wwest5829

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Did you ever try "any other bike"?

Because if you did then you should know there is a night and day difference.

 

I never tried one of those bathtubs. But I was on motorcycle taxis with them. Waiting in the traffic behind all those other cars. Except the cars have aircon and a roof.

 

Don’t understand why you find such an aversion to the PCX but to each their own. Had my Honda Airblade for 7 years but the 110cc was getting underpowered on the hills here in C. Mai. So, looked at the PCX 150cc (90k baht), then looked at the Aerox 155cc (65k baht). One of the things I was looking for in the Airbalade and the new bike was the storage room. Some of us prefer the MB rather than the car when going to the grocery. On both the old and new bikes, I also added a box on the back. Car is used for family transport but normally, without rain, I’m on the bike.

7 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

It's not free for most. 

Agreed. I have my monthly amount transferred vis NYC Bangkok Bank Branch and it shows in my Thai Bangkok Bank in 2 business days. Both my US bank and a 200 baht fee from Bangkok Bank on the $2000 USD transfer. Brits can do the same using the London Branch from what I have been told.

15 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

It is gross income.

You can put your actual income from social security before deductions on the income affidavit you will do at the US embassy.

I have always used just the income affidavit from the Chiang Mai American Consulate but would not showing his bank book record of a 65k baht deposit not work just as well? Asking due to other posts saying that justbthe affidavit might not suffice any more. Poster is in high clover. My SS is only 40k baht a month.

1 hour ago, DicksonPhisthur said:

You made my other point splendidly: you stated no VIABLE alternative.

So, we have an area of agreement, both candidates were poor choices?

3 hours ago, JerseytoBKK said:

The US FDA issued this recall a WEEK after 20 European countries did a recall. There are so many agencies in the US government that have become bloated, bureaucratic cesspools. I love my home country, but so much of the government is beyond useless. 

 

Yes, I have Valsartan purchased from my local Walgreens and the manufacturer is  Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals. Since I'm retiring to Thailand next month I was stocking up on this med. The only good part is that within 3 weeks of arriving in Thailand, I usually no longer need hypertension meds, but I was stocking up just in case.

I use Diovan here in Chiang Mai. 555 Think I may only need it as a result of riding my motorbike!!! When I go for checkups, if they take the blood pressure soon after arriving, it is elevated. Course it could also be a result of having a pretty Thai nurse paying attention!!!

30 minutes ago, simple1 said:

Not a good look for the President of the USA., but momentarily blocking the Queen's path can likely be put it down to lack of spatial awareness in the moment.

Plus keeping the Queen waiting as he was late.... and then there was lack of a courteous bow and courtesy by Melania. Was there no protocol briefing?

Once upon a time... OK, bit of entertainment, bit of a head shaking (yet again). Decided to buy a new motorbike after 7 years here as a retiree. So, a new Yamaha Aerox 155 (seems I've gained some weight and the old Airblade 110 was just not getting up the steep hills). Traded in the old bike for 10K. So, need "Residence Certificate" to sell old bike and another one to buy new bike. Out to Immigration on the 2nd Floor of Promenada. Present the required Passport pages, photos and 1000 baht (2 seperate Certificates required coming back the following afternoon to pick up). Next go to Yamaha to hand over certificates. Oh, says she, we need your Passport. Why, says I? I had to establish Passport verified information to get the Resident Certificate. New reqirement by Transport Office, says she, we will return the Passport in 2 days time. I state I have lived here 7 years so I understand need to fulfill regulations but...I go through the steps I have already taken and in a most understanding presentation and voice point out that this is "stupid" as Thai Law also states I am to have my Passport in my possession if asked by authorities. Never ending "new regulations by new boss". Yes, yes ...jai yen, yen....

Looks like I am again fortunate, as my annual extension was just renewed with the US Consulate affidavit. Hmm, silver lining. If the Thai Immigration refuses the affidavit ... well, that saves me $50.00 annually. For myself, the monthly minimum should not cause an issue. If Thailand does not wish me to live here and spend my retirement funds here, help support my Thai Love and StepDaughter, well that is up to Thailand. I am a free person and can live anywhere I am welcomed and can afford (ha! ironically, not my home country).

So, I a bit confused. I would think the correct English term is "polyglot" as it pertains to languages. Or is it another case of my being an American English speaker?

23 hours ago, orang37 said:

Hi, Khun Justfine,

 

I am sure that for me BKK would be much more costly; but, my diet, here, is almost totally fresh food from local markets within easy bicycling distance. I suspect my monthly expenses for food (way under 3k baht per month, which includes eating at a restaurant maybe 4~5 times) ... would put me in the lowest 5% of the general expat population's spending range.

 

The 3-bedroom house I rent here in the Nong Hoi area for 7k per month (yes, I am very lucky !) would, I am sure, set me back 30k++ in Bangkok  ... if I could find one.

 

"Tour" ?  What's a tour ?

 

cheers, ~o;37;

Good price on the rental. I figure one can find an unfurinished 3 bed/3 bath house from 10-15,000 baht. I am happy having found such a new house in Sannameng for 13, 000 baht per month. The 3 of us spend substantially more for food.

The idea of a 5 year Visa is attractive to many of us who have made Thailand our home in retirement. Like a large reason for my being here finances means I am priced out of this market. I use an “expensive” option of having my annual retirement extension and 90 day reports taken care of by an agency. So, 10,250 babt a year (1 re-entry stamp included) versus the Elite Card cost. Not cost effective for myself and many who are retired here because we can not afford the same level of living in our home countries.

1 hour ago, Boon Mee said:

Venezuela is the poster child for failed Marxist Socialist policies and Pence is 100% correct to warn other countries to avoid going down that road. 

Unfortunately, as has been true in the past the USA has not offered nor demonstrated an alternative which fairly deals with the mass of population. The US, with its huge income/wealth gap clearly demonstrates the extreme of following its lead. That is exactly why, historically, the peoples have felt they have needed to turn elsewhere for help and leadership...

39 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

Whether it be immigrants or a different issue, when the President starts calling for action that is in flagrant breach of the Constitution, something is seriously wrong. This is not about the man himself, this is about respect for the most basic laws that govern the country, and if the President has no respect for them, the country is in trouble.

He took an Oath of Office to uphold the Consitution of the U.S., he is now advocating ignoring the Constitution. A clear breaking of his Oath of Office and I would think more than enough reason to begin Impeachment Proceedings by Congress. Unless, of course, the majority political party thinks the American people will tolerate continued offenses by The Donald.

Yes, I have recognized this also in the stores. I figure Thai with western companies would fire most of the staff, people have to eat so .... We have more extensive welfare programs. (I’ll leave off commenting on paying working, middle class employees a minimum wage while the company draws the corporate welfare).

3 hours ago, phantomfiddler said:

Whatever Trump says, there will be hordes of detractors, but he is still the best president U.S. has ever had ?

Fortunately history will be judging him on his words, policies and actions. The judgement will be fair...thus harsh judgement on The Donald an his ilk.