dlclark97

Well, I am 83 and not quite ready to check out. Recently I moved to a condo in Jomtien and after observing the locals, the first thing that came to mind was that all the senior citizens in the area appeared to be having their lives rejuvenated. Many seniors walking, jogging, swimming, riding scooters (both electric and the old-style using foot and leg power). Seems few here are wasting time in their rocking chairs. I have been fully retired since my late 60's but various things keep me busy, sometimes too busy. I do miss it but what will likely be my last SCUBA diving trip was in May last year. From about mid-October until early March I am busy volunteering with the VFW doing administrative work for the annual charity golf tournament. I design the posters and registration forms each year, many 1-meter by 3-meter banners that are put on the course advertising our many sponsors products or services. I have written, sent and replied to 100's of emails to sponsors, teams and players each of the last 7 years. Over the months leading to the tournament, I log in all the teams, players personal data, keep track of payments made and so much more. I use a fairly complex Excel spreadsheet that I developed specifically for this starting 7 years ago. Each year I have found and changed things in the spreadsheet to make my job easier. It is now about as easy to use as intend to make it. About 5 years ago I started to learn CAD (computer aided design). For my purposes I only needed the 2D versions. Mostly my designs were of accessories to be used with underwater camera systems. I would make custom mounting trays for various cameras and lighting systems. I would take my design on a memory stick to a local CNC shop where they would cut it from high grade stainless steel. Very satisfying to see the final product. I could go on, but I have the weeks laundry done and it is hung out to dry. I have other things to do, places to go and people to see at the local coffee shop. Enjoy your lives, I do!

Not recent but my Thai wife was driving our daughter to school. As she slowly went through an intersection that had STOP signs for vehicles to enter the intersection from either her left or right sides an older man with his wife on the back of a motorcycle passed other motorcycles that had stopped for the stop sign and ran straight into the side door of her truck. There were several witnesses. The man was knocked unconscious as his head hit the truck. He had to be taken away by ambulance and spent many weeks in the hospital. His wife had minor injuries. He was quite old, no helmet, no license, no road tax and of course no insurance. He had run through the stop sign without even slowing down. Police and an insurance adjuster on scene both determined my wife was not at fault. However, the police held my wife's driving license for many months as the injured family insisted on 300,000 baht compensation and would not mediate. The wife was given a paper allowing her to continue driving. The family constantly harassed us over their compensation demand. The day before the man was to be released from the hospital the family called and insisted she appear at the hospital with 300,000 baht. She did not go. After many months the family came to mediate and my wife offered 25,000 baht or go to court where she was told she would surely win the case. How much for the lawyers? Luckily the family settled for the 25,000 baht. Not right but that was how it went for her.

You did not say where you came from. If from the USA, here is a reference to the US laws regarding a 'common law' marriage. It may have some information that will be applicable or help in your situation as many Thai laws have been developed over time in association with the laws of the USA and others. I am in the middle of a divorce (legally married) and my lawyer informed me the Thai law in this case (legally married) is that the wife is entitled to 50% of the assets obtained during the marriage. But she also needed to know what state I was from in America to see if there were any conflicts with the Thai law. As a side note I have recently been to court on a domestic issue for a claim my wife had made against me. The final ruling was 100% in my favor. The legal system in this case worked well here coming to a fair and just decision in favor of the ex-pat. Added. Above all, a properly worded Thai Will (specific to assets in Thailand) would establish your intent. If there are assets in another country a second Will should be made specific to assets in that country. Wills are not overly expensive here and are very detailed including in my case, photographing me signing the documents. I understand this may not apply directly to your situation but if from the USA it may be good to know in the future. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFRdc46cfd3b31f77a/section-3.205

Not cheap but myself and another friend have used them and they saved up lots. Using again this year. New address than shown below but right in the next building. Client Manager American International Tax Advisors 140 One Pacific Place, Unit 1804, 18th Floor Sukhumvit Road, Klong toey Bangkok 10110 Phone: +66 81-890-6097 [email protected] www.aitaxadvisers.com

BNH on Convent Road. Dr Nopparat. Chief Cardio Metabolic section. 4th floor.