wwest5829

2 hours ago, vandeventer said:

Young or old who would stand with Putin's Russia? I would rather live in a cave without his oil and gas that supports him in this massive killing of the Ukraine people. I can't see how India and the EU can do this, there must be other places they can go for oil and gas, like the USA which has the most oil and LPG in the world but has no interest in doing the right thing by helping out other countries not even there own.

As a student of history I am well aware of the multiple faults of the USA, however, I also must face historical fact. The USA has aided others on various occasions (open to the reality of seeing where it benefitted the USA in the long run but that does not negate the positive). Case in point, the distribution of vaccines (thank, I received my free Pfizer shots in Thailand). The mass shipment of humanitarian and military supplies to aid in th resistance to Russian military aggression (arguably in the USA interests). And, if I recall correctly steps have already been taken to help our NATO Allie’s face sanctions of Russia fuel supplies. Again, no denying the US faults but … what is that saying? Ah yes, give the devil his due …

2 hours ago, billsmart said:

I think, unfortunately, it all depends on what channel's news you watch... ????

I encouraged my students to watch and read from several international news sources. Today we also have the social network ability to see Ukrainian citizens factual live video of the reality. More difficult to propagandize those multiple first had videos.

48 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

Building demolition crews wearing "flip flops" and no safety helmets!

I do believe this is the type of government non-regulation favored by some in the USA. I suppose that would be consistent with the same types opposed to national healthcare provided for citizens in the world’ s developed nations … just reflecting.

6 hours ago, macahoom said:

Why were they selling televisions at the motor show?

Fat fingers … but then you knew that.

12 minutes ago, charmonman said:

Only if they actually do it.

Yes, of course.

1 hour ago, statman78 said:

I think the reporter needs a course in arithmetic.  32,000 cars were sold according to the article with 1,500 being EVs.  According to my calculations that’s 4.7%, not 10%

That may well be. I was only pointing out the quote of TVs being sold in response to a post that the there was a lack of TVs sold ... continuing with a political attack.

Passed my Diamond Jubilee a couple of months ago. Da is 26 years my junior. Works for us. When I was reading about Thai culture over a decade ago when considering retiring here I read … Age, in Asia in general, is more respected here. A steady, secure income is respected here. What you did for a living counts toward the respect pecking order. In the Lanna North but in Thai culture in general, lighter skin is taken as not being subject to working in the fields day in, day out and thus is more respected. So … my retiring hare … what was not speaking well of me living in Thailand?!

3 hours ago, SmokeandIce said:

But wouldn't it be better to stop the bombings and invasion which is causing the need for humanitarian aid ?

3 hours ago, SmokeandIce said:

But wouldn't it be better to stop the bombings and invasion which is causing the need for humanitarian aid ?

Absolutely. Unfortunately those with far more knowledge of Russia and holding decision making power failed to stop Russia from invading and thus making war on Ukraine.

15 hours ago, SmartyMarty said:

So do nothing then? Not surprising.

I count, "providing timely humanitarian aid" as something ...?

46 minutes ago, Cory1848 said:

The US invasion of Iraq was just as unprovoked and illegal as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and equally worthy of condemnation. That doesn’t make current anti-Russian news reports “propaganda”; it doesn’t mean we can’t intelligently determine what news is accurate and what news is not; it doesn’t make the behavior of Putin’s soldiers in Ukraine any less revolting. Two wrongs (Russian misbehavior on top of American misbehavior) don’t make a right; and in the current conflict, there’s no doubt whatsoever which side is in the wrong.

As an American, I agree. I would differentiate in the difference with the First Gulf War, aiding Kuwait in stopping Iraq's invasion. Totally that the WMD debacle was to be condemned.

2 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Bloomin cold and very very wet here on Samui.

Non stop rain for the last two days and it is set to continue until Wednesday.

Just arrived for a month’s stay. Ah, well, some days to shop for “settling in”.

21 hours ago, Golden Triangle said:

Been here for over 10 years, never ever been worried about price rises, fortunately I don't have to watch ever satang like some on here.

I retired to Thailand in 2011, in good measure because I could afford a working middle class standard of living on my $2400 USD a month budget. So, yes, prices do get my attention, not being a member of the rich nor famous. There are a substantial number of us from varied western nations seeking retirement in lower cost countries. It appears that bothers some folks …

1 hour ago, davemax49 said:

I lost $2900 so far unable to withdraw my funds.  Did you manage to get your funds back ?

Only profit was my learning from the experience. No recovery … investments are a risk, no quarantines in the best, let alone speculative investment. It seemed to me that FOREX trading, as well as, investing with someone closely following a fluctuating market, should have opportunity. I will stick with my more sedate holdings. Not the greater potential but safer for me in the long run. Doing OK, I have a retirement budget of $2400 USD a moth ($1380 from US Social Security so the rest comes from invested retirement funds). So, about $33000.00 USD a year and still seeing the capital grow. 

Good news, you are not alone. I lost $1700.00USD. There was a big case in Chiang Mai. Bad news, I do not know of anyone getting restitution.

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

It does not matter if you have a visa or not. Your passport only has to be valid for the length of stay you will get when entering the country. If longer than your passport validity your permit to stay will only be stamped to the day your passport expires.

A few countries must have a passport with at least 6 months of validity to enter the country.

 

Ram into the issue here in Thailand in 2016. Son was going to Vientiane to ask for a Tourist Visa. Thai border immigration said, well you can exit but you will not be allowed back in as you will not have 6 months remaining on the US Passport. We drove back to Chiang Mai, secured a new Passport at the Consulate and then back to Nong Kai for the Tourist Visa.

Yes. It would be an uphill political battle with the vested medical interests in the USA, but I encourage the Kingdom of Thailand to press full court on the international level medical care in Thailand. A golden opportunity? Making a healthcare treaty with the USA (and others) to be recognized to utilize their national healthcare programs to treat retired citizens in Thailand. Cite the cost savings, and again the international standards of care. In the case of the USA, Thailand care is recognized for treating US military retirees … promote the equal medical treatment coverage for US retirees on Medicare (retirees). And equally promote other nationalities to be treated here in a Thailand covered by their national healthcare programs.

19 hours ago, truthman said:

My mother tried to use the registered mail service with a brokerage debit card. They told her at the post office the service didn't exist and she ended up sending it regular mail. The first card was evidenlty stolen by the clerk who thought it was a gift card but the replacement arrived all right as did a couple of other debit cards I had sent in the mail. When my bank sent my debit card they used DHL. I don't believe you can track USPS registered mail as you can EMS in Thailand. It will only tell you if it's arrived or not.

I have tracked mail both ways but always by Registered Mail.

I just received my new Visa Card here in Chiang Mai from the issuer. They have both my US address (I use my Son’s address) and my Thai address. They have no issue with my residing in Thailand. They sent the new card via UPS and I had called the UPS Office here to tell them I would pick up the card when it arrived. A previously sent card was returned saying they could not deliver …

11 minutes ago, Speedhump said:

International local ????

 

OK, I do know what you meant. 

Yes, thanks, I should have said clearer perhaps saying … following the local custom when dealing with international travel …

18 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

 

Yes, The Philippines is one of the countries where State Pensions are uplifted anually, so certainly a good idea to advise the DWP.

Agreed, although my dog is not in that fight. Knowledge takes some effort but often benefits ... best to investigate in which countries the annual cost of living is valid. As a Yank, I empathize with Brits not getting the annual cost adjustment as we receive through US SS.