wwest5829

I have observed the, "over the top" and the "total disregard". To each their own but if you are not wearing a mask here in Chiang Mai ... stay the hell away from me. What has worked for us to date is staying fairly close to home but ... we usually are out of the house every other day. We go food shopping at Rimping or Tops, visit country cafes. Usual activity curtailed only our going out for an occasional evening for music and avoiding Sunday outings around others. Everywhere has the temperature scanners, we always wear masks outside where there are other folks (not in our car or on motorbike). Coming home, I take a quick shower, as much for sweat but serves the purpose of getting rid of road spray if on the motorbike (usual transport). Me = 2 shots of Pfizer. Stepdaughter has had her 1st shot of Pfizer. Wife = awaiting access to Moderna. Oh, no, I don't usually do the repeated hand spraying ...

Wow! 30,000 on the first day of reopening November 1, 2021. I wish the Kingdom of Thailand well but, it would seem to me that making such a forecast, if 30,000 do not arrive at Swampy, the statement might be construed as embarrassing to the Kingdom.

I have gone through the same thing with Bangkok Bank. Went to the PEA Office … very helpful setting it up. Stopped working. Went to a mall payment kiosk … very helpful setting it up. Stopped working. So, I go to Promenada and Central Festival Malls regularly and just make my payments there at the PEA kiosk. Not worth my time …

Anticipating retirement in 2011, I made two monthlong trips to Thailand in 2009;@and again the 2010. What a great experience. First retiring in July 2011, I “played” the first 8 months but concluded I really preferred having one … traditionally raised Thai girl. First love … 4 1/2 years but she then had family obligations, not what I signed up for. My now wife, 4 1/2 years and I could not be happier. To each their own but this is what I want in the winter of my life. Met via Baidu and have been together ever since the first month.

Not questioning your decision to apply for an O-A Visa but curious. I have been here over a decade on an O-A and looking to change to an "O Visa" ASAP.

I pay 11,400 baht a year footprint the required insurance at age 74. 200K deductible and pre- existing conditions so that this equates to an additional cost without benefit.

It has been some time ago but when I applied for my O-A Visa for reason of retirement in the USA. I had to submit a financial statement demonstrating I had the financial ability to retire and not become a burden on the Kingdom of Thailand. I do not recall a specific amount being mentioned but my retirement funds were more than sufficient to demonstrate financial support. These funds have remained in the US as I use the 65K baht monthly income method for my O-A Visa Extension of Stay. I would not recommend coming in with an O-A Visa. Enter Visa Exempt, apply for the "O" Visa in Thailand.

I certainly could not recommend anyone to apply for an O-A Visa for reason of retirement through the Royal Thai Embassy in their own country.

All developed countries have a national healthcare program, excepting the USA. So, this reasoning could be applied to all from these assorted countries.

When I arrived over a decade ago I was told Expats here were either, "Mercenaries, missionaries or misfits". I don't think I make that particular cut.

Agreed. In my case, I was retiring to Thailand and so got both a car license and motorbike license here which I have now held for a decade. My Kentucky license expired since they required I be physically present to renew.

Yes, agree, it is often erred to as an International Driver’s Licence but it is not a license at all. Sorry for repeating the misnomer.

Getting the International License can help but it will show what you are licensed to drive in your home state. I came with a Kentucky Driver’s License but for a car so AAA could not endorse for a motorcycle (motorbike).

While we cannot exclude the possibility, I do think there are obstacles for Thailand in implementing a blanket coverage. I also give some credence to the idea that we are being caught between a political power struggle.

No USA money for aid, thus the reason for global distribution of Covid vaccine donations (as a result I received two shots of the Pfizer vaccine). Yep, in full agreement with rolling back the 2017 tax cuts having gone to primarily the wealthy and corporations.

Ah, methinks your situation varies from my own. Not Swiss but American working middle class. My situation is more like making lemonade out of the comic lemon. You see, I cannot afford to retire in my own country on my $2400.00 USD a month retirement budget ($1320 of that from Social Security). OK, perhaps I might if residing in a rusting trailer in Florida or Arizona. Millions of Americans and others of the working middle class are retiring Baby Boomers who can have a better standard of living in a lower cost of living country. Compared to the USA, you can understand there are several that meet the economic need. I view it a symbiotic, spending my million baht a year benefits Thailand and my Thai family, I can get world class healthcare, a comfortable life, etc. The only real fly in the ointment is at age 74, with pre-existing conditions and an O-A Visa holder the health insurance requirements are not doable and so I must find alternatives.

Herry1465, I retired to the Kingdom of Thailand in 2011 after applying to the Royal Thai Consulate in Chicago. I completed and submitted the required Police Report, Medical Report and Financial Report demonstrating that I would not be a burden to the Thai citizens and would be a person of good repute. Sadly, I have learned over time that applying for the O-A Visa for reason of Retirement was not the best choice. And so, my recommendation for you is, as an American citizen, enter Thailand "Visa Exempt". You will be given permission for a 30 Day. Before coming continue to read on this forum to watch for any changes to requirements, read advice from UbonJoe and read the Thai government Immigration Police requirements. While I entered on an O-A visa, I am planning to switch to an "O" Visa as soon as the borders open to allow the transition. It is up to you but I have used a reputable agency once here in Thailand as they keep up with any local immigration office requirements (vary from different offices). At age 74 the changing and expensive health insurance requirements leave me paying for policies that will pay nothing due to pre-existing conditions. while I had a heart attack here and can highly recommend the world class care, the rules are such so as to ignore what insurance coverage I have in the US (pays $5000.00 pre year for overseas care) and the fact that I paid my bill balance without incident. Medicare, I continue to pay the monthly premium in case of need to return to the US for catastrophic care. If you are a full military retiree you have global coverage ... if a civilian under Medicare, you get nothing outside US territory.

And the Panama Papers preceding the Pandora Papers.

My first thought was an equal sound system playing Bach or Wagner …

I certainly will be keeping an eye on this. My last transfer was at 14:00, Oct. 5.

Then I would say they messed up and the news is most worrying. Depends on your local Immigration Office, maybe a statement from Wise citing it was their mistake that the money went through an intermediary bank?

And you had "checked the box" citing for purpose of long term stay in Thailand as to the reason for the transfer? If so, I certainly would get in touch with Wise as to their mistake. I would think they are very aware of the Immigration income requirements we face, I believe that is exactly why they have us check the long stay box on the transfer order.

I only address the Wise transfers. I use and have used Wise for my monthly retirement income transfer. I authorize Wise to withdraw $2200.00 USD from my US bank and deposit in my Bangkok Bank Account ... as Baht. On the Wise transfer I am asked the reason for the transfer and one choice given is for long term stay in Thailand. This assures a direct Bangkok Bank transfer and the bank notes the deposit as FFT (foreign funds transfer). If you do not chose this reason, your transfer may first enter Thailand through an intermediary bank ... then transfer to your account ... in that case it would be a Thailand internal transfer and not be designated as coming from outside the country.

A documented global pandemic?

Legalised euthanasia is available in some enlightened areas of the globe.