wwest5829

Rarely do I use the “cool” setting on the air conditioner. But I regularly use the “dry” setting to reduce the humidity, especially now with the rain.

Sorry, cannot give advice on this matter as I cannot identify … although I recognize it is very real for some folks. We are all different so, my spending a good part of the day reading is not for everyone. Being a student of history, I am also immersed in seeking out my genealogy both through the written documents (Ancestry) and through having taken the DNA tests. Currently reading, “Texas” by Michener while researching my Mother’s lineage in Texas while it was still part of Mexico. But that is just me … no doubt others would find the seeking out of more knowledge boring. As is oft said in Thailand, “up to you”. Not enough hours in the day for me.

It is sad as I think the Thai National Parks could be developed into great tourist attractions.

I need folks to allow for some slack with me. My relatives hauled the Philadelphia bound tea and set fire to it in Greenwich, NJ. It was only a small tea tax …

Agreed. Took my Thai Wife and Daughter for a month tourist trip to the USA. Each of our 4 day Disney tickets equal cost. When I showed my Senior’s Pass at US Nat’l Parks … no separate or foreigner price for my guests. The girls were overwhelmed by the costs in the US, we all agreed we are better off financially living in Thailand. We loved our visit but … couldn’t afford to live there.

I would just observe that I show my 5year Thai Driver’s License stating in Thai that I have lived in Chiang Mai for 12 years. I suppose the girl has some leeway As my Thai Wife and myself usually pay the same Thai price.

I turn to the Wife and Daughter and say, sorry but I am a resident and will not pay this. Turn the car around and go …

Sad, my only global residence is Chiang Mai since 2011. I am a Tourist when I visit countries outside Thailand. That includes a trip earlier this year to my own country, the USA. Whether officially designated as such or not, I am a Permanent Resident of Thailand. My income, brought into Thailand from the USA exceeds the income of many Thai citizens … thus I am supporting the Thai economy as much as Thai citizens. For the record, I am affronted by this discriminatory practice. Easily fixed by making mandatory recognition of the “Pink Card” or 5 year Driver’s License. OK, whining finished.

J&N Auto on the 2nd ring road. Jimmy worked in the US for over a decade so English language is no issue.

I arrived on my O-A Visa for reason of retirement in 2011 and have maintained Chiang Mai as my only global residence. When the rules for the O-A retirement Visa changed I was forced to take out health insurance. I viewed it as a “tax” due to the fact that pre-existing conditions and a high deductible would make its use untenable. I have now switched to an”O” Visa without being required to carry the useless insurance.

My motivation for this is having owned motorhomes for 30 years and having two Sons. Sometimes the standing aim is off. Easier just to sit and drain.

“Knock on wood” I am aware of this, in general, in Thailand but have not been subjected to dealing with this. Ha! When I first came I was sure the answer was to find a sterile orphan. Fortunately, my Wife’s family is economically secure, and live at least 10 hours from us. My Wife has made it quite clear that while she and her Daughter have a secure life, we are not wealthy. I have never been approached to supplement anyone else’s finances.

I wish you well in your pursuit to gain official Thai government recognition of Permanent Residency. Unfortunately for me, retired in Thailand for over 12 years with Chiang Mai as my only global residency, I am blocked from ever getting official recognition of this fact (aside from a political gaining of that official designation).

A familiar saying came to mind. "The beatings will continue until morale improves".

If I were interested in this, I would ask my Thai wife as she reads Thai. I am stopped by my lack of Thai language reading ability. The sites you listed, I think, are mostly used by non-Thais.

Congratulations on becoming part of the club. Hundreds of young, pretty girls find me fascinating … immediately blocked. Could some few be real … oh, be still my beating heart. But bottom line . I am quite happy here in Thailand with my Thai wife and Stepdaughter.

Same ole, same ole ... appealing to non-thinkers on the gut reaction, emotional appeal level rather than providing a thought based reasoned, workable solution. But those are the Americans he is appealing too in order to gain their support due to their justified frustration/anger.

Not a pickup but I just replaced my Firestone 205-70 15 with Michelin. Firestone still had plenty of tread but they were 6 years old. TyrePlus has a promotion going on. Lifetime tire balance/rotate/align included in the tire cost.

Apnea was my first thought also. C-pap readily available here. I sometimes use Benadryl or sometimes an aspirin (aches and pains in the night can disturb sleep).

Retired over 50 addendum: No, you do not need 800K baht in bank if you use the monthly income method (65K baht a month transferred in). No, you are not required to have medical insurance with an "O" Visa for retirement. Only those getting the "O-A" Visa for retirement from their home country are required to have this insurance.

Upon my Wise app request, Wise does an EFT from my US bank and transfers it to my Bangkok Bank account as a FTT. I would think this would be as easy (or now possibly easier) than using a Debit Card? ' Course it could just be a current, "glitch" you are facing.

I retired to Chiang Mai from the USA 12 years ago. Indeed, in the beginning I did use the U.S. Consulate affidavit as to income. It changed since I have been here and so I have used the 65K monthly income method ever since. The understandable action was based on the fact that they took our word about the income, they were only certifying that it was ourselves declaring this. When the Thai Immigration wanted the declaration to equal a “proof of income”, that is when the U.S. stopped as they were not about to deal with verifying income from the various sources were we get our retirement income. Quite different from countries where retirees receive their retirement/pension from one government source. In my case the US Consulate would have to certify my Social Security, plus my drawing on retirement savings account, plus privately earned income from stocks … not feasible to expect as a gov’t responsibility. No “pensions” as such involved.

Historically a very dangerous time … when the populations rising expectations are not met.

Lost in (cultural) translation. Many valid comments already. Keep on doing what you are doing if that is what you want. Over time you will change or decide the culture in not working for you. Many of us have had this bit of culture shock. Love the Thai guys, they love them, leave them (oft with the baby). Older westerners arrive facing a huge pool of cute Thai females of the ages you cite. 1. How old are you 2. What do/did you do for work 3. How much income do you have. (Not in order). The Thai social pecking order … and you have already read the comment … age and security play heavily into the judgements made. I retired here and have had only great memories before settling down with my Thai Wife 26 years younger than I … but then I am ancient!

I confess I came with hopes of finding a great house at a considerable reduced cost. Gave up that thinking some time ago. I just changed from an OA Visa for reason of Retirement to an O Visa for reason of Marriage to a Thai national. When asked about income by the Immigration interviewers who came to the house, I said I knew that I would only be required to bring in 40K a month but that I would continue brining in 65K as that is what we spend almost every month.