donmuang37

On 12/27/2023 at 2:55 PM, steve187 said:

more hoops to jump through for a yearly married extension, if married in USA

Not correct.  We married in the USA, but we've been living in Bangkok for 21 years.

The first year we had to have our marriage certificate translated into Thai and then get a Thai marriage certificate.

Since then we've used those same docs every time.  No problems; no hassle. 

I use Citibank/SWIFT and have transferred large sums whenever I bought a new vehicle for the past 20 years.

It has been 100% reliable. Have transferred to K Bank and SCB in Thailand.

I've been doing my own extensions of stay for 21 years at Chiang Wattana with the assistance of my Thai wife.  The first two years, retirement so I couldn't work.  Changed to supporting Thai wife since then.  Sometimes the queues are fairly long and occasionally we have to run and make an extra copy of something.  Parking can be a little difficult.  But, overall, the Immigration Officers have been fair and polite.  No problems in 21 years.  None!  Happy with the service.

Why should I pay an agent??

7 hours ago, Ravi98008 said:

Appreciate your reply.    I would rather take the visa extension stamp expiring the same date as my passport march 6 th 2025.  Because I will have plenty of time in 2024 to get a renewed USA passport while I have a valid visa from immigration office through 2025.  What would I do if I don't get a renewed USA passport back from Bangkok Thailand USA embassy before March 2024.  

I was in a similar situation.  Renewed my extension of stay for 11 months, and then applied for a new passport which was received in 5 weeks.

Good luck.

On 12/7/2023 at 10:34 AM, AKJeff said:

Hello all, 

 

The title basically says it all.  Does anyone have any recommendations for a dermatologist in Bangkok?  I need to have a spot examined for potential skin cancer.  Anybody with a good experience please advise.

 

Thanks ahead of time

 

The Thammasat University Hospital Skin Clinic in Rangsit is headed by Dr. Padcha who is an expert with Western, as well as Thai, skin.  She did research and participated in skin clinics for a year at major US universities on two occasions.  She understands Western skin and is the best dermatologist that I have encountered anywhere in the world. She has removed two skin cancers from me.  She has my highest recommendation.  Good luck,  Don

19 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Understood.

I considered putting this in the US forum, because for Americans estimating your life expectancy well is a really big deal (financially) in deciding what age to start your social security benefits.

Jingthing,

I strongly recommend against taking SS pension early - you'll regret it later.  I took mine at full retirement age - 65 in my case.  Have been receiving it for 21 years.  Taking it at 70 would have been better.  Good luck

On 11/1/2023 at 1:08 PM, J Branche said:

FYI Check if they are familiar with shipping to Thailand and watch out for DHL.   There is an Import tax and a certain tax to be prepaid.  

 

I've read customs will pick any price off the Internet if the receipt and/or value is not declared.  You buy something on Sale they may want Full Retail tax on item.

I bought a new HP 17"  top end notebook computer from Amazon. They shipped it free with SF Express.  Had to pay 7% sales tax, but no duty.  Arrived in about 2 weeks, and delivered with no hassles or extra charges.  Cost about one half the price of a 17" notebook here in Thailand.

My opinion is he's telling a truth that a lot of politicians don't want to hear or acknowledge.  Before I retired, I worked for a telecom manufacturing company, When I first joined it, 40% of the staff had an earned Ph.D.  You didn't have to tell them the same thing twice!!  People were supersmart and it was a joy to work there.  My first career was in the military where I worked with both very high IQ people and very low IQ people.  As Peterson indicated, it is very difficult to teach complex tasks to people with low IQs.  If anyone believes we are "all the same." they should pick a surgeon with a low IQ when the need treatment.   But only a fool would do that!  I rest my case.  JMHO

On 9/25/2023 at 11:49 AM, Celsius said:

Off topic, so don't get triggered.

 

I always wondered how people would use their furniture in new surroundings. It literally makes zero sense moving furniture to a 3rd world tropical country, especially to a place like Bangkok unless you live in one of those 100 million baht climate controlled villas.

My Thai wife and I shipped a 20 foot container from Baltimore, MD,

USA.  We shipped furniture, China, crystal, clothes, books, etc. Returning Thai wife paid zero duty. Bought a house that fit furniture measurements.  For some, things have senimental value.  It was expensive, but worth it for us. If we had it to do over again, we would do the same thing. Your mileage may vary! 

Bob,  Good luck on your withdrawal.  I was essentially a still functioning alcoholic at age 36.  I couldn't ask for help or I would lose my security clearance and my career would have been over.  So, I just quit cold turkey.  After a couple of months I was OK, except when I went to a party, in which case I wanted a drink, but I stayed the course.  After about 2 years, I no longer had a desire for alcohol.  That was 50 years ago and I'm still sober.  I'm so happy not to be a slave to booze.  I'm 86 and had 3 successful careers.  I retired for the 3rd time in October 2021.  

Hang in there baby,

Don

On 9/2/2023 at 2:17 PM, ThaiFelix said:

Wow really?  My house, inside and out, plus boundary walls all apinted with Dulu near 10 years ago and mostly still like new.  Weathershield outside and Easy Care inside.  My prefered brand back in Aussie too as never had a problem.

 

Well actually I did have a problem but not with the paint rather the ancient systems of measurement used in the US and its lack of standardisation:

 

Some of Dulux's paints are in litres and square meter coverage while the undercoats are in gallons (and its US gals just to really stick it up you) with square yards lol!  What a nightmare to calculate your needs.

Conversion of units is easy online.  For instance 1 sq yard =  0.836127 sq mtr

Just ask what you want to convert.

12 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Actually, not necessary.

Doesn't Mensa accept other tests as proxies?

 

And anyway, I don't join groups.

 

 

Mensa does accept certain other tests. I joined using my US Navy GCT score.

On 8/23/2023 at 4:46 PM, DrJack54 said:

It's best to use a money transfer company.

Never to bank to bank transfers 

I've used US bank to Thai bank transfer for 20 years.  Send US dollars and get a better exchange rate here.  Never had a problem.

Cheers, Don

Just got my new passport. About 5 weeks - easy.  Make sure you get a 100 baht bank DRAFT  not a bank check.  Good luck!

Been here 21 years. Had retirement and thai wife visas and extensions Never used a agent. No problem.  Dress respectfully and be polite.

That said, having a GOOD Thai wife makes life easier. 

Health insurance or sufficient funds is essential.  Can't get health insurance in Thai at reasonable cost 65 and up.  Good luck! 

On 6/1/2023 at 8:53 AM, TigerandDog said:

I used to use Tom Tom when I first came to Thailand but found that their maps were rarely updated, which I've also found with google maps, so switched to garmin, but not in the cars console. I just plug the garmin into the cigarette lighter.

I like Garmin a lot, so I also have dashtop units in my Ranger and my wife's Focus.  But I hate cables draped over the dashboard...very unsightly.  So, we take our new cars to Driver Sound at Future Park and in an hour or two, out GPSs and dash cameras have wires run behind the dash. Power up when the vehicle is started and turned off when it's shut down.  Reasonable cost; skillful work.

My 90 day was due on April 26th.  Applied online.  Approved with I checked my email on the morning of the 26th.  Previous 90 day was approved in only 3 days.  We live in Don Mueang. Seems to be working.

I have had good experiences with Driver Sound at Future Park Rangsit on three separate vehicles. No problems. Excellent workmanship.  

I retired for the thilrd time at age 84. I would have continued to work because I like working, but I needed rotator cuff surgery, plus  cataract surgery in both eyes. Too much time off from work is not fair to employer, so I retired.  Was asked to go back but my wife asked me to stay home.  That was in October 2021.  Fortunately, I didn't  have any obnoxious, hateful people telling me what to do!

Not illegal in Thailand, so pay or go somewhere else.  Simple.