frankv42

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Most likely Yellen will be wanting to raise interest rates. Good chance trump fires Yellen especially considering she was featured in one of his "evil globalist conspiracy theory" campaign ads (that many saw as antisemitic as well). 

Can't fire her. Her term is up next year and he can nominate another to be Fed Chairman.

3 hours ago, evadgib said:

Kindles or Kindle apps work perfectly well in Thailand; rendering libraries largely redundant re accessing books.

 

HTH

I have a kindle and just download books and movies online from my local public library in USA.  Picked up a library card on my last visit to US and it's been great.

9 minutes ago, IAMHERE said:

Janet Yellin is a political creature that would like nothing more than to see POTUS Trump saddled with a recession before the next election cycle. Janet has a job until 2018 and is going to see what economics she can create to get Democrats elected to the House and Senate in 2018. I expect a raise in rates for December of 2016 and 3 more in 2017 (Feb,April, July).

No hope for Dems in 2018. There are 25 Democrat Senate seats, and only 8 Republican up for election.  The House has a large Republican majority.  4 interest rate increases in 1 year when there is little inflation now? That would be unprecedented, don't see that happening.

A quick update for those interested in moving to Bkk. All the above still holds true + I'm studying Thai M-F 3 hrs daily, and have USA Netflix/NFL/MLB packages. For now I'm really enjoying Bkk. The condo is better than I could have hoped for. My overall spending is about Bt75k monthly (w/o scrimping) and I easily got a retirement type visa.

I am looking for this also. Any recommendations fromthe forum?

The Phils kicked us out when we became inconvenient, now we should risk American lives and spend millions to protect them? Better to help the countries involved protect themselves, and to build a coalition with other countries (incl Europe). We always take on these ourselves, and end up the one who spends the most lives and money for some objective most Americans could care less about. If other major countries won't join, no reason for us to go it alone.

I am looking for this also. Did you find one you liked?

An update:

1. Walk to Benjakiti and around from location just north of Chit Lom is 16km...perfect morning walk and along the bike path connecting Lumpini and Benjakiti, don't have to dodge many cars. I go about 0630, and it's not too hot for me at this time of year anyway.

2. Walk to Lumpini and around a few times is 12-14, depending upon route inside park...perfect. Good group of people there enjoying exercise.

3. At the condo; very quiet, great swimming pool and gym, no negatives so far in the 2 weeks I've lived here. Thus far no 2nd thoughts about paying in advance, good decision for me.

4. Thai lessons, pool league, chess club, love of live music, dating regular Thais and eventually more activities (as well as work) will hopefully keep me out of Cowboy/Nana bars too often.

This is my 2nd time living in Bangkok, and I'm remembering why I liked it so much before. There's really a lot to do here. To each his own.

I ended up at The Address Chidlom. A 1br 54m2 high floor and good view on Phetchaburi side was 30k per month and 1 month secrity deposit. 10 min walk to Chidlom station. I paid a year in advance, so not sure if I got a good deal. I do like the well decorated apartment, location, facilities and quality are great. I looked at Siri on 8 (great location but everything else well below this one, also 30k). I didn't like the north side of Sukhumvit at all, 1 giant construction zone, heavy traffic and many blocked views.

If I didn't get this one, I would have looked at Phrom Phrong next.

The Langsuan area from about Urbana south to Rama4 is a construction zone as well. The north side closer to Ploenchit was ok.

I went thru an agent that was recommended to me, and they negotiated with the landlord. A good experience as I moved into a nice place as I wanted in less than a week.

Thanks to all for the help!

Thanks to all for the many good ideas.

I now have insurance with nearly no deductible.

I am semi-retired, age 58. The smaller USA co. I work for may keep

me for 1 yr, or 5 yrs, I have no idea. Hence I want a hospital on the

list that is best for 1 having a policy bought while in Thailand.

I know of Bupa, but not sure that is what I'll get. I think if you start Bupa

after 60, they will cut off you coverage at some age. That is okay.

I will likely move back to USA sometime after medicare starts at 65, I don't intend to

live here indefinitely (subject to change!).

I had afib before, but was taken care of by catheter ablation last March,

so far so good. I am on a blood thinner for life and bp meds for moderately high bp.

Recent heart scans had no plaque or other issues. If afib re-occurs, I'll likely

not do any further treatment, so not too concerned about pre-existing conditions

but hope the meds would be covered though they are pre-existing.

I just moved to Thailand a week ago, and want to do my annual physical and establish

myself with a doctor or hospital. I had thought Bumrungrad was much higher than others, but

seems it's only slightly higher. If that is the case, I'll just go there if locally bought

coverage will cover me there also.

Thanks again for the solid answers.

Hello,

I am currently covered by my USA employer at the below

hospitals. I live near Chidlom. My only health concern

now is cardiology, so one with a good heart clinic would

be a plus.

Bumrungrad

Samitivej

Mission

Bangkok Hospital

BNH

Although I'm covered now, I don't know for how much longer.

Ideally I'd want one that is good and reasonable cost if

I switch to Bupa or another insurer later.

Thanks

In a similar position (exactly the same budget) & decided to take the approach of finding a condo for rent on AirBnB in the area I'm interested in & spending a month living there to get a feel for the place.

Only done 1 so far (Trendy Apartments on Soi13) which quickly made me realize that I needed to be further out of town if I'm to live a "Normal" life so going to try somewhere around Soi-Mid30s next.

That's an interesting way to do it. I saw many condos I was looking at also advertised on AirBnB. I have a few weeks of free hotels that are in some of the areas I may like, so I was going to use those. Did you find yourself going out too much? Will moving to Thonglor solve that?

I've lived in Asia a very long time, including a year in Bangkok. I doubt I'll have the same problem, but Bangkok does strange things to people! Other than Trendy (what did you think of it?), did you look at any other condos? Especially did you look across Sukhumvit from Trendy? Thanks.

Attached is a list of condos that I see online from Nana - Asok area.

Does anyone have anymore to recommend, and any off this list to look at or stay away from?

The prices are the online prices. I'll go to specific condos and ask directly, just getting a list together. At this point, my favorite area would be Sukhumvit on the south side (even numbered sois), so that it is quieter and close to walking path between Lumphini and Benjakitti. At this point I still prefer to live somewhere closer to central Bangkok, between Ratchthewi and Phrom Phrong, within walking distance of BTS. I have a target condo list for the other areas as well. Thank you.

Thank you for the great answers. I had never heard of the ruamrudee footpath before, it looks perfect. I attached a picture I found online.

I was planning on doing legwork (until heat exhaustion got to me) first instead of an agent, which is why I wanted to narrow down to a few areas first.

1. I was planning on only looking within walking distance to BTS Chitlom or Ploenchit, not so near Lumphini. Ruamrudee 2 looks too close to the highway, but Ruamrudee looks okay. I'm curious why you don't like the upper Langsuan or nearby streets that are closer to Ploenchit Road. For my first place, that would seem to be a way to ease into Bangkok life. South of Suk between Nana and Asok also seems good for me.

2. I thought Soi 11 area would have too much traffic with the bars at night, but I'll check out the upper end of soi 11-13.

3. The Prakard website is a mystery to me how to access, I get to a page that says Prakard Forum Installation and can't get past that.

4. I had the same doubt as you said about Sathorn, so I'll skip that area.

5. Suk Sois 16-24 look good, but being too close to certain soi 22-26 venues might prove too tempting and get me thrown off plan in leading a somewhat "normal" life in Bangkok!

6. I thought Phetchaburi was a very busy, large road without character or any parks in the vicinity, so I didn't look closely at that area. Same for Thonglor or Ekkamai areas, though I've never been to either. (they would meet my live music/wine bar type places I like)

A post has been removed, please do not hijack the topic with your budget and questions, I suggest you start a new topic in Bangkok forum where costs and expenditure could be very different and as you say your post should probably be there anyway. Thank you

Got it...I'll put Phuket on it next time and all will be good, no other changes needed.