jcnbkk

Click on the link to Highspeedthai.com that appears all over this forum. I did so in February and I can read, write and speak Thai passably now. You won't regret it.

Read, write and speak in 4 mo. is quite an endorsement, of either your aptitude and work ethic or the site itself. I'll certainly check the site.

If you use a converter, buy a good one. I brought several 110v personal grooming appliances from the US, including my Water Pic, which I love and consider an essential. They cost under $50 in the US. I guess the converter I bought wasn't good quality, it burned out and took my Water Pic with it. Wanted to find a 220v replacement since I was staying here. Whether at a Bangkok shop (local distributor or the store in Bumrumgrad Hospital) or online, the 220v version was around $200 US. Even when I asked an Ozzie friend about bringing one from there, the price was $200. What's up with that? Identical item, just different voltage. Burned me up.

Anyway, use a quality converter.

And yes, some items with motors ran slower with my original and replacement converter.

Almost all my time in Thailand has been in the Bangkok metro area. Always liked the big city vibe and city services. Never had a real desire to go north, until now. Those prices are a third of those in Bkk. I'll have to check the services in CM.

Somboon on Surawong- a bit touristy but the food Chinese/Thai seafoo is aroi mak mak. Try the oyster omelette and curry crab.

I love the food at Samboon. I go to the one at hwai kwang MRT.

Nice reference list. I'll be working my way throughout it. I'll add a nice, not hi-so place- Nangsom, Rachaparop Soi 4.

Wow does one find out, definitively, if there is a note or loan on the land before one buys. Regardless of the type of title?

Only a few parts of the country allow farangs to register under the 30 baht scheme, most do not and some that did have since rescinded it on instructions of the central Ministry of Public Health, which means the others may too at any point that the MoPH becomes aware that they have enrolled expats. Although the decree which went out failed to make this clear, the intention was to cover only migrant workers.

There are Travel Insurance policies that will cover you for a full year, I know World Nomads does as it is what I use (in my case, when traveling from Thailand to the US). But not more than a year and you would have to be enrolled at an address in a different country/have a permanent address in another country. Still, not a bad option for people who are not planning to stay more than a year or haven't yet decided if they will.

How does one go about signing up for this 30 baht Thai health service? Not just me, a farang, but a Thai? My girlfriend has no insurance and when she's had to go to a hospital it's been one of the government ones, wait all day to see someone who gives you some pills and says come back next month. Or is that the health service being mentioned? She never "signed up" as far as I know, it's just government health care for "poor people".

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My wife watches all her Thai shows on Youtube, it seems there is a channel that uploads them all.

I will get a link from her when I see her later today.

Here is a list of Thai tv channels on Yourube with daily uploads

https://www.youtube.com/results?filters=channel&search_query=thai+tv+show+2014&lclk=channel

Thanx

The only part at all which surprises me in the least is this

We took it upon ourselfs to employ a company who was able to access all her information ( facebook,line chat's,twitter, sms's,bank account detail's,etc,etc).Side note- shocking how easy it is to basicly access everything.

I have a fair bit of experience with keyloggers, installing trojans, phone scanning and tracking software etc.. and none of it is easy..

Us too,very much so. The agency asked us not to name them or mention anything about their connection's.

When we first went to see them ( recommended by a embassy friend) one of their staff made incredable claim's.

We can check her facebook messages, phone message's, bank detail's, and something called " link",etc,etc.

Because I visit people in jail here ( and over sea's) and have know a little how they were caught I am not totally new to this technology.

But I was still doubtful and because the service was not exactly cheap I asked for a demostration before commiting.

I had to pay a deposit if it was successful.

And it was- 100%, all her facebook account's, FB/sms message's to /from, flight details,including seat number,even room number at hotel she stayed,name's and detail's of all her boyfriends,her home address,etc,etc.

You say this is not easy, well, it seemed pretty easy to them and I apparently it's becoming easier. I have been looking into it myself.

Should this sort of technology be so easy to obtain and is there anything that can be done to gaurd against it.

The owner said she was easy target because she took no precautions at all.

So how does someone find their way to this agency?

Silom Soi 4

I've had mixed experiences with a couple of different Thai girlfriends. One thing that sticks in my mind, however, is the following. A couple of years ago my girlfriend had a friend who owned a beauty shop. She stopped by often to chat and I also got to know her girlfriend and her Farang boyfriend and they always seemed nice to me. One day her girlfriend was telling her friends in the shop that a woman she knows.......HAD VERY GOOD LUCK.........HER FARANG HUSBAND DIED SUDDENLY.....HE LEFT HER OVER 15 MILLION BAHT!!! This is good luck? Your husband dies? I still shake my head. To my surprise every woman in the shop agreed....THIS WAS GOOD LUCK!!! Not one word of how the poor guy passed away or sadness about his sudden demise!

if this were back in the west and a guy had an older wife die and then he unexpectedly inherited 15 million pounds/euros/ dollars etc you can bet

a lot of his friends would think he was a lucky son of a b itch

Yup

No man should marry a woman if he thinks along the line their maybe a possible chance that she'll leave in circumstances like the OP. Too many Farang men get married early that are still in the 'glamour' stage of the relationship.

stay together with your significant other 5 yrs prior to marriage, and you will know if she will stick around until 'death do us part'.

TRUE faithfulness - loyalty - Love are characteristics only few possess

If that's your missus in the photo then I wouldn't blame you for marrying in the glamour stage.

Ummm.. I'm the girl in the photo, unless you know a man name Kirsty?

But thanks for the compliment. I feel flattered. 555+

pretty, and pretty sharp..

I'm assuming Bang Rak is in Bangkok?

To many posts with good advice and suggestions to thank individually, so thanks to all who posted. Shows just how many alternatives there are and how confusing it can be to compare. And then have to wonder if what you thought you bought is what you'll actually get. I think I'll start my healthcare search (again) with some of the brokers mentioned.

Sounds like you're in a bit of a jam, OP. Calling that 800 number is probably the only way to straighten this out, but you should wait until Tuesday to see what's what. I called that number one time and this message came on, thanking for my call, I am so important to them, the estimated time to get a live operator is approx 38 minutes. Then they played some horrible non-descript music that sounded like it was on a cassette tape that someone had left in a glove compartment for months in an abandoned car down in South Texas. When I finally got someone, the call got dropped just as we were almost sorted out on the problem. Hope you don't have to do that. One number for the entire US!

On a semi-related note...I was going to have my SSA monthly check direct deposited into my Bangkok Bank account, but as I read the terms, one cannot access the funds via ATM, you have to go to the bank every time to withdraw money. I've been meaning to post about this, to see what is the experience of members who have used this service. Is this true? Makes it seem not worth it to me, even though I now must get periodic funds transferred from my US bank, at a cost of $40 per transaction. Somebody said that might be increased soon, but there seems to be no alternative.

You guys that say one should keep a million baht or so stashed "just in case"...must be great to be so flush. Congratulations.

Frank James, there's been a few TV threads on transfers of money from US bank account to Bangkok Bank through their NY branch which makes it a US to US ACH transfer at $3. I use it regularly. Since I'm nearing SS age that's what I'll be looking at, having SS direct deposit to my US bank then doing my normal ACH transfers to BB. I've also read some on that yearly reporting letter to the SS admin. when your living outside the US, but don't remember if you have to do it if funds are deposited into a US bank to begin with.

Does anyone else's girlfriend fly into incoherent rages about nothing?

'bout once a month..

Jim, where are you seeing the BKK Bank offer terms you mention above?

John, go the page you reference, then click on "SMS Card Spending Alert." Assume this covers both POS and online spending.

Yeah, they're not real clear on which SMS service gives you an ATM heads up.... But one of them must -- maybe they consider an ATM transaction a "transfer." Dunno.

Ahhh.... that's weird... I hadn't caught that distinction before.

BKK Bank has FOUR different kinds of SMS alerts (look at the menu at the top left of the webpage), including one keyed to a person's account (labeled SMS Account Alert), the other keyed to a person's debit or credit card (labeled Card Spending Alert).

It looks like the account SMS alerts, relating to payments and transfers, have the 10 baht per month fee, but as Jim noted, it looks like the card-based SMS alerts, relating to card-based purchases, are free.

Re the card based alerts, the language they use is, you'll get an SMS when:

"1,000Bt or more is spent with your Be1st debit card"

That kind of sounds like they mean via a purchase. Perhaps it also could mean "spent" via an ATM withdrawal, but it's hardly clear that they include that from their language.

Man I'm confused. OK, back to the top of the page and read it over again..

Yes you can deduct your wife and daughter on income tax as they have a SS number. I have been deducting my girlfriend for years using a ITN number. The ITN is used by people who have dependants living outside the US and they do not have a SS number and cannot obtain a SS number. When I applied for mine some years back at the IRS office the very helpful staff knew what I wanted and what forms to file.

You can claim a non citizen (even a girlfriend) living in their home country as a dependent on your taxes?? Are you filing and living abroad or is this even if you sent money?? What did you tell them at the IRS office? I'd like to find those forms.

Just use tax software like TaxCut, TurboTax, etc., to file your federal and state taxes. Whether you are still on the hook for state tax depends on your state of residence. You can still vote by requesting an absentee ballot.

http://americansabroad.org/issues/taxation/us-taxes-while-living-abroad-faq/

US Taxes While Living Abroad FAQ

Do I need to file a US tax return? What forms do I use? Can I deduct foreign taxes?... The following FAQ about filing your US taxes even though you live outside the USA was adapted from a contribution by I.J. Zemelman.

I am an American living and working abroad. Do I need to file a US tax return?

Regardless of where you live now, being a United States citizen requires that you file a yearly tax return with the IRS. Green card holders and all US citizens are required to file a US return, no matter where they live, as long as their income (earned in-US and abroad) is just over $9,000. Many people wrongly assume that because they have never owed money to the IRS, they simply dont have to file. Earning anything over $9,350.00 does require you to file, however. The US has treaties with many foreign countries that will reduce or even eliminate actual owed tax. You cannot, however, take advantage of these benefits if you don't file.

Do I need to file a State Tax Return?

As is the case with many legal matters, each US state sets its own rules regarding state taxes and expats. Some states do demand that you file a state return, while others release you when you move away. The rules can be complicated, so be sure to ask your tax preparer before making assumptions as to the requirements of your former home. The most stubborn states are New Mexico, California, Virginia and South Carolina. If you moved abroad from one of those states, it is unlikely that you have been released from the obligation of filing. To read more about this issue see: [/size]State Taxes and the American Expats - Can You Ever Set Yourself Free?

If that link on state taxes is accurate and current I'm screwed. Kinda figured that coming from Ca.

as an expat u also need file form 2555 along with your 1040.

I hold residency in Ca an have not filed state returns in over 17 years there. ( have never voted)

since u need file this to get your $96,000 tax exemption you need paperfile ( snail mail), its all on the form where to send.

been doing it for years as i than can than file the FAFSA, so my daughter in unviersity in Ca, gets her grants.

To collect ss u need have worked 40 quarters ( 10 years ) in your life time. ( you will deal with ss office in the Phillippines.)

Make sure u keep less than $10,000 TOTAL in all your foreign bank accounts so you never have to FBAR

so its better to do the combo method for your retirement extension if you have any kind of Pension./ss payments

OK, I'll look up a 2555. What do you mean by hold residency? You still have a Ca. address or property and don't have to pay Ca. tax?

You can divorce yourself for your current state by filing a PARTIAL state tax form for the last year of residence.

Then you'll have a case for stopping state filings.

Yes you can vote. Register based on your last voting residence in the USA which will be your voting residence for life unless you repatriate.

You can file online using taxact.com ... and it supports using a foreign address.

If you want to mail in your forms, there is a special address for expat filings.

Deduction stuff, I punt.

I'm following this with interest. What do you mean by a partial state tax form?

Hair Implant in Bangkok ? Where did you do it ? How much did you pay ? Happy ?

Hello,

I couldn't find clear posts with replies to these questions:

Recent experience about hair implant in Thailand ?

Where ?

How much ?

Would you recommend to your friends ?

Thank you if you can send clear information.

I spent a lot of time researching this in Bangkok.

I went to a doctor in Braumrungrad in Bangkok and he gave me the best advice.

The best advice He can gave was to try the pills first. There are Many cheaper brands available in Thailand.

I use Proscar 5mg and split them into 1/4ths. Dr said can use every other day but I use every day. Don't buy propecia. It's exactly the same just more expensive. The off brands available in Thailand have the active ingredient of Finasteride.

Be aware of the side effects. I had irrational thoughts for the first few weeks. Wish my dr would have told me that could happen. Some even have suicidal thoughts. Mine were not that strong.

So before you have an expensive procedure (which I had twice and was looking into #3) try the meds. I have been very happy with the very noticeable results.

Even after you have a procedure you should take the meds. The hair loss will reverse and or slow it waaay down or stop it. Yes you need to take it forever but at least we have something !!!! Good luck !

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

Take it forever? or results reverse? I wonder about long term side effects. I hate just the fact I take low dose aspirin everyday. The other posters links about laser therapy got me curious..

#1 Beng

Senior Member

Members

OP questions are:

1. Anyone has experience with Karnkanok ? (YES) purchased a condo from them in 2009.

2. Where is the land office to get the chanot ? (Canal Road across and down the road from 700 year stadium)

3 .Is the blue book necessary ? (YES, and No) although it's used by Thais and not foreigners it is needed to get the Yellow book. You cannot get the Yellow Book without first providing/submitting the Blue book to the Amphur)

(The Amphur is located in old city area in the same direction you would find the Sunday night walking market) I don't know the address but it's not so far from where that Sunday night walking market is).

What documents are needed ? At a minimum, your Passport, bring your Chonot title document.

You should be able to get the Blue Book the same day. The Yellow book may require you to come back in 1 or 2 week after you apply.

The Yellow book saves time and money when preparing for immigration reporting. With the Yellow book you will be able to skip 1or 2 steps in the process for acquiring specific documents prior to reporting to immigration. Applying and waiting for the Yellow book is worth it but not a requirement so you do not have to get the Yellow book but it is recommended. You will be glad that you got it after you gave it. And Yes, your name will be in the book. And No, the previous owner ( if any) is not required to give you their Blue Book if you purchase a condo or house from them. It is their Blue Book. Sometimes they will provide you with a Blue book but if they don't, just apply for one at the Chiang Mai Amphur.

4. What is the difference between the Blue and Yellow book?

Blue Book is for Thai's and generally contains a record of who is registered at that particular Baan address (names included) The Yellow book is similar but for Foreigners. Many times if you're planning on a large purchase such as a motorbike or vehicle if you provide your Yellow book it will save one or two steps and in the end cost you less money.

I hope this information can be helpful. Good luck!

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Thorough answer. Thanks

Several hospitals mentioned here I hadn't heard or thought of. Thanks