phinick

I had a check from the U.S. that was drawn on an account with Bank of America, so it was from one major bank (Wells Fargo) who had an account with another major bank (Bank of America).  I thought about sending it to someone in America to deposit it into an acount I have with Bank of America, but figured it would take about 2 weeks to get there so went to Bangkok Bank where I do most of my banking to see about depositing it there rather than depositing it in a foreign bank and then transferring to Bangkok Bank.

The manager said that since it is a foreign check it could take 2, or possibly 3 weeks to clear, so I deposited it there.  After waiting over 3 weeks, went to talk to the bank manager.  Waited while he went in the back (presumably on the phone) and when he came back, he said that it was just ready to leave Bangkok, and it would be 2-3 months longer.

Had I sent it to be deposited in the U.S., it would have gone into my account there, and I would have transferred funds to Bangkok Bank, and had my money a week ago.

Sorry I couldn't explain in fewer words, but I hope this might same someone else a lot of aggravation.
 

Over 50 years experience of good driving in the U.S.  Fortunately, I taught my Thai wife to drive when she lived there for 10 years.  After moving to Thailand we used rental cars for a few months, and I managed to wreck 2 cars in 2 weeks, so when we bought a new car, she does the driving.  If I want to go somewhere, she takes me.

I had an accident with 2 girls on a motorbike.  It was clearly their fault, but my wife insisted that I tell the police that fault was 50/50.  She explained that if I insisted that it was 100% their fault we would have to go to court.

We had to go to the police station where they took a report, and I had to pay a fine of 500 baht.  I noticed that the girl driving the motorbike was fined 1000 baht.  When I asked my wife why, she said it was because there were 2 on the motorbike, and only me in the car. 

Only in Thailand.

My experience is just the opposite.  My wife and I were married and immediately moved to the U.S. (Las Vegas).  A bit of a cultural shock, but she adapted well, made Thai friends, got a job,, driver's license, and car.

A year after her arrival, we returned to Issan to get her 3 kids and bring them to the U.S.  As time went by they all learned to speak perfect English, and became citizens.

Eight years later I started having a large house built in my wife's village for the day I was no longer around, (there is a 30 yr difference in our ages).

We got almost weekly photos of the progress of the house, and then decided to relocate and retire in Thailand. We liquidated everything and my wife, 14 yr old step son and I came to Issan.  The other 2 kids were now legally adults, and chose to stay in America.

Although the boy came here as a Thai who only spoke English, he has done quite well now in school, I worry about keeping him from a better education,  At this point however, I could not afford to relocate all of us back.  I love living here, but if I had it to do over, I would not have built in a village, but near a city.

My marriage has turned out quite well, my wife now sees her family every day, and yesterday we celebrated our 10th anniversary.

What I did not mention at first was that my witnesses included my bil who is the head man of our village, and knew this incompetent head clerk at the ampur who said it was the first time he had ever done this since there aren't many farangs here.

The worst part was that after I got it and was on my way home, my wife informed me that if I had given some money in the beginning, it would have been much quicker.  That was a great time to tell me'

Thank you all for your responses.

I just went through this exact thing 2 weeks ago. Don't make the same mistakes that I did. DO NOT GO TO THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. For what you want, go to:

Department of Consular Affairs

123 Chaengwattana Road

Laksi, Bangkok

Building "B" 3rd floor.

The American Embassy would not certify my marriage certificate, but had me fill out a form and write who I was married to, and when we were married, and they certified and stamped that I wrote that, and it was accepted by the Consular Affairs office.

All papers in English needed to be translated, and their translation service was backed up for 4 days, so we had one of the touts running around there do it for us. It cost 300 baht per page. We then paid the consular office to mail the papers back to us since we were not from BKK, and had to go back to Issan.

When they mailed them, they said they could not accept all of it because it was not all translated properly. I then had to send everything to a good translation service in BKK so they could make it all right. (and of course, pay more money).

I did this in order to get a yellow book for the house my wife and I have.

I know I made this kind of long, but hoping to save you some of the aggravation I went through.

Brought my Thai wife to the U.S. and we were married there. 10 years later we built a house in Issan (in her name, of course). How do I now go about a divorce? Can this be handled here in Thailand? What I might expect as costs and future obligations? Has anyone had experience with this?

I would appreciate any serious replies.

I just laughingly read your story to my wife, and she says "that's right) and now wants me to do those things. I'm not laughing anymore.

Today I had a visit from 4 local police in uniform. We have dealt with them before. Very courteous and friendly. They just mainly filled out a form taking info from my passport and visa. Said they were told to visit all homes of farangs. Btw I live in a village in Issan, so I guess it is all day over the country.

Hello,

I am in need of finding a urologist in either Sisaket or Ubon. I live 40km west of Sisaket and 110km west of Ubon. I have tried to find a urologist, and even called some hospitals, but they don't seem to know what I'm talking about, or don't speak English.

Has anyone had any experience that they could pass on?

Thanks

I'm sure that by now the earwax problem has resolved itself one way or another, but I just wanted to put this in case it can help anyone else. I am in the Sisaket area, and had a bad impacted earwax which left me deaf in one ear for a couple of weeks. After trying every do it yourself earwax remover I finally gave up and went to the large public hospital in Sisaket. They checked me in, and sent me upstairs to the ENT area where a doctor removed it all in about 30 seconds, and enabled me to hear again. When I checked out I had to pay the bill or 150 THB. Best money I ever spent.

I had a similar accident only a few days ago, and can only relate my experiences, although mine was in a rural area. I was in the process of making a right turn onto my road from the rural highway. There were 2 girls on a motorbike behind me. As I was turning right, the driver decided to speed up in order to pass me on the right, and hit the driver's side of the car creating a lot of damage covered by insurance.

Both girls flew off the bike, fortunately landing on grass and dirt. Driver hurt pretty much, and passenger only slightly. Police, and ambulance came, and took the more injured girl to the hospital. Although it was clearly the motorbike driver's fault, my wife (Thai) advised me to agree that it was mutual fault of both parties so we wouldn't have to go to court.

As is custom, we went to the hospital until the girl was released about an hour later (her whole family was also there). We then went to the police station where I had to pay a fine for not paying attention (400 baht), and reckless driving(100 baht). The other girl had to pay 1000 baht. When I asked my wife why she had to pay twice as much as me, she said it was because 2 of them were on the motorbike. Only in Thailand.

I was very relieved to get out of all of this so cheaply, but my wife said it would be nice if I went to the girls and gave each of them 1000 baht. I'll think about it.

My wife (and I) just bought a new Mitsubishi and financed through SCB. A very strange experience. I have a fair amount of money and a Social Security pension of over 60,000 baht, but since I am over 60 I could not be on the loan. They will only loan to under 60 with a work permit. I probably make more money than many people with a work permit who could lose their job. My money is guaranteed by my government.

The kicker is that they wanted 6 months of my bank statements, but I cannot be on the loan. I can only make the payments.

Good thing I have a good relationship with my wife. I recently built her a large new home and now a car and nothing is in my name.

I've been renting long term from Avis for the past four months, and just had an accident on a rural road near where I live in Issan.

The accident was caused by a motorbike coming onto my side of the road and forcing me off into a sort of ditch. The motorbike, of course did not stop.

I called Avis and they sent someone from the insurance company to take a look. I then had a tow truck tow it to his garage, and I will try to deal with Avis in the morning.

The problem is that I was just looking over my rental agreement, and it says that I am covered only if two vehicles were involved. Does anyone know what kind of liability

I will have?

I very recently finished a new house in an Issan village. I purchased satellite t.v. From true, and wi-fi from 3BB. Both work very well. For wi-fi they came and installed a very tall antenna, taking over 4 hours of labor. Installation cost was 3200 baht and monthly fee is 700 baht.

I have an account with Bank Of America in the U.S. And Bangkok Bank in Thailand. Since Bangkok Bank has a branch in New York, I do a domestic wire to the N.Y. Branch with my account number, and it goes into my Bangkok Bank for as little as $3.00 USD.

I know I'm using the wrong description, but I don't know the correct for the metal covers over windows to prevent burglaries.

I've been having a new house built in a Sisaket village, and it's a couple of weeks from completion.

Some of the neighbors and my wife tell me that if I don't get these ugly things installed, it is almost sure that someone will break in.

The problem is that I'm very happy with how the house is looking, and I think this would take away from the appearance.

I suppose it's a matter of risk vs beauty, and I'm trying to weigh the issues, and wondering if someone who has these is pleased with his decision.

I might add that nobody has a friend or relative in that business.

Just arrived in Thailand. Have been having a house built with the help of BIL who is head man in the village. When we arrive we are told that the builder has gone and we have nobody to complete the house. The floor, walls, and roof are done, but that's about it. It is about 40km southeast of Sisaket city.

If anyone knows of an experienced builder not too expensive, I would sure appreciate the help.

Can reply to this or e-mail to [email protected]. Thank you.

My wife and I will soon be moving to Sisaket and I was wondering if anyone might have a recommendation for a carrier for that area. Also looking for recommendations for Internet an television service.

Thank you.

I'm addressing this primarily to those over 55 who have decided to retire in Thailand. I'm curious as to:

1. How long have you been in Thailand?

2. Are you satisfied that you made that decision, and what are your thoughts about living there.

This is not a troll. It is simply my curiousity since I'm about to retire there.

Thanks for any input.

I haven't been able to find anything definitive about this, so thought maybe one of you might have the info.

In a few weeks I'll be retiring to Thailand, and I'm concerned about my prescription meds. I understand that upon arrival, a 30 day supply is allowed. All of my medications are in packages of a 90 day supply (and there are many of them). These are for treatment of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, so none are narcotic.

Additionally, I have my prescriptions mailed to me in the U.S, and I planned to change my address to my brother's address, and have him forward them to me by mail.

Since I am on medicare, the drugs are paid for, and I am trying not to have to buy them in Thailand (there are about 14 different ones).

Has anyone had any experience with this? I'd appreciate any info.

Does anyone know if there is something like this in Issan? I'm moving to Sisaket mid April.

Thanks

Thank you all so much for your helpful suggestions (and not telling me how stupid I am). I will definitely check into an MEP, and visit Frank's Place and Cukoo's Nest. I will have plenty of time because we will be staying in a hotel in Sisaket for a month or so since I told them to stop working on my house until I get there so I can oversee the work getting it finished. We will probably take the advise and whatever we find, start his schooling in May.

I'm putting this out to anyone who might have some information, but I think it may be an exercise in futility.

My Thai wife and I are moving in February to Huai Thap Tan in Sisaket. We have my wife's 13 year old son, who is a great kid and needs to go to school. The problem is that he has been in the U.S. since he was 5 years old, and cannot speak, read, or write Thai. He only remembers some Khmer Lao.

Does anyone living in Sisaket have any advice? I know that I could send him to Ubon, and have him board there Monday-Friday, but that would be a last resort.

Any serious advice, not telling me how stupid I am would be appreciated.