donmuang37

A couple of years ago, I shipped a very large box of stuff that I bought in the USA to Bangkok via FEDEX. When it arrived, I was contacted via email by a customs official who spoke (wrote) reasonable English. She asked some questions about the inventory list and then sent me a bill in a day or two which I had to pay. Minimum hassle. Wouldn't have used FEDEX, but the US had made the postal customs process far more complicated and I didn't have time to fill in the forms for a number of boxes so I sent in one FEDEX shipment. The US has stupidly played into the hands of Thai customs who can charge arbitrary and high duties on a whim. Fortunately, I got a fair official so wasn't nicked too badly.

I would buy any hand tools that you expect to need, but not power tools since Thai power is 220vac @ 50hz. So most electrical items are out. American wire nuts work well here. And, I do buy extension cords with molded plastic plugs. Got a heavy duty one for my wife's iron and she loves it. Various connectors and hardware, for instance, L shaped brackets can be difficult to find here. Oh, and I got some white porcelain tub repair enamel in the States that I couldn't find here.

Too bad we can't bring cars as they are much cheaper in the USA.

Personally, I would leave my car in Thailand as who knows how good Lao insurance is and if your car was damaged it would be a major hassle to get it repaired. I was in a crash in Kaliesin and got it repaired there without problems. Grateful I wasn't in Laos.

Be sure to check your passport carefully before leaving Thai immigration in Laos to be sure that they cancelled your current visa and issued a one year non-immigrant visa so you can renew your driver's license.

Good luck!

First of all, I don't believe it has a transverse engine because it is rear wheel drive. Second, what type of transmission does it have? If it is a manual shift, I could not understand how engine coolant could get into the tranny as there is no connection to the cooling system with any manual transmission that I've seen. (A new design?) As for automatics, the transmission fluid needs cooling. Some transmission fluid coolers are air cooled below the radiator while others are integrated into the radiator. In the second type it is possible for water to get into the tranny in the event of a leak.

But find it curious that BMW service told you to "top it off" because the coolant in modern cars is a specific blend designed as anti-corrosive. So it would be incredible for them to tell you to top it off with plain water (of unknown quality) or with some product from a local car shop (definitely of unknown quality)! I'm sure they use BMW coolant part number XXXX.

Are you a troll?

You stated that she is employed as a teacher, so she is wise to keep quiet about politics as anything she says could hurt her career depending upon who ends up in power. And it appears that she is smart enough to be concerned that her falang boyfriend might inadvertently blurt out, "Well, my girlfriend says that..." at exactly the wrong moment.

I must say that the gents who recommend cancelling the truck payments to save for the sinsot have a good idea. With all due respect to the Thais, this is a bi-cultural union so the cultures of both parties should be respected. Seems like truck payments are more than generous. So methinks you would be marrying into a blood sucker family. I suspect you'll live to regret it. Besides, as the saying goes, "Why buy the cow when you get the milk for nothing?" (OK, for truck payments!) But good luck.

My situation was a little different, but may provide some insight. My wife and I are legally married and I paid cash for the house. I wrote a 30 year, pre-paid lease giving me sole possession of the house for the 30 years, if I live. (I was 65 when lease executed!) Upon my death, the lease is null and void and the house returns to my wife. It is important to note that the lease must be entered on the chanote at the land office. We did this the same day that we bought the house. The land office official spoke good English, and she told me that I was protected. But if written and signed, but not entered on the chanote, it is only enforceable for 3 years. I created English and Thai versions which were both signed. However, the lease states that in the event of a conflict between the English and Thai versions, the English version shall prevail. If you have the money, you might consider buying a condo in your own name. Buying in a girlfriend's name is risky as anyone reading Thaivisa Forums can testify.

We have Bangkok city water and haven't had any problems for the 11 years we have lived here. The cost is trivial - usually between 200 to 300 baht per month. We have a 2,000 liter tank and a 305 watt pump to ensure good water pressure upstairs, but have no idea what the electricity costs because our electric bill is high from running air conditioners, under sink water heaters, plus a washer and drier.

If you live upcountry, then it would depend upon where you live, of course. If your city water runs low or dry, your well will probably follow unless it is very deep or you are very lucky. As one poster mentioned, your pump and the entire system will require periodic maintenance. You'll probably need water filters which will also require periodic replacement. How often will depend upon local conditions. Good luck.

When my wife bought our house in 2002, I transferred about $125,000 to SCB from Citibank. Citi charged $30 per transfer - used 3 or 4 transfers just in case of a problem I wouldn't lose the whole about. But never had a problem and didn't need any form from the bank at that time. Gave the $ to my wife and then had to sign a form at the land office that it was her money and I had no claim on it or the house. Subsequently transferred money to K-Bank to buy cars. Also no problems, but K-Bank post the xfers more quickly than SCB.

By the way, I got a 30-year, prepaid lease for the house from my wife just in case something happened to her. That way, I can live there until my lease expires at age 95 - but I'll expire first! Must be logged on the chanote at the land office or the lease is only valid for 3 years.

Cars are in my name to avoid questions if I am driving alone. When I kick the bucket, the lease is voided and the cars go to her.

Good luck

It's hard to beat Toyota. I have a 2006, 4 door, top model, leather. etc. Just turned 150,000 km and have spent very little on maintenance/repairs. Still runs as strong as when it was new and looks great. Rugged and absorbs the abuse of Thai roads. So I've been very pleased with the vehicle and the service, which is readily available anywhere in Thailand.

Many good comments - certainly you should attend the meeting. Listen, say little except to express the hope that the injured child will recover quickly. Do not accept responsibility; just be polite and remain quiet which is the Thai way.

As for a contract, I would seem very likely that either the mother or father must have signed a contract to place a child in a private school, unless it is a shady one. Whether it contains a hold harmless clause can only be determined by reading it. Ignorance of the law is never a defense, so be sure to read before you sign (or have your wife or lawyer read when in Thai).

Prior to the meeting, you may wish to discuss the situation with a competent attorney. Normally, I would not take a lawyer to the first meeting. After the meeting, review the results with him/her to determine if any pitfalls exist, and if so, what action to take.

I would avoid a court case like the plague! I've lived in Thailand for 11 years and have never heard of a falang winning against a Thai, regardless of how much the evidence favored the falang. Good luck.

Perhaps you should consider getting some education - either in Thailand or in the EU. It's never too late to learn. In fact, learning should continue your whole life, whether formal or informal.

I notice that you mention every activity in the book except work. Why not work? I never understood why people retire early. Work is or should be a normal part of life.

Set some goals. It sounds like you have no goals. Without any direction, it is very easy to become terminally bored.

After 50 years of working, I was fully retired for 3 years with sufficient income that I don't have to work. Travelled and so on for a while, but it became boring. So I've been working for the past 8 years. Keeps me busy and gives purpose to life.

Good luck!

You must be pulling our chains! Only an excentric would shower 4 times a day and then wear the

same clothes for 2 days! Appearance and hygiene are important in Thailand. People look down

on many farangs because of careless appearnce and poor hygiene so you may be causing your

girlfriendto lose face. And face is very important to Thais. Maybe you can get a couple of days

out of jeans or slacks -just not 2 days in a row. Then again some people lack self pride.

There are a lot of smart alec answers which you can ignore. The central business district and many intersections are impacted and are best avoided, including many government offices.

The SkyTrain is running but may be busy and motorcycle taxis may jack up their prices. Once away from the demonstration sites, life goes on as normal.

This unrest seems more serious than past incidents (I was here for the 2006 coup and the 2010 demonstrations) so things may escalate, but nobody knows for sure.

If it was my decision, I would come, but I would understand there is some risk of disruption, although slight. Just avoid any demonstrations. But if they are planning on spending their whole vacation on or near Sukhumvit Road, then I would delay. Hope that helps.

If one was to pick a person to lead the drive against corruption, it would hardly be Suthep, the master of corruption! Yes, corruption is a part of human nature, but it can be reduced to quite low levels. Even in Asian countries - Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan come to mind.

Thailand has followed China's road to extreme corruption and 63% percent of Thais say corruption is OK if it benefits them personally.

So this struggle isn't about doing away with corruption; it's about gaining power to benefit from existing corruption. Since the Democrats haven't won an election since 1992, they have decided to do away with democracy and one man one vote until they can rewrite the rules to ensure they win. In other words, it's just a power struggle between the old elite and the new elite.

More info would help get better replies, but I agree that the first step is to take a trip back for a month or so, and live as you would if you returned. Bring the kids and really listen to them. Same for your spouse or partner, if you have one. Are your kids half falang or all Thai? How old are they? Can they speak/read Thai fluently? Those factors make a big difference.

Thai culture is very strong and many Thais can't really adjust to life in a foreign country, which may be a factor for you. My wife lived in Germany and the US, and she loved them both. Now that she is back in Thailand, she sometimes gets very upset about the corruption, inefficiency, selfish driving and frequent lack of honesty. She is almost finished her Ph.D. and then we'll decide what to do.

Finally, I agree with other replies that what is best for the kids is important. But your happiness is also important, so the key is to find a balance. Best of luck.

It seems after 10 years, it's about time to get married if you really care about her!

I'm on a "Supporting Thai Wife" visa and I have used 400k baht in the bank without any problems. Note that requirements vary with office, officer's mood, and perhaps phases of the moon. in my experience, the money has to have been in the bank for 3 months for first visa and at least 2 months thereafter. Needed a letter from my bank with my name, acct number, balance and passport number. On the day you apply, deposit 500 or 1,000 baht and then make a copy of every page of your bank book. Since I have more than adequate retirement income, I have also obtained a form verification letter from my embassy which also worked well but cost a little more. There are a number of other requirements but they can vary, so suggest you get a list from your immigration office. Dress like a solid citizen and be polite (follow you girlfriend's lead), provide exactly what they request the way they request it. I've never had a problem, but I've seen the scroungy wise guys get tossed out.

Note that you can get a work permit with a Thai wife visa, but not with a retirement visa. Got bored after a couple of years so changed to Thai wife visa so I could legally work. I've been here 11 years and working the past 8 years.

I've been married for over 15 years and I couldn't ask for a better wife. Best of luck to you.