wwest5829

The story made me recall climbing over a glacier in the Alps on a Scout Exchange with our Czech Scout partners. On the way up I asked how old the oldest person he led over the top … he paused, looked at me and said … well, you’re right up there with them! Ha! I knew it would be my last such excursion.

All I know is that, driving in Thailand is a sure test for Alzheimer's. On the Thai roads, whether bike, motorbike or car, your brain must be firing on all cylinders or ... death/injury awaits.

While I consider myself as an "old friend" of China recognizing its rich history and wishing for China to take its place as one of the world's leading nations, I think the PRC has overstepped in its declaration of sovereignty over most of the South China Sea. Pushback was inevitable against the unilateral action. I support and encourage international navel flotillas regularly freely sailing in these international waters and an outright refusal to acknowledge China's unilateral claim. China has brought the need to defend against China's action. The only deescalation way to save face is an international treaty dealing with the South China Sea claim withdrawal - with multinational rights to the resources and environmental protections. China needs to take the leadership in this to save face and show that increased defenses by surrounding nations is not needed.

As an American citizen I collect monthly Social Security and get any inflation raises no matter which country I reside. I note a difference in treatment with Brit and Aussie retirees.

Recommend you take a look at ("google"): Lanna Care Net - support group for Expats Best Friend Visa - Visa service Assist Thai Visa - Visa service with lawyer

Years ago there was a gold buyer who would make the rounds. He bought all gold, price varied as to purity. I recall selling items I no longer wished to keep. A college ring - 10k, a wedding band - 18k, etc. I suspect independent dealers still exist ... no idea how to find them.

I fondly recall my early visits to Pattaya. I always had "Chin" as my gf for the visits. Yep, a cute bargirl but ... when her Mother came for a visit to take Chin's young Daughter to the sea ... Ching was fully clothed in jeans and a dress to go into the sea. Traditional Isaan Thai culture reflected. I did a lot of reading about Thai society, history, politics, culture so the dichotomy observations did not come as a surprise. As a student of history, it had me reflecting on my home country's seeming dichotomies.

Divorced in USA in 2007. She had a sign on her desk that read, “A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle”. Here in Thailand, I confess, it is like stepping back in time. Male is responsible for financial security, woman takes care of her man. At my age (76) having a wife 26 years my junior works for me.

Well, I’ll be damned. The USA is not only defining “Rights” according to which state you are resident but now … wait for it … local warlords! The USA is catching up with the past of many third world cultures … OK and the present of some still existing today. Congratulation Governor … a leading candidate for the Republican Party!

Problem is we are shooting in the dark here as we are not privy to the statistics of the number of foreigners applying for retirement of marriage visas who do not have the required funds. I am in the process of changing from an O-A Visa I came in on over a decade ago. Have used the monthly income method all this time. Switching to marriage to a Thai spouse. I have the 400K in the savings account for the current switch. Immigration visited the house yesterday. Chiang Mai, I have always used an agency simply as a matter of convenience.

Agree. After 41 years teaching, I would hazard the guess as AI being utilized as ancillary to an educated educator who soon learns to try to make the personal connections and utilize their ability to weave and Bob as needed to deal with a classroom of individuals coming from different backgrounds with different abilities and dealing with various daily realities.

Spent 6 months traveling 23 states in Mexico during my 1979-1980 Sabbatical year of travel and study. Crossed into Mexico on one trip at Matamoros, traveling alone in a VWCamper. Enjoyed my time there (mostly Cuernavaca). Considered retiring there as one option before coming to Thailand. Safety was one of the considerations.

As 11th Cousin, 3 times removed from King Charles (mutual descendants of Alice Wynninge (1483 - 1556) - Wikitree), I may have missed the email asking me to reserve the Coronation date. Ha!

Why not if I allow for the burning months? The majority of the year is great to travel in the mountainous North. The life I have is quite enjoyable and has been for over a decade now in the Lanna North.

Inside my house, then inside the car, then inside the Mall, restaurant, store. The big thing missing? Outdoor activities … hiking, swimming, zip line … but at age 76, been there, done that. Still, advice for anyone I care about … no, “unhealthy”!

Expat retired or with nonimmigrant Visa for reason of supporting a Thai family … Permanent Residency Status after 10 consecutive years of meeting Extension requirements. A fair option cost to join the Thai national healthcare system.

Last year, vacated Chiang Mai for a month in Koh Samui. This year a month abroad. I cannot, will not recommend anyone visiting Chiang Mai, presently. I stay inside mostly.

I freely stated that, at this point, we are all just guessing. Why do I care? Interested in the world around me and that he was a American.

The first question which came to my mind was if he was spraying the water all over and the water shorted out the electric water heater. Autopsy will reveal if that happened. I think more plausible than the Major having a medical condition at first glance. As always we are just guessing.

Only halfway amused, the other half is rather incensed at the conservative (right-wing) SCOTUS rulings supposing to be closer to the Constitutional intent of the framers. Ha! As if the framers in the historic time period anticipated the firearms, Computers, Travel, etc. of today, ... let alone the societal disfunction we are witnessing. Sorry guys, but as an Emeritus Professor of History, I call foul on the convoluted reasoning. We are currently moving, through the SCOTUS current rulings and the Republican state takeovers (yes, yes, a wise political move for them to hold on to their remnant of power) toward a citizenry which has "States' Rights" not American Rights uniting us as a society. While my crystal ball remains a bit cloudy (could be the "floaters"), based on my study of history, this is going to bite them on the butt in reaction to their over reaching being detrimental to the common good. Any one with political or historical knowledge knows how dangerous it is to take back (void) benefits popular with the majority of the voting citizens (of any country by the way).

I was aiming at the middle, neither high end nor the bottom market (perhaps Dollar Store could have been used). Yes, many decent law abiding citizens but with the sheer numbers …. well there you are

So, good for you. I am retired on USA $1526.00 a month Social Security, matched with retirement investments for my sustainable total of $2400.00 USD a month. Sadly, in the financial sense, I chose to be an educator. Yes, there were non-financial rewards and serving justice, a happy retirement in Thailand.

I agree … while reflecting on not wishing to attract the Walmart low end of mass marketing?

I wish them well attracting in the rich and famous but I am priced out of the U.S. market for a working middle class retirement and so … Thailand was attractive as a lower cost country. Like you, I have been here over a decade bringing in the required 65K baht + a month which is permanently sustainable for me (baring disaster). I would love to see a long term Visa for those of us retired to LOS having demonstrated not being a cause of trouble and sustaining Thai families. Add up the 10 year extension fee, add on a year or two extra charge for including a Senior Nat’l Park Pass, and additional option of joining the national healthcare program at a Thai reasonable cost and you can match other countries to attract responsible long term sustainers for Thailand. (Yea, yea … well we can dream!).

On my first visits I was surprised by the idea that porn and sex toys were illegal while sex was freely (if also illegal) available. The only rationalization I could figure out was that porn and sex toys might lessen the demand of the “evening stars” who were much appreciated in my earlier years.