scoutman360

You only need online banking with a Thai bank. It doesn't matter who's name the electricity is in. You can setup a billpay account online with your bank and pay from anywhere in the world.

Central Chidlom and Central Silom Complex have a great selection of many. Paragon also, but very pricey there. As others pointed out, get a heavy pan. The labels tell you if it is induction compatible. Most heavy pans are.

They all eventually warp, especially larger pans (except cast iron). Central Silom recently had a 50% off sale, and I bought a couple of good ones.

Take a look at Aberdeen Thailand. I was with them for many years and liked their selection. Be forewarned that Thailand investments don't perform as well as the U.S. However, now might be a good time to get in while the economy is down.

On 5/16/2021 at 8:54 PM, SCOTT FITZGERSLD said:

I THINK THAT a U.S. person does not have to pay taxes on earning outside the U.S. is the amount is less than around 115000 USD.

otherwise, tax authorities usually are not interested in cross border investigations of

small amount. usually they will inquire only about amounts larger than 200K USD.

 

True, but the foreign earned income exclusion does not exempt someone from filing a U.S. tax return. You still must prepare and submit one every year, and provide all information regarding your foreign investments, and financial bank accounts.

Immigration requires 500,000 bht coverage for foreigners to get in the country. None of this discussion has mentioned that, and all the discussion mentioned plans below that amount. I found Rabbit Insurance has some very cheap options that meet this requirement, and up to 1,000,000 bht.

It is unclear if living expats need to meet the 500,000 bht requirement to re-enter Thailand, but worth checking.  And for those working in Thailand with Social Security coverage will that cover the Immigration requirement? Does anyone know?

9 hours ago, problemfarang said:

 

yes, its definitely not STD. he got it from the lady he sex and she admitted that she had a bacterial infection in her vagina and told him that she used med for it and should be ok by now.. well seems not ok by now. Also he said its getting better every week but obviously not fast enough. its 100% UTI

I think this is why he chose Amoxicillin at the moment. 

So, she has no symptoms anymore but is still spreading it around. Soon, his symptoms could be gone and he will do the same thing to other ladies. And so on, and so on. That is why it is important to be tested by a lab before and after treatment.

I strongly recommend your friend get tested by a doctor or clinic. There are many clinics now that do full STD checkups that are not very expensive. Self-treating is not something one should attempt because one can become asymptomatic and still carry the bacteria and give it to others. Get tested.

I filed in February, and got it 2 weeks later. Historically I have waited up to 6 months.

Soi 4 road work is completed. However, they occasionally come back for touch-ups. Alt Nana gate is usually closed when I am walking around there. Off that same road (parallel to the bike lane) is entrance to the tobacco factory which opens the gates during peak hours, morning and afternoon. They also open them when soi 4 entrance is closed at night. That will take you to the backside of Soi 4.

Another route is to take soi 2 and cross to soi 4 at the Raja car park. Cost 20 bht.

Moisture in the air collects on the evaporator. When that happens, particulates in the air get caught by the moisture and drain outside. So, yes, it does help.

On 2/21/2020 at 1:37 PM, Bohemianfish said:

I just cut out the bread and noodles and rice most of the time. Also do intermittent fasting eating once a day. It helps a lot. Dr. Sten Ekberg on YT has a lot of useful videos on the topic. Try South Beach Diet, Dukan, Adkins. They are all generally the same. Veggies (above ground - not starchy roots). and meat, fat in particular. 

Just found  Dr. Sten Ekberg on Youtube today. Very impressive.  Love the details.

My understanding of RMF fund rules are this:

• Must contribute every year to maintain the fund
• Maximum contribution must not be more than 30% of accessible income per year when combined with the contribution to Provident Fund and shall not exceed 500,000 baht.
• For any "tax free" withdrawals,  one must (1) be over 55, and (2) be a participant in the fund for at least 5 years.

OK, here begs the question. if one is over 55 and still working and still contributing every year for more than 5 years, then one should be able to make a contribution then immediately withdrawal it "tax free". Am I missing something?

You sound almost like myself in the past. What changed me was falling in love with a beautiful Thai girl that doesn't drink (there are millions). She changed me and it was easy with her around. Learn to speak Thai, go find the good local girls, and you are all set with a happy future.

I have used superglue for years closing up open wounds, and always keep a fresh tube in the house for just such an emergency. My brother is a surgeon and does the same thing.

From the photo, I would guarantee that your lose skin will eventually fall off and fresh skin will replace it. But you can glue it closed to keep it clean for a few weeks.  

My tiny little credit union in the U.S. makes domestic transfers using IAT format. Not all banks do, and it is not something you must request. They just use it, or they do not. It is simply a format that requires additional information. As said before, ask your U.S. financial institution. If you are lucky, then the BBK NY transfer method is very simple and can be used.

I have been there many times, and I was very happy with the doctor, her knowledge, consultation, and the great low price. Recommended. 

I wouldn't worry. TIT. You won't get anything better here. I lived in a condo 15 years here with cracks everywhere in my room. I jokingly thought half the room would someday fall into the swimming pool. Hasn't happened. But that's what you get here.

I heard that with a Yellow Book, you can get a Thai I.D. card. And a Thai I.D. card is absolutely needed if you worked and retired in Thailand and want to claim your Social Security and Medical retirement benefits. Can anyone confirm that?

9 hours ago, OliverKlozerof said:

Thanks. So looks like I can make a will to cover Thailand by myself (with a translator probably). But the majority of my money is with a US investment firm. Do you know if I can also make a separate will covering that in the same way? If I get two American friends here to sign as witnesses, is that sufficient?

There are plenty of Thai translation services to provide a certified Thai translation for your Thailand will. I am sure they are cheaper than a lawyer. I strongly recommend you start out with a Will template from online somewhere. There are plenty. Google is your friend.

As for your U.S. investments, do the same, you can use the same template, but it won't need to be in Thai language because only the U.S. courts will be involved with that money. The U.S. witnesses will be fine for the U.S. money. I did some research for my Will, and a few websites said that if you are an expat, and you don't have any state residence, then your executor should go to the state court that you are most connected to (such as a former resident, or if you have property there).

Sunbelt Asia can do it, and they are not far from you. I have used them before. Be aware that you do not need a lawyer, nor do you need to register the Will at a local Amphur for it to be valid in Thailand. That is a myth.  You can find many Will templates online for free. What you do need is this:

The Will written in Thai language (English can be included)

The Will must state who will be your Executor of the Will

The Will can only cover assets located in Thailand. You must have a separate will for assets in another country.

The Will must be signed by 2 witnesses

The Will should have all contact information of the Executor, and people who will receive your assets.

All of the above you can do yourself, along with a Translation company to assist. Make sure you have more than one copy with original signatures, and tell a good friend or family member where to find it.

Bank debit cards don't work for online purchases. They have to have the VISA or Mastercard logo, and then you ALSO must activate it. It is not automatically activated when you get the card. I can't remember how I activated mine, I think I did it at an ATM machine. 

I walk up and down Soi 11 everyday, and I mostly appreciate the improvements. I hated the sidewalks blocked by the street food gang, and I must walk in the street risking my life with oncoming traffic. Or the minivan sidewalk bars (who's prices were the same as an air-conditioned discotheque). Or the taxis that ALL refused to use the meter.

On the other hand, I also don't like the corporate america restaurants moving in to take over a unique Thailand experience. I love Taco Bell, but please get out of soi 11. 

Maybe time to close this thread? It started as a meaningful discussion about people's experiences into a bunch of bickering between non-believers and believers without any respect towards each other. Just sayin'.

9 hours ago, Pilotman said:

as far as I know, it's the usual passport photo copies, visa, extension, TM6, all the usual stuff,  plus a Certificate of Residency showing the new address and a copy of the new TM30.  

Never needed a TM30 when I renewed with a new address. Of course, every office is different.