Firefan

I have been reading this entire thread to get myself an estimate of how much my place 130m2 2 bedroom (top floor) would cost me in electricity. I pay directly to the electricity company.

Seems overall conclusion that standard size (clean) aircon uses for about B 2500 (incl. taxes Etc.) pr. month when run 24/7. Add in 1 more aircon for 12 hours a day and the "others" and my bill should be in the B 5000 area. I will see when I get my first bill how close my guestimate is. Cheers!

Generally the more official docs one can get, the better one is of I think. Even applying for internet/telephone Etc. is a hassle when not having the famous working permit...

So that book could still be interesting; how much/what docs needed and where to apply? Presume not just for houses but for condos too.

Cheers!

Also not an expert but the work permit is connected with ones specific job+employer wherefore an extra job probably will require a seperate permission/work permit.

Now as to whether they can find out/will enforce Etc. that is a completely different discussion. Cheers!

I have experienced the same problem with the free Zonealarm. Out of the blue it suddenly won't let me connect to anything. Currenctly only using the XP firewall and have not had a problem with True. Cheers!

Just did my update (it did not do it automatically though) with no problems. I suggest you un-install and re-install to ensure you have the newest version. Cheers!

My belief is that the USD will continue for a while longer to be the reserve currency of the world. I would prefer it was gold so governments could not just print away as they ALL do today (US being the worst culprit).

Whatever the reserve currency is, I worry mostly about maintaining my BUYING POWER and therefore hold my investments in a basket of currencies/commodities.

Cheers!

My view is that the THB will strengthen on this news. I fully agree with Thaiquilla that China is smart enough to make it a slow process to not kill their main markets.

It is actually a funny case of USA finally getting what it asked for and later realizing that they did not want it at all! Carefull what you wish for!

To believe that US production would EVER be able to compeed with low cost(wages Etc.) production in China - just through an adjustment of the Yuan was naive at best - instead the US and EU will now see rapid increases in costs/prices as the "Walmart effect" is being killed - as that was the main reason for the artificially low inflation nos we have seen in the Western world lately.

As for the THB it will surely strengthen - it has been kept artificially low for a loooong time in order to be able to compeed with China.

Where to put your money now? Anything based in Asian currencies really - emerging market bond funds, cash and naturally also commodities and metals. Emerging market equities are also interesting but as their main markets feel the punch of inflation they could take a hit.

I am personally overweight in Asia and underweight EU/US.

Meanwhile the inter asia markets are growing and can ensure demand continues even with a US/EU drop.

Disclaimer: I have been wrong before!

Cheers!

Thanks Abdul,

I will upgrade anyway from my BKK bank card (only) to the B1st visa electron (if they let me) as the price difference is only 100B/year. I will then test out the card in shop/for cash Etc. and post a new thread with my results here. Many shops here wants to charge extra for using credit or debut cards - no matter WHERE they are from. CHeers!

Uncle paul; can you give us some tips as to cheaper places than Macro? Cheers!

.. can  you borrow  somebody there?

Bambi

actually, i was looking at buying some furniture, haven't got a trip to Nana planned for a while

there are cheaper options than makro . u just have to know where to look. in bkk most makro let you shop but out of town stores sometimes insist on business credentials before they give you a membership

In BKK it is very important that one is in a "good" building when it comes to apt. neighbors. Well educated(?) and well behaved residents (both the Thai and the foreign) makes a world of difference. It often means to go for a bit more upscale housing.

Living on a high floor also helps - I have a hard time believing that I live in the middle of the business district some days as it can be very quiet.

Cheers!

As overseas cash interest can be in the range of 3-4-5% these days (depending on currency) I do get the original posters question - it could all be in cash in a US-MM fund and earn more than 3%.

On the other hand; as PTE points out (and PTE/lopburi; thanks for your patience - I have already learned a lot from reading your posts - Incl. when I researched MY situation PRIOR posting my first question) - for the emigration; CASH HERE or a proof of pension is the key.

As for annuities they are generally known as being one of the worst choices in the investment world (leaving Florida swamp land out of the equation) due to very high fees, on top of fees..). If I HAD to do it (and was in the USA) I would look at Vanguard having the lowest costs.

Your initial investment will be gone, but you will obtain about 5% in return for life (but remember the evil inflation). To get the $1500/mth being $18k/year one would need to dump about $360.000 into the annuity. Check the Vanguard funds site for instant quotes.

(disclaimer: there are a TON of different types annuities out there some that DO give some money back, some that includes spouse at death Etc. but those extras just reduces the 5% or so in payouts - nothing for free )

My US friend here on retirement-extensions and w. no pension informed me that he only had the B 800k at first application and have less there now, but he has not had a problem renewing - I believe it is due to the letter from embassy - like the original poster he has plenty of money back home so not lying about being able to support oneself).

Personally (when I reach that age) I would just ensure that there is B 800k in the account at every application - sure beats dumping $360k into a high fee annuity!

Cheers!

I got my True adsl connection basic (cheapest) package wireless installed 1 month ago and was quite satisfied with the speed the first few weeks. I then left for some travel and I fear that when I come back I will have same snail speed experience as I have read elsewhere that True gives new subscribers a free upgrade the first month, to spread the word.... I guess I can hope that not too many in my area use True - giving me a bit more band with?

Will update here in a few weeks. Cheers!

The impact of this move (when Yuan trades freely) will be huge. Could be rampant inflation for one, as the inflation in the Western world have been held artificially low by factories in China willing to sell cheap widgets due to their artificially low exchange rate.

Also; since all other Asian countries have also kept their currencies artificially low (in order to compeed with China) we might see a strengthening of Asien currencies across the board - The Malay Ringit have also now dis-connected from the USD. Cheers!

Sounds very much like "ageless wisdom" to me - a very interesting subject I think, and a google search for that term will widen ones horizon for sure.

Not a religion, not a cult but more of a general belief that we are here to develop as humans (and some of us are/was more developed than others). Cheers!

To ask if UFO exist is really a naive naive question.

But we have to blame the US government and most of the world's major governments for hidding the truth of our universe and our human origin for centuries with all the professional debunkers and misinformations and cover ups.

We earth humans are still a very primitive race that still in the early stage of our technological and spiritual evolution. We earth humans will have the common interstellar technology in less than 500 years, but we will be bound to this earth as long as we still have the aggressive war-like personality. So it will take us few more hundreds of years to join the interstellar society. But as for now this technology only exist in top secret US installation such as Dulce, New Mexico. As a result of back engineering and the join intallation with the Zeta Reticuli, or the so called greys, the one race that is reponsible with all the human abductions. The Zetas have been in cooperation with US military projects since Truman era. All other ETs that have been constant contact with our earth for our entire history such as from Pleiades, Tau Ceti, Alpha Centauri, Procyon, Vega, Lyra, Ummites, and hundreds of others are all non-interference policy, they are all very spiritually advanced people that only observe our earth without interfering our natural evolution.

The UFOs have also changed the form and shape since we earthlings fotograph them since 1930s. That means they also have progressed in their technology of space travel. If we earthling can understand the sub-atomic level of physics or the quatum physics one day in the future, we will understand the space time distortion concept, anti-gravity concept ect that are essential for intergalatic travel.

But for now we earth human really hope the US and other major governments can stop hidding and debunking the truth of our universe or multi-universes, and the secret of our own human origin.

Next time you see an UFO, just think one day in the future, earthling too will no longer be bounded to our planet terra. We will enter our next stage of evolution setting foot in our own intergalatic travel searching for more knowledge of our multi-dimensional universes following  the steps of millions of other more advanced human specis in the universe.

It annoys the crap out of me that they wanted the ORIGINAL receipts which generally makes a big problem with future warrenties/exchanges Etc. not to mention business people needing them for the accountants/books/taxes.

Never tried that in ANY other country - amazing Thailand

Do they still do that?

Coal miner; I also got my Bangkok Bank debit card(not visa electron) 2 years back without too much problems and witout any visa (besides stamp-in at airport) but the main problem for many here, is that the Thai visa electron debit cards generally can not be used on the internet.

Also; I have decided to upgrade to the b1st visa electron card so will file a report on how that goes when I have done that.

http://www.bangkokbank.com/Bangkok+Bank/Pe...ard/default.htm

Cheers!

I'm living in Thailand for 5 years now on a Non-Immigrant Spouse Visa and had no hassle with opening a bank account and getting bank cards (ATM and Visa Electron).

Maybe it's all in the atttude?

BTW, open an account for your Thai wife/girlfriend too, and she benefits of free healt Insurance as stated before.

Including, a copy of the Bank card.

Cheers,

Coalminer

And where can we apply for the open positions!?

Chevy; so the old cards does STILL not have to pay the additional 40.000 B per year? Also if you sell it?

My main reason for ever considering such a card would be the visa. When young and not wishing to marry Etc. it is hard to obtain the long term visa.

In Cambodia one pays about $250 for a full year multiple entry visa without any hassle as to investments Etc. That migt be too liberal, but a move towards more openess rather than protectiveness will help Thailand in the long run.

It would be great if Thailand could find a middle of the road solution for people who want to stay longer. $25.000 for residency after check of funds (abroad or in Thailand) and criminal background and I would be getting in line for that. Spa treatments is really not that important

Cheers!

Hi Dr. Patong - not sure if directed to me but I am almost 20 years away from the retirement visa, wherefore I am pursuing a visa non-em based on condo investment. Cheers!

What is your age ?

Thanks for the detailed info Richard! A bit more expensive/time consuming but could be a nice chane. Cheers!

I opened my account (but a couple of years ago) at BKK bank head office in Silom with not even the tourist visa. Just the "30 day stamp in" from arrival. Cheers!

Hi Lopburi,

I see. So the letter from embassy can also be based on simply the 800k - makes sense as the rules says "OR".

Lying under oath (or at all) would certainly be stupid.

Cheers!

These debit cards already exist as already mentioned elsewhere in this thread (and yeah; I read the whole thread , albeit spread over last few weeks). There are a few different types but one decide on the needed "credit" limit and will then have to pay similar amont into card as guarentee(that can not be touched) and/or the actual load up of money (that one CAN touch). No matter how; one basically fills up the card with new money. It can normally be filled up with bank wires/international checks only - not via another credit card.

An advantage not mentioned before (I think) is that if the card is stolen one can not get other accounts (in home country Etc.) abused - but the disadvantage is generally that your legal standing is weak, when it comes to getting your guarentee amount and/or deposited amount refunded in case the card was abused.

The companies that do these cards are typically located offshore in Panama Etc. so one should not expect the same safety net in case of theft/abuse. This is why it makes sense not to put too much money on the card, but that of course limits the usuage and increases fill-up wire costs.

Using a Thai bank will be very hard as most already have their own debit cards+stricter rules so my guess is that TV will go for an offshore card. That will hardly be abl to be in THB but could be in USD, Euro and Pounds - depending on the supplier.

As not in THB some will argue against the extra costs lost in the exchange, but as long as the build in exchange fee is at 0%(Nationwide card?) or 1%(Visa's standard rate - at least on my card) you still do fine compared to changing in cash. Naturally that will NOT be the case for people already PAID in THB.

All the extra perks sounds great - most vital for my consideration will be to

1. get decent interest on amount deposited,

2. 0-1% exchange fee from the original currency to THB when using card

Cheers!

Lopburi; the original poster clearly stated that income came from savings/interest in the US. Nothing about pension. Will the US embassy STILL issue the letter of pension income based on some estimated interest/investing returns?

Cheers!

What you do is go to the US Embassy ACS and request a letter of pension income which you fill in the data, pay notary fee of $30/1,200 baht and have US seal impressed and signed by Consular Officer.  You also have to have a current medical certificate and bank passbook with letter from bank of the amount in the account.  With that and normal copies of passport pages you fill out TM.7 form and attach photo and pay 1,900 baht.  With receipt you go to extension office and take number.  When called it is a very fast process to receive a new stamp for another year.  You do need the bank account but the amount in it is not that important if you have sufficient pension.

True Crossy; and that is what I plan to do at least until I manage to get that 1 year non-em B (investor) visa in place. My embassy (scandinavien) actually handles the IDPs too - so that is pretty sweet.

But for "tourists" staying here more than 12 months (6 months triple entries+visa runs Etc.) their IDP expires....

Meanwhile; point was that some here think that everybody can get the non-em B (apparently in some countries one gets the "O" visa by simply saying "visiting friends(not even relatives)" - it is not that simple in other countries.

Cheers!

Some here do not understand that there are many on these boards that do NOT have a non-em B visa as it is not that easy to get for them. They instead use tourist visas w. extension and visa runs.

In my Scandinavien home country they would NOT issue me a non-em B visa without sponsor docs Etc. Only a TOURIST visa(6 month validity/double entry). This is the case in many countries wherefore there CAN be some real problems in obtaining this Thai drivers licence.

Cheers!

BUT, if you are here on a tourist visa you can use your IDP so you don't need a Thai licence.

Like I said 'if you have a visa that allows a work permit or retirement you can get a local licence'. Tourist visas do not allow a work permit so no licence.