IAMHERE

Interesting a photo from the past with outhanging  neon signs were allowed. The street doesn't look the same nowadays.

Yes, BB disabled my ATM and online is good for checking balance only. SSA direct deposit from USA is the reason.  I also have to show up at a branch every month to 'unfreeze' the deposit. Any branch is ok to show up in person, we'll see.  Also transfer to my K-Bank account cam only be done in person at 120BT per.  Twenty baht if I want a check and go deposit at K-Bank. I've had the account since 2014. A form letter was maiked to your address on record a couple weeks ago if you're a direct deposit of SSA.

3 hours ago, Danderman123 said:

Tax treaties help, but you need to fill out a tax form to take advantage of the tax treaties. And the tax form may or may not accommodate deductions allowed by tax treaties.

I suspect an "AGENT" will be needed by many. Hope my visa agent has or is developing a relationship with the tax office.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

the expat community in Thailand faces significant adjustments.

I've had a Bangkok Bank account since 2011. Send my pension, retirement check,  IRS return and occasionally some from my Schwab trading account. 

Then I go online PC and move money to Kasikorn account to pay bills.

Well, no more of that. Bank says if I want to keep getting pension and retirement deposits then I can no longer use online or ATM.

Further I must show up in person at any branch to claim(acknowledge) my direct deposits (twice a month) and then take cash out or pay 120 baht to transfer money to Kasikorn. I CAN do 20 baht check and go deposit into Kasikorn.  

So very cumbersome and no where near as convenient as the last 12 years.

This started Tuesday 28th of May.

I'd expect Thailand to find some way to unload any Chinese tourist money.

I received the same letter for an inquiry I made. The letter dated 22nd March. I got the letter the 29th of April. Still 'Pending" as I type this comment even though the letter said it'd be 15 more days til taken care of.

8 hours ago, RobU said:

There was no signal from the pilot the air pocket they hit was totally unexpected 

Not so according to CNN’s Erin Burnett, the pilots put on  the seatbelt sign and moments later hit  the air pocket.

2 hours ago, smedly said:

very strange the pilots were not aware of impending turbulence and turned the seatbelt sign on !!!

I didn't read that in the article, perhaps they did and passengers knew better or were asleep. (a bit of sarcasm there at the end).

15 hours ago, MartinL said:

Spent already on a new order. Simple .... except for you, apparently.

Not simple for me either. I paid in advance for a wristwatch that later was cancelled by the seller.  Lazada says I have to download an app to get access to the refund. However, the app says for Thai only. So, 1500 baht stuck in Thai limbo.

Can the rice be used to make alcohol ?

I imagine the poll was taken outside a brewery or distillery or liquor store.   Too easy to manipulate what a poll says.

Bangkok Hospital Pattaya did/does get GOB (Guarantee of Benefit) for my chemo appointments. BPH did fine last year with GMMI. However how can I possibly trust GeoBlue to honor a GOB? At the end of the day I'm afraid I'm the one that'll be declared persona non grata and kicked out of the country after being taken to court for nonpayment. 

Last year  the email BCBS sent us said GeoBlue was competent; seems not to be true.  BPH did fine last year with GMMI. I'm surprised BPH still takes FEPBCBS GOB. Chemo is around 300,000 baht each infusion. 

GEO-BLUE took over claims processing from GMMI the first of the year.  I've 7 Chemo bills from Bangkok Pattaya Hospital that are still pending; none have been paid. GEO-BLUE says " we are unfortunately experiencing longer than normal claims processing times. ".  Seems ludacris to me, they knew the work load from when GMMI did the processing previously before GEO-BLUE took over.

Anyone else having the same concerns with GEO-BLUE (FEP BCBS) ?

2 hours ago, Retfed50 said:

I used my Thai driver's license in the US for several months last year before getting my US license renewed with no problem. No problem renting cars with it.

Good to know, thanks.  Did you have to turn in  your Thai license when the DMV issued you a state license ?

Mr. Theerawat didn't observe that the men were drunk and didn't play by the rules.

1 hour ago, brianthainess said:

Not legally required on an electric disability trike, or license needed.

Didn't read where it was an electric 'disability' trike; just a 3 wheeled electric scooter. Probably didn't have insurance on the trike scooter. He was well aware of the dangers of that street.

Sounds like a gang hit. I'm sure this isn't a total stranger to the murderous gang. Certainly reflects negatively on Pattaya. YMMV

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The incident negatively affected the world class family friendly tourism image of Pattaya City, according to the police report.

Didn't either; not until the arrest and publicity from that.

35 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

There has always been violence in the middle east since the middle ages, why should it stop now?

I thought the violence went way further back in time. At least as far back as the Jews with the Ark of the Covenant destroyed (genocide?) entire groups of people at God's suggestion( was he that gave them the power of the Ark).

BiB need to stop this kind of thing. Total disrespect for Pattaya, tourism, and Budha. Keep it in the school yards.

What , if any , form of visa does/did he have ?

Seventeen turtles in twelve days of hunting and they only amounted to less than half  a kilogram. 

18 hours ago, 2long said:

I think the Thaiger were a bit tongue in cheek!

I thought it was outright Sarcasm; good to see its use officially.

5 hours ago, hotchilli said:

China is working on it... 

I bet it is a troop train. 🙂