Coyoti

Until about a year ago I successfully paid both PWA and PEA online through Counter Service (https://cspay.payatall.com/CSWeb2/#/tabs/home/home) whether inside or outside of Thailand. It still works for PWA. For PEA the application will let me see the amount due, but  the payment part stopped working.  I've tried to resolve this problem with Counter Service and with PEA. So far it hasn't been fixed. After we get back to Thailand our plan is to setup direct debit to pay the bill so family doesn't have to pay it for us every month.

I use Counter Service Pay (https://cspay.payatall.com/CSWeb2/#/tabs/home/home), as PEA didn't have a direct epay option when this was setup.  It has worked great for quite awhile now.  However, when my wife and I get back to Thailand in the fall, I'll look into direct debit, as that sounds like a better option in case I forget (or can't) login to check and pay the bill with my "no foreign transaction fee" credit card.

Although I've never seen a physical skimmer I've gotten into the habit of grabbing the card slot on the ATM to see if it's loose.  I also always cover the keypad when entering my PIN.  Additionally, I always use RFID shielding when in my pocket.  Call me overly cautious if you want, but to date the only card issues I've had came from using my card online, and the card issuer refunded my money when the fraud was reported.

I've used Bangkok Bank to transfer money for years.  Easy and no OTP as other members have mentioned.  However, I don't like their relatively low exchange rate and fees, which is why I mostly use Schwab now.  I say "mostly" because I still pay a few bills in Thailand online via Bangkok Bank.  You have to have a brokerage account with them to use Schwab Bank.  I now transfer money by going to any ATM in Thailand.  I find that Schwab has a very good exchange rate and they reimburse the ATM fees.  You get your money right away, although it typically takes about three days for everything to show up in your account.  Besides needing to have investments with them, the only limitation is a maximum of $500 per transfer, although you can do it twice in one day. 

My wife and I last visited Angkor Wat in 2011. There were quite a few tourists, but I wouldn’t call it “hordes” at that time. We were still able to get a picture of us at sunrise over Angkor Wat with no other people in the shot and to wander around the various sites in what was never more than small groups. Sad to hear that may be changing. One thing I hope hasn’t changed is how clean the area around Siem Reap seemed compared to most of the rest of Cambodia. We were also impressed with how friendly most of the people we met were, although that may in part have been due to my wife being able to speak Cambodian? I suspect that the number of kids who swarm you at the few commercial sites inside the park has also increased with the number of tourists.

I plan to buy a crossover this coming summer. I want an automatic transmission. My main concern about the HRV is the CVT it uses. I haven’t test driven yet, but hear it’s kind of noisy. I had a Juke, but wouldn’t get another one. The CX-3 is appealing except for the smaller cargo space. Standard feature wise, I like the Honda as well. At this point, it’s the leading contender.

The OP is certainly entitled to his opinion but my experience has been mostly positive. I first came to Thailand 50 years ago when I was young and loved it. I can still do the same things now that I did the first time I came. If I want to drink and carouse it is available and I have never had any problems taking advantage of it. The big difference is that I really don't need to prove it to myself or anyone else.I have exactly the same energy now that I had when I first came.One of the big difference is that things are more expensive and I am wiser and my Thai language ability now alerts me to those things to avoid.

As far as medical care- my Thai wife who subsequently died from cancer had treatment in the United States, Japan and Thailand. Treatment in Thailand was the best and sustained her life for an additional 10 years. The treatment was in both Thai private and Public Hospitals. Thailand has one big advantage that most US Canadian and Japanese hospital don't have and that is their ability to get the best known treatments and medicines in the World and administer them. Other countries medical systems do not allow for this due to their so called bureaucracy which is simply patent protection disguised as regulation.

I don't regret retiring in Thailand. My quality of life is much better here than in the United States. Thailand can be a great place if you leave your Western mindset at the airport when you arrive. There is your way and the Thai way and trust me the Thai way always wins.

I sure wish I would have had the same experience with healthcare in Thailand as you. My first Thai wife also died from cancer, but it was after receiving substandard care at a cancer clinic in Bangkok. That experience left me feeling like we were the victims of a medical scam. The care she received in the US likely extended her life for a few years versus the care she was getting in Thailand. In the US I could have sued the original doctors for malpractice with a good chance of winning at least a settlement, but in Thailand that was a “futile exercise”, as one attorney put it. I personally have been misdiagnosed more than once at a hospital in Thailand. I am appalled at the level of healthcare I’ve experienced and the lack of accountability in Thailand. I’m back in Thailand and loving life with my new Thai wife (of 6+ years), but I don’t trust the medical care here. If any serious health issue were to come up, and we’re able, we’d be on the first plane back to the States for treatment.

I enjoy an occasional bottle of beer or glass of wine with food, but haven’t been drunk in decades. I don’t like the way more than a minimal amount of alcohol makes me feel. The other thing is I’ve seen the social, financial and health impacts heavy drinking has had on some of my friends. I used to have a good friend who struggled with alcoholism for years. He’d go through predictable stages the drunker he got. It always started with being very “huggy”; then banging on stuff; then yelling; then getting very “pushy”; culminating in outright violence. He ended up killing a mutual friend in a drunken rage. Now I’ve lost two friends. I’m not saying all those who choose to drink a lot are bad people. As an adult it’s your choice to drink or not. I prefer not to indulge or be around obviously drunk people.

My first Thai wife died in the US a little over 6 years ago. Her family requested that I bring her ashes to Thailand. She was cremated in the US. The funeral home took care of all the paperwork necessary, which included some for Thai Immigration. I hand carried her ashes and had no issue at Immigration Control. One thing is that a wooden urn was required so they could X-ray it. I’m not sure how it works if not cremated, but am sure the funeral home can assist.

While organized religion isn’t really my thing, I don’t fault those who subscribe to it. In my view, the observation that for many people their religion doesn’t seem to carry over into daily life is simply that we all have our own lessons to learn. You are either moving along the path towards Buddha nature, or heaven or Godliness if you prefer, or you are moving away from it. How we choose to use our time and how we choose to treat others reflects how far we have developed the Buddha nature in all of us.

The original intent of Buddhism was to be a way of life not a religion of worshiping idols

As preached by Buddha in the texts.

The five basic steps(Precepts) on the way to this way of life are;

1. Don't kill
2. Don't speak ill of anyone/don't lie
3. No drugs or alcohol
4. No adultery
5. Don't Steal

Also dont worship images/statues of the Buddha

Sadly, I have not seen any Thais practicing all of these precepts together, lieing, stealing, adultery and drugs/alcohol are an ingrained part of the culture.

I have been visiting Thailand since 1987 and lived in Thailand for a few years and considered converting to Buddhism, After reading the texts and seeing how Thai's practice their understanding of the faith, mixed in with a loose understanding of Hinduism, i did not convert, but still respect the Thai understanding of Buddhism

When the five lay precepts you mention are spoken at a Theravadan temple they are often preceded by the words, “I undertake the training to …….” I asked a monk in the US about this. His reply was, “It’s a matter of degree. Don’t punish yourself for not strictly keeping a precept. Always strive to do better.” Good advice. The precepts are more like guidelines for living a moral life than they are commandments.

Every day I see people who, in my opinion, aren’t acting in a very Buddha-like way. But then, who am I to judge? I do think that the ritualization of Buddhism in Thailand and elsewhere is lamentable. Personally, I tend more towards the teachings of Ajahn Buddhadasa.

Trust and communication are two foundations of a successful relationship. If you can’t trust each other and talk about any issues you may have how can the relationship last with any sort of happiness? Basing a relationship on control, sex or money may feel good in the short term, but I doubt it will prove to be fulfilling longer term.

In my experience, jealousy, possessiveness and insecurity are born from a basic lack of self-esteem and respect for others. I suppose for many Thai men there could be a cultural component as well?

My understanding is that there could be a problem with insurance if needed after being in Thailand using an IDP and your home country license. I have always assumed that what Ulic said is correct, "If you are on a tourist visa in Thailand you must make a boarder run every 90 days

so that resets your license," Since I'm here on a Non-Imm O (Marriage) I have to leave every 90 days, so shouldn't be a problem.

I got a chuckle out of the UK IDP image being from "AA Road Services". Where I'm from AA stands for "Alcoholics Anonymous". It's obviously different in the UK.

Since when does someone on a Non O marriage have to leave every 90 days?

Since forever that I can remember. For me, it's now going on 9 years. I don't do a 90 day report. I am not retired in Thailand but split my time between here and my home country. I think you are confused with the Non-Imm OA or "Long Stay" visa, which some call a "Retirement" visa.

http://thaiconsulatela.org/service_visa_detail.aspx?link_id=3

Arrested without any charge seems a bit suspect.

Do Americans no longer have any rights?

Is evidence no longer required?

Is a complainant not required?

I could claim to be God ....... but that doesn't make it true!

(or former SAS/Special Forces who shot hundreds of Iraqi insurgents)

Boasting in emails or online is not a crime, not matter how distasteful the claims.

If you read the full article it's pretty obvious the Feds had plenty of reason to arrest this guy. He was scheduled for a "Detention Hearing" the next day, which while I'm not positive, likely is something like an arraignment where a plea is entered. Federal law says they have to do that within 48 hours (72 if on a weekend). Even pedophiles have rights in the US. If a person thinks they are being held unlawfully they have the right to file a "writ of habeas corpus" (Guantanamo excepted of course but that's a whole different discussion). It's scary for me to think this guy has a house in Khlong Yai, where I have several family members, some of whom are very young. Glad to see he's off the streets.

My understanding is that there could be a problem with insurance if needed after being in Thailand using an IDP and your home country license. I have always assumed that what Ulic said is correct, "If you are on a tourist visa in Thailand you must make a boarder run every 90 days

so that resets your license," Since I'm here on a Non-Imm O (Marriage) I have to leave every 90 days, so shouldn't be a problem.

I got a chuckle out of the UK IDP image being from "AA Road Services". Where I'm from AA stands for "Alcoholics Anonymous". It's obviously different in the UK.

There was a fairly long thread on TVF a short while back about doing a visa run through Hat Lek. OP may want to check that? Sorry I don't have the link at this time. If doing an extension is all you need, Immigration at Laem Ngop is pretty good and can be on the way to Koh Chang if passing through Trat first.

When you get to Had Lek there's a guarded parking about 200 meters before customs, on your left. Be prepared to pay 20 baht for " a medical check", 1600 (!!) baht for the visa, and 300 baht for " same day return". At least, that what they wrung out of me 1 month ago!

The E-visa by the way costs 37 dollars, which also adds up to about 1450 baht...

Getting an E-visa is definitely better if you have the 3 day lead time to get it. I crossed at Hat Lek/Cham Yeam last week. They got 1500 baht out of me for the visa, plus 100 baht to the tout to "expedite the service". I usually bypass the medical station. No one seems to care. They also want a photo these days. I've heard of people who paid the actual price for the visa ($30) at the border. Good luck. Cham Yeam is not the most foreigner friendly place to enter Cambodia. I usually go into Cambodia to see family, but wonder if you can avoid the whole Cambodia visa mess if doing an in/out by just hanging out on the Cambodia side for awhile before going back to Thailand.

EXACTLY! SPOT ON!

As an expat living in Phuket, I too never experienced the "tourist problems." Being an expat in Phuket is fine but, being a tourist is a completely different world. I have a good friend in Pattaya and he says the same thing about that area also, sucks to be a tourist but fine to live there.

I agree - Spot On ... We expats tend to have our own transport, most have own homes or known good landlords. We know where to eat and shop where to get a fair price.

Fact of the matter naive tourists will get ripped off any where in the world ...

I don't completely agree.

Phuket is losing its fair share of expats these days to other parts of Thailand, not just tourists. These expats had their own transport here, had house / condo, some also had businesses, and they knew where to shop, eat and drink.

Also, expats living in other areas of Thailand, and visiting Phuket, leave with a low opinion of the place, vowing never to return.

So, it's obviously not just the rip offs and scams turning people.

I gotta say I'm one of those that left with a low opinion of the place. My wife and I visited Phuket last year. We met some rude people (and a few nice ones) and experienced some prices that seemed quite high. We didn't get scammed, but it wasn't for the lack of several people trying. One thing I really disliked was the appalling traffic and crowds of people everywhere we went. The beaches were okay, but not exceptional. We won't be going back.

My wife and I know two Thai-Western couples whose age difference is over 35 years. Both couples seem happy after over 20 years of marriage each. Whether or not you are happy in your marriage and respect each other is much more important than your age. This goes for my daughter too, should she choose to be with someone older than her. Interestingly, my Thai wife seems to have more of an issue with the 35 year age difference of our married friends than I do. I'm not Thai.

Sorry can you tell me more about Kohkong ?

Is it exactly at border location?

Where to sleep and where to eat there ?

Thank you.

Had Lek/Cham Yeam. Van from Trat Bus Terminal to Had Lek 120 Baht. E-visa is best (https://www.evisa.gov.kh/) if you have the time. Cambodia visa 1500 Baht at the border. Ya, I know that's more than it should be, but such is life. The Immigration Officers apparently need their cut too. Touts may want another 100-300 to fill out the application. Your choice to use or not. Last time I crossed there (about 3 weeks ago) I met a guy on the Cambodia side who told me he was doing a "turn around" visa run. I've personally never tried it, as I have family in Koh Kong, which is why I go there.

There is not much to do or see in Koh Kong, which is 6-7 km from the border. If only staying one or two nights I recommend doing it at the Koh Kong Resort & Casino next to the border (actually about 300 m to reception). It's not too pricey, breakfast included, beautiful beach, pool and other amenities for what I would consider a fair price. A silver/gray songtow is usually parked at the border and will take you there. Look for their logo on the songtow. They usually can help you clear immigration too if needed, but that is fairly easy to do and you can take a motorcycle or walk to the resort if you prefer.

You may be able to get a transit visa for free. Not sure on that one. Border is actually open 6am - 10pm. The Candy Publications map is not correct on this. First van from Trat is at 6am.

Had Lek/Cham Yeam. Van from Trat Bus Terminal to Had Lek 120 Baht. E-visa is best (https://www.evisa.gov.kh/) if you have the time. Cambodia visa 1500 Baht at the border. Ya, I know that's more than it should be, but such is life. The Immigration Officers apparently need their cut too. Touts may want another 100-300 to fill out the application. Your choice to use or not. Last time I crossed there (about 3 weeks ago) I met a guy on the Cambodia side who told me he was doing a "turn around" visa run. I've personally never tried it, as I have family in Koh Kong, which is why I go there.

Last night we almost got hit by a motorcycle with a sidecar driving on the wrong side of the road without lights. The other rider wasn't wearing a helmet. I think that would be four infractions, none of which would be enforced. If we got hit, I'd probably get the ticket, as I'm a foreigner and the person on the other motorcycle was obviously Thai. Amazing Thailand.

My wife and I split our time between Thailand and the US. We have comfortable homes in both countries. We’re financially secure and happy with our lifestyle. For us, it is “living the dream”. At 68 years old, I can foresee a day when we possibly will have to choose to stay more permanently in one or the other country due to health, family or some other reason. I see that more as expediency; not defeat. Life changes, you adapt and move on, hopefully having learned something about yourself and others in the process.

Even with the newly revised map a .5 (half a millimetre) drawing line is 2 meters on the ground. Iv been involved in boundary disputes in the uk, costing thousands of pounds, to try and resolve; on whose property, or what side of the boundary a fence has been built. That's virtual impossible with maps and deeds dating back over 100 years. Flat and level ground is not to bad to survey, but once a sloping site enters the equation, add in ancient deeds etc then take natural erosion into account ... It's going to be guesswork even with gps.

However I can assure anyone that is not fully familiar with land / boundary disputes that it would not be acceptable to vary from map to ground to an error of more than 4 meters (and then; only in exceptional circumstances). It has to be understood that today we have the advantage of gps. When the maps were drawn it was probably a more basic technique. In the past, over here .... that could, and probably does, mean anything.

You bring up a good point. I agree with you. Still, the more accurate data can be used to compare with what’s “on the ground” as a way to identify the large discrepancies to investigate and resolve on a case-by-case basis. That may well be how it could be used politically to go after less influential owners but conveniently don’t address property discrepancies when more powerful figures are involved. A major focus with the One Map project seems to be National Parks, which one hopes have fairly well defined boundaries.