Seing what Thailand really is, Id not feel too secure about some law protecting me and be extra careful.
Like with
immigration and other areas, they can and do make special rules up on the fly, esp if they know how wealthy you are.
I've enjoyed three lengthy 5 yr criminal court cases in Thailand in the years i've been present (as a plaintiff/affected party) to recognise the whims of a individual - once it goes past the police officers attending - i.e feelings or attempts of objectives hold no merit in the court of law as much as people believe that the justice system can be bought off - it can't - too many checks and balances, and too many holes to fall apart (i.e trials have three judges, and a criminal prosecutor -> thats four people immediately that falls apart if just once doesn't agree).
Hence even now the Red Bull Guy they continue to indict those that didn't do their jobs (prosecutor, police etc) the courts are secure its below that you have ability to manoeuvre - at a high cost, when dealing with tax matters if you are in the right, push it to court, if you are in the wrong play ball and pony up before it gets to court.
The court of law is clear when it comes to enacting the revenue departments tax details IMO, its all about accounting.
Anything else is merely noise whilst lawyers, accountants, Gov officials verify their idea, or verify your position.
well not really exaggerations. Its also on healthcare, women / men (or this in between), nightlife, rentals, business deals, interest rate, restaurant, visa the list goes on and on and on. Its all a form of tax.
So its very relevant since i have 0 interest to live in some remote village where id not pay the foreigner tax.
Had a guy cutting new cedar tiles for the roof last week, his jumper got caught in the blade (angle grinder with wood cutter fitting) went through his arm (2 inches deep, 5 inches long).
Rushed him (immediately) to hospital, his arm wasn't bleeding as the blade seared as it went through sealing veins and skin.
Was operated on within 5 mins of arrival, and back at work 4 days later (not allowed to do cutting or anything strenuous).
In the UK my grandfather had a fall, it took 18 hrs for him to be seen, he eventually did get seen and then put in a ward, within 4 months he was dead after catching something in hospital.
In Thailand people complain about the costs of these things but reality is in the UK i was paying 5-6000 in taxes a month a decade and half ago, people were destitute on the streets, jobs were hard to come by, crime was rampant, yobs everywhere, councils not looking after things etc.
These days
Wife insurance 40,000 THB
My Insurance 100,000 THB
Kids Insurance (3) 180,000 THB
= 320,000 THB a year = 7,272.71 GBP P/A
Bins / Lighting / Policing / Firefighting / etc 1,200 THB = 27.27 GBP P/A
The cost of taking a boat into a marine park such as 400 THB ea = 9.09 GB, or the non hunting-monkey mountain national park opposite my home 300 THB = 6.82 GBP
In my view, its kinda irrelevant and idiotic when you hear people complaining about this or that fee, or this or that cost, when the comparison is to 2/3 etc decades ago when the West was still functioning and value for money existed.
The argument that well Thais get it for free or for less, etc, in the West you all pay or don't pay is laughable, you don't see these people griping over buying alcohol or this and that etc.
And with the stunning
natural beauty on your door step opposed to grey buildings and grey faces, etc why would you even start comparing.
I’d rather debate about the taste of wine with the Swiss people (and one krout) on a Friday at market instead.