watgate

Folk Guitar thanks for the reply. Have you used the Swedish Tempur brand memory foam mattress primarily in an a/c environment ?

I am in a new place and the bed has a cheap thin mattress on a wooden board and my back is killing me. Back in the US I sleep on a bed made by a buddy with a wooden board. I have 2 memory foam pads, each about 1-1/2 inches thick on top of each other placed on the wooden board. I also have a couple of cheap eggcrate mattresses, one about 2 inches thick and the other one 1/2-1 inch thick both placed on top of the memory foam pads and with this setup it is very comfortable and no back issues. Normally, since I am also sleeping on a board here I would just go out and purchase a couple of memory foam pads and replicate the same setup here. My concern though is after doing some reading on Thai visa, one idividual said that buying latex or memory foam pads or mattresses are ill-advised because of the climate here in Thailand. Any knowledgeable posters with some sound advice would be most appreciated, both my myself and my aching back. I don't have a/c where I am currently residing here in Chiang Mai and thought I should mention that too. Lastly, I have had good luck,as stated previously, with memory foam pads but have no experience or useage with latex toppers. If by some chance latex toppers are not susceptible to the heat and humidity in Thailand, does anyone know if they are similar to memory foam pads. Any input would be GREATLY appreciated.

What official marriage is recognized by the US Government for purposes of a Thai spouse being eligible for ss benefits? Would a buddhist ceremony suffice or does one need a civil marriage whether performed in Thailand or in the US? Any clarification would be appreciated.

I was wondering when is a good time to visit Myanmar? I am concerned about the rainy season so I take it September would not be a good time to visit Mynamar. What about October? Any idea when the rainy season is finished in Myanmar?

It is obvious that this discussion on 911 engenders a lot of strong emotions but if you google 911 architects and engineers for the truth there are over 2300 professionals who are skeptical of the events on 911 and not the porsche (lol). So I guess all these individuals need to be committed too.huh.You few individuals who are so quick to condemn and throw insults and harshly criticize, I am sure you believe that the US involvement in going into Iraq was never about oil and that we went into Iraq to free the Iraqi people from Saddam Hussein tyrannical rule over the Iraqi people.If so, then you truly are in need of psychiatric help yourselves. In speaking to folks and actually reading some current postings on Thai visa, many folks are of the mindset that some sort of catastrophic event is coming due to the 4 blood red moons and the Jewish laws of the Shemitah. Supposedly the 4th red blood moon will be in September and that is suppose to be the trigger for some sort of economic catastrophe to unfold. I think it is highly unlikely but it will be interesting to see what transpires nonetheless. In any event it creates interesting dialogue and enables you few self-righteous individuals to get on your platform and throw insults and disparaging remarks as you hide behind your computers consumed with self importance.

In reply to the Appletons, aka the Simpletons, I guess the more then 2300 Architects and Engineers who have gone on record to state that 911 was engineered at the highest levels of government are also conspiracy nuts. I am sure you are correct and that your word is gospel. It is people like you who are "sheeples" being led around and spoon fed drivel which you are happy to consume.

I wonder how many folks read Oscar2 posting. I agree with the assessment of the US dollar going forward and the eventual collapse of the us dollar at some point in the future. Now you will get the folks who are blinded by greed and irrational exuberance,who will call you a conspiracy nut,but if you look at the hard evidence,it is only a matter of time before the us dollar collapses due to ongoing events currently going on as discussed in Oscar2 posting.

I am not sure if we are going to be flying into Mandalay or Bagan first but will be flying into Myanmar with the appropriate visas. I guess I will take some US currency to convert to Kyat on an as needed basis. Can you get a good exchange rate at the airport or wait and go into a bank in one of the cities?

I was told to bring US dollars to Myanmar but with the current strength of the US dollar in relation to the Thai baht, I am definitely leaning toward converting my US currency to Thai baht upon my arrival in Thailand the end of August. I am planning on taking a package tour with my g/f to Myanmar so I only need some extra spending money for incidentals and maybe a side excursion. If I did take Thai baht with me to Myanmar, would I have any problems converting it to Myanmar currency or using the Thai baht for purchases while in Myanmar. I not concerned about getting less for Thai baht vs US currency since I would not be spending a lot of money while there.

I won't be returning to Chiang Mai until the beginning of September so I don't know first hand how much it has been raining up to now. My limited understanding is that in the Chiang Mai area there has not been substantial rain up to this point. If in fact this is true and if forecasts are correct by meteorologists that El Nino and the resultant current weather patterns will continue into next year, I am wondering how serious or potentially serious the drought or lack of substantial rain would have on Chiang Mai and the surrounding area. Is there sufficient water or would serious restrictions have to be implemented due to the lack of water. I can potentially see rice and other commodity prices rising significantly due to this weather pattern which evidently is being felt within a wide area of SE Asia. I am interested in others opinions and what the consensus seems to be about the current weather pattern and lack of signicant rain so far this season.

Are there any other thai visa assist companies in Chiang Mai besides Assistthaivisa. I am possibly going to use one of these companies to assist in my retirement renewal and was wondering what experiences folks have had with utilizing one of these companies and how satisfied were they with them.

Has anyone tried the mosquito patches, and if so, are they effective in repelling mosquitoes? If so, what brand do youuse and where can one purchase them?

I am considering investing some money in Thailand and would like some info on the proper way to invest without running afoul of US tax laws. I understand, and correct me if I am wrong, that if a US citizen has more then 10k invested in a foreign country, then you are required to report the income annually to the IRS on your tax return. Is that correct? Also, how safe is it to put money in a Thai bank? Are your funds insured? As for end of the year reporting by Thai banks or other Thai financial institutions, how do they report your interest or dividends to you? Can you go into the bank at years end to get a year ending statement from them showing your interest or dividend income. If one were to invest in stocks in Thailand what is the best place to place a trade besides online? Any input or advice about investing in Thailand would be appreciated and I don't want the IRS breathing down my neck so I want to make sure, if I do decide to invest some money in Thailand, that it is done properly so as to not cause any problems with the IRS.

I generally get a flu shot in the US prior to my coming to Thailand but this year I will be coming to Thailand before they start giving shots in the US. I was wondering if and when they start giving flu shots in Chiang Mai and any places one can recommend to get a flu shot?

As a true afficionado of the Survivor show on American TV, episode 30 of the 15th year on TV was just finished. They have just selected the next participants for the next show to be shown in the fall. They announced on the finale of the just finished show that the next location would be filmed in Cambodia. They said it would be very hot and rainy so I take it that they should start filming very soon in Cambodia. I was wondering if anyone knew the exact location of where the filming for the 39 days of the show will be, and if not, any possible locations where you think it could be planned for. They generally like to pick locations near the ocean but I am not very familiar with Cambodia, other then visiting Angkor Wat. I am just curious and thought there might be some knowledgeable posters who might know the exact location or give an educated guess as to where the show would be shot.

Thanks for the input, even Suradit 69 who likes to be caustic and revels in individuals supposed foibles. I now realize that I was clearly in the wrong area. I am planning on taking a trip to Myanmar with my gf upon my return to Chiang Mai this Sept. I can either go to immigrations in Chiang Mai or wait and get my re-entry permit prior to departing for Myanmar.

When I was leaving for the US back on March 15,2015 I asked several Thai folks who were working and they all said that immigration desk not open on weekend. One led me to the immigration desk and there was no one there. With that said, now I am not sure if I was led to the correct area. It was on the ground level where you check-in and I was led to a desk on the same ground level where it did say immigration.Now Nancy is referring to "a little counter just to the left after you go thru the final security screening into the international boarding area" so I am now wondering if maybe I was not at the proper immigration area.

I know they aren't open on the weekends because I departed Thailand on March 15 ( a Sunday) and there was no one at immigrations at the airport. My luck I will wait until I am ready to leave the country for my excursion to Myanmar and no one will be at the immigration desk at the airport and then I am S.O.L.

I am planning on going on a packaged tour with my g/f to Myanmar upon my return to Chiang Mai this September. Is it better to take US currency or Thai baht with me? Although most of are meals and hotels will be paid for, I do need to bring some money for incidentals such as gift purchases, maybe some side excursions, food,etc.

Although I have a re-entry permit upon my arrival in Chiang Mai this September, I am going to need another one since I am planning on going to Myanmar with my g/f. Does anyone know if you can get a re-entry permit at the airport immigration upon your arrival there?

Unless there is new info I understand you can not cancel an appointment online. I need to cancel my appointment at immigration and need to make a new appointment at immigration via the online queue system. I have been in touch with my g/f and hopefully she can successfully have the immigration office in Chiang Mai cancel my initial appoinment so I can then make a new appointment at a later date. My understanding is you can't make another appointment if you already have an appointment with them, thus the need to cancel my initial appointment. I was wondering if anyone has the email address to contact the Chiang Mai immigration office so I can send them an email requesting that they cancel my initial appointment? I am not that confident that my g/f, with the assistance of her friend, will be able to successfully have the chiang mai immigration office cancel my initial appointment. Has anyone had any luck in getting an appointment cancelled via an email sent to them requesting that their appointment be cancelled?

I am interested in hearing from other posters about other possible countries to retire or go to for the winter months. I am sure their are folks who have lived in other countries whether full-time after retirement or for the winter months. Although I like Thailand, I am starting to realize that there are inherent dangers and challenges such as not getting killed by drunken drivers whilst riding a bicycle, the possibility of getting dengue fever or malaria, the dangers of eating foods loaded with chemicals and/or pesticides, breathing foul air. Now I know some are going to say that you can encounter these situations anywhere and you are probably right but I was wondering about places, say in South or Central America or other countries where the weather is good, especially in the winter and the cost of living is cheaper. Also, it would be nice to find another country with friendly ladies. I know I am asking for a lot, but hey, I can dream and maybe someone can enlighten me to other possible countries with all the above-mentioned qualities, as well as no significant difficulties in obtaining a visa.

Onca again, much great feedback and info. I can always count on Thai visa posters to deliver much food for thought and putting things in their proper perspective. I have to do some soul searching and decide how to best proceed going forward. In the meantime, I am going to do some modifications to my bike such as a rear view mirror, wearing my bicycle helmet, and limiting my riding my bicycle at night. I realize you can't live in a vacuum but realistically things can be done to hopefully increase the odds in your favor. The advice about the food and air we encounter and consume is spot on and is a sobering reminder of what folks have to deal with daily. Thanks for the interesting and infromative posts and I truly hope and pray that the families of the bicyclists who were killed are consoled and able to find some peace in their sorrow and grief.

I have just read about the horrific accident where 3 bicyclists were killed and several others were badly injured by a drunk driver. As a person who rides my bicycle around Chiang Mai as my main form of transportation, I am in a quandary going forward as how to best proceed considering my lack of viable options. I never learned to ride a motorcycle and I don't think Chiang Mai is the right place to learn to ride one. If others think differently, is their any place one can go to learn to ride one so you can become proficient enough to feel reasonably secure when riding a motorcycle? I have driven a car once or twice in Chiang Mai, and although I consider myself to be a good driver, I feel it very unsettling driving in this environment considering how the Thai's drive coupled with all the motorcyclists darting and weaving in and out of traffic. Maybe I will be resigned to having to rely on Songtaews to get around since I am starting to realize that riding a bicycle is kinda like playing Russian Rolette in so far as it is only a matter of time before you get blown away, either by a drunk driver or a careless driver not paying attention or in a hurry. I like my independence and being able to get from point A to point B on my bicycle but now I am starting to have serious reservations about the use of my bicycle considering the reality of riding in Chiang Mai with all the inherent dangers.

Research has shown that the chemical Triclosan, aka as irgasan,microban, and cloxifenolem, which is commonly found in brand name soaps.toothpastes and deodorants, and previously linked to impaired brain and thryoid function, could cause liver damage and cancerous tumors. Does anyone use a deodorant that does not contain Triclosan, and if so, could you give the name, because I am looking for a different deodorant because I have been using right guard but it contains Triclosan.