Presnock

On 4/25/2025 at 7:07 AM, hotsun said:

And of course the first comments have to make it political

When the govt decides to change the benefits within your work contract  that was supposed to last until you retired, it is political.  Now some of the workers will have to pay more towards their retirement that they did originally under their contract.  In addition, their health insurance will increase most likely too as the govt has determined that paying 72% of the individuals' insurance premiums to spending too much money with the costs of insurance zooming yearly.

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

I agree with your comment.

Many younger or middle aged people leaving in Europe their home countries looking for tax free income somewhere.

However, they are not thinking of their pension age. 

If you don't pay in you can't expect much back.

Even nowadays the expenses for social benefits in EU countries are rising, not only because of all those immigrants.

The system that the young ones pay the pension for the old is coming to an end.

Yessir govt service including the militarry was a guaranteed lifetime, just as the Japanese used to join a company for life - then they retired (no babies being born for years so now the retirees have to return to work.  As manufacturing went in the US, eventually just about all the pensions have disappeared, no guarnatees for life and those that were paying health care for their workers are now pushing back thayt too as the costs continue to soar and workers in US for sure are not that healthy - hooked on those diets that the food industry makes so that they can get richer and it also is helping the pharma industry get richer treating all those sick people.  But I also don't think that illegal immigrants should be getting a bunch of free benefits as so many benefits can no longer be available for the citizens whose tax monies are being used for the immigrants in some cities/states.  It may be un-Christian like to deny all those immigrants some benefits but why don't they fix things in their own countries or if they immigrate to a western country, why don't they assimilate into the local populace without wanting to make the local change to their old lifestyles?  That I don't understand either.  It used to be different - now they pour in and in some areas have more votes than the original folks so the original folks either have to change or leave their homeland.  SICK IMHO but I don't have any clue on how to fix all the problems.  Seems to me in the US, the change began during VN days - but I was working and living overseas so still don't understand how it all happened.

On 4/24/2025 at 3:02 PM, newbee2022 said:

Why this topic is coming up now?

Are there really hordes of Americans running away from POTUS now already?

Well, actually the Congress has been told to cut 50 billion dollars from the benefits and health insurance of US govt employees.  From what I have seen, they plan on some of the FERS people to pay more for their pension (change the promises/contradt when hired) and now the govt pays 72% of the health insurance - they seem to be leaning towards a voucher system so people will probably pay more as one gets older, health insurance becomes more needed.  As long as we still have overseas coverage of that health insurance, I guess we will stay but new retirees might not come. IMHO - not for the govt folks but regular retirees might not come due to the danger possibly in condos and earthquakes plus I saw that the govt is still talking about worldwide income taxation....

On 4/24/2025 at 2:49 PM, Presnock said:

For US civil servents contemplating move to Thailand and having a US govt sponsored health insurance such as BC/BS - today I received a note that the US Congress is looking for ways to cut money from the budget so they can award those tax breaks for billionaires - anyway it says speciificately that they are looking at cutting civil service retiree benefits and health insurance!  If they don't, some of the US insurers also cover you well in Thailand.

On 4/24/2025 at 2:49 PM, Presnock said:

For US civil servents contemplating move to Thailand and having a US govt sponsored health insurance such as BC/BS - today I received a note that the US Congress is looking for ways to cut money from the budget so they can award those tax breaks for billionaires - anyway it says speciificately that they are looking at cutting civil service retiree benefits and health insurance!  If they don't, some of the US insurers also cover you well in Thailand.

Update on the health insurance from govt associated insurers - it does appear from the news that possibly vouchers will be given by the govt to lower their 72% of the insurance premiums so based on one's yearly claims, it will be more expensive - or probably as expensive as it is now.  If you are in the states, you probably were already aware of this congressional activity while we overseas were not.  Best of luck as the best issue for US insurers is that they cover overseas too - I wonder if that will remain the same or not.

42 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

Too many old Democrats "owned" by big business; time for a youthful revolution within the Democrat Party if it wishes to survive.

yes I agree - the superPACs donate to both parties' candidates and sitting congressfolks, there fore since these congressfolk want to remain in the congress hopefully to get rich as many do with insider trading basically legal for them as we have noted very recently and one can hang out in the Congress until retirement years away.  Now, those in the Congress speak loudly against the budget that they even helped pass after they claimed they wouldn't support it but then said oh had to do it to keep the govt running - no gonads at all.  Time to swap them out for some folks who will work for the citizens and the nation! IMHO anyway.

2 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

 

Very sorry to read of your current breathing problems and I wish you well for the future in an air pollution free environment.

 

Coincidentally, 5 days ago I returned to Siem Reap from a hospital visit in Khon Kaen, Thailand. During many recent years, including the Covid period, I never experienced a bad cold/flu, until now! A cold started developing whilst I was in KK and it has now turned into full blown bronchitis and sneezing - tissues galore!  No such symptoms before leaving Cambodia. My ex-pat pals in KK were also suffering. Now feeling better after taking medication to ease the symptoms.

strange.  We moved from BKK to CM 12 years ago.  In BKK daughter suffered allergies every year at different times.  After settling in CM, he allergies went away and haven't returned until she began college in BKK and pollution her gives her ey infections regularly.  I have execised my whole life in polluted cities, running outside if not a/c gym with treadmills.  Visiting doctors from the US always advised if I had to exercise outside, to wear a quality N95 or N99 mask which i have done.  I am 78+ now, still exercise but mostly inside now with an air purifier in the room.  When we do go outside we wear masks and ignore the questioning looks of folks.  I have my own 2.5micron meter and check the air daily.  If below 25, then when I bring the dog out for his needs, I don't wear a mask but most days it is at a higher level than that here in BKK too, yet I see Thai and foreigners exercising (jogging, walking) daily with no masks.  Their choice as well as ours.  My wife and I have discussed the future in CM, possibly needing to travel elsewhere duirng the burning months.  But until then we will wear our masks.

On 4/25/2025 at 12:20 PM, JAG said:

1 am not an economist, but even I can see that putting tarrifs of multiples of 10% on imported goods means that the prices of those imported goods rise -  inflation?

 

If in the long term manufacturing "returns to the US" it will require massive investment in factories. Wages and production costs for the goods will be higher, investment will have to be paid back, therefore the goods will be more expensive ( the whole reason the manufacturing moved abroad) - inflation?

yeah that and the increase cost of production in the US including wages and health care as well as inflation of raw materials

41 minutes ago, LittleBear57 said:

I live in Thailand and I walk, swim cycle and go fishing in my spare time. It's true you have do something with your spare time. I am married to a Thai and have a daughter in school but if I wasn't I would give Vietnam a serious look. It has fantastic scenery and the North and central areas are noticeably cooler and less humid. You have to look at visa requirements and areas where expats live as you will need some company. It s not seedy either. And despite what you may hear it's not full of Chinese tourists or Russians. Da Nang would be a good place to start.

just read this week that the Thais are worried because the Chinese toursists have ceased to flock here to Thailand and instead are going to Vietnam.  Not sure that will continue as the Viets have already gotten approval on the tariff bit from Trump so the Chinese govt may want their peopel to go elsewhere.

20 hours ago, CHdiver said:

Now my friend, with all due respect but that is gobbledigook. How many years do retirement visa exist? How many times did the rule change so much that retired people have to leaf the country. Yes, the amount you need to stay has increased, you have to report every 90 days and then you have the hassle with the TM30. But the changes are very minimal. 

 

Visa changes are mostly for Tourist Visa or better the Entry without a visa. Somethimes it's 2 times a year, then only restricted on land borders but not airports and so on. There, the changes happen. But not with the retirement visas. So stop to worry. Think in solutions to your problems and don't create problems that do not really exist.

 

If you do not trust the Thai Banks with your 880k Baht, then use an agent. You told us your retirement income, you are getting enough to pay for that with ease. 

 

Move to Hua Hin or better Pranburi. Very nice place at the sea with good air (well as good as air can get in Thailand). Hundred of houses to rent, so you should have no problem to find a nice one. Fantastic natur, great beaches, good food, modern Hospitals and it does not stink at every corner of marihuana. Save from earthquakes too. 

If you qualify, just get an LTR and don't have to think about immigration and taxes for 10 years.  I did my 1st year visit and spent less than 10 minutes in immigration and don't have to visit banks or anywhere else.

23 minutes ago, Jim Blue said:

In that case we should be  happy he wasn't in power when Pol Pot ruled ....!

yeah, he might have gotten the urge like PolPot to wipe out all the college degreed folks in the states with their unpaid loans!

6 hours ago, CallumWK said:

 

Come on, you can't be serious with that comment. Trump has said many times that he has a very good relationship with XI and Putin, and they respect him a lot.

He just recently said he had spoken with XI a few times, only that he forgot the dates, and XI even forgot he has spoken to Trump.

You forgot the love shared with Little Rocket Man too.  Seems Trump just has "love" affairs with autocrats but can't really get them to change their ways as he changes his to be more like them IMHO

4 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

4 on a bike ... 14 years old.... waste of lives, byt every week the same kind of stories... 

not only like this with youngsters dying every week on their bikes, the highway deaths seem like cars might be involved but I believe the deaths on the highways here are 80% of the total there.  One would think that the government and citizens would wake up and fix the laws and then enforce the traffic laws too.

16 hours ago, mikeymike100 said:

Indeed, the TSA in the US have never actually caught a terrorist!

Yeah and they obvioulsly let the Russian woman enter the plane without even having a ticket!  Thought it was really funny when she refused to fly back to the US to face charges.

14 hours ago, Unamerican said:

Well, I did try to find an answer on that website, but there was nothing there about joint ownership of condos!.  Not surprising really! 
But I can try asking them, if I can find someone who knows what I mean! 

from the first question noted, some of us with the LTR already advised you to contact the BOI folks for the correct answer, they speak English well and are very helpful and based on some of the questions being asked, must be very patient too.  Good luck and agree that this is a very great visa for some of us.

On 4/25/2025 at 8:40 AM, save the frogs said:

theory is nonsense.

we all had a bunch of vaccines as kids.

people generally die of cancer, diabetes, heart issues, which is caused by lifestyle and also genetics 

 

and diets!  Americans 42 % OBESE!

56 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

For a person who liked the old Luang Prabang, Chiang Mai is well past its prime and going downhill fast. Traffic jams, tourist ghettos including lots of Chinese, year round pollution, urban heat blank effect, housing developments sprouting up everywhere, fast food chains and the list goes on. Move to one of the smaller cities in the north and only come into Chiang Mai occasionally for shopping.

yeah like Chiang Dao, in the mountains, not too big.

10 minutes ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

A drop of 0.18 baht/USD is not a weakening.  That's just the normal ups and downs of any currency market.

 

Or even B 40/$. I'm glad to get the better exchange rate, but really... this was no weakening.

sounds great to me....I remember 57 to one in '97...ended up spedning a lot of baht during those days.  great golf clubs from the factory in China.  Now I don't expect much of a drop as many currencies are fluctuating due to the tariff parties.

19 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

0.18 isnt much difference. You need 10% to make a difference.

Yeah, and when it was over 34, the toursists were pouring in until the earthquake.  Now no one would want to stay in any high-rise hotel when as of yet, very few have had inspections from qualitifed experts.  Many currencies are suffering right now too due to the tariff fiasco..once that settles down and  stabilizes folks might consider vacations again  I saw a news clip from the US that said snack foods were the only thing on the shelves as whenever there is a downturn in the economy people only buy meals not snacks.

3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Eat more, till you body tells you, enough already.  

 

Carbs / sugar are addicting, and the release of dopamine while eating keeps you eating.   Why they add sugar & salt to junk food.   

 

I seem to fill up quickly with fats & protein.   Carbs, example, pasta, potatoes (fries), chips/crisps, Doritos, bakery/pastries, and all things high in sugar and or added sugar, and why so hard to stop, with a supposed recommended, silly small,  'serving size'.

 

I used to each a whole tube of Pringles while watching torrents ... 

... "A serving size of Pringles typically contains about 15 crisps, which equates to 28 gram" ... 

 

That's 4 servings in the 110gr tube ... 

Carbs  like chips are made so that they become addictive and the food producers know this.  In addition, one might add two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to a drink just before sleep.  Healthline says it can stabilize the body from within while your are sleeping.  I add it to my oatmeal breakfast and I use soaked oats, not cooked but add two tablespoons of  unfiltered vinegar to the almond milk and soak for 24 hours.  Soaks up the milk softens and the oats plus neutralizes the acid from the oats.

1 hour ago, Harrisfan said:

How do you stop getting hungry at night? Im never hungry til after noon but lots at night.

hunger can be controlled by diet, if you eat certain foods at a particular time of day, it can determine your hunger pangs during the night or other times.  Myself, I eat a healthy diet within a 5 hour period each day 6AM to 11 AM..  then I fast until the next day and NEVER have hunger pangs.  One thing I have read is that protein lack can lead to hunger but I am not an expert for sure.  I know what my body needs  the recommended protein per day is .8 grams per kilograms of your weight.  If you exercise as I do daily then you might need more.  You need to spread the protein you are eating among each meal, don't overload at one time and then cut down the next meal.  My weight has stayed within 1 kilogram for more than a year on this type of diet.  I do not eat red meat, mostly fish and chicken with my lunch and breakfast is Oats, fruits, nuts, seeds  and during the day I drink 2 coffees,  1 cup of greentea with ginger and with the oatmeal 2 teaspoons of Matcha green tea powder.  Then I drink water during the fasting period to ensure I stay hydrated.  

34 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

berries are very nutritious, and low on the GI.   Not a fan of the fresh here, especially the strawberries.   Taste wise or pricing.   Fresh berries turn too fast.

 

Fz strawberries @ Makro are only ฿99 / kg

 

Eat plenty of fresh local fruit, when in season.  Some not pairing well with corn flakes 🙄

Best to stick with whole grain cerials like oats or wheat branl

41 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

Mix some greek yoghurt with blueberries and some cashew nuts.

 

That'll keep hunger pangs away at night.

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Frozen @ Makro ... ฿219 / 1 kg

 

 

 

TOPS carries a variety of blueberries from many different countries.  I freeze them (research says frozen have more benefits than fresh for some reason) then rinse them in tap water for one minute to clean/thaw them out.  same with blackberries, strawberries I try to stick with Korean or local but always avoid Chairman Xi due to possible use of banned sprays to keep bugs away. Just cut up some fruit, make a fruit salad, add nuts - walnuts/almonds/cashew (chopped up), seeds - sunflowerr pumpkin, goi berry seeds, flaxseed (meal if avaliable) turmeric w/black pepper) and some greek yogurt (probiotic) and loaded with protein.  Can use a teaspoon of honey to add a better flavor if needed.  As for frozen berries in supermarkets, I found that often the berries had turned to mush so I only buy fresh and freeze them myself.  Raspberries are good too if you can find them and freeze well.  In any case, you might try the suggestions made by this forum users and if no success, maybe a professional dietician might help.  After all, a good night's sleep is as improtant as one's diet.  Good luck and let us know if any success.

2 hours ago, Unamerican said:

I am in a similar situation, but I already bought an expensive condo!  
My question concerns the fact that there are two names listed (on the Chanote) as “owners of the condo” : so can I use it as my investment? 

As mentinoed above for the CORRECT answer, it should come from those that determine the qualifications - the BOI.  They will be able to give you the only answer that counts while we here on the forum might guess ...