moto77

5 hours ago, Kerryd said:

 if he tries any shenanigans (like changing his name) no doubt he'd get reported (again) by the same person that reported him the first time.

Only if he was dumb enough to go back to the same town. 
It's tough if they're not getting fingerprints on arrival. 

13 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Idiots. When they remove the COVID-19 "certificate" requirement, plus 100K USD insurance requirement, they may get some tourists back.

They don't seem to realise airlines worldwide have drastically curtailed services, because they have no passengers.

You're absolutely right. No one can get a test in most places unless they are sick. This is laughable. 
Looking into Aruba for the summer. 

1 minute ago, dougiemac52 said:

So travelling through Hong Kong you must self quarantine?

Yes. That's what it says. 

1 minute ago, sahibji said:

hope the figures presented are correct. 

LOL. You should have put ???? after that statement.  

So everyone transiting HKG airport? WOW. 

48 minutes ago, geriatrickid said:

He is no longer subject to  the US tax system. For those who have wealth, it is worth something. On the other hand, he lived in Thailand since the age of 2. He most likely has a limited education and is a holy roller so more concerned with his religion than anything else.

It isn't a tax issue people. The first over 100,000 is excluded for non-resident citizens. Do you seriously think this guy makes that much? 

On 2/28/2020 at 10:16 PM, Hank Gunn said:

It’s actually over $100,000 now and I seriously doubt this guy makes that much, so worries about US taxes that many in this thread mention are a moot point.

Thanks for the update Hank. I was lazy to check. 

34 minutes ago, RadKiter said:

He owes tax to the USA ONLY through the time of his renunciation.  Not AFTER. 

 

https://nomadcapitalist.com/2018/06/16/tax-consequences-of-renouncing/

 

And probably didn’t own anything anyway. 
 

And if he never goes to the US it wouldn’t matter anyway. Thailand doesn’t extradite it’s citizens.

18 hours ago, webfact said:

renouncing my American citizenship. I consider it the greatest honor of my life to be able to give my undivided

17 hours ago, zydeco said:

This doesn't let him off the hook with the IRS.

It does if

1. He’s never going back to America no matter how much he makes. There is no extradition for tax evasion.

2. it’s likely that he doesn’t make enough to owe the IRS anything. The first $70,000 or so is excluded from tax.

23 hours ago, BritManToo said:

One of the problems with all these reports is they use stock photos.

This one could have been taken 10 years ago, where's all the mobile phones?

Nobody with a phone, or earphones, or reading a digital book ........ how likely is that today?

According to Google Images this didn't exist on the internet until two days ago, so not a stock photo. End of conspiracy theory. 

18 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

An impressive response from the medical services. 
 

Its good to see this response rather than ‘no insurance no hospital’ type approach... 

 

Even in unfortunate circumstances it’s good to see Thailand in a positive light in the news for a change. 

 

Well... Their other option was not to hospitalize him and leave him to spread the disease around Thailand. 

With around 100 entries I've never had more than $100 and usually no hotel booking and have never been asked to show either. 
I rarely carry that much cash in any case. The only people that ask about an onward ticket are the airlines when flying in--which does happen in which case I book a refundable on the spot and cancel it as soon as they're done with it. 

Been there much more than that (6++ in/outs per year) and have never had an issue. Most stays are 2 weeks or less with gaps of 2-8 or more weeks.

Full disclosure: I enter using the diplomatic queue with an APEC ID and I don't know if that matters or not. My entries are unofficial, so it shouldn't, but who knows?

I overnighted in Bangkok in my way to Malaysia from Philippines and I remembered why I left. I can’t believe people with other options are still staying there. It’s not going to get better and you know it. It’s going to get worse. The economic risks are great. (Google News: Thailand Economy) Get our while you can still get a good price for your condos. 

10 hours ago, rumbo1 said:

Would this also mean anyone arriving visa exempt or tv and planning a 1900 baht 30 day extension now have the added expense of having to pay for a change of return flight details ?

I always book an exit ticket with frequent flyer miles when I run into this and cancel it after I pass immigration. The miles just go back to my account and it costs nothing.

18 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

You can't be skimmed on a savings passbook. It's only the people who have debit/credit cards with a Thai bank who get scammed.

Thanks for clarifying that option.

2 minutes ago, sirineou said:

The way I understand it, after 2008 there was  a deposit insurance program implemented, If I understand it correctly For the first year deposits up to 25 million bht are protected , the second year only only 15 million reduced progressively until after five years only 1 million bht is covered.

Not sure if it has being changed, I don't keep more than a couple of million in Thai banks so I have not really paid much attention and I am now out of the country to check. 

I would appreciate the input of someone who knows more about this than me. 

The last one I knew of lost the money in 2015.

The program seems to apply to bank defaults, not fraud. 

On 2/2/2019 at 2:08 AM, sirineou said:

Why would I lose the 800K?

As far as I know Thai banks are pretty safe.  I agree that there is a small chance that for whatever reason I might lose the 800k but I guaranty you are not getting your elite visa money back. 

That's not true. I've personally known people who lost their funds (likely because of skimmers). Thai banks did nothing. If they'd kept the money in a US bank they'd have gotten it back. 

19 minutes ago, moto77 said:

Get on Kayak, choose "Sousse, Tunisia" (or wherever, but not Tunis) and select something like March 1 - March 30 and check the "all inclusive" box. You can find beachfront places for 50K-60K (baht). 

If someone needs a cheap option, the retirement requirements in Tunisia are really minimal. Fly in and apply. No minimum bank balance. You need 400 euro (less than 15,000 baht) per month in incoming transfers (which tells you how cheap it is to live there). 

Once you are on the spot, you will have to apply for a visa and resident card at the Tunisian Ministry of Internal Affairs The following documents are to be produced:

• a lease contract

• a copy of your passport

• two passport-size identity photos (it is best to get these done in Tunisia according to local standards)

• 2 tax stamps (costing 10 dinars each)

• proof of regular deposits on your Tunisian bank account.

Note that these documents have to be certified in Tunisia.

You are advised to open a dinar account in a Tunisian bank. Moreover, it is best to keep your bank account in your home country open so that you can make bank transfers. A minimum bank transfer of 400 euros per month is required.

https://www.expat.com/en/guide/africa/tunisia/14302-retiring-in-tunisia.html

5 minutes ago, gentlemanjackdarby said:

I've dug into all the options in SE Asia and, IN MY OPINION, there's no question that the PI REALLY WANTS Western retirees, so my plan is to pick up an SRRV Courtesy, which as a U.S. vet costs essentially nothing, and simply be a tourist in Thailand.

Yep. I agree.
I spend more time there than Thailand now (in fact I mostly only go to Thailand when I need to go for business). 

18 minutes ago, Golden Triangle said:

If that's true I may have to consider relocating, I have sufficient funds to get the 800K and leave it in a bank account, but why the F should I, I have spent a hell of a lot of money here, looked after more than just my GF of 8 nearly 9 years this just smells of xenophobia, a bad day for all of us honest but not mega rich retirees. 

Get on Kayak, choose "Sousse, Tunisia" (or wherever, but not Tunis) and select something like March 1 - March 30 and check the "all inclusive" box. You can find beachfront places for 50K-60K (baht). 

6 minutes ago, ocddave said:

My wife asked me if I had ever been to Thailand (and been to Pattaya) when we started dating in the US, if I said I ever went to Pattaya she would have dropped me quick. I think her and her friends/family look at Pattaya like a cesspool that attracts the "bad guys" that Immigration wants out of the country.  

It kinda is, yet they haven't closed walking street yet. 
What do they call it when you're running a brothel and complain about how many customers turn up? LOL