[Opposition to the government’s digital wallet scheme growing]

No need to use CBDC, better look into how El Salvador distributed their digital wallet using the Lightning network. Although not 100% successful, Salvadorians have used this for several years....

[Escape from Nai Harn ?]

Visited Karon beach every year(diving), & rented a bungalow in Nai Harm 2 years(x6 months). Moved to Hua Hin were I'm now on my 5th season(live half year in Thailand). Hua Hin is a more social place, easier to get friends, beaches, shops & bars and live music (if you want..) Never regret the move.... I'm 68, and, one of the few who brought my wife with me from home...

[Thailand going cashless. Are you for or against it?]

Bitcoin fixes this... Pay with Lightning wallet on your phone. 

Lots of countries where the majority of the people doesn't have access to banking. Street vendors already use this kind of payment solutions, and more will.... 

There's already several digital payment solutions in use, impossible to stop, the world movies forward..

[Anybody loading up on BTC on this dip?]

Well, impossible to discuss BTC with people who doesn't know how it's built. Reading about it in newspapers doesn't tell you a thing, as most journalists don't understand it either..... 

Truth is that it's the best performing asset the last years.....

People races to buy when they read it's going up, and usually loose because they sell with loss....

Nobody believed in internet either, but 20+ years after, everybody has a phone in their pocket.. Technology always adapts.... When all the Billon$ companies put eggs in their BTC basket, does it make them stupid?

Hell, I don't even use my old bank, and haven't for years... Revolut user since their startup (and saved a lot....). Regular banks are expensive, slow, and old tech, can't even make a good app. 

So, I use a combo, Neo bank & Crypto... Sorry for the rant!

[Any Experience with Older Kawasaki ER6N 650s?]

My ER6F 2011. Runs like a clock. Was around 50K when I bought it 4 years ago, been on trips all over Thailand. Changed fuel pump & radiator cap(if engine starts getting warm often, this solves it often). Lowered the handlebar+ small cosmetic add-ons. Not to big in the city, not to small on longer trips. Regular oil & tire changes, and you're good.

[Drive Mae Sot to Mae Sariang]

Rode the full Mae Hong son loop a few years ago, Loved Mae Sariang!

Here is a link to my video:  

 

[Thailand looks at easing visa rules in bid to boost tourism]

For me, the STV was perfect. Are staying 6 months each year, and will still do for a couple of years more. S bit more hassle to get the OA, but a bit more paperwork. Easing on some requirements would be great....

[SURVEY: What are your biggest issues in Thailand?]

Paperwork... especially as I stay 6 months each year in Thailand. Only solution is applying for 1 year retirement Visa, or Visaruns...

[Hua Hin nightlife - it's all open and very busy]

Restaurants are open, and can sell alcohol until 10pm... That means that most bars sell some kind of food now...

Understandable, after being closed for so long.

Most of the bars in Bintabath have moved to Soi 94. For food & live music, El Toro in Soi 94, have now moved to a completely new building in Soi 102, (almost on the corner where you can cross over to Soi 112, railway end). Big outdoor restaurant. Also Rock Zone moved earlier this year to the road along the railway, from Soi 94. Seems the most popular places are now 94 & 102.....or, the "geriatric street" in Soi 80....

[Phuket to make foreigners pay for COVID test, Thais get it for free]

I would not expect to get it for free....I'm a guest in Thailand. If you can't afford 500........well, cheap charlie is your name...

[Looking to purchase a Big Motorbike]

Well, Honda has most service points, 2nd place Kawasaki...so I would choose between those brands. CB300 is too small for 2 +load, you'll get tired of shifting gears.

500x is an undervalued bike, but needs a more comfortable saddle for long rides(5000B apex for a better one).

The wife and I have traveled all over Thailand, and personally I prefer a bike with a little more leaning riding position. Currently I am riding a Kawasaki ER6F, but have lowered the handlebar. That means I don't sit to much down on my ass when riding, and can ride longer between stops....  I think the bike has the perfect combination of HP, size, weight for Thai roads. You can ride both on paved and unpaved roads, and get to see more of the rural places. It is not the best bike for gravel, but it's possible. Done that, and, the wife are often falling asleep while riding.????.

Good luck finding your favorite, but remember that bikes are made for the average guy, you should modify it so it feels good for your body!

[Best Way to Cash Out?]

Why don't you get a Binance card?

https://www.binance.cc/en/register?ref=35966049

 

It's a debit card that converts crypto to Fiat automatically....

[CCSA: First group of foreigners allowed back are long stay and permanent residents]

Well, I'm just waiting to be let in and stay 6 months as usual.usually late September. so all news about opening the borders are good news, even if it will not happen tomorrow.... But, would prefer quarantine in my own apartment...

To many comments in these threads are about how stupid these government guys are...time to stop repeating comments? Or, maybe you don't know the country and it's people as well as you think you do?

["Foreign tourists won't come if confined to their room for 14 days" but keeping them at resorts is OK, Pipat]

Well, I usually stay for a little less than 180 days winter time in my rented house in Thailand. So, if I get in quarantine in October,how do I now stay legally  ????? Not on a Multi entry Visa anymore...... If a 6 month Visa had been available, I would gladly be locked down for a few weeks, but preferably at my own place.....

[PayPal--Fees and charges for Thai accounts]

Get a Revolut or Transferwise account..

Better rates for transferring(interbank rates). PayPal is easy to use, but charges way too much, so I avoid using them if I can. 

[BKK: If denied entry, can you fly to a nearby country instead of originating country?]

Thanks for the information! Guess I'll follow the advice.

[BKK: If denied entry, can you fly to a nearby country instead of originating country?]

Well, the Visa rules states that the immigration officer has the final say....

It's just not fun when you don't really know why they detain you, as I don't work in Thailand, just enjoy staying here. I cannot see that I have broken any laws/rules, except staying on SE and flying in/out two times. Guess I will apply for Multiple next time. Just have to plan better... I have so many good friends here, both Thai & expats ...

 

And, I'm not offended by your answer..????. 

4 hours ago, lovethai123 said:

You still wanna visit again after this harassment. Find another country where you are welcomed. 

 

Sorry if I have been rude to you.

 

[BKK: If denied entry, can you fly to a nearby country instead of originating country?]

My wife and me(both Scandinavian origin) arrived to DMK from Saigon yesterday (stayed 4 nights). Chose different immigration que. I was stopped, and waited more than 2 hours there before I was allowed entry... Been staying less than 180 days in Thailand last 4 years, as we are only working in our Homeland the other half of the year. Always arrived with 60 day Visa, do extension, fly out to a neighbour country, stay a few days, fly back, extension, repeat until we fly home. 

I was told I had stayed 284 days in Thailand, the last 14-15 months. She also said I had to stay in my Homeland more than 310(aprx.) before I could return again. I think she didn't see my wife waiting for me, until an hour had passed...so that could be the reason for letting me enter a bit later....  

Never had overstay, and have been visiting since 2010, but only 15-30 days the earlier years.. We travel the country by big bike, relax, and enjoy the climate here, and would like to continue staying here during winter. Now, will a MEntry Visa be safer? Just to avoid this? Haven't applied for METV before, as we usually plan as we go, and where...

Have visited  Malaysia, Vietnam, and Laos until now... 

[Tourist visa]

Been to Thailand every year since 2010, the last 4 years we've stayed for 6 month. Always arrived with a 60 day Visa. Then 30 days extension, usually a flight to a neighbour country, and back again, new extension, and either a land crossing, or another flight. No problems so far. We're only working 5-6 months in our Homeland, just relaxing and riding around on our bike. Multi entry Visa is a bit of a hassle for us, as we need 2 out/ in flights when applying, and we can't plan it for it.... Has never had any problem with immigration, though, but read some stories.... Currently we're renting on a yearly basis. Hopefully we can continue this routine for the years to come... without problems...

[Enter the February 2020 Thaivisa Photography Competition]

Mae Sariang by night

[Enter the February 2020 Thaivisa Photography Competition]

Mae Hong Son longneck village girl

[What Did You Do to Your Bike Today ?]

Added Red reflective rim tape for contrasts.. not really sure if I want to sell the bike, I think it's starting to look good..[emoji16]

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[What Did You Do to Your Bike Today ?]

  I have been thinking about this model... do you think of the higher handlebar height?

I find it comfortable, the only drawback with the bike is the saddle...the longer you ride, the more often you have to take a break...
But the 48hp feels powerful enough...
My Suzuki GSXF600 at home has 78hp,4cyl., behaves very different, but the saddle is awesome...[emoji16] May be partly because the riding position is more leaning, but it's still softer...

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[What Did You Do to Your Bike Today ?]

 
 
 Is that a CB 500 X?   Sweet ride..

Yes, a -14!

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[What Did You Do to Your Bike Today ?]

Finally got crashbars and headlight grille...been on a tour from Phuket to Hua Hin with the wife riding pillion...would really like a better saddle..... A local guy put some cm additional foam in, but don't help at all.....tips appreciated! And, merry Christmas y'all!

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