m62man

Yes. £ means GBP

My living expenses since I moved here in November average out at around £1,000 per month......to be precise, I have withdrawn £3130.00 from my Nationwide Account since I arrived here on 7th November. That figure includes everything except the purchase of a motorbike, which I withdrew from a different account. It cost 45,000 Baht, if you want to add that into your own calculations. (Sorry, but you will have to do your own conversion into USD!) I also took a trip to Penang to visit a pal (and do my Visa run) and paid for the air ticket on Mastercard, which was £180, or a bit less I think. The amount I have withdrawn from Nationwide also includes a deposit of 13,000 Rent in advance. I was very conservative when I arrived here and didn't even go to Walking Street for two weeks, which may seem to some people like I should just have stayed at home! But I was walking around all day looking at apartments and various condos and by nightfall all I wanted to do was have a meal and go to sleep. I also tried to stick exclusively to a Thai diet, but my craving for English breakfasts and peppered steaks soon got the better of me. I am more relaxed about things now, and although I am writing down everything I spend, I haven't sorted everything into exactly what gets spent on what. However, to give you some idea, my rent is 13,000 Baht per month, electricity is around 1,000 Baht per month, and water 180 Baht per month. I don't have medical or any other insurance, although that is something I will be sorting out soon. The rest goes on eating, drinking, and shagging. There seems little point in dividing it up much more than that. Everyone has their own appetites! I tend to go to Darkside daytime bars because of the relaxed atmosphere rather than to save money. The cost of drinks and short-time is not substantially less than you would pay on Soi 6, and certainly wouldn't cover the expense of buying the bike. It just suits me to be able to get out and about when I want. I eat about half my meals in cheap off-mainstreet Thai restaurants, and the other half in not-quite-so-cheap Thai restaurants that also do European food. You get to know where the best places are from other ex-pats who have been here for a while.....it's a bit like finding out which pubs the pensioners eat at in the UK...they suss out where is good value, and you just follow them! I stay in about three nights a week. I didn't set out to do that, it's just the way things have turned out. I sit on my balcony and read, while drinking Sang Som (200 Baht a bottle from Big C) and coke. I think it is worthwhile finding somewhere comfortable to live so that you can do that. I go to the cinema occasionally, and to Walking Street at least once a week. There are some good go-gos where the draft beer is only 45 Baht, although I always get mugged for some lady drinks sooner or later, and these nights out can turn out to be expensive. I have got to the stage where I am comfortable living here and don't worry too much about what I am spending. I don't feel to be missing out on anything, and if I go mad and stay out 'til 3.00am like I did last week, spending 2500 Baht on drinks and 1,000 Baht for a girl, I know it won't make too big a dent in my finances overall. I don't want to do it every night anyway. I think that's the main difference between living here and just coming for a holiday. It will all still be here tomorrow, and the next day. No need to rush! If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask. I will help as much as I can.

Sorry, I forgot! I looked at a number of condos around Jomtien, including the ones mentioned. I had no transport of my own at the time, and they both seemed a bit far out. I was also told that the Majestic was full of unsavoury characters, though whether that is true or not, I have no idea. I ended up in View Talay 2B in a 42 sq metre condo on the front of the building with sea views. It's quiet, now that the fireworks have stopped and only 10 Baht on the 'bus if I want a night out on Walking Street. It is fully furnished, with a shower room as opposed to a bathroom, and I am very happy to be here. I am paying 13,000 Baht a month, plus water and electricity. My electric bill for the the last month when I had a friend staying who wanted the air-con on every night came to 1,000 Baht. The water cost 180 Baht for the same period. I paid a deposit of one months rent when I moved in. I bought a second hand Nuovo to get around on, and I think my landlady will store it for me when I go back to the UK this summer. If not, I'll be on here begging a space in somebody's garage! I was very very money-conscious when I moved here in November, but now I know what my main expenses are, I have relaxed a lot. It's only been 3 months, and there's always a chance I might change my mind, but for now at least I am 99% certain I will end up living here permanently. Having got the bike, it would be no bother to live a bit further off the bus routes, and Buan S L seems like a very peaceful place to live.

I came across this report by a Chinese guy going for a massage in Penang, Malaysia and it made me laugh, especially the last line. Some of the expressions you have to work out for yourself - I presume they are anglicizations of Chinese or Malayan words. Ok so I tried Alice's private house stock last week, only Bakso and Tomyam in private house, the Mantous all in Looyee, kinda makes sense too. The private flat room looks quite big without furniture, got bath room with heater, looks clean, and more importantly, quiet, really relaxing and nice, you get to have the whole house to yourself. I got a Malay lady called Ah Ling, Laotian Tomyam with a Taiwan ex husband, multinational combination. Multi lingual too, speaks english, chinese, laotian, cambodian and thai. Face so-so, middle length hair, but got killer cleavage, ngam sai cum_003 . Friendly, talkative and sampat at times. Thai massage that starts from the back, hmm, that is very weird. Her massage is very strong and PAINFUL, I actually have to ask her to go lighter multiple times. During the session, we chatted while I was ogling her damn nice cleavage, told me she loves massage too, tried more massage parlor than me, and gave me review of their skills, lol. Her boobs make me really gatai, too bad she dont do Fuck Jobs. But she insinuated if want FJ can do it in somewhere else. Halfway through the massage session, the ko-tai downstairs started singing karaoke really loud. And she started showing her sampat pattern. Starts to do strong massage following the rhythm of the song, her strength so strong like want to squeeze my eggs out of my sack. Then the damn ko-tai girl started singing Michael Jackson's Beat It, and she really started yanking, beating my didi following the song and singing, sampat style all out. I totally cant feel my little bro. Went home and check, my butt and legs all feel like numb already due to her bull strength massage. It's a unique experience, though... Name: Ah Ling Race: Tomyam from Laos Age: 30+ Breast: 8/10, C cup breast, full, smooth, killer cleavage, middle sized nipple, totally made for cum_003 Body: 6/10 Great boobs, no spare tire, but her waist is like water pail (chui tang) Face: 5/10 GFE: 5/10 Totally sampat, you need to stop her sampat actions if you want to keep you lil bro BJ: No BJ FJ: No FJ Damage: 75 Ringit (2 hours massage)+30 (HJ)+20 (AR) Would I Return : I.cant.feel.my.dick...

317.5 metres

I bought a pack of four "Goldenlay" Eggs at Big C the other day, and decided to boil them to make some egg mayonnaise to go with a salad. When I came to peel them I noticed that the eggs had been painted to look orange and that the shells were actually a mottled grey colour. If that were not bad enough, when I cracked the shells, what should have been white was black- and I don't mean dark grey, I mean black! Inside the yolk was yellow, and they did smell like eggs - they weren't "off" or anything. I couldn't bring myself to eat one, so they went in the bin. Does anybody know what kind of eggs they are?

I am arriving at 730pm on Monday, so should make the last bus at 2100. Just to save a bit of running around, could you tell me if the last exit is to the left or the right as you head out of the airport? Also, whether it is easier/better to catch the bus at the airport bus terminal, or on the first floor at gate 7/8? Thanks,

Thanks for the recommendations. Will let you know how things work out.

I am moving to Pattaya on 1 Nov and will be staying for 6 months, so I am looking for somewhere to rent. Members on another Board recommend Majestic Condominium, Soi Watboon, Jomtien Beach, and Baan Suan Lalana on Chaiyapreuk Road. Does anybody know if these places are quiet, and/or can you recommend anywhere else to try? I am looking for somewhere at or under 10,000 Baht per month. Thanks.

Michael gets to the Pearly Gates and meets St Peter, who asks him "Who are you?" "Michael Jackson" "What did you do?" "I was a pop star" "Ok. All the pop stars are down the corridor. Just go down there. Elvis will let you in" Michael goes down the corridor and meets Elvis. Elvis says "Who are you?" "I'm Michael Jackson. I married your daughter" Elvis looks stunned for a few seconds, then put his arm around Michaels shoulder.... "Thank fuck for that.............They told me she'd married a nigger!"

For anybody who is interested in the smokers' annuity question, I posted this on the 4th May "I have completed the application form for my annuity. Unfortunately I have no heart or liver problems, or any other ailments which would increase the amount I am likely to get. The quote I got was based on my smoking 10 cigs a day for at least the last two years. I don't know if the insurance company will require me to take a medical. There were some surprising questions about whether I had any store cards. This is apparently to check whether I have answered honestly about my height and weight...they can check what size shirt and trousers I have been buying!" I took what cash I could out of the pension fund (25%) and the balance has gone to buy a "smokers'" annuity with Liverpool Victoria. They didn't ask me to take a medical of any sort and I have an annuity of £7500 for life. I will be coming to Thailand in November and staying for 6 months to see whether that is where I want to live. In the meantime, after winding up what needs to be wound up after I close my business next week, I am going to travel in Europe.

QUOTE (Dr Mick @ Apr 26 2009, 01:41 PM) I have premium account with HSBC UK and HSBC Bangkok, as long as you have more than £50000 ,no transfere fees either direction. I have £500 transfered from UK to Thailand every month Is that £5k in the UK, or Bkk, or both?

There are lots of annuity rate comparison sites on t'internet, so I already had an idea of how much to expect. My FA provided me with a list of his choosing, but I made the final choice. Except on boards like this, you will always have a problem knowing whether the advice you are getting is tainted by self-interest. Commissions are how FA's earn a living. That's just the way things are.

My FA tells me that income drawdown is where you leave your pension pot where it is and draw an income (ie take cash out) as you need it. He says that you would do this when annuity rates are low, and you need income, but don't want to commit to an annuity. It also suits people where there will be a surviving spouse to inherit whatever is left in the pot. Where there is a joint life annuity, a large part disappears when one spouse dies. He tells me that he thinks now is a good time for me to buy an annuity, and that as a smoker I get a good rate. Also, I have no next of kin to worry about.

Thanks Bazle. For anybody else interested in the subject, here is a link. http://www.sharingpensions.co.uk/pension_drawdown.htm#text4 It seems to me that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages for me, but I am a bit annoyed that my financial adviser didn't mention this option. I will speak to him about that.

I have completed the application form for my annuity. Unfortunately I have no heart or liver problems, or any other ailments which would increase the amount I am likely to get. The quote I got was based on my smoking 10 cigs a day for at least the last two years. I don't know if the insurance company will require me to take a medical. There were some surprising questions about whether I had any store cards. This is apparently to check whether I have answered honestly about my height and weight...they can check what size shirt and trousers I have been buying! I saw my doctor a couple of weeks ago and asked him if he could tell me how long I have to live. This amused him somewhat, but I have always been taught that if you want to know the answer to a question, you should ask someone who has read books on the subject. He took four blood samples and found nothing wrong. My cholestorol is 4.9, which I was told was excellent. He didn't answer the original question however, so I will have to wait and see. Owen, I don't expect to croak at 68. I just think that the money I have, plus the annuity will last until I am 68. The only alternative I had regarding my annuity was to take it now or later. A lot of people seem to think annuity rates will fall over the next few years, and that inflation will be under control world-wide because of the amount of cash various Governments have pumped into the system to avoid economies stalling and serious deflation taking place. They won't allow all that money to disappear, and as soon as things start to level out or pick up, interest rates will be hiked to hold everyone in check. I think Owen believes that too. It's only a the theory, but it makes sense to me. I thought I might as well take the annuity and supplement the income from that with the other money I have, which will last a bit longer on that basis. The alternative was to leave the pension fund in place, probably not increasing much in value over the next few years and living on my capital. When my capital ran out, I would still have had to buy an annuity and there seems little possibility of getting a much better rate than I can now, except that I would be older and therefore the insurance company would expect me to draw it for fewer years. I 've just had a quick look on-line at some annuity rates. They show £600 per month at 58 and £800 per month at 68 for a smoker with £100,000.00 to invest. This is a fixed rate of return without anything left over for next of kin. The same tables also contain quotes for Annuities increasing by 3%, and by RPI. These begin at £386 and £324 respectively. I think I have made the right decision, but only time will tell. Owen, my house isn't worth nothing! As I said in my post, even if I could sell it I wouldn't know where to invest the proceeds where the investment would be as safe as in bricks and mortar. The house is a good investment and it's value will keep pace with any inflation. I don't have a mortgage and while I am not living here the running costs will be minimal. I realise that my first post said that I intended to sell up and never return to the UK. I was having a miserable time when I posted and my attitude has changed. Having agreed to dispose of my business, going to work is no longer the drag that it was. I am not having second thoughts about that, but I am about leaving the UK permanently. I have been walking in the Pennines, and in the spring sunshine, England is a beautiful place to be. Also, I have never spent more than a month in LOS and don't really know whether I could live there permanently. The next few years will give me the opportunity to discover where I want to live, without having burned all my bridges. I also intend to see some of the world before I get too old to travel, and it will serve as a base to come back to.

My Accountant takes the same view as Owen and is dead set against buying annuities. My Financial Adviser (Insurance Broker) advises that in my circumstances (having no need to preserve funds for next of kin or dependants) they are a good idea and offer a good rate of return compared to DIY investment by me, bearing in mind that I don't have any expertise. My Accountant has no financial interest in what I do with my money and is a personal friend of many years. My Financial Adviser will earn commission if I put money into an Annuity. I can take only 25% of my Pension Fund in cash and must invest the rest in an Annuity at some time. There is no other alternative in the UK. I have discussed Annuity Rates with various people and everyone I have spoken to says that they are expected to fall over the next few years. Of course, nobody knows for certain. At the moment I can get a return of 6.85% with a smokers annuity having no index linking or balance to leave to dependants. I have decided to take the cash that I can take out of my pension fund and buy an Annuity now with whats left. This gives me an income of just over £7000.00 p.a. I have bought £25,000.00 of Premium Bonds on the basis that I could always get lucky and win £1,000,000.00. The other money I have left will be invested in 2 blocks of £50,000.00 in different Building Societies, so that I am covered by the Governments' guarantee scheme. I haven't yet decided which ones or what type of investment to make, but I think I can get about 3 or 4 %. £7,000.00 p.a isn't enough to live on, so I will have to dip into capital to live. I am 58 now, so if I take £10,000.00 a year out, I can last until I am 68.I should be able to live quite well on £17,000.00 p.a. I still have my house, which, although I probably can't sell it at the moment, is worth over £350,000.00. Even if I could sell it now, I wouldn't know where to invest the money, and I feel money in property is as safe a place as any at the moment. I will review the situation in a couple of years time, when I see how much I am spending and in the meantime will try not to worry too much and enjoy my retirement, which is scheduled for 1st July.

Isn't that Tammy from Yellow House Massage in the French maid outfit?

A blonde was playing Trivial Pursuit one night. It was her turn. She rolled the dice and she landed on Science & Nature. Her question was, 'If you are in a vacuum and someone calls your name, can you hear it?' She thought for a time and then asked, 'Is it on or off?'

"There is a lot of good advice comes forth from this board, and a few mongers might well be very experienced and knowledgeable. Trouble with a professional is they make money at it, for themselves, their advice is compromised by self interest" That's what I think too. There is a lot of common sense posted here and I prefer to have advice based on personal experience. If someone wants to recommend a professional to take advice from, that would be welcome too. I want my money out of the UK for various reasons. Someone told me that New Zealand had a very stable safe economy. Anybody care to comment?

I am thinking about retiring soon (within 12 months) and moving to LOS. I have no intention of returning to the UK, and was wondering whether anywhere within a couple of hours flying distance of BKK would be a good place to deposit my money, while I sort out what investments to make. Any suggestions?

When does it start? I called in twice yesterday, at 200pm and 8.00pm and there were no girls there at all, except with partners. There were about 25 blokes on their own, sitting around the bar.

Well, the title and descrition have hardly left me with anything to add! If there is some traffic noise still, could someone tell me whether I would be best advised to book a room at the back of the hotel. I will be arriving for Xmas.

I have been looking at the Alan Bolton site. Can anybody explain to me why a 2 bed, 2 bath house in Central Pattaya with a living area of 100 sq m is available for 13, 000 THB, yet a studio condo less than half the size in the same area costs 20,000THB?

The old man placed order for one hamburger, French fries and a drink. He unwrapped the plain hamburger and carefully cut it in half, placing one half in front of his wife. He then carefully counted out the French fries, dividing them into two piles and neatly placed one pile in front of his wife. He took a sip of the drink, his wife took a sip and then set the cup down between them . As he began to eat his few bites of hamburger, the people around them were looking over and whispering. Obviously they were thinking, 'That poor old couple - all they can afford is one meal for the two of them.' As the man began to eat his fries a young man came to the table and politely offered to buy another meal for the old couple. The old man said, they were just fine - they were used to sharing everything. People closer to the table noticed the little old lady hadn't eaten a bite. She sat there watching her husband eat and occasionally taking turns sipping the drink. Again, the young man came over and begged them to let him buy another meal for them. This time the o ld woman said 'No, thank you, we are used to sharing everything.' Finally, as the old man finished and was wiping his face neatly with the napkin, the young man again came over to the little old lady who had yet to eat a single bite of food and asked 'What is it you are waiting for?' She answered (Continue below - This is great) 'THE TEETH.'