JimmerJJ

I am having difficulty with this form (SSA 7162). The system is broken so I emailed my Senator (copied below) please feel free to copy and email your Senator and keep our fingers crossed. Subj: Problem: SSAs Archaic System for Form 7162 Dear Senator Rosen, I am a Nevada absentee voter temporarily living overseas. I am 70 years old and on Social Security. The SSA mails out a form to those overseas receiving benefits which must be returned to them or their benefits are jeopardized. The problem is they only allow returning it to their PO Box so that rules out using tracking services such as FedEx or DHL. I sent mine on Nov 23rd via EMS mail but that tracking stopped after it left Thailand and was not picked up by USPS. This is an important form to get returned or they cut you off. Why can't SSA have a normal street address to return these forms instead of a PO Box? Also we have no way of knowing if it was received. So as backup I have also sent another 7162 to them by regular airmail from Thailand. Why can't they send us a secure message in 'My Social Security' letting us know that it was recveived. I called the SSA office in Reno (where I applied for benefits) and the Rep did not even know what that form was. The Rep gave me another number in Wilkes Barre PA (where the form goes) but I called there and they said it was the wrong office. Please help us with this nightmare bureaucracy. Thank you

I'm not complaining just trying to figure out if I'm getting ripped off. I've learned a lot just from this thread that there are a lot of variances.

I'm not complaining just trying to figure out if I'm getting ripped off. I've learned a lot just from this thread that there are a lot of variances.

Thanks for the info. I wish I could pay directly to the MEA. The front living room is surrounded on 2 sides by big windows that open. So maybe it's not energy efficient too.

Thanks, padding the bill is what I think too.

Yes I don't have much stuff so not hrd to move. I could afford the extra couple thousand but I just don't like being taken advantage of and I think that's what they're doing. It's the principle of the thing. Thank you

Yeah maybe your're right. Thank you

Hi Sqwakvfr, guess I could if I asked but the Manager was showing me the current reading on paper but i didn't actually see it for myself.

Hi Crossy, I don't know the BTU's but here are some pics and the one in the bedroom is a Trane. The outlet in the living room is a big vent like they use with central A/C but I guess it's not because it has a condensor outside (see vent pic). And outside on the balcony are 2 A/C condensors (I think they're called that) Thank you

Hi everyone, I'm renting a 1 bedroom apartment near Saphan Kwai and Ari in Bangkok and it is my first month here. Electric is not included and the contract says the charge is 8 baht per unit. My first month will be over in a week and the manager estimates that the final elecrtric charge will be about 6000 baht based on what I've used so far. To me it seems high but I've been absent from the country for 2 years because of COVID and just got back. We are very conscious about saving electricity. There are 2 A/C units, one in the bedroom and one in the living room but mostly only one is run at a time. We shut the lights and everything off if we leave. The place is dimly lit with not much lighting. The hotpot stove is electric and we cook normal but just breakfast and dinner and we use laptop and TV. The apartment is about 76 sq meters. I don't have access to the meter and just have to rely on what they tell me. Is 6000 baht about normal? Is 8 baht a unit about normal (live in Phyathia/Saphan Kwai area)? I'm deciding whether to stay here so this is a factor. Thanks all for any info.

That's exactly what I did. Starbucks has a Hazelnut syrup and also at Villa Mart they have 24 oz bottles of Torani Classic Hazelnut syrup. So I mix with a creamer like Barista milk and then top it off by spraying some whipped cream on top. Also experiment by adding a little vanilla or caramel syrup (but the ratio's are top secret so I can't divulge).

Right now I'm hooked on UCC Roast Master House Blend Medium Roast (Thailand product at Big C). It has a really great crema and kind of a nutty taste. Coffee aficiando's will probably turn up their nose to it but i'm not that picky. I look for not fruity but a nutty (like me) taste. But I switch a lot and like to try different ones.

Thanks everyone for all the good info and tips!! I appreciate your help so much!

Hello all, I am 70 y/o and having some serious pain in my back that requires surgery. Severe pain so in my eyes it is pretty urgent. I'm in Bangkok now on a 60 day Covid Visa that expires in a few weeks. I am thinking of using Vejthani Hospital because they have a spine surgeon with extensive training in USA and at Stanford and Cornell. I have no clue on how hospitals do a visa for you or how it works. Do I have to do it from outside Thailand? Can I do the consult with the doctor and then if he concurs (2nd opinion at Vejthani) that I need surgery then do they send me to the hospital Visa office to start the process? Would they do a visa for a spine surgery? I would think since I am going to pay a lot of money for their surgery that they would be happy to help with the visa. I think my spine care will be lengthy so I'll need a long tem visa. Thanks all in advance! ☺

Hi All, I'm really picky about my coffee and coming to Bangkok soon and staying in Thonglor area by Sukhumvit. Does anyone know of anyplace that sells Hazelnut coffee creamer (like in attached pics). I've been out of Thailand and can't remember if Big C or Lotus had them. It's a little coffee emergency if I don't have them Hahaha.