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sqwakvfr

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Everything posted by sqwakvfr

  1. I am starting to believe my American Bank(USAA FSB) does not want to deal with me because I live in LOS. Two past incidents make me believe this. I have been with USAA FSB over 30 years and just in the last two years I have encountered issue after issue. Here are two of the most recent examples. 1. If I want to make an International transfer out of my US checking account to my Thai Bank account I have to first call and advise of my intent make the transfer. This is something that was started about a year ago. Also, the cost to a make single international transfer is now $45. My US based pension can only be direct deposited into a American Bank account and effectively the Income Transfer method is not not possible for me. 2. 5 years ago I got a replacement credit card sent to me in Chiang Mai through Fed Ex. I got the card in 4 business days from Texas. Well the same card is due to expire in December 2022 and I called the Bank Credit Card department for the replacement. The process was similar as before and I was charged the Fed Ex and was told I would get the tracking number in a matter of hours and the card would be delivered in 4 days. None of this happened. Instead the replacement card was sent to me from Texas through unregistered US Mail. Of course I never got the card. So far I have called the bank 10 times in 10 days to get the replacement sent to me through Fed Ex. As of today no one at the bank can confirm the following: 1) Was the card sent? 2) Where is the Tracking # 3) When will the card arrive? The thing that really stood out was when one of the managers said “ well sir you live overseas and it will not be easy”. I think that last statement is very telling Have any other forum members who live in Thailand with US Bank accounts feel the same way>
  2. Maybe that is one of the reasons? If it is held in Washington DC then many of the protesters won’t be able to afford to make the trip.
  3. The US is holding an APEC summit? In Hawaii? Seems a long way for most of the members to go.
  4. If you look at the video it looks like the driver veered into the running formation at the last second. Not much anyone can do except to veer away. But running in a formation means less individual response time. I was in the same type of running formation at the same location 34 years ago. Hope all make speedy recoveries.
  5. After 7 years of living here and 20 years of visiting I have learned one very important thing: Do not give advice to or disagree with a Thai person if you are a foreigner. In essence smile, keep my mouth closed, pay and of course tip generously. In 50 years Thailand will have new, shiny new buildings, high speed rail, electric vehicles but unfortunately the same mindset. I also read today that the US will help build a nuclear reactor in Thailand. I am not sure if this is a good idea.
  6. For Ram I saw the Gastroenterologist on Wednesday morning and had both the Endoscopy and Colonoscopy done on Friday morning. Based upon age and health getting them done in a timely manner could be critical. Just my thoughts based upon my experience. 36,000 Baht is a lot of money but back in the US I paid $3000 for a colonoscopy with health insurance over 10 years ago. One of the things I do not complain about is the price of health care in Thailand.
  7. Had the Combo package at Ram last year(Endoscopy and Colonsocopy). Total cost was 36,000 Baht. I have been seeing Dr. Ssombat for a few years because of a bad H. Pylori infection many years ago resulted in gastritis. My condition flares up from time to time. This was my second Colonoscopy in the last 10 years. The prep was as before. Take a combination of strong laxative starting in the early afternoon of the day before. No eating except for water 12 hours before the procedure. Show up in the morning, change, check vitals, sedation, procedure, recovery and leave. Came back a week later for the lab results. In my case a small begin polyp was discovered. I will have another combo package in 5 years unless I develop symptoms. I believe the Colonoscopy alone would have been around 25,000? I am not exactly sure because the prices of some service were discounted due to the pandemic. I suspected if could be higher now because the country is now fully open.
  8. He effectively closed the Georgia Senator Election. Warnock will prevail. Dr. Oz and Kari Lake were endorsed by Donald Trump. Oz lost to guy recovering from a stroke and Lake lost to a candidate that would not debate her and did a disappearing act. His time is over.
  9. NATO = NO ACTION TALK ONLY. When I was in the Army many years ago an old NCO told me this what NATO really stands for.
  10. I have had 3 implants done at Dental4U. No complaints. It’s not just the implant that one has to factor in: 1. Tooth Extraction(if required) 2. Bone Graf(if necessary) 3. The Actual Implant 4. The Crown after the implant has fused with the bone(This could take 2 months). Also, a 3D X-ray maybe needed to check on the implant. You can go Cheap, Medium or Expensive on the crowns. The most expensive crowns are Zirconia. Porcelain crowns are relatively cheap. Total cost for each implant+crown was around 50,,000 to 55,000. The Implants were Titanium Osstem from S. Korea.
  11. My experience has been most Thai's don't want Foreigners to assimilate into their communities or culture. From my perspective most Thai's want some distance from Foreigners. No problem if I go into a store, restaurants or any other business in Thailand. When I first arrived to live here I got some odd stares when I got into line at a mostly locals food stand. I got the feeling of "you don't belong here" I could have been wrong? I am respectful to the people and culture of Thailand but I know where i should or should not go. Of course this is strictly based upon my experience of being here for the last 7 years. Others will have different thoughts.
  12. I bought an Ice Gel Pack from a Critus Pharmacy in Chiang Mai. It was 190 Baht. Some hospital pharmacies might have them in stock but of course you pay much more. Many years ago Chiang Mai Ram charged me 700 Baht for the same Ice Gel Pack.
  13. “I hate Trump”? So you know me and my political viewpoints? I do not know who or what you are. Nor do I care to know.
  14. I’m not confused. Brett Baer is not Hannity or Carlson or Ingraham or the three clowns in the morning show. Based upon this comparison he is honest and objective.
  15. What does the Sister In Law look like? I have lived in Chiang Mai for years. A really comfortable lifestyle in my view has been a round 40,000 Baht per month. I can pretty much do what I want, eat and drink where I want and can tip generously for good service. If I am here next year plan on moving into a condo that has a swimming pool, gym and sauna. This will add additional 10,000 to my monthly expenses.
  16. Brett Baer is about the only objective and honest person on at Fox News. Many will not know this name but I really miss Charles Krauthammer. For 2024 I see DeSantis and possibly a Tim Scott or even a Niki Haley on the ticket. I think the Trump Train has run out of steam. Dr. Oz couldn’t even beat an obviously impaired guy with a bad goatee who was wearing a hoodie. The person who gave Dr. Oz his show, Oprah, endorsed Fetterman. Trump endorsed Oz.
  17. Some of the hotels in Chiang Mai are going for $20 a night. I am not in the hotel industry and will never become a billionaire and even I can say: This is a stupid idea.
  18. I was there Saturday. Salmon BBQ with baked potato, corn and a salad for 149 Baht. The food was very good and girls were great as always(Jaa, Air and Remy).
  19. Did not need one before the pandemic. I found Malaysians and Kuala Lumpur fascinating. Most were friendly I was never asked "Where you come from?". It is almost felt like Singapore but a little behind. It had all the things Singapore has but in a different way(Malls, bars and one can buy alcohol 24 hours a day). All the Malaysians I had contact with spoke fluent English. I would go back but this year I am going back to Singapore(yes it is going to be expensive).
  20. No it does not mean that. The Translation is probably incorrect. I believe it means No Visa or no renewal. This is the accurate bullet point for section 5.3: 6.3 In the event that the insurance company refuses to purchase all or part of the health insuranceMust have a deposit balance in a commercial bank account located in Thailand for not less than 3,000,000 bahtbefore applying for at least 2 months or have a deposit in a commercial bank account located in Thailandand other health insurance limits are not calculated together. Less than 3,000,000 baht for medical treatmentThere must be proof of refusal to purchase health insurance certified by the insurance company.or certified by a foreign embassy in Thailand or certifying the signature of the person authorizedto sign the documents presented (Notary) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the applicant, as the case may be. So if you cannnot or will not purchase the OA Visa health insurance then one has to put 3 Million Baht in the bank. Good luck. Either way it is not a great choice.
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