Perils of Expat life in Thailand and other countries
This is the best video describing the dangers and disconnect an expatriate will experience in countries of the third world (Thailand in this case) and why such popular tourist countries are made only for the short term fun vacations.
[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGPZKbAWHvc[/URL]
Absolute Worst Cases Imaginable
[QUOTE=CaliTraveler;3017343]This is the best video describing the dangers and disconnect an expatriate will experience in countries of the third world (Thailand in this case) and why such popular tourist countries are made only for the short term fun vacations.
[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGPZKbAWHvc[/URL][/QUOTE]I agree with Montecristo and Tconor. That video is like a comic horror story.
$600-$700 USD per month for electricity? Maybe if you own an 8 unit condo complex and pick up the tab for everyone.
I live comfortably in a lower Sukhumvit apartment with a nice view of the city, fitness center, pool, laundry machine on the balcony, have my air conditioner set at 25 see at least 18-20 hours per day, essentially whenever I am in, and rent, electricity, water, personal router internet, phone service and all paper goods, shampoo, soap, mouthwash, toothpaste, etc, etc, etc combined is rarely as much as $700 USD per month.
And I know I could start fresh in a brand new condo / apartment complex within a 15 minute skytrain ride of this location today, also with a good fitness center and pool, for the same amount per month or less.
That highly pitched bit about all income being taxed if you live here 180 days or more has still never materialized for any expat I know who comes from a country with a no double tax treaty with Thailand. Which is every expat I know here. There is not even a line on any form required to rent an apartment, extend our visas, submit our 90 Days Residence Report online, anything, stating that we need to have a Tax Identification. Not yet anyway.