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Strange that most of the countries that offer 90 day visa free entry seem to stay the course while LOS flip flops from 30 to 60 then 30 and "ah never mind back to 60 until the next flip flop". Perception when it comes to planning for international travel is important. I wonder what travelers will think after hearing about this flip, flop? Obviously this will not affect those who are only planning for 30 days or less but those who want to stay longer it will. Does LOS not want long stay tourists?

I knew some girls who were like this: "I love you, I hate you, I can't live without you". Next day same, same. Ah, making decision after a thorough review, analysis and consulting all relevant parties is normally the best course of action. Of course after making a decision it is best to stick with it.

Americans could not afford vacations long before Donald Trump 1.0 or 2.0. Many simply "charge it". Just look at the amount of credit card and personal loan debt that Americans currently hold. CNBC estimates American credit debt exceeds 1.21 Trillion debt and growing.

I thought Bhutan was the happiest country? Of coures the question is "where the heck is Bhutan anyway?"

"I am inevitable", Thanos. I think this is the beginning of what is inevitable. US entitlement programs(SSA, SSDI and even Medicare) at current rates of paying out are not sustainable. Eventually the music stops and reality strikes many of us straight in the face. I am almost 62 and recently applied for SS. I do not expect anything. I expect the process to be long and difficult. I planned and sacrificed in my 30's, 40's and 50's to ensure financialy sustainability in my old age without SS. If the money comes in then great. If the money does not come in then too bad and life goes on. Recently I saw Bernie Sanders repeat the same line "the richest nation in the world should offer free health care". Memo to Bernie and AOC: The US is no longer a rich nation. If just has some who are rich and this does not mean the nation itself is rich. The US is a debtor nation(36 Trillion and counting, 1 trillion in debt interest payments and budget deficits just about evey year). The Federal Government is not alone in fiscal problems because the largest state (CA) has a 40+ billion budget defict and Los Angeles has a 1 billion budget deficit and is planning on layoffs, I can't remember when was the last time LA was planning on layoffs. Also, several smaller cities in CA are pretty much in the same fiscal position as LA is. This was all inevitable and Trump along with the Tesla guy are just accelerating what has been inevitable for a very long time. The difference now is Trump and the Tesla guy are the bad guys and people have a target to vent their anger at.

How many countries afford Due Process to anyone who has entered or continues stay in any country illegally? Does Thailand give an overstayer or someone who has entered illegally due process and long lasting legal hearings to ensure due process? Also, I wonder how many American Citizens were part of this group that was sent to El Salvador?

Aren't most economy seats about 18 inches (46 Cm) wide? This would be tight fit for many foreigners in LOS.

Thailand is literally between a rock and a hard place. China is close and DC is so far away what could they do? Actually defy what Beijing tells them to do? I think not. What actual influence does DC have now? Cobra Gold looks like a military show and tell along with a picnic with Thai food. Next time Beijing tells Bangkok to jump the only response I see "how high".

Oh no. I just walked by there yesterday and the only thing that could offer a glimmer of hope is to build a casino complex where KSK and the Lotus Hotel used to stand. That propery has stood vaacnt now coming on 3 years and I really do not see anything else to build except for something like this. The property would sell for a steep discount as well.

Oh joy exactly where in Chiang Mai could a casino/hotel complex be built? Maybe near the airport? Guests can get off the plane and go straight to the tables. I can see traffic from mainland China pickup when and if this happens. Casino's can bring economic gains but a lot of bad things come with that. Las Vegas is a facade in many ways. Once you get off the stip the realities of life hit you in the face. Lot of people who have lost a lot end up being homeless. At least in the US the Native American tribes build their casno/hotel complexes on their lands which is a good distance from major cities.

Exactly for this couple "they could not afford to leave". Way too much invested. The only I would consider such a large investment would be if I obtained Permanent Residence.

Well said. To this day most Federal agencies rarely communicate with each other. In my past life I saw the worst example of this between State and Defense in A-stan. It was almost like they were enemies and at times sabotaging each other. For instance a DOD security clearance is not accepted by the State Department and vice versa. The Federal Government is the ultimate definition of bureaucracy(inherently inefficient and doubt even the Tesla can make major changes except to fire people).

1) i am a naturalized citizen. So I made an appointment to get a certified copy of my passport at the CNX consulate. 2) I doubt SSA can access State Department records. I recall back in 2018 when the US Consulate in CNX stated they could not even verify American's SSA payments for the Income Affidavit. What I know about the Federal Government based upon prior work experience is the agencies do not share information with each other. This was one fo the failures of 9-11. I doubt much has changed in DC.

I checked on ssa.gov and now it indicates a representative in Manila is reviewing my application. I guess this means I should get a certified copy of my passport from the CNX consulate?

All of my issues here in LOS have been minor (been lucky so far) but I have learned the best response is to "bite my lip" and maintian a neutral demenaor or a phony smile(which I have never been able to do). I have not invested much into this country because early on in my time( I have been here full time 8 years) that this country is just not worth it. Renting has been the best course for me and most importantly I have never gotten attached to a local woman. I maintain a "bug out" bag and can leave for good on short notice. Not a single local person would miss me for a second. This feeling is mutual. My time here has been a mixed bag of good and bad but probably was not meant to last a lifetime. Others will feel differently. I just try and get along with the locals and avoid confrontations as much as I can.

So I guess as a foreigners in the Land of Smiles the safe route is 1) Don't buy a house or condo 2) Don't buy a car 3) Just rent everytihng 3) Don't get into confrontations wtih the locals 4) Be prepared to permanently leave on short notice. 5) It just seems like being right is irrelavant if the other party is a local. It appears it is mostly "a no win scenario" for us foreigners? It's gotten to the point that most of my contact with the locals is brief and to the point(like long enough to complete a purchase of a product or service). i have learned to pick my battles carefully when it comes to the locals. Often i have just paid, walked out and never return. This is a sad way to be but I have decided to pay defense and play the "long game". For me maybe the end of the road is closer than I had planned for? I feel awful for his elderly couple who should not have to face this kind of battle at their age.

Sounds like S. Korea about 50 years ago. Teachers were like God. Teachers were never wrong and asking questions by a student was a form of disrespect. No actual learning was accomplished. Instead just memorizing what was presented in class and then passed onto the the next grade. In essence producing a generation of human drones who neeced to be steered. Eventually Thailand will realize this as well and changes will happen slowly.

Thai Address and Thai phone #.

I believe this would be an interesting topic to hear from members who have requested US Governmet services after Jan 20. Last week I submitted an online application for social security retirement because I will be 62 in three months. The process was simple and I got an automated reply informing me that an SSA employee will review my application in Baltimore MD. As far as I know DOGE has not fired SSA employees (at least not yet). This summer I plan on renewing my passport through the Bangkok Embassy. In the past members have reported they have recieved their new passports in under 30 days. I wonder if the passport renewal process will still be prompt and efficient? I read an article in the NY Times that the State Department's budget will be cut and a list of consulates in western Euriope are slated fo be closed. Indo-Pacific might not be affected because of China. But I could be wrong. I will update my expereince with SSA and the passport renewal.

I applied through ssa.gov/apply ast week. I am in CNX. Got an automated reply that an employee in Baltimore MD will review my application. So far I have not been asked to provide anything. I am wondering if the pace of the application process will be impacted by the DOGE and Musk?

Thanks for the detailed explanation of the process. Let's see what happens next.

I submitted my online application last week. I have been in Chiang Mai for the last 7 years. Got an email response that my application will be reviewed by an employee in Baltimore MD. I thought overseass applications from Asia go through Manila? I'm wondering how this process will be like. My application is a straighforward retirement application based upon turing 62 in a three months.

Bob, similar experience that most services like Zoom are for business and not for the individual person who needs to make calls to customer service in his or her home country. I only use Skype to call the US for banking and latley CA DMV. I don't need to make video calls or even have group chats or online meetings. I have been lookiing for a simple VOIP service for one person to conduct business with companies and governmental agencies in the US. So far I have failed. I also would like to maintian my US based phone number that I have had with Skype for many years. I have discovered porting or transftering my Skype to other services could cost as much as $20.

It looks like Trump is going to turn the US into a nation that isolates itself from the world. He is gutting as much forieign aid as he can. Cuts to the US Embassies and consualtes are probably next. Could overseas Social Security support units be next? I am almost 62 and plan on applying for SSA next month from LOS. I wonder what the experience will be like? From my perspective it looks like Trump and Musk (at least on the surface) are cutting to address the US National Debt(36 Trillion and 1 Trillion in interest). This is not sustainable. "spend more and borrow more"? On the otherhand like overstretched consumers who make minimum debt payments "it's all good until next month". This is the proverbial "kick the can down the road". We Americans are coming to the end of the road. Something had to be done but is the way Musk and Trump cutting the best way?

Just got locked out of Microsoft Teams. The message said i was logging in from an unrecognized place? I am currrently intrainst at ICN aiport. So I guess they were correct. Now the fun starts because I had to answer a series of specific questions to get back in. Apparently my answers were not to their liking and now they will get back to me in 24 hours. This could be a problem with Microsoft because they have very strict security protocols. I guess this is a good thing but now I am looking at other options to replace Skype. For me the biggest advantage of Skype was having a "local" US number. I am just looking for a simple VOIP based calling service with a US based number that allows international calls and SMS. Many other options are geared for businesses.