donmuang37

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.

When we bought our house in 2002, my wife gave me a 30 year prepaid lease which was registered on the chanote (deed) at the Land Office. The lady who register it spoke good English and told me that I was covered since in was on the deed. If my wife were to die before me, it would go to her daughter who would have to honor the lease. I have good relations with her, my stepdaughter, an so I'm not worried. Maybe that would work for you. Good luck!

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??

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.

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

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

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

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

Sold my house 21 years ago and used the profit to buy a new house in northern Bangkok. Nice gated community; nice neighbors. No intention of moving back to USA. Too woke, too much crime and too expensive. Now 86. Very happy with my choice. ????????????

Conversion of units is easy online. For instance 1 sq yard = 0.836127 sq mtr Just ask what you want to convert.

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

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 last week I applied for my one-year extension of stay at CW. I used the same KR22 that I obtained 20 years ago. I have used that every year since I obtained it. I've never been requested to get a new one as it would be senseless because it is just a translation of our US wedding certificate. Good luck

"AFAIK Thai women are not poachers." ???????????? I guess you haven't seen all those Thai "gentlemen" out with their mia noi. Do you really think those young ladies don't know he is married?? Get real!!

If you have a Thai friend, preferably someone with a good education and a good job, ask them to accompany you to an amphur office and arrange an appointment. They should know how to handle it. Going to your Thai friend's amphur would probably be the best place to start. You will probably have to pay a small "service fee" to bypass the long waiting time. But since your fiancee is Russian, she should be quite familiar with how to take care of that. I rather doubt it will break the bank. And if you go in, be pleasant, well dressed and very polite. If you have a bad attitude, it won't go well. In Thailand, if you look or act like a bum, you'll be treated like a bum. JMHO Good luck, 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!

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.

I had cataract surgery in both eyes at a private hospital in January 2022. Excellent result; no problems. I know many others who have had cataract surgery here in Thailand, and don't know of anyone who had a problem. Caveat: Go to an experienced ophthalmologist at a reputable hospital, not some fly-by-night clinic. As someone mentioned, the cheapest price may not be your best option. That said, the better government hospitals should be cheaper than most private hospitals. Good luck!