wwest5829

On 6/17/2023 at 8:00 AM, scubascuba3 said:

People are overweight because of poor knowledge and poor self discipline, but people do eat out of habit and for entertainment 

I would suppose metabolism plays a part. My digestive system in very slow.

To chill for a short time with friends. https://www.panviman.com/
 

I a not in anyway associated with them but, had I funds, I would consider a short chill stay. I live in Chiang Mai so this is a domestic recommendation. Air has cleared, place is up on Doi Suthep.

For a 50th, I think I would be tempted to visit Nam … beach or up in the cooler hills.

Happy mid-century mark!

12 hours ago, Screaming said:

Big Bike, little Bike it really does not matter. Anyone who gets on a motorbike in Thailand has a death wish. Its only  a matter of time.

Love my Aeros. At age 76 I figure driving here is a sure test for Alzheimer’s  as all brain cells must be functioning or you are dead meat. Twelve years driving here and counting. Ironically, was involved in an accident during recent trip to USA. A bus, turning clipped my front fender when he entered my turn lane.

12 minutes ago, SmokeandIce said:

I will give your friend a pass, but I would say a 50 year old dating an 18 year old is not a stable relationship in most situations.  

Always exceptions but I tend to agree with you. My Thai girl (registered marriage) is 26 years my junior … but then at my age of 76 she is no teenager.

15 hours ago, realfunster said:

I think spending a bit more time developing your wider social circle would help.

 

Don't see any mention of any hobbies or interests ? Not sure coffee shops or nightlife is a great way to meet people and build meaningful relationships.

You can try to get involved in some activity groups in areas that interest you (sporting/intellectual/business (AmCham) & others) and developing some friendships there (male & female). That's obviously going to require regular commitment over a sustained period, a change in your lifestyle and sacrificing a few hours a week away from your business.

 

Why ? You ask.  Well, (1) you may indeed meet someone you like and a shared interest environment gives a less pressured atmosphere to first build up a friendship and maybe move forward from there to dating and (2) the best dating service known to man is when a mutual (..new) friend makes an introduction, that brings more trust and some pre-screening into the equation for both parties. Dating apps and services all have their vested interests and meeting someone 'cold' always has its challenges. 

 

Anyway, I wish you good luck old chap. 

 

 

Agreed. There has been some writing as to the result of the online, independent business folks becoming more and more isolated socially. In business the American Chamber, Rotary, Expat groups (not all are oriented to bar stools). Your recommendation is valid.

44 minutes ago, arick said:

I am not in Pattaya 

?.?

5 hours ago, 2baht said:

Bow to the Emperor! (Xi) 

Claim the South China Sea ... "in a bid to maintain stability in the region". Dictate to Hong Hong, "in a bid to maintain stability in the region". See stability and peace. None of this democracy instability ... far too messy. Thomas Hobbes ... as long as the government provides social stability and peace the citizens have no right to institute new government (see it is not just the PRC that has this philosophy). Now contrast with John Locke's outlook ...

6 hours ago, proton said:

Thailand is an advanced country when it comes to illegal immigration, liberal western policies is a slow suicide.

So stated when Germans, and Irish and Italians and, etc. immigrated to the USA. Each new wave was met by resistance. The KKK, some forget, stood firmly opposed to negroes, Roman Catholics and immigrants.

3 hours ago, PremiumLane said:

You been reading the Daily Mail or listening to Fox News?

Agreed. We all have our role in society. mine was as a history educator. Thus, I became aware of this previous statement on immigration from even before the founding of the USA. Anti immigrant attitudes and laws are part and parcel of US History. Sad so few know some of their countries history ... it leads to repeating mistakes.

2 hours ago, arick said:

Where do you live?  If in Pattaya I know a good mechanic PM me 

SAme here. I am in Chiang Mai. Just had compressor, dryer, hoses, radiator fan replaced. Flushed and recharged coolant. Also driver door lock fixed, 2002 Honda CR-V. Great mechanic, fare prices and speaks fluent English. 

6 hours ago, Skeptic7 said:

Just in case...

 

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/corporations/do-i-need-to-file-form-8938-statement-of-specified-foreign-financial-assets

Thanks. Read through definitely not applicable. Total annual income about $33K before deductions (includes SS). So, there is a reason to have joined millions of working middle class Americans retired in a lower cost country. As confirmed by a recent visit to the USA, I cannot afford to be retired in my own country (OK, maybe a rusted out trailer in Arizona or Florida).

22 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

While agreed we should not have to do it, it's a simple online doc that can be completed in 5 mins. The actual USD amounts before having additional IRS Tax Forms to be filed are much higher. $50-75,000 in a Thai bank. And if spending most/all of the year outside the USA, then the limit goes up to $200,000 in Thai bank before additional IRS forms are necessary. 

Thanks for that knowledge. I have only been effected by the FBAR requirement. I do not anticipate ever being effected by the higher limits by I was not clear on the amounts until you posted here.

Perhaps of a more recent note for US Expats might be the decision this past week of SCOTUS to refuse review of the FBAR annual filing requirement. The lower court decision is upheld to take 1/2 of a woman's wealth as a penalty for not filing. With the Kingdom of Thailand requirement to keep 800K (retirement) or 400K (marriage) in a Thai bank, any US citizen who does, exceeds to $10,000.00 USD FBAR annual filing requirement. (Yes, I am aware of the alternative combo or monthly income method).

6 hours ago, Kiwiken said:

The eternal fear of progress and Openness in Government so terrifies the entitled

The world over in all time periods …

4 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

Canada

What do i call that  paper, and immi seems dead set on getting it (rayong branch)

If they dont give it what is the work around?

Easiest is to ask the Embassy. They deal with this regularly.

Ironic to see your comment as coming from Canada … irony? Because many in Canada and Eastern USA are wearing the masks due to forest fire pollution … You are correct, in Asia there is more of a prevalence of mask usage. True in Japan even before COVID and in China due to air pollution.

3 hours ago, sumongkhwai said:

Hmm, 3 center mass and one missed head shot. Reckon the shooter's done this before.

“Bangkok Dangerous” came to mind …

20 minutes ago, bignok said:

So lets rename the manbag. Now called Phone bag. So much more masculine.

Old enough to remember owning a Nokia Bag phone ...

Blue Planet bag ... easily seen in the malls. Back pocket, iPad, paper for jotting things down. Inside this pocket is a zippered pocket where I keep my Passport, bank books. Outside back pocket holds my keys. Large inside pocket, wallet with credit cards, medical cards and cash, reading glasses, iPhone, small card holder for Makro, BigC, 1Card, etc., small flashlight, phone/iPad charger, earphones. In front of the main pocket is another, tissues, camping roll of TP, cloth kerchief, folding Japanese hand fan. Ha there is another zippered pocket on the front where I keep a couple of bandaids, toothpicks. What can I tell you ... Be Prepared was the Motto ... OK, OK but I am not in danger of leaving it and I do not frequent dicey places ... anymore. B9921 looks close.

1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Is this a new phrase that doesn't mean what it says? It's hard to keep up with changing language, such as bad now meaning good, wicked also meaning good, and so on. Words meaning the opposite of what they used to. Who even begins these changes? 

The phrase caught me also. I was not familiar … after a bit, it dawned on me … equals “caught sleeping”, not being aware of the sudden change. Then it made sense.

5 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Every right, but why ?

 

Obvious to me ... but hey, I'm not anti CH ?  They aren't there to 'keep the peace', more to disturb it ... IMHO

Every right but why? Hmm, by extension I would think you might support international shipping respecting the unilateral claim by the PRC covering most of the South China Sea? Peace at any price, or all expected to conform to international agreements, in the case the Law of the Seas and the International Court declaring China as not conforming to international law? I count myself an old friend of China but I support all nations sailing freely in international waters ... China is not immune to overstepping.

5 hours ago, KhunLA said:

An aerial shot would have been better.  Was the US ship even moving, or how fast.

 

Near collision - 150 meters ?

 

USA is playing a dangerous, provoking game.  How would the US react to an Carrier Strike Group off Wash. DC's coast.

 

There is no need for them to be there, except to provoke the Chinese.  USA & UN doesn't even recognize Taiwan as a country, and only a 12 countries do, and have diplomatic relationships with Taiwan.

 

Those 12 countries are;  Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Paraguay, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Eswatini and Tuvalu.

 

USA reaction to a... I assume you mean Chinese, Carrier Strike Group, off the coast of Washington, DC? First would be dismay that US intelligence did not pick up that China even had a Carrier Strike Group. 2nd reaction? International shipping along Bothe USA coasts takes place all the time conforming to the Law of the Seas agreement. You have an issue with free international waters navigation?