wwest5829

38 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

You could but then even county parks and so on charge a wide range of fees, based upon location, age, military affiliation and so on.  Buying a yearly pass, if one is goin to be visiting say 4 or 5 times a year does save on entrance fees to many places, Yellowstone is just one of many https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fees.htm.

 

However, here in Thailand as the OP states Fees are charged to foreigners at a rate 5x more than a Thai now in Hua Hin.  They might actually make money if they sold annual passes to the National parks which would allow entry without a fee to the parks.  If they did this they might actually obtain more money by those people who would then spend at the venues inside the National parks buying souvenirs or even food sold at the dining venues.

I figured I could not go wrong having purchased a lifetime Senior Pass decades ago. I am “Grandfathered” in so the new pricing does not effect me nor my Thai family members. We need not pay any entrance fees throughout the US in Government managed parks or lands.

17 minutes ago, Hanuman2547 said:

I don't know about Colorado or Utah, but in California at Disneyland they do have dual pricing but it isn't like in Thailand.  If you live in Southern California, let's say Huntington Beach, You can purchase a local pass which gives you a discount to enter Disneyland.  If you, from Utah, want to enter you pay the full price as would any other US citizen from any other state or foreign tourists.  It's a pass only for the locals of southern California.

Might we acknowledge a difference between private company and government property?

2 hours ago, mogandave said:

Dual pricing is routine in the US. 

I am not contesting just asking to learn by you citing examples. I am aware that some states deferential between state residents and out of state residents but am not aware of anyone targeting "foreigners". That would result in bad Public Relations if they wanted to promote tourism. Glad I retained my Lifetime US Pass so that me and my Thai family members will not be charged any entrance fees at:

National Park Service

US Fish & Wildlife Service

Bureau of Land Management

Bureau of Reclamation

US Forest Service

US Army Corps of Engineers

2 hours ago, billd766 said:

You could always read my comments 4 or 5 posts above yours if you want creditable sources or you could do, as I did, and search the internet yourself.

Thanks, perhaps a matter of timing. I did get to read the followup source postings.

19 hours ago, CartagenaWarlock said:

Again wrong. Here is the data for 2019-2020. Russian is picking up and I beleive picked up during their low price sale after Ukraine war. But still not in no 1 position. 

Thailand imports Crude Petroleum primarily from: United Arab Emirates ($3.84B), Saudi Arabia ($2.65B), United States ($1.37B), Angola ($1.09B), and Nigeria ($984M). The fastest growing import markets in Crude Petroleum for Thailand between 2019 and 2020 were Russia ($756M), Nigeria ($683M), and Angola ($557M).

I am not questioning, however, like Peter's statement,  a citation of a creditable source would be appreciated in gaining knowledge rather than opinion.

Ironically, just opened this posting just after ordering my June monthly transfer via Wise. I have used them close to a decade after my U.S. investment company could not make direct deposits in Bangkok Bank’s NYC Branch. Now I have Wise deduct $2200 directly from my U.S. bank account and it will be deposited on Monday into my Bangkok Bank here in Thailand. Wise states the amount of transfer being limited if large to a handful of Thai banks. Not an issue for me.

16 minutes ago, Dogmatix said:

They will never do this for retirees because the 1979 Immigration Act (and its predecessors) makes having a profession in Thailand a key requirement for PR. It harks back to the original 1927 Immigration Act which was largely designed to manage the entry and internal flow of Chinese coolies into the country and make them carry ID documents in Thai that could be read by Thai police.  They were required to register with police if they went to another police for more than 24 hours.  A lot of the crime in those days was to do with Chinese triads that were difficult for the BiB to infiltrate as they couldn't speak the language. 

 

Changing the law to facilitate what you suggest would be a massive undertaking for no political party has any appetite. What they do like is the idea of giving longer and easier visas to foreigners they regard as super wealthy but the requirements are too onerous for many to be interested.  The Thai establishment doesn't care about other long term foreign residents.  The fact that they have decided to start Thai families adds nothing to the equation as far as they are concerned.

Agreed. Signed, Don Quixote. Sad, that Thailand does not recognize the draw for the stable retirees, unable to afford retirement in their own western countries as the working middle class.

4 minutes ago, Thailand said:

Then you woke up!

Ha! Cannot disagree. You understand as an American I have only hope as current reality does not give me any concrete evidence of progress.

5 hours ago, CitizenPeter said:

No, I'm registered in Chiang Mai

Dang, I am in Chiang Mai and my 400K/40K insurance is annually required for my original O-A  Extension of Stay. you have been most fortunate.

6 hours ago, Will B Good said:

No brainer for the elderly......I am surprised the market isn't much bigger.

 

The costs of elderly care in the UK are astronomical. Anyone with something about them must be considering care over here or other developing nations. 

Major consideration for my retiring to Thailand in 2011. I joined millions of other Americans who, perhaps ironically, are no less US economic refugees than Latin Americans, in reverse. I certainly cannot afford a working middle class retirement on the same living standard in the USA.

5 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

The house passed a bill already and it's before the senate now. The left know exactly what they want to do. Stop trolling and get informed.

 

https://www.nssf.org/articles/sen-feinstein-proposes-banning-americas-most-popular-rifle-again/

Unless American voters elect a substantial Democrat majority, then they do not have enough votes to deal with the Republicans blocking progressive efforts. We are stuck with inaction which continues to feed the justified frustration/anger within the working middle class. This is a planned political effort by the Republicans reliant upon this pent up rage as they (the Republicans are not and have not put forward any legislation to deal with ... this or a litany of other issues ... I stand corrected, they have passed state level laws criminalizing abortion.

24 minutes ago, James105 said:

Not sure why this debate is still going on.   The gun control argument was settled way back in 2012 after the Sandy Hook massacre when Americans decided that it was more okay for little innocent kids in school to be shot and killed by someone with a legally purchased semi automatic rifle than it would be to take away that persons right to legally purchase the aforementioned weapon of destruction.    America has made it abundantly clear that the occasional massacre of 5-10 year olds is okay as long as they get to keep their guns.   

 

It's been 10 years since Sandy Hook and Americans have decided not to vote in politicians who could do something to prevent this.  It's not the NRA or some other bogeyman that is allowing this to happen - it is the democratic will of the American people to allow their innocent kids to get slaughtered on occasion.  

Sadly, I agree and further state, as an American I am increasingly alienated from my country. What I hold as American values is increasingly at opposition to the reality I see as the USA regresses into an entity I can neither recognize nor support.

On 5/26/2022 at 6:03 AM, RichardColeman said:

If the killer had been a white guy, this would be 24/7 on every new station in the USA until the US mid-terms.

Hmm, I have been seeing it just so ... Your point?

6 hours ago, THAIPHUKET said:

Fungal is correct, crotch area. Can't use cortisone. Causes big blood clots under skin of hand and arms. That's why someone with an explorativ mind should look for a solution.

After shower, I have used Dermcombin when I get crotch itch. The other remedy I have sed is a powder (use powder puff) I got at Bic C at Pantip in Chiang Mai.

6 hours ago, John Drake said:

Not yet identified. A much better, fuller coherent story available here:

 https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2022/05/18/thai-archival-find-may-resolve-fate-of-missing-wwii-us-pilot/#:~:text=U-TAPAO%2C Thailand — The,flood-threatened archives in Thailand.

Thanks, reposted on my FB wall ...

12 minutes ago, garyk said:

Can't imagine the price gouging that would go on with that idea. 

So, you have some information concerning the current payment of medical bills from those already getting Thai healthcare through US retired military Tricare? How would expanding US coverage of Medicare cause a change of current conditions of coverage?

My additional suggestion for the Kingdom of Thailand is to use diplomacy with the USA to have Thailand health facilities be recognized to not only be approved for offering medical services for US retired military care (current) but also be recognized to give medical care through US Medicare for Expat retirees residing in the Kingdom. This benefits an equal treatment of the US citizens but also promotes Thailand as a recognized center for international standards medical care at a substantial discount to costs in the USA.

1 hour ago, mtls2005 said:

 

Are you sure, about the income method being allowed for the Visa Exempt -->30 day ext-->Non-O 90 day-->1 year ext?

 

Based on many, many other threads and posts, it seems like the 800,000 method is the only one currently allowed?

 

Google: thailand convert visa exempt to Non-o retirement income site:aseannow.com

 

Quoting UbonJoe here 

 

"The transfers of 65k baht to prove your income is not listed on the requirements to apply for the non-o visa. It only shows proof on income from a embassy or 800k baht in a Thai bank."

 

 

Yes, you may be able to transition to the income method on your second annual extension renewal with twelve (12) qualifying foreign transfers.

Coming in visa Exempt requires no income proof for a long time stay, although I think they could ask you to show a 20,000 baht figure upon entering. Then once here, figure on starting the procedure to transition to an "O Visa" for reason of retirement. I think UbonJoe will confirm going this route will not need to show 800K baht in the Thai bank nor a full year of 65K baht transfers upon first application but rather for resulting Extension of Stay. Requirements do change, my only personal experience on an O-A since 2011 is by using the monthly income method.

3 hours ago, RandiRona said:

I think US know how corrupt this region is ...anything they are giving is going to Elite's pockets!

I used to think I could criticize this as an American. The more history I studied and reflecting on the current corruption in American institutions ... well, I no longer feel in a position of moral high ground ... sad to say.

3 hours ago, IAMHERE said:

The USA will still be short changed; ASEAN has already gone to the highest bidder. Time for America to leave ASEAN to the Chinese. Move their factories to South & Central America where the shipping lanes are easier to protect.

Certainly an option needing the economic studies ... but then, somehow I am guessing American companies are already working the figures.

Came retired into Thailand in 2011 on an OA Visa after demonstrating I met the requirement to the Royal Thai Consulate in Chicago. Have lived here since. My recommendation supports those who have already made the recommendation. Come into Thailand Visa Exempt as an American citizen and then apply for the "O Visa" once here thus avoiding the medical insurance issue after your initial 30 days for the annual stay. also, please take note that the requirements for demonstrating being able to support yourself can be met with money in the Thai bank OR demonstrating the monthly income. I use the latter method, preferring not to park investment dollars in Thailand.

20 minutes ago, Capella said:

Try getting your other half into places like Australia, the UK or the US - tons of money and paperwork involved.

Just a footnote. I have had no difficulty with twice gaining US Tourist Visas for my ex-girlfriend. Experiences do vary.