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dinga

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Posts posted by dinga

  1. On 3/26/2024 at 7:19 AM, Mike Lister said:

    It's a terminology thing. Permanent Resident equates to being a Thai citizen or a naturalised citizen, everyone else is a visa holder.

    RUBBISH  -  I'm a farang with PR Status, and NOT a Thai citizen.  I cannot own land in Thailand and if a beneficiary in a WILL will need to sell any bequeathed land within 12 months

     

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  2. On 9/15/2009 at 6:04 PM, vincent13 said:

    Have sought a ruling from the ATO. Will post the outcome on forum.

    Someoneelse and Jackspratt - I take your point about the pension being paid from an "untaxed source". The pension is comprised of the employer contribution which is not taxed "on the way in".

    However, I have sighted ATO rulings where Australian Government/Comsuper pensions are non-taxable in Australia for residents of the Phillipines or New Zealand.

    The outcome I'm looking for is to pay tax on it in Thailand rather than Australia, on the assumption that it will be subject to significantly less tax in Thailand.

    Did you ever get that Ruling???

     

  3. On 2/10/2024 at 10:48 AM, 4MyEgo said:

     

    my feasibility research tells me that it would take me 4 years to recoup the outlay, if I was to return for the 2 years to claim the Age Pension, so I would be 71 before I actually got back what I spent in those 2 years in Australia to claim the Age Pension, suffice to say it's a dead duck for me, exactly how the Oz government planned it to be, but most don't seem to do the math, that or they have accommodation and live on the very cheap, which would make it a possible break even scenario for them, which would then make it worth it for them. 

     

    My understanding is that - provided you meet the eligibility criteria especially both the Assets & Income Tests - you get the OAP immediately you turn up and say you've returned to permanently reside in OZ (the 2 year period relating purely to portability, not eligibility).  Did your calculations factor in the receipt of the OAP during the whole of that 2 year period ??   

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  4. 35 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

    Yes it is, very much so and from what the RD people I know tell me, it's right in the middle of their radar. But there again, they have just been trying to frighten me so who knows. But for sure, yes, it is assessable income.

    Rental Income in Thailand

    All rental properties are subject to a House and Land Tax, which is 12.5% of the annual rental income. On top of that, the rental income is taxable, and owners will have to pay Thai income taxes on the money. Thai income taxes are calculated using a progressive scale ranging from 0-37%.

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  5. 16 hours ago, uttradit said:

    Mae Phim beach is pretty good. Rayong just a launching pad for Samet. Samet great beaches.

    Mae Phim by far the best beach & (quiet) holiday spot in Rayong - and probably the whole of the east coast

    • Thanks 1
  6. On 2/7/2024 at 3:07 PM, Sheryl said:

    Definitely, rates vary with age.

     

    Broker info is incorrect.

     

    For me, I paid $3,229 at age 69 then $4,073 at age 70 (this is with a $500 deductible, and the Essential plan - years were 2022 and 2023 respectively).

     

    If I were you I'd try a better broker. Which you will need anyway even if changing policies (which they can advise you on).

     

     

     

     

    By way of comparison, I have a BASIC Plan, Hospitalisation & Basic Repat only, US$500 deductible for a Premium of US$3,324 when I renewed in February 2023 (at age 69). 

     

    The proposed premium for renewal of this policy in February 2024 was US$3,925  -  and increase of over 18%. 

     

    Your numbers suggest I could expect an increase of well over 20% if I was to renew my policy in February 2025 at age 70  -  taken the new premium to near US$5,000.

     

    Bye-Bye April  

  7. On 2/7/2024 at 3:07 PM, Sheryl said:

    Definitely, rates vary with age.

     

    Broker info is incorrect.

     

    For me, I paid $3,229 at age 69 then $4,073 at age 70 (this is with a $500 deductible, and the Essential plan - years were 2022 and 2023 respectively).

     

    If I were you I'd try a better broker. Which you will need anyway even if changing policies (which they can advise you on).

     

     

     

     

    Tks Sheryl  -  AA World was the Broker (no surprise, eh!).  A feather will knock you over after I reveal that they were pushing Regency.  I concluded the claim (sic) about having no regard for age-bands was absolute b/s and I wasn't prepared to go through the usual exclusion of anything faintly smelling of existing conditions for an alternative policy.

     

    I've had a gutfull of Health Insurance companies, and concluded it was only a matter of time anyway before the leeches would price health coverage well beyond reasonable & affordable. 

     

    Hence, from now on I'll rely on my Thai Social Security cover and pay for any additional upgrades.  

     

     

     

     

  8. On 1/21/2024 at 9:00 AM, Sheryl said:

     

    I think the issue may have more to do with your broker than with the insurer. "age of thew insured, zones of cover and formulas chosen" are all known factors specific to you and your policy.

     

    It is true that no insurer can tell you in advance exactly what rates will be a year hence since there are inflationary adjustments each year. But they can tell you what the rates are, by age, currently and from that you can get an idea of how much more increase is likely as you age. A good broker could readily get that info for you.

     

     

    G'day Sheryl

     

    A couple of times I asked exactly that question (via the Broker)   -  what is the Premium renewal now for my exact policy coverage, but for a 70 year old (not 69 as I now am).

     

    This is the reply I finally received"  “Our processing times are currently affected by a surge in activity. We apologise for this delay. 

    For your information, the rates for the My Health International are not based on age-related increases. 

    Furthermore, we have no visibility over price increases for next year, as these are set by the insurer. 

    We look forward to hearing from you. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require any further information.
     

     

    I will not be renewing this policy as:

     

    1.  I don't believe the advice that the Premium next year will be unaffected by my moving into the next standard Age Bracket that seems to be used by most/all other Insurers; 

     

    2.  April and/or the Broker has been/is a Black Hole in relation to service, response times and more importantly, transparency.

     

        

     

     

     

  9. 18 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:


    I have a solar well pump and  pump from a pond sharing solar panels with a switch to swap between them.

     

    if you have a 300w pump and 300w panel then most of the time you won’t have enough power to run the pump, so probably best to add another panel 

     


    we ended up moving our panels away from the pond pump and closer to the submersible pump as it was having to work harder bringing the water up.

     


    A DC transfer switch which you should be able to buy from your local pump shop

     


    i don’t use a filter with my drip irrigation but I don’t have any fine spray heads

    Thanks so much - more to think about!

     

    Given the shading situation, another solar panel can only really be installed next to the current one (which is near the pond fountain).  So I'd still have the 40 metre connection.

     

    Also given I was thinking at running a 300W Sub Pump, on it's own, for only 1 hour or so every 2 or 3 days is it really likely that a 340W panel will be insufficient to power the pump (at say peak power production mid/late morning)?

     

    The bore is right next to a mains power source, so I'm now thinking it might be easier to forget about solar and just get a 220V Jet Pump....

     

     

  10. On 12/22/2023 at 10:08 AM, Sheryl said:

    AA Brokers no longer handles international policies. Supposedly their international portfolio was shifted to something called AA World based in India, website not functional. Personally I switched to a broker based in France when this happened (AOC).

     

    If this Regency policy was recommended to you by AA Brokers in Thailand, it is a Thai issued policy and to be avoided.

     

    Like many insurers, April has 5 year age brackets and there is always a big increase when you move from one 5 year bracket to another.   In between such changes all you will have are inflationary increases (if any) applicable to all.

     

    In other words you will probably not face this level of increase for the next 4 years after this renewal. (But likely a bigger one on turning 75).

     

    Since you have SS, additional insurance is not essential but of course provides you with a free choice of doctors and hospitals. Up to you whether worth it. 

     

     

    G'day Sheryl

     

    Seems April is a Black Hole  -  utterly Zero specifics about how the Premiums are calculated or the current Premium payable for renewal of a Policy with exactly the same conditions as my current one - with the exception that if the age at renewal was 70 (rather than my sprighty 69).  This is the answer provided via AA World:

     

    "April has mentioned that the tariff based on 70 years of age will not be taken into account until 2025, and they do not yet have information on these tariffs. Indeed, the insurer defines premium for each year on the basis of the age of the insured and the zones of cover and formulas chosen".

     

    Penny to a pound that the Premium increase for my renewal in 2/2025 will greatly exceed the 18% increase offered now.

     

    Mighty unhappy with April's lack of candour and transparency - got some thinking to do. 

     

    Like a few other posters, I was shafted by Allianz when they closed down Hauteville (via David Shield) and generously offered alternative policies 'under the same terms' [but then screwed us with massive premium increases in the subsequent year/s].  To say I lack confidence in Health Insurance Companies is a gross understatement, given my experiences over pretty well the last decade.

     

     

     

    BRs   

  11. At present I have a pond fountain that I run as an aerator - powered by a single 340W Solar Panel  (Max Power Voltage and Max Power Current of 38.2V and 8.94A respectively).

     

    I also have a bore hole in which I'm thinking to install a solar submersible pump to provide water to a section of the garden.  The bore is about 16m deep, and I'm looking to draw the water at 11-12 metre depth - with the main PvC line being about 100 metres in length [feeding drippers & micro-sprinklers using about 3,050 litres per hour - for approximately 1 hour every 2 days (in March-May) or 3 days (in other not-so-hot/windy months].

     

    Because of the limited expected use (especially) of the Sub Pump, I'm thinking that the Pump and the Fountain will be run separately and therefore should be able to share the single Solar Panel.  The distance from the Solar Panel to the Sub Pump is about 40 metres though (in addition to existing poles, a new pole will be needed near the Solar Panel to run the electric connection).

     

    So - my questions:

     

    1.  Is it feasible for the Sub Pump and the Fountain to separately be powered by the single Solar Panel?  Are there any limitations?

     

    2.  Does the 40 metre cable length between the Sub Pump and the Solar Panel pose any problems? [perhaps Voltage/Power drop-off etc...]

     

    3.  Assume I need a 3-way switch at the Solar Panel to allow selection of the following settings:  (a) Power Off;  (b) Fountain On;  (c) Sub Pump On.  If this is correct, where can I purchase the switch?  (I can't see them on Lazada - is there a special name to cater for the solar power connections?)

     

    4.  I have (I think) a 120 Mesh 3/4inch in-line Disc Filter that I'm thinking about installing on the main line at the head of the bore.  Should this filter be sufficient to separate any fine particles in order to prevent any clogging of the drippers/micro sprinklers?   Regardless of the filter used, should I still anticipate regular clogging - especially by bugs & ants?? 

     

    Thanks!

     

      

  12. 20 hours ago, Sheryl said:

    He is asking about people's experiences using SS.

     

    Many, many, many people have used it.

     

    The main drawback -- and it can be a considerable one - is that you must use only your nominated hospital, or another facility it refers you to. And the number of hospitals to chose from in making that nomination (which can be changed) is limited. Most government hospitals accept SS but the really big university affiliated ones are often at their quota and not taking new SS enrollees.

     

    What hospital are you registered at under SS? 

     

     

    Thanks (as usual) Sheryl.

     

    I'm registered with the Rayong Hospital since it's the main hospital in my Province (Chantaburi is a little further away from my home in Mae Phim).  I've been there a couple of times (last time for a colonoscopy) - favourable comparison with my Bumrungrad experiences [aside from the queues...].  Every year you get the opportunity to request a change in hospitals and, as you say, in particular circumstances there is the possibility of getting a referral to a higher rated hospital/specialist.  

  13. I've started this new thread to cover this question asked on another thread:

     

    Dinga said:  I'm fortunate to maintain medical coverage under the Thai Social Security arrangements by continuing to pay the some 500 baht in monthly subs  -  so guess it's a matter of time really before unaffordable costs force me to abandon an International Policy. 

    Question:  Did anybody here try that? What is your experience with that?  (Sorry, I hope this fits into this thread.)

     

     

    This link provides commentary on the Thai SS Health Coverage (note - I've only had a cursory look, and while it seems accurate and up-to-date, I don't vouch for its 100% accuracy) 

     

    https://www.thaicitizenship.com/thai-social-security/

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  14. Huge frustration every year at this time as there's the decision to be made about what on earth to do with Health Insurance Policy (even more so as I'll be 70 at the time of next renewal).

     

    I've been reasonably happy with April International for OP only coverage until now (albeit I've never made a claim)- with the exception of their annual fee increases.  This year the Premium is up by an astounding +18%   I'm fortunate to maintain medical coverage under the Thai Social Security arrangements by continuing to pay the some 500 baht in monthly subs  -  so guess it's a matter of time really before unaffordable costs force me to abandon an International Policy.    

     

    I bleated to AA Brokers about that increase and they have come back with a recommendation to get a new Policy with Regency for Expats.  I had never heard of them but a very brief consultation with Prof Google has raised some red flags - incl;uding:

    *  Trust Pilot 

    *  Laws of Nevis (West Indies) are the applicable laws for the Policy.  [Nevis being a noted tax haven]

     

    None of that stuff gives me confidence. 

     

    Appreciate any information/experience with Regency and any suggestions about what alternative I should consider.

     

    Thanks & best regards  

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  15. 3 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

    In my case, local police station doesn't have someone dealing with foreigners in all the time so I got her phone number and I could make appointment first, but if your police station is used to dealing with foreigners, they'll probably have someone on site all the time and no need to make appointment up-front.

     

    You'll need to bring your usual set - blue tabien baan, blue or white PR booklet and obviously the red alien registration to update. If you have it, bring pink ID as well. I brought passport, too, but it wasn't checked at all. It could differ at your police station.

     

    Police officer will write a new expiry date, you'll have a choice of 1 or 5 years, charge you that few hundred baht and hand-write update into the red book. Photocopies of your documents will also be made and you'll sign each of them. There is no form to fill. The whole process takes 15 minutes.

     

    If this is the first time you're doing it, go to information counter and show them what you wish to do. They'll let you know if you can do it immediately or need to wait for appropriate person to be in, which would mean later appointment.

     

    Hope this helps.

    Great thanks.  This will be my 2rd extension - the Klaeng Police don't have many farangs to deal with on this matter so - like last time - it'll likely be a learning experience for all of us.

     

    How many photos are needed?

     

    Tks again!

  16. On 7/7/2023 at 3:39 PM, Kwasaki said:

    Well get back to us whatever it is I bet you it's a brake cylinder failure, probably could fix but knowing dealers they will want to replace it with a new one.

     

    It's fixed! 

     

    Nursed the bike to RE Pattaya today (fine to use the gears to shed speed but my main concern being the danger of losing the front wheel if relying on the front brake when on a corner and/or on wet slippery roads). 

     

    1st look by the mechanic resulted in change of brake fluid yet again.  Wife explained that had been done by RE Rayong but had failed to fix the problem - and requested he especially (re)examine the brake cylinder.  Result of that identified what was translated as "rust" - and the replacement by 'major kit rear M/C'.  All now seems back to normal - and had a much less stressful and enjoyable ride back home, successfully skirting the storms on the way.  Total cost = 580 baht (200 baht of which was labour).  Cheap at half the price - to quote my Dear Ol' Dad 

     

    Thanks for all the helpful suggestions!

      

     

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  17. 33 minutes ago, scorecard said:

    Further, just to clarify:

     

    From my post above "...Deliberately in his name only because his wife's older brothers and sisters make continuous comments that if my son dies the property must go, by law, to his wife and they will insist she transfers ownership to her elder siblings).   "

     

    Son's brother in law & sister in law both believe they know eveyrthing about Thai law and they insist that if  "...my son dies the property must go by law to his wife" 

     

    Which is of course not true, especially since my son has already made a legal will which bequeaths his property equally / jointly to all of his kids and nobody else. 

    I'm not a lawyer but think the timing of the purchase/registration of the properties may be critical.  My understanding - which of course may be incorrect - is that any property obtained while the couple is married are jointly owned - perhaps meaning that your son's will only bequeath's his 50% to the nominated beneficiaries - with the remaining 50% remaining with the wife.  While legally the Usufruct may protect your right to stay there, there are anecdotes about how relatives have made it practically impossible to exercise that right. 

     

    Could be tricky - reckon it's worth getting some legal advice. 

  18. 2 hours ago, Agusts said:

    I think RE Interceptor has dual channel ABS, maybe there is a fault with the valve or something there...!? Does it lock up and activate the ABS at say 50kph if pulling the leaver hard...? 

    No - brake pedal had no resistance and gave zero stopping power.  After the "service", there is now only a very small amount of braking noticeable after the pedal is fully depressed. 

     

    In its present condition, i'm really reluctant to ride the 100 odd Kms to Pattaya - I have far more confidence in that RE Dealer as they solved a previous problem I had.  Be safer to get the Interceptor into the back of a pickup.

      

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