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gk10012001

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Everything posted by gk10012001

  1. No official record of Israel having atomic weapons. It seems likely they have a few but nothing ever publicly confirmed by anybody. If the USA knew for sure, they would not publicize it because that probably would mean the USA had some inside information, a mole or whatever and the USA or the UK, etc.. would not want their source to be revealed
  2. I have been looking at using some VOIP software on my computer, and WIFI connection to make calls to just about anywhere , mostly to the USA from Thailand. The goal is that the person I am calling does not need any special app, such as mutual zoom, etc. I know it is possible but the results from my internet searches are not clear to me. Anybody out there have a good VOIP app or software they can use on their PC? Free or some reasonable price of the software ?
  3. I added a VPN which is what the cryptic message displayed when I could not log onto my hotmail said. I picked NORD VPN. I often do not even connect it, but I figured it might come in handy. Hotmail was happy now. Note that when I log in using my MOTO G7 android phone I have not had any problems. I only had problems when using my computer.
  4. how cheap? Is it a one time fee or when the next year extension comes do you pay again? what does the agent do? Do they put 800,000 baht in an account for you? what do the agents do that makes immigration rules satisfied about the financials?
  5. oh yeah/ I will keep US medicare, just looking for about an 18 month break while my IRMAA gets reduced. It should be reduced now but the SSA administration and their form SS 44 just isn't working as it should. Two reps on the phone just don't listen or seem to understand how a reduction in the premium should happen when one stops working! I actually have a physical appointment on July 2 at the Palm Beach SSA office. Hopefully we will get things right
  6. yes he seemed to be focused on the financials. My question was more about not having to do 90 day reports by leaving the country every 89 days or less. Seems like that could work, although at some point if one is there for many many months total and immigration never saw any 90 day reports I would think some action would happen
  7. So are you leaving thailand every 89 days so as to not be in country for 90 days and therefore each stay you avoid having to file the 90 day report?
  8. yeah. Maybe he got passport before the tats? Anyway, actions have consequences
  9. The BOI LTR is a possibility but I do not plan on putting any significant amount of cash into Thailand at the moment. The wealthy pensioner is easily qualified if they accept income from investments. My investments earn about 60k a year. My social security is about 50k a year. SSA they may consider a pension. I have no idea if my brokerage accounts income would be considered under the wealthy pensioner
  10. hmm. bank account versus brokerage account. I certainly could move money over to my checking account, but obviously no checking account is going to show 2000 usd monthly income unless one has an awful lot of cash in there! So I appreciate your comment on that but I think a brokerage account that has 700,000 USD in it and generates an average of 5 % or 35,000 a year really would be what they would accept versus just a lump sum but I will look into it. I did find a website about the FBI report.. I think. I attach that here for reference. https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/identity-history-summary-checks
  11. the plan is in the planning stages. It ranges from a 90 day vacation initially in which case I don't need anything. Then I will just continue my fight with Medicare and the SSA but will be making my contractor money so will just deal with the frustration. Then might be a one year stay in Thailand just to wait out the housing market in the area in Florida I am planning to buy and to give my gross income time to be captured properly by medicare and the SSA so that my current 670 a month premium becomes 200. Long story on that but the system to reduce my IRMAA isn't working so in case my contract jobs get too slim I have no problem semi retiring for a while. And the money I save on my Medicare literally can pay my rent in Thailand. I don't have a firm permanent home in the USA because I have been working on the road for decades. The 800k isn't a deal breaker for the Non O. But the reason I am considering the OA is because I want to get some health insurance as I would be stopping Medicare so for the initial year in Thailand getting the OA prior to traveling seems like it would kill all my ducks. It would clear me for a year, I would be health insured, I would not be paying medicare, and thanks to Mr PIB I would not incur any 10 per cent medicare penalty as that is based on 10 percent every 12 months and I can plan around that. I love thailand been there 15 times since 2004. I just never know how much my motivation to work will continue so I am considering this longer one year -or actually 15 month break. Doubt I would long long stay in Thailand but you never know. It always was one of my initial thoughts after my first few visits.
  12. I am on US Medicare. Crazy how they do the IRMAA and premiums so I am considering dis enrolling, spending a year or a bit more in THailand, then returning to the USA and restarting Medicare. I know there may e a 10% surcharge for each year one doesn't get Part B when first eligible, but I got no firm answers today when chatting with Medicare about exact time frames, if part of a year is prorated, etc. They just do not handle non standard questions well from their playbooks. Any experience comments appreciated
  13. This just seems unusual to say the least. Most people have few rights when traveling to a foreign country and that countries laws or constitutions may apply very differently to foreigners as compared to citizens of that country. How would a third country allow or accept some foreigner with no visa, money etc, unless they are strong armed to do so?
  14. I am a USA citizen in the USA. I am looking at getting the Non Imm OA prior to going to Thailand. I am 68. I like the OA because I can do it from my country and keep all my monies in the USA initially. I will worry about extensions later. Anbody have some recent experience getting one of those visas? 1: What kind of Health Insurance did you get that satisfied the Visa requirements? 2: What did you get for the background/investigation report? In the past I did get a local police report for another reason, but this VISA seems to specify FBI or National agency? Does the FBI even do such a thing for you? I find it funny in a way because I have an active DOD Security clearance, but there is no way I can communicate that t Thai authorities that would satisfy the VISA statements they want. 3: Did you have timeline or expiration issues, such as the FBI report has to be withing two months of travel, or things like that? 4: I plan to list my Brokerage account as the financial satisfaction thing but could also use any of my IRAs. My accounts are all with Etrade and their statements including an income estimator are easily downloaded but The VISa seems to want some sort of letter from the bank. Has anybody gotten their financial institution to produce such a letter for either balance or income? 5: Any other unwritten things that you encountered that would make the process smoother? Anything else that you think might be useful please feel free to jot it down. Drinks on me when I get back to the LOS after a five year gap since 2019
  15. yeah but if I plan on staying for one year or two if I use it the right way, then to get the Non imm O-A prior to going to Thailand they really want a proper Thai insurance that has all that COVID stuff
  16. I have saved the vcf file off line. That has all the numbers I need. Many will be non essential or useless soon as my employment and future work will not be happening and I will not need any of my work agents
  17. Who has reasonable health insurance for me, a male, non smoker aged 68? Below is the background of why I am asking about this. I plan to get the Non Imm 0 extensions based on retirement after I get to Thailand and while that does not require insurance, I prefer to get some. And since I will be getting Thai health insurance, I may get a slightly different visa, maybe Non imm OA in my home country first, start the THai health insurance, etc. I am on USA medicare. But they insist on charging me maximum IRMAA premiums based on previous years income even though I am now retired. Painful numerous phone chats and in person calls about the SS-44 form. So, since I am ready and planning to go Thailand for some long term stays, I am likely to dis-enroll from Medicare, go to Thailand and get Thai based health insurance. Then when I return to the USA I can enroll in Medicare again during a supplemental period and at that time my Medicare premiums will be low. Medicare bases premiums on previous two years of taxes. Their reduction request form and process just isn't working and they are charging me $670 USD a month which is crazy, now and will continue to do so for a year or more even though I am now retired and grossing much less money! So I do plan to put this in another forum but this is just background information.
  18. I am aware of that but I do not sync to Google. Personal preference at this point in time. Thanks
  19. yeah. I resist putting things out there on to google like that but I am aware of it and I know people that have used that and recovered things. Thanks
  20. Yes it is only a single SIM phone. Many of my contacts were on the phone from when I first transported them over from my old phone, I just added all of them from my SIM to my phone.. At least I think I did!
  21. errata. My phone does not support an Esim being somewhat old, i.e. 2020 model. MOTO G7 Power. So I may just do the Thai SIM unless I find some APP to download?
  22. do you swim in the water there? I used to like jomtien beaches but over the years the cleanliness of the water did not improve. Would never swim in pattaya beach proper, but koh larn was fine. Have not been in country since 2019 but heading there this july
  23. Ah, words from the old billy squire song circa 1982. "you play with fire, you might get burned".
  24. Finally breaking free and heading to Thailand this July. I have an ATT unlimited plan that really by itself does not have good prices or options for overseas use. I want to keep my various contacts I have but plan to buy a Thailand SIM and package while in Thailand for about 88 days! Yes, visa exempt 60 days then 30 day extension. I assume the Thai SIM card replaces my current USA SIM card, so after I set up DTAC or whichever SIM and Thai plan I pre pay, how can I see and call my USA phone numbers contacts? What happens after installing the new Thai Sim? Does my android Phone Still have the same menus and look and feel? I haven't used a Thai sim in about 7 years since my last trip when I used a small cheap voice and text only thai phone!
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