lcp0761

Question --- I live in Jomtien Beach, Can I get one of these ID cards at the Pattaya City Hall? Somewhere in Jomtien?

My wife & I are going on 7-years of marriage together, 8-years of actually knowing each other.

We moved to the USA (Washington, DC area) after or Thai marriage and the 1st year was a culture shock which included the adverse weather conditions and life's challenges.

The 2nd year of our marriage she started working and realized there are a lot of jobs in the USA if you are willing to work.

I have a good job so I pay all the bills and also send a nominal donation back home to the family every two weeks like clock work.

Any additional expenses back home (i.e. like a dead cow) are paid for by my wife from her money earned (rarely does this happens).

I will be retiring Jan2017 and we will be moving back to Thailand.

She knows I don't like a lot of people in our house so when we purchase a dwelling post retirement it will not include any room for extended family. In fact I have stated I am looking for a 2-bedroom house, one for our use and the 2nd for a computer room.

We have already renovated her family house up-country over the past 7-years to be extremely comfortable, for Thai standards.

Lastly, re: Thai friends here in the USA. We have seen a lot of female Thai women have gotten in trouble/divorced due to gambling/debt issues. Thankfully my wife works hard and doesn't like to gamble.

Looking forward to retirement with my wife in 6-months

I'm getting ready to move/retire to Thailand and looking for any recommendations where in Thailand (preferably either in BKK or Pattaya area) to purchase a mountain bike (vs shipping my current bike to Thailand)?

As I am getting ready to retire from the US and relocate to Thailand, this is all good information.

Question 1 --- Do I read this correctly that SSA sends all retiree's annual "are you alive" letters. Which you need to respond or it probably will impact you receiving your benefits (annuity)?

Question 2 --- If I "monthly" log into the SSA website does this mitigate/pacify this SSA action?

I'm not paranoid but coming from a law enforcement background, "I trust no body".

I have two keys hidden:

- One in a combination "lock box" which is connected to steel cable and hangs 2' down inside a water pipe closet.

- A second "lock box" is berried in the ground just inside my property

NOTE --- I have limited keys on my key chain to minimize my loss; a separate set of keys for house, car, motorcycle, and safe.

Retirement at age 50 allowed me to move to Thailand where I have been for the last 24 years so very happy to have been able to retire early.

Back in 2005, I worked in Thailand (BKK & Laem Chabang) for 2.5 years; an excellent gig.

I was called back to HQ's (Washington, DC) where I stayed for 2-3 years and then off to the Middle East (for 3-4 years).

All the time away from Thailand I regularly communicated with my Thai friends and monitored the local political situation (through Thai VISA).

Our annually holiday since 2008, I returned to Thailand for 1-2 months as I missed the food, weather, and people.

Retirement to Thailand is in my near future, 6-months away on Jan 3, 2017. Probably stay here in the US a few extra months sorting out the retirement paperwork, 2016 taxes and wait for my 1st retirement check on/about Feb 1st.

Around March 2017, we are off to Thailand and not looking back. Anyone wants to see me they can come to Thailand or we can talk via Skype/FB.

Songkran 2017 --- ahhhh!

Question - retiring January 3, 2017 here in the USA and subsequently moving to Thailand. I'm 55 years old, not married and have a good retirement pension (about $7K per month).

Please advise on my VISA options - is there a 1-year tourist VISA I can apply for and subsequently request it be extended?

Thanks ---

Reading your issued statement, I respond with the following from an "outsiders viewpoint":

- I also see a lot of the same questions being asked as it is challenging finding an answer to "each persons own unique situation". In a foreign land they have immigration issues which because of ignorance they become financial.

- Take the TV forum criticism with a "grain of salt". It is probably coming from a "retiree" who has vast retirement/immigration knowledge/experience but is tired of saying the same thing multiple times.

Respectively, as I am preparing to retire to LOS in 9-months I regularly scan the TV forum for information which confirms action needed.

You can never be too prepared --- enjoy life.

tx for helping! from the pinned thread: For people wanting to send money to Thailand by bank transfer (sometimes called a "wire transfer" or a "swift transfer" or a "telegraphic transfer"), in order to get the onshore rate, the money must be sent in foreign currency and converted "onshore". The best way to do that is to specify the "correspondent bank" details to the sending bank. The "correspondent bank" is an intermediary bank that sits between the sending bank and the receiving bank and the details comprise of 1. the bank name & address, 2. swift code and 3. the receiving bank's account number with the correspondent bank; and the details will be available from the receiving bank if you ask. If you don't specify the correspondent bank details, or if you are vague about whether you are sending baht or foreign currency, then the sending bank could easily convert it at the offshore rate (since they are located offshore from thailand) and send the baht to thailand. It is normal banking practice in the UK to do this.

Is the correspondent bank for Kaisikorn posted somewhere? i have their head office and my branch..is the head office the corresponding bank?

This is where it pays to do your homework. Not every bank in one country does direct business with every bank in another country. Far from it. Often there is an intermediary bank that is used to connect two unrelated banks together. When this happens, you pay extra fees to the intermediary bank.

You should ask you bank in your home country what banks they have a relationship with in this country. If the answer is not K bank then open an account at the relevant bank.

If your home bank has no relationships in Thailand at all, consider opening a new bank account in your home country with a bank that can do business direct.

If your account is in the UK or the US consider using Bangkok Bank.

I am in the US and retiring to LOS next year (Jan2017), and will be purchasing a condo/house. I also have a Bangkok Bank account and regularly transfer money for my wife family issues.

When I transfer money to from my US bank account (Bank of America) to my Bangkok bank account (New York branch), there is no option to specify the "purpose" of the transfer. Is this a concern (will I have a problem/concern with the land registery office)?

Respectively, when on holiday to Thailand over this past 7-years, I have stayed at various motels in the Jomtien Beach area on Soi 1, 3 & 4. While it depends on the season, but I usually pay between 650-800 THB (or $18.50-24.00 USD) per night.

Some have a pool - some don't, but the beach is walking distance.

They are clean and even if you got 3-4 rooms, they are a deal.

Respectively, a good implementation measure for the Thai Govt for foreigners but what really needs to be addressed is driving improvements for Thais.

Other than in BKK (major cities) Thais really don't need a DL and if caught a cash transfer of $1-200 TBH will resolve the issue.

Other than pointing the vehicle/motorcycle in a given direction, rules/regulations are not needed/required to be known.

How often do you see 4-5 Thais on a motorcycle or a vehicle driving through a red light while in the left lane?

Here or there.....it just doesn't make much difference where you retire as for things to do. That being said the weather is great here and the people wonderful.

Some things here in Thailand are cheaper and some things are more expensive. It just depends on whats important to you. Housing is cheap, Hospital care is reasonable, western food is expensive....etc.

You choose. Here or there?????

The execution of your retirement plan is important; regardless if it's in Thailand or your home country :

Ensure you have prepared appropriately for the following area's:

- Medical coverage - do you have health care insurance / don't go blind hoping you never have a health concern

- Retirement income - live comfortably not on a shoe-string budget

- Housing - renting or buying is cheap

- Food - you don't need to eat at a 5 star restaurant every night / every meal

- Exercise - in retirement this should be a major highlight which will reduce above medical costs

- Faith - regardless if religion, regular practice keeps the mind strong

- Touring - Thailand has a lot of beautiful tourist area's; enjoy.

- Bar scene - limit the frequency as karma will haunt you

If you look at any of the local newspaper they are covered with "Thai Police looking for drivers under the influence and will be assessed a hefty fine and jail time".

Not sure if found if the Thai police officer would get a kick-back or just an "at-a-boy"?

Summary --- for any falang or other, are you willing to test the Thai police system with the chance of being fined or thrown in jail?

Also, if I am the Thai police, I would probably pull over the falang (versus Thais) as in Pattaya at 2AM I would bet there is a higher probability that the falang was drinking.

Respectively, if you have not already found one I highly recommend the following as I have used her since 2009. I am from the USA (DC area) where there are lots of dental options but even prior to retiring to LOS, I would use her on my annual Thailand vacations.

Phone # 038-429-357

Her office is located just off of Pattaya Klang between Beach road and 2nd road.

She is extremely competent and isn't very pricey.

Regards

Been in LOS since 2009 - the following is my "general" schedule:

- Daily early AM run (approx. 4-mile run through Jomtien Beach) before traffic starts)

- Post the run, eat a healthy light breakfast with fruits & plenty of water

- Work 8-10 hours / stay away from the bars, as possible

- Participate in EXPAT group for falang bonding and professional contacts

- Force myself to spend 1-weekend a month in BKK touring/change of atmosphere. It's too easy to become complacent

- Saturday/Sunday Catholic church mass & post activities

- Once every three months travel away from Pattaya/Jomtien Beach to tour a new city (within Thailand)

- Once every six months travel to local SEA to tour

- Participate in BKK/Pattaya annual 1/2 marathon runs / join local running club, when available

I have over 200 small business customers in Pattaya and can confirm this Peak Session is a complete FAIL. Hotels are at best 50% average occupancy and we are still able to get rooms at all major locations. Beaches are empty and clubs from what i see are just trying to survive. Locals and Expats make up the largest amount of business currently not tourists.

What months are considered "high season" verses "low season"? Lastly what is the rainy season, cool season, or hot season?

When the US starts raising interest rates, hot money that flowed here back in the QE period, will flow back to the US for the higher yields, and higher security. The US dollar will probably strengthen, and the Baht weaken. Hopefully, Thailand will take measures to ensure it doesn't weaken too much!

The US Federal Reserve has said it will raise the interest rates later this month, long over due, which should add international confidence to the US Dollar.

I am rolling over and over as I will be retiring in January of 2017 to Thailand. I previously spend 3+ years working in BKK & Laem Chabang so am familiar with the country and people.

Currently my cash money (approx. $350K USD) is tied-up in retirement funds - not available to withdraw until I retire or I will be penalized.

Sorry to those whom are wanting to sell but I am hoping to pick-up a 2nd hand house/condo in the Pattaya area post my retirement.

I hope the housing/condo market stays stable for the next 9-12 months but then drops again just in time for me to pick-up something.

I hear you but this isn't just in LOS as it's here in the USA also. People stop/park right in front of a stores door opening which is a "fire lane" and subject to a $250 ticket.

There is ample parking in an adjacent parking lot but they are too "lazy or fat" to walk the distance.

When told about the sign stating no "standing or parking" they say they never saw the sign and won't do it again.

If you ticket them they claim racial bias.

Using a qualified teacher in of itself does not ensure success of mastering the English language.

I spent 2.5 years at the US Embassy - BKK working with local college kids on a part time basis with "conversational English".

They had the basic English language understanding but it was text book language vs conversational. You could see they were putting together one word at a time and struggling.

I made them comfortable talking about sports, the heat,...and later you could see they were better prepared. Also, I brought my Thai wife into the class who spent 7-years with me in the USA to speak with them in English (she also wasn't a teacher).

Lastly getting local Thai businesses who use English as the primary language as part of their business (i.e. Intl businesses) to meet with them to give them their insight why they needed to learn English to succeed vs reverting to their Thai native language.

What if they were married outside of Thailand and once she said they wanted a divorce, he got lost (moved to another city in Thailand) with no way to track him.

I say this assuming he quickly changed the various bank account (foreign) online password and cancelled her ATM/bank cards.

Essentially cut her off where it hurts - her pocket.

NOTE --- I have a retirement visa vs a marriage visa as I don't want to scramble latter to change my visa if a separation/divorce occurs.

Comment??

Bottom line - getting a tattoo is addicting. I both enjoy the art and symbolic meaning of my tattoo's.

Personally, I currently only have tattoo's on my back and hip/butt area, all concealed from general public viewing. No tattoo's on my arms, chest, legs, or face.

Certain area's of the body are more painful then others when getting a tattoo. While I like the tattoo pain sensation, I'm not interested enduring hours upon hours of pain.

Lastly, never get a tattoo when your drunk. People doing this make a lot of bad decisions.

The thread should really be updated as the club has not been closed down and is open as normal. The closure is "under consideration".

Correct. I was just on Walking Street. Very much open.

Under consideration means management is in the process of "paying-off" various officials to keep the club open.

Those of us who live and frequent these bars have the most to loose in our "entertainment" being shutdown because of social media.

You go out to FB or most other social media sites and all have girls/guys being displayed. Maybe not with a woman down on her knees "smoking the bone" but showing butt/breast/...

Club owners should clamp down for the sake of keeping the club(s) open and post signs that "recording media" cannot be used inside of the club and if found to disobey the club rules the club has the right to confiscate the alleged recording media. Period/No 2nd chances.

I buy Gold with any spare money i have left over and don't look at it like a investment just a form of currency which you can check daily. Earlier in the year the price for 1 Bhat of Gold was 21000 now it is around 19000 Bhat. Guaranteed In the next year the price will go back up to over 20,000. You won't make alot and you won't lose alot but you might make a little or lose a little if you need to sell.

My advice is buy a small safe and dip your toes in the water

I will be retiring in LOS 01/2017 and for the past 5-years I travel to Thailand for a 1-month holiday with my wife (Thai National).

At the end of my travel each year I purchased a 2-Baht gold bar. Unfortunately the price of gold has dropped the past few years but it's better for the purchaser (buy low / sell high).

My real reason for buying the gold was to diversify my available cash as I have money in other retirement/401K "buckets".

Realistically, when I move to Thailand, as now, I will put the bars in a safe and forget about them. Let my wife cash them at a distant time if she ever really needs to.