seeker108

When I was moving in I contacted a couple of agents and they had some nice properties, but usually expensive. What worked for me was taking something temporary for a month and then my Thai assistant asking around and keeping her eyes open. Right in the area you are talking about (Mae Rim with good access to canal Rd, Mae Jo, etc.) she found for me a nice 2 bedroom 2 bath townhouse in a nice Thai neighborhood for Baht 1,000 a month (yes, only 3 0s there). Then by word of mouth we found a nice small house with a bit of garden nearby for same price and we were not even looking. Of course you can spend more and get something bigger with more property, but in the area you are talking about you can find some real bargains especially if you do not need to be in an enclosed development.

You might consider immediately putting an ad in the various papers and online sites to try to hire someone as a part time assistant and they can look for you and do other things locally that you might want done before you even get to town. Maybe someone else here can suggest some of the best current places to run classifieds for this sort of thing.

The best bargains will not be known by rental agents and certainly not handled by them and most likely will not be advertised even in free clasifieds (though sometimes when someone is moving out of a good situation they might put in some quick free announcements (I did), so check all of the online ads). Agents however might be of some more help when looking to buy something as opposed to renting.

Email or PM me and when I get off the road and back home in a couple of days I can try to dig up the number of a gal who could maybe help or refer you to someone else if she is too busy (if the number I have for her is current).

Happy hunting!

Have you looked at the classifieds of the Phuket Gazette (www.phuketgazette.net)? There are usually lots of houses etc listed in there

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Thanks Slackula,

I had forgotten about the Gazette, but four years ago and it seems now also the Gazette classifieds is not much help for what I am looking for. Word-of-mouth and referral is what found the nice tiny home last time (though I ended up moving to Chiang Mai instead).

Anyway I am still leaning toward a more secluded island experience. Anyone know anything about the Racha or Similan islands?

There is another one which sounds slightly more interesting in Chiang Mai, which we might try to investigate further.

           

Which place in CM? I know many of them and actually managed one of them for a brief time.

Anyway, I still think, if you really want to help the ol' M-I-L to improve her health and not just give her a short pampered vacation then you will do better to hire (even part-time) a good trainer or nurse (who will ride her constantly)and have her regularly see some good health practioner to guide the process (I am about to do a similar process for myself). The cost of this for a year should be much cheaper than a couple of weeks at one of these resorts. Of course, in either case, a lot will depend on how committed your MIL is to the process and to getting results.

I have seen many of these resorts in both Thailand and India and most are just resorts for pampering without much true healthcare. I know of some very good Ayur Vedic clinics and doctors in India, but have not yet found anything great in Thailand (though it is my hope that Thailand will one day be a center for this). There were some clinics starting in Chiang Mai 2 years ago, but not sure what the current status is or how good they are. Unfortunately I know nothing about the area where your MIL is located.

I think this is very good of you and your wife to try to help her mom. I hope mom gets behind the idea as well. Good luck.

i think the duty on Japanese cars above 3,000 cc are going to be cut from 80% to 60%, and over something like 4 or 5 years. its not going from 80% to 0% like you say.

interesting to note also that the duty used to be 60% in pre-crisis days, the govt raised it to 80% during the crisis to discourage excessive import spending. now that the crisis is over, i wonder why they haven't reverted to the old rate. it would certainly give a boost to the car industry.

Is this only on new or used also? And with used cars does anyone know how they figure what price to put the tax on?

Hi Seonai,

I might be interested in something like this. Email or PM me with details. I am looking for a quiet and inexpensive place to meditate and do yoga but especially get some good exercise. Is there any kind of surf on your island? I might prefer my own home rather than a touristy place, but price would be a determining factor. I might stay as long as 2 months. If it is what I am looking for I might also come and bring others from time to time

Thanks

Seeker

Thanks Khall,

do u have contact info for this?

I am still hoping for something less touristy like a private home or bungalow, but like u say this may be a good starting possibility. I wonder what prices are like there now. I remember 4 years ago finally finding a small, but nice and new, off the beaten path, studio bungalow (5 min bike ride from Nai Harn beach) that would have cost Baht 4,000 monthly.

Thanks again.

Hi all,

I am loking for suggestions on where might be the best place to spend a couple of recuperative months just focusing on getting a lot of good swimming exercise and eating fresh veggies.

In Thailand I have mostly lived in CNX (and BKK to some extent). Four years ago I stayed on Phuket for a couple of months, mainly with friends and I really enjoyed Nai Harn beach. I grew up near the ocean on the east coast of USA and have always been an ocean enthusiast.

I have never been to Ko Racha Noi or Ko Racha Yai and know almost nothing about them, but was thinking that perhaps there or the Similan Island group or maybe even Ko Surin might be good (just based on location). Does anyone know anything about any of these islands (especially what they might be like since Dec. 26).

I guess I need to know if a decent bungalow or hut might be obtainable for a reasonable long-term price. I could bring in much of my own supplies and cook, or hire one there, and would also be hoping for local produce. Is Racha Noi even inhabited? Does anyone know what would be the most economical way to get to the ko Racha islands?

I am not looking for night life or a touristy experience. Just a place to exercise in the surf, relax and eat healthy as part of losing weight and ridding myself of diabetes.

I might even spend more time on Phuket if anyone knows of a small and reasonable place (Maybe near Nai Harn beach, or some other non night-life area) available for a couple of months

I would appreciate any info or suggestions.

Thanks

Seeker

Thanks for the wave totster!

Hi

Are there any surf in or near Krabi???

Cheers!

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Talay, why don't you come down to Phuket? Surf's up here!

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I stayed with friends on Phuket for 2 months about 4 years back. Surf was ok at Nai Harn but that was about the best I found. Is there anything better, say at Ko Racha Nai or Ko Racha Yai? Or maybe the Similan Islands? And how about accommodations at these places? I am looking to maybe stay comfortably for a couple of months before heading back up to Chiang Mai.

Anyone know about any of these places, especially since the tsunami?

My mother-in-law is a wonderful person, but she is short and fat, with arthritic knees, high cholestrol and high blood pressure.  She eats all the wrong things, and too much of them, and takes absolutely zero exercise.

  Since we have been married my wife has become a bit of an exercise freak, and we would love to do something to get Mummy into shape.

  Is there somewhere she could go for a two week programme to get her onto the right track of eating and exercising properly?  I have contacted Bumrungrad to get a quote, but it occurs to me that there might be somewhere else, like a health resort.

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A few questions:

Is your mother-in-law Thai or farang?

Where does she live?

Where do you live?

One thing I am thinking is that it might be both less costly and more effective to hire a personal trainer for 2 weeks or longer.

get some porridge and apricots

Bummer is, these are both foods very high in carbs.... Meats and vegetables, for the most part, are no problem for most diabetics, but each person can react differently to various foods.

The Atkins diet, focusing on lowering carbs, is quite popular with many diabetics in the west... It's extremely high in fats, though.

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This may be my first post of many in this thread. I discovered that I had what is called Type II diabetes almost 5 years ago. Also known as adult onset diabetes among other names.

In this first post I mainly want to say beware of the Atkins diet. This was the first thing recommended to me by a friend 5 years back. Simply put, within days it came within a hairsbreadth of killing me and disrupted my life for years while I dealt with its effects. All of my organs knotted up and heart attack hormones shot through the roof. The only reason I did not have a major heart attack (accoirding to the docs who put me through many tests) was that I had completely clean arteries and the heart of someone at least 30 years younger.

Whereas before the few days of that diet I had no numbness in extremities I immediately developed this severly and still have some. Also I immediately developed all of the symptoms of Alzheimer's and could hardly think a clear thought for weeks. It took 2 months of serious ayurvedic herbal purification before I could again even drive a car. Five years later I am still dealing with the residual effects of 3 or 4 days of this diet.

I recently had a chance to converse with an MD who has some awareness of natural healing methods and diets. She said absolutely no one with diabetes should use the Atkins diet (something to do with the sudden drop in bs levels and the complete change to a different type of metabolic functioning, as I recall).

The Atkins diet may be alright for some people, maybe even those with early stages of diabetes, however based on my personal experience of instant reaction to this diet and on hearing reports of heart attack deaths from this diet from doctors I know and trust I do not recommend that anyone try this diet, especially not diabetics. Anyway, of all the people I know who have done this diet I only know of one (my uncle) who kept the weight off. And my uncle's doctor actually gave him a much adjusted and modified verion and monitored the progress, so maybe it was not really the Atkins diet.

Anyway my main point for anyone dealing with diabetes is don't go for instant extreme changes. Do make serious changes and get off the sugar and junk carb addiction (not easy for some of us), and increase your intake of healthy, complex carbs (veggies, low sugar fruits, and whole grains) and light protiens. And lose weight (but gradually and keep it off)!!! Also, increase your aerobic exercise as best you can.

Now that I have finally gotten rid of the worst affects of my near-death diet and have some better functioning brain cells I plan to give proper focus to the high blood sugar issue. As mentioned, the internet now has far more good and accurate info on this issue as every month passes. The www.lef.org that Pepe suggested seems to have some of the best that I have seen in a while. Specifically http://www.lef.org/protocols/prtcl-042.shtml . I have only glanced at it so far but plan to look deeply at this in the coming days.

In the 5 years of dealing with this I have not yet taken any western medication of any sort. I have held off the worst of the affects with diet, exercise and ayurvedic medicines (and I have had blood sugar readings of over 500 so we are not talking a borderline case here). For many reasons (work, the affects of the dietary poisoning and probably my own lazy nature when it comes to doing things for myself) I have not yet fully dealt with this, but plan to do so now and will report any interesting findings.

We are all different and different things work for different people. One friend with good willpower found she was seriously diabetic 10 years ago. She decided right away that she would quit smoking and make all the necessay changes to her diet and life style. That was all it took for her. She lost 100 pounds within some number of months and has not been heavy or diabetic since then. She took no medications or even any herbs. The only other thing she did was to start practicing meditation, I guess to reduce the stress that was contributing to her overeating and smoking.

Since I am somewhat attached to enjoying food and have been addicted to sugar since infancy and have the willpower equivalent at times to that of a sponge, I need at least some herbal help.

I know that western medicine can sometimes be life saving in the absence of any better alternative. And I hope I do not offend anyone with my own perspective, but as noted already you need to be careful with prescribed medications as they are sometimes mis-prescribed and, of course, can have lots of negative side effects. If western medicine is what works for you at this time than far be it for me to rock your boat. I'll leave it at that for now as this is already longer and more rambling than I originally intended. Sorry this first post went on so long.

Enjoy your day. Good luck to all of us with this modern affliction.

Seeker

Anyone know how the import duties work when bringing in a used car from Japan? Is it based on what you paid for it in Japan? Or current average value in Japan or Thailand?

I ask because Japan is one place where you can buy used cars real cheap. Last year, I almost bought a high performance Nissan that is not sold in USA, though there is some kind of collectors club that brings them in. I don't remember the model now (maybe Skyline GTR), but the value in the USA was about $9,000 for the 4 or 5 year old model I was looking at. Probably worth $12,000 to $15,000 in LOS. Cost In Japan was only $500!!

I passed it up because had I kept it in Japan I would have had to pay a $2,000 registration fee and parking in Tokyo cost $400 monthly.

Admittedly this was one of the better deals I saw when just looking casually for a month or so. However all used cars in Japan are inexpensive because of the high registration fee for used cars.

Hence my question on how the import taxes work in LOS

The Royal Lanna has one (or maybe two, can't remember) floors set aside for long-term rentals. The room I saw was on the 14th floor and with utilities the cost was right at USD $200 per month. This was back in mid-April. It was extremely quiet as most of the rooms were leased but no one there. The room I saw had no kitchen. Just fridge, 2 single beds, tv, decent bathroom.

Maybe EOW's friend got a special deal. Utilities should not be very high. Not so great a deal at Baht 8,400 especially if no kitchenette.

PT apartments would be a better deal perhaps.

http://www.chiangmai-thai.com/pt_apartment.htm

There are also some newish places inside the moat at around 4,000, but very basic.

If you do not mind being a little outside of the city you can even find nice small furnished 2 bedroom houses and townhouses for as little as Baht 1,000 monthly (even short term). I lived in one and knew of others up in Mae Rim area. Personally however I am thinking to be a bit more central and convenient to transportation when I return.

Near Chiang Mai  University's front gate  (opposite site, on Huay Kaew Road..should be  Opp. Chiang Mai zoo) ,have  dairy Project  ..dont know its good enough,  but  that place make  milk product as cheeses ,ice cream...etc

maybe you can go there and ask more info

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When last in town I would go there weekly and buy their raw milk in minimum 5 or 10 gallon quantities at a very reasonable price and then use that to make my own fresh cheese (paneer) and yoghurt at home and set aside some of the boiled milk to chill for drinking. However, I tried their cheese once an it was pretty third rate IMHO.

As a side note, according to Ayur Veda (and friends who are normally milk intolerant) fresh, raw milk that is then thrice boiled is the most digestible form of milk. Raw milk being second best and milk that has been pasturized and/or homoginized as not being really all that healthy or digestable at all. Not sure that drinking raw milk in LOS is a great idea for falang however. On the other hand, fresh boiling at home is more safe than pasturized milk from the store.

I know a guy who lives in the Suites at the top of the Royal Lanna Hotel.  He pays 4000 baht a month plus electricty.  I think that his suite has a kitchen as well.

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EOW

Are you sure he is only paying Baht 4,000 a month plus electricity? That seems way too reasonable for a suite at the top of the Royal Lanna.

I have never been in the place but from what I see on the internet it looks quite nice. Heck, they charge tourists half that amount per day. You could not mean 40,000 as that is way too much for a monthly, but 4,000?

If true I think that would be my choice for my first month back.

Now are there new Honda Waves for rent and now how much are the average costs??

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There was a shop (not sure if still there) on a small street parallel to and between Loi Kroh and Si Donchai (not far from downtown Inn) that was willing to negotiate and therefor gave a better rate than usual and gave a better bike and had some better helmets. If you find them and they still have good rate, maybe post their phone # for all.

Not Greek, but Jerusalem Falafal near Tha Pae gate is the nearest thing to it that I can think of.

There have been some great replies so far and some good questions.

Just a few additional points. A dental implant is one possible final cosmetic part of dealing with a missing tooth. There is nothing "emergency" about this. In many cases it can be done months or even years after a tooth is removed. So no need to panic about getting this part done.

As pointed out earlier first determine if there is not an alternative to removing the tooth. Many years ago I needlessly had a tooth removed because I had an unfounded fear of root canal. Big mistake. The tooth removal process was quite a nightmare. Since then I have had several successful and even pleasant root canal procedures.

In your girlfriend's case it sounds like the teeth are already gone, so no choice there. In my case my missing tooth is an upper just behind the canine and so is visable only with a big smile. For me as a guy this is no big deal. I have no intention of grinding down 2 good teeth for a bridge and also am not keen on having a hole drilled in my jawbone for an implant screw to go in. I also could not be bothered with a removable tooth that kind of hooks in there, though I knew a young Thai lady who had this and she was quite comfortable with it. This is probably the least expensive and least invasive answer short of ignoring it like I do (and maybe what your girlfriend has thus far been using).

Dentists tend to warn that if you do nothing that your other teeth may start to adjust to fill in the gap or that you may tend to chew differently in a way that will affect your allignment. Maybe in some cases this is true. I am no expert. I will say however that for me this has not yet happened and this tooth came out 16 years ago.

You and your girlfriend need to carefully consider over a period of perhaps some weeks what final cosmetic choice is most comfortable. Don't rush it unless this part really is an emergency and I can not imagine how it could be.

A note on the cost. Implants are an expensive option anywhere in the world and much more so in western countries. When it is done in Thailand the majority of the cost is going to pay the foriegn lab that is providing the implant components. I believe the most expensive part is the titanium screw. After that it is what you choose as the "tooth" material.

If you decide to go this route look very carefully at anything that is significantly less cost than what Grace is quoting. With all respect and deference to Sabaijai I can not see how actual quality implant work can be done for half of what Grace is quoting as most of the cost is in the materials. Though he did say "similar procedure" (though not sure what that could be). Or maybe he thought you meant 130,000 per tooth instead of the cost for both. Or maybe Kitcha has found some good lab from China or somewhere. Don't know.

Anyway for me I usually try to avoid any sort of invasive procedure in any kind of health care. Think about it. Maybe there is a better quality version of what your girlfriend has thus far been using. As already stated get a few competant opinions.

It requires two steps - tourist to non immigrant at cost of 2,000 baht and later non immigrant to extension of stay for retirement at 1,900 baht.

There is no need for a multi entry non immigrant O visa but yes, they do seem to be available at some consulates.

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Thank you very much. Can you give me a clue as to what type of non-immigrant visa I would be able apply for - bearing in mind my understanding (which might be wrong) of what are possible eligible categories? The 2000 baht is not an issue - but I don't want to come all the way over just to be sent away to start again because I've hopelessly got it wrong....

I'm beginning to feel a bit lost...............

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FK - As you can see things are never set in stone accross the board from country to country, consulate to consulate or from one time period to another.

I wish there were some Brits participating in this who have recently been through this to bring in that perspective, but no luck yet. Also to tell you if there are Honarary Consulates in GB or not (because, believe me, here they make the process a simple joy as far as my experience goes so far, and according to what I have read here). However from what I can tell the rules for Brits and Yanks are the same as far as our discussion is concerned. (guys - correct me if wrong, please)

That having been said, and repeating that I am not an expert on these visa issues (but trying hard to be by reading all related threads here and talking to any good sources of info here in US, as I am also about to apply) here are maybe some answers.

A "non-imm O" is a "non-imm O" is a "non-imm O". You listed many of the reasons on which they will grant a "non-imm O" but in any case you still end up with the same "non-imm O" visa. So it is not what type of visa to apply for, but rather what justification to give, I guess. I do not think the reasons you listed are all of the reasons because at least here in USA they seem to be granting on some other basis without effort.

On the application it asks "Purpose of visit". I guess, this is what we need to know. Does anyone here have a good answer to that question? I will ask an HC or two tomorrow what they think I should be saying, as Retirement does not seem to be the correct answer at this stage. Perhaps the honest answer would be "to see if I want to remain in Thailand on a retirement basis or on some other approved basis". Not sure if that would fly with the consulate in GB or not, but suspect that almost any reasonable answer would suffice here for the "non-imm O".

If you do not have any HCs in GB and we do not get any response here from Brits who have been through it then you may want to inquire with the people at the Thai consulate there as to what they think about this (at some point down the road). Again I will check with one or more of the HCs here on how they want this question answered. It is such a joy to work with them as they are normal, friendly and helpful people who are happy to guide you through the process as long as you seem to be a reasonable person who meets the necessary criteria.

Non-Immigrant O-A visas (so called 'retirement visas') CANNOT be obtained in Thailand. They can only be obtained at Thai Embassies and Consulates,

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Correct me if I'm wrong, but even though you do not get an O-A visa in Thailand, what you get is a one year extension to your non imm O Visa based on retirement which has the same benefits, restrictions and requirements as an O-A Visa and the same annual renewal. So no differences at all in those regards whether one comes in with non-immigrant O and extends for retirement or comes in with O-A.

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"including Honorary Consulates (at least in the US; there is some evidence that in other countries, you may need to apply for the O-A only at the Embassy). "

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Maybe now in USA, also only at the embassy. According to Jen in the Colorado Honorary Consulate, they can not issue O-A visas and these must be obtained through formal consulates or embassies. So, either things have changed or other HCs in US have a different understanding. I may call a few tomorrow to see what they say.

I noticed that we are doing well with general questions on one of my previous threads on "gentleman farmers" but think to expand on the subject it may be better to generalise under one heading...ie Farming in Chiang Mai-Rai.

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Been meaning to post in this thread for quite some time. Finally tracked down my address book with the contact info I wanted to post.

IMHO the best source of ag info in CM area is old Ed. He's been there doing it for 30 or 40 years. Especially knowledgable about organic methods and marketing. Both he and his friend Siriwan were growing mainly organic herbs as of about a year ago, but also some fruits and veggies. Ed has a farm in Mae Jo and Sirwan's farm is between Mae Jo and Doi Saket. Also they know most everyone in the Ag community there.

Last phone contacts I have for them are:

Ed: 290-027

Siriwan: 01 952-7616

If these don't work then PM me and I will dig up some other #s of mutual friends. Tell them Tim says hi.

Also CMU had a good community outreach pesticide-free program going and some kind of annual fair/conference. Contact someone there re this.

I also suggest trying to find a good source of trace minerals to improve the taste and vitality and health properties of whatever you grow. This may be no more than finely ground up rock with the right minerals in it. I am just starting to research this so can not tell you more right now. I only know that most fruits and veggies in US are now tasteless and lack proper nutrition partly because of this. Even organic produce. The soil is just too depleted after a few years of removing crops without replacing the minerals that go out with them.

Good luck!

Thank you for this.

AFAIK, the only Consulate in the UK is in Hull, and the Embassy is in London.

I have yet more confusion. You mention a 90 days 'O' visa (as does everyone else here).

Unless I've really misunderstood things, the only reasons for granting a non-immigrant 'O' visa are:

a. Conducting business (n/a to me)

b. Employment (n/a)

c. Teaching and Studying (n/a)

d. Research (I don't think looking for a house to live in qualifies LOL - so n/a)

e. Religious purposes (definitely n/a)

f. Visiting family (n/a)

g. Retirement....(not certain)

h. Official purposes (n/a)

i. Investment (n/a)

Have I got it wrong?

Hi fk,

At least here in USA, through the honorary consulates, straight O without any of the above is a simple matter of sending in $, application and passport. Spoke to them myself and they do this all the time. Have also seen many posts here confirming this.

Perhaps we could hear from a Brit re this?

re LA consulate I believe she is clueless as to what is done by imm in Thailand. I look forward to seeing what the experienced ones here say, but I believe you get a Thai police report to show in Thailand.

You can not obtain a multiple entry Non-Immigrant visa in India. They will give you  a single entry which you can extend in Thailand. It's not an easy task for people from the SE sub-continent.

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Can Mac not get an O visa extension based on marriage to a Thai? And would that not be more flexible in permitting comimg and going? I don't know, but thought I'd bring this up.

What happens to Mac if he has a one year extension and he goes out 3 or 4 times a year? Does he need a new visa each entry or even just a new 1 year extension each time, once he is back in?

This brings up a question from my side. If an American is in Thailand on an O visa for retirement or work permit, can he/she not come an go during that year?

You apply for extension in last 30 days of your original 90 days

Not sure if you have them in UK like in USA, but in USA you are better applying through an honorary consul. Much easier. Maybe other Brits can comment on this.

You apply during the last 30 days - not before - and the last week would be fine.

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Hi Lop,

Personally I would not wait till the last week my first time through. I'd allow as much time as possible for any possible complications and go in as soon as permitted. And be sure all my ducks were in a row and not only have my Thai wife come if I had one, but also a respetable resident Thai friend if available.

OK, so I'm a belt and suspender kind of guy. I can't help my nature and in this case especially so as I don't want to be one of the few who doesn't get through the first time and needs to deal the bureucratic process again.

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The application is going to be subject to a six week review period in any case so you can apply late and not have to worry about only have a couple of days to get that missing paperwork. But like you I also tend to do things early when I can. You must have your wife with you but see no reason for a Thai friend.

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Hey Lop thanks for the reminder about the 40 day processing period and stamp. In that case it makes more sense to come in during that last week. I guess they let you know when you first come in if anything is missing and tell you to bring the missing item(s) in ASAP?

must have a non o visa from home country first then apply at thai immagration for retirement visa before o visa runs out

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Not really. You can obtain an O/A long stay visa for retirement in a foreign country and enter Thailand and receive a 1 year permitted to stay stamp. After one year you extend stay at immigration inside Thailand.

Or you can arrive on a normal O visa of single or multi entry type and when less than 30 days remain on a permitted to stay stamp extend for retirement at immigration.

Or you can arrive on a tourist (60 day) visa and then decide to change to a non immigrant O visa at immigration for a fee of 2,000 baht and then extend your stay at immigration for retirement as above entry with O visa.

There are several ways to skin this cat. And should also point out other types of real visas can also be converted.

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This makes a lot more sense - thank you. Can the third 'cat' you mention be done in one 'go'? - i.e. - convert 60 day tourist visa direct to Retirement at immigration? Is it actually possible to get a mulit-entry visa without real grounds (no dependents, no employment) ?

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At least here in the states , getting a non im "O" visa (single or multi entry) "without real grounds", as you put it, seems to be a simple, quick process of simply mailing in your passport and fee to one of the honorary consulates. I assume same in GB.

Perhaps someone could post a link to a list of honorary consulates in GB?

Personally single entry 'O' is the route I will be taking when coming back in, as it gives me the most options with one step of picking which type of long term stay I want to choose once I am back. Not sure what the tourist visa costs, but it is probably not much cheaper than the $50 cost of a single entry non im 'O' visa. In any case you end up paying another B 2000 to convert to 'O' once in Thailand if you come in on tourist visa.

No need for the multi entry unless you think it will take you more than 90 days to make up your mind what you want to do. Keep in mind that you will then need to leave the country every 90 days until you do decide what to do. Cost for the multi is $125 compared to $50 for the single.

The definition of "pension" is up to your Embassy.  Immigration wants a letter from them not any pension paperwork.

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Aha, I knew the embassy verified your pension income to immigration, but did not know that immigration did not check the documentation and simply went by the embassy letter. That makes life simpler hopefully.

However, I guess Doc's comment refers to the US consulate's criteria?