
sqwakvfr
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Everything posted by sqwakvfr
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Is Starbucks the rightful King of the Coffee Universe?
sqwakvfr replied to LaosLover's topic in ASEAN NOW Community Pub
SBUX success is due to: Branding. It is a cool and hip place to be seen. SBUX knew about the power of Social Media posts way before it became an important thing for young people. Also, most SBUX locations invite people to stay awhile and pull out your laptop. In Los Angeles I saw many actors and wannabee actors, screenwriters spend countless hours "working" in a SBUX after buying a cup of coffee. This was in the 1980's and 1990's. SBUX in essence was the first Co Working space. A lot of the credit for SBUX success can be attributed to Howard Schultz. -
i believe your mixing the 90 Day report with the annual exit the country and enter requirement? If one does not leave the country in the past year an extension can be obtained at immigration for 1900 Baht. Also, how does Elite define lifetime? So if a 21 year old buys a lifetime membership and he or she lives to be 100 then this fine with Elite?
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Did BKK-NRT-LAX and LAX-HND-BKK Jan to Feb on ANA. No one asked to see my VAX certificate. No Covid test was required. Only thing was ANA required everyone to wear a mask. Check with your airline and see what they have to stay first.
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The 5 ‘Fs’ of Soft Power touted by Tourism Minister
sqwakvfr replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
Just because “soft power” worked for S. Korea does not mean “lightning will strike twice”. We all know about K-POP(never understood why it is so popular), Korean Movies and TV shows but let’s not forget about Hyundai, Kia or Samsung. One can even add Korean Airlines to the mix of Korean Soft P:owner. S. Korea’s global reach actually started in the 1960’s when thousands of Korean workers went overseas in large numbers. Korean Nurses went to Germany in the 1960’s, Korean workers have been in out of the Middle East for decades. I just don’t think the Thai version of Soft Power will have a large impact. -
Are you sure? I think it is still open.
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I got mine in January at the Central Festival office. In at 1115 and out at 1145.
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Will Thailand’s Long Term Resident Visa work for you?
sqwakvfr replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
Wow. Thanks for letting me. I never thought a governmental agency in Thailand would accept a letter from Pers. OF course the US Embassy and Consulate will not. That fact is amazing. -
Will Thailand’s Long Term Resident Visa work for you?
sqwakvfr replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
Las Vegas, San Antonio, Manila. My pension is from the California Pubic Employees Retirement Fund based out of Sacramento. This agency has a unit just dedicated to verify retiree pensions and amounts. So far I have discovered that only the Thai Embassy in DC and the consulate in Los Angeles will accept this kind of proof. -
Will Thailand’s Long Term Resident Visa work for you?
sqwakvfr replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
I stand corrected, This is the complete list of requirements. I make almost $70,000 and looked into it and this where i got the $250K from. The chances of me investing $250,000 in Thailand are about zero. For High-income Foreign Retirees: Must present a health insurance policy covering medical expenses in Thailand no less than USD 50,000. The remaining coverage period shall not be less than 10 months on the date of the application, OR provide evidence of savings of at least USD 100,000 held in a Thai or overseas bank account for no less than 12 months before the date of application. High earners must have proof of personal income of at least USD 80,000 annually at the time of application In case of having personal income only between USD 40,000 to USD 80,000/ year, the applicant must invest at least USD 250,000 in Thai government bonds, foreign direct invest or Thai property -
Will Thailand’s Long Term Resident Visa work for you?
sqwakvfr replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
No. This scheme ("Wealthy Pensioner") requires at least $80,000 income per year and I believe at least $250,000 in liquid assets. If I made $80,000 in my pension Thailand would never be on my radar. The other requirement is health insurance. For my future visa possibilities the 5 year Elite Visa at 600,000 Baht($17,000+) seems like a more clear and minimal BS route. It is a lot of money but the application process for the Elite seems like less of a hassle and less BS. -
My barber told me it starts on April 9 and ends on 16th?
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I have discovered both Food Panda and even Grab can be, how shall I say it, "fickle" at times. Depending on the weather, time of day, paying with cash or bank card i have gotten the "no drivers available". AKA = no drivers want to pick my order. Give Grab Food Delivery or even Line now delivers food. TIT and at least Thai driver don't demand certain amount for tips like some food delivery drivers in the US.
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What VPN provider do you use and why do you like it?
sqwakvfr replied to CALSinCM's topic in IT and Computers
I tried Express and Nord both. Then I realized my anti-virus program (Norton) came with a VPN. For the last year I have been using the Norton anti-virus VPN and it works just fine. Express VPN claims one can get access to Netflix programs that are only available only in certain countries. Well Netflix can now detect a VPN and blocked my attempts to access the US Netflix Library. -
Re entry permit over the weekend
sqwakvfr replied to jwest10's topic in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits
I left out of BKK in late January. My flight on ANA was at 0710. I got to the check in desk at 0420. I completed check in at 0600. Got through immigration and security at 0625. Got to the departure gate by 0640. Boarding had already started. Did not have time to stop for coffee or anything else. I got my re-entry at immigration two weeks before. Just in case I would be at the airport really, really early. It seems like international check-in at BKK was moving at a snails pace at that time. Don't know if it has gotten any better? -
Yes. Most of the Thai reps speak English fairly well and the last time I think the person was Filipino (he had that unique accent and said his name was Guy).
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At least have your blood pressure checked.
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I believe you might be taking some bits and pieces out of context. Of course this could be a problem of translating Thai to English as well. For instance consider the Combo Method to financial qualify (money in the bank + monthly income). Then terms like "minimum balance and monthly income could be relevant.". But I could be wrong because TIT and possibly this could be sometihng new?
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Does AIS sell voice only packages? You might want to double check you package and see if have access to data? My first package with True was a pay as you go with low limits on voice, data and text? If you all want is to use a bank app a very low limit data plan might do ( I mean like 5GB a month?).
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Have you ever gone more than 48 hours without sleep?
sqwakvfr replied to Tayida's topic in Health and Medicine
36 hours is most for me while in the Army. 24 hours lately when I made the mistake of connecting in Singapore and the pay loung was overcrowded and too noisy to sleep. Truly doubt anyone can not sleep for 48 hours straight. Most of us will doze off or as they call in LOS: Microsleep. For me after about 20-24 hours straight I fall into the microsleep state. The energy drinks and coffee usually little effect after so many cups. Good luck on your marathon. -
I thought healthcare in Thailand was supposed to be cheap?
sqwakvfr replied to Startmeup's topic in Health and Medicine
From my experience every medical and dental service I have had in Chiang Mai has been substantially cheaper than back in the US. 1. Dental Implants and Crowns (55,000 Baht or $1590). I once paid almost $8,000 for the same. 2. Endoscopy with pathology(17,000 Baht or $488). I paid almost $3000 for the same. 3. Endoscopy with Colonoscopy (39,000 Baht or $1,120). I was quoted almost $7,000 for the same. 4. Full lIpid panel blood test with glucose level (1200 Baht or $35). I once paid $100 for the same. *The US prices were with medical insurance but i always had high deductibles to get the lowest premium. All these services were completed at Chiang Mai Ram. My belief is everyone will have a different experience. So far I have had one negative experience at Ram when I had a cyst removed from my back.