wwest5829

Do you use a USA address?

Very funny but only due to my having come across accusations that Americans are being overly fastidious in washing hands and their body excessively destroying their natural immune system abilities. I am wondering how the SCOTUS will rule on those increasing number of robots being "citizens", after all, they have already ruled that corporations are "Citizens" (Citizens United Decision). "I Robot", "Surrogates", "Ex Machina" ... it is coming whether we agree with the wisdom of such or not.

Not my experience in Japan, starting in 1983 when my stay there with the University of Washington included trips to the mountains and stays at Buddhist lodgings, and trips to the pearl farming coasts. Had I the money, I might well have retired in Japan although not in the larger cities as I favor the mountains.

The subject has me reflecting on my earlier 5 trips to Japan and my observing cashless transactions everywhere. From store purchases, taxi payments to buying a cola from a vending machine. It will be some time before SE Asia catches up to that level.

Brought hundreds of books with me upon retirement and donated near 300 on American History to the CMU Library. True, I do not read as much as during my college/university study years. Still, I usually have one of my books on European and Asian History close at hand. Most of my current reading centers on my family genealogy and that has been accessed electronically from scanned books in the USA on early colonial history. Most of my days consist of hours of reading.

Indeed. It appears this happened for many US voters in the midterm elections.

Well, unlessbthosebtheybwishnto condemn are affected … then it is god’s punishment.

Ha! Oh, yes, my “postal vote” as an Absentee Ballot sent from a foreign country. I’m thinking far too Americans understand how the state determined voting regulations work, including the checks on validation of voters.

41 years as a classroom teacher, retired in a lower cost country, in large measure, because I cannot afford a working middle class retirement in the USA. Think that might have more to do with the lack of teachers and nurses in addition to the work demands and both being groomed into thinking that these callings are to be oriented toward profit making models. Both groups would be considered “woke” by DeSantis measures because they are educated. “Woke” is the new slam instead of educated elite or liberal.

Think you hit the nail on the head at the end. Very few smart, sane people would subject themselves to what it would take to get elected in the USA. This is true even at the local level elections in this political climate. Must be what the citizens want … the madness to continue for they gave neither party a clear majority to achieve goals addressing the justified frustration/anger in the American working class.

The meaning of WOKE is aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice). - Merriam-Webster-Webster Dictionary

Agree. Ironically, the social media seems to cause people to be more aware … more “woke” to reality.

The alternative?

Yes, the Chinese characters, especially in combination can be interpreted different ways. Going to study in Shanghai in the summer of 1986, Chinese friends wrote out the characters. Then he said, he thought of slightly different, more polite characters. The first characters could be seen as, "Powerful Mandarin from the West". Yea, right ... ha! Over the top.

I have found my AIS plan allows my GPS to function throughout Thailand. It includes unlimited wifi access. But that is the limit to my experience as I am not working online.

We will be using Koran Air (Delta designation flights to earn airmiles) for a trip stateside for the month of March 24-April 24. Price was $1388 flying BKK-ATL with return from DWI (so "open jaw" tickets).

Agree with Eaglehawk. I keep a bottle os Cab, Shiraz and Merlot at hand.

A major reason as to why I am here.

I would anticipate the commonality will be avoiding the war.

Thailand certainly not alone in this debate. I recall facing the same in the Czech Republic. The Czechs felt like after the Wall fell and they once again could determine their own fate, that the German money would overpower Czech ownership of land. In the US, I recall the reaction in business when the Japanese car manufacturers moved in … and now the Chinese companies are seen as the big threat. Thais are not the only ones to get caught up in ethnocentric thinking. As a student of US history … mixed thoughts as my forebears came into the British colonies and bought up land from the Lenni Lenape.

Isn't USA style "freedom"/independence great?! In large measure I retired to a lower cost country because I cannot afford a working middle class retirement in my own country. It has worked out well for me here in Thailand but I know others struggle ... and still others can, evidently afford the millions of baht homes/condos and Long Stay Visas for the wealthy.

I just included the service to the extension service, any re-entry permit that they got for me. As was responded to elsewhere, some of us find it convenient to use an agency. Some prefer not ... to each their own.

I used to pay the agency who takes care of my extensions 1500 baht a year to do the 90 Day Report. now, with the drive up window here in Chiang Mai, I just do it myself. In fact, just did it yesterday.

A year of 65,000 a month transfers should do it (been here over a decade on this method). At least that is what I have been told by one Chiang Mai Immigration officer. I anticipate no issue. I also have 400,000+ baht in a separate account and could go the marriage reason for the “O” Visa as a fallback.

I won’t be testing my plan until April 2023 when I return to Thailand. Currently O-A Visa (Retirement) for over a decade with monthly income method over the required 65,000 baht. Plan is to fly for a visit to US with Thai Wife and Stepdaughter. Returning to Thailand on April 24, as it is a RT ticket, I do not anticipate any “onward ticket”. Arrive Visa Exempt (purposely allowing O-A Visa to expire as there is no re-entry permit). Go through the Visa Exempt, 90 day, year extension for the “O” Visa (retirement). I’ll report on this upon return (as we cannot tell what changes may take place, in the meantime)..