Old City area

Can anyone recommend a house cleaning service in CM?

Thanks.

Is there any place to buy a Bangkok Post in Phuket or do you have to subscribe for a month?  I want the physical paper...not their online edition or website.

Thanks.

I'm looking for a good accountant in Chiang Mai, especially one who is familiar with the new tax laws that went into effect 1/1/24.  There's much confusion about how this affects foreigners and what they need to do.  I'm not sure anyone really understands the new rules!  If anyone has found a reliable, professional accountant in CM that they would recommend I would like to contact them.

Thanks. 

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Hi London Lowf.  Thanks for the very helpful comments.  

The Airbnb villa rental here looks interesting although apparently it's a bit old.  Does anyone know about this place?

Sunshine Guesthouse Sunshine Villa and Diving School

https://maps.app.goo.gl/XxBdu5ASEALpgXGq9

i'm guessing the traffic can't be much worse than Chiang Mai during rush hours.  I'll keep looking for a house around Kamala beach or else a condo as a backup plan.  I just want to make sure we can cook.  The house idea would at least give us a BBQ option which we would like.

Thanks.

Thanks zzzzz.  I don't see a better alternative than airbnb so far.  I'll check out kamala more seriously.  i see many listings there.

How's the traffic around that part?  I have no idea how busy the roads will be in mid-March.  I'd prefer not to be in traffic jams every day wherever we end up.

Any recommendations are appreciated because unless you really know an area there's a lot of guessing involved.  I live in CM and know this area quite well.  We're actually heading that way because the pollution is intolerable that time of year here.

Thanks again.

  Hi.  I posted on this forum recently a question about the best quiet beaches in Krabi or Phuket and got some very helpful replies.  I didn’t find a resort we really liked on those beaches so now I am considering a change of plans and renting a house on Phuket instead.

  Our trip is almost two months long and it would be nice to take a break from the usual hotel dinner and breakfast routine and cook for ourselves. Ideally, we’d like to find a house rental where our kids can have fun (swimming pool, playground, etc…).  We plan on staying for about two weeks starting on March 20^th, 2024. 

  In Airbnb if you select those dates and choose a house with a/c, wifi, pool, bbq, etc… many choices come back.  We’re budgeting 2000-4000 baht a night so it looks like there are many options.  We just don’t know which ones would be best for children.  If we find a place we like without a playground it will still be okay.  

  I see a house for 4000 baht/night that’s a 7 minute drive to Bang Tao beach so something like that might be a good choice.  Or perhaps there’s a better way to search for rentals other than Airbnb? 

  Any thoughts on any of this are appreciated.  Thanks!

It's me, my Thai wife, and two toddlers so we're more interested in nature, food, and hopefully some peace and quiet.  We definitely don't want a busy noisy beach scene.

Thanks bignok.  This helps me a lot on my planning.

Is Nai Yang noisy because of the airport?

Hello.  I originally this message last week on the Krabi forum but didn't receive any replies.  I've done more research since then and my family and I are now also considering Phuket as a destination.  I just don't know how over-developed all of these areas are now.  I haven't been to Phuket in twenty years.  Below is the original post.  I appreciate any thoughts on this via a message here or a PM.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hi.  I’m trying to get information and possibly recommendations for visiting Krabi in 2024.  I usually vacation in Chumphon when the pollution season strikes the north.  Next year I plan to extend that trip by three weeks and I was thinking of spending the time in Krabi and/or Phang-Nha.  I

The beach we stay at in Chumphon is 2 kilometers long and has many decent restaurant choices within walking distance.  It’s also has a good sized beach width even at low tide.  Many beaches like in Pattaya don’t have much of a beach to boast about.  It’s mainly a beach for locals but more foreigners have been visiting in the last few years.  Most people only transit through Chumphon on their way to Ko Tao so it’s not too touristy which is what we like.  In fact, I like most areas south of Hua Hin heading towards Chumphon.

Ideally, we could find something similar in Krabi or Phang-Nga but perhaps not.  Things we like on our beach:  jet skis are outlawed, no buildings are more than 2 stories, there are nice views of the beach while driving down the road (not blocked by hotels), there are many reasonably priced restaurants available including decent western food, it’s safe for kids, and it’s not too noisy at night but there are places to go for a beer if you want.

Ao Nang seems to be mentioned a lot on this forum but the Google Street view doesn’t look too pretty.  Are there better choices?  Is it all an overdeveloped mess like most Thai islands?  Are there nature hikes outside of national parks?  I’m sure we can find a suitable resort but I’m concerned about the general environment driving around the area.  If there’s not a lot of free nature locations to be found and it’s really just a big tourist hustle we might opt to remain on the east coast where things are mellower.

Any thoughts on any of this are appreciated.  Thanks!

Hi.  I’m trying to get information and possibly recommendations for visiting Krabi in 2024.  I usually vacation in Chumphon when the pollution season strikes the north.  Next year I plan to extend that trip by three weeks and I was thinking of spending the time in Krabi and/or Phang-Nha.  I don’t think I’d like Phuket because of over-development. 

The beach we stay at in Chumphon is 2 kilometers long and has many decent restaurant choices within walking distance.  It’s also has a good sized beach width even at low tide.  Many beaches like in Pattaya don’t have much of a beach to boast about.  It’s mainly a beach for locals but more foreigners have been visiting in the last few years.  Most people only transit through Chumphon on their way to Ko Tao so it’s not too touristy which is what we like.  In fact, I like most areas south of Hua Hin heading towards Chumphon.

Ideally, we could find something similar in Krabi or Phang-Nga but perhaps not.  Things we like on our beach:  jet skis are outlawed, no buildings are more than 2 stories, there are nice views of the beach while driving down the road (not blocked by hotels), there are many reasonably priced restaurants available including decent western food, it’s safe for kids, and it’s not too noisy at night but there are places to go for a beer if you want.

Ao Nang seems to be mentioned a lot on this forum but the Google Street view doesn’t look too pretty.  Are there better choices?  Is it all an overdeveloped mess like most Thai islands?  Are there nature hikes outside of national parks?  I’m sure we can find a suitable resort but I’m concerned about the general environment driving around the area.  If there’s not a lot of free nature locations to be found and it’s really just a big tourist hustle we might opt to remain on the east coast where things are mellower.

Any thoughts on any of this are appreciated.  Thanks!

I haven't rented a car for years but now need one for a couple of week while my car is repainted.  I've only done rentals for a day or two in the past.  Are there any reputable places that offer a discount for long-term rentals?

Thanks.

It is my understanding that the USA has had a double tax treaty with Thailand since 1997.  Does this help USA citizens in any way to avoid this new tax?

https://www.hlbthai.com/double-tax-agreement-between-the-united-states-of-america-and-thailand-including-examples/

Thanks!

Does anyone know the phone number to schedule an airport taxi pickup?  This is the airport taxi stand with the Toyota Fortuners that you register for as you exit domestic arrivals.  The price is set before you ride.

Thanks.

I should have mentioned that my wife is Thai.  If my children, who  were born here,  are eligible while they're still living here that's better than nothing I guess.  

My understanding is that by only living in Thailand my wife and children won't be eligible for my SSA benefits if we have not also lived together in the States for five years:  

https://www.greenbacktaxservices.com/knowledge-center/us-expat-taxes-social-security/

We had no intention of leaving Thailand and moving to 'approved' counties where this requirement is not needed:

https://www.ssa.gov/international/countrylist3.htm

Is this indeed true and if so what do most people do about it?   Give up the benefits?  Move back to the States for five years?  Move to an 'approved' country ($$$)??

I'd appreciate any thoughts on this.

Thanks.

I went and did the retirement visa myself and there were no problems.  It took about 70 minutes.

I got there a little early but they immediately took my paperwork and started checking it.  They also had two additional forms for me to sign.  

Things started quickly but then it became a 'hurry up and wait' process.  I was called to take a photo and then sat down and had to wait for quite a while.

Could be worse.  I used the monthly deposit method but had the paperwork ready for the 800k deposit method as a backup plan in case they found a 'problem'.

Thanks for your comments.  Good luck!

I've been disenchanted with my experience using an agent for the annual retirement visa renewal the last few years.  Too many "surprises" when I thought all my paperwork was in perfect order for both the monthly deposit and/or 800k deposit requirements.

I've decided to fly solo this year and see how it goes.  I'm curious about anyone else's experiences going to immigration for retirement renewals recently.  Booking the appointment was easy.  It says it's a 20 minutes appointment and to arrive 10 minutes early.  Are things running on time or can I expect delays?   Any other surprises that I should expect and perhaps be prepared for?

Any thoughts on any of this are greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

I just got back to  CM on Saturday from a long air pollution escape journey down south.  The air is clear now and I'm curious how long it's been that way?  A couple of weeks?  It will help me plan on when to return next year from the same dreaded trek.

Thanks.

LaCasita's parking garage is too low for my car's roof rack.  Thanks for everyone's help.  We'll keep looking and I'm sure we'll find something.

I'd prefer not to use Airbnb because I can't see the property first before renting it.

I've always stayed in hotels on the beach here but am considering a 2-3 week stay next March where I would prefer a house.  I'm looking for a quiet, safe place for kids which would probably mean a moo baan,  I did some searches on Agoda, Booking, and Airbnb and the results are a bit overwhelming.  

It would be nice to see the place while I'm visiting here now rather than booking blindly next year.  Ideally, the price would be 2,000-3,000 baht/night or less but if there's nothing nice in that price range I may have to make alternative plans.  Our current hotel is quite nice and costs about 2,500 baht/night but there's no kitchen or quiet neighborhood for our kids to play.  It's not ideal for a long-term stay.

Any thoughts on this are appreciated.  Thanks.