sqwakvfr

It's one thing to own and even carry a firearm (whether concealed or not). It is a totally different world when one actually uses a firearm in real life. Punching holes into paper targets at the range or shooting animals are things just about anyone can do but properly using a firearm while under stress? Many fail at that. Owned firearms for over 35 years and sold them when I came to live in Chiang Mai. I have never owned an AR-15 or an AK-47. I lived in urban areas my entire life and never saw a need for them. Also, I have never been a member of the NRA because I did not see a need to join. I don't buy the argument that putting some limits or even restrictions on certain types of firearms takes away anyone's 2nd Amendment Rights. On the other hand I once shot at an outdoor range just outside of Louisville, Kentucky where one can shoot any type firearm. I even saw guy who brought a flame thrower to this range. I saw plenty of automatic rifles and a few with crew served machine guns. I don't believe firearms restrictions will play with this crowd. Therefore I do not see any change to firearms laws in the United States anytime soon.

Wow, You know me so well, I believe it is spelled "aggrandizing". But you are the expert so I could be wrong. Also why would a monument to a dead or living person be related to this subject matter. I made a spelling error. I should have typed statute versus statue. For making this error I apologize to all who have been offended.

"Dryer-dried clothes"? Interesting phrase?

Ok. You got me. Spelling error. I did not realize you were the grammar and spelling enforcement officer on this forum?

Regulation or Federal Law? If it is Federal Law under what statue? So Embassy Notarizations are equivalent to a US State Commissioned Notarizations? Under what Regulation or Federal does this come under? I was at one time a California Commissioned Notary so I know a little something about Notarizing documents. A state commissioned notaries are required to be bonded. What would be the equivalent Federal Notary Commission? A notarized document and a sworn affidavit are two different things. The US Embassy in the past issued income Affidavits. In many cases Affidavits are as valuable as the paper it is written on.

You are correct. This is tribal land. AKA, can't sue them. This is a good thing.

As an American even my accountant can pull copies of my past income tax returns.because I gave him written authorization to do so because he has been submitting my US Federal Income Tax returns for years. He has an Internal Revenue Service account and can access the needed returns in minutes. If an old accountant can access this information then it’s a sad day when a large US Governmental agency cannot or will not do the same. I tend believe it is more “will not “ than “cannot”. Also, i am retired government employee and my pension board has a unit that verifies incomes from external inquiries. Oh well, “American Citizens Services” at the US Embassy. Just strike the word “services” to be accurate.

So the Norwegian Embassy accepts Tax documents to prove income. Last year a rep from the US Consulate in Chiang Mai was asked why the US Embassy will not provide income certificates the response was “there is no central database of incomes in the US like European countries”. Even then I called “BS”. The US Embassy/Consulate in Thailand is the most useless entity for Americans in Thailand. The useless people at the US Embassy do not realize the $$ making of potential of verifying and certifying incomes for Americans who file tax returns. Heck they could charge $100 for such a service. The US State Department is.a Bureaucracy. The only things that change in a bureaucracy are the names and faces. When Clown Ambassador Gödel is gone a new talking head will be appointed. As an American I can call any US government employee a Clown because I am exercising my 1st Amendment rights.

The perfect job for him would to become the new CEO/President/Top Dog of the Elite Visa company (don't know what the new name of this racket is? I think something like Privilege). Then he can schmooze with the wealthy foreigners' who want to invest and live in Thailand.

Even better. Time Served or Overcrowding in all jails. Also, no parole and no ankle monitor.

Has anyone in Chiang Mai with True Mobile had problems with Data Speeds? I have had True Mobile for the last 7 years and in the past they have been very reliable. I have a 5G phone and at times I was getting speeds of 250 Mbps. For the last 3 days Data speeds have ranged from 0.15 to 3 mbps. This slowdown usually lasts 3 to 5 hours. I called True Customer Support (not so supportive) several times. At first I was told "engineers are working on it" and then I was told to restart my phone. I have restarted my phone 10 times in the last three days. Today i went to the True Store at Maya Mall and the very professional store manager said a cable was cut two days ago and this caused problems with Data service. He was the only True employee that has actually been helpful. Currently I am still getting 1 to 3 mbps. It would not be a big deal but I am paying 1176 Baht for unlimited high speed data and "5G speeds when available. As a gesture of 'kindness" True Customer Support offered me a 20% discount if I sign a 6 month contract. Wow, I would never sign another contract with True. I have been on a month to month for 4 years. I regret not switching to either AIS or Dtac in the past. At this point with only a few months left on my Ext of Stay it doesn't make much sense to sign a contract with another company. I checked and it appears the data speeds are only slow in my immediate neighborhood. I live within walking distance of Ram hospital.

Yes. Former Thailand YouTube blogger JohnnyFD has been in and out Ukraine for the last year. It looks like one has to fly to Poland and then take a train to Lyiv or even Kyiv.

“One of the cheapest countries to get insured” I wonder why? Insurance (I mean all kinds anywhere in the world is like gambling). One never knows until a claim is filed. All insurance policies have two major sections: 1) Perils, what is covered 2) Exclusions, what is not covered. Guess what section is bigger? That’s right, part 2. If a Thai Health Insurance company denies a claim does any think you can appeal or even file a civil lawsuit? I have had Thai Health Insurance for 7 consecutive years and have never filed a claim. The last four years the policy that i have had was to comply with the Non OA Visa requirements.

Is the “Limo” actually a van? I know someone on an Elite and he called for the “Limo” at BKK and a dude picked him up in a van. Or is it just TIT?

I am over 50, retired and old. The two great things about being an old man are: 1) I don’t need anyone’s approval anymore 2) I never have to get anyone to like me again.

I'm going to Los Angeles next week. I buy a USA data roaming package from True. 15 days and 10GB for 899. If this not enough then I just buy a prepaid SIM card at Wal Mart, Target or T-Mobile

Same here. When I first read that new package (not really) would range from 900K to 5 Million I believed it Others said "just a rumor". Sometimes rumors are true.

The new package and prices were announced. The rumored price hikes were all true. 20 year is now 5 Mill and the 5 year is now 900K. Elite might need more Russian and Mandarin speakers and fewer English speakers. 50% increase in prices for what???

But what about the 16 page visa application?

This is how Park Rangers dealt with Climate Protesters in Nevada.

I have done both. I used my Visa the last time because I did not want o bring 40,000 Baht in cash to the hospital. I could not find an ATM inside of CM Ram hospital. If the bill was expected to be around 10K then I would pay cash.

Sorry here is the location and time: August 29, 2023 Townhall Registration The U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai invites U.S. citizens to attend a townhall meeting with the U.S. Ambassador on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 from 14:00 p.m. - 15:00 p.m. Topics will include the U.S. Embassy and Consulate General Thailand Mission Priorities and updates about consular services for U.S. citizens in northern Thailand. The townhall will be at Science and Technology Park, Chiang Mai University : CMU-STeP. Floor 2 (A Building) Northern Science Park : NSP 155 T. Mae Hia A. Mueang, Chiang Mai 50100 Click this link for the google map location: https://goo.gl/maps/kU9og6fFqy6LQqiC9 We encourage U.S. citizens in Chiang Mai and the districts nearby to attend. Please answer the questions below to confirm your registration. If you have any questions about the event, please email [email protected].

Mine said a follow up email will notify me of the location of the event. Thanks from Capt Obvious. I registered on Aug 18 and so far no reply from the consulate. Ok I registered again and now the registration form has the location of the event on top of the form. When I registered on Aug 23 the location was not on top of the of form and it indicated the location had not be determined yet. Or I just missed it. You are right it is rather out of the way.

I never got a email reply about he location of this event? It is suppose to be tomorrow.

1. Japs? What are we in 1943? 2. This might be a mistake by ANA. A week in Japan(especially in the major cities) is comparable to three weeks in BKK. The cost differential between visiting LOS and the Land of the Rising Sun is huge. The longest I have stayed in Japan was 4 days and it was expensive just for a decent hotel and food. A Taxi ride from NRT to central Tokyo was almost $80 dollars., I had a large suitcase and just did not feel like taking the train/metro. Doubt I will go back to Japan but if I did I would take the train from the airport. Of course now Haneda is the preferred airport which is closer to the city.