wwest5829

7 minutes ago, Kevin1908 said:

Spidemike007 I suppose it boils down to they want the foreigners money but not the foreigner. I have to admit I am rapidly going off the idea.

Having been retired here over a decade, observations that Thai immigration Visas could be easier, I encourage you not to throw in the towel, especially with a Thai family. That said, I have used an agency from my retirement here. Nothing underhanded or skirting Thai law. It is just that the agency deals with immigration daily … they know if any regulation changes, they know the more friendly immigration officers and who to avoid, they know if there is a new boss wanting to make changes and the particular “interpretations” of different immigration offices. For me, worth there assistance fee. I need only show up for 10 minutes to retrieve my passport once a year. I would add that I too have a Thai wife but find the retirement visa easier than the marriage visa requirements.

17 hours ago, steve187 said:

you were misinformed at the immigration office, it's not complicated for a 'married to Thai national' yearly extension, money is 400,000 in the bank account in your name only for 2 months prior to the application TM7, cost 1,900thb

 

 you will need a non-immigrant visa to apply for the yearly extension, visa exempt can be converted within Thailand cost 2,000thb

 

if you were married in Thailand, there is less jumping through hoops than if you were married outside Thailand

 

a 'retirement' yearly extension is easier but the money is tied up in your bank, 800,000thb for 6 months dropping to 4000thb for the remainder of the year, topped back up to 800,000thb 2 month prior to date of application for the subsequent yearly extension.

 

Or as I and many others have done for a “non-imm retirement visa”  … a monthly income brought in from abroad in excess of 65,000 each month. For myself, selling investments, paying the US taxes on profits and then parking 800,000 in a Thai bank is not a wise financial move for me.

Happy for Thailand to see those meetings, etc. bringing in tourists. What will they be required to have in the way of insurance when entering?

4 hours ago, blazes said:

The absence of a nincompoop like Biden from this or any other conference worldwide is a matter for celebration.  If he attended the meeting he would probably assume that Prayut was a Christian with a name like that.

 

But fear not, he is sending the brilliant VICE president to do the heavy lifting, the woman who just this week referred to the Republic of NORTH Korea as having been in an alliance with the US since 1953.   She uttered these breathtaking words at the DMZ, which, one would think, might have helped her to distinguish between North and South.

Entitled to your opinion and ... Dismissed ...

4 hours ago, blazes said:

The absence of a nincompoop like Biden from this or any other conference worldwide is a matter for celebration.  If he attended the meeting he would probably assume that Prayut was a Christian with a name like that.

 

But fear not, he is sending the brilliant VICE president to do the heavy lifting, the woman who just this week referred to the Republic of NORTH Korea as having been in an alliance with the US since 1953.   She uttered these breathtaking words at the DMZ, which, one would think, might have helped her to distinguish between North and South.

Entitled to your opinion and ... Dismissed ...

6 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

As I'm English, I do not think so, but I wonder how many yanks benefitting from the rise here, give a hoot about those in the states now that cannot retire as their money will will by 20-25% less income now, or cannot by a house as the rates make purchase impossible. 

Well, I am concerned about others but … I determined I could not have a working middle class retirement in the USA as a citizen so I looked to join millions of others from the working middle class (USA is not alone here) to retire in a lower cost country. Right now enjoying the $ to Baht rate, being informed that my Medicare monthly premium will be reduced by 3%, plus getting an inflation bump in Social Security for next year.

18 hours ago, simon43 said:

I guess it depends on the culture that you raised up in.  For me, the only time that I would go shirtless in public (in any country) would be at the beach or at a swimming pool.  The same applies to wearing shorts. But that's just me ????

Same as regards shirtless but polo shirt, shorts, sandals are the usual “uniform of the day” for me. Hotel meeting, immigration then I wear long pants.

2 hours ago, mogandave said:

So they wanted a blond and got a red-head.

 

Up to them right? But it’s really up to “them”, it’s up to her.

 

I apologize but I only wish to deal with those who use reason and critical thinking skills. This post has neither. Deal with real factual medical care issues that are faced by individuals every day.

7 hours ago, mogandave said:

What about the other 99%
 

So if the baby has a finger missing you would cull it?

What would I do in a hypothetical future event? None of us know. In your scenario, no other medical evidence of genetic damage than just one missing finger? Probably not, but then for others ... that is them to decide ... certainly not to be based on my personal religiously based choices.

This has been my stance dealing with this concern as an American. Bottom line for me? Should I and my significant other be faced with this decision, I would not recognize any law, regulation, disapproval by the right wing demanding that we carry to term, deliver, care for and bear the emotional/financial burden of raising a genetically damaged being. Fortunately, I would have the financial resources to seek medical care in an enlightened country. Foolish to follow an absolute stance, based on personal religious beliefs (and trying to force those beliefs on others), and yet refuse to have social systems in place to care (emotionally and financially) for those who choose not to abort.

5 hours ago, 2baht said:

Won't they (American women)  just go to the backyard guy with the coat hanger? That's obviously what the govt is forcing them to do with their draconian laws!

Please get it right … governments in Republican majority states. More enlightened states leave medical decisions up to patients and Doctors.

7 hours ago, itsari said:

Yes,direct from USA

A lot cheaper to flee for regressive Republican states and find medical care in more enlightened US states.

From the article stating that the latest bivalent vaccine will be available in Thailand next year, sounds like I can get this booster during a planned trip to the USA after the New Year.

I have no issue with wearing a mask when around others. I do miss the beautiful Thai female smiles I immediately came to appreciate.

On 9/18/2022 at 8:50 AM, VocalNeal said:

Yes I like fixing my own cars as well. The knowledge of which you speak has always been available. It just depends on how much time one is prepared to devote to finding it. 

We don't seek out an "expert" because he has more knowledge than us but because he has more experience. Not the same.

Yikes. I fail in the experience due to spending my life studying and teaching history. I asked for a "Starter halo deck" so I could have my students experience history ... reply was something about not having the budget nor technology ... Go easy, I am just playing with thoughts. it has already been observed that there is a world of difference between finding information and having the critical thinking ability to apply that knowledge.

I have always appreciated this thought by Gandhi. For decades it hung in my college office. "I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any."

5 hours ago, John Drake said:

Or Thailand could promote this exchange rate with American tourists. Oops. Forgot. They want to focus on Russians instead.

Speculation, but I'm thinking there may well be an increase of Russian men coming wanting to escape Vlad's "partial mobilization" to fight in the war on Ukraine.

6 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Nope, last recent update from the government here was projecting sometime into 2023.

 

I was wondering. The new vaccines are available in the US but I was hoping for the newest vaccine before getting the next “booster”.

Just curious. Have the newest Pfizer/Moderna vaccines arrived and widely distributed in Thailand?

When I croak I want the Wife to send the mortal remains immediacy to the local Wat (gas oven). Ashes to be tossed (reverently of course) in the Mae Ping (in earlier days spreading the ashes along Loh Kroh would have been appropriate). Literally done and dusted. Knowing her, she will no doubt go to the Wat to offer prayers after.