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WilliamSmits

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About WilliamSmits

  • Birthday 01/07/1961

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  • Location
    Bangkok

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  • Location
    Thailand

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  1. Not sure why the age difference happens more with the man being the old one. Maybe being lonely & divorced has something to do with it, and frequenting bars ... But richer women seem to marry younger guys too. It's part due to one side having money AND having time. Another aspect is that it's more common in Asia than in Europe and not limited to expat / retirees as I see several women in the village have much younger boyfriends.
  2. Talk to a local in Amsterdam or Venice and its the same. Too much spoils the fun, drives up the cost of living and foreigners open businesses, (guesthouses & restaurants,) and drive up rent, replacing the small local shops.
  3. in BKK areas where taxis are known not to use the meter I use grab, MuvMi (tuktuk) or Lineman Even in MBK taxi line the first 5 taxis did not want a ride with meter. It will not change unless all refuse these taxis and use apps
  4. Last year my wife's mother died and we spent a week in the village and I learned a great deal more while taking photos and participating. The process is not outsourced as in the west. The family and friends take care of the body (washing and dressing up). The casket stays at the house (no funeral home) and is attended 24/7 until the funeral. Early morning is the serious part with monks and close relatives, then the cooking and music starts. Tents, tables, chairs and all more are supplied by the temple. All day people come, sit, eat, drink and share stories. It's the process of saying goodbye over few days, rather than in few minutes at a funeral home. The casket gets carried to the temple, speeches are made and the fire is lit. Next day the remains are collected and buried. Death here is part of life and not hidden away or outsourced and I feel it helps dealing with the loss in a better way.
  5. Watch Thai Amarin TV for a daily dose of shootings, car and bike crashes and violence in the villages
  6. Maybe apply for a visa at any Thai embassy? Chance on rejection might be less
  7. I am optimistic and think retirees will not get taxed on money transfered into Thailand. Alternatively, there are lots of ways to get money into Thailand without showing up in my Thai bank account. (like taking in out of ATM with foreign card, etc. etc) Just keeping 800.000 in an account is enough for immigration.
  8. We have fingerprint scanner and (or) face recognition before entering lifts area. Fire exit is also in that area. Makes it much harder for short term renters to enter as you need to do full registration at condo office.
  9. Getting up more, walking and swimming helps me, losing few kg helped too. Medicines are option 2. Operation if all else fails
  10. A coffee pod has just 5 -7 grams coffee. A decent mug of coffee needs 2 pods, otherwise its just like Starbucks water.
  11. Meanwhile in Phonsavan - Laos
  12. In general Thai will not know much about the western world. People from USA do not know much about Europe etc. Do not confuse knowledge with intelligence or being smart. Thai people that I know are smart and learn fast if given the chance.
  13. It is interesting to see that each day there is a story / rumour / complaint on this party Planned well, different persons, different angles, but with the same aim
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