Ebumbu

Is there any danger in taking whatever they have (J and J) and then taking Pfizer or Moderna in addition when it becomes available? Is this dangerous? 

If you have no fever, and your blood oxygen is at normal levels, it's some indication that at least you don't have raging covid. 

"stage 4 pancreatic cancer"

Only unicorn-horn oil is capable of curing that. Yes, very expensive. 

Sorry, I am holding out for Sputnik. 

13 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I assume you still have a still valid U.S. driver's license for I.D., correct?

Firms that allow Google Voice numbers have been known to change their policies. 

 

BTW, it is my impression that Bank of America is an expat unfriendly bank. You're fooling them for now. I have banked with them before but closed with them before I moved abroad for unrelated reasons. 

 

No, I have a passport only. OK, I will open two accounts (B of A and Wells Fargo) so I have backup. Since I already have an account with them both, I figured less BS to open another one. I have an RSA device to send wires with Wells.  If that breaks or gets lost, they would send another device to my US mail servic. They do not send OTPs to Google Voice. 

3 hours ago, Captain Monday said:

 My checking account was frozen by B of A, maybe 13 years ago.  Left me hangin' with a useless ATM card. High level customer service in North Carolina turned it on, they confirmed there is no specific US rule that  non-residents can't have an overseas address.  Then it got frozen again,  although I had a direct number to  a certain person in the executive offices who helped me more than once, I just gave up and dumped them. Huge company with departments not working off same sheet of music. 

I see. Am about to open a business account. But I do have a US address  and phone number (both virtual). They don't have the tech to detect that. Hmmm... I also have a US LLC. It's a pain to set up wire transfers because banks require an OTP to a US phone. B of A will send OTP to Google Voice or Skype without a problem. 

22 hours ago, BritTim said:

It depends on the "home". Being somewhere like Care Resort Chiang Mai, that provides as much or as little dedicated care as needed, combined with group activities, your own villa, and organised tours (as well as easy options to visit and stay) is not remotely comparable to being in a Western style elderly warehouse.

My thing with Chiang Mai is the air. And, as I understand it, it's gotten worse. Do they have industrial air filters in each room? At minimal, I'd need to buy a large air filter and have it maintained for his room. It really casts a shadow on the potential. 

7 minutes ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

Confirmed!  Every day I regret ever walking on that plane march 16 in BKK........even the job I came home too was gone before it even started..now Im trapped in this disaster zone..sigh

You'll be back here. Home is where your heart is.   ????

1 hour ago, Presnock said:

Bank of America cancelled my account as I did not have a stateside address and telephone that they could call to "prove" I was living there.  It is a Treasury (DOJ) international law to counter money laundering and corruption in banking....I had the same account for 50 years and couldn't keep it. 

 

I got a mail service I use for my US banks, including B of A. And I use Google Voice or Skype as the US phone number. B of A will send an SMS to Google Voice, if needed. They don't check for "validity" of the number. At least not so far. 

For Wells Fargo, got an RSA device mailed to my US address, who forwarded it to me. I can make wire transfers using this. More complicated as they don't SMS to Google Voice. However, another commenter here advised to get a burner phone on next visit to USA and which plan to use for cheap roaming from Thailand. Good info. Will review and consider this. 

Thank you to everyone! 

7 minutes ago, Sterling said:

Perhaps @Peter Denis could chime in on the insurance part. He's been very knowledgeable in the past about insurance policies and he might know of a company who is willing to cover your 94 year old dad. Good luck!

Cool. Glad I asked for some advice here. Creating a file with all I learned, including banks, insurance, and assisted-living places.  

35 minutes ago, SheungWan said:

The elephant in the room is the risk of a lengthy period of hospitalization under intensive care. The cost of that can be extensive. Years ago the ball-park figure for self-insurance covering something like that happening was about $150k. 

Also good info. But, the consensus seems to be that he can't get insurance here. Agree? 

1 minute ago, dlclark97 said:

For the currently required health insurance you could expect to pay well over 200,000 THB for one years worth of insurance that pays up to 400,000 THB for in patient hospital care and 40,000 for out patient care.  Then, at his age it is very likely any claim would be denied with the reason being due to existing conditions.  Most likely the authorities might even nix such a move.

I'm getting a clear message that we need to go for Type O, not O-A, or Elite. Good info. 

8 minutes ago, nickmondo said:

as long as he can handle the climate......do it for sure

We are both indoor cats. 

7 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

you can roam in Thailand on a USA number. T-Mobile prepaid $3 a month roams here perfectly. I use it to get One Time Passwords required by US Banks. You must change all your banks to this phone number in person at the bank before you leave. Renew your passport and drivers license before you leave.

 

*****do not use bank of america*****

 

I have a B of A account. How is it risky? Thank you for detailed info. 

2 minutes ago, malcolminthemiddle said:

Sunshine International Retirement Home Hua Hin.

Sunshine International, Thailand | Facebook

Would this be suitable?

 

I'll take it! Never mind him!  ????

Do you know prices? Looks beautiful. 

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Have backups! Consider maintaining a fake U.S. identify. He could also switch to an expat friendly firm like State Department Federal Credit Union. If he's a veteran there is a military oriented credit union  that is expat friendly. But don't have too many backups either as then things get too complicated.

 

Will check that bank. How is it better than Chase or Citibank? They are less likely to close an expat's account? 

OK, will set up a USA mailbox service. I already have one that's very reliable. And, I have two USA numbers (Google Voice and Skype). If some madness went down with a US bank, could hire a US attorney to fix things or close account and move funds.

I know that some banks don't accept virtual phone numbers, so I got an RSA device from Wells Fargo as an alternative to OTP to mobile. Wasn't easy. 

I wonder if I can get a US phone number that works with banks. Lots of issues. Will start organizing issues with an app. 

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

I've followed this thread closely as I may be in a similar situation in coming years (though hopefully minus the dementia aspect).

 

To get an OA visa he would have to meet health insurance requirements. About the only possibility for that would be Cigna Global expat policy or Close Care (NOT Cigna US!)  and they would have to be willing to sign the "Foreign Insurance Certificate" which they might or might not do. If they did, he would only be able to get the original visa and not any in-country extensions as that requires a Thailand-issued policy which cannot be gotten over age 75. So I definitely do nto recommend O-A visa for him.

 

A non-O visa for retirement (not O-A!) is a better option, will not require insurance for in-country extension but ever since COVID the Embassy in US has been requiring it for issuing the initial visa.  So you would still need to get an international policy and one that will sign the FIC. But would not face insurance requirement for an in-country extensions.

 

A non-O as your dependent as suggested by @UbonJoe is the best option but I am not sure the Thai Embassy in US currently issues these as since COVID I do not see it mentioned on their web page, only dependents of Thai nationals. Perhaps contact the Embassy or your nearest Consulate and ask?

 

Re bank accounts, I have accounts with 2 banks both clearly listing my Thai address and no problems. It helps to have a bank that is expat-friendly. If your father was ever in military service I recommend USAA.

 

I also recommend that you get a power of attorney on all his bank accounts, investments etc. I have this for my elderly aunt & uncle with USAA, and no problem managing their affairs , calling USAA on their behalf etc. Set all this up now while he is able to cooperate and give consent and make sure they are powers of attorney in immediate effect not contingent on future disability or loss of faculties. I would suggest a POA with each financial institution (most of them have their own forms for this) plus a single general POA. 

 

Please ignore all the folks telling you it is the wrong thing to bring him here.  For an oldster who is still active then indeed the adjustment to a foreign country can be traumatic and isolating. But at over 90 with dementia, his  world is going to be the home and he will be better off living with family than he would be living alone or in an institution (assuming those are the options - if there are family in US he could stay with that changes the equation).

I appreciate your kindness. 

3 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

 

Step #1: Obtain an independent professional assessment of your father's current condtion. This involves medical, pyschological, legal, estate and financial assessments. With those one can proceed with a couple of options.

 

Again, you're not the first to face this challenge. Dragging an aged parent half-way around the world? Maybe you're the first consider this option. Without an initimate knowledge of your father's condition I'd say this might border on the sketchy side?

Working on #1. He does not trust lawyers. He does trust doctors. I'm looking for a local psychologist or psychologist for an assessment. Got father's consent on that last night. 

#2. You don't know me or my family and you are entitled to your opinion, based on nothing. 

3 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

Nothing is taken - just they may request you remove funds and close accounts - that is why you want to have more than one bank account active just in case.  With his failing mental ability online access may indeed prove to be an issue in itself.

I see. I'm planning on two encrypted laptops. One for him and one for me. I am backup in case passwords are forgotten or his laptop is lost. Whether he accepts that remains to be seen. And, I'd need to show him how to use mobile banking. Many challenges. But, with good will and love, practical issues can be overcome. If he stays in the US, he is facing involuntary guardianship, sooner or later. Possibly sooner. 

1 minute ago, lopburi3 said:

Money laundering regulations from Federal Government.  Many on this forum and elsewhere have had accounts ended when it was found they no longer lived in the US of A.  Banks cover there ...

How can one reduce or eliminate this risk? 

Do you get it back when you are a 94-year-old non criminal?  First time hearing this. It sounds insane. 

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

You misunderstood me.

I was mainly referring to US financial institutions severing banking relationships once they realize the client is living abroad.

 

Is it against the rules to live abroad and have a US account? I have three US bank accounts. Never had an issue. I don't understand this risk as you describe it. 

What would cause a bank to sever relations with a large depositor who gets low interest and does all banking online? No sarcasm intended. 

2 minutes ago, donnacha said:

Why not do the 90-day report online?
 

That is not what they do. The visa is called "elite" but there is no actual elite treatment. They are not going to be there to deal with "issues".

Unless there is some sort of insurance requirement for the retirement extensions, the Elite visa only really makes sense for people under the age of 50 who are not eligible for the retirement extensions.

Presume that there is a 50% chance that your father may demand to go home within 3 months. A five-year Elite visa would be a crazy purchase.

 

Fair. I didn't know that. It's not worth $15k to avoid once a year immigration visits. 

So far, the best visa option sounds like coming over as a tourist and switching to type O for retirement with an agent after arrival. Agree? He pops 800k in a bank upon arrival, ASAP. I'd rather not have the agent deposit their money because I think it increases risks. No need in this case. 

Or, according to Ubon Joe, type O can be gotten in the US now. I like that. Seems like I need to circumvent the insurance requirement due to age. OK. I think this is going to take many months, so Covid emergency will hopefully be resolved by the time he's on a plane -- if he chooses to take me up on my offer. 

In his state, there are ZERO appointments available for a vaccine shots. I tried online with the 20 closest locations to his home. USA is a nightmare, man. 

1 minute ago, donnacha said:

Surely ER

Sorry if I have missed some previous posts on this, by why not simply deposit $26k in a Thai bank and get a retirement visa?

If it turns out that Thailand is not a good fit for your father you can simply take the money back at any time.

Also worth mentioning that you can pay an agent to handle the application and avoid the need to deposit any money.

 

No Immigrations visits each year. Pretty sure they'd do the 90-day report for an extra fee. Another resource to call if unexpected issues arise. VIP treatment and generally less hassles, I guess. 

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Its good that he already has Capitol One. I don’t have either but both are very frequently mentioned as good deals for expats. It's always good sometimes vital to have backups. Things can go south with US financial institutions when you're living abroad. 

Well, wouldn't FDIC step in immediately, so no risk there, if under $200k in any one account? My understanding is that when an FDIC bank fails, regulators take over within a day. What am I missing? He has like 10 banks. Child of the Great Depression. 

8 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

A small detail but suggest he open Schwab and Capital One accounts while still in the U.S. For example if he ends up living on ATM withdraws on the Elite he would have ATM fees rebated with Capitol One. 

I know he has Capital One as one of his banks. Not sure about Schwab. Could you add a little bit of detail to this comment, please. Very helpful. 

Yes, Elite is the way to go, but the price tag is going to be a very hard sell. We will see.