watgate

Without reading all the replys and forgive me if this has already been mentioned but I just recently read in a magazine that almost all of the major US airlines now farm their major overhaul and critical work to countries overseas such as China and latin American countries. The article went on to say that all the detailed maintenance manuals are in the international language being English and the vast majority of maintenance crew can't even read English. Unlike where before a lot of the American workers were FAA certified, most of the maintenance workers overseas are not FAA certified. Also, due to big cuts in funding of the FAA, there are little or no inspectors to check on the maintenance performed on the aircraft by the overseas maintenance workers. If by chance an FAA inspector, which is very rare, wants to inspect a maintenance facility overseas, they can't show up unannounced. The have to make an appointment and apply for a visa to go an inspect a maintenance facility which eliminates the element of surprise to make sure the facility is being run according to FAA safety standards. There are many accounts of aircraft,after undergoing major overhauls at these oversea facilities, being grounded at various terminals because of defects and shoddy workmanship being discovered by maintenance crews at various airports. Also, there are documented reports of ptentially devastating incidences of aircraft sustaining structural damage and various systems failing in flight due to shoddy workmanship. It is a nightmarish scenario and I was left with the distinct impression it is not only budget airlines you have to be concerned with what with the outsourcing of critically major overhaul work overseas with virtually no oversight, as well as major defunding of the FAA.

I was at the immigration office in Chiang Mai and, while in line waiting to get a re-entry permit, read on the wall that a Certificate of Residency cost 191,400 baht per reference 47 or 51. What I was wondering is if someone wants to live full-time in Thailand, do you have to pay this quite large fee in order to obtain a certificate of residency so you can live full-time in Thailand?

They could be spider bites. Check thoroughly under your bed to make sure you don't have them nesting under there waiting to bite you when you go to sleep.

I read recently where a large temple in Lopburi collected in excess of 20 million baht for some event and it got me wondering where does all that money go. I would like to think, but my g/f says otherwise, that if one or more unfortunate folks needs medical care then the temple would help with the medical expenses. She says no and that the monies go for expansion of the temples and to help smaller temples with less financial clout. In any event, I would be interested in learning if anyone has any information or in fact knows where the monies collected at temples goes? With Loy Kratong upon us, I am always amazed at all the money being given to the temples and I hope some of it is being used to help the less fortunate.

I've gone to the real event the past 4 years ( not the one where you have to pay 100 dollars) and my g/f said there were lots of Chinese there last year. In fact you could see Chinese written on many of the Kom Loys. I imagine this years paid version will undoubtedly be filled my lots of Chinese who must see this once yearly spectacle. I agree with the only one exit scenario and in prior years as we were slowly filtering out it was a massive crush of humanity. I must admit I was concerned because all it would have taken was for some idiot to start throwing fireworks into the crowd and there would have been bedlam in the narrow corridor. I could see serious potential problems if all the people trying to get out were spooked and one can only imagine what could happen as 1000's of folks started pushing and shoving to get out.

While at the US Consulate Bldg in Chiang Mai to get my income verification letter for my upcoming renewal of my retirement visa, I asked the Vice Consul there if he knew about the ongoing problems at the immigration office at Promenada. He said he knew somewhat about what was going on and then asked me if I had sent an email to the US Consulate in Chiang Mai addressing my concerns and complaints. He also said that if I knew anyone else who was having problems or difficulties at the immigration office at Promenada, to have them send an email to the US Consulate in Chiang Mai addressing their concerns or complaints. The vice consul who signed my income verification letter and who told me to send an email has a last name of Reynolds.I can't read his first name but it looks like it could be Ryan or Evan or maybe Bryan. The email address for non-immigrant visa services for the Consular Section is [email protected]. The email address for American Citizen Services is [email protected].

I moved to a new place and the mattress was too hard and causing me big problems with my back. I shopped around and found a tempurpedic topper at the Home Pro Store in Hang Dong. I use it on top of my hard mattress and also put a 1" cheap eggcrate padding I purchased on top of the tempurpedic topper. It has made a world of difference and my back problems have gone away. It works for me. Good luck.

I want to transfer some funds to my g/f's Thai bank acct and am concerned about getting hit with exhorbitant bank fees and charges. I understand you can use your Charles Schwab debit card inside the bank to have funds sent directly to your acct, or in this situation to my g/f acct. Normally I just go to my favorite banks ATM and withdraw funds periodically and Charles Schwab reimburses me for the ATM fee. But since I want to transfer a decent amount of funds I would prefer to have it sent all at once instead of making multiple withdrawals from the ATM due to the limit on how much you can withdraw at one time. Does anyone know what the bank fee should typically be to have funds sent directly to the bank? I don't know the bank name but I am sure it is one of the large Thai banks, Also, when I go speak to a bank official to explain what I want to do, do you know if you can get a breakdown of charges or fees to execute the transfer of funds from the US to the Thai bank acct? I don't want any built in extra charges when the funds are transferred here and see additional fees and charges associated with the transfer.

Another example of the kindness and graciousness of the Thai people. After witnessing so many times Thai's being mistreated and trying to be taken advantage of by greedy and selfish Westerners, it is a wonder there are so many Thai's that still have that amazing and endearing demeanor of friendship, good natureship, and respect for other people.

Does anyone know when the Loy Kratong festival at Mae Jo, where 1000's of Kom Loys are released into the nightime sky, is this year? I am talking about the free one and not the one held where you have to pay around 3000 baht for the festivities.

I want to thank everyone for their suggestions and recommendations on places to see and explore, things to do, folks to contact and much more valuable info. It is truly a pleasure having a forum where folks are considerate and love sharing their knowledge and experiences. One of the pleasures of living in Thailand is knowing you can always count on folks on this forum who are willing to open up and talk about their experiences all the while giving you great input and ideas. Thanks again. It is much appreciated.

I am planning on doing this trip with my g/f sometime around the middle of November. My g/f says that there is suppose to be a spectacular display of wild flowers dotting the Mae Hongson countryside around the middle of November or thereabouts. We are going to be catching a van from the Arcade Bus Terminal and will be staying in Pai 1- 2 nights. Then we will be taking a van or bus from Pai to Mae Hongson and spending another 1-2 nights before departing for our trip back to Chiang Mai.Any folks who have done this scenic loop and might have some recommendations would be most appreciated. If someone knows of any hotels or B&B or other lodging in Pai and/or Mae Hongson which is clean and comfortable and moderately priced I would be most appreciative for any suggestions or names of any places. Also,if anyone knows about the wild flower displays and where the best viewing areas to see the flowers. Also, any recommendations for places to eat in Pai and/or Mae Hongson. I take it, it would be wise to make reservations since November is the busy season. I know this is a popular trip so any info or feedback would be appreciated.

If the OP goes to a Toyota Dealership to get a quote for a new bumper won't they also give him the farang price seeing as he is a farang?

If the OP goes to a Toyota Dealership to get a quote for a new bumper won't they also give him the farang price seeing as he is a farang?

I arrived in Thailand on Sept 1 2015 and am staying until March 15, 2016 when I will be departing back to the US. I am here on a retirement visa and have to renew my annual extension of stay based on retirement prior to Jan 14, 2016. My question about 90 day reporting is I know I have to do a 90 report at immigration on or before November 29, 2015. My question is:" Is my second 90 day report due on Feb 27, 2016 OR does the second countdown for 90 day reporting reset from the date I renew my retirement visa?" Another words, if I renew my retirement visa on or after December 17, 2015 then it will be less then 90 days in Thailand before I depart back to the US and thusly would I not need to do another 90 day report to immigration if it resets to December 17 or later? Thanks for any clarification in this matter.

I am going to Myanmar next month with my Thai g/f and part of the packaged tour has us flying from Yangon to Bagan and then from Bagan to Mandalay. I am concerned about the safety element of flying in Myanmar. Are the airlines safe in Myanmar and the pilots skilled? My concern is if it is still the rainy season there in October and should a violent storm erupt prior to our flying in Myanmar, would the airline take necessary precautions and wait for the storm to pass or would they be anxious to stay on schedule at the sake of safety?

For a thai spouse to be entitled to receive social security benefits form the spouse of an American citizen, would the previous mentioned steps to being married in Thailand suffice in the eyes of the US Government and specifically the Social Security Administration?

I am planning on going to Myanmar in October and need a re-entry permit in my passport before departing for Myanmar. My understanding is that I can obtain a re-entry permit at the airport prior to my departure for Myanmar. Is this correct?

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.