wwest5829

18 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

It's classroom libraries, not school libraries, by your quote. So you've got that one wrong straight away.

 

Also it isn't banning books, it's only allowing books that are approved.

 

And they aren't being made to close their classroom libraries, they're obviously choosing to do that to try to claim that they have to due to the law. All they really have to do is only have books that are on the approved list.

 

It's all political theatre and hot air.

Absolutely agree, political theatre initiated by DeSantis and his ilk.  Actually, I am quite open to seeing discussion of the books forbidden out of fear of legal prosecution.

On 1/8/2023 at 9:01 PM, ozimoron said:

They aren't the ones in denial.

We should not feed the troll.

Yes, Fidelity did not/would not conform to the required format allowing us to make an EFT directly to the Bangkok Bank, NYC Branch. Since that time, I set up a Wise (previously TransferWise) Account. After setting this up through Wise, once a month, Wise draws $2200.00 from my Fidelity Account (this is just my determined amount, yours can differ). When ordering the transfer into my Bangkok Bank Account, Wise asks for the reason of the transfer. By “checking” the long term stay living expenses box, the transfer is noted by Bangkok Bank as an FFT satisfying Thai Immigration (I use the monthly transfer to meet the income requirement.

A asset to be developed in Thailand is its national parks. So much potential ... oh, and change the park charges for those of us on long term Visas/Extensions. 

2 hours ago, Willy Wombat said:

People can get the vaccines in their own countries if they choose to.

 

Who goes on a vacation to a 3rd world/developing nation and puts in their itinerary that they will get vaccinated while there ?

My thought was for the Chinese, coming in increasing numbers and having only the less efficient Chinese vaccine shots. As short term, they would pay for their shots, if I understand the wording.

Hmmm, were they on active duty at the time? I am reflecting on police serving as security guards on their own time ... certainly allowed in the USA. The rub only comes if they were on duty and/or using official police cars, etc.

22 hours ago, Karma80 said:

I was saying to a friend only yesterday - Fark...I miss covid Phuket.

I think we've been annexed by Russia.

Careful P might decide he needs to protect Russian speakers and claim to annex … additional vacation spot and place to retire …

17 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Nothing is ever the Democrats fault, is it? ????

I would never claim this. Both the spending and the lack of a workable immigration policy are the result of both parties “kicking the can down the road” so they do not upset their chance to be re-elected (and here I observe that the ultimate responsibility is on the citizen voters not demanding change). Reality under the last administration? Raise the spending and reduce the tax on the corporations/wealthy … which party held the majority and passed both these things?

4 hours ago, jcmj said:

It should be exempt for retired people as well. They still don’t understand how much we contribute to the economy. We don’t even get the discount Thai rate anymore at the parks. Could give us a little break. 

Allowing that the Royal Thai government does not care ... I agree that, after 10 years retired residence in the Kingdom of Thailand I am not a "tourist". I am a resident of Thailand as my only global country of residence.

15 hours ago, talahtnut said:

On seeing a check point ahead I like to do a U turn

and proceed smartly in the opposite direction.

Ha! yes, some years ago my Son was on the bike behind me and had no helmet. We knew there was a checkpoint around the corner so I thought I would let my Son off, he could walk past the checkpoint and we would resume after a distance. Policeman stepped around the corner just as I was letting him off the bike. Foiled again!

2 hours ago, Andrew65 said:

What I was getting at is that as falang we can't claim welfare benefits etc in Thailand. 

Around 3 years ago I got chatting to one of your compatriots who had renounced his US citizenship and was actually a Cambodian citizen (showed me his Cambodian passport). That's a VERY big step to take.

Yes. A "bridge too far" for me to give up citizenship. I do not know the facts but it appears to me that many of those giving up citizenship do so thinking they can avoid taxation (a large difference with my income). Although as a student of US and European History (generalist) I am quite attuned to wrongs that have taken place (currently watching the PBS Series on, "The U.S. and the Holocaust". So sad to be reflecting on the events and personalities. As to Thai being able to claim welfare benefits? A bit complicated since we are not citizens. On the other hand if one works here then the public health care and retirement benefits are available (such as they are). Guess we would also need to decide what we consider "welfare" ... sorry, I am just reflecting on some in my country defining paid, earned benefits as "welfare". 

14 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Just my opinion, but if one chooses to not live in a certain country, why should one have a vote there?

Only discussing. So ... if I retire to Thailand, I am disenfranchised from voting anywhere? In my case, I do feel very strongly about my ties to the USA. My DNA goes back to forbears before it became a country and what the country does has global implications for Americans and others currently. In addition, my DNA remains in my children and Grandchildren so I am also concerned with domestic policies (including not being allowed to utilize my earned Medicare). No, I definitely want a vote as an American. Just because I am "outpriced" in the USA and have joined millions of other Americans retired to a lower cost country so that I can have a working middle class life, does not equate with my giving up my citizenship.

4 hours ago, BananaStrong said:

My dad fought in WW2 and he would roll in his grave if I ever did this.   He loved America, and would be sad if I was embarrassed to be from a country that gave me the ability to be who I am.   My friends would laugh at me if I did this, wondering how I lost my backbone, identity, courage......why?  to please strangers I will lie to them???  OH, I'd never do that.  Oh, I'm soo worried about what they think.... I know, I'll lie about my entire life!!!!!!!  great idea!!!!

 

My family tree would crumble.    Everything would then be fake.  Why not make up everything?    Why not get a Canadian tattoo all over your body!!!!  

 

America has taught me to be confident, intelligent, rich, in-shape, everything..

 

Thailand teaches me about Pattaya!!!!

 

and I literally won't waste one second on what other "countries" think .     Wait your turn for the master of the universe to give advice.   USA.  

OK … except the rich thingy. You see I taught in the U.S. for 41 years and thus needed to join millions of other retired working middle class folk retired to a lower cost country. Understand the family tree comment … being interested in history my USA roots go back before the country was established.

21 hours ago, Jingthing said:

To wit.

 

 

Thank you. Really enjoyed. Perhaps being American (USAn?) with some German DNA.

22 hours ago, Phoenix Rising said:

A dead give-away for me are guys wearing baseball caps, inside and outside, day and night. In the gym I attend there are Thais and foreigners from all over and the only ones wearing any headgear at all are the Americans.

Sorry about that. My motivation is vanity … covers the increasingly balding head. I have thought about adopting a yarmulka or a zucchetto.

On 12/27/2022 at 12:59 PM, seedy said:

Since the beginning of time, these words have been true ...

 

“Isn’t that rebellion? Yes or no?”
“Yes. But there are mitigating circumstances. Serious miti—”
“There are no ‘mitigating circumstances’ when it comes to rebellion against a sovereign lord.”
“Unless you win.”

 

Shogun

Some validity here. Bottom line CSA lost, those who evidenced their frustration/anger !/6/'21 lost.

5 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I'll give it up when your lot stop harping on about Trump at every opportunity.

Because, after all, there are no differences …?