donmuang37

23 hours ago, KeeTua said:

Highly unlikely the amnesty was programed into the 90 day online reporting system. The program saw you as past due so you are no longer able to report online until you make a visit to Immigration.

I think KeeTua is correct. I tried to do mine online in March, but not in the 14 to 7 day prior window.  Got the message to go to Immigration. The next time I tried within the 14 to 7 day window and it worked just fine.

20 hours ago, Keyser Soze666 said:

But that's not what I'm saying is it, I'm saying would they force farang to leave knowing full well what a ballache or if not an impossibility it would be to get back in?

 

And I highly doubt other countries ask for 100k insurance for starters..

I don't think the powers that be really want Westerners here now as they keep making it more difficult for us to stay in Thailand. We are undesirable because we understand and can explain democracy. But I also don't think there would be many people who would care if we were culled out - except maybe go-go bar owners. ????????????

On 6/25/2020 at 1:02 PM, giddyup said:

But isn't the CRV made here? I've lived in Thailand for 11 years, so I know we pay ridiculous prices for both new and used cars here, but for cars that are made here I'd expect them to be cheaper than elsewhere.

It doesn't work that way. The gov't taxes on vehicles are high, plus the dealers operate a cartel to keep their profits high.  Additionally, except for luxury cars, standard and option eqmt is usually a couple of years behind what's offered in the West.  But houses are a lot cheaper!

Right, but who wants to advance democracy?  ????  And local election results might embarrass the powers that be.  

I haven't had this happen years. But when I first got here, if I tried to get money using my USA ATM card on or near Thai payday it would frequently return my card + an ATM slip. But no money. When we went into the bank, we were told that we would have the money returned to my USA bank in 1 week. The money was returned as promised, but the bank had a 1 week interest free loan!  Finally, a nice banker explained that the bank wanted to save the currency in the machine for their Thai customers. These days if we try to withdraw from USA accounts on or around the 1st of month, it just returns the card with various phony error messages. Never had a problem with a Thai bank account.

With a topic like this, maybe you've been in lock down too long.  ????Suggest you need to get out and about for a while.  Good luck!  ????

We had a similar problem, but we didn't have a leak.  A plumber fixed the problem by tweaking the internal adjustments in our Mitsubishi pump.  Note that not all plumbers have the skill and knowledge to do this. Good luck!

On 5/19/2020 at 11:32 AM, simon43 said:

Has no one ever heard of bank accounts that pay interest?  I currently receive 8% pa on my savings here in Laos with a Franco-Lao bank.  When I retire in 5 years from now, the interest from my modest bank savings, plus my modest UK part-pension will be more than enough to live happily on.

 

Do banks in Thailand not offer similar interest-paying accounts?  (I guess not!).

In Thailand 8%??? You are dreaming! Maybe 1.5% if you are very lucky. Very few places pay 8% interest unless it is rather risky.

USNret, Thank you for a well written, comprehensive report. I'm due for my 18th extension based on marriage in October, and I assume the process will change a bit by then. But your excellent report will serve as a starting point for the New Normal.

Cheers, Don (Also USN ret)

2 hours ago, Stocky said:

Hardly a large poll and one wonders how representative the selection was, then there's the loaded phrasing of the question which posses it as an either or, when of course it isn't. Seems they got the answers they were fishing for.

Break out your university statistics; the sample size is fine. Your other concerns, however, are quite valid.

On 5/16/2020 at 12:50 PM, Sheryl said:

Recommended if over 65 years old (even if healthy) or any age if suffering from certain chronic diseases.

 

The prices you were quoted are just a bit higher than elsewhere, and for the combo, cheaper, assuming by "pneumonia" vaccine they mean Prevnar 13 - note that there are 2 pneumonia vaccines, Prevnar 13 and  Penumovax 23, should be given a year apart and both are one time injections.

 

It is the charge for the home visit that makes it costly

 

If willing to go to a clinic these are the 2 least expensive options in Bangkok:

https://www.medconsultasia.com/vaccinations

https://www.thaitravelclinic.com/cost.html

 

Note too that there are 2 flu vaccines, "southern" and "northern" hemisphere, for Thailand you need Southern.

Sheryl,

First, thank you for all the excellent advice and information you provide.  I had a pneumonia shot about 5 or 6 years ago, and I was over age 65.  At the time, the hospital said only one shot needed for life. But have recently read somewhere that perhaps I should get a second shot. Note that I often end up with bronchitis if I get a cold - not good.  Do you have any info on the second shot?

Many thanks,

Don

On 5/9/2020 at 12:00 PM, Crossy said:

 

Our kitchen exhaust (from the cooker hood) goes through the wall to outside.

 

Our bathrooms don't have extractors, all have pretty big windows and louvres in the doors which gives a pretty good airflow anyway. If you do use fans they too should exhaust to outside (into the roof space is a really bad idea).

Very much respect Crossy who has a wealth of ideas and experience. But my experience on exhaust fans is slightly different. We installed 2 exhaust fans in 2nd floor bathrooms. They vent into the ceiling which has 100 cm of blown in insulation. We have lived here for 17 years and the fans are still working. No problems in the attic either.  I had them installed to pull air conditioned air in from the bedroom to cool down the bathroom and they do that. Nevertheless, Crossy is probably right that it is best to vent them outside, if practical. Note that our house is located on the northern edge of Bangkok, not Isaan. Good luck!

If you aren't happy with the Pattaya dealer, you can take your vehicle to any Ford dealer in Thailand. In the past few years we have bought a Fiesta, a Focus and 2 Ranger Wildtraks, including my current Wildtrak Bi-Turbo. We have had outstanding service from our Pathum Thani dealer. Good luck!

They are just waiting until some of the desperate alcoholics dry out before resuming booze sales!

Since a master's degree is higher than a bachelor's, a valid master's degree would qualify you for a work permit and Non-B.  However, it is unclear to me whether your credential is a complete master's degree or just a graduate level credential in a specific area, so try to investigate further. Your local Thai embassy might be able to be get you some clarification - after Covid-19, of course. Suggest taking a Thai friend to help. Good luck.

My wife & I have stayed there a couple of times, and we enjoyed it. It was quiet and the people were friendly.  My impression is that you should have your own wheels in order to get around easily.  We aren't into the bar scene, but didn't notice much activity in that regard.

Good luck!