AlaskaDave

Round and round we go. Ridiculous. Tax it fully, regulate its strength, allow people to use it recreationally, and enjoy the benefits to both users and government revenue coffers.

Where do you get your information from? Russia? She's a moron you say. She has had several important jobs that require a high level of knowledge and skill. She has a law degree, was AG for the state of California, and a U.S. Senator, not to mention VP of the U.S. and a close associate and friend of Joe Biden. And unlike her convicted felon opponent, she's spent her entire life in public service, (as has Joe Biden, by the way). And she fought uphill battles to gain all of those positions because she's a woman, a woman of color. Consequently, I don't put a high value, or any value really, on your assessment.

Churchill was a charismatic leader that undoubtedly helped Great Britain stay afloat during WWII but he was a bigoted imperialist. He did not want to give up the British Empire at the end of the war. But that was a different time — many people had views that are now considered racist and misogynistic. That's why I still consider Churchill a hero. We Americans like to think of ourselves as enlightened and somehow better than everyone else but when Jews tried to escape Europe during the Nazi era they were denied entry to the U.S. time and time again. Not even FDR, who was an uber-liberal, could get Jews into the U.S. Why? Because the U.S. was anti-Semitic. And now, emboldened by scumbags like Donald Trump, anti-Semitism is again on the rise in the U.S. That's why the MAGA movement sickens me. People who think this is a good thing simply don't know or understand how America got to be in the position it's in now. Unfortunately, American history is riddled with genocidal behavior and white male supremacy.

It's because those that were murdered and tortured in what was known in my youth as the Belgian Congo were poor, uneducated, and worst of all, black. King Leopold of Belgium had a similar view of those unfortunate people as that of Hitler's toward Jews. History has always been written by the victors. It might surprise you to know that many younger Americans have a very lopsided view of the Vietnam War (if they have any knowledge of it at all).

The big plus for me would be the ability to use money in a U.S. bank as proof of financial viability instead of the money that's currently tied up in a Thai bank account that my wife can't access in an emergency. Every type of non-immigrant visa has drawbacks but I want to make sure my wife is taken care of if I pass away.

Because it's the right thing to do. Tucker Carlson is a scumbag that will say literally anything to increase his viewership. Even Fox News, an outfit that routinely lies to their viewers, fired him. IMO, anything that promotes the Nazi position should be smacked down ASAP. However, if tRump were in the Whitehouse instead of Biden, Carlson would probably be in his Cabinet.

I saw a YouTube video a few weeks ago, an interview of an Interior Ministry official, that said the funds did not have to be in a Thai bank. I'm here on a Marriage Visa and would love to be able to use the DVT instead because it would make my life here so much easier. This recent report is encouraging but I'm not planning to apply for one until the details settle. By the way, the Interior Ministry official was positively exuberant about the DVT but it's the Immigration department that controls visas so it would be wise to keep your enthusiasm in check.

I love very strong cheddar cheese and used to buy the Epicure version of, I think it was Mainland Cheese, at Rimping Markets. However, a small chunk (200g ?) cost over 200 baht. The Gecko Garden on Sridonchai Road near Pantip Plaza has several excellent cheeses for sale as well as real butter (from New Zealand I think), and coldcuts at very attractive prices. They have a crumbly English cheddar, very sharp and very tasty, for about 400 baht per kilo. They sell gouda and feta cheese also. I had eaten there once in while over the years but since I learned they also sell cheese and butter, I always buy those items there.

I don't have large amounts of money in either country LOL so that's a non-issue. Thanks for your very useful advice.

That was the conclusion I came to also. I will look into the Dee Money transfers. Thanks.

I'm in the states right now and I just tried both of those numbers. All you get is a robo-voice telling you to use the online Help Centre. They don't connect with a live person anymore.

Another related question is about Wise transfers. As you guys have indicated some knowledge of Wise, do you know if funds can be transferred in the opposite direction with Wise using my existing accounts? So, is a transfer from my Bangkok Bank account to my stateside account possible? Their website is vague on this and you can't talk to a real person AFAIK

No, that's not what I said. I said international money transfers were expensive. I love Wise. They are fast and cheap. Gaining access to the 400K baht immediately isn't necessary. I can leave the those funds in the bank during the next year as a backup if this scheme falls short somehow.

I knew about the SS deposit possibility but I would rather keep my SS checks going to my U.S. bank because I have autopay all set up for credit cards and my son is a joint account holder. I also knew that the money coming to my Thailand bank can be used in the usual way — it does not have to stay in the Thai bank. That's a really nice benefit of the 65K per month plan. My question was more slanted toward knowing for certain that Thai Immigration will accept those monthly Wise transfers as proof of financial viability for marriage visa requirements. If they will, my problem is solved. AFAIK, the transfers must have been in effect for one full year before they can be used as proof of financial viability. DrJack54's comment is also of interest. That might be another way to make this happen. Thank you very much.

That is very interesting information. I've been struggling with finding a way to avoid keeping 400K baht in my Thai bank. If I pass away, my Thai wife will need access to that money (I've willed it to her) but that access will take time and a lot of hassle for her. If would like to just give it to her now and use another means of satisfying Thai Immigration's financial requirements. I've used Wise for years and was thinking about doing a Wise Transfer to Bangkok Bank every month but my Visa advisor told me Chiang Mai Immigration wouldn't accept Wise transfers as such proof. Doing monthly wire transfers from a U.S. bank to Thailand is possible but expensive and much more difficult than using Wise because I cannot receive the OTPs my U.S. bank will send to my stateside phone. Anyway, Jonathan Swift, those details aren't important for this conversation - which Immigration office are you using? Do you have any info that suggests I could use the Bangkok Bank's app to do international wire transfers? Many thanks for your help.

There are some new entry requirements for entering Thailand. As far as I can tell, proof of vaccination is again required and, in certain cases, Covid-specific health insurance. As usual in Thailand, however, the details vary depending on where you read it. Here's the latest news I can find. Proof of vaccination is definitely required but, again, this is the norm in Thailand, there's some confusion about the insurance. Quoted from an article in Wion on Jan 7: "Country’s transport minister Saksayam Chidchob in a statement said that the restrictions would start from Monday, during which people would be asked to proof of at least two vaccinations or recovery from the virus since July. Those who have not taken any vaccines would need a medical report justifying their lack of inoculations, a statement by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand posted on the site said. The rules apply until Jan. 31. Moreover, visitors from countries that require Covid tests for arrivals from Thailand must have health insurance during their stay, the ministry said." Apparently, if the country you're coming from doesn't require Covid tests for Thais that enter it, then you don't need insurance to enter Thailand. Needless to say, these rules are subject to change (cough, cough). The restrictions could be extended or even dropped in coming days. Clarification from Asian News Network - Jan 8: "Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told a press conference after the meeting that in addition to the vaccination requirement, tourists from countries that require negative RT-PCR results on their return must have insurance covering Covid-19 testing and treatment before entering Thailand."

I honestly don't care if those members approve or not. I love being in Thailand and hope Immigration will someday wise up and allow people like me to stay for six months without such a big hassle.

Yikes! Sounds like a slightly different take on the horrendous Thailand Pass system we had to deal with last year. Let's hope this ridiculous requirement goes away soon too.

Huh? I use a motorcycle to ride all over Thailand, which has some of the best motorcycling in the world. But that's totally beside the point. I'm asking about visa runs, not whether you consider motorcycling a worthwhile pastime in LOS.

It is indeed a Multi-entry permit with three Tourist Visas I'm talking about. I figured that would be obvious from the wording in my original post. My usual method involves getting three two-month Tourist Visas and a 1900 baht Multiple Entry Permit and then using all three visas consecutively in order to stay in Thailand for 6 months total. I'm looking for a way to do that scenario by land, not air, and preferably in northern Thailand rather than the far south or Issan. .

More good information. I'm looking to find an "open" border crossing closer to Chiang Mai, and also to know the official Thai Immigration position on these Tourist Visa renewals (renewals-via-border-run) we used to take for granted. I appreciate your input. Everything I get on this forum is a help. Thanks

That's good news. Thank you.

I guess that answers one question I'm asking. I noticed in another post that Vientiane was apparently open. That inspired me to put the question out to the forum. I guess we'll have to wait and see if Thai Immigration will reinstate the old system eventually. @problemfarang, you should realize that not everyone has the kind of money it requires to get a "proper visa" and that people who make visa runs on multiple entry Tourist Visas aren't intentionally abusing the system. They only want the same things most expats want from living in Thailand, friendly climate and people, good food, and good motorcycling.

Back before Covid closed the borders, I used to get three 2-month Tourist Visas for my annual 6 month visit to Thailand. Every 2 months I would (do a "visa run") cross the border into Myanmar (Mae Sai) or Laos (Vientiane) and return to Thailand to begin the next 2-month segment. Is it possible to do that now? Thanks.

Insurance for foreigners may indeed be a scam but Thais already have free medical care. It ain't great insurance but it's built into the current system. If one of us gets ill, we can't use that medical system in the same way. External insurance is one way to be sure foreigners won't put a strain on an already marginal system.