gerry1953

While it is very sad Thailand loses on average 66 people every day to road accidents (statistically) and I am sure the severely maimed that die later would increase those figures even more.  Most of these are motor bike drivers and passengers but enforcement is usually overlooked allowing unlicensed children, more than 2 passengers, no helmets, etc and in my experience they don't pursue drivers UNLESS they try to dodge a roadblock?

These traffic fatalities has become the norm as well as the associated funerals in many areas.  I also see too many people affected by head trauma that plagues them and their families for the remainder of their lives?

22 minutes ago, Boomhauer said:

Yes. They still take my money every month.(substantial amounts)

 

they used to smile as i gave it to them, now they dont even look at me.

The obvious solution would be to dole out even more money monthly and I am sure that lovely smile will return!

The more money, the bigger the smile - they have become accustomed to their new found wealth and at 62 you aren't getting any younger?  Maybe you can set them up with a monthly annuity should something happen to you?

2 million sinsot plus 1 million baht gold - you are kidding right?

8 hours ago, mikebell said:

If you can't kill wild dogs in Thailand, it stands to reason you can't kill yourself.

In my area when I was out of country and no local vets would euthanize my old dog in her final stages of suffering.  My Thai family did not want to see it happen either so when I returned to Thailand (she had died naturally after 3 days ) I found one vet who when pushed for an answer said they hate to euthanize but should it ever happen to my 2 other dogs he could do it for 4,300 baht?  Everything has a price right?  I don't see this protect life at all costs and humane treatment when killing various animals for meat consumption?

If they won't euthanize loved pets what are the chances of enacting laws where people can humanely end their lives here?

Thanks for the update yosib.

I did it last year and the bar was air conditioned and quite nice?  Does that bring you to your knees in laughter too?

I was passing through town today and was going to go for a beer but they either shut it down or moved?

The Night Box Market area is about 100 meters south of the River City Hotel and across from the PTT Petrol Station on a pedestrian only soi.   I think it is closed in the day but after 5 pm the container shipping boxes turn into restaurants and bars with seating and tables between the rows.  Beer and food available and I liked the Bull Burger for a change of pace from Isaan food.

In most countries deposits and payments for real estate are held in trust to safe guard against dishonest developers absconding with the cash.  It seems to happen far too often here with no regulations to prevent it from reoccurring?  I heard of one project where the developer started putting posts in, put in a showroom then sold a number of units (first payments) then left with the money and he didn't even own the land it was being built on?

The risks of buying off plan seem crazy here unless you get a developer with a great long term performance record.  Even with these should the markets drop dramatically you may be left losing as there would be no incentive to finish the project.

It was years late in 2014 and people who had paid (some maybe partial amounts) sued and some were apparently awarded judgements BUT there was no money left to pay them as the money disappeared?  There was numerous postings on this forum in 2014 and the people who lost their investments tried to form a support group as information from the developer was non existent. 

Since 2014 the structure was mostly finished with work being done finishing and outfitting them.  Over the last 4 years they have deteriorated, glass has been broken and it seems parts went missing.  The new developer is now trying to sell the same units at 75,000 Baht a square meter which is a pretty nice profit as the units were already built?  If I had invested and couldn't get my money back I would be pretty upset they are reselling the units I paid for without giving compensation. The Ivy Jomtien has a website and showroom listed on its onsite sign.  It just makes one very leery to purchase off plan, unfinished or speculative condo's in this area.

I came down to Jomtien and took a ride around my old area and found an old condo development which never opened and deteriorated appears to have new life in as the Ivy Jomtien. 

The last 4 yearly renewals in Amnat Charoen the desk Immigration Officer wanted a medical certificate with my applications and I am not unhealthy. It's only 60 baht for the completed form at a private clinic near my house with no actual medical exam?  I know other local farangs that needed them also.  But as we all know sometimes things can change or aren't consistent here in Thailand ?????

I can't remember how long the medical is good for - get it on the way to Immigration?   Good luck.

Napolean3 - a few things that may help.

Amnat Charoen USUALLY requires a medical certificate on extension renewals - others don't?  This can be obtained at the hospital or a local clinic.

They often require your bank book being updated (to the day of the application submission) if you are using the 800K retirement extension or 400K marriage one as proof of income.  Even though the bank had signed the letter the day before my application they insisted on a bank book update the next day?  I am just mentioning these because you are without transportation and nearly 50 KMs away.

At15 had 3 high envoirmental risks and I would like to recommend 2 others - extreme defensive driving may well save your life and do your best to keep away from local hospitals if you have moderate to major medical issues.  Also daytime mosquitoes transmitting dengue fever - especially in the wetter seasons.

I usually do my photocopying at home before arrival but have "on occasion" had to produce more - it sounds like you had a similar or more traumatic experience??

Amnat Charoen Provincial Offices are located about 5 KMs north of town on Highway #212, you can't miss it on the left hand side before the PTT station.  The immigration office is behind the first large white building and on the 2nd floor.  They are usually not too busy and understand English but it is also a good idea to take your lady to help should issues of residency, addresses, relationship status etc that may come up.  They do get immigrant workers from surrounding countries into that office also but I usually am dealt with quickly.  As with any Thai government agency it is business like and service "friendliness" depends on the officer dealing with you and his mood? There is a food court under that building and should you need photocopying done there is one close by (for a small fee).

No taxi's I am aware of in Amnat Charoen other than motorbikes and a few tuk tuks that hang around the hospital and the Clocktower area.  Until you get a vehicle it may make more sense to get a local lad to drive you around for a fee?  There are numerous used car dealerships on the #202 and #212 Highways as well as the bypass road.

Yasothon is about 50 KMs west of Amnat Charoen I am assuming you are relocating to one of the villages in between?

Good luck.

As Joe says just take the usual precautions.  I have traveled the jungles in Central America and the Amazon and never caught it but finally got hit with a bad case of dengue 5 years ago in Jomtien Beach Thailand in a condo - go figure???

Sometimes there is a BIG discrepancy between the hazard rating figures and numbers the Tourism Thailand people report and the real numbers the hospitals treat.

On ‎1‎/‎4‎/‎2018 at 10:41 PM, paulhen said:

I am reaching out to any longer term expats here in Thailand in the hope of discussing a number of issues that have recently evolved in Canada making life increasingly difficult here and the future unknown... 

1) international bank transfers have recently become "impossible" so says my bank in Canada after my 30 years with them and six years here making SWIFT transfers, albeit with increasing bureaucratic requirements, some being farcical, until finally the door closed. Now they demand an in branch appearance to sign the transfer form.... 

2) due to the recent passing of my dear friend and bookkeeper, I now need to find new resources for a Canadian address and what are now relatively simple personal tax returns and to act on our behalf with a local phone number. 

3) discuss health care issues in the event of catastrophic illness, repatriating in light of the three month disqualification that prevails and provision for insurance for such an interim period or a work around

4) discuss Powers of Health & Attorney, Wills and such in light of any such repatriation

5) depletion of RRSP assets prior to age 71 forced dissolution 

6) hedging of Canadian dollar assets

 

Any takers for intelligent discussion?? 

Hi Paulhen.

1) Swift transfers are a pain because of high fees plus you have to be in Canada (at least at RBC).  I use TransferWise exclusively due to low cost (went down May 2018) plus very good exchange rates compared to others and banks.  No receiving fees at my Thai bank either as it arrives in THB.

2) Get a Canadian address and a good accountant who can do your taxes online if you are out of country.  You can sign, print and return to them for him to submit.

3) I keep my BC medical paid up as it is cheap at $37 CAD per month.  When I return there is no 3 month waiting period.  Sometimes I so 2 years at a time in Issan but my BC medical is still valid with permission from them.  If need be I can fly back for treatments.

In Thailand I either buy travel insurance (at 65 it is getting harder) or I self insure and I keep a $30K CAD credit on cards should I have an "incident".

4) I keep wills in both countries and my Thai wife can transfer up to 500K baht a day should I croak from my Thai bank.

5) Your RRSP assets should roll over to a RRIF or LIF at 71 where the CRA dictates a minimum and maximum you can remove each year.  Cashing it in will trigger large taxes for MOST people.

6) I try to keep funds both countries and use them when rates are to my advantage.

Cheers

On ‎5‎/‎22‎/‎2018 at 8:59 PM, Banana7 said:

Just checked transferwise. For CAD$5,000 I see 7.25 + 29.07 =  CAD$36.32 and an exchange rate 24.95B which is competitive with Grand Superrich in BKK.

 

I'm concerned about the Thai bank fees for receiving the money. Kasikorn had about 5 different fees for one transfer using SWIFT.

Trust me Banana7 that Kasikorn charges zero fees when using TransferWise as I have sent about $60K CAD in the last 2 years.  They convert your CAD to THB in Canada and it gets sent as baht (at a decent rate too).  Kasikorn doesn't add a receiving fee and they don't add exchange fees as it arrives in their own currency.  Over the last 2 years TransferWise dropped their fee from 1.5% to as low as .5% (may 17th) and kept the exchange rates reasonable unlike the banks in Thailand and in Canada.  For me it is the only way to go.

Jeez Mae - that sucks to be you - wouldn't they take a post dated cheque!!

Sadly some do sell their own kids outright or get them into the "business" so they can send money home.

18 minutes ago, Acharn said:

Quite a few years ago I knew a guy over the internet who was giving his wife's parents an allowance of ฿30,000 a month. He was a systems analyst for an oil company (I think one of the larger ones) and made a six-figure salary. I think the baht at that time was around 40 to the dollar, so thirty big ones wasn't a big deal to him. It depends. I wouldn't be able to do ฿30,000, but ฿10,000 wouldn't be hard. It's up to you. Does your wife know what your monthly income is? Maybe she thinks you're a lot richer than you think you are.

How much disposable income you have shouldn't determine how much you give or pay your in laws and wife.  What is important is they are decent people, not lazy, respectful, and without high expense vices like drugs, alcohol and gambling.  Them asking for more money after receiving all the other perks of being married to a generous farang would be a problem for me but if they needed a hand I would gladly offer IF they had those good qualities.  The OPs description indicated lack of respect and  a feeling of entitlement from the whole family?

a 2018 update - things change!

I only use Transferwise now as they lowered their rates on most transactions as of May 17th.  I use my direct debit to transfer money to them for free and on a $5,000 CAD they charge $42 CAD  ($4.50 fee plus .75%).  If you use the bank transfer method for larger amounts it goes down to .5% (plus $11.50) and you get a great exchange rate.

The other OFX company I had planned on using charges 0 percent fees but the exchange rate is so bad that Transferwise is a far better deal.  When I use the OFX general site the exchange rate looks reasonable BUT when you process the transaction the rates are much worse?  Sometimes the cheapest is not the least expensive!

Thanks for the link Thaichiplanet, I like to catalogue all the plants and trees I have in my yard.  My wife always referred to this as a "Khana" tree so I could never research it.  I pick up those flowers in the morning (seasonal) and put them on Momma's table - and yes they use them in cooking.