donmuang37

The old guy is right!  A real man should know how to use basic tools.

15 hours ago, bbko said:

I don't have any problems with the site and I just checked it.  Are you using a VPN? Or maybe your Anti-virus software is preventing it, maybe disable it and try again.

 

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/instructions-for-ds-82-processing-by-mail-and-online-fee-payment-for-u-s-citizens-residing-in-thailand/

 

Edit; used Chrome.

I just tried it.  Got the same message as bkko - with and without a VPM

6 hours ago, nickmondo said:

this article is nothing but scaremongering

there is no new information here.

everyone knows that the truth is...............nobody knows 

disgraceful article, and very annoying.

Full agree with Nick!  Very poor journalism.  There are no details available yet.  Nobody knows the actual implications!

The process is easy. I did it online & by mail last year.  Just follow the directions EXACTLY.  No fudging = no drama! I got mine back in 5 or 6 as advertised. Worked like a charm!  Good luck!

Moderators, Why do you keep running this post?  It's old news!

I don't drink or smoke so have no axe to grind; I'm just tired of seeing it.  Thanks

On 5/8/2024 at 9:51 AM, trav2021 said:

Thanks to all for your comments.  
 

Is there a way I can accept responsibility for her and guarantee she will return to Thailand?  Something analogous to paying bail to insure she returns or I lose money?  Anything like that?

Think about it!  Impossible!  If she did a runner, how could you "guarantee" her return?  And some have done that.  Immigration staff aren't stupid!  But good luck!

On 5/8/2024 at 7:16 PM, connda said:

I stumbled around a workaround to iHerb's policy of only shipping one bottle of melatonin with a maximum pill count of 90 pills (they won't ship 120 count). 
You can only order one bottle of 60 or 90 count melatonin from a single supplier.  Get the idea?  I just ordered 150 5mg pills (60 + 90) which only cost $1.60 shipping.
Total cost $18 and change or roughly 680 THB at today's exchange rate (37THB/USD ).  I didn't realize the USD/THB had increased.

On a side note, I also made a purchase for $40 and change to get free shipping (different items).  Something to watch though is that 37THB/USD which brings the cost of the items razor-close to the 1500 THB threshold for customs.  This will be interesting.  The charges are in USD so someone at the Post Office would need to look up the exchange rate and calculate the threshold.  If the USD keeps climbing (I'm not complaining) the days of $40 for "Free Shipping" may be a thing of the past as you'll be paying duty.  Not sure what they'll do as I live out in the sticks and know the people at the post office so they may be a little more lax out here. 

There's some misinformation here. Melatonin is available in Thailand.  Last week I bought a bottle 180 3 mg capsules of NOW brand melatonin at a vitamin kiosk in Future Park Rangsit Mall.  They have an excellent selection of melatonin and various vitamins or supplements.  I think their prices are fair given their expenses and the cost of rent in the mall.  They are very pleasant to deal with plus you can see what you are purchasing.  I've been doing business with them for years. 

On 5/4/2024 at 8:26 AM, scubascuba3 said:

Depends where probably, i noticed Rayong much friendlier than Pattaya, maybe they are fed up with farang, many unsavoury characters here who tarnish all of us

Scubascuba, everyone knows your talking about B*b Sm*th!!  Be nice, he can't help it!

😂😂😂

On 3/31/2024 at 11:10 AM, delgarcon said:

So far, you haven't found anyone smarter than you on here, mainly guessers as far as I can see. Talk to Wise, talk to the banks and check the regulations with the land office before you do anything.

Disagreed with delgarcon.  A number of posters have given good advice.  I've done many SWIFT transfers over the past 20 years to SCB and to K-Bank without a hiccup.  So, I agree with those who say use SWIFT - and send the foreign currency.  The Thai banks want my US dollars and give me a better exchange rate than my US bank gives me to buy Thai baht.  As for fees - they are insignificant if you are making a 2 million baht purchase.  These days my SWIFT transfers arrive in only 1 or 2 days.  Good luck.

On 4/1/2024 at 12:06 PM, rexpotter said:

Another try at eyeglasses....The gal said she was an Optometrist who spent 5 years at a University in Bangkok. To my surprise she spoke ZERO English, which is shocking to me. If Thai was the international business language, I would speak it fluently. She had all the modern equipment so I felt confident that after 30 minutes of testing, she would be able to at least prepare a decent pair of glasses for the office only. Nope. I arrived today to try on my new eyeglasses that were so substandard I was shocked. Essilor which are my current lenses were purchased in Indonesia for less than half the price. I agreed on some locally made lenses and I was assured they were as good as Essilor. that were not much cheaper and they were so poor they were impossible to accept. 1000baht down the drain. May fly to Singapore to get some.

You are clearly going to the wrong place.  I have had the same eye doc for 21 years.  She speaks English and dispenses excellent eye glasses.  She uses Nikon lenses... which are made in Thailand, but to Nikon QA standards.  Not dirt cheap,  but reasonable.  Looks like your attempt to scrimp has backfired!  Sorry about that.

19 hours ago, mikebike said:

Why? It is paper in a dispenser which serves its purpose well.

Correct!!  It's "All Purpose Paper"!!  😁

Another fantasy by the Troll Master!  😁😂🤣

On 3/18/2024 at 9:19 AM, giddyup said:

I know a lot of Thai women suffer from hair loss, especially as they get older. My partner is now 60 and is getting quite thin on top and wonders if anything can be done or just accept the inevitable? I feel really sorry for her as hair loss is probably more traumatic for a woman than a man. This is not funny, so respectful replies please.

As suggested in other posts, this forum is not the best source of info for such  a problem.  My 68 year old wife had been suffering some hair loss.  She went to the Skin Clinic at Thammasat University Hospital, Rangsit and their treatment appears to be working.

Best of luck to your wife.

On 3/21/2024 at 5:01 PM, Sheryl said:

Before seeing a neurologist you should get an MRI of the lumbar spine and consultant an orthopedic spinal specialist as this sounds much more like a spinal issue to me than neurological. (There is a neurological aspect in the spinal problem can cause nerve compression and nerve damage, but source is spinal).

 

I also sounds rather urgent since there is already loss of motor function.

 

You can get MRI at much loss cost than hospital here   https://mrithailand.com/en/contact-us-2/

You need lumbar spine, without contrast. No doctor order required and be sure they give you the scan on DVD.

 

Then I recommend you consult  https://www.bnhhospital.com/search-doctor/entry/4093/

Who is the best spinal specialist in the country

Agree that Sheryl is a real gem here.  Many thanks, Sheryl.

I would like to add that Thammasat University Hospital in Rangsit would be convenient for the OP.

I have been treated for many things there and am pleased with them.  I use Premium Care and am currently seeing a spine specialist due to age deterioration which is causing my spine to press on nerves which is weakening my legs.  Happy with the care I am receiving. .

Best of luck!! 

Groan!!  Another budding Bob Smith!

22 hours ago, Carlotta said:

My girlfriend/wife is 35 years younger than me.... someone posted that a few days ago. It sounded pretty proud. But what can he be proud of? Has he ever thought about what it would be like to be with a woman who is 35 years older than him? Why does this man think the woman is with him? Because she loves his big belly so much? Or his wrinkles? Or his bad teeth? This woman has a financial interest and is playing her part. She may have a husband, her family and several children to look after. And the man? Buys a partner to escape being alone. Maybe he's already part of the leftover ramp? And what kind of image of man is being spread here? Is it all about sex and not about a lasting, resilient partnership? Does the man I described above think his lady will be happy if he has sex with her for a few minutes every few days under the influence of Cialis and can feel his smelly breath? I was born in Italy and I miss respect in this forum. There is hardly any discussion, everyone thinks their opinion is the only right one. Other opinion holders are denigrated and dragged into the mud. Why is that? Is it because of the origin of the members? Are the majority from the UK? Old, bitter, disappointed? There are about the same number of Germans in Thailand. I'm not treated so rudely by them. Maybe they come from a different background. So, dear members: Respect! Women are not sex objects!

 

 

Clear text

 

I've been to Italy.  The expert pickpockets there have no respect either!

Fortunately, we were warned in advance.  Oh, oh and the Mafia doesn't have any respect. So much for respect in Italy!

On 3/16/2024 at 1:18 PM, dddave said:

I'd suggest you ask this in a less biased forum, not overly populated with those that bash everything without knowing anything about it.  The REDDIT Thailand forum would be a good start.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Thailand/

Dddave is correct! Negative people trashing everything!

22 hours ago, AnalogVincent said:

Folks,

 

I'd like to buy a Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook Plus - but I can't for the life of me find where I would buy it in Bangkok.

 

I can order it from abroad, but I'm mostly scared of the customs applying some nice markup to it. Any suggestions?

Computers come into Thailand duty free.  Not sure if a Chromebook qualifies.  I bought a 17" hi-spec HP notebook from Amazon for 50% of what a similar spec unit cost in BKK.

Free shipping, no duty and just a small admin fee ($60?).  Delivered to my house in under 2 weeks. No drama.  Good luck.

"Bob Smith" clearly has too much time on his hands!  😞

On 3/7/2024 at 11:40 AM, TroubleandGrumpy said:

You have a driving licence from another country? If you do then most of them will allow you to apply online and receive the IDP in the mail.  You obviously need someone back there to receive it and forward it on to you. Avoids on the complications and issues you will have trying to get an IDP based on a Thai driving licence. 

Disagree!!  Got an IDP in Bangkok in the past based on a Thai driver's license.  No issues or complications at all.  Easy!  Wait in queue about 20 minutes, submitted docs, paid 505 baht and got my IDF straightaway.  It was honored by Hertz rentals at the Dulles Airport in the USA.

19 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I wrote a few weeks ago about my eye problems and Thailand's Top optician being unable to correct it with new glasses. I received some excellent advice amongst the usual irrelevant comments.

 

As a result of the excellent advice I attended a private hospital for a proper test, where I was told I had cataracts in both eyes and glaucoma in one. Surgery could be done on the cataracts for 25,000 a time. Okay. But I would need to stay overnight (extra charge of course but free food and dark glasses included ).

 

A two-minute Google check revealed every single entry saying that no overnight stay is required. USA, UK, Australia. Nowhere. A friend in Scotland had it done, with tea and biscuits after and then home. In New Zealand, a friend took his father to be seen, in and out in three hours including recovery time. 

 

So I went to see a doctor who has a clinic in Kalasin and who works at the government hospital there. He confirmed the cataracts and said I didn't have glaucoma and my eye pressure was normal. You'd think a go

19 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I wrote a few weeks ago about my eye problems and Thailand's Top optician being unable to correct it with new glasses. I received some excellent advice amongst the usual irrelevant comments.

 

As a result of the excellent advice I attended a private hospital for a proper test, where I was told I had cataracts in both eyes and glaucoma in one. Surgery could be done on the cataracts for 25,000 a time. Okay. But I would need to stay overnight (extra charge of course but free food and dark glasses included ).

 

A two-minute Google check revealed every single entry saying that no overnight stay is required. USA, UK, Australia. Nowhere. A friend in Scotland had it done, with tea and biscuits after and then home. In New Zealand, a friend took his father to be seen, in and out in three hours including recovery time. 

 

So I went to see a doctor who has a clinic in Kalasin and who works at the government hospital there. He confirmed the cataracts and said I didn't have glaucoma and my eye pressure was normal. You'd think a government hospital would charge less, but he wanted 20,000 plus an extra 5000 for him. And he also said I needed to stay overnight.

 

What makes cataract surgery so dangerous in Thailand that instead of going home straight away as you do in the rest of the world we have to stay in hospital overnight for observation, I wonder. I guess the answer has to begin with M or maybe B. It's the same thing. And it seems I'll have no alternative but to give in to the system.

 

Then I have to get a third opinion, somehow, on whether I have glaucoma or not.

vernment hospital would charge less, but he wanted 20,000 plus an extra 5000 for him. And he also said I needed to stay overnight.

 

What makes cataract surgery so dangerous in Thailand that instead of going home straight away as you do in the rest of the world we have to stay in hospital overnight for observation, I wonder. I guess the answer has to begin with M or maybe B. It's the same thing. And it seems I'll have no alternative but to give in to the system.

 

Then I have to get a third opinion, somehow, on whether I have glaucoma or not.

You don't need to stay overnight in Thailand!  Not sure why you are being told that.  Because I need general anesthesia in order to hold still, I elected to have both eyes done at the same time by my eye doc of 20 eyes.  So, she kept me overnight to ensure I didn't have any problems from the anesthesia, but that is the only reason.  Excellent outcome, by the way.  Good luck!

On 3/6/2024 at 4:41 PM, khunbillmex said:

 

In preparation for Direct Deposit of US Veterans benifits e went to our bank here in khon kaen where we have 4 accts to open a new one for the DD only to find that the bank was no longer accepting new accts from     AMERICANS, **  Have you heard  of this from other Vets here in Thailand. The bank officer was unsure if this was an all Thai banks policy, said that she heard that there were some banks in Bangkok still taking new accts.  Also I assume the DD can't go into a Joint acct for obvious reasons. How much else can go wrong? I have certainly had a year of it.

We'll be checking with other banks but it doesn't seem hopeful,

we didn't aask whenthis ce  in effectbut it seemed the officer was quite familiar with the policy

this was at TTB bank

You can thank Barack Obama for that.

March 18, 2010: FATCA Signed

President Barack Obama signs the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) into law – buried inside a domestic jobs bill known as the “HIRE Act.” No major media organizations reported this at the time, but FATCA would eventually change everything for Americans resident outside of the U.S.

Because FATCA requires non-U.S. financial institutions to report to the U.S. authorities the names and taxpayer-identification numbers of all their “U.S. person” clients, it has provided the U.S. authorities with a detailed list of those who might be expected to file FBARs.

On 3/5/2024 at 1:09 PM, hughrection said:

Even in the sticks, they make up the rules as they go along. This was an office that was known to be helpful but now they are like all the rest.

 

200 baht administration charge as local office policy to transfer stamps from old passport to new even though it is quite clear that this is a free service.

 

Shouldn't really be surprised but still it is unfortunate.

 

A heads up to all who live in the province.

Unbelievable fuss about 200 baht!!  I just can't believe all the whing and sniveling over the cost of a Starbucks coffee - about US$5.65.  Of course, I assume you work for free, and so you believe Thai Immigration should, too!!

14 hours ago, Kinnock said:

Thank you for the very helpful and wise advice. 

 

We've already arranged for the Mother's house to be improved (basically rebuilt) to make living on the ground floor possible, and if she's coming home we'll order a proper hospital bed etc .... but I think I"m just disappointed that my wife seems to have taken on the total responsibility when there's three older siblings doing nothing to help. 

 

I guess I was looking for a valid reason to not let my wife take on the tough challenge of being a carer.  

 

I think it may be Thai culture that the youngest daughter does all the work .... or maybe just the daughter with a foreign husband.

 

My mother-in-law, who is in her 90s, has total dementia, incontinence and is being fed via a tube.  She stayed with my wife's brother & his wife for quite a while, but became a serious problem: Kept the up at night because she didn't sleep until 4 or 5 in the morning, periodically go angry and broke furniture, etc.  We finally had to put her in a nursing home as the family couldn't care for her at home.  There are 7 kids; 2 boys and 5 girls.  My wife, the second oldest, and her youngest sister are the only ones supporting her.  "I have no money."  "I'm too busy to visit her."  

So, it seems to be normal in Thailand that some of the kids do nothing to support their parents. I know of other families where this is the case, too.  And since my wife has a farang husband, of course she is expected to pay.  Of course!  🙂