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konaboy

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Posts posted by konaboy

    U.S. SSA Form 7162 delivery difficulties

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted

    On 11/17/2022 at 7:59 AM, DineshR said:

    I don't have this problem yet but after receiving benefits I suspect I will start to have this problem every year. Here are some lessons I have learned recently through my process of initiating retirement benefits from Thailand.

     

    1. In order to get through to a live agent at the 1-800 SSA number, the only way to get around the automated system is to repeatedly ask for an agent. After 2 or 3 tries it will ultimately connect you with an agent. However, depending on when you call, you could wait quite a while before you actually get to speak with an agent - in my case, both times I called, it took about 30 mins.

     

    2. The best way to connect with FBU Manila in my opinion is to send them an inquiry - https://ph.usembassy.gov/services/fbu-inquiry-form .  It may take a while for them to respond but in my experience, they do respond to inquiries received via this link.

     

    A couple of things learned from prior posts here.

     

    1. Keep the US address on my Social Security account.

     

    2. Keep some local contact numbers of Social security offices near my US address

     

    3. Consider sending the form to a friend and have them mail it to the required address.

     

     

     

    Pick door#3

    inflation and gas prices in Thailand

    in General Topics

    Posted

    On 11/6/2022 at 7:56 PM, nigelforbes said:

    Thailand operates an oil subsidy scheme which helps smooth out the peaks and troughs of consumer petrol prices. At one point during the pandemic the price of petrol/diesel was heavily subsidized by the scheme and this cause the scheme to go into deficit and require loans from government. By keeping the price of petrol/diesel artificially low during the pandemic, the government managed to prevent inflation being passed onto consumers. Now that the oil price is starting to become more normal it's time for the scheme to replenish the fund and pay back the borrowings. I suspect that what you may be seeing in current petrol prices is related to the subsidy scheme.

     

    Inflation in September was 6.41%

     

    https://tradingeconomics.com/thailand/inflation-cpi#:~:text=Thailand Inflation Rate Eases to 5-Month Low&text=and vegetables %26 fruits.-,Thailand's 2022 headline CPI is projected to rise between 4,compared with consensus of 3.2%.

     

     

    thank you- however, I was under the impression that oil and gas was cheaper during the pandemic due to less demand?

    Is this the end of Thailand's Tourist Industry?

    in General Topics

    Posted

    9 hours ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

    33% busy?

    Airports of Thailand (AOT) President Nitinai Sirismatthakarn (centre) met with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to discuss the lack of flight connections to Thailand which the airports boss revealed are only operating at 33% of the level seen in 2019.

    does the MARRIOTT STILL HAVE THEIR SEAFOOD BUFFET ?

    • Confused 2

    Cremation of expat in Thailand

    in General Topics

    Posted

    27 minutes ago, Speedo1968 said:

    As I am not married according to UK embassy  i understand that i have to have a next of kin give their permission for me to be cremated.  

    my son...also for Americans of age there is a SS payment available for funeral expenses. Contact the US Embassy in Thailand

    • Thanks 1

    Thawing UK Frozen Pensions

    in Jobs, Economy, Banking, Business, Investments

    Posted

    On 7/27/2022 at 8:45 AM, rak sa_ngop said:

    When you consider the fact that overseas retirees make little or no use of the UK National Health Service, it should make good financial sense for the UK to encourage people to retire overseas.....even pay them extra to do this.

    I remember reading years ago (about 7) that the average pensioner costs the NHS £7,000  a year. We are saving the nation heaps by staying in Thailand.

    I am an American and have Medicare benefits in USA (75 yrs old). We are allowed the financial benefits in Thailand, but all the medical benefits are not available. These include all the medicines, hospitals, doctors, etc. Seems unfair to be excluded because of where you decide to live in this world.

    They always took my monthly payment when I was working.

    Just saying.

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