Fore Man

It's simple to manage and avoids the whole can of worms involved in income verification.

So, tell me folks, what am I missing here?

I agree totally. Even if this means the loss of a few hundred dollars/pounds/whatever, it's worth it to avoid the hassle. Also, if you don't stay in Bangkok, you're going to spend money for hotels and travel expenses while getting embassy and MFA endorsements anyway.

Also, in the past couple of years I've been using baht that I bought at far more favorable exchange rates. Obviously that could go the other way, but over the course of a year you have some leeway as to when you choose to make those two or three transfers based on the current exchange rates.

Pardon me...reading all this with rapt interest....but where on the ThaiVisa forum can I go to learn exactly what is required now to get the MFA endorsement? I am about to renew my retirement visa and can qualify on either account--800K THB or 65K monthly pension. I live in Chiang Mai. From my personal vantage point, I'd prefer whatever method is the easist to employ and which requires the least hassle. Anyone have specific recent experience in CM?

Dear Chownah and Ozzydom,

Thanks for your posts and I appreciate your tips. Makes sense to me. My builder is a very respected one here and we have had had a flawless build so far--and nearing the end in a few months. I will suggest these ideas to him and if he still shies away then I can look elsewhere. He has done this kind of work before as one of the contractors for Land and Homes in Chiang Mai, so I was a bit surprised at this reaction whe I asked him to help us apply some sandstone applique tiles. to our concrete exterior. Cheers!

I'm building a home in CM and need a little help on how to properly seal the concrete 'stucco' covering our exterior walls. Normally, paint primer is applied over the raw, cured concrete....I realize this...but in my case we want to cover some isolated and small wall sections with brick applique'. These are the small brick-like trim peices that can be cemented in place in lieu of painting to add curb appeal. My concern is that our builder, whom I respect, explained that if we add these applique' pieces to our outside concrete walls, his experience shows that we can expect moisture to seep in through the wall (the wall is made of one thickness of built-up red bricks) and condense on the interior surface. His prior clients found it necessary to perform repairs to the interior wall due to this condensation.

I asked him if there was some kind of special sealant coating that could be applied over the outside wall surface to retard or prevent this condensation on the interior wall, and he replied "no, there is nothing available that will work successfully".

Does anyone have any personal experience in dealing with this problem? Many mooban homes here in the CM area use this brick applique' technique and I would like to use it too but am concerned of cousre that we could be asking for future problems.

Thanks

Yes, Jin, if you can swing it.

People who don't take social security benefits the very minute they become eligible are very strange animals to me.

I can think of a very good reason...if you are drawing any earned (US) income when you also start to draw SS dollars, then you will be heavily penalized by offsetting taxes levied against that SS income. Why hand so much back to Uncle Sam instead of waiting when your working years are over and then your SS could be increased by roughly 5% annually until your 66th birthday at then at the reduced rate for 65+ year-olds? Reaching the other decision to wait until 70 calls for a lot of self-examination and a bit of luck, hoping that you could beat the actuarial odds stacked against you. Not an easy decision as whatever you do will greatly affect your QOL during your later years....at a time that you wish not to be dependent on others for your welfare. We bailed out of San Diego 3 years ago to live in Pattaya for 6 months and instantly regretted it for many cogent reasons which I will not bore you with here....even after we had traveled there many times on holidays. Since my wife is a Northern gal, we took a close look at CM and fell in love with the area...and never regretted our decision to move here. I have been extremely fortunate to hold down a well-paying job (US-based) ever since moving away from San Diego, and count my lucky stars for each and every day that paycheck continues to roll in...even when I have to denominate that income into increasingly expensive Baht. As a final note I have to believe that the original poster is woefully shy of savings and income to enjoy much of a life here in CM. It could easily be done in the outer provinces but your overall quality of life would not amount to much...after the exciting and multifaceted lifestyle they have led in San Diego, there is not too much for a Farang couple to do out in the hinterlands...plus less than ideal medical care available. The spouse's inability (assumed) to converse well in Thai would place a heavy toll on her too. It would be a pretty banal existence. Better work and save until they drag you out by the heels than to live like a pauper in the LOS.

We are building a home in CM and want to add a salt-chlorinated pool about 5 x 8 meters. We have just received a quote from a local ready-made pool builder (unnamed for now; unsure of Forum rules) and find his quote exhorbitant (1.1 million THB including the surrounding patio sandwash patio); this is a simple pool and nothing fancy. No overflow return system, no jacuzzi and no ladders or diving boards. Can anybody in the CM area recommend a good pool builder with experience in salt-chlorinated pools? We would vastly prefer a tile lined pool for their beauty, but have seen the posts suggesting that tiles can lift and cause problems. This overpriced, but apparently high-quality builder makes a pool that includes its own shell and then places a heavy duty vinyl liner over that shell. We find that combination rather boring to look at and the vinyl is offered in one light blue color only. Would appreciate any comments or recommendations. Thanks.

Spoke to a Thai neigbor who buys only Chevies....she deposited money on a Captiva earlier this year at the BITEC show only to find out a few months later that the only interior color offered is black (charcoal?). Not a best-seller in LOS due to the Thai's concern with black connoting death. She wrote to the Thai distributor asking if the vehicle would be offered in a tan trim but no response yet. Until they make that change, Chevy may be limiting itself in this and other Asian markets that have the same concern with the use of black colors.

I rented both the US version of the Captiva and the Ford Edge while on a trip to the States. The Chevy was OK, but outclassed in every way by the sexy BMW X-5/Lexus RX330-looking Edge. Little nits appeared with the Chevy--such as the cup holders are positioned on the floor tray between the front seats. Of course in the US they all have V-6 engines making them real peppy. Does anybody know if the Edge, perhaps under a different name badge, is coming to LOS? This is not the same SUV as the new Ford Ghia...completely different vehicle. We have agonized over buying a Fortuner vs CRV for months here. We took a long demo spin in both cars and came away completely dissatisfied with the harsh ride and engine rattle of thediesel Fortuner. The CRV is beautiful but pricey and has a small cargo carrying area. It's a hairdresser's car, while the Fortuner is a Thai road-control hog's heaven. Never seen a considerate Fortuner driver yet, always pushing to get past you no matter how fast you are driving.

Back to the topic though, resale value matters little to us as we plan to keep whatever vehicle we buy for a long time; but we do want a comfortable car that can handle long road trips and double as a grocery-getter. Captiva? CRV? No, not Fortuner!

Anybody tried Gassan Marina--the new course in CM province? What's it like, green fees, difficulty etc. Thx.

I've seen the same miserable problem here in CM with not only Japanese, but Korean, Taiwanese, Thai and Singaporean players. All as arrogant and ignorant as can be and most of them don't have the game to back up their strutting. Played behind a molasses-slow threesome of Thai Police golfers yesterday, and they insisted on teeing off from the back tees, yet were probably carding doubles or worse on most holes. It must be a macho thing. And of course most Orientals are wagering on the game as well, and this increases the hesitations and agonizing over every shot. I have to agree that the only way to deal with it is to nail a drive over their heads and see if that speeds up play. Or be sure to call hole on all par 3s and be quick to march up to the green to press them on. Sometimes it actually works. The last resort is to simply barge up and take over the tee as one poster mentioned. I don't recommend this with Koreans or Chinese. They can be drinking and become rather surly and bellicose. Nasty fisticuffs and slinging clubs around can ensue. These are the Irish of the Orient and they have a fuze about 1-cm. long. Ain't worth it my friends I have no desire to get pulled into the local police station on trumped-up assautl charges from striking a golfer...no matter whose fault it was or who may have fired the first punch...and I particularly do not want to have a 3-iron surgically removed from my body. I have found that 90% of Asian golfers will never invite you to play through...but if you walk up and ask them politely...they often will say OK. At most Thai courses, the caddies manage this transaction...but you have to be firm with them or they will shy away. Nobody wants to say "NO" to a Japanese or Korean golfer. Therein lies the real problem and we are stuck with it I'm afraid. Endeth the epistle.

Try All-Seasons Travel in Pattaya. Ask for Khun Amy. They have given me perfect service at competitive rates for 3 years now. 038-723-3602.

I live at GVCC and building a home there now. Lifetime memberships come with land purchases and that gets you a greens fee of just THB 400 on weekdays year-round and THB 500 on weekends and holidays. I don't know how much longer this will remain so, but for now it is a great bargain and the course is pretty good too. On the downside, it is close to Chiang Mai and gets mobbed by Japanese and Korean tourists during the high season and is the favorite of ex-pat and Thai golfers all year round. This popularity usually leads to long waits to tee-off or between holes while a four-or-fivesome takes their time out on the course. We have seen fistfights and rude behavior erupt between genteel players and often arrogant Northeast Asians who refuse to allow a faster group to overtake them. I played today and had this same problem with a group of 3 Singaporean players who absolutely refused to let my two-some pass through and also refused to allow us to "call hole" on the par 3's. They were strong, young players with long tee shots but nothing to back that up and their play was way too long. The marshals are rarely evident out on the course except during the high season and nobody here wants to tell a high-paying tourist "no". So we members with greatly reduced green fees suffer. GVCC is characterized by a lot of water hazards, strategically placed bunkering and lack of shade.

Mae Jo is also close by and they have a local membership rate that is offered in three tiers. You pay between THB 1,500 to THB 5,000 for the annual fee and this gets you green fee discounts, the size of which depends on the tier. If you play just 10-12 times over a year, it pays for itself in reduced fees. Mae Jo is a much more challenging course but also much more scenic. Don't count on finding too many knowledgable caddies there though. My favorite hole in all of Chiang Mai province is Mae Jo's #14, a 160+ yard par 3 featuring a high, overlooking tee box, requiring you to carry over a broad depression covered in scrub onto the large but weirdly-shaped green. The view from that tee is tremendous.

You can buy a membership at Chiang Mai-Lamphun but it is 45-minutes away from Chiang Mai city. That usually makes it less crowded and the scenery and layout are also superb.

I have played Highlands twice but found it too expensive and no low season discounts were offered last year. Perhaps this year. It is a nice layout and challenging too.

The Gassan Group has three courses now in the province and I like Lake City the best. But be prepared to lose a lot of balls your first time out...the name gives away the treacherous nature of this course. I once played with a 7-handicapper who hit 14 balls into the drink and walked away shaking his head.

I agree with the earlier poster that Royal Chiang Mai is a wonderful course, with great scenery and reasonable challenges. It is far enough north of the city that it is not as densely packed as GVCC or Mae Jo during the high season. It also has a great veranda restaurant overlooking the 9th & 18th greens; perfect for that post-game beer or lunch. While its green fees are less than elsewhere, they also do not offer low season or ex-pat discounts. I ask all the time and am repeatedly told "mai mi".

For me the best kept secret in the North is Santiburi Golf Course in Chiang Rai. You simply will be enthralled by the lush fairways that look like a giant green carpet at your feet. It is the best groomed course I have played in Thailand but I have not done any in Phuket or Samui so there are probably comparisons to be made there.

Enjoy your game!

I arrived back from India today via TG and transferred to Chiang Mai....my home here...with a 2 hour stopover at Suvarnaphum. A bit of confusion after arrival, trying to figure out where to obtain my domestic boarding pass. The lighted signs over the booths in the tranfer area all state "TRANSFER to INTERNATIONAL", but if you looked very closely, they had pasted up some printed A4-sized PowerPoint signs that said to check-in there to transfer FROM incoming overaeas flights to domestic ones. Until I came back and read the small print, I was lost and getting bad instructions. At least I have it figured out now. Then upon landing in CNX all of my baggage was missing, and so were most of the other PAX' luggage as well. That was 10 AM and it is now just 12:15 PM. I just received a call from Thai that they are delivering my luggage now. So if Thai has their arms full today, they are doing a pretty good job trying to manage it. I have to salute them. And in time they will get these growing pains under control.

I'd like to thank Camerata for his tremendously helpful post. I have lived in LOS continuously on my original one-year retirement visa plus two annual extensions. I speak and read Thai reasonably well and can get tons of letters written by influential Thais---ex-Thai ambassadors, retired Army generals, retired Immigration generals, professors and doctors etc. I belong to the Rotary Club here. I have a wonderfully supportive and popular Thai wife with lots of good connections. We own a big estate-style home in CM worth THB 25M. I support my own nuclear family including putting a stepdaughter all the way through university and graduate school. I support my wife's parents and make substantial contributions to the support of various nieces in low income family situations. I am in essence the patriachal 'loong' for this fine clan of northern Thai people. My wife and I have enriched their lives, will continue to do so, and are pleased to be able to help.

BUT, I have never had a work permit nor ever earned money in Thailand. I receive all of my income via US pensions and salaries earned by telecommuting with a US corporation that does not do business in Thailand. I plan to remain here the rest of my life (am 60 now). After my full retirement from work, there will be multiple pension streams and a comfortable monetary portfolio to draw from. I would like to obtain a PR primarily because it fully legitimizes me in Thai society, stops me from having to go every year for the retirement visa extension, and (I trust) would protect me against the vagaries of future visa regulation changes that could possibly result in having to become undomiciled and being forced out of Thailand when I am really old and senile and have no other place to go so late in life...a time when we all cherish and need stability.

The question and bottom line: can I apply for a PR using humanitarian grounds with any chance of success? I'd bet there are many older retirees living here, with ample assets, knowledge and appreciation for Thai language and customs, and who have a wide circle of Thai acquaintances who would write letters in their favor. These same folks, like me, would also prefer to end the serial retirement visa renewals and live a more stable, assured life in Thailand. Can someone who has enough experience with the PR system please answer. Many thanks for the fine work in the forum.

Face it friends: there is simply too much wrong with the city and its failing, corrupt infrastructure to ever hope that it could become a Hua Hin twin. There are many exceptions, but by and large Pattaya feeds upon itself and its huge Farang infusions of cash. All those livelihoods that cater to a different beat of the drum would be terribly threatened if Pattaya morphed into a clean, family style city. This 'charm' of Pattaya, spawned by the Vietnam R&R generation, is what has lured and endeared so many of us to Pattaya. Sleaze and all, I say that it ought to be branded as a Special Economic Zone or some other cute moniker and let it remain what it is and cannot purport to ever be. The new airport has absolutely nothing to do with the near-term future of the city. It provides a convenient ruse for landowners and tourist operators to raise their prices.

He is a multi entry visa user so does not have to worry about the 90 day reporting.

Lopburi3,

I am confused. I hold a Non-Immigrant, Type "O", Retirement Visa with a Multiple Entry Permit, and am currently in my second year, having renewed both (visa and MEP) a few months ago. I normally come and go from the LOS before a 90-day period has elapsed, so I "stamp in" via my arrival cards at BKK Airport and the 90-day clock then starts all over. Question: if I do not have a trip outside of Thailand within a 90-day period, must I still report to Immigration with a TM 47? Or does my visa and MEP mean that I can avoid this 90-day reporting process?

The other question is: can a fellow with an O-A visa avoid having to report every 90-days and simply renew his visa annually? Thanks very much.

My two cents...I asked a young 23-year old Thai graduate student with western manners and ideals why Thai drivers always seem to be so aggressive here, and take unncessary risks. He told me simply: "In Thailand, male drivers of almost any age have a 'me first' attitude. They can be decent, friendly people outside of a car, but they morph into a half-man/half-ape when they are placed behind the wheel. He told me that a lot of this is simply the need to demonstrate their machismo, and for others it runs deeper than simple hormones at work. In those other cases, it is a matter of 'now I am rich enough to own a real car, and by Buddha I am going to show the rest of you peons how important I am now'. The thought of being patient never enters their pea-brain mind. And road rage and absolutely downright unsafe driving ensues.

How many of you have been passed on a mountain road, with no passing lane, by an idiotic Thai driver who can't possibly be aware of what is lurking around the blind curve head? Could be a lorry or it a bus for all they know. What scares me more is that by taking such chances, they endanger the rest of us who are trying to be safe. Because if a lorry or a bus, or even another car zooms around the curve, the passing driver will be forced to sharply swerve to the left to avoid a collision, forcing the rest of us to slam on our brakes to avoid a tragedy. We would well end up in a ditch or in a bad collision too.

Folks. this will never change in Thailand. Face it. Most lower class, and may upper class (read, Mercedes) drivers act as if they are nothing more than monkeys who have been handed the keys to a powerful toy. We must simply tolerate these imbeciles, and make allowances in our own driving to accommodate them. When I see an idiot passing on a blind curve, I automatically slow down to allow him the room to cut me off. I'd rather not die or be maimed because of his gross stupidity.

And to the gent from Chiang Mai....I live here too, and trust me these roads are 1,000 percent safer than Pattaya's.

Endeth the sermon.

Does anybody have a clue as to why the USD to THB rate nosedived since New Years? It is now 39.92 for wire transfers and in early December it was a nice 41.32 at its high at the end of 2005. Has anyone seen any projections for the THB-USD exchange rate in the near term (next 6 months or so?). Americans lose spending power in Thailand when the exchange rate drops and in my case I am preparing to build a house. The drop in the exchange rate is of vital importance and should be to any American with income derived in the USA but converted to THB and transferred here.

I just read something on the internet about tricare standard.

http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,82291,00.html

http://www.military.com/Resources/Resource...4,82347,00.html

It seems in 2006, you have enrollment fees to be in Tricare Standard. 

Also, the deductable will rise.

Anyone else heard about this?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Richard, I have seen some references in the media, but nothing concrete on the OSD Tricare website. The increases reported by Mr. Philpott don't seem to be too unreasonable though, and they are phasing them in over time, making them more palatable for most of us. I guess it's better than having no health care over here for we retirees.

I read with interest the earlier post about using HVC insurance.  I am a US military retiree and wondering what is the current status of HVC in Thailand?  I read that it has been cancelled and that the program is under evaluation.  I also heard that it was riddled with corruption...multiple claims being submitted etc.  Anybody have any up-to-date info?

I'd also be interested in learning more about BUPA insurance if anyone knows about this.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Skyman,

If HVC insurance was the insurance associated with Tricare in Thailand then yes, they are out. I think they went bankrupt. From what I heard, there is no Tricare Standard healthcare provider in Thailand.

If anyone knows if this is not true, please post the correct infomation.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi,

I've lived in Pattaya the past 3 years and have filed over 12 claims with TRICARE STANDARD and all were paid. I use the BANGKOK PATTAYA HOSPITAL here in Pattaya with no problems.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for your post; can you tell me the procedures that you used to file your claims (what form, to whom sent, waiting time to get reimbursed)? Appreciate your help.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Skyman,

You need to go to the TRICARE website (http://tricare.osd.mil/mhshome.aspx) and it

has all the info you need, but I'll try to answer your questions as best I can.

First, download DD Form 2642 to your computer. Make sure you have Acobat Reader 6.0 or above. You can input most of the required data on the downloaded form and print for mailing to TRICARE. You then would mail this form with attached documents (hospital bill, any thing from hospital or doctor describing treatment, and proof of payment) to the following address:

WPS

TRICARE STANDARD CLAIM

P O BOX 7985

MADISON WI 53707-7985

My claims are usually paid in about 30 days. I hope this helps.

Greg

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Greg, this helps a bunch....thanks!

I read with interest the earlier post about using HVC insurance.  I am a US military retiree and wondering what is the current status of HVC in Thailand?  I read that it has been cancelled and that the program is under evaluation.  I also heard that it was riddled with corruption...multiple claims being submitted etc.  Anybody have any up-to-date info?

I'd also be interested in learning more about BUPA insurance if anyone knows about this.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Skyman,

If HVC insurance was the insurance associated with Tricare in Thailand then yes, they are out. I think they went bankrupt. From what I heard, there is no Tricare Standard healthcare provider in Thailand.

If anyone knows if this is not true, please post the correct infomation.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi,

I've lived in Pattaya the past 3 years and have filed over 12 claims with TRICARE STANDARD and all were paid. I use the BANGKOK PATTAYA HOSPITAL here in Pattaya with no problems.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for your post; can you tell me the procedures that you used to file your claims (what form, to whom sent, waiting time to get reimbursed)? Appreciate your help.

I read with interest the earlier post about using HVC insurance.  I am a US military retiree and wondering what is the current status of HVC in Thailand?  I read that it has been cancelled and that the program is under evaluation.  I also heard that it was riddled with corruption...multiple claims being submitted etc.  Anybody have any up-to-date info?

I'd also be interested in learning more about BUPA insurance if anyone knows about this.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Skyman,

If HVC insurance was the insurance associated with Tricare in Thailand then yes, they are out. I think they went bankrupt. From what I heard, there is no Tricare Standard healthcare provider in Thailand.

If anyone knows if this is not true, please post the correct infomation.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK, Richard; thanks. It confirms what I have heard thru the grapevine. I understand that HVC is still trying to get itself reinstated in Thailand.

I'd like to follow up on the earlier post asking about having to make a visa run every 90-days once one has obtained the one-year retirement visa.

I have this retirement visa along with a multiple re-entry permit, and am on my second annual extension now. I have to travel quite a bit away from Thailand so I have never had to face the need to go into an Immigration Office to get stamped every 90-days....since I have been able to collect a new visa stamp before the 90 days have elapsed.

But what I need advice on is this: what happens if I don't have a trip outside of Thailand in the 90-days from the latest stamp in my passport? What is the procedure for going to get my passport re-stamped? Specifically I live in Chiang Mai and foresee the need to renew my 90-day stamp soon...as I have no trips scheduled which would normally solve that problem. Can I mail a form into Immigration or do I have to personally report? Thanks.

I read with interest the earlier post about using HVC insurance. I am a US military retiree and wondering what is the current status of HVC in Thailand? I read that it has been cancelled and that the program is under evaluation. I also heard that it was riddled with corruption...multiple claims being submitted etc. Anybody have any up-to-date info?

I'd also be interested in learning more about BUPA insurance if anyone knows about this.

Yeah, well mates it's 22 here right now at 0600 in Mae Rim (north of CM). A far cry from being cold. I know it gets chilly up in the hills but I have a strong feeling someone is out to make a few million baht from unnecessary blanket sales. Wonder who that could be

Folks, I liked browsing all your interesting comments....but I too lived elsewhere in the LOS (BKK and Pattaya) and BELIEVE ME there is no comparison to CM. My Thai wife and I grew really weary of the gazillions of motorbikes in Pattaya...that made it sheer hel_l to drive around on what should have been pleasant errands about the city. CM has its share of bikes, but they are mostly confined to the city center. They are not like the hordes of 'mosquitos' we endured everywhere in Pattaya, zinging carelessly in all 360 points of the compass. And since when has Pattaya completed a major new traffic artery like our Middle Ring Road that rivals the best in Southern California?

We also found a major difference in the temperment of the locals who for the most part are very courteous and who don't seem to be trying to gouge us all the time. My (Lanna) Thai wife explained to me that Northern folk are a lot kinder and gentler, and I must confess that for the most part she is dead on right.

Now...all that bein' said...when will CM bury its overhead electrical lines and become a modern city, while still maintaining its lovely charm? The only ireal downside we have seen so far seem to be the pick-up truck drivers and Thais driving big Fortuners who act as if they were Mario Andretti at the Indy 500. Why is everyone in such a hel_l-bent hurry out on CM's roads? I thought this was a more languid culture and that there was no Thai equivalent to 'manana'?

Good forum guys!