Presnock

Yes, just poorly written!

TRUMP is the first to admit that he has NEVER in his entire life ever made any kind of mistake including that he has never committed a crime and that although he lost the 2020 election, that is only because they obviously miscounted the ballots including the 50+ court actions thrownout due to lack of evidence. He is a crook and he totally ignored his oath to the US Constitution on the election. He is a traitor to the US by doing that and should be jailed, but money seems to protect wrong doers around the globe. This is my opinion based on what I have read about him or many decades, especially beginning with Heel Spurs and VN. A coward to start with and funny how those heel spurs only kept him from the draft, and not from college sports. Am I anti Trump - definitely Am I pro-Harris - definitely NOT.

I too have a bank with a very active fraud division. Anytime an unusual charge is made on my acct, I get an email advising that prior to paying they would like my advising them of the validity of that charge. Has never failed yet in the 5 years I have had an acct with them.

I gripe with you. When I buy olive oil, apple vinegar and pay over 20 USD for each of those, plus other costs of a cup of cold brewed coffee more than 1.50 USD, I wonder how some people can even afford it. I am having second thoughts but these particular recommended by researchers of healthy eating habits are hard to put down.

Multiple accounts of that since he should get prison for each child killed, plus endangering the remainder, plus for causing injuries, plus fleeing the scene.

well you got it wrong again as I was informed on this forum about the SDFCU opening accts. Smart? no just can read and understand English. SDFCU recognized the need and someone else on this forum put out the needed information which is what many do on this forum. You are the one talking about folks not being prepared or aware.

Yeah you come lately guys have all the answers. But what you fail to understand is that many of us came here 20 or more years ago when the banking industry was entirely different. Now with the OECD, FACTA and CRS banks in many countries have different operating rules. I had a BOA acct or more than 40 years but when the new rules came down about 5 years ago I had already sold my US property so instead of lying about where I lived (meaning maybe a relative or friend but not true in reality) I told the bank my living address in Thailand so my acct was cancelled. Fortunately I was informed that the State Department Federal Credit Union would open an account and did not have to be any kind of govt employee living overseas to do so. I have now been with them for 5 years, have credit cards, my Thai wife and daughter are co-acct holders. Haven't had any issues with this bank at all and they provide good security on my credit card too. If I had moved here in the last 5 years, life could very easily be different. You blaming the expats when you don't have any idea of our lives before coming here and being prepared for changes a future world. now that you are here, guess there might be even more changes coming even for you but guess you are omnicient about life and any future changes. Anyway glad you have no problems unlike many in the real world.

Well I could afford to live in the US but not at the same level. If I stayed in my house prior to selling it after moving to Thailand, my expenses would not have been that high but the weather, food costs, heating in Winter costs, etc had made me decided to retire in Thailand. I have not regretted that decidsion. I still think Thailand is a better choice than some others but I also like the PI and possibly VN. I am sure some EU folks might like the retirements in Portugal or Spain but from what I read on those forums, I still think being in SEA is better. Some folks like Central American countries, and I have lived there too previously and liked it but the political situations and crime worried me at times so basically Thailand hit all the good things with just a few worries. As weather changes around the world, even with the annual flooding here, it is still survivable and doesn't get that COLD which is a very big negative for me. But, to each his/her own opinions, especially those very much younger with many more years to go versus my 77 years of age.

All types of vehicles having any modifications to original equipment, especial involved in moving merchanidise or people should be required to have a SAFETY" inspection and those that the inspectors pass because of brown envelopes, or orders from superiors should be jailed. that is my opinion a many of these vehicles just seem to be ticking bombs waiting on the highways.

He could very easily have opened emergency exits before doing anything else except getting his butt out of the burning bus. In the video of him getting the fire extinguisher (very small type) he never attempted to open any of the emergency doors before fleeing the scene. Just as guilty as the bus company owners and those making illegal changes to the gas cylinders for the fueling system. All of them should already be under arrest pending how many charges of negligent murder are being considered! No excuse for those that provided signed inspections too once the illegal cylinders had been installed. Just looking at one of the "legal" installs, I find it ridiculous that it would pass as it appeared to be a "ticking bomb" just waiting for a spark. From initial reports, other changes to the bus frame etc may have contributed too. It will be interesting to say the least just how long before the govt does react and fixes this type of situation. Not only for the long haul transports but even the short haul that have any changes to original equipment in my opinion anyway.

State Department Federal Credit Union. (sdfcu.org). Not necessary to be any kind of US govt employee or retiree. The bank will give you a list of organizations that you will need to join prior to opening the account,. The costs of some are really low. I joined American Citizens Abroad and once the account has been opened, the following year you do not have to renew your membership in that organization. The bank will issue credit cards, etc. They have a really active fraud for the cards too especially since we are overseas. I have been a member now for 5 years because BOA cancelled my account after 40 years because I had no US address or phone number. There are other banks that will also open an account for American expats (I think), once read Navy credit Union too but really have no info on other than the SDFCU. Good luck!

this is a false statement. I an American citizen living in Thailand over 20 years no US address or phone number for more than 10 years opened a bank acct go t credit card etc with very little problem. There are US banks that will open accounts for Americans without a US address and/or a US phone number.

agree, but over the past year I have noticed in Robinson's Mall Latkrabang that some stores/restaurants say "no cash" ( in Thai but I understand it) I only use cash, while my wife and daughter seldom do! Anyway I ask if I can pay in cash only - 90% say yes others say they can't accept cash. If not, then I move on to someplace else - wife just smiles. I note from the PI forum that cash is king there. They recommend for visitors to immediately upon arrival at airport change money into local pesos as most shops except for big malls don't accept foreign charge cards.

GEE! what a surprise! I knw this would happen as it has happened forever.,...prior to the Chinese doing this, Japan used to be the same. They changed the name of one manufacturing city in Japan to USA and that was stamped on all the products -"Made in USA". But eventually, the Japanese products were better or at least as good as the ones being copied. The Chinese goods I believe are substandard but really cheap!

Yeah, looking at local news this morning, I see that the bus was just a big bomb! Almost half the make shift installations are illegal according to the news. Even those that were legal seemed to me to be time bombs. Also in many of the rural villages, do their fire departments have foam to fight this kind of fire? AND, how come the emergency exits are too difficult for riders to open in such cases of emergency? I would have thought that the driver could have opend some emergency doors instead of running to another of the buses to get a tiny water extinguisher!!! Both he and the owners of the bus transport company need to spend a long time in prison. My opinion anyway.

The coffers have been emptied by all those that were outed recently. On top of that, the 10K for vote promises would have been too hard to cover up for votes again next time around plus all the monies needed to fight the current flooding which is also closing a lot of businesses. Expats I am sure will get their chance soonest too. My opinions all!

I can blv that she did say that and that she believes it is correct,,,not a clue as to western thinking,

Best be the US/EU instead of Putin/Xi but thisis my opinion too and realize that communist lovers would prefer it the other way.

If it provides at least USD $50K for hospitalization then I think so - but if less than that then you need to check with the BOI folks.

exactly...thre really wasn't an appointment, the BOI rep walks one around to whereever they have to go to get something done. Maybe depends on the number of applicants. If the tax exemption remains then look for more to try to get this visa.

The US would Stop The Iranians in my opinion along with the EU - Iran is well aware of this too.

FYI expattaxthailand.com does webinar on DTA's - if already, they have it on video. Besides that not only do they help do taxes for a cost of course - they also advertise a FREE 15 minute consultation with expats who have a simple question to ask. I am an American so the wording of my pension or the US social security is spelled out very clearly who has the right to tax such accounts. In reading DTA of say Australia or now maybe the UK or Germany, pension could be a different entity entirely and the same with the old age pensions which sounds like social security to me but to the Thai revenue department when they read the Thai version of the DTA it might mean that Thailand could in fact tax those funds if remitted nowadays or in any future changes to the Thai tax situation. I think one should check out the expattaxthailand website for whereever ones's DTA is as and the take advantage of the free consultation to ask specific questions. If something is more complicated then it might warrant a visit with those folks. Just saying, I listened to their pension income and remember that it was pretty complete but like I said before my DTA spells out everything for me very clearly - I learned all the ins and outs of finding the information from this forum back many months ago. I really appreciate the help some people has spent a considerable amount of time chasing down various local offices to help alleviate many negative feelings. Hopefully we will soon have a much better idea of where this is headed or when or not ever. Good luck.

I am married to a Thai lady and we had a college aged child that was accepted at a US college with scholarships, etc and we made plans to take her back by using a tourist visa to take her and then we would return as I had been retired here for almost 20 years, she owned our house, new vehicle and well-established bank account. However the consulate felt there was not to make her return to Thailand so refused the tourist visa and said we have to go the immigrant route. This was just about the Afghan fiasco and immigration had a backlog of over 500K applicants, and were able to process about 35K per month. We went through an agency, did all the paperwork needing visits to all levels of the local government and it took 13 months for that approval. By then our daughter had decided to go to the #1 college in Thailand as she was pursuing a liberal arts degree in Korean language and they have a special program BALAC (bachelor of arts in language and Culture). During term breaks she has been going to Seoul national University (the number one school in Korea). The combined cost of all the schooling and living quarters (condo rental in BKK) Dorm rental in Seoul) to date is still cheaper than what it would be the final cost of her education in the US. She is doing exceptional work, great grades and loving every minute of it although she has not had a break from schooling since COVID faded away. But that is what her international school taught her about education and learning, The more she learns the more she wants to continue studies! Little off the subject but I was a BKK embassy official before me retirement and that didn't help get her a tourist visa. But in the future if she wants to immigrate to the US - she already has immigration document approval.

If the Iranians blatantly strike Israel, I believe that the Israeli's will make every effort to stop the nuke weapons program or hamper further progress. Just my opinion which is allowed on this forum.

I do think that Israel is waiting for the Iranians to do something blatantly so that the Israeli's can strike at the nuke facilities in Iran! Israel has wanted to do that for quite some time and can fully understand why.