FredLee

I went this morning with my wife. I am not Buddhist, but I do enjoy going to the Temple with her. She and her sister spent several hours yesterday evening preparing traditional Northern Thai food to take today. We got there about 6:16 am, had the food blessed, and then I roamed the courtyard taking pictures and talking with people while she was inside praying. Afterwards she caught up on all the latest news from friends and family that were there. All in all a very nice way to spend the morning.

They are just brokers. Your insurance policy should have the insurance company name and contact number, and that is who you need to contact about renewal or any changes, or any claims. If you go through the broker again, she will take your information, submit it to the insurance company, and then come back with a quote from them. At least that is what they did for me when I obtained my home insurance through them.

Gone... Do you know of any bars that have any Bluegrass bands that play?

I've been in Bangkok for 8 years now and have never seen any...

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

Actually we do NOT want to do gigs . I only know that in Bkk on Khaosarn rd on the parallel street there used to be a couple of Thais that used to play bluegrass just street musicians but were quite good.

As far as I know we are the ONLY people in Thailand that play grass. lol

I love to play bluegrass and old-time music, but I live north of Chiang Mai. Next time we head down Pattaya way I will bring my guitar, and sit in with you guys if you don't mind. I'm not really all that good, but am enthusiastic.

If the aggregate SUM of multiple accounts was over 10K USD in a year, then all accounts must be reported in an FBAR reflecting that year, even those which never came close to 10K USD.

To be more precise, it's:

The aggregate value of all foreign financial accounts exceeded $10,000 at any time during the calendar year to be reported.

..... meaning, at any given moment. Thus, if you had $6000 in a Bangkok Bank account, then closed the account and moved it to Kasikorn Bank -- you would not have an aggregate of $12000 for FBAR purposes -- and thus no filing requirement.

Same scenario, but closing an account worth $11000, and moving it to Kasikorn. Yes, FBAR filing now required. And both accounts required to be reported, showing a total of $22k (plus any additional amounts from any other accounts that were in effect during that calendar year).

Here's where it gets interesting. A couple of years ago, the Form 1040 Schedule B was modified, requiring it to be filed *if* you had any foreign financial accounts (not just if you had $1500 in interest or dividends) -- and indicating whether or not you're required to file a FBAR. Thus, you could no longer claim ignorance of the FBAR requirement -- at least if you filed an income tax form (heretofore, the greatest scream heard was, "I didn't know I had to file a FBAR").

And, now, by requiring the Schedule B to be filed, the IRS can look over your Schedule B -- and ponder why you haven't declared any foreign interest (particularly if your FBAR has an interesting array of accounts and amounts, indicating the money wasn't just passing through for a day or so, on the way to building your new house).

Probably no great worry -- for now -- unless, of course, NSA has told the IRS you're a member of the Tea Party.

Probably why their online filing system is so messed up. They moved all their good tech people to the NSA.

I agree. Read the instructions!

This isn't the place to get authoritative tax advice, but I think some of us can point people in the right direction for the most part but you'd be a fool to take forum based comments as the final word.

For MOST people there is no ambiguity at all about who needs to file FBAR or not.

For those who think they are borderline on the 10K USD aggregate rule, I don't see any harm in FILING anyway rather than assuming you don't need to file.

But for online FBAR filing, don't take the instructions too literally as some of the technical details are shockingly incorrect, and I have had that CONFIRMED.

Whats more ridiculous is starting July 1, online filing will be the ONLY option for those required to file FBARs.

Again, I don't represent myself as a taxation expert, but I AM someone who knows they need to file FBARs and really it wasn't rocket science for figure that out. Filing online, that was closer to rocket science!

Glad this topic was started, this is the first time FBAR applies to me, and I had completely forgotten about it. I just now tried to file online, but with little success. I was able to fill out the form and save it, but was unable to submit it. Decided to download a hard copy of the form, and will drop it in the mail tomorrow. Hope they have all the bugs worked out by next year. Thanks once again for the heads up.

I have been asked twice what my user name is. Both times it was related to receiving a discount at restaurants after I informed them I had heard of them through TV. I answered honestly both times. I also got a discount at another restaurant after mentioning I heard positive reviews on TV about his place, but in that case he didn't ask for my user name. I have never tried to determine what anyone else's user name is. It is more fun to use my imagination to guess what the member is like, based on their posts.

"Use a Thai name from the very beginning with "

What? I plan to move with my Thai wife from South Korea with everything in her name. She took my last name when we got married.

Should we put our goods in her MAIDEN name? All of her ID (national ID AND Passport) where changed to her new last name.

Or are we just outta luck?

She's 100% Thai and been living overseas with me for years (only a couple vacations to Thailand yearly for a couple weeks)

No need to use her maiden name. All of my wife's documents reflect her married name, and we didn't have any problem when we relocated 10 months ago. We used her passport, and she signed all the paperwork. We ended up paying 1,200 baht to customs.

I bought a new Samsung refrigerator from Big C last month. The delivery men leveled it, and made sure the door closed automatically.

Had a couple of good deals at Siam TV over the years. I'd avoid Haier though. They're cheap and get cold but rattle away a bit. Mitsu Slim's are great, and quiet. Unfortunately, it's that time of year when deals are harder to come by due to the heat. Several people have recommended Dragon Air (junction Super/Mae Jo Road): 053 854 878.

I second the recommendation on Dragon AIr. That is where I got mine, and the cost included installation. The service is great. They will also negotiate on the price.

I have a facebook account for the same reason I have a thaivisa account; they are beneficial to me. While neither is perfect, I think both are pretty good.

The wife and I moved into our new house.

I have used Krit several times for different matters. His website is adlegalfirm.

Krit Suktakchan, 053-223359.

Hope this helps.

From the intersection of 121 and 1001, head north towards Mae Jo. Just before the third or fourth U-turn, you will see a large never completed multi-story building off to the right. Take the next U-turn, and the land office is just in front of that building. There is limited parking in front, but plenty of parking in the rear.

Try Santa Fe Relocation Services. They provided me excellent service. Here is the number to their Bangkok office: +662 742 9890.

I agree with the TurboTax suggestion. I have been using it for years with no problems.

Big supply of Cotto tiles at Home Sukkaphan on ring road near Payap Uni.

Other brands too

Definitely Home Sukkaphan. I just bought most of my tiles there for my new house. Their customer service is outstanding.

Just wanted to remark that the wife and I had a very pleasant and relaxing lunch at Pun Pun today. It was our first time there, and we had decided to try it based on reviews we had read here. The food was excellent, the service efficient and friendly, and a big thanks to John for making us feel welcome.

Completed my first 90 day report today. I was a little apprehensive after reading some of the threads here. I arrived at 9:15, and went to the 90 day desk. The gentleman there directed me to where I could obtain the queue number. I received my number, 534, and they were serving 527. My number came up pretty quickly, (numbers 531 and 532 were no-shows). The young man behind the counter was very pleasant, smiling and even joking a little bit. All my copies were in order, and he was finished with me in just a couple of minutes. I was out the door at 9:40. Perhaps I was just lucky this time, but I didn't find it to be unpleasant at all. The place was standing room only, so I assume most of the others were there for other services.

It is my understanding that Thailand has a law similar to the U.S. property law known as adverse possession. In Thailand I think it is referred to as "rights of possession". Here is a link, and a short quote from the article for your review.

Thailand adopts this concept in Section 1382. – Of the Civil and Commercial Code:-

“Where a person has, for an interrupted period of ten years in case of an immovable property, or five years in case of movable property, peacefully and openly possessed a property belonging to another, with the intention to be its owner, has acquired the ownership of it”

http://thaisolicitor.com/?p=238

ขี้นก (khee^F nohk^H)

yes literally: bird shit.

In reality it stands for (thai-language.com):

fake; phoney; bogus; spurious; pretended; feigned; sham; low-class; inferior; insignificant; meaningless; worthless

It is an offensive insult and there is no reason to smile at if a Thai tells you like that.

Similar to "bull shit" in the American English venacular.

Khampangdin road, just down from the Imperial Mae Ping hotel. The name is Pornwilai Barbershop. I used to get my hair cut there every time I visited Chiang Mai. 100 baht for an excellent haircut.

Well, actually think for a minute and compile your top 25 destinations.

I actually agree with many on there, certainly been a few of my favourite places. It does seem to be bias towards capital cities though.

Nice that Bkk is not on the list; only C.M

as for London, well personally I dont like it, but its topical, and correct me if I am wrong but trip advisor is a British company so again a bias towards proximity maybe.

For attractions, hotels, restaurants and things to do can you think of any they have blatantly missed.?

for the record my favourite on the list Chiang Mai, then Rome.

I have been to 11 of the 25 destinations listed. My personal three favorites are Barcelona, New Orleans, and Chiang Mai. My least favorites are Chicago, New York, and London. If I were able to add one destination to the list it would be Pensacola Florida, specifically the Perdido Key area.

Depends on what you're into. You won't find much live theater in Pensacola! I've been to 13, lived in 2.

Exactly. I enjoyed Pensacola for the beautiful beaches, laid back general attitude, and a low cost of living. Also, Chicago, New York, and London are great places to visit. It was just when I started rating the places I visited, they were at the lower end. Just curious, which two did you live in? I am currently in Chiang Mai, and previously lived in Chicago.

Well, actually think for a minute and compile your top 25 destinations.

I actually agree with many on there, certainly been a few of my favourite places. It does seem to be bias towards capital cities though.

Nice that Bkk is not on the list; only C.M

as for London, well personally I dont like it, but its topical, and correct me if I am wrong but trip advisor is a British company so again a bias towards proximity maybe.

For attractions, hotels, restaurants and things to do can you think of any they have blatantly missed.?

for the record my favourite on the list Chiang Mai, then Rome.

I have been to 11 of the 25 destinations listed. My personal three favorites are Barcelona, New Orleans, and Chiang Mai. My least favorites are Chicago, New York, and London. If I were able to add one destination to the list it would be Pensacola Florida, specifically the Perdido Key area.

@FredLee

How about lychees, very popular crop around CM and usually brings good prices.

They need good irrigation. Taken near Mae Rim earlier this year.

Thanks for the suggestion. I do want to have a little diversity for the times the lamyai either don't do well, or the price is down. The irrigation should be no problem. We have a good well and several storage tanks, and have PVC laid to provide the water where we need it. We also have water available from the local canal when needed.

My wife has an eleven rai farm north of Chiang Mai. It is planted half with Lamyai and half with lime trees. She put in the lime trees about six years ago, and they have never produced in any meaningful way. She made enough from the Lamyai this year to pay about four months worth of expenses. Her brother-in-law and sister take care of the farm. (he was not a brother-in-law when she hired him, he married her sister about two years later). They live on the farm in a small bungalow, and don't have any land of their own. We have been living abroad until just four months ago, and not too concerned with taking a loss each year on the farm. We just wanted it to be well maintained until our retirement here. The loss is not really that great because her caretaker also maintains her other properties in the area, and also acts as our general handyman.

Since we have retired now, the wife wants to try to at least break even on the farm. She has decided to get rid of the lime trees, and has already had over half of them removed. She is not sure what to replace them with. She is thinking corn. The other alternative is to replace them with more Lamyai. We are also in the last three months of our new house being completed, about seven kilometers from the farm, so neither of us has had a lot of time to spend on the farm. She is looking to become the full time on site manager sometime around March.

I am looking forward along with the wife on seeing what can be achieved. There is a lot of good information in this thread, so thanks to all the posters.