kyb789

I have transfered money back to the U.S. frequently. I used my main brach where my account is located, gave them my passport and work permit. No one even gave me second look. Filled out the wire transfer form and was on my way. No problems. Not sure if my work permit was the reason they never questioned me, but all went smooth.

It is a complete mystery to me why so many Americans are giving up their citizenship these days, quite a spike in the chart apparently. Having the governmnet following your every step (except the really rich of course) from cradle to the grave just means they really care. Fortunately my country is yet to follow this fascist line (all for protecting your freedom, yeah right) and hopefuly it won't, bit I wouldn't bet on it. But until they do, America the land of free or land of the opressed and indentured serfs?

I once had a Russian girlfriend who moved from the old communist Russia to the U.S. When I asked her, "How does it feel now to finally live in a free country?" Her face turned fiery red and eyes pulsing. She replied, "Free country??!! I just got a ticket taking my dog to the park because he wasn't on a leash!. Russia was a free country! I could do what I want"

U.S government money would be better spent working on ways to encourage BUSINESS money back into the U.S. rather than incur the enormous cost of monitoring and chasing little expats all the time. But that would require our government to think.

La Monita has the best food but it doesn't have a great ambiance for a birthday dinner, and the acoustics are terrible so the place can get extremely loud. I think Coyote would be more fun for a party but the food will be better at La Monita.

Maybe have dinner at La Monita then walk around the corner to Hyde & Seek for a birthday drink.

Agreed. La Monita is the best I have ever had, and that includes Mexican restaurants I like in California. West coast Americans know good Mexican food. La Monita could use some acousitic ceiling tiles to absorb the noise, but other than that they are the best around. I would avoid Sunrise Taco's at all cost. Chips taste like cardboard, etc. Coyote is nice but only average; however it has a nice party atmosphere. You have my recommendation.

Here is the link to the petition being sent to Congress and President Obama.

http://signon.org/sign/repeal-fatca?source=s.icn.em.cp&r_by=6294369

we should all write to the congress and white house complain. if enough masses get envolve may be something will change

I like your idea. However I would suspect there are not enough compaining expats to even register on the Congress radar, and citizens living within the boarders probably could care less about our problems.

There is a lobbying organization which focuses on these kinds of issues. It ain't the NRA but it's better than nothing!

http://americansabroad.org/

Thanks for the link. It looks like they are doing some good work. I want to recommend all Americans join their orgainization and participate as much as possible. I think this situation is horrible. U.S. companies actually get tax breaks by keeping their money over-seas, but U.S.citizens are condemned.

we should all write to the congress and white house complain. if enough masses get envolve may be something will change

I like your idea. However I would suspect there are not enough compaining expats to even register on the Congress radar, and citizens living within the boarders probably could care less about our problems.

Last week I went to sign up for another investment fund at Kasikorn. No problem, got my bank book. Today went to buy some shares and the transaction was refused. The call center told me it was due to the new U.S law regarding disclosure of U.S citizen funds. They are not accepting fund investments from U.S. citizens.

Anyone else had problems with their banks?

I use US Bank as my main bank but they don't have an internet way to wire funds outside the bank. So I opened a Wells Fargo account via the internet, and have Wells Fargo pull the funds from US Bank at no charge via ACH transfer, and then send the funds to Bangkok Bank in Thailand using the New York Bangkok Bank ACH transfer for $3.00 fee. A two step process but it works OK.

I can also do the same thing with Bank of America as with Wells Fargo.

So, you have a interesting cheap method to transfer money to Thailand for a $3.00 fee. Is there a limit to the amount you can transfer? If one was to trasfer $200k to buy a condo, is it still only $3.00 for the transfer?

Never seen them in Thailand. I have looked at many markets. you are lucky if you find regular jalapeno peppers. But smoked... good luck.

I don't know which Viall Timmyp is refering to. I have been to many Villas, Tops, Emporium, Foodland, and never saw a pumpkin. 1137 baht?? Ouch.

There is more than 1 guy. They cover all the tourist areas and have also been seen in the local parks approaching foreigners. They get your attention then tell you they can tell your future, mother's name, etc. As soon as you start to fall for it, they raise the stakes and ask you to bet some money. It is scam they have been doing for years. They are very annoying.

The best way to get rid of them is to act interested, then pull out your camera or camera phone and take their picture. Watch how fast they leave. I have done it numerous times and told them they will soon have internet fame. Watching their smile turn to a snarl is never-ending entertainment.

There was a nicely built cafe at the corner of Sukhumvit Rd and Soi 5 just a few months ago. Does anyone know why this cafe only opened for about a month, them promptly closed its doors? Now it appears a McDonalds is moving in the spot. Someone spent a lot of money on this place. Seemed to have good business so I was wondering what happened.

Ok well thanks to laceman's recommendation, I checked out bourbon st.'s tuesday mexican buffet yesterday and was impressed. For 320 ++ a person(i think..) you get a pretty good selection of enchiladas, quesadillas, rice, beans (veg and non veg) as well as some mini burritos (more like chimichangas) and other items i cant remember. But the best part was the expansive taco bar. They had about 6 different meat options, and just about every topping you could want. My only complaint with the tacos was that there hard shells were the mini-size, so it made it very difficult to fill the shell with the good stuff.

Decent dessert selection, my gf and i tried the apple pie, lemon tart, and brownie and enjoyed all three. I got there at 6 so things were still fresh and unpicked through because it starts at 5.

anyways, all in all a pretty good experience.

Glad you enjoyed it. Get yourself over to LaMonita at Phloenchit BTS. Don't settle for anything less. They are the best in Bangkok.

Conjunctivitis is very common in Asia. I have had it twice since I've moved here. I see people on the street with it all the time, and they don't seem to even know they have it. Stay clear of anyone with red eyes. It is extremely easy to catch. My gf had it pretty bad and it took 3 weeks to clear. I don't think you need another opinion just yet. Good luck.

Most condo buildings have privately owned units. I found that any condo that advertises for 12 month contracts will negotiate for monthly rates. It all depends on the condo owner to make the decision. But I see owners do montly all the time. Its better than having the unit sit empty.

I am a born and raised Californian. I was also a professional musician for 25 years. We don't play Hotel California in California. Never heard another band play it there. Never got a request for it in 25 years.

Just tried the Carl's Jr. in Pattaya. Seemed good to me, but its been 6 years since I had them in the U.S. so I can't really compare very well. When did they switch to designer buns? I don't recall that back home.

I am not judging others, but fast food burgers are one of the things I don't miss about the West. I am glad for those who want a Carl Jr's that there will be that option - but with KFC / Pizza Hut / Starbucks / McDonalds on every block - Thailand is starting to be indistinguishable from any city in the U.S. - not my idea of paradise.

I don't like what is happening to Bangkok. It's KFC and chain stores on every corner just like the U.S. Sad to see it go in this direction. Wish the Thai government would put impose some restrictions. But can't wait for Carl's Jr. .....

_{I am pretty sure they are following the laws of Thailand. No one is being forced to work there.}

On the 4th August 2012 at about 11:00pm me and my friends went to Mixx. It was our first time there. It's normal for us to have a couple of drinks. Then we had more friends coming to meet us there so we went out to get them leaving a friend behind inside the disco, during which his unattended drink was spiked. After about 10mins when we all came back in his condition started to show up at which point we weren't sure yet so we decided to leave. Once outside it was clear his drink had been spiked. He was unconscious etc it wasnt because of the drinks we had earlier as we were all having it together and it wasn't much and we know that for sure. This is just to warn that this time it was a guy but for the girls out there to be careful and always be with your drinks and not to leave them unattended. We don't know the reason why this happened but it could be someone's mischeave men or women. Take care guys just a friendly advice.

In Thailand, the girls are doing it to the guys. They see you alone, then drug you and help you back to your room where they take everything you own while you are passed out. Never leave a drink unattended in any country.

I had the same problem when I was young, but the problem disappeared as I got older. Stop chewing gums helped me a lot becaue I would always bite my lip when chewing gum. I still get cuts in my mouth but they heal quickly now. I can only assume it has to do with the bacteria we each have in our mouths. I don't have any special remmedies for you, as none worked for me either. Antibiotics?

Farangs do a lot of walking. Thais generally make sure they never break a sweat. Having said that, I seem to meet a lot of Thai girls that don't know about deodorant. But most the deodorant I find in THailand never works anyway. I always bring back 2 year supply everytime I visit home.

A lot of contradicting advice here so I will give you mine. Troll or not, my comment stands that the best of the best are not found in the farang getto and you must get yourself away from anywhere that foreigners go. Learn some fluent Thai and you will wow the local girls and impress their parents. It is easy to impress a poor rice farmer, but try it on a rich business man and his family?? Now that is a good catch. Hang out at Ram Intra Rd where all the local Thais go on the weekends for dinner, and you will see some real stunners. Be shy, put on your best charm, and know some Thai language. It doesn't get any better than the uni girls that work there. Good luck.

I've dated and been married to hair dressers my whole life. No such thing as a good one for all styles. Some are good at some things, others are good at other things. Its like buying wine. You never know until you try. I found that the most expensive are never the best. The places I go now are the cheapest, and they do the same job at half the price. Good luck.