scoutman360

I used to travel for work a lot and filled up passports frequently. For VISAs to other countries, hand over both the old and the new passport to Immigration when entering. Show them the VISA page. Immigration doesn't care...even entering China. For your Thailand VISA, take both passports to Immigration and they will transfer the stamp for you.

Frying oil goes back into an empty oil bottle. When full, it goes in the general garbage gin. Bacon fat gets collected in an empty yogurt container. Adds great flavor to country gravy.

I had same problem. I bought some Borax on Lazada, mixed it with some sugar (with a few drops of water you can melt it in a pan and soak some cotton buds). I spread the soaked cotton buds around the infested areas. It was fun to watch the ants gather around and eat it up. Gone 2 years now.

I compared their selection of hard to find items, and they seem to be a good alternative if you can't find what you want from Lazada or Shopee.

My appointment is this Friday to receive my new Pink Card. Then I will trot off to SS office to sign up for my monthly payments to continue health insurance. I was told by the office that once I get the pink card, my old SSO# will disappear and be changed to the new Pink ID card number in the system. The old records are still in tact but now reference the new Pink Card#. You are saying that one cannot work under a Pink ID Card number? That sounds unrealistic. I would question more people on this one.

Wow! I didn't know this. Just 3 days ago I was contacted by my previous employer asking me if I wanted to come back. Good point. Thanks!!

I personally don't see the need. My friend always books a one-way "refundable" ticket. Then, cancels the ticket and gets his money back.

Give them whatever they want from you for now. In the future, your situation will change, and their rules for that situation will change. If you challenge them, most likely you will not win. As others have said, get signed up on the government SSO website and monitor your contributions and expected benefits. For example. My situation was similar to yours. I worked in Thailand for 19 years. Two different work permits, always covered under government SSO health. Now retired, in order to continue coverage, I have 6 months to get a Thai ID Pink card and reapply for government health at my expense (no WP required anymore). As others have suggested, there becomes a huge nightmare changing SSO# tied to your passport number to your new Pink Card number, including all bank accounts, etc. Welcome to Thailand.

I used to have the same problem. Combination of stress, lack of sleep, and alcohol. I had it for many months. Eventually it disappeared. I wouldn't worry about it.

Good to know. Thanks. Check the rental company requirements.

So, The Elite extension for another 10 yrs is essentially 40,000 thb/yr. Over 16 years, 6,770 thb/mo = 81,240/yr. My annual retirement Non-O extension costs me 1,900 thb/year. These people must be the ones burning money in the fire place to keep warm.

Nearby hotels have business centers. Usually charge a small fee.

Yes. California vehicle code states IDP is not recognized in CA. Also, it should not be needed as it is only a translation document and Thai licenses have info in English. I once found a website giving the details how officers are required to "file" driving offenses for those with foreign driver's licenses. I think there is also a federal law somewhere stating foreign licenses are recognized, but it has been years since I saw the statute online.

I just returned from Koh Chang and agree. Spent a night at 3 different hotels over a week and all looked deserted. Mercure Hotel was amazing but I could see maybe 5 cars in the carpark.

I am a Cinderella (in bed before midnight), but one night couldn't sleep and hit a 7-11 on soi 4 about 2am just recently. The place was crawling with women, wine, and song. I guess it takes night owls to experience the experience now.

Recently plugged in a wet phone charger (didn't know). Sounded like gun fire. The socket was burnt to a crisp. Fortunately my hand was already removed. Thailand's 240v can be deadly. My Thai friend had his arm in a sling for 3 months.

Imagine being a U.S. citizen having all your retirement savings in a Roth IRA, thinking you are tax free after paying the tax 20 years ago, then watching the gains grow tax free. Think again. Thailand will take up to 35%. Imagine sending 10 million thb to Thailand to buy property. Think again. Thailand can take up to 35%.

Have you set up a user account on the Thailand SSO website? Once setup, you can search and find all your SSO contributions over the years. I recommend using Chrome browser. The (right click) "translate to English" feature is helpful.

By mail is the ONLY option. U.S. embassy will not accept walk-ins or appointments. Check the embassy website. Step-by-step instructions are in there somewhere. Turn around is 5-10 days.

I am currently working on the same issue. I was told by my local SSO office, to continue SSO health insurance in Bangkok after employment, they need a Thai ID card and I must be registered in a Tambien Baan. They will not accept rental agreement. To further accomplish the above, I must proceed in this order: Mail my passport to the U.S. embassy to receive a True Certified Copy (pay the crazy Embassy fee). Give the True Certified Copy to an agent to translate it into Thai language. Take the Thai translation, passport, etc. to some government building at Chaengwattana to certify it. Take all certified paperwork to the appropriate gov. along with Tambien Baan owner and one witness. Receive yellow Tambien Baan and Pink ID card.

The new tax rules are a good way to keep foreign money out of Thailand during a time when the Thai economy desparately needs it.

The new tax rules seem to be a mess. Especially for Americans who have different taxation brackets for capital gains vs. earned (or passive) income. Thailand and many countries have double taxation treaties. So, let's say an American sells some stock with $30k USD of capital gains and adds it to a pile of savings with already $30k USD in the bank. Then such foreigner sends $30k USD to Thailand. Which pile did the transfer come from? There were no gains on the savings pile so should be no taxation. Who decides that? Also, given the complicated U.S tax code, it is impossible to decide and chose which transferred money should be taxed in Thailand and how much.

Bangkok Bank app. No problem up to ~1 mil bht/day. Bottom right "more services", "International Transfers". Chose "personal use" option. Can only transfer during banking hours.

As DrJack said, no need to get a Que number. In theory, you were already assigned a Que number when you did the online booking. Go straight to the cubical. I recently did an online booking for a re-entry permit in C section and my online Que number came up on the screen. Apparently, the L1 section for extensions doesn't work that way. You have to push your way in front of people with Que numbers.

That is the Document Check cubicle (Counter #27). It was very confusing to see people gathered around the opening, and at the same time, that counter was calling Que numbers onto the LED screen for people who were not standing there.