dverwoert

After living and working in Thailand for the past 18 years moved to Yangon 6 months ago to continue teaching high school. Housing costs are for a nice 2 bdrm apartment is relatively the same as a similar apartment in downtown Bangkok approximately 30k baht. Living expenses are somewhat cheaper for the basics, Internet is much slower and not as readily available but fiber optic service is generally available in much of the city, but currently I am using Telenor 3G hotspot with my phone for Internet access. Traveling in and our of Myanmar by air is relatively inexpensive on NOK and AirAsia and minimal problems with the necessary long term visa. Salaries are similar to Bangkok but fluctuations in exchange rates between local currencies with US$ makes direct comparisons somewhat variable. Traveling outside of Yangon reminds me of traveling in northern Thailand 20 years ago. Shopping is much more limited in Myanmar than in Thailand but I have seen some improvement in the short time that I have been living in Yangon. New shopping and eating venues seem to be opening almost every month with major construction projects almost everywhere.

Traffic is a major drawback but with no motorcycles allowed within Yangon is a major difference with Bangkok along with driving on the right-hand side of the road like the US, but many vehicles are built for driving on the left-hand side of the road. Overall the pace of living is somewhat slower and possibly slightly easier going lifestyle within Yangon compared to Bangkok.

I have a 2010 Ford Escape that last year (2014) I paid 20k Baht ($645) Baht for insurance, this year (2015) I changed carriers and paid only 12k Baht ($333) , so it might be time to shop around a bit more.

If you have a massive drop in policy cost like that, you might want to check the amount covered, and the deductible (excess) - even if switching insurers, that's a big drop if those two haven't changed significantly.

I checked it at the time of the switch and I recall they were comparable. In addition, I think that part of the reason was that I was in the process of changing addresses from Bangkok to Buriram, plus the insurance premium has always gone down in the past because the car is another year older and is worth less each additional year.

I have a 2010 Ford Escape that last year (2014) I paid 20k Baht ($645) Baht for insurance, this year (2015) I changed carriers and paid only 12k Baht ($333) , so it might be time to shop around a bit more.

Today visited Kap Chong Immigration to renew my one year retirement extension, presented proof of income that was notarized by the US Embassy but was refused until I could produce my bank account statement for the past 6 months. Fortunately there is a Bangkok Bank office accross the street so it was just a minor delay. I didn't have to do this previously but the supervisor stated that this is the new policy and would be required every time.

I found cheapest flights using

http://matrix.itasoftware.com/search.htm

I know you said you don't want to stop in India but for just over 600 pounds you might want to give it a second thought

Found this information @ http://www.tomshardw...-analog-digital

"800 Mhz is used for analog and at least three types of digital service

in North America. 800 Mhz is commonly known as the "cellular"

standard in North America. Digital cellular standards presently in

use are CDMA (commonly Sprint PCS and Verizon), TDMA (cingular and

AT&T Wireless) and GSM (cingular and AT&T Wireless.) They refer to

GSM "850" but the reality is it uses the same spectrum as analog and

the other digital "cellular" frequencies. T-Mobile is GSM but only at

PCS 1900 Mhz frequency. There is also iDen systems which is digital

and uses 800 Mhz but is not really "cellular" but SMR."

I just spent a month in the US and used my Motorola Milestone by purchasing a SIM card from AT&T for $25 plus $75 for 1 month unlimited calls and SMSs. Plus 200MB internet service.

Samsung Galaxy S2

3G NetworkOperates on the following spectrums

HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100

"The launch stems from deals between CAT and True Corp's subsidiaries, Real Move and Real Future, to jointly provide 3G services. CAT will wholesale its 3G capacity for Real Move to provide services for 14.5 years at a spectrum of 800 MHz."

How will the new Real Move system provide service to True Move customers with these handsets?

You may also consider just overstaying your visa and pay the 500 Baht per day fine at the border when you leave, especially if you know that you will be leaving on the 16th day of your 15 day visa.

All foreigners who apply for Tourist Visa at the Royal Thai Embassies and the Royal Thai Consulates-General worldwide, including eligible foreigners who apply for Visa on Arrival at designated checkpoints, will beexempted from Tourist Visa fee from 11 May B.E. 2553 (2010) to 31 March B.E. 2554 (2011). Such arrangement is for Tourist Visa only.

This was copied from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs site.