Scouse123

Switched today from the annual Thai retirement extension circus to the 5-year DTV soft option. My retirement extension officially expires tomorrow — good timing. I actually got approved for the DTV back in January in Cambodia, but sat on it until now. The Border Run (a.k.a. “Activate DTV Mode”): I didn’t want to waste another full passport page on a giant Lao visa, so I applied for the Lao e-visa — the total cost was $51.75 (because administrative fees are now a thing, apparently). Pricey, but neat and tidy. Entered at Savannakhet. Not a soul in line at the e-visa counter, just me and a bored immigration officer who barely looked up. Quick QR scan, a small sticker (about the size of a postage stamp, but rectangular ) and a Lao immigration stamp — job done. Immediately did a U-turn and headed back. I wasn’t there for sightseeing, and frankly, Savannakhet isn’t exactly calling to me. Border “Extras”: 50 baht bus over the bridge, both ways. 40 baht mystery “processing fee” in Laos — no explanation, but a receipt given to get you through the barrier. On the way out, immigration staff gave us the famous smile and asked for 100 baht each — no receipt, of course. My Mrs asked, “What’s that for?” and got a smile. Everyone was paying for it. It’s not legal, but arguing about 100 baht at a border post? No thanks — I’ve got whisky to buy. Speaking of which, I scored a 1.75L jug of Johnnie Walker Black at Lao duty-free — $68, with a big glass handle, looking like something Clint Eastwood would take to a gunfight. Cash only. Back in Thailand and now stamped in until January 12, 2026. I’ll be out before that anyway, probably grabbing another jug of whisky. Why I Like the DTV: No more yearly visit to immigration with a rainforest’s worth of paperwork. Cheaper over five years than doing extensions. Yes, you have to leave every six months — but I actually enjoy that. Get a change of scenery, grab some duty-free, and remind yourself why you live in Thailand. Final Thought: If you're fed up with the annual immigration dance and piles of documents, the DTV route is smooth, fast, and for me — a no-brainer. If you’ve already obtained approval, simply cross the border and activate it. Easy.

In Thailand, trying to apply basic logic or suggest efficiency improvements is like shouting into a typhoon. Take rice, for example. Every year, it’s the same routine: planting, tending, harvesting — all for a yield that’s completely at the mercy of the weather, pests, and sheer luck. I’ve crunched the numbers. Between the cost of seed, wages, fuel, and equipment — not to mention the headaches when the crop inevitably underperforms — it would be cheaper, smarter, and far less stressful to just buy rice from the supermarket as needed. We live in a farming area, for heaven’s sake — there’s no shortage of fresh, affordable rice nearby. But when I point this out, I get the usual response: a blank stare like I’ve just insulted the family ancestors, followed by the old chestnut: “But we’ve always done it this way.” The same thing happens when I suggest something as simple as batch cooking. Prep a few meals at once, freeze them, save money, save time — job done. But again, it’s met with indifference. No one’s interested. Why bother cooking when you can swing in a hammock all afternoon, gossip about the neighbors, and dream about winning the lottery? It’s not a resource issue. It’s not poverty. Furthermore, it’s a mindset — one stuck on repeat, wrapped in tradition and lulled by inertia. Meanwhile, any attempt at common sense is seen as disruption with a No, thanks — just pass the lucky numbers and another bag of takeout.

You are quite right, it was value for money. If you have a black cat on this board, someone has to have one that is blacker, you can't win.

I posted here not long ago about how much supermarket prices had jumped in the UK when I visited back in May. The reaction? Utter denial. A pile-on of abuse like I’d fabricated the whole thing. Apparently, pointing out the obvious now makes you public enemy number one. Funny how people are only just waking up to the cost-of-living squeeze — something I've been saying for years. Suddenly it’s “I can’t afford lunch!” and “Groceries are extortionate!” Really? No kidding. Meanwhile, here at home in Thailand, we’ve got both a Thai and a Western kitchen. A full outdoor BBQ setup. Every pan, burner, and cutting board imaginable. And not one of them — not one — lifts a finger to cook. Why? Because I pay for everything. So they don't have to. It's not poverty. It’s not lack of time. Likewise, it’s not even lack of skill. It’s sheer, unfiltered bone idleness. And yes — I’ve pointed it out. Many times. What do I get in return? Blank stares and passive resistance, like I’ve just suggested they take up coal mining. Let me tell you — I’m 63. Not exactly from the Victorian era. Raised in a big UK family. My mum was widowed when I was just 18 months old. She worked an 8-hour factory shift every day and still managed to prep and cook dinner for seven kids. Not UberEats. Not takeaways. Real food. Real effort. By the time I joined the Royal Navy, I could already cook, wash, iron, and sew — because in our house, you had to know how to survive. And guess what? Those skills came in bloody useful. We’ve gone from self-reliance to self-entitlement in a single generation. Somewhere along the way, personal responsibility became optional. Now, people treat “preparing your own lunch” like it’s a hardship on par with indentured servitude. And before anyone gets defensive — this isn’t about wealth. It’s about attitude. If my mother could feed eight on a widow’s wage, there’s no excuse for a household full of able-bodied adults staring at a stocked fridge like it’s a museum exhibit. Wake up. This isn't just a financial crisis — it's a cultural one.

I have heard the same as you are saying now from multiple sources. I was thinking about us going there, given the ease of travel for Thais, who don't require visas. She has a full 10-year UK visa, but isn't bothered about going there after so many visits already. No way are we going now; there are way too many reports for it to be a coincidence or just one or two people having a bad holiday. We will take a multi-city tour of Vietnam instead.

Products like these have always been available aimed at those that don't smoke, but still want the effect.

Thailand keeps shouting ‘quality over quantity’,yet still worships tourist numbers like sacred cows. Visa exempt now being given out like confetti to all and sundry and countless new visas springing up. Meanwhile, corruption runs wild, the beaches are filthy, roads are death traps, pavements are obstacle courses, and taxi drivers act like they’re in a Tarantino film. Toss in dual pricing and tuk-tuk tantrums, and they wonder why well-heeled visitors are now sipping cocktails in Vietnam instead. It's not rocket science!

Where is it?

This week's latest brainwave,

Let’s be real: Trump guaranteed all these big trade deals would come rolling in the moment he dropped his Big Beautiful Tariffs. China, EU, India, the UK — “they’ll beg us for deals,” remember?........................Well… still waiting. China played along for five minutes with Phase One, then walked. The EU hasn’t moved. India clapped back with their tariffs. The UK? Still busy sorting itself out and not in the mood for American strong-arming. Even USMCA was NAFTA with a new haircut. So, no — it’s not “over” just because one deal might happen. Most of the world hasn’t even started hitting back yet. These things take time, and when they do retaliate, it won’t be loud and dramatic; it'll be strategic and long-term. Calling victory now is like celebrating at half-time because your team scored first. Watch the rest of the match.

Yup, Massaging Trump's ego and anything can happen.

One swallow doesn't make a summer, and you are aware it's the US taxpayer who is paying more on the imports, not the Chinese exporter.

What do they charge on imported cars?

He needs to change his friends.

I don't believe this.