
Balance
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Everything posted by Balance
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It seems to me that TAT could prepare a one-page notice to arriving Tourists about how to take care of their money; what to do, and what not to do. One thing NOT to do is carry a lot of money a lot of money with you in the first place. A Foreign Debit Card would be much safer, in their wallet and ON THEIR PERSON, not in the overhead bin.
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Thailand is betting that the hoped-for Tourists will come back, and spend some money. Russia and China don't have any money, and they are losing jobs among those who could afford a vacation. Phuket is busy creating a crime-free detention arena. But what happens when they want to explore the rest of Phuket? Lots more bad press? What happened to rice exports and the car industry? Did the government rescind the decision a few years ago that the private data of foreign companies would be subject to government review? One or more of the large American companies went public, saying they were moving to another country. Immigration continues to say that they will make it easier for ex-pats and retirees to negotiate the bureaucracy, but until the rules are the same throughout Thailand it is still bad press. There are many foreigners who work throughout Asia and beyond but live in Thailand, many supporting Thai families. If the Government goes ahead with taxing foreign earnings after they have already been taxed in their home countries, you will see a large-scale permanent exit to other countries in SE Asia and many more if extended to retirement pensions. Foreigners living in Thailand and contributing to the Thai economy, often where it is needed the most with small businesses and in rural areas, want to feel secure here and not have to guess about the new schemes that pop up on a weekly basis. 90-day visas is the latest that has been put forward, but several countries around Thailand have already matched it. Thailand lacks comprehensive long-term economic policies that don't change when a new Minister is installed.
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Thailand ranks bottom of the pile with ASEAN English score
Balance replied to snoop1130's topic in Thailand News
The educational system will not be improved until the country returns to a democratic path. Educated people have more sources of information. They can google, USING ENGLISH, what is happening in other countries, and they quickly learn that knowledge is power. I have spoken to several students in private schools who are headed for a university. When I ask them what they want to do after finishing, they often tell me they will move to another country to work. When I ask why, they respond that there are no opportunities in Thailand, adding that it depends on what family you come from. -
Sorry, the SPL meter suggestion was intended to let you know how much you will have to spend on foam to get to where you want to go.
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Invest in a decibel meter to know how much you need to reduce the noise. Google foam soundproofing and spend some time learning about it. If you can use sheets of it and are willing to cover up a wall, you can probably do the job yourselves. The key is knowing what you require to get what you want and gaining the knowledge needed to make good purchases. Good luck
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It is my understanding that Tourists can't open bank accounts in Thailand. If that is true, the only option is to leave it in the hotel safe where he is staying. I am not sure that hotels will accept the risk, but it probably depends on the class of the hotel.
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Disappointment in Srettha’s Putin Phuket invitation
Balance replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
Is the PM aware that he has a legal obligation to arrest and turn over anyone charged by the World Court of Crimes Against Humanity? This includes Putin. -
Disappointment in Srettha’s Putin Phuket invitation
Balance replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
In 2003, the U.S. forced Thailand to sign a separate "impunity" agreement that exempts American citizens from Thai obligations to return anyone to the world court charged with crimes against humanity. -
Stranded British man seeks help as wife takes passport and sails away
Balance replied to snoop1130's topic in Phuket News
Some Thai women in their 40's have professional jobs or viable businesses, speak English, make an upper-middle-class living of TB80,000/month or more, and don't need or want your money. They also can't find an unmarried Thai man they want to be with. -
I moved here in 2011. I wanted to have her as my designated survivor with respect to my Social Security benefits. In 2014, we began the process to get her a greencard (work permit) for the trip to the U.S. From start to finish, it took 6 months. We were required by USCIS that we prove we had lived TOGETHER for 5 years. Tourist visas are a bit easier, but not by much. The reason is that there are 100's of thousands of Asians living on the westcoast with no visa. To have even a small chance of getting a straight visa, I would first marry her here in Thailand and register the marriage at the Chiang Mai consulate or the embassy. Second, She should have a house in her name that is paid for. The asset provides the incentive for her to come back. Good luck.
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What is the problem with the 90 day online?
Balance replied to kingstonkid's topic in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits
1. Very large bugs( the name comes from the 1950s when UNIVAC released its first commercial "mainframe" computer. Bugs (probably cockroaches) would eat the exterior of the wiring.) came with the new release. 2. There are new websites for both the TM47 and the TM30. However, the problem seems to be the lack of communication that they exist. 3. I spent several days sorting things out and submitted my TM47. Three days later, I was notified that the submission had been rejected because the new applications DO NOT support NEW passports. So, I will drive the reports to the immigration office for the next year and hope they have the act ready for prime time. -
New TM30 Registration Web Site
Balance replied to BKK57's topic in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits
The truth is that any software that is just released needs a few months for users to go nuts tryng to get it sorted out. It took me two months of waiting for the last one to get some of the bugs worked out. I will do the same thing with this one. A trip through the 90 day window is better for my mental health. -
Two things help me: 1. About four hits from my pipe with Gigabud (from Prik Pot) in it; 2. Spend 30-60 minutes doing yoga stretching and strength exerices. You can certainly do both. Great sleep.
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Just create another ATM account (no cost) and sign up for internet banking. You can then transfer money from the non-ATM account (it is more secure according to the bank) to the ATM account. U.S. SS transfers your money to the BKB in New York and the branch forwards it to BKB in Bangkok. The money arrives in my account the same day that SS sends it.
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Restaurant owner confronts negative reviewer at their home
Balance replied to snoop1130's topic in Thailand News
1. What is the "correct" size, and how is it determined. Is it weighed before serving to th customer? 2. How did the owner know where the customer lived? 3. The owner claimed that the customer's post directly caused a deline in customers. I assume that she had fewer customers and assumed that it was do to the post. Wishing that something would be true does not make it true. Advise to the owner: Get a gram scale and publish the service size in all places that customers would look at. You could have your staff to to other resuturants and buy some food and then weigh it. This will tell you if you serving less or more that your competitors. -
Escalator Malfunction Creates Scare at Major Mall
Balance replied to webfact's topic in Bangkok News
Yes, thousands do operate every day until they don't and people get hurt. I think it is fair to say that Thailand does not have a good record of maintaining things: housing, commercial buildings and airliners, roads, etc. Mechanical things that are in continuous usage have to be maintained, and if this is proactive maintence, it means inspections; taking things apart and making sure that tollerances are being met, xraying critical high stress areas for cracks that cannot be seen, and proactively replacing parts at regular intervals. Next is the difficult task of drafting written maintence shedules and assigning responsibility to employes to see that they are carried out and that supervisors take their oversight responsibilites seriously. Many of these steps obiously did not happen at Don Mueany. -
My Social Security transfers go from the SS adminiatration to Bangkok Bank in New York and then to Thailand. Since the bank knows where the transfer came from, that should be a sufficient Source of Payment that could be matched up with the annual annual SS benefits letter that the embasey refuses to acknowledge. The trick now is to get the bank to issue a letter to that effect.
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Airbus is owned by a number of countries and private interests. But the United States does not have any ownership and hence can not sell one to the Thai Air Force. If the artical was implying that the Air Force wants the U.S. to buy it for them, or provide financing, it is poorly written, and the U.S. Airline companies would have something to say about it. Bottom line, it would never happen.
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Are you already married, and if so where did this take place?
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When I got back in September, I was told by immigration that since the consulate would not certify the the SS benefits letter, they would not accept the payment letter as authentic, and therefore you had to have money in the Fixed account. Later, I was told that after one year on the marriage visa I would have proof that I get money every month and that the I did not have to have to keep money in a Fixed account. But understand, these rules change weekly and they are not published anywhere. They also vary with the immigration office you use. I would go ask the immigration office.