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Most trucks in Thailand tipped to be biodiesel B20-compliant 10 April 2019 Energy policymakers announced yesterday that biodiesel B20 will be compatible with nearly all general trucks on the road in Thailand. Nantika Thangsuphanich, director-general of the Energy Business Department, said the majority of trucks on the road will be compatible with B20. Owners of Isuzu trucks should contact the Isuzu consultation centre to check and change lube oil and car filters when switching to B20. A guarantee letter from truck assemblers was sent to the department on… Read more »

Bangkok now a top 10 most expensive Asian location 13 March 2019 For the first time, Bangkok has the dubious distinction of being among Asia’s top 10 most expensive locations for expatriates. A rise in average rental prices this year caused by an influx of expats from China and an increase in tourism traffic have hit expatriates and put the city in 10th place on the annual list, with an average US$3,880 (Bt122,757) monthly rental cost for an unfurnished three-bedroom apartment. The findings were researched and published by… Read more »

Society of Professional Engineers in Thailand (SPET) Meeting March 2019 Dear SPET Members, Please find the next meeting which will be held at 6.30pm at The British Club on 21st March 2019. “Preservation of Singapore’s historic Tanjong Pagar Railway Station platform for the new underground Circle Line Metro” By John Mennis, Vice-President, AECOM Completed on 3rd of May 1932, Tanjong Pagar Railway Station was the southernmost terminal of the Malaysian Railway (West Coast Line), which stretched northwards to the Malaysia-Thai border.  The line was in continuous operation until… Read more »

Bangkok Lighthouse Club Networking Evening – March 13, 2019 – The Beaumont Partnership Lighthouse Members, For this months networking we are going to a brand new venue in Silom.  TBP [The Beaumont Partnership] has offered to host the event at O’Malley’s in the bottom of United center. There is free parking for all so don’t fret or simply catch the train there! Gary from Riverfall has also kindly offered to set up a wine stand so you wine connoisseurs can sip wine to your heart’s content, please everyone… Read more »

Phuket Immigration clarifies Thailand’s new rules on retirement visas starting 1 March 2019 Phuket Immigration this week clarified the new rules regarding applications for retirement visas, confirming only one major change: that for those applying using funds in a Thai bank account to support their application, a minimum of B400,000 must be kept in the account throughout the year. 16 February 2019 The rest of the “new” provisions have already long been in use, explained Phuket Immigration Deputy Chief Lt Col Archeep Jaroensuntisuk. “Phuket Immigration has received the… Read more »

Cambodia declared the cheapest country to retire in 2019 International Living, a magazine that focuses on the best places to live and invest, named Cambodia the cheapest place to retire in 2019. The Kingdom came first this year in the cost of living category in the publication’s Annual Global Retirement Index. Earning full marks in the category, the ranking highlights the Kingdom’s attractiveness for retirees and expatriates in general. This is the fourth year in a row that Cambodia has topped the list in the cost of living… Read more »

Lighthouse Club – Yangon Branch – 27 February 2019 “Gallery Bar”, Sule Shangri-La Hotel, 7-9pm Please note the Lighthouse Club – Yangon branch event will be held at the “Gallery Bar” at Sule Shangri-La Hotel, on 27th February at 7 pm. Thanks to our sponsor Design Hub Myanmar. Contact nawannieaung AT meinhardt.net for further details

New Retiree Visa Rules Bewilder Thai Immigration 1 February 2019 Days after new rules changed how visas are processed for foreign retirees, immigration officials are already pushing back against them, according to sources inside the bureau. Starting 1st March 2019, foreign retirees must either show a monthly income of at least 65,000 baht or hold a minimum of 800,000 baht in Thai banks. They must maintain that amount for three months after a visa or extension is granted, after which they can only take out half. The new… Read more »

Foreigners now need to keep 800k in Thai bank for three months AFTER retirement extension is granted – Thailand 31 January 2019 Thai immigration have announced a major change regarding the financial requirements needed when applying for an extension of stay based on retirement, often referred to as a retirement visa. Confirmed in police order No. 35/2561 obtained by Thaivisa, foreigners who apply for a retirement extension using the 800k baht in the bank or the combination of income method now need to keep 800k baht in the… Read more »