James2020

18 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

So, that's it for another year!!!

Thanks very much!  I used your report last year to do my first ever retirement extension and it was so helpful.  I have a few months to go before a year is up, but I'll be sure to bookmark this page.

Old Spice 'Pure Sport' or 'Fresh' High Endurance deodorant (not anti-perspirant) from Amazon.com.  A little pricey, but ships to Thailand.  4 pack, 3 oz each, $16, $21 shipping.  I get it when I return to the US.  3 oz lasts me at least 3 months and I've used it for years.

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

I did not need a US address when I applied for SS here a few years ago. I think it is the same.

As far as I know a US address is only need to register for the SSA online site and the poster wrote this "Opening a Social Security account".

Right (as usual), Joe.  It was an online registration.  I haven't tried to change it yet.  No online access now.

It's a group policy, so probably not available to the general public.  My card says "Healthy New York EPO".  The number n the back is 1-800-499-1275.

2 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Are you paying Chase's 3% foreign currency conversion fee every time you use those cards in Thailand?

 

 

All. of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance plans I've been familiar with over the years only cover a person in foreign countries for limited periods of travel abroad, not for continuous, extended foreign residency???

No, we're not paying the 3% foreign transaction fee.  We canceled the credit card that had that fee.  Many credit cards today don't have a foreign transaction fee.

Our BCBS policy, purchased in the US before we moved to Thailand, covers us for routine care in the US, as well as in foreign countries, as long as we use the foreign providers on their list, which includes Bumrungrad and Samitivej Hospitals.  BCBS has our Thailand address.  We've used Bumrungrad about a dozen times in the past year for outpatient treatment.  I submit the claim online, and I'm reimbursed in about 3 weeks by direct electronic deposit into my US bank account, minus copays and deductibles.  I checked, and in 2018 we were charged $4784 by the providers in Thailand, BCBS allowed $4784, and they reimbursed us $3262.  In 2018 we are paying an annual fee of $4159 each for the policy, which does not go up with our age, but has been increasing with medical inflation.  Our policy covers inpatient treatment as well, and the hospital can bill BCBS directly for that, but it's usually easier to just pay the bill and be reimbursed, if it's not too large.

There is another way to do this - keep it simple - you have to decide what works for you.

• My Thai wife (US and Thai citizen) and I moved to Thailand for retirement, after 12 years and a large house in the US, with two suitcases apiece - my computer stuff and clothes.  No need to jump through the hoops to have it sent here.  Very liberating. 
• I had a non- immigrant O visa, now with extension based on retirement.
• I have 3 US based credit cards with Chase, that work in the US or Thailand.  They all accept our Thailand address.  They are paid automatically from my US based bank account, which also accepts our Thailand address.  I have no bank account in Thailand.  My wife has two accounts with SCB, and  I wire money to live on once a year to her account from my account in the US.   All of my assets are with Vanguard, which also accepts our Thailand address.  I decline two factor authorization.  I never mail or deposit checks - it's all handled electronically through my US bank account.
• We have no address, phone number, or driver's licenses in the US.  If you aren't opening bank accounts or applying for credit cards, you won't need them.  I can rent a car in the US with my Thai DL.   We go back to the US every year.  My Social Security checks are deposited electronically into my US bank account.  
• I call the US regularly with my Skype account.  It costs $30 a year for unlimited calls to any mobile or land based phone in the US.
• We have BCBS health insurance through a family business that covers us for routine care in the US or Thailand.
• Not for everyone, but it works for us and keeps it simple.  Some caveats:  Opening a Social Security account  requires a US mailing address, even if you live abroad, and we use my son's address.  Maybe if you already have an account, you can change the address - I don't know.  Some US vendors won't accept a US based credit card with a foreign address, and we just don't do business with them.

1 hour ago, utalkin2me said:

We have schwab too and do just as you say and we are fine. Love the flexibility. 

Just a 'heads up' about Schwab.  I opened an account before we left the US, and when we arrived in Thailand and tried to change our address, I found that I couldn't - the account required a US address.  We needed to open a new account for international users that is not the same as a regular account.  I didn't bother to look further into it, and just canceled our account because I didn't need it anyway, but you may want to check it out before you leave the US.  I have a small bank that I've been using for 25 years, and they have no problem with my foreign address.  

Also, much has been written here about maintaining an address in the US vs just having one in Thailand.  It can be done either way, and there are pros and cons to each. 

About driving in Thailand - I rented a car and drove in Phuket for a week about 10 years ago, until I was hit by a cement truck, and I always let someone else do the driving after that.  In the US, I never think much about driving, but here I constantly needed to pay attention.  It wasn't fun.  Certainly some can learn to drive, but we can ride for an hour in a Grabcar for $10, and I can let someone younger do the driving (I'm 69), so it's much easier for me.  You have to be quite skilled to drive here.

The Thais were very efficient though - when I had the accident, my wife (Thai)  told me to go sit on the grass and be quiet, so I did what I was told.  Within a few minutes a policeman arrived, as did the insurance adjuster for the car rental company, the insurance agent for the cement truck, an ambulance, and a hearse.  The latter two left right away when they saw that their services weren't needed, the policeman decided it was my fault (it was), and within an hour I was back on the road with a new rental car.  No one asked for my license or even talked to me, and when I returned the new rental car, I had to pay the insurance deductible of $250, and that's all there was to it.   

1 hour ago, lopburi3 said:

Are you sure on that?  For the FEP Blue Cross program you can use any provider for claim reimbursement (in or out patient) - you just have to use the preferred providers if you want direct inpatient payment to hospital.

 

Edit:  as I do not have the plan you mention can not access the website to check details.

Yes - I've used my BCBS coverage many times in BKK for routine care.  I just submit a claim online to get reimbursement.  When using inpatient coverage, the hospital bills BCBS direct, but sometimes it's quicker to just pay for it, and submit a claim for reimbursement later.  

I'm not sure what FEP stands for...

I seems that you need a BCBS contract number to sign into the website though, sorry about that.

My wife and I are US citizens (she was born in Thailand) and have separate BCBS coverage.  I am of Medicare age, but since that doesn't cover me outside of the US, I haven't signed up for Part B.  We are covered for routine care either in the US or abroad, but we need to use authorized providers, and Bumrungrad and Samitivej Hospitals are on BCBS's list.  We pay first for any outpatient services in BKK, but inpatient services can be paid directly from BCBS to the hospital.  Bumrungrad is very used to issuing proper receipts, which I submit online and receive reimbursement (minus the deductible and copay) in about 3 weeks by direct deposit to my US bank account.  I've never had a problem with their approval.  All fairly easy, and we are quite satisfied with this arrangement.  The website where the authorized providers are listed is www.bcbsglobalcore.com.  I submit my receipts here too. 

'Bird Spikes' are available at Home Pro and on Lazada.  We've used them at our townhouse for a couple of months, and so far, they seem to work.

I just did my 90 day report at CW in person yesterday (I was up that way anyway.)  When asked, the IO gave me instructions in English about how to submit the 90 day report by mail, and I attached it below for those who need it.  It seems complete and well written.

2018.2.13 Instructions for 90 Day Report By Mail in English.pdf

Some of your questions will be answered by the first post in this thread.  I got my first ever retirement extension and re-entry permit at CW in November, and this post got me through it.  And the last comments on Page 3 (mine included) may help as well.

1 hour ago, oldcarguy said:

Thanks for posting , are the Zenni etc glasses any better than the cheap reading glasses you buy off the rack at Walmart etc ?

Don't know about Zenni - Cheap reading glasses are fine though as long as you can read ok with them in the store.  More expensive reading glasses should have a better frame and lenses, fit better, nicer color choices, etc., but your eyes won't know the difference.

I just saw this response - thanks for the suggestions.  I'll get better with experience...

I'm a retired ophthalmologist (MD) who has worked with thousands of patients and many opticians (eyeglass people).  Just some pointers for consumers:

• In general (like most things), you get what you pay for, but not always, especially if you're not in your home country.  I get my own eyeglasses when I return to the US every year or two.
• An optical shop is like any small business, and you pay more for a convenient location, experienced opticians, good products, etc.  An eyeglass lens is a custom ground precision product.  The cheapest may not be the best, but if you shop at upscale malls and look for designer frames, you'll probably pay more. 
• The eyeglass Rx may look like different numbers, but be identical, depending on the system used.
• A small difference in Rx is not noticeable to most people - a quarter diopter is small.
• The quality of the optician is important, because they measure the fit of the frame, the bifocal height, the inter pupillary distance - all critical factors in making the Rx comfortable.  An experienced optician costs more than a novice.
• The more the strength of the Rx, the more critical these measurements are.  For simple single vision lenses, the measurements are less important.  For bifocals or progressives, they are more important.
• The Rx does not have the measurements in it.  The provider usually doesn't take them. 
• Mail order companies survive by limiting the power of the Rx, sending you to an optician to take the measurements, only providing reading lenses, teaching you how to take your own measurements, or they wing it.
• There's nothing wrong with over-the-counter reading only lenses.  I have 6 pair that I keep all around the house, where I might need them.  They cost a few dollars each. 
• If you wear a completely wrong Rx, it will never damage your eyes, only make you uncomfortable.
• Expect to spend several weeks getting used to your first pair of bifocals.  It took me a month.  Like any tool, you have to learn how to use it.
• Any new glasses may take a while to adjust to, even the same Rx, because there are always small variables that change.  The eyes are quite adaptable.  If a week or two goes by and you're still uncomfortable, it's time for a visit back to the optician.  They probably won't remake your glasses on the first visit unless they find a gross error.  After a couple of more weeks go by, something is wrong, and the optician or the provider needs to solve it.

My wife (a Thai) and I went to CW two days ago to get my first ever Extension of Stay and Multiple Re-entry permit.  Many thanks to TallGuyJohn for leading me through it.  Some other issues that haven't been discussed yet:

• In case the taxi driver doesn't know, the Immigration office is located in the Government Complex, Building B, Gate (door) 2.  Go to "Immigration - Division 1" just to the right as you walk in.
• Take a Thai with you, if possible. (But not necessary, since all of the people there speak English.)  I found the Thai's prefer to speak their own language, if given a choice.  More information is given if Thai is spoken.
• We arrived at 9 AM, left at 4:30 PM, an all day affair.  We probably should have arrived earlier.  We got # 41 at the first queue, and waited until 11:30 AM to be called by an IO.  My passport wasn't returned until 2 PM.  My wife struck up a conversation with an agent, who told us they're usually more efficient.  The agent said (later confirmed by an IO) that even with an agent, I still would have to show up for a photo.
• When I got the passport back, we immediately went back to the queue area to get another number for the Re-entry Permit.  We had number 232 this time, and they were working on number 180, but it went faster this time.  The same agent told us that we had to copy the new Extension of Stay in my passport, sign it,  and also and indicate on the TM8 form that I had permission to stay for another year.  We went to the lower level to get a copy made, just beyond the Food Court, for 2 B per page.  It's a huge place.
• I left the part blank on the TM8 about leaving and re-entering Thailand, since we weren't sure yet, but the IO filled it in without asking us anything.  Apparently something has to be there.
• When we came at 9:00 AM there were about 50 taxis in line for pickups, but when we left at 4:30 PM there wasn't one, although there was line of about 15 people.  After about 30 minutes we got one that just dropped somebody off, but had to pay double to get back to the Mo Chit BTS - (sigh)... it took us another 30 minutes to get out of the Government Complex in the taxi.

On 7/20/2017 at 8:34 AM, HampiK said:

I think if you have the money the 1 million 20 years is a good deal.

 

But I see 1 negative point. You still have a tourists visa and therefore your driver license will only be a 2 year instead of the 5 year with an O visa.

And I not sure if there are more small negative points, because of the tourist like visa instead of a O visa like.....

You cannot get an IDP (International Driver's Permit) with a 2 year Thai DL, only a 5 year DL.  Therefore if you need an IDP to accompany your Thai DL for international travel, you cannot get one with a Thailand Elite Visa.  At first I was told by National Car Rental that I needed an IDP with my Thai DL in order to rent a car from them in the US, but after I sent them a copy of my 2 year Thai DL, they told  me that I didn't need an IDP since the Thai DL was also in English, and they didn't have a problem because it was only a 2 year DL.  If you are able to maintain a DL in another country, you are also probably fine.  I cannot maintain a DL in the US because I have no residence there.  

From another forum: "Thai driver's license for drivng in USA?"  4/12/17

The problem is that the Thai DL office will not issue an IDP with the 2 yr "Temporary" Thai DL, only with the 5 yr Thai DL.  So the question of whether an IDP is needed becomes important if you only have the Thai 2 yr license, and cannot get an IDP in Thailand.  When I asked National Car Rental customer service about renting a car in the US, I was initially told that I needed a "Thai DL" and an IDP.  But after reading this forum, I asked again about the need for an IDP and sent them a copy of my 2 yr Thai DL.  The response I got this time, from the same person, was that since my Thai DL was written in both Thai and English, I did not need an IDP to accompany it.  Therefore, it seems that I can rent a car in the US with my 2 yr Thai DL from National Car Rental without an IDP.  The question of what each state requires, or the case of an accident with the rental car were not addressed.

On 1/18/2017 at 10:47 PM, Lovethailandelite said:

I believe TE maybe looking at the list of requirements which has no mention of a PE Visa and giving you best advice according to the information in front of them. Like the majority of things in Thailand, not everything is the way it seems. The only other thing I can think of, is that a US licence holder needs to work under is different set of rules much like you needing to get an affidavit of your licence when UK citizens don't need it.
I don't see much more available for a 'Long stay' visa than a PE. 

I received the following response from TE Visa:

"Greetings from Thailand Elite…
 
Regarding your enquiry about the info on International driving license application and Thai driving license renewal, please be advised that when we first established the company and introduced the visa, our visa’s purpose is for foreigners who want to visit Thailand often and want to enjoy their life in Thailand more and more.  Our Thailand Elite visa was then at the time categorized as a kind of tourist visa, but a very special stand-alone kind of one.  We have to admit that our previous early management did not foresee this point so that was why our visa is only applicable to renew for a two-year Thai driver’s license at a time.  We understand that it seems unreasonable when the visa is five years term but you can’t renew for a five years driving license. Moreover, please be noted that under Department of Land transport regulation a 5 year Thai driving license is required to use for applying IDP in Thailand."

So, it seems clear that I should not be able to renew my 2 year DL for a 5 year DL with a PE Visa in my passport, which does not qualify me for an IDP.  I suspect that as more Offices of Land Transportation become familiar with the PE Visa, getting a 5 year DL becomes a roll of the dice at best.  For those who can maintain a DL in their home country, a TE Visa may work, but not for me.

38 minutes ago, Lovethailandelite said:

As a UK  Citizen all that is needed is your licence, your Passport and visa, a copy of the front page of your chanote and 2 passport sized photos. The agent deals with the rest of it regarding a medical certificate and a Residence Permit. No need for an Embassy visit for us. They take you too the test center where you do the color blindness test, the side vision test and watch a video for an hour. You then get issued a 2 year temporary licence and they bring you home. That's it.
Somebody posted that you cannot get the 5 year Licence on a PE visa. That's not true. Any visa or extension that has an original issue date for a year or more is acceptable to get the 5 year licence once the first 2 year temporary licence is due for renewal. A PE visa is valid for 5 years so not an issue.

Hmmm... time to ask TE directly about the 5 year DL - I'll post the result here. 

It does seem that there were fewer hoops to jump through with an agent - maybe your situation had something to do with it.   Anyway, I may try an agent in 2 years when my renewal is due.

6 hours ago, Lovethailandelite said:

I have found it easier and cheaper to use an agent. 3000Bt and they will pick up your paperwork, do your pictures, go and collect everything that is needed. Next day send a car and take you to the test center where you watch a video, collect your licence and get dropped home.
How bad is that, no running around and an hour out of your day?

I've never used an agent.  It would seem that you still had to go to the US Embassy and get the affidavit, still had to go to a hospital or clinic and have a physical, still need to get the physical tests done at the DL center, still need to watch the video, still need to have copies of documents, (no pictures needed now though), etc.  At the time we went, there were no queues - it may save a little time going with someone who's been through it before, but I don't see how it could save much?

4 hours ago, anotheruser said:

 

Well if you pay 2,000 Baht you can bring a member of TE. I don't think that is too bad of a value.

Probably OK, if you have no one else who can read signs (they are all in Thai) and converse with staff.  I don't know if they can save you going through everything else.  I forgot to mention the "physical tests" including depth perception, color vision, and side vision.  Maybe they are just for communication and hand holding?  I don't know.  Everything was pretty efficient, including at the US Embassy and at Bumrungrad (I included an average of 20 min. travel time in my estimates above), but just to get everything done takes time.  It will pretty much blow a whole day.

BTW, the Office of Land Transportation (District 3) has moved - the US Embassy web site is out of date.  It's not on Soi 62 anymore, it's on the other side of Sukhumvit.  To get there, go to the Bang Chak BTS station, Exit 3.  The office is on the BTS map - it's right off Sukhumvit, but the sign is in Thai.  A motorcycle taxi will save you the long walk  in the sun down the driveway to the building.

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Has anyone been refused their extra guess through the Priority lane ?

 

I travel internationally 3-4 times per year with my Wife and Son and have never had an issue with this in the past, my Wife and son simply accompany me through the Priority lane without any issues from Thai Elite. I'm not sure if this has changed in the last couple of months.

Please see Post # 387 in this thread, and note that the "new" policy starts 1 Feb 2017.

9 hours ago, MartinBKK said:

A 2 year visa with Thailand Elite. That can't be true surely? Did you use the concierge service to obtain the license?

1 hour ago, Mover1 said:

 

I emailed TE about getting a Thai driving license after joining last month on the 5 year PE visa, and was told i can only get a 1 year driving license with the option to renew for another year when it expires. Not sure what happens after that, i guess you keep renewing every year..?

I'm not a member of Thailand Elite, but considering it  My Thai wife and I went to the Office of Land Transportation (District 3), which is one of the half dozen or so driving license offices in BKK.  My understanding is that everyone is issued a 2 year temporary DL at first, regardless of whether you are a TE member, and at the end of two years, you are then eligible to apply for the permanent 5 year DL.   The temporary DL used to be for 1 year, and many people do not know about the recent change to 2 years.  There are only 2 types of DL available to anyone, either a temporary 2 year DL or a permanent 5 year DL.  The problem is that you cannot get a 5 year DL with a TE Visa.  They require a "long stay" visa, and the TL Visa is a type of Tourist Visa.  Mover1 asked TE about this and they answered that he could only get another temporary DL, which unfortunately for me, does not allow an International Driving Permit.  Just FYI,  to obtain a temporary DL, I needed a medical certificate (1 hour at Bumrungrad, 650 B), an Affidavit of Residence from the US Embassy (1 hour, 1750 , Passport with long term visa and copies of both, valid State DL with copies of front and back, a 305 B fee for the Office of Land Transportation, and watch a safety video with English subtitles for an hour.  I assume a TE member would have to go through this procedure every 2 years to maintain a DL in Thailand, even if you used one of their support people.  The Office of Land Transportation is quite efficient, but it still takes about 2 hours to get a temporary DL.  I strongly recommend taking someone who speaks Thai fluently.