The age factor election: "A vote for Trump could easily be a vote for a President Vance"

[8OA8]

14 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Unfortunately I'm one of the poor farangs 

Im buying a Borat leotard to wear to Beach Road 

 

 

Go for the Mankini as it's bound to work out cheaper than a leotard,  given the fabric cost has to be minimal in comparison,  although to be frank you may need to use more sunblock which may offset any potential cost savings over the leotard 

[harryviking]

The Thai baht has started to scare off quite a lot of people lately. Not only is the Thai baht strong, but many currencies have started to weaken. All in all the "perfect storm"! Vacationing closer to home has started to be more popular in Europe. Times are changing, thats for sure....🙄

Edited 8 hours ago by harryviking

[EVENKEEL]

1 hour ago, georgegeorgia said:

I thought Ralfy you of all people would have sympathy for me .

 

Having said that I'm not sure if you want to join me at the Sizzlers buffet in Pattaya I think it's around the 200 baht mark and we can bring our containers with us and sneak food in when they aren't watching 

The Sizzler at Central don't mind me bringing plastic containers and filling up with food. After I've stuffed myself I fill my containers, enough to last 2-3 days at home. The staff don't mind.

[georgegeorgia]

6 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

The Sizzler at Central don't mind me bringing plastic containers and filling up with food. After I've stuffed myself I fill my containers, enough to last 2-3 days at home. The staff don't mind.

Oh really?? You not joking 

[TechnoHippie]

7 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

The Sizzler at Central don't mind me bringing plastic containers and filling up with food. After I've stuffed myself I fill my containers, enough to last 2-3 days at home. The staff don't mind.

 

I'm curious as to what is on the buffet --- someone said it's 200 baht?  That's like $6 USA - and if you ate enough to fill yourself up for the whole day that doesn't seem bad.  I looked at the menu prices and naturally the western food looks pricey-- a ribeye steak is 899thb -- which is about $27 USA -- so not a great price.  From what I've read in my research, western food is expensive, so I was planning on pretty much giving up a lot of that when I eventually move over there.  It looks like the pork and chicken from the markets and street venders is the cost effective way to get meat.  Please correct me if I'm wrong as I'm in the learning stage here lol.

 

[georgegeorgia]

48 minutes ago, renaissanc said:

There are so many unhelpful, rude, and insulting posts here. You should feel ashamed of yourselves. George is asking for suggestions to help him in his situation. How would you feel if you received the garbage that you are throwing at him collectively? George, I've replied to you somewhere here with a solution.

Thankyiu for your understanding,yes unfortunately there's many nasty people here who don't have sympathy for an old man like me forced to walk with a Zimmer frame up Jomtien hill because I can't afford a baht bus

 

It's been 2 hours now I left Jomtien beach and I'm not even half way there into Pattaya yet .

 

If someone sees a old man with a Zimmer frame please stop and say "hello Georgie,!

 

Ralfy went past in his red Ferrari giving me the finger !

 

Edited 7 hours ago by georgegeorgia

[georgegeorgia]

3 minutes ago, TechnoHippie said:

 

I'm curious as to what is on the buffet --- someone said it's 200 baht?  That's like $6 USA - and if you ate enough to fill yourself up for the whole day that doesn't seem bad.  I looked at the menu prices and naturally the western food looks pricey-- a ribeye steak is 899thb -- which is about $27 USA -- so not a great price.  From what I've read in my research, western food is expensive, so I was planning on pretty much giving up a lot of that when I eventually move over there.  It looks like the pork and chicken from the markets and street venders is the cost effective way to get meat.  Please correct me if I'm wrong as I'm in the learning stage here lol.

 

You talking about Sizzlers I guess ?

Please excuse my writing I'm taking breaks up the Jomtien hill with my Zimmer frame walking as the baht bus prices are apparently now 20;baht from Jomtien to Pattaya I can't afford it 

But please don't get me off topic ,yes the 200 baht is for the buffet only eg soup and vegetables no meals and no drinks unless water?

[georgegeorgia]

I would just like to say thankyou to those 2 members here who have offered to come pick me up to take me to Pattaya

One member said he is driving around looking for me in my Zimmer frame 

 

, I'm ok I prefer to walk but thankyou guys for your kindness 

 

There is some great guys here ! 

Edited 7 hours ago by georgegeorgia

[Ralf001]

19 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Thankyiu for your understanding,yes unfortunately there's many nasty people here who don't have sympathy for an old man like me forced to walk with a Zimmer frame up Jomtien hill because I can't afford a baht bus

 

It's been 2 hours now I left Jomtien beach and I'm not even half way there into Pattaya yet .

 

If someone sees a old man with a Zimmer frame please stop and say "hello Georgie,!

 

Ralfy went past in his red Ferrari giving me the finger !

 

 

Whilst you do like to tell lies I can gaurantee you it would notbe a finger I give... It would be the front bumper of my car as I drove over you.

I Hate lying thieves.

Edited 7 hours ago by Ralf001

[Lacessit]

On 10/14/2024 at 8:59 PM, georgegeorgia said:

Blood tests are free in Australia 

Can go to Medicare doctors also free 

In my son's district near Melbourne, there are 5 medical clinics.

Four no longer bulk bill. The one that does, no longer accepts new patients.

You are posting bullsh!t, the majority of doctors are not  free.

[Lacessit]

35 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

The Sizzler at Central don't mind me bringing plastic containers and filling up with food. After I've stuffed myself I fill my containers, enough to last 2-3 days at home. The staff don't mind.

After Trump cuts Social Security, you are going to need more containers.

[georgegeorgia]

10 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

In my son's district near Melbourne, there are 5 medical clinics.

Four no longer bulk bill. The one that does, no longer accepts new patients.

You are posting bullsh!t, the majority of doctors are not  free.

Depends where you are , I live in Sydney's City a inner city area  a higher proportion of free doctors under Medicare

 

World square medical clinic bulk bills 

 

 

Blood tests in Australia are free under Medicare 

 

 

 

Edited 7 hours ago by georgegeorgia

[Lacessit]

2 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Your lucky ,I'm on $5 an hour as a janitor 

 

 

 

The national minimum wage in Australia is $24.10 per hour, with no tax payable on income less than $18,200 per year.

 

Any person who considers they are underpaid can make a complaint to the Fair Work Commission. Wage theft has heavy penalties.

 

Have you put in your complaint yet?

 

 

[Stevemercer]

On 10/14/2024 at 8:37 PM, Northstar1 said:

The health care system is quite good 👍 

In my opinion, the health care system is probably better for me in Thailand. I am married to a Thai ex-government worker so I am on her health social security. Free medical treatment and free prescription medications. In Australia, you have to contribute to most medical services and still buy (albiet subsidised) prescription medications. In addition,the wait time to see a specialist is often 3 months or more. In Thailand, you can usually get in within a week.

 

In Australia,I used to pay $2,500 per year in prepscriptions and co-payments. Here it is free.

[Stevemercer]

In my opinion, day to day costs  in Australia are comparable to Thailand. The cost of capital goods is comparable. Where Thailand wins hands down is housing/rental costs and services (anything where labour is a major cost).

 

Nevertheless, for me the break even exchange rate is 17 - 18 Baht per Australian dollar. At that rate it would be cheaper to live in Australia. 

[TechnoHippie]

5 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

After Trump cuts Social Security, you are going to need more containers.

lol - well it's most of the Republican party that would want to do that.  Trump has said he wants to end taxing Social Security income so that would be in my favor (not that you can actually believe anything he says of course, plus he is an idiot  lol).  The real problem is that it's projected to run out of money by 2035 if congress doesn't do something to fix it and that could result in a 20% reduction in benefits.  The looming insolvency is driven by demographic shifts, including an aging population and lower birth rates, which have resulted in fewer workers supporting more retirees.  All the baby-boomers hitting retirement age is a big deal.   My assumption is that they will simply raise taxes somewhere to keep it solvent -- but even if not and a 20% cut happens I think I could live comfortable by the beach in Thailand ok with $2400 a month and if I bring someone with me, between the two of us we'd have double that.

[Lacessit]

15 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Depends where you are , I live in Sydney's City a inner city area  a higher proportion of free doctors under Medicare

 

World square medical clinic bulk bills 

 

 

Blood tests in Australia are free under Medicare 

 

 

 

As soon as one gets outside a capital city, the number of doctors bulk billing falls off a cliff.

 

Just wondering how you can afford to live in inner Sydney on $5 an hour. The median rent for a unit is $648/week.

 

Average rental in my Chiang Rai condo ( swimming pool, shop and restaurant ) is $340/MONTH.

 

I don't know why you are bitching about Thailand being too expensive, it's absurd.

[TechnoHippie]

32 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Whilst you do like to tell lies I can gaurantee you it would notbe a finger I give... It would be the front bumper of my car as I drove over you.

I Hate lying thieves.

 

Forgive me as I haven't bothered to really read many posts on this site yet -- but I'm wondering as to why you think this individual is thief and why you think it would be a good idea to cause physical harm to him (or anyone for that matter) with an automobile?   I gather I've missed something?

 

[georgegeorgia]

1 minute ago, TechnoHippie said:

 

Forgive me as I haven't bothered to really read many posts on this site yet -- but I'm wondering as to why you think this individual is thief and why you think it would be a good idea to cause physical harm to him (or anyone for that matter) with an automobile?   I gather I've missed something?

 

Ralfy gets very angry sometimes ,please forgive him as he knows not any better 

I still love him 

 

[TechnoHippie]

51 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

You talking about Sizzlers I guess ?

Please excuse my writing I'm taking breaks up the Jomtien hill with my Zimmer frame walking as the baht bus prices are apparently now 20;baht from Jomtien to Pattaya I can't afford it 

But please don't get me off topic ,yes the 200 baht is for the buffet only eg soup and vegetables no meals and no drinks unless water?

 

ah well that explains the 200 baht price then.  20 baht is like 60 cents USA money though?  Are you saying that you can't afford 60 cents and would rather walk 5km with a walker?  This seems rather odd.

[TechnoHippie]

Just now, georgegeorgia said:

Ralfy gets very angry sometimes ,please forgive him as he knows not any better 

I still love him 

 

Easy enough lol.  Hey it's the internet sooo.... lol

[georgegeorgia]

5 minutes ago, TechnoHippie said:

 

ah well that explains the 200 baht price then.  20 baht is like 60 cents USA money though?  Are you saying that you can't afford 60 cents and would rather walk 5km with a walker?  This seems rather odd.

Yes well I must keep fit at my age too.

As you get old use those limbs I say ,what's the saying if you don't use it....

[Caldera]

On 10/14/2024 at 7:43 PM, georgegeorgia said:

Now I have been advised by another visitor in my hotel to go to Vietnam that's where he is moving to 

 

I've got to say that I've found Vietnam to be extremely good value, so it's well worth checking out.

[TechnoHippie]

22 minutes ago, Stevemercer said:

In my opinion, day to day costs  in Australia are comparable to Thailand. The cost of capital goods is comparable. Where Thailand wins hands down is housing/rental costs and services (anything where labour is a major cost).

 

Nevertheless, for me the break even exchange rate is 17 - 18 Baht per Australian dollar. At that rate it would be cheaper to live in Australia. 

 

hmmm -- that is something I will have to think about - what is the break-even point on the exchange rate before it's not any better than being in the USA -- seems like something obvious I should of been able to come up with on my own lol -- guess that is one of the reasons I'm on this site learning lol.  So what you're saying is that right now the cost of everything you buy is about the same as Australia except for housing?  I was thinking that the housing, food, and healthcare would all be cheaper (mind you I'm in USA)... and those are the biggest expenses I expect to have.  I wouldn't expect to buy much "stuff" on a regular basis so I think the exchange rate would have to shift quite a bit to make it it not worth it.  I will have to do some math ....

 

[oslooskar]

On 10/14/2024 at 6:59 AM, georgegeorgia said:

Blood tests are free in Australia 

Can go to Medicare doctors also free 

No taxes in Australia?

[TechnoHippie]

1 minute ago, Caldera said:

 

I've got to say that I've found Vietnam to be extremely good value, so it's well worth checking out.

 

Da Nang  and a few other places look great to me -- but I wouldn't want to do a visa run every 90 days -- that is a deal killer for me.  That whole thing scares me -- what if I get sick and can't do the run?  ..or I get too old and it's too tiring to do it?  What if for some reason they don't let me back in?  I would spend my entire retirement time worrying about it.

[georgegeorgia]

4 minutes ago, oslooskar said:

No taxes in Australia?

Anyone working pays a 2% Medicare levy on their tax which is supposed to cover the Public hospital system and the no cost Doctor clinics 

Anyone can use the "free bulk billing " doctor clinics if you have a Medicare card 

Edited 6 hours ago by georgegeorgia

[georgegeorgia]

7 minutes ago, TechnoHippie said:

 

hmmm -- that is something I will have to think about - what is the break-even point on the exchange rate before it's not any better than being in the USA -- seems like something obvious I should of been able to come up with on my own lol -- guess that is one of the reasons I'm on this site learning lol.  So what you're saying is that right now the cost of everything you buy is about the same as Australia except for housing?  I was thinking that the housing, food, and healthcare would all be cheaper (mind you I'm in USA)... and those are the biggest expenses I expect to have.  I wouldn't expect to buy much "stuff" on a regular basis so I think the exchange rate would have to shift quite a bit to make it it not worth it.  I will have to do some math ....

 

Pretty much yes only housing is more expensive in Australia although I bought my apartment in the 1990's 

 

Anything else is same price or more expensive eg peanut butter, cheese ,wine ,coffee , bread , etc 

[RayWright]

On 10/15/2024 at 9:30 AM, georgegeorgia said:

No your right ...Definitely not !

$5 is $5 and I'm very poor ,that's my hourly rate ! 

Sundays I get $7 an hour though...

 

You're being robbed. Minimum wage in AUS is $24:10. 

[KannikaP]

1 hour ago, georgegeorgia said:

Thankyiu for your understanding,yes unfortunately there's many nasty people here who don't have sympathy for an old man like me forced to walk with a Zimmer frame up Jomtien hill because I can't afford a baht bus

 

It's been 2 hours now I left Jomtien beach and I'm not even half way there into Pattaya yet .

 

If someone sees a old man with a Zimmer frame please stop and say "hello Georgie,!

 

Ralfy went past in his red Ferrari giving me the finger !

 

Absolute lies George. How do you mop those floors with a Zimmer frame. And how will you get to Boystown in time to sell your arse. It's time you gave up.