rcoyote

that's some hard earned information. It sounds like you get a bank account in Myanmar for depositing and have to take it out by hand. Have you found an alternative for customers to pay into your bank other than PayPal? ie. a bank app direct deposit? thanks

Has anyone had new experiences in Myanmar with banks and ATMs since these posts? I'm a US citizen living in Thailand and soon to be married to a Myanmar citizen. We are looking to do trade between all three countries and want to learn more about simple banking transactions first and longer term strategies as we develop our business. Thanks.

I know there is an SCB branch in Myanmar, but I haven't been able to find out what the charge is across the border from Thailand. Thanks.

This thread is incredibly helpful for me. I've always appreciated the idea of social security and have had other social services save my life. Although where I sit isn't ideal, I'm thankful for even the small savings/retirement plan that has been started. Now it's up to me and the rest of my time to make a few better choices - day by day, month by month, year by year. 

Great feedback and information. Thank you all - really. this gives me a great idea on how to plan my next steps and what risks are worthwhile. btw. I did have workers comp, but just got injured at the wrong time in that system. I also had private insurance.. long story, but I accept my part in it. I don't see any point in thinking about the past.. move on and make the best of it. working in the US is a big possibility, but I also want to look into as many possibilities as I can figure out. I enjoy my life here much more so than the US. Yet, I still must think beyond today. Thanks again.

haha, no not at all. I had a series of injuries because of semi-dangerous jobs. One thing I found out is that a serious work injury in America is nearly a death sentence.. if you're lucky a path to bankruptcy. Finally, I realized I had to let go of the way I made money. 

What is the best way to send some money to my family in Myanmar? I am a US citizen living in Thailand. My Myanmar wife and I want to send some money to her mother. I was thinking that possibly sending her an ATM card from an account that I set up just for her would be a good option. Any suggestions? thanks, Scott

I just posted a question about US Social Security, but it opened up a can that I've been avoiding for quite some time. Due to many unfortunate events and decisions I am looking at nothing but low social security payments at the moment down the road to retirement. I am now 53, have survived some real close calls with injuries and surgeries, but now have to rebuild and deal with the fall out. All things said I am happy and relatively happy.  I plan on working and running a business for some time. Can anyone offer some real advice.. yes I get that can be a set up for snark, but I honestly would like some sound advice.

I have enough units to receive Social Security, but the payment is relatively low as of now. $475/mo if I retire at the normal age. Anyhow, Should I keep paying into to SS?, or put the same amount into a Roth account? some combination of the two, or is there a better option?

Luckily I can keep earning, but I have been wiped out a few times, and can't say that my strategies or lack there of have helped out. Willing to change. Thanks.

I was reading about Social Security reporting if I am living and working in another country and I had some questions I hope someone can answer. SS mentions that I can be penalized for not reporting the income and also says that I can get more information about reporting SS at the US embassy.  

• Can I pay into SS from Thailand? Now I am working as a teacher, but this year I plan to start a business as well.
• I have worked for the last 2 years in Thailand without sending any notifications to SS or for that matter even paid my taxes. I am in the process of paying the taxes now. 

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

US Citizen, Age 53, I have enough units worked, but my benefits are quite low, so I want to continue to pay into SS, or perhaps I should just do a Roth etc.

haha. Yeah just what I thought. But if someones actually done it, It may not be so hard. Thanks anyhow.. and good luck with your gal there..looks like that ones gonna cost more than a nut.

Thanks for jumpin in. I have a decent idea how to get the paperwork in Myanmar that I need. But I'm not sure how long it takes. And also, how long it takes in Thailand and If I need to have a job or a certain amount of savings to get married in Thailand. I currently have a job, but gave my notice, so I can visit my family in the US. But now I'm wondering if I should and can pull this off before my last day of work. Otherwise it may be awhile until I can do it again. Thanks. 

Hi I read some interesting information about marrying a Myanmar citizen but it was dated back to 2014. A lot has changed since then. Does anyone have any new experiences?  My gf and I live in Thailand. She is from Myanmar and has a real Myanmar passport. I'm trying to figure out if we should go and get married in Myanmar. Or go to Myanmar get whatever forms we need and then get married in Thailand. Earlier someone suggested getting an agent in Myanmar, getting the paperwork and then getting married in Thailand. 

We will go to the Myanmar Embassy today and see what they suggest. But I'd greatly appreciate someone who has already had success. preferably in the last year or two, but anything helps. Thanks.

Extra information: I'm a US citizen. We've lived together for 3 years. And I've heard I shouldn't mention living together to the Myanmar officials. 

I know this is an old topic, but I had Dr. Charkaphan Osangthamnont and I thought he was excellent. I saw another Dr. in the same department more recently that I didn't like as much. Dr. CO was informed, didn't do anything unnecessary and recommended some easy treatments that were cheap and effective. The other Dr. was a hell of a lot more expensive and I ended up quitting the medicine he recommended a few days in. Any both were good, I'd just request Dr. Charkaphan Osangthamnont next time. 

What if we only have a choice between having a baby in Myanmar or Thailand. My gf is from Myanmar. It seems there could be some advantages for the kid if he was born in Thailand. 

Apparently, healthcare is a lot cheaper and easier to deal with in Myanmar, however, I have had great experiences with Thailand's health care. I get it.. as long as you have money. I don't have any health insurance, so I'll have to check on the prices too and weigh all things: salary, benefits etc.... 

thanks

On 10/17/2014 at 8:49 PM, Chillout101 said:

All papers are in Burmese but the agent will fix all translations the day before so once they have been to MOFA you are actually finished with agent. From there you need to go to Thai embassy in Yangon and get papers stamped, it will then be accepted by MOFA in Thailand, we forgot this but I actually got them stamped at Burma embassy in Bangkok without any problems.
Do not under any circumstances get married in Yangon, then they can not get the single paper and you would be smart to marry in Thailand instead. A marriage in Burma will raise questions in any other country so get it done in Thailand.

Hi Chillout,

Out of all the posts I've read yours has been the most specifically helpful. I am really curious, in my case, about not getting married in Myanmar. I understand your reasoning, however, I am wondering if I do get a job in Myanmar if it wouldn't be easier to get married there. I am worried about her crossing the border a few times in that she seems to always get hassled and may not be allowed back into Thailand on potentially the next visit. I have applied for a few jobs in Myanmar and am not at all clear what the best strategy would be.  If I am hearing your right - even though you were living in Thailand - it would still be a better idea to do as you said. and then travel back to Myanmar as a married couple. 

Sort of related and equally confusing is the idea of guardianship. If we did move to Myanmar unmarried we can't live together so I'm wondering how do we say we've met if she's been under her mothers guardianship. Specifically, my passport would show I just came into Myanmar and a week later was getting married. Seems like it wouldn't work unless I could say we've been ... dating for 2 years.. (really living together - but I understand that that is not a good idea to mention). Anyhow, I'd greatly appreciate your comments in my twisted up scenario.   Thanks - I do know it'll eventually work out. I'd just like it to go as easily as possible. Thanks.

On 4/26/2017 at 2:45 PM, NoBrainer said:

If it's anything like living with a Thai girlfriend, it will start out great, but turn into a nightmare a few months down the road.

 

Being single does have a lot going for it.  555

Maybe, but we've long been passed the few months.. Nearly 3 years.. She's quite different than any Thai girl I dated etc. Should work - we'll see. Maybe you just like being single - definitely better than a bad catch. 

Thanks - some great comments here. One strange scenario would be that I get a job in Myanmar and then we cannot get married or live together. But up until that point I will keep gathering information. I've heard from many recent sources that a foreigner can marry a Myanmar gal in Myanmar. Lots has changed, however, I would imagine that there is still a lot of greasing that may have to be done. I will take it as it comes and appreciate everyones feedback. 

Well at least I know it can be done. Do they like it more than Thailand? Or what do they like more about it? I'm sure there are pros and cons. 

I've been looking into different options of getting married to my Myanmar gf of 3 years.  I am a US citizen . Right now I am trying to find out some advantages of getting married in Myanmar. I understand that this marriage is not as recognized in some countries as compared to a US or a Thai marriage, but it surely must be recognized in Myanmar, Thailand and the US right? Out of those 3 I can see the US being the most likely problem as nothing is normal there currently.   But there are many hassles involving possible extra boarder crossings etc. that have made me look into this possibility. I imagine after once successfully getting married in Myanmar I could also get the marriage endorsed (if that's the right word) in another country as well as needed. Possibly even get married in the US as well one day. 

Anyhow, my girlfriend and I are considering trying out some opportunities in Myanmar, but from everything I've read so far living together is not an option and not worth the risk if we are not married. That said we are ready to tie the knot and Myanmar is intriguing albeit a bit intimidating as well (as a US/Myanmar couple). I highly doubt we will experience the same freedom from  scrutiny we generally appreciate in Thailand. 

Any thoughts? Helpful ones are the most appreciated. Thanks. 

On 4/21/2017 at 9:26 AM, phuketrichard said:

Unless ur married or working, u wont get anything but a tourist visa for Myanmar.

Rents are very high as well and not sure they will rent to a farang that does not have a wp. All my friends that live in Myanmar and have apts, have wp's

 

Fiancee visas for traveling to the us are expansive  and take at least 6 months to obtain and UNLESS you intend of living in the states do not suggest u  got his route.

getting her a tourist visa... does she have land,  her own house, a healthy bank account,( showing deposits every month for the past year), a job?  without these.... forget it.

also u will need someone to sponsor her from the states as u dont live there.

Hi PR, Did any of your friends get married in Myanmar? I'm obviously searching for different answers and opportunities. I would like to stay in Myanmar, but not being able to live together for an extended time frame isn't my idea of a good plan. Some of your comments have given me a good dose of reality. I realize that any plan I decide to try will take time. Time involves my next job and also next home.. So at the moment at least I'm dealing in broad strokes figuring what will be a smart and doable plan. So firstly, have you heard anything good about getting married in Myanmar? For me it seems all things considered this would be the fastest way for my gf and I to live and work in Myanmar and then take the next 6 months to a year getting a visa to visit my folks in the US... that's actually doable. 

Thanks - I get a feeling you've experienced plenty - appreciate your take on things.  Anyone else please jump in too. Thanks. 

From what I'm reading I should rethink my idea of getting a place for one month if possible in Yangon, checking out the place and check out some different teaching jobs. My main goal is to visit and see if I want to work there - before I commit to a job and a contract. From what I gather it may be an expensive month if I have to get a string of different hotels that don't offer weekly or monthly rates. I do have some family that may help out. And also I am trying to find out if my Myanmar gf and I can live together on this trip, or does she have to stay at a relatives house? Not really wanting to, but if i were asked, could I stay at her relatives as well? And if so is there some general protocol I need to follow as in sleeping with each other? Thanks 

Thanks - that helps. Looks like I will need to come up with a long term plan. From what you and others have said - I think a tourist visa is out. She will need to be a dependent of mine. I do currently have a job, however, I won't in a few months. Does it make more sense to get married Myanmar/Thailand (I've heard Thailand) and then work toward a spouse visa for a US visit? or will that take as long to get as the fiancé visa?  I mostly concerned with ability to get the visa.  

No she doesn't have land/house/healthy bank account etc. She does have a real passport and her mother has a house with her name on it, but I'd rather not depend on her side... thus marriage, but still on the planning and researching end. 

thanks again, S

assuming I do get a 1 month rental with help of her family etc. Do you think we can live together? Or even have consistent overnight stays? I heard in the past this could be problematic especially in Hotels. 

haha I hadn't seen the Hua "Him" typo.. 

I ended up reserving through Agoda, however, after going there I"d easily could've found a place with the above suggestions or riding around looking for one. Renting a scooter definitely opens up the place, but I wouldn't recommend doing it that way unless you are an experienced rider; the roads are big, fast and wet if its during Songkran. 

I ended up paying the fine. Guy in front of my had the same issue and was having a hard time getting that he f'd up. They actually opened up another window for him since he locked down all 3 Immigration workers trying to make him understand he had to pay up. They were ecstatic when I paid immediately and then told the guy to pay for his lesson and not do it again. Thanks for the input everyone... It actually helped to know I likely wasn't going to win on this one. It won't ever happen again.. At least this screw up.