gomangosteen

For NZ Super - payment is made based on this calculation. Must have resided in NZ for a minimum for five years between ages 50 and 65. Between ages of 20 and 65 there are 540 months. If a person had lived in Thailand for ten years, 120 months, and met that 5yr 50-65 requirement, they would receive a percentage 420/540, approx 77% of the basic Super rate. For myself, all going well, I'll be on around that amount 70-75% as each period I went back and worked there 3-6mth contracts has accumulated to exceed that 5yrs. My understanding is the application must be made in New Zealand.

Half our jungle garden security team, two arrived (uninvited) October 2023 and must have a long-term visa as they're still here

Scooter sales promotion at Central Chanthaburi for the long weekend; Brands on display included Vespa, Lambretta, Royal Alloy, Zontes, Honda.

There's another one in August, taking the number of paid holidays for government employees to 21 this year; for private businesses, employees are entitled to a minimum of 13 per year. June 2, 2025 – Bridge Holiday: This was scheduled to extend the weekend to the Queen’s birthday holiday on June 3 for a total of four days off. August 11, 2025 – Bridge Holiday: This was scheduled to create a four-day weekend with Mother’s Day on August 12.

Wondrous Blooms flower show in Rayong 19 May 2025 1 – 31 May 2025 Phatthananit Building, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Herbal Garden, Nikhom Phatthana District, Rayong Province Step into a vibrant floral wonderland at “Wondrous Bloom”, Rayong’s newest botanical experience. Running throughout May 2025, this immersive event features a colorful flower dome – Rayong’s second of its kind – where visitors can explore a wide range of plants arranged in stunning color gradients under the concept “The Blooming Spectrum.”

Not counterfeit, but barely even a real tyre either - last year daughter coming home from uni about 6pm had a rear tyre blowout, she found a place open and only tyres they had were 'Ecotire'. 600b - since seen them on Shopee for 299b. Not value at any price. Photos show it just before replacement a few months later, about 1,800 km on a 115cc Yamaha Fino, not exactly a high-powered tyre-burning machine.

Just sometimes, the benefits of living in the provinces: as the only current long-term farang in our town of 8,000 the senior office lady had to find the manual, gave me a list of required documents and went through the process with me - gave an appointment the following week. Provided the docs plus attended with one Thai witness, the second one was unavailable but the office woman knew him (he's the former land office manager, now retired) and said it was a good excuse for her to visit him at his home. Amazing. Given a time to come back, multiple copies to initial or sign, given the yellow book (no fee) then a 'sit down please' for photo, paid 60b and walked out with yellow book, pink non-Thai ID card. Two weeks later was accepted for my car and motorcycle licences - they took copies of both yellow/pink. Licences show my ID number not my passport number as previous ones did. On a roll, I then went to open a Kasikorn account (already with Bangkok Bank) and similarly, simple process. No real 'value' except for convenience. Note here the otherwise helpful Chanthaburi Immigration office do not issue residence letters, instead referring you to your embassy which isn't convenient to me. As others have, or will, mention, experiences vary, but that was mine.

I have encountered a suicide in New Zealand with this scenario; resulted in strangulation, tied to a door handle rather than hanging; no doubt it was suicide and can only presume he'd tied his hands to ensure death. Grim stuff. The standard NZ police report 'no suspicious circumstances, referred to the coroner'.

I had proper conversations (as opposed to the walking past "Hi how are you...") with two foreigners in 2024, an Australian in January, a German in November; a decrease of 2023 when total was five - three UK, two USA. We're 15km from the city and since Covid seems I'm the only farang in town of 8,000, before then some older German and Dutch I'd see regularly at the market, beach or cafe. May already; this year I'm on zero; did have a smile and a 'gidday mate' from an Australian in Central on Tuesday. We're active in sports events, cycling group, all Thais; compete in running events local and adjoining provinces, my celebrity status as usually the only overseas entrant incl a field of over 1800 in March. I always greet / acknowledge any I see in the city at Central Chanthaburi or Lotus but they're a funny bunch, staring at the floor or pretending they haven't seen/heard me. Often in the company of my daughter who asks why they're so rude as she likes to speak in English to someone other than me. Whatever...

It's durian buying season; 400k baht maybe two D-Max pickups of good durian. For many it's their sole income for the year in a few days sales unless they've diversified into other fruits. Friends sold 90% of their total crop direct to an exporter, trucked to China, and a truckload (almost) of cash.

None of the above. Moved here in 2011 for two years, now nowhere else I'd rather be. Nearest sea swimming, 7.2km of beach, an easy cycle from home.

Thunderstorm forecast.... 34C and a few clouds, a deserted Chao Lao beach 7 May 2025, just me and the ice-cream man Eastern Thailand: Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chonburi, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Trat

Waiting for his next one, the Prophet Trump wearing a beard, accompanied by a 7 year old girl and a goat; a DIY Mohammed kit - not that this would upset anyone in this free speech world

Daily occurrence. A local [Chanthaburi] emergency responder regularly posts on FB for the accidents she attends, not rare for a fatality like this one during a night shift; so many are single vehicle accidents - mostly motorscooters, second place to pickups, the racing D-Max drivers who lose control at speed. When my daughter did her driving school course for her licence, she was told that on average there is one road fatality every 24 minutes. Don't know how accurate that is but possibly not far wrong.

TV news stated the boat operator has also had their permit to operate in the national park suspended (but didn't say how long the suspension was for). Good scheme, hit them financially.