jacko

Well I did say something! But I don't like to get into those 'I'm gonna kick yer ass over your shoulders' exchanges. All so 'uncivilised'. We are a more subtle race over the pond! As Jay Leno once said (an American comedian who actually is funny) 'They have that way of insulting you that leaves you wondering whether or not you have just been insulted.' You, on the other hand, do not like to leave any doubt.....

Well if it works don't fix it! I get nervous putting the DVDs in my computer as I know it will lock the region eventually. Some DVDs I bought in Thailand also seem to work fine in my UK machine....all very confusing...no doubt a better head than mine will wake up in the USA soon and explain it! Anyhow, I am a Fucking Poms can't do anything? Everything I touch turns to shite.....

Big Chief....you confuse me somewhat! But I begin to reap amusement .....God help me and my bad British teeth!

As mentioned, original DVDs have an 'regional lock' in them. So the player must match the region code. Some whiz kids manage to strip this out when making copies, but this is beyond my knowledge. Normally computer DVDs have the region code open...you can change the region selection 5 times, then it locks in. This can be bypassed...and I would love to hear how as my computer will probably lock it's region code soon. VCDs are far inferior, storing only 1/2 a film, poorer quality and no real features. Probably depends where you buy the DVDs, if you have a good single source that is the best. I buy from all over, from Pattaya Malls to hawkers in beer bars. The latter is normally where I end up with the crap.

Well apart from the extra 330% cost, and perhaps he doesn't want to carry them back home (where they may not work due to region lock) or throw them away or get arrested for transporting illegal copies. Also I have a 30% throw away from these purchases, poor quality.

Breaking the law I believe.......... Supposed to keep your passport with you.

No ideas, other than going to see a solicitor, and asking if there is anything equivalent to a 'restraining order' that your sister-in-law could swear. It might save her life! It sounds like you have tried the legitimate channels. Ever considered the 'Dark Side of the Force'........? Or don't want to go there?

I think the fixed interest account is actually a fixed term deposit. Three or 6 months and you cannot withdraw...just got the GF to transfer her (my old) money into one and out of the account paying about 0.3% p.a. I like the Bangkok Bank here in Pattaya, but that might be because the guy who changes my traveler's cheques speaks great English and is super nice and helful.

That's another saving......... Hardly ever buy any clothes.......shoes?...you mean 25 baht flip-flops? Toilet paper, if it wasn't for the TGF I would stop buying that and use just the hose thing! toothpaste and soap are cheap items, and I don't need to buy them very often.... I always bring a shit load of razor blades from the UK, as the ones here are sold in silly little packs, and the blades are not sharp or long lasting. books...I trade my read ones in for fresh, pretty cheap.......some bars swap them for free too.... doctors and dentist......well I do buy tootpaste and rarely am sick enough to warrant a doctors visit.....2 times in maybe 4 years...... Movies...shit why do I want to listen to a load of Thais talking on their telephones, I rent the DVD for 30 baht! Don't get me wrong, I live on more than 20k/month...my rent is nearly that...

Having a car is a bit of a status symbol, particularly in Thailand, and the TGF may put pressure in that direction. I get by without, my neighbour's car is collecting dust...I see it move one a week. Driving in the Thai cities is a major pain in the ass....although I expect one would get used to it. I get around on a little motorcycle, occasional trips, I rent a car. Perhaps you have a superior place at home, but downgrading accommodation I do NOT believe is necessary. Move away from the tourist areas, and very nice houses can be rented for 15-30k.

What for? I haven't worn trousers since I got off the plane in April.

First thing to get out of our head is this £65.93 / week idiocity. That, in the UK, is probabaly 1/3 of a minimum weekly wage, whereas here (Thailand) it is about 4x a small weekly wage. My point is, the buying power of your money here is far greater. There are plenty of reasons to be in Thailand on a minimal amount of money, other than the weather. It is a less stressful, relaxed, non-interfering country. I would also say that here, freedom, so cherished in the West, but hard to come by, is a reality. As someone stated, give up the farang orientated entertainment, smoking and ringing the bell, makes life here cheap. There are people posting here having pretty good lifestyles for less than you state (70k/month). You are right that medical cover here will cost you as you age.....maybe 30,000 - 50,000 baht/ year. Nothing wrong with setting your sights on a high number though, leftover cash can always be useful.

Perhaps he did....... I know I did and did not get much joy! Some problem with people asking for information?

Some shit that...either the guy can or cannot issue the visa. If cannot he can fuck you off empty handed and get his kicks.... If he can he should just get on with his job..... A 5K bribe and still you get aggravation......

So what?...I don't see any other active ones in the Expats Forum..... Yes I realise I can buy the house, but the underlying insecurity of having no rights on the land is a worrying factor that I want to discuss if you do not mind. I recall many Bangkok beer bars being demolished in the early hours despite having paid rents.....Thailand is not a place to be unaware. The old western answer of 'get a lawyer' doesn't necessarily cover you either.....

Gary, Thx, I was nervous that I had posted information that was not the 'full story' and am glad to see your correction. Is a 30 year lease (which should see me into the grave or staggering to it) then a solid option to farang home ownership in LOS?...Be a pessimist now.

Yes there is some method of leasing land for 30 years, with an option for 30 years extension tied into the contract to get 60 years....maybe 90...should see most expats out. My knowledge on this is too sketchy and third hand! Is that a viable option, who are you actually leasing the land from? You have to prevent the actual land owner selling it on......if the owner is a person of power and influence but not integrity, could the land be pulled out from 'under your very feet'..? If there is a possibility to build a 97 floor condominium and make billions of baht on the bit of land your house sits, do you think they will wait 90 years? 99 year leases are a common thing in the UK too, but saying the Thais should do what the Mexicans do may not hold much water with the Thais themselves. Not much is going to happen here until they figure out how to get a Government....

Get some work done, use the search program and read the previous threads. Too important a topic to be lacking information. What Gary says is pretty much it as the law goes. The limited company being formed, with (bogus) Thai shareholders to make it 51% Thai, was the vehicle foreigners were using, the house being owned by the company, which was only on paper. It was purely a way to circumvent the law, hence illegal. That said it was a heavily utilised vehicle! There are alternatives, leases on the land and liens, mortgages in a GF name, to protect your ownership, but it is involved and I struggle to comprehend the best way to go. I have put the brakes on, and am renting until I hear a method that sounds secure.....or I have to trust my GF implicitly and buy in her name outright. The Pattaya People newspaper has started a campaign to allow foreigners to own up to 1 rai of land here...optimistic to expect a constitutional amendment. I can not see there being much impetus in Thai society to do anything that benefits foreigners...unless Thais benefit substantially more! Even buying a condo, ensure it is one of the 49% in the development that can be foreign owned! Pattaya Expats Club.....

I shall. The fans in the hong nam might be blowing something else unpleasant out of the room. The air a fan blows out needs to be replaced, perhaps through an open window, presuming it to be cooler out, should be okay. I set my fan up infront of an open door, as in the evenings the roof has heated up and it is well cooler out. So I get a cooler draught. Don't run an exhaust fan and an AC in the same room together...

This confuses me........the 'weak' fan on the aircon will still always be running as the AC is on...admittedly on the slowest setting. So no saving there. I use the 'panning' to get all the room cool. Extra fan running means more consumption and contrary to what people think, a fan gives off heat from the motor.....you feel cooler due to sweat evaporation forced by draught. You may have a point that the added draught will make it feel cooler and hence I can have a HIGHER setting on the AC (higher temperature number)....the compressor will run less...which is the real consumer of power. Sure it is hotter in Issan, during the 'hot season'....Pattaya is more humid. I shall give it a try....roll on the cool season. Thanks....

Just to bore you all further...... This months bill just arrived........units dropped to 491, bill 1816 baht, 900 less. I bought an electric fan and use it in the living room, now the AC only goes on during particularly hot evenings. Still have bedroom AC all night, but raised setting 1 deg and have got used to it. Unplugged water cooler. Draw curtains in afternoon to keep sun off the refrigerator. Turn TV off when not watching it....... Unplug my computer when not using it. After 3 months I will have saved enough for a good soapie..... (I spent 1800 baht on a night out recently, perspective)

You might like to tell us 1) What you do currently. Might be able to apply it. 2) Where does your wife's family come from?......You might be stuck with rice cultivation! 3) Your own business, involving your wife, would be a fair approach.

Never noticed any deduction for taxes.... This 12% figure........I wish......

One man's beer is another man's horse piss.