guys who have started living here early in life and never left.. only to find themselves in old age and "ASS OUT". Up a creek without a paddle. SOL etc..  Getting old sucks and being old without any money REALLY SUCKS!!

[Celsius]

7 minutes ago, likerdup1 said:

Nobody is getting "triggered" .. forgive me but I think quite a few of us are poking fun at what you think is a big problem but is not. Perhaps Ive been insensitive but I'll tell you something in all seriousness. I know quite a few "older dudes" who came to SE Asia years ago their 20's because of the allure of women and cheap living and debauchery. They are now in their 40's and 50's, have not contributed anything to their home countries social programs for seniors (like social security in the USA for instance), have not invested for the future and are now facing poverty! They have put themselves in a trap. Unless you have some really creative way to make money online like being a talented programmer or very savy crypto trader go back to your home country. work for awhile in the mainstream, build up some savings and retirement nest egg and then come back here or some other retirement destination then. Don't get stuck in this terrible rut and possible alcoholic or psychiatric ruin I've witnessed first hand in guys who have started living here early in life and never left.. only to find themselves in old age and "ASS OUT". Up a creek without a paddle. SOL etc..

 

I don't get it. You basically confirmed everything I believe to be true.

 

 

[likerdup1]

11 minutes ago, Celsius said:

 

I don't get it. You basically confirmed everything I believe to be true.

 

 

YEP... you are doing the right thing. Go back home, work in the mainstream, save some money and then you'll be in a financial position and a bit older to make decisions from there. Thailand and SE Asia in general can be a bit of a trap. As I said, I know of two solid examples of guys in theie late 40's and 50's who are facing old age with nothing because they got trapped in the English Teacher in SE Asia situation and stayed in it for years. no savings, not contributing to home country social programs etc.. now they are facing poverty or going back to their home country and working in old age. Who wants that?