George Bowman

For years while working in Bangkok it was considered proper grooming for a gentleman to be clean shaven, which I was. Upon retiring and moving to the countryside of Thailand, I remain sophisticated...

4 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak welcomed the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, H. E. Michael George DeSombre, who made a courtesy at the start of his mission in Thailand.

I sent an email to him in regards to the photo during his courtesy visit.

***

Dear, Mr. Ambassador,

My father would often ask me a question in a rather sharp tone from time to time as I was growing up and perhaps you could answer it for me. “Exactly, what were you thinking?”

Sincerely, missoura

***

I’m not expecting a reply...

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The animal welfare group Watchdog Thailand

I have a couple of Thai Ridgeback pups that are turning out to be some great dogs. Since, I am rather ignorant of this breed, I joined a Facebook site that has been a tremendous help. On this site they have a couple of videos about this incident and it is not pretty. Apparently this gentleman is infamous in the Thai Ridgeback community both here in Thailand and America.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

many two tier pricing policies are simply in place due to the idea that foreigners can afford to absorb the higher prices and therefore should pay more. 

Throughout the years, I have been one to complain and at times refused to visit such places. Unfortunately, such practices are not limited to Thailand. Even in my home country of America, not only is there two tier pricing but in some places the entrance fee is almost three times as high. Especially, in state run universities.

My daughter is wanting to transfer from a Thai university to an American one. Yes, I told her from the get go to head to the states for school, but I lost that debate. Anyway, this is where it gets expensive. Even though she is an American citizen, she has been away from the states for more than three years and as such is no longer is a resident of any state. Therefore, if she did not want live in the state and acquire residency, she (me) would have to pay out of state tuition which is often double the rate of students that are residents of the state.

If she enrolled as an international student using her Thai passport, then the fees are almost three times higher. Like I said, Thailand is not the only gang that takes advantage of outsiders...

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Netizens who commented in droves generally blamed speeding.

I have lived here since '99 and I fully understand that all countries have their pros and cons. The main problem that I have observed is that all Netizens complain on Facebook or Line and then turn right around and drive the same way. I live in an an fairly isolated location in Phitsanulok province and every day, I see idiots behind the wheel like the once shown below passing on a bridge...

I've jumped through all of the hoops as recommended on the non-filer site and here is an update. It looks like this way might work after all. My next concern is what ubonjoe and Pib charges for their services...

Well, I pulled the trigger and signed up using the non-filer form. Even though the site says it takes a couple of day or so for the IRS to confirm, I received a reply shortly thereafter. Now, I'm back to waiting...

32 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

This link takes you directly to the form you need to complete.

Below is what the link looks like and this is where I get confused. I think what ubonjoe and Pib are saying makes sense. On the other hand, my life experience has shown time and time again that when I ignored the NOT; it never ends well. 

29 minutes ago, marvin1950 said:

I live overseas in Thailand and received my Stimulus deposited in my American bank.

Yes, a few people have but only those who have paid taxes. I'm guessing that you are one of those. As far as I know. there is no one in Thailand who receives SS and does not need to file taxes that has received a stimulus check.

33 minutes ago, marvin1950 said:

Maybe your not entitled to the money

I should be as I don't owe anyone anything. But with the IRS one never really knows. Maybe they dug up something from decades ago.

My update:

•  I'm one of those people who don't file taxes (since 2016) and receive my retirement check through Bangkok Bank.
• Get My Payment still shows the same thing which is basically nothing.
• I read in the Washington Post yesterday that many Americans living overseas and collecting SS, still have not received anything.
• My plan of attack is to just keep waiting. Personally, I will be surprised if it ever arrives.
• #OldFartsMatter

2 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

officials suspect that the land in question is located in national forest reserves and perennial forest and that the associated certificates might have been wrongfully issued.

Throughout the years of living here, I have seen numerous disagreements on property borders and invariably a surveyor is needed. Awhile back I asked one surveyor if he had ever been offered bribes to misread the measurements. He shrugged and simply said "All the time."...

I did all the monkey business with Social Security people from within Thailand about three years ago. I jumped through all the hoops to include talking to some lady from Manila who called me at home. The only mistake that I did was being honest. She asked me if I had any other retirement funds and I said yes and told her the amount. She then figured out the total monthly amount I was to receive and everything was good to go. Until, the pencil pushers in the states finalized my account. Since I had received a provident fund from an international school in Thailand, the US government decided to deduct 10% of my monthly check until I'm about 85 or so. 

The only other problem that was encountered was dealing with the Bangkok Bank. It was through this forum that I learned a special account was needed and the bank kept telling me it was not necessary. Finally, I had to make a few phone calls to rectify the misunderstanding. Soon the bank ladies made the long trek to my place with the correct forms for me to sign. Since then everything has gone smoothly. Just make certain that you sign the 'are you dead' letter that is sent every year from the social security bigwigs.

I'm in the same boat as many others are insomuch as I don't file taxes anymore and my Social Security check is deposited into the Bangkok Bank account via NY. Yesterday, my wife had a long list of 'honey do' projects but I was feeling lazy. Instead I spent some time trying to figure out this stimulus check fiasco. Anyway, the pseudo-experts on Youtube said that May 13th looked like the day that IRS would deposit the money for the rest of us retired folks. Which of course would be our 14th. I'm not holding my breath...

From what I've read and researched, since my SS is deposited into my Bangkok Bank account and not a US bank account, I may not receive a check. But as with all information on the internet or government offices, one says this and the other says that. I guess, I will just wait and see.