[Phuket officials accused of extorting Thai women and their foreign husbands]

19 hours ago, FarAway said:

I do not see the issue here. 

Win-Win.

If you do not wanna pay the "fee" for faster process, just take the normal processing time?

 

I am waiting for the registration of my marriage abroad in my home country since almost 9 months now. I wish there would be corruption in The West.

 

There's plenty of corruption in the West. It's just less visible, perhaps more at higher levels of society. 

[Jealous Husband Attacks Wife and Fatally Stabs Himself]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

How on earth does one stab themself in the chest, and if this story is correct, and if it is accurate, and if it is true, what kind of level of desperation is required to stab yourself in your own chest? What kind of a man loses his mind over jealousy and the thought that his wife might be flirting with somebody? Who are these people, and why is their self esteem so absent? 

I remember some research that I read quite some time ago, that suggested if people have very little in terms of property, really their honor is all they have.

 

As such, poor people would feel more quickly aggravated if they feel their honor is under attack, as it’s pretty much the only thing they feel they can defend.

[How is the air quality outside of smoke season?]

Living in Chiang Mai I find the air quality ok for most of the year, outside of burning season.

 

During rain season, after a heavy rain, air is very clean for a little while.

[Gordon Ramsay’s group set to open 14 restaurants in Thailand]

19 hours ago, Reginald Prewster said:

LOL if you do that with Thai staff, he will have to change them like I my undies... 

Did you consider diapers?

[Is it better to be single or attached in Thailand?]

Got a relationship with my GF for 7 years now.

 

But at time she can be a pain in the backside, especially regarding financial matters. I think woman in general can never really be happy.

 

My GF got a good life (50.000 THB a month to spend on mostly herself and our daughter, 2 houses including one with a swimming pool, her own 3 rai farm, a car, no loans). I also got a condo recently which will be inherited by our daughter if would be gone in the future. But still only 40 years old, so hopefully that is far away ...

 

We do have a daughter together, so for the sake of our daughter it's better to stay together. But I wouldn't marry her (would have considered if she was as gentle as when we met, but people change).

 

Since a person is responsible for his/her own happiness and woman can never truly be happy while men certainly can (just enjoying working ,hobbies, friends), it can be better to stay single. You can have the upsides of dealing with woman without much of the downsides. In a relationship this can be harder to separate. 

[Esso exits Thailand market after 129 years]

Interesting to see so many Western/foreign companies leave in the last couple of years.

 

MAKRO, Lotus, 7-Eleven, Carrefour, now Esso ...

 

Wonder if at some time companies like Shell and Unilever follow suit.

 

I'm suspecting these companies leave because Thailand makes it hard for them to do business here? But not sure.

 

Will reduce competition though and that cannot be a good thing.

[Social Media “Outraged” Over Erotic Show in Pattaya]

3 hours ago, jacko45k said:

I was at an open air show on temple grounds with live bands, which included prancing pretties and a couple of wild male dancers. To say some of the movements and positions were sexual may be an understatement. I felt embarrassed, but it seemed designed to whip people into a frenzy and maybe shock. My Mrs was disturbed this was occurring on temple grounds. The headliner act was more sedate and enjoyable, I might have left earlier but we had paid to get in. 

I’ve seen that kind of dancing at parties in wats in our village (northern Thailand, “the sticks”).

No nudity, but scantily clad young ladies dancing on the podium as well. My girlfriend calls such ladies “coyotes”.

 

And many young children present as well (cause there’s also children toys at the temple at such events, such as inflatable sliders.

[Thaksin to get extra security and “adequate conveniences” while in prison]

Will he be able to get conjugal visits every now and then? And I don’t mean from fellow inmate Somchai.

[What should I do if I no longer find my wife attractive?]

On 8/8/2023 at 9:30 AM, bob smith said:

i watched that alone last week. I know the story inside out so to see it on the big screen was a bit boring.

 

I thought about taking the mrs with me but i would have had to pay for the extra large seats. saved my money for popcorn instead..

You do know feeding your wife popcorn will not make where thinner, right?

[Why i like Thailand]

On 8/8/2023 at 2:54 PM, spidermike007 said:

Helps if you get away from the tourist spots, where some of the locals are jaded. 

 

A light heart, a sense of humor, and a good attitude help too. 

And dress a bit nice when visiting government buildings (like immigration). Smile and do a wai from your nose to show respect when meeting with bank employees, government officials and Thai people will treat you better.

[Thai deodorants.]

On 8/7/2023 at 8:48 AM, KannikaP said:

Does the Alum stick which you use not contain aluminium?

I seem to remember that trumpet players rubbed alum on their lips to strengthen them.

Good point, never looked into this. Maybe it's not as good as an alternative as I thought it would be, but perhaps I can find out the ingredients. I buy the Grace brand currently by the way.

[Thai deodorants.]

17 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

I use an Alum stick, they are cheap and last 6-12 months+

 

Check out Deodorant stick (Alum)!฿150.00 only!Get it on Lazada now! | https://s.lazada.co.th/s.9GiIJ

 

Probably will be able to find cheaper options

I use an alum stick as well. Other big brand deodorants (with antiperspirant function) often contain aluminium and from my understanding this can be a cause for cancer.

[Thailand’s household-debt storm taking deadly toll on guarantors]

9 hours ago, Pumpuynarak said:

Don't ever guarantor anyone unless they or you are on a guaranteed affordable income (pension springs to mind) but i know thats easily said the reality is very different. I was asked by our bank to guarantor wifey's house purchase, no problem my pension easily covered the monthly repayments. Wifey had no income to meet the repayments, go figure lol

I think in general it's a bad idea to be a guarantor. But it's ok if you have a lot of excess income I guess. Also understandable in case it's your child or wife for example and you know they are responsible people.

 

I wouldn't want to be guarantor for my girlfriend, since I know she's bad at managing money. We got no debt, got a house, got a car. And I provide my girlfriend with 12.000 THB a week. And still every week she manages to spend it all. 

 

And I know of Thai families in the neighbourhood who do have repayments for mortgages or cars and they have multiple children as well and can manage with maybe 20.000 THB per month.

 

Told my girlfriend she could easily save 1000 THB a week. But she says I don't know all the things she needs to buy. For our daughter, for cleaning the house, etc...

 

I do know she spends quite a bit on the lottery. Probably the remainder at the end of every week in hope of striking in big.

 

So a person like that, can never be a guarantor for. Cause can't manage money and spend responsibly.

[Freelancer with Elite Visa and income tax in home country]

16 hours ago, BritTim said:

The general consensus is that, if you are in Thailand for more than 180 days during the year, you are liable for tax on your worldwide income, but only if the income is transferred to Thailand in the year that it is earned. In practice, since cash is fungible, it is next to impossible to prove whether money transferred to Thailand is income earned in the current year. The tax authorities rarely, if ever, try.

 

That aside, depending on your nationality, there may be double taxation treaties between your country and Thailand that prevent you being taxed twice on the same income.

I know a Dutch pensioner that -due to this regulation- always sends money to Thailand for the whole year (~15.000 EUR) on 1 January. I guess better safe than sorry.

[How common is one night stand?]

On 5/6/2023 at 6:58 PM, Mac Mickmanus said:

I do think that you are exaggerating somewhat .

My opinion is neither "extreme right wing " or "prudish"

Paying to ejaculate just sits uneasy with me , like paying girls to put your knob inside them , just seems a bit odd.

   Do carry on though, don't mind my opinion and continue to do what you want , I just prefer not to participate , 

You'll be paying anyway, one way or the other.

 

Some ways are less overt of course.

[crabs in thailand ?? never seen any]

3 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

In this context - pubic lice;-

 

 

Also shown in the photo are their eggs "cemented" to the hairs. Dry, clean hairs are preferred, greasy ones not so - difficulty in "cementing" egg to greasy hair. 

So you're saying an oil massage a day keeps the crabs away?

[Feeling safe in your own home]

Generally feeling safe in our home in a village in Chiang Mai province, but there's been moments it was a bit less.

 

Last year a guy would often visit our home. He would go through the gate and sit on our front porch, wanting to sell something to my girlfriend. He was addicted to yaba and I didn't like him going this close to our family (we also have a 6 year old daughter). He sold snails and such to my girlfriend and used to proceeds to buy more yaba.

 

However, this guy died last year and now not really anything to worry about.

 

My girlfriend did mention she has a lady friend living a bit outside the village and this lady friend doesn't always feel safe, having her home a bit outside the village. I guess for single woman it can be more scary like this, doesn't matter if Thai or foreigner.

[Is it time to get an air cleaner?]

On 3/12/2023 at 3:49 PM, SamSanuk said:

Have to disagree. No app needed. (Maybe older unit in this case, 2s)  Runs fine for my studio/room. Step outside my hotel door and the air is heavy, rancid and chewy. Inside my room, light and clean.

 

Two coffee shops near me use the professional units from Xiaomi and the air is fine and dandy in both stores.
 

Sure, you could probably find dozens of better units, but for the price….no complaints here. Paid 4000 baht on Lazada 3 years ago. 

Got 2 Xiaomi's as well (larger one and smaller one) and also been happy with mine. The app is kinda optional, works fine without out.

 

However, over time, as the filter becomes more dirty, the device becomes less effective. So occasionally need to buy new filters of course. Or maybe can clean the existing filter.

[I miss massage in Thailand]

On 2/1/2023 at 4:44 AM, Farang123 said:

I spent most of my 30's in Chiang Mai but I am too young to just stay in Thailand for the rest of my life.

I'm doing fine here at 41, but YMMV ????

[Reasonably priced eye glasses/lenses, crazy pricing or just me?]

One thing to realise is that there's pretty much a monopoly on produces of glasses and frames. Hence the crazy prices in shops are possible.

 

All the different brands of designers frames pretty much build by a single company. Some more background info here: https://www.latimes.com/business/lazarus/la-fi-lazarus-why-are-eyeglasses-so-expensive-20190122-story.html

 

Buying online you will be able to find much more reasonable prices. I bought my last set of glasses (with frame) online for around 1.000 THB. With such cheap glasses, it can actually be a good idea to buy multiple sets.

 

Also, there's some research done that using slightly less strong glasses than the current requirements of your eyes, might help recover vision (rinse and repeat over a long period of time). With cheap glasses this approach is more reasonable to try.

[Young Korean Man Fakes His Own Abduction in Pattaya for Thai Girlfriend’s Expenses]

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

He didn't really think that one through to the end..

He just thought with the little head, not the big one.

 

Ah, the power of the pussy ????

[Thaksin back in Thailand on May 16th - calls for a landslide election victory to get country out of a "black hole"]

3 hours ago, keith101 said:

He is pushing for his party to win so he and his daughter can get pardons and can return home and take power again .

Looking at the election posters, it seems his daughter is the hottest candidate by a landslide. Dunno if that would help getting votes. Of course she also promises to double the minimum wage, so that might help a bit more.

 

Then again, my Thai ain't great, but it seems other candidates make similar promises. 

[Huge fire near Pattaya Klang]

burning rubbers, perhaps

[What you look for in a massage ?]

In the past I liked oil massage, but I don’t enjoy it anymore really.

 

Now I prefer Thai massage. Helps me relax my muscles, which is nice due to my desk job. Sometimes stiff back, neck, etc…

 

I don’t like massage from young girls, cause I doubt their skills.

 

Ladies 30+ can do well from my experience. I do appreciate a happy ending afterwards, so it’s best if the masseuse is a bit of a beauty.

[EU negotiates free trade agreement with Thailand]

3 hours ago, ukrules said:

The headline got my attention 'EU negotiates free trade agreement with Thailand' - reads lke they have completed it but no, they're just starting negotiations.

 

Here's how I think it will proceed :

 

The list of demands which will be many and varied with plenty of them political in nature and will be unrelated to trade but restrictions on what Thailand can and can't do both at home and internationally will be delivered.

Thailand will tell them where to stick their list of demands and that will be the end of it for another 10 years.

To be honest, I kinda hope so. I am originally from The Netherlands and I despise the EU. Want as little to do with them as possible.

 

I suspect EU (Germany) would very much like to sell car brands like Mercedes and BMW in Thailand without the huge import duty, to increase sales. Because it seems it's harder to grow sales in EU now: https://tradingeconomics.com/european-union/car-registrations

 

This would likely be one of the main points of negotiation, since the car industry is of huge importance to Germany.